 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.
 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
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