 By Pepper Parr
May 24th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
A hypothetical look at what Mayor Marianne Meed Ward might find a useful way out of her current predicament.
Assuming Mayor Meed Ward continues to use the Strong Mayor powers that a majority of the Council she leads find offensive, and assume she continues toying with the truth her status as Mayor her best before date becomes October of 2018.
Meed Ward knows what losing an election feels like. Her first run at public office was for the ward 1 council seat where she took on then Councillor Rick Craven; she was trounced.
 Marianne Meed Ward made the waterfront her issue – it got her into office – waterfront wasn’t saved. She and her family moved out of the Tyandaga community and into ward 2 where she took on waterfront issues and challenged Peter Thoem who wasn’t all that hard to beat.
Meed Ward had her eye on being Mayor from the very beginning. When she was first running for the ward 2 seat, then Mayor Cam Jackson could see the writing on the wall. He was convinced that Meed Ward would run against him at some point.
Turns out she didn’t have to – Cam Jackson lost his job as Mayor in that 2010 election.
That wasn’t a problem for Meed Ward; the target had changed but the objective was the same.
 Things should have gone up after winning the election. They didn’t Meed Ward was prepared to run for Mayor in 2014 but decided to spend another term as a ward Councillor while she saw her three children through school and off to university.
She had built credibility, improved her profile while the city began to come to terms with significant growth downtown and an even more significant population growth that was ahead.
Meed Ward assured the public that she could save the Burlington most people loved and wanted to stay just as it was.
She became the person leading the drive against development that was too high. Downtown was not going to become another Toronto with 30 plus storey towers all over the place.
 That oval shaped property held some promise for a unique location. It will now be the location of at least five high rise structures. There was a focus in the football, that land between Old Lakeshore Road and Lakeshore Road from Elizabeth on the west and Martha on the east that many hoped would be developed and become another destination close to the lake.
That didn’t happen either. The plans currently are for at least five high rise towers, one that will keep the Carriage House restaurant. Emmas Back Porch bit the dust when the owner realized that Covid was going to wipe out much of the hospitality sector in the city. That sector is still struggling.
The Porch still stands but not as a place people can visit; you can rent it for events.
 This is the development picture in 2018 – it has grown considerably since then – and we have only seen the beginning. The feeling is that the chance to develop responsibly and have the city planners make the decisions on what could be built where had been lost. The city had yet to learn how to hire the kind of legal talent that could win at Ontario Land Tribunal hearings.
There doesn’t appear to be the sense that the current population is going to spend the rest of their days in a city they want – all people hear is that there is going to be huge growth and that we have to prepare for it.
It was hard to find anyone who would say they really felt the Mayor had a grip on what was happening. She sure doesn’t have much of a grip or a working relationship with a majority of her council. They refused to ensure that she would have the staffing she needed for the Speaker series she had planned. There was nothing wrong with the Speaker Series – it was just the way it came to be.
And, if recent data is reliable, most of the people who worked on the 2018 election aren’t going to be working for her for the 2026 election.
What do you do when the ship is taking on water? You look for a different ship.
I’ll comment on that in a follow up piece.
Salt with Pepper is the musings, reflections and opinions of the publisher of the Burlington Gazette, an online newspaper that was formed in 2010 and is a member of the National Newsmedia Council.
Related news articles:
Mayor stiffs council members.
How close to a coup de tete was it?
 By Staff
May 24th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
BurlingtonGreen and Tech Genius team members are looking forward to greeting you and accepting your broken or unwanted electronics on Saturday, May 25th from 10-4 pm at the north-west parking lot of Burlington Centre for our 8th Zero Waste Drop-off event.
 Part of the team that will take in what you don’t want anymore – it should be something that can be recycled. Their focus on Zero Waste has them accepting more unique waste items not currently accepted in Halton Region’s recycling program.
There will also be Terracycle collection boxes on hand (thanks to the Burlington Centre), to accept items such as snack wrappers, small-sized filters, batteries, plastic cards and ink cartridges.
Please note that the Repair Cafe service at this event is already fully booked for the day. Reach them at burlingtonrepaircafe@cogeco.ca to learn about their next Repair Cafe opportunity.
Tech Genius, an organization that solves a lot of problems – you might want to check them out.
  Thanks and gratitude to the City of Burlington, Burlington Centre, Tech Genius and Burlington Hydro for supporting this impactful event as part of our Make The Switch program.
 By Staff
May 24th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Lakeshore West rail service will be modified for short periods of time on some weekends until Sunday, June 9 to allow for necessary track work along the corridor.
May 25 and 26, 2024.
June 1 and 2, 2024.
June 8 and 9, 2024.
During these weekends, Lakeshore West trains will operate every 15 minutes between Union Station to Oakville GO, and then hourly between Oakville to West Harbour GO stations.
Services to Niagara Falls GO remain unaffected.
Why is this work being done?
 To support the increase in GO service, Metrolinx is working with the City of Burlington and the Town of Oakville to build the Burloak Drive grade separation which will improve traffic flow without having to wait for trains to pass.
Separating Burloak Drive from the rail tracks will deliver the following benefits:
- Allow Metrolinx to deliver increased GO service levels on the Lakeshore West line supporting more frequent, two-way, all-day rail service
- Optimize traffic flow and enhance pedestrian and vehicular safety
- Widen Burloak Drive to accommodate 4 lanes of vehicular traffic with provisions for a future 6 lane road.
- Improvements at Superior Court and Prince William Drive, as well as minor improvements at Harvester and Wyecroft Roads.
- Dedicated multi use pathways along the boulevard and on street bicycle lanes.
By Staff
May 23rd, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
It is a week or two away – but you might want to make a note of it on your calendar.
The annual Carpenter Hospice annual hike takes place on June 1st. Participants will spend the morning walking the five-kilometre planned route around the neighbourhood with staff, volunteers, families, and supporters. Registration is open now at www.thecarpenterhospice.com/hike.
 The Carpenter Hospice All four Rotary Clubs of Burlington will act as the presenting sponsor for the event, which they have done for many years. “We are honoured each year by the support of our participants, volunteers, sponsors, community partners, and donors,” said John Gilbert, Manager, Fund Development at Carpenter Hospice.
“To ensure our services are free of cost, we annually raise funds to provide home-cooked meals for our residents, counselling and wellness programs, and ongoing upkeep of our facilities,” said Kim Pearson, Executive Director of Carpenter Hospice.
Among the activities on June 1, the Memorial Quilt has become a beautiful tradition. The Halton Quilters Guild has partnered with the Hospice to provide the necessary materials to capture messages in memory of loved ones on a small fabric square. Following the Hike, the
Guild will assemble the quilt, which will later be displayed in the Hospice. Like creating a quilt, providing compassionate palliative care is more than the sum of its parts. It is the work of many hands collectively supporting moments that matter.
About Carpenter Hospice
Carpenter Hospice has been an integral part of Burlington since 2002. It provides compassionate palliative care in its 11-bed residence to people diagnosed with a life-limiting illness in a home-like setting in the heart of Burlington. It is a home away from home for its residents, families, and caregivers.
The Hospice’s specialized team of dedicated professionals and experienced volunteers help residents navigate their journey, provides guidance and support, and, most importantly, take the time to understand their needs and wishes in a peaceful, comfortable, and meaningful environment.
Carpenter Hospice also offers community-based services such as bereavement and supportive care, a wellness program, music therapy, spiritual care, and more. These essential services ensure that everyone feels well-supported and cared for.
By Pepper Parr
May 23rd, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
OPINION
There were two very passionate delegations earlier this week. Gord Pinard (CORE Burlington) and Roger Goulet (PERL) were delegating in support of a resolution they wanted Council to send to the province asking that they stop the quarry mining on the Mt. Nemo Plateau.
Council was supportive when they were making their comments.
Ugh! There is an information disconnect taking place here.
The city is struggling to get shovels into the ground and begin to see the housing that is going to be needed. More than 100 hours of Council time has been spent on the housing problems.
When all these people arrive – where are they going to play?
 Lowville Park now limits the length of time you can spend there. Is Spencer Smith Park getting to the point where it feels crowded?
The need for park space will become a serious problem once the population rises.
Nelson Aggregates has made an offer to give the property to the city. Rather than at least meet with the Nelson people, the city has decided that they will defend the right the people in the northern part of the city believe they have to maintain things as they are.
 Walt Rickli, who has done as much as anyone for the Lowville community, was close to being booed when he suggested the Nelson Aggregate people deserved to be listened to. When Walt Rickli spoke at a community event in Lowville about the quarry development he was close to being booed.
Nothing is going to be “as they are” in the city in a decade. In two decades what we have today will be seen a very quaint.
Political leadership means looking for what is coming our way. Dealing with the quarry site opportunity now gives the city some leverage.
The city Council has decided to defend the interests of a part of the population (which I am not sure are all that legitimate) rather than do its job to ensure that the city will be livable, walkable place to live work and play.
 A rendering of what turning the quarry could look like if it was turned into a park. Admittedly, the story Nelson Aggregates tells now may turn out to be a pig in a poke but the city will never know if they don’t start asking some questions – like just what did you have in mind and what does your time line look like?
The craven practice of wanting to be liked by everyone is unbecoming of a mature city council.
We will have more to say on this subject.
Salt with Pepper is the musings, reflections and opinions of the publisher of the Burlington Gazette, an online newspaper that was formed in 2010 and is a member of the National Newsmedia Council.
 By Staff
May 23rd, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The provincial government has been playing fast and loose with the legislation they are dumping on a public that doesn’t fully unerstand what they are up to.
Environmental Defence a not for profit that has been keeping a close eye on what Queen’s Park is up to put out media releases on a regular basis.
We interviewed their in-house counsel and will publish what we learned later in the week.
Shortly after our interview Phil Pothen, in-house counsel for Environmental Defence sent us the following:
“If people in Ontario don’t speak up, the government might push through two new laws that could see a lot of the province’s farmland, forests, wetlands and habitats marked for destructive suburban sprawl development.
 Phil Pothen, in-house counsel for Environmental Defence “While this might seem like solely an environmental issue, it’s not. That’s because the biggest threat to our environment here in Ontario is also the biggest threat to fixing the housing shortage: sprawl development.
“With its permanent protections, the Greenbelt acts as the inner line of defence against destructive sprawl. But only a small portion of Ontario’s essential agriculture and remaining wildlife habitats have been protected within the Greenbelt so far.
Ontario’s Under-Protected Areas
“Most of the farmland and wildlife habitat that must eventually be included in the Greenbelt is still contested countryside, protected instead by “settlement area boundaries” that define the maximum area that might eventually be needed for housing, workplaces or industry in a worst case scenario -and prohibit any development applications beyond that area. Because there was so much unbuilt land within settlement boundaries, and so much potential to add denser housing to existing neighbourhoods, there has been every reason to hope that most of the contested countryside would eventually get permanent protection.
“Ontario’s latest legislation, the Provincial Planning Statement and the Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act (Bill 185), would demolish protection for the contested countryside by making settlement boundaries meaningless.
“The result? Unchecked, wasteful sprawl that will kneecap cities and towns from efficiently using construction capacity to build denser housing in existing neighbourhoods.
“Unless stopped, these laws will welcome a wave of sprawl developer led attacks in every community.
The Potential Impact
“In tandem, the proposed Provincial Planning Statement and Bill 185 would work to effectively erase settlement boundaries by:
“Cancelling the entire Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe
“Removing the requirement that at least 50 people be housed for each hectare of farmland or habitat destroyed. The current government had previously reduced the number from 80 people to 50 people.
“Removing the requirement that suburban municipalities ensure enough housing to accommodate half of their expected population growth gets built in existing neighbourhoods and built up areas.
“Letting land speculators demand suburban boundary expansions themselves, just as easily as they can apply for Official Plan approval to build within the existing towns and cities’ settlement boundary.
“Allowing settlement boundaries be expanded, and farmland & habitat be condemned to destruction, without any evidence that it is actually needed, or even helpful to meet housing needs, despite vast supplies of existing “greenfield” land already included in settlement boundaries but sitting unused.
“Transferring decision-making about sprawl away from regional governments, to rural councils that lack strong legal and land use planning teams and are vulnerable to inappropriate pressure and ill-equipped to defend against spurious sprawl developer appeals.
“Fostering corrupt pressure to approve dangerous sprawl and habitat destruction by removing any Ontario Land Tribunal oversight of municipal decisions that say “yes” to sprawl.”
Good doesn’t outweigh the bad
“There is one positive element included in Bill 185: it would remove minimum parking requirements in Major Transit Station Areas (the small circles of land immediately surrounding major transit stations). At the same time as it tabled Bill 185, the government announced that it may soon remove the Building Code bans on single staircase (“single egress”) construction up to 4 storeys and on “mass timber” construction up to 18 storeys, that have been obstructing denser, greener housing.
 Suburban sprawl – it seemed like a good idea at the time, plenty of land and gas was cheap. “Unfortunately, because both Bill 185 and the Provincial Planning Statement prioritize low-density sprawl over densification in existing neighbourhoods the benefits of those changes will remain negligible. Since Ontario has a serious construction labour and equipment shortage, any increase in sprawl development will come at the expense of a larger number of lower-cost homes that are ready to be built in existing neighbourhoods. In fact, the government is refusing to remove the zoning bans that currently make it illegal to build fourplexes in most Ontario neighbourhoods. These modest low-rise buildings can house four families on a residential lot that would otherwise be wasted on a single “McMansion”. Resembling a single detached house, they effectively house more people while maintaining the residential character and feel of a neighbourhood.”
 By Pepper Parr
May 23rd, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Council likes what has been proposed for the revitalization of Civic Square. It is now in the hands of the public who will be given a number of opportunities to let the planners know that they think.
The City has worked with consultants and used feedback from residents, businesses, community partners and Indigenous and First Nations groups to create three concepts of Civic Square, City Hall front entrance, façade and streetscapes. Residents, community partners and businesses are asked to view the concepts and answer a short survey either online at getinvolvedburlington.ca/civicsquare or in-person. The online survey will be open until June 9.
An in-person drop-in session is scheduled at City Hall (426 Brant St.) on Wednesday, June 5 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Staff will be in the City Hall lobby with concepts on display to take feedback and answer questions. Parking downtown after 6 p.m. is free on weekdays.
Residents can not only pick the concept they prefer, but also select aspects of the other concepts to combine into a design that uses the best features of all three concepts.
 The area the planners looked at; the shaded block in the centre right is the 400 Brant Street restaurant – former Queen’s Head Providing your feedback will allow staff to create the best design that will help us turn the area into a vibrant, exciting and accessible space where people can connect in the downtown core.
Some of the intended final design objectives for the refresh are:
Enhancing community connections – Focus on walkability and amenities for pedestrians
Versatility
Developing community identity – Bring together arts and culture through festivals, events and ceremonies
Creating a welcoming, accessible and comfortable public space – A public space that is vibrant, safe and comfortable for all
Construction on the space will begin in the summer of 2025. The project will be complete in 2026.
Now for the design options the city has presented:
 Option 1; labelled canopies.
 Option 2; labelled Atrium  Option 3; labelled Portals We don’t know just who put together the material the public will be able to interact with – but it is a very good first step to real public engagement. The challenge will be to determine if the city really listens. What if Council doesn’t like what the public suggests? Are they going to listen?
Marion Rabeau, Manager, Parks Design and Construction said “This project exemplifies a public participation process in the development of a preferred concept. We are just over a year away from having shovels in the ground and reinvigorating one of our prime outdoor public spaces, so I encourage everyone to look at the online concepts and take part in the final survey.”
By Pepper Parr
May 23rd, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The drive to get the thousands of homes that are going to be needed has resulted in some pretty tall buildings. How one raises a family in a 35 storey building is a challenge I would not want to have to face.
Lockwood Auto has a development before the City Planning department that has scale and something that to me at least says “real people live here”.
It is designed like a C with a decent court yard in the middle.
The proposed development features a 12 storey C shaped building with a central court. The proposal will have 307 square metres of community space and 247 square metres of retail on the ground floor. A total of 338 units are proposed with various unit sizes and types ranging from bachelor units to two-bedroom+ dens. The ground floor includes two-storey, three-bedroom townhouses.
Someone somewhere deserves credit for a design like this. The presentation to the community has been made – next is the Statutory meeting – not yet scheduled.
 Rendering of the development showing the court yard with a view of the street  Rendering of the development planned for Fairview from the rear.
 By Pepper Parr
May 23rd, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The Burlington Sports Hall of Fame will be holding its annual induction ceremony on Tuesday May 28, 2024, at the Burlington Golf and Country Club and another stellar class of deserving inductees will be feted that night.
 Mark Jooris Mark Jooris, the current coach and general manager of the Burlington Cougars, is synonymous with hockey success in Burlington. Jooris got his start with the Cougars and set an amazing scoring record of 127 points in the 1981-82 season.
He then went to Rensselaer Institute of the NCAA, where totalled 183 points in 117 games over four seasons. His RPI career included a National Championship in 1984-85. He played 13 seasons of professional hockey with the Finnish Elite League, American Hoackey League, the German DEL and the Swiss National League A and B.
After his playing career he turned to coaching and scouting. He scouted for the Vancouver Canucks of the NHL and coached in the Swiss league as well as in the Ontario Junior Hockey league. In 2016 Jooris was named the Coach of The Year in the Ontario Hockey Association.
 Peter Moore Peter Moore is being posthumously inducted into the Builder category for his decades-long commitment to officiating at the highest levels as well as his role as the first convenor of the Halton Secondary School Athletic Association. “26,” as Moore was always referred to throughout his career because of the number he wore, was a member of the Lakeshore Football Officials Association from the 1960’s to the 2,000’s and was on their executive for over 30 years. He was the referee-in-chief and assignor for more than 20 years.
Peter was also a 40-year member of the Hamilton Basketball Officials Association, refereeing at the high school, college, and University levels. Outside of officiating, Moore also chaired or co-chaired 6 Girls and 7 Boys Golden Horseshoe Championships for OFSAA. Also a fastball umpire for over 30 years, “26” turned to convening, acting as Halton’s Athletic Convenor from 1990-2005. Peter Moore passed away in 2013.
 Jim Reardon This year’s induction will be historic in that a father and son duo, both of whom represented Canada at the Olympics, are being inducted at the same time. Jim Reardon wore the Maple Leaf at the Munich Olympics in 1972 in the K-4 1,000m (flat water kayak) before turning to a coaching career, both at the local level at the Mohawk Canoe Club and at the world level, where he coached at the World Junior Championships in 1981, winning two gold medals. He moved to the Senior level and was an assistant coach at every World Championships from 1979 to 1987. He also assisted at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, winning a gold and silver medal.
 Brady Reardon Brady Reardon competed in the same event, the K-4 1,000m, as his father at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, finishing ninth. He competed at every World Championship since his debut on the world stage in 2007. In 2012 he went solo and won the silver medal in the K-1 500m. In 2013 he teamed with long-time Burloak Canoe Club training partner Adam van Koerverden to become a World Cup silver medalist in the K-2 1,000. Brady then teamed with Andrew Jessop in 2014 to have one of Canada’s greatest results at a World Championships when they finished 7th in the K-2 1,000m. Brady also competed at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto.
 John Tait John Tait has been a dedicated volunteer for over 40 years with the Burlington Rep Hockey Club. John was a founding member of the Burlington Wolves. The Wolves eventually became the Burlington Eagles/ Burlington City Rep Hockey Club. In 1995 He was named President, a position he held for 25 years. He was a founder of the Ron Wilkins Hockey tournament, and helped develop the highly successful Golden Horseshoe Tournament, attracting teams from all over North America and Europe. Outside of hockey, John co-founded the Gift of Giving Back, Canada’s largest youth-organized Food Drive. He also was a former executive member of both the Burlington Sports Alliance and the Burlington Sports Hall of Fame.
 Lisa Turbitt Lisa Turbitt has been an accomplished Baseball Ontario umpire for over 40 years, and a Baseball Canada National Level umpire since 1995. Turbitt has umpired and supervised 20 Canadian National Championships, including being the first woman to umpire at the Canada Games. In 2004 and 2006 she was the home plate umpire for the Women’s World Cup gold medal game. In 2004 Turbitt was the recipient of the Dick Willis Memorial Award, which goes to Baseball Canada’s “Umpire of the Year. She also was the first woman to umpire at a World Baseball Classic qualifying tournament in 2022. In 2023 Lisa was awarded Baseball Canada’s Lifetime Achievement Award, the first woman to receive this award.
In addition to this stellar class, the BSHOF will also be awarding the Don Green Award of Distinction. This award honours an athlete, organization, or team whose accomplishments are worthy of recognition, even if they don’t meet the criteria for induction to the BSHOF. It is the intent of this award to not only recognize these achievements – but also to shine a light on all who have contributed to the outstanding legacy of sport in our community. This year’s winner is Ward Russell, a coach and mentor to generations of athletes and students at Burlington Central High School, where he taught and coached football and basketball from 1954-1987.
By Staff
May 22, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
 The Santa Claus parade will be shorter this year – road construction Council was advised by Memo earlier this month that there would have to be some changes in the Santa Claus parade route due to road work being done on Prospect Street, which in the past has been the marshalling site for the parade.
The road closure will be roughly 3kms in length (previously 4.5kms) with the parade route starting at the Central Hub (Teen Tour Way). The marshalling area will extend to Guelph Line on New Street, and the parade will end on Brant Street at Blairholm Ave, with the dismantling zone moving onto private property and the road closure ending at Ghent Ave.
The new route will improve efficiency and will be less impactful to Burlington residents and businesses surrounding Guelph Line and Prospect Street.
The proposed changes are outlined below:
 Removal of the road closure on Prospect Street from Cumberland to Guelph Line- Removal of the road closure on Guelph Line from Prospect Street to New Street
- Extending the road closure on Brant Street from Victoria Ave/Baldwin Street to Ghent Ave with the parade ending at Blairholm Ave (previously ending on Caroline)
The Santa Claus Parade is a signature event, and the impacts of the event, specifically the road closure, are significant to the community and residents in the surrounding area. Residents and businesses in the surrounding area will be receiving a community consultation letter with the break down of the proposed changes following Burlington’s Canada Day Event July 1st.
If you have any questions, contact Kristina Clint, Kristina.clint@burlington.ca.
By Staff
May 22nd, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The Burlington Historical Society has taken on a new project and put their money where their mouth is: they pledged $5000 toward restoration and clean-up of our Pioneer Cemeteries. Though the Neighbourhood Campaign, the City of Burlington has matched that amount and added more to our project.
 Gates to the United Empire Loyalist Cemetery They have chosen the United Empire Loyalist cemetery on Plains Road (in front of IKEA), AKA Job’s Lane Cemetery & The Brick Cemetery.
Whatever the name, they are planning a cleanup day for Wednesday, June 19th which just happens to be United Empire Loyalist Day in Ontario, with a rain date and an extra day of cleanup if required, of June 22nd.
Fitting, since many of our own founding fathers were of UEL stock and are buried in this cemetery.
Their plan is to produce a series of short videos explaining the project and the importance of the cemetery to Burlington. A link to the first video is HERE
By Pepper Parr
May 22nd, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Roger Goulet has been around the battle to bring an end to the Nelson Quarry from the very beginning.
He delegated at City Council, representing Protecting Escarpment Rural Land (PERL) speaking to the resolution to the province requesting that they deny Nelson aggregates expansion into Mt. Nemo
“Perl is a non profit non charitable corporation established in 2005. We last delegated at council in September on the Nelson aggregate proposal, which was denied by this council. Pearls mission is to advocate for long term protection of the Natural Heritage Systems. Pearl supports this resolution because it’s the right thing to do.
 One of these was enough for the people in rural Burlington. Is a bylaw creating a Heritage Conservation District the best way to prevent any quarry application – or is there a larger objective being sought? “Nelson aggregate spokesman have stated that they could end operations in 30 years, but threatened to continue their industrial processing for 50 years. They have said that they are considering expanding into underground mining under the plateau. What do we believe? 30 years, 50 years 100 years? Nelson been quarrying on the plateau for over 100 years. Do we allow our plateau to become the mount Nemo mega crater?
“The Mt. Nemo Plateau has been rezoned and re designated numerous times. Since 2009, the City of Burlington, Halton Region, the Niagara Escarpment, and Pearl have all asked the province to re designate the whole of Mt. Nemo plateau to a higher level of environmental protection.
 Roger Goulet “Now, some 14 years later,we are again asking for a different future for Burlington’s mountain. It is widely accepted that the Mt. Nemo plateau is ecologically, geologically, culturally and historically significant. Some would say unique.
“We must chart a new future for our rural treasure. One without a heavy industrial footprint and its negative impacts. Many rural residents did draft a rural vision, calling for a return to more natural, gentler land uses.
“The Nelson Aggregates Mt. Nemo quarry needs to be fully rehabilitated as per their existing site plan, ending the plateaus industrial area era and making way for an ecologically sustainable future. Not blasting out more quarries not getting someone else to create a huge amusement park. A park below the water table if you can believe it. It is time to let this mountain with its key features, its species, its life giving aquifer and its habitants to recover.”
Ward 3 Council member Rory Nisan agreed with the Goulet delegation asking “what advocacy would you like to see from the City of Burlington when they hopefully support of this resolution? Requesting the province to deny the application and establishing long term protection sure, but what other advocacy would you expect from us?
 The shaded areas are lands Nelson Aggregates wants to add to the property they will mine. Goulet responded: “I can step back to the 2009 – 2010 timeframe, where the city brought the same resolution forward. It was passed unanimously. It was followed up by a specific requisition or request of the province to re designate the plateau.
“The city then took the leadership to take that resolution forward to Halton Regional Council, where it passed unanimously as well. At a subsequent Niagara Escarpment commission meetings, the Mayor and Councillor Taylor, at the time, made delegations to the Niagara Escarpment for them to support the re-designation of the Mt. Nemo plateau.
“So using that prior 2009 2010 approach, I would see it appropriate for you to do the same. This resolution needs to be approved by the province. That’s where we were stopped last time.
 This is the geography of the Mt. Nemo Plateau. The orange markings are what Nelson Aggregates was seeking in 2012. They have since expanded the area they want to quarry with the current application Goulet adds: “We even got the Niagara Escarpment commission to do two things, one to declare from the Commission, a resolution to ban all new quarries on the Niagara Escarpment as passed in 2014 and 2015. They passed another resolution, I think it was 2015.
“Over the last few years, it’s starting to get a little complicated. They passed another resolution, almost the same as the one you’re passing today to ask the province to re designate; this was done through the 2015 – 2016 major plans review of the Greenbelt and the Oak Ridges moraine. That went forward into the province for their decision.
“Nelson Aggregates came back in 2017 with a new plan that did not adopt these new designations. We have a long road to go to get the province to move on this re designation after many many years of trying make an argument to demonstrate that. That is the appropriate thing to do.”
Nelson Aggregates was asked for a comment on the two delegations. They said: “Burlington is going to need a source of aggregate to build the homes, roads, hospitals and schools for a growing population, and we are comfortable that the Ontario Land Tribunal will agree with the many studies that show the quarry expansion can meet those needs in an environmentally sustainable manner.”
 By Pepper Parr
May 22nd, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Have you opened the envelope from the city, the one with your property tax bill inside?
Recall that the Mayor has talked about the 7.52% tax increase.
To learn what the actual increase is you need to compare your final tax bill for last year and compare it with the final tax bill for this year, which you just got in the mail.
 The City collects taxes for the school boards and the Regional government. This was the split for 2023-24 tax year. The city issues interim tax bills and a final tax bill – which can be confusing. There are many who think that that is the purpose of the interim bills.
The Gazette is working on a story that will use actual tax bills to illustrate how to determine what your tax increase actually is.
It is time for the city to improve how the public becomes aware of just how much the city portion of the tax bill is.
The city collects taxes on behalf of the School boards and the Region – which is a sound business practice.
Explaining the intricacies of a tax bill is where the improvements are needed.
When the city decides who the next city treasurer is going to be that might be one of the items in their mandate letters.
Based on the early research done – it appears that the tax increase is going to be just over 10%
By Plan B
May 22, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
After 10 days of OLT hearings held from April 29th to May 17th, including examinations and cross-examinations of ten expert witnesses, supported by 7000 pages of testimonies replete with projections and schematics and layers & layers of policies, it comes down to this; a decision by one OLT Member to either Reject Vrancor’s appeal of Burlington’s refusal decision of their application (i.e. “No”), or to Approve it with Conditions (i.e. “Yes, but”)
Are you still tracking on these double negatives with us? Okay!
 The most recent design has the two towers a little further apart and no bridge between the buildings. We at Citizens’ PLAN B monitored most of the proceedings and are optimistic that the OLT will decide “No”. Why?
The arguments brought forward by the City of Burlington and The Pearle Hotel were superior, and presented in a compelling fashion, such as:
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 Different views of the lake from various locations in the Pearle Hotel. Proposed conveyance of land remnants unacceptable to the City as useful Parkland
- Wind impact fails Burlington’s comfort and safety guidelines
- All transitions of the site to the Park are imposed on City property
- Traffic related to service vehicles, and hotel guests drop off/ pickup & otherwise searching for parking spots has not been accommodated
- Lake views, particularly from The Pearle have not been preserved, as is possible
In our opinion, there are far too many shortfalls, inconsistencies and outright problems with this Application for the OLT to approve it.
- The lawyers & expert witnesses for Vrancor were less balanced in their positions and thereby less credible.
- Their lawyers dwelt on narrow legal issues, cherry-picking from often inconsistent old and new City, Regional & Provincial guidelines and policies to make their arguments
- They took a “so what?” approach to the Urban Growth Centre and the Major Transit Station Areas no longer being downtown, replacing it with a one-dimensional “Intensification First” mantra
- Most of their Expert witnesses appeared to “oversell” their positions
 Renderings of what the streetscape along Lakeshore could look like, At the hearing, Vrancor effectively signalled their intention to seek an alternate “Yes, but” ruling. By this, we mean that the OLT would support the Appeal, on the condition that there were Holding Provisions that Darko Vranich, owner of the property, would have to resolve with the City and The Pearle before the Appeal was decided; all outstanding issues would have to have been settled. We consider a “Yes, but” decision to be problematic, given the extent of the resultant changes that would likely be required to the design and Vrancor’s historical intransigence and that this Application’s approval is just too important to Burlington to be negotiated behind “closed doors”.
We therefore strongly support a “No” decision, accompanied by OLT guidance to the Applicant on preparing a new & improved design, worthy of a speedy approval by City planners.
The OLT is expected to rule in 4+ months.
Stay tuned!
By Pepper Parr
May 21st, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
There were two delegation on the Nelson Quarry this morning. Gord Pinard representing Conserving Our Rural Ecosystems (CORE); an incorporated public interest group with 1200 active supporters, that has been opposed to the Quarry.
 Gord Pinard representing Conserving Our Rural Ecosystems (CORE) Pinard was speaking to a Motion that had been put forward and send the province a resolution asking that the province stop the Nelson aggregate expansion plans once and for all
He was there to share some additional information “that we will we hope will help to secure your support for this resolution.”
“There is a long list of technical issues that are the basis for the case being adjudicated at the Ontario Land Tribunal. And we sincerely appreciate the City of Burlington.
Unfortunately, the Ontario land Tribunal has no mechanism to stop Nelson from making future applications for this expansion after this one is denied. Despite the unanimous Joint Board decision in 2012, denying the application for this reason CORE Burlington is supportive of a Niagara Escarpment plan amendment to expand the already existing designations of escarpment, natural and escarpment protection, which would prevent future applications for extraction.
A project of this magnitude requires a much more robust assessment than that provided in the application studies. Limiting the study areas to just the license boundaries, as was done in the Nelson studies does not adequately assess the impacts. Identifying natural heritage features is tough work, and it requires technical expertise, dedication, perseverance, and a will to find these features. We’ve talked about the Jefferson salamanders previously, their elusive nature and the narrow window when they can be found in breeding ponds. It’s easy to miss the window or to look in the wrong ponds and conclude that they don’t exist.
But in Mt Nemo, we know they exist; three new regulated habitats were recently added because of the perseverance of CORE Burlington and our technical experts. But the story is bigger than just Jefferson salamanders, the ecologist retained by CORE Burlington continue to find information not included in the Nelson studies.
 You can find all kinds of Jefferson Salamanders if you look in the right ponds at the right time. They found new and expanded provincially significant wetlands and woodlands. They found more habitats confirmed and potential and more species than were reported in the Nelson studies. The bottom line is that the ecologists are finding provincially significant areas of natural and scientific interest. One of the criteria for re designation to escarpment natural and escarpment protection and the more they look, the more they find.
 Pinard: “We’ve talked about the Jefferson salamanders previously, their elusive nature makes it difficult to track where they are and what they are doing. But they are there.. In Milton and 2020 Premier Ford made a commitment to government for the people. And he said if the community doesn’t want it and the city council doesn’t want it, it won’t happen. Well in Burlington the community doesn’t want the Nelson quarry expansion City Council’s voted against it. So it’s time to make sure it doesn’t happen.
On May 2, Zee Hameed was elected as the new MPP for Milton. In his previous role as a regional Councillor, he voted against the Nelson expansion and during his campaign, when he met with us he committed to stop the Nelson expansion.
Your motion asking the province of Ontario to protect Mt Nemo and stop the Nelson aggregate expansion plans once and for all is a powerful message of support to the community.
Councillor Nisan asked: Do you have any other requests from us beyond this after we approve this.
Pinard said: “This quarry expansion does not just affect the people who are neighbours of the quarry. It affects all of Burlington, the people who use the area, it’s the air quality, it’s the water; and we think it is important to bring additional voices to the conversation to raise their awareness and ask for their support.
During the Council debate it was pointed out that a 60 day hearing is planned for the Nelson aggregate issue and as as the delegates have said quite eloquently today, the Premier said if people don’t want these, they don’t have to have them. Well, it’s not just the people it’s really the environment that’s calling for this. This is Niagara Escarpment land.
The Resolution was a request for the province of Ontario to deny Nelson aggregates expansion into Mount Nemo. The Council vote was unanimous.
By Pepper Parr
May 21st, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
We’ve not heard much from the new City Manager other than he has chosen to be known as the CAO – Chief Administrative Officer.
There was no announcement but the photograph of Council in session this morning does say he is the Chief Administrative Officer.
When the Mayor uses the Strong Mayor powers given to her by the province she is required to have the City Clerk publish a notice each time the powers are used.
On February 16th, 2024 the Mayor advised that she had retained the power to dismiss the City Manager. The notice read:
I, Marianne Meed Ward, Mayor of The Corporation of the City of Burlington, hereby issue Mayoral Decision 04-2024 as follows:
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 Hassaan Basit works well with audiences when he is fully briefed. Appoint Hassaan Basit to the position of Chief Administration Officer, to be known as the City Manager/Chief Administration Officer (“City Manager/CAO”) for The Corporation of the City of Burlington (the “City of Burlington” or the “City”) pursuant to sections 229 and 284.5 of the Municipal Act, 2001 (the “Act”).
- The City Manager/CAO shall be responsible for:
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- exercising general control and management of the affairs of the City of Burlington for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective operation of the City in accordance with section 229(a) of the Act; and
- performing such other duties as have previously been assigned or delegated, and as may be assigned or delegated, to the City Manager by the Mayor and/or Council, and specifically, such duties as are described in By-law No. 132-1991.
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- The proper officers of the City of Burlington are authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this Mayoral Decision and the Acting Executive Director of Human Resources, or delegate, is authorized and directed to execute all documents necessary in that respect.
This Mayoral Decision comes into effect on April 22, 2024. Dated at Burlington, this 16th day of February, 2024.
 Chief Administration Officer Hassaan Basit with Corporate Counsel Blake Hurley to his right
By Pepper Parr
May 21st, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
City Council meetings tend to be quick, to the point and done within half an hour.
Today wasn’t that different except when Mayor Meed Ward turned to the Recognitions and Achievements part of the agenda saying:
“I am so proud to extend my deepest gratitude and admiration on behalf of all of Council and staff and the community to the extraordinary individuals whose swift and courageous actions led to the successful rescues of three individuals in distress at three of our local pools. in moments of crisis.
 Those who were involved at the rescues at three different swimming pool locations were asked to stand. “It is the selflessness and bravery of individuals that truly shine and I’m immensely proud to acknowledge the exceptional efforts of our staff and citizens who rose to the occasion with unwavering resolve to our dedicated pool staff many of whom are here with us today. Your professionalism and quick response undoubtedly saved lives. Your commitment to ensuring the safety and well being of all patrons is commendable and deeply appreciated your decisive actions in administering CPR defibrillation and first aid and initiating rescue protocols are a testament to your unwavering commitment to safety. And to the team members who extended their support to the pool staff following the rescues your assistance in assuring ensuring the well being of our staff is deeply appreciated. Furthermore, extend my heartfelt heartfelt gratitude to the citizens including two paramedics who demonstrated remarkable courage and compassion in assisting with these rescues.
“Your willingness to lend a hand in a moment of crisis embodies the spirit of our community. And serves as an inspiring example to all of us. On behalf of my colleagues on Burlington city council, city staff and all residents in Burlington. I extend my sincerest thanks to each and every individual involved. Your actions exemplify the best of our community. And I’m profoundly grateful for your contributions to keeping our city safe.
At that point there was going to be the Mother of all photo ops. It was a squueze – but they made it happen,
 There was hardly enough room for everyone involved to squeeze into thje space available – but they made it work.  The gentleman standing was one of the people saved by the fast action of people on the scene. Fire Chief Karen Roach made a really important point: spoke reflecting on the importance of remaining vigilant and proactive in promoting water safety. Learn to swim, learn CPR and First Aid. It is through continued education, preparedness and cooperation that we can work together to ensure that the well being of all who visit our pools are safe. Whether through accidents or unexpected medical issues visitors to our pools we can enjoy their time knowing that they are in good hands. Our jobs as emergency responders are a lot easier when we know that there are highly trained and prepared staff on scene ready to jump in into action before we even arrive.
On behalf of everyone at the Burlington Fire Department. Well done. Congratulations and thank you to all of you.
 By Staff
May 21st, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Canada’s annual rate of inflation slipped to 2.7 per cent in April, from 2.9 the last time Statistics Canada reported.
 It is said to be one of the last major pieces of data before the Bank of Canada’s next interest rate announcement.
Will that be enough of a decline for the Bank of Canada to start cutting interest rates at its June 5 meeting is another question.
A question that means a lot to people who have mortgages that are up for renewal.
While inflation rates and bank interest rates are national news – those numbers are about as local as they can get.
Some of the mortgage rate increases have been so high that people determined that they could no longer afford the house they were in the process of owning – which meant selling and turning to the rental market.
And we all know where that market is going.
By Scot Armstrong
May 21st, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Despite Burlington only being, according to a 2021 census, Canada’s 28th biggest city, many top-class Canuck sporting heroes from several sporting codes hail from within its borders. Although the City hasn’t any professional sports teams, it is a sporting hub for many aspiring young athletes seeking to break into the big leagues.
As a result of Burlington’s sporting tradition of nurturing potential future stars and supporting its home-grown talent as they establish their careers within pro sporting circles is unquestioned. This support includes wagering on these sports stars and their teams through the best sports betting sites Canada offers.
With Ontario being a pathfinder in Canada’s online gambling landscape, Burlington natives were some of the first to experience the country’s now-thriving regulated sports betting industry, which allows for wagering in a variety of betting markets, with online payments quick and easy to carry out through a wide-ranging selection of traditional methods.
As Betting Expert Neil Roarty of BestSportsBetting Canada explains: “The most popular traditional accepted payment methods at Canadian bookmakers are Interac, Instadebit, iDebit, Visa and MasterCard. Those options have always been available at grey market betting sites, and they are also available at the locally regulated new betting sites that have launched in Ontario over the past year. You should be able to use them for instant deposits and quick withdrawals, with no fees charged.”
As a result, Burlington residents can use these quick and efficient payment methods to back their favorite sporting sons, daughters, and the teams they represent without any fuss. Let’s look at three Burlingtonites who have done the city proud in their chosen professional sporting codes after breaking through as youngsters born and bred in the City.
 The drive to lead can almost be felt in this thrilling photograph. We’ll start with Mark Oldershaw, who has distinguished himself as one of Canada’s top sprint canoeists. Born into a family with deep roots in the sport, Oldershaw is a third-generation Canadian Olympic canoeist and the fifth family member to participate in an Olympic Games.
Mark became the first member of his family to win an Olympic medal when he claimed bronze in the C-1 1000m event at the 2012 London Games, adding two further third places at the Duisburg World Championships the following year. With these medals, Mark Oldershaw has earned a position as one of Burlington’s most celebrated athletes.
Melanie Booth debuted for the Canadian Women’s National Soccer team at 17 years old and progressed to earn 65 caps for her country. In 2007, she represented Canada at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in China before earning selection to the Olympic squad that won the bronze medal at the 2012 London Games.
Domestically, Melanie represented the Ottawa Fury, the Toronto Inferno, and Sky Blue FC, among others. However, it was her defensive prowess and leadership within the Canadian National team that stood out and has formed the inspiration for aspiring soccer players in Burlington and beyond.
Despite his underdeveloped frame as a teenager, Josh Anderson displayed the tenacity to earn selection to the junior ice hockey side, the London Knights’ roster in 2011/12. The following year, he was drafted by the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets, signing a three-year contract. Despite incessant injuries, Anderson rallied to help the Blue Jackets to its first Stanley Cup second-round appearance in franchise history in 2018/19.
 Josh Anderson – watching the puck. Following a 2020 trade to the Montreal Canadiens, the now-191 cm right winger earned the moniker “Powerhouse” due to his ability to perform in “big” games. Still on the Canadiens’ roster, Josh has represented the franchise 268 times while also earning ten Canadian international caps. Through all of his trials and tribulations on the ice, Josh Anderson has tasted success and served as a role model for Burlington youth to succeed despite any perceived limitations.
Many other Burlington natives are instantly familiar in Canadian professional sporting circles, drawing support from the City’s fans and sports bettors alike. Burlington’s tradition as a breeding ground for some of Canada’s best looks set to continue long into the country’s sporting future.
By Pepper Parr
May 21st, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
It was a wonderful weekend.
 For the gardeners – this was THE weekend. The gardeners were out in force, either at the nurseries or in their yards planting and weeding.
The country roads were busy with people who owned convertibles out for a drive and enjoying the weather.
Spencer Smith Park has the place to be for many.
 The pond at the Discovery Centre will have opened. It was a chance for people to relax and refresh – because we are going into a week when inflation numbers will be released early today which are expected to impact the bank rate than many hope will be lowered so that mortgage rates become at least a little more bearable.
Housing starts in April are lower than they were last April and are lower than they were in 2018 which means the pressure on rental rates will remain. They are down 37%.
Gas prices are up 7% – they are inching down
City Council meets to vote on the recommendations that came from the Standing Committees – maybe there will be some good news at that level.
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