 By Pepper Parr
July 7th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
Elsewhere in the Gazette we report on the trip Mayor Meed Ward made to France to celebrate the landings on D Day 75 years ago.
Marianne Meed Ward wrote about the feelings she experienced during her five days in France.
Of the numerous things that came out of this was a strong interest in a twinning relationship with Courseulles-sur-Mer, France.
 Intricate gardens in Apeldoorn, Holland  Spring trees will bloom in Itabashi, Japan and hopefully in Burlington as well. Burlington is currently twinned with Apeldoorn in Holland and Itabashi in Japan which begs the question – just how many communities does Burlington want to be twinned with?
Is the cap on twinning three –or could it go to five?
 Film footage of Canadian soldiers racing for shore on June 6th 1944 Burlington’s relationship with Juno Beach, the site the Canadian Landing Craft rushed onto the beaches of France, with hundreds of Canadians soldiers aboard who, in many cases, raced ashore once the front ramp had been dropped and faced withering gunfire. Some didn’t get beyond the end of the ramp.
Her report to a COW Standing Committee directs the City Clerk, in cooperation with the Burlington Mundialization Committee to report back to Committee of the Whole in Q4 2019 with options for twinning with Courseulles-sur-Mer; and
It also directs the City Clerk to provide proposed criteria, for committee’s consideration, for future twinning relationships including consideration of a city in a developing country.
In the report Meed Ward said: “I believe it is essential to formalize and continue our relationship with Courseulles-sue-Mer and the Juno Beach Centre.
During her runs for city council and her run for the Office of Mayor, which she now holds, Meed Ward has also said that the city needs to focus on the “need to have” and not so much on the “nice to have”.
 By Pepper Parr
July 5th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
The Gazette is taking a look at what city council has managed to get done since they were sworn in just over six months ago.
 We will be looking at what the members of council promised when they ran for office, what they have done in the first six months; where their campaign funding came from and what we might expect from them going forward.
As we do our due diligence some interesting data comes to the surface.
The two documents set out below are interesting.
The donations that were made were perfectly legal.
Lisa Kearns explains her donation to Nisan:
“All donations are in accordance with audit requirements. My personal pledge to Rory’s candidacy was made significantly in advance of my own consideration to run as a municipal candidate. I recognized his experience as a Foreign Service officer and strong community advocate as an asset to our City and Region.”
 The Lisa Kearns donation to Rory Nisan A reasonable explanation.
But let’s look at the time line.
Nisan announced his candidacy May 1st, Kearns announced her candidacy on May 15th. When was the Kearns donation made to Nisan, could she make a donation to a campaign that did not yet have a candidate?
 Lisa Kearns, in green, attending the founding meeting of ECoB. Lisa Kearns first showed up on the public radar in December of 2017 as a participant at the founding meeting of ECoB.
She sounded good – said all the right things and then got heavily involved in what ECoB was setting out to do.
During one of our early interviews with her we asked Kearns if she was considering public office – we got the kind of answer that people considering their options usually give. She didn’t say yes but she didn’t say no.
 Lisa Kearns One of the ECoB tasks she took on what to instruct potential candidates on what their responsibilities were once they filed their nomination papers. She spoke at length on how careful the campaign finance manager had to be when issuing receipt and accounting for the funds they received and how those funds were used.
If Kearns’ story holds water – it may be that she gave Nisan the money because she believed in the guy – we note however that she didn’t donate to anyone else in any other ward.
The question is – when did Kearns make the perfectly legal $1200 donation? Kearns didn’t provide that information.
 Rory Nisan The Gazette worked closely with Nisan as he was preparing to run for office. At the time he wasn’t sure if he would run in Ward 6 where he happened to live in a condominium with his girl friend. Nisan was heavily involved in the battle to keep Lester B. Pearson high school open.
The Gazette believed Nisan could take the seat from incumbent Blair Lancaster. However Rory Nisan was raised in ward 3 and he wanted to run in that ward. He had to find a place to live in that ward and get all his documents changed to reflect the move – then spend as much time as he could with his girl friend whom he shared ownership of the ward 6 condominium.
We asked Rory Nisan for some comment on the $1200 donation he made to the Kearns campaign.
 Nisan’s donation to Lisa Kearns The first response the Gazette we got back from Nisan was “ I’ll get back to you very soon.”
 Rory Nisan at a constituency event listening to a staff member explain the budget. And he did saying : “Lisa was an early backer of mine. She promised to help me financially and committed to giving her time when I was building support for a potential candidacy. She came through with a donation and by knocking on doors for my campaign.
“I was really grateful for Lisa’s support and I also encouraged her to run. I was happy to donate to her campaign, especially once I realized that developers were lining up behind one of her main competitors. Unlike at least one of my fellow candidates I did not receive any money from developers.
“I donated the maximum amount because I believed in her platform and because of what had become a highly competitive race, seen as more competitive than my own.
“My campaign was audited and all donations received and made were in conformity with election finance rules. As a Burlington resident I am grateful to have the same opportunity as other residents to support a candidate who I believe in.
The donations were perfectly legal – but the optics are terrible.
Add to that the issues that cropped up with the Nisan campaign and some of his fund raising efforts. None of it creates a strong sense of probity in the candidates.
It could have been quite a bit different if Nisan and Kearns has issued a joint statement once the audit was complete, explaining what they did for each other and then making themselves available for media questions.
Very recently Nisan told the Gazette that he had been told “not to talk to you” when we were preparing to ask him some questions.
It all makes one look askance.
To be fair to both Rory Nisan and Lisa Kearns – when asked for comment they didn’t duck or hide – they were forthcoming and deliberate. Lisa did ask that we write about the good work she has done – and we will do that when we review her performance as a member of Council.
Salt with Pepper is the musings, reflections and opinions of the publisher of the Burlington Gazette
Related news stories:
Nisan publishes an opinion piece in the Gazette.
Nisan stumbles on a fund raising goof.
Kearns explains to potential candidates what they have to watch out for when they run an election campaign.
 By Staff
July 4th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
It looked like a minor matter on the Audit Committee agenda – but it was probably that whopper of an issue – the more than half a million dollars that got sucked out of a city bank account.
 Councillor Bentivegna moved a motion to put city council into a closed session. The Audit Committee went into a CLOSED session. Moved by: Councillor Bentivegna that the Audit committee “Move into closed session in accordance with the following provisions under the Municipal Act, sections 239 (a) the security of the property of the municipality or local board, with respect to finance department report F-24-19 regarding the risk of fraud”.
This took place on June 5th, – the city reported that the money disappeared on June 14th
The city deserves some credit for eventually going public. There hasn’t been a word since. Report F 24-19 would have had plenty of detail that got discussed behind closed doors.
There is really no reason for this level of Closed Session use.
Related news story:
City gets clipped for a half a million.
 By Pepper Parr
July 4th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
If the City Manager has a well-run office – things get done. That office sets the tone for the rest of the bureaucracy.
In the approval of the 2019 Operating Budget, a staff direction was passed to review the organizational structure of the City Manager’s office with a report due back May 31, 2019.
 Tim Commisso – Does this look like a man that suffers fools easily? Commisso was the Interim city manager when the budget was being put together. Staff in the City Manager’s Office were working on the review with a focus on identifying key business processes.
CMO staff have held two think hard sessions. A total of eight separate services and processes have been identified as key focus areas for the City Manager’s Office. Commisso explained the “services” are actually internal corporate business processes the CMO is responsible for: Internal Audit, corporate risk management, service reviews (new).
More detailed work by the CMO team is needed to confirm resourcing. As well, there is a need to engage with the Burlington Leadership Team on this work. The City Manager’s Office team have advised that a report will get to Council in September.
Our understanding was that the BLT – Burlington Leadership Team, was something the city manager created and runs.
BLT is senior staff management team that meets weekly, previously it was called Management Committee. Membership is not rotating but the chair does rotate each week. Includes CM, DCM and all Directors.
In a conversation with the Gazette Tim Commisso explained that he was “looking at how the City Manager’s office functions from an overall corporate strategic management and organizational effectiveness perspective.
Reading between the lines and being aware of what this Council wants – expect the Directors to be told to get more value for the money being spent. Can anyone tighten things up at city hall?
 Tim Commisso – his 20 years as a city hall Staffer could serve him well not that he has the keys to the Office of the City Manager. The September report will include implementing ongoing city service reviews as well as continuous improvement and performance measurement. Commisso will update Council verbally on status as part of the work plan report and adds that “FYI I’m not looking to add any $ to 2019 approved budgeted resources – which included a net reduction of $235k.”
The key metric is who Commisso chooses to work with him – there are some very good people in the hall – does Commisso have the ability to identify talent and recruit them?
And does he have it with him to gently move some of those that have not served the city all that well along to something more suited to their skill set?
This guy is going to be fun to work with.
By Pepper Parr
July 2nd, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
When the news is bad release it on a Friday and get some good news out the following week.
The good news for Burlington is that Burlington has been ranked Ranked Internationally by American Cities of the Future for Foreign Direct Investment Strategy
Burlington has received an American Cities of the Future 2019/20 Award for top Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Strategy. Placing 23rd on the list of cities, Burlington is one of only a handful of small and medium sized cities to make this distinction. More than 200 cities were considered, and Burlington is one of only four cities with a population less than 1 million. Other winning cities include New York City, Chicago, Greater Montreal, and nearby Mississauga.
Cities were assessed based on four key categories: Economic Potential, Business Friendliness, Human Capital and Lifestyle, and Cost Effectiveness and Connectivity. Business that choose to locate in Burlington leverage the highly educated talent pool of over 2 million within a 45-minute commute, regional and international transit hubs and excellent quality of life.
 Anita Cassidy, Acting Executive Director at the Burlington Economic Development Corporation (BEDC). “BEDC works very hard to attract new companies to our community and this international distinction recognizes what we have been doing for years,” said Anita Cassidy, Acting Executive Director at the Burlington Economic Development Corporation (BEDC).
“Being one of the smallest cities on this list demonstrates our competitive advantage over other regional locations and the reason businesses choose Burlington.”
In 2019 BEDC partnered with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to provide immigration support to Burlington companies with highly qualified talent from around the world.
The BEDC team continues to partner with Toronto Global and Halton Region to attract and support businesses to invest in Burlington.
In 2017, BEDC helped Finnish Robotics company, Orfer, locate in Burlington from Finland via the soft-landing program at TechPlace, Burlington’s Innovation Centre that is led and supported by BEDC.
TechPlace provided them with office space, connections to partners, and hiring support during the first several months while they began the process of opening their first North American headquarters.
 Looking north, yards away from the Mountain Brow. Shopping Plaza on the right, engineering firm on the left. The bad news that hit the fan last week was the announcement that L3 Wescam was moving from their Burlington location to new digs in Waterdown at the intersection of highways 5 and 6.
 Looking south at the intersection of High way 5 and 6 at Clappisons Corner The site is massive and will have space for 1400 cars to park – no mention of bike racks.
 The people promoting the GTA as a possible home for Amazon’s HQ2 thought Bronte Meadows would work for part of the plan. Why wasn’t the site looked at for L3Wescam? The Bronte Meadows site in Burlington was more than big enough to accommodate was Burlington wanted to do. The property, zoned as Economic Land, intended for the commercial sector, apparently wasn’t available. Paletta International has been trying for more than a decade to have the property zoned for residential.
There is a deeper story in all this somewhere – Burlington is going to have to come up with the skill sets to have land designated as employment land and used for that purpose.
In past news stories the GAzette reported the following:
Gerry Smallgange , president of Burlington Hydro pointed out that BEDC does not have a “deal maker”; has never had a “deal maker” and that the city has to re-think the way it has zoned its employment lands.
Pat Sugrue, who ran Fearman’s Pork when it was bought in November 2010 by Sun Capital Partners from Maple Leaf Foods Inc. for $20 million told a Standing Committee meeting in 2011 that Sun Capital moved very quickly and scooped another offer that was on the table because they were able to commit to the deal in seven days and close it within 45 days. Burlington hasn’t see a deal like that in the last century.
Sugre made another important point: municipal people do not, cannot and should not be in the deal making business. It takes people with skills sets that don’t exist in a municipal environment.
The L3Wescam ball got dropped much the way the International Harvester Navistar ball got dropped.
Related news stories:
BEDC has been struggling to find its way for more than five years.
L3 Wescam needed more space – and the city wasn’t able to find anything for them.
International Harvest Navistar was on their way to Mississauga when a Hamilton developer made them a better offer – they ate our lunch.
 By Staff
July 3rd, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON.
Halton Regional Police report that at 8:01pm on the 2nd of July 2019, they received reports that a vehicle had driven into Lake Ontario from LaSalle Park.
 LaSalle Park Marina after recent flooding. Initial information was received that there were several occupants trapped inside the vehicle described to be a navy blue sedan. Efforts by witnesses, police, the Burlington Fire Department, and Halton Paramedics were unsuccessful in rescuing the trapped occupants from the fully submerged vehicle.
Police divers of the Peel Regional Police Service and Toronto Police Service attended and assisted with the recovery efforts.
The vehicle was extracted from the lake by divers and a heavy tow service. Two adults were located deceased in the vehicle, a 55 year old male and a 51 year old female from Burlington.
The Collision Reconstruction Unit has taken carriage of the investigation, any witnesses who have not yet spoken with police are asked to call the Collision Reconstruction Unit at 905-825-4747 ext: 5065.
By Staff
July 3rd, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
The event took place in the Gazebo in Spencer Smith Park. It was one of the quieter events on Canada Day but for those who raised their hands while reading the Oath it was a huge day in their lives.
 If you look closely in the far right hand corner there is a young girl with her hand raised – becoming a Canadian citizen. Those people had chosen to come to Canada – some from war torn parts of the world, other from just south of our border.
Immigrants built this country – ideally the people taking the Oath yesterday will build on what we have in place now.
It is really what the country is all about.
 Some questions: Are all those women Liberals, wearing the party colours? And where oh where did Dave Vollick, the Town Crier, get those stockings? Were you able to count the medals on that veterans chest? What a fine photograph of the people that represented the community in welcoming new Canadians to the country.
By Staff
July 2nd, 2109
BURLINGTON, ON
Getting an interview is just the first step.
Getting through the interview and telling your story is as important as getting yourself in front of someone.
 Getting to this point is hard work – getting through it requires skills some may not have – help is not available. Some younger people are naturals, they interview well. Others don’t have that gift and need to work on their presentation and interviewing skills. One of the key skills it to listen and answer the questions asked.
It’s a fact: Knowing how to answer the tough questions in a job interview in ways that are both honest and powerful can help impress the interviewer and land the job. While many candidates are aware of the power of proper preparation and showcasing their skills, many underestimate the importance of leaving a lasting, memorable impression of themselves. Skills and qualifications alone do not always make a candidate the obvious choice if their interview is not strong.
 So how do you deliver a strong, solid interview? Centre for Skills Development has a workshop dedicated to learning just that.
“In our Interviews That Impress workshop, we not only discuss what to do during an interview, but before and after as well. There’s also different types of interviews – over the phone, one-on-one, group interviews and panel – and different strategies should be used depending on which is being conducted,” says Jocelyn Zangao, Employment Advisor, Centre for Skills.
These workshops go over common questions that arise in interviews and some examples of how to answer each. Together, those in the workshop discuss the pros and cons of each response.
 The Centre occupies most of a building on the South Service Road with a wide range of educational offerings. “We want our clients to think through how they would approach the tougher questions,” says Jocelyn. “Bringing forward their past experiences from interviews and what difficulties they faced are helpful to the group as we can work our way through how to answer them more effectively moving forward.”
The workshop also goes over how a candidate should structure their answer, by using Situation-Action-Result Statements (SAR). “The way this works is that they answer the job interview question by using a real example of a situation they have been in; the action they took; and the ultimate result they got,” says Jocelyn. “This three-point method helps a candidate to avoid rambling or giving too brief an answer. It assists them in offering a stronger and tighter response.”
“Even those that consider themselves experts in interviews can learn from this workshop, as they can hear others’ experiences,” says Christine Young, Coordinator of Centre for Skills Clarkson and Milton Employment Services sites. “Job interviewing is about preparation, selling yourself and then evaluating your performance. Our staff can help with learning how to conduct company and industry specific research, performing mock interviews and even making suggestions on what to wear and navigating the route to your interview day of.”
The Interviews that Impress workshop for July in Burlington takes place on:
Tuesday, July 16, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
3350 South Service Road, Burlington
Click here to register for the next Interviews that Impress workshop in Burlington.
The Centre for Skills Development and Training is a stand alone not for profit organization that is overseen by the Halton District School Board and funded by different levels of government.
By Pepper Parr
July 2nd, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
She doesn’t tap dance and despite the view of some in the city she doesn’t walk on water but she does sing.
Few people know that Marianne Meed Ward was trained as an opera singer – you didn’t see that in the campaign literature did you?
She will not be appearing on the stage of the Performing Arts Centre but do look for her appearance in a future edition of Smart Car Coffee Confidential – the road show (literally) that James Burchill has been running on his web site and with Cogeco TV.
 She’s an opera singer – who knew? Last fall Burchill had all four Mayoralty candidates in his car – Meed Ward was miles ahead of the others in the way she came across. She does know media.
In a conversation over lunch Burchill and I talked about what he would do next and mention of Her Worship came up – “why not put her back in the car – she’s great media – your audience will love it”, I suggested.
Burchill, who knows a sharp angle when he sees one, followed the lead and put the following on his LinkedIn page.
Since the then Councillor (now Mayor of Burlington,) Marianne Meed Ward and I filmed her Smartcar Coffee Confidential episode, we’ve been repeatedly asked when we’d make good on our promise to get together and sing.
Remember, Marianne is a classically trained opera singer! I can just about carry a tune, so this should be interesting. Anyway, I’m pleased to announce the stars (and calendars) have aligned and we’re set to film our repeat performance in late July. So if you see my little black Smartcar roaming around Burlington, with the Mayor and I belting out show tunes (or maybe some Neil Young,) just know we’re having fun, and you’ll be able to catch Mayor Meed Ward’s repeat performance on Season 2 of the Smartcar Coffee Confidential – coming later this summer both online and Cogeco’s YourTV.
This will be a “must watch” event. Could it lead to a part in a Performing Arts Centre event?
If you want to watch Meed Ward’s election performance in the front seat of a very small car – CLICK HERE
 By Staff
July 2nd, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
They are just taking care of business – their business not mine and they have nothing to do with PayPal, a service we use frequently.
We got the following
Greetings from PayPal Customer Support.
Please be advised that we will deactivate the access of your account/s in PayPal if we don’t hear any actions from you.
It’s usually pretty easy to take care of things like this. Most of the time, we just need a little more information about your account or latest purchases. You can verify your account at https://paypal.com/
These communication channels are available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Thank you for your time with us!
The PayPal Inc Customer Support Team
Now look at the address the message came from.
That is not the url for PayPal.
Remember that cardinal rule – If in doubt – don’t. In the world of the internet – be ever vigilant.
By Pepper Parr
July 2nd, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
The Gazette got a note from a reader alerting us to plans on the part of Mayor Marianne Meed Ward to advocate for the abolishing of the Local Planning Act Tribunal (LPAT), formerly the Ontario Municipal Board.
Meed Ward is part of the Large Urban Mayor’s Caucus of Ontario and is reported to be in talks with her colleagues there on bringing something forward. The Gazette is advised that: “To date, no motion has come before a Burlington committee or council.”
The Mayor’s office did say that she had “released a statement regarding the passing of the Province’s Bill 108 where she references her feelings towards the old Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) rules being reinstated under LPAT.
We asked a number of people what they thought of the move to lead the cry for the end of LPAT – got this from someone who has experienced with the Mayor who said: “MMW is putting herself in the front ranks of the Ford antagonists. We’ll see where that takes her and for how long.”
 Expect to see more of our Mayor traveling in different circles. Two things are happening. The Mayor would like to see an end to provincial involvement in municipal matters; she is in the process of building a profile beyond the boundaries of the city.
The breakout year for the Mayor will be 2026 or 2027. You heard it here first.
Stay tuned.
 By Pepper Parr
June 29th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
It is the sort of thing you can set your watch by – you just know it is going to happen.
 Regional chair Gary Carr tasting honey on a farm tour. These days he is boasting, deservedly, about the Region’s high credit rating. At least once a year, twice if he can squeeze in two of them, Regional Chair Gary Garr boasts about the Region’s credit rating. We have seen him boast that it was better than that of the United States – which isn’t hard to do these days.
This time Carr tells us that: “On June 13, 2019, S&P Global Ratings affirmed its top credit rating for Halton Region. Their research summary praises the Region’s strong leadership, fiscal policies and budgetary performance while confirming a stable outlook for the future.
“This is the second top credit rating we have earned this year, and both S&P Global Ratings and Moody’s Investors Service have indicated a high level of confidence in our financial planning and decision-making,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. “As we prepare to implement our new Strategic Business Plan, this distinction will allow us to support ongoing investments in infrastructure while ensuring top value for taxpayer dollars. We are proud to have earned this distinction yet again.”
 “Maintaining a top credit rating minimizes long-term infrastructure capital financing costs by providing Halton and its Local Municipalities with continued access to the best capital financing rates available. As a result, public funds go further when invested in Regional works—such as road, water and wastewater projects—that help improve essential services in the community.
“The research summary profiled the following credit strengths as the rationale for S&P’s decision:
 • very strong and well-diversified economy integrated within the GTA with consistent growth;
• very strong financial management with well-defined, prudent and conservative financial policies, well-documented financial plan and stable and well-qualified management team;
• very strong and stable budget performance, very low debt burden and very low contingent liabilities; and
• exceptional internal liquidity support, access to external liquidity for refinancing needs and very robust internal cash flow generation capability.
S&P also cites Halton’s track record of successfully implementing its budgets and strategic plans, and indicates they expect the Region will continue to make prudent fiscal decisions moving forward.
The Region has maintained top credit ratings from S&P Global Ratings (AAA) since 2002 and Moody’s Investors Service (Aaa) since 1989—a successful track record of more than 30 years. Earning this distinction from both agencies each year is a key objective of Halton’s annual Budget and Business Plan.
 Regional Chair Gary Carr, Burlington then Mayor Rick Goldring and Councillors Blair Lancaster and John Taylor meeting with an audience of more than 600 people at the Mainway Recreation centre – on an evening when it rained. What many people don’t realize is that when a municipality has to go to the public markets for long term funds – the debenture is written by the Region – the municipalities ride the coat tails that Carr boasts about.
He has every reason to be proud. Carr has worked for decades to ensure that the Region is a safe place to live by ensuring the police have the funds they need to keep the streets safe and works even harder to ensure that the reserves at the municipal level are sound.
Carr doesn’t have any direct power over a municipal budget but if he sees it getting a little wobbly he will show up at a critical meeting.
 By Staff
June 29th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
The good folks at We Love Burlington make a very strong point when they take the remarks Premier Doug Ford made about the way local communities choose who is going to represent and protect their interests.
 Doug Ford: “Less politicians is a good thing. More politicians, it’s a bad thing.” He then increases the size of Cabinet to the largest Ontario has ever had. When asked about the potential for regional amalgamation Ford explained that “What we’re trying to do is reduce the size and cost of government right across Ontario.” He continued by asserting that “Less politicians is a good thing. More politicians, it’s a bad thing.”
The We Love folks say they could not agree more. So why, they ask, has the Premier increased the size of his cabinet to one of the largest in Ontario history? There are now more Parliamentary Assistants and more Ministers than Toronto has City Councillors.
Fewer politicians for cities but more power for the province? The We Love people fear our local voices being lost.They also note that neither of Burlington’s MPPs were given the opportunity to take on bigger challenges; no promotions for the local political talent.
There is a nugget of information in there somewhere.
 We Love Burlington is a collection of people who came together to protest plans to amalgamate Oakville, Milton, Burlington and Halton Hills into one administrative organization.
 By Staff
June 28th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
There are loads of things to do on Canada Day – the Royal Botanical Garden wants you to come to your senses and literally “smell the roses” all 3,300 of the things in the RBG property.
The RBG is celebrating Canada Day weekend with a flourish of colour and asking visitors to “come to their senses” by experiencing roses in bloom, guided tours and live entertainment.
 Canadian shield rose  A little late, but worth the wait, RBG’s new Rose Garden is starting to show off some brilliant colour in Hendrie Park. With many hardy, disease resistant and re-blooming varieties surrounded by companion plants, there will be flowers in the garden all summer long. Beneath these beneficial plant pairings is a trickle irrigation system. Deep roots, combined with a consistently maintained layer of mulch, means less artificial watering which promotes an eco-friendly approach.
“RBG is thrilled to present the first full season of roses in this beautiful new garden,” said RBG Head of Horticulture, Jim Mack. “Much like our rejuvenated Rock Garden, the new Rose Garden embraces new designs and techniques that reflect a more modern, environmentally conscious approach to growing roses. One that people can implement in their home garden.”
 Rose garden layout Highlights of the garden include approximately 3, 300 roses displaying 300 different cultivated varieties, 4, 500 companion plants and many new enhancements to the garden landscape. This includes upgraded pathways, fences, gazebos and lighting as well as renovations to the Turner Pavilion Teahouse that overlooks the new garden. Education elements include an array of interpretive signs, including the “story of roses” display, teaching visitors about the history of roses.
 The Dreamboats: “They just ripped the whole place up! Their energy and level of fun was off the scale. The crowd reaction was phenomenal – we have not seen anything like it before. Weekend highlights include the Escarpment Train Exhibit in the historic Rock Garden, Bonsai Society Exhibit at RBG Centre, guided tours, and educational experiences at the Discovery Cart. Canada Day entertainment includes face painting by Picasso Painters and performances by The Dreamboats.
Royal Botanical Gardens is the largest botanical garden in Canada, a National Historic Site, and registered charitable organization with a mandate to bring together people, plants and nature.
 You can’t cover the Royal Botanical Gardens in a single day. Maybe in a weekend. Weekend Schedule
June 29 to July 1
Saturday and Sunday
Bonsai Society Spring Exhibit
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; RBG Centre
Discover Alliums
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Rock Garden
Guide Tour: Rock Garden
1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Guided Tour: Come to Your Senses
11 a.m.; Rock Garden
Saturday, Sunday and Monday
Escarpment Train Exhibit
10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Rock Garden
Discover Pollination
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Hendrie Park
Guided Tour: Pollinator Power
11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.; Hendrie Park
Guided Tour: Come to Your Senses
1 p.m.; Hendrie Park
Sunday
Guided Tour: History of Hendrie Park Heritage Walk
11 a.m.; Hendrie Park
FREE Back to Nature Hike
10 a.m.; Rock Chapel Trailhead
Monday
Entertainment: Picasso Painters
(face painting)
11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Rock Garden
Entertainment: The Dreamboats
(vocal quartet)
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
By Pepper Parr
June 28th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
Monday morning, Canada Day, all seven members of city council are going to start their day at 8:30 am for what one member called a “full court press”. Everyone has something they are expected to cover said one member of Council.
 At this point this Council is working as a group. Several describe the Mayor as “very political” but they appear to be comfortable with her approach.
Five of the seven are still getting their footing. We are seeing the strengths in some and the difficulty others are having getting a grip on the job they have.
 It was the highlight of their lives – the challenge is for them to make a real difference. They now have a city manager that they are all more than content with.
When you look at the comments they place on their Facebook pages – they are identical – word for word. Almost as if someone directed them what to say.
They are working quite well as a team but are still working out some of the plays. What we are not seeing is the rancour and the dismissiveness that was so prevalent in the previous council.
Time for a closer look at the individual council members and their performances. After the holidays.
–
 By Staff
June 28th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Regional Police Service warns the public about an increase in the number of shoulder surfing/distraction-style thefts in the region and is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying two suspects.
On June 10, 2019 a victim was shopping at an LCBO in Burlington.
 
  Two suspects were in line behind the victim and managed to observe his personal identification number as he attempted to pay. After following the victim to the parking lot, they engaged him in conversation about dropping some cash while at the store. The male suspect then put the “found” money into the victim’s wallet and walked away.
The victim returned home later discovered his financial cards had been stolen and contacted police. The suspects immediately used the financial cards in Halton and Peel region to make cash advances and retail purchases. The loss is estimated to be $13,000.
Suspect One: Male, olive complexion, 30-35 years, 5’6-5’7, medium build, 180 lbs, black beard. Wearing a purple T-Shirt, jeans, tan baseball cap.
Suspect Two: Male, olive complexion, 35-40 years, 5’8-5’9, heavy build, 220 lbs, glasses. Wearing black pants, blue and white stripped T-Shirt, light blue baseball cap.
If you are able to identify the above two suspects or have any other information please contact Detective Constable Derek Gray of the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau – Seniors Liaison Team at 905-825-4747 ext. 2344.
Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers “See Something? Hear Something? Know Something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.
Police are reminding the public to make efforts to protect their (PIN) Personal Identification Number for their financial cards when making payments at merchants and using Automated Teller Machines.
Several different suspects have been approaching victims in retail parking lots and using some method of distraction theft to engage the victim in conversation such as: returning money the victim allegedly dropped, looking for the hospital or some vehicle mechanical issue. The suspects then either pick pocket the victim’s financial cards or steal their wallets from their vehicles while the victim is distracted. When the theft is completed, the suspects then have the victim’s financial cards with the matching Personal Identification Number and proceed to make fraudulent purchases using the stolen financial cards.
Quality video cameras produce useful photographs – well worth the investment.
Please be reminded that all persons charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
By Pepper Parr
June 27th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
The Official Plan, one of the most misunderstood documents the city relies on – it is a dynamic document that is expected to react to changes taking place in the community and the wishes of the residents. The document is required to react to development proposals.
The Planning Act allows anyone with a development idea to approach the city’s Planning department and pitch them on making changes to the Official Plan and the zoning in place on a property.
The Planning department advises the developer but the developer still has the right to file an application which staff then have to issue a recommendation on that goes to city council for a yes or a no. And if the developer doesn’t like the response they get from city council they can appeal to the Local Planning Act Tribunal.
That’s the way the system works.
During 2018 the then city council approved a new city plan. Much of the public didn’t like the new plan – and it became the issue the October election was fought over.
A ward Councillor, Marianne Meed Ward, challenged the Mayor – won the Chain of office and set out to right what she thought was wrong.
The Regional government, which had to approve the new Official Plan chose not to approve what the city had submitted – so the plan had to be re-worked. The Region gave the new Mayor a gift telling her that the city could make other changes in the document – that they weren’t limited to fixing the few really minor problems the Region found.
That was all the new Mayor needed. She told the Planning department to get rid of the Grow BOLD approach they had taken to development and to re-work the plan.
How is that going so far?
Here is the time line and the numerous steps, hoops and hurdles that have to be dealt with.
 Completing the re-examination of the Official Plan that was approved by the city but not approved by the Region is rubbing up against the Interim Control Bylaw that is in place for a year. Getting a new plan is place is a serious challenge.  Ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns Ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns told a constituents meeting last week that “Work is underway with our consultant based on the terms of reference presented on May 21st. The terms of reference were developed at a March 18th workshop; the Official Plan direction to conduct the study was given on February 7th.”
They have their marching orders and by now the Planning department knows where this council wants to go.
Let’s see how this works out.
By Pepper Parr
June 26th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
 The development will be the first of the really high rise buildings in the downtown core. All the hubbub over what should be done with Civic Square is going to amount to a little less than a hill of beans once construction on The Gallery – the 24 storey development that has been approved for the north east corner of Brant and James.
The developer has applied for and been given Shoring and Excavation permits and expect to begin the demolition of the building sometime in the late summer.
The day the first back hoe digs into the existing structure could well be the beginning of a five year time frame for a continuous run of construction work on Brant Street.
 When completed the building will be the beginning of the change in the downtown core – until then it will be havoc for people who live and shop in the area. Imagine Sound of Music on a construction site. The proposed development for the south east corner of the intersection has been approved for 17 floors – the developers of that project want the same as The Gallery – 24 floors. They have appealed to the Local Planning Act Tribunal. Those who watch this process carefully can’t see any way for the city to hold the development at 17 floors – which is what most of the previous city council was prepared to live with.
 By Staff
June 26th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
A nomination meeting to elect the New Democratic candidate for the 2019 federal election will be held:
Saturday, 13 July 2019, 2pm – 4pm
B&B Taps and Grill, 2020 Lakeshore Rd, Burlington, ON L7R 4G8
The Grill is inside the Waterfront Hotel
Registration: 1:30pm – 2pm
Keynote Address: 2pm
Voting (if necessary): 3pm
 Lenaee Dupuis. Currently, the only confirmed nomination is Lenaee Dupuis. If no other nomination is confirmed, an election will not be necessary.
In addition to the nomination, we will also have the pleasure of having Terence Kernaghan, MPP London North Centre, to give a talk on the excitement of local campaigns.
In order to vote in a nomination election, you must:
1. Be a member in good standing with the NDP as of 30 days prior to the nomination meeting.
(14 June 2018)
2. Live in the provincial riding of Burlington.
Refreshments and light appetizers will be provided.
 By Ray Rivers
June 26th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
“In the end, Trudeau’s Carbon Tax takes money out of your pockets and puts it into the government’s coffers.” (Andrew Scheer – ‘A Real Plan’ – June 19, 2019)
It is disappointing to see a major political leader be so disingenuous. An error of omission? No it is a deliberate deception because he must know that the money from the federal carbon tax mostly ends up in people’s pockets, not the government coffers. The federal carbon tax is as revenue neutral as it gets.
 Andrew Scheer; Leader of the Opposition. And Andrew Scheer’s new “A Real Plan” is best described as taking Canada back to business as it used to be under former PM Stephen Harper. Indeed there are some decent ideas in the document. Still it is pretty much yesterday, highly partisan and was clearly intended for use during the upcoming federal election.
Climate change is only one part of the plan and there is speculation that this vague plan might even lead to an increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, rather than reductions. So it is comforting to see that Scheer has at least endorsed the current federal 30% emissions reduction target, which was originally penned by his former leader, Stephen Harper.
Scheer, in his preamble to his plan notes the contributions of previous Conservative governments to the environment. Though it is confusing to see Mr. Harper given credit for net declines of greenhouse gas emissions between 2007 and 2015. After all Ontario’s Doug Ford, who wasn’t even in office then, is claiming the rest of Canada has gone up by 3% since 2005 while Ontario fell by an impressive 22%. And that was because of McGuinty and Wynne, not Harper.
Scheer, along with those provincial Conservative premiers who now populate most provinces in the country, have shunned market based solutions (carbon taxation) and the role of individuals in fighting climate change. Instead they are looking to industry to do the heavy lifting by inventing and implementing some kind of green technology – which will magically reduce emissions.
The Conservatives have also dusted off an old Chretien Liberal homeowner energy saving program, cancelled by Harper. And there are subsidies and tax holidays and reductions promised, but no roadmap as to how all of these pieces will come together to meet Canada’s emissions target.
 Andrew Scheer Scheer has also suggested Canada might partly meet its emissions target by exporting natural gas to developing nations which are currently burning coal, although it is not clear that will be allowed under the Paris Agreement. And didn’t Mr. Harper scoff every time the Chretien Liberals raised the idea of international emissions credits in connection with the Kyoto Protocol?
Will tinkering around the edges be enough? Shouldn’t we be considering what gets produced in addition to how things are produced? For example, what about the necessary shift from petroleum to electric vehicles (EV)? With no carbon tax and no EV rebate how does Scheer motivate people to make the transition to more environmentally friendly transport? That is huge hole in his plan.
Carbon is intrinsic to fossil fuels. The only way to avoid GHG emissions from it is to avoid using the fossil fuels. Ultimately the petroleum industry will need to wind up operations and just plain shut down for the good of the planet. Finance Minister Morneau said as much, speaking frankly to industry captains at the Economic Club in Calgary just days after the Trudeau government had approved completion of the Trans Mountain pipeline.
Now that takes guts. But not Andrew Scheer. He was elected from Saskatchewan and winding down the energy sector is not in his cards or part of his philosophy. But maybe he doesn’t get it or doesn’t want to get it. Maybe Kim Campbell had a point in her remarks about how some people still see the climate issue.
 Andrew Scheer Only days earlier, just ahead of the Trans Mountain announcement in fact, Parliament passed a motion declaring that Canada was facing a national climate emergency. This was inspired by the recent report that Canada is warming at twice the rate of the rest of the world. And to bring the point home over 40 of Canada’s top scientists had projected Canadians will end up with 10 times as many deadly heat waves and twice as many extreme rainstorms.
Of course that was the day of the Raptors big party in Toronto, so Elizabeth May was the only party leader in the House. But still, the motion passed by a three to one majority, though Mr. Bernier’s People’s Party and the Conservatives voted against it. And that probably says all we need to know about Mr. Scheer and his ‘A Real Plan’.
But don’t take my word, just ask former PM Kim Campbell.
 Ray Rivers writes regularly on both federal and provincial politics, applying his more than 25 years as a federal bureaucrat to his thinking. Rivers was once a candidate for provincial office in Burlington. He was the founder of the Burlington citizen committee on sustainability at a time when climate warming was a hotly debated subject. Ray has a post graduate degree in economics that he earned at the University of Ottawa. Tweet @rayzrivers
Background links:
A Real Plan – A Perspective – Increase Emission –
More Real Plan – Morneau – Climate Change Emergency
Doug Ford’s Claim – Kim Campbell –
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