By Staff

December 17th, 2024

BURLINGTON, ON

Brent Butt has long been considered one of the funniest people in Canada, with a career in stand-up comedy that stretches into five decades, including numerous appearances at major festivals in multiple countries and being voted Best Male Stand-Up in Canada by his peers in the profession.

Brent Butt on stage – always hilarious.

He also created and starred in two successful sitcoms, the international hit Corner Gas and Hiccups, which ran for two successful seasons also on CTV.

In 2013, Brent’s first feature film entitled No Clue and directed by Carl Bessai was released and later nominated for Best Motion Picture at the 2014 Leo Awards. Most recently Brent’s first novel Huge debuted to great fanfare immediately becoming the #1 Fiction Bestseller in Canada and it remains on the Top Ten list to date. Making his home in Vancouver for more than a decade, Brent continues to perform in clubs and theatres across the country.

Corner Gas star Brent Butt is bringing his hilarious stand-up set to BPAC on Friday, January 31st.

Ticket Prices

Tickets -Click here – these will go quickly

By ALENA DZIBROVA

November 27th, 2029

BURLINGTON, ON

Discover essential insights on living costs, job opportunities, taxes, housing, and more in this comprehensive guide to Canadian life.

Such an attractive country with its social security, and economic and political stability, Canada is thought to be a land of great opportunities. Not to mention nature. So, what nuances can be encountered at first, having moved to Canada, and how in general to prepare for such a move is in the material.

Pros and Cons of Canada

Canada welcomes migrants because it needs skilled professionals. For example, as of January 2023, immigrants held 36% of physician positions and 41% of engineering positions. The share of foreigners among business owners with employees is 33%. There are also special programs such as the Alberta PNP Program for a simpler emigration process, which further fuels people’s interest. But as with any other country, there are pros and cons:

Pros:

• High standard of living and high level of income;
• The government supports small and medium-sized businesses – assistance in financing, reduced rates on credit, and deferred payment;
• Unbelievable nature – ocean, lakes, rivers, mountains, forests. The beauty is breathtaking and it is not just nearby, it is everywhere;
• Free healthcare for citizens and residents of the country;
• Developed economy and stable political situation;
• Canada is multicultural and multinational, thanks to which adaptation is comfortable;
• The possibility of obtaining a passport after 3 years of legal residence.

Cons:

• 

  Canadians are used to it

  Cold climate: in winter frosts up to -25 degrees Celsius, and in summer on warm days the temperature reaches +20 degrees Celsius;

• High cost of living: housing rent, cost of goods and services, entertainment, restaurants;
• High taxes: the higher the salary, the higher the taxes;
• High competition in the labor market;
• Not the best medicine, you must have insurance, otherwise going to the doctor can cost a lot of money.

Jobs in Canada

In large cities, there are more chances to find a prestigious and promising job. In smaller towns, there is less competition and a greater shortage of workers, which increases the chances of finding a job quickly. There are also many recruitment agencies in Canada, you can find them by searching for “recruitment agency in Canada” on Google. Up to 80% of people find a job on the recommendations of acquaintances.

You can find a job on popular sites:

• Job Bank;
• com;
• Indeed;
• Eluta;
• WowJobs;

In-Demand Occupations

The most popular occupations for foreigners include:

• IT specialists and interactive media developers;
• Business, finance, administration;
• Doctors, nurses;
• Teachers and civil servants;
• Sales and service personnel, truck drivers;
• Workers in production and public utilities;
• Workers in construction, welders.

Salaries

The minimum wage in Canada in 2024 is 2644 Canadian dollars. Average salary – from 5200 Canadian dollars. The amount may vary depending on the province and type of profession.

Cost of Living in Canada

Every year the cost of living in Canada is becoming more expensive, this is influenced by inflation, changes in the real estate market, transportation services, and others. On average, the minimum budget for one person to live in Canada is from 1300 to 1600 dollars. For a family with two children, this amount reaches 1700 to 2200 dollars.

Cost of Food

Food prices here are cheaper than in Europe.

Food prices here are cheaper than in Europe. For a week one person can buy products for 50 dollars, including meat, as it is the most expensive, for example, 800 grams of chicken costs 10 dollars, potatoes – up to 2 dollars per kilogram, apples also up to 2 dollars, bananas – 60 cents per kilogram, cereals – 1-2 dollars. Tobacco products are very expensive, as well as alcohol, for example, a pack of cigarettes costs 11 dollars.

Transportation Costs

For $3, you can ride any transportation, even the subway, for 2 hours. The transportation system is well developed, both within the city and intercity. A monthly bus pass will cost about 100 dollars. Expenses for a personal car will cost about $1,000 a month, including insurance, parking, gasoline, and repairs. It is more profitable to rent a car for a day – $50, including gasoline.

Taxes

Canada has two types of tax: income tax and consumption tax. Consumer (national) tax is a sales tax on goods or services purchased in Canada and ranges from 5 to 15%. Some goods may be exempt from the tax. Income tax in Canada depends on the size of the annual salary, it can vary from 15 to 33%. The tax rate varies greatly from province to province.

Housing in Canada

The cost of rent depends on the city, in big cities, it is more expensive due to high demand. On average, renting a studio ranges from 700 to 1000 dollars, with one bedroom – from 900 to 1100, with two bedrooms – from 1000 to 1300 dollars.

Utilities vary in cost from city to city, cheapest in Montreal – 75 dollars, more expensive in Calgary and Hamilton – 205 dollars. Internet costs from $55 to $95 per month, and cell phone service costs about $95 per month.

Conclusion

We hope you found this article useful. We have tried to gather the most important information and fit it into a short article. Now you have more knowledge about such a beautiful country as Canada and you can take a more informed approach to move.

By Pepper Parr

October 9^th, 2024

BURLINGTON, ON

A lot of questions.

Several paragraphs below take you through the current Board level leadership of the Performing Arts Centre that lost its Executive Director quite suddenly on xxxx

Rumours of unacceptable financial behaviour, making decisions well outside the level of responsibility that an Executive Director is given was kept away from the public.

The Executive Director was gone and the search was on for a new one.  That was in June – and not a word from the Board since.

The City found that it had to provide the 2024 Sound of Music (SoM) event a significant sum to keep the organization afloat until they had some cash coming in from the event which at the time of the financial rescue was days away.

All this was during that period of time when Performing Arts was “presenting” the Sound of Music – it was never quite clear what “presenting” meant.

A lot of people thought that tucking Sound of Music under the wing of Performing Arts was a great idea – that isn’t our view.

The structures of these two organizations is radically different – SoM  has a large dedicated roster of volunteers who work very well together – groups like that don’t work all that well within a structured organization like city hall, which in Burlington is still a collection of silos.  It’s getting better but they aren’t yet the well-oiled machine that has every moving part perfectly synced with every other part.

June 10, 2024

Since 2011, the Burlington Performing Arts Centre (BPAC) has been committed to bringing the best of the arts to its patrons. BPAC is thrilled to welcome seven new faces to its Board of Directors, who will join the hard-working directors currently on the Board and continue to drive and enhance the centre’s commitment to the community. The following new Directors were announced at the AGM on May 30, 2024:

Stephen Bell – Owner of Burlington’s Pepperwood Bistro with over 40 years of experience in the hospitality industry, in both restaurants and hotels, Stephen has been a proud sponsor of BPAC for many years. Pepperwood Bistro’s charity efforts have raised thousands of dollars for Cystic Fibrosis of Canada as well as other local charities.

Dr. Anna Danielova – Associate Dean, Faculty Affairs and Accreditation at the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University, Anna has spent two decades as a teaching professor and researcher in financial management, corporate finance, investments and valuation at McMaster as well as prominent universities in the US and Armenia.

Carrie Gervais – VP of Finance at MetriCan Group of Companies, with a solid reputation for providing strategic financial solutions to assist business growth. A trusted advisor and leader, Carrie brings a focus on building relationships and effectively collaborating with others.

Max Honiball – Associate Lawyer at Frederikse Law, practicing across all of the Firm’s practice areas. Max loves travel and is an avid musician; two hobbies which are serendipitously supported by his role as a British Army Reserve Musician.

Kari Pimentel – VP of Human Resources at TD Bank. A 25-year HR veteran, Kari is known as a strategic and pragmatic leader, adept at balancing business realities and employee experience while cultivating strong and collaborative relationships.

James Sweetlove – Formerly a lawyer with Ross & McBride, Jim retired in 2015 after over 40 years practicing in the areas of estate administration, planning and litigation. Jim has called Burlington home for over 50 years and has embraced community involvement since retiring, chairing, vice-chairing and sitting on a number of Boards.

Jim Thompson – A retired executive business leader, Jim spent 40 years working for the world’s #1 retailer, Walmart. Jim has lived in Burlington for 30 years and his not-for-profit activities keep him very busy – he currently spends his time as a Board Member, Consultant, Mentor and Speaker.

In addition to the new Directors, BPAC has named its new Youth Ambassador to the Board. Mark Mazuco, a 13-year-old student, will bring a youthful perspective and a vibrant energy to BPAC, and will serve as Burlington’s Youth Voice for the Arts. Mark’s leadership potential has been recognized through his participation in the Canadian Cadets program, as well as his selection to represent Burlington at the 2024 Ontario Model Parliament. These experiences honed his teamwork, communication, and diplomacy – all important skills he will bring to the Youth Ambassador role.

These new appointments join current Board members Ken Smithard (Board Chair), Peter Van Dyk, Deirdre Flynn, Emilie Cote, Kelly Gleeson and Angelo Bentivegna. Cote and Bentivegna represent the City and Council.

Not quite a full house – but more than respectable audience size

BPAC’s Board of Directors’ Statement of Purpose is to lead a progressive performing arts centre that is a gathering place, offering a balance of community and professional programming guided by artistic vision and excellence.

The objective of the Board is to build, foster and celebrate cultural vitality and diversity in the City of Burlington so that the performing arts are seen as an important component of everyday life.

Related news stories:

Performing Arts Director resigns

SoM to take place despite the confusion at BPAC

By Bryan Zarpentine

August 11^th, 2024

BURLINGTON, ON

As much as Ontario can be a sportsman’s paradise for all of the fun it offers adventurers and outdoorsmen, the province offers so much more. On days when the weather is a little too cold or you don’t quite have the energy to be outside, there are countless ways to have fun indoors throughout Ontario. Naturally, the province’s biggest cities are filled with amazing museums. Let’s take a look at some of the top museums, as well as the other activities that residents and visitors of Ontario can do if they’d prefer to stay inside.

Royal Ontario Museum

The Royal Ontario Museum is both the largest museum in Canada and arguably Toronto’s most iconic architectural landmark. On the outside, you’ll see a striking facade that’s designed to resemble a giant crystal with glass and aluminum facets. Of course, the real fun is on the inside. That’s where you’ll find an astonishing array of cultural and natural history artifacts. The museum is a journey into the past, including the era of dinosaurs, Ancient Egypt, and Canada’s First Peoples. That just scratches the surface of the Royal Ontario Museum, so there is bound to be something for everyone.

For the true hockey fan – all the jerseys are there for you to see and purchase if you wish.

Hockey Hall of Fame

When in doubt, visitors to Ontario should check out the Hockey Hall of Fame. Even if you’re not the biggest hockey fan, it’s a way to immerse yourself in Canada’s national sport. This iconic venue houses hockey’s ultimate prize, the Stanley Cup. You can view the original trophy in Lord Stanley’s Vault or have your picture taken with the modern version. The Hall of Fame’s museum takes a look at hockey’s origins, the Zamboni, and the NHL’s greatest players. There is also an interactive ice rink for visitors to test their stick skills, which always makes for a fun time.

Bird Kingdom

If you’re interested in birds, needless to say, Bird Kingdom is the place for you. It’s the world’s largest free-flying indoor aviary! Guests can wander through a rainforest and discover hundreds of tropical birds. Bird Kingdom is able to replicate the natural habitats of both common and exotic birds, creating an authentic experience that even some zoos can’t match.

Museum of Illusions

Toronto’s Museum of Illusions might be the perfect place to bring inquisitive children. There are interactive exhibits, each showcasing a unique trick that will challenge anyone’s perception of reality. It’s a truly unique museum that visitors won’t soon forget. The entire visit can be done in as little as 30 minutes, making it the perfect museum for young kids with a short attention span.

There is nothing like this market anywhere else: two floors of food choices. If you want a snack while touring the place a peameal bacon on a bun is a must.

St. Lawrence Market

As far as indoor farmers markets are concerned, the St. Lawrence Market is the pinnacle. When you get there, grab a sandwich or a pastry from Carousel Bakery and then walk around to enjoy over 100 different vendors. You’ll find cuisine from all over the world, giving you the opportunity to expand your taste buds. The market has multiple floors that have artisanal foods, fresh produce, and even souvenirs that will help make the experience memorable.

Online Casino Games

In some cases, you don’t even need to leave home to have a good time. That’s the advantage of online casinos, which are quickly gaining in popularity throughout Ontario and the rest of Canada. From slots to card games, just about every game you’d find in a traditional casino can be found in one of Canada’s online casinos. More importantly, they can be accessed from anywhere if you have a mobile device and a good Internet connection. The trick is to explore various casino bonuses that can give you free bonuses to get new users started the right way.

Northern Ontario’s top tourist destination. The kids will want to spend the full day.

Science North

Science North is Northern Ontario’s top tourist destination. Located in Sudbury, there are four levels of interactive fun, not to mention a digital planetarium, an IMAX theatre, and several special rotating exhibitions. You can enjoy live animals, beautiful tropical butterflies, and countless other science-based experiences. There is so much fun to be had at Science North that you won’t even realize how much you’ve learned by the time you leave.

Acadia Earth

Arcadia Earth is the best way to explore underwater worlds and fantasy lands. It takes visitors on a multi-sensory journey of what a more sustainable future might look like using technology and art installations. The goal is to inspire others to help create a better and more sustainable world. AT the same time, it helps to showcase the overwhelming beauty of our planet. Like any good museum, Acadia Earth helps to educate and entertain at the same time.