 By Pepper Parr
July 5th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
 There was a time when the city considered fees for election signs now some council members want to get rid of the things. Karmel Sakran lost in his provincial bid An election without lawn signs?
And a campaign donation rebate program?
And the right to put bumper stickers on your car?
All part of a rather robust conversation at council this morning.
The report from the Office of the Clerk got nicely roasted by several council members – the document from the Clerk appeared to create more questions with few answers.
One of the problems within the Clerk’s Office is that all the top staff are new to the city and not fully aware of some of the really really stupid decisions made by a previous Clerk.
More on this when they return from lunch and a Closed session with outside legal counsel.
By Pepper Parr
July 4th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Well – there goes that neighbourhood!
Joe Dogs is at risk, the best that can be hoped for if the 26 story development is approved on the site literally next door, there will be an opportunity to quaff a cool one while watching the construction take place yards away.
The Renimmob Properties Limited, a corporation new to the Burlington development scene, has either purchased or obtained options on the property. Approval of the development will be the beginning of a whole new look to the area.
The deep thinkers in the Planning Department have scoped out what they think that part of the city should look like.
 What we all know at the No Frills Plaza is expected to undergo a major change in terms of what is on the site and the uses to which it is put. John Street, which is actually a lane north of Caroline, would be extended through the plaza property and reach Victoria Street.
 Rambo Creek runs through the back end (east side of the plaza property) – the plans call for the creation of a walking trail with park benches and the shifting of the No Frills supermarket closer to Brant Street with large scale (17 storey) housing and underground parking.
If and when it is completed it will be a neighbourhood unto itself with a storied pub part of it. All Joe Dogs has to do is issue patrons hard hats and hope everyone survives.
A couple of blocks to the north is the the Molinaro proposed development that will take up three corners of the Brant – Ghent intersection.
Both the Molinaro and the Renimmob developments are well north of what is seen as the downtown core. What they will do is create a much more vibrant community along Brant and meet the growth targets the province requires.
Even further north there are the properties that surround the GO station with the right to put up structures of almost any height – those proposed properties comply with the existing Official Plan and zoning in the area.
The graphic below shows what is in the works and what exists in that mid part of Brant street.
There is more to this story – tune in for part two on Monday.
 By Pepper Parr
July 2nd, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns reports that her “office regularly receives ongoing concerns and questions about the progress on this property.”
She is referring to the property bounded by John, Caroline, Elizabeth and Maria that currently has a 24-story condominium. The original development plan was to include an above ground parking garage and a medical office at the north end along Caroline.
 The tower on the left has been constructed and is occupied. Some of the underground work for the garage is completed. The medical building is reported to be part of an application for additional height. “I agree with residents that this matter has gone on much too long” reported Kearns in her most recent Newsletter.
“Since the onset of my term as Ward 2 Councillor, I continue to advocate on behalf of the community to have this project move forward. In response to many inquiries, see the following chart recently received from the City’s Legal Department. As soon as my office is in receipt of information of progress on this site, we will be sure to share with residents.”
This development was problematic from the day it got to the city Planning department. The council at the time had concerns about the development being completed and put in a clause that would ding the developer for $300,000 if the developer failed to deliver on schedule.
 Much of this was well before Kearns began to care a hoot about what happened in the ward.
In the data the Councillor refers to there is a chart with questions and answers reported to have come from the legal department.
Never seen responses like this from the Office of the Solicitor for the Corporation of Burlington.
In a September 2017 news story the Gazette reported:
“… John Street construction site is to include a public garage and a medical centre – they will follow the construction of the condominium. Medica One or the Carriage Gate project – pick the name you like best – will go up at the top of John Street and consist of a medical offices building, an above ground garage and an apartment/condo complex. It will bring significant change to the intersection and drive redevelopment of the plaza to the immediate north, A transit hub a couple of blocks to the south then makes a lot of sense.
The city expected all three projects to rise at the same time – and were worried enough about the construction actually taking place that they had the developer commit to coughing up $300,000 if the project doesn’t proceed by March of 2020.
City hall does appear to fully appreciate the market forces the developer has to contend with. The utility poles will disappear – all the cable will be underground. Getting that decision in place was no simple matter.
 A portion of Mario was closed during construction of the Berkley. Not many developers get that kind of leeway. .
Carriage Gate, the developer, has had their share of grief with both the city and Burlington Hydro over the existence of utility poles on John Street. A hydro line had to be pulled in from Lakeshore Road to the site – an expensive job. There was much discussion over whether or not all the hydro wires would be underground.
The developer was prepared to pay for the cost of burying the cable in front of their project but wasn’t prepared to pay for the cost of burying the cable for every foot of the distance from Lakeshore Road.
And they didn’t like the price for doing the work that Burlington Hydro had put on the table.
It’s getting resolved – with the developer trying hard to keep the lawyers out of the room.
When completed John Street will take on a much different look. Other developers have already begun to acquire and assemble property on the street.
As construction continues the planners are looking for ways to improve the look of the rest of the street and bring more activity to the area.
Not much has changed.
Related news stories:
Is eight going to become 18?
 By Pepper Parr
July 2nd, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
There is light at the end of the pandemic tunnel we are in.
And it has the sweet sound of a saxophone and the voice of a brilliant jazz vocalist.
 I got curious yesterday and wondered if things were improving enough for some of the traditional summer entertainment fare to return – so I sent a note to the folks at the Performing Arts Centre, where Tammy Fox runs the show, asking if the Jazz on the Patio might return in August.
 Plans are underway for Jazz on the Patio at the Performing Arts Centre Here it is – straight from the horse’s mouth:
“Yes, it’s looking positive for outdoor concerts on The plaza for August. Planning is underway. Can’t wait!!”
And neither can we.
By Staff
July 2nd, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The Beachway is getting a lot of attention these days.
Lovely part of the city – just find a parking spot when you get there.
In the not too distant future we should be seeing some local art to brighten the place up
The city sent out a Request for Proposals for Temporary Public Art Signs at The Beachway
Deadline: Friday July 30, 2021
Budget: $500 (design only), 15 commissions available
Here’s the fine print:
The City of Burlington public art program is launching a temporary art project, RE:DE(SIGN) as part of the 2021 Culture Days. Running from September 24 – October 24, Culture Days is 4 weeks of arts and culture experiences indoors, outdoors and online.
 This quiet path was once where two railway tracks carried freight from Burlington to the rest of the world. Freeman Station was one of the stops. This project will commission 15 Burlington artists to create small-scale works that will be installed on signposts along the Waterfront Trail, stretching from Beachway Park to the Lift Bridge. This project will provide trail users with a safe and accessible way to enjoy art and to learn more about the amazing creators in our community. Each artwork will be accompanied with a profile of the artist.
This call is open to Burlington-based artists and is open to all art forms that can be presented in a sign format. This includes, but is not limited to: visual art, graphic art, photography, poetry, writing, etc. Sound-based work such as music, spoken word, theatre, etc. may also be presented using QR codes.
Project Goals
The theme for the 2021 Culture Days is RE:IMAGINE. Arts and culture emerged as a lifeline of joy, providing gifts of colour, hope, and reprieve needed to make it through this past year. Collectively, we’re imagining what a post-pandemic world could look like and how we can each contribute to that picture being brighter. Through that lens, Culture Days has chosen RE:IMAGINE as the very apt 2021 theme.
RE:IMAGINE signals a positive turning point – the commitment to building tangible change into the future of arts and culture.
Artists submitting proposals for RE:DE(SIGN) should take inspiration from the RE:IMAGINE theme.
 The Art work will be placed along the Waterfront Trail right up to the canal. Additionally, the artwork should:
Be easily legible to pedestrian traffic, artwork that incorporates text must adhere to AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act) guidelines.
The artwork must be suitable for presentation in a public space, for all ages (i.e., the artwork may not contain profanity, hate speech, graphic imagery, etc.)
Important! Please read the full Call for Artists document (Click HERE to download PDF) before submitting an application as this contains important project details and application instructions.
Submit your Application Online
Applications may be submitted online, using Submittable. Click HERE to start your online application. You will need to create a free account to use Submittable. Please contact Kim Selman, 905-515-9334 or kim@cobaltconnects.ca if you need assistance with your application.
The Beachway is a storied part of Burlington. It was once a self-sustaining community of several thousand people. You can search the Gazette Archives for stories on what life was like in that community
 By Staff
July 2nd, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
After such an unusual year, local non-profit Bandology has some news that will hit all the right notes for keen young musicians. Their fifth annual Band Camp for teens will run a modified in-person, physically distanced camp this summer on July 12-16. A similar Band Camp Junior for kids ages 6-12 will run at the same time.
With the provincial government confirming that day camps may run this summer, Bandology has tweaked its usual concert band format to switch to handheld instruments instead. The potential to spread aerosol particles via blowing into instruments could be too risky, similar to school music programs which have not allowed blowing or singing this past year.
 A Bandology class in the Music Room at King’s Christian Collegiate in north Oakville However, the modified Band Camp will utilize a wide variety of handheld instruments, including drumline, ukulele, boomwhackers, bucket drumming and much more, all designed to keep kids interested and engaged. Plus, there’ll be music games and activities, plus special guests and performers. Above all, campers will have the opportunity to interact and hang out with other young musicians.
“This has been a tough year for everyone, but especially for kids used to hanging out in the music room,” said Lisa Michaels, co-founder of Bandology. “Social isolation and mental health are real issues that can be addressed by giving kids the chance to be together in a safe and welcoming environment.”
Bandology will observe all government protocols, including frequent hand washing and sanitization, physical distancing, mask indoors and small cohorts of campers. They will shift the majority of their programming outside, to reduce risk and extend opportunities for fresh air and play.
Parents can register their children online at bandology.ca. Band Camp V is for students in grades 7-12 while Band Camp Junior is for kids ages 6-12. Both camps run July 12-16 and are held at King’s Christian Collegiate in north Oakville. There is also a virtual option for those who would rather participate at a distance, with Band Camp Online running July 26-30.
Bandology provides other opportunities for young musicians to play, including the Play A Gig Online program, which gives kids and adults the chance to perform online, in either a live or pre-recorded format. Bandology also works to promote and advocate for the long-term value of music education.
By Maddy Van Clieaf
July 1, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The Sound of Music and the City of Burlington got together to let people hear some of the Sound as part of Canada Day Celebrations.
The smell of funnel cake, strums of guitar and thump of the bass that consumes Spencer Smith Park when the Sound is live was missing but local bands old and new, from Carly Rae Jepson to the Spoons, Terri Clark, and Lonestar to the rising group Grandson, the Sound of Music is where family, friends and music lovers join together to celebrate the vibrant arts scene in Burlington and beyond.
Instead of enjoying the cool breeze and unavoidable mud coating the bottom of every pair of sneakers- for it’s not the Sound of Music without rainfall beforehand- the authentic sound of Burlington can be heard from the comfort of your living room.
 Hayley Verrall Uploaded onto soundofmusic.ca, (CLICK HERE) a video with live performances from nine different local bands and performers can be streamed. The mix of performers comprises fresh faces Abby J Hall and Hayley Verrall, with Burlington staples Bliss and Suzie McNeil. The artists perform both original pieces and covers of famous CANCON songs from the likes of Blue Rodeo and Joni Mitchell.
Included in the music stream are interviews from previous festivals, introducing a wave of nostalgia and reminiscing past years. The online format can’t fully capture the magical ambiance of roaring crowds and mosh pits, but it highlights rising local talent and gives a taste of what is to come. Anticipation for upcoming SOM festivals vibrates through the live stream.
 Suzie McNeil In addition to the live stream, the Sound of Music has put together a Spotify playlist full of Canadian hits available here. There is also an interactive music experience through QR codes scattered about hiking trails and public spaces.
Andrea Ruthart, Kakisheway, from White Bear Treaty number 4, Cree Nation, made an impactful guest appearance to speak about the Hope for Healing project, helped by the City of Burlington. She and other Indigenous community members spoke on the meaning of reconciliation and the Indigenous song performed at Spencer Smith the day prior.
“This started with burning sweetgrass and blessing the land, and a song, which is also a prayer and a blessing, and a poem, and a call to action. The song was about the fire dance; it was about being seen and heard, which the indigenous community in our country for decades was not. “Mayor Marianne Meed Ward explained, “Music is a way to bridge that.”
The segment is sincere, although no Indigenous music was played or performed during the live stream. While the City of Burlington is celebrating, Indigenous communities in Canada are choosing not to recognize Canada Day this year to reflect and mourn the tragedy of residential schools and their legacy, which continues to plague Canada.
For Indigenous voices in the community to be heard and recognized, they need to be played and celebrated. The Sound of Music offers a large platform to do just that. Without true change and recognition of Indigenous artists in Burlington, the path to reconciliation will be a long one in the arts sphere.
By Pepper Parr
July 1st, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
We think there is a Sound of Music program for Canada Day – and we think it starts at 10:00 am but we are not certain.
The SoM web site has a lot of promises and build up to the events for the day but there is no schedule.
Here is what we do have:
“Tomorrow it’s a day filled with local artists, playlist tunes and big announcements of Summer shows ahead. Follow our social feeds and the website beginning at 10:00am.”
 This is the sound stage for the 2021 Sound of Music Festival. We understand the events are taking place in the Sound of Music studio at Nuvo One – best we can give you at this point is a link and hope it gets you some groovy music.
 This is the plan – the link to the site is set out above. Good Luck. One of the SoM fans put it this way:
 Madeleine Van Clieaf, Maddy to everyone, is part of a group of students working at the Gazette as part of the Local Journalism Initiative funded by the federal government. Maddy is a second year journalism student at Carleton University and will return to class in the fall.
Maddy graduated from Assumption High School and was a member of the Burlington Teen Tour Band
 By Pepper Parr
June 30th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The Art Gallery Board moved with dispatch in finding an Interim Executive Director for a minimum of six months while the Board does a thorough search for a full time Executive Director
 Lina Jabra; new interim Executive Director at the Art Gallery of Burlington Lina Jabra will join the AGB on Tuesday, July 6th, and remain in this position for a minimum of six months while the Board undertakes a search for a permanent CEO.
“The Board is very excited to welcome Lina to our organization,” said Jane Depraitere, AGB Board Chair. “Her experience in the arts sector including staff and volunteer leadership, her demonstrated strengths in community and audience engagement, and her commitment to innovation highlighting diversity and inclusion will help position the AGB for success during this transition period as we move forward”, said Ms. Depraitere.
Lina brings over twenty years of experience in the not-for-profit arts and culture sector. She is a graduate of the BFA program at the Corcoran School of Art in Washington DC and completed Executive Education Certificates in both Art and Non-Profit Management from Ohio’s Case Western Reserve University.
Since 1988 Lina has served with Arts-based organizations both as Executive Director as well as Management Consultant, including the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts in Toronto, VSA Arts of New Mexico, Through the Flower Foundation (TTF) attached to artist Judy Chicago in New Mexico, and the Ontario Clay and Glass Association in Toronto.
 Visitor to the Art Gallery looks closely at a painting listed in the auction catalogue. Lina said: “The Art Gallery of Burlington’s dedication to supporting and transforming the appreciation and love of art for all communities aligns with my experience and interest in the arts and art education, community building, and innovative programming, within a caring, collaborative and creative environment. I look forward to working with the AGB’s staff, volunteers, Board, members and all stakeholders in this exciting role”.
 By Pepper Parr
June 30th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The community battle to keep the current Robert Bateman High school functioning at some level within the community has been won.
 Bateman parents fought hard to keep the high school open. The parents with students attending the school were not able to keep the high school open – the bulk of the high school program got transferred to Nelson High School.
The Bateman parents were not wrong.
Ward 5 trustee Amy Collard, Ward 5 said “I have championed the idea of moving Gary Allan High School to the Bateman site since the decision to close Bateman was made in 2017, and I am very pleased to see the Board moving in this direction. The continued presence of a secondary school in southeast Burlington is good for the community.”
 Trustee Collard was consistent in her efforts over a five year period that the school site be retained for public use. Collard fought consistently to keep as much of the school operations in the community. At their June 2 meeting, Halton District School Board trustees approved a plan to relocate Gary Allan Learning Centre to Robert Bateman High School, both located in Burlington, and declare the remainder of the Robert Bateman High School facility surplus to its needs and to circulate it for purchase to other public agencies according to Ontario Regulation 444/98. This regulation sets out who can purchase or lease school property declared surplus and in what order expressions of interest are dealt.
As part of its disposition strategy of the former Robert Bateman High School property, the Board seeks to retain a long-term interest of approximately 45,000 square feet within the facility to accommodate Gary Allan Learning Centre, which provides adult, alternative and continuing education programs, and language instruction programs for newcomers, among others.
The plan to retain an interest in the facility is to ensure that the Board continues to maintain a visible and continued presence in the Southeast Burlington area, and continue offering and operating important educational programs within the community.
Through the Ontario Regulation 444/98 circulation process, public agencies will have the opportunity to submit their interest in retaining the remaining area of the facility of approximately 167,000 square feet to operate for their own uses in collaboration with the Board.
Public agencies include any government and/or educational entity that has jurisdiction within the area in which the school is located. The remaining Robert Bateman HS facility will be offered to prospective public agencies as a shared ownership, or as a long term lease back arrangement with the Board for up to 25 years on a cost recovery basis.
Burlington Marianne Meed Ward has had her eye on the property as well. Her ideas parallel those of Trustee Collard.
City Council is fully supportive of the City taking the important next step of formally submitting an expression of interest to purchase the Robert Bateman site now that the Halton District School Board (HDSB) has declared the site surplus.
 The building is in good shape, has a city owned swimming pool attached to it and a large sports field with a track at the rear. The City’s expression of interest will include the exploration of a partnership with Brock University to offer post-secondary programming on this site. The Burlington Economic Development Corporation has been the lead on that part of the file. Anita Cassidy has been working with Brock University on this.
In addition to exploring a relationship with Brock, the City also plans to partner with other institutions, ensuring that there is an adaptive reuse strategy for the site. This includes the Burlington Library relocating its Appleby Line branch to this location to develop a hub for learning and education.
Trustee Collard was very interested in having the school serve as a site where people new to Canada go for help in adjusting to how things are done in Ontario.
The Recreation Centre which is attached to the east side of the high school only adds to the outcome.
This acquisition would push forward key objectives laid out in the City of Burlington’s 25-year strategic plan. Key pillars of this Plan include making Burlington a city that grows through attracting talent, good jobs and economic opportunity to the community.
The Burlington Economic Development Corporation has been working with Brock University for some time. Setting them up at the Bateman site is a perfect fit.
 Former ward 6 Councillor Blair Lancaster as she signs the 20 year $1.3 million naming rights deal with Chris Haber lead partner of a Burlington law firm. Chris Glenn, Director of Parks and Recreation witnesses the “steal of a deal”. What we are seeing in this situation is much like the opening of the new high school and Library in Alton Village. The addition of a recreation centre resulted in a fully rounded community centre with a commercial driving school office on site. All it needed was a coffee shop and a dry cleaner to make it complete.
There is a very large sports field and track at the back of the school that will serve all the interests.
The issue will be to ensure that they do not give the “hub” a name that will come back to embarrass us all.
Naming rights were sold for the Alton set up – if naming rights are sold for Bateman location please ensure that the city gets a better deal. The price Haber paid for the naming rights was close to a steal.
Related news stories
Haber takes the naming rights
Collard fights to keep Bateman High school open.
The fight to keep Bateman open got a little dirty
Brock University decides they like Burlington better than Hamilton
By Staff
June 30th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
In a news story earlier this week we said: “Burlington may not be ready for this.”
The statement had to do with a production being put on virtually by the Performing Arts Centre that involved the City Manager and the Executive Director of the Burlington Downtown Business Association.
They were part of the cast for a reading of the play The Odd Couple that was a Broadway production and then a movie that is still being enjoyed. It was a good movie.
In an effort to bring some entertainment life to the city Tammy Fox, Executive Director of the Performing Arts Centre put together an idea and managed to convince several well known entertainers to take part and added in some local colour.
Given that City Manager Tim Commisso and BDBA Executive Director Brian Dean were featured it seemed like an opportunity to have some light hearted fun and use photographs in our files to show Commisso and Dean as “fun” guys.
Some took exception to what we had published.
Commisso and Dean along with other Burlington personalities have what might be called supporting roles. The hope is that they will perform their reading admirably.
The Performing Arts Centre has arranged for all the front line support workers free access to the online production. The Show Business people call this “sharing the love”.
We expect it to be a fun evening and anticipate with a measure of excitement on just how well Commisso and Dean will perform.
Pepperwoods has put together a take out offering – make it an evening when you don’t have to cook.
By Staff
June 29, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
It is too hot to spend much time outside and at this point in the pandemic we are all bugged out from bingeing on Netflix.
What’s left to do?
Try this: have you any idea how much money gets spent by your government – federal, provincial and municipal?
Tonnes.
There is an interactive map that lets you dive down into the data and learn where the money went and what it was spent on and a bit of a time line.
 Each of the images on the screen has data behind it – you can drill down several levels. Link to that web site: CLICK HERE
This will keep you going for hours; the carbon man will love it.
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By Staff
June 29th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The Ontario government is investing in a plan to counter Islamophobia and ensure classrooms are free from discrimination.
Those in the community who were raised in a different culture than what most of us are used to seeing are beginning to play a larger role in public life.
 Muslims taking part in a public prayer event at Spencer Smith Park. The Muslim community recently held a Call to Payer on a Friday afternoon in Spencer Smith Park rather than at their mosque.
Few people in Burlington had ever witnessed such an event.
We now have a Muslim woman nominated as the Liberal candidate for the next provincial election.
We see a lot more woman wearing the hijab when they are out for a walk or in the supermarkets. We are also seeing different food offerings on the shelves.
We human being are not very good at adapting to change. The kids get it – their parents have a more difficult time.
As part of the Safe Return to Class fund, Ontario’s government is providing $225,000 to the Muslim Association of Canada to create digital resources for educators, students and parents to raise awareness about Islamophobia. These resources will provide information about Islamic practices, values and misconceptions, root causes of Islamophobia and ways to help end Islamophobia, racism and discrimination.
Ontario is also providing $75,000 to the National Council of Canadian Muslims to facilitate outreach and engagement with Muslim parents and families, with a focus on newcomer communities. These engagements will provide information on school supports and will provide culturally relevant resources to enhance well-being for families and help Muslim students prepare for the return to school in September.
 The Muslim community is reaching out to the people of Burlington – the city now needs to learn to hear what they are saying. According to the most up to date data from Statistics Canada, hate crimes have been on the rise in Canada, with a nine per cent increase in anti-Muslim attacks in 2019, when compared to the previous year. Tragic and disturbing reports and incidents across Canada and the world over the past years underscore the need for action.
“It is unacceptable that many Muslim students continue to face discrimination in our schools, on our playgrounds and in communities across this country,” said Minister of Education Stephen Lecce. “That is why we are investing and partnering with community leaders — who are leading this effort— to counter racism and better support Ontario’s Muslim students and their families.
By Staff
June 29th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Finally, we are moving into Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen.
In this step there are all kinds of things that people can do.
Details are set out below.
However, the virus is still out there – we all know the rules – there are times and places when a mask and social distancing are necessary.
Halton will officially move into Step 2 of the Roadmap to Reopen, beginning Wednesday, June 30 at 12:01 a.m. The Roadmap is the province’s three-step plan to safely lift public health measures based on provincewide vaccination and infection rates.
Changes to recreation programming
 Sport Fields
Effective June 30, all outdoor sport is open, and the City will contact sport organizations for scheduling. Additional guidelines include:
• Cohorting is no longer needed and there are no league limits
• Incidental contact is allowed, e.g. tagging a player in baseball, or a defender using their body in soccer. Sustained contact that takes place in games like rugby or football is not permitted
• Face masks are not required when outdoors but recommended. Masks are required if you cannot maintain a three-meter distance for sports, and two-meter distance for other activities
• Outdoor sport facilities with spectators is permitted at 25% for seated venues.
 Outdoor Pools
Nelson and Mountainside Pool and Splash Parks, LaSalle Splash Park and splash pads are open for swimming lessons, drop-in lap swims, and recreational swims, including Tim Hortons Free Summer Swimming Days throughout the summer, until Sept. 6.
For all outdoor pools, registration is required 25-hours in advance at burlington.ca/dropinandplay, and all participants must fill out the pre-screening form one hour before their pool time at burlington.ca/screening.
Summer swim passes, and 30-day lap swim passes, can be purchased at liveandplay.burlington.ca
For more information on pools, visit burlington.ca/swimming.
Outdoor Adult Drop-in Programs
Outdoor adult drop-in programs for wellness and fitness are open for registration. Pre-registration is required at burlington.ca/dropinandplay.
Facilities
 The Bistro, the heart of the Seniors’ Centre won’t be open until we are in Step Three of the Road map to Re-opening. Indoor facilities will remain closed until Step 3 of the Province’s Roadmap to Reopen with exceptions such as summer camps.
Other City services
City Hall
426 Brant St. 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.
Service Burlington offers marriage licenses and commissioning services by appointment only. Please call Service Burlington at 905-335-7777 or start your booking online to schedule an appointment at burlington.ca/marriagelicences or burlington.ca/commissioning.
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.
Burlington Transit Burlington Transit continues to operate on a modified schedule. For schedule and real-time bus information, visit myride.burlingtontransit.ca. Reduced Youth Summer passes and SPLIT passes are available to purchase at the Downtown Terminal, 430 John St.
Halton Court Services In-person court administration counter services at 4085 Palladium Way are available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday to Friday. Telephone payments are available at 905-637-1274, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. Many services are also available by email at burlingtoncourt@burlington.ca or online at Halton Court Services.
Parking Parking enforcement is in effect. Residents needing to park on-street past the five-hour limit can apply for a parking permit or exemptions at burlington.ca/parkingexemption.
Roads, Parks and Forestry Services provided by the Roads, Parks and Forestry Department will continue as needed. Residents with questions or concerns can email RPF@burlington.ca or call 905-333-6166.
As the provincewide vaccination rate and key public health and health care indicators improve, and City staff receives and reviews updated orders from the Province of Ontario and more details under its Roadmap to Reopen, we will continue to comply and keep you up-to-date on available City services and what can open while keeping City of Burlington staff and residents safe.
Burlington is a City where people, nature and businesses thrive. City services may look different as we work to stop the spread of COVID-19. The City’s commitment to providing the community with essential services remains a priority. Sign up to learn more about Burlington at Burlington.ca/Enews and download the free City of Burlington app.
 Mayor Meed War opening an outdoor exercise area in the east end. Mayor Marianne Meed Ward believes: ““We are going in the right direction and getting closer to enjoying more activities and visiting more of our favourite businesses safely. I want to again thank our community for your continued efforts in following public health advice and guidelines, and getting vaccinated. It’s through your sacrifices and actions that we’re in the next step of reopening. We are getting closer to being on the other side of this pandemic together as a community.”
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By Staff
June 28th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Everyone in the entertainment business has had to pivot and find a way to get their show off the stage that can’t open.
Sound of Music and the City are joining forces and hitting the high notes together to celebrate Canada Day with a free online streamed performance featuring a myriad of local artists.
More details to come shortly!
Dial into Soundofmusic.ca and see what they have that turns your crank.
It’s been a while since we’ve heard much from that organization.
 By Staff
June 28th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
It has been a long, long, long 18+ months; with vaccinations on the rise and covid cases on the decline, things are starting to get back to some sort of normalcy. But… we still have a long way to go and while summer fast approaches, the reality is there is still a lot we don’t know and much to contend with.
The folks at Peachey Counselling Services are putting on a free Coping with Covid workshop July 7th from 6:30 to 8 pm via Zoom.
 Stephanie Peachey, a Registered Social Worker and founder of the Counselling and Family Support Service will be delivering part of the free workshop July 7th During the live zoom event they will break down how to cope with stress, anxiety and burnout. They will pass along some tips and set out some strategies to help build resiliency so you can have the best summer possible.
Topics Discussed
What You May Be Feeling: From frustration to fear, to anxiety or burnout. We’ll talk it out.
Under Pressure: Do you NOT want things to go back to pre-pandemic days? Do you feel pressured to let go of some of the things that you liked about being in lockdown?
Getting Prepared for Uncertainty: If there is anything we learned, especially in the last several months, we don’t know what to expect or plan for…so we’ll work on being prepared to handle that kind of uncertainty.
Building Resiliency: We’ll share all sorts of tips and strategies to help you develop the coping skills you will need to build resiliency so you can have the best summer possible.
This workshop is being facilitated by Stefanie Peachey, Registered Social Worker and owner of Peachey Counselling and Family Support, and Chris Martin, Registered Psychotherapist and member of Peachey Counselling and Family Support.
Their office is on the Pearl/Pine side of Village Square; 414 Pearl Street Unit 11 Village Square Burlington ON L7R 2N1 Situated on the 2nd floor
To Register email their office at: info@peacheycounselling.ca
By Staff
June 28, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
There was a period of time when all elective surgery was put on hold. That made life very difficult for many people.
Now that elective surgery is being done – the blood supply is threatened.
With a long weekend before us – the need to increase the supply matters.
 Eligible donors are encouraged to book and keep their appointments between now and July 4.
The national blood inventory continues to meet patients’ needs but is declining because of increased demand and missed or unfilled blood donation appointments.
While all blood types help patients, there is a specific need for donors with O-negative blood type. Donors with O-negative blood are part of a select group whose donations are compatible with everyone. As the universal blood type, patients in an emergency can all receive O-negative blood.
In compliance with the Public Health Agency of Canada’s direction to enable physical distancing, at this time, we can only welcome people with appointments.
If you’re in general good health, please book and honour your appointment to help patients. Download the GiveBlood app available on the AppStore or GooglePlay, call 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283) or book now at blood.ca.
 By Pepper Parr
June 28th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
OPINION
 Mariam Manaa Liberal candidate in the next provincial election The Liberals have nominated their candidate for the next provincial election scheduled for June of 2022. Mariam Manaa defeated Andrea Grebenc.
The likelihood of the Premier calling a snap election is high – providing he can come up with an angle that lets him look like the hero he needs to be if the public is going to return him to office.
Dealing with the pandemic put Doug Ford well outside his comfort zone.
The messaging was for the most part terrible; the decision to re-open the hospitality sector in February was a serious mistake that his Science table had warned him about.
Doug Ford is a business person. He believes that business large and small drives the economy and that a healthy economy is what it is all about.
He cannot see beyond those blinders.
 A Premier out of his comfort zone. His government is at risk. When there is blood in the water the sharks come out. Every riding association is evaluating its prospects. The Progressive Conservatives have Jane McKenna in place. Opinion on Jane is divided and she is her own worst enemy.
The New Democrats have not publicly announced their candidate but if it isn’t Andrew Drummond they don’t have a hope.
The problem for their leader is that Andrea Horwath can’t be elected Premier. Whatever the ingredient is that gets one elected Andrea doesn’t have it.
The Greens may put up a candidate.
 Mariam Manaa: an advocate for women even during her high school years. The Liberals made a bold choice. The chose Mariam Manaa, a young Muslim woman who wears her hijab most of the time and is active and effective within the Muslim community.
She defeated Halton District School Board Chair Andrea Grebenc who we believe was seen as the favourite.
What was it that had the Burlington Liberals choose Manaa? She got the most votes – does that translates into her bringing more people into Liberal Party membership?
The problem with the process the Liberals used for creating membership was that anyone could become a member. All you had to do was prove you lived in Burlington and you were a member.
Membership in the Ontario Liberal Party is open to all residents of Ontario who are 14 years of age or older.
A savvy political wannabe would call every BEST Friend Forever they had and encourage them to join the Liberal Party and vote for them as the candidate.
It becomes a popularity contest – the candidate with the most members (friends) can expect to win the nomination.
Did Manaa do what any smart politician would do, which is to is get out and round up every breathing body you can find and urge them to become a member?
And once a member, ask them to vote for you as the nominee when the election deciding who the candidate is to be takes place.
Anybody who lives in Burlington could become a Liberal. And I mean anybody.
There was no membership fee, no oath or even a pledge to accept and support a set of principles and objectives.
 The idea at the time seems to have been: let anyone become a member and once we know who they are they can be nurtured and grown into a campaign worker, perhaps a financial donor and, heck, maybe even become the candidate in a riding that will take anyone as the candidate because they haven’t got a hope in hell of winning the constituency.
Did Manaa dig deeply in the Muslim community and create more members than Grebenc?
We will never know. The Burlington Provincial Liberal party proved to be very poor messengers this time out.
The election results for nominations are never made public.
Nor does the party association say a word about who brought in the most new members. Those that became members don’t declare who they are supporting.
It would be interesting to know just how many new members the Burlington Liberals brought in.
There isn’t much evidence on which to make assumptions.
The issue for the Burlington Liberals is can Mariam Manaa beat Jane McKenna and if she does, on what issue will she win?
 Will the just-below-the-surface racism in Burlington rear its ugly head and fail to look at the merit of each candidate?
Recent elections in Burlington have gotten very dirty and have resulted in Municipals Act, Elections Act and Criminal Code offence charges being laid.
The objective in politics is to win the seat and hope that the party wins enough seats to form a government.
The Gazette knows of one person who is not and never will be a Liberal – but joined the Party nevertheless in order to be able to cast a ballot against a specific candidate.
Another, who is politically svelte, joined to vote for a particular candidate but would never work to get her elected.
With the membership determined it is then up to candidates who seek the party nomination to convince those members to vote for them as the candidate.
We don’t know if a membership was made available to the candidates.
 It’s a little like setting out to see how many likes you can get on your Facebook page. Do they mean anything?
The process strikes me as devoid of any principles or values. At the federal level those values are difficult to find but that is another story.
We look forward to how Mariam Manaa positions herself and tells her story.
Seeing someone from the diverse (what a terrible word – is there not a better one?) community seeking our vote is progress for Burlington.
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
June 26th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
An early look at what Julie Neal and her crew of volunteers managed to pull from the community in terms of bottle and beer cans Saturday during the bottle drive.
 Julie Neal checking on a load of beer cans that were trucked to Stoney Creek to be redeemed for cash The van is one of several that were pressed into service.
We should have a preliminary count this evening. The food collected will be going to the Food bank; the cash will be going to The Compassion Society
By Staff
June 26th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
 Eric Vandewall Joseph Brant Hospital President and CEO Eric Vanderwall updates the community saying:
“Since my last update on May 28, we have seen continued positive signs of progress in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
“In recent weeks, Ontario has been reporting the lowest daily COVID-19 case counts in nine months. The seven-day rolling average is now trending at around 330 cases a day, whereas just over a month ago, we were seeing on average 2,500 cases a day. Additionally, last week we celebrated having no acute COVID-19 patients in our hospital for the first time since March. This is truly a significant milestone and I would like to thank our community for doing their part to help us push through the third wave.
“You have continued to follow public health measures as the province entered the first phase of a three-stage reopening plan and have protected yourself and your loved ones through vaccination. I am very proud to report that as of today, our vaccination clinic has administered over 40,000 doses. Across Halton, nearly 480,000 people have now received either a first or second dose. Thank you all for your efforts and action in helping our community stay safe.
“I know that the last year has been challenging; however, there have also been many exceptional moments and milestones. Our Annual Report for 2020-2021 was released last week sharing stories of Innovation and Compassion, Together with our Community. You may access a copy here. This report reflects the resilience and dedication of our staff and physicians and the support we received from the community over the last year. Our Board of Directors and Senior Leadership Team are proud of the work and achievements by the Hospital and Foundation throughout an exceptionally challenging year.
 It is a rule that has served us all very well – maintain it please for a while longer. “As we look towards our post-pandemic future and the needs of our hospital and community, we are actively recruiting RNs and RPNs to fill open positions in many areas of the hospital.
“As we continue into these bright and warm summer months, I encourage you all to take some time to rest, relax, recharge and reconnect. I also encourage you to do your part to get fully vaccinated to help us get one step closer to the end of this pandemic. Thank you, stay safe and take care.”
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