 By Staff
June 17th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
At the June 16, 2021 meeting of the Halton District School Board, Trustees unanimously approved a motion to rename Ryerson Public School on Woodview Road in Burlington in accordance with the Board’s Naming and Renaming Schools Policy and Governance Procedure.
 Egerton Ryerson statue The renaming process will begin in September 2021 to ensure the parent/guardian, student and broader community has the opportunity to provide their input. The process to rename the school will be completed by the end of November 2021. The current exterior school sign will be covered until a new name is chosen. Information and signage will also be posted to indicate a renaming process will take place in Fall 2021.
As part of the Board motion, the Chair of the Board will also send a letter to the Mayor of Burlington to inform her of the initiation of the HDSB process to rename the school, as the community park adjacent to the school bears the same name.
Ryerson Public School was named after Egerton Ryerson for his contributions to the Ontario education system, however, Ryerson was also instrumental to the design of Canada’s residential school system. In 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada concluded this assimilation amounted to the genocide of Indigenous people.
There have been growing calls to remove Ryerson’s name from public buildings and institutions and the HDSB has received formal requests to remove Ryerson’s name from the school. At their June 16, 2021 meeting, Trustees also heard a delegation from a Ryerson Public School parent in support of renaming the school.
As part of the HDSB’s Multi-Year Strategic Plan 2020-2024, the Board has committed to champion supportive and inclusive practices, and to promote knowledge and understanding of Indigenous perspectives and realities. One of the first steps taken is to assess how the HDSB can raise awareness.
“As Trustees, we need to lead by example and have the courage to approach these difficult conversations,” says Chair Andréa Grebenc. “As years have gone by and truths have been uncovered, we have a responsibility, in collaboration with our staff and communities, to reevaluate past decisions and address accordingly.
 Portrait of Egerton Ryerson “The perspectives of the diverse communities of Halton must be valued and honoured. Indigenous students, staff and the broader community should be able to enter a school without being harmed by the HDSB upholding the name of a person that has contributed to genocide.”
Egerton Ryerson did more than contribute, he created the public school system we have today. Erasing history doesn’t mean it disappears – all we have done is hide it.
Ryerson was reported to have “done more than any other man of his day for the cause of public instruction in Ontario.”
 By Staff
June 17, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington Green has announced that the city-wide Clean Up is back on.
 Sign up to participate in this popular and rewarding city-wide opportunity to safely collect litter from our communities.
You can also register to participate in various at-home green up activities to help grow the local tree canopy and strengthen local biodiversity.
Since BurlingtonGreen began hosting this inclusive event back in 2011, a whopping 109,000+ people have participated in these collective efforts, resulting in cleaner and greener parks, streams, schoolyards and neighbourhoods. Join in the fun and be part of the change!
You can find all the details, benefits, tips and perks when you register your activities by Registering HERE
 By Staff
June 17th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Canada’s Largest Ribfest is “Popping” back up this Canada Day!
 Canada’s Largest Ribfest, a fundraising initiative of Rotary Burlington Lakeshore, is thrilled to be returning to Burlington Centre for a “Pop-Up” drive-thru event, this Canada Day, July 1st, 2021.
The public is invited to the Burlington Centre parking lot, at 777 Guelph Line from 10am to 7pm to experience the fun and flavour of Rotary Lakeshore’s Drive-Thru Ribfest in a safe, socially-distant way. “The safety of our guests, rib teams & volunteers is top priority, while also supporting the charities who need us most right now.”, said Jay Bridle, Co-Chair of Canada’s Largest Ribfest.
Over the course of 25 years, through Canada’s Largest Ribfest, Rotary Burlington Lakeshore has raised over $4.5 million for local, national, and international charities.
 It worked just fine last year. It will be even better this year. “Canceling our Labour Day weekend event that attracts upwards of 175,000 guests for a second year
in a row is a huge disappointment and really impacts our ability to support those charities and
individuals who need it most, now more than ever.” remarked Canada’s Largest Ribfest Co-Chair,
Brent Paszt. “Our Drive-Thru Rib Events enable us to continue that support”; he added.
Rotary Burlington Lakeshore President Jay Thomblison stated that, “after the success of last year’s
Rotary Drive-Thru Ribfests, we saw fit to try it again, not just once, but twice this summer! Proceeds
from this event, along with those generated from our upcoming Labour Day Drive-Thru, will enable
us to continue that support that our charitable friends rely on.”
Guests are asked to enter Burlington Centre from the Fairview Street entrance and will remain in
their vehicles for the duration of their visit. Food vendors will take orders and payment (cards
preferred) and will deliver each completed order to your vehicle. Gloves and masks will be worn by
all staff, vendors, and volunteers.
Four award-winning rib teams in attendance will include Camp 31 BBQ, Billy Bones BBQ, Uncle
Sam’s BBQ, and Sticky Fingers BBQ. There will also be food offerings from East Side Mario’s,
Blaze Pizza, Tiny Tom Donuts, and Ontario Corn Roasters, ensuring that there’s something for the
entire family. The event will also include live music for guests to enjoy while they wait in the
comfort and safety of their vehicles.
Special thanks to our lead sponsors, Burlington Centre and Cogeco, who are once again supporting
the event, showing that the community is dedicated to helping Rotary Burlington Lakeshore raise
funds for their important work.
 By Pepper Parr
June 16th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The Regional government is working on an amendment to its Official Plan.
Burlington’s Official Plan has to be approved by the Region – so what the Region approves is what we are permitted to and expected to do.
Planning is about growth.
 A proposed Carriage Gate development at the east end of the football – a stone’s throw from the ADI Nautique that is now under construction. For the people of Burlington growth is what they don’t want to see in the downtown core.
The province has mandated that future growth is to be focused around the three GO stations where some significant growth has taken place.
The Aldershot GO station has a large new community that will be home to some 2500 people when it is complete. It is more than halfway completed at this point with more to come.
 The Paradigm from the east side Burlington has the Molinaro development that is entering into stage 2. Nothing in the Appleby GO – yet.
Longer term – out to 2051 here is what the numbers look like as the planners at the regional and municipal levels work through what the province has mandated.
 About 350,000 + people will pour into the Region between now and 2051 – planners are currently working out what each municipality will have to absorb.
By Staff
June 16th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The push is on.
The new COVID19 infection rate is low but it is not low enough – and from time to time it spikes a bit.
And the Delta variant is out there and it is dangerous.
The scientists believe the answer is to get everyone vaccinated.
There are eight clinics and 100 pharmacies in the Region that will vaccinate you.
 Residents can get their first or second doses at:
- one of eight Halton Vaccination Clinics in all Halton municipalities;
- almost 100 pharmacy locations in Halton; or
- select Primary Care Offices offering COVID-19 vaccines to community members
- Starting Wednesday, June 16, residents 12 years of age and older can book appointments at a Provincial Pop-up Clinic in Oakville through Halton’s online booking system.
The Regional web site location for finding the pharmacy closest to you isn’t all that elegant but it works.
Click HERE for that site:
We are in the process of winning the fight to beat back the pandemic. The scientists have done marvelous work and the people that invented the doses that are now being used did something modern medicine has never seen before.
 By Eva Thaler
June 16th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Students have some favorite places to visit to ease their stress after a long, tiring day at school. Know their favorite places in Burlington.
Burlington is among the places that students choose to study. There are a lot of schools that students can choose from. It is favorite among parents and students because of the suitable environment it has plus the good quality of education its schools provide. Being in a top-notch school, university or college can bring pressure and stress to any student. It is normal to be given tons of schoolwork in these wonderful schools. You would sometimes wish you could ask someone to help you and say ‘please
write a paper for meessay helper online
It is a good thing that you can find essay helper online these days. There are websites like https://writemyessayforme.cheap/ and many others that you can order essays from. This will give you the chance to be eased from doing tons of written work for the school. Through these student-help websites, you can take a breather and relax a bit.
Students are not just for schoolwork. They should also have the time for themselves to relax, rest and enjoy life. Burlington may have the best schools around, but it also has tons of places that students love to visit.
Top Places in Burlington for Students
Mapleview Shopping Centre
This premier shopping centre in southern Ontario is among the favorites of students with shopping, dining, movies, and more. When they want to unwind and simply enjoy the company of friends, this is their usual destination. It has establishments where they can eat, play, shop, and enjoy. And of course, shopping is always among the favorite pastimes for young people.
 One of the best outdoor locations in the city. Royal Botanical Gardens
Not all may love plants and flowers, but this garden is a favorite place for students. It is because it is relaxing and quiet. The plants, trees, and flowers will free your eyes and mind from the stress and pressure that you get from school. It will relax your body and brain and simply give you the time to re-energize. Besides, this is a national historic site in Canada and everyone wants to visit this place because of its beauty.
Mount Nemo Conservation Area
Students who love adventure often visit the Mount Nemo Conservation Area. Here, they can walk down the trail, jog, climb and simply explore the beautiful mountain tracks. Those who wish for an outdoor and physical activity to do will enjoy going to this place.
 From the top of Mt Nemo you can see the CN Tower on a good day – everyday you can say rural Burlington spread out before you. On a spectacular day you might find a rock climber popping up in front of you as the scale the heights. Art Gallery of Burlington
Students who love arts are the ones who frequently visit this place. Art museums can be informative and inspirational. Those who are thinking of pursuing a career in the arts will surely enjoy visiting an art museum like the Art Gallery of Burlington.
Downtown Burlington
Students who do not have a specific activity or place in mind would just go downtown. This is where they can find many activities to do and establishments to visit. You can go walking on the streets where you can see historic buildings. There are also hotels, churches, and establishments that will amaze your eyes.
Bars and Lounges
Students also love the nightlife. Those who love music, food, drinks, and the company of friends enjoy going to bars and lounges. Burlington has tons of these and students can easily pick their favorites.
Stonehaven Farms
Those who love fruit picking or seeing lovely plantations of vegetables go to Stonehaven Farms often. Students that cook a lot or those who are into agriculture enjoy visits to these farms. This farm has been around since 1904. Its bounty of fresh produce is well-maintained and has been providing the people of Burlington nature’s products all year round. This place offers clean, and relaxing air which will help students relax and simply enjoy nature.
 Popular waterhole – yards from Spencer Smith Park and the edge of Lake Ontario Roaming around for Restaurants
There are tons of restaurants in Burlington. From the ones that sell cheap hotdogs on buns or stick to the fine dining restaurants, students explore and get to taste the delicacies being served in the many dining establishments around Burlington. Students who have free time usually go out and dine in with friends or family. There are various cuisines to choose from, giving students a lot of options.
Lowville Park
This has been a good summer getaway for many students of Burlington. You can do fishing, basking in the lake, walking, picnicking, jogging and a lot more. This place is not only for friends but also for the entire family.
When the students get their time off from school, these are the places they usually go to in Burlington. This place offers tons of activities that students of different preferences will enjoy. There will always be a perfect place for every student of Burlington. This is among the reasons even international students would love to study here. It is not just the schools that they want to enjoy but also the entirety and beauty of Burlington.
By Pepper Parr
June 14th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
We get about eight, sometimes as many as a dozen media releases announcing what different Members of Cabinet were doing in the way of public statements.
Anything would justify an announcement – it was difficult to keep up at times.
 Ontario Premier Doug Ford Today, the government invoked the “Notwithstanding Clauses in the provincial governance protocols that we have.
The Gazette re-published an opinion published by the Globe and Mail this morning.
We can add to that the statement put out by the Leader of the Liberal Party in Ontario, Steve Del Duca, who does not yet have a seat in the Legislature. He was the Minister of Transportation in the Wynne government that went down to a disastrous defeat during the last provincial election when the Liberals were left with seven seats.
Many feel that the use of the Not Withstanding clause was the first step in a plan to call an early election once the pandemic recovery is in its third stage and the province is close to getting back to whatever the new normal is going to be.
Del Duca issued a statement today saying:
“Today is a sad day for our democracy. In the cover of darkness, Doug Ford has rammed through legislation that will undermine our right to free speech by silencing his critics.
Doug Ford’s power grab is nothing more than an attempt to save his own political skin while changing the rules of an election he’s already running in.
Make no mistake, Doug Ford is silencing the frontline heroes — the nurses, doctors, teachers, essential workers, and personal support workers who are speaking out against his government.
This didn’t have to be today’s reality. In 2018, Ontario Liberals fought to prevent the routine use of the Notwithstanding Clause in Ontario’s governance, but with the help of Andrea Horwath and the NDP, Doug Ford’s majority shut down our motion.”
This is a black day for everyone in the province.
Related editorial item:
Globe and Mail opinion piece.
The Regional Municipality of Halton
For Immediate Release
June 15, 2021
Halton MOH updates Class Order to align with Provincial guidance and further protect residents
To align with Provincial guidance, Halton Region’s Medical Officer of Health has made important amendments to her Class Order requiring self-isolation under Section 22 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act. Effective 12:01 a.m. on June 16, 2021, the amendments revise and clarify self-isolation requirements to prevent COVID-19 transmission in the community.
“A key role of Public Health in controlling the spread of the virus is to identify, contact and make sure high risk individuals are isolating as quickly as possible,” said Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Halton Region’s Medical Officer of Health. “Stopping the spread of COVID-19 is a community effort and as we enter Step 1 of the Roadmap to Reopen we need to make every effort to further reduce the spread and severity of the virus in our community. It is important that our community continues to follow all public health direction and has clarity on what they need to do to stay healthy and protect others.”
Amendments to the Class Order reflect new provincial guidance and include an exemption for some fully vaccinated individuals from the requirement to self-isolate. Key amendments to the Order include:
- clarification that Halton Region Public Health may require people to self-isolate to prevent COVID-19 transmission in circumstances beyond the categories itemized in the Class Order; and
- an exemption to self-isolation requirements for some fully vaccinated individuals, based on specific requirements and in consultation with Halton Region Public Health.
Details of the changes to self-isolation requirements in the Class Order include:
Fully vaccinated individuals who are a close contact of a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19 may not be required to self-isolate if:
- they received their second dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine series, or first dose of a one-dose vaccine series, 14 days or more before the day on which they last had close contact with the confirmed case or probable case of COVID-19;
- their vaccine history has been confirmed by Halton Region Public Health;
- they are asymptomatic; and
- they are not a resident of a long-term care or retirement home, a patient admitted to a health care setting, or an individual with an immunocompromising condition (for example, organ or stem cell transplantation recipients, undergoing chemotherapy or immunosuppressive therapies).
Fully vaccinated individuals who meet these requirements may still be required to self-isolate if Halton Region Public Health has information that links their exposure to a Variant of Concern of the COVID-19 virus for which vaccine effectiveness is not well established.
Even if Halton Region Public Health has told you that you do not need to self-isolate:
- you must report your exposure to your employer and follow any restrictions from work as specified by your employer; and
- if you develop new symptoms (even mild symptoms) of COVID-19, you must self-isolate immediately and report your symptoms to Halton Region Public Health.
Halton Region and Ontario have now experienced outbreaks and community transmission of Variants of Concern (VOCs) of the COVID-19 virus—even in vaccinated individuals. Following public health measures is the best way to protect the community against the spread of COVID-19, including VOCs. To protect yourself and others this summer:
- get fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (two doses);
- practice physical distancing by maintaining a 2-metre distance from others outside of your household (or 3-metres if and as required for some newly permitted activities);
- wear a non-medical mask where required and when physical distancing cannot be maintained;
- wash hands frequently with soap and water or with alcohol-based hand rub; and
- get tested if you think you have COVID-19 or may have been exposed to it, even if you’ve been vaccinated. Stay home, and self-isolate.
To learn more, please read the Class Order and the Class Order fact sheet. To learn more about COVID-19 in our community and what you need to do to protect yourself and others, including under the Class Order, please visit halton.ca/COVID19. |
By Staff
June 15th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The person who is present with children in school, especially at the elementary and middle school levels is the teacher.
 First Student school bus drivers taking part in a fun day to get caught up and get a sense as to whether or not students will get taught in classrooms come September. But there are two other people who interact with the children every day. The crossing guard for those who walk to school and the school bus drivers who pick the kids up and drive them home. Each of them steps into the bus where the driver gets a good look at them.
Most long term drivers have known the kids for years, have watched them grow and mature.
 Getting the last of the condiment out of the bottle. Tuesday after noon some 165 drivers and 35 management people gathered in the bus parking lot to do the best they could in the way of an awards events – something they hold each year.
Covid19 has upset just about every event – the First Student Transportation group, that does a large portion of the student transportation, held an event that had managers taking a seat atop a dunk tank.
 Waiting for someone to decide they want to dunk Drivers go to buy balls that they would throw at a target that loosens a bar that lets the person sitting in a seat drop into the water.
All of the dunking had taken place by the time the Gazette reporter arrived.
We did meet several of the people who took their turn in the tank who proudly said they were either the first second or third person to get dunked.
The dunking was set up as a Fund Raiser for the Halton Food 4 Kids program that feeds kids breakfast at schools throughout the Region.
They raised just over $800 and were delighted. The people who put their hands in their wallets aren’t paid all that much which makes the amount raised impressive.
First Student operates 180 buses under a contract from the Halton Student Transportation Services (HSTS) – which is a collaboration between the Public and the Catholic School Boards that ensures there are enough buses available.
A school bus has a ten year life cycle and is inspected every three months.
All the mechanical maintenance is done on site.
First Student has contract operations in Canada, including Quebec, the United States and Britain.
Dave Colloy runs HSTS and works closely with both school boards and the operations people at each of the two transportation companies who hold contracts.
 Kevin Bergman at the wheel of the bus he trains people to use. Kevin Bergman, who oversees safety and the training of the drivers. They end up with a B Class license which is the highest you can get, said Bergman who is an MTO (Minister of Transportation) certified instructor.
He gives the drivers 40 hours of instruction: 10 hours in skills training, 17 hours in class, 15-17 hours on the road.
The drivers are then tested on the classroom training and again in a bus on the road.
The classroom work is done in one-on-one settings.
Bergman was the last of the managers to sit on the seat waiting to be dunked. When we saw him he was standing in the water, literally shivering, waiting for someone to pony up a couple of bucks to dunk him again.
The drivers stood around in small groups getting caught up with who was doing what during the lockdown.
These are people who deal with change every day. Weather is what determines how their day is likely to go.
The day for the drivers starts as early as 4:00 am when they have to get the keys to the bus they drive, learn of any changes in the route they are driving, gas up and do the walk around of the bus to make sure everything is where it is supposed to be.
For the drivers – they see their colleagues as part of a group providing a vital service. They see the students they transport as part of a family.
You gotta’ like kids, is the way Kevin Bergman describes the job.
Transportation and transit are undergoing serious changes. While the drivers see diesel buses as real work horses with a ten year life span they can see electric buses on the horizon. The comment from all the drivers is about how quiet the electric buses are.
 Shivering in the tank Kevin Bergman waits for someone who wants to pay to dunk him. The changes in class hours for high school students that are in pilot mode at a couple of school boards will mean big changes. It might mean additional hours for some of the drivers who would transport elementary students early in the morning and high school students in time to get them to class for 10:00am.
Should the pilot be made policy by the Ministry of Education there will be some significant changes.
It all comes back to the drivers who can usually spot a kid having a tough time. “We see the bullying and we break up that stuff very quickly.”
Problems at home are always reflected on the faces of the students who clime on board. When they are happy the drivers see it the moment they step into a bus.
“When my drivers are happy – I am very very happy.” said Bergman.
By Pepper Parr
June 15th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
For those who said she couldn’t do it – fess up and admit you were wrong.
 Her election was based on changing the way the core would be developed. They elected her and today the promise was delivered. Mayor Marianne Meed Ward believed she could present a strong enough case to convince the Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs Minister of Municipal Housing and Affairs that the city should be allowed to determine what the Urban Growth Centre boundary should be.
Today the Minister visited Burlington and stood with the Mayor and MPP Jane McKenna for the announcement that Burlington can adjust UGC Boundary
The adjustment of the boundary of the UGC, once centered on the downtown core, will put the focus of the designation on the Burlington GO Station, allowing the City to direct future height and density near mass transit and help build more complete communities.
This decision supports the work already incorporated into Burlington’s revised new Official Plan (OP), already approved by Halton Region. Burlington’s new OP includes stronger protections for green space, heritage, jobs, the rural community, established low-density neighbourhoods and a special focus on preserving the character of the downtown.
The existence of an Urban Growth Centre in the downtown resulted in development applications that brought a number of developments into the core; two are currently being built.
Others are in various stages of applications; several are before LPAT.
Mayor Meed Ward acknowledges the work MP Jane McKenna put into getting the approval from the Ministry but make no mistake about this – it was Mayor Marianne Meed Ward who made it happen over the doubts of many.
McKenna’s contribution included a photo op of the start of construction for a 20+ condominium tower across the street from city hall.
 The ground breaking for the tower that has changed what Brant Street used to look like was celebrated by MPP Jane McKenna as she took part in the event. The building should never have been approved. Responsibility for that one lies with previous city councils.
There is more to say about the significance of the announcement – but for today let the Mayor revel and celebrate a decision that will result in a much different Burlington in the decades to come.
The decision is more than enough to re-elect her – would anyone take a chance and try to run against her.
 By Staff
June 15th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
One of the things that makes the Burlington Food Bank the success it is are the partnerships they have developed.
It took some time for the understandings to be worked out and the trust to be built but over time Robin Bailey and the folks at Walmart have created a program that has Walmart sending food that is in perfect condition but is not going to get sold for a number of reasons. They may have over stocked; weather may have impacted traffic to their locations, or what they had in stock was not going to get sold.
They communicate with the people at the Food Bank and talk at least every couple of days to arrange for the shipment of food. This is the ongoing part of the relationship.
 Walmart ran a very successful Fight Hunger Spark Change that raised both funds and a better awareness of what happens when people are hungry. Walmart has a Fight Hunger Spark Change campaign that resulted in the generous donation of $26,765.72 to the Burlington Food Bank. The funds will allow for the purchase of healthy nutritious food for people needing support in our community.
The need remains steady and this is excellent timing for relief. We would like to encourage everyone who is able to support our local businesses and restaurants to enjoy a nice lunch on a patio in this great weather. And please be kind to one another as we all keep trying to get through this pandemic. Don’t forget the essentials to safely distance, wear masks as needed and wash/sanitize your hands often.
If you are in need or know of someone who could use our help, PLEASE have them email us at info@burlingtonfoodbank.ca or call 905-637-2273 to make arrangements to have food dropped at their door or make arrangements to pick it up through our curb-side pickup option. If you are a resident in Burlington, we are all here to help. Don’t struggle – give us a call.
 By Staff
June 15th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
On Wednesday, June 9, 2021, at 5:15pm, a male suspect attended the LCBO store located at 321 Cornwall Road in the Town of Oakville and stole four bottles of alcohol valued at $306.40.
 Images are very clear – someone should know the suspect. Suspect: Male, White, appears to be in 30’s, brown hair, approximately 5’8 and 175lbs., wearing a white tank top style undershirt, teal coloured baggy pajama pants and grey coloured croc shoes. The suspect had a black backpack with white dots on it. The suspect was wearing a medical mask PPE.
The suspect has visible tattoos on both forearms.
There have been a number of thefts of liquor from LCBO shops.
The images captured are of very high quality – someone should recognize the man with expensive drinking habits.
What is confusing is how do the police know the exact value of what was stolen? Did the suspect stand before the cashier who rang in the purchase and the suspect walked out  without paying?
Pretty brazen!
If you have any information on this case, please contact the HRPS or Crime Stoppers.
 By Pepper Parr
June 14th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The week that is now behind us was filled with so much heavy news.
The discovery of the remains of 215 children in Kamloops, British Columbia, and the news that four people were killed when a man behind the wheel of a pickup truck deliberately ran them down killing four members of a family out for a quiet evening walk. A nine year old son was in hospital unable to attend the funeral of his parents that took place on Sunday.
The city opened up some of the restrictions that were limiting what people were permitted to do. The opening of patios was a welcome change but couldn’t remove the weight on our hearts.
 Muslim community taking part in a public Call to Prayer last Friday. On Friday the Muslim community held their Call to Prayer in Spencer Smith Park. It wasn’t a huge turnout but certainly respectful.
There were a few police cars parked on Lakeshore Road and the Gazette spotted a high end drone over the site.
Did the police expect people to be anything other than quietly respectful ? Shame on anyone who felt “those people” should not be in a public place.
 Who wrote this sign? It would be an honour to meet the woman. What a profound statement.
There was a handmade sign held up by a Muslim woman that spoke to my heart.
One Gazette reader sent in a comment suggesting that the Mayor was a little early in publicly mourning the death of the Afzaal family suggesting she should have waited until there was a full investigation.
Investigation of what ?
The police have charged the man with four counts of first degree murder and a charge of second degree murder. They have added a charge of terrorism to the four murder charges.
That kind of comment is veiled racism. We did not publish it – but it is out there. The way to change that behavior is to speak out every time.
I don’t know who made the sign we photographed. It would be an honour to meet the woman.
By Pepper Parr
June 14th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
It was a long awaited announcement that means a lot to the people in north Burlington.
 Milton MP Adam Van Koeverden Milton MP Adam van Koeverden spoke to a small group of people via Zoom this morning announcing that broadband internet access was going to be available in the not too distant future to homes in a catchment area bound by Hwy 407/Dundas on the South, Bell School Line on the East, and Walkers Line on the west. Derry Road is the northern boundary.
The work is being done by Standard Broadband under a federal funding project that has a Rapid Response element that works with communities that are basically shovel ready.
The federal government has pumped $2.75 billion into the Rapid Response that covers the country.
Halton currently has six Rapid Response projects on the go with two in the Milton area. The most recent reached into the northern part of Burlington and is called the Zimmerman project.
The work started in mid-February. Mostly research and determining where equipment would go – that will continue into late July.
 Tom Williams, the President of Standard Broadband Tom Williams, the President of Standard Broadband said he expected the system to be in place and operational sometime in November.
The longer term objective is to have everyone in the region with broadband level access to the internet.
One member of a group called the “broadbanders” who did the original due diligence work on what was needed and possible agreed with MP van Koeverden that the internet is to Canada today what the building of railways was in the late 1800s. Every community of any size was going to have a rail line.
The event was important enough for the Rory Nisan Councillor for ward 3 and ward 6 Council member Angelo Bentivegna to be on the call.
Mayor Meed Ward was there for a couple of minutes – connecting as best she could from her cell phone. She was on her way to an event at Backed by Bees in north Burlington to take part in the announcement that Backed by Bees was donating to the Burlington Food Bank. Products like honey are not usually donated to the food bank said Robin Bailey, Executive Director of the Food Bank, however families love receiving it when it’s available so the wonderful folks at Backed By Bees are proud to offer raw honey for donation at a reduced cost specifically cared for and harvested for The Burlington Food Bank.
Bentivegna said it was “a great day for all” and that he was “beyond ecstatic”.
Williams explained that the work being done in this initial phase is part of the backbone of the system that will be in place eventually.
The federal department overseeing the project nationally is the Innovation, Science and Economic Development ministry.
By Pepper Parr
June 14th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
 Adam van Koeverden talking to a constituent in Milton Later today, Adam van Koeverden, the Member of Parliament for Milton will announce a federal investment to Standard Broadband to improve high-speed Internet access in Zimmerman and areas of North Burlington.
We will report on that event when we have more detail.
Were my friend, the late Monte Dennis, still with us I am certain he would be asking why the federal constituency of Milton is not called Milton-North Burlington.
The constituency held by Pam Damoff in Oakville is named Oakville-North Burlington.
The residents of North Burlington managed to bring a halt to the dumping of landfill at the Burlington Air Park – surely they could rouse enough political energy to bring a about a change in the name of their constituency.
By Pepper Parr
June 12th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Early reports on the opening of restaurants and bars are that things went well. The turnout was brisk and the weather supported getting out and relaxing with friends over what a colleague used to call An Adult Beverage.
 A location where you can see and feel the lake. The Port House is located at the Waterfront Hotel The province was in Step 1 of the Re-open plan which permitted
STEP 1
This step was expected to begin on June 14 or two weeks after 60 per cent of adults in Ontario have at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Ontario officials said 58.5 per cent of the adult population have received a first dose as of Thursday. They added that the province would need to wait two weeks after hitting the vaccination target before entering the first step in order to monitor the vaccine outcome.
In this stage, outdoor activities and gatherings will be first to open but with some restrictions and limits.
Here’s a full list of what will be allowed:
- Outdoor gatherings for up to 10 people
- Outdoor dining for up to 4 people per table
- Non-essential retail at 15 per cent
- Outdoor religious services, rites and ceremonies with capacity limited to permit two metres of physical distancing
- Outdoor sports, training and personal training for up to 10 people
- Day camps
- Campsites and campgrounds
- Ontario parks
- Outdoor horse racing and motor speedways
- Outdoor pools, splash pads and wading pools
We stay in this stage for 28 days and if the new infection levels hold the province will move into Stage Two.
The target is to get past the 70% of the population vaccinated and as close to not more than 200 new infections each day.
The hospitality sector has been desperate for a Re-open date that would hold. The province had indicated it would probably be June 14th – than at close to the last day they moved that to the 11th giving restaurants and bars an additional weekend.
 It was certainly welcome but played havoc with scheduling.
Most commentators believe the province is through the worst of the pandemic and that we could be in for reasonable summer, providing we follow the rules and get everyone vaccinated.
The Delta variant has been found in Halton but does not appear to be rampant at this point. We are the best defence against that variant.
Vaccination Centres across the problem are busy with a large number of young people showing of for the inoculation.
The Centre I attended for my second dose at the First Ontario Art Centre in Milton had nurses doing the needle thing at five different parts of the building..
It was problem free while I was there.
 Healthy traffic – content customers.
By Staff
June 11th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The Ontario government is investing $141 million to extend the temporary wage increase for personal support workers and direct support workers in publicly funded home and community care, long-term care, public hospitals, and social services sectors. This temporary wage increase will continue until August 23, 2021, and will help stabilize, attract and retain the workforce needed to provide a high level of care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 The province has been providing a temporary wage increase since October 1, 2020, to over 158,000 workers who deliver publicly funded personal support services, including:
• $3 per hour for approximately 38,000 eligible workers in home and community care;
• $3 per hour for approximately 50,000 eligible workers in long-term care;
• $2 per hour for approximately 10,000 eligible workers in public hospitals; and
• $3 per hour for approximately 60,000 eligible workers in children, community and social services providing personal direct support services for the activities of daily living.
This latest temporary wage increase builds on the government’s previous wage enhancement extension on March 18, 2021, which was set to expire on June 30, 2021. Since October 2020, Ontario has invested $841 million to support personal support workers and supportive care workers. The province will continue to review the wage increase to inform next steps after August 23, 2021.
By Maria Logger
June 11th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
While there are many web hosting services available, finding the best hosting solution for your website is not always easy. There are many considerations you need to make to ensure your site gets the best support possible. Whether you have a personal blog or a small business, you need your website to be reliable, usable, and secure.
 A successful website can make or break your success. For many small organizations having a successful website can make or break their success. A good online presence will drive growth while an under-performing website will mean your business never reaches its potential. If the website is the house of your online output, think of hosting as the foundations of the house, which is why it is essential to find the best web hosting possible.
 The design is critical – work with people who understand you and your clients. Many small business owners will make some important mistakes when selecting web hosting. Firstly, they will often believe all the major hosting services were created equal and there is no difference between Provider A and Provider B. Secondly, business owners are often cost-conscious and will simply choose the most affordable hosting.
Sure, keeping prices down is a good thing and you should always look for the most cost-effective solution. However, you need to mix affordability with quality. There are also plenty of other tips to follow to ensure you choose the best web hosting service for you. Luckily, we have listed those things below:
Base Your Hosting on Your Needs
Before choosing a web hosting package, consider what type of website you want. There’s a big difference in resources between a simple blog-style website and one that has multiple videos, live streams, forums, and so on. Your hosting service should reflect the level of performance you require and be able to keep your site running optimally.
 How much bandwidth do you need – and what is bandwidth anyway? Which Type of Hosting?
Your site needs will tell you a lot about which hosting to get. If you have a resource intensive website, you should look for dedicated hosting, which means your site is held on its own server (more expensive). If you have a more basic resource need, considering the more common shared hosting, which means your website is hosted on a server with other sites (less expensive).
Read Reviews
If you have found a couple of hosting providers that meet your web needs at a price, you’re happy with, you now need to compare them. Perhaps the best way to do this is to read customer reviews. Find regulated review aggregators and check what people are saying about your chosen web hosting providers.
Choosing Bandwidth
Many people make the mistake of buying a package with enough bandwidth to suit their needs in that moment. They forget to consider growth if the site becomes successful and the number of visitors grows. It is more affordable to purchase more bandwidth when opening your hosting contract than to add more later.
 Make sure you have the level of security you need. Security is Important
We live in an age of cybersecurity where there is a constant risk of attack. Don’t make the mistake of thinking because your website is small threat actors are not interested in it. You need to ensure your site is properly secure. There are many things you can do to ensure security, but the best place to start is by choosing a web hosting service with a strong set of cyber protection features.
 Sidney Adams
June 11th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
So much of life and leisure has moved online over the course of the last year. The coronavirus pandemic has shifted almost everything that possibly can be digitalized away from in-person and right on to the web – and gambling is no exception.
Some people have predicted that the vaccine rollout and the tentative easing of coronavirus restrictions might end up leading to a shift away from the institutions and places which have enjoyed a boost in success over the course of the pandemic. But the benefits of gambling and gaming online are clearly being felt – and there’s little sign of online casinos winding down any time soon. This article will delve into more detail about how and why this is the case.
The numbers
The evidence shows that online gambling is very much on the up. In-person casino firms have spent recent months making acquisitions that bolster their online gambling credentials: Caesars Entertainment, for example, has picked up the British firm William Hill in part in order to build out its web and mobile gambling provision.
In the UK, meanwhile, data from the Gambling Commission released during the early phase of the pandemic showed that those who were already gambling were upping their use of gambling services. Figures showed that just over two thirds of such people boosted either the amount of cash or time they spent gambling – suggesting that the established gambling community were firmly happy with the shift to online.
Privacy is key
 Some online gambling sites are offering cryptocurrency deposit options which don’t have an ownership record. It’s easy to see why online casinos remain so popular. For some, the privacy offered by being able to gamble at home is a real game-changer. And now that some online gambling sites are offering cryptocurrency deposit options which don’t have an ownership record thanks to their decentralized nature, it’s easier than ever to gamble in private.
It’s interesting to ask whether privacy concerns also exist with online gambling. However, the privacy concerns with online casinos are just different. While it’s possible that your Internet service provider or a government can track your online usage, it’s harder for your friends and family to get to know. And with services like browser history clearers or VPNs available, it’s possible to add extra security.
Ease of use
Online gambling sites are also easy to use, too. Once the requisite age and other checks have been performed, a gambler can get started with play straight away. With a physical casino, this isn’t the case – and depending on where you live, it can take even longer to get started if there’s a big distance involved.
And online casinos that you can find on sites such as Onlinecasinolistings.com can also offer the gamer another advantage – choice. Online casino games come jam-packed with all sorts of fun features and designs, and it’s possible to customize your online casino experience in a way that you can’t quite at an in-person gambling venue. In-person casinos might have a certain degree of excitement that a website can’t replicate – but they can’t offer the same sheer breadth of choice of table game, aesthetic or multimedia as a good online casino can.
Legal consequences?
Finally, it’s interesting to look at whether or not the increased shift towards online casinos – and the apparent staying power that they have – could have consequences when it comes to the law. In some parts of the world, countries still don’t have laws in favor of online gambling – and in some places, the practice is banned outright. Behind the scenes, many legislators and governors are working with stakeholders in their areas to unblock these sorts of logjams. But progress is slow.
 Online casinos are clearly now institutions. Given that online casinos don’t appear to be going anywhere fast, some are starting to wonder whether the apparent permanence of the institutions within the gambling community might be enough to push governments into making pro-gambling decisions. This could well be the case when the fiscal side of things is considered: the more online gamblers there are, the more potential tax revenue there is for governments. However, it is likely that only time will tell whether governments will come around.
Ultimately, online casinos are clearly now institutions. A long pandemic year of having fun online rather than in-person has entrenched these sites as part of the gambling community’s fabric – and that doesn’t look like it’s going to go away. What the long term effects of this will be (especially when it comes to the legal and regulatory frameworks), however, is what remains to be seen.
June 11th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Statement from the Mayor
The devastating loss of life that took place in London, Ontario earlier this week has affected us all and united us in heartbreak and grief, especially our Muslim friends and neighbours.
 Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward It is important that we take action to support our Muslim community and convey loud and clear that hate and violence will not be tolerated in our city, nor our country.
Our local Halton Mosque will be hosting a prayer service, open to the community, at Spencer Smith Park tomorrow afternoon between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
A traditional Muslim prayer service will take place first, where non-Muslims are welcome to observe. That service will be followed by a unifying prayer for the entire community.
We have confirmed with our Member of Provincial Parliament that under current provincial regulations, there is no limit on outdoor gatherings for religious services, other than what the outdoor space will accommodate with required physical distancing.
We ask everyone to stay 6 feet away from individuals or families you don’t live with, and wear a mask even outdoors if physical distancing is a challenge. The City of Burlington, including City Council, are supportive of this event and its intention to provide a way for our community to come together in support of the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion.
We have seen similar events take place already this week throughout many cities and towns, including London, Hamilton and Oakville.
Halton Regional Police Service will be on site at the event and fees for legal parking spaces in municipal parking lots, street spaces, and garages will be relaxed during that time frame.
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