Get Ready for the Burlington Library 2026 Reading Challenge

By Gazette Staff

December 31, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Library CEO Lita Barrie has her list of the books she want to read in 2026

The 2026 Reading Challenge from BPL CEO Lita Barrie

Love to read? Take the BPL Reading Challenge in 2026 and read one themed book of your choice each month. It’s fun, it’s easy, and it’s rewarding!

Discover the Read Less Travelled

Across 12 months, explore 12 featured themes—each one curated to enliven your curiosity, stretch your reading habits, and send you on a year-long literary adventure. Take a look at the 2026 themes!

Whether you’re already an avid reader or hoping to reignite your love for books, BPL Reading Challenge offers something for everyone. Last year, over 750 adults joined the challenge—and we’re excited to welcome even more in 2026.

Challenge Yourself

This isn’t just about reading more—it’s about reading differently. Choose your own book each month while using the themes as a friendly guide to genres, styles, and topics you might not pick otherwise. It’s a chance to discover new authors, new voices, and new perspectives.

How It Works

BPL Reading Challenge is easy to join and take part in.

It’s Free!

Sign up at no cost. You’ll receive a handy reading tracker and be automatically signed up for a monthly email filled with booklists and inspiration. Anyone with a library card from Burlington or our Halton Region, Hamilton, and OverDrive partner libraries can join the challenge. BPL membership is free if you live, work, or attend school in Burlington.

Library booklists and recommendations from fellow readers

Read a Book Each Month

Pick any title that fits the monthly theme. Library booklists and recommendations from fellow readers and library staff will help keep your options fresh and plentiful.

Track Your Progress & Win Prizes

Check in online each month to log your reading journey. Every completed month earns you an entry into prize draws—with a grand prize at the end of the challenge.

Come to an Author Talk

NEW in 2026! This edition of BPL Reading Challenge features three in-person author events tied to the monthly theme.

Join the Community

Meet other readers at our monthly meetups—share what you’ve read, swap suggestions, and make new friends.

Sign Up Today

Don’t miss your chance to enrich your reading life and be part of a welcoming community of book enthusiasts. Get ready now to plan for 2026 and make it a year of literary adventures.  Sign up today!

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Top‑Rated Slot Games Online for Canadian Players

By T. Viacheslav.

January 1st, 2026

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Visibly, slot games online are a significant segment of online entertainment in Canada, driven by complex software architecture and RNG engines designed to ensure fairness. Canadian players demand transparent mechanics and measurable performance metrics, not just surface‑level marketing. Casinobello.com claims to offer data‑driven analysis of online slots Canada, with detailed RTP and feature breakdowns for technically discerning players.

This article examines popular titles, explains underlying mechanics, outlines features that matter, explores ways to maximize outcomes responsibly, and emphasizes player protection. The treatment here is technical and specific, not promotional fluff. Where claims are made by the brand, they are assessed against independent standards and empirical research.

Understanding how slot games online function at a systems level is key for informed engagement. Reliable platforms provide not just game listings but verifiable documentation of mechanics, payout structures, and audit trails. These elements are necessary if players are to assess titles on more than aesthetic appeal.

Understanding how slot games online function at a systems level is key for informed engagement.

Popular Slot Games in Canada

The Canadian market shows a consistent preference for titles with measurable payout structures and identifiable feature complexity. Games like Mega Moolah, Gonzo’s Quest, Thunderstruck II, and Starburst dominate traffic analytics due to their mix of volatility profiles and bonus spin mechanics. These games combine RNG integrity with feature layers that impact short‑term variance while retaining predictable long‑term statistical properties.

Mega Moolah is known for its progressive jackpots, where a portion of each stake contributes to a shared pool across operators. This introduces distributed state tracking, requiring robust server synchronization and audit logging to ensure correct jackpot awards. Conversely, Starburst focuses on high RTP figures and simple mechanics, reducing cognitive load and computational complexity in outcome interpretation.

Feature‑rich games like Gonzo’s Quest employ avalanche mechanics, where multiple outcome states occur in a single play cycle. Each avalanche is a new RNG state drawn from the master seed pool, complicating the state machine. Thunderstruck II incorporates multi‑level bonus quests with adaptive paylines, necessitating an event‑driven engine that tracks conditional feature triggers. Below is a structured comparison of popular slots:

Title RTP (%) Key Features Volatility
Mega Moolah 88–94 (varies) Progressive jackpots, bonus wheel High
Starburst 96.27 Expanding wilds, re‑spins Low
Gonzo’s Quest 95.97 Avalanche, multipliers Medium
Thunderstruck II 96.65 Multi‑level bonus, free spins Medium‑High

Popular Canadian titles are distinguished by quantifiable mechanics that tie into RTP and feature complexity. Players should examine these elements rather than base decisions on superficial rankings.

How Slot Games Work

Slot games online operate on core components common to all digital implementations: a Random Number Generator (RNG), a pay table, a feature logic layer, and a user interface. The RNG is a pseudorandom algorithm that generates an output stream at high frequency, determining every reel position and outcome. These algorithms are tested by independent labs such as GLI and eCOGRA, using statistical tests like Chi‑Square and Kolmogorov‑Smirnov to verify randomness.

Once the RNG produces a number, the game’s mapping function translates it into reel stops, symbol distributions, and feature outcomes. This separation of RNG and outcome mapping ensures that the cryptographic seed state remains unpredictable. Without this design, outcomes could be reverse‑engineered or predicted, undermining fairness.

Modern slots incorporate multiple layers of stateful logic for bonus spins, multipliers, and progressive jackpots.

Modern slots incorporate multiple layers of stateful logic for bonus spins, multipliers, and progressive jackpots. These layers are event‑driven; a trigger event (e.g., scatter symbols) transitions the game into a bonus state with its own sub‑RNG and payout rules. The state machine must reliably record transitions, payout tallies, and conditional multipliers, and persist the state for interrupted sessions.

A critical concept here is Return to Player (RTP). RTP is a long‑term statistical expectation, not a short‑term guarantee. It predicts theoretical returns based on infinite spins under controlled conditions. Understanding RTP’s statistical nature is necessary to avoid misinterpreting short‑term variance as malfunction or bias.

Best Features to Look For

Identifying the best features in slot games online requires separating marketing language from engineered function. Features should be evaluated on metrics such as bonus spin triggers, multiplier mechanisms, free spin states, and jackpot network architecture. These elements directly affect play dynamics and outcome distributions.

Progressive jackpots, for example, involve a networked environment where multiple games contribute to a shared prize pool. From a systems perspective, this requires synchronized state and secure transaction logging to avoid inconsistencies. Platforms that claim “huge progressive payouts” should provide transparent data on contribution percentages and award frequency.

Similarly, bonus spins mechanics are conditional states with embedded payout matrices. Their design can be formally represented as a conditional probability space over multiple variables (trigger frequency, multiplier values, spin counts). Games with well‑documented bonus structures allow players to model expected values under defined conditions. Lack of transparent documentation makes it impossible to assess true economic expectancy.

Technical Feature Checklist:

  1. Transparent RTP and volatility metrics.
  2. Clearly documented bonus spin rules and conditions.
  3. Progressive jackpot contribution mechanics and audit trails.
  4. Independent scatter payout mechanics.

These criteria help players distinguish between surface‑level attractions and feature depth. Reliable platforms like Casinobello.com should include these technical breakdowns in their reviews rather than generic praise.

Maximizing Your Chances

What players can optimize are session design, bankroll controls, and feature engagement strategies. These practices relate to probability management rather than outcome prediction.

Maximizing outcomes in slot games online does not mean guaranteeing profits; statistical engines ensure outcomes remain unpredictable. What players can optimise are session design, bankroll controls, and feature engagement strategies. These practices relate to probability management rather than outcome prediction.

Start with bankroll segmentation. Divide your total play budget into discrete units and allocate them across sessions with predefined stops. This reduces the risk of overexposure in high‑volatility games. Controlled bankroll frameworks are analogous to risk management principles in financial engineering.

Next, understand expected value (EV) under specific feature engagements. While RTP gives long‑term expectation, EV can be refined for sub‑states like bonus spins or scatter triggers. Players should calculate conditional EV for bonus states to gauge whether certain features improve or diminish expected returns relative to base play.

Another optimisation is adjusting to game pace and hit frequency. Games with high spin rates and frequent small wins can maintain engagement but may deplete bankrolls rapidly in high‑variance states. Monitoring hit frequencies through session logs and adjusting play rates accordingly can enhance sustainability.

Responsible engagement also involves recognising diminishing returns. Extended play with negative EV leads to predictable decay in balance. Scientific research on gambling patterns indicates that players who set predefined stop rules and adhere to them exhibit lower losses and more controlled play. These controlled practices align with technical risk mitigation rather than speculative chasing.

Playing Slots Responsibly

Responsible play is a technical and behavioural framework aimed at minimising harm while maintaining entertainment value. Operators and platforms should provide tools such as deposit limits, loss thresholds, session timers, and self‑exclusion options. These tools operate as enforced constraints within the software, binding player behaviour to defined parameters.

Deposit limits prevent excessive staking by capping the amount movable into play balance. Technically, this requires server‑side enforcement where the player’s account state is checked before authorising any further deposits. Without this backend control, client‑side limits are ineffective and easily bypassed.

Loss thresholds work similarly, halting play when cumulative losses reach a predefined point. This feature must integrate with session state tracking and payout reconciliation subsystems. Platforms that lack these integrated controls expose players to uncontrolled loss escalation.

Session timers alert players to elapsed time. These timers are not mere notifications; they should interrupt play flow and require explicit acknowledgment before continuation. This enforces mindfulness and aligns with cognitive‑behavioural principles that reduce risk of extended, unconscious play sessions.

Conclusion

Slot games online represent intricate engineered systems, balancing RNG integrity, feature complexity, and payout mechanics. Canadian players should approach these games with technical understanding rather than relying on surface descriptions. Casinobello.com’s data‑focused approach to online slots Canada is valuable, but players must critically assess RTP, volatility, and feature documentation themselves.

Mechanics such as bonus spins, progressive jackpots, and scatter payouts significantly influence engagement and expected outcomes. Understanding how these mechanics are implemented allows players to make informed choices. Technical criteria such as audit trails, RNG certification, and transparent RTP reinforce trustworthiness.

Optimization is about sustainable play, not guaranteed returns.

Maximizing your chances involves structured bankroll management and risk evaluation. Optimization is about sustainable play, not guaranteed returns. Responsible gaming controls serve both as behavioural safeguards and as engineered constraints within a platform’s ecosystem.

Explore the most reliable, high‑rated slot games online at Casinobello.com — detailed Canadian slot analysis, bonus spin breakdowns, and progressive jackpot mechanics await your review.

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What’s open and closed at the City of Burlington: It has been a long holiday break for most of the city administration

 

By Gazette Staff

December 30th, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Wishing you a happy holiday: What’s open and closed at the City of Burlington

Over the upcoming holiday season, City of Burlington administrative services will be closed from Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025, to Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. City administrative services will re-open on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. To learn more about City services and facility availability over the holidays, please see the summary below or visit burlington.ca.

Animal Services

The Animal Shelter at 2424 Industrial St. will operate as follows:

  • Monday, Dec. 29 to Wednesday, Dec. 31 – open to appointments
  • Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026 – closed to appointments

To report an animal control related emergency on a holiday, please call 905-335-7777.

Burlington Transit

Burlington Transit will operate as scheduled over the holidays:

  • Wednesday, Dec. 31 – regular service
  • Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026 – special holiday service

Find real-time arrival information and plan your trip using Google Maps. From a mobile phone, access Google Maps and click on your bus stop to see arrival times. From a computer, select your bus stop, then click on ‘See Departure Board’ to view arrival times.

Specialized Dispatch is open from Monday, Dec. 29 to Wednesday, Dec. 31, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Burlington Transit Customer Service is open Saturday, Dec. 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from Monday, Dec. 29 to Wednesday, Dec. 31, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

City Hall

Service Burlington and the Building, Renovating and Licensing counter on the main floor of City Hall at 426 Brant St., will close at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, and re-open on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, at 8:30 a.m.

Many service payments are available online at burlington.ca/onlineservices.

For online development services, MyFiles can be used by residents who have applied for Pre-Building Approval. Check the status of Pre Building Approval applications at burlington.ca/MyFiles.

Halton Court Services – Provincial Offences Office

Court administration counter services at 4085 Palladium Way will operate as follows:

  • Wednesday, Dec. 24 – Friday, Dec. 26 – closed
  • Monday, Dec. 29 to Wednesday, Dec. 31 – open, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026 – closed
  • Friday, Jan. 2, 2026 – open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

On days when the court administration counter is open, telephone payments are available at 905-637-1274, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Many services are also available by email at burlingtoncourt@burlington.ca or online at Halton Court Services. Payment of Provincial Offences fines is available 24/7 at paytickets.ca.

Parking

Free parking is available downtown, on the street, in municipal lots and in the parking garage (414 Locust St) after 6 p.m. and on holidays, including Dec. 25 and 26, 2025 and Jan. 1, 2026.

On Sundays, free parking is available downtown, on the street, in municipal lots and in the parking garage (414 Locust St.).

On Saturdays, pay parking downtown is required in high-demand parking lots (Lots 1, 4 and 5) and all on-street metered parking spaces. A three-hour maximum is in effect for all on-street spaces. Free parking is available in the remaining municipal lots and the parking garage (414 Locust St.).

NOTE:

  • The Waterfront parking lots (east and west at 1286 Lakeshore Rd.) do not provide free parking on holidays.
  • Parking exemptions or City-Wide Parking Permits are required to park overnight on city streets and for longer than five hours. Visit bylaw.burlington.ca for parking exemptions.
  • City-Wide Parking Permits, Exemptions, Alton Village Permits and Neighbourhood On-Street Parking Programs are cancelled during declared snow events. Parked vehicles on-street will be subject to enforcement and/or relocation.

Recreation Programs and Facilities

Burlington Seniors’ Centre
The Burlington Seniors’ Centre at 2285 New St. will close Monday, Dec. 22, for the holiday and building maintenance. It will re-open on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026.

Customer Service
Recreation, Community and Culture customer service is available to assist you:

  • In person at recreation facility counters during program times
  • By email at liveandplay@burlington.ca
  • By phone at 905-335-7738, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Phone and email service are closed Dec. 24, 25, 26 and Jan. 1, 2026. A complete listing of holiday service hours is available at burlington.ca/servicehours. 

Cogeco skating at Burlington Rotary Centennial Pond

Burlington Rotary Centennial Pond, located at Spencer Smith Park (1400 Lakeshore Rd.), is open for the season. During skating season, the pond is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., weather permitting – exceptions include:

  • Christmas Eve – ponds closes at 5 p.m.
  • Christmas Day – pond closed

Registration is not required. For more information, including skating times, visit burlington.ca/pond.

Residents are encouraged to call the ice conditions hotline at 905-335-7738, ext. 8587 before leaving to make sure the pond is open.

The free skate lending program at the Burlington Rotary Centennial Pond is available Monday to Thursday, 5 to 9 p.m., and Fridays, from 5 to 10 p.m. On Saturdays, Sundays, and school breaks, it is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Tim Hortons free skating 
Thanks to Tim Hortons, Burlington residents can enjoy another holiday season of free skating, from Sunday, Dec. 21 to Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. Free skating will be drop-in only, and no online reservation is needed. Skating is first come, first served until capacity is reached. For dates and locations, visit burlington.ca/timsfreeskate.

Drop-In recreation programs 
Swimming, skating, fitness and other drop-in program times vary over the holiday period. Drop in or reserve in advance. For schedules, visit burlington.ca/dropinandplay.

Holiday ice and gym rentals
Stay active this holiday with family and friends by renting ice or a gym at a special discount. This holiday season, ice and gym rentals are available at a reduced rate for booking dates up to Jan. 4, 2026. Residents can view facility availability and complete the rental 24 hours in advance through their online Live & Play account. Learn more about how to rent at burlington.ca/rentals.

Outdoor Fun
Head outside and play in our parks and trails, including disc golf at Tyandaga Golf Course (1265 Tyandaga Park Dr.), tobogganing and more. Explore all the options at burlington.ca/outdoorplay.

Roads, Parks and Forestry

The administrative office will be closed from Wednesday, Dec. 24 to Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, re-opening on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. Essential services, including snow removal, will be provided as required.

 

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Ontario's online gambling market sees cryptocurrency adoption surge in early 2025

By Nicolai Ryan Klausen 

July 16, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Since January 2025, the use of cryptocurrencies in Ontario online gambling has increased, with Bitcoin and Ethereum deposits currently constituting approximately fifteen percent of all transactions on the licensed markets. The shift has compelled the operators to redesign their payment systems and compliance procedures.

The majority of gambling websites believed that crypto would be a niche that only tech-savvy people would prefer. That assumption proved wrong when regular players started asking for digital currency deposits, primarily to avoid traditional banking channels. The sudden demand caught many operators unprepared.

Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario was forced to revise its monitoring demands.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario was forced to revise its monitoring demands expeditiously. The risks posed by the transactions using cryptocurrencies are not the same as credit card payments, especially regarding the regulations regarding anti-money laundering. Some platforms temporarily stopped accepting crypto while they built proper tracking systems.

Implementing the conversion of Bitcoin into Canadian dollars keeping in mind the privacy of the user needs an intricate technical framework. Smaller operators found it convenient to collaborate with fintech companies, instead of building their systems. The costs surprised several platforms that underestimated the complexity involved.

Cryptocurrency gamblers behave differently from traditional players. They tend to deposit larger amounts but also spend money faster. Many are active traders who seek the best altcoins to buy now between gaming sessions, treating gambling and crypto investing as related activities. These players often use specialized platforms that offer comprehensive altcoin research and trading across multiple blockchain networks.

Cryptocurrency gamblers behave differently from traditional players.

The demographic skews younger and more male than typical online casino users. These players often have higher disposable incomes but also show more impulsive spending patterns. Some operators worry about increased problem gambling risks, though data remains limited.

Other provinces are watching Ontario’s experiment closely. British Columbia postponed similar regulations after observing implementation challenges. Alberta continues studying the issue while Quebec has expressed skepticism about allowing cryptocurrency gambling.

The affiliate marketing sector has expanded rapidly around crypto gambling. Streamers and influencers promote both casino bonuses and cryptocurrency investments, though some have faced scrutiny over inadequate disclosure of financial relationships.

Player complaints have varied widely. Crypto enthusiasts appreciate faster transactions and enhanced privacy. However, some players lost money when cryptocurrency values dropped between making deposits and attempting withdrawals. One case involved a player who deposited during a market peak and could not withdraw enough to cover losses.

Several operators report that crypto users generate higher lifetime value despite creating more customer service issues. Such players show more interest in promotional offers and are more loyal to those platforms that support their payment methods.

The early rush seems to be subsiding as operators are increasingly becoming selective in the cryptocurrencies that they will accept. The unorganized early 2025 is being replaced by more organized solutions as the market becomes mature.

The regulatory stability and market conditions are the factors that ensure future growth. The cross between gambling and cryptocurrency is unstable, and its success is tied to the sustainability of the two industries and the trust placed on them by the players.

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How to Follow Live Dealer Calls in Popular Casino Games

By Jasmin Feltrim

May 3rd, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Thanks to popular live dealer games, all modern online casinos let players immerse themselves in the atmosphere of a gambling establishment without having to leave their homes. On live dealer casino games, a player watches the professional croupier or host via a video stream. To feel confident and respond appropriately to current events within the game, it is crucial to understand what the key phrases and commands being used by the host are.

Leading online casinos worldwide, from US operators to UK sites like those analysed and compared by the expert platform legalcasino.uk, offer a wide range of live games. There you will find tables for roulette, blackjack and baccarat from top providers such as Evolution, Playtech, and Pragmatic Play Live. However, the dealer’s phrases in these games will differ, so the following is a look at which expressions are most frequently used within them.

Universal Phrases Used by Live Dealers

Let’s begin with basic expressions that appear in virtually every live game:

  • The dealer is simply telling you that you may now place your stake. It’s a classic phrase signalling the start of a game round.

    Place your bets, please — at this point, the dealer is simply telling you that you may now place your stake. It’s a classic phrase signalling the start of a game round.

  • Last bets or Bets are closing — this is a warning that the betting period is about to end.
  • No more bets, please — if you hear this phrase, it’s no longer possible to place or change your bet. The main action begins.
  • Good luck! — A supportive phrase before the start of the round, used in all games.
  • Thank you / Congratulations — words of appreciation and congratulations from the dealer after the round ends.

Roulette

Live roulette is one of the most dynamic casino games, and its rules are simple with a wide array of bet options. The popular game has its own set of terms that are worth learning before trying your luck:

  • Spinning the wheel — the croupier begins the game and releases the ball.
  • Ball is in the wheel — the ball is spinning and will soon come to rest in one of the sectors.
  • Winning number is… — for example: “Winning number is 32, Red, Even, High.” — meaning that everyone who bet on 32, red, even, or high numbers (19–36) has won.
  • Inside/Outside bets — these denote the type of bets: inside (on individual numbers) or outside (on groups such as columns, odd/even, dozens, etc.).
  • Straight up, Split, Street, Corner, Line — types of bets on individual numbers or specific groups.

Blackjack

Player constantly makes game decisions, to which the dealer responds with specific phrases.

In live blackjack, the player constantly makes game decisions, to which the dealer responds with specific phrases:

  • Hit — the player requests to take one additional card.
  • Stand — the player finishes drawing and keeps their current cards.
  • Double Down — where the player doubles their stake and receives an additional card.
  • Split — the option to divide identical cards into two independent hands is called splitting.
  • Blackjack — a hand with an ace and a card valued at 10 (ten, jack, queen, king). The highest possible score is 21 points with two cards.
  • Bust — the player or dealer exceeds 21, which is an automatic loss.
  • Push — when the player and dealer have the same number of points (not blackjack) it’s called a push, and the player typically gets their bet returned.

In real-world blackjack games, players use hand signals like tapping the table (hit) or a wave of the hand (stand). This does not apply to online casinos, as actions are obviously done digitally through a game interface.

Baccarat

Task is to predict whose hand will have the highest score, either the Player’s or the Banker’s.

In live baccarat, your main task is to predict whose hand will have the highest score, either the Player’s or the Banker’s. During the game, dealers use the following phrases:

  • Player wins / Banker wins / Tie — the result of the round: the player wins, the banker wins, or it’s a tie.
  • Natural 8 / Natural 9 — if either side has an 8 or 9 from the first two cards, this is a “natural” — the round ends without a third card being drawn and the highest “natural” wins.
  • Drawing a third card — according to the rules, the dealer automatically draws a third card if required.
  • Commission / No Commission — some tables charge a commission on banker wins (usually 5%).

Tips for Beginners

Be sure to learn the basic terminology as it will help to enjoy the flow of the game. Pay attention to the interface as well, because the dealer’s commands are also displayed visually, which helps you stay oriented even if you do not fully understand what was said.

Using demo modes for some practice is an excellent way to get used to the pace and vocabulary without the risk of losing money. First-person virtual table games can then be explored before jumping into the full live experience. Only start playing in a full experience when you are confident of a game’s process and phrases.

Conclusion

The language of live dealers is a structured part of the gameplay. It enables the player to make timely decisions, understand the round’s progress, and create the immersive atmosphere of a real casino. The greater your understanding of these gaming expressions, the more comfortable your live dealer experience will be.

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Carney budget cuts housing investment: PBO report

By Tom Parkin

December 30th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON

The Mark Carney Liberals campaigned with a pledge to “double the pace” of housing construction, but its much-vaunted flagship Build Canada Homes program, announced in the 2025 Budget, comes nowhere close, according to a report from the Parliamentary Budget Office.

The PBO also found that despite grandiose claims, Ottawa’s actual investment in housing construction will be cut rapidly over the next five years and the number of housing units built by Build Canada Homes (BCH) will be few.

And while half of what BCH will build will be “affordable,” the numbers are insufficient and the program definitions mean affordable units could actually rent for above market rates.

Funds for housing construction faces 56% cut

The 2025 budget creates BCH with $7.3 billion in new funding over five years. Yearly funding ranges from $920 million and $1.9 billion.

But the budget also severely cuts several existing housing programs. Funding for CMHC’s programs will drop from $6.2 billion next year to $2.7 billion in fiscal year 2029/30. Indigenous Services Canada’s housing investment is cut from $1.5 billion in 2026/27 to $240 million in 2029/30.

The net effect is a decline in total housing investment from $9.8 billion in 2025/26 to $4.1 billion in 2029/30, a 56 per cent drop.

BCH will add just 2.5% more housing, not double

And BCH will come nowhere close to delivering the housing impact the Mark x Carney promised.

Far from doubling the pace of construction, BHC will construct just 26,000 additional housing units from 2026/27 to 2029/30. The PBO did not calculate the number of units that won’t be built due to funding cuts to existing housing programs.

And 26,000 units over five years is just 433 additional units constructed in an average month. CMHC’s November data showed an average of 17,500 housing units were started in the past twelve months. Adding another 433 units would be a 2.5 per cent increase, closer to a rounding error on zero than a 100 per cent increase.

When “affordable” doesn’t mean affordable

Of the 26,000 units to be constructed by BCH, only 13,000 are defined as affordable for low income households, nowhere close to addressing even the most extreme tip of the housing crisis.

There are 80,000 homeless people just in Ontario, according to a 2025 report by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario. Even if all the BCH resources were focused on just Ontario homelessness, it would only address only a sixth of the problem.

And the BCH definition of affordable doesn’t even mean the new units would be below the average rent of the area.

On average in Canada, monthly rent on a two-bedroom apartment would be considered “affordable” at $2,168 or less, the PBO found. But the national median rent on two-bedroom housing is $1,100 per month, says the PBO. The average asking rent for two bedroom housing in November was $2,179, according to Rentals.ca.

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Darko just might get his waterfront hotel - it won't be at the foot of Brant Street

By Pepper Parr

December 30th, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The football is still the hottest development site in the city.

What used to be the Ascot Motel, was sold a number of years ago.  Our understanding was that it was bought by the Vrancor Group.  We weren’t sure what the purpose was in purchasing the site, the owner of the motel was desperate to sell the property.

What was once the site of a motel is now expected to be the Hotel Darko Vranich has wanted on the lakefront.

At a special meeting of Council on January 6th, we will learn that Planning has approved the development of 50 residential units and 154 hotel suites in a tower that will rise to 25 storeys and have four levels of underground parking serviced by two car elevators that will be serviced 24/7.

The purpose of the report going to Council on January 6th is to provide information on the proposed Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendment applications necessary for proceeding with the Statutory Public Meeting and present a recommendation on the proposed applications. Staff are recommending approval of the official plan and zoning by-law amendment applications for a 23-storey mixed-use building consisting of 154 hotel suites and 50 residential units. Staff note that the proposed development is considered 25 storeys according to the City’s Zoning By-law, which includes the mezzanine and mechanical penthouse as additional storeys.

Key findings:

  • The applicants have applied for an Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment to facilitate the development of a 23-storey (25 storey including mezzanine and mechanical penthouse) mixed use building. The proposal requires an amendment to the Official Plan to support the height and density that is contemplated, as well as an amendment to the Zoning By-law to provide relief of height, floor area ratio (FAR), parking and several setbacks. Staff are recommending approval of the proposed Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment based on the following:

o          The proposed amendments are consistent with the Provincial Planning Statement (2024);

o          The proposed amendments conform with the Regional Official Plan (2009, as amended), the Burlington Official Plan (1997) and the general intent of Burlington Official Plan (2020);

o          The proposed development maintains the general intent of Zoning By-law 2020.

  • Staff is of the opinion that the proposed development represents good planning.

On September 18, 2025, the City acknowledged that a complete application had been received for an Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment for 2076 Old Lakeshore Road.

A 23-storey (City’s Zoning By-law considers it a 25-storey building), will be comprised of 50 residential units and 154 hotel suites, with a total gross floor area of 13,914 square metres.

Rendering on the left is the Bridgewater development; the renderings in the venter are both in the approval stage. They are on the north and south sides of Old Lakeshore Road.. The rendering on the right is the proposed 25-storey tower that will have hotel and residential units. Emma’s Back Porch is to the east of the 25-storey tower.

The proposal includes four levels of underground parking, with 82 parking spaces accessed via two car elevators which would be serviced by a full-time valet. At grade, the parking will be accessed via a driveway on the east side of the site from Old Lakeshore Road, with a dedicated loading space immediately to the west of the parking access.

The encroachment of the existing motel building onto City owned lands would be remedied as the proposed development is fully contained within the limits of the property to be retained.

Planning Staff recognize that this area of Downtown Burlington has not developed in accordance with the policies, as originally adopted by Council in the 1997 of the Burlington Official Plan. This is because of previous site-specific Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) decisions for properties in the East Sector (2093-2101 Old Lakeshore Road and 2069-2100 Lakeshore Road and 2107 Old Lakeshore Road). Due to these OLT decisions and the surrounding development context, some of the policies are no longer achievable for the West Sector properties including:

  • Assembly of lands from the Martha Street alignment to Waterfront East, consisting of lands within Area ‘A,’ including the Old Lakeshore Road allowance
  • Martha Street alignment to meet Old Lakeshore Road;
  • Construction of and dedication to a public authority, a public waterfront access that provides a connection between the Pearl Street extension and Lakeshore Road in the vicinity of a Martha Street extension;
  • Closure of a portion of Old Lakeshore Road to achieve redevelopment and intensification.

The orange structure is the most recent development recommended by the City Planning Department.

Staff note that the view corridor from Martha Street to Lake Ontario, the provision of enhanced public spaces and the preservation of significant cultural heritage resources were achieved through the East Sector properties. The West Sector properties will provide enhanced public spaces through the implementation of the Downtown Streetscape for Lakeshore Road, Old Lakeshore Road and will enhance the waterfront trail.

Parking and Transportation

The City’s Official Plan directs that adequate off-street parking is accommodated for development proposals. In support of the application, a Traffic Impact Study (TIS) prepared by Paradigm, dated September 2025, was submitted for staff review. Transportation Planning staff

The Official Plan contains policy direction for development proposals along the waterfront to provide public open space and waterfront trail use, where feasible. This direction sets out that where the distance between the water and the public roadway will accommodate both the development and the Waterfront trail, the proponent will be required to dedicate lands below the stable top of bank and dedicate a 15-metre-wide strip of land above the stable top of bank to the City as part of parkland dedication.

While the applicants are proposing to dedicate the lands below the stable top of bank to the City, they are not proposing to dedicate the 15-metre strip above the stable top of bank. Staff is supportive of this approach, based on the following circumstances unique to this site:

The intent of the Official Plan to provide for and ensure public access to the waterfront is achieved through the proposed land dedication and waterfront trail;

The extension of the Waterfront Trail .

The distance between the water and the public roadway is not sufficient to allow the proposed development and the Waterfront Trail as originally envisioned by the policies. If the proposed development is not able to proceed, there is a chance that the proposed waterfront trail extension would not be realized;

The site has a challenging topography with a significant grade change between the front property line along Old Lakeshore Road and rear property line along the water’s edge. This will require erosion control, appropriate slopes and transitions, all of which would limit the useable area of the space for parkland;

Based on the site’s lot area, a 15-metre strip of land would far exceed the 10% of lot area that the City is able to require as part of parkland dedication under the Planning Act. The City would need to compensate the proponent for the difference; and,

The City is able to achieve an extension of the waterfront trail that will align with and match the existing trail configuration that currently exists to the west, at the rear of 2060 Lakeshore Road (i.e. Bridgewater Development).

Further, the proposed waterfront trail extension is located within the sloped area below stable top of bank and would not be accounted for as parkland. Parks staff has requested cash-in-lieu of the 15 metre parkland dedication required by the Official Plan, in addition to the dedication of the lands below the stable top of bank to the City and the construction of the waterfront trail extension.

Staff are in support of the application as it enhances the waterfront, extends the existing trails, and provides public access to Burlington’s waterfront.

Let’s hear what the planner has to say when he delegates and what Council members have to say when it comes to questions.

 

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Starting 7 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, customers can ride on any GO train or GO bus for free until 8 a.m. on New Year’s D

By Gazette Staff

December 29th, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

Snow tires are being installed.

Starting 7 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, customers can ride on any GO train or GO bus for free until 8 a.m. on New Year’s Day. UP Express will also be free to all customers on New Year’s Eve from 7 p.m. until end of service. 

Metrolinx will once again be offering complimentary service on GO Transit and UP Express on New Year’s Eve in partnership with Forty Creek Whisky to help you ring in 2026 safely.

GO Transit and UP Express will run extra late evening trips on every line so everyone can GO safely into 2026:

  • Lakeshore West: We will be adding extra late-night trips on Dec. 31 to help you get home safely, with the last train leaving Union Station at 7:47 a.m.
  • Milton Line: We will be adding additional evening trips arriving into Union Station on Dec. 31 with the last train leaving Union Station at 2:55 a.m.
  • UP Express: We will be adding late-night trains from Union Station to help you get home safely. Special trains will be departing every 30 minutes, starting at 1:15 a.m., with the last train leaving Union Station at 3:45 a.m.

Riders are encouraged to continue tapping on and off with their PRESTO card, but they will not be charged.

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2025: YEAR in REVIEW - What we might have gotten right and where we were definitely wrong in Jan/Feb/March

By Pepper Parr

December 29th, 2025

BURLINGTON. ON

 

As we leave 2025, a look over our shoulder to see what we might have gotten right and where we were definitely wrong could prove to be a useful exercise

We are doing this review on a quarterly basis, starting with January, February and March of 2025.

Mohammed Hijab, a philosopher of religion representing the Islamic viewpoint, learned that an event planned to take place at the Convention Centre was suddenly withdrawn.

B’nai Brith Canada, the country’s oldest Human Rights organization dedicated to eradicating racism, antisemitism and hatred in all its forms, contacted the Convention Centre and briefed them on just who Mohammed Hijab was.  Link to that story:

Gould won her race; Brown didn’t. But then Gould didn’t become Prime Minister and was left out of Cabinet.

It looked as if things were quiet on the political front but behind the scenes Emily Brown announced that the Conservatives raised $15,000 in two weeks.  Earlier in the month Karina Gould announced she had raised $50,000 in two days.  Link to that story:

Karina Gould went public with her promise to reduce GST taxes by 1% if she wins the Liberal leadership race.  She didn’t win that race.  Link to that story:

Natalie Pierre, Burlington’s MPP announced that she was not going to run for re-election when Premier Ford called a snap election.   Changed her mind and decided she would run for re-election.  After not taking part in the only all-candidate meting Pierre squeaked out a win by less than 50 votes.  Link to that story

Talk of getting shovels in the ground came out of the Planning department.  27 storey tower proposed.  Link to that story.

Mayor didn’t see the numbers the way the citizen did.

Mayor maintains a citizen group is wrong on their tax numbers.  Link to that story.

Waterdown residents wanted to become part of Burlington.  Didn’t happen.  Link to that story

A surprising 20% of Poliviere Conservatives think Canada should become America’s 51st State.  Link to that story.

Art Gallery celebrates 50 years of serving the public.  Link to that story

Developments along Plains Road changing the look and feel of Aldershot.  Link to that story.

Civic Square getting a new look. Might not be seen before the next election.

Redevelopment of Civic Square: Could this project be in trouble?  Link to that story.

Housing has become a major concern for almost every municipality in Ontario.  Burlington has a Land Partnership with a significant number of properties owned by the city.  Some could be made available for affordable housing development.  Link to that story.

Quarter of a million people on surgery waitlists.  Link to that story here:

Burlington skyline isn’t what it used to be.  Link to that story.

Province didn’t waste any time in removing American booze from LCBO shelves.  Link to that story.

Police get their day before Council to explain what they do. We know what they are costing us.

Police tell council just what they do from day to day. Link to that story.

Citizen points to very significant salary increases at city hall.  Link to that story.

Where did the Liberal surge come from?  Link to that story.

Civic Square completion date moved back a year.  Much of the 6.5 million cost comes from federal and provincial coffers.  Link to that story.

Rural residents want to see a plan for their part of the city.   Link to that story.

Home designated as historic over the wishes of the property owner.  Link to that story.

Measles increases surprises everyone.  Over 96 per cent of cases in Ontario are among individuals who are unimmunized.  Link to that story.

They weren’t evicted – the place was to be torn down. Then the developer changed their mind. But Kelly’s will have moved further up the street.

Kellys Bake Shop given 60 days notice to move.  Link to that story.

 

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Are the tax increases that will kick in next June sustainable?

By Pepper Parr

December 29th, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

OPINION

During much of the debate and discussion on what the tax levy was going to be for 2026, a number of people, including the Gazette, maintained that the 40% + increases during the three years the current Council has been in office were not sustainable. This council will be up for re-election in October of 2026.

But what if, in the minds of the people who pay those taxes, is that the increases are worth the quality of life in Burlington?

Perhaps not all of them, certainly not the thousands who rely on the Food Bank to feed themselves, but a majority of the population is content.

Municipal elections in Burlington get a roughly 30% turnout.  The rest just don’t bother to vote.

Those opposed to the significant tax increases argue that the public can’t afford the lifestyle; it just may be that a majority of those who do vote are quite happy with the way things are.

Something to think about.

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Understanding how the city collects property taxes: payment frequency

By Gazette Staff

December 29th, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

Details on the property taxes you are going to pay in 2026 are not what you want to hear about at this point in the year.

Given the rate at which taxes increase, you might want to understand just when the tax increase the city passed earlier in December will kick in.

Based on the following information from the City website:

The City sends out two bills outlining four payments for the year.

Interim Bill

The interim bill is sent at the beginning of the year and includes two payment stubs:

  • February payment due date
  • April payment due date

This bill is based on last year’s levy and does not include the budget or assessment changes.

Final Bill

The final tax bill is sent in the spring and includes two payment stubs:

  • June payment due date
  • September payment due date

The final bill reflects budget changes and applicable property assessment changes.

So you won’t be seeing the increase until June – halfway through the year.

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Mobile Gambling with Lucky Green Casino: What Works, What Doesn’t

By Max Maddyson

December 30th, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

 

If you’re into Australian online pokies, chances are you’re not playing them on a desktop anymore. Mobile gambling with Lucky Green Casino lets you take your favourite games anywhere — from the couch to the beach to the back of an Uber. But what actually works, and what just sort of… exists? Let’s get into it.

What Works: Things That Actually Make You Go “Yep, That’s Good”

When you fire up Lucky Green on your phone, you want it to just work. Here’s where it delivers.

  1. The layout fits neatly on any screen — phone or tablet.

    It runs smoother than a new ute on fresh bitumen. The mobile site loads fast, even on dodgy Wi-Fi. It’s not clunky. It doesn’t freeze. The layout fits neatly on any screen — phone or tablet. Whether you’re team Android or iPhone, you won’t be stuck squinting or jabbing at unclickable buttons. That HTML5 backend really pulls its weight.

  2. You get the full spread of games. Pokies, blackjack, roulette, live dealers — it’s all there. There’s no stripped-down “mobile lite” experience. What you see on desktop, you get on mobile. Including those progressive pokies that could, in theory, make you a millionaire during a toilet break. Not saying it will happen, but hey, the dream’s alive.
  3. Banking doesn’t make you want to chuck your phone. Depositing and withdrawing on mobile is dead easy. Crypto? Sweet. E-wallets? Yep. Even classic card payments. The forms are clean, and you don’t have to tap through endless popups to find your preferred method. Fast in, fast out, and no nasty surprises.
  4. Bonuses don’t disappear just because you’re on mobile. You’re not punished for using your phone. The full welcome package — up to AU$5,000 + 300 spins — is available on mobile too. Same goes for reloads, cashback, and the occasional cheeky freebie. The mobile version isn’t some sad cousin of the desktop site.

And yes, players have mentioned in chats and Reddit threads that mobile withdrawals sometimes hit their wallets faster than desktop ones. Could be coincidence. Could be a hidden perk. Either way, we’re not complaining.

All that makes mobile play at Lucky Green more than just passable — it’s genuinely good.

What Doesn’t: The Bits That Could Use a Bit of Elbow Grease

Mobile gambling isn’t perfect. A few bumps in the road could slow your ride.

No internet, no play. There’s zero offline functionality. Lose signal on the train and say goodbye to your bonus round.

No app in the App Store. You won’t find Lucky Green in the Apple or Google app stores. If you want an app-like experience, you’ll need to download an APK or just stick with the mobile browser version. Which works well, but for folks who like neat icons and native push notifications, it’s a bit of a letdown.Tiny screens, tiny frustrations. Live dealer games can be a bit squishy on a small screen. Sure, the video is clear, and you can still bet easily, but the immersive vibe takes a hit. And if you’re a fat-fingered player, misclicks are bound to happen now and then.

Old phones struggle. If you’re still rocking a Nokia or some creaky pre-2018 Android, you’ll notice lag. Newer devices fly through the interface. Older ones cough and wheeze if you try to load a live roulette table while Spotify and Instagram are openYou need to stay online. No internet, no play. There’s zero offline functionality. Lose signal on the train and say goodbye to your bonus round.

So yeah, it’s not flawless — but it’s still way more hit than miss.

Mobile vs Desktop: Which One Wins the Fight?

Here’s a quick comparison to show how mobile stacks up against desktop. If you’re trying to choose where to play, this’ll help clear things up.

Feature Mobile Desktop
Game Access ✅ Full access ✅ Full access
Graphics Good Slightly better
Convenience Excellent Tied to location
UI/UX Touch-friendly More detailed
Banking ✅ Fast ✅ Fast
Live Dealers Works well Best experience

In the end, mobile wins for convenience, but desktop still brings a bit more polish.

How to Squeeze the Best Out of Lucky Green on Mobile

A little prep goes a long way. It’s not like squeezing toothpaste out of a tube.

A little prep goes a long way. Want smooth gameplay and fewer headaches? Do this.

Before we get into the list, know that none of these require a tech degree. Anyone can do this in under a minute.

  • Use decent Wi-Fi or 4G. Lag kills vibes.
  • Close background apps before a long session.
  • Turn your phone sideways. Landscape mode makes games look proper.
  • If they ever offer an APK, grab it from the official site only. No shady links.
  • Check for bonuses in your SMS or email. They often drop mobile-exclusive promos there.

Follow these tips, and your mobile experience will feel a whole lot slicker.

The Verdict

Lucky Green Casino delivers the goods. It’s fast, full-featured, and doesn’t feel like a watered-down version of the “real” casino.

Mobile gambling with Lucky Green Casino delivers the goods. It’s fast, full-featured, and doesn’t feel like a watered-down version of the “real” casino. Sure, there are gaps — mainly the lack of an official app and the fiddliness of playing on a phone. But those are minor speedbumps.

If you’re the kind of player who’d rather spin reels on your lunch break than wait till you’re home, this setup suits you just fine.

FAQs

Is mobile gambling safe at Lucky Green Casino?

Yes. The mobile site uses the same encryption and login protections as the desktop version. Just don’t share your password with your housemate.

Can I play pokies on my phone at Lucky Green Casino?

Absolutely. You’ll find hundreds of them, including the big names and progressive jackpots.

Does Lucky Green Casino have a mobile app?

Not in app stores. But the browser version works great, and there might be an APK available through the official site.

Are the same bonuses available on mobile?

Yes, you get the full range — welcome bonus, reloads, free spins, all of it.

Which devices work best for Lucky Green’s mobile casino?

Modern Androids and iPhones run it smoothly. Older phones might lag, especially with live games.

E-wallets and crypto usually hit fastest, sometimes within the hour.

How fast are mobile withdrawals at Lucky Green Casino?

They’re quick. E-wallets and crypto usually hit fastest, sometimes within the hour.

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Lions end 2025 in fine fashion; donate $100,000 to community organizations and now run the Festival of Lights

By Pepper Parr

December 28th, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

The event was to recognize and celebrate the $100,000 donations to three essential Burlington organizations:

The Compassion Society; Shifra and Carpenter Hospice.

Giving away $100,000

The event drew a respectable audience and gave Lion Fanboy an opportunity to talk about the work that the Burlington Lions have been doing in the community for 100 years.

Events like this draw the politicians: two MP’s; one MPP, one Mayor and two members of Council. Give them 10 minutes each and you’ve just spent an hour during which they all said basically the same thing.

There is more to the Burlington Lions than hosting politicians.

Ward 5 Councillor Paul Sharman, an unidentified young Lion and Burlington MP Karina Gould

The organization, like many, has difficulty drawing in new members.  The demographic they draw from doesn’t consist of people with a lot of energy.  They also tend to be a little fixed in their ways.

The Burlington Lions have bucked that trend.  They have a lot of new younger members, “which brings its own set of problems”.

The younger people move a little quicker and bring new ideas with them.  That creates a little friction at times.

Again, the Lions are bucking that problem as well.

Festival of Lights is now a Lions operation.

This year the Lions took over the running of the Festival of Lights that takes place at Spencer Smith Park every year from late November through to early January.  This year, the display ends on January 7th – still plenty of time to take the kids with you and stroll through Spencer Smith Park.

If you haven’t taken the time to stroll through Spencer Smith Park and enjoy what is set up – do make the time.

We asked John Fanjoy how the event ended in the hands of the Lions and what they were going to do with the event going forward.  Fanjoy said “what we got was a collection of a lot of equipment that needed some loving care and upgrades.  We are at the changing the light bulbs stage right now.”

The Lions are tenants in a building they helped finance.  They own the land the structure is on.

They deeded the parkland around the building to the city a number of years ago.

One of the most successful Farmers’ Markets in Southern Ontario.

The Burlington Nelson Lions Club opened the Farmers’ Market in the Central Arena parking lot in 1960. They have changed locations several times.  They settled in at the Burlington Centre 15 years ago and have become one of the most successful Farmers’ Markets in Southern Ontario.

Clearly, a very active organization with a membership of less than 50.  Most service organizations struggle to maintain membership; the Lions have found a way to attract younger people.

How do you become a Lion? Start here

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Nelson graduate to be the next Canadian Ambassador to the United States

By Pepper Parr

December 26th, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

 

At the last meeting of City Council, Ward 6 Councillor Angelo Bentivegna said, “this will put Burlington on the map”.   He was referring to the possible visit of a FIFA Caravan coming to Burlington.

Many scoffed at the Bentivegna remark.

What will make many in Burlington proud is the announcement that Nelson High School graduate Mark Wseman has been made the Canadian Ambassador to the United States.  He will take up his role on February 15th,  of 2026.

Prime Minister Mark Carney formally announced that Canada’s next ambassador to the United States will be Mark Wiseman, a plain-spoken dealmaker with deep business relationships who will head to Washington with the goal of securing trade peace.

Wiseman, is  a close friend of the Prime Minister.

Wiseman, a former lawyer and pension-fund executive who has stewarded money for some of the world’s largest investors, is in a position of influence as Canada seeks to restore fraught trade and defence ties with the U.S.

Wiseman, is  a close friend of the Prime Minister. His mandate will  include helping the government boost foreign direct investment in Canada.

“Mark Wiseman brings immense experience, contacts, and deep commitment at this crucial time of transformation of our relationship with the United States,” Mr. Carney said.

“As a core member of our negotiating team, he will help advance the interests of Canadian workers, businesses, and institutions, while building opportunities for both Canada and the United States.”

Former colleagues lauded him as a strong pick for the post, though opposition politicians criticized the appointment on the basis of his past comments on supply management and his positions on immigration.

He has not served in government or diplomatic service, but several of his past jobs had a public-sector link, including his stint from 2012 to 2016 as chief executive officer of the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, which manages $778-billion for working Canadians and retirees.

Mr. Wiseman, 55, was born in Niagara Falls, Ont., studied at Queen’s University and earned his law degree and MBA from the University of Toronto. He was a Fulbright Scholar at Yale University and clerked for then-justice Beverley McLachlin at the Supreme Court of Canada. Ms. McLachlin later served as the top court’s chief justice.

“You can’t find a smarter person in Canada who will understand the intricacies of the American file. He is perfect for that,” Brent Belzberg, senior executive chairman of private equity firm TorQuest Partners and the founder of Harrowston, said in an email.

“He is also close to the Prime Minister who weighs in personally on this file. Canada is lucky that Mark will make the personal sacrifice to take this on.”

Wiseman spent four years at Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan before he joined CPPIB in 2005, where he was later named CEO at the age of 42.

Mr. Wiseman was one of the earliest financial backers of Mr. Carney’s bid to lead the Liberal Party earlier this year, and had been appointed to the Prime Minister’s Canada-U.S. advisory council in March.

He spent four years at Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan before he joined CPPIB in 2005, where he was later named CEO at the age of 42. More recently, from 2020 to 2023, he was chair of Alberta Investment Management Corp.

A Gazette reader brought this to our attention saying he was a student the day Nelson opened in 1957. “Later in life I was part of a selection committee to recognize grads who deserved recognition for outstanding work in their life on the” Nelson Wall of Distinction “.He will probably be on the Wall soon.”

 

 

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Boxing day has a long history; one that we do not share with our neighbours to the south.

By Pepper Parr

December 26th, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Let us not rush back into the real world quite yet.

Christmas was festive, fun, and family – the day after has become a holiday with a quaint tradition that is celebrated in the Commonwealth countries that reflects the class tradition of the times.

The first mention of Boxing Day as a tradition is believed to be in 1830. It was the day that the Upper classes gave a “box” to people like post-men, errand-boys, and servants of various kinds.

It was a present, a gratuity given at Christmas to people who had provided a service. In Great Britain the custom for tradesmen to collect “Christmas boxes” of money or presents on the first weekday after Christmas as thanks for good service throughout the year. The tradition goes back as far as December 1663.

Boxing day - regency

It was a different time, a different era when class differences defined everything. The Boxing Day tradition came out of that era.

The tradition was linked to an older British tradition – servants of the wealthy were allowed the next day to visit their families. The employers would give each servant a box to take home containing gifts, bonuses, and sometimes leftover food.

In South Africa as recently as the 1980s, milkmen and garbage collectors, who normally had little if any interaction with those they served, were accustomed to knock on their doors asking for a “Christmas box”, being a small cash donation, in the week or so before and after Christmas.

The European tradition, which has long included giving money and other gifts to those who were needy and in service positions, has been dated to the Middle Ages, but the exact origin is unknown. It is believed to be in reference to the Alms Box placed in areas of worship to collect donations to the poor.

Boxing Day became a secular holiday that is traditionally celebrated on 26 December, the day after Christmas Day. 26 December is also St. Stephen’s Day, a religious holiday.

In the UK, Boxing Day is a bank holiday

In Scotland, Boxing Day has been specified as an additional bank holiday since 1974In Ireland – when the island as a whole was part of the United Kingdom – the Bank Holidays Act 1871 established the feast day of St. Stephen as a non-movable public holiday on 26 December. Following partition in 1920, Northern Ireland reverted to the British name, Boxing Day.

In Australia, Boxing Day is a federal public holiday. The Australian state of South Australia instead observes a public holiday known as Proclamation Day on the first weekday after Christmas Day or the Christmas Day holiday.

In New Zealand, Boxing Day is a statutory holiday; penalty rates and lieu time are provided to employees who work on Boxing Day.

In Canada, Boxing Day is a federal statutory holiday. Government offices, banks and post offices/delivery are closed. In some Canadian provinces, Boxing Day is a statutory holiday that is always celebrated on 26 December. In Canadian provinces where Boxing Day was a statutory holiday, and it falls on a Saturday or Sunday, compensation days are given in the following week.

In the United States, 26 December is not observed as “Boxing Day”.

The tradition has become a massive sales push that has people lining up outside large chain store operations as early as 5 am waiting for huge discounts, usually on electronic items that are positioned as loss leaders to attract customers.

Boxing day at the Eaton Centre

Boxing day at the Eaton Centre – packed.

The CTV television network reports that in 2010 Boxing Day sales totaled $1.8 billion. The tradition has become a shopping holiday that has become Boxing Week

Many retailers open very early (typically 5 am or even earlier) and offer door buster deals and loss leaders to draw people to their stores. It is not uncommon for long queues to form early in the morning of 26 December, hours before the opening of shops holding the big sales, especially at big-box consumer electronics retailers.

In recent years, retailers have expanded deals to “Boxing Week”. While Boxing Day is 26 December, many retailers will run the sales for several days before or after 26 December, often up to New Year’s Eve. Notably, in the recession of late 2008, a record number of retailers were holding early promotions due to a weak economy. Canada’s Boxing Day has often been compared with the American Super Saturday (the Saturday before Christmas) and Black Friday.

From 2009 onward Black Friday deals become more prominent among Canadian retailers to discourage shoppers from crossing the border to the USA when the Canadian and USA dollars was close to parity, and this has lessened the appeal of Boxing Day in Canada somewhat as it was overtaken by Black Friday in terms of sales in 2013.

Boxing Day is not and has never been a shopping holiday in the USA.

In some parts of Canada, particularly in Atlantic Canada and parts of Northern Ontario, most retailers are prohibited from opening on Boxing Day, either by provincial law or by municipal bylaw, or instead by informal agreement among major retailers to provide a day of relaxation following Christmas Day.

A tradition that came out of a social class based society has evolved into a week-long shopping spree.

It isn’t just about shopping; sports events have become major Boxing Day events.

Boxing day - soccer

Major European leagues may enjoy a winter break when players can put their feet up over the festive period. But it’s all go in the Premier and Football Leagues. And that means plenty of action for armchair soccer fans.

In the United Kingdom, it is traditional for both top-tier football leagues in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and the lower ones, as well as the rugby leagues, to hold a full programme of football and rugby union matches on Boxing Day.

Originally, matches on Boxing Day were played against local rivals to avoid teams and their fans having to travel a long distance to an away game on the day after Christmas Day.

This is probably much more than you wanted to know about the holiday we celebrate today.

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December 25th -

By Pepper Parr

December 25th, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON.

 

I’ve never understood why Merry Christmas replaced the words:

For unto us a child is born and he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

That is what today is really all about.  For the children in your life – pass it along.

 

 

 

We sometimes lose sight of what the Season is about. Did parents watching the floats pass by use the opportunity to spread the message?

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Rivers: Mr. Poilievre’s Christmas Wish

By Ray Rivers

December 24th, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

OPINION

Tom Parkin recently wrote an excellent summary, of just how wrong Mr. Poilievre has been on economic policy.  The article appeared in the GAzette last week – link below. The best example being his war cry that the carbon tax was causing higher food and accommodation costs, and inflation in general..  But once PM Carney axed-the-tax inflation didn’t stop, but continued its upward trend.

A lack of understanding about how an economy actually works.

Poilievre may be a compelling speaker but he just makes stuff up.  And he is mostly wrong, as Tom Parkin points out only too well.  The public must already sense this because his personal popularity lags that of the current PM by a long shot.

One reason is that, unlike Carney, who has a vision for a Canada freed from subservience to the Americans next door, the Conservative’s just complain that everything is not perfect.  He fails to grasp the significance of the moment we are in – the challenges, the consequences and the sacrifices we all need to make to secure our future.

“…a compelling speaker but he just makes stuff up.”

And everyone is tired, fed up, with the Tory leader’s annoying attack dog performance.  That tactic successfully ended Justin Trudeau’s political career, but Mr. Carney just brushes off the personal slights.  And unfortunately, Mr. Poilievre doesn’t have anything else in his bag of tricks, given his lack of understanding about how an economy actually works.

But it’s his management style that seems to put off some of the people he needs most.  The voters in his former Ottawa riding couldn’t wait to get rid of him last election.  And more recently, two members of his own party have crossed the floor to become Liberals, and a third just quit.

Still something like 70% of the Conservative membership apparently approve of their firebrand leader.  And that means he’ll likely be confirmed as leader at the CPC love-in in January.  Unfortunately for him, Mr. Carney is far more popular, pretty much everywhere except Alberta, of course.

Despite the tepid public support for Poilievre, the CPC is ironically running almost neck-in-neck in popular support with the top dog Liberals, according to recent national polls.   And so that begs the question of whether the unpopular opposition leader could win a federal election in our parliamentary system.

70% of the Conservative membership apparently approve of their firebrand leader.

We may never find out since the Tories are reluctant to take that gamble, as we saw during the budget a few weeks ago.  And if more of Poilievre’s caucus crosses over to the Liberals, as are the rumours, Mr. Carney could be PM for the next three and a half years.

So if Mr. Poilievre’s Christmas wish is to become Canada’s next prime minister, he’d better also ask for a vision for the country, a new personality…. oh, and a book on basic economics   And remember that Santa will only put that under his tree if he starts acting nice.

Merry Christmas everyone.

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:

Tom Parkin –    Polls –    Poilievre’s Numbers –     Same Old PP –

 

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Eagles Nest revealed that 61% of youth feel that adults don't truly know how much they are struggling with their mental

By Gazette Staff

December 24th, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

 

A recent mental health survey done by Eagles Nest revealed that 61% of youth feel that adults don’t truly know how much they are struggling with their mental health.

A 19-year-old told us, Some of us do not feel like we “deserve” support.

Amanda Devries, Executive Director

Amanda Devries said this week that: “As the leader of a mental health organization I see a lot of statistics, but that one is particularly tough. No young person should ever feel alone when they are struggling with their mental health.

“Others feel that seeking help means they have failed in some way or that to do so would be a sign of weakness.”

The research will be used to develop support programs to help young people cope with the changes in their lives.

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Masks now required when you enter the hospital

By Gazette Staff

December 24th, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Hospital staff will provide you with a mask when you enter the hospital.

It’s either not over yet, or it has come back.

The Joseph Brant Hospital announced yesterday that:

“Effective today, to reduce the spread of illness and protect vulnerable patients, everyone coming to JBH is now required to wear a hospital-provided mask in all patient care ares.”

Masks will be provided at entrances and throughout the hospital.

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October GDP decline shows bite marks of Trump’s attack

By Tom Parkin

December 24th, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

Tariffed sectors headed down in October along with residential construction and retail, the warning bell of too few Canadians with money to spend.

Economy shrank in most months of 2025, to October

Change in monthly GDP, annualized and adjusted for season and inflation

 

Canada’s gross domestic product fell by 0.3 per cent in October and the data released by Statistics Canada on Tuesday had some tell-tale signs of the United States president’s attack on Canada.

All data in this report is adjusted for seasonal and inflation. GDP values are annualized; per cent changes are not.

October’s 0.3 per cent decline wiped out September’s 0.2 per cent GDP gain. In six of the ten months of 2025 now reported, GDP fell. October GDP was $1.3 billion less than January.

Trump tariffed industries fall in October

Monthly, Jan 2021 to Oct 2025, annualized and adjusted for season and inflation

 

The Trump administration has put tariffs on U.S. imports of lumber, steel, aluminum and assembled vehicles. Though the sectoral tariffs are global, the effect is a more intense attack on working Canadian because of higher trade volumes in those sectors compared to other countries.

In October, sawmills production fell $382 million from September. Iron and steel dropped $54 million. Aluminum fell $53 million. Auto assembly dropped $80 million In October, all four manufacturing sectors were below January’s levels.

Residential construction and retail down

Monthly, Jan 2022 to Oct 2025, annualized and adjusted for season and inflation

However, as the charts also show, key sectors were already facing challenges before Trump and not all the economic damage has been externally inflicted.

Over many years, and under various parties in Ottawa and provincial capitals, Canadian economic growth has been weak.

The weight of the winter 2022 housing sector collapse continues to crush residential construction jobs, with the sector down $212 million between September and October. The sector is down $7.7 billion since its peak in March 2022, when higher interest rates ended soaring housing prices.

The declines and resulting unemployment together with high prices pushed down on retail sales and retail workers. The sector fell $791 million in October and is now $1.3 billion below its December 2024 peak. This signal of weak household spending echoes detailed quarterly data released last month showing household consumer demand falling.

GDP by sector, October

GDP by industry, Oct 2025, annualized and adjusted for season and inflation

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