 By Staff
February 20th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
All that snow withstanding – Summer camp registration at the Art Gallery of Burlington is now open.
If you know a kid who loves art, this is the camp for them.
They spend most of the day in the studio, with trips into the galleries and breaks for snacks, lunch, and outdoor time throughout.
Registration HERE
Bursaries
Thanks to the generous support of the Burlington Foundation the AGB is proud to offer an Arts Program Bursary for children from low-income families. Through this program we are able to offer a limited number of camp bursaries for children and youth to attend our camps free of charge!
The bursary application form opens at 10 am on February 14, 2025 for families seeking bursaries for camp programs in the 2025 year. This includes March Break Camps, Summer Camps, and PA Day Camps.
When applying for a bursary, do not register for camps — your child(ren) will be registered for camp by AGB staff if they are selected as bursary recipients.
Families who want to send multiple children to camp can include information for all campers in their household on their form.
Successful applicants will be notified by email and asked to confirm acceptance of the bursary to finalize registration for camp.
Deadline for Submissions
March Break Camps (March 10 – 14, 2025): bursary application cut-off date is February 21, 2025. Parents will be notified by February 26 if they have been selected.
 By Staff
February 19th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Tuesday, March 04
7:00pm – 8:00pm
 Author of One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This
Jared Bland, writer and former Arts editor of The Globe and Mail, in conversation with award-winning novelist and journalist Omar El Akkad about his new book One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This, a powerful reckoning with what it means to live in a West that betrays its fundamental values.
El Akkad believed emigrating from the Middle East to the West promised freedom. Now twenty years later, after reporting news such as the War on Terror, climate change, and the Black Lives Matter protests, he concludes much of this promise is a lie. One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This chronicles his painful realization and is El Akkad’s heartsick breakup letter with the West—giving voice to the same breakup happening all over the United States. This book is for all the people who want something better than what the West serves up.
About the Author
Egypt-born Omar El Akkad grew up in Qatar, moved to Canada as a teen, and now lives in the United States. He is a two-time winner of the Pacific Northwest Booksellers’ Award and the Oregon Book Award. His debut novel, American War, was named by the BBC as one of 100 novels that shaped our world.
Jared Bland is the former publisher of McClelland & Stewart and was a vice president of Penguin Random House Canada. He has also served as the Arts editor of The Globe and Mail, a senior editor at House of Anansi Press, and the managing editor of The Walrus.
Presented in partnership with McClelland & Stewart and A Different Drummer Books.
A Different Drummer Books will be on site with books for sale and signing after the talk.
Register HERE. Just 62 seats left
Tuesday, March 04
7:00pm – 8:00pm
By Staff
February 12th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Two local individuals, Evan Khalsa, a Burlington Central Graduate and Lucas Michlik, a Brock University Education Student teamed up to design a unique custom Lego set called Applewood Acres.
 Evan Khalsa and Lucas Michlik,  Applewood Acres – an entry into a Lego competiton from two Burlington students The design is part of a global competition, “Bricklink Designer Program” where Lego fans from around the world vote to help get new designs turned into official Lego sets.
The set itself is a beautifully detailed farm scene, featuring a red barn, lush gardens, and adorable animals like pigs, sheep, and ducks. It’s inspired by the rural charm and agricultural life that Lucas and Evan grew up in.
The set has a personal connection for the two; it blends elements of the past with a peaceful, modern farmstead.
The competition is being held through a program called Bricklink Designer Program, and voting for the designs is open until February 21.
This is where they group needs the support of their community – by voting for Applewood Acres, we can help bring this creative design to life and make it an official Lego set that anyone can build and enjoy.
Link to the voting: Click HERE
 A close-up look at some of the detail around Applewood Acres Related news story
HMCS Haida done in Lego
 By Staff
February 4rg, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The 50th-anniversary event at the Art Gallery went very well.
 Jonathan Smith, a former curator at the Art Gallery attended.  The event drew a young crowd as well as the patrons who rarely miss a major event. Attendance was excellent and the mood was very upbeat.
The Ontario Art Council speaker told the audience that they have been a large part of the funding the Gallery receives for the past 50 years – they were there at year 1 – and that the Arts Council fully expected to continue supporting AGB.
That was the good news – the not-so-good news was the damage done by the postal strike. Donations that would have normally come in – didn’t. The postal strike meant cheques didn’t make it to the mailbox.
 Curator Suzanne Carte checks out the largest piece in the 50th anniversary exhibit. Suzanne Carte Art Gallery explained: “Back in November, we set an ambitious goal to raise funds to support impactful programs, events, and exhibitions at the AGB. We are thrilled to share we raised over $38,000, but with your help, there is still time to reach the $40,000 milestone!
The federal government has extended the donation deadline for the 2024 tax year. For AGB donors, this means you can still make a donation until February 28, 2025, and claim it on your 2024 taxes.
We are genuinely grateful for the incredible support we received in 2024. Your generosity means so much to our community.
Two things you can do: Send along whatever you can afford and make a point of taking in the Time Isn’t Real. It is mind-stretching and runs through to April 27th.
By Staff
February 2, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The Reform Gravel Mining Coalition (“RGMC”) congratulates Sarah Harmer on last week’s announcement that she will receive the 2025 Humanitarian Award at the JUNO Award ceremony this Spring.
Harmer has woven her environmental passion into her music, as exemplified by her 2005 song Escarpment Blues, which brought widespread attention to conservation efforts on the Niagara Escarpment.
 Sarah Harmer has woven her environmental passion into her music, as exemplified by her 2005 song Environmental Blues. Photo credit Stephanie Montani An important part of Sarah’s volunteer work is acting as Co-Chair of the RGMC. The RGMC advocates for aggregate mining reform, the preservation of safe well water to drink, protection of endangered species (especially in the Greenbelt), and modern air quality standards.RGMC objectives also extend beyond aggregate extraction, to include protection of First Nations’ rights, public health and safety, farmland, significant wetlands and woodlands, and endangered species.
“Reforming the gravel mining industry in Ontario isn’t just about reforming rock extraction, it’s about diminishing real risks to human health and biodiversity loss across the province. I’m honoured to help shine a spotlight on this poorly regulated but powerful industry”, said Sarah Harmer, who has campaigned for environmental issues and sustainable aggregate for over two decades.“Time after time and case after case, Sarah Harmer has answered the call for the environment and communities facing threats from the aggregate to their drinking water, air that they breathe, and species at risk.
 When support was needed – Sarah Harmer was there with her guitar. As a co-founder of Green Gravel decades ago, her movement has grown into the Reform Gravel Mining Coalition, one of the most influential and coordinated environmental movements in Canada. Sarah has also helped to raise the profile of the need to protect the Niagara Escarpment, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve,” said David Donnelly, counsel to the RGMC and co-founder of the Green Gravel movement. “Sarah is one of Canada’s most important voices for the environment”.“Sarah provides RGMC with unwavering, wholehearted leadership,” said Doug Tripp, President of RGMC. “With her tireless advocacy, she shines a spotlight on our grassroots groups and brings the power of music to our movement, helping to inspire the RGMC community. We are thrilled to see Sarah receive this well-deserved recognition,” he added.
 By Staff
January 25th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
If you were one of the several hundred people listening to Mayor Meed Ward talk about the State of the City on Friday at the Burlington Convention Centre, the table you were at would include a copy of a calendar for 2025.
 The photographs used were very nice. They were printed on high-quality glossy paper and contained the dates of events for the various Regional and City public meetings. For those involved in city affairs, it is a really useful collection of information.
Continue reading Was the high quality city calendar printed twice?
By Staff
January 23rd, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Here is some really good news.
$10 tickets for children under 12 at the Performing Arts Centre event during the school Spring Break.
Looking for a family activity during March break? Outerbridge Magic: Mysteries of the Keyhole House is a world-class performance that combines grand illusions, comedy-magic, and mind-bending mentalism.
Perfect for the whole family, this world-class performance combines grand illusions, comedy-magic, and mind-bending mentalism. Based on a true story about a historic Ottawa Valley home lovingly restored and named The Keyhole House by the Outerbridges, it serves as the backdrop to this magical journey through time, filled with historic relics and tales of its former residents.
Educators and parents have learned that if a child is taken to live theatre performances they begin to build an interest in theatre and in later life become regular patrons. Do them a favour and give them an early start
 Performance running:
Sun Mar 9, 2025, at 7pm
Mon Mar 10, 2025, at 1pm
Call the Box office for tickets: 905-681-6000.
Box Office Hours:
Tuesday to Saturday from 12pm to 4pm, and one hour prior to a performance.
Take advantage of $10 tickets for children 12 and under
These will go very quickly.
By Pepper Parr
January 22nd, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
She was a great ship with a proud battle history.
Julie van der Muellen created this 10-foot model made out of Lego.
Julie assembled and donated her 10-foot-long HMCS Haida to the Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton. It will be archived as a museum relic and displayed in a glass display case.
 Julie van der Muellen with her father and a 10 foot Lego model of HMCS Haida. Continue reading HMCS Haida, created out of 40,000+ pieces of Lego, will be on display at the Wartime Heritage Museum
By Staff
January 9th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Calling #BurlON artists!
From the city –
Here’s your chance to apply for the 2025 Burlington Arts and Culture Fund. This grant provides $75,000 to local artists, multicultural groups and arts and culture organizations.
Continue reading Grant fund provides $75,000 to local artists, multicultural groups, arts and culture organizations
By Staff
January 1st, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The start of a new year is a chance to pause, reflect, and think about what you want to achieve in the next twelve months. Make 2025 a year of adventure and discovery by setting a reading resolution with the BPL Reading Challenge! Sign up online now to get started, then pick up your tracker from any BPL branch. It’s completely FREE to join.
Reading Challenge 101
The goal of our Reading Challenge is to read one book every month on a different theme or topic. In January, we kick off with the challenge to read a book set in a faraway place. It can be any book, fiction or non-fiction, that takes place somewhere else, whether it’s a different part of Canada, a different country, or even a different planet! If you’re not sure where to start, our librarians have curated a list of recommendations.
Stay Motivated
Every month, we’ll send you a reminder to check in online and let us know what book you read. When you check in, you’re entered into both our monthly and end-of-year grand prize draws for a chance to win great prizes. We’ll also share a new set of recommended reads, and other ways that we can help you find a book we think you’ll love that fits the monthly theme.
Connect With Other Readers
It’s like having a gym buddy, but for books! We’ll host a monthly meet-up for challenge participants, where we’ll chat about what we read, what we did and didn’t love, and exchange reading recommendations. Bring a friend, or come to make new ones. There’s no need to register, and you can find all the dates and locations on the BPL Reading Challenge web page.
Try Something New in 2025
Your monthly read can be in any format or genre, so why not challenge yourself even more and read outside of your comfort zone? Try a new genre, like romance, mystery, fantasy, or non-fiction. Or make 2025 the year you commit to audiobooks—it’s the ultimate in multi-tasking. You can tune into a great story while you’re driving, exercising, or cooking dinner.
Other Reading Resolutions
Beyond the Reading Challenge, there are lots of fun ways you can motivate yourself to read more in 2025. Here are some fun ideas for reading resolutions:
- Read the alphabet: Start with A and work your way through reading authors or books starting with each letter of the alphabet.
- Make a to-be-read jar: Anytime you hear about a book you want to read, write it on a scrap of paper and toss it in a mason jar, then pick a book from the jar when you’re not sure what to read next.
- Travel through books: Make a list of all the places you want to visit someday, then pick books set in those places.
- Expand your shelf: Exploring stories from people with different lived experiences can challenge your thinking, improve your empathy, and expand your understanding of global issues.
- Take on the classics: They’re (usually) popular for a reason, so consider tackling the books you skipped (or skimmed) in high school. For a fun twist, read the graphic or comic version of a classic novel, too!
- Ask us for a booklist curated by our book-loving staff through our Handpicked For You Service!
May your year ahead be filled with great books!
By Staff
December 28th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
One of the good pieces of news recently is the two-month tax break on Groceries, restaurant meals, snacks, and children’s clothing.
 The tax break amounts to 13% off the tab at restaurants, from December 14, 2024, to February 15, 2025, – which fits in very well with the Taste of Burlington that starts January 27th. The tax savings is on the food, beer and wine – not alcohol.
Thirty-three local restaurants are offering Prix Fixe offerings that are worth considering.
As we get closer to the start date the Gazette will tell you all about the opportunity to get out with friends and save 13%.
 Jakes Grill & Oyster House  West Plains Bistro
 By Pepper Parr
December 26th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Let us not rush back into the real world quite yet.
Christmas was festive, fun, and family – the day after has become a holiday with a quaint tradition that is celebrated in the Commonwealth countries that reflects the class tradition of the times.
The first mention of Boxing Day as a tradition is believed to be in 1830. It was the day that the Upper classes gave a “box” to people like post-men, errand-boys, and servants of various kinds.
It was a present, a gratuity given at Christmas to people who had provided a service. In Great Britain the custom for tradesmen to collect “Christmas boxes” of money or presents on the first weekday after Christmas as thanks for good service throughout the year. The tradition goes back as far as December 1663.
 It was a different time, a different era when class differences defined everything. The Boxing Day tradition came out of that era. The tradition was linked to an older British tradition – servants of the wealthy were allowed the next day to visit their families. The employers would give each servant a box to take home containing gifts, bonuses, and sometimes leftover food.
In South Africa as recently as the 1980s, milkmen and garbage collectors, who normally had little if any interaction with those they served, were accustomed to knock on their doors asking for a “Christmas box”, being a small cash donation, in the week or so before and after Christmas.
The European tradition, which has long included giving money and other gifts to those who were needy and in service positions, has been dated to the Middle Ages, but the exact origin is unknown. It is believed to be in reference to the Alms Box placed in areas of worship to collect donations to the poor.
Boxing Day became a secular holiday that is traditionally celebrated on 26 December, the day after Christmas Day. 26 December is also St. Stephen’s Day, a religious holiday.
In the UK, Boxing Day is a bank holiday
In Scotland, Boxing Day has been specified as an additional bank holiday since 1974In Ireland – when the island as a whole was part of the United Kingdom – the Bank Holidays Act 1871 established the feast day of St. Stephen as a non-movable public holiday on 26 December. Following partition in 1920, Northern Ireland reverted to the British name, Boxing Day.
In Australia, Boxing Day is a federal public holiday. The Australian state of South Australia instead observes a public holiday known as Proclamation Day on the first weekday after Christmas Day or the Christmas Day holiday.
In New Zealand, Boxing Day is a statutory holiday; penalty rates and lieu time are provided to employees who work on Boxing Day.
In Canada, Boxing Day is a federal statutory holiday. Government offices, banks and post offices/delivery are closed. In some Canadian provinces, Boxing Day is a statutory holiday that is always celebrated on 26 December. In Canadian provinces where Boxing Day was a statutory holiday, and it falls on a Saturday or Sunday, compensation days are given in the following week.
In the United States, 26 December is not observed as “Boxing Day”.
The tradition has become a massive sales push that has people lining up outside large chain store operations as early as 5 am waiting for huge discounts, usually on electronic items that are positioned as loss leaders to attract customers.
 Boxing day at the Eaton Centre – packed. The CTV television network reports that in 2010 Boxing Day sales totaled $1.8 billion. The tradition has become a shopping holiday that has become Boxing Week
Many retailers open very early (typically 5 am or even earlier) and offer door buster deals and loss leaders to draw people to their stores. It is not uncommon for long queues to form early in the morning of 26 December, hours before the opening of shops holding the big sales, especially at big-box consumer electronics retailers.
In recent years, retailers have expanded deals to “Boxing Week”. While Boxing Day is 26 December, many retailers will run the sales for several days before or after 26 December, often up to New Year’s Eve. Notably, in the recession of late 2008, a record number of retailers were holding early promotions due to a weak economy. Canada’s Boxing Day has often been compared with the American Super Saturday (the Saturday before Christmas) and Black Friday.
From 2009 onward Black Friday deals become more prominent among Canadian retailers to discourage shoppers from crossing the border to the USA when the Canadian and USA dollars was close to parity, and this has lessened the appeal of Boxing Day in Canada somewhat as it was overtaken by Black Friday in terms of sales in 2013.
Boxing Day is not and has never been a shopping holiday in the USA.
In some parts of Canada, particularly in Atlantic Canada and parts of Northern Ontario, most retailers are prohibited from opening on Boxing Day, either by provincial law or by municipal bylaw, or instead by informal agreement among major retailers to provide a day of relaxation following Christmas Day.
A tradition that came out of a social class based society has evolved into a week-long shopping spree.
It isn’t just about shopping; sports events have become major Boxing Day events.
 Major European leagues may enjoy a winter break when players can put their feet up over the festive period. But it’s all go in the Premier and Football Leagues. And that means plenty of action for armchair soccer fans. In the United Kingdom, it is traditional for both top-tier football leagues in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and the lower ones, as well as the rugby leagues, to hold a full programme of football and rugby union matches on Boxing Day.
Originally, matches on Boxing Day were played against local rivals to avoid teams and their fans having to travel a long distance to an away game on the day after Christmas Day.
This is probably much more than you wanted to know about the holiday we celebrate today.
 By Pepper Parr
December 19th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The Museums of Burlington is running an interesting collection of immigrant stories.
The exhibition, created by the federal government, is on tour at the Joseph Brant Museum until April 19, 2025.
 Nicholas Leblovic, his immigration story. Echoes and Reflections | Capturing the Human Story is a travelling exhibition created by the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21
To complement this exhibition, the Brant Museum curatorial team reached out to local Burlington residents asking for stories on immigration experiences.
Local political junkie and retired lawyer, Nicholas Leblovic is featured in one of the profiles.
Link to that profile HERE:
 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
Regular: $59.50 – $79.50(All-in)
Member: $54.50 – $74.50 (All-in)
Tickets -Click here – these will go quickly
 By Staff
December 10th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
 The Museum Educators have planned four days of fun over the holiday break.
Camps are for children aged 5-12 years. The cost is $55 per child/day (Family Museum Members receive 10% off).
Camp runs from 9am – 4pm at Joseph Brant Museum on Dec 23, Dec 30, Jan 2, and Jan 3. Register HERE for one day or all four.
Returning for a second viewing:
 See the award winning film “Peace by Chocolate” at Joseph Brant Museum. After the bombing of his father’s chocolate factory, a charming young Syrian refugee struggles to settle into his new Canadian small-town life, caught between following his dream to become a doctor and preserving his family’s chocolate-making legacy, based on the internationally recognized true story. “A heartwarming tale of triumph over adversity” – Chris Knight, National Post
Tickets are $15/adult, $12/children (12 and under) and include admission to the galleries. Peace by Chocolate merchandise will be available in the Gift Shop for purchase. Doors open at 6pm to view the special exhibition “Refuge Canada”. Film begins at 7pm, 96 minutes long. Seating is limited,
By Staff
December 10th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON, ON
Support Burlington Public Library’s
Kids Learning Fund this holiday season
Give a gift that inspires a lifetime of learning! By donating to BPL’s Kids Learning Fund, you’re directly supporting literacy, creativity, and discovery for children in our community. A $30 donation can purchase up to four books for our children’s collection. A $100 donation can buy supplies for a STEAM programming session. And a $200 donation can help replace aging play equipment!
Click HERE to donate online or in any BPL branch from now until December 31. Tax receipts are provided for all donations over $20.
Shopping for someone who has everything? Honour their love of books and learning with a truly meaningful gift! Your contribution in their name is a gift that keeps giving.
Your donation helps us enhance our children’s book and tech collections, fund free programs that ignite a passion for reading, science, and art, and create welcoming library spaces with engaging toys, furnishings, and technology.
By Eric Stern
December 4th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The Burlington Residents’ Action Group (BRAG) learned very quickly that if you put six people in a room and ask a question you’ll get six different answers. Worse still, five of those answers won’t agree with mine.
Our goal is to represent the community and one way to do that is through surveys. I know that the GetInvolved Burlington website also does this. I’ve found the city surveys to be long on questions and short on important details like costs. We’ve tried to keep our surveys short and quick. Results are/will be posted on the BRAG website and, when possible, shared with our council.
“Pausing” the Sound of Music Festival (SOM) hit me as a major decision with impacts on the entire city. The city shared a meeting agenda on Wednesday or Thursday before a meeting the following Monday (December 2, 2024).
We put together our survey before the Burlington Gazette reported that the $95,000 unpaid debt the SOM Festival has is to the city in the form of unpaid invoices. I read this to mean that when city staff perform a service for the festival the city invoices the festival. This is a reasonable business practice but also very different than a $95,000 bank loan with unpaid interest piling up. I updated the survey on Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024 to include this new information.
You can read/fill out the survey here: https://forms.gle/ymB2zc7vW2HLiYmg7
Here are the results of the survey
- 1% want to have a temporary pause meaning no SOM in 2025.
- 25% of people clearly choose the option to scale down SOM.
- 5% of people clearly want SOM to continue without changes.
This means 62.5% of respondents want to see some form of the Sound of Music Festival in 2025.
Fourteen people did not choose one of the three options and instead commented.
Here are the comments.
| Why is every option allowing SOM to not pay back the money council gave them? None of the above. Pay the money back with interest and no more SOM festivals unless they SOM can fund them themselves. |
| SoM repay all money owed and cancel any further grants if that’s how they run their business |
| Remove all funding until they can prove to run without it. |
| Have SOM pay back everything owed over longer timescale, host smaller event. |
| The time has come to realize that big is not best and if they cannot be self sustaining then its time to mothball the Sound of Music Festival |
| Fold it |
| Option 3 with added stipulation that no further deficits are allowed from 2025 onward. All spending must have proven and defined funding. |
| Gated Access. $5.00 per adult entrant |
| Going to need a better breakdown of their budget for 2025 before making a decision. Seems way too vague. |
| The Sound of Music must not be cancelled. Period. Work out something to please the majority, but it is too much of a good thing to be cancelled even for one year. |
| More of a business versus more something-for-nothing approach would be a good start. |
| No further SOM until amount owing + interest is paid in full & future festivals have a feasibility study |
| No forgiveness and no grant |
| SoM has seen better days… |
Knowing that the $95,000 debt is internal money and not a loan from a bank may have changed the results.
Many people added comments:
| How much profit does local businesses make the weekend of Sound of Music? |
| Sound of music is at the heart of what Burlington is. We should be striving for more events, not less. |
| You guys are spending $40 MILLION on a single ice rink at the Skyway Community Center! How much is that place going to cost to operate? Including debt it must be at least $4M a year. Or if the ice is used 1000 hours a year, $4000 an hour (even including an hourly rental fee of $500 doesn’t help the math).
But $90K is too much to maintain a cultural institution? Lets be real, the Sound of Music is significantly more valuable to the City of Burlington than a single ice rink. |
| Money needed for more important things! |
| If Sound of Music is loosing money, Taxpayers should not have to pay for it period. Most people who attend this event are from our of town and do not have to pay for operations or expenses. |
| Spend more money on it not less, the bigger talent brings more people. The talent has sucked. Also consider all the money the small businesses downtown lose out on if you don’t run it. Option 2 is a slap in the face to the entire city. |
| How did the festival go from a multi million dollar festival to hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt. Sounds like mismanagement and the board should be held accountable for repaying tax payers money! |
| I felt for a while the weekend was getting too big and unfocused. Return more to its roots. Close less of Brant St. |
| There is no such thing as a free anything. Over the past few years the SOM has cost the taxpayer money. This taxpayer money could be better spent. Time to move on – times change and people are not prepared to come and pay to attend this festival. |
| SOM should continue annually including 2025. It should be affordable to all entrants with a $5.00 entrance fee plus a Food Bank item per adult. There should also be a Seniors VIP Event as in a previous year! Seniors would gladly pay an additional entrance fee featuring Burlington restaurants food and paid alcoholic beverages. |
| The festival needs to be reimaged and refocused on not being a headline festival, but back to a community event. |
| This Festival is an Icon of Burlington Heritage….surely the city has pet projects of lessor stature that could be reduced. |
SOM should charge admission imho.It has been sold as a tourism draw without any hard evidence.Most come from Burlington and nearby towns.
I would also like to see the RibFest moved out of our park. |
| I enjoy downtown more when it’s not crowded with garbage all over. I’d prefer money to go to improving the city and services within it. |
| Option 3 costs taxpayers the least of all options, but why can’t that option also include “”Going forward, all future grants would be contingent upon the establishment of a detailed service level agreement, incorporating principles from the recently endorsed Accountability Framework, to ensure clear expectations and accountability moving forward.” |
| 2024 sound of music was a disaster. Poor choice of artists and little reason to attend otherwise. AIM the music for the 25-40 year old range and I bet you would get a much better turn out. If the the sound of music continues to cater to the 50+ range I don’t see it making money. The budget for 2025 is so vague I don’t see how I could make an informed decision. |
| Looks like it’s time for a scaled back version of SOM. Perhaps less days, 2 maybe. |
| Why are you debating spending $250k on a festival so many people attend when there are so many other options to save money? |
| Love SOM but seems like more financial discipline is required vs losses experienced in 2024 despite record attendance. BOD sounds to be on right track but needs to deliver their promise |
| Maybe if SOM invested in more popular main events for youth instead of older canadian rock artists we would get a better turnout and more revenue? |
| Hopefully you will scale down or eliminate other unnecessary happenings in Burlington. All these events are nice to have however we need to tighten our belts as households are having a tough time managing finances. |
| COB needs to pick a lane or get out of the way. What is the value proposition of the S.O.M.? The SOM’s value proposition being the sum total of the full mix of benefits or economic value that it need to deliver to the current and future customers/patrons (not COB) who will buy (versus get for free) the products (merchandise) and/or services (music and atmosphere in this case). S.O.M. is somewhat of a brand, but they need an overall marketing strategy |
| We need to make this thing work. This is a huge draw for the core, and a point of pride for the city. Cut elsewhere to find the money to support this event short term, plan to make it self sufficient in the future (bigger sponsorship deals, higher vendor fees, solicit donations throughout the weekend and at the parade.) |
| Please don’t cancel the festival. It’s one of the things that keeps me proud of this city |
| The loss of revenue to the businesses in Burlington if the event was cancelled would be devastating. As well as the loss of community to all those that attend. |
| There is a huge cost local businesses by cancelling and it will be hard to bring it back |
| – reduce the grant for next year from $150,000 to $105,000 and use the $40K to pay down the $125,000 loan
150000-105000 is 45 000
Where’d did that 5000 go? |
| Why is the city making so many new hires |
| My favourite event of the year, please don’t cancel! |
| Sound of Music is very valuable to the community, but has grown to the point it is too large for the location and the organizers are not able to control the cost structure. Scaling back the number of stages and performers, while still keeping the overall ethos and retaining all of the core revenue-generating activities would be advisable to keep this festival sustainable without depending on additional funding from taxpayers. It really should be making money for local charities. Need to increase the margins on food, drink & merch. |
| We love sound of music and look forward to it yearly |
| Charge a nominal admission to recover costs and prevent future losses. |
| Personally, I think the major change occurred when the professional hired staff came onboard a number of years back. They instituted the paid/ticketed prefest the week or two before. The purpose was to help raise funds for the larger 4 day event in the middle of June. So what went wrong? Was this not the fund raising success that it was touted to be? (It would of costs of its own to stage)
What was the cause of the riff or major falling out between the strong, loyal and hard working corps of volunteers and this hired paid for staff?
The atmosphere of the festival really has changed… it used to have a real family feel to it. Then it changed… really skewing to a younger aged crowd, and forgetting the older demographic. |
| pay the loans back No forgiveness [period |
| Scale it down for sure. Getting too big for the venues and the parking/traffic. Also need to charge an admission fee to all. The days of a “free” SOM are over. |
| If they can’t make a profit in 2025, then cancel future years. |
| Don’t cancel the event.. So many people enjoy that event. |
| The benefit to the city overall is much greater than the small costs presented here. Hotels, restaurants, AirBnB’s, local vendors, residents, employees, and volunteers all benefit from this fantastic event. We have attended for years and attend every day if we can. 3 days out of 4 this past year. Very well run. We are VERY lucky to have this event in Burlington. |
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:
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
November 8th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington Civic Chorale will be performing at St. Christophers Anglican Church on November 23rd.
The Chorale was founded in 1994 through the collaboration of Dr. Gary Fisher and Mary Jane Price, former organist and director at St Christopher’s Anglican Church, Burlington Ontario, the Burlington Civic Chorale (BCC) has brought outstanding choral music to Burlington, Hamilton and surrounding areas for over 25 years.
The BCC was honoured to commission for their twenty-fifth anniversary concert, 17 November 2018, Faith in Peace, a work by Canadian composer, Mark Sirett with lyrics woven from the texts of former Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson’s 1957 Nobel Peace prize speech.
 Part of the Civic Chorale in practice Through its performances the BCC delights audiences with powerful choral music experiences with repertoire encompassing classical music from the 16th century to the present; folksongs; opera choruses and vocal jazz.
Their mission is to contribute to the cultural life of Burlington, Hamilton and surrounding areas through regular, high calibre performances of a broad repertoire of choral music
To be a choral representative for the city of Burlington
To provide the highest level of choral experience to our membership
To stimulate an appreciation for the finest in choral music from all periods of music history
What is it like to sing with them? Let the singers tell you!
“The BCC Singers have been part of my life for nearly 30 years. I have found new friendships and gained a greater love and appreciation for music. During times in life when one needs mental and moral support, singing takes me to a higher place.”
“The Burlington Civic Chorale is an amateur chamber choir of adults from Burlington and neighbouring communities. We come from various walks of life, but have found one another through our shared love of music. We are proud to have sung for our audiences for over 25 years!”
I’ve had the pleasure and good fortune to attend two of their events. Try and add this to the events you want to attend.
Do you have a good voice? The Chorale welcomes new members. Click HERE if you think this might be something for you
 By Staff
October26th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
It’s a little early. I thought promoting Christmas events didn’t begin until Halloween was behind us.
The folks at Port Nelson United Church see it differently.
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