 By Ryan O’Dowd
October 1st, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Hundreds attended an Every Child Matters Truth and Reconciliation Day ceremony yesterday afternoon in downtown Burlington.
 People parading along the Beachway Trail towards Spencer Smith Park The event, hosted at Spencer Smith Park, was by turns celebratory and somber. Music, dancing, education, and prayer made for a lively afternoon; the speakers reminded everyone why they had gathered.
Residential schools and other systemic injustices were at the forefront of the discussion.
 Ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns with an Indigenous dancer The event was punctuated by a resounding plea that events like these aren’t enough, real action must follow. Some speakers issued pointed warnings to the politicians in attendance, recently re-elected Minister Karina Gould and Mayor Marianne Meed Ward.
Speaking to the Gazette event organizer, Amber Ruthart, reiterated the need for reconciliation to be a constant consideration and not a trend.
“Today has been a very beautiful outpouring of support from the City of Burlington, and the community. A lot of people are here and they’re asking the right questions. It’s unfortunate how mass graves had to be discovered for this to happen but in a way, it’s bringing our community together, awareness of it.
“I hope that education continues and is not just a trend. Also, we hope to be doing more indigenous awareness social events in the future here in Burlington,” said Ruthart.
 Family members with Residential School survivor
In the afternoon’s most emotional moment, a speaker, White Eagle, brought her mother, a residential school survivor, to the stage. Overcome by the moment White Eagle paused a long while to collect herself before introducing her mother, fighting back tears.
The politicians in attendance were called out by some speakers, demanding they turn their words into actionable change. Minister Gould, who’s Liberal party has been the target of scorn for shortcomings on Indigenous matters, watched stoically.
 Dancers preparing to perform at the foot of the Pier “We all live together. This is what reconciliation is about and I challenge the government to honor her word with the Indigenous peoples in this land,” said a speaker.
 MP Karina Gould talking with one of the hundreds of people who took part in the event. Gould would not say if her presence at the event indicated she would be working in a hands-on capacity with Indigenous issues. Clarifying that Indigenous issues are considerations in every portfolio.
“Today was important and inspiring. It grounded people in why we’re here,” said Gould.
 Social distancing and politely listening on a wonderful autumn afternoon Audio was played of Orange Shirt Day (the basis for Truth and Reconciliation Day) founder, Phyllis Webstad, sharing her story.
The day takes place in September because that is the month during which Indigenous children were taken to residential schools.
 Mayor Marianne Meed Ward spoke during the day. Mayor Meed Ward delivered a speech, and land acknowledgment, discussing residential schools, systemic injustices, and praising the courage of the Indigenous women who organized the event.
“Today is meant to be about listening and learning and working towards healing, to understand what happens in our country, the truth of what really happened. There are issues that still face indigenous people, coast to coast, and right here in the city of Burlington, the discoveries of the mass and unmarked graves at residential school sites, shocked many Canadians and for many, It was the first time that they have learned this evil history,” said Meed Ward.
 Drummers with an attentive audience Education of Canadians on the truth of Indigenous relations was a recurring topic. This came a day after the province announced Indigenous curriculum will be expanded to cover grades one through three.
The ceremony began in song and ended in traditional dance. A song was proceeded with a call and response exercise where the performer taught the audience how to say “I love you” in several native tongues.
Before the ceremony, a memorial walk took place along the promenade. Young people led the way carrying signs reading “every child matters.” They smiled and celebrated along the way, sun danced through foliage and warmed the crisp autumn afternoon. It was a hopeful image on a day about hope. The orange-clad parade passed a surprised wedding party in Spencer Smith Park and shouted well wishes to them. They walked past Joseph Brant Hospital, a hospital with an Indigenous namesake serving the community as the backdrop to Indigenous peoples feeling undeserved by the community.
Several speakers called the ceremony the first Indigenous event in Burlington.
Pop-up storefronts sold “Every Child Matters” T-shirts worn by almost everyone at the event. Orange shirts could be spotted all around the downtown core.
Event organizer, Ruthart, said her native name translates into “loud voice,” her message was loud and clear today. The city was listening. Ottawa was listening. Will they act?
By Gary Scobie
October 1st, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The comments section of the Gazette is heavily used. At times there is a lot of tooing and froing – so much so that one wonders just what the writer is trying to say.
However, on occasion a writer responds with statements that are painfully true.
Gary Scobie, an intelligent, retired Burlington resident who has delegated frequently before Council, responds to David Barker who asked: Are you are really saying the Mayor and our councilors pretended to work on stopping the over-development of the downtown? Because that’s what you wrote. You used the word “pretend”. If you are really saying that, your credibility is shot.
The Scobie response is too pungent, too painfully true to be left as just a comment to a reader.
David, here is the inaction that they created. They were well and often advised during 2018 that the only way to stop excessive numbers and heights of high rises in downtown Burlington was to
1) Remove the Downtown Mobility Hub that was a farce and
2) remove the Urban Growth Centre from the downtown.
 It was named as a Mobility hub which was enough for some smart lawyers to argue that it served a mobility purpose equal to that of Pearson Airport. The Mobility Hub was the easier one and Jane McKenna helped in showing how it could be done in the Official Plan. The Urban Growth Centre was going to be the harder one. Therefore it needed to be tackled as soon as the new Council convened in January 2019.
 Gary Scobie in the middle of a delegation to city council. The new Council decided to do one thing instead that would not help – bring in the Interim Control Bylaw (ICB) for one year that would delay processing applications but not stop their time-stamping. They decided to do a second thing that would just make it look like they cared about stopping excessive high rises – start out on an updated OP that reduced somewhat the zoning but still allowed a concrete jungle in the downtown that few citizens in the work groups supported.
This OP took months and months to update, months and months to sit on the Regional Council agenda before being rejected for a few issues. Even when it was given support, it took months again to get provisionally passed.
In the meantime, applications piled up and appeals were initiated at the “new” OLT (just an OMB remake). Time marched on and Council waited two years until 2021 to actually begin asking the Province to move the UGC to the Burlington GO Station.
Two years of wasted time on the most important task in saving the downtown that could have been started in early 2019. Even today it is still not in force until the province passes the legislation, if they actually do.
 Scobie maintains this Council has betrayed its citizens As I said earlier this year, it’s too late baby. The chance has been missed. You can’t go back in time and negate all of the high rise applications filed in good faith under the old OP and the UGC in the downtown. It bothers me and my like-minded friends so much. Council failed its supporters and pretended to work on it instead. We were betrayed.
 Scobie was seldom impressed with the responses he got from members of Council. There’s your timeline. Oh and by the way, the Interim Control Bylaw – it’s still huffing and puffing along after two and a half years of applications piling up for downtown high rises. It won’t go away until every appeal is dealt with at the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT).
Some legacy.
By Pepper Parr
October 1st, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
With the first Truth and Reconciliation Day celebrated I find myself asking – just how much truth do I have today that I didn’t have yesterday?
 Dancing that reflect centuries of a culture we are now learning much more about. As I listened to people who know far more about this than I do I heard one woman say: Truth and Reconciliation – yes. But let us make sure, she said, that Truth comes before Reconciliation because without Truth there can be no Reconciliation.
I didn’t hear yesterday anything I didn’t already know.
We know information exists that will shed much light on what really happened, and we know there are people who hold that information very close to their chests for to let it out into the public domain will severely damage their interests.
The churches, the Catholic churches for the most part, have the names and numbers but they aren’t releasing that information.
They should be able to tell us how many cemeteries there were, where they are precisely, and the names of the children they laid to rest.
Why we are making the various tribal bands spend thousands of dollars with specialized radar scanning equipment that can see below the surface is beyond me.
I did hear some statements made by students at schools that were impressive and inspiring. One school wrote a Call to Action asking the province to make the day a paid holiday for every Aboriginal person who is a teacher whose parents were sent to Residential schools.
Another young man wrote a poem that took the breath away from the broadcaster who was doing the interview.
There were a lot of tribal dances, colourful headgear and much singing and drumming which are nice to see and hear. But surely there is more to Truth and Reconciliation than this?
It was a start – we owe those people much more than we are ever going to be able to give them. What we can give them, something we can individually demand, is that it be given and that it is the cold hard truth.
By Staff
September 30th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Another virtual Annual General Meeting.
The type of thing you attend because you have to – the Community Development Halton AGM was a little more relevant because it brought to a close the term of office for President and Chair Jan Mowbray who served for more than ten years starting out as Secretary and serving as President for the past four years.
It was a bumpy ride that included the retirement of an Executive Director after more than 20 years of service; dealing with a couple of rogue board members who didn’t understand what it was to be a Director of a not for profit organization.
And like everyone else – adapting to Covid19 and the restrictions it brought to everyone.
 Community Development Halton President presiding over her last meeting as Chair – working from her kitchen counter – just like everyone else weathering our way through the pandemic. It was one of the few occasions when the pearls came out of the jewelry box. Community Development Halton (CDH) has served the community for a long time. It was an incubator for agencies that now provide needed service to the Region.
The three pillars of CDH are:
- Volunteerism – a hub for those wanting volunteer opportunities or needing volunteers.
- Age-Friendly initiatives that encourage and promote active aging by optimizing opportunities for health, participation, and security in order to enhance quality of life as people age.
- Social Planning – data driven using many different resources to focus on economic and social conditions that influence individual and group differences in health status.
CDH is a source of useful data on changes that are taking place in how the wider community works. They publish Dispatches on a regular basis as well as Community Lens, a publication that digs down deep and takes a tighter look at what the data tells us.
In her last set of comments to her Board, President Mowbray said that ” If you can’t let go of certain particulars, you can’t divine larger patterns. If you can’t shake off the pains of yesterday, you can’t be open to the possible joys of tomorrow.”
Adding that “This has been a tumultuous year – actually, it’s been a difficult three years with the pandemic taking its toll through the last 18 months. However, my comments today reflect on the past year not the least of which is the pandemic effect.
” That physical hug, the act of holding someone as hard as you can and being held onto in return is the physical reminder that we are together in whatever life threw at us.’
” ‘But it’s not just for the hard times. Most days, it’s a simple, physical reminder that we’ve still got each other, and we’re grateful.’
“I’m not saying staff and board members should all break into hugs – although I would willingly give everyone a hug if I could.
“As a society, we must find some way to safely return to physical, face-to-face meetings. Board and staff need it, we all need it.
“Interaction and discussion is far better, more meaningful, in person than on Zoom. Being in person provides a more supportive, more instinctive, more spontaneous interaction. It energizes and refreshes each of us – we play off each other in a way that doesn’t work on Zoom.
“Zoom is a stop gap meeting space at best –those radio lags really don’t contribute to good discourse.
“American Sign Language is dependent on facial expressions, so you can imagine the deaf community is impacted by the wearing of masks. However, let’s go farther – body language also speaks volumes – and you don’t get that on Zoom. (That we can’t see below the shoulders may well be a good thing from what I’ve heard about the way some people have been dressing at home during this pandemic.)
“Bottom line is we need to find a way to meet in person. Safely. Emotionally, mentally, and intellectually – we all need it. My one vote of thanks for zoom is that every meeting eliminated a two-hour drive.
“About the CDH board? I am proud to say that CDH has the best board ever. It has grown, matured and diversified.
Consultations with the overall community told us the changes the wanted to see at CDH, for example –
- That the board have representation in all four municipalities. Check.
- That we increase board membership – Check – we have a full complement of 12
- That we increase diversity on the board – check! But diversity wasn’t the focus during recruitment, it came about as a result of good qualified people applying for board membership. It bears mentioning that diversity isn’t always visible. But this board is diverse in its talent, professions, backgrounds, and interests.
- That we rotate meetings throughout Halton. Sort of Check We started that process with a meeting in Milton, but the pandemic brought that to a halt.
As Chair Mowbray challenged her colleagues to ask: : Where are we? Where is CDH really?
The Pandemic forced the cancellation of workshops and fee-for-service projects. Sustainability for CDH is through those avenues and staff is working hard to regain lost ground but the threat of burnout is ever-present. More financial resources are needed. She urged the Board to take ownership of this task, a task mandated for all NFP boards – to support the work of the organization.
“To substantially increase our output – workshops, fees-for-service events, we need more staff, to get more staff we need more money.
“What I am saying is that it’s a matter of outreach. We each need to utilize our contacts, reach out, make sure they understand exactly what it is that CDH does; create opportunities for engagement, opportunities where our Executive Director might be of help, perhaps to close a deal.
“To that end, the single biggest issue is trying to explain what CDH is, what it does, what we do.
The volunteer side of things is easier – though I wouldn’t want Heather Thompson or Heather Johnson to think that I think their jobs are easy – far from it.
We need new ideas for increasing our resources. We don’t have the sob story that pulls at the heart strings and makes people empty their wallets. CDH is unique. Can we turn that uniqueness into an asset?
On that note, if you haven’t already, I would remind everyone, to be sure to pay your 2021/2022 membership fees before the end of December. (CDH Board members are expected to join the organization and pay a membership fee)
They are financially supported by the Hamilton-Halton United Way and the Region of Halton.
And with that Jan Mowbray said thank you and then almost burst into tears.
The 2021-2022 Board consists of:
Ann Lawlor, president
Joanne McKiernan, Vice President
Ancilla Ho-Young, Secretary
Juan Barangote, Treasurer
Andrew Falls, Nominations & Governance
Nilo Yousof
Fawzia Patel
Steph Nguyen
Gay Loveland
Marg Connor
Bolu Babatope
Jan Mowbray, past president
By Staff
September 30th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
This past weekend, the 2011 AAA Burlington Bulls won the 10U/11U Back to School Blast in Kitchener.
The Burlington Bulls 2011 AAA is made up of kids from Burlington born in 2011 or after. The team plays in the COBA loop (Central Ontario Baseball Association). The loop contains Rep teams throughout Central Ontario.
The tournament last weekend (Sept 24-26) was The Back to School Blast hosted by Kitchener Panthers. The Bulls went undefeated over two days besting 10U/11U teams from Kitchener, Guelph and Waterloo. They faced Waterloo in the Championship game, winning a tightly contested affair 2-1.
- Boys played lights out on both sides of the ball. They outscored their opponents 36-5 in round robin play, securing a birth in the championship.
- Team combined for 58 hits and 15 stolen bases over 4 games.
- Owen Simpson belted a Home Run securing our place in the championship.
- Christian Moscato pitched lights out in the championship game going five innings allowing 1 hit, 1 earned run and striking out 14 on zero walks.
- Nate Ogiltree came in as relief in the championship game going two innings allowing 2 hits , no runs and striking out 3.
 From Left to Right:: Back row: Bronson Kung, Coltin Hamor, Brayden McPetrie, Christian Moscato, Owen Simpson. Front row: Henry Hooper, Colton McEntee, Nate Ogiltree, Ryan Wallace, Tripp Mihalik. Missing: Carter Boyko, Jordan Colameco, Owen Petrie Coaches: Bob Hooper, John Ogiltree, Kyle Mihalik. Coaches: Bob Hooper, John Ogiltree, Kyle Mihalik
By Staff
September 30th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Sarah Wahidi is part of a group that has created a Help Centre for recently landed refugees. The aim is to help those who have recently entered Canada, including those who have arrived from Afghanistan. Their intention is to provide food, clothing and referral/support services to those in need.
 They have a location in Burlington at 895 Brant street, on the corner of Fairview and Brant. They will be holding an Opening Celebration on Saturday, October 2nd.
They are accepting donations and will begin a donation pick up schedule for those who may not be able to bring anything to the centre. “The community has given us tremendous support so far with almost 20 bags of donations. It’s really fulfilling to see how many people really care about making change and welcoming these individuals and families escaping their country”, said Wahidi.
Their Facebook page will be launched next week. They can be contacted at their email account: HaltonRefugeeHelpCentre@gmail.com
By Pepper Parr
September 29th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
It was during a meeting on that wonderful deck that runs along the north side of Lakeshore Road – across the street from Spencer Smith Park where one can see the ships heading to, or leaving, Hamilton harbour and where, what a long departed friend said, one can enjoy an Adult Libation.
 One of the prime places to just enjoy the city is on the north side of Lakeshore looking out over the lake. Great ideas bubble to the surface while enjoying an Adult Beverage, I was meeting with a couple of friends and talking through possible options and new ideas to keep the Waterfront Hotel site in public hands rather than have a large tower go up.
At the time no one knew that the developer’s plan was for two 30 story plus towers on the site.
Many see the land south of Lakeshore Road as a “public” part of the public realm. Much of it is land that was recovered and made usable with landfill.
The owners of the hotel do have title to some of the land but surely not all the land right up to the edge of the lake.
My friends, who don’t want their names trotted out at this point – at an appropriate time they will be more public. These are men who comment intelligently on public matters.
They wondered aloud if there was not some kind of land swap that could be done.
And that was when a light bulb lit up.
 It doesn’t function all that well as a place to work and the city is going to need a lot more space. City hall as a building is not that functional. It is past its best-before date but, because it is what we have, money is going to be spent on making the best of a bad situation.
 It is an awkward building – there was no real design – additions kept being added. The entrance was once on the west side. The Art Gallery has never been a truly functional building. It is a collection of additions to a structure that were added on when there was a donor.
So – here is a swap that could be done:
 The owner wants to build and has some impressive designs – that will, if ever built, change the heart and soul of the city. There is a chance to give the developer what they want and to save what is left of Burlington. Exchange the Waterfront Hotel site for the city hall site and the Art Gallery site.
Then design a purpose built building that would house City Hall and the Art Gallery on the Waterfront Hotel site.
Include a band shell and ensure the roof of the structure is environmentally friendly. And ensure that the building is not more than four storeys.
Two for the Art Gallery and two floors for the city.
Hold a charette and commission some design ideas from architects from around the world.
Imagine for a moment: City Hall and the Art Gallery nestled at the base of the slope of the land immediately south of Lakeshore Road leaving a clear view of the Lake. Try the idea on for size the next time you are walking along the promenade and talk it up with your friends.
Parking – that is something that would have to be figured out. The Lotus Street Parking lot is used by city hall staff now – that could continue and there could be some parking beneath the four storey building.
Can’t be done you say? With the right leadership – it certainly can be done.
 Rob MacIsaac, a former Burlington Mayor, took bold steps and changed the city in a way that no one has since his time. Rob MacIsaac, a former Burlington Mayor, did it when he turned the former police station on Locust into the Performing Arts Centre, then had the building that houses a restaurant along with the tourist office on the ground floor and office for the Chamber of Commerce, the BDBA and the Economic Development Corporation on the second floor with five levels of parking above it all.
Then he got really ambitious and got a pier built as well.
So – never say it can’t be done – think about how it can be done and where the leadership is going to come from.
More on this going forward.
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
September 26th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
One Burlington celebrates the diversity of faith and cultural groups in Burlington, Halton and area by hosting engaging multifaith, multicultural events.
In honour of Canada’s first National Truth and Reconciliation Day: September. 30th, you are invited to an online Zoom event highlighting the faith and culture of our Indigenous peoples.
 This is a free event funded in part by the City of Burlington and the Government of Canada.
Please register by Sept. 29th at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAocOuoqDstHtXHKzbnDDtbdcuuoLt68CQb
Celebrating an Indigenous Harvest on 30th September starting at 7:30 pm with
– Indigenous Elder of the Mississaugas of the Credit, Carolyn King CM.
– Semiah Smith will performing singing and dancing of the Mohawk Nation at Crawford Lake
– Sherry Saevil of “Grandmothers’ Voice” of the Haudenosaunee at an Indigenous Healing Garden
To attend, please register by 29 September at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAocOuoqDstHtXHKzbnDDtbdcuuoLt68CQb
By Staff
September 28th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
In recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Thursday, Sept. 30, the Halton District School Board and individual schools will be honouring this important day with a number of acknowledgments and learning opportunities, in addition to lowering the Canadian flag at all schools and Board offices.
Traditionally, this day has been commemorated as Orange Shirt Day. Inspired by the story of Phyllis (Jack) Webstad, Orange Shirt Day is held annually on Sept. 30. Phyllis was a student at St. Joseph Mission Residential School in Williams Lake, B.C. Orange Shirt Day is inspired by her experience on her first day at a residential school.
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation seeks to honour First Nations, Inuit and Métis residential school survivors, their families and communities, and to ensure that public commemoration of their history and the legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.
 Stuffed animals were placed in front of the former Kamloops Residential School Monday in a community vigil that encouraged attendees to wear orange, a Canadian tradition that aims to raise awareness for the atrocities of residential schools. “As we recognize this day, we must ensure that we go beyond wearing orange shirts,” says Rob Eatough, Superintendent of Education. “Creating meaningful learning opportunities that centre Indignenous voices, focus on Indigenous rights, contributions, histories, truths and contemporary realities that are rooted in colonization helps create a more complete picture of the historical truths and realities of First Nations, Métis and Inuit. We all play a part in upholding the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action.”
“In upholding our responsibility to the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action #62 and #63, resources have been shared with staff leading up to Sept. 30 and will be a part of ongoing learning throughout the school year.”
In many classrooms, a week of learning is planned for students and staff, which has included resources from the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. As the Honourable Justice Murray Sinclair, Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada has stated, education holds the key to making things better.
Curtis Ennis, Director of Education for the Halton District School Board, has shared a video message for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
By Ryan O’Dowd: Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
September 28th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington will observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation this Thursday with a memorial walk at Spencer Smith Park.
The event begins at noon and runs until 6 p.m. on September 30th.
The memorial walk from Beachway Park to the gazebo begins at 3:30 pm and will be followed by a ceremony at 4:30 pm. Attendees are encouraged to wear orange. Beachway Park is an extension of Spencer Smith Park – they come together at about where the Brant Museum is located.
City employees will observe the holiday from Sept. 27th through Sept. 30th by focusing on educational events and opportunities reflecting Canada’s commitment to understand the truth about Indigenous relations and advance reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
 Unidentified graves at a Residential school IN Western Canada In June 2021 the federal government passed legislation to proclaim September 30th a public holiday. The holiday was created to honor Indian Residential School survivors and to remember the lives lost there. The implementation of the holiday was one of 94 calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation originated with “Orange Shirt Day ” in 2013, where Canadians would wear orange shirts to signal their support for Indigenous communities, this year is the first time the day will be observed as a holiday.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 calls to action urged all levels of government-federal, provincial, territorial, and aboriginal-to work together to change policies and programs to address the harm done by residential schools and move toward reconciliation.
The calls to action are divided into two parts: legacy and reconciliation. The legacy calls to action are those seeking to address ongoing structural inequalities marginalizing Indigenous people, intentionally or not. Reconciliation calls to action are meant to advance the inclusion of Indigenous peoples in various sectors of society, educate Canadians about the truth of Indigenous relations, and affirm Indigenous rights.
The 94 calls to action were released in 2015, as of the Yellowhead Institute’s (a First Nations-led research center based in Ryerson University) 2020 report – only 8 had been followed through on to date
By Staff
September 28th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Parents/guardians, staff members, students and the broader community are invited to review and provide feedback on the Halton District School Board’s 2020-2021 Long Term Accommodation Plan (LTAP).
This plan addresses the existing and projected accommodation needs of students in elementary and secondary schools and identifies new capital project initiatives such as the need for new schools.
Before the LTAP is approved by the Board, feedback on the document is welcomed until Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021.
 It’s a 300 plus page report. Not for the faint of heart. The LTAP, along with documents and resources outlining key points for Burlington, Halton Hills, Milton and Oakville are available on the Long Term Accommodation Plan webpage on the Halton District School Board website (www.hdsb.ca).
The public is asked to provide feedback by Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021 at 4 p.m. using:
● The online feedback form, or
● Email: plan@hdsb.ca
Once feedback has been collected, staff will provide a report for Trustees at the Oct. 20, 2021 Board meeting.
The LTAP is not a short document – it is data laden and not exactly bedtime reading. The Gazette will review the documents and do our best to provide some clarification.
Some background information on just what the LTAP is and why it is in place can be found HERE
The full report is more than 300 pages long – it is not for the faint of heart. It is broken out by municipality.
By Pepper Parr
September 28th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
It is time to bring to an end the machinations of the recent federal election.
In the ten years the Gazette has been publishing we have never seen the bitter, angry misinformed comment from some of our readers.
One in particular, who chose to comment in the name she used most of the time and then on other occasions used her maiden name.
She made the claim – that a Conservative running for office would never take part in a one on one interview with the Gazette.
 Clip from an interview with Mike Wallace  Mike Wallace advertisement in the Gazette – he ran several different ads. We have to correct her. In 2015 Mike Wallace did an interview with us; he also advertised in the Gazette.
We were never able to convince Emily Brown to sit down for an interview. This was a decision she made not have made on her own. Except for a Conservative candidate in Milton, the Gazette was not able to do interviews with Conservative candidates.
Not healthy from a public engagement perspective. And just plain bad politics.
We gave some thought to setting up a small card table right outside the Conservative campaign offices and waiting for Ms Brown – but thought the better of it – she is a gun toting lady and we are told a good shot as well.
By Staff
September 28th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a male who exposed himself at a Burlington pet store.
On August 22, 2021, at approximately 4:45 pm, a male suspect attended the PetSmart store located at 2311 Appleby Line in Burlington. He engaged a female employee in conversation before exposing himself by removing his pants and underwear. The suspect apologized to the manager and left the store before returning and offering to apologize to the employee.
 The suspect is described as
• Male, 20-30 years old
• 5’10 – 6’0 tall, 160 lbs.
• Full beard
• Wearing a white t-shirt, beige pants and a camouflage “Support our troops” hat
 Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4777 ext. 2316.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers. “See something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.
By Pepper Parr
September 27th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
There was a headline on a story that we published that gave the Conservatives in the city some indigestion
We wrote:
 Karina Gould rallying her troops in the days leading up to the election Karina Gould keeps the Burlington seat; Emily Brown was never able to attract the Conservative vote
Newspaper headlines can be misunderstood, especially if you don’t like what you think they said.
 Emily Brown When we said Brown was not able to attract the Conservative vote we were referring to the number of people who had voted Conservative in the past who did not appear to show up in 2021.
Conservatives votes in the past were substantially more than the number that showed up in this election.
The Liberal vote – held at basically the same number in other elections.
We thought there was something about Emily Brown the Conservative vote just wasn’t buying.
In 2006 Wallace got 28,030; Liberal Paddy Torsney got 21,656
In 2008 Wallace got 28614; Liberal Paddy Torsney got 19,57721,656
In 2011 Wallace got 32,958; Liberal Brierley got 14,154
In 2015 Mike Wallace got 29,870 votes; Gould got 32,229Head
In 2019 Jane Michael got 23,467; Gould got 34,217
In 2021 Emily Brown got 25,842; Gould got 31,602
There was that 25 to 30 thousand range that the Tories held year after year.
Karina Gould came along and moved beyond the 30,000 level but the Tories didn’t move with her.
There was a solid Wallace vote. Jane Michael should never have been a candidate; the Burlington Conservatives saw through her and didn’t show up.
The point we were making is that the strong Wallace vote just wasn’t there for Emily Brown this time around.
The Liberal vote held for Gould – even though Justin Trudeau had called a vote the country didn’t need – her vote count improved. Gould clearly has captured the hearts of Burlingtonians.
Does that once vibrant Conservative vote still exist? Of that no one can be certain.
The piece we published.
By Max Bowder: Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
September 26th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The Burlington/Oakville Climate event was held in Spencer Smith Park yesterday to raise awareness of Climate Change with the mission of raising awareness and educating people on how to make a difference with the environment.
“We want to have people come, learn something about climate and have hope,” said event organizer, Aki Tanaka.
The event had a line up of two children’s choirs, a singing performance by Hayley Verrall, and powerful speeches. One such speech by Liana De Sousa was captivating and called for politicians to take immediate action against climate change.
 Environmental groups such as Grand(m)others Act to Save the Planet, Burlington Green, Fridays for Future, and others came to the park hoping to convince people that climate change needs to be taken seriously and what they can do to limit their effects on the planet.
Grand(m)others Act to Save the Planet is a community group started by grandmothers but open to everyone with the purpose of making the planet livable for their grandchildren and everyone else. They have been operating since 2019, advocating to all levels of government and organizing community petitions and rallies.
 Sign board at the climate change event held in Spencer Smith Park Local and federal environmental organizations at the park explained the dangers of climate change and several ways they can make a difference in very large and impactful ways and small things regular people can do everyday.
Large things people can do is get involved in any of the organizations at the event such as Burlington Green and the Halton Environment Network.
These organizations work at raising awareness, particularly amongst young people with the hope of “teach our children the wonders of the natural world.”
Other things people can do include calling on their local Member of Parliament (MP) and making sure they are aware of their concerns. The other thing is to get involved in any environmental group that does good and effective work in protecting the environment.
Small things people can do include recycling and limiting their consumption of meat and dairy products, together they contribute a total of 50% of all foods contributing to climate change. Planting trees also makes a difference.
 Liana De Sousa was captivating – calling for politicians to take immediate action against climate change. Several youth speakers raised awareness at the event with powerful words calling for immediate action against Global Warming saying we only have six years before we reach a point that can’t be undone making it a climate emergency.
“Dear Politicians, Everyday you continue to refuse to take action, you’re actively stealing the futures of your children, your grandchildren and every generation to come.” – Liana DeSousa
De Sousa is 17 years old and has been involved in public speaking for a few years including giving speeches at other events and at Hamilton city council meetings. DeSousa says there is much more to be done to bring carbon emissions down to zero and she will continue to advocate for the environment.
“We are continuing to do the fracking and old brick logging that needs to be stopped,” DeSousa said.
Event organizers had trouble getting stared with the event – delays due to high winds at the beginning and rainfall nearing the end. Despite the weather event organizers are happy with the way the event turned out.
Many people left the event feeling strongly about environmental action. Many also felt that not enough is being done on the federal level saying they are trying to please everyone, subsidizing fossil fuel extraction that contributes to carbon emissions and not raising the carbon emission taxes high or fast enough.
Environmental organizations to join:
Fridays for future – https://fridaysforfuture.org/
Burlington Green – https://www.burlingtongreen.org/
Halton Environmental network – https://gsshaltonpeel.ca/
By Staff
September 25th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Inclusionary zoning (IZ) is a relatively new strategy in many Canadian municipalities that specifically allows municipalities to require affordable housing units to be provided in new residential development projects.
There is little value for IZ in areas where, due to the lack of market demand, significant measures and incentives are required to attract development. In these circumstances, more direct measures such as funding construction of affordable housing units through non-profit organizations may be more efficient at addressing affordable housing needs.
 Young families have been driving the population growth in the reason; that growth is threatened by the high cost of housing, Halton Region has a higher proportion of family households than most other areas of the province. Across Halton 78.4% of the dwellings are family households, compared to 71.3% across the GTHA and results in a lack of available detached or semi- detached single-family dwellings.
By 2041, the percentage of family households is projected to decrease to 75.8% of Halton’s housing mix. After 2021, intensification in Halton was planned to be pursued aggressively with 90% of the growth in built-up areas being in the form of condominiums and apartments, and just 10% in the form of ground related housing.
If Halton wants to attract younger generations to support its aging population, it will need a proper housing mix including condominiums and apartments to do so.
Younger families have been the bedrock of Halton’s growth and are the most likely to stay in the region long-term and multi-generationally. If these families have to drive further to find the quality and price of home they expect, Halton will be left with an aging population that has a higher demand on local services such as health care, without a stable and growing tax base to offset and support that increased usage.
Inclusionary zoning should be based on a partnership model. The costs of establishing affordable housing units should be shared among the province, municipalities, development industry, non-profit housing sector, housing advocates, as well as the public.
 This is one f the last single family dwellings projects in the city. No more land When determining what areas would benefit from inclusionary zoning, it is important to assess the specific housing types targeted for affordable housing, target groups where policy efforts should be focused, potential developments that may be exempt from IZ, and examples of how IZ would work in practice and how potential measures and incentives would apply to a given development.
Burlington has a Housing Strategy Working group led by ward 4 Councillor Shawna Stole that happens to have a wide range of people involved in housing issues taking part. Some deep discussion on how to create an Inclusive zoning category for Burlington (it would have to be Region wide) and maybe even a recommendation to both the city and the Region.
 This article along with several others came out of a Dispatch released by Community Development Halton – it is one of the best CDH has produced in some time. The work was done by Rachel
Ferry, a McMaster University placement student.
By Pepper Parr
September 24th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward once said that fireworks were something she heard about from residents almost as much as parking.
Parking – where do the people driving put their cars when they want to shop, or visit or dine?
Back up a bit and ask – where are all the cars coming from?
Back up a bit more – when a development application is filed with the Planning Department one of the reports that must be included is a traffic study.
Look at any number of those studies and they will all say that the number of cars that might be added to the flow of traffic in the city is “acceptable”, or words along those lines.
The people who write these reports are seen to be professionals who know their craft very well and their evidence is accepted as true.
The traffic reports get an OK from the planners.
And – the OK for that single traffic study might be very valid.
But there is a bigger picture that has to be looked at – and at this point no one is looking or asking the question.
 All the traffic from the underground garage will exist on to Elizabeth, shown on the left. To the left of the development is the site for whatever the Waterfront hotels site ends up looking like for the site The hundreds of cars coming out of the Bridgewater Development will exit the development onto Elizabeth street and then can continue north or go right or left on Lakeshore Road.
The hundreds of cars that are expected to come out of the proposed redevelopment of the Waterfront Hotel site also empty onto Elizabeth Street and then can continue north or go right or left on Lakeshore Road.
While this is, at this point in time, a Ward 2 concern it will become an issue elsewhere when the large developments along Fairview and in the east end of the city come online.
We challenge Councillor Kearns to look for a way to require traffic studies to focus on the impact the single development will have (they are already required to do that) AND to provide a report that sets out the impact their development will have on new developments already approved within a 120 metre radius.
The planners can work out the specifics; the objective is to have information that sheds light on that bigger picture.
It is the bigger picture – everything happening within a specific radius that isn’t being looked at.
The city planners don’t ask – they aren’t required to.
We don’t quite why Heather MacDonald, Chief Planner doesn’t go before council and point out that they are not asked to report on the bigger picture – and ask Council to give them a Staff Direction to do just that.
At some point someone has to get ahead of the problem and ask the bigger question.
If we don’t the phrase in the Official Plan that has Burlington as a “City that Moves” will have to add – moves very very VERY slowly.
To Lisa Kearns and Heather MacDonald – the ball is in your court.
Looking forward to listening to what you put before Council on this one.
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 Alan Harrington
September 24th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Spencer Smith Park is a wondrous place that offers a little something for everyone.
Beneath the balcony at Spencer’s Restaurant lies the 10,000 sq ft Centennial Pond.
 A model of the Canadian Coat Guard tub Spencer Not just a reflecting pool, but space that over the past 15 summers has been where model boat displays take place.
Once that pond is filled in June, many RF modellers bring their creations down to get wet.
Some boats are hand-made out of wood, while others are kits with specially designed motors, propellers and electronics.
Everything from tiny pleasure craft to a huge Canadian Coast Guard ship.
There are sailboats, tugboats, fishing boats, navy ships – including a 3 foot black submarine.
Even an old wooden Alligator boat once used for logging in Northern Ontario
 Referred to as “Alligator” boats these were used for logging in Northern Ontario These boats can run from $200 to $1000+ depending on what’s in them and how long they took to build.
Batteries last about 30 minutes to an hour and they are controlled remotely with an RF handset.
The modellers are from Burlington and Hamilton and as far away as Mississauga.
The little boats are quite amusing and many people enjoy sitting by the pond to watch their interplay among the waves.
As the pleasant summer fades away and it gets darker earlier, there is one last show where the boats are lit up.
Last night was the night when about 18 model boats got dressed up with all-lights-a blazing to ply the waters.
 The model boat fleet on the Centennial Pond water – drop by – the kids will love it. One was a rowboat complete with a tiny yellow rower in a raincoat pulling on the oars.
 Tug boat with the city flag Spencer Smith Park is the ONLY place around this area with a suitable outdoor pond.
The boaters still come out until the day the pond is drained (ready to become an ice rink) so you may still be able to drop by and watch.
Anyone can bring their own boats down but be cautious of speedboats.
The boaters respect each other’s space and sometimes the boats do get close together.
Drop by this weekend.
By Staff
September 23rd, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Earlier this week Community Development Halton put out a very good report. It was lengthy – so we decided to break it down into several segments.
There is a nasty process that some landlords use to evict their tenants – make some upgrades to the property and then put it back on the market – at a significant rent increase.
The market for rental housing is very very tight.
The process is known as renovictions
 Organizing and fighting back. Does it work? There has been a drastic increase in the number of renovictions in the past few years. Landlords are allowed to end tenancy if major renovations are required to a tenant’s unit by issuing a N13 (notice of termination for renovation or repair).
Eviction notices like the N13 or N12 (terminating a tenancy for landlord’s own use), are not the same as an eviction order but a tactic used by landlords to regain control of the unit.
In Ontario, the only way to legally evict a tenant is through a hearing at the Landlord and Tenant Board. If after receiving the N13, a tenant decides if they want to challenge it. Their next step is an LTB hearing, in which an adjudicator listens to both sides, considers the evidence and then makes a decision.
The majority of these cases never reach the LTB and therefore this becomes an illegal eviction strategy that is used to increase rental costs.
It is becoming increasingly common for landlords to evict tenants and then re-list the same unit a couple of months later, with a few to no renovations completed at all. If the tenant decides to move out without going through the LTB process, they have the right to move back into their unit once the renovation is completed. The landlord cannot increase the rent – generally they can only raise it according to the percentage mandated by the province’s rent increase guideline.
According to a November 2019 report from the Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario, over the past four years in Toronto there has been a 294 per cent increase in N13 applications and an 84 per cent rise in N12 applications.
However, since landlords need a building permit to evict tenants, the city could use that as a leverage tool if they find out that the permit has been used fraudulently (the work was never done, or the tenant never got the right of first refusal).
 The renoviction practice takes place in the area. – this was in Hamilton. The landlord should then get another permit moving forward. Challenging an eviction notice is a lengthy process that requires a lot of maneuvering through a complicated system. And for a lot of tenants, the stress of a potential eviction is reason enough to start looking for a new home.
The current provincial government has placed a temporary ban on evictions during the pandemic and landlords are encouraged to work with tenants to establish fair arrangements to keep tenants in their homes, including deferring rent or other payment arrangements.
However, back pay in rent is piling up and many are still getting eviction notices which leads to an uncertain future for many when it comes to where they will live once the eviction bans are lifted.
Related news story:
Affordable housing – how can it be made to happen?
By Staff
September 23rd, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
 Hayley Verall, There will be musical performances including Burlington singer Hayley Verall, two children’s singing groups, various speakers which include some youth in the community, a couple of storytellers, a local drumming group, and others.
They will also have a community art activity and some information boards on climate change facts and solutions to educate the public.
This is an opportunity for people to come together to support the need for climate change action!
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By Ryan O’Dowd
By Gary Scobie
By Pepper Parr
By Staff
By Staff
By Staff
They have a location in Burlington at 895 Brant street, on the corner of Fairview and Brant. They will be holding an Opening Celebration on Saturday, October 2nd.
By Staff
This is a free event funded in part by the City of Burlington and the Government of Canada.
By Pepper Parr
By Staff
The suspect is described as
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4777 ext. 2316.
By Max Bowder: Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Environmental groups such as Grand(m)others Act to Save the Planet, Burlington Green, Fridays for Future, and others came to the park hoping to convince people that climate change needs to be taken seriously and what they can do to limit their effects on the planet.
This article along with several others came out of a Dispatch released by Community Development Halton – it is one of the best CDH has produced in some time. The work was done by Rachel
By Staff
