2024 November « Burlington Gazette - Local News, Politics, Community

Robo Calls on the Telephone Town Hall - who ordered them and who is paying for them?

By Staff

November 5^th, 2024

BURLINGTON, ON

UPDATED

Are the current Robo Calls being asked by a reliable organization?

Did you get a Robo Call?

They are being made and we are aware of at least three people who got such a call.

The call had to do with the forthcoming Virtual Town Hall on the budget.

Our readers will report later today on the questions that were asked – and being Gazette readers they have a view which leads to a comment.

Let’s learn what the community has to say.

Did you receive a robocall from Mayor Marianne Meed Ward yesterday inviting you to attend her virtual town hall on the Budget, occurring on the evening of November 7^th.

Oh, did you think that it was a personal invitation ?

Sorry to disappoint but the automatic calls (aka robocalls) would appear to have been conducted by a Markham company called Iristel. Several of the people contacted were reached at numbers that are not part of any general or public listing. So how did the Robo Caller get the telephone or cell numbers?

A conundrum of sorts.

This is Iristels’ webpage:

The Mayor conducted a similar virtual town hall last year as she got ready to pass her first Strong Mayor budget. One individual who participated called it “a waste of time and something of a sham”.

People who had questions were prescreened; one caller had a difficult question. Although he was told that he was next in line at 7:15, he never got to pose his question by the time the town hall finished about 90 minutes later.

Will questions be pre-screened this time? Will the Mayor be allowed to “rag the clock” and take much of the time on questions or comments that support her agenda? It will be interesting to see. A final question or two – “how much is this town hall costing and is this virtual trip really necessary”?

The following links are also very interesting. It would appear that the City of Burlington has a contract with Iristel. Are they aware that the company has some controversy surrounding it?

https://www.iphoneincanada.ca/2024/07/03/cra-iristel-deal-tax-sham/

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/iris-technologies-tax-deal-1.7249817

The allegations have not been proven in court. Are there no capable firms closer to home that have no cloud around them?

Was due diligence done?

Was this another of the City’s sole source contracts?

On the edge of the precipice, the virtual eve of one of the most definitive and defining moments in modern history

By Blair Smith

November 2nd, 2024

BURLINGTON, ON

I was asked to write a personal perspective on how we came to this dreadful pass. Just a few days before the American Presidential Election, we seem to be standing on the brink of a yawning, widening chasm. And no one really knows how we got here. How is it possible that we have arrived at a fundamental ideological division of a nation, so deep and vicious that it pales its previous domestic conflict of 150 years ago?

Donald Trump: the most odious, demeaning expressions of hate and division become a policy platform.

How can people be so divided around the same set of facts and when did facts themselves become incidental to belief or irrelevant when they do not fit a particular narrative? How can men and women in all demographics and social strata, of all faiths, races and heritage be so incapable of compromise or the ability to trust in a common future? How does a people become so polarized that truth is no longer a critical aspect of discourse and debate, that the most odious, demeaning expressions of hate and division can become a policy platform, that rambling lies and wild allegations become a standard campaign rhetoric and that treason (unproven) and criminal undertakings (both proven and convicted) are excusable and excused?

And all this came about in just the last eight years? Not very likely and, in my opinion, not the case.

What we are experiencing now in American politics, gloriously embodied in the truly nasty character of Donald Trump, is the final stage of decades of decline in the fabric of a nation. Arguably, it began after the second world war when an aggressive materialism and a reinvigorated belief in the fundamental “rightness” of the American Dream swept the recovering nation. However, it was not matched by a corresponding growth in the maturity of social conscience or world view and became rather quickly a narrow, self-righteous parochialism. One can trace the general trajectory of decline through the next 65 years – through the counter cultures and domestic unrest, the fleeting Camelot hope and bloody assertion of civil rights, the assassinations, Watergate, the costly military encounters that drained the nation’s soul and undermined its common conviction, the too-frequent lapses and personal foibles of holders of the Oval Office all exposed as never before by an empowered and capable information machine.

Charles Dickens

Donald Trump

It was as Dickens wrote “the best of times, the worst of times …” but it was, overall, mostly the worst. The United States during the post-war years was like a candle that was burning too brightly and too quickly and was far too visible. It’s international commitments, unsupportable position as ‘defender of democracy everywhere’ and self-professed identity as ‘the greatest nation on earth’ or ‘the most glorious human experiment ever’ gave it no opportunity to calmly and collectively rationalize what it actually was and needed to be. The decline continued and accelerated. And like the candle that burns its brightest before it is extinguished, there was the period of the Obama administration when hopes rose and all things seemed possible. But the expectations were unreasonable, much too high and lofty intentions far exceeded actual accomplishment. As a result, the divisions between factions and ideologies deepened, became more callous and entrenched. What a perfect stage for the rise of one who has no true convictions, who will tell the American people what they most want to hear – that they are great but have been betrayed, that their personal problems are not their fault, that there are conspiracies afoot that keep them disadvantaged, that ‘they can be great again’ but only through him – not his party, not his policies, not his associations – just him.

The fundamental tradition of the peaceful transition and transfer of power was horribly disrupted with the incited storming of Capital Hill on January 6, 2020.

The four years of the Trump administration transformed the Office of the President of the United States and irreparably diminished its decorum, integrity and probity. The unorthodox, originally heralded as a fresh apolitical approach, soon assumed a dark and very political aspect with traditional boundaries of influence and interference openly crossed or ignored. The mantra of “draining the swamp” adopted aspects of a pogrom with “enemies lists” that would have been the envy of the Nixon White House. It became a revolving door of key aides, bureaucrats and personalities with intrigues and internal rivalry on an unprecedented scale and any co-operation between the political parties vanished in a partisan gulf that could not be bridged. Trials of Impeachment, only formally conducted three times in the entire history of the United States (Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton and Donald Trump), occurred twice in Trump’s single term of office. And the fundamental tradition of the peaceful transition and transfer of power was horribly disrupted with the incited storming of Capital Hill on January 6, 2020 – an event for which Trump still faces charges of sedition.

Four years later, after a generally hapless Biden administration that only served, if anything, to deepen the ‘Great American Divide, Trump is back – a convicted felon awaiting sentencing and further trial – as possibly the 47^th President of the United States. Over the past four years his rhetoric has become even more contentious and disruptive, his allegiance to the truth more suspect, his persona more deliberately carney-like, his followers and political allies more intransigent and more firmly committed to his return to office. He has been described with very little hyperbole as “an existential threat” to American freedoms.

The advance vote taking place in the state of Georgia set new records.

Here we sit – on the edge of the precipice, the virtual eve of one of the most definitive and defining moments in modern history. Those who do not fear the possible outcomes of November 5^th have not realized its horrible potential for anarchy and civil unrest with implications reaching far beyond the borders of the United States. The very best prospect may be several years of continual economic and social disruption until an exhausted nation finally achieves some balance and order is restored. The worst is almost literally unthinkable, particularly for a Western culture that has become accustomed to generations of security and physical well-being. In our current “nanny states”, we have become desensitized to the very real possibilities for seismic changes to our lives caused by forces and events beyond our control.

Tuesday, November 5^th, 2024 poses such potential.

Metrolinx is thrilled to announce: Swiftly GO to the shows!

By Staff

November 5th, 2024

BURLINGTON, ON

Metrolinx is thrilled to announce special rail services for the Taylor Swift Eras Tour concert series on November 14-16 and 21-23 to help attendees Swiftly GO to the shows!

Lakeshore West:

Swiftly GO to the shows!

On November 14, 15, 21 and 22 (for weekday concerts), there will be three additional trips to Union Station from Oakville GO that will only stop at Clarkson GO and Port Credit GO before running expressing to Union Station.
- These additional trips will depart at Oakville GO at 5:05 p.m., 5:35 p.m., and 6:05 p.m.
On November 14-16 and 21-23, there will be an extra trip following the concert departing from Union Station and making all stops to Burlington GO.
- An extra weekday trip will depart Union Station at 12:02 a.m., making all stops to Burlington GO, in addition to our regular service.
- An extra weekend trip will depart Union Station at 11:59 p.m., making all stops to Burlington GO.

For what it is worth – Kamala Harris will be elected President of the United States today.

By Pepper Parr

November 5th, 2024

BURLINGTON, ON

OPINION

For what it is worth –

Kamala Harris will be elected President of the United States today.

Will Americans riot? Some will try but the force needed to prevent serious rioting will be in place.

Donald Trump in a New York courtroom – the one he is expected to be in on November 18th to be sentenced. He has already been found guilty.

I believe that Americans will step into the voting booth and pause – do I really want this idiot to lead my country for the next four years?

The greedy will put their mark in the Trump box – the majority will vote for Harris.

Can the Democrats get control of both the House and the Senate?

That would be wonderful.

On November 18^th Donald Trump is required to appear in front of Judge Juan Merchan to be sentenced – he has already been found guilty – it is now just a matter of what the sentence should be.

Jail for at least a month – six months would be better; it is what America needs at this point to underline the belief that no one is above the law.

I have been wrong before but this is what I think will happen

Salt with Pepper is an opinion column reflecting the observations and musings of the publisher of the Gazette, an on-line newspaper that is in its 8th year as a news source in Burlington and is a member of the National Newsmedia Council.

'Frantic and overwhelmed, we were left to fend for ourselves while the culvert was blocked with debris, causing the creek to back up'

By Pepper Parr

November 4^th, 2024

BURLINGTON, ON

Matt Smith spoke to Council about the storm event of July 15, 2024 and the manner in which the city responded.

It was not a pretty picture.

Matt Smith: We called 311 and 911; we called all the ones.

“I am here today said Smith, as “One person representing hundreds that are looking forward to change. I’m a resident of Burlington; have lived my whole life. I want to talk about trust.

“Angelo Bentivegna told me last week that “we need to trust that our city staff, our city management team and our elected officials, have the best interest of the community at heart and are holding themselves accountable for their actions regarding our city’s preventable water incident from July 2024.

“Trust, to me, is a big word, the definition of trust – firm belief and reliability, truth ability or strength of someone or something, and that’s where I’d like to start today during my 10 minutes with all of you.

“The streets in Headon Forest flooded. We called 311 and 911; we called all the ones. The only city workers that came were ones with road signs that read “water over road”. The city was aware our streets were flooding. The city workers had to drive by car submerged in water; they saw rapid floods of water coming from the church entrance at St Paul’s to place the water over road signs.

“Residents tried to flag down other city workers, but they said they were dispatched to other areas. Frantic and overwhelmed, we were left to fend for ourselves while the culvert close by was blocked with debris, causing the creek to back up over its top banks, flooding the neighborhood streets.

“It was the residents of Headon Forest that made their way through the dangerous, chest deep water to the culvert and St Paul’s Church, and spent hours on removing the debris with shovels and pipes and their bare hands to try and save our community from further disaster.

“On day two of the flooding, July 16, when the streets of Headon Forest were forced to again remove debris from the culvert at St Paul’s Church

“We again spent hours trying to flag down city workers. Twenty hours after the original, preventive, 20 hours after hydro and the phone boxes submerged underwater: for 20 hours the city left us to rely on protecting our homes and well being ourselves.

The city didn’t show up to assist in removing the rest of the debris and the blockage once we were already three quarters complete.

We stood in water up to our chests trying to remove the debris that was preventing the water to flow through the culvert. Photo credit BrianMirrless.

“The damage was repeated on day two; it re impacted our properties, our personal belongings, and compounded the damage from the day before. Reliability.

“We need to rely on the city, trust that they maintain our water systems. We were left on our own. As a neighborhood, a community, we had to put ourselves, our well being, at risk to enter hazardous and dangerous water conditions to defend our homes from the preventable water incident.”

Trust was a word Smith used frequently – hammering home the concerns his neighbours had as he explained that it was one month later, August 13, 2024 when we met Rico Scalera, the Director of Roads, Parks and Forestry department who has been with the city since November 30, 2020

Leaning forward as he spoke Matt Smith waved the document with all the rules and procedures in place to prevent flooding.

“During this meeting, some of the truth came out. Many local residents along with our ward counselor Heard Rico say things that really stood out regarding the truth of the preventable water incident on July 15 and 16th. He said the culvert was missed on the maintenance schedule. He said the city is currently using a paper work order system, and sometimes documentations get lost.

He also commented on the reliability of the contractors completing the jobs to the city standards and lack of auditing process of work: – the truth.

Let us not forget, we had an incident in Burlington in 2014 in Headon Forest and across Burlington, where the major impacts were created during the meeting, we chatted relating to the document that I have here,

Smith would use the word Truth and then wave a copy of the Storm Water Design Guideline the city put out.

The full story on the flooding that ran into the 407 has yet to be told.

“The document outlines storm water management, drainage policies, methodology, design, guidelines and standards. The city’s truth on storm water management and prevention policy. You might hear comments in the news setting the 407 fault, but any new development must go through the city’s storm water management guideline.

“So the truth must have been missed during the guidelines provided by the city. The city states that any development prior to 1977 when the storm water designs were adopted to incorporate overland routes into urban designs, are at risk or urban area flooding, where roads and properties have isolated low points, the truth, Headon Forest has these low points, they also have overflow pipes for these conditions of major system roadways.

“The truth is that they haven’t been maintained in 20 plus years and were plugged, which resulted in the compounding effect from the lack of maintenance from the culvert, which in turn devastated some residents in Headon Forest.

“The truth is sometimes a tough thing, but for our great city to ensure the safety and reliability of our storm water systems, we need to hear the truth to ensure history doesn’t repeat itself again. Again – Trust, a firm belief and reliability truth, ability or strength of someone or something.

“Ability another major factor when it comes to trust laying that foundation, the ability to act in this meeting. A document on page two, lays out the areas of improvement that can be implemented immediately to assist in the reducing any future risk of flooding during these events, more frequent maintenance, enhanced on call, storm water drainage areas create city wide storm water master plan, storm sewer inlet. Increased, proactive storm infrastructure maintenance.

“All sounds amazing. But these all have been laid out before and the 2020 storm water design guideline, which can be found on the city’s website.

Matt Smith: “Inside the guideline, you will see that the storm water management design guidelines are intended to be used by practitioners to design storm drainage infrastructure within the city of Burlington.

“So let’s recap a few things that apply directly to the Headon Forest preventable water incident from the Engineering Service Report. While referencing the 2020 design guideline, inside the guideline, you will see that the storm water management design guidelines are intended to be used by practitioners to design storm drainage infrastructure within the city of Burlington. We have the MESP, the Master Environmental Servicing Plan from 2020 in support of secondary plans or territory plans. We have a report already, the FSNR Functional Service Report from 2020. Functional servicing reports provide detailed specifics to functional serviceability for the proposed development related to water, wastewater and storm water network to ensure that it can function to municipality, regional and provincial criteria. To me, it sounds like we have this plan, like the storm water management design guideline from 2020. Has the ability to reduce, prevent these types of preventable incidents.

“The inlet structure was blocked with debris, causing the creek to back up and over top its banks, flooding the roads and private properties. On page five, the storm water management design guideline for 2020 lays out guidelines and regulatories to ensure the right design is applied based on the environmental and agricultural impact ability. Again, if we couldn’t follow the 2020 how are we going to follow the 2024 again, trust the strength of something or someone.

Smith said the backhoe sat on the site for six days. Photo credit Brian Mirrlees

“Sometimes we don’t need to throw money at the problem, but hold ourselves accountable and utilize resources at our fingertips.

“The city has plans for more red light cameras all over the city, so the technology is there to monitor our major storm systems, even water level in key creeks, watershed locations. Strength in action. It’s been 111 days since the preventable water incident.

“I’m not sure about all of you, but thank goodness we haven’t gotten a lot of rain since now.

“In closing Smith asked: “I think we need to ask ourselves, are we doing enough? Is our city taking action? Are we acting quick enough? Are we hoping that we won’t get any more rain again?

“Trust, a firm belief in reliability, truth, ability or strength of someone or something, fundamental of trust is earned through action, communication and accountability.

“Committee, if it was your house was impacted by this preventable water incident, a neighbor you know, a friend or family, would you trust a move forward plan and the people in charge trust, trust the people action

“We are told to trust the process, trust the city. I hope my discussion today, you can see why we might hesitate as taxpaying community members would like to see accountability and action first.”

Smith’s delegation was devastating.

We will return to you tomorrow with how Council members and staff responded.

Top 5 Hotels Near Burlington for Tourists

By Mila Roy

September 17th, 2024

BURLINGTON, ON

Being on or near the water is as relaxing as it gets. Part of the Burlington scene

Burlington, Ontario, is a picturesque travel destination between the countryside and the city. It is located on the northern shores of Lake Ontario. Choosing the right hotel is crucial if tourists are to capture the true essence of Burlington and its natural beauty. Owing to these many Burlington hotels, big or small, expensive or cheap, there is a place for everyone. Having a hotel in this area will leave you ideally situated to explore everything this and other places nearby offer.

Hotel Name	Address	Short Description
Holiday Inn Burlington Hotel & Conference Centre	3063 South Service Rd, Burlington, ON	Pool, conference space, near shops. Starts at $110/night.
Great Canadian Casino Resort	1280 Dundas St, Burlington, ON	Luxury with casino, dining. From $180/night.
Best Western Plus Burlington Inn & Suites	2412 Queensway Drive, Burlington, ON	Free breakfast, WiFi. Family-friendly. $85/night.
Waterfront Hotel Downtown Burlington	2020 Lakeshore Rd, Burlington, ON	Lakeside, spa, downtown access. Starts at $164/night.
Quality Hotel Burlington	950 Walkers Line, Burlington, ON	Gym, pool, budget-friendly. From $80/night.

Holiday Inn Burlington Hotel & Conference Center

The Holiday Inn Burlington Hotel & Conference Centre is perfect for business and leisure travellers. Guests appreciate that it is close to the main points of interest, like the Royal Botanical Gardens and downtown.

Fitness amenities involve at least a gym inside the hotel for guests to maintain their workouts. Among other hotels, the Holiday Inn Burlington Hotel & Conference Center is one of the best accommodations for travelers. It is centrally located and has many facilities that appeal to all guests or visitors.

Great Canadian Casino Resort

Everything from slots to table games, perfect for those ready to test their luck.

The Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto is a popular tourist spot for people seeking fun and games. It’s only a short drive from Burlington. This lodge is not only close to Burlington, but it also has many fun things to do. Inside, the casino proposes everything from slots to table games, perfect for those ready to test their luck. The resort features various eating options, from quick snacks to gourmet meals, turning each dining into a special event.

If you want to amp up the emotion, watch the live entertainment; the hotel schedules live music and stand-up comedy. For visitors interested in learning more about gambling or finding the best deals, visiting Gamblizard can improve your background. Whether you’re a first-time or frequent visitor to casinos, the Great Canadian Casino Resort offers a mix of fun just minutes from Burlington.

Best Western Plus Burlington Inn & Suites

The Best Western Plus Burlington Inn & Suites provided luxurious accommodation that is a perfect fit for families and business people. Being in one of the most prosperous locations, it is one of the most preferred hotels in Burlington Ontario.

This premise provides comfortable and oversized guestrooms with everything that can make a guest relaxing. Each morning, the hotel provides complimentary breakfast, so you do not need to pay extra just to fill your tummy while touring around the beautiful city. The indoor pool is also one of the key features that will provide that families can have some fun time or businessmen and women can find some quiet time after a busy day in meetings. However, that is where the company has had to compromise to achieve its goal of making the car affordable. This does not mean that these features are substandard. The hotel is located in an area that is perfect for such a visit, as it provides comfortable facilities for the guests and other necessities that may be needed for the stay without causing discomfort.

Waterfront Hotel Downtown Burlington

One of the many walking trails a very short drive from the city hotels.

The Waterfront Hotel Downtown boasts a prime location right by Lake Ontario, providing stunning lakefront views and a peaceful atmosphere. It’s a favourite among tourists who cherish scenery and serenity during their stay. In this area, there are many ways to enjoy nature, making it a perfect spot for those looking to explore the natural beauty surrounding them.

Spencer Smith Park stretches along the edge of Lake Ontario – minutes away from the downtown hotels.

You should be able to see the lake directly from your room, meaning you can wake up to the lake every morning. Adjacent to it, Spencer Smith Park can easily accommodate leisurely walks or even morning jogs in tandem with the shoreline. There are also restaurants and other places to eat, ranging from cafes to luxurious restaurants neighbouring the area. It is suitably located for any visitors seeking a relaxing place to stay but still near of the town’s amenities, bars, and restaurants.

Quality Hotel Burlington

Quality Hotel is near the central business district and major arteries, making it conveniently accessible for tourists using the city or intending to tour the region. The hotel recently remodelled its rooms, enhancing comfort for visitors. For guests who wish to keep themselves fit, the hotel provides a fully equipped gym. This also provides a venue for hosting events. It makes the hotel convenient for business persons or anyone who wants to organize an event. It is perfect for those travelling on a tight budget but wish to maintain the quality of their accommodation. It is an ideal location; almost all the facilities are recently renovated, and it is not costly.

Minutes away from downtown hotels – these cherry trees bloom every Spring.

Conclusion

Modern Burlington hotels provide a fair choice for guests of all types, starting with those who expect a touch of glamour and ending with those who expect to find comfortable and affordable accommodations within the shortest time. Do you want a casino like the Great Canadian Casino Resort or the simple comfort of Quality Hotel Burlington, then there is always a place for everyone. Each hotel around Ontario provides unique benefits, so picking one that aligns with your needs can make your stay much more pleasant.

Insider Trading Data Filed Monday November 4th, 2024

By James Portside

November 5th, 2024

BURLINGTON, ON

This information is not professional investment advice. Investors are advised to do their own research into individual stocks before making an investment decision.

The five stocks with the largest dollar value of insider acquisitions in the public market are:

Insider	Relationship	Transaction	Date	Quantity	Price	Total

CVW CleanTech Inc. (formerly Titanium Corporation Inc.) —–Buy Quantity: 166,500 Average cost: $0.85 Total: $141,525.00
Morcombe, Darren James	4 – Director of Issuer	10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market	11-01-24	166,500	$0.85	$141,525.00

Parkland Corporation —–Buy Quantity: 4,000 Average cost: $32.02 Total: $128,060.00
Insider	Relationship	Transaction	Date	Quantity	Price	Total
Jennings, Michael Christian	4 – Director of Issuer	10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market	11-04-24	4,000	$32.02	$128,060.00

Silver Hammer Mining Corp —–Buy Quantity: 1,310,000 Average cost: $0.06 Total: $72,050.00
Insider	Relationship	Transaction	Date	Quantity	Price	Total
Ball, Peter	4 – Director of Issuer, 5 – Senior Officer of Issuer	10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market	11-01-24	1,310,000	$0.06	$72,050.00

Veren Inc —–Buy Quantity: 7,000 Average cost: $7.11 Total: $49,770.00
Insider	Relationship	Transaction	Date	Quantity	Price	Total
Stadnyk, Myron Maurice	4 – Director of Issuer	10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market	11-04-24	7,000	$7.11	$49,770.00
Veren Inc.	1 – Issuer	38 – Redemption, retraction, cancellation, repurchase	10-31-24	-176,300	-$2.98	$526,234.80
Veren Inc.	1 – Issuer	38 – Redemption, retraction, cancellation, repurchase	10-30-24	62,700	$8.38	$525,557.67

Badger Infrastructure Solutions Ltd —–Buy Quantity: 1,000 Average cost: $36.07 Total: $36,068.82
Insider	Relationship	Transaction	Date	Quantity	Price	Total
Blackadar, Robert George	4 – Director of Issuer, 5 – Senior Officer of Issuer	10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market	11-04-24	1,000	$36.07	$36,068.82

The five stocks with the largest dollar value of insider dispositions in the public market are:

Insider	Relationship	Transaction	Date	Quantity	Price	Total

The North West Company Inc —–Sell Quantity: -9,335 Average cost: $52.80 Total: -$492,888.00 Options Issued: 9,335 Average cost: $52.18 Total: $487,074.57
King, John	5 – Senior Officer of Issuer	51 – Exercise of options	10-31-24	4,554	$52.18	$237,616.34
King, John	5 – Senior Officer of Issuer	10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market	10-31-24	-4,554	$52.80	-$240,451.20
McConnell, Daniel, George	4 – Director of Issuer, 5 – Senior Officer of Issuer	51 – Exercise of options	10-31-24	4,781	$52.18	$249,458.24
McConnell, Daniel, George	4 – Director of Issuer, 5 – Senior Officer of Issuer	10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market	10-31-24	-4,781	$52.80	-$252,436.80

Reitmans (Canada) Limited —–Sell Quantity: -24,600 Average cost: $2.66 Total: -$65,436.00
Insider	Relationship	Transaction	Date	Quantity	Price	Total
Wait, Richard	5 – Senior Officer of Issuer	10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market	11-01-24	-24,600	$2.66	-$65,436.00

Sol Strategies Inc. (formerly, Cypherpunk Holdings Inc.) —–Sell Quantity: -30,000 Average cost: $1.43 Total: -$42,900.00
Insider	Relationship	Transaction	Date	Quantity	Price	Total
Harris, Douglas Andrew	5 – Senior Officer of Issuer	10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market	10-30-24	-30,000	$1.43	-$42,900.00

City View Green Holdings Inc —–Sell Quantity: -2,600,000 Average cost: $0.01 Total: -$26,000.00
Insider	Relationship	Transaction	Date	Quantity	Price	Total
Quinsam Capital Corporation	3 – 10% Security Holder of Issuer	10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market	11-04-24	-2,600,000	$0.01	-$26,000.00

Ventripoint Diagnostics Ltd. (formerly Luca Capital Inc.) —–Sell Quantity: -50,500 Average cost: $0.15 Total: -$7,575.00
Insider	Relationship	Transaction	Date	Quantity	Price	Total
Hugo, Victor Johan	5 – Senior Officer of Issuer	10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market	10-31-24	-50,500	$0.15	-$7,575.00

Classroom behaviour was considerably worse following an unprecedented period of at-home learning due to the pandemic

By Staff

November 4^th, 2024

BURLINGTON, ON

Incivility comes in many forms: texting instead of listening to a teacher, interrupting classmates who are speaking, showing up late to class.

Following an unprecedented period of at-home learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic, similar types of disruptive behaviour spiked in Ontario classrooms, says Natalie Spadafora.

Natalie Spadafora, aBrock University Postdoctoral Fellow

The Brock University Postdoctoral Fellow and her team examined the rate of classroom incivility in elementary and high schools both before and after pandemic-related school shutdowns, and saw a significant increase.

Their findings are detailed in the recently published paper “Are child and adolescent students more uncivil after COVID-19?”

The research team conducted two separate studies with Ontario participants, gathering information from 308 adolescents aged nine to 14 as well as 101 primary educators teaching Grades 1 to 3.

They compared data from fall 2019 to that collected in fall 2022 to gauge the impact the pandemic closures had on the behaviour of young learners.

“Teachers reported that incivility was happening much more frequently in their current classrooms than it did prior to the COVID-19 school closures, and that there was a lack of awareness of expectations in the classroom,” Spadafora says.

Adolescent students also self-reported engaging in significantly higher levels of classroom incivility in the 2021-22 school year, while other variables, such as bullying and friendships, remained relatively the same.

In the retrospective study, 42 per cent of teachers surveyed for the project reported instances of classroom incivility happening daily, compared to only six per cent prior to March 2020. Sixty-eight per cent also rated classroom incivility as “moderately” or “very” serious in the 2021-22 school year, compared to 32 per cent before COVID-19.

“Teachers expressed there was a general lack of respect, with students also not following instructions or caring about the consequences of their behaviour in the classroom,” Spadafora says. “Many students were lacking the basic elements underlining classroom civility.”

Student behaviour was markedly different once classes resumed after Covid19.

The pandemic closures, which shut down Ontario schools for about 100 days, meant children were not exposed to a typical school routine, classroom norms and teacher direction in a classroom setting.

The primary years are a fundamental time to establish classroom routines, behaviours and expectations, Spadafora says, adding the impact the interruption to traditional learning has had is now making itself known.

Many teachers indicated that students did not have the opportunity to learn — and educators the chance to reinforce — the “rules” of the classroom that are emphasized as students move through subsequent grades.

“These children missed out on the early days in the classroom where you learn how to be in school,” Spadafora says. “Because of that, behaviours you wouldn’t typically see in Grade 3 are presenting themselves more frequently.”

Teachers called attention to a lack of social skills and self-regulation amongst students, with an increase in children who were not used to being part of a group. This resulted in teachers needing to provide students with more coaching to work kindly and co-operatively with others, Spadafora says.

Nearly all teachers — 95 per cent — reported students’ socio-emotional skills were “lower” or “much lower” than past cohorts.

Spadafora says it’s important to pay attention to these behaviours, as previous research by her team has indicated incivility can be a precursor to bullying.

“If incivility is heightened after the pandemic, and we know it can predict bullying behaviour, we should be intervening more in these lower-level behaviours,” she says.

By talking to your children about their behaviour – you can teach them at a really basic level and lay a good foundation.

She encourages parents to talk to their children about manners and civility in general.

“It all starts with being a kind, respectful person,” she says. “If you can teach your children that at a really basic level, you’ve laid a good foundation for them to build from as they head into the classroom.”

Spadafora’s team now plans to look at whether the rise in incivility has continued to climb beyond the period surrounding the COVID-19 school closures, with a particular focus on the younger demographic.

By t

Is sighing at a Council meeting acceptable behaviour ?

By Pepper Parr

November 4^th, 2024

BURLINGTON, ON

Just how well do the seven members of Council get along?

Not always that well.

Lisa Kearns thought she heard a sigh.

Ward 2 Councillor Kearns wanted a document that sets out how Staff Directions were being handled. There seemed to be a significant number that were not being acted on

Kearns asked: “Do I need a staff direction to ask for a memo to that effect? Is it needed for council to enter into the budget conversations for 2025 with confidence?

Mayor Meed Ward: Wondering who is talking to her.

“I’d like it in writing.”

While Mayor Meed Ward was not on camera, Kearns addressed her saying:

“Sorry, Mayor, would you like to make a comment, since you just made an audible sigh.”

Media took another hit last week when the owner instructed management to not publish an election endorsement.

By Pepper Parr

November 4^th, 2024

BURLINGTON, ON

So, it has come to this.

A once great newspaper gets sold to a wealthy businessman who keeps the presses running.

That is until his financial interests are threatened.

Jeff Bezos bought the Post for $250 million in 2013.

To Jeff Bezos, the Post was a toy, it gave him some entrance, not that he needed it.

For the most part, he kept his hands off the day-to-day operations, and kept an eye on how much he had to inject into the newspaper to keep it alive.

To Jeff Bezos, the Post was a toy, it gave him some entrance, not that he needed it.

Besides owning Amazon he had a number of high-tech interests, the biggest being Blue Origin, a private aerospace company that provides sub-orbital spaceflight services.

This is where the big, really big dollars were.

There is hardly a household on the continent that isn’t impacted by his financial interests.

It is reported that sometime this year, when Bezos was discussing Blue Origin contracts with federal-level bureaucrats, mention was made of a problem. ‘You have a Washington Post problem’ was the way it is reported to have been put to Bezos.

Traditionally American newspapers have endorsed candidates. The Post had an endorsement they intended to publish last week.

Bezos instructed senior editorial management not to publish an endorsement.

Executives from his aerospace company met with Donald Trump on the same day the newspaper prevented its editorial team from publishing an endorsement of his opponent in the US presidential election.

More than 250,000 readers cancelled their subscriptions; reported to be 20% of their circulation.

Peanuts to Bezos; another death knell to the newspaper publishing industry and another hammering of newspaper credibility.

Democracy dies in Darkness

The reports, editors and columnists all huffed and puffed but most were at their desks the next day.

What if the people who write the news and those who operate the presses banded together and published the newspaper? Make it a 16-page edition with nothing but the masthead on the front page. The rest would be blank – except for the advertising. Circulation for that day would have soared.

What a statement.

Jeff Bezos

Would Bezos have shut the paper down – would it have mattered if he did?

The Washington Post is dead – the credibility it had is gone – and in the process, they took another chunk out of the industry’s hide.

What will Jeff Bezos do should Kamala Harris become the next President of the United States?

The Post has a motto: Democracy dies in Darkness; indeed it does.

Salt with Pepper is an opinion column reflecting the observations and musings of the publisher of the Gazette, an on-line newspaper that is in its 12th year as a news source in Burlington and is a member of the National Newsmedia Council.

Insider Trading Data Filed Friday November 1st to Sunday November 3rd, 2024

By James Portside

November 4th, 2024

BURLINGTON, ON

This information is not professional investment advice. Investors are advised to do their own research into individual stocks before making an investment decision.

The five stocks with the largest dollar value of insider acquisitions in the public market are:

Insider	Relationship	Transaction	Date	Quantity	Price	Total

PHX Energy Services Corp —–Buy Quantity: 364,900 Average cost: $9.62 Total: $3,511,432.70
PHX Energy Services Corp	1 – Issuer	10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market	10-31-24	364,900	$9.62	$3,511,432.70
PHX Energy Services Corp	1 – Issuer	38 – Redemption, retraction, cancellation, repurchase	10-31-24	-364,900	$0.00	$0.00

Obsidian Energy Ltd —–Buy Quantity: 140,500 Average cost: $7.87 Total: $1,106,426.00
Insider	Relationship	Transaction	Date	Quantity	Price	Total
Kernaghan, Edward Hume	4 – Director of Issuer	10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market	11-01-24	140,500	$7.87	$1,106,426.00

Quebec Innovative Materials Corp. (formerly Quebec Silica Resources Corp.) —–Buy Quantity: 440,000 Average cost: $0.30 Total: $131,596.00
Insider	Relationship	Transaction	Date	Quantity	Price	Total
Inwentash, Sheldon	3 – 10% Security Holder of Issuer	10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market	10-31-24	50,000	$0.32	$15,750.00
ThreeD Capital Inc.	3 – 10% Security Holder of Issuer	10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market	10-31-24	50,000	$0.32	$15,750.00
Inwentash, Sheldon	3 – 10% Security Holder of Issuer	10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market	10-30-24	170,000	$0.29	$50,048.00
ThreeD Capital Inc.	3 – 10% Security Holder of Issuer	10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market	10-30-24	170,000	$0.29	$50,048.00

Whitecap Resources Inc —–Buy Quantity: 5,000 Average cost: $10.37 Total: $51,850.00
Insider	Relationship	Transaction	Date	Quantity	Price	Total
Nikiforuk, Stephen Curtis	4 – Director of Issuer	10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market	11-01-24	5,000	$10.37	$51,850.00
Whitecap Resources Inc.	1 – Issuer	38 – Redemption, retraction, cancellation, repurchase	10-31-24	0	$0.00	$0.00

Greenland Resources Inc —–Buy Quantity: 56,500 Average cost: $0.69 Total: $38,870.00
Insider	Relationship	Transaction	Date	Quantity	Price	Total
Shiffman, Ruben	4 – Director of Issuer, 5 – Senior Officer of Issuer	10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market	11-01-24	18,000	$0.71	$12,780.00
Shiffman, Ruben	4 – Director of Issuer, 5 – Senior Officer of Issuer	10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market	10-31-24	9,000	$0.67	$6,030.00
Shiffman, Ruben	4 – Director of Issuer, 5 – Senior Officer of Issuer	10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market	10-30-24	29,500	$0.68	$20,060.00

The five stocks with the largest dollar value of insider dispositions in the public market are:

Insider	Relationship	Transaction	Date	Quantity	Price	Total

Aritzia Inc —–Sell Quantity: -10,000 Average cost: $44.75 Total: -$447,500.00 Options Issued: 10,000 Average cost: $0.00 Total: $0.00
Kwan, Karen	5 – Senior Officer of Issuer	51 – Exercise of options	10-30-24	5,000	$0.00	$0.00
Kwan, Karen	5 – Senior Officer of Issuer	10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market	10-30-24	-5,000	$44.00	-$220,000.00
Kwan, Karen	5 – Senior Officer of Issuer	51 – Exercise of options	10-31-24	5,000	$0.00	$0.00
Kwan, Karen	5 – Senior Officer of Issuer	10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market	10-31-24	-5,000	$45.50	-$227,500.00

A & W Food Services of Canada Inc —–Sell Quantity: -5,000 Average cost: $37.42 Total: -$187,125.00
Insider	Relationship	Transaction	Date	Quantity	Price	Total
Newitt, Thomas William Luke	5 – Senior Officer of Issuer	10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market	10-29-24	-5,000	$37.42	-$187,125.00

Reitmans (Canada) Limited —–Sell Quantity: -10,100 Average cost: $2.68 Total: -$27,068.00
Insider	Relationship	Transaction	Date	Quantity	Price	Total
Wait, Richard	5 – Senior Officer of Issuer	10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market	10-30-24	-9,100	$2.68	-$24,388.00
Wait, Richard	5 – Senior Officer of Issuer	10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market	10-31-24	-1,000	$2.68	-$2,680.00

ZTEST Electronics Inc —–Sell Quantity: -41,500 Average cost: $0.38 Total: -$15,885.00
Insider	Relationship	Transaction	Date	Quantity	Price	Total
Jeyanayagam, Suren	7 – Director or Senior Officer of Insider or Subsidiary of Issuer (other than in 4,5,6)	10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market	11-01-24	-41,500	$0.38	-$15,885.00

NXT Energy Solutions Inc —–Sell Quantity: -15,000 Average cost: $0.18 Total: -$2,637.50
Insider	Relationship	Transaction	Date	Quantity	Price	Total
Cheng, Chee Pheng	3 – 10% Security Holder of Issuer	10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market	10-29-24	-2,500	$0.18	-$437.50
Cheng, Chee Pheng	3 – 10% Security Holder of Issuer	10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market	10-30-24	-12,500	$0.18	-$2,200.00
Woychyshyn, Eugene Darryl	4 – Director of Issuer, 5 – Senior Officer of Issuer	30 – Acquisition or disposition under a purchase/ownership plan	11-01-24	16,305	$0.18	$3,000.12

Current Gambling Laws in Ontario

By Viktoria Deshko

November 4th, 2024

BURLINGTON, ON

Ontario has emerged as a pioneer in regulated gambling across North America, establishing one of the most comprehensive and player-focused frameworks in the industry. Since the landmark launch of its regulated online gambling market in April 2022, the province has successfully balanced expanding entertainment options while maintaining strict consumer protections. This approach has created a secure environment for residents to enjoy various forms of gambling, from traditional casino games to sports betting, all within a carefully monitored system.

Overview of Ontario’s Gambling Regulations

The gambling landscape in Ontario is overseen by two main regulatory bodies working in tandem to ensure safe and fair gaming operations. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) serves as the primary regulator, while iGaming Ontario (iGO) specifically manages the online gambling sector.

According to BettingGuide, the Ontario market now includes 64 regulated online casinos, making it one of North America’s most diverse gambling jurisdictions. As of 2024, Ontario’s regulated market has grown to include 52 operators managing over 70 gaming websites, making it North America’s most competitive jurisdiction. This robust marketplace has demonstrated remarkable success, generating over $28 billion in wagers and more than $1.08 billion in gross gaming revenue in just the first half of the 2023-24 fiscal year

.The regulatory framework has proven its legal validity through significant court challenges. In May 2024, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice confirmed the legitimacy of Ontario’s iGaming market model, reinforcing the province’s authority to regulate online gambling.

Key Features of Ontario’s Regulatory System:

The framework includes strict geographical limitations, requiring players to be physically present within Ontario’s borders when placing bets or playing online casino games. Licensed operators must maintain rigorous standards for:

Game integrity and fairness
Protection of player funds and personal information
Prevention of underage gambling
Implementation of responsible gambling measures
Compliance with anti-money laundering regulations

A significant development in early 2024 was the implementation of new advertising restrictions. As of February 28, 2024, the AGCO has prohibited the use of athletes and celebrities in gambling advertisements, except when promoting responsible gambling practices.

Recent Changes and Key Points in Ontario’s Gambling Landscape

The Ontario gambling market continues to evolve with significant developments shaping the industry throughout 2023 and early 2024. The province has implemented stricter advertising regulations to protect vulnerable populations, particularly focusing on youth exposure to gambling content. These changes include a complete ban on the use of athletes in gambling advertisements and restrictions on bonus offers and inducements.

A notable shift in the market has been the increasing focus on responsible gambling tools. Licensed operators must now provide players with enhanced self-monitoring features, including:

Mandatory deposit limits
Time management tools
Reality checks during gaming sessions
Detailed account activity statements
Customizable betting limits

The market has also seen the introduction of several new licensed operators, expanding the legal options available to Ontario residents while maintaining strict regulatory oversight.

Ensuring Safe Gambling: Resources and Support Available

Ontario has developed one of North America’s most comprehensive responsible gambling support systems. The province offers multiple layers of assistance for individuals and families affected by gambling-related issues:

Prevention and Education Programs:

ConnexOntario provides 24/7 support through their helpline, offering immediate assistance and connecting individuals with local resources. The PlaySmart centers, located at all land-based casinos and gaming facilities, offer on-site support and information about responsible gambling practices.

Self-Exclusion Program:

The centralized self-exclusion program, launched in 2024, allows individuals to ban themselves from all forms of gambling in Ontario through a single registration process. This program now includes:

Unified registration across online and land-based venues
Customizable exclusion periods
Mandatory responsible gambling education before reinstatement
Automatic blocking from all licensed gambling websites

Treatment Options:

Free counseling services are available through the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and various community-based organizations. These services include:

Individual and family counseling
Group therapy sessions
Financial management guidance
Peer support programs

The province’s commitment to responsible gambling is reflected in the requirement that all operators contribute to problem gambling research and treatment programs, ensuring sustainable funding for these essential services.

Remembrance Day Schedule

By Staff

November 3^rd, 2024

BURLINGTON, ON

The Remembrance Day Services on November 11 will be held at Spencer Smith Park (1400 Lakeshore Rd.), and Veteran Square (426 Brant St.).

Burl-Oak Naval Veterans Remembrance Day Service: 9:00 a.m.

The warships and Merchant Marine that took part in WWII are remembered.

This 30-minute ceremony takes place at the Naval Ships Memorial Monument in Spencer Smith Park. For more information, contact the Burl-Oak Veterans at 905-318-0236 or visit burloaknavalveterans.org.

Remembrance Day Procession, 10:30 a.m.

The procession will be led by armored personnel carriers and will begin at Central School on Baldwin Street, travelling down Brant Street to Elgin Street, Locust Street, Ontario Street and ending at the Cenotaph in Veteran Square, 426 Brant St.

The streets noted will be closed from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Royal Canadian Legion Branch 60, Remembrance Day Service, 11:00 a.m.

Wreaths are laid at the base of the Cenotaph.

This 45-60-minute ceremony will be held at the Cenotaph in Veteran Square, on the north side of City Hall and will be live-streamed for those who cannot physically attend. For more information or to access the live-stream link, please visit Royal Canadian Legion Branch 60 website burlingtonlegion.com.

The ceremony will include a colour guard, two minutes of silence, music performed by some members of the Burlington Teen Tour Band, reading of In Flanders Fields along with the laying of the wreaths.

Former Chair of Regional School Board running for Liberal Provincial nomination

By Pepper Parr

November 3^rd, 2024

BURLINGTON, ON

We first saw Andrea Grebenc when she ran as a school board trustee. She was elected in 2014 and again in 2018.

Grebenc had a very solid working relationship with the then Director of Education Stuart Miller

As Chair (2018-2021) Grebenc and her trustees steered the board through the pandemic during which she pressed the Minister of Education to do a better job of ensuring the school boards had the tools they needed to cope with a situation the country had not seen in more than 100 years.

She became the Go To Girl for the media.

An opportunity to run for provincial office appeared and Grebenc ran for the Liberal Party nomination. She didn’t win that race; the candidate that did lost the election.

She ran for Regional Chair in 2022 and got 20,000 votes – a surprising number for a candidate with little in the way of Regional profile.

The positive part of her campaign was that she was frequently the only candidate willing to debate Gary Carr who had been Regional Chair for more than a decade.

Andrea Grebenc: Serving as HDSB Chair during the pandemic

Grebenc has been recognized as a Burlington community supporter and honoured as a Community Champion by SB Partners Chartered Accountants (2024)

She currently serves on Burlington’s Integrated Transportation Advisory Committee (ITAC) and Appleby Line Street Festival organizing committee

Initiated and provided logistics for (80+ member group) Masks for COVID Burlington to support local Long Term Care facilities’ staff and resident safety in May 2020

She served on the Mayor’s COVID Taskforce.

Entrepreneur and business owner 20+ years Grebenc has been an instructor at McMaster University for 20+ years in the Web Design and Development Program

Three children, two who are recent graduates and one still in the public education system; her husband is a cyber security specialist at the University of Toronto

Andrea Grebenc is now seeking the Ontario Liberal Party nomination for Burlington.

Grebenc graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University (Hons) and has an Adult Education certificate earned at Conestoga College. She has a Certified in Cybersecurity designation – ISC2.

Andrea Grebenc is now seeking the Ontario Liberal Party nomination for Burlington.

Why? “We need changes.”

More on what she wants to see done and how she would get started in a follow-up article.

Email: contact@andrea4burlington.ca 905-510-4847

Rivers: Cutting the HST tax on new homes is a novel idea - gets a bumpy introduction

By Ray Rivers

November 2nd, 2024

BURLINGTON, ON

Pierre Poilievre speaking in the House of Commons.

Federal opposition leader Pierre Poilievre has turned his tax-cutting guns to another tax. The GST owes its origins to another conservative leader, former PM Brian Mulroney, who introduced this hated tax way back in 1991. And the public response was to decimate the once mighty Progressive Conservative Party, taking it from a strong majority to two lonely seats in the House of Commons.

New homes are currently taxed at the full HST rate of 13% in Ontario. Poilievre’s proposal would lift the GST portion off homes worth less than a million dollars. That would mean a potential saving of as much as $50,000 for the new home buyer. It’s a novel idea, but one that the current government has dismissed.

They’ll tell you that the housing market, like most markets, is subject to the laws of demand and supply. Currently there is already excess demand for homes and cutting the sales tax would just add to that excess demand. In addition, because it’s essentially a sellers’ market today, some of that $50,000 would likely end up as additional profit in the pockets of the home builders.

Getting rid of the HST is an idea worth discussing, though. All taxes and subsidies distort market behaviour. But broad-based sales taxes like the HST disincentivize consumption which is, after all, what drives an economy. More importantly, broad sales taxes are regressive since they impact those with lower incomes more than the wealthy. That is why the government offers GST rebates to low income earners.

Increasing taxes on spirits could be a revenue producer.

There are other ways for government to raise revenue. We could reintroduce inheritance taxes and/or start taxing lottery and gambling winnings and other windfalls. We could make all capital gains fully taxable as was the original intent. It is just another source of income, after all. We could increase the progressivity of income tax for a more equitable society. And we could apply even more taxes on those goods or services that can harm us; like tobacco, alcohol and fossil fuels.

If Ontario also removes its PST, the potential home buyer saving could be as high as $130,000. But even if the homeowner could save money on a new home, that doesn’t mean one would be available for them. The real problem is too few houses for too many people and too many people for too few houses.

To help with the supply side the federal government has started incentivizing municipalities to build more housing infrastructure and open up more land for (re)development – by throwing money at it. They haven’t been this involved in actual home building since Mr. Mulroney ended federal involvement when he was still PM.

The feds are involved because they are also a huge part of the problem. To get the economy moving again in the wake of the pandemic, business leaders and some provincial leaders, including Mr. Ford, pushed the federal government into opening the nation’s flood gates to immigration. And the feds listened to them.

In response, Canada processed a record of over 5 million applications for permanent residency in 2022 with about 10% of those, almost 500,000, given the right to live and work here. And that doesn’t include the temporary migrants. In total over a million new entrants came here, each of them competing for today’s housing.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau welcoming immigrants to Canada.

As anticipated, these new arrivals spurred economic activity and Canada came out of the post pandemic slump faster than many other G7 nations. But the upshot is that our housing sector was not ready for the influx. Realizing the error of their ways, the feds have now decided to significantly lower immigration targets over the next few years. And that has woken up Mr. Poilievre who, in response, has suggested linking the rate of immigration directly to the rate of new home construction.

It is difficult to see how Mr. Poilievre’s GST cut would solve Canada’s short term housing supply issue. But his plan to pay for it by slashing the new federal programs which have shown some promise in adding to today’s housing stock is just the wrong thing to do. On the other hand, benchmarking immigration rates to some tangible target, like new housing starts, has to be an improvement over past practices. The way I see it anyway.

Ray Rivers, a Gazette Contributing Editor, writes regularly applying his more than 25 years as a federal bureaucrat to his thinking. Rivers was once a candidate for provincial office in Burlington. He was the founder of the Burlington citizen committee on sustainability at a time when climate warming was a hotly debated subject. Ray has a post graduate degree in economics that he earned at the University of Ottawa. Tweet @rayzrivers

Background links:

Cutting GST – More GST cut – Ford Want More Immigration – Canada Immigration –

Housing Crisis – Immigration Targets – Harper Cuts GST –

Insider Trading Data Filed Thursday October 31st, 2024

By James Portside

November 1st, 2024

BURLINGTON, ON

This information is not professional investment advice. Investors are advised to do their own research into individual stocks before making an investment decision.

The five stocks with the largest dollar value of insider acquisitions in the public market are:

Insider	Relationship	Transaction	Date	Quantity	Price	Total

Advantage Energy Ltd —–Buy Quantity: 25,000 Average cost: $8.78 Total: $219,600.00
Angevine, Jill Terilee	4 – Director of Issuer	10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market	10-31-24	20,000	$8.78	$175,600.00
Balog, Stephen	4 – Director of Issuer	10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market	10-31-24	5,000	$8.80	$44,000.00

Gold Reserve Ltd —–Buy Quantity: 70,000 Average cost: $3.11 Total: $217,998.31
Insider	Relationship	Transaction	Date	Quantity	Price	Total
Camac Partners, LLC	3 – 10% Security Holder of Issuer	10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market	10-31-24	70,000	$3.11	$217,998.31

The Bitcoin Fund —–Buy Quantity: 2,000 Average cost: $93.00 Total: $186,000.00
Insider	Relationship	Transaction	Date	Quantity	Price	Total
Pye, Frederick	7 – Director or Senior Officer of Insider or Subsidiary of Issuer (other than in 4,5,6)	10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market	10-28-24	2,000	$93.00	$186,000.00

Quebec Innovative Materials Corp. (formerly Quebec Silica Resources Corp.) —–Buy Quantity: 450,000 Average cost: $0.29 Total: $131,715.00
Insider	Relationship	Transaction	Date	Quantity	Price	Total
Inwentash, Sheldon	3 – 10% Security Holder of Issuer	10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market	10-28-24	225,000	$0.29	$65,857.50
ThreeD Capital Inc.	3 – 10% Security Holder of Issuer	10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market	10-28-24	225,000	$0.29	$65,857.50

PrairieSky Royalty Ltd —–Buy Quantity: 4,000 Average cost: $28.53 Total: $114,108.00
Insider	Relationship	Transaction	Date	Quantity	Price	Total
McKenzie, Margaret Anne	4 – Director of Issuer	10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market	10-30-24	4,000	$28.53	$114,108.00

The five stocks with the largest dollar value of insider dispositions in the public market are:

Insider	Relationship	Transaction	Date	Quantity	Price	Total

Talon Metals Corp —–Sell Quantity: -114,588,550 Average cost: $0.08 Total: -$9,167,084.00
Resource Capital Fund VI L.P.	3 – 10% Security Holder of Issuer	10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market	10-30-24	-114,588,550	$0.08	-$9,167,084.00

The Real Brokerage Inc —–Sell Quantity: -72,725 Average cost: $7.48 Total: -$543,840.53 Options Issued: 72,725 Average cost: $0.03 Total: $2,540.22
Insider	Relationship	Transaction	Date	Quantity	Price	Total
Poleg, Tamir	4 – Director of Issuer, 5 – Senior Officer of Issuer	51 – Exercise of options	10-28-24	72,725	$0.03	$2,540.22
Poleg, Tamir	4 – Director of Issuer, 5 – Senior Officer of Issuer	10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market	10-28-24	-72,725	$7.48	-$543,840.53

Reitmans (Canada) Limited —–Sell Quantity: -10,100 Average cost: $2.68 Total: -$27,068.00
Insider	Relationship	Transaction	Date	Quantity	Price	Total
Wait, Richard	5 – Senior Officer of Issuer	10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market	10-30-24	-10,100	$2.68	-$27,068.00

Platinum Group Metals Ltd —–Sell Quantity: -7,950 Average cost: $2.89 Total: -$22,965.00 Options Issued: 11,186 Average cost: $1.60 Total: $17,941.16
Insider	Relationship	Transaction	Date	Quantity	Price	Total
Marlow, Timothy Douglas	4 – Director of Issuer	51 – Exercise of options	10-28-24	3,236	$1.81	$5,857.16
Mgudlwa, Mlibo	5 – Senior Officer of Issuer	10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market	10-29-24	-7,950	$2.89	-$22,965.00
Mgudlwa, Mlibo	5 – Senior Officer of Issuer	51 – Exercise of options	10-30-24	7,950	$1.52	$12,084.00

ZTEST Electronics Inc —–Sell Quantity: -25,000 Average cost: $0.38 Total: -$9,500.00
Insider	Relationship	Transaction	Date	Quantity	Price	Total
Jeyanayagam, Suren	7 – Director or Senior Officer of Insider or Subsidiary of Issuer (other than in 4,5,6)	10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market	10-30-24	-25,000	$0.38	-$9,500.00

City wants feedback on short-term rental properties in Burlington.

The results of the American election - how long before the regrets begin to roll in?

A truly inexpensive way to get your children into a theatre to see a live performance

Robo Calls on the Telephone Town Hall - who ordered them and who is paying for them?

On the edge of the precipice, the virtual eve of one of the most definitive and defining moments in modern history

Metrolinx is thrilled to announce: Swiftly GO to the shows!

For what it is worth – Kamala Harris will be elected President of the United States today.

'Frantic and overwhelmed, we were left to fend for ourselves while the culvert was blocked with debris, causing the creek to back up'

Top 5 Hotels Near Burlington for Tourists

Holiday Inn Burlington Hotel & Conference Center

Great Canadian Casino Resort

Best Western Plus Burlington Inn & Suites

Waterfront Hotel Downtown Burlington

Quality Hotel Burlington

Conclusion

Insider Trading Data Filed Monday November 4th, 2024

This information is not professional investment advice. Investors are advised to do their own research into individual stocks before making an investment decision.

The five stocks with the largest dollar value of insider acquisitions in the public market are:

The five stocks with the largest dollar value of insider dispositions in the public market are:

Classroom behaviour was considerably worse following an unprecedented period of at-home learning due to the pandemic

Is sighing at a Council meeting acceptable behaviour ?

Media took another hit last week when the owner instructed management to not publish an election endorsement.

Insider Trading Data Filed Friday November 1st to Sunday November 3rd, 2024

This information is not professional investment advice. Investors are advised to do their own research into individual stocks before making an investment decision.

The five stocks with the largest dollar value of insider acquisitions in the public market are:

The five stocks with the largest dollar value of insider dispositions in the public market are:

Current Gambling Laws in Ontario

Overview of Ontario’s Gambling Regulations

Recent Changes and Key Points in Ontario’s Gambling Landscape

Ensuring Safe Gambling: Resources and Support Available

Remembrance Day Schedule

Former Chair of Regional School Board running for Liberal Provincial nomination

Rivers: Cutting the HST tax on new homes is a novel idea - gets a bumpy introduction

Insider Trading Data Filed Thursday October 31st, 2024

This information is not professional investment advice. Investors are advised to do their own research into individual stocks before making an investment decision.

The five stocks with the largest dollar value of insider acquisitions in the public market are:

The five stocks with the largest dollar value of insider dispositions in the public market are:

Just how does the city determine how much a staff member will be paid?

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Holiday Inn Burlington Hotel & Conference Center

Great Canadian Casino Resort

Best Western Plus Burlington Inn & Suites

Waterfront Hotel Downtown Burlington

Quality Hotel Burlington

Conclusion

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This information is not professional investment advice. Investors are advised to do their own research into individual stocks before making an investment decision.

The five stocks with the largest dollar value of insider acquisitions in the public market are:

The five stocks with the largest dollar value of insider dispositions in the public market are:

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This information is not professional investment advice. Investors are advised to do their own research into individual stocks before making an investment decision.

The five stocks with the largest dollar value of insider acquisitions in the public market are:

The five stocks with the largest dollar value of insider dispositions in the public market are:

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Overview of Ontario’s Gambling Regulations

Recent Changes and Key Points in Ontario’s Gambling Landscape

Ensuring Safe Gambling: Resources and Support Available

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This information is not professional investment advice. Investors are advised to do their own research into individual stocks before making an investment decision.

The five stocks with the largest dollar value of insider acquisitions in the public market are:

The five stocks with the largest dollar value of insider dispositions in the public market are:

Share this:

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