 By Staff
September 10th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
Some movement at city hall on the expected application to do more quarrying by Nelson Aggregates.
 A decommissioned quarry site turned into a lake – 30 footballs fields in size. The company has been very proactive and going to some lengths to get its story out – the ward Councillor appears to have forgotten that the job is to listen to all sides of an application.
We reached out to the Nelson Aggregate people and learned that they haven’t heard a ward from Councillor Nisan.
What the Councillor has done is ask his colleagues to support his Staff Direction for the following:
Direct the Director of City Building to report back to the Planning and Development Committee on the land use development application and review process related to the proposed Nelson Quarry expansion, including but not limited to the following:
• summary of the process including decision points;
• anticipated timelines for process steps;
• roles and responsibilities of review agencies;
• a summary of process and outcomes of the previous proposal for expansion; and
• a summary of any the new provincial legislation related to aggregate resources.
All that information is currently in the public domain – If Nisan wanted some additional depth the Deputy City Manager would have told him everything he would need to know and then some.
The Staff Direction move might just be some way of Nisan saying to his constituents: ‘I’m working for you’.
 The Nelson offer is to turn all the land over to the city when they have completed the quarrying. Council appears to have taken the position that they will talk to the quarry people when the site has been decommissioned. What Nelson Aggregates is required to do in the way of decommissioning is set out in their license, which the Gazette has made public.
 Note attached the one of the Nelson Aggregates licenses. What Nelson is saying is that they have some unique ideas on what they can do with the site when they are finished that will determine just how they do the decommissioning – not whether or not they are going to do it.
Councillor Nisan will never know what they are thinking if he doesn’t talk to them.
He seems to be arming for a fight.
 By Ashley Worobec
September 10th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
I was asked about the technology I use in my running and how that’s changed over the years.
 Worobec says the watch is the best technology investment she ever made. The truth is, I only jumped on the “running technology” bandwagon a couple of years ago. I bought a Garmin watch in August 2017 (my sister-in-law worked for Garmin, so that’s why I chose that particular brand) and now I can’t imagine running without it!
 On going data. This watch does EVERYTHING for me – it tracks my heart rate (via my wrist; there’s no chest straps involved like older versions), my step count, my pace per kilometre, my distance, my elevation, and much, much more. One of the functions I use regularly is programming workouts- as shown in the example below, I’ve programmed it to run hard for 1 minute, recover for 2 mins, hard for 2 mins, recover for 1 minutes, and repeat that 7 times; this watch will then guide me through that workout and beep at the appropriate times to alert me when to rest and when to push hard.
 The results of a morning run. The other technology I use is run mapping. The main website I use for my routes is www.runningahead.com. I’ll map the route ahead of time so that I’m sure I’m going the appropriate distance. This comes in handy when I’m not running with my training group; when I’m running with them, our routes are all pre-planned out for us.
I’ve also linked my watch to Strava (www.strava.com), which is like social media for endurance athletes.
 The watch is tougher than most coaches. Unforgiving! I’m connected to lots of running friends on there and I can go onto the Strava app and see what runs others have been doing, as well as give them “kudos” (similar to a “like” on Facebook). I find Strava to be a good source of accountability and a bit of a competitive tool as well.
 The sunrise Ashley Worobec witnessed on her 40th birthday. Blessed I turned 40 on Saturday, and of course I started my day with a run. I’ve included a picture of the sunrise that morning- sunrise runs are my favourite, and I ran along Burlington’s waterfront, which is also my favourite. It was the perfect start to a wonderful day.
November 3rd – the marathon date. I’ve been excited about this for a long time. The fee to take part – once you qualify is $385.
 By Staff
September 10, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington Green has joined forces with Nuvo One to sponsor a debate between the candidates for the Burlington seat in the House of Commons.
Candidates at this point are Karina Gould, Liberal incumbent; Lenaee Dupuis, New Democratic candidate; Gareth Williams, Green Party candidate; and Elizabeth Jane Michael, Conservative candidate.
 By Pepper Parr
September 9th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
They are a seasonal threat that we have to pay close attention to.
 This is how the West Nile virus is transmitted.. The West Nile virus is carried by mosquitoes
A batch of mosquitoes trapped last week in Burlington has tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV).
This is the eighth batch of WNV positive mosquitoes for Halton this year. The other batches of mosquitoes testing positive for WNV this year were in Halton Hills, Milton and Oakville.
They are clearly evident throughout the Region. The rains and pooling of water gives them a place to breed.
“Halton is committed to reducing West Nile virus in our communities through education and preventative programs such as larviciding,” said Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Halton Region Medical Officer of Health. “Until the hard frosts of fall set in, Halton residents should continue to protect themselves against mosquito bites and remove mosquito breeding sites.”
Urban areas are more likely to have mosquitoes that carry WNV. The types of mosquitoes that transmit WNV to humans most commonly breed in areas such as bird baths, plant pots, old toys, tires and other locations that hold water.
Residents can take the following steps to protect themselves and their families from mosquitoes:
• Cover up. Wear light-coloured, long-sleeved shirts and pants with tightly-woven fabric.
• Avoid being outdoors from early evening to morning when mosquitoes are most active and likely to bite, as well as at any time in shady, wooded areas.
• Reduce mosquito breeding sites around your home by getting rid of all water-filled containers and objects, where possible. Change the water in bird baths at least once per week.
• Use an approved insect repellent, such as one containing DEET or Icaridin.
• Make sure window and door screens are tight and without holes, cuts or other openings.
Locations of standing water sites that have had larvicide applied this year are available at halton.ca.
For more information about West Nile virus or to report standing water at public facilities, please visit halton.ca, call 311 or email wnv@halton.ca.
 By Doreen Nicoll
September 9th,2019
BURLINGTON, ON
Part 1 of a 2 part story.
August 15th, I published an article about Antheia, a long-time homeowner in Burlington who has been maintaining a naturalized area in her front yard since 2015. The City of Burlington has repeatedly told Antheia she is in violation of City by-laws despite the by-laws allowing for naturalized areas. According to Antheia, “Every year they mischaracterize my naturalized area as a lawn and demand that I cut everything down to less than 8 inches/20 centimetres or they will come and do it themselves and charge me.”
After discussions with the by-Law supervisor in July 2019, Antheia was assured her property was being maintained as a naturalized area and was in fact in compliance. One month later, after allegedly receiving many complaints from neighbours, the City sent Antheia a letter demanding she cut everything – all the same plants that were in her yard when the City deemed it in compliance – to less than 8 inches/20 centimetres. She had until August 20th to comply.
On August 16th while Antheia was exploring options to save her plants, the City cut six feet of her naturalized garden to less than an inch/2.5 cm in height. No plants were spared and the devastated milkweed were carted away to be composted undoubtably with Monarch eggs or caterpillars clinging to leaves and stalks.
August 18th, I published the story of Paul Raun and his garden. Three-quarters of Raun’s front yard has been naturalized and is home to over 23 kinds of wildflowers, 12 types of shrubs and vines, three varieties of wild grasses, a sycamore and a redbud tree.
 Paul Raun’s garden. Has been told it is in compliance – worried that it will be torn up nevertheless. Raun purchased his wildflowers from reputable, and qualified, nurseries who specialise in indigenous plants. But, on August 14th, Raun received notice that he was in violation of By-Law 59-2018 which states grass and ground cover must be cut to a height less than eight inches or 20 cm. He had seven days to comply.
Raun made many attempts to speak with the by-law officer, but finally heard from her the day after the article went online. Arrangements were made for two by-law officers to attend Raun’s garden on August 21st to confirm which plants constituted weeds under the by-law.
After learning about what happened to Antheia’s garden Raun took two days off work to keep an eye on his plants.
Not surprisingly, not one of Raun’s plants was considered a weed.
The by-law officers did voice concerns over a vine growing along the side of the yard and some cypress trees growing along the property line. Both the vine and the cypress trees belonged to Paul’s neighbour. No action was taken regarding these two violations.
In his backyard, Raun was asked to move rose bush and tree trimmings further away from his house and to cover them with soil. He complied with this request. According to Raun, “With respect to the wood pile, it consists of branches from a dead rose bush that had grown along the side of our back deck as well as low-hanging branches that I trimmed off a redbud tree. The by-law officer suggested that I bury it just in case a neighbour complained about it.”
Raun says, “With respect to the discrepancy between the original order and the subsequent positive evaluation that by-law officers Ibrahim and Natalie gave our native plants garden, it may have had to do with Natalie’s lack of knowledge about plants.”
“With respect to the need for a more detailed bylaw related to naturalised gardens, it is crucial to spell out the grounds on which one could have a wood pile consisting of cut branches and how far away it would have to be away from neighbouring dwellings, in addressing the issue of harbouring creatures at odds with the interior of one’s dwelling.”
Raun also believes, “With further respect, the rule for a two-feet buffer along property boundaries needs refining to consider a variety of potential scenarios. The officers raised no complaint about the wild grapevine growing along our southern fence along with wildflowers and wild prairie grasses spreading right up to it without a two-foot buffer. Why is it acceptable to have a fence running along a property line but not a row of shrubs to which any wild-flowers or tall grasses can run up, albeit kept a tiny bit back?”
Both these situations, and many more across the city, are prime examples of the current by-law being used by neighbours to harass and bully individuals embracing ecological landscaping into complying with the untenable and unsustainable grass monoculture sprinkled with a few continuously flowering hybrid mainstays that still permeates the conservative, eco-unfriendly city of Burlington, Ontario.
 Doreen Nicoll is a Burlington resident who is, if anything, outspoken. She is a feminist, an environmentalist, a free lance writer, teacher and social activist and member of several community organizations working diligently to end poverty, hunger and gendered violence.
 By Pepper Parr
September 9th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
It’s the time of year to drive around the province to take in some of the fall fairs and realize that the harvests will soon be taken in.
Corn is in the stores, the peaches are pretty good, early potatoes are being pulled up.
 Green bean plant that got away on itself. Appreciating and being thankful for what we have is part of the society we live in. Those who have plots in the several community gardens in the city will be out frequently picking what they planted some months ago.
The illustration for this mention is a bean plant that got carried away.
Tough to keep up with the growth.
 By Pepper Parr
September 9th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
When John Birch was the President of the LaSalle Park Marina Association he was pretty sure he saw some light at the end of the tunnel.
Birch has been like a dog with a bone on the issue of getting the Marina the support it needed from the city. The organization wasn’t looking for a handout. They have an enviable record for the way they have held up their part of the bargain on the Joint Venture Agreements with the city.
Birch wanted to see a permanent wave break built and fought that battle for close to a decade. He lost.
 John Birch weathering the storms. Unfortunately for Birch the LPMA had a special meeting on July 3rd and voted him out as President of the organization. He did not go willingly but has accepted his new fate. He attends all of the committee and council meetings that dealt with the LPMA wave break and governance models but sits at a healthy distance from the rest of the crowd.
Politics is a blood sport and the LPMA issues were very political – Birch did his best and much of the success for getting the wave break problems to where they appear to be going is due to Birch. You don’t have to love him – but you do have to respect what he got done.
Many in the city see the Marina as a place for the rich to play with their toys. The record shows that the membership is made up of typical upper middle class people in Burlington.
There is an element in Burlington that does not want to see a marina paid for by taxpayers. What many fail to accept is the LPMA has carried the weight on the operation of a marina that has public access for anyone who wants to launch their boats.
On September 29th, Council should get a report from the Standing Committee of September 9th, which basically says the best deal out there for the city is to sign a new agreement with the LPMA.
 LaSalle Park Marina as it looked in early 2019 – 219 slips with wave breaker and docks that have to be brought ashore every winter. The recommendation is that the city finalize a long-term licence agreement with the LaSalle Park Marina Association for the operation of the Marina at LaSalle Park substantially in accordance with confidential document council will see. The agreement is based on Council’s approval of the purchase of a new floating wave break that is going to come in at a cost of about $4 million of which the LPMA will pay about $2.7 million over the term of the license agreement.
The city spent a considerable amount on several studies, one of which set out various governance models. The report from the consultants suggested that finding anyone who would take on the marina operation either as a public marina – City owned and operated, direct management contract, profit sharing management agreement or a Public/Private marina or a Private marina or something that is an Arm’s Length operation of marina – just isn’t in the cards.
The purpose of the lengthy report, with tables on every conceivable cost, took a look at:
Other potential operating models for the LaSalle Park
 The dream wave break for many at the Marina was something permanent – it wasn’t to be. Provide staff’s evaluation of the operating models and a recommendation for a Marina operator
Seek Council’s approval to enter into a long-term licence agreement with the LaSalle Park Marina Association for the operation of the Marina
Satisfy any outstanding staff directions related to the Marina
To summarize LPMA’s overall contribution to the new floating wave break, and
Finalize any operational requirements as the current agreement between the City of Burlington (City) and LPMA expires on October 31, 2019.
The LaSalle Park Marina Association has been involved in the operation of the marina since 1980 . They currently have a Joint Venture Agreement with the City that expires at the end of October 2019. The Marina has 219 slips and is protected by a floating wave break. The Burlington Sailing and Boating Club (BS&BC) and the Able Sail program are separate entities that offer sailing programs at the Marina. In addition, the City has a public boat launch at the Marina that is protected by the floating wave break.
 LaSalle Park – getting a boat lined up to be set in the water – the beginning of a new sailing season. The current wave break has reached the end of its useful life. The LPMA wanted to see a permanent wave break but ran into problems with the cost and an inability to work out an acceptable plan to protect the boats with the Trumpeter Swan Coalition who want to ensure that the swans are not disrupted.
Over this past year Committee has received three reports related to the Marina one of which was a report on alternative governance models for the Marina with the following staff directions:
Table city manager’s office report on alternative operating models for the Marina at LaSalle Park to the Committee of the Whole meeting on September 9, 2019 at which time staff will provide a recommendation on a preferred operating model for the Marina.
Staff secured the services of a consultant, TOURISTICS, to undertake an analysis of potential operating models for the LaSalle Park Marina.
Following the Committee meeting on July 8, 2019, the consultant revised the report to reflect the discussion and direction staff received. This included:
Increasing the annual license fee for the Marina operator, reducing the amount for annual maintenance for the floating wave break and eliminating costs for the Marina operator related to the removal and installation of the docks each year.
An Overview of LPMA’s operation and financial information
Comparing LaSalle Park Marina with other marinas based on the features and value of amenities
Outlook for future slip occupancy for LaSalle Park Marina
Information and financial data related to all aspects of LPMA, Burlington Sailing and Boating Club and Able Sail
Financial viability of LPMA’s current operating model
Outlines several different operating models along with financial implications to the City including:
Public marina – City owned and operated, direct management contract, profit sharing management agreement
Public/Private marina
Private marina
Arm’s Length operation of marina
The consultant’s report identified that, based on the limited services and amenities available at LaSalle Park Marina along with the limited number of slips, a private operator would have challenges meeting its financial goals and would not consider the Marina at LaSalle a viable long-term business.
 LPMA membership was healthy but a concern about not being able to get insurance due to the condition of the wave break threatened that membership. Based on the data and research presented by TOURISTICS, it appears to staff that continuing the relationship with LPMA to operate the Marina is the most economical and feasible option for the operation at LaSalle Park. Given LPMA’s longstanding commitment to the Marina, its volunteer capacity and involvement with supporting the operation, the Marina’s limited amenities and limited number of slips, this is the preferred model that has the least impact on the taxpayers of Burlington while leveraging community support to maintain the Marina in the City.
Staff and representatives from LPMA met on a regular basis to negotiate a new licence agreement for the use of water lots and the operation of the Marina behind a new City owned floating wave break. Staff and representatives from LPMA have agreed in principle on a draft agreement and the volunteers should be recognized for their time and effort in finalizing the document.
The water lots are owned by the City of Hamilton. Burlington tried to purchase those water lots but a price could not be agreed upon.
Staff recommend the existing agreement with LPMA stays in place until October 31, 2019 and to start the new licence agreement effective November 1, 2019.
LPMA is committed to the Marina being publicly accessible and affordable and will be making a presentation to demonstrate their support of this.
With the existing Joint Venture Agreement with LPMA coming to an end, there are a couple of housekeeping items that need to be addressed including the disbursement of the City held reserve funds to LPMA charter members and undepreciated senior members. Additional information related to the reserve funds is included in the financial section of this report.
 The area in green is land owned by the city of Hamilton. North Shore Blvd runs through the property with the LaSalle Park Arena jutting out into the lake. Should Council want to consider an alternative operating and governance model for the Marina they will have table after table that break down the costs for each operation.
The very tight timeline would not preclude LPMA from submitting a proposal to operate the Marina.
The timelines do present uncertainty for a new Marina operator and boaters related to the 2020 boating season. The new operator would need to start marketing the Marina to boaters during the winter and then have all facets of the operation in place for April/May next year. The timelines would not position a new Marina operator for success in 2020.
A lot of money has been spent getting to this point. There has been a rigorous inspection of all the issue, something that had been lacking.
The city did find a reserve fund they could raid – how the Hydro Reserve Fund gets to be used for a marina wave break replacement is one the politicians will have to explain).
There will be a $2.1M (which could rise to $2.7) repayment by the LaSalle Park Marina operator through an annual licence fee.
They are going to have to negotiate a $500,000 contribution for the LaSalle Park Marina to the wave break, electrification and/or finger docks as part of the negotiation on a renewed agreement .
The City Manager will consult with the LPMA and make recommendations to Council of compensating LPMA for costs they have incurred to date in leading this project.
In finalizing an agreement with LPMA, staff reviewed the financial assessment completed by Accountants Grant Thornton did a financial assessment to ensure that revenues and cost assumptions were up to date and are reflective of the conditions in the licence agreement.
Key Assumptions made were that:
• Revenues forecasted at a 1% growth with a stabilizing occupancy of 93%
• Expenses are forecasted at 1%, include;
o Maintenance of docks, walkways etc.
o Assumption for future electricity costs should electrification of docks proceed
o Portion of water lot fee to Hamilton Port Authority (24%)
o Repayment of joint venture loan (balance owing $225,000 over 7 years)
o Payment of a licence fee to the City
 Based on the above assumptions the financial forecast as provided by Grant Thornton shows that LPMA is financially sustainable.
Financial sustainability is achieved as a result of LPMA sustaining day to day operations, reserving funds for future replacement of Marina infrastructure (docks, walkways) and being able to provide an annual licence fee to the City.
As per Council’s direction, the agreement with LPMA includes an annual licence fee which is estimated to generate $2.7 million over 25 years and exceeds the minimum $2.1 million repayment required by the City.
LPMA maintains a reserve fund balance of approximately $406,372 which is earmarked towards the electrification of docks and general improvements to the Marina. As per the licence agreement, should electrification of the docks not occur within a specified time period, $350,000 of LPMA’s reserve fund balance will be provided to the City as their upfront contribution to the capital cost of the new wave break. It is financially prudent that the remaining balance in the reserve fund should remain with the LPMA to provide them with financial flexibility for operations and general improvements to the Marina.
Staff do not recommend that LPMA be reimbursed for costs leading up to this project. To date, LPMA has put forward $150,000 for their share (50%) of the Environmental Assessment (EA) and Recreational Boating Feasibility and Capacity Study. Those costs were incurred by LPMA and the City as a requirement to replace the existing wave break structure and should not be reimbursed as LPMA benefits from the new floating wave break.
As part of negotiating the licence agreement, LPMA will continue to review opportunities to increase revenues and manage costs. Option that will be explored for feasibility are pay for parking, public boat launch fee and fee structure.
Over a 25-year period the City’s overall known cost of the new wave break would be $4 million in upfront capital, plus an annual operating cost of $20,000 for a total cost of $4.5 million. It is estimated that LPMA over that same period can pay the City up to $2.7 million through a licence fee, resulting in a net city cost of $1.8 million.
For committee’s information, the $2.7 million being paid over 25 years would be equivalent to a loan of $2.1 million at 2.25%. In effect, the City is realizing a capital contribution from LPMA of $2.1 million, plus an implied interest recovery of $0.6 million.
Getting to this point has not been cheap. The City’s funding, excluding the tender award has been as follows:
• $150,000 Environmental Assessment and Recreational Boating Feasibility and Capacity Study (50% cost share with LPMA)
• $72,600 Grant Thornton Wave Break Viability
• $21,500 Grant Thornton Financial Assessment Floating wave break
• $25,000 TOURISTICS Report Potential Operating Models (Estimate)
Is all this more than the city spends on the Performing Arts Centre or the Art Gallery or the cost of running the arena?
Burlington is a lakeside city – it should perhaps have a marina; now to find a way to add some amenities – parking and maybe even a small café with a licence.
Ia the Marina just a nice-to-have? Something the Mayor cautioned against again and again when she was a Councillor with an eye of the Chain of office.
Interesting how things change.
 By Pepper Parr
September 9th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
It was an event that is difficult to describe.
That it packed, really packed the Art Gallery Friday evening is what struck most people.
It was certainly one of the most diverse crowds this city has seen in one place with the LGBT crowd out in force.
The event was part of a Gender Conspiracy that is the prime project from Senior Art Gallery Curator Stephanie Carte who was appointed to the position last November.
 A Family Read Along – was part of a mixed bag of events with a consistent theme – inclusivity. Events that had actors, performers on a runway were standing room only – there were no chairs,
Was it an art show – there were pictures on the walls. Was there an overall theme – that was difficult to tell.
Is there more – apparently.
There wasn’t much in the way of a printed program. No one stood and made announcements.
 You mingled – early in the evening there was wine tasting, finger foods and a huge offering of donuts.
Then there was a Read Along for Families that reminded one of a Sharon, Lois and Bram, followed by a Night of Cabaret with Drag Queens on the runway.
If it has taken you a bit to get used to LGBT – get used to the fuller term LGBTQI2s
Earlier in the week, free-lancer Doreen Nicoll did a piece on what Stephanie Carte had in mind.
According to Carte, “Burlington looks like how I want my programming to look. Black, brown, Indigenous, queer, immigrant, and intersectional.” She hopes more young families and people see themselves reflected in the exhibitions. And she is accomplishing that, one show at a time.
There will be more.
Related news story.
A Gender Conspiracy being formed at the AGB.
By Pepper Parr
September 9th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
There has been a third malicious attack on the Burlington Gazette web site.
Last Friday we published a short opinion piece on the Mayor and the lunch she had with her brother in Oakville while he was in the area.
The Mayor had posted a photograph of the lunch on her Facebook page,
There were a number of comments made by readers, one of which was thought, at the time to have been sent in by the Mayor.
The Mayor did not make the comment nor was the email address used one that the mayor uses. The URL did have the words @cityofBurlington.com which was mistaken as one the city uses.
The Gazette has reached out and apologized to the Mayor. We did not hear from her directly.
While there was nothing journalistically with the piece, it was identified as an opinion and we have removed it from the web site.
Whoever sent the malicious email also managed to replace the proper IP address to an address that was applied to the last several hundred comments the Gazette has received.
We are working on that problem.
An IP address is very useful in determining just where an email came from.
This is the third time the Gazette has been tampered with. The one that took place earlier in the year locked people out of the comments section.
Someone out there thinks their “ox has been gored” and doesn’t want Gazette readers to be able to comment. Forensic investigators are being engaged to get to the bottom of this most recent attack. .
By Staff
September 5th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
The City of Burlington is making improvements to Lakeshore Road from Nelson Avenue to Locust Street. The City did not return a request for exactly when the work is to begin.
Capital Paving Inc. was awarded the project. The project map, included with this update, shows the planned improvements.
Project Scope and Schedule
Schedule and traffic interruptions Work being done
June – complete • Street lighting replacement
September to mid-October
• Lakeshore Road will stay open for this work. The through lane near the ongoing construction will be closed with the centre turn lane used to keep traffic moving in both directions.
• Asphalt path replacement with concrete path – south boulevard.
• Storm sewer repairs
• Sidewalk repairs – north boulevard
• Curb and gutter repairs
Mid-October to early November
• Lakeshore Road will stay open for this work. The through lane near the ongoing construction will be closed with the centre turn lane used to keep traffic moving in both directions.
• Asphalt milling and paving
• Maintenance hole adjustments
• Lane marking
November • Project Completion
 By Staff
September 6th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
In late August 2019, members of the Halton Regional Police Service, Child Abuse and Sexual Assault Unit (CASA) commenced an investigation after a female victim attended a business located on Harvester Road in Burlington, between Walkers Line and Appleby Line, and was administered a noxious substance and violently sexually assaulted by two male parties.
Accused #1 befriended the victim on Facebook prior to meeting with her, and utilized the name “Sharifulla Mokbel”.
Accused #2 was also active on social media, and is known as “Pena R-One” on Facebook, and “pena619” on Instagram.
The two accused may also be active on other social media platforms.
On September 4, 2019, members of the CASA Unit arrested both accused parties, and held them pending a bail hearing. A second court appearance is scheduled to be held in Milton on September 6, 2019.
Accused #1 – Sharifulla (Sharif) Mokbel (27) of North York has been charged with:
-Sex Assault Cause Bodily Harm
-Administer Noxious Substance
-Gang Sexual Assault
-Sexual Assault
Accused #2- Satlykglylych Gafuri (27) of Toronto has been charged with:
-Gang Sexual Assault
-Sexual Assault
Police believe there may be additional victims and are asking anyone with information regarding this or similar incidents to contact the Child Abuse and Sexual Assault Unit – Detective Sergeant Chris Newcombe at 905-465-8965 or Detective Constable Marla Adams at 905-465-8979.
Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers “See Something? Hear Something? Know Something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.
People charged with a criminal offence are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
 By Pepper Parr
September 6th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
It takes a certain kind of person to run for public office. And should they get elected it takes a certain kind of person to succeed at the job.
That job isn’t about them – it is about the people they serve.
In clerical circles – priests and minister, pastors and rabbis use the phrase: a calling; they feel called to do the work they do.
We seldom see that kind of language in political circles. Politics is about power.
That power belongs to the voters who give it to the people they elect who they trust to serve the public’s interests.
The public looks for wisdom and good judgement.
It was surprising then to see a photograph of Her Worship Mayor Meed Ward sharing oysters on the half shell with her brother, who happened to be in town, at what looked like a very swishy restaurant near the water – sailboats in the background.
Family is said to be everything – unless of course it is totally dysfunctional – but I digress.
 Oysters on the half shell – a favourite Meed Ward delicacy shared with her brother at an Oakville restaurant. Some might ask – especially those in the hospitality business – why the Mayor didn’t take her brother to a Burlington restaurant. Spencers is the equivalent to anything Oakville has. Others have the same ranking.
Many of the people who run restaurants supported the Mayor in her bid to become Mayor. This must be just a little galling.
We are not arguing that the Mayor should only ever be seen in a restaurant in Burlington. What we do want to suggest is that when she publishes pictures of herself on her Facebook page – it would be politically smart to make sure that the background is a Burlington skyline. They don’t call these things photo ops for nothing.
Council will be in full bloom next week; thick agendas will sit in front of them and some serious recommendations will get passed on to city council later in the month. No word yet on who the Mayor is bringing into her office to replace the staff member who decided she liked greener, more digestible grass.
The Mayor pinched the assistant to the ward 4 Councillor who now has to rely on the other assistants for the support she needs.
Word is that it could be as much as a month before the staff problem is resolved. Is Mayor Meed Ward running into the same problem Mayor Goldring had – not being able to find good people she can work with to carry out one of the toughest jobs in the city.
The staff member she pinched is as good as they get – Meed Ward should have kept her when she was he assistant as a Council member.
The job calls for wisdom and judgement – which seems to be missing at the moment.
Salt with Pepper is the musings, reflections and opinions of the publisher of the Burlington Gazette, an online newspaper that was formed in 2010 and is a member of the National Newsmedia Council.
 By Pepper Parr
September 5th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
HalTech Regional Innovation Centre, based in Burlington, Ont., will receive around $307,000 from the federal government to create an accelerator for women entrepreneurs.
The goal of the new accelerator at HalTech will be to help women entrepreneurs scale their businesses and reach new markets. The program will provide mentorship, skills training, and programming to help women grow their businesses. The government said final funding, which is being provided through the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES), is subject to negotiation of the contribution agreement with HalTech.
 Can’t name them all – on the left Karen Grant Executive Director of Angel One; three to the right Shann McGrail , Mary Ng, minister of small business and export promotion, Anita Cassidy Interim Executive Director of Economic Development Corporation, and on the far right MP for Oakville Burlington North Pam Damoff. “The women entrepreneurs and business leaders of Burlington and southwestern Ontario make outstanding contributions to our economy and communities every day,” said Pam Damoff, member of parliament for Oakville North–Burlington. “Today’s investment by our government will create and support jobs in southern Ontario and help more of our women-owned and women-led businesses grow, innovate and export to new markets. These investments are good for our community, good for Ontario and good for Canada.”
Damoff has been assiduous in advocating for women – this grant has her fingerprints all over it.
Granted (no pun intended) there is a federal election looming and Damoff is not the shoo in that her colleague Karina Gould of Burlington is; all Damoff needs to return as an MP is a visit from the Prime Minister – providing he manages to clean up his act.
 Women getting caught up at a Tech Place event. HalTech shares office space with Tech Place and Angel One. HalTech offers free business advisory services, learning workshops on entrepreneurship and commercialization, and for assistance with corporate innovation programs. Its verticals of note include digital media, advanced manufacturing, cleantech, health tech, FinTech, and EdTech. Haltech is a member of the Ontario Network of Entrepreneurs, a program that includes 17 Regional Innovation Centres.
This women’s accelerator is not Haltech’s first initiative to support female entrepreneurship. HerHalton is HalTech’s peer-to-peer initiative for women who live and or work in the Halton Region. Members of HerHalton can empower each other through discussions, collaboration, and networking opportunities.
 Shann McGrail, the HalTech Executive Director – pleased with the federal grant.
The government’s investment was made as part of the WES, which is looking to improve access to financing, talent, networks, and expertise through an investment of nearly $2 billion. The goal of the strategy is to double the number of women-led or women-owned businesses by the year 2025. Today’s announcement was made by Mary Ng, minister of small business and export promotion, as part of a cumulative $507,000 investment through the WES, which included other organizations.
Shann McGrail, the HalTech Executive Director and xxx of Angel One can certain deliver the support services budding female entrepreneurs need. A good first step – seeing some gender balance in the distribution of federal funds is a welcome change.
By Pepper Parr
September 5th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
He did it again.
But this time he had met his match. She already had a Foxcroft whistle.
 Ron Foxcroft with Governor General Julie Payette. That medal on his chest signifies he is a Member of the Order of Canada. Ron Foxcroft and his family were at Rideau Hall, the Governor General’s official residence. Ron was being made a Member of the Order of Canada.
During the investiture she said. “I have a Fox 40 Whistle.”
Foxcroft responded with: “I will give you two more later”, which he did.
Her Excellency, Julie Payette, met the Foxcroft family and told Dave, Ron’s son, that she did the coin flip at the Grey Cup in Ottawa when he was head referee.
 Queen Elizabeth II, in her capacity as Colonel-in-Chief of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada, receives Colonel Ronald Foxcroft (Honorary Colonel) at Buckingham Palace in London. The Governor General now has what is a bit of a collection: A Tiger Cat Fox 40 whistle and a whistle with an NBA logo.
In 2015 Foxcroft was presented to Queen Elizabeth II and found a way to give the Queen a whistle which she said she would use to scare off the Canada Geese that foul her garden lawns.
By Staff
September 4th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
City of Burlington launches new Food for Feedback event, a community engagement barbeque where residents can connect with City staff and Council to provide feedback on municipal projects and initiatives. Attendees will receive a free lunch from participating food trucks in exchange for feedback at this September 14th event.
It is a free, drop-in opportunity open to residents of all ages. Younger children are welcome to attend and enjoy the Imagination Playground on-site.
 The input citizens provide at Food for Feedback will help the City to continue to improve City services and initiatives.
Date and Location: Saturday, Sept. 14, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Central Park Bandshell, 2311 New St.
In case of inclement weather, the event will be held indoors at the Seniors’ Centre Auditorium, 2285 New St.
City booths at the event will include initiatives such as:
• Adopted Official Plan – Taking a Closer Look at the Downtown
• 2020 Budget
• Leash Free Parks
• Integrated Mobility Plan
• Climate Action Plan
Visit GetInvolvedBurlington.ca to learn more about the Food for Feedback engagement barbeque and other engagement opportunities available to residents to contribute their ideas and feedback on municipal issues and projects.
It appears that city hall has to spoon feed people to learn what their opinions are. For a city with a voter turnout of around 35% perhaps this is the best we can do,
 Mayor Marianne Meed Ward Mayor Marianne Meed Ward said: “The City of Burlington belongs to all of our residents, so it’s important when opportunities arise that our community shares their ideas, thoughts, feelings, feedback and questions with us.
“Thank you to all those who regularly share their input and engage with the City of Burlington, your Council and me through online surveys, our websites, newsletters, email and social media channels — we truly appreciate you taking the time out of your busy days and schedules to contribute to important local initiatives.”
 By Staff
September 4th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
The family of the 60-year-old motorcycle rider fatally injured in the collision on September 2nd, has authorized Halton Regional Police Service to release the identify of victim as Mr. Walter RITCHI.
The family would like to extend their gratitude for the efforts of the witnesses and citizens that rushed to provide aid and support to Mr. RITCHI after the collision.
 Intersection of Plains Road East and Cedarwood Place. On September 2nd 2019, the Halton Regional Police Service Collision Reconstruction Unit took carriage of the investigation into a motor vehicle collision in the City of Burlington which occurred shortly before 6:22pm at the intersection of Plains Road East and Cedarwood Place.
The collision between a motorcycle and an SUV resulted in the 60 year old motorcycle rider being transported to Hamilton General Hospital in critical condition. On the evening of September 3rd he was pronounced dead in hospital as a result of the head injuries he sustained.
 By Doreen Nicoll
September 4th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
Suzanne Carte is Changing the Art Gallery of Burlington One Inclusive Show at a Time
When Suzanne Carte joined the Art Gallery of Burlington (AGB) as Senior Curator in November 2018, it was clear she was passionate about inclusion and embracing as many voices and artistic experiences as possible.
 Suzanne Carte AGB Senior Curator Photo credit: Yuula Benivolski Originally from the West Mountain in Hamilton, Ontario, and having worked at the Art Gallery of Hamilton in the late 1990’s, Carte spent over twenty years in Toronto including the past decade at the Art Gallery of York University (AGYU).
Carte, an award-winning curator and cultural producer, was the former Assistant Curator at AGYU. She had a bevy of accomplishments under her belt but was looking for new challenges outside of the academic institution. During her time at York University, she was an integral part of students’ experiences and worked directly with a multitude of student leaders and organizations focusing on artistic expression and social justice advocacy.
While Carte found room for movement and growth at the AGB she soon realized the position involved merging the old with the new. “I was naïve in the beginning, but had to become sensitive and respectful to the AGB’s history and relationships between the gallery and the guilds.” Carte is encouraging a younger generation of artists to showcase their talents while still paying homage to the seven art and fine craft guilds.
Carte inherited a wealth of artistic material that had been acquired over the 41-year life of the AGB. By freeing up storage space Carte was able to expand existing galleries. In the process, Carte established the Artist Material Fund (AMF), a grassroots recycling endeavour that benefits artists in the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area (GTHA). The project offers a variety of previously stored materials to artist studios, libraries and youth driven galleries.
The Workers Arts and Heritage Centre (WAHC) in Hamilton, Ontario is one of Carte’s favourite galleries because, “The staff are smart, motivated, and practice what they preach. I have immense respect for them.” The WAHC stored material for the AMF on their third floor and offered it to artists at no cost during the closing of her exhibition, Division of Labour.
Carte is caring for a collection, as well as a community, that is shifting from the object to the idea with a people focus. She wants to be, “…in a listening campaign. Listening to see where people are at, what they want, and who Burlington is. Listening to the edge of change.”
 Carte: “Burlington looks like how I want my programming to look. Black, brown, Indigenous, queer, immigrant, and intersectional.” According to Carte, “Burlington looks like how I want my programming to look. Black, brown, Indigenous, queer, immigrant, and intersectional.” She hopes more young families and people see themselves reflected in the exhibitions. And she is accomplishing that, one show at a time.
Carte jumped in with both feet when she launched this summer’s exhibitions. The evening of May 24th Burlington saw crowds like the gallery had never seen before. Jeremy Dutcher, member of Tobique First Nation in New Brunswick, was on hand to sing selections from his Polaris and Juno award winning album, Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa.
He was also there in support of Vutut Gwitchin artist Jeneen Frei Njootli’s solo show, my auntie bought all her skidoos with bead money. Frei Njootli created living art on four huge sheets of steel that morph over time. Shadowy impressions of the hand-sewn beadwork made by the females in her family are transferred to the sheets using grease. These images alter with changes in humidity and temperature.
Frei Njootli performed “I am she” at the opening while creating another layer of images on the steel plate. The sound of her voice united with the rattling of the metal was captured on a playback loop creating a soundtrack that could be felt through the body.
150 Acts: “Art, Activism, Impact” also launched that night. Inspired by Canada’s sesquicentennial this exhibit offers an essential moment of national reflection and an opportunity to question the relationship of nationhood to Canada’s Indigeneity. The art practices are personal, conceptual, cultural, political, and social acts as well as meaningful responses to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.
Using essential pieces from the Art Gallery of Guelph’s Indigenous collections in concert with contemporary art practices that showcase evolving Indigenous art forms, settlers are encouraged to actively engage in discussions around the collective histories and possible futures for this land we share.
Carte is following her superlative debut with no less than four ground breaking shows.
 Carte: The AGB is determined to be vigilant and visible in their support of 2SLGBTQIAP by placing critical conversations on gender diversity back into the public education sphere. Opening Friday, September 6, 2019, The Gender Conspiracy will be an extravaganza including a children’s drag queen performance. Billed as an Open Letter to the Trans and Gender Diverse communities in the GTHA to express ally ship in furthering the discourse on gender fluidity and identity, sexual orientation, same-sex relationships, and consent to promote the mental health and safety of all 2SLGBTQIAP communities. The AGB is determined to be vigilant and visible in their support of 2SLGBTQIAP by placing critical conversations on gender diversity back into the public education sphere.
Carte believes in collaboration with community partners. Gender Conspiracy partners include The Positive Space Network, EGALE Canada Human Rights Trust, JAYU Human Rights Film Festival, Burlington Public Library, McMaster University Department to Gender Studies and Feminist Research, Dr. Frank J. Hayden Secondary School Position Space (GSA), and Oakville Galleries.
From January to March 2020, Division of Labour: Second Edition invites artists to become part of the dialogue about race, class and labour as they relate to cultural waste. Barter economy systems, community action around consumption, and circuits of solidarity exchange are more present than ever in the daily working lives of artists and cultural producers. Visitors will learn about the scarcity of resources, labour rights, and the lack of living wages in the arts. The exhibition illustrates the power and potential of reused material for artistic production.
Visitors to the art gallery will become immersed in the multimedia collage work of Burlington’s senior media artist P. Mansaram when his self-styled Mansamedia is showcased from May to August 2020. Co-presented with South Asian Visual Arts Centre (SAVAC), The Medium is the Medium is the Medium explores the artist’s decades-long practice of repetition as art, meditation, spirituality, falling in love, and as a way to finding god. The exhibit includes works from Mansaram’s five-decade career and will invoke everlasting feelings of travel through time, dimension and territory.
Then, from September to December 2020, Vessel: A Collective Feminist Collection Project will (re)write the matriarchal history of the AGB through the permanent collection with co-curators and collaborators Ness Lee, Su-Ying Lee, Suzanne Carte, Ivy Knight, and Myung-Sun Kim.
The AGB’s permanent collection of contemporary Canadian ceramics is the largest collection in the nation and will be used to unpack the feminist history of the AGB with local change-makers and leaders, by bringing the gallery’s vessels and containers out of the vaults and into the public space.
This collection considers the implications of feminist knowledge, labour, production, support, and ingenuity while opening a space for cross-disciplinary, intergenerational conversations and critical dialogue.
Carte is successfully crafting an art gallery that is, “A space for intergenerational dialogue, intelligence fed by exhibitions, and a place to socialize, learn and have fun and the same time.”
Open seven days a week, the AGB is a free public art gallery and community art centre that presents as many as 20 regional, national and international exhibitors a year. Located on one floor and with gender inclusive washrooms, the space has seven fully equipped studios, three galleries, a one of a kind gift shop, a sculpture courtyard and year-round conservatory.
Throughout the year there are free events, artist talks, screenings, and Sundays there are open studios for families.
The Art Gallery of Burlington 1333 Lakeshore Rd., Burlington, ON L7S 1A9
Doreen Nicoll is a Burlington resident who is, if anything, outspoken. She is a feminist, an environmentalist, a free lance writer, teacher and social activist and member of several community organizations working diligently to end poverty, hunger and gendered violence.
Related news stories:
Doreen Nicoll and her garden
 By Ray Rivers
September 4th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
Canada’s19th prime minister, the Right Honourable Kim Campbell, has always told it as she sees it. Who else, during the ’93 election, would have promised her electors continued high unemployment and deficits when they would have preferred prosperity and fiscal discipline. Or who else would be reported as saying, in a nutshell, that an election is no time to discuss important issues.
 Kim Campbell was rooting for Hurricane Dorion to make a direct hit on Mar a Largo, Trump’s Florida golf course and estate. She was understandably disgusted after US President Trump extended his war on planet earth by rolling back some 80 plus Obama era regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). So she tweeted that she was rooting for Hurricane Dorion to make a direct hit on Mar a Largo, Trump’s Florida golf course and estate. Of course, she immediately retracted and apologized, as persons of some significance are expected to do.
But she had only said what so many people who care about the future of this planet were thinking. Bring on retributive justice for one of the two global political leaders most bent on depriving future generations of the planet we know and love. And every person who cares about what is happening to our climate should feel her anger.
The latest roll back concerns fugitive methane emissions. Methane, identified commercially as natural gas, is a greenhouse pollutant which is more than 25 times as potent as CO2. And here even the industry is ahead of Trump, as BP, for one, has criticized this roll back as damaging to the reputation of an industry trying to show how ‘clean’ it can be. The amount of leakage in the production and use of natural gas is frightening. But leaving industry to govern itself has worked out about as well as asking the fox to manage the hen house.
Trump has championed coal, erroneously calling it clean since it still accounts for two thirds of America’s electrical utility GHG emissions. But he is losing that campaign regardless, as the industry is rapidly converting to gas and renewables, which are now far cheaper in addition to being cleaner. This is pretty much the same strategy the Ontario Liberals pioneered as they phased out coal and replaced it with renewables. And natural gas is there as a back up for peaking or when the wind doesn’t blow and sun doesn’t shine.
 If you drive the 400 series highway – any highway for that matter – you know the trucks rule the road. Transportation accounts for almost a third of GHG emissions in America. And the USA is the second largest carbon emitter in the world, after China, so it is a critical issue. Trump’s roll back of Obama’s regulations for auto emissions is seriously wrong, and even the auto industry is opposed. Many auto companies are signing agreements with California and other states to continue making efficiency improvements.
Between 1999 and 2007 Canadian private vehicle emissions rose by 35%, almost twice the rate of population growth. Obama’s auto efficiency rules would have also applied to Canada and would have helped slow down emissions from the fossil fueled autos still selling like hot cakes – but even those new rules would not put a stop to GHG pollution.
It’s too little too late. The UN has suggested that there are only twelve years until a tipping point, a point of no return from dramatic change, is reached. So fine tuning the fuel economy for the gas engine is little more than the proverbial re-arranging of deck chairs on the Titanic.
 France’s plight illustrates a conundrum: how do political leaders introduce policies that will do long-term good for the environment without inflicting extra costs on voters that may damage their chances of re-election? They raised the price of gas and the public rioted. And a carbon tax at $20 or even $50 is not enough, on its own, to get people out of their gas guzzlers either. But the carbon tax and the federal electric vehicle (EV) rebate are the only tools in the transportation tool box, short of shutting down the roads and/or killing the economy. From comments to my column last week it was pretty clear that nobody wants road tolls, let alone shutting down the roads. So it’s got to be the carbon tax.
The Conservatives are the only major political party that is promising to cancel the carbon tax but is not offering an alternative policy for auto GHG emissions. They claim that the tax is hurting the poor folks. Which it clearly isn’t since 90 percent of the money is returned directly to tax payers as a credit on their income taxes. They get the tax credit even if they don’t have to pay any taxes.
So Andrew Scheer, Doug Ford and all the other conservative premiers are lying to us, by omission at the very least.
The poorest struggling or working class families are getting more back than they have to pay to fill their tanks and run their furnaces, on average.
In fact it is the wealthy that are affected most by the carbon tax. And as one can imagine the wealthiest 20% have more and fancier motor toys than those in the lower income classes. So the rich emit almost twice as much per capita as the lowest income Canadians. So exactly who are the ordinary folks that each of the political parties are aiming their pitches?
 Kim Campbell was a Progressive Conservative who said what she thought. Kim Campbell was a Progressive Conservative premier. But today’s Conservative party was taken over by the reform wing led by Stephen Harper and now Andrew Scheer. Campbell may not have been a social reformer, but as a member of Brian Mulroney’s cabinet she got to understand the environment. And so today’s Conservative party is not her party.
As a footnote on carbon taxes, we see Mr. Ford has filed an appeal to the Supreme Court. He has already squandered an estimated $30 million dollars when any thinking person could have told him he’d lose the court challenge. Perhaps nobody in his cabinet was willing to tell the emperor the truth about his new clothes. So what’s a few more million.
And to bring his point home, somewhat as Joseph Stalin could be expected to do, Ford is forcing every gas station owner in the province to slather his carbon tax propaganda on their pumps, or face a whacking $10,000 per day fine. That does seem a bit drastic for a province which Ford barely a year ago proclaimed to be finally open for business.
 Ford is forcing every gas station owner in the province to post a carbon tax message on their pumps. And the poster is misleading on at least three counts. First, the scale of the sticker may accurately represent the amount of the tax, but not the impact of a 4.4 cent tax on the total cost of a litre of gasoline – which is what really matters. Second the sticker makes no mention that the tax is revenue neutral and fully 90% comes back in their income taxes.
Finally if the gas pumps are to provide useful information to consumers, what could be more useful than helping them understand the full impact of the gasoline they are buying and using, rather than just the carbon tax on it.
Sweden has recently adopted a policy to do just that. Much as society has placed full disclosure information on cigarette packages, gas pumps need to inform users about the myriad of health issues associated with petroleum and how that impacts health care costs. And then there is climate change.
 Ray Rivers writes regularly on both federal and provincial politics, 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:
Kim’s Mar-a-Lar – Kim Campbe ll Bio – Methane Regulations –
Auto Rule Roll Back – Canadian Auto Emissions – Carbon Tax Fight –
Warning Labels –
 By Staff
September 3rd, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
Most churches have an Outreach program. Some work with under-served groups in the city. Others focus on advocacy of some form.
 Port Nelson United Church – location of a speakers series on migration. The Port Nelson United Church and the Roseland Community Organization have come together to present their Compassionate Justice Speaker Series, MIGRATION: FROM GLOBAL TO LOCAL. This is obviously a topic of great interest and a conversation that is both relevant and necessary.
Included in the speakers list is the Mayor along with some highly qualified people. The first event is on the 26th – 7:00 pm.
Details on the events are set out below.
 By Staff
September 3rd, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
Motorists are reminded that thousands of cyclists will be out on Sunday September 8, 2019 from 7:00 am until 4:00 pm in north-west Milton and north Burlington areas. The cyclists will be part of the Epic Tour, which partners with Lighthouse for Grieving Children.
Britannia Road will be closed to all westbound traffic from Tremaine Road to Cedar Springs Road from approximately 7:00 am until just after 11:00 am. Eastbound will remain entirely open and north/southbound will only be allowed access when directed by an officer and when safe and clear.
Motorists are asked to avoid the area during the busy period along Britannia Road from 7:00 am to 11:00 am.
 Daunting – but there are rest stop along the way and a rescue service if you just can’t finish. What is the EPIC Tour?
A one-day granfondo road cycling event, held in Milton, Ontario on the beautiful fall roads of the Niagara escarpment.
The event starts and finishes at Kelso Conservation Area.
Epic Tour offers a variety of different routes, ranging from 50k to 180k in order to cater to cyclists of all abilities.
Whether you are a newbie just getting into road biking, an avid enthusiast looking to challenge yourself, or even a triathlete looking for a training ride, we’re the event for you!
Since 2013, we have always put the needs of our cyclists first, offering an extremely well-supported endurance event on terrific roads close to the GTA. Neither a pledge ride nor a race, Epic Tour is unique in that it’s a lifestyle event that promises a great day on the bike as well as a great post-ride off-the-bike experience!
 It all starts and finishes at the Kelso Conservation area. From start to finish, the EPIC people pride themselves in the top-notch support provided on event day. The day starts with a breakfast bar in the morning with coffee, bagels, and yogurt. Mechanics are available on site all morning for any last-minute tune-ups. While on the route, they have multiple rest stops – loaded with snacks, hydration, washrooms, mechanics and nurses – available for you if you need a break.
As well, if you have a mechanical issue or need to be picked up along the way, just give them a call and they will come to your rescue!
Upon return to Kelso Conservation Area, we have an awesome finish-line-festival that features live music, 40+ exhibitors, complimentary rider food, free massages and a free beer!
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