 By Staff
March 4th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
 Farmer Kearns Farmer Kearns – oops that was meant to read Lisa Kearns, ward 2 Councillor, was out on a pasture making an announcement.
There is going to be an “urban farm” on Brant Street at Ghent in the North West corner.
 A Molinaro development that is years away. The empty field will be turned into an urban farm. Kearns advises that the property is the subject of a development application submitted by the Molinaro Group.
Kearns explains that the development is years away and in the meantime a group asked for and has been given permission to set up an urban farm.
That got through city hall in record speed.
Not much more in the way of details – other than to say there are bales of how now set up on the property.
 Phase 1 of an Urban Farm – on Brant Street. Grow for Change a group that advocates for the farming community. They can be reached by email at grow4changes@gmail.com
They are reported to be looking for volunteers once everything is set up.
So if you own a pitchfork and farming trousers – stand by – someone is going to want you.
 By Franz Kerl
April 5th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The surge in popularity for all types of gaming over the course of 2020 is a phenomenon that has already been discussed. This has been particularly noticeable in the online casino sector, which has benefited from more potential players being at a loose end at home, along with land-based alternatives facing temporary closures.
 Get into the game for as little as $1 Those within the industry have taken full advantage, and you need only take a glance at this site to see Canadian minimum deposit casinos compared and to get a picture of just how competitive a market this is becoming. The various platforms don’t purely focus on bonuses and free offers to tempt new members. They all have their own ways of trying to bring something extra special to the table, and one technology that has proved exceptionally popular has been live gaming. This is when the player is connected via webcam to a real dealer spinning the wheel or dealing the cards. But why has this proved to be such a major attraction?
An authentic experience
There is more to a night at the casino than the mechanics of a card game or a spinning wheel. Casino goers love the theatre of the blackjack table or the roulette wheel, and that is something that live casino manages to achieve, even in the online environment. Studios typically have multiple camera angles so you can see the action from every angle, while the croupiers are professionally trained.
Increased trust
 Today’s casinos are closely monitored and regulated by bodies like the Kahnawake gaming commission. Everyone knows that the games are not rigged and the random number generators can be trusted to give a fair game. But despite all that, players still feel more comfortable seeing a physical roulette wheel spinning, or watching a real dealer shuffle a real deck of cards. Ultimately, even in the technical world of the 2020s, we still trust another human being more than we trust a computer algorithm.
Social play
There has been lots of talk about social gaming over the past few months. It is important to appreciate that social games are about more than Words with Friends and the like. Is there any gaming experience more social than sitting at a blackjack table or jostling around the roulette wheel, chatting to the dealer and exchanging some banter with the other players? Live casino games allow you to do all that, just without the jostling, via the chat box on your screen.
 The game is live – you see everything you would see if you were in the gambling hall. Mobile connectivity
Live casino games have been around for a while, but it is only in the past year or so that the mobile infrastructure has been sufficient to allow you to play them from your smartphone. Given that mobile is now the platform of choice for more than 50 percent of all gaming, bringing the live casino experience to iOS and Android has been a crucial factor in it’s rising popularity. It is a phenomenon that will only increase.
 By Pepper Parr
April 3rd, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
While the city is taking a closer look at how to deal with the crowding problem in the Beachway a federal government is looking for ways to limit public access to the piers on both sides of the canal that separates Burlington from Hamilton.
 The two piers reach more than 320 metres out into the lake. The federal Transportation wants to fence them off to prevent the public from walking out. The canal is overseen by the federal department of Transportation; in the words of Ward 1 Councillor Kelvin Galbraith, “it’s their asset and they get to do whatever they want”.
Burlington’s MP Karina Gould got wind of the Transportation plans – they probably ran what they had in mind past the Minister which got the issue to the city.
The Gazette learned about the plans more by luck than anything else. No direct word from the Minister, the Mayor or the ward Councillor.
We learn now that the idea of putting up fences and gates has been paused. Galbraith believes that it is just a matter of time before the federal people decide this is necessary and just go ahead and build.
 Tour boats made use of the canal and the public got out on them much of the time. There was a time when those piers were the point at which steam ships that were taking people on tours would tie up and take on passengers.
We believe there are many people in the city who can add to what we know at this point – we would sure like to hear from them.
Governments do respond to pressure – the planned upgrade – it’s actually more of a rebuild – calls for the Beachway community plans for parks that run right up to the canal area.
It will be interesting to hear what the Region tells the city in the fall when they are scheduled to bring the city up to date on where the plans for the “new” Beachway stand.
 A bridge dedicated to rail traffic into Burlington. At one point there were two tracks leading into the city. The walking trail that begins at the west end of Spencer Smith Park and goes right up to the canal was once a rail bed for trains that came into Burlington, picked up some of the produce from large farms and took it on in to Toronto and Montreal. Some of that produce made its way to European cities.
The trains that came through the city had their own exclusive bridge across the canal. At one point there were three bridges across the canal. When the Skyway bridge was opened – there was just the one bridge.
 The Royal Hamilton Yacht Club – a significant point of Hamilton Society There is a lot of history in that part of the city. During a walking tour with former Mayor Walter Mulkewhich he pointed out the location for a planned science museum tucked into land close to the western pier.
The Royal Hamilton Yacht Club had a magnificent clubhouse on the western side of the canal. An impressive stone light house used to serve as a beacon for ships – it is still there, hidden from view by the lift bridge that changed the movement of traffic that used to clog the road that serves as the entrance to the hospital
 By Pepper Parr
April 3rd, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Is there a relationship between this front page story in the weekend Toronto Star and the city of Burlington?
 Is one of those friends with benefits active in Burlington? Could be – a little more digging around to be done.
The link we think is there will interest the Millcroft community.
By Pepper Parr
April 1st, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Later today, Premier Doug Ford is expected to announce that the province will be put in a lock down mode for as much as 28 days.
This has been done before and the science community is of the belief that lockdowns work.
 Dr Adelstein on the left and Dr.David Williams on the right at a technical briefing this morning. This morning Dr. David Williams and Dr. Adelstein Brown took part in a video conference in which mush of the science behind the decisions that get made was discussed with media taking part in a short media question and answer session.
The news was not good.
Dr. Brown said that if the province did not go into a lock down now there “was very strong chance that we will lose the summer”.
Brown is part of a community of 120 scientists across the province who collaborate on collecting data and analyzing that data to determine the best preventive action to take.
The scientists advise – the politicians have to make the decisions.
Brown referred to data that had been collected showing that the people who need vaccinations the most are the people not getting the vaccinations.
 Column 1 represents the people who are most at risk; the people in column 10 are at the least risk. The people who need vaccinations are the people who are not getting them. The race is to find a way to get those at the highest risk vaccinated as soon as possible. Along with that fact is the perplexing problem of far too many people who qualify for a vaccination but not getting to the vaccination centres.
The province is in a third wave where the predominant virus is one the Covid19 variants which are proving to be more infectious and resulting in more deaths of people who are below the 80 year and 70 years cohorts.
 The field hospital set up outside the Joseph Brant Hospital at a cost of several million was a wise decision. The pressure on the hospitals is immense. Brown and Williams said that should the number of people in hospital ICU’s rise above 800 a tipping point will be reached where a triage approach has to be taken as to who gets treatment and who doesn’t.
This third wave is real” said Brown and “it is very dangerous because of the variants that are now rampant in the community with 67% of the cases reported being variant.
Williams referred to people meeting with people that are not part of their home group is “dangerous behaviour. The science community wants to see stay at home orders issued which does not appeal to the politicians who have to deal with the backlash from people who vote.
The province has yet to succeed in getting a strong message out to the public that we are very very close to a crisis.
Brown said the politicians have to be “more decisive’ and that we are in a “ground game” now.
Brown brought up another matter – the closing of schools saying that schools should be the last to close and the first to open.
He pointed out that students reflect the community they live in and the hard reality is that the students bring what they reflect into the classrooms.
Closing schools however also has serious long term impacts on mental health. If students miss too much classroom time their earnings potential as adults will be impacted.
The education one gets in grade three is not something you can go back and get when the student is moving on to grade four.
 By Staff
April 1st, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The Ontario government has established a working group of conservation experts to identify opportunities to protect and conserve more natural areas in order to enhance the province’s natural diversity and provide more recreational opportunities for people to enjoy the outdoors.
 Protected and conserved natural areas is a top priority “Expanding protected and conserved natural areas is a top priority in our Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan and we want to find new, innovative ways to meet this commitment,” said Jeff Yurek, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. “That’s why we want to hear from conservation and community leaders whose expertise can help identify new strategies to leverage the ideas, talents and expertise of the private sector and other outside organizations to help build on our government’s conservation efforts, like the Greenlands Conservation Partnership.”
The Protected Areas Working Group is made up of experts from the private sector, non-governmental organizations, as well as representatives from Indigenous communities.
 Peter Kendall (Chair), Executive Director, Schad Foundation Members include:
• Peter Kendall (Chair), Executive Director, Schad Foundation
• Andre Vallillee, Environment Program Director, Metcalf Foundation
• Chris McDonell, Chief Forester, Rayonier Advanced Materials
• David Flood, Chair, General Manager, Wahkohtowin Development GP Inc.
• Geoff Burt, CEO, Consecon Foundation
• George Ross, former Deputy Minister of Northern Development and Mines, and Research and Innovation and Consumer Services
• John Beaucage, Principal, Counsel Public Affairs and former Chief of Wasauksing First Nation
• John Snobelen, former Minister of Natural Resources
• Lorne Johnson, Vice-President, Ivey Foundation
• Lynette Mader, Manager of Provincial Operations, Ducks Unlimited
• Mike Hendren, Vice-President (Ontario Region), Nature Conservancy of Canada
• Paul Genest, Senior Vice-President, Power Corporation
The working group will explore a number of areas, such as identifying opportunities and addressing barriers to increasing protected and conserved natural areas, and how public-private partnerships could be used to further advance conservation efforts. The working group will deliver a report with recommendations to the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.
Peter Kendall, Executive Director, Schad Foundation will chair the new Protected Areas Working Group which is made up of some of Ontario’s leading conservation experts.
“For the next two months, our group will identify opportunities to increase protected areas in Ontario. By working together, we are confident Ontario will once again become a leader in conservation, said Kendall.
The members of the working group bring a lot of credibility to the task. What seems to be missing is a way for local environmentalists to have their voices heard.
 Vince Fiorito has been a consistent advocate for stronger environmental protection The people who take care of the creeks and open spaces and who are active locally need to be heard and have an opportunity to comment while the work is being done and not after a report is issued.
It would be nice if Peter Kendall undertook to issue a draft for public consideration and then, after looking for way s to include public comments and ideas move on to the final report.
QUICK FACTS
• Ontario manages and protects 340 provincial parks and 295 conservation reserves, totaling 9.8 million hectares or over 9 per cent of the province.
• Conserving natural spaces can play an important role in mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change by providing safe havens for wildlife, capturing and storing carbon, and improving resilience to weather events, such as flooding and drought.
• Recently, the government announced an investment of $20 million over four years in the new Greenlands Conservation Partnership to help the Nature Conservancy of Canada and the Ontario Land Trust Alliance secure land to conserve ecologically important natural areas and protect wetlands, grasslands and forests that help mitigate the effects of climate change.
 By Alexander Cedborn
April 1st, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
In a time where no career seems to be immune from the knock-on effects of COVID-19, job security is at an all time low. Tourism and hospitality is decimated, aviation and ground support staff are being laid off left, right and centre. Not one to sound bleak, but it is what it is. And what it is hasn’t been seen since the 1930’s. If even for the lucky that haven’t been effected, it’s still a big shake up around just how secure your life can really be, or if it can all change in an instant.
What this time is showing us, is that things can change so easily, so then they can also change for the better. Maybe your job isn’t going anywhere, your steady paycheck will keep turning up, month after month. But just maybe you’ve started to realize that there is more to life than your boring 9-5 that feeds your bank account but not your soul.
Whatever the case may be, the online casino industry is booming according to Casino Pilot Canada. Also, this trend will only continue until 2026 says Mordor Intelligence.
So, if you have some decent casino skills that could be put to good use, now could be the time of change. Here’s a good selection of jobs that will value your skills and may just have you living the good life on a Mediterranean island.
Job Opportunities
 Croupier: It may seem a little obvious, but every casino has plenty of them Croupier
It may seem a little obvious, but every casino has plenty of them and if you’re a social butterfly, it’s perfect for you. All casinos have a lot of on the job training so don’t worry if you’re not a pro. But having some skills in your back pocket will always get you a foot in the door.
And we’re not just talking about your local casino either. Live dealer casinos are becoming an extremely popular part of the online market. Many jobs are available in the central hub of these gaming countries where huge studios are set up to offer a live feed all over the world. The likes of Estonia, Malta and the great state of New Jersey have many opportunities available, so live a little and go out on a limb.
Customer Support Agent
All casinos operate with a customer support team. Many are hired as the first step into a career in gaming, so experience isn’t essential. You generally work as part of a rotational shift that may cover a 24-hour period or at least until 11pm. It’s a buzzing environment and again, a good knowledge of the workings of a casino may not be a prerequisite, but it shows your interest in the field at least.
Many positions are language based though so if English isn’t your first language, then you’re in luck. But either way, many positions are around.
 There’s never been a better time to step up your hobby into a career. Be a Professional Player
There’s never been a better time to step up your hobby into a career. With many of us working from home and living our lives in our tiny apartments, spare time is no longer sparse. You can start off slow by playing a few hours a night, after your normal working hours. That way you don’t have to make the big plunge.
As time progresses, you’ll soon know by the state of your finances if you’re cut out for the life of a card shark or not. But if you are, you can live anywhere in the world and play when you want. You’ll get to dictate your job rather than the other way round. But can you really make a good living from it? If you’re good, you’ll be more than comfortable. Just take it slow and see how it feels.
Should I go for it?
So, although the world may seem a bit mixed up right now, there’s still plenty of opportunities for people who have unique skills. And yes, brick and mortar casinos aren’t doing so well without punters through their doors, but that don’t doesn’t mean all is lost. Even for those who may have found themselves unemployed from these establishments can use their skills of numeracy, customer support and multi-tasking to gain further employment.
 You’ll get to dictate your job rather than the other way round. But can you really make a good living from it? If you’re good, you’ll be more than comfortable. It may seem like desperate times, but maybe it’s just that shake up that we need every once in a while, to think outside the box. To stop living on autopilot and start living the life we want and we deserve. Because we humans may be far from perfect, but we’re extremely adaptable when we need to be. So let’s start focusing less on what we don’t have in our lives and more on what we want to take from life.
 By Staff
March 31st, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The Burlington Teen Tour Band Boosters have been partnering with the Food Bank for events for some time and this Saturday at the Burlington Centre (formerly Burlington Mall), they are running a covid-safe food drive from 10am to noon in the parking lot beside the Bay on the south side – please join them and cheer them on!
The support for the Food Bank comes from the community. A few recent food drives deserve a heart felt mention – without them the system and the service provided wouldn’t work.
The Sheldon Creek community has done an amazing job recently bringing in 1,500 lbs of donations. The BAD parents and team (Burlington Aquatic Devil rays) raise funds and food. The Pauline Johnson Public School did an excellent job collecting donations at various locations while keeping all safety protocols in place. And a special thanks as well to Zoe & Christian for their Easter Food Drive.
 Dominique Wildeboer – Food Bank Volunteer of the Year Our Volunteer of the Year Award – Dominique Wildeboer
There were 160 different volunteers helping out during 2020 with 11,774 hours put in. The Food bank managers had to pick just one volunteer out of all of that. Congratulations to Dominique Wildeboer for stepping up during this year of the pandemic.
Dominique has been helping us out for approx. 4.5 years and she volunteered approx 1,000 hours logged in 2020 herself. Robin Bailey, Executive Director of the Food Bankasks, how did we get so lucky?
“I started volunteering after retiring from teaching. I had some experience in the grocery store industry growing up and thought the food bank would make a nice fit. After 4.5 years here I still love it mostly because of the wonderful people I volunteer with.” says Dominique.
“She goes above and beyond often times shopping for special requests for our clients. We truly are lucky to have her with us; she’s an inspiration to everyone”, said Bailey.
 By Staff
March 31st, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The city is becoming Cannabis Central.
An application to establish a cannabis retail operation on Upper Middle Road has been submitted.
There are currently 13 retail locations with seven applications in the works – Assuming everything is approved and so far everything has been approved Burlington will have 21 retail cannabis shops.
Application are submitted to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario: Written comments due to Province by April 13.
 The stores usually al have a very high end look to them and staff that know their product. Customer service and support is a little uneven. The application meets the City of Burlington Council approved guidelines.
Written comments about the proposed location will be received by the AGCO until Tuesday, April 13, 2021 and may be submitted online at
www.agco.ca/iAGCO.
The AGCO will accept submissions from:
• A resident of the municipality in which the proposed store is located
• The municipality representing the area in which the proposed store is located and/or its upper-tier municipality.
Comments submitted to the AGCO should relate to the following matters of public interest:
• Protecting public health and safety
• Protecting youth and restricting their access to cannabis
• Preventing illicit activities in relation to cannabis.
After April 13, the AGCO will consider all written comments and available information to decide whether the application for the proposed store location will be approved.
The 13 stores include:
Relm Cannabis Co. 4031 Fairview St. Suite 103
Camp Cannabis 3007 New St.
The Hunny Pot Cannabis Co. 1505 Guelph Line, Unit 3-4
Friendly Stranger Plains Road 1025 and 1059 Plains Rd. E., Unit 3
Paramount Cannabis Co. 1200 Brant St., Unit B-004
mihi 3500 Dundas St., Unit A1B
Canna Cabana Burlington 2400 Guelph Line, Unit 2
Welcome Cannabis 1401 Plains Rd., Unit 5
Spiritleaf 3295 Fairview St.
Canada Buds 1860 Appleby Line, Unit 11B
The Spot Cannabis 3247 Appleby Line
Canna Cabana 3505 Upper Middle Rd., Unit D003
Buds Smoke 2017 Lakeshore Rd.
Seven additional cannabis retail stores are under review by the AGCO and one is out for comment, including this one.
Burlington is ranked as Canada’s best community and best place to raise a family.
Now we know why.
Quick Facts
• On Jan. 14, 2019, Burlington City Council voted to allow the operation of retail cannabis stores in Burlington.
• On April 1, 2019, the first round of brick and mortar, privately-operated retail cannabis stores opened across the province.
• The AGCO is licensing and enforcing regulations related to retail cannabis stores in Ontario.
• The ACGO introduced an open licensing system for cannabis retail stores in January 2020. On March 2, 2020, the ACGO began accepting store authorization applications.
• The provincial requirement for a cannabis retail store is 150 metres from schools (as defined by the Education Act), as per the provincial regulations. The City of Burlington guideline for a cannabis retail store is 500 metres from schools.
By Staff
March 30th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
It was a shock to many of the people who got the letter from Sofina – better known as Fearmans – the pork processing plant at the intersection of Appleby Line and Harvester Road.
Ward 6 Councillor Paul Sharman said “First time I knew about the ammonia project was when Sofina called me to say they were sending the letter in accordance with Fed regulations. It was going to 1000’s of homes 2.kms around it. That was it. They did not mention the sign to me.
March 2021
Dear Neighbour,
As a partner in the community, we are sharing some information with you. Sofina Foods Inc. operates in Burlington at Appleby Line and Harvester Road. This facility is one of the largest employers in Burlington, and we have proudly done business in Burlington for 60 years.
Keeping You Informed: Ammonia Safety at the Burlington Plant Why are we sharing this information with you?
As a partner in the community, we are informing all neighbouring residents and businesses about
the use of ammonia at our facility.
What is ammonia?
Ammonia can take several forms including a colourless gas, a liquid or a white vapour. Ammonia, like most chemicals, when properly managed, is very safe.
How does Sofina use ammonia?
Like many other companies, we use ammonia at our facility as a refrigerant to keep our products cold. As required, it is stored in pressure vessels located in an engine room and transported from those vessels through a closed piping system, to cooling units in our production areas, storage rooms, coolers, and freezers.
Sofina’s ammonia system is maintained by highly trained Sofina personnel and third-party specialists through a rigorous preventive maintenance process and schedule. Further, our cooling system has monitoring systems in our engine rooms to alert our team of any possible issue related to a potential release.
 A 150 year old corporation that plays a significant role in the Burlington economy. Should a slaughterhouse be in this location? It is not about to go anywhere – if anything they want to increase the size of the location. What do you need to know?
In the highly unlikely event that there is an ammonia-related release, we have measures in place similar to other companies that use ammonia.
It is important that you are aware of the following:
• You may hear a loud siren. This means there is an ammonia-related release at our Burlington plant.
• Sofina will send out a text message to everyone who has opted into our text notification system. Instructions for opting in are below and this is your best way to stay informed.
• You must “Shelter-in-Place”. This means you should stay where you are and not go outside. If you are outside, you should get indoors immediately.
• If you are “Sheltering-in-Place” and you are at home, close your windows and doors and shut down your ventilation and/or air conditioning. Staying inside is the best way to protect yourself.
• If you are “Sheltering-in-Place” and you are in your car, remain in your car, park in a safe spot and turn the engine off.
 Obviously a major hydro user and also a company that is well funded and in a position to grow their operation if the market demand is there. • Once the Fire Department assesses the situation, they will collaborate with Halton Region Police and Paramedic Services to determine appropriate next steps.
• Throughout the emergency, the public will be informed regarding the status of the emergency response and the actions being taken to resolve the situation.
• The team at Sofina will work closely with the Burlington Fire Department and Halton Region Police and Paramedic Service. You can check our website at www.sofinafoods.com for updates and visit the City of Burlington’s social media platforms: Twitter @cityburlington @burlingtonfire and www.burlington.ca/en/
Symptoms of exposure to ammonia can include a burning sensation in your eyes, nose or throat and in extreme cases, difficulty breathing. If you are experiencing these symptoms, you should cover your ears, nose or mouth with a towel or some type of fabric and move to an area inside. You should keep your doors and windows closed and if necessary, place towels at the base of the door. If you believe you have been exposed to ammonia, you should see a medical practitioner
– either your family physician or emergency care as needed.
For more information Text Alerts:
The text alert system will be the fastest way to receive information and stay informed. Please sign up today. You will only receive these in the event of an emergency. Please text
1-888-217-6557 and the word ‘ADD’ to be added to our contact list. We do not collect any personal information from this service, and you can opt out at anytime.
Contact Us:
emergencyresponse@sofinafoods.com I 905-637-2301
Other languages:
To view this document in other languages please visit: www.sofinafoods.com/info
By Pepper Parr
March 3oth, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
‘
He does it almost every day of the week.
Stands before a teleprompter and does his best to tell people to stay at home until we have the COVID19 virus beaten.
He always has several people with him; Minister of Health, Minister of Finance – whoever can amplify the point he is making.
 Hillier speaking fluidly and directly said if the vaccines were available everyone would get a vaccination. What he couldn’t do was say that he didn’t know when the vaccines would be delivered. Today he was at the Humber River Hospital vaccination clinic. Retired Army General Rick Hillier, wearing a smart looking black suit – no medals, and not much in the way of a smile on his face either.
The Premier ranted about the province being ready to put needles in arms but he didn’t have the vaccines needed. He ranted about the delays – each time laying another critical comment on the shoulders of the Prime Minister but not before saying the federal government was a good partner.
Problems galore on getting what the public told was promised.
When Hillier told the Premier he was quitting – saying his job was done – he didn’t elaborate. The Gazette had picked up a number of comments on how bad things were between the General and the Premier but nothing we could get a quote on.
The General spoke for a few minutes assuring people that he believed every person who was eligable for a vaccine shot would get one by summer June 2oth.
 Hillier leaves the podium – does not look at the Premier. They never did make eye contact during the period of time they were walking to and from the podium. When Huller approached the podium to speak he didn’t use a teleprompter not did he flash a smile at the Premeir. They did not make eye contact.
Same thing when Hillier left the podium – no eye contact with the General. No handshake either but an elbow bump would have made the point.
The new infection numbers are higher than they have ever been. The deaths are higher and the variant version of the virus seems to be making a tough situation worse.
Many of the people who know what they are talking about have urged the Premier to invoke a three week shut down.
The best the Premier could do today was say to the public: Don’t make plans for Easter.
 By Staff
March 30th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) has made a pair of arrests in connection to a vehicle theft.
The thefts took place in Oakville but the way the thefts were carried out and the technology the thieves used is startling.
Here is the full police report.
 On March 30, 2021 at approximately 1:30 am, an alert resident heard their vehicle start in their driveway and then discovered that their Toyota vehicle had been stolen. The homeowner contacted the HRPS immediately and officers soon located the stolen Toyota and a second vehicle being driven in tandem.
Attempts were made to stop both vehicles safety, however, the driver of the stolen Toyota failed to stop and was able to make good on their escape.
Police were able to successfully stop the second vehicle and arrest its two occupants.
Mohammad Khan (20) of Quebec has been charged with the following:
- Theft of motor vehicle
- Possession of Break and Enter Instruments
Pablo Rawlins-Ramos (25) of Quebec has been charged with the following:
- Theft of motor vehicle
- Possession of Break and Enter Instruments
- Possession of a Prohibited Weapon
- Fail to Comply with Probation
- Fail to Comply with Weapons Prohibition
 Quality video cameras are a huge help in capturing car thieves and excellent evidence when the case comes to trial Police also seized a signal relay device at the time of arrest. This tool is commonly used to steal vehicles quickly. In a typical relay theft, suspects will approach a residence on foot and utilize a relay device to defeat the vehicle’s security system. One of the suspects will be positioned near the house and the other near the targeted vehicle. The technology being used is able to access the signal transmitted by the key fob inside the house and relay it to a computer that is in the possession of the suspect near the vehicle. This captured data is then used to program a blank key fob and start the vehicle.
The Halton Regional Police Service would like to alert residents of Oakville that the incidence of overnight vehicle thefts using a relay device are increasing. Thieves are targeting particular makes and models. They range from 2017 – 2020 Lexus vehicles included models RX350 and GX460, Toyota models, Land Rover Range Rover models and Ford pickup trucks. The targeted vehicles are stolen from residential driveways between the hours of 11:00 pm and 6:00 am.
Similar thefts are occurring throughout the GTA, as these vehicles are in high demand and are often shipped overseas.
We encourage homeowners to take these simple steps to reduce the risk of having your vehicle stolen:
- Park your vehicle within a locked/secure garage as the majority of the vehicles are stolen from residential driveways
- If a garage is not accessible, park another vehicle behind it in the driveway to act as a physical barrier to its removal
- Invest in an aftermarket global positioning system tracker or have one installed by the dealer, as it may assist in recovery of the vehicle if it is stolen
- Ensure your unattended vehicle(s) are locked and secure
- Never leave spare keys in your vehicle
- Never leave spare keys outside of your residence
- When not in use, place vehicle keys inside a radio frequency shielding bag/pouch to block cell signals
- Equip your vehicle with an alarm
- Use other devices to deter thefts (e.g. steering wheel locking device)
- Consider purchasing a quality video surveillance system and ensure your cameras are properly placed and functioning for 24-hour use
Community safety is a shared responsibility. Help keep communities safe and immediately report any suspicious activity.
Anyone with questions or information about this vehicle theft is asked to contact Detective Constable Ben Merchant at the 2 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4747 ext. 2248.
Those vehicles were provably on their way to Montreal where they would be loaded into a shipping container and on their way out of the country within days; usually to the Middle East where terrorists make good use of them.
 By Staff
March 30th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Regional Police Service continues to receive numerous complaints from across the region regarding loud and unnecessary noise from motor vehicles which have been illegally modified by removing the mufflers, or modifying the exhaust system.
It has been observed through proactive enforcement that this unnecessary noise is often found to be accompanied by other illegal vehicle modifications, unsafe vehicle conditions and aggressive driving behaviours. During the course of the 2020 Project #Noisemaker campaign in Halton, Enforcement activities resulted in the following:
• More than 1420 charges laid region-wide
• 574 charges for no/improper muffler
• 396 charges for unnecessary noise
• 12 racing/stunt driving charges
 Police breaking up a late night car racing rally The remaining charges were primarily vehicle defects, moving violations, licence violations, licence plate violations, violations of the Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act, and violations of the Environmental Protection Act (removal of vehicle emissions components).
During the project, more than 40 vehicles were removed from the roadway for various reasons including defects (causing the vehicle to be unfit), improper licences and stunt driving legislation. Further, the Project was successfully implemented by various Police Agencies across the Province.
As a result, the Halton Regional Police will be continuing with Project #Noisemaker. The region-wide project will be launching on April 1st, 2021 and will run until October 31, 2021. Project #Noisemaker aims to address concerns of motor vehicles with illegal modifications, unsafe motor vehicles, and aggressive driving.
As part of Project #Noisemaker, Officers from the District Response Teams and Regional Traffic Services will collaborate with partner agencies to conduct inspections through an Operation Wreck Check; will target illegal street racing activity through Project ERASE (eliminate racing activity on streets everywhere) enforcement dates, and will partner with Municipal Enforcement Officers to conduct enforcement of the Town of Oakville’s motorcycle noise by law.
The Halton Regional Police Service remains committed to road safety through prevention, education and enforcement initiatives.
Anyone with enforcement concerns is asked to fill out an online form available on the Halton Regional Police Service website. CLICK HERE
By Staff
March 29th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
City of Burlington administrative services will be closed for Good Friday, on Friday, April 2, and Easter Monday, on Monday, April 5.
For a list of which City services and facilities are available on the Easter holiday weekend, please see the summary below or visit burlington.ca
The information provided below is accurate as of March 29, 2021. In the event of any changes made to current COVID-19 public health measures by the Province of Ontario, please visit burlington.ca/coronavirus for potential impacts to City services and programs.
Residents can also stay informed about city news on our social media channels: @cityburlington on Twitter and facebook.com/cityburlington.
City Service Holiday Closure Information
 You are going to have to nurse the cat yourself. Animal Services
The Animal Shelter at 2424 Industrial St. remains closed to the public due to COVID-19.
To report an animal control-related emergency, call 905-335-3030 or visit www.burlington.ca/animal.
Burlington Transit will operate a Sunday schedule on Good Friday. For real-time bus information and schedules visit myride.burlingtontransit.ca.
The downtown terminal at 430 John St. and Specialized Dispatch will be closed on Friday, April 2.
City Hall The Service Burlington counter at City Hall (426 Brant St.), will be closed to all appointments and walk-in service on Friday, April 2 and Monday, April 5.
Many service payments are available online at burlington.ca/onlineservices.
Halton Court Services – Provincial Offences Office Court administration counter services at 4085 Palladium Way will be closed on Friday April 2, 2020 and Monday April 5, 2021.
With the exception of the Easter closure, telephone payments are available at 905-637-1274, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.
All in-person services are available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday to Friday. Many services are also available by email at burlingtoncourt@burlington.ca or online at Halton Court Services
Parking Free parking is available downtown, on the street, in municipal lots and in the parking garage (414 Locust St.) on weekends and holidays, including Good Friday and Easter Monday.
NOTE: The Waterfront parking lots (east and west) do not provide free parking on statutory holidays.
Parking exemptions are required to park overnight on city streets and for longer than five hours. Visit burlington.ca/parkingexemptions
Recreation Programs and Facilities Drop-In Recreation Activities
All users must pre-register and complete the online COVID-19 screening at burlington.ca/screening. Registration opens 25 hours in advance of program start times. To view program times, visit burlington.ca/dropinandplay
 Centennial pool Swimming
• Lap swimming and recreational swimming are available at Tansley Woods Community Centre (1996 Itabashi Way) and Centennial Pool (5151 New St.)
Skating
• Recreational skating is available at Appleby Ice Centre (1201 Appleby Line) and Mountainside Arena (2205 Mt. Forest Dr). An artificial rink at Hidden Valley Park (1137 Hidden Valley Rd.) is open for skating daily from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and is ideal for young families and people learning to skate. Capacity on the rink is 10 people.
Lending Library
Play Equipment
• Horseshoes, glow in the dark soccer balls, Kanjam, washer toss, tennis, Spikeball and more are available to borrow. Visit burlington.ca/playlending
Pickleball Equipment
• Borrow pickleball equipment for free, including noise-reducing paddles, ball packs and portable nets that can be used anywhere. Visit burlington.ca/pickleball
Outdoor Activities
Please see below for a list of opportunities available in Burlington (weather permitting) or visit www.burlington.ca/outdoorplay.
Please note: several of the outdoor recreational amenities listed below are not monitored. We ask that you cooperate with others using the space and follow all COVID-19 health precautions and posted signage. If the outdoor recreational space is busy, please try another outdoor recreational amenity in the city or come back at a different time. Please be kind to one another, remain vigilant and stay safe.
Tennis and Pickleball Courts
• Outdoor tennis and pickleball courts at Leighland Park (1200 Leighland Rd.) and Optimist Park (2131 Prospect St.) are open and available for play daily, from 8 a.m. to dusk.
 This is the rural Burlington residents want to keep – walking trails and quiet countryside. Parks and Trails
• Enjoy any of the city’s trails and parks. Visit burlington.ca/outdoorplay
Active at Home
Options to stay active at home are available online at burlington.ca/activeathome, including a series of virtual activities from fitness to crafts for everyone to enjoy. All videos are free and new videos are added frequently.
Follow @BurlingtonParksRec on Facebook and @Burl_ParksRec on Twitter for the latest updates and videos.
Roads, Parks and Forestry The administrative office will be closed on Friday, April 2 and Monday, April 5.
Essential services will be provided as required.
Residents can stay informed about City news at www.burlington.ca/coronavirus and our social media channels: @cityburlington on Twitter and facebook.com/cityburlington
By Staff
March 29th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
On March 26, 2021 at 5:40 pm, members of the Halton Regional Police Service – 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau, with assistance of the Tactical Rescue Unit, attempted to stop an individual in a motor vehicle in the area of Highway 6 North and Leslie Road in Wellington County in relation to a drug trafficking investigation. The driver attempted to flee in his vehicle and struck a police cruiser, as well as a civilian vehicle before losing control and driving into a ditch a short distance away. The driver was placed under arrest at that time. There were no injuries reported as a result of this incident and damage to the vehicles was minor.
 No wonder the driver didn’t want to stop. George Smith (27) of Burlington has been charged with:
• Flight from Peace Officer
• Dangerous Operation
• Failing to Stop After Accident
• Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose
• Possession of a Prohibited Weapon
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
• Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking: Methamphetamine (2 counts)
• Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking: Cocaine
• Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking: Fentanyl
• Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking: Oxycodone
• Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking: Hydromorphone
As a result of the arrest, two Criminal Code search warrants were executed (one in Burlington and one in Wasaga Beach). The following items were seized as a result of the investigation
• 2308 grams of methamphetamine
• 246 grams of cocaine
• 271 grams of fentanyl
• 50 hydromorphone pills
• 6 Oxycodone pills
• Approximately $9000 in Canadian currency
• A flick knife
Smith was held in custody pending a bail hearing.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Detective Scott Heyerman of the 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4747 ext. 2342.
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 Staff
March 29th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The strain from the restrictions on what we can and cannot do while we weather ourselves through this pandemic are beginning to show.
The warm weather is going to attract all kinds of outside activity – and dinner at an outdoor patio – but only with people in your household – who are probably the last people you want to dine with – you’ve been cooped up with them for months.
The Halton District School Board is hosting two Mental Health & Well-Being Information Sessions for Parents/Guardians on Monday, March 29 and Tuesday, March 30 at 7 p.m. at www.hdsb.ca.
 Tuesday, March 30 session will be for families with high school students Discussion will include parent, child and youth mental health and well-being, ways in which parents/guardians can support their children, and resources available for youth and families. Each session will feature four panelists (parents, mental health experts, HDSB school social workers and community partners) who will share their experiences of parenting during COVID-19 and provide helpful information and resources.
The information session on Monday, March 29 will include information for parents/guardians of elementary students (Kindergarten – Grade 8) and the session on Tuesday, March 30 will include information for parents/guardians of secondary students (Grade 9 – 12).
These sessions will help parents/guardians learn about:
• How the pandemic may be impacting their, child’s, mental health and well-being
• Coping and well-being strategies for them and their children to support better mental health and well-being
• Resources and support available through their child’s school and within the community
Elementary Session: Monday, March 29 from 7 – 8:15 p.m. at www.hdsb.ca
Presenters:
• Noorie Soni, HDSB parent and PIC member
• Kim Menezes-Francispillai, School Social Worker, HDSB
• Shivani Patel, Lead, Access and System Navigation, Reach Out Centre for Kids (ROCK)
• Nathan Pillai, Clinical Psychologist, Bayridge Counselling Centre
Secondary Session: Tuesday, March 30 from 7 – 8:15 p.m. at www.hdsb.ca
Presenters:
• Darlene Wierski-Devoe, Parent and Program Supervisor, Halton Families for Families
• Melinda Dougan, School Social Worker, HDSB
• Shivani Patel, Lead, Access and System Navigation, Reach Out Centre for Kids (ROCK)
• Nicole Callander RSSW, Therapist, Bayridge Counselling Centre
 Session will have information for parents/guardians of elementary students (Kindergarten – Grade 8) and the session on Monday March 29th.
The sessions will be livestreamed through the HDSB YouTube channel. Parents/guardians can visit www.hdsb.ca at 7 p.m. on March 29 and/or March 30 to tune in. Registration is not required.
The HDSB is planning additional information sessions for parents/guardians on specific mental health & well-being topics to take place in the spring. The Board’s new Mental Health & Well-Being webpage has information for parents/guardians and students on mental health, ways to support positive mental health and well-being and how to get additional support at school and in the community.
By Pepper Parr
March 29th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
City Council heard a report that was not good news from a climate perspective.
Bryan Purcell, a TAF (The Atmospheric Fund) VP, told council in a virtual delegation that “total carbon emissions in the GTHA increased 5.2% in 2018, reaching 55.5 Mt.
 The report is a stark reality check, showing that since the completion of the coal phase out, emissions are slowly increasing across all regions and nearly all sources.
The per capita natural gas emissions are increasing even when adjusted for population growth and weather.
TAF (The Atmospheric Fund) is a regional climate agency that invests in low-carbon solutions for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area and helps scale them up for broad implementation. They are experienced leaders and collaborate with stakeholders in the private, public and non-profit sectors who have ideas and opportunities for reducing carbon emissions. We advance the most promising concepts by investing, providing grants, influencing policies and running programs.
 The source of the emissions – lowering them is the challenge – which we have not been meeting. They are particularly interested in ideas that offer benefits beyond carbon reduction such as improving people’s health, creating new green jobs, boosting urban resiliency, and contributing to a fair society.
In the delegation some disturbing information was put before members of Council.
Unfortunately, not one member of Council asked Purcell any questions. Mayor Meed Ward did note that the day was the first anniversary of the Declaration of a Climate Emergency by the city.
 There was irony in the Mayor recognizing that the Climate Emergency Declaration had been made and not asking a single question about a report that made it pretty clear Halton was not doing enough to mitigate damage to the environment or to do its part to meet the various agreements the country has entered into.
Perhaps they didn’t know just who The Atmospheric Fund (TAF) was: could that be why council listened to a five minute presentation about climate change and how we were doing in getting a grip on how we are doing – not all that well by the way?
The City of Toronto Council created TAF in 1991 to finance local initiatives to combat climate change and improve air quality in Toronto. A $23 million endowment, coming from the sale of a City-owned property, was set up to fund their work. They are a registered non-profit corporation, with a Board of Directors appointed by the City and made up of City Councillors and citizens.
They work closely with City of Toronto departments and divisions, especially Toronto Public Health and the Environment and Energy Division, to test and advance innovative programs.
 In 2016, the Province of Ontario provided a $17 million endowment to enable TAF’s services to be offered throughout the GTHA. In 2019, the Government of Canada committed to providing a $40 million endowment. No funds are drawn from City, Provincial, or Federal tax bases.
Council might want to go back and have a closer listen to what TAF is all about.
By Pepper Parr
March 26, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
This is a story that has gotten out of hand.
It has to do with a report that Cheryl Craig was nominated as the candidate for the federal Tories.
She has not been nominated.
In fact nominations for the Burlington seat in the House of Commons are still open – a date has not been set for a nomination meeting.
Those are the facts given to us by a senior Conservative Party official.
 Cheryl Craig We can add to that – three reliable sources in Burlington said they received the email we received that had a picture of Cheryl Craig and a map of the constituency along with background material on Ms Craig.
We got calls from people we trust who said they had been invited to have a telephone conversation with Conservative Party Erin O’Toole.
Others said they had gotten calls asking for donations. Some of these may have been robocalls.
Some have asked that we pull the original story.
We are not going to do that at this point – however we will do so should we hear from Ms Craig telling us that she erred when she sent people the notice or that she was not behind the notice that was sent. We can be reached by email at publisher@bgzt.ca
Something smells and the odour is not coming from any of the orifices in our body.
We much appreciated the call from an official at the Conservative party in Ottawa.
 By Rupert Walters
March 26th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
In recent times, we have seen the world being ravaged by a global pandemic which was as a result of the novel coronavirus called Covid-19. This pandemic not only disrupted what used to appear “normal” for many across the globe, it has also created a new normal.
This new normal is seeing many people work from home and others making use of technology to carry out virtual meeting and learning. While there has been several measures put in place by the Canadian government and medical organizations across the globe, there has been questions as to whether or not we would ever return back to the way things used to be.
 Vaccination supplies being delivered to the Milton location, one of six in the Region. Talking about measures, the Canadian government while waiting for an approved vaccination mechanism has mandated the use of masks and demanded that everyone engage in social distancing. However, this was not enough as the cases of Covid-19 were rising. This necessitated a lockdown that has kept many in their homes for a long while.
With this, there are those who cannot go to work or school like they would always do. To avoid the effect this shift in activity can have on the mental and physical health, many individuals have resulted into different activities to keep themselves busy.
Here, we shall be examining some of the best activities you can engage in during Covid-19.
Read a book
The complexities of our everyday lives sometimes mean we may not have time to read some of the books we have always wanted to read. However, with the lockdown in place, there is no better time to read that book you have always wanted to read than now. There are two ways to have a big picture of life – to read books and to go places.
Every time you pick up a book to read, you are journey into places and imagination of the writer that you ordinarily may not have the privilege to get to perhaps. Reading makes you a more versatile, rounded, and knowledgeable person and there is no better time to get at it than during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Playing online casino in Canada
 If you love to play games but school or work has not permitted you, then the Covid-19 lockdown period is a good one to play online casino in Canada. Since the start of the lockdown, we have seen a rise in the number of online casinos that are available. Not only are these casinos available, many of them come with mouthwatering offers that you are sure going to like. You can access the many games on the best online casino top list from your mobile devices or personal computers.
In choosing the best casino to play on, you will need to research several casinos, compare their features and offers together to come up with the most suitable option for you. You will also need to familiarize yourself with the best playing strategy so you can always win at it. You’ve always wanted to play online casino games in Canada but you’ve not had the time. The lockdown presents a good opportunity to play, make sure to maximize it.
Rest and sleep
While this may sound quite weird as an activity to do during the Covid-19 lockdown, it is a very important one. Before the lockdown, there are many people who don’t create a time to rest. You are either trying to keep up with classes or running multiple jobs. The stress from this can affect your mental or physical health and cause you to breakdown. To avoid this, it is best that you maximize this Covid-19 lockdown period to rest and sleep as much as you can.
There are no assurances anywhere how long the lockdown will last, but make sure when it is all over, you have prepared your body, mind, and soul for what is to come after.
Connect with your loved ones
 If during the lockdown you are at home, you can use the opportunity to connect with your family and create that bond you have not had the time to create because of your busy daily schedule. As a family, you can play games, cook together, or have deep conversations. Whatever it is that you are doing with your family during this period make sure it is something that helps to either create a bond or strengthen an already existing one.
If there is anything worth taking away from the Covid-19 pandemic it is that we should learn to value people when we have them with us. You can maximize this Covid-19 lockdown to show to your loved ones how much they mean to you by spending time with them.
Other than sit and complain about the many things you cannot do as a result of the lockdown, why not focus on the things that you can do? You can read a book from your favorite author, play online casinos in Canada, rest as much as you can, and spend time with the people who truly matter in your life.
By Pepper Parr
March 26th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
 If Burlington is going to have high rise residential towers – and they are planned for properties around the GO stations – could they at least be interesting, inviting and innovative?
Vaughan is scheduled to get a three tower development that will involve several developers.
This is what they have in mind.
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