 By Trevor Copp
December 29, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Trevor Copp is the dancer who brazenly told city council in 2012 that there really was a cultural community in Burlington and Council needed to wake up and pay attention. That fresh start resulted in the creation of the Arts and Cultural Community in Burlington, a significant report on the state of culture in the city and the development of a Culture Action Plan plus the appointment of a Manager of culture at city hall. Copp sees that as just a start.
Last year the star of the cultural community was how many indy ‘up and coming’ local artists/orgs ‘up and came.’
 Kune Hua’s Wish Garden at the No Vacancy event held on Lakeshore Road this year. Selina Eckersall’s No Vacancy – a pop up Art event which was an unthinkable in Burlington five years ago – held its Supernova event this year on Lakeshore.
The Burlington Performing Arts Centre saw its full local professional Series bloom with Tottering Biped Theatre, Nortsur, and Koogle Theatre all presenting works. The AGB’s new Executive Director Robert Stevens has for the first time acquired a piece by an internationally famous public art specialist from Lowville, Walt Rickli.
 The FORM brought some of the most progressive dance the city has seen – great performance poorly attended though. And an all-out first: FORM Contemporary Dance presented the first Burlington original contemporary dance event ever this past Fall.
Add in the Art in Action studio tour, the Burlington Slam Poets competing at the world championship, Symphony by the Bay rocking, and Burly Calling all holding their own beautifully.
This is what will finally get us to come into our own: artists doing it for themselves. We’ve been meeting up a storm at the City and progress is slow. The city is a big boat and takes a long time to turn, with several Councillors still needing convincing that the Arts have a place in our budget, not just our hearts.
Getting the City’s first manager of Culture Angela Paparizo into an office was a highlight – but we need a lot more of that going on so the City hall types can catch up to its people.
In 2016 I’d like to see even more independent artists making things happen. The Burlington Shebang – a multi-year collaboration of many local artists – will culminate at BPAC in May.
 The performance community really wants to see continued growth in for them in 2016 – they are hoping Susan Haines can deliver. She does need some time to put a program together. We’ll see if the new Executive Director at the Performing Arts Centre holds up Brian McCurdy’s vision of supporting local theatres. There’s a lot of possibility out there and we can have it all if we become impossible to ignore.
The City needs to kick in more real money and energy for the local artists: no more plans, we need money on the table. We are putting the ‘url’ back in Borington and this is our time.
 By Pepper Parr
December 28, 2015
BURLINGTON,ON
Does the past give any hint on what the future will bring? What happened in 2015 – a review of 2015 quarter by quarter.
January 2015 – Not necessarily in chronological order.
Taxes, taxes, taxes – how much and what are they going to spend it on. The city has in the past worked to engage the public by holding workshops that are usually quite well attended – that didn’t prove to be the case in 2015 – a pathetic turnout for public meeting on the budget at the Mainway Recreation centre – drew less than three people. The weather wasn’t good but the weather couldn’t be blamed – hockey games being played at the rink next door drew hundreds of people. There was a message in there somewhere.
 Bridgewater stalls. The construction of a “legacy” project approved in 1995 on Lakeshore Road took a bit of a hit when the company brought in to build the three towers declared bankruptcy. It slowed down what eventually gets built on the southern side of Lakeshore Road
Property values rise 8.6% in Millcroft and the Orchard year over year; sales down 4%
Public got to hear that the city wanted to set the tax rate at – something upwards of 3.5% more than last year.
City provides an update on city manager recruitment. Burlington had just the one General manager, Scott Stewart and he is one of the people applying for the job of city manager. Pat Moyle was serving as interim city manager and Scott Stewart has been carrying the ball as the sole general manager. Council had not interviewed all the candidates.
 Scott Stewart Pat Moyle resigned to move into full retirement someone had to hold the job of city manager. City council appointed the city solicitor Nancy Shea Nicol as the interim city manager. Normally she reports to the General manager – Scott Stewart. Nancy Shea Nicol reports to Scott Stewart but because Stewart is one of the finalists for the job of city manager Shea Nicol has been made the boss of the man who she reports to.
Scott Stewart was not appointed city manager – he quit and moved to Guelph
Mayor thinks a pilot private property tree bylaw restricted to Roseland community might work – but that idea didn’t get any traction either.
 Flood damage. First of the flood victims got to see some financial support. Of the 310 claims made for short term immediate help just three were turned down.
Call has gone out for possible mural locations around the city. Drop in a sample of the results.
City wanted to use photographs to animate the new website which raised hackles in the arts community – they wanted the city to pay for the pictures they used or at least give the photographer a photo credit. City decided to use stock pictures it could pick up free. Look for reader comments
Jan 20th
 ADI project The ADI development for lower Martha at Lakeshore Road was shown to the public for the first time. Public was close to outraged. It was pretty clear that Burlington wasn’t going for the ADI development proposal to put a 28 storey tower on the corner of Martha and Lakeshore Road.
Council gets a pay raise: Recommendation was to: Maintain the compensation for Councillors at $53,095 per year and the Mayor at $121,676 per year (in 2014) and adjust annually on April 1 by a percentage equal to the average annual change in the all Ontario consumer price index (CPI) for the twelve month period October to September with the provision that the increase is to have the following banding:
Report on the office space needs for the city never gets made public.
 Beachway house sold. First of the Beachway homes sold for $600,000
The ADI group argues at a city council meeting that the design of their 28 storey tower will serve as an excellent gateway on the eastern side of the city into the downtown core. Residents argue it will loom over the neighbourhood. The 22 storey Bridgewater project a couple of hundred yards away will reach 22 storeys into the air.
Flood relief cheques will begin to go out next week; just 50% of approved claims being paid now – balance to follow.
City council voted 6-1 to sell off pieces of city owned waterfront property. Public did not get to see a confidential report from the city solicitor.
 Hospital redevelopment February 2015
Hospital foundation raised $2 million in four months – 40 of the 60 million needed is in the bank.
Council committee “miraculously” approves a budget in 3.5 hrs – now it goes to council for the rubber stamp
Flood relief money making its way to victims; partial payments averaging $9000 +
Mayor delivers his fifth State of the City address – promises to never mention the Pier again.
Municipal bureaucrat from west coast, former armed services officer and currently an academic administrator appointed Burlington city manager.
Waterfront Hotel to be demolished at some future date – three structures will go on the site – planners excited about the potential.
 Low liquidation discounts. Target liquidation sale discounts seldom top 10%.
March 2015
The ADI development groups gets to the OMB before the city even gets to vote.
Premier meets with Mayors – Mayor Goldring has yet to tell us what they talked about.
 Giving back Mayor gives certificates of appreciation to boys and girls who raised a record 281,878 pounds of food in the Giving Back project.
Pop up Patios to appear on Brant Street May 1st.
Public got its first look at what Beachway Park could look like – it was a noisy meeting.
City planner Bruce Krushelnicki retires joins the Ontario Municipal Board.
 City council voted 6 – 1 to sell a stretch of waterfront property between |Market and st Paul street south of Lakeshore Road – staff had recommended the property be leased. Top story: Selling of waterfront property:
Each of these stories can be read in full – all you have to do is plug the words into the search engine at the top of the home page.
 By Vince Fiorito
December 27, 29015
BURLINGTON, ON
2015 was a big year for the environmental movement. It was a year of historic agreements, milestones, diversions, sensible policy making and oversights.
 Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the Climate Change talks in Paris. Internationally, the biggest environmental story was the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris which will be remembered both for its achievements and failures. Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Catherine McKenna as well as the rest of the Canadian delegation deserve recognition for their efforts to negotiate the historic Paris Agreement. As the Paris delegates were debating, atmospheric CO2 levels passed the 400ppm milestone, which is a 42% increase since the start of the industrial age only 150 years ago. The last time the earth’s atmosphere had this much CO2 was two million years ago. Back then, the earth’s climate was 6C warmer, the arctic was ice free and sea levels were about 30M higher than they are today.
If all Paris Agreement signatories respect their voluntary self imposed, non-binding limitations, CO2 in the Earth’s atmosphere should stabilize near the same level they were 45 million years ago, when Greenland had crocodiles and palm trees. While the Paris agreement is most likely too little, too late to prevent extreme weather events and catastrophic environmental disasters over the long term, at least most of the world now agrees that climate change is a serious problem requiring action.
Most of the world has now pledged to reduce CO2 emissions to zero by 2070. Since this pledge is non-binding and voluntary, its achievement is highly unlikely. Paris Agreement signatories have agreed to meet every 5 years to review their progress (or lack of progress) and hopefully sign new agreements which may actually include mandatory limits and punitive measures for non-compliance. The Paris Agreement also includes a mechanism for countries hardest hit by climate change associated disasters to receive international aid and calls on developed countries to voluntarily share green technologies with less developed countries. The Paris Agreement isn’t much, but it is progress in the right direction.
Nationally, the biggest environmental story was the election of a new Liberal majority government, which appears to be far more aware and concerned about environmental issues than the previous Conservative majority government. As the Green Party candidate for Burlington in the last election, I must admit that I was dismayed that environmental issues which threaten to make our planet uninhabitable took a back seat to trivial debates over the clothing choices of some ethnic minorities. For most environmentalists, the words of the Justin Trudeau government are like a breath of fresh air. Hopefully the new government’s actions will prove to be equally refreshing.
Provincially, the Ontario Government finally passed three important laws to help protect the environment and environmental advocates. First, the Great Lakes Protection Act is intended to protect and restore the ecological health of the Great lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin and create opportunities for stakeholder participation in efforts to protect, preserve, restore and create habitat. Second, the Ontario Invasive Species Act creates a framework to criminalize the possession, trafficking and release of problematic alien species which threaten Ontario’s native ecosystems.
 Great Lakes Protection Act is intended to protect and restore the ecological health of the Great lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin. Finally the Ontario government passed the Protection of Public Participation Act, which will help protect free speech from Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP). Unfortunately this new law is not retroactive and comes too late to protect local residents Pepper Parr, Vanessa Warren, and Monte Dennis from a $100,000 Burlington Airpark libel lawsuit.
Municipally, the biggest environment story of 2015 in Burlington remains the Cootes to the Escarpment EcoPark System. In June 2013, local government and non-profit organizations in the Burlington-Hamilton area agreed to cooperatively manage nearly 1,900 hectares (4700 acres) of natural lands in Burlington and Hamilton to protect and restore what is arguably Canada’s most biologically rich and diverse ecosystem. This globally significant, environmental award winning urban park stretches from Hamilton Harbour, through Cootes Paradise to a 10-kilometre section of the Niagara Escarpment. The Cootes to the Escarpment EcoPark is the only part of escarpment not separated from Lake Ontario by a 400-series highway. The Cootes to the Escarpment EcoPark system is home to nearly a quarter of the country’s wild plants and more than 50 species at risk.
 Part of the Cootes to Escarpment park system. The park’s scientists and technicians are an important source of local environmental knowledge and expertise. I highly recommend participating in their educational and stewardship events. On May 30, 2014, Mr. John V. Holland generously donated a 15 hectare (37-acre) natural area in the Cootes to the Escarpment EcoPark system to the City of Burlington in honour of his wife Eileen to be managed as the new Eileen and John Holland Nature Sanctuary. On December 15, 2015, partners of the Cootes to Escarpment Ecopark System were able to finance the purchase of nearly 40 hectares (100 acres) of natural lands situated in the Greenbelt in Hamilton. Hopefully the Cootes to the Escarpment Ecopark system will continue to grow and inspire local landowners near the park to be responsible stewards of this biodiversity hotspot.
 Has Burlington found a way for wildlife and we humans to share the apace we both occupy? A second important local story is the City of Burlington’s new and improved approach to managing urban wildlife. The issue of urban coyotes especially has been emotional with many strong feelings on all sides of the issues. Councillor Jack Dennison and City of Burlington staff deserves credit and recognition for their successful effort to create wise and sensible city policies and by-laws to manage Burlington’s urban wildlife. They took the time to listen to all points of view, consulted the Ministry of Natural Resources experts, local environmental and citizens groups to develop a rational and sensible approach to managing Burlington’s urban wildlife in a way that reduces conflict, promotes greater understand and also stewardship. Burlington’s new by-laws and policies will reduce the risk to people from urban wildlife and at the same time reduce the risk to urban wildlife from people. Other municipalities would be wise to adopt Burlington’s rational and reasonable “Coyote Response Strategy.”
https://www.burlington.ca/en/services-for-you/wildlife.asp
 As roads penetrate into the Amazon Rainforest, fires and deforestation follow. This image from August 5, 2007, shows scores of fires burning along roads and at the edges of already cleared areas of the Amazon in southern Para and northern Mato Grosso states in Brazil. The image and fire detections (marked in red) were captured by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite. The biggest environmental story of 2015 remains the relatively unknown Holocene Mass Extinction Event. Five times in the past, something has happened which killed off most of the life on earth. These events are known as Mass Extinctions. Each past mass extinction event required millions of years before new species evolved and the earth recovered to its former level of biodiversity. The last mass extinction event happened 65 million years ago, wiped out the dinosaurs, gave rise to the dominance of mammals and eventually the appearance of modern humans.
While most biologists have been warning that a mass extinction event was likely underway, they lacked empirical evidence that could quantify the current mass extinction’s scale and timeline. In 2015, a new study by a group of scientists including Paul Ehrlich, the Bing Professor of Population Studies in biology and a senior fellow at the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, published in the journal Science Advances, based on empirical peer reviewed evidence which proves that species are disappearing much faster than the historical background rate. The study’s best case scenario is that 75% of all species on the planet will become extinct within 2000 years, with most of the rest ceasing to play a significant role in the natural services which scrub CO2 and pollutants from the air, clean the water and rejuvenate the soil. The study’s worst case scenario predicts that 75% species will become extinct in less than 200 years. Exponential human population growth with increased per capita consumption has altered or destroyed natural habitats and ecosystems. The main human impacts were caused by
• Land clearing for farming, logging and settlement
• Introduction of invasive species
• Carbon emissions that drive climate change and ocean acidification
• Toxins that alter and poison ecosystems
 A parking lot today – it was once part of some of the very best farmland in the province from which produce was shipped around the world. Residents of Burlington need not travel far to see the evidence of the Holocene mass extinction event. All of Burlington used to be as richly biologically diverse as the Cootes to the Escarpment EcoPark System. Today in Burlington, most of the Carolinian forests have been cut down and most of the prairies have been paved over. Nearly every tree, shrub, flower and grass in that people in Burlington deliberately cultivate is an alien species. Nearly every ornamental garden in Burlington has at least invasive species that will soon be banned by Ontario’s new invasive species law.
Our urban natural areas are mostly overrun with alien invasive species which have escaped our ornamental gardens and our urban creek floodplains filled with hundreds of tons of trash in the form of tires, couches, car batteries, television monitors, plastic, broken glass… I know because I have literally removed a few tons of trash myself. Our local habitat loss problem is part of the global habitat loss problem and can’t be blamed on anyone else but ourselves.
I wish I could end this story on environmental stories of 2015 on a positive note. But I can’t. We are obviously ruining the planet and most people don’t care. I am certain that in the future, our grandchildren and their grandchildren will look back to this point in time and wonder how we could be so irresponsibly destructive and uncaring about the future of the earth’s biosphere. I wonder too. If anyone is reading this article 100 years from now, I’d like to apologize to you. We could have and should have done much better, but we were too distracted by a few people’s clothing choices and too busy in our daily lives to give the future of the earth any serious thought or consideration.
Sorry.
By Staff
December 25th, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The kids have been up for hours, the gift are unwrapped and you are settling in for a comfortable day or perhaps visiting with family, or food for family that will arrive soon.
 You are enjoying the holiday.
Remember, if you will, what we are celebrating – and the why of it all.
Ciné-Starz Upper Canada Place, Burlington, ON
Week of Friday, December 25, 2015 through Thursday, December 31, 2015
In the Heart of the Sea (PG)
Fri – Thu: 11:00 AM, 12:45, 3:00, 5:30, 7:35, 9:40
Creed (14A)
Fri – Thu: 1:00, 2:50, 4:50, 7:10, 9:40
The Good Dinosaur (G)
Fri – Thu: 11:00 AM, 1:00, 3:00, 5:20, 7:40, 9:30
Love the Coopers (PG)
Fri – Thu: 11:00 AM, 5:10
The Peanuts Movie (G)
Fri – Thu: 11:10 AM, 1:00, 3:20
Spectre ()
Fri – Thu: 1:00, 2:45, 5:00, 7:05, 9:30
Suffragette (PG)
Fri – Thu: 3:35, 5:10
Bridge of Spies (PG)
Fri – Thu: 7:05 PM
Goosebumps (PG)
Fri – Thu: 11:05 AM
The Martian (PG)
Fri – Thu: 7:15, 9:40
Hotel Transylvania 2 (G)
Fri – Thu: 11:00 AM, 1:10
The Intern (PG)
Fri – Thu: 9:45 PM
 By Pepper Parr
December 21st, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Jack Dennison believes he got himself over one of the hurdles he faces in getting a new pool at Nelson Park for the residents of his ward.
The 50 metre pool at Nelson was taken out of commission in May when inspectors found that it was unsafe – due, apparently to the damage done by two back to back heavy winters.
The pool was first opened in 1963. The steel structure with a commercial grade liner was scheduled for an upgrade in 2019.
 Built in 1963 – the Nelson pool was due for a rebuild in 2019 – didn’t quite make it. The ward Councillor wants to fast track the replacement pool and have it opened for July of next year. The pool was to reopen June 13, but with two severe winter seasons back-to-back, the steel tank at Nelson Pool had seen an accelerated rate of deterioration.” said Chris Glenn, Director of Parks and Recreation for the city.
Parks and Recreation had hoped to find a solution but by August it became evident that the pool was never going to reopen – it would have to be rebuilt.
In December a staff report was issued with a number of options:
Option 1
Re-build the 50-metre – (comparable to original) – $4.6 – $5.2 million
8 lane, 50-metre pool to meet competitive swimming requirements with an adjacent zero depth entry leisure pool and water play features. Original pool was 7 lanes which is not typical. Approximate swimmer capacity would be 550.
Option 2
Build a 25-metre (smaller version) – $3.7 – $ 4.3 million
6 lane, 25-metre pool with an adjacent zero depth entry leisure pool and water play features.
Approximate swimmer capacity would be 350.
Dennison picked up on the views of the community and decided he would fight for what the community once had – a 50 metre pool. He held a ward information meeting at his recreation facility where the audience was small, made up for the most part of members of the Devilrays competitive swimming club.
 The Nelson pool is the only location suitable for competitive events in the city. The swimmers lobbied every member of council – and handed the council committee Clerk a thick file of petitions. That and a solid delegation from a service club and the Standing Committee went for the first option. That got confirmed at the city council meeting last week.
The next step for Councillor Dennison was – When!
He wants the new pool in place for the summer of 2016 – the city manager didn’t see it quite that same way.
Dennison wanted a Design and Build approach rather than the longer, and more expensive approach – putting the job out to tender where the city has to accept the lowest bid that comes in.
Dennison argues that there are a number of pool builders in the province who built swimming pools for the Pan Am Games. They have the experience and have used the most recent technology and could get a new pool in place quite quickly – by July of next year according to Dennison who has had conversations with a number of pool builders.
With a council decision to build a “like for like” – they had a 50 metre pool – so they get a new 50 metre pool – Dennison now needs to convince his colleagues to direct staff to put out a call for Design and Build proposals.
The city manager was having a bit of a problem with that approach. His view was that city council was straying onto his turf and that the decision as to which approach should be taken was part of his domain.
City manager James Ridge, who brings his ten years of Canadian Army Military Police experience and background to his task, has run up against Jack Dennison who doesn’t have much time for org charts and chains of command. Jack Dennison just wants to get out there and get it all done.
Next step for Dennison is to see if he can find the three votes he needs to get the Staff Direction passed. Will he be able to convince three of his fellow council members to vote for a Staff Direction to at last take a look at what a Design and Build proposal would look like?
It is going to be hard for those members of council from the east end of the city to say no to just looking.
Mayor Goldring once represented ward 5, will he say no? The 200 emails members of council got from the swimming club members will have an impact on any decision that gets made and when the rest of the community hears that it just might be possible to have their pool in place for next summer – well you can get a sense as to how that discussion is going to work out.
Assuming Dennison can get a Staff Direction voted on – he then has to find the money to pay for the work. Joan Ford, city treasurer, did say the money was in place for the work to be done in 2018 – and maybe 2017 if some juggling around of funds were done.
Dennison points to a number of tasks that were going to be done in the ward that he would have no problem with doing some switching of delivery dates on.
 Ward 4 Councillor Jack Dennison has served on city council for more than 20 years – he knows the territory exceptionally well. Will he have his way with the city manager? What just might be shaping up is a bit of a showdown between the city manager, who has yet to be tested, and a city Councillor who wants to deliver a big one for his constituency.
The two issues just might end up on the front page at about the same time as Dennison’s Ontario Municipal Board hearing on his appeal against a Committee of Adjustment decision not to allow him to sever his Lakeshore Road property where he lives in a historically designated home is heard.
This is one to keep an eye on as we move into a new year.
Don’t count on Dennison losing this one.
By Staff
December 18, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Children at local elementary schools were challenged with designing an engaging poster around the theme of the RBC Blue Water Project. Launched in 2007, the RBC Blue Water Project is a 10-year global charitable commitment of $50 million to help provide access to drinkable, swimmable, fishable water, now and for future generations.
RBC and Art Gallery of Burlington teamed up to spread awareness of this project while instilling values of environmentalism and creativity in our future generation.
 “We all know that a picture can tell a thousand words and then some. At RBC, we believe in the power of art to enrich our lives and enhance our communities. We are proud to support the Art Gallery of Burlington and the RBC Children’s Exhibition which encourages students to explore their creativity through visual art,” stated John Lever, Regional Vice President of RBC Halton South.
There were 119 entries; all from Catholic schools.
RBC announced the winners of the environmental-themed children’s art contest at the Art Gallery of Burlington earlier this week. The winners of what the bank calls it’s Leo’s favorite” award were:
Grade 8 – Holy Name of Mary School – (group ) Ariana, Giuliana, Kasia, Natalie & Renata
Grade 6 – St. Gabriel School – Candice
Grade 2 – St Mark School – Lilyanna
All the artwork is on display at the AGB until December 23rd. The event was a curated Kids’ Exhibition
RBC will also be making a donation to the Environmental Charity of choice for the winning participants.
The winners were each awarded with a bag of art supplies from the Art Gallery of Burlington. Additionally, each of the three schools will receive an in-class art instruction from one of our educators.
By Staff
December 19, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Some people call it ACCOB, some people call it the Collective – its real full name is The Arts & Culture Collective of Burlington – it was formed about two years ago and came out of a delegation that Trevor Copp gave to a city council Standing Committee at which he pleaded for more support from the city for the cultural community.
 Trevor Copp, the Burlington actor who mobilized the arts into a Collective, makes a point on leadership while Executive Director of the Burlington Museum’s operation Barb Teatero listens. “I want to be able to do my work where I live” said Copp at the time “and not have to become a GO train commuter. That delegation opened the eyes of many members of council who had no real appreciation for how robust the non-organized part of the cultural community is.
The Art Gallery has its Guilds, and there are a few other organized arts and culture groups but the energy that exists within the younger people wasn’t on the radar screens the politicians look at.
The Collective has had a very significant impact on the development of the Cultural Action Plan the city seems prepared to implement – much of that the cultural community gets will depend on how the budget deliberations go – there isn’t going to be enough money to cover everything on the want list.
The Collective isn’t waiting for the city to give them a handout – they are currently doing a survey on what the cultural community believes they need in the way of professional development. The creators of the survey are encouraging every discipline to take part – they want to hear what anyone and everyone in the cultural community thinks they need in terms of professional development.
 The Arts & Culture Collective of Burlington (ACCOB) will be surveying Burlington artists (all disciplines) and cultural workers on what they believe to be their professional development needs.
The survey is anonymous and only one reply from any one particular computer.
Some possible professional development workshop/panel choices are:
Auditioning Tips
Avoiding Exploitation as an Artist
Copyright & the Internet
Grant Writing Tips
Improving your Portfolio and Proposals
How To Fund Raise
How Artists Successfully Work with Businesses (bars, restaurants, galleries, sponsors etc.)
Marketing yourself as an Artist
Professionalism (Best Practices): cross discipline panel discussion
Writer Tips
The Collective will be supported on this project by the Art Gallery of Burlington, Burlington Performing Arts Centre, KooGle Theatre Company, Open Minds Respect Events (OMRE), No Vacancy, Teresa Seaton Studio & Gallery, Tottering Biped Theatre and others.
The mission of the Arts and Culture Collective of Burlington is to advocate for the arts and culture of Burlington and to increase appreciation, support and involvement with arts and culture in the community.
Prime contact at the Arts & Culture Collective of Burlington is Jim Riley – 905-979-9583 or by email at artscultureburlinton@gmail.com
Click HERE for the survey.
 City hall doesn’t shut down for the holidays until next week but Mayor Goldring clearly wants to get a word out to those people who are packing bags and heading for the airport for the holiday season. Many are looking for snow. In what might become an annual thing Mayor Goldring sends Seasonal Greetings to the people he represents in the best mid-sized city in Canada.
December 18th, 2015
By Mayor Rick Goldring.
Burlington, Ontario
“With the arrival of the holiday season, I am reminded of everything we have to be grateful for in Burlington” he said.
“We live in a city that is rich in environmental beauty, from the Niagara Escarpment to Lake Ontario. These areas offer an opportunity to connect with and appreciate nature.
“Burlington is also a city that brings people together. This season, residents can skate at Rotary Centennial Pond, visit the spectacle at the Burlington Festival of Lights or enjoy a walk along one of our trails. These are times to come together with friends, old and new, and celebrate the season.
 Mayor Rick Goldring “We are an inclusive city, where diversity is embraced and celebrated. We can also be proud of being a safe community. Thank you to those who put their lives on the line every day to protect and serve.
“Among our many assets are our residents, who with caring and compassion, give back to Burlington. “I encourage you to take a moment during the busyness of the season to reflect on what you are thankful for – your family, your health, your neighbours and your community.
“I also ask you to assist, if you can, those who may need a helping hand. There are many organizations across our city that help individuals and families of all ages and backgrounds not only during the holiday season, but year round.
“On behalf of Burlington City Council, as well as the Goldring family, I want to wish you a Merry Christmas and wonderful holiday season.”
By Staff
December 16, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halloween contest worked very very well – so it made sense to use the same approach to getting reader attention to run a Christmas house decoration contest.
Even a quick drive around the community will tell you there is plenty to choose from.
 Leslie Bullock Leslie Bullock, a Realtor who has served the city for several decades – she also served as a city councillor when Walter Mulkewich was Mayor, has always come up with imaginative ways to involve the community.
She asks: “Do your neighbours compare your house to the Griswold’s at Christmas time? Or do you prefer to take tips from Martha Stewart?
“Either way, I would like you to capture your snowmen, reindeer, lights and the rest of your (exterior) holiday decorations in photos and send them to us! Get creative, take your best pictures and upload them to our Facebook page.
 To enter, simply post your photos, no more than three please, to our 2015 Christmas Contest photo album. You must then send us a Message via Facebook that includes your name, address, email and phone number so we can contact you if you’re one of our winners.
All entries must be submitted no later than 11:59pm on Friday Dec. 25th. This contest is open to all residents of Aldershot and the city of Burlington.
The top five entries will be selected by our team and posted to our Aldershot Facebook page by Monday Dec. 28th. Visitors can then vote for their favourite home on our
Facebook page by sending us an Inbox message noting the address of your selection. Voting will run until Friday Jan. 1st at 11:59pm, with the winners being announced by Monday Jan. 4th. The Facebook page is HERE
Prizes: First Prize: A full-year Family Membership to the Royal Botanical Gardens in Aldershot (value = $115), compliments of the RBG
Second Prize: A $50 gift card from Mapleview Mall in Burlington
Enter today and share the most festive images of your home all decked out for the season. Remember, the entry deadline is Christmas Day, December, 25th.
Privacy Policy: We understand that your personal information is very important to you. We at Team Leslie Bullock won’t use, share or sell your personal information to anyone. Nor will your personal information be posted to our Facebook page and photo albums – we will only mention your street name on the page. This information will be used strictly to administer this contest and to inform all winners if and when they are selected.
 Ciné-Starz
Upper Canada Place,
Burlington, ON L7R 4B6
Week of Friday, December 18, 2015 through Thursday, December 24, 2015
Secret in Their Eyes (14A)
Fri – Thu: 5:00 PM
Love the Coopers ()
Fri – Thu: 11:00 AM, 1:00, 3:00, 5:30, 7:10
Miss You Already (PG)
Fri – Thu: 11:00 AM, 1:00, 9:35
The Peanuts Movie (G)
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Steve Jobs (14A)
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Suffragette ()
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Bridge of Spies (PG)
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Goosebumps ()
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The Martian (PG)
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Hotel Transylvania 2 (G)
Fri – Thu: 11:15 AM, 1:30, 3:15
The Intern (PG)
Fri – Thu: 11:15 AM, 7:30, 9:30
 By Pepper Parr
December 12, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Mountain Equipment Coop in Toronto had been doing it for 13 years. They suggested the Burlington store take up the idea. The Burlington Mountain Equipment Coop called Burlington Green and asked if they were interested – they were and the result was a table at which you could get gifts, purchased at the Mountain Equipment Coop wrapped free at a table in the store manned by the people from Burlington Green.
 Amy Schnurr, ties a spring of cedar to a gift package Everything used in the wrapping was environmentally friendly. Each package had sprigs of cedar tied on with string that was – yes you got it – environmentally friendly.
Mountain Equipment Coop was packed with holiday shoppers. There was no snow of course – we have mistreated this planet so badly that it has lost it bearings and is having difficulty figuring out the time of year.
The season is one of hope and on this day some of the leaders of the world at a meeting in France agreed that the nations would cooperate and agree to keep the increase of Co2 emissions to less than 2% and ideally over time reduce them to 0.
 This is probably the greatest gift the people on this planet are going to get this year.
The free wrapping will be available on the 13th, the 19th and the 20th from 11 am to 5 pm.
Mountain Equipment Coop is now known as MEC
By Staff
December 8, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The Gazette erred – big time – on the original version of this article, we put a price tag on the public art that was just plain wrong – and we apologize for the error. The correct numbers are now in place.
The public art that came in at between $5,000 to $10,000 each for the six wards was officially unveiled last week.
It is worth looking at – some of it is drive by and not that easy to actually see – others you might not get to.
The Gazette is pleased to show you both the art and the artist.
The local artist mural initiative is a new public art program designed to tell local stories using local artists. This year’s program commissioned six small to medium-scale murals throughout the city. These commissions were open exclusively to Burlington, Ont., artists. Free professional development opportunities were offered to assist artists with the application process and project development.
The city’s public art adviser ran a juried competition and the following six people were selected:
• Judy Mayer-Grieve: King Road Underpass, Ward 1
• Claire Hall: Freeman Station, Ward 2
• Teresa Seaton: Amherst Park, Ward 3
• Hannah Sell and Liam Racine: Port Nelson Park, Ward 4
• Tamara Kwapich: Orchard Community Park, Ward 5
• Donna Grandin: Ireland Park, Ward 6
 Judy Mayer-Grieve did the mural at the King Road Underpass. There was a time when the King Road was often just a line up of vehicles waiting to cross the rail line. The underpass was a huge improvement – which the mural celebrates.  Clair Hall did the mural on the side of the Freeman Station. While the station is some distance from where it once served Burlington which was then an agricultural community, the restoration of the station is one of the best examples of citizens moving in and taking on a project the city could never manage to make happen.  Teresa Seaton did the art work that is in Amherst Park park next to a community garden. The art has been tempered and will easily withstand the winter weather.  Hannah Sell and Liam Racine did the art work that is located in the small Port Nelson Park where it will be seen by thousands. There was a time when tonnes of timber was shipped from a wharf at the foot of the park.  Tamara Kwapich did the mural in Orchard Community Park; once the location for some of the best apple orchards in the province.  Donna Grandin did the four pieces that are at Ireland Park. Each reflects a different part of the city. The Gazette was fortunate to be able to watch Teresa Seaton do her art work – she provided a number of pictures that she grouped as “the process”.
 One of the stained glass pieces being assembled.  Teresa Seaton at her work bench. Seaton advises that the “better photo-graphs” were taken by David Galway
 By Staff
December 10, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The only thing that will prevent the Christmas Collage from taking place will be consistent rain – and while there may not be any snow – there will be ice at the Rotary Pond at Spencer Smith Park and that is all we need explained Michaela DiMarcantonio
The event is seen as the Kick off for the holiday season.
Presented by Mercedes-Benz Burlington to support of the McMaster Children’s Hospital Foundation.
 The kind of talent you can expect at the ice show. This is the second annual Mercedes-Benz ice show that will bring performers together to share their passion for ice sports and the arts on Friday, Dec. 11, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. at the Spencer Smith Park on the Rotary Centennial Pond in Burlington, Ont.
“Youth performers are the stars of our show,” shared Joanne Corner, Producer and Director, Christmas Collage. “It is important to celebrate their talents while in the spirit of the Christmas season giving back to the McMaster Children’s Hospital.”
The evening hosted by Clint “Bubba” O’Neil will incorporate seven ice sports into a choreographed performance including figure skating, synchronized skating, hockey, sledge hockey, ringette, curling and speed skating. Santa Claus will also be joining in on the fun.
 Members of one of the ice skating teams taking part in the holiday season kick off event. Admission for the Christmas Collage is free and all guest of all ages are welcome to attend. Online donations to the McMaster Children’s Hospital are encouraged and can be made at the following link: www.hamiltonhealth.ca/ChristmasCollage
The nonprofit organization began in 2014 with a vision to bring the Burlington and surrounding community together during the joyful time of Christmas. Christmas Collage is committed to raising funds to benefit local charities.
7:30 p.m. at the Rotary Centennial Pond in Spencer Smith Park, Burlington, Ont.
By Staff
December 9, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
It was a very good response to a staff report that they liked but didn’t like – the decision to do something about the Nelson swimming pool in the eastern part of the city.
The Gazette will report in more detail later today – we can say now that city council decided they would re-build the pool and that it would be a 50 metre pool.
The when the pool gets built is another matter. There is a move to have it in place for 2016 – with the city manager suggesting a plan like that was not very
prudent and that 2017 was the more likely with 2018 a possible date as well.
You can imagine how that went down.
More later.
Ciné-Starz Upper Canada Place,
Brant Street
Burlington, ON L7R 4B6
Week of Friday, December 11, 2015 through Thursday, December 17, 2015
Secret in Their Eyes (14A)
Fri – Thu: 1:00, 3:50, 5:10, 9:30
Love the Coopers ()
Fri – Thu: 1:00, 3:00, 5:15, 7:40, 9:40
Miss You Already (PG)
Fri – Thu: 1:00, 5:10, 7:15, 9:35
Steve Jobs (14A)
Fri – Thu: 1:00, 3:00, 7:15, 9:30
Suffragette ()
Fri – Thu: 3:00, 5:00, 7:35
Bridge of Spies (PG)
Fri – Thu: 1:10, 5:00, 7:00, 9:20
Goosebumps ()
Fri – Thu: 3:10 PM
Hotel Transylvania 2 (G)
Fri – Thu: 1:15, 3:15, 6:00
The Intern (PG)
Fri – Thu: 7:15, 9:30
 People just kept giving her money – she collected $410 at the public meeting and went on to raise $1300 to buy toys for Syrian children expected in Canada next week. By Pepper Parr
December 8, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
So what happened people ask – with that ten year old who was buying toys for Syrian children that are due to arrive in Canada sometime next week?
Young Elleeza raised $1300 in just 10 days – this worked out to over 300 Beanie Boos which will be given to Syrian Children.
Eleeza’s mother in an email said: “We are waiting to hear a final decision if we will be going to Pearson to distribute the toys or if we will be distributing them to different organizations to give directly to Syrian families.
 300 toys on display – to be given to Syrian children when they arrive in Canada. “The generosity of the Burlington community has been amazing. Not only was everyone willing and happy to donate, many community members turned this into a learning and teaching opportunity for their families and children.
“One family told us that part of the children’s holiday money was being donated to this cause.
Other parents took their children to the stores to actually purchase the Beanie Boos and explain to their kids who the toys were going to. So many wonderful people contributed in many ways.
Some would give Eleeza high fives as they dropped off their donations, others would offer such motivational words that Eleeza is already thinking about the next cause that she can be involved in.
So that’s what has happened – so far.
Their might just be more to this story.
Previous articles:
By Pepper Parr
December 7, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Expect to see Food Trucks operating in the city next year.
A city Standing Committee will debate the two options that will be before Council this evening. The different vested interests will be there with their arguments – might be an awkward meeting for the Burlington Downtown Buisiness Association (BDBA) – they will want to support the restaurant association but at the same time look at the Food Trucks as a possible addition to their membership.
 TEN Food Trucks set up shop at LaSalle |Park last year for the Joseph Brant event. Food Trucks were a large part of the Joseph Brant Day last year – there was a whole row of them with offerings seldom seen in this city.
The options:
Option 1
Maintain the status quo and continue using the Transient Trader Licence and the Zoning by-law to regulate food trucks.
Option 2
Approve an amendment to the Business License By-law 42-2008, to expand the use of food trucks into commercial, industrial and employment zones only, onto school board property, places of worship, vacant property and park property. All approvals will be subject to property owner’s permissions i.e. school boards, property owner of places of worship locations and the Parks and Recreation department (outside of the special events umbrella).
Staff is recommending the second option.
The success of some events in Burlington like the Curb Your Appetite food truck festival, benefitting Food 4 Life, indicates there is a desire among Burlington residents to take part in the food truck phenomenon in their city.
The Food Truck operators have been at the city since May 2012 inquiring about opportunities to operate in the city. Staff from across the corporation have been working with stakeholders to brainstorm solutions to accommodate these requests.
Location and operating requirements are the most complex issue. There are two components to a food truck’s location: whether it is for fixed or mobile, and whether it is operating on public or private property. Zoning approval is also generally a condition of location approval. Food trucks are generally permitted in commercial or industrial zones, and are often subject to additional restrictions if they intend to operate in a BIA. Some cities have further restricted the food truck through the zoning by-law. For example, in Waterloo, food trucks are only permitted to operate in zones which have “restaurant (take out)” as a permitted use. Food trucks are generally not permitted in residential zones, although there are some exceptions to this in some municipalities.
The Staff report is recommending an amendment to the Business Licence By-law 42-2008 that will focus only on private and public property such as parks and school board property. The expansion of food trucks onto roads and streets with specific rules and regulations will be part of a report to the Development and Infrastructrure Committee in the second quarter of 2016.
There has been a lot of public consultation including a Burlington Downtown Meeting on Food Trucks and Food Truck Policy Review initiated by the BDBA.
What was learned?
Downtown area: Yes to food trucks, but with setbacks from restaurants;
Public roadways: Not a desirable option-but perhaps for street parties when the road is closed;
Use of Parking Metres: 3 hour limit on arterial roads;
Parks/public property: Yes to food trucks, outside of the special events approval process;
Setback: minimum setbacks from restaurants; Private property: Industrial and Commercial only; Hours of operation: 3 -4 hour limits;
Limit the number of food truck licences issued: 1-3 food trucks permitted on any given street;
Zoning restriction: Commercial and Industrial, residentially zoned schools and places of worship.
The city did a public opinion survey – they didn’t say how many people responded but the results are interesting. IF YOU CLICK ON THE IMAGE YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO SEE A LARGER VERSION.
 Burlington Restaurant Association doesn’t want food trucks on public property except for City Events and Festivals (Special Events) They want to see a licence fee of $750.00 and Private Property food truck licence only to be issued if the proposed event is more than 100 metres from a “bricks and mortar” restaurant.
  Burlington Downtown Business Association took the following position; Food truck as “Guest promotions” on private property on an occasional basis. Will not support Food Trucks on downtown streets. Any more than that, Food Trucks would be considered unfair competition.
  The Ontario Restaurant Hotel and Motel Association (ORHMA) believe that regulations for food trucks are necessary for the safe and fair operation of any food establishment and want to see regulations for food trucks on both private and public property are necessary Food Trucks at Special Events and festivals only
 When this many people line up for a lunch you know there is a market – expect city council to approve Food Trucks – where and how often will be the issue. Gayle Kabbash-Cruikshank, a Food Truck Event Coordinator said the food truck events bring neighbours together and raise much needed funds for charity;
Part of Burlington’s strategic plan ‘Vibrant neighbourhoods’ people engaging with each other. Schools are an ideal setting as they are in residential areas so would promote the walking and biking aspect.
Downtown is another area that would be ideal as the food trucks would bring crowds to boost the downtown economy.
In the short term City of Burlington staff has been able to work within two processes to accommodate the need and demand for food trucks through the Transient trader licence and Special Event Team (SET) process.
Transient trader licences can be issued for a variety of time periods, from one (1) day to one (1) year, at different rates, which require the following conditions to be met:
• Property owner’s permission.
• Halton Region Health Department approvals.
• Zoning clearance
Under the current zoning by-law 2020, a Transient Trader/Food truck would only be permitted on lands that allow any type of restaurant use and are only permitted on lands with a principal building-not a vacant lot.
For example, if a local business were to have an ‘event’ and wanted a food truck for one day – they would obtain a Transient Trader Business Licence which will also require zoning clearance and property owner’s permission along with other items in order to submit for a business license. They also must apply to the Halton Region Health Dept for their approvals.
The very nature of the food truck business means that they travel around the province looking for events in which they can set up and sell their gourmet food to the general public, usually for just one day. The longer period transient trader licence would still require zoning clearance and the property owner’s permission for any new locations proposed. This information would all have to be provided at the time of application.
Currently, all festivals and events in Burlington occurring on municipal property are subject to review and compliance by an interoperational team of City and Region staff, the Special Event Team or S.E.T. Parks & Recreation staff is assigned to each event and present the event application to SET for their public safety and regulatory review. Parks & Recreation staff works through the event management process with permits issued once all conditions have been met.
After numerous requests and applications that were not approved because of the zoning restrictions, staff realized it was time to look at allowing food trucks into areas that have thus far been prohibited.
Examples of requests for the use of food trucks that were not approved have included:
1. School board property- zoning restrictions would not permit the use of food trucks (zoned residential for the most part);
2. Places of worship- zoning restrictions would not permit the use of food trucks (zoned residential for the most part);
3. Park property –unless under Special Event Team (S.E.T.) approval;
4. Roadways –not permitted;
5. Vacant lots – not permitted.
The Proposed Amendment to Business Licence will permt Food Trucks on private property in commercial, industrial and employment zones. Food trucks will be permitted in parks, (subject to approval from the parks and recreation team, who have their own set of regulations and will also determine which parks are capable of hosting a food truck event), on school board properties, places of worship properties and vacant lands in commercial, industrial and employment zones only.
No food truck will be permitted to operate within 50 metres of a restaurant or within 50 metres of a licenced hot dog cart.
 The Food Truck set up in a parking lot was a great fund raiser for the United Way a few years ago – one vendor was sold out in less than half an hour Fees from the Food Truck operators are not going to result in a reduction of the tax rate. In a review of the fees for a food truck licence in surrounding municipalities, it appears that Burlington is on the lower end of fees. A modest increase is justified to offset the increase in administration and enforcement costs. The recommended increase is as follows; 1 to 3 days $85 per day; monthly $350; three months $700; annual $1300.
There seems to be an agreed upon time of a four hour time limit for a food truck event, whether it is on park property or private property.
Revenue from 2011 to October 2015 amounted to $15,850.
One can just imagine the lobbying that has been done on the members of Council – they are the people that are going to have to decide this one – and this council doesn’t like having to make tough decisions. Let’s see what happens Monday evening.
By Pepper Parr
December 5th, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The city is indeed filled with many superb people, groups and organizations. Well organized communities create ways to recognize the contributions they make.
The way in which a city does this is important – the event has to be done with dignity and not lavishly.
The recognition of those people who make this city what it is has had its share of ups and downs. The choice of MC has been uneven – last year a very solid choice was made. If you attend this year – and it is worth attending – look for the man in the white sports coat. He was great last year.
The event will take place in May at the Burlington Convention Centre.
The ticket price is moderate – it should be less – the event shouldn’t be expected to make a profit.
The food served has been a little on the skimpy side in the past; the program at times seemed rushed –a sort of how quickly can we get them out of here.
In the past mother’s has nominated a son, a husband could nominate a wife – it wasn’t a healthy approach to really recognizing the best we have.
While the rules don’t specifically say that you can’t nominate a relative – city staff have said that they will suggest to nominators that they might want to choose someone else. The rule should be crystal clear – you cannot nominate a relative.
In the past some have gamed the system and the committee that makes the decisions seemed to have forgotten why they were on the committee; it wasn’t to take care of old friends.
The Selection Committee has stronger leadership in place; expect to see a different event this year. BEST Awards Committee is made up of 10 voting members, including: six citizens from the community, and four representatives from media and information agencies.
The purpose is to nominate someone deserving of civic recognition for their hard work, compassion and dedication.
Nominations will be accepted until Feb. 19, 2016. Last year the nomination closing date was extended – suggesting that there may not have been all that many nominations which would lead to one asking: Is this a relevant event?
It certainly should be – the strength of a community is the willingness on the part of individuals to pitch in and make a difference and a look at last year’s recipients makes it clear that we have some fine people in the city.
There are seven award categories of Burlington’s Best:
Citizen of the year
A person whose volunteer activity has made a significant and sustained contribution to the vibrancy and well-being of the Burlington community.
Junior Citizen of the year
A high school student, 18 years or younger who has made a significant contribution to the Burlington community.
Senior Person of the year
A person, 55 years or older who has advocated on behalf of seniors and/or made a significant contribution to the Burlington community.
Environmental Award
An individual or group that improved and/or protects Burlington’s environment.
Arts Person of the Year
An individual who has contributed to the arts in Burlington as an artist, patron or advocate including but not limited to, visual arts, media arts, musical arts, performing arts and literary arts.
Community Service Award
An individual or group whose volunteer activity has contributed to the betterment of the Burlington community.
Heritage Award
An individual who has demonstrated a commitment to the preservation of Burlington’s heritage, and has volunteered their time in an effort to support the preservation of Burlington’s heritage.
Nomination forms can be completed online at www.burlington.ca/best or by picking up a nomination form at the clerks department at City Hall, 426 Brant St.
What to consider when you want to nominate someone:
The preparation of a good nomination should not require lots of work, especially if you are very familiar with the candidate and his/her work. A well written nomination should not be long. The best ones are short and clearly show the impact of the work of the nominee(s). The most time consuming activity is to select people who will support the award with a letter of recommendation and the follow-up to remind these authors to submit their letters on schedule.
Match the nominee with the award
As the nominator, your most important responsibility is to nominate a person who has made an important impact to the field of interest covered by the award. Nominators should always take two simple steps:
- Review the list of previous recipients to get an idea of the quality of the contributions of past winners.
- Make sure that the contributions of your nominee(s) satisfy the description of the award. It is not unusual to read a nomination of a person who has done outstanding work, but the work does not satisfy the description of the award.
Be specific
Provide a specific, meaningful description of the candidate’s contributions. Don’t say something like, “He/she has done good work.” Rather, be specific. This is the most important information that you can give in the nomination. Also, be specific in describing the impact of the contribution. In addition, make sure that your nomination is brief and contains a specific description of the candidate’s contribution.
Meaningful support letters
Sometimes selecting people to write meaningful supporting letters can be the most challenging part of the preparation of a good nomination. Make sure that these people are familiar with the contributions of your candidate and that they support your nomination. Get supporting letters from people who have used the contribution of the candidate. Also, ask the authors of supporting letters to avoid just copying what you wrote in the nomination. The selection committee treats these letters very seriously and expects the author of the letter to provide his/her personal views on the specific contributions of the candidate.
The 2014 choices were just fine; they reflected what had taken place in the community.
 The 2014 winners pose with their awards. From left to right: Mary Nichol, Tomy Bewick, Bonnie Purkis, Ron Foxcroft, Kevin Han, Jan Morris, accepting on behalf of her late husband Dave Morris, Susan Fraser.
 By Staff
December 5, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Odd how some things happen.
Steve Howse was facilitating the public meeting on what the people of Burlington might want to do in sponsoring refugee’s from Syria Tuesday evening.
The Mainway Recreation centre room was full and hands were going up with questions or comments – Howse had to dash from one side if the room to the other – there was just the one microphone.
 Ten year old Eleeza was a little stunned when people kept giving her money to buy stuffed toys for refugee children expected to arrive in Canada next week Somehow a $5 bill ended up in Steve’s hand – he scooted to the other side of the room and gave it to 10 year old Eleeza who earlier had said she was raising funds to buy “stuffie’s that would be given to children who land in Canada from refugee camps next week.
Eleeza didn’t ask for funds – she just said she was raising funds – but that seemed to be enough for Howse who gave her the $5 – and that got the ball rolling. Before the evening was out she had collected $410
Eleeza’s mother Sehr said her daughter had already purchased 36 of the toys and that there was several hundred dollars collected – the toys cost between $5 and $7 dollars – so it looks like a lot of refugee children will be given a toy when the walk on Canadian soil.
 The packed public meeting made it clear that Burlington wanted to do something for the refugees coming to Canada next week. There were more questions than answers at first but little by little information was exchanged and connections were made. There were a lot of numbers flying around and the figure of a possible 120 people settling in Burlington got mentioned – with a less than 2% available housing rate no one was at all sure where these people would live – which didn’t seem to be a huge concern to the people at the meeting.
Anyone wanting to add to the amount collected for toys can email Eleeza’s mother at: sehrwyne@yahoo.ca
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By Trevor Copp
