 By Staff
January 16th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
A motor vehicle was stolen on January 10th 2018.
The Halton Regional Police are investigating a motor vehicle theft that occurred on January 10th 2018.
 Suspect in the theft of an auto from Best Western Hotel 2404 Queensway Drive, Burlington. The unknown male suspect, in the attached photo, stole the victim’s vehicle while it was left running and unattended in the parking lot of the Best Western Hotel situated at 2404 Queensway Drive in the City of Burlington.
The vehicle has since been recovered in the City of Hamilton and police are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the person responsible for this crime.
The quality of the image is much better than most photographs supplied by the police. This person should be identified quickly.
If you have information relating to this incident or are able to identify the unknown suspect, please contact Detective Constable Dave Macedo of the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4747 Ext. 2333.
Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477(TIPS), through the internet at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637
Police are reminding the public to never leave a vehicle running while unattended and to never leave spare keys in the vehicle.
A suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty on a court of law.
 By Pepper Parr
January 16th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The ECoB people are beginning to dialogue with at least one member of city council.
They have always had the ear of ward 2 Councillor Meed Ward but they have had problems getting time and attention from the rest of Council.
While ECoB and Meed Ward are on the same page the ECoB people made a point of telling people that they weren’t a front for Meed Ward – they just happen to support each other in terms of the objective, which was to take a hard realistic look at what is happening to the downtown core of Burlington.
During a meeting with Councillor Taylor two ECoB people met and set out what they feel Councillors are not hearing from the Planning department.
ECoB is a small organization – not more than a handful of people. With the idea developed, after some missteps getting themselves off the ground, there is now a clear direction. The organization is now reaching out for volunteers to take part in getting the message out and further developing the resistance to what is coming out of the Planning department.
The group is holding a Volunteer Recruitment Workshop on Thursday January 18th at Wellington Square Church, 2121 Caroline Avenue from 7-9 PM.
 ECoB lawn sign. Their lawns signs are now ready for those who want to show their support for the group in a more visual way. Signs are $5 – covers the cost – and will be available at the Thursday meeting,
ECoB can be reached electronically at: info@engagedburlington.ca
In summarizing their conversation with Taylor Lisa Kearns and Penny Hersh report that Taylor is now aware ECoB believes the “planned growth for Brant Street is not providing vibrancy, culture or character, but will in fact price out families or those under the top 2% in wage earners.
The women refer to a Toronto Star article that references Toronto real estate prices and what they believe will be the cost of commercial property on Brant Street.
 Lisa Kierns ECoB member They believe there is a housing bubble “that is going to burst at some point and that at some point we will be left with a decimated character for downtown Brant Street, potentially unfinished or vacant condos, and a false promise of vibrancy. This is indeed a grim picture for the gem we have been fortunate enough to enjoy.”
“You must know” said the ECoB team, “as Planning does, that the properties on Brant have been land massed with a bet that the low density will be exchanged for incredible profit – most of which is backed by foreign money – if you don’t know this, it is time to start asking some very serious questions.
ECoB believes the city is “giving away height for nothing in return. Nothing. If the other Precincts can absorb the required growth and Brant Street is off limits, then those areas will be as valuable as Brant – the opposite is true, if Brant is available then the value of the other buildings will be reduced. This means there is a way to offer housing while still protecting Brant Street.”
 Councillor Taylor on discussion with former Director of Planning Mary Lou Tanner who is now the Deputy city manager. “The creators of the problem – vacant stores, no leasehold improvements, short term leases and sky high rents have caused the problems we have downtown – these same individuals are proposing the solution as condo level retail and offices. This is not the solution, there is no soul or feel to commerce in those properties, and if the value of the property is assessed more factually – as 2-4 storey’s then the opportunity for true vibrant and exciting retail and services can flourish. Awesome businesses are dying to get downtown but are forced out because the property’s must be unencumbered to develop.
“There is so much more to this conversation that ECoB will continue to bring forward and we need to rely on those that can affect change in a positive way to ensure our heart and core is protected. Please be part of this change.”
Taylor listened, as he usually does.
 Where the development is taking place in the city.
 By Pepper Parr
January 15th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
David Vandenberg a third year political science student at McMaster University announced on Cogeco TV’s The Issue last week that he will be running the re-election campaign for Rick Goldring who will be seeking his third term as Mayor of Burlington.
Vandenberg said he was honoured and excited about the role and was looking forward to 2018!
 David Vandenberg on Cogeco TV Vandenberg has almost as much exposure in the city as the man he will be working to keep in city hall for another three years.
Vandenberg attended Wilfrid Laurier University where he studied Economics w/ Management Option. While at Laurier he was a member of the Lazaridis Student Society, Laurier Intramurals, Laurier Economics Club. Mike Lazaridis, co-founder of the BlackBerry Corporation is close to an idol at Laurier.
Vandenberg worked on getting high school students involved in the Pythons’ Pit. That job required him to work with the HDSB/HCDSB to promote and seek student involvement with Pythons’ Pit
– Market and promote Pythons’ Pit across the region to business professionals and mentors
– Seek and gain community sponsors for the program
– Foster youth entrepreneurship and guidance to High School students in Halton
His entrepreneurial bones were first evident when he created David’s Lawn Care which he operated for
6 years 9 months.
 David Vandenbewrg’s job is to keep that Chain of Office around the Mayor’s neck and make sure the voters don’t decide to wring that neck at the election polls. It was a self-started lawn care company that he founded in 2011 and maintained seven weekly contracts with neighbours as well as short term clients who leave for vacation.
Vandenberg worked as a Research Analyst Intern with Emshih Developments Inc. from February 2017 – September 2017.
There is also a bit of a show business streak – Vandenberg was an Emcee – Concerts in The Park
Every active student works in a restaurant at some point- Vandenberg was a Host/Server at Son of a Peach Pizza.
Managing an election campaign that is likely to be a much contested event with at least three solid candidates known to be in the race. The only one to declare publicly is the current Mayor.
Vandenberg will need all his youthful energy and whatever he has in the way of skills to pull this one off. Not sure if he realizes yet that politics is a bloods sport – not for the faint of heart.
 By Pepper Parr
January 15th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a public art master plan review should be worth millions of words. The City of Burlington wants public feedback on the Public Art Master Plan.
 Residents are invited to provide feedback through a standard online survey and through a mapping tool to show where they would like to see public art, or attend one of the public drop-in sessions.
Online Tools: Get this
Online Mapping: Where would you like to see public art in the city? Recommend a potential public art location by placing a pin on the map.
Click HERE to access the online mapping tool.
Online Survey: Tell us more about the kinds of projects you would like to see in the future. Click HERE to access the online survey tool.
The online mapping and survey tools will be open until Feb. 2, 2018.
Drop-in Public Engagement Sessions
 A delightful work of art – but you may never see it – sitting as it does in the middle of Upper Middle Road yards away from a railway underpass. Date: Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Tansley Woods Community Centre, 1996 Itabashi Way
Date: Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018
Time: Noon to 4 p.m.
Location: Art Gallery of Burlington, 1333 Lakeshore Rd.
Date: Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018
Time: 1 to 5 p.m.
Location: Burlington Public Library, Central Branch, 2331 New St.
Date: Monday, Jan. 29, 2018
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Haber Recreational Centre, 3040 Tim Dobbie Dr.
 The unveiling of the Spiral Stella outside the Performing Arts Centre on a bright summer day was thought to be the beginning of a breakthrough point for the arts and cultural community. Hasn’t worked out that way, yet – but art perseveres – their day will come. Burlington’s Public Art Master Plan provides a 10-year plan for integrating art into the public spaces. The Plan is both a road map for the community—a vision for how public art can enhance Burlington’s public places, architecture, and landscapes—and a set of processes to put that plan into action.
The Public Art Master Plan (PAMP) addresses art, which is owned by the City of Burlington and located in public spaces. “Public space” is municipally owned spaces used by the general public, including parks, road allowances, tunnels, boulevards, streets, courtyards, squares, bridges, building exteriors, foyers, concourses and publicly accessible indoor areas.
The works may be permanent, temporary or mobile. The PAMP distinguishes and provides guidance for the Public Art Program for the City of Burlington.
Goals of the project
 Recent public art installed in Aldershot. Assess public’s receptiveness, awareness and support for public art
Review and update current list of potential public art sites and projects
Identify and prioritize opportunities for new projects; explore methods to more directly link project planning to annual budgeting process
Plan and prioritize project scope and scale in accordance with the Public Art Reserve Fund
Clarify policies surrounding temporary public art and community-driven art projects
Explore the need for a policy surrounding integrated public art projects/embedded artists within city-led projects
The Public Art Master Plan (2009 – 2018), a 77 page document is HERE.
By Pepper Parr
January 15th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
 Ward 2 city Councillor Marianne Meed Ward Marianne Meed Ward announced earlier this month that she will be bringing a series of motions to modify the proposed new Official Plan policies to avoid over- intensification and ensure balanced growth in keeping with our strategic plan and requirements under provincial and regional policies.
 The detail and Meed Ward’s rationalization are set out below along with maps that visualize the changes she thinks should be made.
Motion: 1
Defer approval of Official Plan till after the 2018 Municipal Election
Rationale:
• Major changes are coming to the city through proposed intensification in the mobility hubs at the 3 Burlington GO stations, and the downtown.
• When the Official Plan review began in December 2011, changes to the downtown were out of the scope. The mobility hubs were not included in the scope.
• In October 2016, the city shifted from an update to a rewrite of the plan. The first draft was released in April 2017. Downtown and mobility hubs policies were not included.
• Proposed changes were first released in September for the downtown, and in November for the GO stations. Area specific plans are still to come.
 • There is considerable community opposition to some of the proposed changes, particularly in the downtown.
• We need time to get this right and give the community more voice, by testing the proposed plan democratically via the 2018 election.
• There is no need or requirement from the province to rush.
• Council continues to retain full decision-making control over applications that may come in prior to approval of the Official Plan. Rules around appeals to the new Local Planning Appeal Tribunal restrict what can be appealed and give more weight to local decisions, further strengthening council’s decision-making authority.
Meed Ward is absolutely right – what’s the rush? Where is the time for the public to absorb the huge amount of information? And were changes of this magnitude part of the mandate this council was given in 2014?
Strategic Plans were four year, single term of council documents. This administration changed the time line to a 20 year Strategic Plan and has based much of what it now wants to do on that plan. Future councils are not obligated to accept a Strategic Plan created by a previous government. Unless of course this Council had the audacity to believe they were going to be around for the next 20 years.
Motion: 2
Direct staff to discuss with the Region and province the possibility of removing the mobility hub classification for the downtown, and shifting the Urban Growth Centre to the Burlington GO station.
Rationale:
• The Urban Growth Centre and Mobility Hub designations have put pressure on the downtown for over intensification. Meed Ward points to the ADI development at Martha & Lakeshore, that was unanimously rejected by council and staff. ADI appealed the council decision to the OMB; a decision is expected soon
• The city has input on the location of Urban Growth Centres (UGC) and Mobility Hubs, and recently added more Mobility Hubs on its own without direction from the province (Aldershot and Appleby). “Ergo” said Meed Ward, ” we can work with the region and province to request a shift in the UGC to the existing designated mobility hub at the Burlington GO station. Urban Growth Centre boundaries recently changed – and can be changed again.”
• The city is positioned to meet city-wide growth targets set by the province for 2031 within the next five years: the population target is 185,000; 2016 census shows the city at 183,000, with 1,000 units under construction at the Burlington GO station alone.
• Downtown will continue to absorb its share of city growth under current Official Plan permissions, and will surpass a target density of 200 people or jobs within 5 to 8 years.
Current development activity in the Downtown core. • There is significant development interest in the downtown, with at least 23 areas under construction, approved (whether built or not), under appeal, at pre-consultation , or subject to known land assembly.
• The downtown can meet the intent of provincial policy and the strategic plan without the pressure to over-intensify that comes with UGC and Mobility Hub designations.
Meed Ward has spoken with The Director of Planning Services/ Chief Planning Official at Halton Region who is open to this conversation, without precluding any outcome. The Region will be reviewing its own Official Plan in 2019.
Motion 3: Staff Direction
Direct staff to work with the Region of Halton to review the Downtown Urban Growth Centre boundaries, and consider restoring original boundaries with the exception of Spencer Smith Park.
 Land use as the city planning department has presented it in their Mobility Hub reports.
 Growth Centre boundaries as put forward by the Planning Department.  Changes Ward 2 Councillor Meed Ward will be bringing to council on January 23rd by way of motions. Rationale:
• Parts of stable neighbourhoods and a community park have been added to the Urban Growth Centre, while the intent of the boundaries is to protect and exclude stable neighbourhoods.
• Areas of high density including mid-rises and high rises have been eliminated , while the intent of the boundary was to accommodate higher density built forms.
Meed Ward said she has spoken with the Director of Planning Services/ Chief Planning Official at Halton Region who is supportive of the proposed boundary changes. The Region will be reviewing its own Official Plan in 2019.
Areas to Eliminate:
• Ontario North/East of the hydro corridor
• West side of Locust and parcel fronting Hurd
• West side of Martha to James, including Lion’s Club Park
Areas to Add back:
• Ghent West to Hager
• Lakeshore South of Torrance
• South East parcels of James/Martha
Motion 4:
4a Retain the current height restriction of 4 storeys (with permission to go to 8 storeys with community benefits) for the Downtown Core Precinct. Proposed height in the new Official Plan is 17 storeys as of right.
4b Include a range of heights in the precinct, to help secure community benefits during redevelopment.
4c Include policies to allow additional density in developments that preserve heritage buildings, as a factor of square footage preserved.
 Historic property locations are shown on this map in light purple.  Arrows point to where Meed Ward thinks changes should be made. Rationale:
The downtown can meet growth targets under existing planning permissions. Refer to the intensification analysis completed by staff for the 421 Brant/James proposal, and earlier for the ADI proposal at Martha/Lakeshore. There is no policy need under provincial legislation or the city’s strategic plan to over intensify to accommodate growth.
 Residences in the St. Luke’s Precinct. The majority of residents are not supportive of this height in this precinct. Residents are supportive of a range of new developments up to a mid-rise character as reflected in the existing plan (4-8 storeys).
 Residences in the Emerald Precinct. Approving an up zone to 17 storeys as of right does not provide opportunity to negotiate community benefits, for example heritage preservation, affordable and family housing, additional green space setbacks and streetscaping, parking and other matters. That can be achieved in part by including a range of heights in the plan, which the existing policy framework has. That can also be achieved by writing into the precinct policies extra density in respect of the square footage of the historic buildings preserved.
There is precedent: the existing OP for the Old Lakeshore Road area includes density increases for heritage protection during redevelopment; add similar policies to the downtown core precinct.
Up zoning to 17 storeys would compromise the historic character of parts of the precinct, create a potential forest of high rises every 25 metres in this area should land owners take advantage of the new heights by application, in accordance with the Tall Building Guidelines, and make it more difficult to preserve historic (but not designated) buildings in the downtown, as the air rights of these existing 2-3 storey buildings would be more valuable than retaining the building.
There are 93 properties in the downtown mobility hub study area of heritage significance (on the municipal register or designated).
• Of these 26 are designated
• 5 adjacent to mobility hub, 1 of these designated
Motion 5:
Height restriction of 3 storeys along Brant Street with permission to go to 11 storeys along John Street frontage, only with the provision of community benefits.
Rationale:
Existing permissions are 4 storeys along Brant, up to 8 with provision of community benefits. The proposed is 3-11, which is roughly the same; this motion seeks additional of language that allows securing community benefits to get to the full 11 storeys.
Motion 6:
6a. Add the north west corner of Burlington Avenue and Lakeshore Road to the special planning area to match the north east corner.
6b. Reduce height to 3 storeys.
Current proposal in the Official Plan is 6 storeys, on the east side only.
 Councillor Meed Ward sees Burlington Street as the entrance to the St. Luke’s Precinct and believes that the two corners at Lakeshore Road should be the same height. Rational:
Burlington Avenue and Lakeshore is a gateway to the stable neighbourhood of St. Luke’s. This corner has existing townhouses and single family homes that contain multiple units. Both sides of the street should be treated the same; the proposed 3 storeys reflects existing built form and is compatible with the balance of the street in the St. Luke’s Precinct. Higher height/density will put pressure on development creep up the street into the neighbourhood.
Motion 7:
Reduce the cannery district at the north east corner of Lakeshore Road and Brant Street to 15 storeys.
Rationale:
Reflects existing heights in the area.
Motion 8: Upper Brant Precinct:
8a. Remove East side of Brant from Blairholm to Prospect 8b.
 The arrows indicate where Councillor Meed Ward would like to see changes made in the current version of the Official Plan. Remove West side of Brant from Blairholm to Olga
Existing heights are 4-6 storeys; that is an appropriate transition in these two areas which back onto stable neighbourhoods.
One Gazette reader who has written opinion pieces for the paper said: “This meeting and MMW’s (Ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward) motions may determine who will be our next mayor and put the rest of council on notice, as well as planning.
The January 23rd meeting is expected to attract a significant number of delegations. Many of those who have delegated in the past have come away from the experience feeling they were not respected and not listened to.
The city council decision to accept a Planning Staff Recommendation to approve a 23 storey condominium opposite city hall appears to have been the “straw that broke the camel’s back”. They want to put a stop to some of the ideas coming out of the Planning department that itself is experiencing some disarray.
The meeting will start at 1:00 pm and adjourn at 4:00 and begin again at 6:30 pm. Meetings can go to 10:00 pm and can be extended an additional half hour and then are adjourned to be continued on another day.
 By Staff
January 15th,2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Everyone knows we have an Art Gallery. A significant number of people attend events at the Gallery. Hundreds of young people take courses and hundreds more seniors are active participants in the Guilds.
 Some of the Art Etc retail operation at the Art Gallery of Burlington. The Art Etc shop offers the best selection of arts and craft related products in the city. The quality is close to unsurpassed.
The Gallery has its supporters – they are loyal and generous and the funds they provide are needed.
Utter Morris, a Burlington based insurance agency that has been in business since 1927, underwrote the cost of a short video – it is part story about the Gallery, and an appreciation of what the Gallery has to offer and a bit of a look at how the place works.
Hopefully the Tourism department will make use of it and perhaps the developers of all those high rise condominiums can use the material in their sales presentations.
It’s worth looking at – CLICK for the link.
 By Rory Nisan
January 14th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
What is democracy?
Is it a single act, an election every four years?
Certainly, that is one part of democracy, an essential but not sufficient component. Without the ability to have the final word on our leadership through a free and fair vote, and the ability to do so in a human rights-based system, with freedoms of association and expression, we do not have democracy.
However, a vote every four years does not guarantee that leaders will listen to their constituents in the long gaps between elections.
Is democracy a decision made by an elected representative?
 Halton District School Board trustees in session When that person is balancing the values and interests of their constituents, the sum total of decisions is certainly an important aspect of democracy.
Yet, individual decisions by representatives can nevertheless be anti-democratic if they are taken for other reasons, such as payback to political, union, private or corporate interests who have funded their campaign, or to further professional goals (promotion, a future private sector career, fear of disagreeing with a senior bureaucrat).
Is democracy the social licence given to leaders from civil society?
Licences carry responsibilities to be maintained. They are only given when tests are passed. They can be revoked. Social licence is critical to democracy.
Is democracy a function of civic space?
When a society has the room it needs to engage in decisions that affect it — and it fills that space with collective action, we have the strongest democracies.
As far as the decision to close Pearson and Bateman High School is concerned, we do not believe that civic space was respected; nor was any social licence given to trustees to make that decision. We were then let down a second time by an Administrative Review process that supported the decision of the trustees despite noting several flaws in the process. We expected a better outcome based on the consultations we had with the facilitator and the numerous violations of policy we had uncovered.
 Administrative Review Facilitator Margaret Wilson listening to Diane Miller. Yet, while there are errors and omissions in the Administrative Review report, our battle was never with the facilitator, because the true letdown was a Program and Accommodation Review (PAR) that was so deeply flawed that the Premier had to put a halt to all PARs shortly after ours was completed.
Second, the original sin was committed by trustees who voted against our schools in the first place; they did so against strong evidence as well as the wishes of a clear majority of constituents. And we cannot forget one trustee whose failure of leadership all but ensured the closure of Pearson High School.
The community will bear the consequences of these errors for years to come, and the “divide and conquer” approach to community engagement of the Halton District School Board and the PAR process has left the Burlington community divided.
Has democracy failed us?
It has been said that democracy is the worst system of government, except for all of the other ones, and we certainly feel that way at the moment.
Still, we need to expand our horizons in reflecting on this encounter with democracy, politics, interests and values. Because while Burlington is going to be worse off as a result of the school closures, we have made strides in improving democracy as well as local and provincial governance as a result of the actions taken.
We stood up for what we believed in and proved that decisions in Burlington and Halton cannot be taken lightly in the future. We did so by protesting in the middle of winter, by putting up signs and getting signatures, and so many other activities to get our voices heard. We will also make sure that future decisions are better made, by supporting candidates for trustees later this year who understand the foolishness of the decisions taken, who will actually read our emails and who have the analytical and leadership skills that our community deserves.
 Rory Nisan We engaged the province in our fight, pulling no punches in confronting Premier Wynne with our plight. She took notice, as did Education Minister Hunter, as did MPP McMahon. As a result of our tireless conviction, and that of other citizen groups around the province, Wynne put a hold on all PAR processes, thereby admitting that they have failed Ontarians. It was too late for our schools because our PAR process had concluded, but it may save many others.
Furthermore, Leader of the Official Opposition Patrick Brown has promised to stop all school closures should he be elected on June 7, in part because of our advocacy, meaning our collective efforts could have an even bigger impact across the province.
We also exposed the flaws in the decision and in the process, so when a new system of reviewing schools is developed they will have a “worst practice”, which has been carefully documented by our teams, upon which to draw.
Importantly, we also learned how to advocate for our community: how to push our objectives in the media, how to go door-to-door for signatures, how to build momentum, how to convince people to get involved. These democracy skills are ours to keep.
And finally, we gained enthusiasm. We will not go home. We will continue to advocate for Burlington’s children when they are confronted with bad ideas from un- elected bureaucrats who have forgotten that they were not elected, or from elected representatives who have forgotten how to represent.
Several years down the road, when the Director of Education has moved on to a new position, and most or all of the trustees have been voted out or retired, we will still be in Burlington, fighting for our kids.
And by holding our elected officials’ feet to the fire and never giving up on what we believe in, we will be agents of change, and create a better Burlington.
 Rory Nisan is a long-time Burlington resident and Lester B. Pearson High School alumnus. He has been an active member of the Save Pearson community organization, serves on the City of Burlington’s Mundialization Committee, and is co-creator and co-organizer of the One Burlington Festival, which brings together Burlingtonians of different faiths and cultures.
 By Staff
January 13th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Calling all lovers of roots and bluegrass music – register for a FREE workshop with the Slocan Ramblers on Friday, January 26 3-4 PM at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre!
 The Slocan Ramblers with their bluegrass sound You don’t have to play an instrument to attend. It’s worth it just to meet this amazing band and get a taste of their sound!
Slide over to web site to register.
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/free-bluegrass-roots-workshop-with-the-slocan-ramblers-tickets-42121817490
The event is part of the Performing Arts Centre Community Outreach.
FREE Bluegrass & Roots Workshop with The Slocan Ramblers
By Pepper Parr
January 13th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Part eleven of a multi-part editorial feature on the precincts and mobility hub being planned for the downtown core
The St. Luke’s/Emerald Neighbourhood Precinct is a retained precinct that exists in the current Official Plan and is intended to protect established residential neighbourhoods which are located outside of the Urban Growth Centre from significant redevelopment.
 The precinct is the core of the downtown residential community. If Burlington has a set of middle class values they come from this community. Draft Intention Statement:
The St. Luke’s Neighbourhood and Emerald Neighbourhood Precinct will conserve the existing established residential and heritage character of these neighbourhoods. Limited development may exist within the precinct and will be compatible with the existing character and built form of the area. New and/or enhanced pedestrian and cycling connections will be established as a priority throughout the precinct to allow for improved access to amenities and services.
 Homes on the Emerald side of the precinct. The key policy directions for the St. Luke’s/Emerald Neighbourhood Precinct include the potential for semi-detached dwellings as well as the introduction of accessory dwelling units as a permitted use within single and semi-detached dwellings as well as in detached garages consistent with city-wide policy directions in the draft new Official Plan.
These precinct policies also recognize existing low-rise apartments and townhouse developments within the precinct and introduce new opportunities for park/green spaces and pedestrian and cycling connections and amenities.
 St. Luke’s is the larger of the two parts of the precinct. The phrase “accessory dwelling units” is some of that weasel language that is creeping into documents coming out of city hall. Former Director of Planning Mary Lou Tanner has said that she is very much in favour of “granny flats” which is nice. And if this is what the community wants – then let it be. Is this what the community wants?
The St. Likes side of the precinct has a very informed and active community group. Expect them to speak up at the January 23rd meeting that will be going over the precincts as the planners have defined them.
 The ward Councillor has served notice that she will be bringing none motions for changes in what the planners have put forward.
Part 1 Evolution of precincts and hubs
Part 2 Brant Main Street
Part 3 – Parks and promenades
Part 4 – Bates precinct
Part 5 – Cannery precinct
Part 6 Old Lakeshore Road
Part 7 Mid Rise precinct
Part 8 Tall buildings precinct
Part 9 Public service precinct
Part 10 Upper Brant Precinct
By Staff
January 13th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Volunteers, local media outlets and various businesses that help fund Crime Stoppers of Halton will be recognized at an open house to mark January 2018 as Crime Stoppers Month.
This year is also of special significance since Crime Stoppers of Halton is celebrating 30 years of success.
“Crime Stoppers of Halton has earned the respect of residents in the region through the efforts of the program to help Halton Regional Police solve crime and keep our neighborhoods safe and secure,” said Cal Millar, chair of Crime Stoppers of Halton.
“However, this is not something we could do alone. We have had the help of numerous volunteers, an extremely supportive media and the generous assistance of area businesses and organizations who have made donations to allow Crime Stoppers to operate in the region for three decades,” Millar said.
“The support of everyone has been nothing short of amazing.”
 FileBank, a paper shredding operation, has been a consistent supporter of Crime Stoppers in the Region. Like other Crime Stoppers programs across Canada (and many of the 1,700 units in 32 countries worldwide), Crime Stoppers of Halton has observed Crime Stoppers Month which was first proclaimed in 1986 at the annual Crime Stoppers International conference in Edmonton, Alberta. Crime Stoppers Month gives the opportunity to recognize those who have played a key role in assisting the crime solving program.
This year Crime Stoppers of Halton has added to the theme – See something? Hear something? Say something? – which it adopted in January 2016 from the popular Homeland Security slogan in the United States. However, they have changed – Say something to – Know something? – and have included a call to action by adding – Contact Crime Stoppers – to the message.
The theme is designed to encourage people to contact Crime Stoppers by calling, texting or through a web tip if they become aware of any information that will assist police to solve or stop crime.
 Detective Constable Jodi Thomson is the Halton Police liaison officer with Crime Stoppers. Through the years, anonymous callers to Halton’s program have provided tips that have led to the solving of homicides, break-ins, assaults, sexual attacks, robberies, frauds and numerous other crimes in Burlington, Milton, Oakville and Halton Hills.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is among a number of world leaders and political figures who have signed proclamations or sent letters encouraging people to support Crime Stoppers.
“The many events being held across the country this month offer a wonderful opportunity to bring awareness to the Crime Stoppers program, which encourages Canadians to report suspicious or criminal activity anonymously,” the Prime Minister’s letter states. “I am certain that participants will leave with a better understanding of the challenges facing law enforcement agencies, and will appreciate receiving information on how they can help assure safety in their communities.”
An Open House and Theme Launch, that will be hosted between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. by Crime Stoppers of Halton on January 22 at the Halton Regional Centre, will include remarks from Deputy Police Chief Carol Crowe; Ingrid Hann, a member of the Halton Police Services Board, Jan Westcott, vice-chair of Halton Crime Stoppers and Detective Constable Jodi Richmond, police coordinator of Crime Stoppers of Halton.
There will also be a cheque presentation by Rocco Neglia, a vice-president at Economical Insurance which has contributed $100,000 over the years to Crime Stoppers of Halton and an estimated $500,000 to various Crime Stoppers programs across Canada to promote the crime solving program and create awareness of crime concerns to high school students.
It’s also noteworthy that Economical Insurance is recognized as the Youth Initiatives Sponsor at Crime Stoppers of Halton.
 Burlington banks worked with Crime Stoppers and the Regional police to alert the public about the threat of Identity Theft John Sawyer, president of the Oakville Chamber of Commerce, will also speak at the Open House event to outline the value of Crime Stoppers to the business community and how the program can work together with company owners to combat crimes that impact firms large and small.
The four Chamber of Commerce groups in Halton were instrumental in bringing Crime Stoppers to the region in 1988 after programs were established in a number of other Ontario communities, including Hamilton and Toronto.
Detective Constable Richmond said although Halton Region is considered one of the safest areas in Canada, crime can still occur and anyone can be a victim.
“Whenever there is a crime, it is important to have Crime Stoppers taking calls from anonymous tipsters to ensure cases are solved,” she said. “It’s also vital to have the media working closely with Crime Stoppers to alert the public whenever investigators need help to solve a crime.”
Richmond said Crime Stoppers is a true partnership operating with the public, the media and the police to ensure cases are solved.
 By Ray Rivers
January 13, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
FART. Not a word you would have seen in print only a couple decades ago. Four letter words were once taboo – LOVE excepted. But today they are as common as crows, showing up everywhere; print media, television, movies, school playgrounds and sometimes even at the family dinner table. And when the leader of the free world uses language like “shithole countries” – well what the heck!
 He seems rather pleased with himself! Humans pass wind an estimated twenty times a day on a good day. Of course that can vary with weight and exercise and health… and diet. We know it’s beans, beans, beans. But it’s also broccoli, cabbage, onions, garlic, beer and meat.
Aesthetics aside the real problem with off-gassing is the contribution it makes to our changing climate. It’s the methane gas generated in the intestines during digestion which is the culprit. And methane, as we know, is a far more potent greenhouse gas than the carbon dioxide we always talk about.
It’s true that beans are a much more potent flatulent than meat. Yet it’s where these foods come from that really puts that statement on its head. Cattle and sheep are ruminants, they have four stomachs and regurgitate their food (chewing their cud) which leads to massive gas production.
 Do the math – 500 litres of methane gas per day x how many cows? One study estimated that a cow generates up to 500 litres of methane gas per day. With almost seven million cows in Canada, that is a heck of a lot of gas. An article in the Atlantic estimated that meat consumption accounts for more than a third of all US greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). And if all meat were banned tomorrow, the US would be in the home stretch, fully three quarters of the way there, to meeting its Obama-era 2020 emissions reduction goal – without doing a single thing more.
But that is not likely to happen in a USA where its president goes to bed hugging a cheeseburger instead of his wife. America is blessed with Trump, the climate change denier, who has worked hard to transform the once proud USA from world leader to rogue nation. And nothing was more rogue than thumbing his nose at the rest of the world and the planet and pulling out of the Paris climate agreement.
 Trump with his burger and fries. Trump may be part of the problem but he is hardly the cause. Meat consumption has been increasing globally, a response to rising national incomes and the extension of western culinary customs. Global meat consumption grew by FIVE times between 1992 and 2016. Even in India, where a third of the population claim to be Hindu or Jain vegetarian, meat consumption has been growing faster than a raging Brahman bull.
Perhaps it’s a presidential thing as former US president Bill Clinton was also an infamous hamburger hog, until he finally needed bypass surgery – and the meadow muffin hit him smack in the face. Trump is so passionate about his meat that he’s been known to throw away the buns so he can get right at the beef. In fact he forced his Japanese hosts to change their traditional sushi dinner menu to hamburgers for his recent state visit.
And besides climate change, meat is also a contributing factor for obesity, diabetes, cancer, soil degradation, high water consumption and deforestation. And lest we forget, milk also comes from that big brown moo-moo. Yet, it is inconceivable that any liberal democracy would adopt a policy to outright ban farm animal production or meat and dairy consumption.
But we might tax it! That is exactly what many organizations are calling for, including those claiming an authority to lobby for human health and animal welfare. They want a sin tax on meat, just like what we have for tobacco and alcohol, carbon, and pretty soon marijuana. Increasing the cost would encourage consideration of alternatives in our diet. A salad and single-malt scotch instead of meat and milk works for me.
Back in 2003 New Zealand floated the notion of taxing its 100,000 plus farmers with a hefty but inappropriately named ‘fart tax’ – a misnomer since cows actually belch more than fart. Animal rearing is responsible for as much as half of all of that island nation’s GHG emissions. And of course, the farmers continue to protest that such a tax would imperil their international competitiveness and crash their economy.
However, taxing meat at the production stage does more than raise cash. Clearly more research needs to be funded into developing less gas-causing animal diets, and other technology, until we find that perfectly toot-less moo-moo. But an emissions tax would also encourage greater adoption of that technology, even by today’s more conventionally-minded farmers.
And there is complementary research on the consumer front, including at least one Franken-science laboratory which has developed a synthetic something-or-other in a petrie glass. It’s not a soy-burger, but rather, something which apparently looks and tastes like Harvey’s ‘a beautiful thing’. And no animals are being harmed in the process. But at a cost of $300,000 per burger, the Ontario minimum wage would have to increase well beyond $14 before McDonald’s starts to worry about sales of its Big Mac.
 Apparently – I am the problem. Taxes have a way of forcing technology and changing habits. Cigarettes are a case in point. Keeping them hidden and banning them from public spaces helps, available vapour E-cigs probably help as well, but higher prices are the real kicker, forcing sales to continue their downward tumble.
Who knows? One day hamburgers may be banned from bars and other public places as well. And perhaps those gassy beans will be next on the list of controlled substances. And maybe one day we’ll hear that the US president prefers settling down with a Franken burger next to him at bedtime.
 Ray Rivers writes weekly 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:
“Shithole” – Passing Gas Etiquette – Farting – Trump’s Big Mac –
More Burgers – Meat Tax – More meat – Beans vs Meat –
Indian Meat – Cow Farts – NZ Fart Tax – More NZ –
Meat Tax – More Meat Tax – Franken Burgers – Profanity –
By Pepper Parr
January 12th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The fact that there is a provincial election months away does change the level of information sent out by the different ministries – that however should not take away from the really good programs that are being introduced.
The province created OHIP + the biggest expansion to Medicare in a generation by providing drug coverage to over four million children and youth.
 In only 11 days into the New Year, more than 220,000 young people age 24 years and under have had their prescriptions filled at no cost through OHIP+: Children and Youth Pharmacare.
More than 350,000 prescriptions have been filled to date under OHIP+ and the numbers continue to grow, making a real difference in the lives of people and families across the province.
 Under OHIP+, more than 4,400 medications are covered, including asthma inhalers, drugs to treat depression, anxiety, epilepsy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, antibiotics, epinephrine auto-injectors like EpiPens, insulin, diabetes test strips, oral contraceptives, some medications to treat childhood cancers and other rare conditions, and many others.
All people need to do is present their Ontario health card number along with a valid prescription for an eligible medication at an Ontario pharmacy and the medicine will be provided free of charge.
The introduction of a significant increase in the minimum wage has created a controversy that has put what people who are on the lower end of the income spectrum on the table.
One can argue, fairly, that this should have been done years ago and that the increase should have been more gradually. That should not however detract from the fact that the wage has been increased and that those funds will work themselves into the economy.
All facts to be kept in mind as we move into a phase of the provincial election where positions will begin to be taken.
Time to pay attention.
There is a search tool on the province’s web site that helps people learn just which drugs are covered. You might find that useful.
By Staff
January 12th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The city goes to great lengths to engage its citizens – the are using social media much more and reporting significant reach into the community.
That reach isn’t reflected in the level of public awareness of just what the city has planned for the various neighborhoods in the downtown core.
If you are a Timbits type you may have noticed the public message that scrolls across the screens in some of the locations.
 Civic engagement – Timbits style. Intriguing – not sure if the city pays for the space on the screen or if the franchise owner runs the video as a public service message.
By Pepper Parr
January 12th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Part ten of a multi-part editorial feature on the precincts and mobility hub being planned for the downtown core
The Upper Brant Precinct is a new precinct, which serves as “the height peak” or the area of the tallest building permissions in the Downtown Mobility Hub. This precinct was created in response to public input around the preferred location of building height in the downtown and as a result of the precinct’s location within walking distance of the Burlington GO Station to accommodate a mixed-use pedestrian, cycling and transit oriented community close to higher order public transit.
 The developers are far ahead of the thinking going on in the Planning department. Major projects are well advanced. Draft Intention Statement:
The Upper Brant Precinct will accommodate the tallest developments within the Downtown Mobility Hub, where appropriate and compatible, along Brant Street between Prospect Street and Blairholm Avenue. Developments will generally achieve a height and density that reflects the precinct’s walking distance to higher-order transit at the Burlington GO Station and contributes to the creation of a transit, pedestrian and cycling oriented community that links the Downtown Mobility Hub and the Burlington GO Mobility Hub.
The key policy directions for the Upper Brant Precinct include a maximum building height of 25 storeys where appropriate and compatible, as well as several building design and performance measures. Future developments will be required to provide a mix of unit sizes, and attract a range of demographics and income levels to the Downtown. In addition, podium requirements, Transportation Demand Management measures and the mitigation of impacts on adjacent low and mid-rise development will be required.
 The two squares are land that has been assembled with plans to build well underway. The circle is where a significant add on is to be added to Brant Square. The Upper Brant Precinct also includes a special policy area that is intended to recognize the existing shallow parcel depths of lands on the east side of Brant Street, just south of Ghent Avenue and their close proximity to the adjacent low density residential neighbourhood.
Draft Intention Statement for Special Policy Area:
Lands on the east side of Brant Street from south of Ghent Avenue to Blairholm Avenue will accommodate developments at a scale and height significantly less than that permitted throughout the precinct.
 Brant Square has had plans for a significant re-development of their property in the works for some time. The property to the immediate north has been assembled on both sides of the street with the developer ready to put shovels into the ground. Developments will not exceed a modest mid-rise form in order to minimize potential impacts on the adjacent established residential neighborhood areas as a result of smaller parcel sizes and depths that exist in this section of the precinct.
The key policy directions for the Upper Brant Precinct Special Policy Area include a maximum building height of 7 storeys.
 Ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward at her 2014 nomination meeting. Ward 2 city Councillor Marianne Meed Ward has announced that she will be bringing a number of motions to a committee meeting on January 23rd. Two of the nine motions she has outlined relate to the Upper Brant Precinct.
Meed Ward wants to:
Remove East side of Brant from Blairholm to Prospect and retain existing permissions
Remove West side of Brant from Blairholm to Olga and retain existing permissions
She said that “the proposed Upper Brant Precinct from Blairholm to Prospect (royal blue on the map) would allow heights of 25 storeys. Currently this area allows mixed use buildings of 6 storeys, although there are taller buildings on the West side of Brant and Ghent (up to 18 storeys).
On the east side of Brant there are low rises (4-6 storeys) and the area transitions to single family neighbourhoods. Though staff have proposed some restrictions to height in this area, based on lot depth, the east side of Brant should be eliminated entirely from this precinct.
Brant St north of Prospect is part of the Burlington GO mobility hub planning study, which will be discussed at a future committee meeting.
Part 1 Evolution of precincts and hubs
Part 2 Brant Main Street
Part 3 – Parks and promenades
Part 4 – Bates precinct
Part 5 – Cannery precinct
Part 6 Old Lakeshore Road
Part 7 Mid Rise precinct
Part 8 Tall buildings precinct
Part 9 Public service precinct
By Pepper Parr
January 12th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Over the last thirty years the Art Gallery of Burlington has amassed the largest comprehensive collection of contemporary Canadian ceramics in the world, totaling over 2300 works. The work ranges from the highly functional to sculptural installations.
 The Art Gallery ceramics collection is extensive – this beauty just sprouts colour and energy. Collection policy has dictated that we not only have a representational selection of work from coast, to coast, to coast, but we have earmarked artists of outstanding importance where we collect their work in depth to represent their career span. The Collection looks at the intersection where high craftsmanship and artistic expression converge.
A portion, a very small portion of the collection is now on display in the Perry Gallery, which is a rather small room – not much space to move around in.
 It is a tea pot – it will draw some critical comment. The AGB probably has the only one in existence in its collection. Jonathan Smith, Curator of the collections at the Art Gallery doesn’t get too man opportunities to put the ceramics collection on display. He, along with Dennis Longchamps and other members of the staff have done a superb job of choosing the collection that is on display now.
The reception for this event is Friday February 2nd in the evening.
 By Staff
January 12, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
 With weather all over the map we plan for what we are told the weather is going to be during the day and know that it will probably change significantly before the end of the day.
A major dump of show on the weekend and rain three days later that washes much of the snow away.
One day you could have worn shorts and sat out on a patio and the next day you need those mitts.
The recent rain has added to the water flooding into the creeks creating safety concerns.
The Conservation Authority has issued a Watershed Conditions Statement advising that Environment Canada is forecasting rainfall that will continue into Friday. Expected amounts will range between 10 to 20 mm with higher amounts possible in localized areas.
 Not what you want children to be doing – especially if they are unsupervised. Caution. Based on the forecast of mild temperatures and rainfall, combined with the partial melt of our existing snowpack, we may experience an increase in flows and water levels in our creeks throughout Halton. In addition, the snowpack melt may contribute to blockages at bridges and culverts and produce localized flooding concerns in low lying areas.
Widespread flooding is not currently anticipated. Our reservoirs are currently at winter holding levels which allows for larger storage capacity for circumstances of this nature.
Conservation Halton is asking all residents and children to stay off ice covered bodies of water and keep a safe distance from all watercourses and structures such as bridges, culverts and dams. Elevated water levels, fast flowing water, and slippery conditions along stream banks continue to make these locations extremely dangerous. Please alert children in your care of these imminent dangers.
This Watershed Condition Statement will be in effect through to Saturday January 13, 2018.
By Pepper Parr
January 11th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Part nine of a multi-part editorial feature on the precincts and mobility hub being planned for the downtown core
The Public Service Precinct is an updated precinct (currently identified as Major Institutional Precinct in the City’s Official Plan) that formally recognizes existing and future land for public service functions in the Downtown Mobility Hub.
 What is a little surprising is what has been included in the Public Service Precinct – not just the Brant Museum that is undergoing a transformation but much of what will eventually become the Beachway Park. Draft Intention Statement:
The Public Service Precinct will accommodate current and future public services within the Downtown Mobility Hub including healthcare, education, emergency and protective services, cultural activities and civic administration, among others. Lands identified as public service may accommodate such uses either wholly or in part as part of a public-private partnership.
“The policy directions for the Public Service Precinct include recognizing existing and potential public service facilities as well as permitting opportunities to locate public services in privately owned development through public-private partnerships.”
Not a lot in the way of detail. What the planners are not revealing is the long term thinking about what to do with city hall that does not have enough space for all the staff and is an old inefficient building.
 City hall has been due for an upgrade for some time – best the city has been able to do is upgrade some of the furnishing in the Atrium. Former Director of Planning Mary Lou Tanner, now Deputy city manager, said during a tour of John Street that she liked the look of the city hall but realized there were some problems with the accommodation of staff – something would have to be done with the back end of the building where an addition was put in place a number of years ago.
There is a report somewhere in the Capital Works department that includes a survey of the space needs and what might be done with the city hall. That report never made its way to a public meeting.
The city currently rents a considerable amount of space in the Sims building which is across the street from city hall.
 Finance, Human Resources and Capital works are all in the Sims building. Ward 4 Councillor Jack Dennison thought the city should have either bought the Sims building or do something with the existing city hall. That idea didn’t go anywhere.
 City chose to rent space on Locust street for the Grow Bold planners, yards from the best patio space in the city. In order to accommodate the growing number of planners involved in the Grow Bold idea and the creation of the Mobility Hubs the city rented some expensive space on Locust Street.
Lots of room for some creative thinking on consolidating the different space needs.
Part 1 Evolution of precincts and hubs
Part 2 Brant Main Street
Part 3 – Parks and promenades
Part 4 – Bates precinct
Part 5 – Cannery precinct
Part 6 Old Lakeshore Road
Part 7 Mid Rise precinct
Part 8 Tall buildings precinct
By Staff
January 11th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
With the headline : Report confirms Board followed its process for Burlington PAR, the school board gets on with the changes that were voted in by the school board trustees – close the Lester B. Pearson high school at the end of the 2018 school year and close the Bateman high school in 2020
“The Administrative Review report regarding the Burlington Secondary Program and Accommodation Review (PAR) process from the Ministry of Education concludes the Halton District School Board followed its process for the Program and Accommodation review of Burlington secondary schools.
“This report does not change the Board of Trustees’ decision from June 7, 2017 to close Lester B. Pearson High School and Robert Bateman High School.
“The report contains recommendations by the provincially-appointed, independent facilitator Margaret Wilson, who undertook a review of the Board’s Burlington secondary accommodation review process in November and December 2017.
 Margaret Wilson, Facilitator of the Administrative Review of the process used to close two of the city’s seven high schools apparently didn’t see any serious flaws in the process used. “While there are suggestions for improving the process in the future, the report’s conclusion states: “Based on my review and consultations, I conclude that, while there were violations of the Board PAR Policy, they were such that they had no material effect on either the deliberations of the PARC or on the final decisions of the Board.”
 HDSB Director of Education Stuart Miller at a Central high school meeting. “We appreciate the comprehensive nature of this review,” says Stuart Miller, Director of Education for the Halton District School Board. “We are pleased to see the recommendations in the report and we will review our Program and Accommodation Review Policy to ensure these recommendations are considered for the future.”
“With the conclusion of this review, we will continue our work toward building new school communities, and our focus on positive transitions for students, their families, staff and the community,” adds Miller. “We are committed to working with our school communities to ensure the smoothest possible transition.”
There are two very disappointed groups of parents in Burlington but the deal is done and the task now is to work to make the transition as smooth as possible.
By Staff
January 11th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The Gazette asked the Board staff which dates have been established for Kindergarten registration in the different areas and were told that”many elementary schools would establish their own Kindergarten registration times and that it was more “more conducive for parents to contact the school in their area for specific times to attend. Also, some schools have started tweeting registration times.
The Halton District School Board wants to do a head count – how many of the little darlings are going to show up at elementary schools across the Region.
 The beginning of an education. The School Board is now accepting registrations for Junior (JK – Year 1) and Senior (SK – Year 2) Kindergarten for September 2018. Parents are advised to visit or call their local elementary school to find out which dates have been established for Kindergarten registration in their area. Parents and guardians are asked to register their child by February 2, 2018. Children can access the school library once they have registered.
Please take the following original documents when registering:
• Proof of address (any two of the following current documents): lease or deed, car registration, utility bill, residential telephone bill, moving bill, property tax bill, bank statement, credit card statement, correspondence with a government agency
• Proof of age: birth certificate or passport or baptismal/faith record for your child
• Proof of citizenship: birth certificate or passport, Record of Landing (IMM 1000) or Permanent Resident card
If you are not the child’s parent, or if you have sole custody, please bring proof of custody (court order).
To register for Fall 2018, Junior Kindergarten (Year 1) children must be four years old by December 31, 2018, and Senior Kindergarten (Year 2) children must be five years old by December 31, 2018.
To determine your home school, refer to “Find My Local School” under the Schools section on the Board website at www.hdsb.ca.
If you require language assistance to register your child for school, please contact the Halton Multicultural Council at 905-842-2486. Parents should contact the principal/vice-principal of their school if they require accessibility accommodations to register their child for Kindergarten.
To learn more about the Halton District School Board’s Kindergarten Program, refer to the ‘Parents’ section of the Board website and click on ‘Kindergarten’.
By Joe Gaetan
January 11th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Let me see if I got this right. The Wynne Liberal party, suffering in popularity because of amongst other things, a failed energy policy, that forced people to choose between eating and heating, decided it was high time to increase the minimum wage. During their 15-year Liberal reign, McGuinty and Wynne had ample opportunities to make it right, but instead decided to wait until 6 month before the next election to pull the trigger. Sound familiar?
Between 2004 and 2017 for example they tweaked the minimum wage a number of times increasing it from $7.15 to $11.40 or about 4.5 % per year during that time. For the four years between 2010 and 2013 they held the minimum wage at $10.25 (zero increases for four years), then over the next four years (2011 to 2017), they increased the minimum wage from $11.00 to $11.40 or 40 cents, or 10 cents a year.
But that was then, and this is now, and now with Wynne having to face the probability of being ousted from power decided small businesses needed to pay for them to win the election. And so all-of-a- sudden, our minimum wage had to go from $11.40 to $14.00 on January 1, 2018 and then to $15 on January 1, 2019. No one can successfully argue that they do not need the $15.00.
The reaction by some small businesses, resulted in some claw backs, which led to Wynne calling them bullies, which then led to unions piling on.
From an election strategy perspective, Wynne is betting that the millions who will benefit from the increase will be beholding to her during the June election and she is probably right. The opposition as well have stood back as they should, with the only argument being, perhaps the increases should have been stretched out.
Some are saying a business that can’t afford the new minimum wage should not be in business anyway. The pay or fail doctrine is not right, and remember this, this is the party that wasted billions to save two seats. The too-big-to-fail companies were bailed out with billions of tax dollars, the little guy, and most small business are little guys (few are children of Billionaires) are helping Wynne get reelected and will get “BUPKUS” in return.
Joe Gaetan is a frequent contributor to the Burlington Gazette.
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