 By Pepper Parr
March 24th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
The city is opening up – no need to flash your plastic card proving when you were vaccinated.
No need to wear a mask – you can go almost anywhere.
If you find that you need to go to city hall – you will have to use the Brant Street entrance to get in and – open your eyes – the main floor is under renovation.
Service Burlington, which is the city’s central customer contact centre, located at City Hall and has temporarily moved to the second floor of City Hall.
The Service Burlington counter at City Hall, at 426 Brant St., is open to the public to offer in-person payments for:
• Parking permits and tickets
• Property taxes
• Freedom of Information requests
• Garbage tags
• Dog licenses
• Property information requests
• Recreation services
 The counter is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. Commissioning and marriage licensing services are also available by appointment.
Payment methods accepted:
Debit card payments and cheques are accepted for all payment types. Credit cards are accepted for all payment types except property taxes. If you would like to pay property taxes in cash, please visit your local bank to make the payment.
Related news story
First look at a new ground floor for city hall.
Related news story:
First look at what the city planned.
 By Pepper Parr
March 24th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Getting any information about what takes place in a CLOSED session of Council is a little like squeezing that last little bit of toothpaste out of the tube.
You run your fingers along the sides and squeeze to get the toothpaste to the top of the tube and onto the tooth brush.
 City Solicitor Nancy Shea Nicol That was the image that came to mind as I listened to Nancy Shea Nicol, City Solicitor, as she explained to Council that she would have a report to them on what came out of the closes session on Tuesday.
Someone somewhere in city hall has decided that this going into CLOSED session on almost any matter had to come to an end – the public had a right to know what was taking up so much time in the legal department.
Nancy Shea Nicol is an old school lawyer – say nothing or at least as little as possible.
There are occasions when a CLOSED session is required for a property matter.
 Ward 4 Councillor Lisa Kearns – wants a more transparent approach to CLOSED sessions of Council Ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns wanted to know why the public could not at least have the address of the property that was being discussed.
There appear to be changes in the wind. It would really be nice if the Mayor made a statement explaining that a change was necessary and setting out what the public had a right to know what the business of the city was about.
The city is in the process of buying the old Bateman High School property.
The School Board has said they want to sell because they have no use for the space. They do however want to rent some of the space from the purchaser.
Brock University has been talking to the city about renting some of the space to set up a teacher training program.
The city wants to put some of the space to use as well; library and something for the seniors in the east end of the city.
These are all public organizations – why all the secrecy?
Old habits? It was just the way things were done?
A fresh wind appears to be blowing through the legal department.
About time.
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
March 23rd, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Council decided to support the implementation of a small-scale home energy efficiency retrofit program that would include a virtual delivery centre/support for homeowners and loans through a Local Improvement Charge (LIC) mechanism.
The city has some 58,000 homes that do make efficient use of the energy needed to heat their homes.
Expect this one to become a major issue during the October municipal election. It’s big and it is important
The report setting out the details and the specifics will get back to Council in 2023 well after the 2022 municipal election.
Much of the ground work on this project came out of The Centre for Climate Change Management at Mohawk College (CCCM) where a feasibility study was completed for a home energy efficiency retrofit program.
Staff recommend a small scale home energy efficiency retrofit program with specific measures to reduce the carbon footprint in the residential sector.
There will be an interest-bearing loan program for up to $10,000 per household to cover the cost of an air source heat pump and leak sealing to improve energy efficiency.
Starting with a small scale program (about 20 households) will give staff the experience and knowledge required to work on scaling up a program to engage more homeowners.
As part of the 2023 budget process, staff will present a business case to include funding for an FTE (full time employee) to coordinate the program and allocate funding to support retrofit loans to homeowners.
A website (Better Homes Burlington) will also be launched as a one stop shop for homeowners.
The eventual goal is to scale up the program to support Burlington homeowners in completing energy efficiency retrofits of their homes; there are many variables which can impact the next steps:
• Competing priorities to be assessed during the 2023 budget process and final outcome;
• The level of demand by residents for a city loan (subject to interest) to finance their energy retrofit;
• The extent of interest and commitment of other municipalities to partner with Burlington on a regional program;
This came out of the decision by Council to declare a climate emergency in 2019 and a target for Burlington to become a net carbon neutral community by 2050.
Implementation of a home energy efficiency retrofit (HERO) program is one of the key program areas identified in the Climate Action Plan. The plan includes a target of over 50,000 existing homes (singles, semis and towns) requiring energy retrofits, including the installation of heat pumps. The challenge becomes how to educate, encourage and incent homeowners to undertake a retrofit to reduce their carbon footprint.
 Council approved the $182,000 budget but also encouraged staff to apply to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ (FCM) Community Efficiency Financing (CEF) initiative for funding to support the HERO project.
Staff worked with the CCCM on a funding application and were successful in securing a $100,000 grant to support the project. FCM’s CEF initiative supports feasibility studies, program design, and project implementation for municipal HERO projects.
The city’s funding application was focused on assessing the feasibility of a home energy efficiency program with elements of program design included. It is important to note that the FCM funding primarily supports full program development (via homeowner loans offered through Local Improvement Charge (LIC) loans), scaling and implementation, but not pilots unless they are innovative and unique.
Home energy efficiency retrofit program:
Refers to a project or upgrade to a home that reduces energy use and/or greenhouse gas emissions (ie. adding insulation; upgrading heating and air conditioning equipment; and/or adding renewable energy options, etc.). Over the past few months, the CCCM with support from the Bay Area Climate Change Council, has developed a program based on these values:
• Support for upgrades with high emission reduction potential
• Manage (minimize) costs to reduce emissions
• Program equity to address energy poverty
• Promote transparency and consumer choice
• Create market confidence for home upgrades
The overall goal of the program is to implement a home upgrade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from Burlington homes. Co-benefits of a program include local employment opportunities; reducing energy poverty; and improved home comfort and enjoyment.
The idea certainly has merit – but it has a long way to go before it is ready for a full scale roll out.
The CCCM forecasts growth over a number of years in home energy efficiency, specifically related to the Burlington program air source heat pump conversions and leak sealing initiatives:
Program Year Homes Upgraded per Year
Some residents may pursue other programs offered through Enbridge Gas and Natural Resources Canada.
In the event that the budget business case (for 2023) is not approved to support the initial proposed program, staff will provide limited support to homeowners by continuing to promote options available and host informational webinars with community partners. However, individual support to homeowners would not be possible without a full time position to support the program. Staff will continue to discuss regional partnership opportunities with nearby municipalities with the potential to present a subsequent business case for consideration during the 2024 budget.
Strategy/process
The CCCM led the process to assess the feasibility of a HERO program for Burlington. It started with background research of best practices across many jurisdictions where home energy efficiency programs are offered. There was a coordinated effort with the Bay Area Climate Change Council to interview local stakeholder groups, city staff, municipal staff (from other communities), and 3rd party delivery agents. A homeowner survey was completed with both online and telephone respondents. Demographic and housing data was assessed along with home energy audit data (audits previously completed in Burlington) to help narrow down home energy efficiency measures for Burlington.
 Regular updates were provided to a small staff team with the Executive Director of Environment, Infrastructure and Community Services; the Manager of Environmental Sustainability; and representation from the Finance department. Updates were also provided to the Community Stakeholder Advisory Committee for the city’s Climate Action Plan and the Bay Area Climate Change Council’s Implementation Team (focused on home energy efficiency retrofits) who provided guidance and acted as sounding boards.
Total Financial Impact
It is recommended that the city develop necessary measures to support a small scale program with LIC loans and communications and marketing. This is a preliminary budget and a business case will be submitted for the 2023 budget cycle to support the operational elements for a small scale program, including one full-time staff member to administer the program.
 Feasibility and Program Design Budget:
Council approved $182,000 in September 2020 to support this project. In addition, staff were successful in securing an additional $100,000 in a grant from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities for a total of $280,000. Staff received council direction to transfer $60,000 to the development of the Climate Adaptation Plan (Climate Resilient Burlington), leaving $220,000 available for the HERO feasibility and program design project.
The agreement with CCCM for their work has a budget of $174,000, leaving $46,000 in available funding for climate related initiatives. The final remaining amount is subject to change based on the final review and reconciliation of expenses with FCM.
The Better Homes Burlington proposal is a key measure identified in the city’s Climate Action Plan. Support for homeowners to improve energy efficiency and reduce their carbon footprint will assist Burlington in becoming a net carbon neutral community and showing leadership on climate action.
Related news story:
It works – story of an example
 By Eric Vandewall
March 23rd, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
As key public health and health system indicators continue to improve, Ontario and local governments are gradually easing public health and safety measures. While many of us welcome the opportunity to take part in indoor social activities such as sporting events, it is important to recognize that COVID-19 remains transmissible to vulnerable individuals receiving care in healthcare settings. We cannot lose sight of our role in protecting the health and safety of patients and healthcare workers at Joseph Brant Hospital.
 Eric Vandewall: President and CEO Joseph Brant Hospital Individual organizations and municipalities are responding and managing these new measures differently – some may choose to adopt current practices, while others may take a more careful and measured approach depending on local conditions and the populations that they serve. The lifting of public health measures by provincial and local governments is, at the end of the day, a judgement call.
Hospitals have the discretion to establish their own guidelines and review them on an ongoing basis. At this point, JBH will continue to require that all patients, essential care providers, and visitors wear a hospital-issued, medical grade mask while in the hospital. This decision is rooted in data, evolving science and evidence-based best practices – it is what is best for our patients, our staff, physicians, learners and volunteers.
We have not changed our COVID-19 vaccination requirement for Essential Care Providers (ECPs), with very limited exceptions. ECPs are still required to complete a COVID-19 screening before coming to the hospital. It is important for patients and their loved ones to review the visitor guidelines; we will continue to re-evaluate our policies in the weeks and months ahead, with input from our patients, their ECPs and our staff.
We have made changes to the limits on ECPs, recognizing the important role ECPs play in a patient’s care, well-being, and recovery. Patients staying in hospital can have two ECPs at their bedside, and individuals coming for appointments or coming to the Emergency Department can have one person accompany them.
I am pleased to report that our surgical activity has reached 90 per cent of pre-COVID levels, consistent with the changes in provincial direction. Our diagnostics are running at full capacity. We continue to explore additional strategies to address the surgical procedures backlog and are we are working closely with our surgeons to monitor deferred procedures very closely to ensure timely access for patients requiring urgent and time-sensitive procedures.
Throughout the pandemic, we have shared what we are seeing in our community when it comes to care needs – this includes the growing need for mental health and addictions (MHA) services. I invite you to a virtual panel about Burlington’s current and future needs for these services on Wednesday, April 6 at 7 p.m. The panel aims to shine a light on this important topic; help people to discover the available services in the community; and to provide a forum for questions and answers at a time when many are looking for more support.
Join our MHA experts, Dr. Steven Selchen and Dr. Monidipa Ravi; our moderator, Jane McKenna, MPP for Burlington and Associate Minister of Children and Women’s Issues; and Michelle Barr, Director of Services of Reach Out Centre for Kids (ROCK). Please go to www.keepcareclosetohome.ca for details on how to join the virtual discussion, and please take a moment to fill out a short survey about the mental health and addictions resources in our community.
These last two years have been incredibly difficult for everyone. The road behind us has been a long one, and we are moving in the right direction, with high vaccination rates and a decreasing trend in COVID-19 hospitalizations. As public health measures continue to lift, we encourage you to continue to follow the guidance of medical experts and public health officials.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, our teams have continued to care for people in our community. I am so proud of our teams here at JBH and I would like to thank all of our dedicated staff, physicians, learners, and volunteers for their incredible efforts to provide safe and quality care.
Thank you for your continued support.
Please take care, stay safe and be well.
By Staff
March 23rd, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Masks aren’t a must but hugs are in – according to the Mayor.
Vaccinations are heavily encouraged. For those who do not get vaccinated – there have been consequences.
 The creation of the vaccine in such a short period of time will be seen as a true marvel. The City’s COVID-19 Volunteer Vaccination Policy has been repealed.
This means volunteers, when accessing City facilities and taking part in City activities, will not be required to show proof of vaccination.
On March 14, 2022, the City of Burlington COVID-19 Staff Vaccination Policy was amended; staff that are not vaccinated will continue to have the option to test (Fire Department staff excluded). The decision to amend the COVID-19 Staff Vaccination Policy was done in light of the evolving pandemic situation and messages from the Chief Medical Officer of Health regarding workplace vaccination policies. In addition, the Province of Ontario lifting its vaccine passport requirements and remaining capacity limits factored into this COVID-19 Staff Vaccination Policy amendment.
 Being tested isn’t quite this dramatic. Passive screening for the public visiting City facilities will continue to be in place. (Passive screening is a list of questions that are asked.) Members of the public who wish to continue to wear their mask in City facilities are welcome to do so and we ask the public be patient and kind with one another and staff as we move through these changes together. Daily active screening of City employees and source control masking will remain in place for City staff.
Passive screening means:
- you must post signs with clear instructions at all entrances that tell people how to screen themselves
- the signs should include the screening questions and instruct people with symptoms or high-risk exposures not to enter the premises
- people are assumed to have screened themselves and followed the instructions
- you do not need to ask anyone to report the result of their screening
- a person should be told not to enter if they volunteer the information that they did not pass the screening assessment
 Mayor Marianne Meed Ward: vaccinated or tested. Mayor Marianne Meed Ward explains: “Vaccination policies for our City staff and volunteers have been flexible throughout the pandemic — changing as needed to respond to health indicators and advice from health officials. Based on the current situation, and in keeping with advice from the Medical Officer of Health and the Province, in lifting requirements to show proof of vaccination in certain settings, we are modifying our policy once again. City volunteers won’t be required to show proof of vaccinations, and City staff (with the exception of the fire department, due to the nature of the job) have the choice of vaccination or testing.”
By Staff
March 23rd, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Don’t accuse this council of ever rushing into anything.
Plans for the resumption of normal city council business were set out today. They will move to a hybrid model. Members of Council, senior City staff and members of the public have the option to participate in Council meetings in-person at Council Chambers in City Hall at 426 Brant St. or remotely.
At least two members of Council have been infected by Covid19, one very mildly, the other quite seriously.
Another member of Council appears to suffer from Mysophobia a phobia that centers on an extreme and irrational fear of germs, dirt, or contamination.
The move to hybrid Council meetings will be phased in.
The first hybrid meeting will be the Environment, Infrastructure and Community Services Committee (EICS) meeting taking place on April 7, 2022.
This will be for members of Council and senior City staff only.
Following this, the Council meeting on April 19 will have the option for Council, senior staff and delegations, only, to be present in Council Chambers.
 Expect to see Ann and David Marsden at the first meeting during which in person delegations will be possible. Starting in May, the standing committees and Council meetings will be open to Council, senior staff, delegations and the public to attend in person.
All this rests on the Covid19 infection numbers being low – in the three to five hundred level seems to be what they are aiming for.
City Council and committee meetings have been held virtually for the past two years since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Health and safety
To ensure the health of safety of participants attending hybrid council meetings in person:
- members of Council will be physically distanced in Council Chambers around the Council desk
- plexiglass barriers have been installed between participants sitting around the Council desk and in front of the delegate’s podium
- masking will be encouraged for individuals in Council Chambers when they are not speaking
- after each meeting, all Council Chambers equipment and surfaces will be disinfected.
Delegations from members of the public
Under the hybrid model, members of the public have the option to delegate in-person in Council Chambers or remotely.
Council Chambers will be configured to ensure all participants have an equitable and seamless meeting experience. Delegates are not required to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 to delegate in person. Those wishing to speak at an upcoming meeting must register by noon the business day before the meeting at burlington.ca/delegate.
 Will Burlington every see this level of public participation again? Members of the public can continue to access a live stream of Council and committee meetings from wherever they are by visiting burlington.ca and selecting the “Live Stream” icon.
A strategy for resuming in-person advisory committee meetings will be reviewed at a later date and will be based on findings and lessons learned from the hybrid City Council meetings.
The City will continue to monitor the situation with COVID-19 and follow the guidance provided by public health and the Province of Ontario. In the event of any changes made by the Province of Ontario to current COVID-19 public health measures, changes to the hybrid council meeting model may be introduced.
Residents delegating in person are reminded the main floor of City Hall is currently undergoing construction as part of the City Hall Modernization project. Please use the Brant Street entrance to access City Hall and take the elevator in the lobby to reach the second floor where Council Chambers is located.
 By Pepper Parr
March 23rd, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
 Former Toronto Chief of Police Mark Saunders plans to run as a PC candidate. When did the police services become a training ground for people who want to go into politics?
Bill Blair left the Toronto Police Service and is now a Cabinet Minister in the federal Liberal government.
The Ontario Progressive Conservatives announced today that Mark Saunders, a former Chief of Police for Toronto as well, will run for that party in the June election.
 Halton Regional Police Chief Stephen Tanner A ray of sunshine for the Tory’s – to date 18 people who were with Doug Ford when he formed a government will not be with him in June.
Saunders will be running in Don Valley West, which has been held by former Liberal premier Kathleen Wynne since 2003. She will not be running again.
Does Halton Regional Police Services have any plans for a career shift?
Spokesperson for the Chief advises us that: “The Chief gets asked this question frequently. He indicates that he finds policing to be the greatest calling, and he still has a few more things he’d like to contribute and accomplish in our sector.”
 By Pepper Parr
March 22, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
It is over!
 Mayor Marianne Meed Ward had the power to declare a State of Emergency – she chose to share that decision with the other members of Council The Mayor along with her council members passed a motion to declare the State of Emergency that was declared two years ago was revoked today – at 4:36 in the afternoon.
Hugs are back said the Mayor.
The masking bylaw was revoked as well.
 Ward 3 Councillor Rory Nisan who voted against the decision to lift the mask bylaw It was passed on a 5-1 vote with Rory Nisan dissenting. Councillor Kearns was absent.
With the State of Emergency over the Emergency Control Group (ECG) gets dissolved.
We didn’t learn all that much today on just they did on a day to day basis but we did learn that their very first meeting on a Saturday lasted 8 hours – the second meeting on the Sunday lasted just as long.
City manager Tim Commisso explained that they just didn’t know what they were doing or had to do.
Keeping everyone safe was the prime objective – but in the early days it was never completely clear how to go about keeping people safe.
Executive Director Alan Magi served as co-chair of the ECG said it was learning what worked by the hour. All the essential service people had to be moved from their desks at whatever their location was and learn to do their jobs from the kitchen table at home.
Some staff members were able to make the transition while others had serious difficulty.
Commisso added that “we knew so little” but we had to be there to answer the questions.
 Executive Director Sheila Jones Executive Director Sheila Jones remarked that on her third month in her new position she had to learn how to manage staff to do something no one had been trained to do and there was no playbook to follow.
When we were putting up fencing in the Beachway area people were asking if that was necessary – “we didn’t really know” he explained.
 Director of Finance Joan Ford There was a real crunch on the revenue side – the city is blessed with a treasurer who has an incredible understand of where the dollar are and where they have to be spent. At one point Joan Ford was running under a Covid19 budget where much of the money came from the province and at the same time running a traditional municipal budget where revenues from just about everything were plummeting.
 Chris Glenn, Director Parks, Recreation and Culture Transit was bleeding, Parks and Recreation learned to pivot and then pivot again as the rules on what people could do and couldn’t do in the playground areas kept changing.
Friday afternoons began to be the time when the province would ship as new bunch of rules and guidance to the municipal sector
Everyone was thanking everyone – what we have yet to learn is who were the really strong people who could keep things calm. Commisso isn’t the kind of guy whose feathers are easily ruffled.
Fire Chief has shown herself to be good at keeping control and issues in context.
What Burlington didn’t have, and both could have had and should have had, was a steady stream of news from the ECG people.
 City manager Tim Commisso – dancing in the streets of Itabashi – Japan What the public got was reports the ECG people made to council once during the Standing Committee cycles. At basically the same time we had a Prime Minister at a lectern outside his home explaining what was being done; where we were on the matter of vaccines
 Mayor Marianne Meed Ward outside the hospital telling workers how important they were. The Mayor resorted to banging pots and pans or standing in front of the hospital with a megaphone in hand telling the essential workers that they were loved.
But as of today – all that is part of the past.
Plans are being made to hold some of the social events that were missed – sounds like an opportunity for one heck of a party.
I want to see Commisso dancing in the street the way he did in Japan.
By Pepper Parr
March 22, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
 Now open – with a masking protocol A sign that the new normal has taken on life and that there are places where masks will not be worn
Solid Gold, the Adult Entertainment location in Aldershot is now open.
The site, die for re-development at some point. will have a public park. no word on the size of the park, at the rear of the building.
A location with a lot of traffic will evolve and become a two structure development that will tise to 10 to 12 storeys.
The property owner has said he will ensure that the site has a coffee shop and there is a report that there will be a park at the rear of the development.
Time line – nothing in place yet – the item did go to the Ontario Land Tribunal.
 The developers application – yet to be approved .
By Pepper Parr
March 22, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
 The construction team has not yet topped off the structure. It is now all about density which means height.
The Gallery, one of the Carriage Gate buildings going up across the street from city hall.
Hasn’t topped off yet.
By Pepper Parr
March 22, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Pictures are indeed often worth a thousand words.
 Prime Minister Justin Trudeau -a very happy camper. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced yesterday that his government had come to an agreement with the New Democrats on the kind of legislation that would be brought forward in the next three years; including pharmacare, dental care, affordable housing and climate change.
The agreement is said to ensure that the Liberals will not have to go to the polls until sometime in 2025 – pretty good job security.
 By Staff
March 21, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Can you imagine – those tow trucks that were there to help you during your hour of distress; 56 were taken off the road for load security, lighting issues and weight issues
The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) has completed its annual “Towbruary” Tow Enforcement Campaign, and the results were staggering.
Throughout the month of February, the HRPS Traffic Services Unit and our District Response Units conducted a number of tow truck inspection blitzes across Halton. A joint inspection blitz was also carried out with Hamilton Police Service on the border of the two jurisdictions. These enforcement activities resulted in the following:
• 103 inspections were conducted,
• 56 tow trucks were placed Out of Service (54 percent Out of Service rate), and
• 155 charges were laid under the Highway Traffic Act.
 Who towed the tow trucks that were taken out of service ? The top three reasons for failed inspections were load security, lighting issues and weight issues. To ensure the safety of all road users, drivers and operators of commercial vehicles are required to ensure their vehicles and loads are inspected and safe before they are operated on any road.
The HRPS would like to remind motorists that if they are in a collision, they should not give their vehicle to just anyone. Know your rights. Know your tow. As the registered owner and/or driver of a vehicle involved in a motor vehicle collision, you:
• have the right to have your vehicle towed by the towing company of your choice; and
• have the right to have your vehicle towed to the location of your choice.
HRPS officers respond to collisions when the involved vehicle(s) require a tow truck. Motorists have the option to use a tow of their choice or have an officer request a tow from an authorized rotational list.
There is a sense of justice after all.
By Staff
March 21st, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The Around the Bay Road Race on Sunday, March 27, 2022, will result in road and lane closures in Burlington from approximately 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
 This was what the Start looked like in 2016. Streets will reopen as the last participant passes. Vehicles parked illegally in the event area will be tagged or towed to allow emergency access. Traffic on roads next to the race route will experience significant delays. Residents are urged to use alternate routes to minimize congestion surrounding the route area.
Road Closures – 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- QEW Toronto-bound exit ramp to North Shore Boulevard East. Detour via Fairview Street.
- North Shore Boulevard East Niagara-bound entry ramp to the QEW. Detour via Fairview Street.
- Plains Road West at York Boulevard. Detour via Hwy. 6 and 403.
- North Shore Boulevard closed from QEW ramps to Plains Road – Westbound lane open for emergency vehicles and resident access only. Through traffic not permitted.
Traffic Lane Closures – 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Southbound lane of King Road from Plains Road East to North Shore Boulevard East – local access only. Northbound traffic not affected.
- Eastbound curb lane of Plains Road West from York Boulevard to North Shore Boulevard West. Two-way traffic maintained.
Traffic Supervision
Police will be stationed at major intersections and traffic islands. Event marshals will be available at minor intersections and driveways to assist drivers. Race notices were delivered to all residences, religious centres and businesses affected by the races.
Road Closures or Traffic Control Information
Event liaison, City of Burlington, 905-335-7600, ext. 7704
Burlington Transit Delays and Information
Bus route detours in effect for Route 1 and 4.
HSR Parkdale Route 11 bus will detour via the QEW and Maple Avenue to the John Street Terminal.
 By Mary Hill
March 20th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Mary Hill, a person we have not succeeded in satisfactorily identifying, took exception to our decision to restrict her commenting privileges in the Gazette because it looked like she was commenting using two different names. She asked if she could write, in a respectful manner, a comment to what you today published stating a different point of view to yours. The following is what she wrote:
The Gazette is in the process of putting in place a set of rules tat should prevent this type of thing from happening in the future.
“Hello, I am Mary Hill. I am not Margaret Riley. Margaret (Maggie) is my life partner. Not that that is anyone’s business. Though the Gazette seems to have made it everyone’s business.
I am writing this in response to the two Gazette pieces that have put Maggie and me through the wringer
Contrary to the thoughts of the Gazette’s editor/publisher, and I am sure some of its readers, Mary and Maggie are not one and the same.
Having straightened that out I must ask what would it matter if Mary and Maggie were indeed just one individual using two different identities to make comments in the Gazette? I don’t understand what the problem would be.
The editor/publisher is correct. Other publications do require authentication of who you are, as do many on-line retailers when one wishes to change account settings for example. Authentication is generally achieved by one of two methods. 1. via sending an email to the account holder’s designated email address. That email may either have an “authenticate” button or provide a code to be entered on the application. 2. via a need for the user to pick out of a line up of six pictures all those pictures that have a common feature.
Why do they require the authentication? In the email check cases it is a security check to ensure the account provider is indeed dealing with the account holder. The picture line up method is there to ensure the site is dealing with a warm bodied human and not a bot.
In neither circumstance does the account provider seek to confirm the identity being used is the actual legal identity of the account holder. Even providers like OLG allow for alternative identities to be used.
 So why is that? The simple answer is to allow the account holder to maintain their complete privacy. What is the difference in placing a bet with OLG, or buying product from Amazon, or making a comment to the Burlington Gazette as either Steve Smith or James Jones. There is no difference.
The editor/publisher has said in his article he “needs to know” who the individual actually is. What’s the individual’s legal name, phone number etc. I ask the editor/publisher to explain here to the Gazette’s readers just why he needs that information? Does it have a bearing upon the validity of the comment submitted? Is there a legal requirement? I think neither. The Gazette’s editor/publisher can contact the commentator by email to assure himself the person is a real human and not a bot.
Even using my real name of Mary Hill exposes me to trolling, harassment and unwanted attention. I have heard stories of Gazette commentators not only getting hate mail through their email but also through the Canada Post mail. How does someone get a personal address? Generally it’s quite easy if one has a land line phone. Just go to the 411 look up website, put in the name and city, and bingo addresses pop up. An example:- an advocate for real names only appears to be Cathy Lanc, who commented righteously on both Gazette articles. Cathy I believe know where you live and your phone number. Does that concern you? Not that I would, but it would be easy to troll you. Maggie and I do not publish our phone numbers or our address in any “phone book”.
There are examples galore where an employee, prospective employee has, in my view unfairly, lost their job due to posting material on-line, sometimes years previously, that sat counter to how their employer saw the world. Using a pseudonym eliminates that concern.
As a result of the Gazette’s original article, both Maggie and I have had our personal lives made way more public than we would have liked. It is now obvious that we share more than an internet connection. Our status was our private concern. The Gazette has made it quite public. I question has the Gazette overstepped PIPIDA by publishing our names, email addresses and IP address without our consent. I have no desire to rake the Gazette over the coals, but it just shows how one’s identity and privacy can be easily exposed and potentially cause other issues. It shows how important it is to protect that personal information.
Our social environment is so completely different today from what it was just a few years ago. In the old days you write a letter to the editor of the G&M. It got published. But once hard copy newsprint in which it apperaed had been tossed into the garbage, it to all intents and purposes was gone from public scrutiny. Now, it is on the web forever. Even if you have a change of heart you cannot erase it.
So those are my views. But I think what is more important than my views is for the editor/publisher to explain or justify just why “he needs to know” the personal identity of a commentator.
- What benefit does the Gazette or its readers get by the editor/publisher knowing the commentator is Jim Smith and not John Smith or James Jones as submitted with the comment? Answer, absolutely none.
- Why does the editor/publisher find the use of a nomme de plume or pseudonym, a practice used extensively in literary and journalistic realms for donkey’s years, to cause him an issue in this day and age. Answer, I have no idea.
All the editor/publisher has said is
“I still do not know if Mary is not the same as Maggie; just saying they are is not enough. I need to KNOW that they are.”
Why is it not enough?
Why does he need to know?
What is his justification for that need?
He does not say.
I doubt he will. Why do I doubt that. Simple. Because there is absolutely no justification he can give.
Editor/publisher please provide your reasoning. Just saying you need it does not make it a valid need.
Editor/Publisher, please reinstate Maggie’s and my commenting privileges.”
Will you publish it?
By Staff
March 20th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Which is it – a perogy — or perogi or pierogi or pyrohy — seems to depend on which part of Canada you live in.
The Ukrainians who live in Burlington are holding a Take Out sale of Perogy and sausage on Friday, March 25th; an event sponsored by the Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League of Canada as a fund raiser for humanitarian relief in that war torn country.
 In Western Canada the making of perogies is an art form and has become something of as comfort food.
Strong opinions on the size, the filling and just how they are to be cooked is not something you want to argue with your grandmother about.
Perogies even have a patron Saint – ; a story that has a long and colourful history.
What is known is that the recipe came with the waves of eastern European immigrants around the turn of the last century.
 Their arrival is part of the immigration story that took place – land was cheap and farm labour was needed at a time when Anglo-Canadian culture dominated everything. Discrimination was part of the life they lived.
During the First World War thousands were declared enemy aliens. Reports estimate that 8,000 were sent to internment camps.
Today the Ukrainians are vital parts of Manitoba and Saskatchewan society.
In Burlington the Ukrainians at the Holy Protection Ukrainian Catholic Church are busy making the perogies that will be on sale.
By Pepper Parr
March 20th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Each week the city Communications group publishes a list of events taking place. Members of Council are able to notify their constituents that they are holding a meeting.
Of the seven members of Council three set out their plans for the week ahead.
We found it interesting that in the notices posted – there was nothing on where the meeting was taking place for Councillor Stolte or Councillor Bentivegnia. We chased down the information
 Councillor Stolte looking for a response to a motion she had put forward. March 26 2022, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM Ward 4 Coffee Chat with Councillor Shawna Stolte
Ward 4 resident – You are invited!
I would like to invite Ward 4 residents to join me for a coffee chat. Come ask questions, give feedback, pick up safety items or just stop by to chat about all things Ward 4.
The City of Burlington will follow the direction from the Provincial government and will no longer require visitors to City recreational facilities to show proof of vaccination as of March 1.
Masks, physical distancing and passive screening are still required until further notice.
The meet up takes place in the coffee shop section of Denningers on Guelph Line in the Burlington Centre
 Bentivegna – the complexity is beyond him at times. March 28 2022, 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM Ward 6 Drop-in Session
Ward 6 Drop-In Sessions….What’s on your mind?
I invite Ward 6 residents to drop by for a chat and let me know what is on your mind. I welcome your input and feedback on what is important to you in your community.These are one on one sessions. No appointment is necessary.
March 30 2022, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM Ward 2 Community Update with Councillor Lisa Kearns
Let’s connect on what’s important to you!
 The owner of the best brain on this council – now if she can build up the confidence she would be untouchable. It’s important to both hear from residents directly and have conversation together. That’s why I am so pleased to be able to return to hosting hybrid meetings. Using Zoom webinar technology, you can join from home and ask your questions, while hearing from those in person that are attending live.
There are two options to participate:
1. Virtual using Zoom technology to live stream the Community Update as a webinar. REGISTER here
2. In-Person at the Art Gallery of Burlington (AGB) where we are required to strictly adhere to public health protocols, including face coverings and social distancing.
As per Provincial Government Orders, Proof of Vaccination and Photo I.D. must be shown upon entry to the AGB. Register for in-person attendance at Ward2@burlington.ca
Agenda:
• Planning + Development
• Ward 2 Updates
• City Hall News
• Our Community
• COVID-19 Update
• Q&A Session
Questions/concerns? Email Ward2@burlington.ca
 Mayor Marianne Meed Ward: She loves the public platform – can be very effective on occasion. The Mayor meets with people, sometimes as a group, often one on one but she has yet to hold an event where she is on stage, front and centre answering questions. As a city councillor she was THE active voice for transparency and accountable; the job description changed and the manner in which she communicates has clearly changed as well.
For Mayor Meed Ward communication is a one way street – from her to you. She once said that she had 17 different channels to reach people – difficult to keep up with all of them.
Councillor Galbraith isn’t that much of a public meeting kind of guy. He does meet with people at a coffee shop and seems to get back to people that have problems that need to be resolved. He did not hold any kind of meeting during the pandemic – he did send out regular news letters.
Councillor Sharman holds community meetings, he’s accessible and he has gotten much better at paying attention to the constituents. He is the most informed member of this Council. Besides being a Councillor he gets involved in issues that have a wide application – he has staff that handle much of hos ward issues – his is usually a bigger picture. He shudders when you ask him just what the vision for the city is with this Council.
 Rory Nisan: Has yet to find his groove – chose to be the strongest supporter the Mayor has on Council Councillor Nisan has yet to find a community meeting method that works for him and that he is comfortable with. There was a dual ward meeting for the rural people in wards 3and 6 that Nisan and Bentivegna shared. Angelo knew how to work a room – he has this natural ability to approach people – he likes people and an opportunity to help out brings out the best in him.
He is challenged by the scope and scale of many of the issues – the complexity is beyond him at times. But in a one on one format – he is perhaps the best of the bunch. He loves his job – can he hold his seat? Only time will tell
.
 By Dave Tourchin
March 20th, 2022
BURLINGTON,
The Bird Friendly Hamilton Burlington team will announce the winner of their recent online public poll to select a City Bird, at the monthly “Bird Studies Group” virtual event hosted by the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club on Monday evening.
 Are these swans meant to be the bird that reflects what Burlington is all about? A guest speaker from the Bird Friendly Hamilton Burlington team, Barry Coombs, will give a presentation on the group’s efforts to get Burlington and Hamilton certified under Nature Canada’s “Bird Friendly City” Program:
“A Certification Story – Designating Hamilton and Burlington as Bird Friendly Cities”
March 21, 2022, 7:30 pm – 9 pm A virtual event open to everyone
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86797267165
The announcement of the public’s choice of City Bird for Burlington, and also for Hamilton, will be made near the end of the presentation.
The Bird Friendly Hamilton Burlington team was founded in December of 2020. Its primary goals are to help protect our wild birds, and to get Hamilton and Burlington certified under Nature Canada’s “Bird Friendly City” program, but the work won’t stop with certification. Learn about the status of certification and the many ongoing and future projects of this group that is dedicated to bird advocacy.
Related news stories:
Does the city need or wan an Official Bird
What are the options if there is going to be a city bird
By Staff
March 19th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The Burlington Conservative Electoral District Association is hosting a fundraising event for Ukraine Relief on Saturday March 26th from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Polish Hall on Fairview Street.
 The event is free, and there is no pre-registration or entrance fee, although donations in support of the Canada-Ukrainian Foundation are welcomed.
There will be guest speakers, as well as a Question and Answer session.
By Staff
March 19th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
On Saturday, March 19, 2022, Halton Regional Council approved an amendment to Halton Region’s Consolidated Mask By-law 47-20 to rescind the by-law effective 12:01 a.m. on March 21, 2022. The amendment was approved at a Special Meeting of Halton Regional Council in order to update Halton’s by-law in alignment with the removal of the Provincial requirements related to the wearing of a mask or face covering in most settings.
Halton’s mask by-law was originally adopted by Regional Council on July 15, 2020, as an important measure to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus and keep the Halton community safe. While the mask by-law is being rescinded in Halton, some Provincial and Federal masking requirements will remain in place.
 Are these days behind us? As of March 21, masking will continue to be required in select settings such as public transit, long-term care homes, retirement homes, and other health care settings, shelters, jails and congregate care and living settings, including homes for individuals with developmental disabilities.
In addition to the settings above, masks will also be required in the following circumstances:
- Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 are required to wear a mask until day 10 following a positive test result or the onset of symptoms (whichever occurred first).
- Close contacts and household contacts of individuals with COVID-19 are required to wear a mask for 10 days after exposure.
- Individuals who have recently traveled outside of Canada, have to wear a mask for 14 days upon return.
Halton Region Public Health is also reminding residents that wearing a mask continues to be an effective public health measure for reducing the spread of COVID-19 and to be kind to those who choose to continue wearing a mask to protect themselves and others.
 Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Halton Region’s Medical Officer of Health. “There is still risk of transmission in Halton and we need to be mindful that the risk of infection and severe disease is greater for some individuals than others, including those who are immunocompromised or have underlying health conditions, and older adults,” said Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Halton Region’s Medical Officer of Health.
“Some individuals may choose to keep wearing masks in places where they are not required, and others, such as those who are close contacts of COVID-19 cases, will be required to wear masks for a period of time. Businesses and organizations may also continue to require or encourage mask use based on the risk in their workplaces and to their patrons. I encourage all Halton residents to continue to be kind and respectful to everyone, regardless of their decision to wear a mask or not.”
By Pepper Parr
March 19th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
There was a time when they made refrigerators – not anymore
Westinghouse Electric in Canada now wants to make a device that will fit into three shipping containers and heat up to 4000 homes.
The device is a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) that Westinghouse believes is going to play a large part of helping the world meet the Climate Change challenge. The device has been branded as an “eDavinci”
They expect to have it commercialized by 2027 – they are weeks away from announcing the first sale to a Saskatchewan corporation.
So – what is a SMR and why is it in the news?
Earlier this week the federal government announced a $27.2 million funding contribution that has Westinghouse contributing $57.2 million.
 Member of Parliament and |Cabinet Minister Karina Gould  Hon. Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry The event brought two Cabinet Ministers plus two Members of Parliament to Westinghouse operation where some details on the on the objective of the program were set out.
Hon. Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry who made the announcement was joined by Karina Gould Minister of Families, Children and Social Development .
The “eDavinci” is basically a very small nuclear reactor that provides clean, low cost energy to almost any community. It fits into three shipping contains and can stay in place for eight years providing a constant flow of energy. One SMR can provide the power needs of 4000 homes.
 Pam Damoff, MP for |Oakville North Burlington MP Pam Damoff told of a community she visited when she was on Oakville Town Council that ran everything off diesel generators. When there was a rupture in the diesel fuel lines the oil spill meant the local school had to be closed.
Her point was that with an “eVince” in place there would be no diesel fuel spill and no C02 being pumped into the environment.
While the funding announcement was important the underlying message from everyone was that the climate change target cannot be met relying on just the sustainables – solar and wind – nuclear has to be part of the solution.
 Eddie Saab, President of Westinghouse Electric Canasda That statement is a significant shift on the part of the federal government; nuclear and radiation concerns appear to have been set aside – saving the planet is the priority.
How the “eVinci” works and the difference it is going to make is an interesting story which we will tell you when we have the graphics needed to make it all understandable.
The Westinghouse operation in Burlington has 230 employees which they expect to grow to over 300.
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