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Director of education takes the heat - but it is a team that makes the decisions.

By Pepper Parr

August 25th, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

He has a team of 12 people; all with the title of Superintendent and an Executive Director who heads up the Human Resources department.

While the recommendations that come from the board staff are under the signature of Stuart Miller, Director of Education, these are staff decisions.

Director of Education -Stuart Miller

Parents unhappy with the decision to close Bateman and Pearson high schools tend to go after Miller. He doesn’t take to the criticism all that easily; he takes it home with him. But it is for the most part a team decision.
Miller is the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Education Officer and the Secretary to the Board. He doesn’t have a very large personal staff – just two people.

The Board announced earlier this week that Colette Ruddock has been appointed Superintendent and will oversee the north Oakville family of schools with additional responsibility for the student health portfolio.

Colette’s began her career with Halton in 1993 and has worked as a Vice-Principal and Principal in seven different schools. She has also served in the role of Education Officer with the Ministry of Education where she played a key role in Teacher Performance Appraisal processes, New Teacher Induction programs as well as School Board hiring practices.

She is proficient in French with numerous experiences in a French Immersion settings and has taken a leadership role in our recent elementary French Immersion delivery model transition planning. She is a student-focused leader who has strong instructional leadership skills and recently received the EQAO Bette Stephenson Recognition of Achievement Award for the use of data and evidence to improve school achievement at E.J. James Public School.

Ruddock is an addition to the team of Superintendents that deliver on the direction Stuart Miller provides.

She is the newest member of a team that has had a full calendar year – and it isn’t over yet.

David Boag

Miller is backed up by David Boag, who is the Associate Director responsible for Student achievement, School operations and school accommodation and program viability.

Boag is a softer personality than Miller His task is to ensure that the quality of the programs offered is maintained and grown. He has to follow the direction given by Miller who is the Chief Educational officer.

The bulk of the team of Superintendents are focused on the academic side with Gerry Cullen handling the physical side of the schools buildings.

The Board of Education doesn’t get a lot of attention – until there is an issue that reaches into every household – then the public turns out with questions.

The Board of Education doesn’t get a lot of public attention. It is seen as a quiet operation that runs smoothly for the most part. But, Miller will tell you that the Board is the largest employer in the Region and is a part of every community. The Board is literally a part of every household that has children.

Joey Edwardh, who holds a doctorate and runs the Community Development Halton organization with Stuart Miller, Director of Education. These two could be collaborating much more than they do

When the weather is iffy – it is Stuart Miller who is up at 5:00 am talking to the team that he works with and deciding if schools are going to open.

He is very much a hands on personality – sometimes to his detriment.

He has been an educator all of his professional life which is one of the problems the Board has to contend with. The administrative offices for the Region wide Board are in Burlington on Guelph Line. Being “in touch” with every community is not a simple matter.

The Halton District school Board has organized its Superintendents so that the workload is spread amongst all of them – when they gather as the team that oversees what happens in the schools there is representation from men and women who are in daily contact with the schools in Halton Hill or Oakville.

Each of the Superintendents came up “through the system” they know the schools they are responsible for like the back of their hands.

Terri Blackwell

Terri Blackwell is one of the 12 Superintendents of Education. She reports on and oversees the School Councils, Parent Involvement Committee (PIC), Research in schools and is responsible for:

Elementary schools: Alexander’s, Alton Village, Brant Hills, Bruce T. Lindley, Burlington Central Elem, Central, CH Norton, Charles R Beaudoin, Clarksdale, Florence Meares, Kilbride, John T Tuck, John Wm Boich, Lakeshore, Orchard Park, Paul A Fisher, Pauline Johnson, Rolling Meadows, Tom Thomson.

Secondary schools: Burlington Central HS, Dr Frank J Hayden SS, MM Robinson HS, Nelson

Gerry Cullen

Gerry Cullen is the Superintendent of Facility Services. He isn’t an educator – his role is to ensure that the facilities needed to get the educating done are operational on a daily basis.

Cullen will oversee the merging of the Bateman student body with that of Nelson high school where he will go through a budget of $12 million making changes to Nelson so that school can accommodate the students from Bateman once it closes.

Cullen’s workload includes:
Construction (capital projects including design and construction of new schools, renovations, additions and portable classroom moves); Rental of school space (Community Use of Schools); Maintenance (upkeep of buildings, renewal of large maintenance programs such as roofing, window replacement, energy and environmental conditions of buildings.); Operations (cleaning, cafeterias, security, snow clearing, garbage/recycling, play structures and portable inspection.

Rob Eatough

Rob Eatough is the Superintendent of Education who handles equity programs, Communications (Internal/External)

He oversees:

Elementary schools: Dr Charles Best, Frontenac, Mohawk Garden, Pineland, Ryerson, Sir Ernest MacMillan, Tecumseh.

Secondary schools: Robert Bateman HS, Lester B Pearson HS.

With the planned closing of those two high school in the next two years Eatough will be looking at some re-assignment.

Julie Hunt Gibbons

Julie Hunt Gibbons, Superintendent of Education oversees Secondary curriculum and school program; Student success and pathways destinations.

That puts the program at Bateman high school on her desk – one of the more delicate tasks this Board now faces.

She is responsible for:

Elementary schools: Brookdale, Eastview, Gladys Speers, Oakwood, Pine Grove, WH Morden.

Secondary schools: TA Blakelock HS

Jacqueline Newton

Jacqueline Newton is a Superintendent of Education who opened the Hayden high school in Alton. Her focus is Innovation/Ingenuity in schools.

During the PAR – Program Accommodation Review process the board completed in June, many thought that Newton was going to be a leader in thinking through some of the innovative ideas the PAR committee thought were possible to keep Pearson and Bateman open.

The PARC wanted to look for innovative ways to keep their schools open – the problem was that the public and the Board staff didn’t see innovation through the same lens. Public sector and private sector people have different perceptions as to just what innovation is.

What the public didn’t understand was that Newton’s focus was on innovation within the educational structure. Her role was not to look for innovative changes to the structure; a significant difference.

Members of the PARC saw innovation from a private sector perspective where the demands for change have an impact on the profitability of a corporation.

Profitability is a foreign concept for educators. Our schools are paid for out of tax dollars that are collected – those tax dollars aren’t earned.

Newton oversees:

Elementary schools: Anne J MacArthur, Boyne, Brookville, Bruce Trail, Chris Hadfield, Escarpment View, EW Foster, Hawthorne Village, Irma Coulson, JM Denyes, Martin Street, PL Robertson, Robert Baldwin, Sam Sherratt, Tiger Jeet Singh, WI Dick.

Secondary schools: Craig Kielburger SS, Milton District HS

John Pennyfather

John Pennyfather, Superintendent of Education oversees School health protocols, Social justice and the Our Kids Network

He is responsible for:

Elementary schools: Abbey Lane, Capt R Wilson, Emily Carr, Falgarwood, Forest Trail, Heritage Glen, Joshua Creek, Montclair, Munn’s, Oodenawi, Palermo, Pilgrim Wood, Post’s Corners, River Oaks, Sheridan, Sunningdale, West Oak.

Secondary schools: Abbey Park HS, Garth Webb SS, Iroquois Ridge HS, White Oaks SS

Scott Podrebarac

Scott Podrebarac is a Superintendent of Education and is a different man today than he was when he was asked to lead the PAR last October. He is a very genial man who found himself working with a process that was new and over time found to be flawed. He didn’t create the process – but he had to work with it.

He was given a group of parents that never managed to coalesce into a group working as one. The parents representatives from the seven Burlington high schools chose to defend the turf of the schools they represented.

They were a group that knew very little about each other and brought more agendas into the PARC process than there were schools.

This wasn’t what Scott Podrebarac, on the left, expected from the public when he took on the task of shepherding the PAR process.

It would be interesting to see what a report from Podrebaac on the PAR process the Board went through would look like.

The Ministry of Education that created the process came to the realization that the process was flawed and decided that it would not be used going forward. That decision was made 22 days after the Halton trustees decided to close the two high schools.

Podrebarac oversees the Early years/Kindergarten program and the Safe schools programs.

He is responsible for:

Elementary schools: Centennial, Ethel Gardiner, George Kennedy, Glen Williams, Harrison, Joseph Gibbons, Limehouse, McKenzie-Smith Bennett, Park, Pineview, Robert Little, Silver Creek, Stewarttown.

Secondary schools: Acton HS, Georgetown District HS.

Tina Salmini

Tina Salmini is a Superintendent of Education who oversees the Elementary curriculum and school program; New Teacher Induction Program (NTIP), Leadership training and Library Services.

There is a lot more to that work load than meets the eye. The changes in the way libraries work today is massive – technology now drives so much more of it.

Salmini is respobsible for:

Elementary schools: EJ James, James W Hill, Maple Grove, New Central

Secondary schools: Oakville Trafalgar HS

Gord Truffen

Gord Truffen Superintendent of Education oversees Information Services (IT); International students and is responsible for:

Elementary schools: Aldershot (elem), Glenview, King’s Road, Maplehurst

Secondary schools: Aldershot HS.

It doesn’t look like much of a workload – which is a little misleading.

Truffen is probably the Superintendent most in touch with what takes place in the private sector. Given a little more rope and a mandate to pull more private sector practices into a system that lives in a bit of a bubble

Truffen could make the Halton Board considerably different.

Mark Zonneveld

Mark Zonneveld is a Superintendent of Education who is responsible for Special Education/Student Services. He oversees the Syl Apps school and Section 23 programs.

Section 23 programs serve students who require their educational needs to be met outside of the regular school system, in specialized settings. A student in a Section 23 Program is a client of an agency funded by the Ministry of Child and Youth Services that provides services in one of the following categories: Care – hospitals, maternity homes; Treatment – children’s mental health centres and group homes. Corrections – open custody and closed custody situations.

More importantly he is handling the transition of students from Bateman into Nelson and the movement of the International Baccalaureate program from Bateman to Central.

It is a job that calls for compassion and sensitivity – something many of the Bateman parents didn’t feel existed at the Board level.

Zonneveld’s challenge is to show that both exist in the operation he runs.

Superintendent Cullen has to build the space that will be needed at Nelson for the Bateman students; Zonneveld has to tailor programs for those students.

Lucy Veerman

Lucy Veerman is the Superintendent of Business Services. She is the Board’s “bean counter”. The PAR process was a bit of a rude awakening for Veerman. Parents, especially those from Centreal high school were looking at the numbers very closely and they didn’t like a lot of what they saw. Veerman had to defend numbers that make sense to educators but not a lot of sense to parents who are not familiar with public service accounting.

Veerman is responsible for Accounting, Budget, Planning, Purchasing and Transportation.

Debra McFadden

Debra McFadden is the Executive Officer, Human Resources. She oversees the hiring and development of the teachers. She is the Board’s Chief Negotiator and is responsible for all Labour Relations including Human Resources Strategy and Policy

That’s the team that is going to take the system of high schools in Burlington through a very difficult phase in the next two years.

It is a young team – there are not a lot of people who are going to be retiring soon; just a couple.

The strength of the high school system and how well it serves the needs of the public is critical. Good high schools attract families to a community.

There was a time when parents would lie about where they lived to get their children into one of the elementary schools in the south east part of the city – it’s reputation was that good. The leadership of a school can make a huge difference.

The leadership of a Board administration can make a big difference.

And the leadership from the trustees can and should make a difference.

Corporations that are looking for a new location or the setting for an expansion want to know that a community has a solid educational system.

One can’t say that the high school system in Burlington isn’t solid – one has to say that it is going through a process of transition – which we all hope they get right the first time.

The first reaction we are going to see from the public will be in the 2018 election – just over a year away.

Has the Board of trustees understood what the public that put them in office wants? Part of the answer to that question is – which public put them in office? With the voter turnout as low as it has been in Burlington one has to ask – who elected these people?

Brant Street, just south of Victoria Avenue to be closed Saturday, Aug. 26, 2017 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

By Staff

August 24, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

The southbound lane on Brant Street, just south of Victoria Avenue, will be closed on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2017 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for excavation work.

Southbound traffic will be detoured west on Baldwin Street, south on Locust Street and east on Blenheim Street.

The northbound lane will stay open.

Signs and barricades will be up and Halton Regional Police Services will be on site to help with the detour.

You will still be able to access businesses and homes along Brant Street.

Minimum wage increase: Who benefits? Can we afford it? Can we afford not to pay people at least a living wage?

By David Goodings

August 24th, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

Cindy (not her real name) is a woman of about forty with a winning smile and a full head of long brown hair.

She has been working at minimum wage jobs for many years, often juggling several jobs at the same time. You have to be tough to survive in today’s world of precarious employment and Cindy is a survivor. A few months ago while talking about her present life and her struggle to make ends meet, Cindy was asked what it would be like to make $15 an hour. “That would be awesome,” she replied matter-of-factly. “That would be pretty sweet, I think.” [1]

Isabella Daley is another woman in her forties, well educated and highly articulate, with a wry sense of humour. She knows how tough it is to raise her children (and her condescending cat) while employed at minimum wage jobs. In a candid video produced for Living Wage Hamilton she imagines how her life would change if she were paid a living wage, currently $15.85 per hour in Hamilton. Not only would she be able to pay the rent and utility bills, she could do something for her toothache before it became unbearable, and let her daughter have a friend come for dinner. Isabella knows well what it is like to be one of the “working poor”. [2]

The Ontario Government’s proposed legislation, the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act 2017, includes raising the minimum wage to $14.00 in January, 2018 and to $15.00 a year later. It will be warmly welcomed by Cindy and Isabella and hundreds of thousands of other people as roughly 30 percent of Ontario’s workers are paid less than $15.00 an hour. [3] The government is also legislating that part-time workers be paid the same as full-time workers, and is allowing employees two paid emergency days and five unpaid ones each year.

As expected, the business community, represented by the Chambers of Commerce, is sounding the alarm about catastrophic job losses and dire effects on the economy. One recent study [4] predicts that approximately 185,000 jobs will be put at risk across the province. However, job losses on this scale are, literally, unbelievable as there is abundant evidence from past experience in the US and Canada that minimum wage increases have almost no effect on overall employment. A recent article in the Toronto Star [5] cites research in the US that examined 22 federal minimum wage increases between 1938 and 2009. It found “no correlation between those increases and lower employment levels.” A similar Canadian study [6] covering the years from 1983 to 2012 “found almost no evidence of any connection whatsoever between higher minimum wage levels and employment levels in Canada.”

So, who benefits from keeping the minimum wage low? First, executive officers and shareholders of large corporations—the source of about half of minimum wage jobs in Ontario. For example, the Weston family’s conglomerate, Loblaw Companies Ltd. which includes Loblaws, No Frills and Shoppers Drug Mart, estimates that raising the minimum wage to $15 will cost $190 million in additional wages. But last year the company paid shareholders $1.1 billion, almost 6 times the cost of the wage increase. [7] It looks as though the business community is asking Cindy and Isabella to accept “poverty wages” in order to make the executives and shareholders a bit wealthier.

Secondly, let’s consider the case of small businesses such as restaurants and independent retailers. The owners may respond by laying off employees or reducing their hours, or by raising prices, all of which have consequences for the successful running of their businesses. Alternatively, they may be able to absorb some of the cost of increased wages, or will eliminate jobs through automation. In any event it is very unlikely that the owners will feel much hardship from having to adjust their business models.

Corporations and small business owners should also be aware that when their employees receive fair wages they tend to be more productive, have better morale and better health, and are less likely to leave for another job. Businesses may also benefit from the fact that minimum wage workers spend almost all their wages locally.

Thus the debate on raising the minimum wage comes down to a straightforward choice: significantly improve the lives of Cindy and Isabella and thousands of other people like them, or maintain the financial returns of shareholders, executives and business owners. Fortunately the Liberal Government is in no doubt about what is the right thing to do.

David Goodings was born in Toronto and studied mathematics and physics at University of Toronto and Cambridge. He was a Professor of physics at McMaster University for thirty years and has been a resident of Burlington since 2001. He is an active member of Poverty Free Halton and Living Wage Halton. Married to Judy for 37 years which may be why his favourite piano piece is: Ain’t Misbehavin’ by Fats Waller.

Sources:
[1] Working on the Edge, a video on precarious employment: www.livingwagehalton.ca

[2] Isabella Daley video, What a living wage would mean to me, on youtube.com

[3] Why politics drives a minimum wage wedge, Martin Regg Cohn, Toronto Star, May 31, 2017

[4] Bill 148 causing greatest chaos among business community in over a decade: chamber president, Kathy Yanchus, Burlington Post, August 17, 2017.

[5] Minimum wage hike won’t bring ‘doom and gloom’, economists say. Open letter by 40 Canadian economists endorses proposed provincial wage increase. Sara Mojtehedzadeh, Toronto Star, July 4, 2017.

[6] Wage Mythology. The minimum wage and the impact on jobs in Canada, 1983-2012, by Jordan Brennan and Jim Stanford. Report from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, October 2014

[7] Yes, Mr. Weston, you can afford a living wage, Angella MacEwen and Cole Eisen, Hamilton Spectator, August 14, 2017

Should bike riders be allowed to use the trail in the Beachway - new bike lanes are in place.

By Staff

August 23rd, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

Might be time to have a bylaw enforcement officer patrolling the trail through the Beachway.

Seniors are complaining about the speed at which cyclists roar along the trail.

For the vast majority it is a very pleasant walking trail. It is a focal point for the annual Terry Fox run.

Many regular trail walkers…are wondering if bikes will still be allowed on the Beachway trail once the road bike lanes are complete – road work is being done now.

There are bike lanes in place on the newly paved and rebuilt Lakeshore Road that is now the entrance to the Joseph Brant Hospital.

A local resident advised the |Gazette that comments from seniors this morning was that they have the fear of death every time they take their walk. The cyclists seem to feel they own the trail.

One gentleman said he has been yelled at to get himself and his dog off the trail.

Another senior said: “I know!!!! I have almost been run over many times!!! Its scary!!!”

What are the rules for the trail?

With bike lanes going in – should bikes be banned from the trail? What do parents out with a youngster just learning to use a bike – do they want their child on the road with transit buses and trucks passing by?

The man to get your concern in front of is the ward Councillor – Rick Craven. You can email him at: rick.craven@burlington.ca

Two major developments in ward 1; Aldershot and North Tyandaga will see significant increases in residential housing.

By Pepper Parr

August 23rd, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

National Homes has moved into the Burlington residential market in a big way – one might say huge plans are in the making.

The company acquired the property on Brant Street next to the Emergency Measures station that was owned by the – they grew hay on the property.

The plans are for a project that will include 12 townhouse blocks with 83 units, three condominium townhouse blocks with 150 units.

The western edge of the property backs on the the gold course. There was a time when a former city manager felt the city shouldn’t be in the golf course business and Councillor Dennison had great plans to sell the land and zone it residential.

Included in the application are a woodlot block as well as a natural heritage system (buffer) block. The proposed development has a total area of 11.1 hectares (27.2 acres).

Traffic wanting to go north on Brant Street might be a problem.

The look the project will have from Brant street.

These lands are currently vacant; historically they were used for agricultural purposes. The Glover family told the property to a developer and was then put in the hands of a trustee, Burlington lawyer, William Hourigan, who transferred it to the Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation of the Diocese of Hamilton in Ontario for a $1 token payment by the church.

Brant - aetrial - street didn't exist in 1950

This 1950 aerial photograph is a little confusing – the property boundary is clearly shown but there doesn’t appear to be a Brant Street unless it was just a dusty rural road. What then is the road to the right?

The property was Crown land prior to 1798; it was given to Joseph Brant who appears to have flipped it almost instantly to Ann Glover and kept in the family until 1958 when it was sold to Sumac Investments Limited and transferred to the Catholic church shortly after.

National Homes acquired the property about 18 months ago. The property is reported to have once been owned by ADI Developments for a very short period of time,

National Homes is part of a broadly based group of companies that traces its origin back to the establishment in 1974 of Pantalone Realty, now a leading Toronto Real Estate Brokerage specializing in industrial and commercial properties and undeveloped residential land assemblies. Venturon Developments has developed over 8,000 lots, and constructed thousands of square feet of retail and commercial developments.

National Homes, founded in 1992 by Rocco Pantalone, has grown into one of the Greater Toronto Area’s most successful and respected home builders with over 15,000 homes in their portfolio of accomplishments and a growing focus on the high-rise market.

When you look at the size of the National Homes operation and the number of houses they have built – the phrase “rich developers” springs to mind, and developers do alright. So does the city – the chart below shows just how much in the fees the developer has to pay the city upfront if you don’t mind.

That is very close to a quarter of a million upfront dollars.

National Homes is not a small player in the development game. New to Burlington perhaps.

Bingo hall property
The plaza on Plains Road opposite Maplehurst public school where the Bingo operation, the hardware store and the dollar store are located.

National Homes is proposing the complete redevelopment of the site including 2 eight storey buildings (condos) and several hundred townhouses for a total of 414 residential units. The proposal includes 6,900 square feet of retail space and underground parking.
At this date there isn’t a formal application before the planners.

Georgian Court is another major development for Aldershot.

Another massive re-development is planned for the Francis Road and Plains Road part of Aldershot. The redevelopment plan for the 20 acre site has been shared with existing tenants of the rental complex.

The owner is proposing major intensification, specifically replacement of the current 288 townhouses with 1,450 new rental units including townhouses and apartments.

This development will result in a massive change to an existing community.

The plan calls for one 23 storey building, one 18 storey building, one 15 storey building, eight 8 storey buildings, six 6 storey buildings, five 4 storey buildings and a series of 3 storey townhouses.

That certainly defines intensification which the Mayor has said would not impact more than 5% of the established neighbourhoods in the city.

Added to these developments is the long term think plan the city is putting together and calling mobility hubs. There will be one in the western end of Aldershot around the GO station.

School bus service for Burlington and Oakville might be delayed - not enough drivers.

By Staff

August 23rd, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

Oh no – not again.

The Halton District school Board announced that there “may” be some school bus service delays when school resumes on September 5th.

There apparently aren’t enough drivers available.

The Halton Student Transportation Services (HSTS) advises that a shortage of school bus drivers may impact school bus operations in the Burlington and Oakville areas this September. The shortage could negatively impact some schools due to bus delays. At this time, bus operators in Milton and Halton Hills do not anticipate a bus driver shortage.

HSTS is a corporation owned by the Catholic and public school boards.

Parents are encouraged to sign up for delays and cancellation notifications on the HSTS website (haltonbus.ca) before school starts.

School bus delays will be posted on the HSTS website starting the first day of school, Tuesday, September 5, 2017.

In a media release HSTS said they appreciate the important work bus drivers provide for the school community by getting students safely to school each day; apparently not enough to improve on what bus drivers are paid,

“We are grateful for the service the school bus drivers provide to the students in Halton” says Karen Lacroix, General Manager of Halton Student Transportation Services.

Bus companies are focusing their recruitment efforts with advertisements in various newspapers, radio, TV and through employment open houses. Together HSTS and the Halton school boards are promoting school bus driver employment opportunities to parents/guardians and the community.

HSTS has been assisting in this effort by advertising jobs on the HSTS website and through the Halton school boards’ Twitter feeds (@HaltonDSB and @HCDSB).

Board of trustees in need of some help learning what their jobs are and how to pull together as a team. This isn't a sewing circle.

By Pepper Parr

August 22, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

This article has had a correction, Pearson will not open in September of 2018

The Going Back to School process has begun – the school supplies are being bought and fresh new clothing is being chosen.

News Analysis

Parents are learning what the fashion trend is going to be this year and the first timers are going to get a chance to learn what it is like to take a bus to school.

All seven high schools will open this year; it will be different next year.

The Board of trustees voted to close two of the city’s seven high schools: Lester B. Pearson will not open in September of 2018 and Bateman high school will not open in September of 2020.

At first it was Central high school parents fighting to keep their school open. They put forward very compelling arguments and they were taken off the recommendation list.

Bateman high school was put on the recommended for closing list when Central high school was taken off the list.

Lester Pearson at Upper Middle and Headon

Lester B. Pearson parents were never able to get the kind of traction they needed to change the minds of the trustees. Ward 3 trustee Andrea Grebenc who attended Pearson said she could not find a reason for voting to keep the school open.

Both high school parent groups filed a request for an Administrative Review of the decision the trustees made– that review looks at the process used to make the decision – not the merits of the decision.

The parents had to file a request for the Administrative Review within 30 days of the decision – both met the July 7th deadline; the Board Administration had 30 days to respond to the request for a review – they did that by August 7th. The Ministry of Education now has 30 days to decide if there is any merit in the request for a review and to consider the position taken by the Board.

That gets us to sometime in the middle of September.

It would be a little naïve to expect any changes.

The Halton District school Board has been hit with Administrative Reviews before – the end result then was no change.

There is a very unhappy public in Burlington; parents are unhappy with the way the city failed to take a position on closing schools; many feel that the process used to make the decision was so flawed that the trustees should have taken the option that was available to them – and that was not to close any of the high schools at this time until there has been an opportunity for an in depth look at just what the problem is and if there is any likelihood of a change in the number of students that are going to attend high schools.

Burlington was in a situation where one high school was at 135% capacity (Hayden) while another was at about the 65% (Pearson) capacity level. That situation was the result of the traditional feeder schools for Pearson were filling Hayden instead.

The Program Accommodation Review process was new to the people of Burlington, new to the school board as well and in hindsight many people realize that it should have been done differently.

The school board trustees didn’t really deliver on their mandate – they took a hands off approach to the issue during the PAR process and then got swamped with the more than 50 delegations they had to deal with.

Kelly Amos, the chair of the school board was flummoxed on several occasions when it as clear she was in over her head with the process. At one critical meeting she had legal counsel for the Board giving her one opinion and a parliamentarian who had been brought in to provide advice and direction giving her a different opinion.

Ward 5 school board trustee Amy Collard livid with the decision made by the Director of Education wears her feelings.

One parent made the both astute and disturbing observation that the school board gave less time to deciding whether or not to close high schools than the city did on what to do with the Freeman station – which is now doing quite nicely in its new location.

The biggest problem the public has is the quality of the current school board. With the exception of Ward 5 trustee Amy Collard, the Burlington trustees are not delivering on the mandate they were given when they were elected.

From the right: Vice chair Graves and Chair Amos – who along with the other trustees are expected to hold the Director of Education Stuart Miller on the left accountable – something they don’t appear to know how to do.

They don’t know their jobs; they don’t ask hard questions; they don’t really hold the Board staff or its Director of Education truly accountable.

While the trustees may be nice people their job is to ask the probing questions. They have chosen to be nice and operate as what has become a bit of a clique that has a tremendous opportunity to make a significant difference but instead chose to take a pass.

Expect to see a lot of different names on the Burlington ballot in the October 2018 municipal elections.

Burlington can do better than what we have.

Leah Reynolds on the right. She gets by with a little help from her friends. City Councillor Meed Ward on the left.

We have a board where a trustee – Leah Reynolds – feels it is acceptable to receive text notes and advice on her computer from a member of the PAR, Marianne Meed Ward, who is also a city Councillor, who many believe expects the trustee to replace her should the council member run for the office of Mayor.

There is something fundamentally wrong with the behaviour of these two women, but Chair Amos pointed out that it was not against the code of conduct.

What the Chair failed to realize is that the letter of the law is important and relevant – it is however the spirit of the law that should prevail.

Of the 11 trustees on the Board of Education – four come from Burlington. Collard was the only one to vote against the closing of Bateman High school. Collard and Papin voted against the closing of Pearson.

From the left- trustees Papin, Reynolds, Ehl Harrison and Grebenc sat in on most of the Program Accommodation Review committee meetings as observers. There was no opportunity or occasion for them to make their views known at that point in the process.

The remaining seven members of the Board voted for the closing of both high schools. It is a little unsettling to realize that it was possible for trustees who do not represent the voters of Burlington to vote for the closing of high schools in Burlington even if the Burlington trustees had voted to keep them open.

There was not much in the way of a common cause between the four Burlington trustees. Three of the four bought into the Director’s recommendation to close the two high schools.

The sense that those trustees are keeping those seats warm while they battle for you is something that belongs in your Santa Clause and Easter Bunny box.

Dates for the next level of community consultation on the mobility hub concept have been announced.

By Pepper Parr

August 22, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

After community meetings across the city that asked the public what they thought of the Mobility Hub concept, the planners are now ready to tell the public what their “preferred” concept is and why they will try to persuade city council to follow their advice later in the year.

The four mobility hubs – where they are located. What will the linkage be between the hubs?

Those will be contentious meetings.

Illustration panels are set up with graphs setting out what the mobility hub will mean and the changes it could bring about.

With feedback from different communities on the objectives behind the four different Mobility hubs the city wants to develop – Burlington residents are now going to hear what the planners see as their preferred concept for each hub.

Citizens discuss the city’s plans for the creation of four mobility hubs – one at each of the GO stations and a fourth in the downtown core. Intensification is to be focused on the hubs.

Residents are encouraged to share their feedback about the concept which will be used to help inform a discussion about the proposed concept at a workshop with Burlington City Council on Thursday, Sept. 28.

The debate and decision date for the concepts for each of the GO station mobility hubs by city council is sometime in December.

The next four community meetings are:

Downtown Mobility Hub – Preferred Concept Public Meeting
Date: Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017
Time: 7 to 9 p.m.
Location: Art Gallery of Burlington, Shoreline Rotary Room, 1333 Lakeshore Rd. W

Burlington GO Mobility Hub – Draft Concepts Public Meeting
Date: Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017
Time: 7 to 9 p.m.
Location: Holiday Inn, Harvester Hall, 3063 South Service Rd.

Aldershot GO Mobility Hub – Draft Concepts Public Meeting
Date: Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2017
Time: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Location: East Plains United Church, Peart Hall, 375 Plains Rd E

Appleby GO Mobility Hub – Draft Concepts Public Meeting
Date: Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017
Time: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 pm
Location: Appleby Ice Centre, Multi-Purpose Room, 1201 Appleby Line.

Tanner and Taylor at June 21-17 workshop

City planner Mary Lou Tanner explaining some of the thinking behind the mobility hub concept to ward 3 city Councillor John Taylor.

Mary Lou Tanner, Chief Planner and Director of City Building explains that the city is “working toward a shared vision for each of the Mobility Hubs and the community’s input is vital in the development of the plans for these neighbourhoods.”

Once approved, the Area-Specific Plans created through the Mobility Hub studies will be adopted as part of the city’s new Official Plan.
Halton Region, population is anticipated to grow from 530,000 to one million people by 2041.

Mayor sits in on a community discussion about the concept of a downtown mobility hub.

The Province of Ontario’s provincial growth plan, Places to Grow, mandates the City of Burlington plan for a population of 193,000 by 2031.

Planning for intensification of the Mobility Hubs supports the city’s four strategic directions outlined in its 25-year strategic plan —a city that grows, a city that moves, a healthier and greener city and an engaging city.

Guelph Line dental office broken into twice on the same day.

By Staff

August 21st, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

A dental office on Guelph Line was entered twice on the same day – the suspect did not have an appointment – the offices were closed.

The Halton Police are currently investigating the Break and Enter that occurred on the 22nd of July 2017 at 2501 Guelph line Burlington ON.

The watcher was being watched.

Halton Police are currently looking to the public for assistance in identifying the person of interest who was observed entering the closed dental office on two separate occasions on the same day.

Any information please contact Detective Constable Colin MACLEOD of the Commercial Crime Team at 905-825-4747 Ext 2357 or Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers “See something, Hear something, Say something” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), through the website at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca /a>; or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).

Four bedrooms on Lakeshore Road go for $5000 a month

By Pepper Parr

August 21st, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

A quick update on the Dennison home on Lakeshore Road that is for rent.

It is described by Jack himself as a four level house that he wants to rent for not less than 8 months but will entertain something longer.

Designated as a historical property it can be rented for $5000 a month.

Fully furnished and that includes the linen.

The sign on the lawn has the agent handling the rental is J&J Rentals.

That J&J is Jack and Jackie – his partner in life.

The property is listed on Kajiji as well.

They are asking $5000 a month in rent for the house. No word on if that includes hydro, water, heat, cable and snow removal.

Very significant increase in fraudulent phone calls to Burlington residents by phony gas line inspectors.

By Staff

August 21st, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

There has been a rash of unsavory types calling Burlington residents claiming they are from the city, or from one of the utility companies and need to do an inspection of the residence.

The Halton Regional Police Service and the city of Burlington combined received over 200 calls from people concerned about the legitimacy of these inspection requests from August 4 to August 15, 2017.

Several males were observed attending residences outside the pre-set appointment times. These males did not represent the City of Burlington. They were reportedly requesting to do home energy audits.

The City of Burlington and Union Gas employees do not go door-to-door unless in an emergency situation and would often be with the Halton Regional Police Service or Burlington Fire Department.

Residents of Halton Region are reminded to be vigilant and attentive regarding to whom they speak with on the phone and companies they contract for service.

Residents should ask questions, review and receive a written contract for products and services, and only deal with reputable companies they have sought out themselves.

Union Gas does not sell natural gas appliances or provide maintenance services for natural gas appliances.

Anyone who believes they have been a victim of fraud, please contact the HRPS Regional Fraud Unit at 905-465-8741.

Key contact is: Detective Constable Derek Gray, 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau – Elder Abuse and Frauds. Tel: 905-825-4747 ext.2344

Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers “See something, Hear something, Say something” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), through the website at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca; or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).

Milton Court house has an additional judge added to the bench of that court; Justice Jennifer Anne Crawford

By Staff

August 21st, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

The province has appointed five new judges to the Ontario Court of Justice, effective August 31, 2017.

Jennifer Anne Crawford was called to the bar in 1997 and was most recently the designated high risk offender Crown attorney for the Toronto region.

Previously, she served as an assistant Crown attorney for twelve years and was associate counsel on the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) Commission from 2003 to 2007. Crawford has volunteered with the Oakville Parks and Recreation Committee and the Oakville Literacy Council.

Chief Justice Lise Maisonneuve has assigned Justice Crawford to preside in Halton.

Pieter Joubert was called to the bar in 2005. The Chief Justice has assigned Justice Joubert to preside in Kenora.

Karey Katzsch was called to the bar in 2002. The Chief Justice has assigned Justice Katzsch to preside in Kitchener.

Scott Nicholas Latimer was called to the bar in 2003. The Chief Justice has assigned Justice Latimer to preside in Kitchener.

Ronald Cameron Blake Watson was called to the bar in 1995. The Chief Justice has assigned Justice Watson to preside in St. Catharines.

The Milton court house is scheduled to be replaced by a new court house that will be located in Oakville. Construction on the courthouse is expected to begin in late 2019 and be complete about four years later. .

The house that Jack built on Lakeshore Road.

News 100 red By Pepper Parr

August 21st. 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

The new structure hasn’t been completed yet but it is already having an impact on the kind o development that is taking place in the immediate area.

In March of 2013 ward 4 council member Jack Dennison applied to the Committee of Adjustment to sever his 3080 Lakeshore Road property.

That Committee rejected the application.

The house that is a historically designated property that is now for rent. To the right and rear of he house is the second house built on the lot that was severed.

Dennison, as is his right as a citizen, appealed the Committee of Adjustment decision to the Ontario Municipal Board. After a lengthy delay the hearing finally took place and the Board found for Jack Dennison and said the property could be severed.

The new home on the severed lot on the right, is yards away from the house Dennison lived in. That hone is now for rent,

The property was severed, a building permit obtained and the structure is now nearing the final phase of construction.

Many in the city felt that as a sitting member of Council Dennison was required to adhere to the bylaws and zoning limitations the city has in place. Dennison didn’t share that view and he was re-elected in the election that followed.

Dennison - next door - consent sign As the builders go about completing the new house on the severed lot, a small sign appears on the property to the immediate west of the Dennison property seeking the right to sever that property.

There is a sign on the Dennison property offering the house for rent.

One Gazette reader wondered if Dennison, or his agent, had obtained a permit to put up the rental sign.

Temporary Road Closure Aug. 22 – Spring Gardens Road, south of Valley Inn Road

By Staff

August 20th, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

Spring Gardens Road, south of Valley Inn Road, will be closed on Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2017 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. for work on hydro power lines.

No through traffic will be permitted.

Liberals take a swipe at PC leader Patrick Brown - Gazette reader takes a swipe at theLiberals

By Staff

August 19th, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

Facts, opinions and political speeches – they are certainly not the same thing.

The Liberals have set up a media feature they call Facts Still Matter that they use to hammer almost everything Progressive Conservative leader Patrick Brown says.

So far the Conservatives have not come up with a way to counter the Liberal hammering.

The Gazette has not been successful in getting through to the Conservatives for comment and reaction.

In the most recent Facts Still Matter the Liberals maintain that;

Leader of the Progressive Conservative opposition Patrick Brown

Patrick Brown delivered a doozy of a speech to the Stratford Chamber of Commerce yesterday, littered with 19 false claims. This is a new record for a single speech, even for Brown!

Not only did Patrick Brown, in a very Trump-like manner, call our fact checks “alternative facts”, even though they are always credibly sourced, but he doubled down on his outright opposition to a $15 minimum wage in Ontario.

He then moved on to spread misinformation about healthcare, the economy, workplaces, and infrastructure just to name a few. If he wants to give speeches to Chambers of Commerce in Ontario, Patrick Brown needs to remember that Facts Still Matter in Ontario, and Ontarians deserve to hear it.

He Claimed: “[Ontario] is subsidized by other provinces…and no Liberal spin or alternative facts can hide that” and “No one wants to settle for a province that is a have-not Ontario”

Fact: He can use all the Trump lines he wants but that doesn’t change the truth. In 2016-17 Ontario paid $6.9 billion into the equalization program and only received $2.3 billion from it. In addition, according to the Mowat Centre, “Ontarians have consistently contributed more to the federal government in total tax revenue than they have received in federal spending in return.”

He Claimed: “Our credit rating is worse than Quebec”

Fact: This isn’t true. Moody’s and Fitch have the same rating and while S&P’s rating is higher for Quebec,

The Brown statement does have some merit; Quebec,s credit rating is a touch higher than Ontario’s.

(Source: https://www.ofina.on.ca/ir/rating.htm, https://www.finances.gouv.qc.ca/en/Financement_Quebec61.asp)

He Claimed: “You can see your economy sliding”

Fact: Ontario has led the G7 in economic growth for the past 3 years.
(Source: https://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2017/07/ontarios-economic-growth-continues-to-lead-g7-countries.html)

He claimed: “She’s giving free hydro to Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York.”

Fact: We’ve seen this one from Patrick Brown before. The last time the provincial Conservatives were in power, they spent $900 million importing electricity over two years just to keep the lights on. Given our position of strength, Ontario is a net exporter now, benefitting ratepayers to the tune of $230 million in 2015.
(Source: Independent Electricity System Operator)

He claimed: “The day after…they proceeded with 1100 more contracts.”

Fact: Wrong. Todd Smith, Patrick Brown’s very own PC energy critic, was on the Agenda with Steve Paikin on March 6th, 2017, admitting this was entirely inaccurate.
Here’s the exchange:

Steve Paikin: “But they’re not signing any new contracts. So the tweet says she signs the next round of bad energy contracts tomorrow is inaccurate, right?”

Todd Smith: “Yeah, Okay. I’ll say that’s inaccurate.”

(Source: https://tvo.org/video/programs/the-agenda-with-steve-paikin/wynnes-power-play, https://www.ieso.ca/sector-participants/feed-in-tariff-program/overview)

He claimed: “You could see hydro rates spike by as much as 61 percent after the election.”

Fact: Wrong. The Fair Hydro Plan is already reducing electricity bills by 25 per cent on average for families, small businesses and farms. Lower-income Ontarians and those living in eligible rural and northern communities are receiving even greater reductions, as much as 40 to 50 per cent.

As part of this plan, rate increases will be held to the rate of inflation for four years.

(Source: https://news.ontario.ca/mei/en/2017/05/ontario-passes-legislation-to-lower-electricity-bills-by-25-per-cent.html)

He claimed: “And we’re seeing, we’re seeing hundreds of millions of dollars of [greenhouse] investment flee to Michigan and Ohio, because of hydro”

Fact: The greenhouse industry is actually expanding here in Ontario. Just this March, Greenhill Produce announced a new $100-million development in Lambton County that will create up to 300 new jobs. NatureFresh Farms is also building a $400-million distribution centre in Leamington. Both new investments build on the nearly 3,000 acres and 81,000 jobs already here. The Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers also says the industry has grown here by 150 acres a year.
(Source: https://www.lfpress.com/2017/03/14/chatham-kent-operator-looks-north-to-lambton-county)

He claimed: “What’s the point of having these [changing workplaces review] consultations if you already made up your mind?”

Fact: The all-party committee, which includes Conservative MPPs, is meeting next week to debate amendments.
(Source: https://www.ontla.on.ca/web/committee-proceedings/committee_business_agendas.do?locale=en&BillID=4963+&CommID=144&BusinessType=Bill&detailPage=agendas)

He claimed: “I just came back from the municipal conference in Ottawa—the Association of Municipalities of Ontario—they talked about this huge infrastructure deficit”.

Fact: Whether it’s last week’s announcement that we are expanding Highway 26 in Collingwood, laying the first track for the Eglinton Crosstown in Toronto, or reaching a major milestone through the ground breaking of the Groves Memorial Community Hospital in Wellington County, we continue to make record infrastructure investments in communities across Ontario. Patrick – use this handy website to check your facts!
(Source: https://www.ontario.ca/page/building-ontario)

He claimed: “The Auditor General said we could be seeing cost overruns of 25 percent, because we don’t measure outcomes, we don’t measure performance.”

Fact: We know that AFP delivery costs less than the traditional way of delivering large, complex projects – in fact, the model has saved the province $6.6 billion! We know this because every year since 2013 we’ve had independent, 3rd party organizations review the performance of our projects. What have they found? 96% of our projects were completed on budget.
(Source: https://www.infrastructureontario.ca/Third-Party-Reports/)

He claimed: “You might have not have heard this but they cut the amount of medical emergency positions by 50 recently…It means we’re going to have less physicians to the province of Ontario”.

Fact: Since 2003, the number of physicians practicing in the province has increased by over 34 per cent, which is more than 7,300 additional doctors practicing in our health system today.

(Source: Ministry of Health)

He claimed: “They fired 1700 nurses over the last year and a half”.

Fact: Since taking office in 2003, more than 28,949 nurses have begun working in Ontario, including 11,000 registered nurses. In fact, in 2016 the number of nurses employed in nursing increased for the twelfth consecutive year showing our clear, consistent commitment to improving health care in Ontario.

(Source: Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care)

Some of the Liberal responses are a little on the tepid side.

What wasn’t tepid by any definition was a comment from a Gazette reader who pointed out that:

Liberals telling provincial Conservative leader Patrick Brown that facts still matter?
Pot, I would like you to meet Kettle.

Email deletions, high level bureaucrats on charges for elections bribery and the Premier did not but “should have or ought to have known,” what her operatives were doing on her behalf.

Never mentioned Carbon Tax during election but introduced as perhaps the second largest tax grab in provincial history along with serious inflationary pressure down the road.

Green Energy costs Ontario more than any other jurisdiction in NA for electricity.

Sold the furniture to pay the rent, OPG. Now we own the 4th largest Coal burning source in NA.

Sweetheart union settlements a year before the contracts are due to buy labour peace and election support for 2018.

Cost of staying in a provincial park has increased nearly 100% in 10 years.

I could go on but I have to go to work so I can afford all these new Taxes, I mean Revenue tools.

Ouch!

Temporary Road Closure Aug. 19 – Brant Street, south of Victoria Avenue

notices100x100 By Staff

August 18th, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

The southbound lane on Brant Street, just south of Victoria Avenue, will be closed on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for excavation work.

Tough part of town to make a living in as a retailer. Consultants being asked to find out why it costs more to do retail downtown.

South bound traffic on this part of Brant Street will be detoured while excavation work is done.

Southbound traffic will be detoured.

Burlington Transit introduces route changes to be effective September 3rd.

News 100 green By Staff

August 17, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

Changes to a number of Burlington Transit routes will take place September 3rd, 2017

A brief summary of the changes:

A transit rider gives the Mayor and Vito Talone. Director of Transportation a piece of his mind. Seniors seem to be allowed to do that.

Routes 2, 3
Routes 2 and 3 will stop at the Highway 407 carpool lot all day during weekdays (currently peak-time only).

Route 3 will provide direct southbound service to downtown; extra morning trips to the Burlington GO Station have been eliminated.

Increased connections with GO Transit, Oakville Transit and Burlington Transit routes for improved travel and better access to key shopping locations, Notre Dame, Corpus Christi and Dr. Frank J. Hayden secondary schools.

30 minute all day frequency until 9 p.m. (currently 20-minute frequency only during peak time) and changing to a 60-minute frequency in the evening until 10 p.m. (currently 30 minute frequency until 10:30 p.m.)

Routes 6, 11

Scheduling has been improved for better on-time performance.

No transfers will be needed between Routes 6 and 11 at the 407 carpool lot; 6 becomes 11 and 11 becomes 6

Route 6 midday, weekday frequency will change to 30 minute frequency from 60 minutes.

Route 6 Saturday frequency will change to 60-minute frequency from 30 minutes.

Doug Brown, the best transit critic Burlington has ever had has never seen a bus that he didn’t like. These buses get a Doug Brown smile.

Route 12

Route 12 will be rerouted to improve scheduling and on-time performance and will be relocated to Appleby Line from Sutton Drive with service in both directions. Sutton Drive will still be serviced by Route 11.

Route 12X will be removed from Itabashi Way. Itabashi will still be serviced by Route 302.

Route 25

Scheduling adjustments will be made to improve on-time performance.

Route 80

Schedule adjustments will be made for morning and afternoon peak-time partial-trips to the Burlington and Appleby GO stations.

The Gazette will wait for responses from its readership on how effective these changes are. No mention was made of asking for more transit money in the 2018 budget

Liberals telling provincial Conservative leader Patrick Brown that facts still matter

By Pepper Parr

August 16th, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

Lazy hazy days of summer don’t apply to everyone when there is an election on the near horizon.

Both the Liberals and the Progressive Conservatives have their people out doing the door to door thing – measuring the support for their candidate.

The political parties work at their strategy and get regular electronic mailings out to the media.

Jane McKenna at the Joe Dogs fund raiser for the Central high school parents.

The Gazette wasn’t seeing anything from the Conservatives – a call to them electronically and by telephone drew nothing in the way of a response.

The Liberals are leaving little to chance They have a regular stream of corrections they make to things that Progressive Leader Patrick Brown has said.

They call their stream of media releases: Facts still matter and correct Brown at every opportunity.

The Liberals maintain Brown has spread misinformation across the province in an interview with CTV Ottawa, and add that he seems to be flip flopping on this, his one and only policy proposal – a carbon tax.

Facts Still Matter in Ontario, and Patrick Brown needs to stick to them say the Liberals.

Brown claimed: “Well, I don’t support raising taxes.”

Fact: Wrong – Patrick Brown supports a carbon tax.

Worse, he supports it despite knowing that independent, third-party experts have proven his carbon tax scheme would be more expensive and less effective than our plan to cap the pollution businesses can release into the atmosphere.

The Liberals have proposed a linked cap and trade program. The Progressive Conservatives have proposed a straight carbon tax.

The Liberals claim that their approach guarantees emission reductions at the cheapest price possible for people and the economy.

The Gazette looks forward to anything Progressive Conservative candidate Jane McKenna has to say.

The Gazette has no idea where the New Democrats are – have they nominated a candidate?

Ontario Boosting Train and Bus Service Across the GO Network

By Staff

August 16, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

The province is increasing GO train and bus service across the network to help manage congestion and provide convenient and frequent service for commuters and families.

Effective Sept. 2, the province will also increase GO bus service on some of the most in-demand routes that serve customers in Burlington, St. Catharines, Guelph, Mississauga, Oakville, Hamilton and Richmond Hill.

These improvements will help commuters and families in communities across the region connect to jobs, school and recreational activities with a modern, integrated transit system. The service changes include:

Six new weekday bus trips on Route 12 Burlington-Niagara, increasing bus service to every half hour between Burlington and St. Catharines, including an earlier morning trip from Burlington to Niagara College that will arrive in time for morning classes

These service changes are part of the GO Regional Express Rail (RER) program. GO RER includes electrifying core segments and expanding the rail network, and bringing more two-way, all-day service to commuters and families, increasing the number of weekly trips from about 1,500 to nearly 6,000 by 2025. It will provide faster and more frequent service across the GO rail network and is the largest commuter rail project in Canada.

For those wondering what the province did with the proceeds of th sale of a potion of Hydro One – look no further than this:

The province is investing $21.3 billion to transform the GO network from a commuter transit system to a regional rapid transit system.

The GO RER program involves more than 500 separate projects across 40 municipalities.

School bus orientation day - Saturday August 26th in five locations.

By Staff

August 15th, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

Mention school buses and the mind goes to getting ready for school – it is that time of year again.

School buses in Halton Region – Milton, Burlington, Oakville and Halton Hills – are managed by the
Halton Student Transportation Services (HSTS) who contract with local school bus operators.

Those operators hold a “School Bus Orientation Day” which will be held on SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 2017 starting at 9:00 a.m.

School Bus Orientation Day is a safety program provided by HSTS and the local school bus operators to assist parents and first time riders in understanding the importance of school bus safety.

Parents of all first time riders are encouraged to bring their children to the free sessions, which will feature a classroom presentation on school bus safety, including Off We Go! a special video on school bus safety and a demonstration on a school bus.

School bus company safety officers and bus drivers will talk to the children and their parents about safely getting on and off of the bus, proper behaviour on a school bus, crossing the street to get to a waiting bus and overall school bus safety. In addition, a handout will be provided to all young riders with tips on school bus safety.

Both HSTS and the school bus operators hope the orientation sessions will help students and their parents feel more comfortable riding a school bus before the first day of school.

The sessions begin at 9 a.m. on August 26, 2017 at the following five locations throughout Halton. To register students and secure a preferred time slot, parents must contact the host bus company at the phone number listed next to the desired location.
Burlington: Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School; 905-333-4047 (Attridge Transportation)
Oakville: Holy Trinity Catholic Secondary School; 905-335-7010 (First Student Canada)
Acton: Acton District High School; 519-853-1550 (Tyler Transport Ltd.)
Georgetown: Georgetown District High School; 905-877-2251 (First Student Canada)
Milton: Bishop Reding Catholic Secondary School; 905-877-2251 (First Student Canada)

If you need to follow up for additional information, please contact:

Karen Lacroix, General Manager
Halton Student Transportation Services
1-888-803-8660 ext. 259

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