 By Pepper Parr
May 31st, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
Actions speak louder than words -that is more true in the world of politics.
About six months ago we became aware of Burlington Helping Burlington; a group of people that raise funds and then give those funds to orgabnizatins that need money to serve the community.
 Burlington Helping Burlington has a good story to tell – you can find them HERE. Burlington Helping Burlington (BHB) is a volunteer-based, registered charitable foundation that brings businesses, charities, and community members together to support local causes that matter most.
 Sean Campbell One of the people leading the organization is Sean Campbell.
I first met Sean at the Lisa Kearns event in Civic Square when she made it known that she would be running for Mayor.
I sensed then that he would be seeking public office. At the time he didn’t deny he might be running and said he would rather than we not publishing anyting. He added that when he was ready to announce his intentions he would be in touch. He actually said he would “tell me first”. An immediate sign in my experience was that this man is not going to deliver on his word.
I crossed path a little later when Sean attended one of Lisa’s ward meetings.
Gary Carr, current Chair of Halton Regional Council was also in the room. Why I wondered was Gary Carr in the room. Was he a potential ward 2 candidate?
Brad Harness, publisher of the Burlington Independent, was also in the room.
I met Sean a third time at the Lisa Kearns Election Platform event. He told me at that time he would be filing his nomination papers on the Friday.
We talked a bit about what he would be up against with Gary Carr now in the race for the ward 2 seat. We talked a bit about his background and I said at the time that I would want to do an in-depth interview just as soon as he was named as a candidate on the City MyVote website.
 Sean Campbell I emailed Sean and left several (that means three or more) phone messages. None of the email was answered nor were any of the phone calls returned. That made the “I’ll call you first” statement a little on the hollow side.
Then I saw the news report in another media that had some detail on Sean’s background.
I wondered if we should reach out again and decided not to make another call or sesnd another email.
Instead write on our experience with Sean Campbell and let the public decide on how Sean interprets the words “action” and “words”
 By Pepper Parr
May 31st, 2026
BURLINGTON ON
From the Leader of the Opposition, Pierre Poilievre, to the Prime Minister,
On Friday, you became the only leader in the G7 to have taken your country into a recession. Statistics Canada reported that Canada’s economy shrank in two consecutive quarters, the definition of a recession.
You promised you would deliver the fastest-growing economy in the G7. You delivered the only recession in the G7.
Excuses about tariffs and the war in Iran do not work either. All the other G7 countries contend with tariffs and the war. None of them – not one – is in recession. Just Canada. Under your watch.
Before you dismiss it as a technicality, there are many other facts surfacing this month alone pointing to a recession:
 112,300 job losses in the first three months of this year alone, with 45,800 more Canadians unemployed since you became Prime Minister. - The second-highest unemployment rate in the G7, a third higher than in the U.S.
- The economy shrank in three of the four quarters you have been in power. No other G7 country has had that happen.
- Business investment fell another 0.7%, the fifth consecutive quarterly decline.
- Over $20 billion of net investment has fled our economy ($109.3 billion has left and only $88.4 billion has returned).
- Equifax reported that insolvency volumes increased to levels not seen since 2009, up nearly 19 per cent year-over-year. 1.5 million Canadians missed a debt payment in the first three months of this year alone, with mortgage delinquency rates climbing 32 per cent year-over-year.
- Canada has the highest household debt in the G7 by far.
- The CEO of the Daily Bread Food Bank in Toronto said this week that one-tenth of Greater Toronto Area residents are now using a food bank. Last year saw a record 4.1 million visits, a 340 per cent increase from 2019.
As you can see, the two back-to-back quarters of declining GDP are not a fluke, anomaly or technicality. It is one of an avalanche of proof showing a collapsing economy with fast-rising costs.
The recession is real. It means moms with empty stomachs, grocery baskets and bank accounts. It means homeowners tossing and turning in bed at night, wondering how they will make the next mortgage payment. It means parents telling their kids, “We have to sell our house. I don’t know what we’re going to do.”
Speeches, fake MOUs, discussion papers, announcements, paid media coverage and other illusions will not reverse the damage or stop the economic hemorrhaging. You need to reverse course. Now. Before it is too late.
You love to give speeches. I am inviting you to give one.
By Pepper Parr
May 31st, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
Just what did Burlington gain with the strong Mayor Powers that Premier Ford handed out several years ago?
It certainly divided city Council.
The Toronto Star recently published a feature showing what different municipalities across the province did with the power they were given.
The data they collected on Burlington’s use of that power is set out below.
 
The biggest thing the Mayor did was use the power to approve bylaws Council debated and agreed upon.
The rules in place required the Mayor to produce a budget that Council, with one exception – Lisa Kearns, approved.
Last week Council spent far too much time discussing how the powers will be used going forward. The one power Mayor Meed Ward kept, she used to three times, was the ability to hire and fire the City Manager – now called the Chief Administrative Officer.
Should there be a change in the leadership of Council after the October municipal election, expect to see this come up again.
Strong Mayor Powers were handed out by Premier Ford, who expected City Council’s to use them to build more housing. That didn’t work out.
The data shown below shows just what the city has underway in terms of local development as of March 18th, 2026.
 By Alan Harrington
May 30th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
 Being a paid member of Burlington Performing Arts for the past few years, I got to attend the Season Kickoff. A timely break from all the noise and violence in the news.
It is usually a fun evening, and last night was no different.
 White Eagle Stonefish The evening began with WhiteEagle Stonefish’s Good Words and Intentions from Canada’s First Nations people.
Canada has a rich history and, as the home of Joseph Brant, Burlington is the perfect place to celebrate our Indigenous folklore.
First Nations stories are OUR stories.
 Chuck Commanda, a Birch Bark canoe builder. There will be an opportunity to interact with Chuck Commanda, a Birch Bark Canoe Builder, who will be building a canoe at BPAC in September of this year.
Our hosts for the evening were Lisa & Annie who supplied a rundown of the upcoming music events.
Canadian icons Jim Cuddy, Men Without Hats, and Trooper. I am a big fan of Trooper – but they don’t mention that this Trooper show does not have the original guys.
Brooks & Bowskill gave us a sample of their country music skills.
We were able to get a sample of three singing acts – one of whom was Myriad Ensemble (I counted 80 members) singing together. They will soon represent Burlington and Canada, among other groups from around the world at the “Choir Olympics”. They will assemble in Stockholm where the Swedes know a thing or two about assemblies. Am I right IKEA?
Our hosts moved onto upcoming comedy nights, one show being “A Brief History of Smoking Cigarettes”. It sounds interesting and segues perfectly into their next comedy show “Hold On To Your Butts”. A reminder not to throw them on the ground.
 Shakura S’Aida More music with Shakura S’Aida who got us on our feet singing and dancing, wowing her to announce “Burlington audiences are better than Toronto audiences”.
There are many, many more shows offered including interactive numbers, magic, and kids themes.
Overall, the 26/27 schedule seems to me to harken to earlier days. Like the 1960s with hippies – where it was just the music before all the lasers and pyrotechnics.
The evening closed with Kate Dickson and Shannon Thunderbird, two other First Nation speakers who are part of the new season.
It was so positive to see our nation’s Indigenous culture at the forefront sharing their stories as part of our Burlington arts scene. Something that we can showcase to the world.
I have already bought some tickets for shows in the fall.
 By Eric Stern
May 30th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
The National Theatre School Drama Fest Provincial Showcase took place from May 20 to May 23rd, at York University with Nelson High School’s entry, Disconnected, competing in the showcase.
 August Frade is on the right. Two students from Nelson, August Frade and Cecelia Sheehan, won the prestigious Ken & Ann Watts Scholarships: It will contribute $3,000 for each student towards post-secondary education.
Disconnect won two awards, with Cecelia Sheehan receiving an “Outstanding Achievement Award” for choreography and Elijah Moore receiving a Mira award for Innovative Design.
Congratulations to all the Burlington students who participated in the district, regional, and provincial festivals.
 The Nelson High School students who took part in the Production Disconnected. Three Burlington high schools participated in the Drama Fest
Nelson High School, DisconnectedM.
MM Robinson High School, No Cause for Concern
Burlington Central High School, The 146 Point Flame
The awards handed out by the NTS DramaFest Provincial Showcase for 2026.
Adjudicator – Mike Payette
Venue Coordinator – M Graham
KEN & ANN WATTS SCHOLARSHIPS
Cecelia Sheehan, Nelson H.S. (Burlington, ON)
Simon Bilmer, O’Neill C.V.I., (Oshawa, ON)
August Frade, Nelson H.S., (Burlington, ON)
Galen Armbruster, Erin D.H.S. (Erin, ON)
KEN & ANN WATTS BURSARIES
Clara Christopher, Loyalist C.V.I. (Kingston, ON)
Gabrielle Cudmore, Greater Fort Erie S.S. (Fort Erie, ON)
Tia Cahill-Easton, McKinnon Park S.S. (Caledonia, ON)
WAYNE FAIRHEAD NEW PLAY AWARD
Our Roots of Patience by Maahrukh Adeel Ahmed, Cedarbrae C.I. (Toronto, ON)
STAGE MANAGEMENT AWARD
Greta Zoethout (John F. Ross C.V.I), Here’s What You Missed
SPIRIT OF THE FESTIVAL
The Way Home (Wallaceburg D.S.S.)
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS:
Stage Combat : There Is No Play (Bowmanville H.S.)
Direction: Here’s What You Missed (John F. Ross C.V.I.), Quincy Kavanagh & Grace McGinnis
Scenography: The Way Home (Wallaceburg D.S.S.)
Choreography: Exstrophy (St. Patrick C.S.S.), Julia Doria & Maya Marles Hart
Choreography: Disconnected (Nelson S.S.), Cecilia Sheehan
Choral Work: The 146 Point Flame (Chippewa S.S.)
Vocal Work: Mere Mortals (West Ferris S.S.)
The Turn Back Time Award: Our Roots of Patience (Cedarbrae C.I.) – For excellent exploration of time devices and shifting between timelines and geographies
LOL (Laugh Out Loud Award): The End (The Woodlands School), Jeff Zhang
LOL (Laugh Out Loud Award): The Seven (Loyalist C.V.I), August Fulkner
Thunderbolt Award: Entre les linges (E.S.C. EJ Lajeunesse) – For a shocking, powerful moment onstage
The Best Line Award: The Call to 10 Fires (Lorne Park S.S.)
MIRA AWARDS:
Dramaturgy: Exstrophy (St. Patrick C.S.S.), Chloe Fleisher
Stage Presence: The 146 Point Flame (Chippewa S.S.), Lily Gilbert
Monologue: The End (The Woodlands School), Hector Acioli Matos
Innovative Design: Disconnected (Nelson S.S.), Elijah Moore
Composition: Entres le lignes (E.S.C. EJ Lajeunesse), Robert Rousseau & Brady Dessurault
Outstanding Performance: The Way Home (Wallaceburg D.S.S.), Angel Williams
The National Theatre School, located in Montreal, took over the operation of the Drama Awards in 2017 when Sears (the department store) dropped out of the sponsorship.
The Drama Fest first took place in 1946
The author, Eric Sterns, is a co-founder of Focus Burlington. A granddaughter took part in the play Disconnected
By Gazette Staff
May 30th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
 Police presence will be enhanced today. Police report that they are anticipating a “large youth gathering” at Burlington Beach on Saturday.
Police say they are taking steps to ensure public safety, should a gathering occur; other than that they don’t appear to know very much. Specific details seemingly not known to the police.
.Safety measures include enhancing police presence in the Burlington Beach area warning “unsafe, disruptive, or unlawful behaviour” may lead to “enforcement action.”
The HRPS have also encouraged parents and guardians to “speak with their children and reconsider attending the area.”
By Pepper Parr
May 29th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
It was a Members Only night – the turnout was impressive.
There may have been 15, could have been 20, empty seats – the Main Theatre will hold 750 people.
It was an over-50 crowd for the most part.
 People gathered during the Intermission to chat with friends. They had come to learn about the new season and to be entertained. It wasn’t until after the Intermission that they saw a great performer lift them out of their seats. People who had come to hear what the 2026-27 Season was going to look like and to place their orders once they had looked at what was scheduled.
The Season has some exceptional events – what wasn’t exceptional was the presentation done by Executive Director Sara Palmieri and Annie Wilson, BPAC Director of Programming and Marketing.
They took turns explaining what was planned – I got the feeling they were selling me something rather than telling me what was being presented with some vim and vigour.
There was nothing that moved the audience, nothing funny, nothing that resulted in an immediate burst of applause.
The one live performance by Brooks and Bowskill before the intermission wasn’t all that good.
During the intermission, I button-holed a few people and asked what they thought of what they had heard. “I was not blown away by any of it so far” was the first response I got. Another woman who brought her father to BPAC events often said there wasn’t something that she knew she had to see or something the knew her Dad would like.
That is not to say that there weren’t performances that looked to me as really interesting that I personally would like to see.
 Pareidolia – not to be missed. Pareidolia is not to be missed, and Modern Biology is not a high school presentation. Just incredible is the best way to describe that production
I saw this Members Only event as the way BPAC management was saying Thank You to the at least 700 people who are paid-up members.
I thought the event was an occasion when BPAC was going to Wow! their membership. Instead, the two women leading the event chatted back and forth.
The audience wasn’t dead – it was the presentation that was limp and on life support until some of the performers were on the stage.
Being a Master of Ceremonies requires a certain skill set – people who can read an audience and pull them in. They make it an occasion for you, and you leave with some energy and enthusiasm.
 Shakura S’Aida told the audience she expected to see them when she returned in February. Shakura S’Aida was on stage during the second half of the evening. She was the kind of performer who wasn’t prepared to let the audience sit on their hands. She had them clapping to her vocals and at one point on their feet, moving their hips the way white people don’t usually move their hips.
Several community greats will be back. Sara Harmer and Totering Bipod doing “Sometimes it Snows in April.
There will be a Very Charlie Brown Christmas Concert – but no Nutcracker Suite this season.
The presentations were wrapped up by two Indigenous women, Kate Dickson and Shannon Thunderbird, sisters who were informative and very funny.
 WhiteEagle Stonefish They wove the Indigenous story into their explanation of what BPAC was about. The evening had opened with WhiteEagle Stonefish speaking, for a little too long, I thought, about the land we live on and our responsibility to preserve what we have been given.
 Couples went over the program schedule and chose what they wanted to attend, and placed their orders before going home. With the presentations complete, people gathered in that huge open space outside the theatre to enjoy a nice selection of hors d’oeuvres.
My ride home was due to pick me up at 9:30 – the line-up at the cash bar was still there.
And there were people at the two box offices placing their orders.
Sara Palmieri told me this morning that they didn’t close the place down until 10:30 and that a record had been set for the number of tickets sold on the Members Only occasion.
A good sign for certain.
Just Wow them next time – this is show business.
 By Pepper Parr
May 29th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
I needed to get some fresh air after dinner and before heading to the Performing Arts Centre for their Members Only event.
I decided to walk out to the end of the Pier and enjoy the lake for a few minutes.
The Gazette covered the construction of the Pier like a wet blanket when it was being built.
 There are other ways to leave your mark. This kind of graffiti takes away what the Pier has to offer to those who look for some peace and quiet and a place to sit down and chat with friends.
There was an attachment to the place that was marred by the graffiti that people had scratched into the metal rail. Made the place look a little shoddy and took away the pristine look people have come to expect.
The city is now going to have to send staff out to repaint the metal railings. And maybe install a politely worded message asking people to respect the place.
Put security camera up and capture the miscreants who do things like this.
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 By Gazette Staff
May 29th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
New analysis from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) finds that housing starts in Canada could have been nearly 30% higher from 2006 to 2024, and home prices close to 10% lower, if regulatory conditions, along with economic and demographic structural factors, allowed housing supply to respond more quickly to increases in demand. In this article, CMHC’s Chief Economist, Mathieu Laberge compares the responsiveness of the Canadian and U.S. housing industries over this period.
 We could have built a lot more housing and lowered the prices if the municipal bureaucracies had been reigned in. One factor in determining the pace of housing construction is land use regulation. In the United States, there are fewer zoning and land use constraints in many metropolitan areas. In contrast, tighter land use rules in Canada, particularly in major urban centres, have made it more difficult to add new housing supply in a timely manner.
Other economic and demographic structural factors also played a role in the poorer performance of the Canadian residential construction industry relative to the US industry. For example, housing demand in Canada is concentrated in a smaller number of large urban centres, giving households fewer comparable and affordable alternatives if they choose to move. This reduces incentives for the industry to react quickly to changes in housing demand. In contrast, the U.S. benefits from a larger network of major cities with similar job opportunities, which can help distribute demand more evenly and support a more responsive housing supply.
The experts appear to be saying that the bottleneck is at the municipal level; the people you elect.
By Gazette Staff
May 29th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
The buildings around us shape the way we see the world we live in
The Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) has revealed the winners of its 2026 Design Excellence Awards, as well as its Service Awards program. These projects, practices, and individuals will be celebrated at this year’s OAA Conference, Collaboration Powering Innovation, taking place next month in the Waterloo Region.
The OAA regulates the practice of architecture in the province to protect the public interest. Its biennial Design Excellence Awards program celebrates the work of Ontario practices anywhere in the world. This year’s collection features a diverse range of building types, including sustainably designed community centres, innovative housing solutions, revitalized academic and cultural facilities, and transformative public spaces.
Check out three of the ten we want to share with you.
For a look at all the award winners, click HERE
By Gazette Staff
May 28th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
This City Council has a practice of recognizing people for their accomplishments.
Last Tuesday, Council recognized city staff who came up with $63,100.81 as their contribution to the United Way Golden Horseshoe 2025 fundraising campaign.
 A cheque for $63,000 plus was sent to the United Way. Ian Maglonzo from Community Planning is the Chair of the employee United Way Committee spoke of the $63,100.81 that went to the United Way Golden Horseshoe fund raising campaign. “This was accomplished through the city payroll deduction program and staff events, such as the annual softball tournament with the town of Oakville and Burlington Economic Development Tourism Chile Cook Off. A shout-out went to Councillor Bentivegna for winning the Celebrity Chef Award this year.”
I want to take the moment to thank Council, the Burlington Executive Leadership Team, the Burlington Senior Leadership Team, and our unions, including Locals 2723 and 44 and IAFF Local 1552 for their continued support in the United Way Committee, city staff who have participated and contributed both to our events and payroll deduction.
 Jennifer Loker Members of the committee who have joined me today are: Amanda D’Angelo from Community Planning; Stephen Camm from Transportation Services; Jayson Doll from Government Relations; Laura Guberney, from Recreation, Community and Culture; Craig Kummer from Transportation Services and Amy Daca from Engineering Services
Jennifer Loker, Chief Development Officer for the United Way Golden Horseshoe, spoke of what some of the people who supported the campaign did individually.
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By Gazette Staff
May 28th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
United Way Golden Horseshoe brought together leaders from across the financial services sector for its annual Champions for Change Luncheon, an event focused on leadership, philanthropy, and collective action. This year’s luncheon raised over $200,000 in support of local community programs and services across the Golden Horseshoe.
Champions for Change has served as a meaningful opportunity for industry professionals to come together, share ideas, and align their efforts to strengthen communities and support those facing complex challenges.
 Champions For Change Financial Services Luncheon Committee “Champions for Change is a powerful reminder of what can happen when leaders come together with a shared sense of purpose,” said Brad Park, President & CEO, United Way Golden Horseshoe. “The funds raised through this event will directly support programs that help individuals and families access food, housing, and mental health services. More importantly, it strengthens the network of support across our communities, ensuring people have somewhere to turn not just in times of crisis, but every day.”
The event was founded by Marc Hamel, Associate Portfolio Manager with Manulife Wealth, who continues to champion the role of the financial services sector in giving back.
“It’s incredibly encouraging to see the financial services community step forward in such a meaningful and collective way,” said Marc Hamel. “This event reflects the values of our industry. It’s about leadership, giving back, and recognizing that we all have a role to play in supporting the communities where we live and work. When we come together like this, the impact is real and lasting.”
This year’s luncheon featured keynote speaker Sébastien Sasseville, one of the world’s most accomplished endurance athletes. Living with Type 1 diabetes, Sasseville has summited Mount Everest, run across Canada, and completed some of the toughest endurance challenges on the planet. His message of responsibility, purpose, and perseverance deeply resonated with attendees, inspiring leaders to stay focused, adaptable, and committed to long-term impact.
 “Events like this show the strength of our region when we work together,” added Park. “As United Way Golden Horseshoe, we are proud to stand alongside partners across sectors to help build stronger, more connected communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”
By Gazette Staff
May 28th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
Parking, it is a consistent and persistent problem for the city. Merchants want space for their staff, and residents want to be able to park their car when they are shopping or dining downtown.
The Burlington Downtown Business Association (BDBA) presented city Council with a petition signed by 60 people. The 60 signatures from the 400 plus members of the BDBA must have been disappointing. Especially given the notices that were sent out to the membership.
We, the undersigned, AGREE that public parking supply Downtown has not kept pace with development pressures.
New mobility initiatives designed to move patrons around our Downtown are welcomed, and in process, BUT parking is CRITICAL to the health of our business community, and it must be delivered now.
We support the BDBA’s demand to deliver NEW public parking by 2030. We STRONGLY encourage City Council to approve a plan that will deliver a new parking facility as a short-term priority.
The step the BDBA wanted taken was the approval of funding for a study that would determine where parking could be located east of Brant and who would provide the space.
 By Gazette Staff
May 28th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
This is a little early but the space on the rooftop of the Joseph Brant Museum is very limited.
 The sightlines over the Pier and to the west are incredible.
Enjoy an evening of food, drinks, games, and live music with a premiere view of Burlington’s Canada Day Drone Show & Fireworks!
Fireworks from the Rooftop at Joseph Brant Museum on July 1, 2026 from 7:30pm-10:30pm.
Guests will enjoy classic Canadian favourites including pulled pork, macaroni salad, chips, beer, and ice cream all while taking in a panoramic view of Downtown Burlington from the museum’s Rooftop Terrace.
Beverages will include beer from Nickel Brook Brewing Co. and wine from 13th Street Winery. There will be lawn games available to play and live music from Josh Edwards throughout the evening. The event will end with the City of Burlington’s Canada Day Drone and Firework Show, starting at 9:40pm.
Guests are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs.
Ticket includes food, entertainment, and 1 drink ticket. Cash bar available. This is a 19+ event. The event will be moved indoors in the case of inclement weather.
Book tickets HERE
Tickets are $50 per person; members – $45.
 By Gazette Staff
May 29th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
Most of us know a Robin or a Blue Jay when we see them, especially the Blue Jays – they make so much noise.
But what about the other hundreds of birds that share this community with us? The woodpeckers, the sparrows and the red winged blackbirds?
A guided tour of the birds that fly around City View Park is taking place June 6th. Give it a thought.
By Pepper Parr
May 28th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
 A Mayor has one vote at Council meetings.
If there is an initiative a Mayor wants to proceed with, they have to convince the other members of Council to vote for the idea.
Rory Nisan doesn’t appear to understand that. In an Instagram reel Nisan explains how he will get things done, apparently all by himself.
Lot of learning to be done.
We think Nisan now understands where HST dollars go. During a Standing Committee, Nisan actually asked the Chief Financial Officer: “Who gets the HST dollars.”
 By Velma Preston
May 28th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington’s municipal government is under growing pressure to modernize how residents and businesses interact with city services.
Across Ontario, local governments are grappling with the same challenge.
The issue is that legacy payment systems, which were designed for in-person transactions, are increasingly at odds with the expectations of a digitally connected population. For Burlington, the gap between current infrastructure and resident demand is becoming harder to ignore.
That pressure has accelerated in 2026 as the city enters the final stage of its multi-year “Vision to Focus” transformation strategy, which prioritizes customer-centric digital services and updated payment infrastructure across municipal departments.
Council Reviews Digital Payment Gaps In Services
Burlington’s current payment system still reflects a model built around physical access. Property tax payments, for example, often rely on cheques, in-person debit payments at the Service Burlington counter, deposit boxes, or transactions through financial institutions. Some online banking options are available, but there is still no single portal that brings all municipal payments together in one place.
This fragmented system creates clear inefficiencies. Businesses renewing licences or applying for permits often face different processes depending on the department involved. Digital access also varies across services, making the overall experience inconsistent for residents and local businesses alike.
Council has acknowledged these issues as part of wider discussions around city modernization. In 2026, that conversation has become more urgent as Burlington enters the final phase of its multi-year “Vision to Focus” strategy. The plan prioritizes customer-focused digital services and broader technology upgrades across municipal operations.
Part of the city’s goal is to standardize how residents access and pay for services online. Burlington is also aiming to improve engagement across its digital platforms as more services move into digital-first environments.
External infrastructure changes are adding further momentum. Canada’s rollout of Real-Time Rail payment systems is expected to change how municipalities process transactions. For Burlington residents, this could eventually mean faster settlement times for payments such as property taxes, parking fines, and permit fees. Instead of waiting days for transactions to clear, payments could be processed almost instantly.
At the same time, the council is weighing accessibility concerns alongside modernization efforts. Burlington Transit’s current accessibility planning includes efforts to move more subsidy applications and specialized transit bookings online. That has raised broader discussions around digital equity, particularly for older residents and people who may still depend on traditional service access.
Real-Time Payment Systems Gain Attention
As Burlington explores new digital payment systems, much of the conversation is being influenced by how quickly private-sector platforms have adapted to real-time banking technology. Canadian consumers are increasingly used to instant transfers, fast confirmations, and simplified online payment flows across digital services.
That is one reason why Real-Time Rail infrastructure has become such an important topic in 2026. The national rollout is expected to modernize how payments move between Canadian financial institutions, reducing delays tied to traditional settlement systems.
For municipalities, the appeal is obvious. Faster processing could reduce administrative bottlenecks tied to parking fines, permit applications, utility bills, and property tax payments. Instead of waiting days for transactions to clear, residents could receive near-instant confirmation that payments have been processed successfully.
Private-sector payment processors are already operating within this environment. In regulated digital industries, platforms connected to gigadat casinos show how Interac-based payment gateways can handle secure, high-volume transactions with real-time confirmation. These systems allow users to move funds directly through their online banking platforms without relying heavily on credit cards.
The broader appeal for institutions is the underlying infrastructure. Payment gateways that use bank-backed verification reduce fraud risks while improving transaction speed and user trust. That model is increasingly influencing conversations around digital service modernization across Canada.
Digital Expectations Continue To Shift
Burlington’s digital push also reflects changing consumer behaviour. Residents now expect municipal services to operate with the same convenience they experience in banking, retail, and other online platforms.
The city’s 2026 goals include improving engagement across digital services while making online systems easier to navigate. Part of that process involves standardizing how residents interact with city departments rather than forcing users through disconnected systems.
Local businesses have been especially vocal about reducing administrative friction. Separate payment systems, physical paperwork, and delayed processing times create avoidable costs for operators renewing licences or managing permits.
A more unified digital system could streamline many of these processes. It could also improve transparency around payment tracking and application status updates.
At the same time, accessibility remains a major consideration. Burlington Transit’s accessibility planning already includes efforts to move more subsidy applications and specialized bookings into digital-first systems. Council members continue to balance modernization goals with concerns around digital equity, particularly for older residents and those who still depend on traditional service methods.
Burlington Moves Toward Long-Term Digital Modernization
While no final procurement decisions have been announced, Burlington’s direction has become increasingly clear. The city is moving toward a more centralized digital service model supported by updated payment infrastructure and national digital standards.
Federal guidance around digital governance, cybersecurity, and accessibility is expected to shape how municipalities implement these systems over the next several years. Burlington’s current transformation strategy places strong emphasis on long-term scalability rather than short-term fixes.
For residents, the practical impact could eventually be significant. Faster payment confirmations, fewer in-person visits, and simplified online access may become standard features of everyday municipal services rather than optional conveniences.
 By Pepper Parr
May 27th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
OPINION
Getting elected means getting in front of as many people as you can.
Ward 3 Councillor Rory Nisan, now a candidate for the office of Mayor, announced that he is holding a Launch Party on May 31st.
The Launch will take place from 2:00 to 4:00 pm.
Where?
You have to ask if you can attend before they tell you where it is going to take place.
And this guy wants to be Mayor?
By Pepper Parr
May 27th, 2029
BURLINGTON, ON
A Gazette reader asked us earlier today whether Lisa Kearns election campaign for Mayor was being funded by developers.
 Campaign donations come from ordinary people who believe in the candidate. Most candidates put up a large amount of their own money to finance their campaigns. How would we know that?
Nevertheless, we asked Kearns about campaign donations from developers.
Her response:
“The campaign is being funded by anyone that uses the donation link on the website.
“At this time I do not have any developer donations, in the past I have not received any developer donations.
“Donation maximums are $1200, the preliminary maximum campaign contributions for Office of the Mayor is $127,566.75, so even if “a developer” donates, it would not be material enough to influence platform.”
Burlingtonians have always had an issue with developers donating to election campaigns. Why they should be discriminated against when it comes to where they put their money is something I’ve never understood. They are expected to donate heavily to the hospital and some do.
Every candidate is required to submit an audited report on who donated to their campaign. It’s public information.
By Gazette Staff
May 27th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington MP Karina Gould rose in the House of Commons yesterday to speak to a petition signed by more tha 600 Canadians.
Mr. Speaker, between 1945 and the 1970s, hundreds of thousands of unmarried mothers in Canada were coerced into surrendering their babies for adoption.
 Karina Goud speaking in the House of Commons. Source Gazette photo bank. This occurred under intense pressure from religious organizations, social workers and the medical community, particularly in maternity homes and hospitals.
I first learned about this shameful part of Canadian history from a 2018 Senate report, led by the Hon. Art Eggleton, entitled “The Shame is Ours”. I got to know the courageous Valerie Andrews, a survivor of this cruel practice and tireless advocate with Origins Canada for the mothers whose babies were taken from them. I read Heather Marshall’s profound book, Looking for Jane, which sheds light on the treatment of unwed mothers in Canada in the post-war years.
Australia, Wales, Scotland and Ireland all had similar practices and all have acknowledged the historic wrongs these women and their children were subjected to. These women, those who are still alive today, are elderly, and they deserve to know that what happened to them was wrong.
In the postwar years, over 300,000 unmarried young women had their babies forcibly removed after giving birth. In 2018, the Senate released the report “The Shame is Ours”, calling on the government to implement four recommendations to right these historic wrongs. These women and children, because of outdated adoption laws, have not been able to find each other and have not been able to get closure.
On behalf of the hundreds of these women in Canada still alive today, and their children, petitioners are calling upon the government to implement the recommendations of the Senate report and to make amends for this historic wrong.
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