 By Diana Kharchenko
September 17th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Researchers in multiple countries are advancing stem cell trial research aimed at repairing the inner ear to restore hearing in people with tinnitus and neural hearing loss. The initial research investigations aim to determine if cochlear hair cells, which transform sound into brain signals, can be regenerated.
The 2022 JAMA Neurology review established that tinnitus impacts 14.4% of adults worldwide, resulting in more than 740 million cases, while severe tinnitus affects 2.3% of the population (JAMA Neurology). The available treatments, including hearing aids and cochlear implants, and sound therapy, provide symptom relief, but they cannot restore typical hearing function.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School’s Mass Eye and Ear used a drug-like cocktail to stimulate hair cell regeneration in mice, which shows promise for human clinical applications.
Dr. Zheng-Yi Chen from Harvard Medical School’s Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery department described hair cell regeneration in the inner ear as the ultimate goal of hearing research. The research shows that clinical applications are possible for the future (Harvard Medical School).
Advances in Regenerative Research
Tinnitus and many forms of neural hearing loss result from damage to cochlear hair cells or their neural connections. The therapy with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) works to establish a supportive environment for the body’s repair mechanisms by delivering growth factors and enhancing immune responses and microcirculation.
Traditional treatments, including hearing aids and cochlear implants, and medications, help millions of people, but they cannot fix the complete damage to the ear.
Dr. Chris Cunningham from the University of Pittsburgh (Eye & Ear Foundation) explained that these devices bring revolutionary life-changing benefits, yet they cannot restore normal hearing completely.
Many stem cell trial programs now focus on MSCs, adult multipotent stromal cells sourced from a patient’s tissue or donated placental and umbilical cord tissue. MSCs avoid the ethical concerns associated with embryonic stem cells and have a lower risk of immune rejection.
According to reviews in Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience (Warnecke et al., 2021) and Molecular Biology Reports (2020), MSCs have been shown to reduce inflammation, protect nerve cells, repair synaptic connections, and promote new blood vessel growth to improve circulation.
Global and Clinical Perspectives
 Scientists throughout the world continue to study cell-based hearing loss treatments in laboratories and clinics because they share a common goal of developing treatments that surpass symptom relief. Beyond university laboratories, some private clinics are also exploring regenerative approaches for tinnitus and neural hearing loss. The European clinic Swiss Medica operates among multiple facilities that provide stem cell therapy for tinnitus through MSCs. The clinic explains that these treatments work to decrease inflammation while defending auditory nerve structures and promoting tissue regeneration.
The U.S. medical institution AdventHealth initiated a Phase I/II clinical trial to evaluate autologous umbilical cord blood infusion for treating acquired hearing loss in children while focusing on safety and practicality. The MHRA granted approval to Rinri Therapeutics in 2025 for starting human trials of Rincell-1, which functions as a regenerative cell therapy to fix damaged auditory nerves.
Scientists throughout the world continue to study cell-based hearing loss treatments in laboratories and clinics because they share a common goal of developing treatments that surpass symptom relief.
Future Outlook
While early results are encouraging, experts emphasise that stem cell therapies for hearing disorders remain experimental.
According to a systematic review in the International Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery (Ganchi, 2025), stem cell therapy shows promise for potentially curing congenital hearing loss via cochlear regeneration. However, significant hurdles in protocol development, long-term efficacy, and safety must still be addressed.
Conclusion
Recent developments in stem cell trials are shifting the treatment of tinnitus and neural hearing loss toward addressing the underlying damage rather than just managing symptoms. While still in trials, these regenerative therapies could significantly change the landscape of hearing restoration.
 By Tom Parkin
September 17th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Doug Ford’s “look harder” comment explains why Ontario has no jobs plan: because he denies there’s an unemployment problem.
There were 7,000 fewer job openings in Ontario at the end of June than March and there were more than 200,000 fewer openings than June 30, 2022, according to a Statistics Canada report released Tuesday morning.
The data comes just days after Ontario Premier Doug Ford dismissed job-searchers’ concerns in front of a downtown Toronto business audience.
 Doug Ford: “Young people who can’t find work aren’t looking “hard enough,” “It drives me nuts” when young people today say they can’t find work, Ford complained to the business crowd as they tucked into their lunch. “If you look hard enough” the jobs are there, the premier said.
But that’s not what the data shows.
Over 800,000 Ontarians were job-searching in August, according to StatsCan. That’s more than four times the 179,000 job openings reported as of June 30.
Vacancies have been trending down for three years, and now have fallen by more than half since June, 2022, when there were 378,000 Ontario job openings.
Currently, just 2.6 per cent of Ontario jobs are open, the second-worst rate among the provinces. Only in Newfoundland and Labrador are the odds worse for job-hunters.
British Columbia continues to be the best province for job-searchers with 3.3 per cent of jobs needing workers.
 By Pepper Parr
September 17th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The Burlington Community Foundation presented its Vital Statistics report Tuesday morning to a room at the Art Gallery that was well attended.
 The usual mention of the MP and the Mayor were made and then a panel discussion that included Joann Battaglis of First Ontario Credit Union; Garner Becket with the Conservation Halton Foundation, Christina Mulder, Director Burlington Food Bank and Catherine Villasenor of Home Suite Home. took place.
The most authentic panellist was Mulder, who was really blunt when she pointed out that the current rate of customer growth at the Food Bank is not sustainable.
In 2019 the Foodbank served 1985 people – in 2022 they served 3517. Since then, growth has exceeded 34% annually.
The panel was followed by having the people at the 15 or so tables in the room discuss what they had heard from the panel. The word “intersectionality” popped up a number of times – that one didn’t resonate with me.
The actual report was never presented – except for one page that gave grades (A, B, C or D) to different subjects that were mentioned in the report that was available online.
The data was solid, the people who did some of the research were more than credible. The number of responders to the survey work was on the low side – in the 250 range.
There were people in the room from various organizations that had well grounded understandings of what the issues were and the size of the challenges the city faces who didn’t get much in the way of an opportunity to speak to the room. Unfortunate.
The date and the range of people that were interviewed:
 By Pepper Parr
September 17th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
OPINION
At some point, one hopes, City Council will begin focusing on the concerns and issues of the people that Live, Play and Work in Burlington.
Right now the mistakes and the downright incompetence that surrounds the allocation of limited swimming pool capacity in the city is hurting people.
 Burlington Aquatic Devilrays (BAD), a swimming club that has operated for 40 years, could be close to ending its existence.
It’s membership has plummeted – because the swimming pool space they used to have is no longer available to them.
Pool time has been given to an organization that operates in Hamilton, Waterdown, Dundas, Ancaster, and Stoney Creek.
Mayor Meed Ward and Councillors Galbraith, Kearns, Nisan, Stolte, Sharman and Bentivegna have gone mute. They are hiding behind the argument that Council has no business sticking its nose in procurement matters.
They have muzzled the President of the club.
Some have concerns about the quality of the management of BAD – in our conversations with that organization, we’ve seen nothing that is of serious concern. Keeping everyone happy is not as simple as it sounds.
Councillor Kearns has said she will ask Council to do an audit of the procedure that was followed in the allocation of swimming pool space. For a number of reasons that don’t make all that much sense, what some people thought was going to take place in September has been moved to October. There is no certainty that it will actually happen, and that would be unfortunate.
The people in Burlington who put in hours of volunteer time to run a swimming club are going to have to pressure City Council to reverse the decision that was made by the department that handles procurement matters. Council is in place to represent the needs and wishes of its citizens.
They need to be told to do the job they were hired to do.
 By Stephen Attellier
September 17th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Canadian sports betting has transformed since single-event wagering became legal in August 2021. Ontario’s regulated online gambling market generated $825.8 million in gaming revenue between October and December 2024, while total wagers reached $22.7 billion during the same period. These figures represent a 25% increase in revenue and 32% growth in wagering compared to the third quarter of 2023.
Ontario Sets the Pace for Market Expansion
 Ontario operates differently from other provinces. The province launched its competitive market through iGaming Ontario in April 2022, allowing private operators to compete alongside the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation. Fifty operators now run 83 gaming websites in the province, serving approximately 997,000 active player accounts each quarter.
Monthly spending per active account averaged $277 in the third quarter of 2024, though first-quarter data showed this figure reaching $284, a 44.2% increase from the previous year. December 2024 saw online gambling spending hit $7.8 billion, beating November’s record by 4% and the previous December by 28%.
Sports betting, esports, proposition and novelty betting made up $3.4 billion of total wagers in the third quarter, accounting for 15% of all bets placed and generating $166 million in revenue. This represents 20% of total gaming revenue for the period. The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation maintains between 25% and 30% of the online gaming market share despite competition from private operators.
Provincial Market Variations and Regional Betting Patterns
The fragmented regulatory approach across Canadian provinces creates distinct betting environments that shape consumer behavior differently in each region. Ontario’s open market model contrasts sharply with government-controlled systems in British Columbia and Quebec, while sports betting in Canada varies considerably between Atlantic provinces operating through Atlantic Lottery Corporation and Prairie provinces maintaining their own lottery corporations.
These regional differences affect everything from available betting options to promotional offerings and odds competitiveness. Players in Ontario can choose from 50 different operators, while residents of Manitoba or Saskatchewan must use their provincial lottery corporation’s platform, resulting in average monthly spending patterns that range from $200 in monopoly markets to $284 in Ontario’s competitive environment.
Alberta Prepares for Market Opening
 Alberta introduced Bill 48, the iGaming Alberta Act, on March 26, 2025. The legislation would establish iGaming Alberta as a Crown corporation to oversee private operators, while the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis commission would handle regulation. Canadian Gaming Association CEO Paul Burns expects Alberta’s online gambling sector to become operational in the first quarter of 2026.
The timing of Alberta’s market launch could accelerate due to potential trade tariffs from the United States administration. Provincial officials are monitoring these developments while finalizing regulatory frameworks based on Ontario’s operational model.
Revenue Projections and Market Growth Patterns
Canada’s sports betting market generated $4,100.5 million in revenue during 2024. Market analysts project revenues will reach $8,757.2 million by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate of 13.6% from 2025 through 2030. Online platforms generated the largest share of revenue in 2024 and continue showing the fastest growth rates among all betting channels.
Quarterly data reveals consistent expansion patterns. Third-quarter wagers increased 22% compared to the second quarter of 2024 and 32% compared to the third quarter of 2023. Gaming revenue grew 10% quarter-over-quarter and 25% year-over-year during the same periods.
Regulatory Developments and Enforcement Actions
Federal legislators are considering Bill S-269, which would restrict sports betting advertising. The proposed legislation would ban advertisements during primetime hours and live sporting events, prohibit certain promotional terms, including “bonus” and “odds boost,” and limit celebrity endorsements. The Senate adopted this bill on November 5, 2024, as part of establishing a national framework for regulating sports betting advertisements.
Law enforcement continues monitoring illegal gambling operations. The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit conducted raids from March 28 to 30, 2025, dismantling an illegal gaming and bookmaking network in the Greater Toronto Area. Charges were filed against several persons linked to an alleged criminal organization, including former Hell’s Angels member Paris Christoforou.
Technology Infrastructure and Consumer Patterns
 Live wagering options and real-time odds updates have become standard features across regulated platforms. Mobile betting platforms and integrated payment systems support the market’s expansion. Live wagering options and real-time odds updates have become standard features across regulated platforms. These technological capabilities enable operators to scale operations quickly while meeting consumer expectations for seamless betting experiences.
Consumer engagement metrics show increasing sophistication in betting behavior. Active player accounts demonstrate regular monthly activity, with spending patterns stabilizing around predictable ranges. The consistency of these patterns suggests market maturation rather than speculative growth.
Conclusion
Canada’s sports betting market has established itself as a substantial economic sector generating billions in wagers and hundreds of millions in revenue quarterly. Ontario’s competitive model provides a functioning template for other provinces considering market liberalization, while Alberta’s pending market entry could double the size of Canada’s regulated betting sector. Federal advertising regulations and enforcement actions against illegal operators will shape operational conditions as the market continues expanding toward projected revenues of $8.7 billion by 2030.
 By Pepper Parr
September 16th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
I really wanted to be there when Her Worship provided detail on the Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) cameras are going to be installed.
When the city announced the event was going to take place, the City Communications people referred to the Mayor as Her Worship.
I was looking forward to using the Honorific in a public setting.
But while chatting with friends after the Burlington Community Foundation event, I was alerted to a tip from a very reliable source that Natalie Peirre intended to resign as the MPP for Burlington.
I chose instead to rush back to the newsroom and get the story out.
We have yet to hear from MPP Pierre.
Marianne Meed Ward did the requisite photo op with most of her Council standing with her. Sharman and Galbraith took a pass.
The City of Burlington has installed “Municipal Speed Camera Coming Soon” signs to give drivers at least 90 days’ notice before the Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) cameras are installed and activated. These signs will be changed to “Municipal Speed Camera In Use” once the cameras are active.
 From L – R: City of Burlington Councillors Angelo Bentivegna, Ward 5; Shawna Stolte, Ward 4; Lisa Kearns, Ward 2; Rory Nisan, Ward 3; Mayor Marianne Meed Ward; Craig Kummer, City of Burlington Director, Transportation Services; Chair of the Board, Amy Collard, Burlington Ward 5 Trustee, Halton District School Board; City of Burlington Transportation Staff Chris King, Manager, Transportation Operations; Josip Kafadar, Supervisor, Transportation Operations; Bryan Letoureau, Supervisor, School Crossing Guards. ASE Camera Locations
The City will be installing six mobile ASE cameras near schools. They will be placed in Community Safety Zones where drivers need to reduce their speed and obey posted limits. Every six months, the cameras will move to another location to keep students safe.
At least 90 days before the cameras are active, there will be a “Municipal Speed Camera Coming Soon” sign. These signs will be changed to “Municipal Speed Camera In Use” once the cameras are active.
Ward 1 – Aldershot Secondary School – Fairwood Place West
Ward 2 – St. John’s (Burlington) Catholic Elementary School and Central Public School – Brant Street
Ward 3 – Kilbride Public School – Kilbride Street
Ward 4 – Sir Ernest Macmillan Public School – Headon Road
Ward 5 – St. Christopher Catholic Elementary School – Sutton Drive
Ward 6 – Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School – Headon Forest Drive
ASE Benefits
A number of studies show the benefits of municipal automated speed enforcement programs:
- Improved road safety – A SickKids and Toronto Metropolitan University study (July 2025) confirmed that ASE cameras are improving road safety. For every 1 km/h a driver slows down, it reduces the risk of a fatal collision by four to five per cent.
- Significant speed reduction – The City of Toronto found that ASE cameras reduced the number of speeding vehicles by 45 per cent across 250 urban school zones. This included an 88 per cent decrease in vehicles travelling more than 20 km/h over the speed limit.
- Cost effective – Speed limits are the law. Using ASE cameras allows police to focus on other community safety issues. The fines from the ASE cameras will go into the City’s Road Safety Reserve Fund. This fund is used for road safety initiatives, such as this one.
- Public support – A CAA South Central Ontario survey found that nearly three-quarters of Ontario drivers support ASE use in targeted safety zones such as schools and community centres.
Craig Kummer, Transportation Director said that for “Every dollar collected through ASE will be reinvested directly into road safety initiatives to further enhance the well-being of our residents.”
Couple of questions were raised by some of our readers. Why do the cameras have to be in operation during those hours the school are not open?
Has the budget any idea how much revenue the cameras will raise? A camera in the city of Toronto has raised millions. City of Vaughan decided not to put up with the blowback from citizens and cancelled the program.
Burlingtonians are too polite to get angry.
The cameras will begin to take pictures right around Christmas time.
 By Gazette Staff
September 16th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
 Freeland and Prime Minister Mark Carney exited the meeting with their arms around each other and smiling, taking no questions from reporters waiting in the hallway.
Prime Minister Mark Carney said in a written comment after a Cabinet meeting today that “I have asked Chrystia to serve as Canada’s new Special Representative for the Reconstruction of Ukraine, in addition to her responsibilities as a Member of Parliament.”
“As a former G7 Minister of Finance, Foreign Affairs, and International Trade with deep relationships and understanding of Ukraine and its economy, Chrystia is truly uniquely positioned for this timely and essential work towards a better future for Ukrainians and peace in Europe.”
Carney thanked Freeland for her “extraordinary service” to Canada as a cabinet member over the past decade, praising her “versatility, raw intelligence, and principled leadership.”
By Burlington Gazette
September 16th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
 The Hon.Chrystia Freeland Chrystia Freeland resigned from Cabinet today.
She said in her announcement that she would remain the MP for her riding but would not run in the next election
In her statement, which is set out below, she said that it was time for her to leave Cabinet.
And indeed it was time. Her involvement in the decision not to come clean on her part in the $1 billion loan the Canada Infrastructure Bank made to China to build two ferries for the British Columbia was going to blow up sooner or later.
Prime Minister Carney didn’t want that sword in Leader of the Opposition Pierre Poilievre’s hands.
 She was tough, a little smarmy at times. On December 16, 2024, the day she was scheduled to deliver her Fall Economic Statement before the 44th Canadian Parliament, she resigned from Trudeau’s cabinet following policy clashes between her and Trudeau. Her resignation led to a cabinet shuffle, calls for a vote of no confidence from opposition parties, and Trudeau’s eventual resignation as prime minister and party leader the following month. Her decision was the start of a process that resulted in Justin Trudeau resigning and Mark Carney being named to the job of Prime Minister by the Liberal Party and then being elected as the Prime Minister shortly after. Her Memoir, if she chooses to write one, would be an instant best seller
More detail in a follow-up.
Freeland resignation letter
 By Pepper Parr
September 16, 2025
Burlington, ON
 Burlington MPP Natalie Pierre A reliable source advised us earlier today that Burlington MPP Natalie Pierre will resign her seat in the Legislature.
Pierre won the seat in the February election by a narrow 44 votes.
Pierre has not returned calls to her office asking for a comment.
More to come.
By Gazette Staff
September 16th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The library has come up with a neat way to get younger people into the New Appleby Line branch. They have come up with a bingo card.
Fill it in and take it to the library when you pay your first visit.
By Tom Parkin
September 16th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
 Beating Doug Ford’s communications strategy will require some tough message discipline from the Ontario NDP, starting with setting the story.
On most tested issues, large majorities of Ontarians give poor marks to the Doug Ford PCs, but 45 per cent say they would vote PC anyway, according to an Angus Reid poll released Friday.
 The bottom 12 are pocketbook issues – Ford doesn’t rate well in any of them. That group who rate the PCs poorly yet support them electorally is the mysterious key to Doug Ford’s continuation as Ontario premier.
Unravelling that mystery is the opposition’s central challenge, and that job now falls to Marit Stiles and her Ontario NDP after the Ontario Liberals’ implosion at their weekend convention.
Until yesterday the Ford PCs had the advantage of being able to pick their preferred competitor between two opponents. The PCs picked Crombie and spent heavily on advertising, driving up her negatives, greatly increasing awareness of her, and driving the narrative, eagerly encouraged by the Toronto Sun and key Toronto Star writers, that Crombie’s Liberals were the main threat to the PC Party.
As an opponent, Crombie offered three things: few ideological reasons to prefer her over him; high negatives the PCs could drive higher; and the Liberals’ horrible vote inefficiency.
Framing Ontario politics as a choice between Ford and Crombie goes some way to explaining how only 27 per cent believe Ontario is on the right track but 45 per cent would vote for the PC party, according to Angus Reid.
 Marit Stiles now has a second chance to tackle the root problem, which is Ford’s media dominance. The Liberals’ disarray will at least temporarily disrupt the presumption that the main threat to the PCs comes from the Ontario Liberals, allowing the NDP’s Stiles a new chance to redefine the Ontario political narrative, with herself in the role of main protagonist against Doug Ford.
But it won’t be easy. The end of Ford’s ability to pick his preferred competitor is no guarantee Stiles can cast herself in the key role opposite Ford. It is possible Ford can continue as an unopposed political force in a unipolar media environment.
Ford floods the media zone with opinionated comment, often on issues not in his bailiwick. But whether he is excusing vandalism of municipal speed-check machines, asking the federal government for U.S.-style “castle laws,” or attacking a school board trustee in Tiny Township, Doug Ford dominates as a news source.
As a result, only four per cent can’t state an opinion of Doug Ford while 36 per cent don’t know enough about Stiles to make a judgement, according to Angus Reid.
But Stiles’ low voter awareness is a symptom, which is why a previous attempt to fix it with a name recognition advertising campaign did not work. Stiles now has a second chance to tackle the root problem, which is Ford’s media dominance.
In the United States, debate over how to counter a flood-the-zone strategy has taken several directions. Some focus on the strategy’s ability to sensationalize media, and put an emphasis on — oh so gently, of course — reminding some reporters that journalism is a lot more than writing down the comments of government leaders or dressing up planted partisan gossip as accidental information leaks.
Another direction, recently used with some success by California Governor Gavin Newsom, has been to troll the absurdity and inanity frequently deployed to keep the zone fully flooded.
And there is redirection. Flooding the zone generates white noise and redirects media and voters to minor themes, obscuring the big story.
A counter-tactic of pivoting from the latest distraction to the big story could put Ford on the defence and create policy contrast opportunities. But the challenge is being able to articulate the One Big Story. The U.S. Democrats, in their leaderless ideological and policy incoherence, have been unable to rally around one story.
 Nothing strategic in this stunt. Basically all Ford has is stunt after stunt. Uniting around the big story takes research, personal-political work, fieldwork and discipline. There’s a lot to be done and though the Liberals are in shambles now, they will come back if the opportunity is open long.
Angus Reid’s data points to one pillar of strength for the Ford PCs. Among the 15 issues tested, only on the province’s relationship with Ottawa do a majority find the Ford PCs have done a good job.
But if a good relationship simply means not fighting with Ottawa, perhaps Ford is only getting over a low-set bar and expectations should be raised.
This spring Prime Minister Carney asked premiers to recommend nation-building projects. Doug Ford’s response was poor for Ontarians and a bit offensive to Carney’s offer.
Ford requested federal help building his fantasy tunnel under highway 401, a silly idea that made Carney’s entire nation-building concept look dumb. And while developing the Ring of Fire is important, Ford pushing it on the feds after seven years of making zero progress is throwing his mess onto Ottawa’s lap. It’s actually quite disrespectful.
A better provincial partner would seek federal help on a plan to revive Ontario’s industrial base in a province where 800,000 Ontarians are now jobless. But Ford doesn’t appear to believe there’s a jobs problem, judging from his recent comments blaming unemployed workers for their unemployment. So Ontario has no plan to revive the manufacturing sector.
 Tell the big story about what’s wrong with Ontario. A stronger Ontario partner with a plan to strengthen manufacturing innovation, productivity and investment could ask for federal policy co-ordination to bolster its effectiveness. But there is no plan and Ottawa can’t co-ordinate with a plan that doesn’t exist.
A better partner that wants to keep forward momentum on health care might also seek to sign a pharmacare deal with Ottawa, an idea the Ford PCs have let drop. Four other jurisdictions have signed deals which financially help individuals and businesses while expending coverage.
Kicking down the one strong pillar of Ford’s support might be easier than thought and could combine well with an effort to tell the big story about what’s wrong with Ontario, and why it doesn’t get fixed. Doug Ford should figure prominently in that story because he does.
By Gazette Staff
September 16, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
 Minister of Education: Paul Calandra, Paul Calandra, the Minister of Education, is demanding the chair of the Toronto Catholic board return almost $7,000 worth of items purchased with taxpayer dollars including TV mounts, headphones, cameras & projectors calls the expenses “obscene” & “offensive.”
Ontario school board trustees are calling Education Minister Paul Calandra a “hypocrite” for going after individual expenses, pointing out he has racked up tens of thousands of dollars in his own expenses as a member of cabinet and provincial parliament.
The proposed provincial plan to eliminate public school board trustees is at the mud-slinging stage.
By Gazette Staff
September 16th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton District School Board will meet this evening for a Special meeting at which a resolution will be presented.
Meeting Date: September 16, 2025
 Minister of Education Paul Calandra speaking at the Legislature. Recommendation: Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees direct the Chair write a letter to Premier Doug Ford and Minister of Education, Paul Calandra, outlining the important work of School Board Trustees in fulfilling the mandates of the Board as set out in the Ontario Education Act;
And request that the Minister meet with representatives from the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association to engage in meaningful consultation about the importance of this democratically, locally elected position prior to making any determinations regarding the future role of Ontario’s English Public School Board Trustees.
- Analysis
While much has changed in school boards and in the education system in the last two centuries, one thing remains constant – Trustees’ familiarity, knowledge and engagement with the local community and its needs. The requirement that school board Trustees live in the district where they serve, further ensures that Trustees represent their community’s interests and needs while acting as liaisons between their constituents and the provincial government.
This is possible precisely because Trustees have intimate knowledge and personal engagement with the district.
As is the case with Members of Provincial Parliament, locally elected voices are required to fulfill the mandate of the provincial government while ensuring that there is a robust governing body and liaison between the local school board, its stakeholders, and the Ministry of Education. This liaison requires knowledge of the local community, its students and their needs.
HDSB Trustees fulfill the legislated responsibilities and overarching mandate of student achievement and well-being while providing local decision-making.
1.1 Governance Alignment
The mandated role of locally elected Trustees provides the framework for governance of school boards.
- Background
The position of School Board Trustee is the longest standing democratically elected position in Canada, going back to 1816 in Ontario (formerly Upper Canada), long before the country now called Canada, with provincial and federal governments, existed.
School Board Trustees have a mandate for their role set out in the Ontario Education Act.
 Oakville Trustee Joanna Oliver will present the Motion. Trustees’ legislated responsibilities include developing the Multi Year Strategic Plan and supporting its implementation, developing and monitoring policies, providing stewardship of school board financial and capital resources, overseeing the hiring and performance of the Director of Education, representing the needs of the local community, consulting with local stakeholders, and serving on mandatory committees such as Special Education and Audit, all with student achievement and well-being as the overarching goal and mandate for each Trustee.
HDSB Trustees are deeply concerned about the potential loss of this democratically elected position and the resulting negative impact on students as the key stakeholders in the education system. These concerns are not unique to the HDSB, therefore we invite the Minister to engage in broader consultation through OPSBA, our provincial association, to discuss the importance of this democratically elected position and how it can be maintained and supported.
Report Title: Letter to the Premier of Ontario and the Minister of Education
Submitted by: J. Oliver, Vice-Chair, Oakville Trustee, Ward 4
By Pepper Parr
September 15th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The New Appleby Line branch of the Burlington Library system is officially open.
 First person to enter the new library – greeted by James Dekens, Manager Neighborhood Branches  First child to return books.  First person to use a monitor. The first thing that strikes you when you walk through the doors is all the space.
It’s also very bright – lots of natural light seeps in.
The library and the classrooms on the second level are the only part of the Bateman Community Centre that are operating.
The project is one of those developments that limped its way to completion. It was a Tom Commisso idea that had difficulty – almost from day one.
But this story is not about Bateman – it is about the library and the leadership that got it to the point where a truly splendid library is now operating.
 This was Lita Barrie’s day. She and the team she led had much to be proud of.
Lita Barrie has headed up the library for six years now. She came to Burlington from Hamilton, and as the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), she pulled together a very strong team.
It is beyond a doubt in my mind that the library system is the best there is in the city operationally.
They continually come up with new ideas; existing programs are upgraded, and excellent use is made of technology.
The Maker Studio in several branches of the library took a little time to catch on; the technology that is employed with the “aquarium” in the New Appleby Branch will delight the children.
Barrie brought some very strong technology credentials with her when she came on Board as the CAO
When people first walk through the 16,000 sq. ft. of space, they have a sense of Wow!
 The amount of space – 16,000 sq. ft., and all the natural light. will please many.  Meeting places are all over the 16,000 sq. ft library.  The ‘aquarium’, not yet fully operational, is set up so that when children draw a picture of a fish, it will appear on the screen. The library makes extensive use of technology.  One of two fully equipped media rooms.  Just inside the front doors of the library there are three daily newspapers. A few feet away there is a small meeting room. Two of the early arrivals, a couple, set themselves up in the Meeting room – each reading a newspaper.  Bare at the moment – the room will be where young children are gathered for story telling.  The hoarding behind Councillor Sharman will be in place for a while yet. The portion of the Bateman Community Centre that will include Tech Place is not complete – may not be for some time. No mention of a coffee shop so far.
By Gazette Staff
September 15th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Five Halton residents have tested positive for West Nile virus. These are the first human cases for Halton this year.
“Halton Region Public Health works to reduce the risk of West Nile virus in our community through both education and preventative programs such as larviciding.
Until the fall frost, Halton residents should continue to protect themselves and their families against mosquito bites and remove mosquito breeding sites,” said Dr. Patrick Galange, Halton Region Associate Medical Officer of Health. “About 80 per cent of individuals infected with West Nile virus will have no symptoms, while some may develop fever, headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or rash. About one in a hundred people infected with West Nile virus may develop a severe illness affecting the central nervous system. This may present as encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord).”
 Protect yourself and your family from mosquitoes by:
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Covering up when going outside between the hours of dusk and dawn (when most mosquitoes feed), and at any time in shady, wooded areas. Wear light-coloured, long-sleeved shirts and pants with tightly-woven fabric.
Using an approved insect repellent, such as one containing DEET or Icaridin.
Reducing mosquito-breeding sites around your home by getting rid of all water-filled containers and objects, where possible. Change the water in bird baths at least once per week.
Making sure your window and door screens are tight and without holes, cuts or other openings.
To learn more about personal protection and Halton Region’s surveillance and control efforts, visit the West Nile Virus page on halton.ca. To report standing water on public property, call 311.
 By Ray Rivers
September 15th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
 Bonnie Crombie: Losing is never easy. Bonnie Crombie had been a very popular Mississauga mayor and the Liberal faithful put their faith in her to return the party back to power. But that was not to be. Some would say she lacked courage – should have tried harder to win any of the by-elections, the one in Milton for example.
 Everyone loves a show by an irreverent clown. Some might say that she clearly failed to understand the public mood when Ford called the last election. The de facto election issue was primarily an area of federal, not provincial jurisdiction. But Ford played with Ontario voters’ emotions and they rewarded him with another majority government. Everyone loves a show by an irreverent clown and Doug Ford had only been bettered by his younger brother Rob when it comes to that.
Both the Liberal and NDP election platforms were mundane and boring by comparison. And how many voters understand the nuances of provincial authority in international affairs? The pungency of the Greenbelt, Ontario Place and Science Centre scandals and Ford’s mismanagement of the economy and record accumulating debt notwithstanding, Ford was the populist with the mostest.
Crombie and her team just didn’t get it. And then there was the generous stipend Crombie extracts from the dwindling party offers, while waiting to be gainfully employed as MPP. Or perhaps the die was cast when Crombie failed to win a seat in her own neighbourhood – where she had commanded huge support as mayor.
The Liberals have returned to official party status and that should help the search for the ‘right’ candidate. But perhaps the party needs to take a serious look at the future of other third parties. The NDP and Liberals eat each other for lunch every election, and yet a merger is out of the question as each party dwells in its own vanity – their distinct pureness of purposes.
 While Ford has a majority of seats, he governs without the consent of the majority of voters. A ranked ballot would elect the first candidate to get 50% + 1 votes. While Ford has a majority of seats, he governs without the consent of the majority of voters. We still call that democracy but we can do better. A ranked ballot which guarantees the winner has at least 50% support is better. But the Tories fear they’d lost power under that system. So Mr. Ford has banned ranked ballots even in municipal elections, fearing they might also creep into the provincial arena.
Still it is debatable whether a ranked system would have worked to Crombie’s advantage in the last election. In that race the NDP came out as the clear alternative to Mr. Ford. So a ranked ballot might have only further collapsed the Liberal vote. Even without ranked ballots, the truth is that the NDP has become the main opposition, or government, in all the provinces west of Ontario.
Unless the Liberals can better distinguish themselves, that may well be the future scenario for Ontario as well. So while Bonnie was clearly humbled and hurt by the rejection from many of the party faithful this past weekend, all but forcing her to resign, another leader of that party might have done no better.
 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
By Nora Williams
September 17th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
One of the biggest reasons why casino gaming is such a common hobby is that many games can generate ridiculous payouts. You have slots with multipliers that go up 45,000x the stake, or simply a multi-million dollar jackpots that drop randomly. But is there a way or guide on how to win at the casino with $20? The answer is kind of. In fact, $20 is more than enough to get an hour or more of playtime. Also, it’s not that difficult to turn those $20 into $40 or $60, but winning life-changing amounts is highly unlikely. Still, if you wish to learn some tried and tested tricks on how to win money at casino sites in Canada, stick around.
Want to Know How to Win at the Casino With $20 Only? We All Want!
Before we get into how to win at the casino with little money we should first stress the importance of fair play. There are dozens of online casinos that Canadians can access, but not all of them are strictly regulated, and therefore cannot be held accountable in case of disputes.
To avoid unnecessary complications, pick from a pool of sites that’s been vetted and that host provably fair games. You can browse the list of the best online casinos in Canada and choose based on in-depth reviews and analysis that were put together by gambling experts. You can also take advantage of multiple sign up promos this way, and turn your $20 into a more meaningful sum. That said, read the terms first and don’t claim any promo that has unfavorable wagering terms.
 The dealer does all the work here; you simply decide which option to back. The safest way to win extra money with just $20 is to play baccarat. It’s a card game where you only bet on 3 possible options
- Banker – pays 1:1
- Player – pays 1:1
- Tie – pays 8:1 or 9:1, depending on the version
The dealer does all the work here; you simply decide which option to back. Also, there is a small fee or slightly reduced payout for banker bets, because it has a higher chance of winning than the player. The main idea here is to simply divide your budget into bet units of $1, and to only bet on either banker or player. If you win you bet $1 in the next round; if you lose, you double the bet for the next round (e.g. $1, $2, $4, $8). This is called the Martingale betting strategy, and it allows you to recover all of your losses with a single win. The only downside is that you can only afford to lose 4 times in a row.
How To Win At The Casino With Just a Little Money
Most of how to win at casino guides will suggest that you play roulette. There are 3 types of bets that have a nearly 50% win rate, and that pay 1:1:
- High-low – Betting on the outcome between 1-18 or 19-36
- Odds-even – Betting whether the ball will land on odd or even number
- Black-red – Betting on whether the ball will land on red or black field
As a result, you can also use a martingale system here or some other bankroll management strategy that revolves around the number of betting units you should wager per round.
- Reverse Martingale
- D’Alembert
- Paroli
- Fibonacci
 One really fun strategy to use is called James Bond, and it requires exactly $20. You should look these up separately and memorize how they work. But one really fun strategy to use is called James Bond, and it requires exactly $20. The idea is to bet $14 on high numbers, then bet $5 on double street (covers outcomes between 13-18), and $1 on 0. This way, you only lose if the outcome is between 1-12. Also, if you win, you always end up with more than $20.
Choose The Right Casino Slots or Games
Unlike with baccarat and roulette, there is no tried and tested strategy on how to win online casino slots. However, the slot game you choose to play does matter. Some of them have higher RTP, and some have higher volatility or variance. If you want to score big with just $20, then playing high-variance games and hoping for the best is the way to go. You go through the Casino Rewards Gold Blitz slot overview to find out why these games are a solid choice. It’s even possible to win thousands of dollars with just $1 bet.
Now, if you are more frugal and don’t mind grinding a bit more, then low-variance titles are a better option. You will win more frequently, but there won’t be any exciting bonus rounds, with stacking multipliers or similar features.
Know When To Cash Out Your Winning
The goal of gambling should always be entertainment. If you become too invested or too reckless, it can have both financial and mental health consequences. From that perspective, a $20 budget is ideal, as you won’t feel that frustrated if you lose all of it. However, if you win and turn it into $100 and then lose, you are likely to be agitated.
So, it’s crucial to set spending limits and cash out afterwards. So, if you double your starting budget, treat it as money for another play session. If you lose that $2,0, call it quits. If you win, give it another go, and once again limit the expense to $20.
 All of it is just a game,, don’t view it as an investment. Bet Wisely
Hopefully, you got a few ideas on how to win at the casino with 20 bucks, but always remember that the odds are stacked against you. So, regardless of the suggested strategy, luck will be a crucial factor, and if things aren’t going your way, then maybe reduce your budget to $10 or $5 until your luck shifts. Also, don’t make impulsive decisions or try to recoup your losses with risky bets. All of it is just a game, and view your money as the price you pay to have fun, don’t view it as an investment.
By Pepper Parr
September 15th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Included in the scuttlebutt after Bonnie Crombie came up short in the Leadership review were the following names:
 Gould is a formidable campaigner “After that, it’s leadership contest time — and readers of this newsletter already know the biggest names being floated: JEFF LEHMAN, NAVDEEP BAINS, KARINA GOULD and NATE ERSKINE-SMITH, among others.”
Gould’s name has come up before. We reached out at that time to some of her people, asking politely what Karina thought of the idea.
No response, not a word. That’s called keeping your cards close to your chest.
Karina has been a federal Cabinet Minister for some time. She wasn’t included in the Mark Carney choices this time around.
 Eleanor McMahon, at the time the MPP for Burlington with Karina Gould MP for Burlington, at a Remembrance Day Ceremony. She ran for the Leadership of the federal liberals – didn’t do all well. Her support within the Burlington Provincial Liberal Party Association wasn’t all that strong either.
Suggesting that Gould was beyond her Best Before Date would however, be a mistake.
Still under 40 – a lot of room left to become the Prime Minister.
Beating Doug Ford?
Someone has to do it sometime.
 By Steve Simons.
September 15th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
 Random Number Gaming uses a mathematical algorithm to generate random numbers that determine what happens in the game, ensuring events are not entirely predictable and keeping gameplay fresh. RNG is crucial for creating engaging experiences, though its implementation can be debated, affecting a player’s fun, skill ceiling, and the overall perceived fairness of a game. The iGaming industry has always thrived on innovation, and hybrid games are the latest evolution, reshaping the way players engage with online casinos. Sitting at the crossroads of RNG mechanics and live host interaction, hybrid titles blend the efficiency of automated gameplay with the social and immersive qualities of human presentation.
Unlike traditional RNG games, which rely solely on algorithms to generate outcomes, hybrid formats introduce a host or presenter into the experience, creating a balance between speed, fairness, and human engagement. This approach reflects a growing demand for more interactive casino content, Winshark Casino is one of those operators that invests a lot resources into hybrid games. Hybrid games are popular particularly among younger audiences who are accustomed to video game dynamics and real-time entertainment.
Hybrid gaming represents a broader industry shift toward experiences that feel both digital and human at once, reflecting the convergence of technology, entertainment, and social interaction.
How Hybrid Games Work
At the core of hybrid online casinos is the Random Number Generator (RNG), which ensures that outcomes are determined with complete fairness and speed. This automated system drives the mechanics behind spins, card draws, or roulette results, making gameplay scalable and efficient for operators while maintaining the integrity of results.
What sets hybrid games apart is the addition of a live host. Instead of a purely digital interface, players are guided through the session by a presenter who explains the rules, builds anticipation, and reacts to outcomes in real time. The host doesn’t influence the results but acts as a bridge between the cold logic of algorithms and the warmth of human interaction.
This dynamic creates a middle ground between traditional live dealer studios, which can be resource-intensive, and fully automated RNG games, which sometimes lack atmosphere. By combining both, hybrid titles deliver:
- Efficiency – RNG ensures fast gameplay cycles without delays.
- Engagement – live presenters add personality, humor, and interaction.
- Scalability – one host can engage thousands of players simultaneously, unlike conventional table limits.
The result is an experience that feels both authentic and entertaining: fast like a digital slot, yet social like a live dealer table.
Benefits for Players
 Hosts behind a live game are personalities who interact with the players. One of the biggest advantages for players is the transparency and trust. Hybrid games bring together the best of both worlds, creating an experience that feels fair, exciting, and dynamic for players.
One of the biggest advantages is transparency and trust. Having a live host present throughout the game reassures players that the process is authentic and transparent. Even though the outcomes are still determined by RNG technology, the human presence builds credibility and reduces the sense of playing against a faceless machine.
For players, the combination translates into:
- Authenticity – the host explains results and keeps the game moving.
- Speed – RNG guarantees rapid outcomes and short rounds.
- Variety – hybrid mechanics allow for innovative features and side bets.
- Immersion – players enjoy both the social aspect and game efficiency.
In essence, hybrid formats address two common player demands simultaneously: the reassurance of human interaction and the excitement of fast, seamless digital gameplay.
Industry Impact
How does RNG work in slots? The rise of hybrid games signals a strategic shift for the iGaming industry, as operators expand their portfolios beyond the familiar categories of RNG slots and classic live tables. By merging RNG-driven speed with interactive hosting, providers are creating entirely new verticals that don’t neatly fit into existing definitions of casino content.
For operators, hybrid titles offer a way to differentiate their platforms in an increasingly competitive market. Unlike traditional table games, hybrids can scale more efficiently, appeal to broader demographics, and introduce unique mechanics that keep players engaged for longer sessions.
The result is a redefinition of what hybrid online casino gameplay can look like: faster than live, more social than RNG-only, and versatile enough to capture players across multiple demographics.
Challenges
While hybrid games present clear opportunities, their adoption also comes with notable challenges.
 The first is technical complexity and higher operational costs. Developing a platform that integrates RNG outcomes with live host presentation requires sophisticated infrastructure, seamless streaming capabilities, and careful synchronization between automated systems and human interaction. Compared to pure RNG games, hybrid titles demand more resources to produce and maintain, making them a heavier investment for operators.
Another hurdle lies in player education. Many users are already familiar with the distinction between slots (pure RNG) and live dealer tables (human-run gameplay). Hybrid games occupy a middle ground that can be confusing at first. Operators must clearly communicate that the outcomes are RNG-driven while the host’s role is to enhance engagement, not influence results. Without this transparency, players may misinterpret the format or feel skeptical about its fairness.
In addition, operators must strike the right balance between innovation and accessibility. Overly complex mechanics may deter casual players, while oversimplified formats risk losing the interactive edge that makes hybrids unique.
Conclusion
Hybrid games are quickly moving from experimental concepts to a growing trend shaping the future of iGaming. By blending the digital efficiency of RNG mechanics with the human touch of live hosts, they deliver a format that is both scalable and engaging.
For players, this means faster gameplay cycles without sacrificing trust or authenticity. For operators, hybrids open up new categories beyond slots and traditional tables, appealing to casual players and high-engagement audiences alike.
As technology continues to advance and audiences seek more immersive, interactive forms of entertainment, hybrid games are well-positioned to become a cornerstone of the modern online casino portfolio, bridging the gap between automation and human connection.
By Pepper Parr
September 15th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
OPINION
 Bonnie Crombie resigned the leadership of the Ontario Liberal Party after garnering 57% of the vote at the Leadership Review Convention.
While Crombie served as a successful Mayor of Mississauga for ten years, she turned out to be unelectable at any other level.
To her credit, she did the right thing.
The provincial Liberals will now go through the process of naming a new leader.
There are names out there that don’t, at this point, have much in the way of a public profile.
That will change.
Had Crombie remained as Liberal Leader Ford knew he had an easy ride for the next couple of years.
That may prove to be different when there is a new Liberal leader for the province.
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