 By Ray Rivers
July 5th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Shouldn’t a conservative by definition be one who practices conservation? Despite any word association, today’s popular conservatism is more akin to reactionary-ism – the impossible dream of winding the clock back to those good old days. But none of us is going to be able to recreate the glaciers and ice packs lost to global warming, nor roll back the oceans to levels where they were when the post war generation was coming of age.
 Bill Davis: saved farm land with Ontario’s first experiment in green belting, and was a major force behind stopping acid rain. Bill Davis was a conservative but he was determined to restore the Great Lakes, to save farm land with Ontario’s first experiment in green belting, and to stop acid rain. And Brian Mulroney won accolades from environmental organizations for promoting sustainable development and raising concerns about climate change. These were the last real progressive conservatives.
When the US government set out to eliminate lead in gasoline back in the seventies they adopted cap and trade. Cap and trade was invented by a U of Toronto economist in the sixties. The technique is considered business friendly and the single most efficient (least costly) way to achieve an environmental regulation.
The phaseout of lead exceeded everyone’s expectations, taking the lead out ahead of schedule and at far less cost than anticipated. The same kind of results were achieved when cap and trade was applied to the US acid rain program in the 90’s, reducing sulphur emissions from power plants faster and at less cost than imagined. These programs had been developed by Republican administrations in the USA. Generally, conservatives favour market instruments over intrusive regulatory ‘command and control’ approaches when it comes to the environment.
 He just didn’t like taxes of any kind and suggested using regulations – command and control The Harris conservative government had implemented a cap and trade program for smog pollutants from the electricity sector back in the early 2000’s, though it suffered from a number of design issues, and became redundant once the province phased out coal as an energy source. Cap and trade works best when there are a large number of entities involved in trading, which is why Quebec and California had been chosen to partner in Ontario’s program.
Economists are used to saying: bygones are bygones, and so cap and trade is now history in Ontario. Nevertheless killing the program, and doing so mid-year, is problematic. For one thing the province will surely be obligated to return the almost $3 billion Ontario businesses paid for their carbon allowances this year. And, since this was a multi-year program, we might be on the hook to return the previous year’s money as well.
 Few fully understand how cap and trade programs work. The idea was created bu a Canadian economist at the University of Toronto. They are effective ad have been around for a long time. It is unclear whether the abrupt and unilateral cancellation of our emissions trading arrangements with trade partners in Quebec and California will result in breach of faith and possible law suits. Clearly any trades of Ontario allowances or credits to businesses in those jurisdictions are now worthless, so we’ll see.
And Ontario will end up with a new carbon tax imposed by the federal government, which will be far more expensive than the previous estimated 4.3 cents per litre cost of cap and trade. The good news for Ontario residents is that while we’ll have to pay a carbon tax, all that money will be returned to us in some form. The bad news for Ontario’s new premier is that his government is not likely to have any access or control over it.
 Don’t expect the federal government to be stupid enough to give the proceeds from a carbon tax to a premier who is unwilling to do anything to help the country meet its global climate commitments. The BC government returns most of its provincial carbon tax back to its residents through lower income taxes, making it a sort of revenue neutral tax. Although the feds have not disclosed how they will return Ontario’s carbon taxes, nobody expects them to be stupid enough to give it to a premier who is unwilling to do anything to help the country meet its global climate commitments, and somebody who is actually suing the feds about the tax.
And the only savings we might see from cancelling the cap and trade program would be Mr. Ford’s promised 4.3 cents at the pump. I wouldn’t count on it though because the oil companies have not yet confirmed they will reduce gas prices. Call that ten cent gas reduction the first casualty of Ford’s ‘chicken-in-every-pot’ election promise. Everyone knows you should not promise something you don’t control.
And he’ll have to break another election promise, about not firing anyone. Otherwise he’ll be paying salaries for those bureaucrats who used to manage cap and trade and those who administered the Green ON and other conservation programs funded by the revenues from cap and trade, to sit on their butts. No wonder nobody believes all the promises politicians make in an election campaign.
I saw former premier Mike Harris being interviewed during the recent PC leadership convention. He just didn’t like taxes of any kind and suggested using regulations – command and control – rather than a carbon tax. Well that made my soon-to-be buck-a-bottle beer start to curdle – just to hear Mr. Anti-Red-Tape proposing more… red tape.
But I’m not betting on Mr. Ford bringing in any regulations to curtail GHG emissions, let alone anything as bold as banning coal or as imaginative as cap and trade. You see, that would be progressive, and Mr.Ford is more the reactionary type of conservative. So don’t be surprised when he starts shutting down the EV charging stations, cancelling solar and wind electricity generating projects, and maybe even bringing back coal-fired electric power back to Ontario.
 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. Tweet @rayzrivers
Background links:
Ford Cancels Cap and Trade – Ontario Trading Partnerships – US Acid Rain Program
 By Staff
July 4th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
 TEC has done everything a community group can do to get support for their project. So far no one has come to their aid. The Tyendaga Environmental Coalition finally has a friend.
Vince Fiorito is prepared to do battle for the TEC people and their fight to have the value of their property maintained and not significantly downgraded when the bulldozers start mining for shale in the eastern most quarry of the site off King Road in Aldershot.
Meridian Brick has had a license since the early 70’s and have been taking shale out and manufacturing brick.
 Forterra Brick was the predecessor of re-named Meridian Brick. The graphic, courtesy of the Toronto Star shows where the residents live and where Meridian wants to mine for shale. The move into the eastern quarry has brought a problem that was always lurking in the background to the front page. TEC hasn’t been able to get any traction with either the Mayor, the ward Councillor or the MPP.
They all said that Meridian has a license and there was nothing they could do.
Fiorito sees this differently and said that one of his reasons for running in ward 1, which isn’t where he lives, is because there is a significant environmental issue in that ward. And if Fiorito is anything – he is a protector of the environment.
 Fiorito has been working at cleaning up ravines in the western part of Burlington – he now wants to work on a solution for everyone in the Tyendaga community where a brick manufacturing operation wants to cut down thousands of trees and begin mining for shale yards from their homes. “I think there is a win – win possible here and I will be committing myself to working for the interests of the residents who have major economic interest as does the brick manufacturer.”
“No one has managed to bring these two groups together and work on their joints interest” – every one has sided with the brick maker and forgotten the taxpayers” said Fiorito. “That isn’t fair” he added.
The TEC people want to interview Fiorito before they put their support behind him.
 By Staff
July 4th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
When reports are prepared for city council there is some standard information at the top of each document.
 President of Revenue Properties in Conversation with Mayor Goldring at a public event. The report going to council on the 409 Brant project being developed by Revenue Properties has the following information under Applicant.
Reserve Properties Ltd.
2001586 Ontario Inc. (owner, Elizabeth Law):401 and 405 Brant Street
2486157 Ontario Inc. (owner, Elizabeth Law): 403 Brant Street
Elizabeth Law: 409 and 413 Brant Street
Elizabeth Law Interiors Ltd.: 411 Brant Street, 448 John Street, 2012 James Street
Albert Ludwig Schmid 444 John Street
 The Brant street properties that will be be demolished if the 409 development actually proceeds. Does this mean that Revenue Properties does not yet actually own the land it wants to acquire and develop?
That kind of limits the risk doesn’t it?
 By Pepper Parr
July 4th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
It will not be a sleepy summer with lots of time off and getting away early in the evenings for many at city hall. Members of Council are going to be pressed with the size of the work load as well.
There are four developments coming before Council that long term will add as many as 2000 people to the population of the city.
 Looking south on Brant. The proposed 24 story structure with the approved 23 storey structure shown as shadowed. It will be a different downtown core when these two are completed. The biggie is the proposed 23 storey structure that will, if approved. go up at the SW corner of Brant and James and run south to the Elgin Promenade and west to John Street. The Planning department (It has been re-named Department of City Building) has written up a recommendation that suggests 18 storeys would be preferred. The recommendation is complex and not easily explained.
The approval of a 23 storey structure on the north side of James and Brant didn’t make the City Building department job for the 409 development any easier.
 Mayor Goldring in conversation with the President of Revenue Properties, the developer of the 409 Brant project. From the “what’s in it for me” perspective there the following reported community benefits if the pro000ject gets built:
$250,000 for purchase of up to 6 assisted housing units by Halton Region, or similar contribution to housing fund held at the city
$100,000 for improvement of civic square
$50,000 for improvement of downtown transit terminal
$25,000 towards a downtown Burlington Farmer’s Market
$25,000 towards active transportation links (walking/cycling) in the Elgin Promenade area
widening sidewalks (Brant/James/John) – indirect benefit of $250,000
public easement at Brant/James of 16×16 – indirect benefit of $75,000
implement streetscape guidelines for expanded setbacks and open space easement for Brant/James/John – indirect benefit of $150,000
retain heritage attributes – indirect benefit of $300.
 The planners are requiring each developer two cut into the corner of their buildings to open up the view of Civic Square. The 421 Brant development, on the right, has been approved. The 409 Brant development is before Council next week. The really interesting one is the $100,000 to gussy up Civic Square. The city has required the developers of each building on the corner of Brant and James to cut an angle into the corner of the buildings to enlarge the view of Civic Square.
Deputy city manager Mary Lou Tanner told the Gazette of her fondness for city hall as a structure. Some in the planning department refer to the building as iconic.
There are clearly plans to give the Square a new look – that project didn’t make it to the “fully engaged” public agenda.
The Tremaine Dundas development has been a long time coming. That initiative is in the north west part of the city on the border with Oakville.
The ADI Links development that overlooks Bronte Creek has given life to that part of the city.
At some point the quarry operation and brick manufacturing plant in the area will give way to development and add to the vitality of that part of the city.
 Exceptional use of land – should become quite a community wen completed. The site is one of Burlington’s last undeveloped significant Greenfield areas; the Secondary Plan area presents an important opportunity to create a distinct community in Burlington.
The lands are characterized by the presence of significant natural heritage features and areas, potential access to future higher order transit routes and important remnants of the area’s built and cultural heritage.
The purpose of the secondary plan is to provide a planning framework that will guide future development in the Tremaine Dundas area. The plan responds to and develops the area with a mixed use option to accommodate residential, employment and mixed uses while ensuring that identified natural heritage features throughout the area are protected, connected/linked and, where possible, enhanced.
 There is the potential for a lovely community if the developer does it right. Access to major roads with a lot of green space. This one is a couple of years away. Plan area is approximately 133 hectares with the developable area being approximately 50 hectares excluding the natural heritage system. The existing uses located within the area include a school bus terminal on Dundas Street and two single detached residences (the Crook- Norton House and a separate property fronting Tremaine Road), the existing Highway 407 right of way, a functional hydro corridor, CN railway line as well as the extensive Bronte Creek valley lands that set the natural environment character for the remainder.
 Most of the intensification is taking place at the back of the property where stacked townhouses will replace less dense housing. The development on Prospect west of Brant is for two blocks of stacked townhouses, each containing 50 housing units plus 130 parking spaces (including 9 visitor spaces).
 Fifty housing units will replace the eight in place now. The two existing fourplex buildings will be demolished. The eight-storey apartment building will remain.
This development is classic intensification. The structures that are being demolished left a lot of space for children to play and adults t sit outside. Times are changing.
 Townhouses in Aldershot – 38 units. Another development in Aldershot will redevelop nine standard townhouse units along the northern half of the site, 17 back-to-back townhouse units on the southern half of the property and 12 back-to-back townhouse units on the eastern side of the property for a total of 38 units; 76 parking spaces, plus 5 visitor spaces are proposed.
All the chatter that the developers bring to council about how they are helping the city meet the growth targets the province has set begs the question: Have we not already met those targets? And is there anyone actually counting what is in the pipeline and where is the city relative to the targets?
 By Pepper Parr
July 3rd, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
We did not write this.
We pass it along to you for your edification from Community Mindfulness Burlington.
They are inviting residents to a series of free drop-in mindfulness sessions in Burlington parks in July and August.
The mindfulness sessions are led by volunteers from Community Mindfulness Burlington and partly supported by the City of Burlington’s Neighbourhood Community Matching Fund.
Mindfulness is a type of meditation where a positive mental state is achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts and bodily sensations.
Participants are advised to wear comfortable clothing and bring a yoga mat or meditation cushion. Mindfulness activities are inclusive and secular. All welcome to participate.
 Dates
• Sunday, July 8, 10 to 11 a.m., Mountainside Park. Mountainside Arena community room in case of inclement weather
• Sunday, July 15, 10 to 11 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Aldershot Arena community room in case of inclement weather
• Sunday, Aug. 12, 10 to 11 a.m., Mountainside Park. Mountainside Arena community room in case of inclement weather
• Sunday, Aug. 26, 10 to 11 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Aldershot Arena community room in case of inclement weather
Your tax dollars at work!
By Pepper Parr
July 3rd, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The city council race for the ward 1 seat just got a little hotter.
 Vince Fiorito to run for the ward 1 city council seat Vince Fiorito, the Green candidate in the recent provincial election has advised the Gazette that he will be running for the city council seat in ward 1.
Fiorito, who lives in ward 5, has decided that it is important for the candidate who expect to file nomination papers in ward 5 later this week or early next have a clear shot at incumbent Paul Sharman. “I don’t want to split that vote” said Fiorito.
However, Fiorito added that “during the provincial campaign as a Green candidate I got more support in Aldershot (ward 1) than I did in ward 5. Running in ward 5 is strategic for me and it is where my support is”
 Vince Fiorito was named the Steward of Sheldon Creek; the strongest environmentalist the city has. Fiorito is a strong environmentalist, probably the best environmental thinker in the city and he has a good public profile.
He doesn’t feel that living outside the ward is an issue. Several of the candidates already nominated live outside the ward.
With Fiorito in the race the dynamic changes considerably.
The candidate count for ward 1 currently includes: Jason Boelhouwer, Kelvin Galbraith, Arlene Iantomasi, René Papin, Marty Staz and Judy Worsley.
Fiorito expects to file his papers the week of July 9th.
By Pepper Parr
July 3rd, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
It was heralded as a really significant event. All the big shots were in the room for the announcement.
Halton Habitat for Humanity had managed to convince the provincial government to pony up $5.8 million for the creation of what was being called a Factory Build operation.
By Factory Build the people making the announcement were saying that there would be a structure where homes could be pre-built and shipped to the site where they would be assembled.
This approach would allow Habitat to improve the number of homes they could build significantly.
The idea was brought back to Burlington by Ed McMahon who has been involved with Habitat for some time. Ed McMahon had seen a Factory Build operation in Edmonton and wanted to see something like this in Burlington.
It was described as an innovative approach to partnering with local community-based initiatives led by Habitat for Humanity. They were going to increase the supply and meet the growing demand for safe and affordable homes in the province.
There was a three-year, $5.8 Million commitment from the province.
 Burlington Mayor Rick Goldring, Regional Chair Gary Carr and then MPP Ted McMeekin were in hand to celebrate the announcement of the provincial funding for the Habitat initiative. The Build Factory was to be located in Burlington where they would construct and assemble homes year-round in a controlled environment. This facility will engage with local community partners including educational institutions, and other not for profit organizations. Components for safe, decent and affordable homes will be assembled and transported to as many as 120 Habitat for Humanity construction sites across Ontario, with the opportunity to also provide housing for Indigenous communities.
“The Build Factory is a ground breaking achievement for our organization and for the province,” said Habitat for Humanity Halton-Mississauga CEO John Gerrard. For every dollar invested, Habitat for Humanity generates $4 in social return. This three-year investment by the province of Ontario will increase the supply of affordable housing long-term, expand community partnerships, increase engagement and create capacity and scale for the non-profit housing sector.
Things were looking great for Habitat.
In the dying days of the provincial campaign the Gazette did a lengthy interview with then MPP Eleanor McMahon, she and Ed are brother and sister, who explained the process that the funding application went through.
We didn’t publish hat interview because the day after the then Premier Kathleen Wynne basically through in the towel saying that the Liberals were not going to win the election.
Eleanor McMahon, who was President of the Treasury Board, wasn’t going to have that job which meant the interview served no purpose. McMahon’s job at the time was to at least get herself elected. She lost her seat to Jane McKenna.
Habitat for Humanity Executive Director John Gerrard delegated to city council about a problem the organization was having with their retail operation on Appleby Line; there was some discussion on where the proposed Factory Build could be located.
There weren’t that many sites in Burlington where this kind of operation could be located.
Frank McKeown, who was the Executive Director of the Burlington Economic Development Corporation took part in that discussion and got involved in the search for a location. McKeown resigned from his job at the end of June. His decision to resign had been announced six weeks earlier.
A very reliable sourced told the Gazette recently that the funding everyone thought was approved didn’t make it through the final stages.
 Habitat CEO John Gerrard The Gazette placed calls to both Gerrard the Habitat CEO and Eric Wickham the Communications Advisor for Habitat. Our calls were not returned. Several attempts were made to reach both people with voice mail messages left each time.
There was no response.
With a new government in place at Queen’s Park many projects are in a bit of a limbo.
The information the Gazette was given was that the cheque everyone thought was “in the mail” wasn’t in the mail.
Without the funding the project wasn’t going anywhere.
The Gazette will continue to dig away at this one.
 By Staff
July 3, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Detour Area: James St. between Brant St. and John St.
Detour Dates: July 3 to July 13, 2018
Detour Routes:
• Route 3 and 5 to Burlington GO will leave the terminal and continue north on John St., turn left onto Caroline St., turn right onto Brant St. and continue its regular route
• Route 3 and 5 from Burlington GO will turn left onto Caroline St., turn right onto John St. into the terminal
Stops not in Service: 797 (James St. and Brant St.), 798 (Brant St. at Ontario), 843 (Brant St. at Caroline St.)
Detour is due to construction on James St.
By Pepper Parr
July 3rd, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
 Ward 5 Councillor Paul Sharman. There is going to be a very credible candidate going after the ward 5 seat.
The word we have is that nomination papers will be filed before the end of the week which means that every member of the current council has ether resigned or will be facing a credible candidate.
Ward 1 Councillor Rick Craven has decided to resign from municipal politics; Ward 2 Councillor Meed Ward is running for the office of Mayor; ward 3 Councillor Taylor resigned, Ward 4 Councillor Jack Dennison decided to hang in and faces a contender that will give him a run for his money.
Ward 6 Councillor Blair Lancaster faces two candidates.
Paul Sharman is the ward 5 incumbent. He really didn’t have much in the way of competition in either the 2010 and the 2014 election.
 Intense to the point of making delegations uncomfortable ward 5 Councillor Paul Sharman does know how to drill down into the data and look for results. It will be a different race for Paul Sharman this time out.
However, in the world of politics, nothing is certain.
Let’s see if the nomination papers are actually filed and then learn a little more about the focus of the prospective candidates campaign.
 By Pepper Parr
July 1st, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The election that takes place October 22nd for a new city council and school board representatives is not going to be the snoozer that the 2014 election was.
That year every member of city council was returned. In the four years that seven member Council sat they made two major decisions.
They approved a new Strategic Plan and they passed a new Official Plan.
 Traditionally Strategic Plans were for the term of a city council – four years.  The current Strategic Plan is for a 25 year period. An incoming council is not bound to a plan created by a previous council. Up until the 2012 a Strategic Plan was put in place Burlington created a Strategic Plan for the term of office. The understanding was that a current city council could not bind future councils to an objective they might not agree with.
There was never a public debate on lengthening the time frame of the Strategic Plan. The current council decided that it was better municipal governance to create a 25 year plan and tweak it as the years rolled by,
Four “pillars” were defined WHA ARE THESE and they became the base on which the plan was to rest. The city brought in KPMG as consultants who guided council and city staff through the process.
There were numerous delegations done but there was never a OPEN THIS UP
 The four pillars on which the 25 year Strategic Plant was built. How are we doing so far? During the years leading up to the creation of a new Official Plan there were several speeches given by the Mayor on intensification and what it was going to mean to the city.
Rick Goldring chose what he believed was the safe political route to take – assure people that there will be changes but they aren’t really going to change very much. About 5% of the city would experience change.
The document that set out what intensification was really all about was a provincial policy statement – Places to Grow. It set out where the growth was going to take place and just how much growth there was going to be.
That process for Burlington had the decision made at the provincial level and the deciding of specifically where the growth was to take place made at the Regional level.
 The Downtown part of Burlington is broken into precincts. There are development rues for each precinct. A precinct is not always one contiguous area. Confusing at times Burlington had all kinds of input in that process but very little of it was as public as it could have been and there was certainly no public debate or information sessions on where the residential growth was going to take place and where the jobs would be located. That was done by the Planning department.
 There are four mobility hubs -n Burlington these are centered around the four GO stations. Significant development, of both commercial and residential is planned for these locations. The development around Burlington and Aldershot GO stations is well underway. Included in all this change was the mobility hubs; a concept that was never explained to the public in the early stages. The two words made sense – what wasn’t clear to the public, and to some of the members of council as well, as to what it did mean.
During some of the Strategic Plan meetings it looked as if the mobility hub at the Aldershot GO station was where the first stage of growth would take place. At the time the Paradigm project had broken ground and it soon became clear that the Burlington GO station was where all the early action was going to take place. Land on the north side of Fairview between Brant and Guelph Line became the real estate hot spot. Deals were being done weekly with several property owners holding out to get a better sense as to which direction the wind was blowing.
 This is the downtoen precinct – it is within the downtown core. Many felt that the high rise development should have been clustered further north. It may be too late for that – most of the property has already been assembled. The public attention however was focused on the downtown core. The first of the high rise condo’s was before the planners. The developer came in with a 27 storey proposal on the NE corner of Brant and James that got whittled down to 23 which city council approved on a 5-2 vote.
Prior to this the ADI Group development at Lakeshore and Martha that had gone to the OMB where everyone was certain it would be scaled back. Didn’t happen – the city didn’t make its case and the OMB said the xx storeys were just fine.
Many felt the die was cast and that Burlington’s downtown core was to become a forest of 23+ storey condominiums.
 The beginning of the change for the downtown – this one will go up opposite city hall. Many of the citizens were aghast – how could this happen?
Members of city council knew how it happened – they let it happen.
All this led to people wanting to stop this level of change from taking place.
The election scheduled for October was going to be their chance to elect a new city council that would create a new direction.
Ward 2 city Councillor Marianne Meed Ward became the spokesperson for those who said they were not opposed to development – they just wanted responsible and properly phased in development. The developers saw a blazing hot market and they were not of a mind to wait. The current city council seemed quite prepared to go along with them.
The Mayor is on the ropes, Meed Ward has her loyal following – and then Mike Wallace makes it known that he will run for the office of Mayor.
 Mike Wallace congratulating Karina Gould on her win of the federal seat in Burlington. Mike Wallace lost the federal seat as the Burlington Member of Parliament to Karina Gould. Mike loves being in power.
He was never seen as a big thinker but he brought millions of federal dollars to the city and he decided he could knock off Goldring and beat Meed Ward.
The Tory machine that didn’t deliver for him in the xx federal election still existed and Mike was going to take a shot at making it work for him at the municipal level. To be fair to Mike – he was facing a very popular Liberal leader whose coat tails Gould rode into office.
Each of the three major contenders, Goldring, Meed Ward and Wallace made early announcements, then each held their campaign kick-off events.
 Mayor Rick Goldring at his campaign Kick Off Goldring’s was tepid at best – he just didn’t say very much.
Meed Ward made her event a kick-off and a fund raiser – it cost $25 to get in the door.
Wallace held his event in the same room at Emmas Back Porch where he had conceded the federal election to Karina Gould.
This time Wallace had something to say – he spoke of two planks of his election platform.
He would ask council to approve an increase in the size of council – he thought going from a seven member council was now necessary and felt that nine was a good number.
 Bronte Meadows – owned by the Paletta interests, zoned as Employment land and included in the package of GTA properties that were in the offering to Amazon who were looking for an eastern headquarters – dubbed HQ2 He also said he wanted to create a community that would attract the young people back to Burlington where they could live and work and proposed the development of a large community. He didn’t say where he thought this development should take place and he didn’t say how large it should be.
There is only so much land that residential housing can be built on. The size of the land needed to do what Wallace has in mind is owned by Paletta’s.
The large property at Upper Middle Road and Bronte – known as Bronte Meadows – is zoned as Employment land. The Paletta’s have been trying for years to get that changed to residential or at least mixed use.
Wallace said that he was the kind of politician who could get things done; that he knew how to pick up the phone and talk to people.
The province now has a government that looks at development a lot differently hat the previous Liberal government.
Can one assume that Mike Wallace has talked to Angelo Paletta. I’d bet on that.
If, and this is just an if, those conversations have taken place does that mean the developers are still in control. Many people feel they have controlled the current council for some time.
 Salt with Pepper are the opinions, musings and observations of the publisher of the Burlington Gazette
By Carol Gottlob
July 1st, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
In 2014 I had had enough of voting against my Councillor in Burlington Ward 4, and decided to run against him instead! After all, every Canadian citizen over the age of 18 is entitled to do so. Entitled, but not always able.
Before the Wynn government changed the rules, in 2014, I was able to receive donations toward my campaign from my union (Canadian Union of Public Employees), and I did. I also received donations from family, friends and supporters, and so I ran a successful campaign that didn’t look like it was on a shoestring budget. I took partial leave of my teaching duties (I am a language instructor with the HCDSB), so that I could campaign afternoons and evenings, which meant I also took a calculated hit in income.
 Carol Gottlob on her motorcycle. Having lived the experience – and it was a very good one – this time around I would need to take complete leave of my teaching duties for the months of September and October in order to put my full time and energy into the campaign. I make a modest wage, and I am approaching retirement years, therefore it is just not wise for me to give up income on a gamble at this stage. I am a risk taker (I ride a motorcycle), but I am not foolish.
A comment was made that it is a good thing candidates can no longer accept donations from corporations and unions. I beg to differ. How am I to fund a campaign on personal donations? I found excellent volunteers and did very well in the 2014 election, garnering 35% of the vote, and have been strongly encouraged to use that momentum to run again.
After the 2014 election, I tried to keep my profile alive in the community, joined a board, attended public meetings, but after a while it took too much time away from my regular job, and I was unable to maintain a reasonable level of commitment.
A comment was also made that I had four years to raise funds, but I didn’t. Technically, I could not raise funds before May 1st. I might have been able to get pledges and commitments, and build a team, but in the end, how would I have paid my mortgage and my bills whilst running a campaign? The incumbent, on the other hand, need not take time off work, has a six-figure income, has a flexible schedule that allows him to campaign from city hall, and has had 20+ years to fundraise. He just goes back to the same supporters and they just hand out the same cheques. Me, they want to know all about me before they give me a cent. And honestly, how many people make personal donations of $1,200? I was getting personal donations of $25, $50, maybe $100, and you need a lot of those to fund a campaign. Yes, it can be done, but not alone.
Which brings me to another personal challenge when it comes to running a campaign. I am single. There is no second income in my household to keep the boat afloat while I campaign, no spouse who can take some of the workload off my hands: pick up groceries, dry-cleaning, take care of vet appointments, all those daily tasks that befall one person. And there is no one to be at my back when the going gets tough. I know how tough it gets, I’ve done it, and it is not for the faint-of-heart.
It may sound like I am complaining. I am not. I am telling it like it is. Politics is for the wealthy. If you can park your business or let someone manage it for you while you run, you have a distinct advantage over someone such as myself. Politics is not for everyone. I’ve always thought a municipal election was much better to run in than a provincial or federal election, because candidates are not (openly) associated with a political party, and so you can choose a candidate based on their personal merits.
 Ward 4 candidate in the 2014 election, Carol Gottlob places a sign on her front lawn with her two sons. After much soul searching, I’ve decided it is not for me. As I’ve often said, I would make an outstanding Councillor, but a lousy politician. And so, I’m throwing my support behind the candidate in my ward who is taking on the challenge of facing down an incumbent of over 25 years who is hell-bent on staying on 4 more years and doing things his way. Good luck to his worthy opponent. It would be so nice to get some fresh ideas on council. After all, that is what inspired me to take a crack at it four years ago.
Related links:
The candidate for ward 4 is Shawna Stolte:
Gottlob ran a very good race for a first time candidate in 2014.
By Staff
June 30th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Facebook and YouTube is everywhere!
They are in the news as a web site that was used to tilt the American presidential election.
How do these YouTube pages get created?
 Mohawk College is hosting a star-studded YouTube Creator Camp where high school level students will learn ‘Social Media Skills’ from the biggest names in the Biz!
The college describes the five day program as a brand-new ground-breaking initiative that runs from July 9th to 13th 2018.
This fun five-day intensive experience will allow students to get first-hand knowledge on social media influencing, and how to turn a hobby into a career. “This is the first Creator’s Camp of its kind in the Ontario, and we are excited about this offering,” Associate Dean Tracy Kadish said.
Move quickly if you want to get in on this. The classes for the 13 to 15 age group os sold out. There are just eight seats left for the 16 to 18 year olds.
Since YouTube went online in February 2005, it has become the go-to website for Internet content creation. Mohawk Creator’s Camp will help aspiring young minds make creative content and learn how to turn it into a profitable business.
The Camp comes at a cost of $375.00 and includes entrepreneurship training, master classes with Influencers, meals, and a field trip to Toronto. “Camp goers will take home intimate Digital Entrepreneurship skills that you won’t find anywhere else,” Natalie Reid, Program Coordinator of SURGE, noted. In partnership with the Industry Education Council of Hamilton and the M.I.G.H.T.Y. Entrepreneurship Program, students will also learn entrepreneurial skills to help them launch and manage their business.
 Mohawk Creator’s Camp hopes to be the first to give students an entertaining alternative when it comes to learning during the summer. Mohawk Creator’s Camp won’t just teach students about making videos, Students will be able to use this unique Camp as a stepping stone into a possible career in media. At the end of the camp, parents are invited to a showcase party which is planned for the evening of Monday July 16th.
For more information on Mohawk Creator’s Camp email surge@mohawkcollege.ca or visit their Webpage
https://www.mohawkcollege.ca/mohawk-creators-camp
 By Staff
June 30th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington has always made a big deal out of Canada Day.
Every municipality does something but that park on the edge of the lake is so enticing – everyone gathers there.
 The city doesn’t disappoint.
The schedule is packed;
The day start with a yoga class and end with a fireworks display. Parts of the day’s events are going to be simulcast by 102.9 K-LITE FM during the fireworks display. Participants can listen to music synchronized to the fireworks through their mobile phone or on the radio from wherever the fireworks are visible.
Fun activities planned in the park include:
 Yoga at the compass at 8:30 a.m.
Citizenship Ceremony at 9 a.m.
5K run and 1K kids run at 10 a.m.
Scholars in Collars dog training performance at 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Face-painting, balloon animals, photo booth, hair spray artist and inflatables from noon to 5 p.m. presented by Glad Tidings Church
Canadian hockey player and Canadian Mountie stilt walkers from noon to 6 p.m.
The opening ceremonies begin at noon with the Burlington Teen Tour Band kicking off the festivities at the main stage.
Entertainment on the main stage will include:
 Karen Thornton at 1 p.m.
Melissa Bel at 2 p.m.
Mount Farewell at 3 p.m.
Symphony on the Bay at 4:30 p.m.
The Hockey Circus Show at 5:30 p.m.
Felicia McMinn Band at 6:30 p.m.
The Hockey Circus Show at 7:30 p.m.
Johannes Linstead at 8:30 p.m.
Fireworks presented by BUNZL at 10 p.m.
Downtown parking will be tough to find. Every organization with a parking lot will be offering to let you park for a fee. Think about considering other transportation options: cycling, walking, car pooling or Burlington Transit.
A fully accessible free shuttle service will run from noon to 11 p.m. The shuttle will run approximately every 20 minutes from the Burlington GO Station (north side) to the downtown bus terminal. A free bike corral will be available near the Waterfront Hotel for cyclists to secure their bikes.
Other Canada Day Activities
The city’s outdoor pool locations are open for unlimited access to recreational swimming for only $4.40 per person; $3.05 after 5 p.m. Hours for Canada Day are as follows:
Nelson Pool – 10:30 – 8 p.m.
LaSalle Splash Park – 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Mountainside Pool 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
 Many people see the Terry Fox run as a unique thing that happened in Canada and was the result of one Canadian’s supreme effort. The Canadian flag just seems to be a part of the event – and there were plenty of them handed out. Take a walk on a nature trail at Kerncliffe Park, play bocce at LaSalle Park or go for a picnic
All six of the city’s spray park locations are open and always free. For more information, visit burlington.ca/splashpads.
When you look at the flag – think about what is going on south of us and be grateful for what we have going for s.
 By Staff
June 29th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
While investigating one car theft police notice some suspicious driving and find they are dealing with a vehicle that had also been stolen. A two for one for the police.
On June 26th 2018 shortly after 11:00 PM, police were called to investigate the theft of a Mercedes SUV that had just occurred on Ascot Place in Burlington.
 Responding officers stopped a suspicious vehicle leaving the area and during the stop the stolen Mercedes was seen approaching but did a U-Turn and sped away. The stopped vehicle, a 2006 Mazda 3 was stolen several days prior from Province St. N. in Hamilton. The driver and sole occupant of this vehicle was arrested and held for bail. A search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of property that had been stolen from unlocked cars in Burlington.
On June 27th 2018, investigators located the stolen Mercedes SUV parked in the area of Cannon Street and Kenilworth Avenue in Hamilton. At 3:45 PM, a male returned to the vehicle with the keys in hand at which time investigators with assistance from members of the Hamilton Police Service BEAR and HEAT units arrested the male after a foot chase. A search of the stolen vehicle resulted in the recovery of further stolen property taken during vehicle break-ins and a garage break-in.
Brent Andrew COOPER (18-yrs) of Hamilton was the first man arrested. He was released on bail and will appear next in Milton Court on July 25th 2018 charged with the following:
• Theft of motor vehicle
• Possession of property obtained by crime under $5000
• Possession of a controlled substance (cocaine)
• Possession of a controlled substance (marihuana)
• Fail to comply with recognizance (two counts)
Michael Raymond ALLEN (18-yrs) of Hamilton was the second man arrested. He was remanded into custody and will appear next in Milton Court on July 3rd 2018 charged with the following:
• Theft of motor vehicle (two counts)
• Possession of property obtained by crime under $5000 (four counts)
• Theft under $5000 (three counts)
• Break and enter
• Fraud under $5000
Police are still investigating numerous other thefts from and of vehicles that have taken place throughout the city of Burlington over the past several months and are urging area residents to not leave valuables or spare keys in their vehicles and ensure the doors are locked when left unattended. Police are also encouraging the public to immediately report suspicious activity.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Constable Mark Urie of the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4747 Ext. 2338.
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 .
By Staff
June 29, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
When the holiday is over and reality sets in – changes to service on routes 3 and 5.
Detour Area: James St. between Brant St. and John St.
Detour Dates: July 3 to July 13, 2018
Detour Routes:
• Route 3 and 5 to Burlington GO will leave the terminal and continue north on John St., turn left onto Caroline St., turn right onto Brant St. and continue its regular route
• Route 3 and 5 from Burlington GO will turn left onto Caroline St., turn right onto John St. into the terminal
Stops not in Service: 797 (James St. and Brant St.), 798 (Brant St. at Ontario), 843 (Brant St. at Caroline St.)
Detour is due to construction on James St.
By Pepper Parr
June 29th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Round two of the race that will determine who will be Mayor of Burlington on October 23rd, has taken place.
 Ward 2 candidate Meed Ward holds her announcement on a dead end street in Aldershot- she was running for Mayor – was there ever any doubt this would happen? The first round had the Mayor making a statement at a golf club, Mike Wallace held a media event on the sidewalk outside city hall and Meed Ward gathered her tribe at a small dead end street in Aldershot.
The second round had Ward 2 city Councillor Marianne Meed Ward holding a fund raiser at Joe Dogs on Brant Street, the Mayor holding an event at Faraway Indoor Golf on Tuesday and Mike Wallace holding his event at Emma’s Back Porch last night.
Our correspondent reports that “The event at Joe Dogs was great, there was a wonderful buzz and energy in the room. People were excited and happy.”
“There were between 105 and 115 people there, people paid $25 to get in and at times we had lineups at the door. There was a real mix of people – all ages, from all parts of the city, all races and genders, all political stripes. The volunteers and supporters seemed to be proud that Meed Ward was not being backed or funded by any party, riding association, current or former MPPs or MPs.
“It appeared to me to be a real grass-roots bunch.
 Some of the entertainment at the Meed Ward fund raiser. “There were some young ladies doing highland dancing, campaign t-shirts and car magnets were on sale – thy almost sold out on those. Slated to end at 9:30, many hung around much longer than that. This correspondent had work to do at home.
“Meed Ward spoke about over-development, losing retail space, losing greenspace, not enough parking, amenity space, and a lack of affordability. She also spoke about the need for more respect from city hall for residents and their input. She stressed that residents must work together to ensure their best interests are being served which is what she committed herself to do as Mayor.”
Meed Ward has plans for events throughout the city. The next one is scheduled for September 13 at the Polish Hall
Rick Goldring had a good turnout – however he didn’t speak at any length. He mentioned that the city had put up $60 million as its share of the transformed Joseph Brant Hospital. Money had been put into culture and the Nelson pool had been replaced.
Goldring added that tax increases were within inflation rates – which just isn’t true. Inflation hasn’t been anywhere near 4%; tax increases have been above 4%
 Goldring explaining intensification at a 2015 event. Goldring explained that his first term of office was a Clean Up phase but he didn’t elaborate on what it was he cleaned up.
The second term of office was the setting up phase. He made mention of the Strategic Plan and the Official Plan but again he didn’t elaborate on what was important about the two initiatives.
Phase three, implementation of the set up but not a word about what that implementation was going to look like.
Goldring made mention of the city being th best Canadian mid sized city to live in. He did mention that a new listing of the best city’s is due out soon. What id Burlington gets a downgrade?
Mike Wallace chose a small space at Emmas Back Porch and packed the space. Sweltering hot.
Dwight Ryan, a CHCH retiree served as Master of Ceremonies and got the laughs he wanted then introduced Connor Clark, a Nelson high school student who is going to represent students on the Halton District School Board.
Clark was positioned as the vision for the future, the bright young man that was raised and educated in Burlington and after university would come back to Burlington where he could work and raise his own family. The audience, that had very few young people, loved it.
Then Keith Strong took to the podium and gave a run down on the other candidates in the race. He did a superb hatchet job on Meed Ward, made the briefest mention possible of the candidate from Aldershot and cut up the Mayor for his lack of leadership.
Strong was direct in his criticism of Meed Ward. She is disruptive, she creates conflict, she always argues, she isn’t a team player and she promises but never completes, said Strong. Strong words indeed.
After doing a classic political hatchet job on the other three candidates Strong got into what Mike Wallace brings to the table.
 Caroline Wallace Caroline Wallace, who was described as Burlington’s next first lady, took to the podium after Strong and read her speech. She said she wanted to make sure she got it all right. She is a solid, supportive candidate’s wife.
Then it was Mike’s turn – and he didn’t disappoint. After telling people that he was running because Mayor Goldring was not doing the job Wallace then laid out two platform planks.
He said he would ask his fellow council members to support him in creating a larger council and suggested that eight members plus a Mayor for a nine member council is what the city needed.
Then he launched into an idea that will surprise many. Mike told the audience about a place in Toronto called Liberty Village. It’s where the entrepreneurial crowd live and work. Some describe the place as almost like a university campus.
Wallace wants young people to be able to stay in Burlington and work in the city – and a Liberty Village is just the ticket he said.
 The Liberty Village community in Toronto is the place to live and work in Toronto for the younger, hip, entrepreneurial set. Mike Wallace wants some of this t exist in Burlington, He wouldn’t say just where this Liberty Village should/could be built; all he was doing was floating an idea. It wasn’t a bad idea, some complications, but at least there was an idea on the table that was more than Mayor Goldring was offering at his campaign kickoff event.
According to Wallace Tansley Wood was a Wallace invention. He said he was the force behind the creation of the Tansley Wood community centre when he got the city and the province to work together.
 Mike Wallace in full campaign mode. Wallace was brutal when it came to describing the Mayor. “There is no vision” said Wallace but there are growth pressures on Burlington from the province. Places to Grow is a provincial policy but we don’t have to let Queen’s Park just run over us” said Wallace.
“We have to push back at the Regional and provincial levels and this Mayor does not have the ability to do that.”
“There is no vision and there is a lack of pride.”
The kicker was when he asked: Who made the New Street decision.
Wallace said he believes he has a better shot at getting results from Queen’s Park than anyone else running for the job of Mayor.
There is no magic wand in the hands of the Mayor said Wallace. He said he believed a Mayor should lead and not just complain. “The demographics are against us in Burlington” said Wallace. “We have to attract the young people back to the city but right now there is no place for them to live.”
 Randall Reff – The second worst environmental waste deposit in the country is pretty close to home isn’t it Wallace said he was Ok with the new city plan and he was just fine with the mobility hubs/ “But we need someone to do those things.”
Wallace took credit for getting millions spent on the Randall Reef in Hamilton Harbour that was polluting the water in Burlington Bay. He pointed to the $250 million he said he brought to Burlington as the Member of Parliament.
It was a tough, no holds barred campaign speech. The Gazette has never heard Mike Wallace sound this aggressive before. Mike was known for his laugh, you heard the laugh before you saw the man.
He wasn’t laughing Wednesday night at Emmas Back Porch. Mike Wallace wants back in and he is going to give the other candidates a rough ride.
Greg Woodruff, the most recent candidate to file nomination papers has yet to hold a public event.
Meed Ward web site is at: https://mariannemeedward.ca”
Goldring’s campaign web site is at: https://www.rickgoldring.ca/
Mike Wallace web site: https://mikewallaceformayor.ca/
 By Carol Victor
June 29th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
 Mary Lou Tanner – former Director if Planning – now Deputy city manager. Many of us are frustrated by the self-righteous rhetoric of (Deputy city manager) Marylou Tanner and the decisions made by the planning department in Burlington. Stop telling us what you want us to want, start listening to what we do want.
The planning department and Councillors who supported the decisions to “protect what residents value” better known as the “department that is destroying our beautiful city” have failed to listen to what engaged citizens have been saying for the better part of a year. They ploughed ahead with numerous presentations, emails, meetings, and brochures while failing to hear what the citizens don’t want. I attended many of the council meetings and was dismayed that so many delegations were heard and nothing was done.
 Ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward with some of her supporters. One of the developers at a February meeting printed and had available for the public copies of a letter where he expressed his disdain for the one Councillor (Marianne Meed Ward) who had voted against this extensive development. This was a disgusting prank . Ms. Meed Ward deserves much credit for truly expressing what many of us feel. She was joined by one other person on council who voted against revising the official plan.
However in the case of the other individual, this was purely a case of optics as he clearly knew that the motion would pass despite the two dissenting votes. A lack of leadership is clearly missing when so many citizens take the time and energy to thoughtfully express their visions for the city they love.
 The Burlington Carol Victor loves; she moved here nine years ago after 40 years in Toronto. I moved here nine years ago after living in Toronto for 40 years. It was a breath of fresh air with an unencumbered and accessible waterfront, quaint shops downtown, no traffic gridlock, lots of green space and wonderful amenities. How things have changed!!!! There emerged this spring a great shadow over Lakeshore between Elizabeth and Pearl Streets. Lower Brant Street as we know it will soon disappear.
What family will move into a 23 storey tower with 1 and 2 bedroom condos. As for meeting the demands of intensification, this is nonsense, what family will move into a 23 storey tower in what will be 1 and 2 bedroom condos, with one spot for parking, no nearby schools, grocery shopping that will soon be gone and traffic gridlock. If you don’t live near the downtown, I would suggest that you visit soon as you won’t recognize it in the near future. We will look like every other suburban off-shoot of Toronto; a western Mississauga with no character, a myriad of shopping malls with chain stores and a series of concrete towers without a real downtown. Why are we giving this away?
 werv The only power we have now is at the ballot box. The function of our Municipal Government is to serve the citizens of the city. Going forward we need to elect people who listen to its citizens and truly respect the democratic process.
By Staff
June 29th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
They are describing it as “ Ontario’s first ever Government for the People”; it will be sworn in later today.
“I promised the people that I would help make our great province the best place in North America when it comes to business, creating jobs and raising a family. And I am going to keep my promise.”
The Premier-Designate met with The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario to present his recommendations for appointments to Ontario’s Executive Council.
. “For too long, the people of Ontario have worked more and paid more, but gotten less. Those days are over. Help is here.”
The new ministers are as follows:
Peter Bethlenfalvy – President of the Treasury Board
Raymond Cho – Minister for Seniors and Accessibility
Steve Clark – Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Christine Elliott – Minister of Health and Long-Term Care and Deputy Premier
Victor Fedeli – Minister of Finance and Chair of Cabinet
Doug Ford – Premier and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs
Merrilee Fullerton – Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities
Ernie Hardeman – Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Sylvia Jones – Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport
Lisa MacLeod – Minister of Children, Community and Social Services and Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues
Monte McNaughton – Minister of Infrastructure
Caroline Mulroney – Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs
Rod Phillips – Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
Greg Rickford – Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines, and Minister of Indigenous Affairs
Laurie Scott – Minister of Labour
Todd Smith – Minister of Government and Consumer Services, and Government House Leader
Lisa Thompson – Minister of Education
Michael Tibollo – Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services
Jim Wilson – Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade
John Yakabuski – Minister of Transportation
Jeff Yurek – Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry
“We have an all-star team that’s ready right now to give the people of Ontario the kind of leadership and direction they deserve,” said Ford
By Ray Rivers
June 30th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
“Overall, NAFTA was neither devastating nor transformational for Canada’s economy. Opponents of the 1988 free trade agreement had warned that Canada would become a glorified 51st state. While that didn’t happen, Canada didn’t close the productivity gap with the US either…” (NAFTA’s Winners and Losers by David Floyd Jan 30, 2018 – Investopedia)
And that is perhaps because NAFTA has always been a free trade agreement in name only. You see that every time you cross the border and some official asks you if you have something to declare. Try ordering something on-line from a US supplier and you’ll find yourself waiting a long time until the customs have been cleared and after you’ve paid the duty.
And while NAFTA is supposed to include services as well as goods, there is no free trade in labour services – you can’t just waltz across the border and get a job there. NAFTA and its Can-US ‘free trade’ predecessor were implemented to assist large corporations enhance their profitability, particularly in the auto sector which needed to update the 1960’s auto-pact.
And over the last twenty five years NAFTA has benefited consumers with lower prices on a good number of items and some services. But like every good economic idea, NAFTA has had consequences on Canada.
 Rivers does make a strong point about how much damage those trucks do as they move parts and produce across the border. One we almost never hear about is transportation and the environment. The auto industry likes to brag about how often an automobile crosses the border before its final assembly and sale. That crossing is accomplished mostly by trucks rushing to fulfil their just-in-time assembly line orders, zig-zagging half way across the continent.
So there is all this truck congestion at the borders and all around us on our highways. Transportation is inherent in the definition of freer trade. Trucks, trains and ships move goods and components across even greater distances. And these vessels all use fossil fuels to operate. So the biggest casualty of free trade is the environment and how we are accelerating global climate change.
More congestion translates into gridlock – more time for the daily commute and the immeasurable costs of lost family play time. Then there is the added noise and that smog inducing pollution. There is danger in sharing road space with those massive speeding trucks. And of course there is the cost of road bed maintenance and highway reconstruction – and the inconvenience of it all.
 President Trump seems to have to show off his signing of Executive Orders. Raw political power on display. It’s not that Canada wants to tear up NAFTA but Mr. Trump does, and he’s going to do it. In any case, there won’t be much left after softwood, aircraft, metals and autos – his next target. When the Canada-US free trade deal first got off the ground there was a huge sucking sound as manufacturing jobs and incomes headed down to the US. Companies decided they could still sell to Canadian customers duty-free while being better located for the much greater US market.
Ontario and Quebec were particularly hard hit, but we adjusted and we’ll adjust again once Trump has rendered NAFTA into the dust bin of history. And that could be as soon as he announces his upcoming tariffs on autos.
Toyota estimates a 25% auto tariff will push up the cost of a Camry – currently the most popular car in the US, and built there – by $1800 for its US customers. And as Toyota goes so goes the rest of the industry. But that simple reality hasn’t deterred Mr. Wreck-it Ralph in the White House from his path of destruction.
And autos? They’re changing. The electric vehicle is simpler to manufacture, not needing the complication of the myriad of devices used with gas engines to help detoxify car emissions. And batteries which last a minimum of eight years have eliminated the need for a dealer network to service the vehicles once they leave the showroom – no more oil changes.
That means it should be a lot easier for new entrants to get into the auto industry – who needs the big three anymore and their integrated vehicle assembly plants anyway. Those corporations are yesterday’s business model. They need to move over for a new breed of smaller auto manufacturers who sell the products on-line or in shopping malls and Costco. Is there a Canadian entrepreneur, our own Tesla inventor, up to the challenge?
 The factory that manufactured the first Rivers family freezer. My parents bought their first food freezer from the Guelph appliance company W.C. Wood Co. Ltd.. It lasted for over forty years without a breakdown. Mr. Wood recounts that…“In 1964 37 Canadian companies manufactured washing machines, stoves and refrigerators. Today, there are four. Workers in the industry used to total 10,000. Now, there are 2,500… By next year, Mr. Wood said, he’ll be looking at just three manufacturers (here).” Try to get 40 years out of one of the US built models today.
And what is Trump talking about. Canada has an overall trade deficit in the billions with the US, although we have a surplus on goods. But that is mostly our export of crude oil, and we all know where that will be going as fractured drilling is making America more oil independent every year. Sure manufacturing and manufacturing jobs are declining in the US for a number of reasons, including automation. But they are declining even faster in Canada – we’re not gaining at America’s expense.
And why didn’t someone tell the Donald that Canada actually buys more steel from the US than it sells – $2.1 billion more. And we buy more military hardware from the US than anywhere else in the world – over a billion a year on average. We pay more for our pharmaceuticals and intellectual goods because we have conformed to US rules on patents and copyrights.
 Is this the direction Canada is going in? Is t the direction we have to go in? We’ll survive as we did for over a century before NAFTA or the Mulroney deal. And Trudeau is right – we’re not going to be pushed around. Canadians have got the message – we love our American neighbours but there is a trade war and we need to defend ourselves. So a lot of us are responding the best way we can. We have stopped buying US gods and services, even if that means buying Chinese.
I noticed the last few times shopping in the liquor store that people were asking more and more about alternatives to US wines. That should be our next target in this ever growing trade dispute with the US. I’d rather drink Ontario or B.C. fine wines anyway.
But I rarely see the B.C. wines in the LCBO. Perhaps that is where we need to make sure free trade is really working – right here across Canada. After all we are on the eve of Canada Day – more important for us now than ever.
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. Tweet @rayzrivers
Background links:
NA Free Trade – Manufacturing Decline – Tariffs Hurt –
Appliance Makers – Toyota –
 By Staff
June 29th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Do flags make a difference?
Last year the building on the corner of Pine and Pearl was decked out with dozens of Canadian flags.
This year they did the Pine Street side.
 Do flags make a difference? How did you feel when you saw these flags?
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