 By Pepper Parr
February 28th, 2025
BURLINGTON. ON
Well, this is a sticky wicket.
The Elections Ontario people have said they are not in a position to issue a final count – no reason yet on why – seems to be a concern with two polling stations – that’s about all we can report at this stage.
We are being told from one of the campaigns that it may be Wednesday of next week before any next steps can be taken.
 Andrea Grebenc wants to see the final Official vote count before making any comment. If the Liberals feel that a recount is justified an application has to be made before a Superior Court Judge to order a recount. Andrea Grebenc has said through a spokes- person that she will have no comment until Elections Ontario issues a final vote count.
Then experts are brought in to do the things that need to be done to make a case for a different result.
Messy.
 Natalie Pierre the night she won the election with a 40 vote lead. Natalie Pierre has never talked to the Gazette so we have no idea what she thinks or feels. The Liberals are taking the position that they will not comment until Elections Ontario issues a final vote count – it looks like that will happen on Wednesday of next week.
The New Democrats have been difficult to communicate with during the campaign
Kyle Huttondthe Green Party candidate is always available for a comment.
 Kyle Hutton believes a ranked ballot would have produced a much different result. He is of the view that if Andrea Grebenc does lose when the Official count is in – she should consider running again.
Hutton has never talked to Natalie Pierre “she was never very outspoken. If she really doesn’t want to do the job – maybe she will resign and Ford will have to call a by-election.’”
Hutton is convinced that if ranked balloting had been used instead of first past the post this would have been a much different provincial election.
His comment that “we could take 12 seats this time around” made during an earlier interview with Hutton election is now a pipe dream. Rest assured – when the next writ is dropped Kyle Hutton will be involved “even if it is in a background role.”
Judidial reconts situations like this get pushed up the food chain to the provincial party level where the expertise and the legal talent needed to fight battles at this level exists.
The really slim difference between the Progressive Conservatives and the Liberals doesn’t give Natalie Pierre much to boast about.
 The grey bar – the number of people who did not vote is a disgraceful reflection on just what kind of city Burlington is. The 48,926 people that did not vote is disappointing – especially for a city that is populated by well educated, high income earners who should know that every vote counts. Hopefully they are not sitting at home with a smug look on their faces. You know who you are – you should be ashamed.
By Pepper Parr
February 28th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Here is how you feel when you win by 40 votes.
 Natalie Pierre speaking to media.
 By Pepper Parr
February 27th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
We Canadians seem to have a problem recognizing talent and ability that is sitting there in front of us.
 Karina Gould: A face Canadians might see a lot more of. During the race to determine who the next leader of the Liberal Party will be, and by default, become the Prime Minister. Karina Gould, Burlington’s MP was given little in the way of attention from media and precious little from many of the people in Burlington.
Praise for Gould’s ‘masterclass.’
“Liberal leadership candidate Karina Gould displayed impressive communications skills during back-to-back debates this week, according to party insiders, but it’s unlikely to affect the race’s overall result.
“Gould squared off with ex-Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney, former cabinet minister Chrystia Freeland, and one-time Liberal MP Frank Baylis in Montreal on Tuesday during the Liberal leadership race’s only English-language debate.
“The four candidates also participated in a French debate on Monday.
“In both cases, Gould, an MP and ex-government House leader, earned rave reviews for her ability to speak directly to Canadians with messaging that resonates with a variety of groups.
“Alex Kohut, a former pollster in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office, called Gould’s performance a “masterclass in political communications” in a post on social media, particularly emphasizing her strong post-debate media scrum.”
If Mark Carney does not win on the first count of a ranked ballot and Chrystia Freeland comes in third – Karina Gould could be the choice of members of the Liberal Party.
 By Pepper Parr
February 27th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Interesting observation. In Burlington people turn out by the thousands to watch the Remembrance Day parade and take part in the services at the Cenotaph remembering and honouring those that paid the supreme sacrifice to defend the democracy we have – and yet less than 50% of the city’s population take the time to vote.
Those poor buggers, dying on a muddy battlefield, realizing, in their final moments, that they will never see their loved ones again.
 We gather in the hundreds on November the 11th to remember them but don’t vote on election day to honour them.
You have one thing that you must do today.
Vote if you have not already voted.
 If you are one of the average people in this province – challenged by the economic conditions – this is your opportunity to have a say in the provincial government that will be determined by the end of the day.
It is vital that what YOU want in the way of a government is made clear by the vote you cast.
Every vote counts.
Ontario has a disappointing voting record.
Make this the year that that changes.
 By Pepper Parr
February 26th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
OPINION
Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles joined CUPE 7800 health care workers and OSSTF District 21 education workers at two campaign stops in Hamilton today.
She made her final campaign pitch and spoke about protecting workers, defending jobs and fighting rising costs with an NDP government that is on your side.
Stiles was joined by candidates from the Ontario NDP’s strong Hamilton team: Robin Lennox (Hamilton Centre), Kojo Damptey (Hamilton Mountain), Zaigham Butt (Hamilton East – Stoney Creek), and Sandy Shaw (Hamilton West–Ancaster–Dundas).
 Sara Jama. once the NDP candidate, now sits as an Independent candidate is expected to hold her seat. If the official NDP candidate wins Stiles should remain the Leader of the Opposition. Stiles did her best in Hamilton Centre to promote Robin Lennox, the NDP candidate. Sara Jama (once the NDP candidate) stands a better than even chance to hold the seat. Shoule NDP Lennox take the seat Stiles could be well on her way to making life very difficult for Doug Foard.
 The bus never did make it to Hamilton The campaign bus didn’t make it to Burlington. The New Democrats appear to have written of Burlington.
A smart Liberal would be putting out the word to get as many eggs as possible in the Liberal basket and ensure that Natalie Pierre never has to take the GO train to Queen’s Park again.
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.
 By Staff
February 26th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Hippity hop on down to Joseph Brant Museum for a Visit with the Easter Bunny!
 Families can book a 5-minute private visit with the Easter Bunny and have their photo taken by Henry’s Camera (6 family members maximum).
Henry’s will be providing each family with one digital image and a “Free Instant 8×10 Print” voucher for use at an in-store kiosk. Parents are also welcome to use their own cameras.
Children will have the opportunity to take part in an Easter egg scavenger hunt throughout the galleries and complete a Spring-themed craft. There will also be a mini-Makers market on site, and some hot chocolate to enjoy!
Tickets are $50/family ($45/members) and include a pre-booked visit and photos with the Easter Bunny, admission to Joseph Brant Museum, an Easter egg scavenger hunt throughout the galleries, hot chocolate, a craft for each child registered, and access to a mini-Makers Market.
The event takes place April 12-13. Call the Museum at (905) 634-3556 to reserve a spot.
Please note that it takes approximately 1 week for the professional images taken by Henry’s to be edited and sent to your inbox.
Would someone remind the people at the Brant Museum that Easter is more than bunnies, coloured eggs and scavenger hunts.
 By Staff
February 26th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
 An interesting application has been received by the Planning Department by an oddly shaped piece of property.
GSP Group has made an application to amend the Official Plan Designation and Zoning for the property located at 1497-1511 Old Plains Road.
 These applications will permit 75, 3-storey, one and two bedroom stacked townhome units on the subject property.
The proposal will be completed as a phased development. Phase 1 consists of 51 units and Phase 2 will consist of 24 units.
Vehicular access is proposed from Plains Road with an internal road network with 1 parking space per unit and 11 visitor parking spaces located throughout the site.
It will be interesting to hear what the developer has to say when the Statutory meeting is held.
 By Pepper Parr
February 26th, 2025
BURLINGTON. ON
The Halton District School Board has announced that secondary school students Kaitlyn Hou and Jay Xu are to be the Board’s Student Trustees for the next school year (2025-2026).
 These students were the successful candidates elected to the role by their peers through an online election that took place on Thursday, Feb. 20. This year’s election included 19 candidates and a total of approximately 3,970 students casting votes.
Hou is returning as Student Trustee for a second term, while Xu will be entering the role for the first time.
Hou is a Grade 11 student at Abbey Park High School and Xu is a Grade 10 student at White Oaks Secondary School.
The new term of office officially begins on Aug. 1, 2025. In recognizing the results of the Student Trustee election, Trustees of the Halton District School Board welcomed Hou and Xu to their roles as Student Trustees for the 2025-2026 school year. Hou and Xu shared the following thoughts about their upcoming terms as Student Trustee.
 Jayson Zu, is a Grade 10 student at White Oaks Secondary School. “I am incredibly grateful and honoured to have been selected as a Student Trustee from such a well-qualified group of candidates,” says Jason Xu. “To advocate for the student body that has supported and helped me so much throughout the election, I cannot thank you all enough. Now, I look forward to working alongside my peers, the Board and the community as a whole to fulfill the expectations for which I was elected, and to ensure that our beliefs and calls for meaningful changes resound across Halton!”
 Kaitlyn Hou is a Grade 11 student at Abbey Park High School. “I am beyond humbled and honoured to have been elected for another term as one of the two HDSB Student Trustees representing Halton,” says Kaitlyn Hou. “My absolute favourite part of being a Student Trustee is the connections and relationships I was able to build. After learning the ropes, starting passion projects and connecting with so many incredible, inspiring students from across Halton over the past year, I feel nothing but excitement and anticipation for the continued growth, development and change that is to come!”
Chair of the Board of Trustees Amy Collard said: “Student Trustees play a vital role in representing all HDSB students, amplifying their voices at the board table and collaborating with Trustees to make a positive impact in Halton schools. The Board values student perspectives as we work to equip our students with the resources and opportunities they need to achieve their goals. We look forward to working with Kaitlyn and Jay in support of student learning, achievement and well-being.”
In that she is spot on. In the decade that I have been following the public school board I have seen some remarkable high school students who delivered on a level that some of the trustees could not match.
An observation: I don’t ever recall seeing a student trustee from Burlington. The gender balance has always been good – realize that these trustees are chosen by their peers. That 19 students chose to run for the job has to be seen as a ray of hope for the future. The students from Oakville schools seem to be the most active – that activity is reflected in the number of community groups in Oakville compared to what we have in Burlington. There is a link between the two.
The other interesting point is that many, if not most of these student trustees, are from diverse communities.
 By Pepper Parr
February 26th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The Performing Arts Centre has put out a call for people to apply for a position on the Board of Directors.
Again?
The Burlington Performing Arts Centre Board of Directors named Peter W. Van Dyk their new Board Chair by acclamation at their meeting on November 28, 2024. Van Dyk replaces Ken Smithard, who has served on the Board since 2016 and whose term concluded at the end of November. Van Dyk was born and raised in Burlington. He was active as a musician locally and toured Ontario and Canada.
The current Board has had a rough couple of years. The sudden departure of Executive Director Tammy Fox, and governence issues related to an unauthorized arrangement with the Sound of Music may have worn out some of the current Board members.
The priority for the Board that is in place now was to find an Executive Director who would serve as the person who finds the talent to put on the two stages and then book that talent and at the same time keep the membership happy.
 Sara Palmieri: new Performing Arts Executive Director. Sara Palmieri was chosen as the new Executive Director – she started work on the 19th.
Palmieri was named the inaugural Director of Programming and Marketing at the newly established FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre (FOPAC) in downtown St. Catharines where she has led much of the FOPAC’s success in its first ten seasons.
 A lovely building that has struggled more than one would expect to find and keep the leadership it needed at both the Staff and Board levels. The announcement seeking new Board members sets out what you have to bring to the table and what you will be doing if they give you a seat and some cutlery.
Are you passionate about the performing arts? The Burlington Performing Arts Centre is seeking a broad range of skilled leaders to join our Board of Directors. As we enter our 14th season of bringing world-class performances to downtown Burlington, we’re looking for dynamic individuals with diverse skills and talents who can help shape the future of our performing arts centre and Burlington’s cultural community. Whether your expertise lies in fundraising, community leadership, strategic planning or Board governance, there’s an opportunity to contribute your talents while being part of something transformative.
The Board completed a new Strategic Plan for 2024-2027, identifying four key strategic objectives which will define success for the Burlington Performing Arts Centre over the next four years:
A successful Burlington Performing Arts Centre will be:
- A place where all feel welcome. An organization committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and access to the performing arts.
- A financially stable organization with the resources necessary to accomplish its mission.
- A cultural hub that attracts diverse audiences and artists through a balanced programming model that presents professional and community performances.
- An employer of choice that attracts the best in the business.
The Burlington Theatre Board Inc. is a governance board composed of volunteers responsible for the stewardship and general oversight of the organization. The Board provides strategic direction to the Executive Director and meets approximately ten times a year, with additional time expected for sub-committee work.
 The Performing Arts Centre has built a loyal following during the past decade – much of the credit for that growth belongs to Brenda Heatherington, the first Executive Director – the patrons just loved her. Above, two patrons deciding which events they wanted to attend. The Burlington Theatre Board Inc. is currently seeking Board members with skills and experience in fundraising, community leadership, operations, risk management, Board governance, strategic planning, marketing and promotion, as well as a passion for the performing arts and deep ties in the Burlington community. Prior Board experience is not mandatory, particularly if candidates have strong relevant skills or insights. BPAC Board members serve for 4-year terms and may serve for up to two consecutive terms (8 years total).
Board members are expected to:
- be members of The Burlington Performing Arts Centre;
- participate in monthly Board meetings;
- participate in a minimum of one Board Committee (Audit and Risk Committee / Governance, Ethics and HR Committee / Development & Relationship Management Committee and Ad Hoc Committees as required), which may meet monthly;
- support BPAC functions and events (either through attendance or by other means);
- make an annual financial contribution that is personally meaningful, and/or actively support fundraising efforts through strategic introductions and engagement with the development team;
- act as ambassadors for BPAC.
HOW TO APPLY
Please send your CV and letter of interest as one document in PDF format to bpacboard@gmail.com on or before March 26, 2025.
If you have any questions about the application process, please send them to bpacboard@gmail.com and a member of the Governance, Ethics and HR Committee will respond.
Background links:
What Sara Palmieri bring to BPAC
By Pepper Parr
February 26th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
It would be fair to say that most people, the MAGA types excepted, would say how could the Americans be so stupid to elect Donald Trump as President. One American Senator refers to the man as a “maniac”.
I could fill this column with a list of the really dumb things Trump has done to Americans and the damage he has done to the rest of the world.
Tomorrow, the people of Ontario have an opportunity to not make the same mistake and return the same person to the Premiership of the province.
Let me list the really dumb things Doug Ford has done:
 Doug Ford’s government signed a 95 year lease for parts of Ontario Place. Closed the Science Center
Said he made a mistake with the Greenbelt fiasco
Decided to build Hwy 413 when it isn’t needed.
Finds himself the object of an RCMP investigation – says that they haven’t interviewed him – doesn’t realize that they Mounties interview the person they are after last.
Allows the development of a theme park on Ontario Place property. The province signed a 95 – year lease for parts of Ontario Place where a $700 million theme park is to be built.
Permits the sale of beer at gas stations.
Comes up with a $40 BILLION plan to build a tunnel underneath the 401.
Forgets that he is the Premier of Ontario and not the Prime Minister and spends time in the United States telling the American politicians DETAIL
 Natalie Pierre, the Progressive Conservative candidate did not show up for the all-candidate meeting. The election outcome Thursday night will probably not be the end of Doug Ford – however, there is an opportunity to return the Ford crowd as a minority government.
That will mean electing enough New Democrats and Liberals to the Legislature.
In Burlington the sentiment seems to favour Andrea Grebenc; Natalie Pierre didn’t want to run for a second term, got talked into running – apparently the Conservatives couldn’t find a different candidate. Pierre insulted the people she represents by not showing up for the all candidate event.
We have not managed to cover the election in Milton, which includes parts of the northern part of Burlington, nor did we manage to cover the Oakville North Burlington riding.
In Milton the candidates are
| KATHERINE-ANNE CIRLINCIONE |
Ontario NDP/NPD |
| SUSAN DOYLE |
Green Party of Ontario GPO |
| ZEE HAMID |
PC Party of Ontario |
| MOHSIN RIZVI |
CPO |
| JOHN SPINA |
New Blue Party |
| KRISTINA TESSER DERKSEN |
Ontario Liberal Party |
In Oakville North Burlington the candidates are:
| ALI HOSNY |
Green Party of Ontario GPO |
| KANIZ MOULI |
Ontario Liberal Party |
| CALEB SMOLENAARS |
Ontario NDP/NPD |
| EFFIE TRIANTAFILOPOULOS |
PC Party of Ontario |
| CHARLES WROBLEWSKI |
New Blue Party |
Get out and vote – and think hard about what is best for the province and for your community.
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.
 By Julieta Belen Correa
February 26th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Sports betting involves predicting the outcome of a sporting event and placing a wager on it. Whether you’re betting on your favorite team or trying to make sense of complex odds, the world of sports betting offers a variety of opportunities to earn profits. It’s important to understand the basics, types of bets, and responsible betting practices before diving in – so, shall we dive in?
 Did I make the right bet? What is Sports Betting?
Sports betting is the act of wagering money on the outcome of a sports event, such as football, basketball, horse racing, or even esports. In a sportsbook, bettors can place wagers on individual games, tournaments, or long-term outcomes like season winners. Online sportsbooks have made it easier to access sports betting with a wide range of markets and convenient features such as live betting.
The Different Sports You Can Bet On
One of the great things about sports betting is the variety of sports you can bet on. From major global sports to niche events, there is something for every sports enthusiast. Popular sports to bet on include:
-
 The thrill of the race as the horses reach the finish line is bigger when your horse wins. Football: The most common sport for betting, especially in leagues like the NFL, Premier League, and La Liga.
- Basketball: With the NBA and college basketball, this is another highly popular sport among bettors.
- Horse Racing: A longstanding favorite, with numerous races around the world.
- Tennis: From Wimbledon to the US Open, tennis provides excellent opportunities for betting.
- Baseball: MLB is a key focus for sports betting in North America.
- Esports: Competitive gaming is growing, with major events and tournaments offering betting options.
Each sport has its own unique dynamics, and understanding the rules and structure of the game can increase your chances of making a successful bet.
How to Bet on Esports
Esports betting is gaining significant traction with the rise of professional gaming tournaments. If you’re interested in betting on esports, the process is similar to betting on traditional sports. Popular esports include games like:
- League of Legends: A multiplayer online battle arena game with massive global tournaments.
- Dota 2: Another popular MOBA with highly competitive international tournaments.
- Counter-Strike: Global Offensive: A first-person shooter game with numerous leagues and tournaments.
- Fortnite: Known for its battle royale mode, this game has also seen a rise in esports betting.
 Make informed betting choices. To bet on esports, find a sportsbook that offers esports betting markets. You can place bets on match winners, tournament outcomes, and specific in-game events. Much like traditional sports, understanding the teams, players, and recent performances will help you make informed betting choices.
Different Types of Bets
Sports betting offers a range of betting options, allowing you to tailor your wagers to your preferred strategy. Some common types of bets include:
- Moneyline Bet: The simplest type of bet, where you pick the winner of the game or event.
- Point Spread: In this bet, you bet on a team to either cover a spread, meaning they must win by a certain number of points, or lose by fewer points than the spread allows.
- Over/Under Bet: A wager on whether the total points or goals scored in a game will be above or below a predetermined number.
- Futures Bet: A long-term bet placed on outcomes like which team will win a championship or tournament.
- Parlays: A combination of multiple bets into one wager, increasing the potential payout but also the risk.
The variety of bet types gives bettors flexibility and allows for different strategies depending on the situation.
Understanding Odds
 Understand what odds are. Understanding odds is crucial when placing bets, as they represent the probability of an outcome and determine the potential payout. There are three common types of odds formats:
- Decimal Odds: Common in Europe and Canada, decimal odds show how much a bet will return for every $1 wagered. For example, odds of 2.00 mean you’ll win $2 for every $1 you bet.
- Fractional Odds: Used mainly in the UK, fractional odds show the profit relative to the stake. For example, odds of 5/1 mean you’ll win $5 for every $1 wagered.
- American Odds: Also known as moneyline odds, American odds can be either positive or negative. Positive odds indicate how much profit you’ll make on a $100 bet, while negative odds show how much you need to bet to win $100.
The key to understanding odds is recognizing their implied probability and using that information to place informed bets.
Playing Responsibly
 While sports betting can be fun and rewarding, it’s essential to bet responsibly. Set a budget for your betting activities and avoid chasing losses. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of betting, but ensuring you stick to your limits will help you manage risk and protect your finances.
Many sportsbooks offer tools like deposit limits and self-exclusion options to help bettors play responsibly. Never bet more than you can afford to lose, and if you feel that betting is becoming a problem, seek professional help.
Conclusion
Sports betting offers thrilling opportunities for fans to engage with their favorite sports, but it requires knowledge, strategy, and responsible management. Understanding the different types of bets, the sports you can bet on, and how to interpret odds will set you up for success. Whether you’re interested in traditional sports or emerging markets like esports, betting responsibly will ensure that sports betting remains a fun and exciting activity.
 By Tom Parkin
February 26th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Justin Trudeau ran left of the NDP and held his leadership bump. But more conservative Dion and Ignatieff saw their leadership bump melt away.
Mark Carney’s more conservative positioning may make it difficult for the presumptive incoming Liberal leader to hang on to his current popularity bump, an analysis of past Liberal leadership races shows.
 Mark Carney Carney’s campaign has moved away from Trudeau’s perceived left-wing policies in an effort to collapse policy differences with Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives. Carney has vowed to cut the public service, slay the deficit, reduce capital gains taxes, and axe the consumer carbon tax, all conservative priorities.
By collapsing major policy contrasts with the Conservatives, Liberals hope to move forward onto new terrain they believe will be more advantageous: leader competence and best choice to deal with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Liberal gains coming at expense of Conservatives and NDP
Two polls released today show Liberal support has increased to 38 per cent from the low 20s only a month ago. That gain has come from both the Conservatives and NDP.
Conservative support is down about 10 points from recent levels, standing at 37 per cent according to EKOS Research and 36 per cent in Ipsos’ poll. In early January, Nanos, Abacus and Leger all found the Conservatives at 47 per cent.
Jagmeet Singh’s NDP has dropped about eight points from last fall, when the NDP peaked at 20 or 21 per cent. NDP support has dropped to 12 per cent, according to both Ipsos and EKOS Research.
Trudeau running left of NDP kept leadership bump
In the 30 days after Justin Trudeau’s selection as leader, polls showed his Liberals averaging 37.9 per cent support.
The Trudeau Liberals consistently lead in the polls from Trudeau’s selection in 2013 until spring 2015, taking support from both the NDP and Conservatives. In winter 2015, NDP support had fallen to the low 20s while the Conservatives fell to the low 30s.
But NDP support recovered at Liberal expense after the surprising win in Alberta by Rachel Notley and the three major parties entered the 2015 election at almost identical support levels in the low 30s.
Trudeau’s strategy of outflanking the NDP on the left, and mistakes by the Mulcair campaign that played into the Liberal strategy, resulted in NDP support declining to 19.7 per cent, 2.8 points below the level during Trudeau’s leadership bump. Conservative support increased 2.9 points.
Dion and Ignatieff saw leadership bumps melt away
The leadership bounces for Liberal leaders Dion and Ignatieff was less strong than for Trudeau, reaching 35.5 and 34.3 per cent, respectively, but also took from both major opponents. NDP support averaged 12.9 per cent in the 30 days after the selection of Dion and 15.5 per cent after Ignatieff’s selection. Conservative support eroded to 32.6 per cent in Dion’s leadership bump and 31.5 per cent with Ignatieff.
Both Dion and Ignatieff ran conventional Liberal strategies, mostly focused on courting policy Conservatives while trying to hold NDP voters on strategic voting calls. The conservative shift was quite explicit under Michael Ignatieff. But even Stephane Dion’s Green Shift platform was centred on new tax cuts for business paid for with a new consumer carbon tax, which had no rebate.
That standard conservative orientation resulted in Conservative support recovering several points while NDP support rebounded strongly.
Carney’s conservative tack leaves opening for NDP rebound
As with Dion and Ignatieff, it will be a significant challenge for Carney to hold on to the support recently gained at NDP and Conservative expense. While Carney’s leadership will collapse many policy contrasts with Poilievre, it creates space for the NDP to focus on their policy contrasts with both Poilievre and Carney.
Carney’s views on NDP signature items such as dental care, pharmacare and school lunches have so far have not been covered in the media, but his focus on slaying the deficit suggests they are at risk. For the NDP, flushing out Carney on these contrasts could hasten a polling rebound and is a reasonable path forward for Singh and his caucus.
 By Pepper Parr
February 25th. 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
 So – how do you think the advance poll for Burlington went?
Much better than a lot of people expected
There were 9146 ballots cast during the advance poll.
The percentage of voters that cast ballots during the advance poll was 8.74%
Across the province, the number was 6.14
 By Staff
February 24th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
 Retirement income – how much will you have once you have retired, is a serious question for a lot of people.
The data set out below was obtained through a poll of 1000 Americans by the BlackRock and the Bipartisan Policy Center located in Washington DC
Continue reading Some pensioners fear running out of money in retirement more than death
 By Staff
February 24th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
This is the first time the Gazette has seen anything like this from City Hall
“The City of Burlington is advocating for a meaningful and robust partnership with all provincial parties to ensure our community’s goals are supported in 2025 and beyond.
“Strong, multi-level government relationships will preserve our great quality of life for everyone in Burlington.
 “The City is focused on priorities that ensure affordability, livability, sustainability and transparency for our residents.
“For the City of Burlington, that means working together with the Provincial government to realize our strategic plan vision of enabling complete communities. Our efforts will be guided by Burlington’s Plan From Vision to Focus 2022-2026, which will focus on achieving the following objectives to address our changing city:
- Focus area 1: Designing and delivering complete communities
- Focus area 2: Providing the best services and experiences
- Focus area 3: Protecting and improving the natural environment and taking action on climate change
- Focus area 4: Driving organizational performance
Six Policy Priorities for the Provincial Government
 If changes are going to be made – they will be made in this building – the provincial legislature. Later this week the public will decide which political party is going to lead the province. With this in mind, combined with community feedback, Burlington is focused on six policy priorities that, through collaboration with the Government of Ontario over the next four years, will help us make a difference. These non-partisan priorities have been decades in the making and appeal to all political parties to respond to the needs of Burlington and our residents. The priorities, not listed in order, include:
1. Resetting the provincial-municipal fiscal framework.
Property taxes were not built to fund systemic social change, and municipal revenue does not grow with the economy or population growth. The City joins the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) and Ontario’s Big City Mayors’ (OBCM) in calling on the Province of Ontario to review this funding framework and to curb reliance on municipal property taxes to fund provincial responsibilities – i.e., housing-enabling infrastructure.
2. Advancing affordable housing solutions.
Continuity of the Housing Accelerator Fund and additional provincial support remain critical for Burlington to increase affordable housing supply. Of equal importance is the abolition of the Ontario Land Tribunal, which has outlived its usefulness, adds costs and delays, and places limits on our ability to control development at the local level. We need more housing and faster processes.
3. Addressing the interconnected crises of homelessness, addictions, and mental health.
Like many other municipalities, we do not have the resources and expertise to take homelessness on alone. A recent report by AMO points to the need for a long-term investment of $11 billion over 10 years to truly resolve this complex issue. We all succeed when our most vulnerable are cared for.
4. Protecting the natural environment and taking action on climate change
Burlington is uniquely half rural, so protecting farmland and our rural boundary, stopping the expansion of the Mount Nemo quarry, and ensuring our development horizon through flood reduction efforts will help to establish sustainable, healthy and low-carbon climate resilient communities. Continued provincial support will be critical in helping the City achieve these goals, including issuing a Ministerial Zoning Order to protect the vital greenspace at Millcroft golf course.
5. Supporting industry and protecting jobs, businesses, and the economy
In response to pending U.S. tariffs on Canadian imports, City Council has passed a ‘Buy Canadian’ resolution calling on the federal and provincial governments to work with municipalities on measures to protect Canadian consumers and businesses. Protecting local business is protecting our way of life.
6. Municipal Codes of Conduct
“The City of Burlington supports the principles outlined in the Ontario Human Rights Code regarding freedom from harassment. Elected officials should not be above the Human Resources standards that exist in every other working environment, and the City is pleased that the provincial government introduced legislation on municipal codes of conduct that will create higher levels of accountability – and consequences – for the behaviour of elected councillors.
“The City of Burlington looks forward to working alongside the next provincial government, and with our Members of Provincial Parliament at Queen’s Park, to make a real difference in our community and for our future.
 Mayor Meed Ward said: “Municipalities like Burlington are carrying the weight of pressing challenges, from housing affordability to the interconnected crises of homelessness, addictions, and mental health—issues that demand solutions far beyond the municipal capacity. While we are closest to the people, the provincial government holds the power and the resources to make a real difference. We need a new deal—a true partnership with the Province—so we can work together to address these decades-old priorities. This is a non-partisan appeal for all parties to help us build a future where our residents can thrive in affordable, sustainable, and vibrant communities.”
By Staff
February 24th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
 Indeed, whoever it is did make it through a cold cold night. The Sleepless For Our Community event, that’s the evening people sleep in their cars overnight to raise funds for those in our community who are experiencing poverty-related challenges. The funds raised will directly support programs that provide essential services such as housing support, food security, mental health resources, and job training to individuals and families in need.
Continue reading Sleeping in cars overnight on one of the coldest days of the year raised $335,000 for United Way
By Staff
February 24th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Ontario’s health care crisis is deepening at a time when the province already has the fewest hospital beds per capita in the country and the lowest per capita health care funding of any province.
The province has the fewest hospital staff per patient in Canada. As a result of being funded under their operating costs, Ontario hospitals have a combined deficit of over $800 million this year.
A health care system in crisis at a time when Premier Doug Ford sent $200 cheques to almost every person in the province.
Hospital workers, health care advocates, and community supporters will make a statement outside St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto opposing the elimination of at least 750 positions—cuts at a hospital that is already understaffed – that will increase patient wait times and affect the quality of care.
 1,850 are on stretchers at hospitals every single day “These job cuts will have a devastating impact,” said Michael Hurley, president of the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions (OCHU). “This hospital plays a vital role in Toronto, and it is downsizing significantly at a time when demand for its services is surging. The Ford government’s continued underfunding is pushing Ontario’s hospitals past the breaking point, and the impact can be measured in the suffering of patients and those who love them.”
A health care system in crisis.
Public opinion polls consistently rank health care as the No. 1 issue for Ontarians, yet the government continues to cut and privatize essential services.
“The hospital funding policy of the Ford government is letting down communities across the province,” said Sharon Richer, secretary-treasurer of OCHU. “250,000 people are on surgical wait lists.1,850 are on stretchers at hospitals every single day. ERs are closing routinely.”
Since taking office, the Ford government’s increases to hospital funding have not kept pace with inflation, population growth, ageing, or the rising cost of drugs and medical technologies.
 The fear amongst many is that the Premier is building a private health care system rather than fund the existing public system. “This government can imagine funding a $100 billion tunnel that no one has asked for, but it refuses to fund the actual costs of a vital service like our hospitals,” says Hurley. “We need to talk about a plan to staff up our hospitals, to get patients on wait lists into surgeries, to get patients off hallway stretchers into beds and to meet the demands of an aging and growing population. We want to have that conversation urgently.”
Health care advocates warn that these layoffs are part of a broader push to privatize more services, creating a two-tier system where only those who can afford to pay get timely care.
By Pepper Parr
February 22nd, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Catching up politically …
We will know late Thursday night – Friday morning at the latest what the results of the provincial election are going to be.
 Doug Ford has a lot to think about during the week we are going into. Will the public punish Doug Ford for calling a snap election that many people feel wasn’t necessary?
Will Liberal leader Bonnie Crombie have managed to get through the impact Ford Nation has had on this election?
Has Doug Ford earned being returned to office?
 Has Marit Stiles changed minds – enough to be returned as the Leader of the Opposition in a minority government? She certainly served the public with her getting a devastating report from the Auditor General and a strong report from the Provincial Integrity Commissioner Has Marat Stiles managed to get through to the public?
Will the NDP and Liberals combined hold the balance of power and leave Ford leading a minority government?
And if that happens – will he stick around? Continue reading What’s it going to be: A Ford majority; a Ford minority or a total wipe out for Doug Ford
By Staff
February 21st, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
It was one of the best hockey games ever broadcast with the very best players on the ice.
The best social media comment we’ve seen so far.
 By Ray Rivers
February 21st, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The clock is ticking for Liberals to vote in a ranked ballot online starting February 28th to select Canada’s next PM. Among the finalists will be the two current members of Parliament, Chrystia Freeland and Karina Gould. Both of these candidates, as former Finance Minister and former Government House Leader respectively, can share some of the credit and/or accept blame for the governing Liberal record going back to 2015.
Freeland’s platform now disowns some of that record though she had served as Trudeau’s number two. She would axe the carbon tax and cancel the increase in capital gains taxation. Freeland also proposes imposing a 100% tariff on Tesla electric cars and bribing Canadian doctors and nurses to return here to work. Burlington’s Gould is promising to cut the GST to 4% for one year, enhance employment insurance and initiate a guaranteed income program.
Former MP Ruby Dhalla was disqualified as a candidate for the leadership of the party on a unanimous vote by the leadership and expense committees to drop her from the contest.
Dhalla served with Paul Martin and pivots to the ‘right’ of the party, proposing to deport ‘illegal immigrants’ and slamming drug users with life sentences. Baylis, a Montreal businessman, would limit senators and MP’s to 10 years in office. And among other ideas he’s also keen on recognizing a Palestinian state.
 Mark Carney speaking to Liberals in Hamilton. But the heavy betting is on former Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney. Carney played a key role in navigating Canada through the 2008 global economic downturn and as Bank of England Governor helped that nation through its Brexit transition. He held a UN post as climate envoy and had previously served as special advisor to Mr. Trudeau. However, Carney sees himself as an outsider, never having held a parliamentary seat. But he has brought a breath of fresh air to the Party, which as the polls tell us was in critical need of a re-set.
Carney has racked up the greatest number of Liberal Cabinet endorsements to date. Recent polls indicate that as leader he could bring the Liberals back from a double digit lag to a dead heat with Mr. Poilievre’s opposition Tories. That is something that has brought fear and panic into the Conservative camp which had been ever so keen to capitalize on Trudeau’s plummeting popularity. And that means Carney needs to watch out for dirty tricks. In that vein social media trolls falsely posted that Carney’s recent meet and greet of Liberals in Vancouver was AI doctored to create the illusion that the crowd was bigger.
Carney is an economist but he knows the campaign of disinformation and lies about carbon pricing has poisoned that economic instrument, so it is destined for the history books. He plans to introduce a middle income tax cut to compensate for loss of the carbon tax rebate, however. Carney plans to run a balanced budget regarding government spending though he has not ruled out borrowing for infrastructure projects which would benefit future generations.
Mostly Mr. Carney needs to attribute the climate of economic uncertainty Canadians are now facing for much of his growing popularity. US president Trump’s economic war on Canada starting with tariffs on some of our most important exports has this country on the defence. And Canadians would prefer to see an experienced professional at the helm rather than someone like Mr. Poilievre, who has almost never held a real job outside of working for the Conservative Party.
 Rivers, upper right (where the red dot is) covering Mark Carney during a speech he gave in Hamilton earlier this week. I was invited to one of Mr. Carney’s meet and greet meetings in Hamilton recently. He addressed the crowd in a soft spoken, sincere tone, without bashing his opponents. I found that a refreshing change from the dynamics of what we’ve seen too often in Ottawa politics. Let’s hope it continues.
 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:
Liberal Leadership – Carney – Karina Gould – Dhalla –
|
|
