 By Eric Stern
May 15th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Ottawa’s tulip festival can trace its roots back to World War II. After the Nazi invasion of the Netherlands, Princess Juliana took refuge in Ottawa along with her two young daughters. While in Ottawa, a third daughter, Princess Margriet, was born. For the birth, the Ottawa Civic Hospital was declared Dutch soil.
Along with Princess Margriet, the “Tulip Legacy” was born. After returning to the Netherlands, the Dutch Royal Family began sending tulip bulbs to Ottawa and has been doing so ever since.
This gift has inspired the Canadian Tulip Festival, now the largest of its kind in the world.
Providing a safe haven for the Dutch Royal Family is one small part of the friendship between the two countries. Canada played a crucial role in the liberation of the Netherlands during World War II.
The Parliament Buildings, visible in the background, are undergoing a massive renovation and restoration project.
By Staff
May 15th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
 Burlington’s very first coffee party—Private Coffee Sessions Vol. 1—happening this Sunday, May 18 at Hola Café & Market.
The event drops May 18th, at Hola Café & Market: Latin beats, specialty brews, and the city’s best vibes, turning your Sunday plans into something unforgettable. —one Sunday only.
In collaboration with Montañeros Coffee Corp and DJ collective MXJ, the first-ever coffee party in Burlington taking place Sunday, May 18th from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Hola Café, 2156 Mountain Grove Ave, this RSVP-only event is free to the public (with limited capacity) and promises an afternoon full of soul, sabor, and seriously good coffee.
Here’s the brew:
- Burlington’s first-ever coffee party
- Official Listening Party for MXJ’s latest project
- Live DJ sets by MXJ and 2 special guest DJs
- Specialty coffee by Montañeros Coffee Corp
- Latin snacks like empanadas and tequeños available for purchase
- Giveaways for the fastest guests:
First 15 – unlimited coffee
Next 15 – one free cup
PLUS – we’ll be announcing the winner of our online giveaway live at the party.
To enter, follow us on Instagram and join the celebration: @holacafemarket, @musicbymxj, @montaneroscoffee
 Food and drink will be available throughout the party, and if you’re craving a full meal, head over to the restaurant side patio (open 10 AM – 5 PM) to enjoy full service and our special weekend dish: lechona, a traditional slow-roasted pork feast from Latin America. “At Hola, we believe food and music are the two most powerful ways to bring people together. Private Coffee Sessions is our way of inviting the community into that magic—natural flavors, Latin rhythms, and a space that feels like home,” says the Hola Café team.
This promises to be a new tradition for Burlington—an intimate, music-infused coffee party that blends community, culture, and curated vibes. It’s free, but once we hit capacity, doors close. Be early, be ready, be part of the story.
Location: Hola Café & Market, 2156 Mountain Grove Ave, Burlington, ON Date & Time: Sunday, May 18th, 1:00 PM–5:00 PM
By Staff
May 14th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
 What you can do and what you can’t do.
What is open and what isn’t open.
Fireworks are permitted to be set off on Victoria Day only (May 19). Please continue to use our valued outdoor spaces responsibly – community cooperation is essential to helping keep everyone safe during Victoria Day. The City’s bylaw regulates where and when residents can set off family (low hazard) fireworks. For more information about who to contact if you have a concern, visit burlington.ca/fireworks.
Will Toronto have won the Stanley Cup by Monday?
| City Service |
Holiday Closure Information |
| Animal Services
|
The Animal Shelter at 2424 Industrial St. will be closed to appointments on Monday, May 19. To report an animal control related emergency on a holiday, please call 1-888-264-3135. |
| Burlington Transit |
Burlington Transit will operate on a Sunday schedule on Monday, May 19. For real-time bus information and schedules visit myride.burlingtontransit.ca.
Customer Service at the Burlington GO Station, 2101 Fairview St., and Specialized Dispatch will be closed on Monday, May 19. |
| City Hall |
Service Burlington and the Building, Renovating and Licensing counter on the main floor of City Hall at 426 Brant St., will be closed on Monday, May 19.
Many service payments are available online at burlington.ca/onlineservices. If your request is urgent, call 905-335-7777 to connect with the City’s live answering service.
For online development services, MyFiles can be used by residents who have applied for Pre-Building Approval. Check the status of Pre Building Approval applications at burlington.ca/MyFiles. |
| Halton Court Services – Provincial Offences Office |
Court administration counter services at 4085 Palladium Way will be closed on Monday, May 19.
With the exception of the Victoria Day 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 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. Many services are also available by email at burlingtoncourt@burlington.ca or online at Halton Court Services. Payment of Provincial Offences fines is available 24/7 at paytickets.ca. |
| Parking |
On Sunday, May 18 and Monday, May 19: Free parking is available downtown, on the street, in municipal lots and in the parking garage (414 Locust St.).
On Saturday, May 17: Pay parking downtown is required in high-demand parking lots (Lots 1, 4 and 5) and all on-street metered parking spaces. A three-hour maximum is in effect for all on-street spaces. Free parking is available in the remaining municipal lots and the parking garage (414 Locust St.).
 NOTE:
- The Waterfront parking lots (east and west) do not provide free parking on holidays.
- Parking exemptions are required to park overnight on city streets and for longer than five hours. Visit burlington.ca/parkingexemptions to register for a parking exemption.
- Paid parking, on weekends only (including long weekends), at Beachway Park (1100 Lakeshore Rd.) begins Saturday, May 17 using HONK Mobile.
|
| Recreation Programs and Facilities |
Drop-In Recreation Activities
Tansley Woods Pool at 1996 Itabashi Way and Centennial Pool at 5151 New St. are open on Victoria Day, Monday, May 19 for recreational and lap swimming. Drop-in swimming, skating and other program times vary for the long weekend. Drop in or reserve in advance. For schedules visit
burlington.ca/dropinandplay.
Splash Pads Opening
City splash pads will begin opening on Saturday, May 17, with all 10 locations ready by May 24. For a list of locations, visit burlington.ca/splashpads.
Outdoor Activities
Burlington has a wide variety of outdoor activities to enjoy with your family during the long weekend, including:
- trails and multi-use paths
- parks and playgrounds.
- picnic site reservations for LaSalle Park (50 North Shore Blvd. E.) or Hidden Valley Park (1137 Hidden Valley Rd.)
Find out more at burlington.ca/outdoorplay.
Golf
Tee times at Tyandaga Golf Course (1265 Tyandaga Park Dr.) can be booked online at tyandagagolf.com or by calling 905-336-0005, ext. 2.
Play Lending Library
Our Lending Library has a variety of outdoor and indoor play equipment available to borrow at no charge. Equipment pickup is on Thursdays, and return drop off is on Tuesdays at Haber Community Centre (3040 Tim Dobbie Dr.). From archery to wiffle ball, and Kanjam to pickleball, reserve at burlington.ca/playlending.
Customer Service
Recreation, Community and Culture customer service is available to assist you over the holiday weekend:
- In person at recreation facility counters during program times (May 17 to 19)
- By email at liveandplay@burlington.ca (May 17 and 18)
- By phone at 905-335-7738, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. (May 17 and 18)
Phone and email service are closed on Victoria Day, Monday, May 19. |
| Roads, Parks and Forestry |
The administrative office will be closed on Monday, May 19. Essential services will be provided as required. |
Link to the story about the Queen being celebrated
By Pepper Parr
May 14th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Part two of a two-part article on the Burlington Library CEO
“Our demographics.” There isn’t a lot of data, said Lita Barrie.
We don’t do a lot of gender-based analysis when we do our annual customer satisfaction survey. Typically, we weren’t asking people for demographic information, but this past year we did, and it definitely skews to women.
Who uses the library and how many people work there?
Number of staff FTE – 140
Number of books on shelves – BPL’s Collection totals 345,352 items – 305,662 physical items on the shelves
Number of videos on shelves – DVD’s comprise of 11% of BPL annual checkouts.
How many people hold a library card – 93,322 Active Library Card holders (i.e used within the last 2 years)
 Reading as a concept, whether as a social determinant of health, as a source of learning and growth, or even just for mental well-being is part of what libraries are in place to do. “Just be hazarding a guess to say how many, but it’s interesting, because definitely, for our author events, our book clubs, there tends to be a gender disparity between these and those just borrowing from the library.
“I think we’re seeing, even though we’re in sort of an information age where we’re surrounded with information, there’s more research happening now around attention span, because I think one of the things that people really struggle with is the long form of a book and being able to hold your attention to read for a longer period of time, but reading as a as a concept, whether as a social determinant of health, as a source of learning and growth, or even just for mental well being as a dream stressor. I think that’s the part you know.
 Books that were on hold and are now available are placed here for people to pick up. For those of us who are readers, we know all this. We know all of the things that reading brings us. But for people who haven’t had that; they haven’t discovered that, or they face challenges around that, convincing people of the value can be a bit of a hard sell.”
How do libraries work with educators?. Do they influence each other?
“Definitely, within the library sector, and this could be one of the things that we’ve seen in Canada over the last number of years, is a decline in school libraries. So definitely, kids aren’t having as much of a presence of the library in their elementary and secondary school experience, and that’s particularly true in Ontario.
“We work with educators when we look to find partnerships. “Teachers have big jobs, particularly now with all the things happening in society; the types of partnerships that we used to have is less common now, just because the school boards and teachers just don’t have the time or capacity for those types of collaborative relationships, which I think is a detriment to our ability to really make an impact, but we try to recognize that and find ways that we can engage. I used to have working relationships with educators at the start of my career.
 “The biggest factor in whether a child is a reader is their parent. “The biggest factor in whether a child is a reader is their parent. It’s not just being read to, it’s seeing literature at home, observing a parent. Those are some of the biggest determinants of whether someone is a reader.”
Is there anything that your people can do to work on the disinformation side?
“Very timely question. Definitely, that’s an area of focus we’re looking at. I was part of a podcast we worked on with the Privy Council on misinformation, disinformation, and trying to think about how we as librarians can play a more active role in that.
“We have found that the more confident we feel about our position on something, the more susceptible we are to misinformation.”
 Audience during the recording of the CBC Ideas program at the BPL.  CBC’s radio program Ideas recorded one of their program at the Burlington Central Library; the program was broadcast a couple of weeks later. Lita was not part of the CBC program just to introduce people – she was an active participant along with Ira Wells and Nahlah Ayed (Host, CBC IDEAS). Wells was speaking about an experience he had at his child’s school where they were reviewing the collection. The idea was that there would be nothing in the library that was printed for a certain time period.
“I share his belief that this is such a loss, because we librarians are on the front lines of providing the public with not just books – but a wide wide range of tools that educate, inform and entertain people.
 Lita Barrie (CEO, Burlington Public Library), Sabreena Delhon (CEO, The Samara Centre for Democracy), Meg Uttangi Matsos (Director, Service Design & Innovation, BPL), Nahlah Ayed (Host, CBC’s IDEAS), and Ira Wells (Professor, University of Toronto, critic & author). “The books coming in have expanded exponentially.
“The number and volume of reading material that is published on an annual basis, far exceeds our capacity from a budget standpoint, but I think our collection grows more as a partnership, because our team selects based on demand and what people are reading. We also try to balance that with making sure we have breadth and depth and scope, because we don’t want to be so driven by popular demand that you’re not walking into the library discovering something that you never imagined existed. It’s definitely a balance.
“We curate to a certain extent, that’s more of a business driven from our leaders. Our team works with a vendor. People also want the book the moment it’s printed. So we have partnerships with our vendors, we have something called an automatic release plan based on a profile of the type of collection that we have in the library.
“We get our copies of the book on the shelves quickly, that drives the bulk of our collection. Our team refines the selections that adds to the edges of what goes on our shelves; the process helps us build a very complete collection.
Is there anybody on staff able to say to somebody they’re talking to: there’s a book I think you should read?
 Lita Barrie: ‘It can be a bit of a nerve-wracking figuring out what people might want.’ “I have Pepper. I would hope that the majority of the people on our team would be able to do that, because that was one of the things that we’ve really focused because that can be a bit of a nerve-wracking figuring out what people might want. We’ve developed additional training for our team to ask questions: what does that look like, so that people can understand when they’re talking to someone about what they’ve read they can determine – is it the writing style, is it the content, is it the genre, and then being able to have a conversation with someone else.
“What part of that book did you really like, let them be able to point them in directions, and definitely, technology helps hugely for that, in terms of, you know, the way our catalogue is able to pull like the crazy word that you’ve never heard of.
Does Shakespeare matter we asked. “Yes – Shakespeare – on a daily basis, no, but it’s part of that breadth and that history of English literature that is the core of what it written and what is read.
 “One of the things we’re trying to encourage in people is to nurture themselves and nurture the lives of their children. It’s giving ourselves that space and that time to just let ourselves be immersed in something because there’s such a different experience between that immersion and the flip, flip, flip of the you know, video shots of information that people are getting through social media.
“I think I’m okay with where I’m going and what I’m doing with the library; it’s as much about who you are and the institution you’re in and where you’re going to take that institution at this point. When we celebrated our 150th a few years ago we recognized we are part of a profession that has such a legacy to it; there are people you will never know, who led the waves or created the opportunity for you to be here in that moment and then to hold that responsibility and think, okay, 150 years from now when BPL celebrates its 300th anniversary; what will we have we done in this moment to secure that future and make sure that the institution still has value and meaning.
 New Appleby Library at the Bateman Community Centre will have 10,000 square feet of space. Lita needed me to know that the Appleby Library at the Bateman Community Centre is going to give them an additional 10,000 square feet. “I don’t think most people realize just how big an operation it is going to be. We have dates for when the book shelves and those things will be moving in over the summer. Early fall is the date penciled in at this point.
We’ve spent so much time looking at the drawings. We’ve been working with the planning people going on five years for this project; it was a renovation of the school, which complicated things. It’s going to be really bright. The library board decided not to call the branch the Bateman branch. Currently it’s called New Appleby and that name will be used when we open at the Bateman Center.
 Lita Barrie: “I’m still having a lot of fun in Burlington.” What’s next? “
“Well, I’m still having a lot of fun in Burlington, so I have no I have no plans beyond, the work we are currently doing.
“I have the ability to work with the board, to really guide where the library is going; it’s just such a phenomenal time.”
Links:
Part 1 of this 2-part article.
 By Staff
May 2nd, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Every community has groups of people who perform: singers, musicians, choirs – they practice for hours and take great joy from what they do.
 Alexander Cappellazzo Tenor Soloist On Saturday, May 10th.
The Burlington Civic Chorale will perform at St. Christopher’s Anglican Church.
Giacomo Puccini was an Italian composer known primarily for his operas. Regarded as the greatest and most successful proponent of Italian opera after Verdi, he was descended from a long line of composers, stemming from the late Baroque era.
 By Staff
May 9th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Please register HERE
 If it is alive, how do we deal with it? Or – how does it deal with us? Renowned the world over for his vivid investigations of the natural world and our connection to it, award-winning author and scholar Robert Macfarlane visits on publication of his enthralling new book Is a River Alive?
“…a beautiful, wild exploration of an ancient idea: that rivers are living participants in a living world. Robert Macfarlane’s astonishing telling of the lives of three rivers reveals how these vital flow forms have the power not only to shape and reshape the planet, but also our thoughts, feelings, and worldviews. Is a River Alive? is a breathtaking work that speaks powerfully to this moment of crisis and transformation.” –Merlin Sheldrake
Jason Allen, esteemed broadcaster, publisher, and fellow environmental advocate will lead the conversation.
 By Pepper Parr
May 7th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
This is a news article that has to be read ‘tongue in cheek’
City wants to amend a bylaw related to the governing of adult entertainment establishment licensing in the City of Burlington, in order to clarify powers of inspection related to enforcement.
The existing ‘Adult Entertainment’ By-Law does not allow officers to enter and inspect businesses that have never applied for or held a City of Burlington business licence.
Inspections are limited only to those businesses who hold or have applied for a business licence with the City of Burlington.
The City’s inability to enforce the “Adult Entertainment” By-Law against illegal businesses increases risks to public safety, health, and limiting consumer protection.
While enforcing the Adult Entertainment regulations, officers discovered that provisions under the current bylaw prevented them from enforcing and prosecuting illegal activity, which
prompted the update.
 The location of the business troubled many of the Aldershot residents. It is expected to be demolished in the not-too-distant future. This has allowed unlicensed businesses to operate illegally, which contradicts the intent of the bylaw to safeguard health, ensure public safety, and protect consumers.
We will listen carefully to what each Councillor has to say.
The only adult entertainment location we are aware of in Burlington is Solid Gold – that site has been approved for a multi-story development.
By Staff
May 6th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
SPECIAL EXHIBITION | GAME CHANGERS
JOSEPH BRANT MUSEUM | OPENS MAY 10!
Get your game on!
In this upcoming special exhibition, visitors will discover how innovation has shaped the video game industry. Game Changers is a fascinating journey, exploring the past and examining how the intersection of audio, storytelling, graphics, and gameplay creates the immersive environment of current video gaming systems.
 The exhibit was designed for people to react with. The video game evolution story is depicted from memorable Pong to the photorealistic, immersive games of today.
Visitors can step inside a game and become a character or try operating a supersized Nintendo controller, play Tetris on a giant Game Boy, and test their knowledge of retro video game music.
 The experience is immediate. The exhibition showcases original concept art, storyboards, level designs, and scripts of some of the most influential games ever created, including audio clips from industry experts explaining the game development of some of the most loved games. Guests can test their skills with games that have significantly changed the gaming experience, including Pac-Man, Super Mario Bros., Tetris, Angry Birds, Space Invaders, Flower, and Adventure. “Playing through this exhibition brought back a lot of childhood memories. I think families and visitors of all ages will enjoy the nostalgia!”. – Lynna Nguyen, Acting Curator.
Game Changers is a travelling exhibition created by the Canada Science and Technology Museum.
The exhibition is on view at Joseph Brant Museum from May 10 – September 13, 2025. The Museum is open Tuesdays – Saturdays, 10am to 4pm.
 By Staff
May 4th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
 Saturday, May 10th from 1 – 5 pm The Art Gallery of Burlington will be holding a Block Party ( a first for them if memory is serving us correctly) on Saturday, May 10th from 1 – 5 pm
They describe the event as an exciting celebration of art, culture, and community. There will be delicious treats or sip from featured food vendors, with a portion of the proceeds supporting the AGB!
The Block Party is generously sponsored by SB Partners and Cintas Canada.
- Free family art activities
- Public Opening Reception for our Spring Exhibitions
- Music by DJ Cheffy
- Free Garden Starter Seed Packs, courtesy of OSC Seeds
- Featured Food Vendors: Bardō Brant St., Peach Coffee Co., Raw Roots, Sunshine Doughnuts
 Art by the students at St. Mark Catholic Elementary School on display at the AGB
 By Staff
April 28th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Members of the official Burlington delegation visiting Apeldoorn are:
- Mayor Marianne Meed Ward
- Rory Nisan, Ward 3 Councillor and Council Liaison on the Mundialization Committee
- Hassaan Basit, Chief Administrative Officer
- Samantha Yew, City Clerk/Director of Legislative Services
- Hasan Raza, Chair, Mundialization Committee (volunteer)
- Anne Koopman, Chair, Apeldoorn Sub-committee (volunteer)
 Mayor Marianne Meed Ward  Hassaan Basit, Chief Administrative Officer  Rory Nisan, Ward 3 Councillor and Council Liaison on the Mundialization Committee
 By Pepper Parr
April 26th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Ripper: The Making of Pierre Poilievre is the title of a book written by Mark Bourrie and reviewed by Charlotte Gray for the Globe and Mail who points out that Ripper has one message: The Pierre Poilievre we see today is the same person as the teenager he was in Calgary’s Reform Party backrooms. Mark Bourrie describes that 1990s teenager as “the political equivalent of a hockey goon,” and argues that he hasn’t adjusted his behaviour or outlook since then.
 “However, to understand Canada’s “Trump-lite,” Bourrie argues, we need to acknowledge the global socioeconomic changes that have spawned a crop of right-wing dictators, and caused the deterioration of traditional journalism and public discourse. To borrow terms coined by New York Times columnist David Brooks, the public sphere is inhabited by “weavers,” who strive for social consensus, and “rippers,” who see politics as a war that gives their life meaning.
“Poilievre’s adolescent views and tactics, typical of a ripper, didn’t need to evolve as he clambered up the greasy pole. He had the good fortune to be in tune with the times – times that have produced anxious, angry voters likely to embrace a right-wing ripper. Doors kept opening for him, and he scrambled straight through them until the Conservative Leader could almost taste victory in the coming federal election.
“Bourrie’s portrait of Poilievre could hardly be more critical, describing him as the angriest person on Canada’s political stage and the nastiest leader of a major party in this country’s history.
“I’ve got nothing against him as a person,” Bourrie insists, but adds that “he’s an angry teenager in the body of a grown man. That makes him a stellar opposition politician. It’s a bad combination in a prime minister.”
“For 375 pages (plus a further 50 pages of eccentric end notes), Bourrie makes his case. He relied for evidence on a mountain of press clippings, a raft of political books and deep dives into the explosive growths of social media and fake news, which he explored in two previous books. He synthesized an enormous amount of information, wrote at an astonishing pace (150,000 words in nine months) and produced a narrative that mixes careful analysis, punchy prose, ironic quips and outrage at Poilievre’s success.
“The result, although uneven, is a gripping read. But does Bourrie prove his point?
“Much of the biographical material in Ripper is familiar, chronicled (with a positive spin) most recently in Andrew Lawton’s biography of Poilievre. Bourrie quickly provides the basic facts. Marlene Poilievre, a passionate Tory and devout Catholic, began taking her son to Conservative riding association meetings and anti-abortion rallies when he was only 14.
“Poilievre was soon absorbing economic views shaped by Milton Friedman and attending seminars conducted by the right-wing Fraser Institute.
“Enrolling at the University of Calgary in 1997, Poilievre polished his political skills as a debater who was soon giving short, pithy quotes to Calgary Herald reporters at Reform events. Lawton enthused about the sharp-elbowed rookie’s commitment, but Bourrie deplores Poilievre’s aggressive tone. The politician, he writes, was making “dire, overthe-top claims of a debilitating national problem” and using “harsh and cruel” language as he blamed opponents.
“Bourrie embeds these glimpses of the young politician in the larger story of Alberta’s postwar history, and the way that Western Canadian alienation was disrupting the Progressive Conservative Party.
“Similarly, when Bourrie tracks Poilievre’s shift to Ottawa in 1999, and his 2004 election (at 25, the youngest MP in the Commons) in the riding of Nepean-Carleton, the author enriches the Poilievre chronology with context, including the capital’s social culture and the Reform Party’s conquest of the Conservative Party.
 Poilievre showed little interest in the intellectual challenge of policy development. “Poilievre pulled ahead of his peers – “strange, nerdy, socially isolated young conservatives” in Bourrie’s words – because he knew what the media wanted: “good quote and great footage.” While Jean Chrétien and Paul Martin led the country, Poilievre was one of the opposition’s most effective critics of Liberal corruption.
“Increased media exposure fed on itself, as he went after daycare programs, gay marriage and bilingualism, and found catchy nicknames for his opponents (Martin was “the king of cronyism.”).
“When the Conservatives formed the government in 2006, Poilievre became prime minister Steven Harper’s attack dog in Question Period. His strategy, Bourrie writes, was to “smear the person trying to do the embarrassing.”
“Occasionally, he strayed from the Harper playbook. On the day that the prime minister issued an apology to Indigenous people for the residential-school system, Poilievre stole the headlines by publicly questioning whether Canadians were getting value for money from the $2-billion compensation paid to survivors. Harper made him apologize in the House.
“During these years, Conservatives raced ahead of other parties in new political techniques of data gathering and analysis, which exponentially improved their voter identification and fundraising capacities. Poilievre’s quick hits and nifty slogans were tailormade, in our rushed digital age, to appeal to voters pinpointed by technology as open to his message.
“He was finally rewarded with a cabinet role in 2013, as Canada’s first minister of democratic reform. His real job, according to Bourrie, was to “whack Elections Canada.” He introduced a Fair Elections Act that editorial writers at both the National Post and The Globe and Mail deplored as destructive.
“During the nine years of Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government, Poilievre (now Conservative finance critic) was relentlessly on the attack. Trudeau’s Liberals provided him with plenty of targets. Poilievre labelled the prime minister “a corrupt tin-pot dictator” and accused finance minister Bill Morneau of losing the “moral authority to hold your office.”
“When he finally ran for the leadership of his party, in 2022, his victory was decisive. Tellingly, Erin O’Toole, the man he replaced, warned, “This country needs a Conservative Party that is both an intellectual force and a governing force. … Seeking power without ideology is hubris.”
“But Poilievre showed little interest in the intellectual challenge of policy development. Instead, he stayed in the headlines with slogans and sneers, bashing the “radical, woke coalition” of Liberals and NDP and reserving special venom for Trudeau.
“His mastery of social media (he has one million followers on X), YouTube (more than half a million followers) and partisan Tory outlets has allowed him to create his own media environment. Instead of answering questions from the dwindling legacy media about his solutions to all the problems bedevilling this country.
 Poilievre: a viciously brilliant critic who has shown no potential, as yet, to become a weaver who could bring the country together. “Bourrie demonstrates how deftly Poilievre ensured that his manipulation of facts and his insistence that “Canada is broken” never received much scrutiny. His standing in opinion polls rose and rose.
“The author acknowledges that Poilievre has a more agreeable side, as an excellent constituency member and family man who has spoken up for children with autism. But Bourrie conclusively proves his point that the politician is an Olympic-class ripper, a viciously brilliant critic who has shown no potential, as yet, to become a weaver who could bring the country together.
“Ripper does more than paint a dark picture of the Conservative Leader. The author gives serious attention to the question: How did we get here? How did Canada – a country once celebrated for civility and compromise – elevate a politician who has surfed on division and disrespect?
“This past January, Poilievre’s expectations of an easy victory at the polls were shattered by the Liberal leadership race and Trump’s tariff threat. The skills that Poilievre has burnished over the past 30 years no longer seem to fit the moment. He is finally out of step with his times.
“Bourrie has produced a searing but convincing critique of the Conservative Leader’s shortcomings that will give pause to anyone outside the diehard Poilievre base. The politician’s insistence that “Canada is broken” has been cast aside in a wave of nationalism. Voters may decide that an angry ripper may not be what Canada needs right now.”
By Pepper Parr
April 23rd, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
 It was the finals for the Battle of the Books; a public library program that started with twenty schools and was now down to the finals for the Junior teams – grades 3 to 5 and the Senior’s – grades 6 to 8.
John T. Tuck and Sacred Heart of Jesus were the semi-finalists in the Junior teams
St. Raphael and Ascension were the semi-finals in the Senior level.
Sacred Heart of Jesus won the Junior level for the second year in a row.
 Battle of the Books judges: from the left Deepti, Jamie and Sarah. It was not an easy task. More detail tomorrow with pictures of the winners.
Great to watch the kids collaborating to come up with the answers to the questions.
 By Staff
April 18th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
 It’s one of the holiest and most somber days in the Christian calendar as followers remember the execution of Jesus.
How did Jesus’ final days unfold? Scholars are still debating
The people and places of the Passion are well documented in the Bible, but pinning down the exact locations and timing of the trials of Jesus in Jerusalem is an ongoing challenge.
For billions of Christians, Good Friday remains one of the holiest days in the religious calendar. Commemorating the day Jesus died by crucifixion around A.D. 30., Good Friday is a crucial part of the Christian Holy Week, the series of holidays that culminates in Easter, when, according to Christian faith, Jesus returned to life after dying on the cross.
It is a time where believers mark the events leading up to the Passion of Jesus Christ, including the trial of Jesus before the Roman prefect, Pontius Pilate. Biblical scholars and historians have pored over surviving records to determine the exact timing and location of this crucial event, but definitive answers have yet to be found.
What’s the context behind Good Friday—and how do Christians observe it every year?
Good Friday represents Jesus’ execution at the hands of the Romans. So why do Christians call the holiday “good”?
“‘Good’ in this instance means something like ‘holy’ or ‘pious.’ It is ‘good’ because it is ‘holy,’ not because we are supposed to think that crucifixion is a good thing,” explains Candida Moss, Edward Cadbury Professor of Theology at the University of Birmingham.
Religious scholars believe that Jesus of Nazareth—whom billions of Christians believe was the son of God—lived in the first century in what is today Israel. At the time, the Roman Empire controlled the region. Scholars have different interpretations about Jesus’ life, but they agree that he built on his Jewish faith to proselytize a religious vision that attracted a growing number of followers.
 Judas kisses Jesus in Caravaggio’s “The Taking of Christ,” painted circa 1602. Accusers and judges
In the Bible, the apostle Judas betrays Jesus by revealing where he has sought refuge after celebrating the Passover feast: the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives. The Temple Guards discover Jesus there, arrest him for the disturbance at the Temple on the eve of Passover, and take him before Caiaphas, the Jewish high priest, at his private residence where Jesus would be interrogated.
 Caiaphas interviewing Jesus. Caiaphas, the Jewish high priest, at his private residence interrogating Jesus.
Caiaphas may have deliberately sought to indict Jesus in a private session to avoid having certain council members—notably, the Pharisees (a Jewish sect, some of whose members were supporters of Jesus)—rise to his defense. Many scholars have argued that without the full backing of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish political and judicial council, the high priest did not have the power to order a man’s death. Therefore, the only solution was to refer the matter to the local Roman authorities and bring Jesus before Pontius Pilate. Caiaphas’s challenge was to come up with a charge that would justify a sentence of death.
During the interrogation, Caiaphas asked Jesus directly, “Are you the Messiah?” According to Mark, Jesus replied, “I am,” and then cited from Psalms and from the Book of Daniel: “You will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of ‘the Power,’ and ‘coming with the clouds of heaven’
With those words, Jesus had given Caiaphas the perfect pretext to involve the Romans. Though Jesus had merely quoted from Scripture, the high priest knew that words such as power and coming with the clouds of heaven would have a very different meaning for the Romans.
Historians also agree that around Passover, a significant Jewish holiday, Jesus was arrested and tried before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of the province. The Bible claims Pilate sentenced Jesus to death by crucifixion.
 The traditional location of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives lies near the Temple Mount. So why was Jesus killed? It’s possible that his rising profile made him a political target. At the time, Jewish religious leaders led popular protests that challenged hierarchies in Roman Judaea.
“Jesus was sentenced to die and executed at a very tense political and religious moment,” says Moss.
As Jesus spread his teachings, Jewish pilgrims gathered in the city of Jerusalem for the feast of Passover.
“This made the Roman authorities nervous,” Moss explains. “Passover celebrates liberation from slavery and oppression, and the Roman authorities didn’t want people taking inspiration and rising up against the Roman empire.”
 Pontius Pilate interviewing Jesus Indeed, Pilate may have sentenced Jesus to execution for a political reason. According to Bart Ehrman, James A. Gray Distinguished Professor of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Jesus was referred to as “King of the Jews.”
“Being King meant being the political leader of the people of Israel,” he wrote in his blog. “And only the Roman governor or someone the Romans appointed (like Herod) could be king. Anyone else who claimed to be king was usurping Roman prerogatives and was seen as a threat, or if not a threat, at least a public nuisance.”
Jesus’ form of execution aligns with this. “Crucifixion was a form of execution that was practiced by the Romans and was used for enslaved people, bandits, and rebels,” Moss says. “It is likely that Pilate, fearing some kind of uprising, sentenced Jesus to die as a political subversive.”
Days or weeks?
It’s difficult to determine exactly when the trial presided over by Pilate took place. The Book of Mark places it immediately after the hearing by Caiphias: “[A]s soon as it was morning . . . they bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate,” who initiated a hearing (Mark 15:1).
Some ancient writers, including the Evangelist Mark, often compressed events into a shorter time frame to maintain the narrative integrity of the story. The idea of the events of the Passion taking place in just a few days appealed to early Christians, for it enabled a commemoration of them in one “holy week,” but some scholars believe the actual events may have taken longer to play out.
 Antonio Ciseri painted Pilate showing the scourged Jesus to the crowds, known as “Ecce Homo,” in 1880. The judge, by custom, would have been the highest-ranking Roman magistrate in town. Pilate had come to Jerusalem during Passover to suppress any form of violent protest from the local population. His presence dictated that he would oversee the proceedings.
The Gospels of Matthew, Luke, and John, describe an elaborate trial that hews closely to the Ius Civile—Roman Law. The chief Jewish priests are the main accusers (delatores in Roman jurisprudence) who present evidence (Luke 23:2). Their evidence is found wanting, so the judge himself must interrogate the accused.
The Bible describes how Jesus refuses to respond to Pilate’s questioning (Matthew 27:14), but in the Gospel of John, a learned debate ensues between Pilate and Jesus. The accused gives evasive replies to Pilate’s questions, leading Pilate to declare, “I find no case against him” (John 18:33-38). In both Matthew and John’s accounts, the trial takes place before a large crowd, who insists upon Jesus’ execution, despite Pilate’s findings.
But it is quite possible that Mark’s succinct summary of the hearing before Pilate might be closer to the actual events. In Mark’s portrayal, Jesus was ushered before Pilate who asks, “Are you the king of the Jews?” to which Jesus’ response is “You say so,” (Mark 15:2). Pilate made no further attempt to question him. Indeed, by this account it would have been pointless. Anyone identified as a “king of the Jews” was, by definition, a rebel against Rome and rebels merited only one punishment: crucifixion.
When is Good Friday?
The actual dates of Good Friday change year to year—and that’s because the holiday always precedes Easter, which commemorates what Christians believe to be Jesus’ resurrection on the third day after his death. There isn’t a consensus on when this religious event happened or which calendar to use when calculating dates.
The authors of the Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, the men credited with writing the canonical texts that partly make up the New Testament—used the Jewish calendar, and they claimed that Jesus’ death happened in the month of Nisan, which corresponds to what is now March and April, when Passover typically falls. Yet, they don’t agree on whether it happened on 15th or 14th Nisan.
Moreover, early Christian leaders failed to agree on when exactly to celebrate Easter, which impacted when Good Friday could be observed.
“Most Christian denominations use the ‘computus paschalis’ to determine the date of Easter,” Moss says. “Most years, Easter is the first Sunday following the first full moon after the spring equinox.”
But that this isn’t always the case for all Christians.
“The date of Easter is calculated differently in Orthodox Christianity than in other denominations, so many years it falls on a different date. The reason this is so complicated is because in the Bible and in Christian tradition, Jesus’ death is tied to Passover and the date of Passover is calculated using a lunisolar calculation,” Moss explains.
The location of the trial is also uncertain. The Gospels refer to Pilate’s “headquarters,” or the praetorium, the seat of the provincial governor. There are two possible locales. One was the old palace of Herod, a sprawling complex in the southwestern city. The other was the Antonia Fortress, the Herodian citadel adjacent to the Temple complex, where the main Roman garrison was based. Herod’s palace would have offered more comfort for the prefect of Rome, but if trouble arose, it was likely to happen in the Temple forecourt.
 Antonia Fortress, the Herodian citadel adjacent to the Temple complex. The content of this article came from National Geographic Magazine.
 By Staff
April 17th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Heritage properties and the designation of homes was a major issue for Council earlier this week.
Helen Callaway, co chair of Kilbride United Church Board of Directors and the chair of the Kilbride history group, appeared before Council saying: “I really want to thank you for this opportunity to speak to the heritage designation of Kilbride United Church. We’re thrilled to have that designation so that the church remains in the community forever.
 Kilbride United Church as it stands today – Council decided that the Church would be designated as a heritage property.
“However, we’re going to ask that the addition of what we believe is the Davidson church not be included in that designation.
“There are a few errors in the report that you received, and I’ll speak to some of them, but first, I’m going to give you just a wee bit of history. In 1853 William Paten and Francis Baker, Irish immigrants who saw the potential of what is now Kilbride.
 Helen Callaway, co chair of Kilbride United Church Board of Directors and the chair of the Kilbride history group. “The new immigrants to the community brought a really strong religious belief with them. In 1854 the Cumminsville Bible Society was established, and members went from location to location. Originally, those meetings were held in the Temperance halls of Cumminsville and Lowville. In case you don’t know, Cumminsville is at the corner of Cedar Springs Road and McNiven Road.
“George and Rhoda Harbottle sold the land for $5 of lawful money. It was not donated, as was stated in the original report, according to the indenture. The chapel, or meeting house, is referred to as the Canadian Wesleyan Methodist New Connection chapel of Nelson Township. It wasn’t called a church, and the name Zion, we’re not sure when that was adopted to the church.
“In 1878 the decision was made to move the church to the present location on the corner of Kilbride Street and Jean street. It really would have been a sight to see to bring that original church on skids, pulled by oxen down the hill to the stream back up again, and then placed in its original location, sometime after that.
“Around 1881 Davidson church on Appleby line and fourth line, just south of Britannia Road, was closed. The congregation did not merge with Kilbride because of the distance.
“All we know is that Davidson church was moved sometime after 1881 and before 1912. It’s very unfortunate that all of the Davidson records have been thrown out decades ago, the ladies of the church had a wonderful clean. They didn’t realize the value of the old books that they threw out.
“The Davidson church section has been renovated a number of times as well, and we feel that a lot of the historical elements have gone except perhaps the shell and the windows. It now houses a kitchen, meeting rooms and our gas furnaces. We no longer have written proof that this is Davidson church. It is only in our oral history, and it’s our strong recommendation that this portion of the current church should not be considered for Heritage designation.
“In times of community troubles and emergency, the congregation has come together to help. In 1967, the ladies of the church, gathered to provide food and refreshments for the searchers of Mary Ann, she was abducted on her way home from school and has never been found.
“The church bell is going to ring on April 27 at four o’clock in her memory.
 Inside the Kilbride United Church
“Today, the congregation of Kilbride United Church is at a crossroads, and we have to consider our future. We have an aging, declining membership and dwindling donations. Unfortunately, this is true of many of the churches today. However, we’re fervently looking for many options to keep the doors open, including some upcoming talks with the church in Hamilton that has turned its future around. We remain extremely hopeful. However, we have to be realists. We cannot, if we cannot turn the financial future into a positive one, we have to consider putting the church up for sale. There’s no question that we want the original 1860 structure to have a heritage designation. That perpendicular piece, the Davidson church, is a deterrent to selling. A buyer would have limited options as to what they could do with it.
Many times old historic buildings have been repurposed as businesses, stores and even homes, and we would hope that the church would at least remain as an event space for the community, or, like Bethel, have yearly service and weddings and funerals, if and only if that’s a very big if the church needs to be closed, we would love to see it maybe as a museum showcasing the settlement of North Nelson.
“Kilbride has a really rich history. The congregation of Kilbride United Church hopes that you will consider a historic designation for the original church structure only unfortunately, the Davidson church portion, in our opinion, has lost its history and value over the years. We don’t know what the future is going to be for the church, but we are working very hard at keeping the doors open and having the church both for our spiritual needs and for community events.”
Council decided that the church would be designated.
By Staff
April 16th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Meeting up with people your age and talking about the books you are reading appeals to a lot of people.
The Burlington Library sets up meetings for kids and adults who want to do just that.who want to do just that.
No need to make a reservation – just drop by.
Here are the dates and the locations:
based on this month’s theme
 This isn’t part of the Library programme: Some people knew how to get in on the event and stay cool at the same time. Not sure how much reading got done.. BPL Reading Challenge Meet-up
Thursday, April 24: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Central – Centennial Hall
Age group: Adult
event type: Book Clubs, Writing
Chat about books based on this month’s theme
Wednesday, June 25: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Tansley Woods – Program Room
Age group: Adult
event type: Book Clubs, Writing
Chat about books based on this month’s theme
Wednesday, July 30: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Alton – Program Room
Age group: Adult
event type: Book Clubs, Writing
Chat about books based on this month’s theme
Thursday, August 28: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Brant Hills – Mountain Garden Room
Age group: Adult
event type: Book Clubs, Writing
Chat about books based on this month’s theme
Wednesday, September 24: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Central – Centennial Hall
Age group: Adult
event type: Book Clubs, Writing
Chat about books based on this month’s theme
Wednesday, October 29: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Tansley Woods – Program Room
Age group: Adult
event type: Book Clubs, Writing
Chat about books based on this month’s theme
By Staff
April 16th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Library hours for the holiday season
By Staff
April 16th, 2025
BURLINGTON. ON
Tomorrow, April 16, Mayor Meed Ward will be presenting the Keys to the City to Sarah Harmer, Chris McKhool, and Beverly Jacobs at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre.
 Key to the City Residents are invited to attend this free event beginning at 7 p.m.
Sarah Harmer
 Sarah Harmer Born and raised in Burlington’s Ward 3, Sarah Harmer is an acclaimed singer-songwriter and a dedicated environmental advocate. With three JUNO awards, including the JUNO Humanitarian Award, eight nominations, and two Polaris Prize shortlist recognitions, Sarah has used her platform to drive meaningful change. She co-founded Protecting Escarpment Rural Land (PERL) to safeguard Mount Nemo Plateau, part of a designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Her tireless work continues to preserve Burlington’s natural beauty and biodiversity.
Chris McKhool
 Chris McKhool An internationally renowned musician and filmmaker, Chris McKhool has been a vibrant force in Burlington’s arts and culture scene. He is a four-time JUNO nominee, seven-time Canadian Folk Music Award winner, and two-time Cannes World Film Festival Award-winning director for The Refuge Project and Walking Through the Fire. Chris’s creative work, especially with his group Sultans of String, champions diversity and inclusion, positioning Burlington as a hub of cultural expression and connection.
Beverly Jacobs
For 25 years, Beverley Jacobs has demonstrated extraordinary commitment to volunteerism in Burlington. She spent 23 years offering comfort and care at Carpenter Hospice, and has been instrumental in preserving Burlington’s heritage through her 15-year involvement with the Friends of Freeman Station. Beverley has also supported local health initiatives through her 25-year dedication to the CIBC Run for the Cure and 10 years with the Bright Run. Her lifelong service embodies the spirit of community.
To learn more about the Keys to the City, visit Burlington.ca/KeyToTheCity
Civic Recognition Awards
City’s Civic Recognition program: Nominations for Spring 2025 are open now until Tuesday, April 22 at 4 p.m.
Civic recognition is given twice each year, in the spring and fall. Successful recipients are recognized in person at an evening Council meeting (May and October) where they are presented with a certificate. To nominate someone or to learn more, visit Burlington.ca/CivicRecognition.
We regret not being able to find a picture of Bev Jacobs.
Links and Resources
Burlington.ca/KeyToTheCity
Burlington.ca/CivicRecognition
 By Staff
April 15th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
One is often known by the company they keep.
The Burlington Public Library has been keeping some pretty smart and intelligent company recently.
CEO Lita Barrie took part in a discussion on local democracy that was recorded by the CBC IDEAS program that will be broadcast in the near future
 Lita Barrie (CEO, Burlington Public Library), Sabreena Delhon (CEO, The Samara Centre for Democracy), Meg Uttangi Matsos (Director, Service Design & Innovation, BPL), Nahlah Ayed (Host, CBC’s IDEAS), and Ira Wells (Professor, University of Toronto, critic & author). The Samara Centre for Democracy, co-founded in 2007 by Alison Loat and Michael MacMillan, is Canada’s leading non-partisan organization focused on strengthening and protecting Canadian democracy.
IDEAS is a CBC radio program that has collaborated with Samara on a series of programs that focus on democracy and how it works in Canada.
The most recent IDEAS production on democracy was recorded at the Burlington Public Library and will be aired in the near future.
 By Staff
April 9th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington Public Library’s Aldershot Branch will close temporarily from Sunday, May 4 to Sunday, June 1 to complete repairs following the water damage sustained earlier this year.
“The Aldershot community has been very understanding and supportive about the disruptions from the water incident this winter,” says James Dekens, Manager of Neighbourhood Branches. “We truly appreciate everyone’s continued patience as we carry out these essential repairs. Our team is working hard to make sure customers can still enjoy library services with minimal interruption.”
 Aldershot branch of the Burlington Public Library system. During the closure, customers are encouraged to visit the nearby Central Branch, located at 2331 New Street, for full library services.
While regular programs are paused, a partnership with City of Burlington allows local families to keep enjoying storytime close to home. Family Storytime will run every Tuesday, May 6 to 27, from 10:30 to 11:30am in the Aldershot Pool community room at 50 Fairwood Place West.
Please note that the outdoor book drop will also be closed during this time. Customers are asked not to return items to the branch between May 4 and June 1. Due dates for materials checked out from Aldershot will be extended until after reopening.
Library loans can be returned to any other BPL location.
 By Staff
April 7th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Taxes for Artists
 Sunday, April 13, 1–3 pm
A workshop for artists who earn some or all their income through sales, exhibition fees, contract teaching, and other self-employed sources.
Preparing to file a tax return can be an overwhelming prospect for many artists.
This informative session will provide an overview of taxes as they relate to self-employment income and expenses and provide useful advice for artists to manage their financial documentation.
Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and engage in discussion following the presentation.
Instructor: Matthew Simpson
$10
Register HERE
Matthew Simpson has decades of experience in the worlds of art and finance, having studied Commerce at McMaster University before pursuing a degree in Industrial Design at OCAD. Since graduating, Matthew has accrued over two decades of experience in banking and personal tax preparation while continuing to engage in the arts through costume design and his current position as a supernumerary with the National Ballet of Canada.
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