 By Pepper Parr
February 27th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
OPINION
Some facts:
Municipal election results for Mayor of Burlington
Rick Goldring won with 21,797 votes. Goldring defeated Cam Jackson and Marianne Meed Ward ran and as a Councillor and won in ward 2. Anne Marsden was not a candidate in the 2010 election.
In 2014 Rick Goldring ran for re-election and won with 23,360 votes.
 Anne Marsden delegating at Burlington city council with her husband David Anne Marsden ran and got 3,043 votes.
In 2018 Marianne Meed Ward ran for Mayor and defeated Rick Goldring.
Meed Ward – 23,360 votes
Goldring – 16,781 votes
Anne Marsden ran against Gary Carr for Regional Chair
Gary Carr – 79,775 votes
Anne Marsden – 41,136 votes
The data above is all a matter of public record on either the city of Burlington web site or the Region of Halton web site.
On February 24th, Anne Marsden released the information set out below.
Marsden does not provide dates for the votes she lists. The amounts spent are a matter of public record.
The Goldring data is for the 2018 municipal election as is the data for Meed Ward.
The Marsden number represent the number of votes she got from the voters of Burlington who chose her as Regional Chair in 2018.
The data Marsden provides appears to be intended to convince people that Marsden is a credible candidate and can pull in a lot of votes without spending very much money.
We believe the numbers are misleading and were intended to mislead.
Anne Marsden has positioned herself as a person who hews to the truth and argues vociferously that she has the facts and that she is right.
She has on occasion done a good job of digging out facts – especially with the C. difficile outbreak at the Joseph Brant Hospital in 2009.
The virus overran the hospital from May 2006 to December 2007- the information was not released until 2009.
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 Staff
February 25th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
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 active screening are still required until further notice.
More information will be shared if there are additional impacts to recreation facilities or programs once the full regulations are released by the province.
Chris Glenn, Director of Recreation, Community and Culture said: “Regardless of any changes, our staff will always work to providing the safest and highest quality programming we can offer. Please be patient with staff as we work through implementing any change and as we take cautious steps on the journey to fully reopening our facilities and programs.”
I wouldn’t throw out the card yet or delete it from my cell phone. Wait until the pandemic gets renamed to an endemic.
By Pepper Parr
February 25th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Quiet, quaint, downtown Burlington may become a thing of the past.
The owners of the Waterfront Hotel have filed a development application to build two towers on the site; one at 35 storeys, the other at 30 storeys with both sitting on a five storey podium.
 This is what we have. Some development can be justified – but it has to be the right development for the city. There is a public that is opposed to a development of this size. Disturbingly there is also a city council that has been less than vocal in its views on the development.
During the Statutory meeting held earlier in the month the Mayor, the ward Councillor and one other member of council spoke out not totally against the development but certainly against the height the developer was asking for.
 The developer would like to make Lakeshore |Road 6 m narrower; they want to put up towers that will rise 40 storeys.  This is what the developer want to build. It is very good design, it could well win awards – it is the location that is wrong.  Of the limited number of delegations (there were six) the one that drove home just what the issue is came from Plan B, a group that has 500 supporters and 5000 people following them on the Facebook page – which you can find right HERE
There are two processes being handled at the same time which to many seems awkwardly odd. The city is processing a development application while at the same time the city is working its way through a Waterfront Study that will “inform” and guide the development of the area.
Part of the study is a survey that is asking people how they feel about some of the ideas that were put out during the Statutory meeting last week.
Confusing – true – the developers, their legal counsel and their planning consultants are quite comfortable with the confusion – they understand the issues and they have a tonne of money invested in the process.
For parents dealing with the fallout from Covid19, stressed and struggling to run households – finding time to respond to a survey about an issue of which they may not be fully informed, is a stretch.
 Two processes – out of which there will be only one result and it may not be made by the city council you elected.
The survey isn’t the easiest to navigate. They appear to be looking for responses from people who live in specific parts of the city. When you are asked to enter your postal code, you have to know what it is – you get a thank you for taking part.
We live in a time when there are serious decisions to be made – don’t leave it up to the people you elected unless they are fully transparent and prepared to be accountable for the decisions they make.
Are these three now mute? Do they not have a view of how the city should grow?
 Ward 4 Councillor Shawna Stolte  Angelo Bentivegna ward 6. While members of Council are elected by the people in a specific ward the have a responsibility for the growth of the city as a single entity.  Kelvin Galbraith, ward 1. Based on the Statutory meeting last week Councillors Bentivegna, Stolte, and Galbraith have some explaining to do. And one might ask – where is the most experienced Councillor on this issue – other than his remarks on the failure to come up with a vision, Councillor Sharman hasn’t had much to say.
By Staff
February 24th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Below is an invitation from Statistics Canada to participate in a crowdsourcing initiative to collect data on Canadians’ access to and experiences with COVID-19 testing. Everyone is encouraged to share their insights, especially parents and people living with children.
 In this new crowdsourcing initiative, we are seeking your experiences with testing for COVID-19, particularly with using rapid tests. This information will help assess the use of at-home COVID-19 testing, access to rapid testing kits in Canada and vaccination status.
Please take a few minutes to complete the questionnaire and feel free to forward this email to others—the more people that participate, the better the data.
Participating is easy and secure
Click HERE to participate:
This survey is conducted under the authority of the Statistics Act, which guarantees that the information you provide will be kept confidential, and used only for statistical and research purposes.
By Staff
February 23rd, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
From time to time a citizens group is formed that has a significant impact on decisions made at city hall. Plan B is one of those groups – it is small – less than five people; all retired or thought they were.
Their concerns started to take shape when they became aware of some of the plans that were being bandied about related to the re-development of the Waterfront Hotel site.
 The Plan B people have been at this for a long time – more than five years. They have not always been heard.. The group was solely focused on ensuring that any redevelopment of the Waterfront Hotel :
Enhances the Brant Street gateway to Lake Ontario &
Extends the green/ open space of Spencer Smith Park
They acknowledge & respect the property owner’s right to profit from his investment, and that this will necessitate a “reasonable” amount of massing & building height. What tyey are looking for is a “Win Win Win” for all parties.
Emerging Plan B concept from Planning partnership gets close to what they wouldlike to see; it seeks to balance the Developer’s Current Concept with Plan B’s (the community’s) Concepts. The concept is premised on the following:
Achieves the Urban Design objectives for the Downtown
Achieves a Floor Area Ratio (FAR) that balances the base permissions of 5.0 with the Developer’s Current Concept which represents approx. 7.5 FAR
Buildings are located east of the ‘Thin Red Line’ , representing the view corridor south of Lakeshore Road, proposed by the Downtown Mobility Hub Study.
- A new significant open space defined by the ‘Thin Red Line’ located on the west portion of the property, contiguous with the waterfront park
- Buildings that provide a clear landmark visible from the park, Brant Street, John Street, Lakeshore Road and Lake Ontario
- A potential development yield that is viable and provides some incentive for redevelopment
Note: PLAN B neither supports nor objects to tower height
There are very significant difference between what the existing rules permit and what the developer is asking for.
 The Burlington Urban Design panel, made up of professionals who have no interest in the development put forward a number of recommendation. Few got anything more than the time of day. The Applicant’s Response to Community Input in Plan B’s Opinion
- Silent on/ Ignored most Public input & recommendations
– Waterfront Planning Study re: Key Policy Directives – June 2018
– Burlington Urban Design Advisory Committee – August 2021
– PLAN B – Thin Red Line
- The Application relies heavily on UGC/ MTSA designations downtown to justify intensification
– While the Complete Application was not submitted until December 17th grandfathering by the November 10th ROPA order is assumed
The Plan B people assume that the developer is prepared to let their case be determined by the Ontario Land Tribunal.
 The thin red line phrase came out of a meeting with city planners – The Plan B people took it and ran with it. Citizens’ PLAN B recommends:
- The Applicant’s proposed Official Plan Amendment (OPA) to eliminate the Waterfront Hotel Planning Study as a prerequisite for this application be REJECTED.
The Waterfront Hotel Planning Study will be completed within the statutory time frame of processing this application
The June 2018 Key Policy Directives already reflect key Community Feedback
Collaboration, good faith negotiations needed for a “Win Win Win”
Citizens’ PLAN B also recommends:
The Applicant’s proposed Zoning Bylaw Amendment (ZBA) to fit it’s proposed application should be APPROVED with Modifications.
Key community feedback from the Waterfront Hotel Planning Study, Burlington Urban Design Advisory Committee, PLAN B must be reflected in the application’s modifications
Limit building heights to yield of FAR 6.0:1 (per EPC#3).
A “good faith” compromise between Base Permission of 5.0:1 and Applicant’s aggressive ask of 7.76:1
Plan B thinks this may avert acrimonious & lengthy legal debates before the OLT & an unpredictable outcome for both parties.
The city is seeking response to a survey that closes March 1. Link to that survey is set out below.
Link to the survey is HERE
By Staff
February 23rd, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The Mayor of Milton is not happy.
The Regional government made a decision earlier in the month related to the Preferred Growth Concept that impacts all four municipalities in the Region.
Mayor Krantz wants to be able to expand the urban boundary for Milton and use some farmland to handle the growth that has to take place.
 Citizens told the Regional Council that farm land had to be saved. A majority of Regional Council agreed The 58 people who delegated at the Regional meeting took the position that climate change was far too important and that to have a chance of meeting the reduction in C02 gasses being pumped into the environment farm land had to be saved.
Thus the letter to the Minister;
The Hon. Steve Clark
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing 777 Bay Street, 17th Floor
Toronto, ON M7A 2J3
RE: Halton Region Official Plan Review
Dear Minister Clark,
As you are aware, Halton Region Council and Councils in municipalities across Ontario are engaged in ongoing discussions to finalize their Official Plans. As you know from your time as Mayor, determining a community’s Official Plan is a very important decision and one that cannot be taken lightly.
 Gord Krantz – longest serving Mayor in the province. I appreciate the opportunity I have had to connect with you, your staff, as well as with
the Hon. Parm Gill, Milton’s Member of Provincial Parliament, regarding this issue over the past few months. We appreciate your ongoing attention and interest.
On behalf of the Town of Milton, I am writing to continue to ensure you are aware of our position with respect to Halton Region’s Official Plan review. As we have previously communicated, it is critical for Milton – and indeed for the financial health of Halton Region – that an Urban Boundary expansion is contemplated. Based on recent discussions at Halton Regional Council, we are concerned the Preferred Growth Concept that will be approved will not allow for the expansion required to strategically and appropriately manage the coming growth.
As per the provincial policy and mandates, Milton is committed to intensification and densification of our existing urban structure. To better serve our citizens and to align with A Place to Grow – The Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, Milton is building complete communities and A Place of Possibility. We are intensifying, developing, and creating 15-minute walkable, accessible, integrated neighbourhoods with jobs, schools, transportation, community services, parks and recreation facilities and a variety of homes that are easily accessed with multi-modal – walking, cycling, bus and GO Transit rail – connections.
As you know, Halton Region municipalities are maturing at different stages. Milton is at a different stage of development from both Burlington and Oakville. Both of these municipalities were granted urban boundary expansions over a decade ago and as a result, have already developed to their outer edge. Milton is seeking the same opportunity and consideration to grow in the right places, with the right uses. We have a strategic growth plan capable of responding to a variety of residential and employment market demands including and especially transit-oriented development.
Increased population across Halton Region is unavoidable and must be strategically planned. Milton Council continues to demonstrate its commitment to intensify and densify our community and to allocating growth – residential, commercial, mixed-use and industrial to ensure the development of complete communities. For Milton, an urban boundary expansion will ensure the ability to strategically manage anticipated growth pressures and the proper use and allocation of land from now until 2051, while continuing to protect the over 71 per cent of Milton’s community that consists of the Greenbelt, Natural Heritage Systems and farmland.
We continue to communicate to our Halton Region Council colleagues that we are concerned that establishing a hard, urban boundary will create a number of unnecessary and avoidable risks to Milton and to Halton Region including:
• Removal of Milton’s ability to direct growth to the appropriate location, for example, designating industrial/warehousing and logistics abutting the 400 series highways
• Incompatibility within employment lands
• By 2031, stalled assessment growth creating fiscal instability for Halton Region and Milton
• Increased pressure on the residential tax base resulting in increases to property taxes
• Disruption to Milton’s ability to create compatible, complementary and complete communities
• Elimination of Milton’s ability to create desirable mixed-use, complete communities with local amenities
• Increased risk of actual urban sprawl
 Four decades as a politician – Gord Krantz is still at it. On February 16, 2022, Halton Region Council will discuss a Notice of Motion (NOM) which contemplates no urban boundary expansion until 2041. Should that NOM be approved, this will mean that Milton will experience a 10 year gap in our available employment lands as our current supply will be at capacity by 2031. Further, it will mean disruption to the appropriate balance between residential intensification and new greenfield development to 2051.
Milton’s members of Halton Regional Council and I will continue to work with our colleagues to find an amenable solution. However, in advance of Halton Region Council’s decision regarding the Preferred Growth Concept, I felt it critically important that Milton’s position be clearly communicated to and understood by you.
Thank you in advance for your time and consideration of Milton’s position. If you or your staff have any questions or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Mayor Gordon Krantz Town of Milton
The decision made at the Region will go to the public again, sometime in April as a Statutory meeting.
The province requires a commitment from the Region as to what it is doing to comply with the need to grow requirement the province has put in place.
By Staff
February 23rd, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Black History Awareness Society (HBHAS) is a passionate group of multi-culturals, dedicated towards implementing cultural education into the public and institutional mindset towards appreciating the values of inclusivity, equality, and self development while depleting bullying, prejudice and inequality on any and all levels.
We are a “community” globally focused on mitigating negative relations towards all marginalized communities and individuals.
Our mission is learning, uncovering and promoting Canadian Black History towards a progressive inclusive future through annual events including the Halton Freedom Celebration: Jazz & Blues Festival, the Emancipation Art Exhibition, a HBHAS Gospel presentation, and HBHAS Presents – speaking engagements to the public, elementary, secondary, university & college students; businesses; youth mentoring; community groups; and, historical, genealogical and heritage organizations.”At this moment, we all face a choice. We can choose to press forward with a better model of cooperation and integration, or we can retreat in a world sharply divided and ultimately in conflict.” – President Obama, United Nations General Assembly Conference.
“Halton is the fastest growing visible minority region in Canada growing 78% within a five year span with Milton growing 176% in visible minority growth within the same time frame.” – Canada Census 2016.
“Burlington is the first city in the world to acclaim August as Emancipation Month” – 2018 Halton Freedom Celebration Festival – Dwight Lee III
“The Emancipation process started in the Burlington/Branford/Hamilton area, where two parliamentarians seeing a Joseph Brant slave screaming at her bounty hunter abductor, due to the Fugitive Slave Act in the U.S., took this incident back to Parliament initiating the Lieutenant Governor in legislating the 1793 Act against Slavery which abolished new slaves being brought into what is now Canada.; This promoted the, August 1st, 1834 British Abolition against slavery in most of the Commonwealth.”
By Pepper Parr
February 23rd, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
A Statutory Meeting is required under the Planning Act to allow the public to learn what a development application is about.
During these meetings the city planning department sets out what the application is asking for and what the current Official Plan and Zoning bylaw permits.
Wednesday evening the city presented the following two slides;
The difference between what is permitted under the current in-force Official Plan and what the developer wants is astounding.
Recommendation:
Direct staff to continue to process the submitted applications for Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments for 2020 Lakeshore Road, including evaluating and incorporating any/all comments received by Committee and the public at the Statutory Public Meeting, as well as the comments received through the ongoing
technical review of this application by agency partners and internal departments.
Plan B, a small citizen group gave an excellent delegation that highlighted just how much the developer is asking and how little they are prepared to give.
The application makes mention of narrowing Lakeshore Road.
They realize that they have to provide some parkland – and have suggested cash in lieu of land would be satisfactory.
This is a complex story, not all that easy to follow yet critical in terms of what the downtown core of the city will look like and what in the way of impact it will have on Spencer Smith Park.
What was disappointing was just how little members of Council had to say when there was an opportunity for them to make comments. Mayor Meed Ward spoke as did ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns and Councillor Nisan. The others appeared to be mute.
More to come on this one.
By Pepper Parr
February 22, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The event is set up as a Statutory Public Meeting taking place during a Standing Committee this evening, Tuesday at 6:30 pm
Log into the city calendar and work your way to the Committee meetings part and select the 22nd.
That will get you into the meeting where you can watch and take part.
The Statutory Review is required by the Planning Act. The review is about an Applications to amend the Official Plan and Zoning By-law owned by Burlington 2020 Lakeshore Inc. Addresses: 2020 Lakeshore Road
There are two process taking place within the same basic time frame.
 Many wonder what the one process means to the other.
Applications were submitted by owner and deemed Complete on December 2021
The site is : 0.76 hectares; Frontage on Lakeshore Rd: 114 m, Frontage on Elizabeth St: 50 m
Proposed Mixed-Use Development is as follows:
- Residential: 557 apartments
- Hotel: 122 suites
- Retail/commercial: 4,445 m2
- Office: 4,348 m2
- Two tall buildings: 35 & 30 storeys with 5-storey podiums
- 598 parking spaces
- Proposed Floor Area Ratio: 76:1
What it works out to is set out below.
This is what the owners of the Waterfront Hotel want to do with their space. It is your city and your park. Is this the best the city can get? What will the site look like from different streets that leads to Lakeshore road ?
The question the Gazette is asking is set out in the graphic below..
Take part in the Statutory meeting this evening and if you don’t like what you see stand up on your hind legs and bark. Do the same thing if you like what you see. It is your city – it is your park.
By Staff
February 22, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Appointments to the following committees, were announced by Council on the 15th; took a week to get the list from the Communications department.
 The Waterfront Access and Protection Advisory Committee which was sunset by the city made some very useful contributions to the way the waterfront issues were managed. Burlington Seniors’ Advisory Committee
Burlington Inclusivity Advisory Committee
Burlington Sustainable Development Advisory Committee
Burlington Accessibility Advisory Committee
Committee of Adjustment
Approve the following appointments to the Burlington Seniors’ Advisory Committee for a term to expire on December 31, 2022:
Bob Chepyha
Kerry McGregor
Peter Buckley
Margaret Doma
Sara Elkabany
Ron Minaker
Deepak Sharma
Approve the following appointments to the Burlington Inclusivity Advisory Committee for a term to expire on December 31, 2022:
Ashley Wall
Rajan Chopra
Rajan Sharma
Approve the following appointments to the Burlington Sustainable Development Committee for a term to expire on December 31, 2022:
Dave Bourns
Dave Rokosh
Sarah Merriam
Approve the following appointments to the Burlington Accessibility Advisory Committee for a term to expire on December 31, 2022:
Ken Harris
Don Prescott
Patricia Debly
Doug Benton
Cindy Bond
 Committee of Adjustment, the only committee that pays its members has made some pivotal decisions on small property adjustments and approving requests for changes to a zoning. Approve the following appointments to the Burlington Committee of Adjustment for a term to expire on December 31, 2022:
Robert Martin
Filippo Capuano (Alternate)
Hany Aly (Alternate)
The disappointing part of this announcement is that the appointments are just for the balance of this year; all end on December 31st, 2022.
There are a lot of new faces, which is good, new blood is vital. However, experience counts for a lot. It will be hard for these committees to make useful decisions.
The Gazette would like to hear what others have to say.
By Jack Adams
February 23rd, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
As Canada’s most populated province, it is no surprise that Ontario is one of the most popular sporting areas in country. With a whole host of athletes and sports team spread across leagues in Canada and the United States, there has been some huge events in the state in recent years, with local fans enjoying the successes of their teams also. In 2019, millions of fans flooded downtown Toronto following the Toronto Raptors first ever NBA Finals triumph. Two years prior, MLS side Toronto FC beat the Seattle Sounders 2-0 in the MLS Cup final at BMO Field.
With such a rich sporting history, we can only expect more to be made in 2022. Let’s take a look at some of the best sports events yet to come in the state.
 You will never leave a hockey game thrilled – the speed, the talent and the sheer hustle of the game. Ottawa Senators vs Toronto Maple Leafs – Apr 16 2022
One of the NHL’s biggest rivalries, The Battle of Toronto is not to be missed. Dating back since before the founding of the league, the Maple Leafs, as the Toronto Arenas, and the original Senators were two of the founding teams of the NHL. It was not until the 90s however that games between the modern Senators and the Leafs played each other in the league, when the conferences and divisions were re-aligned, and Toronto was moved into the Eastern Conference’s Northeast Division. The Leafs have frequently got the better of the Senators when it has mattered in recent years, with Toronto winning all 4 series when they met in the playoffs in the early 2000s. It appears the Senators may struggle this season too, with betting odds having them at 500/1 to win the Stanley Cup.
 We call it soccer in Canada – Canadian teams are getting better and better. Is a World Cup in store – not soon but eventually. Toronto FC vs Montreal Impact – Sept 5 2022
From one rivalry into another, the ‘Canadian Classique’ also known as the 401 Derby and the Two Solitudes Derby, is Canadian soccer’s fiercest rivalry. Battled between two of Canada’s three premier MLS teams, the rivalry between both sets of supporters is intense, creating an incredible atmosphere at games. This year’s MLS fixture at the BMO Stadium will be a rematch of last season’s Canadian Championship, in which Montreal came out the victors securing their spot in the CONCACAF Champions League. However, Toronto have regularly had Montreal’s number, with a 26-16-10 record in all competitions. The fallout from last year’s Canadian Championship final is sure to spill over into this game so make sure not to miss it!
Toronto Raptors vs Philadelphia 76ers – Apr 7 2022
The Raptors have had a relatively average season so far but are still on course to make it to the play-in tournament in their quest to make it 3 playoff appearances in 4 seasons. The 76ers are also hopeful of reaching their 5th appearance in as many seasons. As well as being important to both team’s journey to the playoffs, this game will also be a rematch of the 2019 Conference semi-finals in which the Raptors came out on top before heading to the finals and winning the big one. Although they may not be playing as well as previous seasons, the Raptors still hold on to their talisman Giannis Antetokounmpo. The ‘Greek Freak’ is worth the entry fee alone and with both teams relatively close together in the Eastern Conference standings, this is sure to be a crunch game for the pair.
 Rivals for decades – located at either end of the QEW – they will always turn out a great performance. Hamilton came close to taking the Grey Cup – very close, Hamilton Tiger-Cats vs Toronto Argonauts – Aug 13 2022
Make no mistake about it— physical proximity in Ontario does not equal sporting warmth. The bitter feud between these two Ontario teams is one of the best in the Canadian Football League and provides an incredible sporting display for fans. The Argonauts have been extremely successful in terms of Grey Cups with 18 to the Tiger-Cats 8. However, the pair’s Labour Day matchups have been most frequently won by the latter, who have recorded 36 wins to 13. The Toronto—Hamilton Classic is one of the components of the Harold Ballard Trophy, an award given to the winner of the season series between the Tiger-Cats and Argonauts. The trophy is named after Harold Ballard, who owned the Tiger-Cats for much of the 1980s.
 World famous Harlem Globe Trotters – more entertainment than sport – and a delight to watch. Harlem Globetrotters – March 8 2022
Ending on an entertaining note, the World-Famous Harlem Globetrotters are bringing their newly reimagined Spread Game tour to Ontario this year. Described as a display of ‘Ankle-breaking moves, jaw-dropping swag, and rim-rattling dunks’ the Globetrotters are an American exhibition basketball team who combine incredible feats of athleticism with comedy and theatre. They have been committed to spreading joy and a beautiful message of social justice for nearly 100 years as they have entertained millions all around the globe. They will come to the Budweiser Gardens in London, with tickets as low as $28.75.
By Pepper Parr
February 18th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
It is the development that will change for decades what the core of downtown Burlington is going to look like.
And while 110 people took part in a virtual presentation on what the issues are – there didn’t seem to be all that much in the way passionate interest.
There were more questions about parking during the virtual meeting than there were about what the impact would be of two 35 storey plus towers sitting on a five storey podium perched at the edge of Lakeshore Road and Brant Street at what the developer called Ground Zero for the city.
The city now wants feed back from the public. A recording of the February 15th meeting can be reached HERE
The survey can be found HERE
Closing date for public feedback is March 1st – not a lot of time. Get your views in now – they matter.
The Waterfront Study Plan people and the developer are far apart. The Study group is suggesting two 15 – 17 storey buildings and taking a 20 metre strip on the west side as park land along with another small patch on land on the east side at the southern end (lake side) of the site.
The developer has proposed two towers – one 30 storeys high and the other 35 storeys high – both sitting on a five story podium.
Parking for both would be underground exiting and entering off Elizabeth Street to the east.
While the study is for the area shown below – all the attention up to this point has been on the Waterfront Hotel site.
Spencer Smith Park defines Burlington. Few cities in Canada sit on the edge of the largest body of water in the country. It is host to some of the biggest public festivals in the province.
Will 40 storey structures take away from what the park offers the citizens of Burlington; will they diminish what is left of the small ton feel of Brant Street?
Do you think the big flashy buildings are what the city needs. A decision is going to be made – get your two cents in now when it matters.
 Children playing innocently – a man having snooze under a tree – the Spencer Smith Park we have today – will that change if there are 40 storey towers looming over everything?
By Staff
February 18th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington continues to see historically low inventory and record high pricing.
The average sale price was $1,662,096. During the month of January properties sold for an incredible 120% of the listed price. Properties sold in an average of 7 days compared to 10 days the month prior.
The lack of supply and strong demand has continued to drive prices, however we are starting to see inventory grow, it just doesn’t stay on long enough to tip the scale in any way, it lists and sells before any sort of momentum is made.
By Staff
February 17th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The Ontario government has procured AECOM as the successful engineering consultant to undertake a Preliminary Design and Class Environmental Assessment (EA) Update Study for the widening of Highway 6 South in the City of Hamilton. The project will increase lane capacity from two lanes to four over a nine kilometre segment between Highway 403 and Upper James Street, as part of the government’s plan to build Ontario.
 Study area for a Hwy 6 expansion from two to four lanes. Highway 6 from Highway 403 to Upper James Street is the primary connection from John Munro Hamilton International Airport to the Greater Golden Horseshoe via Highway 403.
“The widening of Highway 6 from two lanes to four is vital to the continued growth of the John Munro Hamilton International Airport and the surrounding areas,” said Donna Skelly, MPP Flamborough-Glanbrook. “This is an important step forward in our work to ensure the safe, efficient movement of people and goods here in Hamilton and across the region.”
 Better access to the Hamilton Airport The Preliminary Design and EA Update Study will include outreach to Indigenous communities, municipalities, and stakeholders including the airport and business owners, and will commence in spring 2022, with a targeted completion of spring 2024.
Quick Facts
The province has allocated more than $21 billion in funding over the next 10 years, including approximately $2.6 billion in 2021–22, to expand and repair highways and bridges.
A four-lane highway link to the Hamilton airport was originally designed and received environment assessment approval in the late 1980s. The existing two-lane road was built in 2003.
By Pepper Parr
February 17th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Three more days to Share the Love and share the food you purchase with the Burlington Food Bank.
The drive that started last Sunday has collected 350 lbs of Food and $1400 in cash and gift card donations.
.
Merrilee and Don Fraser have worked tirelessly making telephone calls and picking up food donations.
The food donations are still needed; the local economy is not yet back to normal.
Related news story.
A unique group of people making a difference.
By Pepper Parr
February 15th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Monday afternoon City Council held an Indigenous education workshop. It was, unfortunately not widely promoted by members of Council or the city’s communications department. Unfortunate.
The name Joseph Brant is well recognized; his role in the development of the land that was territory the Indigenous people lived on is not that well understood.
They own precious little of that land today. The workshop is about how that came to be.
 The Mississauga of the Credit First Nation lay claim to a large area; the part known as the Haldimand Tract is tightly tied to Joseph Brant.  Over time land was taken from the Indigenous community through different treaties. There were two main speakers who had a lot to say. You might want to listen to:
Darin Wybenga, Acting Director and Traditional Knowledge and Land Use Coordinator, Mississauga of the Credit First Nation, who spoke on; “Mississauga of the Credit First Nation – We are Still Here.”
Indeed they are
 There was a time when the majority of people living in what is Canada today believed what the Indian Act said. Following Darin Wybenga is Bryant Peters, College Instructor at Fleming College and Executive Consultant from the Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation, who spoke about the: Indian Act – What Can We Do?
It looked at one point if Peters was going to read every section of the Indian Act – a very repressive piece of legislation that is still in place.
Both speakers made extensive use of visuals and maps.
It should be well worth your time to spend some time listening to what was said. We will have more to tell you about this Workshop later in the week.
Burlington, like most local governments, now reads a land acknowledgement before each meeting.
If Darin Wybenga is correct, and he probably is, our reference to the Bowl with one spoon wampum is incorrect. Look for Council to correct that error.
 Wampum belts were used as signatories to commemorate and, to some degree, legitimize an event. The biggest lesson this writer learned was the significant difference between what the Indigenous people thought when they were signing a land treaty and the view the British had.
The British believed they were acquiring land which they described and defined in the treaties; the Indigenous people believed they were agreeing to share the land.
They were either not able to or didn’t know how to get that language into the treaties.
As a result they are left with bits and pieces of the land they inhabited. The 4 million acres they started with was whittled down to 200 acres.
And we wonder why they are angry.
By Staff
February 11th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Earlier this week Regional Council spent the best part of a day working their way through a 2000 page document on the Growth Concepts before Council.
The purpose of the meeting was to Review the Draft Preferred Growth Concept that will be part of the Regional Official Plan.
The Gazette will need another day or two (there goes the weekend) to distill the document and set out what it means to the people who live in the four municipalities that make up the Region of Halton.
The issue of population growth…
The Region has to grow – that isn’t something that can be debated – where the politicians can have an impact is on where the growth will take place.
Colin Best, a Milton Town Coucillor, has a firm grip on the numbers- his professional work is related to property assessment.
There is one document (above) that sets out what the politicians are dealing with.
That is the direction in which we are going, like it or not.
By Staff
February 11th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington has hundreds, maybe even thousands of people who took early retirement or put in their 25 years and stopped punching a clock – and are looking for something to do that appeals to their better selves.
Some serve on committees, others join service clubs and others come up with an idea of their own and look for ways to make it happen.
 Typical set up at a Repair Cafe. Lawson Hunter has served on a number of committees – including Community Development Halton, served on a committee that wanted to hear what the public had to say about the Tansley Woods Centre that was to be developed. He worked with the Burlington Food Bank for a period of time.
He was former Program Manager at Cable 14 Hamilton; former Executive Director at Jamesville Business Improvement Area (Hamilton); former Communications Assistant to Lily Oddie Munro, Minister of Culture & Communications; former Administrator at Burlington Art Centre (now Art Gallery of Burlington); retired Letter Carrier at Canada Post.
At 21 years of age, Hunter was the youngest Board member of the Sarnia Public Library & Art Gallery.
He has clearly earned his stripes.
With time on his hands Hunter heard about the Repair Café; an organization with 1500 volunteer units around the world and about eight in Canada. Toronto has a Repair Café that has been operational for five years.
Hunter set up an outdoor Repair Café with the Aldershot BIA to learn what the interest might be. “One lady came in with a knock off Tiffany Lamp and wanted the cord replaced. While we were working on the lamp another lamp walked by, saw the lamp and said – I have one of those and the cord is worn out – can you fix it?. We could and we did.
“Before the day was over a third person said she too had a lamp that needed a new cord. I knew we were filling a need.”
Hunter adds just how immediate a repair need can be. “A woman came in asking if we could repair the cord on her electric mowing machine – and get it done before her husband came home.
 Lawson Hunter delegating to city council With a couple of trial runs in different parts of the city Hunter knew he had identified a need and rounded up some of his friends and applied to the city for a Community grant.
His application was accepted – the next repair Café will be in Tansley Woods Centre on March 12th – runs from 10 am to 1:00 pm
Show up and they will do what they can for you.
There is no charge for the labour – you are expected to pay for any parts that are needed.
Then he came up with an idea – why not help people fix things? He wasn’t thinking of helping people fix their relationships – that’s not quite where Lawson excels.
He wanted to help people fix a toaster or a blending machine or a CD player.
He applied for and got a grant from the city (cheque hasn’t arrived yet) to set up the Repair Café. “We’re just a bunch of guys that want to fix things and keep them out of the landfill site” said Hunter. To use the moniker of a ‘Repair Cafe’,  means to agree to the policy of not charging for repairs (parts yes, labour no) which he adds – “ it’s a terrible business model but a great community service.”
“Getting in touch with the Repair Cafe is easy: All residents are invited to contact us to let us know what items they need to get fixed to keep them out of the global garbage heap. Email us at burlingtonrepaircafe@cogeco.ca or visit our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Burlington.Canada.Repair.Cafe
By Staff
February 10th
BURLINGTON.ON
 And it doesn’t hurt. Ontario is distributing FREE COVID RAPID TESTS to the general population as supply increases.
Starting today, over 2,300 participating grocery and pharmacy locations — including 32 locations in Burlington — will provide free rapid tests, with a limit of one box of five tests per household per visit.
A list of participating retailers as well as information on how retail locations are distributing rapid test kits can be found at Ontario.ca/rapidtest
By Staff
February 10th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
ECO Earth Sciences Inc., a Burlington based firm, alongside their production partners, Reversomatic Manufacturing Limited, today unveiled a new source mitigation and indoor air quality solution.
The new Auroris™ and PlasmaSphere™ devices dramatically improve indoor air quality while significantly lowering the risk of COVID-19 spread.
Despite the many challenges that the global pandemic has created, it has also given rise to incredible innovation. This was also true a century ago during the Spanish Influenza pandemic when the invention of the steam radiator allowed windows to open regardless of the weather, increasing direct ventilation, improving indoor air quality, and contributing to the end of the pandemic.
Improving indoor air quality said to be possible with new product Today, ECO Earth Sciences Inc. announced a breakthrough development that will significantly reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread indoors while also dramatically improving indoor air quality.
“Air quality has never been more important. With 90% of our time spent indoors, research by the EPA has found that the air we breathe can be up to five times more contaminated compared to outside air. While there are many mitigation and purification measures available, most are reactive, requiring the contaminant or pathogen to find a pathway to the device. Auroris™ and Plasmasphere™ target viruses and other airborne contaminants at their source, explains Patrick Kehoe, CEO of Earth Sciences
He adds “we were guided by nature, and we essentially turned the inside out. While the preoccupation has been on attempting to purify or resuscitate stale, contaminated indoor air, we turned our attention to creating the best possible indoor air quality experience while continuously targeting and removing the threat.”
Auroris™ effectively acts as the room’s lungs, allowing indoor spaces to breathe; continuously delivering fresh air directly into a room while continuously removing stale, contaminated air. To further improve the quality of the air, advanced three-stage purification ensures the freshest indoor air experience possible.
 In nature, the air has a natural disinfection mechanism that has existed since the beginning of time. Energy from the sun, the waves, and the wind extract electrons from water vapour in the air creating non-thermal plasma. PlasmaSphere™ by Auroris™ emulates this same natural process by first purifying the incoming air, then enriching the plasma energy levels of the fresh incoming air. This combination of purification and energy enrichment targets aerosol contaminants and boosts indoor air quality levels to match those found only in the most pristine natural environments.
 This revolutionary new technology can be used across any interior, providing schools, businesses, and homeowners with the ability to dramatically improve indoor air quality and mitigate airborne pathogens. Auroris™ and PlasmaSphere™ also operate independently, complementing and enhancing the performance of ALL existing systems and can be used regardless of HVAC system type or age.
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By Pepper Parr
By Staff
Masks, physical distancing and active screening are still required until further notice.
By Pepper Parr
Of the limited number of delegations (there were six) the one that drove home just what the issue is came from Plan B, a group that has 500 supporters and 5000 people following them on the Facebook page – which you can find right
In this new crowdsourcing initiative, we are seeking your experiences with testing for COVID-19, particularly with using rapid tests. This information will help assess the use of at-home COVID-19 testing, access to rapid testing kits in Canada and vaccination status.
By Staff
By Staff
By Staff
By Pepper Parr
By Pepper Parr
By Jack Adams
By Staff
means to agree to the policy of not charging for repairs (parts yes, labour no) which he adds – “ it’s a terrible business model but a great community service.”
By Staff
This revolutionary new technology can be used across any interior, providing schools, businesses, and homeowners with the ability to dramatically improve indoor air quality and mitigate airborne pathogens. Auroris™ and PlasmaSphere™ also operate independently, complementing and enhancing the performance of ALL existing systems and can be used regardless of HVAC system type or age.