 By Athena Zhuang
January 24th, 2022
BURLINGTON, O N
A year washed to the shore,
Revealing shells from visiting the globe and building sandcastles for new relationships,
But the clock hits zero,
And instead of one, we start at two.
To consider traveling is to consider new friends: new hands to meet, new cultures to touch.
Where do your eyes go this year?
A cell phone as the world during quarantine,
Of diving with the dolphins and swinging with the monkeys
Where we transport to anywhere
And build a world from a screen, until our planet burns down
To raise a glass of your voice,
To spill a jar with your sounds,
And to reveal your stories
On why we must change the world
To see change is one, to enact is two.
To demand for action is three.
Let us do all.
Papers flying not as planes but as ambitions,
Soaring through the air in Straight Lines of As
And of becoming the stellar pupil the stars adore.
Books and courses at my mouth,
Consuming Shelley, Dickens, McQuiston, and Hemingway
Of self exploration from calculus to philosophy
Of a non-linear world of imperfection in numbers but perfection in curiosity
Of sparkling eyes filled with stars of education.
When the clock strikes midnight, and it is over,
Will you be happy that another year happened,
Or happy that another year passed?
Athena Zhuang is a grade twelve International Baccalaureate student from Burlington. “As a child, I created mind-maps to record my New Year’s resolutions. This year, I used a new medium: poetry.
“The poem depicts my goals for 2022. It discusses how I, as a teenager during quarantine, hope the upcoming year will unfold. I reveal my dreams for traveling before going to university, making new friends in the virtual world, my advocacy for the climate, and more.”
By Cirillo Ambrossi
January 25th 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
If you are on the lookout for amazing gambling sites in Canada, you have plenty of options. The online gambling market is growing rapidly. This means that the number of people who play online casinos is increasing every day.
As far as Canada goes, the situation is not much different. According to Statistics, Canadians spent over $1 billion on online gambling every year. That is about three percent of their total spending budget.
Why Are Canadian Online Casinos So Popular?
In 2022, more and more Canadians are seeking out online casinos because of their benefits. The casinos offer a wide variety of games and bonuses. They are convenient, affordable, and they offer more value for your money.
 You can play interactively on some gambling sites Nothing beats the ability to enjoy your favorite games from the comfort of your home. You can play 24/7 without having to worry about time or location restrictions.
Online casino games are not affected by weather conditions as you don’t need to travel to physical casinos. In addition, you can deposit and withdraw money through electronic banking methods.
There are different types of online gambling Canada. Casinos are classified based on whether they provide real cash or virtual currency (such as points). Therefore, there is something for everyone. If you are a new player, you have the chance to try out new games without putting your money on the line.
What Do You Need to Know When Playing Canadian Online Gambling?
Before signing up with any new site, there are several things that you should know. Having the relevant information will improve your experience.
Know Your Limits
First, you need to know your limits. Before registering with a particular online casino, it’s important to understand the amount you can afford to lose. Base it on your playing experience and the size of your bankroll.
For example, if you’re a novice gambler, you might only want to wager $5-$10 per game. On the other hand, experienced players might prefer betting $50-$100 per spin.
Know Which Games Are Available
Once you decide on the kind of games you’d like to play, you need to look into the options offered by the online casino. This may mean checking out reviews and ratings for each casino.
Also, pay attention to how often they update their database. One of the biggest benefits of online casinos is that they bring you a wide variety of games. You shouldn’t miss out on this benefit by choosing the wrong online casino.
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 Some bonuses can be very attractive Find Out About Bonuses
All reputable online casinos offer bonuses for both new members and loyal players. However, not all bonuses are created equal. Make sure that you find one that gives you a decent amount of free money. Researching about bonuses is important even when you have a huge bankroll.
Emerging Trends in the Canadian Casino Market.
In 2022, the casino market in Canada has been experiencing a shift. The industry is growing fast, and many new names are already cropping up. Here are a few trends to look out for:
The Use of Cryptocurrency
Cryptocurrencies are becoming mainstream. The number of Bitcoin ATMs has increased by over 50% since 2017. This means that people can now buy bitcoins without having to go through an exchange or bank account. Other cryptocurrency exchanges are growing rapidly as well. There are currently over 1,000 cryptocurrency exchanges worldwide.
The reason behind the growing popularity of Bitcoin among online gamblers is its anonymous nature. You can make transactions without having to provide any personal information. Furthermore, there are no limits on how much money you can transfer or withdraw from the casino. Transactions are pretty fast as well.
The Breakthrough of VR
Even though VR is a pretty costly technology, it is fast making its breakthrough in Canadian online casinos. Although there is still a long way to go, many online casinos are already adopting it. VR casino games take your playing experience to the next level.
 It is the responsibility of the gambler to play responsibly.. Know your limit and stick to it. Focus On Responsible Gambling
Online casinos in Canada are working on strategies to promote responsible gambling. The Canadian government announced new measures to protect players from online gambling addiction. These include:
• A ban on advertising or promoting gambling products to minors
• A minimum age requirement of 18 years old for all online gaming sites
• A ban on accepting wagers from Canadians who live outside of Canada
• A ban on accepting wager from Canadians with an income below $50,000 per year
The Canadian government will be monitoring the industry to ensure compliance with the new rules. According to the Canadian Gaming Association (CGA), they will be looking at ways to make sure casino games are not being used by people who have trouble controlling their gambling habits.
They are also considering how to prevent underage gamblers from accessing online gaming sites. The CGA is concerned about the impact of online gambling on vulnerable groups such as youth, seniors, and those living with mental health issues.
Increased Growth of ESports Betting
The popularity of esports games among Canadian audiences is increasing fast. Currently, the audience is in hundreds of millions. There are plenty of competitions and tournaments to bet on, and studies suggest that esports could be getting more popular than traditional sports. It is only a matter of time before they pull audiences as big as in traditional sports like basketball and football. It is no surprise that almost all of Canada’s top bookmakers are including esports in their offers.
 esports betting is expected to grow into an $8 billion market Live Dealer Games
Live dealer games in Canada are already popular. In 2022, however, they could be getting a bigger share. Players are interested in the human experience, and live dealers offer that without compromising the online experience. In 2022, there will be more live dealer games. Casinos that didn’t already offer them may start doing so.
Continued Market Growth
The surest thing about Canada’s online casino market in 2022 is that it will continue to grow. Although the pandemic was a major contributor to its growth, many other factors make online casinos popular. The advancement of mobile gaming, unique bonuses, and better payment methods significant contributor as well.
By Pierre Garner
January 21, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Towards the end of last year, the office of the Auditor General in Ontario released a report highlighting the possible legal issue that might arise from the proposed online gaming model. The model is aimed at the privatization of the iGaming industry, which has been under the wing of the Provincial government.
 Ontario Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk In the 15-page report, “Internet Gaming in Ontario,” Ontario Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk puts to question three major issues; the legality of the model in light of the Criminal Code, the integrity and fairness of a privatized iGaming market in Ontario, and the provincial governance structure of internet gaming.
However, the report has received a lot of criticism, especially from industry folks with vested interests. In response, the office of the Auditor General has noted that it is not against the idea of having a regulated iGaming market. Its only concerned is the technical legalities of the proposed model.
“Ontario remains committed to launching a competitive internet gaming market to help protect its consumers. The province has already designed the online gaming model to achieve this objective in compliance with the Criminal Code,” wrote Natasha Krtajic, the parliamentary advisor and press secretary of the Attorney General.
Background Info on the Status Quo
To understand the allegations made in Lysyk’s report and the reason for criticism, we need to first comprehend the proposed enhancement to the present Ontario online gaming offerings.
 PROLINE+ the sole provincially operated legal provider of online gaming services in Ontario. Currently, Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, a province-run entity, is the sole legal provider of online gaming services in Ontario. This corporation runs the only legal online bookmaker in the province, PROLINE+.
In light of the Ontario online gaming model, the government has appointed the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and its subsidiary, iGaming Ontario to vet and review applications made by private online casinos and sportsbooks operators.
According to the president of the Canadian Gaming Association (CGA), Paul Burns, it’s speculated that the iGaming market in Ontario will be opened up to the private sector by the close of the first quarter of 2022. CGA happens to be the national trade association representing top suppliers and operators in Canada’s eSports, sports betting, lottery, and gaming industries.
With the biggest betting events (Super Bowl and the Winter Olympics) around the corner, the pressure to open up the market for private operators is mounting on Ontario’s government. Fortunately for punters, there are already some online casinos that operate in Ontario as stated by Online-Casino.com.
A Breakdown of the OAG’s Report
According to the report, the government’s plan to privatize the market presents several legal problems. These problems are noted as follows:
Delegation of Decision-Making Powers
The proposed model is designed to pass business risk and decision-making power to private operators. According to the OAG’s report, this delegation of responsibility might fail to satisfy the “conduct and manage” requirements on commercial gambling. The provincial governments are tasked with the responsibility of safeguarding these requirements under the Criminal Code.
“The issue of whether the provincial government has illegally delegated its “conduct and manage” mandate in commercial gaming to a private operator has been a recurring legal subject in Canada,” the report reads.
The Regulatory and Governance Risk
Lysyk mentions that the function of a regulator is different from that of an operator. She also notes that there is an overlap in involvement between the province regulator and the operators in terms of internet gaming in the current situation. That being the case, Lysyk writes that “the model or vehicle itself is what we consider a problem.”
 To address the problem, the report recommends that the Ministry of the Attorney General transfers the operating and governance responsibilities of the iGaming Ontario from AGCO, its parent entity. The report further suggests that should iGaming Ontario’s business model meet the “conduct and manage” requirements, its reporting relationship with AGCO should be transferred.
The IGO’s Governance Structure Poses a Potential Problem
The Auditor General expressed concerns that the entity is not well-structured to verify and ascertain the integrity and fairness of games. The report recommended that the IGO inform the Legislature on how it plans to address the issue of integrity and fairness before launching the iGaming market.
In rebuttal, through the Ministry of the Attorney General, the government insisted that the AGCO has well laid out standards for the iGaming market – inclusive of integrity concerns. All online games will have to be third-party tested and certified by an independent lab, and the AGCO has its iGaming Compliance Unit for compliance oversight purposes.
Lysyk’s Response to Criticism on the Report
CGA’s president and CEO, Paul Burn, dismissed the OAG’s report as a mare opinion when recently commenting to The Parleh. When asked about the industry pushback that the report has been receiving, Lysyk challenged the idea that the report’s content is just an opinion.
She holds that what was outlined in the report was nothing but solid facts that have been vetted for accuracy.
“We have no vested interest in the outcomes of this agenda. Our position is unbiased, independent, and objective of the benefits of iGaming in Ontario. The report is factual and free from vested interest,” noted Bonnie Lysyk.
The Auditor general’s office is not oblivious to the benefits of having a regulated privatized iGaming market in Ontario. No. The benefits are difficult to argue against. The report was not suggesting that the model lacks economic legs.
By viewing the report objectively, it becomes clear that what the office of the Auditor General was trying to say is, “We are not completely sure and confident as to how you want to go about this.”
“Our point is that at this point, there are several issues that we need to identify and address. At the end of the day, the iGaming revenue will provide additional revenue for social services such as health. We are not saying that the iGaming market is a bad thing. All we did was question the integrity of the model and how our consumers will be protected once the market launches,” noted the OAG.
 On-line gambling has grown significantly – it is now a very big business. Fair and reasonable regulation should be in place. Bottom Line
Lysyk is completely aware that big money will always remain a big topic. Noting that the report’s biggest critics are individuals who have heavily invested in anticipation for the new market, she requests them to remain objective and conscious of consumer interests.
By Pepper Parr
January 19th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
After hours of rancorous debate the Halton District Catholic School Board voted 5-3 to allow the flying of a Pride flag outside schools in Burlington, Oakville, Milton and Halton Hills during the month of June – Pride month.
 The inability of many of those taking part in the debate to follow rules of procedure and the attempt to revise the agenda was a sad example of how adults resolve their differences.
Those opposed to the flying of the Pride flag were argumentative, petty, and disruptive but failed in their effort to keep the flag off the flag poles.
The students were very good in making their point.
It was not a debate for the board to be proud of – the beliefs might have been strongly held but that does not excuse the behaviour seen last night. It was most unfortunate.
The 5-3 vote in favour of flying the Pride flag was necessary.
Voting for the motion: Trustees Brenda Agnew, Patrick Murphy, Nancy Guzzo, Peter DeRosa and Janet O’Hearn-Czarnota. Trustees Tim O’Brien, Helena Karabela and Vincent Iantomasi voted against.
By Staff
January 18th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
This is a problem that has plagued seniors for some time.
 When packed down this is very hard snow to remove After shoveling for hours yesterday, a Blanchard resident was faced with a four foot bank of snow across the driveway this morning. The other side of the street had nothing. This wall is down the entire South side of the street. The resident cannot remove this hardened wall of compacted snow and is unable to leave the driveway should the need arise.
 A disappointing scene after shoveling out the driveway. This has been an ongoing issue over the years but none as bad as this.
They have sent off emails and pictures to the mayor, and public works.
“I want the city to clean this up! Now!”
The solution might be to turn to your neighbours for the needed help.
By Amy Hogan
January 14th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
 Winter in all its glory In countries and cities where winter is in all its glory, it is impossible to deny yourself the pleasure of having fun, enjoying a huge amount of entertainment, and the beauty of nature. Burlington is one such place.
Well, a huge number of people strive to go on vacation to warm regions to bask in the sun, lie on the white beaches and rent Ferrari Dubai to ride at full speed to the main attractions. Especially considering that rental services are in demand today more than ever and everyone can rent even a dream sports car for a reasonable price.
However, many locals are in no hurry to buy air tickets. Here you can find a lot of entertainment that will appeal to every person, both young and old. The only condition is to dress warmly so that, standing in the cold, you do not hasten to return home as soon as possible.
In this article, we’ll show you how to have fun in this wonderful city.
Many people often cannot stay at home for a long time, even though it is always warm and cozy there. Many people crave adventure and active pastimes.
Pack warm clothes and go towards new achievements. Before visiting the chosen place, make sure that entertainment will be available for visiting during the pandemic.
 Snowboarding in the winter is a challenge. If you enjoy spending time actively with your friends or family, then you should go to Glen Eden. Here you can experience the drive and extreme as much as possible, as well as enjoy the winter beauty of the surrounding area.
Don’t know how to ski or snowboard? No problem. Here you will easily learn everything you need to know about winter sports. If you go here with children, then you have a great opportunity to instill in them a love of active sports. Qualified professionals will take you under their wing and teach you everything you need to know.
People who have already snowboarded or skied more than once will be able to truly enjoy the number of slopes of an increased level of difficulty.
If sport is not for you, then you have a great opportunity to just come here and ride tubing on safe slopes, where nothing will threaten your health. Happy smiles and laughter are guaranteed to you!
Walks in the winter snow – something that is basic in Burlington on the Escarpment In such a great city, it is not necessary to take part in energetic activities. Many people can truly enjoy a stroll through the breathtaking scenic spots. Lovers of a quiet pastime can go for a walk along the huge number of hiking trails that are laid throughout the city.
You get the opportunity to explore the most untrodden places that you might not have seen, even if you have lived here your whole life. Surprisingly, there are so many striking places where you can spend weeks exploring your city and the surrounding area.
You can choose trails for a stroll or those that go up steep slopes and hills, trails that are considered difficult for beginner hikers. Many go for these bike rides, but you will find that you will stop every few minutes to enjoy and admire the charming view.
 Put out a bird feeder and spend hours watching dozens of different types of bird dive down to feed. Watch the Blue Jays push the Cardinals away, Burlington is renowned for being home to a large number of rare birds. Near Lake Ontario, where a large concentration of birds has been recorded, you will get the opportunity to see them with your own eyes.
Sometimes it even happens that the rarest species of birds catch the eye of the most ordinary inhabitants who explore this area. While professional bird watchers can research for many hours in anticipation of a desired species of bird, you may become an unwitting participant in such an event.
This is a great way to instill in your children a love for nature and all amazing species of animals.
Located in a mountainous area, you cannot deny yourself the pleasure of climbing a cliff in this city. This activity can be done throughout the year at any time. However, in the winter, you can see the beauty that you will not see in the summer. Snow-capped mountain cliffs, a beautiful view of the city, as well as a lot of positive emotions and adrenaline await you.
Those for whom easy tasks seem boring can truly enjoy climbing in winter. Since in the cold there are special difficulties that must be overcome with the help of your professionalism, skills, and ingenuity.
You don’t necessarily need to travel to other countries to find entertainment. Burlington has a ton of fun activities ranging from active to restful. Head to the slopes for skiing or snowboarding or opt for a relaxing time enjoying and exploring nature. In any case, you will be satisfied.
By Staff
January 13th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The GWD Foundation for Kids announced a $3.42 million major gift that will continue the legacy established by supporting the education, health, development and betterment of challenged children, youth, and their families.
 After 21 years of supporting philanthropic work through The GWD Foundation for Kids, Gary W. DeGroote and his fellow trustees, are deepening their relationship with Burlington Foundation entrusting the respected organization to serve as good stewards ensuring that this generous donation endures in the community for generations to come.
Since 2001, The GWD Foundation for Kids has provided over $1.945 million in gifts to several charitable organizations effecting positive change on the lives of thousands of young people in our communities.
“The GWD Foundation for Kids is focused on breaking down financial barriers and nurturing the dreams of our children and youth, empowering them to be all that they can be,” says Gary W. DeGroote. “I am incredibly grateful to my fellow trustees, Joseph C. Monaco, Keith Strong, Rob MacIsaac, Devin DeGroote, and our financial advisor from RBC, Kevin Walker, for their passion and commitment over the past two decades and look forward to Burlington Foundation now guiding and stewarding the legacy that we began.”
Since its inception in 1999, Burlington Foundation has been dedicated to supporting the health and wellness of vulnerable children and youth, helping to establish pathways to success for our young people.
“With the unified goal of ensuring a better, brighter future for all children and youth, we are honoured to receive this significant gift of $3.42 million from The GWD Foundation for Kids,’ says Colleen Mulholland, President and CEO, Burlington Foundation. “We are privileged to draw on our expertise, knowledge and community relationships to ensure that positive outcomes are realized, forever.”
By Pepper Parr
January 14th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Ryerson Park was to be renamed.
Egerton Ryerson was no longer in fashion and the Mayor saw merit in renaming the park, which was adjacent to the elementary school of the same name.
Based on a Motion brought to the Standing committee, the recommendation was to approve Sweetgrass Park as the new name for the park formally called Ryerson.
In July of 2021 council supported a Motion Memorandum from the Mayor which included the following staff direction:
Direct the Director of Recreation, Community and Culture to initiate the renaming process for Ryerson Park in keeping with our naming policies, ensuring equity, diversity and inclusion is reflected in the new name, and report back to committee with a recommendation for a new name by November 2021.
Staff completed a three-phase engagement process with the Community and worked with a small group comprised of the Chair of the Inclusivity Committee,
 Stephen Paquette Stephen Paquette, resident and Indigenous elder, ward Councillor Shawna Stolte, and Denise Beard, Manager of Community Development were named to the committee to review community suggestions. The Trustee for the ward also attended the meeting to observe the process.
Using the Naming of Corporate Assets Policy, the small group reviewed the policy to determine which criteria would be weighted higher than other items. For example, the group felt that a name that reflected a sense of place and supports diversity and inclusivity, was more significant than honoring a person, persons, a family group living or deceased who have made a significant contribution to the community.
 A field of sweetgrass After coming to consensus of the evaluation matrix, and streamlining the list of names to remove duplications, or names that violated the policy, each member of the small team completed an individual rating and ranking of the suggested names.
At a consensus meeting the small group supported the following themes
Head of the Lake Park
Unity Park
Truth and Reconciliation Park
It was through that discussion that Stephen suggested a pause to consult with an Indigenous linguist to see if there was an appropriate Indigenous word that might best reflect the theme. Also, during the same discussion, Paquette educated the group on “Sweetgrass”, one of the sacred medicines to many First Nations. It is used as a purification medicine in ceremony to purify ourselves and to heal.
 Single strands are not very strong but when woven together the grass is very strong.  Many indigenous communities weave baskets out of sweetgrass The planting and use of sweetgrass is widespread by most Indigenous cultures in this area. This transcendence and the use of sweetgrass resonated with the group.
After the meeting Stephen sought the advice of an Indigenous linguist to find the right word. Sweetgrass was added to the list of names.
Community voting took place through the Get Involved page on the city web site. Over 1,600 votes were cast by Burlington residents.
The results are:
 Heat map showing where the cotes for the new park name came from. Name Percentage of Votes
Head of the Lake Park 16.1%
Unity Park 39%
Truth and Reconciliation Park 5%
Sweetgrass Park 40%
Committee had many options to consider:
- Use the most voted name by the community which supports the community engagement process.
- Combine the most popular names for example – Sweetgrass Unity Park.
- Give the park the same as the recently announced re-named school
 Ryerson Public school has been renamed Makwendam Public School. Makwendam Public School. Pronounced muck-kwen-dum, the Indigenous word for “to remember” in the Anishinaabemowin language.” This would provide consistency between the two properties but did not honour the public engagement process.
Replacement signage reflective of the truth and reconciliation – speaking about the past and why the name change and the City’s aspirations for Truth and Reconciliation by re-naming the park – would cost about $5,000.
 Despite creating the system of publication education in Ontario Egerton Ryerson has been set aside to make room for a much needed change in the public acceptance to the damage done at residential schools operated for the most part by Christian churches Staff are also looking at the installation of a medicine wheel or healing circle in the park as well as sweetgrass plantings. Staff have had some preliminary discussions with a potential donor to support the capital investment for the medicine wheel or healing circle. The donor would look for their donation to be matched by the City.
More than 500 suggestions were submitted; once whittled down to four names, the community cast over 1,600 votes
By Mike Collins-Williams
January 13th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The West End Home Builders’ Association is very pleased to participate in the City’s Housing Strategy Working Group. I’ve been very encouraged by the discussions from this diverse group who bring different life and professional experience to the table.
I want to open my comments by acknowledging the housing challenges we face not just in Burlington, but across this entire metropolitan region that is the fastest growing area in North America. In fact – numbers were just released that Canada grew by over 400,000 people in 2021 and for the first time in Canadian history – Canada’s population growth exceeded that of the United States – a country 9 times larger.
Understandably, most of the new growth is coming to Vancouver and the GTA – and we here in Burlington are experiencing the pressures of this growth and the escalating cost of housing due to the inability of housing supply to keep up with demand.
 There is no silver bullet solution to the housing crisis. We all need to work together – The private sector, the non-profit sector and all three levels of government. I strongly believe that this is the most important opportunity to develop the effective partnerships we all need to successfully address the housing crisis.
I am happy to be here today to talk about one planning tool that is available to us – and that is inclusionary zoning.
I’m happy to see the time and energy Burlington is investing to analyze housing options intended to promote much needed public policy adjustments through the Housing Strategy. I am here to say to you today as the CEO of the West End Home Builders’ Association that we support the development of mixed income communities, and we are supportive of the use of inclusionary zoning as a planning tool – but we need to make sure it’s done right and within the context of a comprehensive and achievable housing strategy.
There are over 800 examples of inclusionary zoning across North America – some jurisdictions have well designed policy frameworks that support the construction of new affordable units without placing the burden of costs onto the other buyers or renters through cross subsidization… while other jurisdiction have models that don’t effectively generate much of any affordable housing, and others thrust the entire cost of the program onto other purchasers
If Burlington’s Housing Strategy cares about providing housing in Burlington for all income levels, then we as a society have an undeniable role to play. We must collectively pay the costs of constructing affordable or subsidized housing options. This burden should not just be on new home buyers, but on everyone from a shared tax pool which can support the costs of an IZ program.
New first-time buyers of entry level condos near Burlington’s 3 GO Stations and renters absolutely should not be burdened with the entire cost of building affordable housing. Prices are already too high and asking first time home buyers to cover the cost of an affordable housing program is unequitable, unfair and socially irresponsible.
Our members have the knowledge, experience and capacity to build more housing – especially more transit-oriented and energy efficient multi-unit mid-and-high rise buildings in mixed income communities
surrounding Burlington’s GO Stations. This is a huge opportunity for the City of Burlington to partner with the private sector to provide affordable housing units that would otherwise not be built.
Here are a few suggestions for Council to consider as it researches and develops policy options:
Consider early in the policy development stage who will own, manage and maintain affordable units and administer an inclusionary zoning program. We recognize and appreciate that this was identified in Appendix A of the staff report.
As we are still in the earlier stages – we want to ensure that we don’t end up with an overly complex program with overwhelming administrative challenges. This is a particularly important consideration for the City of Burlington due to its size and the quantum of new affordable units that can reasonably be achieved.
I also want to highlight what type of housing inclusionary zoning can effectively deliver – I like to use the British term “workforce housing” – inclusionary zoning is not a silver bullet that can deliver either deeply affordable housing or supportive housing where additional services and financial support are required.
What inclusionary zoning can deliver, if designed properly, is key “workforce housing” within an affordability band just below where the market is today to provide a helping hand to folks that are struggling to get into the market.
As part of the Municipal Comprehensive Review currently underway and to assist the City’s efforts to satisfy its future growth requirements, the city also needs to consider and facilitate and environment that enables the City of Burlington to maximize the growth potential of its 3 PMTSAs.
Given the limited amount of MTSAs in the City, and the amount of growth likely to be allocated to the City, it is especially important to ensure that IZ units are “additive” to the supply that the market would provide in the absence of IZ.
Therefore – we need to ensure that an emphasis is placed on economic viability for those transit station areas under consideration in Burlington.
A poorly designed program won’t actually yield any affordable units and will increase the cost of entry level market-housing for first time buyers and renters.
A poorly designed program also runs the risk of causing Burlington to miss those targets and displace projected growth to other communities in other Burlington neighbourhoods or to adjacent communities that do not have the infrastructure necessary to support growth.
Any inclusionary zoning policy must be built as a true partnership and paired with offsets necessary to ensure the success of the program.
The industry is not seeking direct subsidies – but rather an intuitive partnership where the City of Burlington is not levying tens of thousands of dollars of costs through development charges, cash-in-lieu of parkland fees, underground parking requirements etc – on units that we are trying to ensure are affordable.
We need a partner to make this work – and we believe that with your help we can make this work to build more inclusive communities.
We are also hopeful that we can work together with the City of Burlington to leverage and potentially stack benefits through any provincial programs or through funds or low-interest CMHC loans that may be available from the Federal Government through the National Housing Strategy.
The more coordinated we are in our approach – the more benefits we can deliver.
I encourage Council members to review the case studies that are being generated. We should all have a good understanding of unsuccessful inclusionary zoning programs to understand the pitfalls of poorly designed programs.
We also need to pay attention to the case studies for comparable cities – Burlington is not Toronto, New York or San Francisco – we are not producing tens of thousands of units per year – nor do we have State programs like the 421A in New York where property taxes are waived entirely in rental buildings with affordable units or National programs like to Low Income Housing Tax Credit offered in the States – there are more senior level of government programs down there that can be combined into Inclusionary Zoning programs to support economic viability… I hope that is acknowledged as we move forward in Burlington to make sure we are working together to design an effective program.
I want to close by saying that in 2021, WE HBA has been pleased to see renewed collaboration between ourselves and the City. I sincerely appreciate my appointment to Burlington’s Housing Strategy Task Force and believe we are making positive progress. I am hopeful to continue in that positive direction and spirit of collaboration in any future work on Inclusionary Zoning.
 Mike Collins-Williams is the CEO of West End Home Builders Association (WEHBA) . He is a Registered Professional Planner and is a member of the Burlington’s Housing Strategy Task Force
WEHBA is the organization that represents the interests of the construction and developer interests.
Related news story:
What is inclusionary zoning.
By Staff
January 11, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Food is still needed at the Food Bank.
St.Matthews Church served as a convenient drop off location.
They have taken a break:
By Rupert Walters
January 12th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Online casinos are popular in Canada; it is one of the top countries with a high percentage of online players globally. In the era of the digital age, almost everything happens on the Internet. Games, sport, commerce have been digitized to accommodate and include a bigger percentage of people and to remove distance as a barrier.
 With the introduction and growth of online gambling, especially in Canada, the popularity of online gambling keeps rising. Before this age, gambling as a sport happened in land casinos. Gambling in casinos was viewed as exotic, and the most famous casinos attracted the elites. With the introduction and growth of online gambling, especially in Canada, the popularity of online gambling keeps rising.
As a result of the outright legalization of gambling in Canada, Canadians can easily play the game, win the games, and still enjoy the casino experience from the comfort of their homes.
Advantages of Playing Online Casino in Canada
Online gambling is a lucrative business and sport for players who play to win and gambling companies. Online casinos offer a diverse range of casino games, much more than regular house casinos. Players in Canada enjoy numerous features such as video poker, blackjack, slot lotteries, and live casino games.
Online casino games are safe and legal. Online casino sites that are licensed and registered are required by law to protect player information and data. Players are assured of their safety, credit card details, and password safety.
Online casinos are the best method to learn the betting game. Unlike the physical casinos where a learner plays against season players and most times loses money to the experienced player, online casinos give you a more balanced chance to learn without going bankrupt on your first tries.
With online casinos, you can play games any time of the day as it is accessible round the clock. It also includes amazing features such as toll-free support numbers, huge jackpots, welcome bonuses, and Canadian banking options.
The online gambling platform is prone to change from reviews and is always evolving based on the best info. As a result, the industry is always taking measures to create a safer, user-friendly experience for its consumer base. This has contributed greatly to online gambling thriving as a business and industry.
What Are the Canadian Government Regulations for Gambling?
Online gambling is legalized in Canada. The criminal code of Canada is a bill that involves illegal gaming and their federal charges in Canada,with the exemption of cases that are clearly stated in the bill or code. The code states that the provincial government can operate, regulate and control lotteries and online gambling. It also states the prohibition of gaming operations in Canada with some exemptions.
Online gambling laws in Canada can be regulated by each province in whatever way it deems fit. Each province is entitled to control and regulate gambling laws in its province.
First Nations culture and dance. Gambling laws in Canada are divided into two broad categories, the First Nations law, and the provincial law. In Canada, federal laws are designed to pass online gambling regulations to the provincial government. There are, however, restrictions in some provinces.
Some local, provincial laws are difficult and restrictive, while others are flexible and simple. For example, places like Ontario and cities like Markham have restricted web-based gaming, and players experience difficulty in placing bets.
To enjoy the full experience of online betting in Canada, it is important to familiarize yourself with the local laws that regulate online gambling in whichever province you stay or are playing from.
Before an online gambling platform can operate legally, it must be licensed. The Kahnawake gaming commission is one of the licensing authorities in Canada. Once licensed, it is legal, and legality is guaranteed under Canadian federal laws.
Online casinos and gambling sites are, under the law, required to assure players’ safety. This means that players’ confidential and payment information is secure. In addition, licensed online casino sites use SSL encryption to guarantee and ensure data safety from hackers and fraudulent acts.
Players are also advised to avoid online casinos that are not licensed. Any form of fraud or danger you might encounter will be to your detriment. Offshore online casinos are prohibited by law and can lead to criminal charges.
Requirements to Own a Licensed Online Casino in Canada.
The requirements needed to establish and receive a license to operate as an online casino include the following:
The license can be revoked or declined when these requirements are not met.
Online casinos are on the rise in Canada, it is huge, and it keeps getting bigger. It is played for fun, entertainment, and as a sport. Online casinos should not be perceived as full-time jobs or a source of income, and gambling should not be done with personal saving money. Players must be well informed on the laws that govern this sport in Canada before playing.
By Pepper Parr
January 10th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Part 2 of a 2 part feature on the level of citizen satisfaction on how the city is delivering services
Engagement has been a prime concern for the members of the current city council. Mayor Meed Ward has made engagement her signature skill set.
She at one point said she had 17 different ways to communicate with the voters of the city.
All are one-way traffic lanes – from the Mayor to whoever is listening.
 Mayor Marianne Meed Ward engaging with the citizens of Itabashi, Japan, during a tour of one of Burlington’s sister city. Meed Ward prides herself on her training as a journalist – she used to frequently make mention of how important local media is – yet – she has not once held an open media event where questions could be asked directly and follow up questions put to her when she might appear to be avoiding an issue.
None of this is to suggest that Meed Ward has been a failure as a Mayor. She understood the importance of moving the Urban Growth Centre from the downtown core and pushing it north and closer to the GO stations where the high rise growth is going to take place.
 The Rick Goldring Council went along with the Metrolinx decision to designate the bus terminals an MTSA – Major Transit Service Area. And – she made sure that a tiny bus terminal, smaller than many kitchens lost the designation it had as an MTSA – Major Transportation Service Area. That designation is what made it possible for a development to soar 26 stories on a lot that was far too small for that particular development.
In the survey done by a reputable organization 755 Burlington residents were randomly selected and interviewed using either a residential landline or cell phone number.
The 2019 community survey is the first time that interviews/surveys were conducted using cell phone numbers, this is an important distinction to make as more people are forgoing landlines in favour of cell phones. The Community Survey was also replicated online (from September 13 to October 15) the City’s decision-making about projects and services is reflective of the voice of a majority of residents, with two major differences; 1) it was open call where anyone registered to the Get Involved Burlington platform could take the survey and 2) the sample size was much smaller (234 online versus 755 facilitated by MDB Insight).
When it came to measuring satisfaction on engagement we saw the following:
One of the graphics asks where people got their news.
In 2017 the Gazette was on that list. Someone somewhere removed our name from the list of news sources people in Burlington use.
Our numbers have grown every year during the ten years we have been publishing. Thought you would want to know that.
Part 1 of the series
By Pepper Parr
January 10th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Part 1 of a two part report on how satisfied with citizens are with the services the city provides
Council got off to a fast start this morning. Just as soon as they confirmed that there was a quorum they went into a Closed Session. There were three different matters that had to do with litigation and the public seldom gets to listen to any of that stuff.
Rory Nisan was chairing the CSSRA Standing Committee – he advised that there would be another break in the proceedings for a different closed session later in the day.
The meeting today was virtual virtual. The practice up until this point has been to have the Chair and the Clerk in Council Chambers. This time Nisan got to stay home and run the show from his residence. He was not wearing sweatpants or pyjamas.
On the agenda was a report on how well the city is doing on citizen engagement. A report from MBD consulting, that had a price tag of $29,000 + was presented.
Since 1998, the City of Burlington has conducted community survey since 1998 to uncover resident satisfaction. The surveys typically happen every 2-4 years, the most recent surveys were in 2008, 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2021. The survey provides the opportunity for bench marking and to monitor progress of community measures over time with the goal of continuous improvement. In addition to resident satisfaction, the last three community surveys (2015, 2019 and 2021) included asking residents questions regarding communications and engagement with the City.
One of the questions asked related to taxes.
There are additional graphics further along in this article.
The 2021 community survey was conducted using Computer Aided Telephone
Interviews where respondents were randomly selected from the city’s population using a mix of both residential landlines and cell phone numbers. The goal was to complete 750 interviews/surveys, with 125 completed interviews/surveys per ward. The total reached was 755 completed interviews/surveys with a margin of error of +/-3.6% with a 95% confidence interval.
The interviews/surveys were conducted between September 13 to October 18 and it took on average 18 minutes to complete. Responses were weighted based on the population by age and ward. Two items that are important to note one, that satisfaction of city services results were analyzed using a priority matrix that compares performance, room for improvement and the derived importance of each service (a measure which represents the level to which each service is related to overall satisfaction) and two a combination of both randomly selected Burlington cellular and landlines were included in order to obtain a variety of responses.
These were the issues that people were most concerned about
Levels of satisfaction with the services that are being provided
Overall, the results of the survey turned out highly positive across several measures.
By Staff
January 9th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
 Stand By says the city motto. The city has a crest with images that links to the agricultural past.
The city has a flag.
 It hasn’t chosen a flower nor has it chosen a mascot – the Jefferson Salamander is a cinch for that category.
Soon the city might have decided upon a bird that represents some of what the city stands for.
There are a few days left to nominate a City Bird
The Bird Friendly Hamilton Burlington community team is seeking nominations from the public for a choice of a “City Bird” for Burlington (and one for Hamilton as well).
Is there a species of bird you think has a special connection to Burlington?
Nominations must be submitted by midnight of Friday, January 14th. Nominations will be reviewed by the BFHB team and short-listed to the top 5 to 10 most suitable bird species to represent the city. The final vote to select one City Bird will be put to the public in an online poll to follow, in late January 2022.
The City Bird Nomination Form is HERE:
Bird Friendly Hamilton Burlington is working to get both Burlington and Hamilton certified as Bird Friendly Cities in 2022, under the new Nature Canada program. Selecting a “City Bird” is part of the certification process.
To learn more about Bird Friendly City:
Facebook: Bird Friendly Hamilton Burlington
Twitter: @BFCHamBurl
Instagram: birdfriendly.hamburl
Website: birdfriendlyhamiltonburlington.wordpress.com
Nature Canada’s Bird Friendly City webpage:
Bird Friendly City: A Certification Program
By Staff
January 6th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington is blessed with a number of not for profit organizations that serve the public very well.
The people working for those organizations don’t earn a lot of money and for many it is a constant struggle.
The provincial level has brought in some changes to the legislation that governs how they are to operate.
Governance issues are always complex and take time to get used to.
Ontario’s Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (ONCA) was proclaimed on October 19, 2021 and nonprofits have three years to update their bylaws and letters patent to comply.
Benjamin Miller is a staff lawyer on the Nonprofit Law Ontario project of Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO) He is presenting in a webinar on January 20th, If you are part of the not for profit sector this is an event you want to take part in – especially for the Board members.
The webinar will walk through what is new in the ONCA, steps nonprofits need to take to transition to the ONCA, and how Community Legal Education Ontario’s (CLEO) free resources can help you create ONCA compliant bylaws from scratch or adapt your current bylaws.
Ontario’s Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (ONCA) replaced Ontario’s Corporations Act on October 19, 2021. To learn more visit nonprofitlaw.cleo.on.ca
Join us:
Ontario Not-For-Profit Corporations Act (ONCA) Transition Presentation
Thursday, January 20, 2022
9:30 am – 11:00 am
Free event via Zoom
This session is suitable for: Organizations already incorporated under Ontario’s Corporations Act or a special Act.
This session is NOT for:
– Organizations thinking about incorporating
– Organizations incorporated under Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act
– Organizations incorporated under Co-operative Corporations Act, or
– Other statutes outside of Canada
Presenter:
Benjamin Miller (he/him) is a staff lawyer on the Nonprofit Law Ontario project of Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO) where he focuses on nonprofit and charity law and policy. Over the past 4 years at CLEO, Benjamin has answered hundreds of nonprofit law questions and developed an online interactive bylaw builder for the ONCA. Benjamin also works at the Ontario Nonprofit Network and has worked at the Canada Revenue Agency in the past. Benjamin holds a JD/MPP from the University of Toronto and an MA in political theory from the University of Ottawa.
Required: Pre-Session Questionnaire (30 seconds)
Register here: cdhalton.ca/events Registration closing on Tuesday January 18, 2022
By Pepper Parr
January 4th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
It is one of the more imaginative programs to come out of Parks, Recreation and Culture.
For those who have applied and been given a grant – it has allowed them to put together some really nice community programming.
For those who weren’t even aware – they got to benefit from some imaginative entertainment.
The city is inviting artists to apply for the 2022 Burlington Arts and Culture Fund (BACF), an annual grant program that provides $75,000 of total available funding to local artists, multicultural groups and arts and culture organizations to foster creativity and enrich how Burlington residents experience and engage with arts and culture.
 Fencing was repaired and upgraded at a community ball park with funding. Applications will be accepted until noon on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022 and will fund projects from April 2022 to March 2023. Successful grant applicants will be announced at the beginning of April 2022.
To be eligible for BACF funding, applicants must be located in Burlington and must be:
- An incorporated not-for-profit arts and culture organization or a charitable arts and culture organization;
- An individual artist or arts and cultural collective (defined as three or more individuals) that exhibit high achievement in arts and culture programming;
- A multicultural group that fulfills a significant role in the Burlington community through the arts and culture.
Grants will be evaluated in part by a peer assessment jury for artistic merit and by City staff for program merit and strategic initiative, citywide and community impact and economic impact.
To learn more about this fund, the jury opportunity and the application process join City staff and arts and culture professionals for a virtual information session on:
Date: Monday, Jan. 17, 2022
Time: 7 to 8 p.m.
Location: Microsoft Teams
Applications can be completed and submitted online at burlington.ca/artsandculturefund.
 Angela Paparizo, Manager of Arts and Culture in conversation with ward 5 Councillor Paul Sharman. For more information, contact Angela Paparizo, Manager of Arts and Culture, 905-335-7600, ext. 7352 or email angela.paparizo@burlington.ca. She comments on the program and the impact it has had on the community. “The Arts and Culture Fund grant program has successfully supported many amazing arts and cultural projects across the City since its inception in 2019. The wonderful thing about the projects that evolve through this process is the wide range of benefits to our community.
“We continue to see the program nurture the capacity of the arts and culture sector in Burlington, while fostering creativity, encouraging social cohesion and stimulating cultural and economic advancements. To find out more, I invite anyone who is interested in applying for a grant to attend our virtual information session on Jan. 17. We look forward to hearing from Burlington artists and to receiving their applications.”
By Staff
January 3rd, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Administration at the Art Gallery announced this afternoon that “In response to the Government of Ontario’s announcement regarding a return to a modified Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen, the Art Gallery of Burlington will close for a period of at least 21 days, effective immediately. This closure includes all exhibitions and studio spaces.
 At least three weeks before we see anything like this at the AGB The health and safety of the community are always our top priority and, at this time, we are working to review and revise our programs, courses, and services planned in the upcoming weeks. Here’s a look at a couple of important updates regarding the closure:
Winter 2022 In-Studio Courses
If there are any changes to our Winter 2022 in-studio courses, registrants will be notified by AGB staff in advance.
Shop the AGB
 This lovely piece of jewellery is available – you just drop by and pick it up. The AGB Shop will remain open for curbside pick up only. Click here to browse the AGB Shop online.
Stay Connected to the AGB Virtually
The best way to check for announcements and updates is to visit our website, here. Here are other ways to engage with the AGB digitally:
Visit us on Instagram to view our IGTV videos for a series of fun, family-friendly activities you can try out using items from around your home.
· Learn more about past and upcoming AGB exhibitions by visiting our website. Take a look at exclusive content including, exhibition text, artist interviews, audio clips.. Click on any of the underlined hyperlinks to visit an exhibition page on our website!
All of us at the AGB thank you for the support and encouragement you have provided us during these times, and we are so proud to be part of this extraordinary community. We look forward to the time when we can open our doors and welcome you again!
By Staff
December 31st, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
With a foundation in faith, ONE Burlington (OB) celebrates the diversity of faith and culture in Burlington, Halton and area, by organizing engaging events that recognize the dynamic links between faith, cultural, environmental and service initiatives in our communities. We invite you to share in our upcoming seasonal events for winter 2022.
 In recent winters, our events included World Religion Day, World InterFaith Harmony Week, the Share the Love Food Bank Drive and Black History Month – events endorsed by the InterFaith Council of Halton, the InterFaith Development Education Association, the Halton Multicultural Council and the Hamilton InterFaith Peace Group.
Our next event is World Religion Day (WRD) which is celebrated in January. On Sunday January 16th 2022 our online WRD will bring believers from different world religions together to discuss the future of faith from the perspective of their own. After WRD Simcoe (1pm) and WRD Durham (2pm), WRD Halton / Hamilton begins at 3pm.
 The keynote presentation is by Dr. Brian Carwana from Encounter World Religions Centre, Guelph. Other speakers are Hanadi Al-Masri of the Halton Multicultural Council, Rabbi Jordan Cohen of Temple Anshe Sholom in Hamilton, media personality Reverend Michael Coren of St. Christopher’s Church in Burlington, Sita Jayaraman of the Halton Catholic District School Board, and Ervad Mehbad Dastur of the Ontario Zoroastrian Community Foundation in Oakville.
Participants and attendees must register for our WRD Halton / Hamilton event through this Zoom Registration link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUld-yspj8rE9bArZrJDOpR7kor_nNDP3qF
ONE Burlington events are free and funded in part by the City of Burlington and the Government of Canada. If you don’t want to receive eMail notices about our events, please let us know by entering UnSubscribe in the body and/or Subject line of a Reply eMail. If you’ve requested this before, we apologize and will double check.
Best wishes to you and yours for 2022, from the ONE Burlington Executive and Event Committees
OneBurlington.net FB.com/OneBurlington Instagram.com/OneBurlington Twitter.com/OneBurlington
By Pepper Parr
January 1st, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Each year the Pantone Institute selects a colour that sometimes become the fashion colour.
For 2022, Laurie Pressman, vice president of the institute. “When we select the Pantone color of the year, it must be emblematic of what’s taking place at a moment in time. We were looking at a color that seamlessly moves between digital and physical.”
 Will this shade of blue come to represent what 2022 is going to look like? Ultimately, this new shade—and even the act of creating it—is meant to represent what many are hoping for in 2022: a fresh start for a world that knows that old systems and habits can no longer stand up to the challenges of today, let alone the days to come.
 Ultimate Gray was chosen as the colour of the year for 2021. The blue chosen for 2022 is a bit of an improvement. “We’re entering this different time where we’re reimagining our future, trying to rewrite our lives and acknowledging all the unknown before us,” Pressman says. “Looking at the world with different eyes has brought us—and will continue to bring us—new solutions.”
Time will tell.
What colour did Pantone choose for 2021 – and did it reflect the way the year went?
By Ryan O’Dowd: Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
December 30th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
2021 has been a year we are not going to forget quickly. We have learned that major changes are coming but we don’t know yet precisely what they will be. A look back at 2021 might give us a hint – it will certainly remind us of what worked and what didn’t.
Regional and City disputes that dominated the year’s news came began coming to a head in October. Mid month the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) agreed with the lawyers (there were 20+ of them on the call) that the Interim Control By-Law (ICBL) could be lifted except for several properties along Fairview between Brant and Drury Lane.
By this point, the ICBL had frozen developments in several areas for a couple of years. The Gazette reported regularly on the Waterfront Hotel development that held the required public pre-application meeting and revealed their plans for a 35-storey tower and a 30-storey tower that would sit atop a 4-storey podium at the intersection of Brant and Lakeshore Road.
On October 21st another pre-application meeting took place, this one for a development at Brant and Prospect – 789-795 Brant Street. There was no mention of how high the building would go other than noting that the proposed development includes a podium with a height of 7 storeys facing Brant Street. At hearings, city witnesses failed to bring forth compelling evidence of shadow issues from the new developments.
The Gazette criticized Mayor Marianne Meed Ward for becoming relatively mum on waterfront developments in what is described as the football – very much at odds with her vision of the city in the run up to her election.
 They were first described as “mobility hubs” – then described as MTSA Major Transit Service Areas and designated as the location for significant intensification. High rise towers would dominate. That circle at the bottom of the graphic – a space about the size of a kitchen – did not get to keep the MTSA designation – it was just a simple bus terminal.  Mayor Meed Ward listening to residents at a public meeting. As for Meed Ward’s vision of the city, an Engagement Plan was detailed regarding public consultation on Major Transit Station Area (MTSA) meetings. The MTSA is a designation given to the Go stations in the Burlington area, around which developments were planned for the City’s vision of their Official Plan. Key developments around this area are intended to create appropriate intensification and the protection of established neighbourhoods by focusing future population growth. These are decisions that will shape the future of Burlington: public input is paramount.
 Once the site of the Pearle Street Cafe about to become another high rise development making the area a high rise ghetto. By the end of the month, the Ontario Land Tribunal ruled in favour of the developer Carriage Gate Homes for a 29-storey mixed-use condominium development on the northeast corner of Pearl and Lakeshore. Former Mayor Rick Goldring laid the blame at Meed Ward’s feet causing the Gazette to wonder if Goldring was throwing his hat in the ring for his old gig come next year’s municipal election. The issue in all Goldring’s finger-pointing was that the decision he was coming out against was decided based on the MTSA designation of the tiny Brant St. terminal, a hold-over from his time in charge.
Municipally, City Hall had a slew of items on the agenda in October. They continued to debate the upcoming budget, that would carry on until the end of the year. Mayor Meed Ward hosted Ontario’s Big City Mayor (OBCM) caucus meeting on October 14th; the meeting largely centered around demands for more action from the federal and provincial governments to aid municipalities through the pandemic recovery. Meed Ward used the opportunity to talk about the impact of lost revenues and added expenses on taxes. The OBCM meeting took place at the new Burlington hotel, the Pearle Hotel and Spa on the Waterfront. The Pearle’s opening was overshadowed by a chaotic calendar year but will surely become a premier destination in Burlington.
A Burlington Gazette readers’ survey, on which of the five new Councillors had shown the most growth over their term, yielded favourable results for Councillors Rory Nisan, Ward 3, and Kelvin Galbraith, Ward 1, two councillors the Gazette identified as most often backing the mayor.
In early October the City laid out rules for vaccination of staff that broke down into three categories: vaccinated, exemption, and testing. The third option allowed for staff to be regularly tested instead of being vaccinated, in stark contrast to the federal government’s approach that you get vaccinated by a certain day – if you’re not, you’re on unpaid leave. The municipal policy was made much tough later in the year.
 Halton Environmental Network brought Katharine Hayhow to the Region virtually. Weeks later the very effective Executive Director got poached by the Regional government where it is doubtful she will be able to do what she is very effective at. Much of the positive stories to cling onto in 2021 came from the way generous Burlingtonians found new ways to give back despite the pandemic; by October they were offered some regional help. The Halton Region Community Investment Fund opened applications for not-for-profits that enhance the health, safety, and well-being of Halton residents. Virtual activities continued in the community, as the Art Galley ran creative Zoom events for the artists and hobbyists, and the Halton Environmental Network hosted a virtual discussion with United Nations Climate leader, Dr. Katharine Hayhoe.
Other Burlington organizations had moved to in-person offerings. The RBG ran an innovative interactive exhibit on artwork called ‘Seeing the Invisible’, featuring a range of contemporary and modern artwork complemented by AR or Augmented Reality Technology. AR is a technology that can add or augment any viewer’s perception of their environment.
 Pressure from citizens resulted in the refurbishment of was once a water trough. The Heritage Advisory Committee rehabilitated what has been known as the King Edward VII Fountain, a fountain with over 100 years of history in Burlington. The Kind Edward VII Fountain was not the only Heritage Advisory Committee story of the month. A member of the Heritage Advisory Committee received a grant from the Committee. The recipient of the grant did recuse himself from the vote, and received the funds for an appropriate project. Still, questions about a conflict of interest were unavoidable.
Now it is just a bus terminal – there was a time when the terminal got used to justify a 26 story tower. On Nov. 10, 2021, the City of Burlington received official notification of the boundary adjustment of the City’s Urban Growth Centre (UGC) designation from the Hon. Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. The Minister also confirmed the removal of the Major Transit Station Area (MTSA) designation in the downtown core. If that reads in the context of this year in review, that it was a long time coming, it certainly was. What’s more – for some significant downtown Burlington developments the decision came too late. Seven buildings were grandfathered in based on previous designations.
The Marsden’s still won’t believe the decision is final.
The City suggested the decision sent a clear signal “that the scale and intensity of recent development activity in Burlington’s historic downtown was driven by misuse and reliance on the UGC and MTSA and was not sustainable given on-the-ground realities of physical and social infrastructure.” Ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns led a well-attended walking tour through downtown Burlington educating those interested in the grandfathered development sites. The mood presented at the tour around the City fighting the decision wasn’t optimistic, “What I cannot do is completely stop them,” Kearns said. Earlier in the year, the City had essentially celebrated the designations for a new UGC and the removal of the MTSA as done deals, this proved not to be the case.
 The battle to see something much different on the Waterfront Hotel property is being spearheaded by the Plan B people. The Gazette learned an application had been filed for, what the Gazette has been calling, the Two Towers that Darko Vranich wants to put in the space now occupied by the Waterfront Hotel.
The application had been filed on October 26th, it wasn’t available to the public until late November – more questions about transparency had to be asked.
Budget deliberations occupied much of the month at City Hall. The 2022 proposed City tax increase sat at 5.45%. Each member of Council put forward a motion setting out changes they wanted to see to the proposed budget. 2022 will be a municipal election year so Council, Mayor Meed Ward in particular, wanted to get that number down. The public had an opportunity to weigh in and ask questions at a Virtual Budget Townhall to be emceed by the Mayor on November 22, 2021. On November 29th Council went through a budget exercise including a five-year simulation on what the public can expect – the assumption being that there will be no radical changes in the economic environment. The average projected city tax increase over that period came out to 5.17%, a tough pill to swallow.
 Once THE taxi cab company in the city had to close – insurance rates skyrocketed and drivers could not be found for the vehicles. Effective Friday, Nov. 26th, Burlington Taxi closed its service. Scott Wallace gave a very complete outline of just how the business he has run since he was a 19-year-old unraveled. Uber was what Wallace called the first of a thousand cuts, but he was never able to recover from COVID-19. Then there was an issue of insurance, consolidation in the taxi market resulted in skyrocketing rates that went from $5000 a year per car up to $18,000 per year per car. Wallace needed a change in the municipal bylaw – the city said it was unable to make the change within the necessary time frame. Five days later the city made the needed change but by that time Burlington Taxi was out of business and Blue Line in Hamilton took over some of the then available taxi slots in Burlington.
Burlington observed Remembrance Day with a ceremony at the Naval Monument in Spencer Smith Park and another at the Cenotaph by City Hall, in the recently unveiled Veteran’s Square. The event in Veteran’s Square was advertised as a virtual one but the city was unable to keep people away – Brant Street was thronged by crowds, arriving to pay respects. The City encouraged applicants to run outdoor neighbourhood ice rinks through the winter months. Canadian Music Hall of Famer Steven Page put on a show at the Performing arts Centre on November 13th. The BPAC LIVE & LOCAL Music Series returned to the Community Studio Theatre on Sunday, November 14th, featuring local artist Hayley Verrall.
Faced with the void left by Burlington Taxi’s closure on November 30th, City Hall issued temporary licenses on December 7th to drivers who could be on the road by the end of the day. Blue Line of Hamilton was providing the dispatching service.
City Council passed a budget on December 14th including a 4.62% tax increase. Council managed to decrease the size of the budget Staff had presented but by less than 1%. City Council will go into an election year with their second consecutive highest city tax increase under Mayor Meed Ward, it’s a figure the mayor will not be pleased with.
 City managed to announce a tax rate before it was passed by Council. What followed the budget announcement was a peculiar, related story. The City issues City Talk, a print piece that is delivered to Burlington residents, in the December 14th issue of City Talk they announced: “CITY COUNCIL APPROVES 2022 CITY BUDGET: BURLINGTON TAXES REMAIN BELOW AVERAGE IN COMPARISON OF LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES.” So, what’s the problem? City Talk was mailed before the budget was approved!,,
City Council agreed on December 6th to make a formal offer to purchase the Bateman High School property for a reported $50 million. There are all kinds of details that are not known; the HDSB will retain some of the space, Brock University is in talks with the city to rent space, Tech Place is going to need an affordable place to operate and has eyes on the Bateman location, and the library might become a tenant as well.
 Santa appeared throughout the city spread good cheer, gift and Holiday Greetings Throughout December Burlington engaged in a measure of holiday cheer. The Burlington Holiday Market went on as planned showcasing local business owners after its hasty approval process, the city and its organizers hope to make it an annual affair, there were provisions in the arrangement for exactly that. The fire department got plenty of mileage out of their antique firetrucks this December: the antique fire truck filled in for a sleigh to cart Santa around town for a socially distanced Santa Clause parade. A nice substitute but everyone hopes for a return to a traditional Santa Claus Parade next year.
Elsewhere the antiques were on hand, manned by retired firefighters, to add a festive flair to the Join the Joy event supporting Joseph Brant Hospital’s Labour and Delivery Unit. Frosty’s Village program, organized by several mothers to spur donations to the Burlington Food Bank, featured a concert of Christmas carols. The Sound of Music drummed up funds with their Silent (Night) Auction, with guitars, show posters, and albums signed by popular musicians.
 A popular event that was in its 5th year raised funds for the Arts. The Burlington Performing Arts Centre organized the Festival of Trees, an indoor forest of beautifully decorated artificial Christmas trees. The Festival of Trees held a silent auction to bid on the trees, all proceeds support the Burlington Performing Arts Centre. It was the most wonderful time of the year, or so it appeared to be for a moment.
On December 2nd the first case of the lab-confirmed case and two probable cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 were identified in Halton Region. By mid-month, responding to the rising number of Covid19 infections and the rate at which the Omicron variant was replicating, the province once again increased lockdown measures.
COVID-19 cases in Halton remained manageable compared to the province at large with 3128 active cases as of December 29th in the Halton region, a drop in the bucket compared to the 76,992 active cases provincially. Ontario reported a record-breaking 10,436 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday.
Regionally the total case count has reached 22570, in Burlington it is at 5970.
 Mayor Meed Ward shows up at GO-VAXX event to apologize for something she didn’t do. In the face of the rising threat of the Omicron variant Burlingtonians were eager to receive their booster shots and showed up in droves to a GO-VAXX bus parked at Burlington Centre on December 27th only to be turned away. A late change to appointment-based booking rather than walk-ins turned the GO-VAXX scene chaotic, people who lined up for the booster shot had to be turned away.
December is the time of year for celebration, gathering with friends and family, a time for reflection on a year that came and went, and looking forward to the next year. At the end of 2020, all anyone would have wanted was for 2021 to be different, and despite a vaccine and some months of near-normal life we are forced to have the same reflections. This time we hope 2022 will not be a repeat of 2021.
Once more we will enter the new year concerned with safety at the forefront of our minds. Let us hope in a year’s time these concerns have faded.
Have a safe and happy New Year.
First quarter 2021
Second quarter 2021
Third quarter 2021
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By Athena Zhuang
By Cirillo Ambrossi
By Pierre Garner
To address the problem, the report recommends that the Ministry of the Attorney General transfers the operating and governance responsibilities of the iGaming Ontario from AGCO, its parent entity. The report further suggests that should iGaming Ontario’s business model meet the “conduct and manage” requirements, its reporting relationship with AGCO should be transferred.
By Pepper Parr
The inability of many of those taking part in the debate to follow rules of procedure and the attempt to revise the agenda was a sad example of how adults resolve their differences.
By Staff
By Amy Hogan
By Staff
After 21 years of supporting philanthropic work through The GWD Foundation for Kids, Gary W. DeGroote and his fellow trustees, are deepening their relationship with Burlington Foundation entrusting the respected organization to serve as good stewards ensuring that this generous donation endures in the community for generations to come.
By Mike Collins-Williams
There is no silver bullet solution to the housing crisis. We all need to work together – The private sector, the non-profit sector and all three levels of government. I strongly believe that this is the most important opportunity to develop the effective partnerships we all need to successfully address the housing crisis.
Mike Collins-Williams is the CEO of West End Home Builders Association (WEHBA) . He is a Registered Professional Planner and is a member of the Burlington’s Housing Strategy Task Force 
It hasn’t chosen a flower nor has it chosen a mascot – the Jefferson Salamander is a cinch for that category.
By Staff
By Pepper Parr
By Staff
In recent winters, our events included World Religion Day, World InterFaith Harmony Week, the Share the Love Food Bank Drive and Black History Month – events endorsed by the InterFaith Council of Halton, the InterFaith Development Education Association, the Halton Multicultural Council and the Hamilton InterFaith Peace Group.
The keynote presentation is by Dr. Brian Carwana from Encounter World Religions Centre, Guelph. Other speakers are Hanadi Al-Masri of the Halton Multicultural Council, Rabbi Jordan Cohen of Temple Anshe Sholom in Hamilton, media personality Reverend Michael Coren of St. Christopher’s Church in Burlington, Sita Jayaraman of the Halton Catholic District School Board, and Ervad Mehbad Dastur of the Ontario Zoroastrian Community Foundation in Oakville.
