 By Hubert Harrison
March 26th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The world of NHL sports betting can be quite overwhelming for beginners. With the amount of betting strategies and lingo swirling around, it can be hard to keep up. Before you start looking into ice hockey betting tips and placing bets it’s important to get the basics down first. With money on the line, it’s important always important to bet smart
 It is an exciting game with some incredible athletes. Online sports betting has become a fantastic activity for many sports fans today. With a bet involved, fans get to have a more engaging experience for every match they follow. Compared to just watching the latest NHL news live broadcasts, sports betting is a lot more exciting. It gives bettors the adrenaline rush as they watch their team win or lose.
Important Safety Betting Tips For Beginners
Betting mistakes happen. Even to the most seasoned of sports bettors. However, making errors is inevitable, there are a couple of ways to reduce them. In the world of online sports betting, it’s important to take things slow when learning the ropes of the trade. You need to learn how to bet smart to lead a successful betting career. To help guide you on to the path of sports betting success, keep on reading.
Keep things simple and clear
If you think you’ll be winning big from the get-go, think again. Online betting takes time and experience to master. Just like playing the piano, it’s impossible to master a piece on your first try. You’re going to need to practice over and over again to nail it.
Take things step-by-step.
The very first thing rookies need to keep in mind is to keep things simple and clear. In other words, participate in bets that you fully understand. Know where you’re placing your bets and their results. By not over complicating things, you’ll be able to make smart betting decisions and avoid the risk of burning a hole in your pocket.
Have a budget
While a chance at winning big sounds a whole more exciting than just a couple of bucks, it is incredibly risky. Especially when you lack the experience. One of the most important tips you need to always keep in mind no matter what is to always stay within your budget.
You need to always spend within your means. To keep control of your finances, set a specific budget that you can afford to lose. As a beginner, you are bound to make a few more mistakes than the average punter. So, be prepared to lose a great sum of your budget.
Do not trust just any tipster
Cyber attacks are all over the internet. As a beginner, it’s important to thoroughly look through different betting sites before trusting them. Here are some tips on how to find the right trustworthy tipsters:
Client reviews
Looking through online reviews is the best way to get the best idea of a betting site’s services and client experience.
 Payment methods
Have a look at the site’s payment methods. Check if they use popular payment platforms like Paypal or Apple Pay.
Terms and conditions
A tell-tale sign that a betting site is suspicious if they don’t have a terms and conditions page anywhere on their site. Make sure the site you’re about to trust has one.
Compare betting odds and lines
One of the best betting tips you need to take is always to compare betting odds and lines. Having good odds gives a big advantage in having a higher payout. On the other hand, having better betting lines will increase your chance of winning wagers.
Another way to increase your chances of winning is to have multiple accounts with different betting sites. By having several accounts in different betting platforms, you’ll be able to compare and find the best betting odds and lines right away.
NHL Betting Terms You Need To Know
After getting a good grasp on the important safety betting tips, it’s now time to know more about the type of sport you’ll be focusing on. NHL sports betting lingo can be rather confusing, especially when you’re just getting started. Here are a couple of important NHL sports betting lingo commonly used amongst bettors in the industry.
 Pick the team you think can win and place a wager. Moneyline
Pick a team to win the game. It’s the simplest way to wager on.
Puck Line
To win, your team must score by more than 1.5 goals and the opposing team needs to lose by no more than 1.5 goals.
Parlay
Parlay is the act of combining two or more bet types from the same or across multiple games. It’s a good move to increase your total number of odds. But it can also be a risk as all plays need to be accurate.
Favorite
Refers to the home team or the team with the better record of the season.
Underdog
Refers to the visiting team or the team with the weaker record of the season.
Teaser
The act of buying or selling goals on a puck line or in a total bet. This move gives bettors better odds or chances of winning with lower odds.
 All kinds of teams to wager on. Different Ways to Bet on the NHL
After a quick crash course of NHL lingo, the next thing you need to familiarize yourself with is the different types of bets in the NHL.
Live Betting
Betting while the game is in action. It’s the most action-packed way to bet on the NHL, you’ll be able to see lines adjusted in real-time.
Single-game Betting
This betting type is used when you’re only interested in betting on specific individuals broken down to a money line.
Prop Bets
Single-game bets based on players. Bettors can place bets whether a specific player scores or not, or even hit a certain record.
Futures Bet
Early bets are placed during the off-season or within the season by supporting a specific team to win a certain amount of games.
Experience is Gold
When it comes to online sports betting experience is the best teacher. It’s important to take risks and make mistakes. It’s how you learn how to do better the next time around. Understanding these basic terms and ways of how to place bets on the NHL will help give you a better grasp on where to get started. The best betting strategy is to take things one step at a time. Learn and grow with every win or loss you make.
 By Pepper Parr
March 25th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
OPINION
Political leadership is something that has to be grown.
They don’t just fall off a tree like a ripe apple.
Public service is seen as honourable with good salaries and wonderful benefits.
The current city council has a very young group of people. They had an exceptionally steep learning curve and at least two have yet to get to the point where they are competent. They may never get there.
 If Lisa Kearns jumps to Queen’s Park – that opens up the ward 2 seat. The ward 2 council seat is now in play – that will become official when Lisa Kearns comes out of her political closet and confirms that she will carry a Liberal flag come the 2022 provincial election. She will do so when it is to her advantage.
Question then is – who will replace Kearns? Kimberly Calderbank has said she will run again.
Roland Tanner has realized that he would have been a terrible Councillor and has decided to stick to his information technical pursuits. His 905er podcast does not appear to be any better than his description of how he would do as a politician.
The word abstemious might apply.
There is a young man in the city who appears to be grooming himself for a shot at the ward 2 council seat.
David Vandenberg, studied political science at McMaster, served as campaign manager for Rick Goldring in 2018 – that didn’t turn out very well – more the candidate than the campaign manager.
 Name a charity group that needs help – and David Vandenberg will be there. Vandenberg gets involved in organizations focused on helping other people. He is currently part of the Wellington United Church Meals Ministry that prepares take-out meals. It grew out of the Friday Night Community Dinners that were cancelled due to Covid19 issues.
The giveaway sign that David Vandenberg was going to throw his hat into the ring was the Burlington Dave podcast that Vandenberg hosts four times a year.
Vandenberg explains his podcast pursuit this way:
 The Vandenberg score card “Burlington is full of folks of all ages who strive every single day to create a virtuous, equitable and compassionate community. Reflecting on over a decade of local engagement, I have had the privilege of learning about our community, the heroes within it and the landscape in which we live – here in Burlington, Ontario.
“I hope to highlight some of our local heroes, business champions, and heritage and community issues through this blog.
Vandenberg introduces himself to people who visit his Facebook page this way:
“If we have not met before, thanks for popping by! If we know each other, welcome back! My name is David Vandenberg. I am a passionate community leader and speaker in the Halton Region. My deep commitment to innovative community and city-building inspired me to work in the advocacy space for local organizations.
 Vandenberg on a Zoom call “I am a recent McMaster Grad who now works as the Operations Manager of the Meal Bag Program at Wellington Square United Church. Outside of work, I love to capitalize on our proximity to hiking and biking trails, sit on boards of local charities and advocate for issues and people that are close to my heart.
“Building bridges is what I do. I truly believe that when we work together in our community, we can drive a bigger social impact. I hope you enjoy hearing about some of the incredible people, businesses and stories I have to share with you here in Burlington.”
That is about as political as a profile can be.
 David Vandenberg with his Mother Our first reaction to young Vandenberg is – Good Luck to you, young man. Your heart appears to be in the right place.
And then we ask: Have you ever had a full time job at which you were more than a volunteer. We are aware of some internships you’ve done – all good.
We would like to see situations where you worked hard, got promotions and added responsibility. Were placed in situations where you gained what the soft liberal set call “lived experiences”.
There was a quote you put up on the Facebook that impressed me.
If that is the way you think, if you really have that level if realpolitik you just well might grow into a credible and effective politician.
Goodness know the city could use more of those.
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 Tom Geens
March 25th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Lift your eyes to the future – and the all-Canadian pursuits we can look forward to over the coming months.
By anyone’s standards, the last year has been extremely tough. Leaving aside the direct human suffering inflicted by COVID-19, the pandemic has also ground society to a halt, with lockdown measures meaning that so many of our favourite pastimes have either been put on hold altogether or severely curtailed.
Things are going to stay tough for a little while yet. But at least now, with the prospect of a vaccine-led recovery strengthening every day, it feels like we can finally lift our eyes to the future and the promise of a return to normality.
With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of Ontarians’ favourite all-Canadian pursuits – the things that we’ve been missing dearly, and that enrich our local and national life so much. Something to whet the appetite as we look forward to brighter days ahead.
 Hockey is the national sport – watched at both the professional and local levels. Watching hockey
Our biggest national sport, over 1.3 million Canadians actively participate in recreational hockey games, and as much as 68% of the population watched the 2018 NHL playoffs. This is a sport deeply ingrained in our national psyche.
Yet in recent months, there have been COVID-19 outbreaks traced to hockey arenas all over the US and Canada, meaning that spectators are not being allowed into stadiums to watch their favourite pro teams play. However, a vaccine-led recovery raises the prospect of Ontarians returning to the stands in the not-too-distant future, watching their favourite players while gobbling down hotdogs, ice cream and beer.
Playing rugby again with our friends
We might not be the world’s most famous rugby nation – that accolade probably goes to New Zealand – but we still love the sport.
 In Burlington the local Rugby Clubs take part in events, including the annual Christmas parade. It was introduced to this country by the Royal Navy back in 1823, and we now have domestic tournaments such as the Canadian Rugby Championship and we participate in continental matches such as the Americas Rugby Championship.
With Rugby Ontario announcing that rugby clubs in certain parts of the province are allowed to start playing again, it feels exciting to be returning to the rucks and scrums of this fiercely competitive sport and using up some of that excess energy that we’ve all been storing up from months spent indoors.
Enjoying galleries and our world-beating culture
What have you been doing to pass the time during stay-at-home measures? A decent novel always helps. Netflix may offer some entertainment. There’s also the world of online casinos – sites such as this one offer plenty of online games, chances to win money, and safety measures to ensure that you can keep track of what it is you’re spending. For as long as the economy remains at least partially closed, indoor pursuits like this may help to keep you sane.
 Patron looking at painting being auctioned. However, we’re all craving a bit of culture – Canada is famous for it, after all – and our very own Burlington Art Gallery has re-opened its doors. With its range of exhibits, including a prominent collection of Canadian ceramics, and free access for visitors, this is definitely a great day out for the family.
Further afield, in the cultural mecca of Toronto, just over 40 minutes’ drive away, the Art Gallery of Ontario also remains closed – though an excellent array of virtual courses and activities remain available. For example, artist instructor Amanda Arcuri is running an online series called ‘Drawing Larger Than Life’.
Elsewhere, the world-famous Toronto Symphony Orchestra has posted an update on its website saying that it hopes to be able to share further details about its 2021/22 schedule by late spring or early summer.
Running your model boats at Centennial Pond
Skating at the Centennial Pond is over the for season. Soon the water will be ready for those model boats that scoot around at a feverish clip.
Everyone is looking forward to the point where the majority of people will have been vaccinated and we will be able to get out to wine and dine and maybe event get to a movie. Too early to tell – but that is the hope – assuming we all maintain that two metre safe distance and wear masks.
Drinking craft beer in our enviable array of bars
The humble glass of beer. In a bar. With your friends. Surely, few simple pleasures are being missed quite as much as this one, with venues across Ontario still shuttered due to the pandemic.
However, we can find solace in the fact that our enviable craft beer culture will come back with a bang when lockdown does finally end – and Toronto’s craft scene and brewers, in particular, give us hope that one day soon, we’ll be experimenting with all manner of flavorful ales.
Places such as Bandit Brewery, with its devilishly good bar snacks and quirky beer selection, is just one of the establishments that we’ll be hoping to get back into soon.
 The Beer Guy will deliver the suds to your door while you watch the hockey game. Until then, be sure to check out companies such as The Beer Guy in Burlington, and the range of local breweries offering deliveries of kegs and bottles to people’s front doors.
We’re so lucky to live in Ontario – our proximity to big cities, big culture and world-beating nature means that we’re well-placed to enjoy the economic and social recovery from COVID-19 when it finally sets in.
Until then, we’ll have to make the most of the activities that we’re still allowed to do under restrictions and meditate on the prospect of better days ahead.
 By Staff
March 24, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Regional Police Service – Fraud Unit has arrested a Burlington man in relation to a fraud investigation.
 The accused was an investment industry professional who worked for a financial company that was registered with the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC).
Between 2011 and 2016, two victims invested a total of approximately $1.6 million with the accused to purchase insurance and other investments. The accused diverted the funds he received from the victims to his own bank accounts.
The fraud was discovered in 2016 when the victims learned that the accused had entered into a settlement agreement with IIROC which resulted in a permanent prohibition on registration.
On March 17, 2021 Brian Kumar (47) of Burlington, was arrested and charged with:
Fraud Over $5000 (3 counts)
Kumar was released on an undertaking.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Det. Constable Kevin Barkhouse of the Halton Regional Police Service – Fraud Unit at 905-825-4777 ext. 8912.
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 John Gaar
March 24th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Did you know that the worldwide audience for E-sports games is forecasted to reach 250 million people?
The growth of Esports has been phenomenal, with new games being launched every year. Some games, however, dominate the landscape and are more popular than others. When we talk about the biggest Esports games, it can mean different things to different people. Some games are more popular globally while others are regional successes.
Gambling (also known as betting) is the wagering of money or something of value (referred to as “the stakes”) on an event with an uncertain outcome, with the primary intent of winning money or material goods.
Gambling thus requires three elements to be present: consideration (an amount wagered), risk (chance), and a prize.
Most of the online casinos offer no deposit bonus Canada or Australia players can use as well as UK or USA gamblers. The outcome of the wager is often immediate, such as a single roll of dice, a spin of a roulette wheel, or a horse crossing the finish line, but longer time frames are also common, allowing wagers on the outcome of a future sports contest or even an entire sports season.
Some have a lot more players while others organize bigger tournaments with large cash prizes. In this post, we have sorted the biggest Esports games by the amount of reward money that they have awarded for tournaments. All information on this is collected from the Esports Earnings website.
So, let’s get started with the list of the biggest Esports games.
 Fortnite is a popular multiplayer online game developed by Epic Games. It has three different game modes but still counts as one game. Release Year – 2017
Total Prize Money Awarded – $89.1 million
Noteworthy Tournaments – Fortnite World Cup, Fortnite Fall Skirmish Series, Fortnite Summer Skirmish Series
Top Players – Kyle Giersdorf, Harrison Chang, David Wang.
Fortnite is a popular multiplayer online game developed by Epic Games. It has three different game modes but still counts as one game. Here are the details of each game mode:
Save the World – It involves up to 4 players fighting zombie-like creatures to defend themselves and other survivors.
Battle Royale – This is a player-versus-player type of game where up to 100 players fight to be the last person standing. It can also be played in teams.
Creative – This is the sandbox mode where players have creative control over the game world.
 Dota 2 is a popular multiplayer battle arena Esports game developed by Valve Corporation. It is a sequel to Defense of the Ancients: All-Stars. It is most popular in North America and Europe. Release Year – 2013
Total Prize Money Awarded – $224.7 million
Noteworthy Tournaments – The International
Top Players – Johan Sundstein, Jesse Vainikka, Anathan Pham
About the Game
Dota 2 is a popular multiplayer battle arena Esports game developed by Valve Corporation. It is a sequel to Defense of the Ancients: All-Stars. It is most popular in North America and Europe.
The same is usually played in teams of five, with each one defending their area on a map. One team wins by destroying a structure called “Ancient” within the other team’s base.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
 Counter Strike: is a first-person shooter game and is the fourth one in the Counter-Strike series.
Release Year – 2012
Total Prize Money Awarded – $96.5 million
Noteworthy Tournaments – World Electronic Sports Games (WESG), ELEAGUE
Top Players – Andreas Højsleth, Peter Rasmussen, Nicolai Reedtz
This is another popular Esports game developed by Valve Corporation, in collaboration with Hidden Path Entertainment. It is a first-person shooter game and is the fourth one in the Counter-Strike series.
This game is basically played between two teams—terrorists and counter-terrorists. The terrorists take hostages and plant a bomb. The counter-terrorists have to save the hostages and defuse the bomb.
 By Chris Bell
March 24th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Unlike in the US, gambling has been present in Canada for quite some time. The Great White North is famous for being one of the first countries to accept online gambling. As Canada’s first legal gambling form appeared in 1969, Canada was bound to have a highly developed gambling industry. Moreover, casinos became one of Canada’s famous landmarks where tourists and locals came for some quality entertainment.
I am a game expert working at Gamblizard; I love to blog and give my audiences piece of his mind after reading my articles.
 The gambling culture in Canada became so mainstream, and it became one of the top ways to entertain yourself. And as the advancement was introduced to the industry, online gambling started to be a thing in Canada. Nowadays, many Canadian residents opt for online casinos and sportsbooks, but it doesn’t mean that land-based casinos are any less popular.
If you are up for a quick Canadian gambling history lesson, tune in.
First Legal Encounter with Gambling
Chronologically speaking, the first time a legal document concerning gambling in Canada appeared in the 19th century. It was called the Canadian Criminal Code, and it banned all sorts of gambling activities known. As something new, strange and unknown, many disliked gambling, which is why it was considered illegal up until 1969.
Once the benefits of legalised gambling became clear to the Canadian government, they decided to alter the Criminal Code in 1969. After all, there was no stopping the casino enthusiasts from enjoying their favourite pastime activity – even if it was illegal.
The two activities that became legal with the altered Criminal Code were gambling and lottery.
This was the first step towards the incredible expansion of the industry in Canada. And for the next couple of decades, tons of new land-based casinos emerged, and the industry flourished. The gambling culture in Canada became so mainstream, and it became one of the top ways to entertain yourself.
However, after the 1990s, everything started to change, and by the early 2000s, it became easily accessible and available to almost everyone. The fast growth of Internet technology and computers gave birth to online casinos. Once online casinos started to become familiar, a new era of online gambling began in Canada.
 You could go online and play blackjack, poker, baccarat and roulette. The Beginnings of Online Casinos in Canada
And as it is entirely logical, the first online casinos in Canada and the rest of the world were quite simple. Even if this was considered groundbreaking at the time, the tech limitations allowed operators to offer only a few casino games users can play online.
Thus, you could go online and play blackjack, poker, baccarat and roulette. Another thing that used to limit people is the accessibility – as not many people had computers. Unlike today when everyone has a computer when students can access any online casino, they find on the website Gamblizard via phones when bored and get offers in Canada or play on their way to college. In other words, only a limited number of people could play these games and access the first online casinos in CA.
Also, online gambling was in a somewhat grey zone. Even if it wasn’t illegal, there wasn’t a law regulating anything conducted online. Without a clearly defined law concerning online gambling, many took advantage of the situation, which went beyond Canada’s borders and became a worldwide issue. This is precisely why many countries worldwide started defining online gambling laws and determining the legal status of online casinos.
Online Casino Laws in Canada
After almost two decades of online casino presence, Canada and many other countries worldwide struggle to define the laws concerning this matter. Thus, residents of the Great White North can play online casino games but only on offshore licensed websites. In other words, no online casino operator is allowed to run a gambling platform from CA. The country cannot issue any licenses and permits to enable such operating since there is no law defining it.
Unfortunately, the country won’t profit from playing taxes or license taxes as long as they don’t decide to pass a bill. All in all, people who are engaging in online gambling activities in Canada aren’t committing a crime – as long as that online casino is licensed offshore. Many of these offshore websites offer great bonuses, offers, top odds and exquisite gambling experience. Still, many people are hoping that the Canadian government will start changing the law soon. After all, this is a country with such a long gambling history, and it just needs to embrace it.
 Chris Bell is a game expert working at Gamblizard who loves to blog and let his audience get a piece of his mind by reading his articles. He is an absolute slot machine enthusiast, and he loves to play online video slots. When Chris is not working, he usually spends time with his family or reading interesting gambling content.
 By Staff
March 24th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
City Council met yesterday for a meeting that was expensive.
The biggest spend was the approval given to Burlington Hydro to borrow up to $15 million (TD Bank will be the lender).
No mention as to what the line of credit will be used for.
Other long term borrowing:
 Angela Coughlan Pool A bylaw to authorize a request for the issuing of debentures by the Regional Municipality of Halton for Angela Coughlan Pool Revitalization
A bylaw to authorize a request for the issuing of debentures by the Regional Municipality of Halton for Fairview Street Bus Bays – Teen Tour Way Shelters
A bylaw to authorize a request for the issuing of debentures by the Regional Municipality of Halton for the Sinclair Circle and Autumn Hill work
A bylaw to authorize a request for the issuing of debentures by the Regional Municipality of Halton for the Ester Drive area Reconstruction, Water Main and Wastewater Main
A bylaw to authorize a request for the issuing of debentures by the Regional Municipality of Halton for Ghent and Hager Avenue Minor Reconstruction.
When Burlington needs to borrow longer term funds they don’t go to the bank – they arrange for the Regional government to issue debentures.
All four Halton municipalities take their longer term financial needs to the Region. Sort of like a rich uncle who has a better credit rating than you do.
 By Staff
March 24th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Millions of Canadians want to know — of the four COVID-19 vaccines approved by Health Canada — which one is the best one? Numbers and statistics are flying around and it’s fair to have a lot of other questions.
Are the Moderna and Pfizer shots really the ‘Cadillac’ of vaccines? Is the AstraZeneca shot effective? Does it matter which vaccine you get? We explain what vaccine efficacy really means and why comparing them is like comparing “apples to oranges”, the real differences between the ‘jabs’ and why out of all the numbers, 100% is the big one to focus on.
CLICK HERE for an excellent report on just what all that medical means. (When you get to the link, scroll down for the podcast.) It runs for 15 minutes but you will leave knowing a lot more and have fewer questions.
 By Staff
March 23rd, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The Regional Medical Officer of Health issues instructions for food & drink establishments a few days after the public learns of the spread of a variant Covid19 at an area steak house that is reported to have served 200 people. Seven have been found to have been infected with the variant.
On March 20, 2021, the Province announced adjustments to dining capacity limits at restaurants, bars, and other food and drink establishments for regions in the Grey/Lockdown, Red/Control, Orange/Restrict and Yellow/Protect levels of the COVID-19 Response Framework: Keeping Ontario Safe and Open.
For Halton in the Red/Control level, changes include allowing up to 50 per cent capacity of the indoor dining area, to a maximum of 50 patrons, so long as physical distancing requirements are met.
As an added measure to protect the safety of staff, patrons and the broader community, Dr. Meghani, Halton Region’s Medical Officer of Health has issued instructions to owners, operators and other persons responsible for restaurants, bars, food trucks, concession stands and other indoor and outdoor food or drink establishments.
These instructions are being issued as we continue to see cases of COVID-19 in Halton region and have experienced outbreaks and community transmission of Variants of Concern (VOCs). These instructions take effect at 12:01 a.m. March 23, 2021, and are in addition to Provincial measures identified in the Framework.
 Regional Health Unit contacting 200 people who dined at Oliver’s Oliver’s Steak House
Further to our investigation, Halton Region Public Health has confirmed two additional cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of staff infected to seven. As a result, Halton Region Public Health is extending the exposure period to up to and including Thursday, March 18. We are asking all patrons who dined at Oliver’s Steakhouse between March 8 and March 18 to self-isolate for 14 days after their visit, and to get tested for COVID-19.
All seven confirmed cases are of a variant of concern. The Halton Region Public Health’s investigation and case and contact management is ongoing, it is estimated that the total number of people exposed during this time is more than 200.
Let me see if I have this right. The Public Health Unit loosens up the restrictions on dining out while the units investigation, case and contact management teams are scrambling to get in touch with the people who dined at the restaurant.
Sometime in April we will learn how many people were infected and if there were any deaths as a result
By Nikolas Sargeant
March 22nd, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
It has been some 52 seasons since the Toronto Maples Leafs navigated their way to NHL’s Stanley Cup, an unwanted record, it is fair to say. The long wait could be over because the Maple Leafs are flying high in the Scotia North division and are only two points behind Florida Panthers in the overall league.
Toronto Maples Leafs have 13 Stanley Cup titles to their name, but winning their 13th was unlucky because it was the last time the Maples Leafs reached the final. They won the coveted trophy during the 1966-67 season but have failed to reach the final since then.
The NHL looks a little different this season, courtesy of all the Canadian teams bundled together in the North division. League officials came to this decision after the Government of Canada imposed cross-border travel restrictions. The change has done the world of good for the Maples Leafs, so much so that the best Canadian sports betting sites price them as the third-favorites for Stanley Cup glory.
A third-place finish in the Atlantic Division equated to an eighth-place finish in the Eastern Conference for the Maple Leafs last season. The Maples Leafs faced Columbus Blue Jackets in the Eastern Conference Qualifying Round, where they fell to a 3-2 defeat.
 Toronto Maple Leafs seen as contenders but they are going to have to get past Montreal. A Solid Start But Terrible March For The Maples Leafs
The Maple Leafs started the reduced game 2021 season at a blistering pace. They accumulated 15 points in January thanks to a 7-2-1 record and improved on that start in February by banking 19 points from their 9-2-1 record.
March has been a difficult month for the Maple Leafs, and they have slipped down the league standings as a result. A 3-5-0 record has seen them reel in only six points, but five defeats in six games is a record that needs fixing and rectifying soon.
Twenty-three goals conceded in their last six times on the ice shows where Maples Leafs’ problems are right now. They score plenty of goals themselves (15 in the previous six games), but their defense is like Swiss cheese. You do not win many hockey games if you ship an average of 3.83 goals per game.
You would expect the Maples Leafs to return to winning ways when they take on Calgary Flames in back-to-back fixtures. The Flames are nine points behind the Maple Leafs in the Scotia North division but are on the back of a three-game winning streak. They then travel to division whipping boys Ottawa Senators before a pair of tricky ties against the Edmonton Oilers. The second-placed Winnipeg Jets are the team the Maple Leafs last take on in March.
 The Oilers celebrating – still working to get out of the Northern Division and move on to the Stanley Cup. Oilers Need More Consistency
The Oilers are another Canadian NHL team that has been away from the Stanley Cup finals’ excitement for too long. They won their fifth Stanley Cup in 1990 and last competed in a final back in 2006, where they lost 4-3 to the Carolina Hurricanes.
January saw the Oilers finish with a disappointing 5-6-0 record. Still, everything came together in February, where they finished 9-3-0, including five straight victories between Game 18-22, which included a 7-1 demolition of Calgary Flames.
Oilers won four games on the spin in February but are currently 4-4-0 thanks to back-to-back defeats at Vancouver Canucks and the Flames.
Of all the Canadian hockey teams, Ottowa Senators look certain not to even reach the playoffs. They have only 22 points from 32 games, with the teams under them having played at least five games less (New Jersey Devils have played seven fewer). The Senators have been highly inconsistent, and their dreadful 1-7-0 start to the season has left them with a mountain to climb.
 By Staff
March 22, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington Transit has extended their Customer Service hours.
Do you need to pick up your SPLIT pass or want to access PRESTO services?
The hours at the Burlington Transit Downtown Terminal will, at the end of March be extended to give you more options. This month, in addition to our regular hours, the Downtown Terminal will also be open:
 Location will have extended hours for two days near the end of the month. • Thursday, March 25, 2021 – 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and
• Saturday, March 27, 2021 – 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
To keep our customers and employees safe during COVID-19, only one customer is allowed in the Terminal at a time and you must wear a mask.
For more information, contact Customer Service at contactbt@burlington.ca or 905-639-0550
By DIANE KALEN-SUKRA
March 21st, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
A concurrent path towards systemically addressing toxicity in the public square and fostering a culture of civility, respect, mutual care and wellbeing includes efforts to enhance the skills of both citizens and civic leaders in civil discourse, critical thinking, social emotional regulation, secular ethics and the centrality and importance of human well-being and compassion in a healthy society.
Toxicity in the public square causes harm to individuals and organizations, results in a loss of diversity, lost productivity, costly lawsuits, and tears at the social fabric of communities. Ultimately, it undermines our democracy and the ability for governments to work collaboratively and effectively with the public to solve the many complex problems communities face. COVID has only exacerbated these challenges, threatening local economies, main streets, and downtowns as well as the further deepening of systemic urban inequalities and local government funding shortfalls.
In short, we need each other. A notable global effort to improve the quality of civic participation and social trust is called Citizen Discourse, which promotes the practice of healthy civil discourse skills. Individuals and organizations are encouraged to voluntarily sign a Compassion Contract – a type of social contract committing them to a set of shared values that inform a community’s norms for engagement.
They are centred on a few principles—namely, be respectful; listen to understand; act with good intentions; support ideas with evidence and experience; disagree without being disagreeable; critique the idea, not the person; invite wonder.
Simon Fraser University’s Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue recently published the results of a two-year survey in which they found that 60 percent of Canadians want improved civic education and 44 percent would like more avenues for democratic participation.
Then there are the 450 cities that have adopted and signed the Charter for Compassion – a public commitment to foster safe, inclusive, and resilient communities for all that are rooted in ethical conduct and compassionate integrity.
One such Charter Compassionate City, the District of Sooke, British Columbia was already well-positioned to adapt to pandemic-exacerbated social and economic challenges. In 2019, Council adopted the Sooke Compassionate Action Plan that committed the District to partner with the community to address homelessness, the affordability crisis, social isolation, inadequate health services, and enhance public communication and collaboration. In July of this year, new homeless shelter space was quickly secured as multiple agencies rapidly banded together in the district to meet evolving community needs.
Sooke Mayor Maja Tait says part of embracing ‘the new normal’ during the pandemic is thinking outside the box, forging new relationships with community partners, and finding solutions that work for everyone. “I am grateful, but not surprised, that community partners came together under tight timelines, and found a better way to help our most vulnerable residents.”
“Our lives have been disrupted [by COVID] at local and global levels. Inequities have surfaced into full view. While our situation could be frustrating, frightening and even depressing, signs of potential for positive change and community growth have also emerged. We are all being urged to display creativity, compassion in these trying times. To become anything of true worth requires commitment and learning.
Where do we begin? I began with myself and my office. We were some of the first to take Compassionate Integrity Training. Even though compassion may sound like a soft skill set, it has very hard outcomes. Research shows that businesses that practice compassion increase their bottom line, that compassion decreases bullying in schools and increases the body’s immune system and other healing properties. We need compassion now more than ever.”
As this column goes to press, the first such training tailored uniquely for civic leaders, called Resilient Civic Leadership: Compassionate Integrity Training for Civic Leaders will be graduating its first cohort representing elected officials, Chief Administrative Officers, and other senior civic leaders from 16 different municipalities across Canada. Graduates receive a university certificate from the Centre for Compassion Integrity and Secular Ethics, Life University.
COVID has laid bare our interconnectedness as people, communities, and nations. As we work together to protect and heal ourselves physically from the ravages of COVID, we can also heal the fabric and soul of our communities, democracy, and planet. For better or for worse, we really are in this together.
 DIANE KALEN-SUKRA, MA, CMC is PSD’s Civic Resilience columnist. She is an author, speaker, educator, coach and certified culture change consultant with the Barrett Values Centre. Diane’s firm Kalen Consulting inspires and equips leaders to build resilient communities through good governance, asset management, servant leadership, compassionate culture, and civic education.
 By Blair Smith
March 19th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
A press release received today from PSD CITYWIDE announced “North America’ Top 20 Open Cities”.
PSD is a corporation with offices in Burlington that serves the municipal sector as consultants, advisors and software providers.
 The organization that gave the city the award published a lot of background material for the municipal sector. Their award sounded like something worth knowing about and certainly something worth celebrating. The ‘presser’ begins with “Today, PSD announces North America’s Most Open Cities with the City of Edmonton, Alberta maintaining their number one spot for the fifth consecutive time. Next, Ottawa, Ontario moves into the second place spot, with Winnipeg, Manitoba coming in third. All top 3 organizations achieved excellent scores and made great strides this year in all three competency categories.” According to the ranking, the City of Burlington is tied with the City of Coral Gables as the 9th Most Open city in North America.
On its face this appears to be a remarkable achievement and one certainly worthy of having a temporary primacy of place on the COB and/or Mayor’s Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and various other social media accounts. However, appearances (and awards) can be deceptive. First, just how many jurisdictions were included in the ‘competition’ and analysis? Remember there are over 400 municipalities in Ontario alone. How many more (or comparable governance bodies) across Canada; how many state and county organizations? The number must be well into the thousands. But, according to the press release, only 41 organizations across North America participated. Is the response then even statistically relevant?
Secondly, to implicitly associate Open Government with the survey’s three evaluation contexts for “open data” is perhaps both misleading and inaccurate.
Open data does not automatically equate with open information and most certainly does not, in itself, constitute open government – not even close. So, the sampling is statistically insignificant, the association perhaps misleading and the ranking virtually meaningless when you consider the sample size. Even so, how did the responding organizations do? How shining is their example? Well, the average score of the 41 was a completely miserable 34.9%. Burlington in the exalted 9th position was barely above 50%.
Really, this is hardly something worthy of a press release; if it does perhaps the banner should read “North America’s Top 20 Most Open Cities Are Still Closed Shops To Their Citizens”.
Blair Smith is a retired provincial civil servant who delegates frequently at city hall and has very strong views on both open data and open, transparent municipal government.
By Staff
March 18th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Registration is open for BellyUp Bellydance’s 8 Week Spring Session.
Is this just a fun event or is this preparation for a public performance?
Register for in-person at the studio or live online.
In-Studio class sizes are reduced to 10 per class as per the Province of Ontario’s “Red Zone” restrictions which means their classes fill faster than ever. Join them for an inspiring session that’ll make you feel alive, build your self-esteem, strengthen and tone your body and so much more.
Click here for in-studio registration!
Click here for live online class registration!
Related news items:
Classic Belly Dancing
 Feel alive, build your self-esteem, strengthen and tone your body.
 By Staff
March 18th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Starting Friday, March 19, Halton residents who are 75 years of age and older and Indigenous adults (including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit populations) 55 years of age and older who live in Halton can book an appointment to receive their COVID-19 vaccine at a Halton Region COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic. Appointments are available to book in March and April.
“This is another important step in our plan to get our most vulnerable Halton residents vaccinated as quickly as possible, as supplies are available,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. “I would like to thank Halton Region, Joseph Brant Hospital and Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital staff who have been working tirelessly to open our vaccination clinics in each of our municipalities, and our teams who have been doing a tremendous job administering vaccinations.”
Halton Region continues to follow Provincial directions on eligibility, including vaccinating vulnerable populations as part of the Province’s three-phase vaccine implementation plan. To ensure Indigenous voices were included in decision-making for Halton’s COVID-19 Vaccination Program, the Region initiated engagement with Indigenous communities and organizations in and around Halton, including the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, the Credit River Métis Council, Indigenous Affairs Ontario, Urban Indigenous Organizations servicing the GTHA and highly regarded Indigenous healthcare professionals. These engagements will continue to ensure that Halton’s clinics are respectful of both the priority given to vaccinating this population and Indigenous cultures.
 Halton has opened COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics in Burlington, Halton Hills, Oakville and Milton. Eligible Halton residents 75 years of age and older and Indigenous adults 55 years of age and older can book their vaccination appointment at any one of the clinics, including the COVID-19 Vaccination Centre at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital starting March 19. Additional locations will continue to be identified as required. Residents are reminded that appointments must be booked through Halton’s online booking system or through 311. Bookings for Halton’s clinics are not available through the Provincial booking system; residents who access the Provincial booking system will be guided back to Halton’s system.
“As our vaccination program ramps up, I want to remind residents that the COVID-19 virus and the transmission of the variants is still very concerning,” said Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Halton Region’s Medical Officer of Health. “Vaccines are just one important tool to help stop the spread of the virus and we must remain vigilant – please continue to stay home as much as possible, limit close contact to people you live with and go out for essentials only. These everyday decisions are critical over the next few weeks and months to prevent the severity of a third wave and will help to get us back to normal sooner.”
Important information & instructions:
• In addition to groups currently eligible, on Friday, March 19, the following groups (or someone booking on their behalf) will also be able to book a COVID-19 vaccination appointment through Halton’s online booking system:
o Halton residents who are 75 years of age and older (born in 1946 or earlier); and,
o Indigenous adults (including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit populations) living in Halton who are 55 years of age and older.
• While booking online is the fastest way to schedule an appointment, residents can also call 311 if they require booking support. Residents who are not currently eligible to receive the vaccine are asked to please not call 311 or visit the online booking system to ensure eligible residents have access.
• Vaccinations are by appointment only (no walk-ins) and must be booked through Halton Region’s online system or through 311. Please do not contact clinics directly. Bookings are not available through the Provincial booking system; residents who access the Provincial booking system will be guided back to Halton’s system.
• All appointments are contingent on the availability of vaccine supply.
• Halton Region continues to offer transportation services to and from appointments for residents who require support, free of charge.
• To maintain physical distancing and safety measures, please arrive 10 minutes prior to your appointment (not earlier) and remember to wear a mask/face covering.
To learn more about Halton Region’s COVID-19 Vaccine Program, including who is currently eligible, transportation options and how to book an appointment, please visit halton.ca/COVIDvaccines.
By Staff
March 18th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The Lakeshore Football Officials Association needs more in the way of people who can serve as officials on the field.
It is no secret that officiating is an integral part of football. The Lakeshore Football Officials Association is beginning a campaign to recruit individuals who have a passion for football and are eager to stay engaged with the game.
 Bateman High School football team students . “We are reaching out to women and men, teens and adults who may be interested and have a passion for football. If you bring that passion, you will be mentored by some of the best football officials in the country,” commented Referee-in-Chief Murray Drinkwalter.
“There are many reasons to “Say Yes to Officiating”
For the love of the Game
Maybe you want to stay engaged and be a part of the game you loved to play, or maybe you are looking to get more engaged in the game your kids are playing. Either way, being an official will give you access to, and an appreciation for, the rules and strategies of the games you officiate like nothing else can.
Earn extra money
There is no better part-time job or hobby for you to make a little extra money doing something you enjoy. It’s the perfect extra gig for anyone from a high school student, to a parent to a retiree.
Give Back
Many officials like to pay it forward to football for what it has given them. Officiating is also a way to guide and enrich the lives of the athletes who are playing by teaching the value of sportsmanship and fair play.
 It was raining, the ground was wet, slippery and football was hard to hang onto – but the game went on. Stay Active
Maintain a healthy lifestyle by engaging with a sport you love. Also, who doesn’t like getting paid to exercise?
Sense of Community
The fellowship and humour officials share with one another are incomparable. You will quickly realize there is no community like officials. Many of them will become your closest friends — lifelong friends.
Life skills
Officiating teaches independent thinking and the ability to see the big picture — a skill that translates outside of officiating. It also requires dedication, togetherness, and ability to work as a team that is important everywhere.
Opportunity
Football officials are often identified and associated with the sport and are known outside of officiating by coaches, players and fans. Even if people don’t know you specifically, many people associate officiating with trustworthiness, impartiality, dedication and integrity – all qualities that can open doors for you in other areas of life.
The organization is making a concerted effort to recruit individuals who have the availability to officiate high school football from September to November, the busiest time for the organization. High school football games are normally played Tuesday-Friday with most doubleheaders kicking off at noon, 1 p.m. or 2:30 pm.
All new officials must complete a Level 1 Football Canada Officials’ Certification Program, which has yet to be scheduled.
If you are looking to stay or get involved with football, make some extra money, be a part of a community, and enjoy being active, then please visit www.lfoa.ca to learn more and see the links to social media.
Have more questions? E-mail info@lfoa.ca and someone will contact you.
 About the Lakeshore Football Officials Association
The Lakeshore Football Officials’ Association, (LFOA) established in 1963, is responsible for officiating all community and high school tackle football in the regions of Halton, Peel, and Niagara. The organization offers Football Canada Certification Programs, rules and positioning clinics, and a personal mentoring program to assist in the development of all officials. Many of the organization’s officials are former or current members of the Canadian Football League and Ontario University Athletics officiating staffs.
By Staff
March 18th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Think big Burlington; Community-led projects could receive up to $10,000
The City of Burlington is now accepting applications for the Neighbourhood Community Matching Fund (NCMF), where approved projects could receive up to $10,000.
The deadline for submissions is April 30, 2021.
 A number of years ago these boys wanted to fix up the neighbourhood ball park They succeeded – using grant money and sweat equity. Created to inspire residents to champion community-led projects, the goal of the NCMF is to improve neighbourhoods by creating a sense of belonging and community pride, while building meaningful connections.
Burlington residents are encouraged to submit community-led project plans that help make our city a better place to live and play. Inspired by the unique needs of residents and community groups, projects can increase walkability, promote beautification, encourage recreational activity, build social connections and improve safety or accessibility. These projects are to be planned, led and implemented by, and for the community in a public setting.
All projects must comply with the current public health regulations and provincial framework during development and implementation.
For 2021, the Neighbourhood Community Matching Fund will focus on small projects that enhance infrastructure amenities within parks, gardens, buildings on public lands or on lands that are accessible to the public that meet the goal of the fund.
Burlington residents interested in applying for funds are encouraged to visit burlington.ca/matchingfund to learn more about the application process, guidelines and past projects.
How the fund works
The NCMF provides up to $10,000 in funding to support selected neighbourhood and community group-led projects in Burlington.
Approved projects receive up to 50 per cent of the funding for the project from the city to a maximum of $10,000.
That means the project could be something that comes in at $20,000.
The neighbourhood or community group will match this funding with an equal contribution made up through any combination of volunteer hours, donated services, donated materials and supplies or other funds raised, such as cash donations.
For more information or to apply, visit burlington.ca/matchingfund.
There have been some really interesting projects that have benefited a lot of people.
 Chris Glenn, Director of Recreation, Community and Culture Chris Glenn, Director of Recreation, Community and Culture believes that “Grassroots community building is where we get great value for money. Community-led initiatives that can build connectedness, walkability, visual appeal, recreation opportunities and better understanding can have lasting and meaningful impacts for years to come. If you have an idea for your community, take a look at the website and consider moving it from idea to reality.”
 By Pepper Parr
March 18th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Earlier this week we did a story about how the Trumpeter Swans were doing at LaSalle Park. What we didn’t know at the time that even earlier in the month some of the swans were stuck in the ice on the lake and needed help.
A citizen, Greg Alderson, called the Trumpeter Swan Coalition on March 5 to report that two Trumpeters appeared to be stuck on the ice at LaSalle harbour, that they were injured because of being stuck and there was blood on the ice around them.
 Stuck in the ice – needing help to get out. An alert citizen saw the problem and knew who to call. He reported that they seemed to be covered in some kind of tarry, gritty substance and that he had noticed this substance on those two Trumpeters and another the day before when he was at the Park.
The Coalition reached out to the Trumpeter Swan Restoration Group and Kyna Itini and her father were able to rescue one of the swans soon after the phone call and went back later in the day to rescue the other.
 Some significant damage to the wings that was healed  Despite the experience, good care at the right place and the pair – a Mother and daughter, were returned to the wild. Kyna is a licensed rehabber so the swans were taken to her facility where they were cleaned up and cared for. It turned out that they were a mother (M58) and daughter (Z00) pair.
 Greg Alderson bringing the injured swan in from the lake ice. The good news is that they have now healed up and were released yesterday to a private pond to continue their recovery and are free to fly off whenever they are up to it.
The third swan, Z74, was also located but had managed get himself cleaned up and didn’t need to go into care.
A good news story about how an alert citizen, the Coalition and the TSRG worked together to help two Trumpeters in distress and return them to the wild.
Trumpeter Swan Restoration Group run by Kyna Itini uses Canada HELPS to raise funds. If you think you’d like to send Kyna and her organization (Amherst Wildlife Foundation) some of the money you’re not able to spend GO HERE
Related news story:
Taking care of the swans.
Pictures of the injured Swans were taken by Greg Alderson; the one of the rescue was taken by Kyna Itini.
 ROB section of March 18th edition of the Globe and Mail By Staff
March 18th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
There it was – on page 5 of the March 18th issue of the Globe and Mail, in the Report on Business section.
A promotional piece paid for by the University of Toronto, Rotman School of Business touting the 89 graduates of the ICD-Rotman Directors Education Program.
The copy accompanying the 89 pictures read:
“At any time, especially in a time of global change, board of directors must be positioned to successfully lean into challenge. Today’s directors must drive value, improve diversity, navigate opportunity and risk with a dutiful focus on contributing to the pursuit of excellence. Bottom line, ICD Rotman Directors fully recognize that organization strategy and performance are intrinsically linked and board accountability for results is absolute.”
All this was said by Burlington’s ward 2 City Councillor Lisa Kearns who was the class valedictorian
There is a political launch if we ever saw one.
Congratulations Lisa, the provincial Liberals are going to just love you once you are nominated.
By Staff
March 17th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The Rocca Sisters, in their regular newsletter, report that residential sales were up 40.7%, sale prices were up 21.1% and days on market were down 48% on average as compared to February 2020.
The average price of a freehold property at the end of February was $1,210,336. Year to date, the average price of a freehold property was sitting at $1,244,466 as compared to $1,002,193 at the end of February, 2020, up 24.2%.
Inventory levels at the end of February were down just under 50% as compared to the end of February 2020. At the end of February 2017, again, the hottest real estate market on record up until now, inventory sat at 154 compared to 2021 at 102.
During the month of February, of the 211 sales, 36 of them sold for under the asking price.
Properties sold for, on average, 110.44% of the asking price. Some truly remarkable and difficult to explain sales included yet another one on Penn Drive – a nicely maintained, 1699 sq. ft. side-split on an 80 x 150 lot was listed for $1,289,000 – sold for $1,652,000.
A 1650 sq. ft. nicely updated two storey with a single car garage on Riley Ave in the Palmer neighbourhood was listed at $929,900 – sold for $1,207,000.
In Brant Hills we saw a property that backed onto the 407 list at $999,500 sell for $1,300,000 – it was partially updated and had an in-ground pool. Finally, the most startling sale of all involved an 1125 sq. ft. bungalow on a 75×150 lot, a stone’s throw away from the train tracks near the Aldershot Go Station. Hard to say what the house was like as there were no interior photos – suggesting it was a fixer/upper opportunity. Listed at $769,000 (which seemed a little on the high side), sold for $1,131,000 – 47% over the asking price.
The numbers tell the residential story:
The condominium market sale prices during the month of February rose to $567,000, up 10%, sales were up 13%, price per square foot reached $624, up over 22% as compared to February 2020.
Condos sold for 102.16% of the listing price and in 22 days, on average. Inventory levels have rocketed to a 10 year low with only 31 active units at the end of February. For the first time, we saw several condos sell for more than 20% of the listed price.
The state of the condominium market:
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