 By Pepper Parr
June 8, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
There wasn’t much in the way of protest – the citizens of the city took the arborist at their word when they said the two willow trees planted by Spencer Smith 70 years ago had to come down – it was all about public safety.
 Kind of bald looking isn’t it? There are many thousands of people in the city who will be very surprised when they take in the Sound of Music and notice that the trees are gone. Unfortunately not everyone reads the Gazette – yet.  This is what we lost. There was a small celebration of the trees the day before the chain saws cut into the wood – an aboriginal drummer was on hand to lend a degree of dignity to the event that was organized by Ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward. She was the only member of council to make an appearance.
The public at the event was told that seventy cuttings would be taken from the trees; they had already been taken and were already in the city nursery where they have been plated and will be nurtured to the point where they are ready for transplanting elsewhere in the city
 Two trees came down – took less than two days. The foresters had to be off the site so the Sound of Music set up teams could get started on their task. Imagine 70 more willow trees sprinkled round the city. Let us hope that much thought and consideration is given to just where they are planted. There is an opportunity here for our historical past to be spread around the city with plaques that tell the story.
Burlington has a problem getting itself attached to its history. We have let far too much of it get away on us.
The taking down of the trees was done by city staff. Drew Deitner, Supervisor of Forestry has a crew that has great equipment that lets them take down trees safely and quite quickly. “The logs that result will get taken out to the yard and stored until someone tells me what to do with them.”
 The tallest parts come down piece by piece. While willow trees are technically hard wood – they are the softest of the hard woods – one wonders if there might be an opportunity for the wood carver’s guild to do something with those large logs.
Deitner explained that when we began taking down the most easterly tree – the one right next to the gazebo the level of rot in one part was so severe that one of the foresters was able to sink his chain saw into the inside of the tree as if it was quick sand.
Other parts of the tree was in pretty good shape.
The trees may have a little more taken off them Deitner explained – “right now our task was to get them cut down so that there were no public safety issues.”
 Public safety is getting to be the mother lode of justifications for a lot of decisions these days.
By Staff
June 7th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The sound of music will be in the air for much of the summer.
People will be able to enjoy concerts at the band shell beside the library from June 19 to August 14; performances start at 7:30 pm on Wednesday and Sunday.
Residents are invited to bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy a variety of music for all ages. The first concert of the summer will feature the Burlington Teen Tour Band and Junior Redcoats. A complete list of scheduled performances is available at www.burlington.ca/concerts
The season of summer music will begin with a joint performance by the Rich Harmony Choir and the United in Song Gospel Choir who will perform at the Burlington Seniors’ Centre Choir at 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 19.
The free community concert is in support of the Partnership West Food Bank. Attendees are kindly asked to bring a non-perishable food item. Space is limited and seating will be arranged on a first come first served basis.
The June lineup looks like this:
 Sunday, June 19 – Burlington Teen Tour Band & Burlington Junior Redcoats
Over 150 musicians on stage as the Burlington Junior Redcoats join the Burlington Teen Tour Band to open the 2016 Summer Concert Series.
Wednesday, June 22 – Swingline
A little big band of local based musicians playing the big band standards and more.
Sunday, June 26 – Sinatra Celebrations
Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birthday of the Chairman of the Board. A special Sinatra show by Jim Heaslip and the 12/4 Swing Orchestra.
Wednesday, June 29 – Burlington Top Hat Marching Orchestra
By Pepper Parr
June 6, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Talk about information overload.
Have you any idea how many opportunities there are for you to “inform” your government?
You really don’t want to know.
The list of things the government would like your opinion on is endless.
It goes on and on and on.
 Consulting with Canadians provides you with single-window access to a list of consultations from selected government departments and agencies. Look at some of the consultations in progress and get involved.
If you feel you have a need to give the federal government the benefit of your wisdom – click here to get to the place where you can tell them what you think.
June 3, 2016 – August 5, 2016
Consultation on manganese in drinking water
May 30, 2016 – July 24, 2016
Stakeholder and Partner Feedback on Regulatory Guidance and Services
May 27, 2016 – August 10, 2016
Consultation on Cyantraniliprole, Proposed Maximum Residue Limit PMRL2016-26
May 25, 2016 – August 8, 2016
Consultation on Fenhexamid, Proposed Maximum Residue Limit PMRL2016-24
May 25, 2016 – August 8, 2016
Consultation on Metaldehyde, Proposed Maximum Residue Limit PMRL2016-23
May 27, 2016 – August 10, 2016
Consultation on Pyraclostrobin, Proposed Maximum Residue Limit PMRL2016-27
May 27, 2016 – August 10, 2016
Consultation on Pyraflufen-ethyl, Proposed Maximum Residue Limit PMRL2016-25
May 30, 2016 – August 13, 2016
Consultation on Tebuconazole, Proposed Maximum Residue Limit PMRL2016-28
May 25, 2016 – August 8, 2016
Consultation on Trifloxystrobin, Proposed Maximum Residue Limit PMRL2016-22
May 31, 2016 – August 31, 2016
Consultation on potential measures to regulate tobacco packages and products
May 31, 2016 – August 2, 2016
Consultation on the Canadian Guidelines for Protective Actions during a Nuclear Emergency
May 31, 2016 – June 30, 2016
Public consultation on draft Guidelines for Tanning Equipment Owners, Operators, and Users
June 1, 2016 – June 30, 2016
Standards Council of Canada: Stakeholder response requested for new ISO standard proposal: DUE DATE:June 30, 2016)
May 27, 2016 – July 26, 2016
Code of Practice for the Management of Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) Emissions in the Potash Sector in Canada
May 30, 2016 – June 20, 2016
North American Polypropylene Rail Yard Project
May 27, 2016 – July 26, 2016
Proposed Code of Practice for the Management of Air Emissions from Pulp and Paper Mills
May 27, 2016 – July 26, 2016
Proposed Guidelines for the Reduction of Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) Emissions from Natural Gas-fuelled Stationary Combustion Turbines
May 27, 2016 – July 26, 2016
Publication of Final Decision After Screening Assessment of a Substance – Carbamic acid, ethyl ester (ethyl carbamate), CAS RN 51-79-6- Specified on the Domestic Substances List (paragraphs 68(b) and (c) of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999)
May 30, 2016 – June 29, 2016
Request for data: Partially hydrogenated oils in the Canadian food supply
May 24, 2016 – July 23, 2016
Action Plan for Multiple Species at Risk in Southwestern Saskatchewan: South of the Divide – 2016
May 24, 2016 – July 23, 2016
Action Plan for the Eastern Mountain Avens (Geum peckii) in Canada
April 21, 2016 – April 21, 2016
Aquaculture Consultations – Freshwater/Land-Based Aquaculture Industry Advisory Panel Meeting
November 23, 2015 – March 18, 2016
Consultations on the Proposed Listing of American Eel as “Threatened”, under the Species at Risk Act (SARA)
October 1, 2016 – October 31, 2016
Freshwater/Land-Based Aquaculture Industry Advisory Panel Meeting
May 5, 2016 – May 5, 2016
Shellfish Aquaculture Management Advisory Committee
May 18, 2016 – June 1, 2016
2016‑2017 Annual Plan: Strengthening Competition to Drive Innovation
May 24, 2016 – July 29, 2016
A Governance Framework for IP Agents
May 21, 2016 – July 20, 2016
Regulations Amending Certain Regulations Made Under Sections 140, 209 and 286.1 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999
May 20, 2016 – July 19, 2016
Consultation on Quinclorac, Proposed Re-evaluation Decision PRVD2016-15
June 8, 2016 – June 9, 2016
Science Advisory 2016 Schedule – Evaluation of Fraser River Decay Model to estimate Mortalities of Interior Fraser Coho
June 9, 2016 – June 10, 2016
Science Advisory 2016 Schedule – Evaluation of the Southern BC Marine Fishery Planning Model for Coho Salmon
May 18, 2016 – July 2, 2016
Consultation on Dyson Humidifier, Proposed Registration Decision PRD2016-15
October 1, 2016 – October 1, 2016
Freshwater/Land-Based Aquaculture Industry Advisory Panel Meeting
July 8, 2011 – July 8, 2011
Laurentian Channel Area of Interest (AOI) Advisory Committee Meeting
June 14, 2016 – June 15, 2016
Science Advisory 2016 Schedule – Updated Assessment Framework for Gooseneck Barnacle in British Columbia
May 14, 2016 – June 12, 2016
Canada Gazette Part 1 – Proposed Regulations Amending Certain Regulations Relating to Access to Diacetylmorphine for Emergency Treatment
May 18, 2016 – July 31, 2016
International Assistance Review
May 17, 2016 – June 7, 2016
Kitimat Clean Refinery Project – Public Comments Invited
May 14, 2016 – July 28, 2016
Order Amending Schedule 3 to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999
May 14, 2016 – July 28, 2016
Regulations Amending the Export of Substances on the Export Control List Regulations
May 14, 2016 – July 15, 2016
Tintamarre National Wildlife Area Management Plan [Proposed]
May 13, 2016 – July 27, 2016
Consultation on Fluopyram, Proposed Maximum Residue Limit PMRL2016-21
May 16, 2016 – June 30, 2016
Consulting Canadians on flexible work arrangements
May 13, 2016 – July 11, 2016
Development of a Regulatory Framework for Mandatory Reporting by Healthcare Institutions (Vanessa’s Law)
May 16, 2016 – June 16, 2016
Standards Council of Canada: Stakeholder response requested for new standard: Marine sensing (Due Date: June 16, 2016)
May 12, 2016 – June 30, 2016
Health Canada Request for Input and Scientific Data: Vibrio parahaemolyticus in oyster shellstock intended for raw consumption
May 9, 2016 – June 6, 2016
Record Suspension User Fee Consultation
May 12, 2016 – June 30, 2016
Consultation Notice: Measures Under Consideration For Inclusion In The Prescribed Conditions Regulations Related To Security Inadmissibility
April 23, 2016 – May 20, 2016
Consultation on Canadian content in a digital world – Pre-consultation phase
May 11, 2016 – June 10, 2016
Standards Council of Canada: Stakeholder response requested for new IEC standard: HMI (DUE DATE: June 10, 2016)
April 15, 2016 – July 15, 2016
Department of Finance Releases Legislative Proposals to Better Fight Tax Evasion and Secure Tax Compliance
April 29, 2016 – June 29, 2016
Government Consults on Measures to Strengthen Canada’s Trade Remedy System
May 10, 2016 – June 10, 2016
Project 4 – All-Season Road Connecting Berens River to Poplar River First Nation – Public Comments Invited
May 9, 2016 – May 30, 2016
Springbank Off-Stream Reservoir Project – Public Comments Invited
May 5, 2016 – July 6, 2016
Statement on the Release of a Revised Consultation Draft of the Capital Markets Stability Act
May 9, 2016 – July 31, 2016
Next Agricultural Policy Framework – Share Your Experience and Ideas
May 9, 2016 – July 8, 2016
Portobello Creek National Wildlife Area Management Plan – 2016 [Proposed]
May 6, 2016 – July 5, 2016
Recovery Strategy for the Wood Bison (Bison bison athabascae) in Canada
May 1, 2016 – June 30, 2016
Revitilizing access to information
By Pepper Parr
June 7th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
It was a decision that the public didn’t have much of an opportunity to say anything about.
The huge willow trees just a couple of yards to the west of the bottom of Brant Street in Spencer Smith Park were deemed to be unsafe.
 It was a small meeting – the weather kept most people away. The size didn’t detract from the significance. The massive willow tree in the foreground will come down and at some point in the future the gazebo will get rebuilt to make it fully accessible. The force driving that decision was the Sound of Music – they are apparently going to be holding events in that part of the park and the idea of a branch falling into a small crowd is something that sent shudders through the legal department.
The city has too many law suits on their hands as it is – so the branches of the tree had to come down. How many of them? All of them with the trunk of the tree left for someone to perhaps carve something out of at some future date.
 An aboriginal drummer took part in the celebration of the Spencer smith willow trees that were scheduled to be cut down today. There is an opportunity to do something interesting – look at the size of that tree trunk
Seventy cuttings are going to be taken and replanted immediately in some secret location and at some later date they will be replanted elsewhere in the city. So the planting of the willow trees some seventy years ago by a Burlington merchant named Spencer smith who had a shop on Brant street will live on.
Burlington is adding to its history.
Ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward invited people to gather at the base of the tree and hold a small celebration. Weather was a factor and as Meed Ward and her husband Pete and their dog walked to the park they glanced at the heavy grey rolling clouds Meed Ward decided they would continue with the event.
 Ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward gives the Spencer Smith willow a hug – later today the chain saws will dig into the bark and bring down all the branches leaving just the trunk that is expected to be available to someone to carve. Instead of gathering at the base of the tree everyone gathered in the gazebo – it was tight and it didn’t last all that long.
There was an aboriginal drummer to bring some dignity to the event.
The evening ended with Meed Ward giving the willow tree a last hug.
 By Pepper Parr
June 6, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
It was a pretty large community endeavour – plating hundreds of trees in a reasonably recent development.
 Ward 6 Councillor Blair Lancaster announced the community event and the weather worked for her; a load of people turned out to plans hundreds of trees – and it all happened without the member of council even making an appearance.
 It as hard work – but by the end of the day there was an outstanding little forest in the making in place. The kids doing he job will look back on those trees for years to come and take great satisfaction knowing they put them there. Her husband appeared to have been on hand digging holes to plant a tree – or at least the man in the picture looked like Lancaster’s husband.
As for the Councillor – she was at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities annual conference that took place in Winnipeg. Lancaster, Mayor Goldring, Councillors Sharman and Meed Ward represented Burlington at the three day event. Lancaster will surely tour the planting later this week and marvel at all the really good work that was done.
 The trick now is to ensure that these trees are watered regularly during the first year and properly supported while they find their own legs. Might she wonder as she walks amongst the planted trees – that maybe they don’t need her on hand at all. The citizens can do it all by themselves – frightening thought for any politician.
Credit does go to the Council member and her staff for getting it off the ground and making all the parts come together.
 By Pepper Parr
June 6, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
UPDATE: Councillor Meed Ward has provided an update on the willow tree celebration taking place this evening. she will be the master of ceremonies and say a few words about the trees and some of the tributes from the public that have come in; the city arborist will explain why they need to be removed; a member of the horticultural society will provide some history about the trees and the legacy of Spencer Smith, a member of the society who planted the willows. There will be a drumming/smudging ceremony. If it is raining, this will take place inside the lobby/atrium of city hall.
This evening, Monday June 6, Councillor Marianne Meed Ward expects some people to gather near the base of the willow trees in Spencer Smith Park to celebrate the end of their lives.
The city arborist has come to the conclusion that the trees are not safe and they are going to be taken down to just their trunks where someone will be given the opportunity to carve something out of what is left.
 The trees will be gone a month from now – the gazebo will undergo a significant change. So many memories begun in that gazebo. No one knows how many people are going to show up. No one knows if some brave environmentalist will arrive and chain themselves to the tree to prevent their destruction.
The trees are magnificent and it will be a pity to see them go – many people have fond memories of the trees and the gazebo that is nested in between them.
The Gazette learned a number of weeks ago that the trees were going to have something done to them and that the gazebo was going to undergo a change so that it could be made accessible.
Kune Hua, a local videographer, took his camera to the park on the weekend and caressed the trees with the lens of his camera and created for all of us a tribute to the trees and, without realizing it, a tribute to the man who, 70 years ago, planted the willows that are in the park.
The video is very short – click here – enjoy it and share it with friends.
Within a year those magnificent waving limbs will be nothing but a memory – one that can be refreshed by reading the pages of the Gazette. We will, hopefully, be around for another 70 years.
Enjoys the trees – they will be gone forever by the end of the month.
Related editorial content:
Trees to be cut down.
First public mention that the willow trees were in peril – in the Gazette
By Jim Feilders
June 6, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
City council fully understands the impact climate change is having on us. The storm in August of 2014 brought that point home in a very vivid and expensive manner. More than three hundred residents suffered significant property loss. The city, the Conservation authority and the Regional government realized there were serious gaps in the level of preparedness.
The climate is changing due in part to the amount of carbon dioxide that is being allowed into the environment. Much of the CO2 is the result of the fossil fuels we burn to run our car engines and heat our homes.
The city has a number of plans in place to begin to cut back on the amount of carbon dioxide that is released into the environment.
Their task is to take specific actions and educate the public.
Burlington Carbon Plans Confusing You?
We have three plans affecting us regarding greenhouse gas emissions. Understanding what they mean can be a little difficult.
Strategic Plan
Council endorsed the Strategic Plan for the next 25 years to 2040 with one of many goals being to be net carbon neutral. It’s a tough call but the right thing to do in my opinion. But what does it mean? The definition in the Strategic Plan is “Having a net-zero carbon footprint refers to achieving net zero carbon emissions by balancing a measured amount of carbon released with an equivalent amount not used, or buying enough carbon credits to make up the difference”.
Talking to City officials, I learned that no one knows exactly how this will be achieved at the moment. Work will be done in the future.
But whatever is done must comply with the triple bottom line philosophy of sustainability. This means any plan must look at environmental and social impacts as well as economic. People have to be on board with the financial and environmental implications.
Province of Ontario
Last year the Province of Ontario announced its targets for carbon reduction to 2050.
 We know where we are and the targets for the future have been set – can we summon the discipline to achieve the targets? Our Premier says we have to reduce total carbon by 37% in 2030 and 80% in 2050 – from 1990 levels.
Community Energy Plan
We have started to address this in the Community Energy Plan (CEP) that Council endorsed in January 2014; a lot of progress has been made.
The focus of the plan is to reduce energy consumption and cost as well as reduce greenhouse gases and improve local energy security.
The timeframe is to 2030. A report on progress to date is available here
It didn’t relate to 1990 levels. We didn’t track them back then and the closest we have is 1994 of 1.4 Mtonnes – close enough. This shows we met the 2014 target (1.4 – 1.19 = 0.21 or 15%, see below) and probably will meet the 2020 targets (1.4 – 1.1 = 0.3 or 21%). But we’re looking a little shy for 2030, coming in at 27%.
The CEP has set a realistic target of 26% reduction in energy consumption per person over the 15 year period from 2014 to 2030.
Although mention is made of investigating heat pump technologies and electric vehicles, the plan does not rely on switching fuels but reducing the amount we use as well as generating new energy from renewable sources. As a result, the amount of greenhouse gas reduction is the same as the energy reduction. If you drive less and save a 65 litre tank of gasoline and you save 156 kg of pollution. If you switch to an alternate fuel, you can still travel almost the original distance.
The plan does not account for population growth which is predicted to rise from 175,000 by about 30,000 people over this period depending on whether you look at the City’s estimates or the Province’s Places to Grow. This is about a 17% population increase. This tells me that if 175,000 people reduce their carbon by 26% and 30,000 people are added to the mix at the same reduction, the net decrease for the City is 14% to 1.025 Mtonnes from 1.19 Mtonnes.
Putting it all together with the best data I could find, is shown in the chart below. It includes the “What if” we do nothing, called business as usual. You know, keep our heads in the sand and keep doing what we have always done. I’m not saying change is easy by any means.
 The obvious solution is to make the Community Energy Plan work – problem with that is we don’t know yet how to do that. Extrapolations for the CEP are less optimistic as most of the behavioural change will have occurred. With our CEP alone, we fall short.
 If we determine what the plan is and then stick to the plan – there is hope for us – but we have a long way to go – and it is not going to be easy. Enter fuel switching. We need to replace gasoline vehicles with electric and hybrid models and transition our residential space heating and water heating from natural gas to electric inverter heat pump technology – air, water and ground sources.
These technologies are actually less expensive on a life cycle basis than their fossil fuel alternatives. Approaches that use a “hybrid” system of gas furnace and heat pump are available. So we can save the planet and money at the same time.
This will bring us close enough that industry can make up the remaining gap.
 Halleluiah! We can do it and get our gold star from Kathleen living the life she depicts below.
To now go for carbon neutral may not seem impossible.
 Jim Feilders is an engineer by training and an environmentalist by choice. He drives a hybrid car, heat and air conditions his house at a cost of of approximately $375 a year. The views expressed here are solely his own and not necessarily those of the various organizations with which he is associated.
 By Pepper Parr
June 4, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
This story gets more and more tangled – it can now be ended
The accident took place in March.
Charges were not laid for 90 days. Names were not released.
The police eventually lay charges – still do not name the person charged.
They then release the name of the person charged.
Still no reason for the delay in the laying of charges.
The Gazette learns from a usually reliable source that the person who was eventually charged had been in a coma since the accident and that he had become conscious a few days ago. Charges were then laid.
Was there not a better way to manage the flow of news?
Confidence in the integrity of the police service is critical. We have to know we can believe them at all times.
This situation is truly tragic – driving while under the influence of alcohol, runs a stop sign, crashes through a metal road rail, is seriously injured and in a coma for several months. To then come out of the coma and then be charged by the police.
This young man has some serious problems ahead of him.
The police were in a position to be both sympathetic and at the same time carry out their duties and use the opportunity to drive home the message – you can’t drink and then drive.
The consequences are disastrous.
Young David Dren now has to rebuild his life – we wish him well.
The Halton Regional Police Service do strive to keep the public informed – they might use this situation as a case study on how to inform the public and at the same time keep driving home the message – you can’t drink and drive.
The full story line:
Original story.
Police release the name of the driver.
By Pepper Parr
June 4th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
In a media release the city said: “In order to add comfort and enhance customer service, Burlington Transit is adding benches to 57 bus stops around the city. Some bench installations will require a concrete slab to be poured first.”
Maybe service is going to become so sporadic and unreliable that they want customers to at least have a place to sit while they wait?
The locations were chosen based on areas that have busier pedestrian and vehicular traffic and public space available.
 The seats in this transit shelter are truly pathetic. Hopefully the new benches being placed are more usable. “Providing benches will provide a more comfortable place to rest while waiting for a bus,” said Mike Spicer, director, Burlington Transit. “Taking Burlington Transit should be a pleasant experience and it begins at the bus stop.”
The bench expansion is already underway and will continue as weather permits throughout the summer and into the fall, if needed.
Something you wanted to know – the locations of those benches. The number at the front identifies the bus stop,
433 – Lakeshore Boulevard at Burloak Drive
1003 – Lakeshore Boulevard at Kenwood Avenue
3 – Lakeshore Boulevard at Torrance Street
751 – Lakeshore Boulevard at Brock Avenue
755 – 1340 Lakeshore Blvd.
72 – New Street at Guelph Line
185 – New Street at Walker’s Line
184 New Street at Walker’s Line
495 New Street at Hampton Heath
557 – 5514 New St.
453 – Appleby Line at Fairview Street
388 – Fairview Street at Inverary Road
206 – Fairview Street at Woodview Street
95 – Fairview Street at Drury Lane
64 – 2065 Fairview St.
785 – Plains Road at Francis
767 – Plains Road at King Road
759 – Plains Road at Long Drive
832 – Plains Road at Downsview
833 – 127 Plains Rd.
162 – Harvester Road at Guelph Line
264 – 3450 Harvester Road
248 – Upper Middle at Mountain Grove
326 – Burlington Heights Centre
1030 – Upper Middle Road at Guelph Line
922 – Upper Middle Road at Country Club
628 – Upper Middle Road at Heron Way
269 – Brant Street at Hazelton Boulevard
200 – Brant Street at Havendale Boulevard
110 – Brant at North Service Road
102 – Brant at North Service Road
33 – Guelph at Lakeshore
77 – Guelph Line at New Street
83 – Guelph Line at Glencrest Road
114 – Guelph Line at Prospect Avenue
113 – Guelph Line at Prospect Avenue
156 – Guelph Line at Harvester Road
155 – Guelph Line at Harvester Road
220 Guelph Line at Mainway
245 Guelph Line at Centennial
299 Guelph Line at Upper Middle Road
302 Guelph Line at Upper Middle Road
622 Walker’s Line at Berton Avenue
619 Berton Avenue at Walker’s Line
611 Walker’s Line at Constable Hensaw
608 Walker’s Line at Darien
584 Walker’s Line at Country Club
368 Walker’s Line at North Service Road
296 Walker’s Line at Harvester Road
290 Walker’s Line at Harvester Road
355 Appleby Line at New Street
360 Appleby Line at New Street
395 Appleby Line at Pine Street
451 666 Appleby Line
899 Appleby Line at Harrison Court
522 Burloak at Spruce
89 2200 Fairview Street
 By Ray Rivers
June 3rd, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON.
Both the Liberals and Conservatives held national conventions recently and there was lots of news coming out of both. In Vancouver the Conservatives seemed to have taken a breath of fresh air as they brought the Harper-era to an end, and were even encouraged by their former leader to reflect on the future and not the past. Though this is the party which claims its historic past to include the title of Canada’s first government.
In fact, it was called the Liberal-Conservative party back then, and it became a little more liberal when a few members of the left-wing agrarian-based Progressive party forced the name change to Progressive Conservative in the 40’s. But then the PC party self-destructed in the 90’s and what was left of it later dissolved itself, and turned the corner sharply with a precipitated marriage to the right-wing Reform party. So it isn’t really the party of Sir John A or Diefenbaker or even Mulroney anymore.
 Prime Minister Justin Trudeau greets delegates at the 2016 Liberal Biennial Convention Winnipeg Saturday, May 28, 2016. Was it a political party convention or a meeting of a movement? Macleans/John Woods But at least it’s still a political party. The Liberals left their convention in Winnipeg with a new constitution that has put an end to membership fees and memberships. You can register as a Liberal but not as a member. It appears that Liberals don’t want to belong to any club that would accept them as members. But that doesn’t mean the new Liberal movement doesn’t want your money, as anyone who has ever received an email from them will attest.
It all has to so with research which shows that the latest generation of mainstream Canadian adults don’t go in for that old membership routine, but love the idea of being in a movement. Besides the $10 membership fees cost more to administer than they brought in, and then there are all those tiresome volunteer hours and membership drives. And if membership fees were really about making money the other parties would be thinking, as the Tories briefly did, about a more realistic $25 a year – similar to what the NDP charge in Ontario.
Mr. Trudeau has been extremely successful, at least so far, in challenging conventional wisdom. Imagine winning an election by campaigning on welcoming refugees, deficit spending and higher taxes for the rich. What about the decision to allow those 300,000 Liberal non-member supporters the right to participate in choosing the next leader – which happened to be Trudeau. And didn’t he shock the world with the free world’s first gender-balanced Cabinet, despite the critics.
One of the most applauded and condemned election promises we’ll see implemented this election term is changing how we elect our government. Of course this initiative is damned by the Conservatives, because the first-past-the-post system works best for a party which can only win when there are electoral splits among the other parties at the polls. And changing the system is applauded by all of the the other political parties for exactly the same reason – to keep the Tories out of office.
Mr. Trudeau’s right hand woman on the issue, Democratic Reform Minister Maryam Monsef, has struck a committee to examine the facts on the options. One of those options will be proportional representation (PR), the most common democratic system in the rest of the free world. Under proportional representation some MP are elected to represent their ridings (as they are now) and the rest are appointed based on the percentage of the popular vote their party obtained in the last election.
These latter MPs are often referred to as list MPs since they are appointed from a list of candidates developed by the party based on their qualifications and loyalty to the party. Should that option be implemented, and it’s currently not the favourite among the PM and his brain trust, a PM Trudeau may have difficulty convincing Canadians that his list of non-riding MPs are even Liberals, since they will not be members. Everyone is still waiting to see how the non-Liberal senators will perform in the Senate.
 This is a political party. It is a picture of the Chinese communist party. Orderly. Can there be a party without members? Even in China and Cuba the communist parties have members. Except that in China one can’t just buy your way into the party with a membership fee – you have to be accomplished and worthy. In fact only one in sixteen Chinese who apply get qualified to be party members. Nevertheless there are almost 88 million communist party faithful there, almost three times Canada’s entire population.
But since almost all top government positions in China are staffed with party members, it just makes sense to try and get in the club. Now I’d have to call 88 million members a movement, even in China with its over billion souls. So it begs the question, as we reflect on our changing political scene, is that where our new PM is heading? One has to recall his one-time remarks a couple years ago about admiring the government of China.
Ray Rivers is an economist and author who writes weekly on federal and provincial issues, applying his 25 years of involvement with federal and provincial ministries. Rivers’ involvement in city matters led to his appointment as founding chair of Burlington’s Sustainable Development Committee. He was also a candidate in the 1995 provincial election
Background links:
Conservative Party – Conservative Convention – NDP Membership Fees –
Proportional Representation – Liberal Membership – Trudeau Liberals –
Trudeau and China –
By Staff
June 3rd, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident early in March was not identified in two police reports.
Police appear to have had second thoughts – release the name of the up to now unidentified driver.
The driver David Dren (21 years) of Burlington was charged with one count of Impaired Operation of a motor vehicle and one count of Over 80 Contrary to the Criminal Code.
Original accident report
Report of charges being laid 90 days later
By Pepper Parr
June 3, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
You remember Jennifer don’t you? The lady with the Fish and Chip Shop on Guelph Line – the one who got busted for putting a sign out by the road side to attract traffic?
 The one who got a visit from the Mayor who dropped by asking how he could help and then never following up.
Jennifer Soukup told the Gazette earlier this week that she was told by someone in the bylaw office that she would get a chance to talk about the by law when it is next reviewed – in 18 months – that’s what she was told.
She wasn’t going to wait.
She had been fined $180 for putting the sign out – but she didn’t have to pay it – next time they would enforce the penalty.
She then did her homework and learned that she was allowed to put a sign out but only for a very specific amount of time – 45 days in each year and never for more than two weeks at a time.
It will cost her $250 to rent the sign – and no one is going to miss that sign.
There is a $90 fee to put the sign out – that’s included in the in the $250
What we are seeing is a young, energetic innovative entrepreneur who wants to run a successful and profitable business.
As I watched her serve her customers I notices that the price for the take out came in at around the $20 range. When I have lunch, which I do often, the bill comes in at around $12.
 $750 to keep this sign up for 45 days – is it worth it? Jennifer has to sell a lot of meals – assuming average price of $15 dollars – she is going to have to sell 50 meals and give every penny to the sign company to pay for the sign that she can put up for a total of 45 days.
Does this mean every retailer should be able to put out whatever they want in the way of signs? No, the public isn’t going to put up with that.
But there has to be an easier way to let merchants advertise and let their clients know where they are – for more than 45 days of the year.
Meanwhile Soukup is doing fine – she just wants to ensure that the money she spends promote her business and doesn’t line the city’s coffers.
By Staff
June 3, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The Member of Parliament for Burlington rose to speak on the House of Commons about the matter of electoral reform – changes to be made in the way Canadians elect their Members of Parliament.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to participate in this important and historic debate on the establishment of a special all-party committee on electoral reform. This is an issue that affects all Canadians, and I am glad to see such strong principles proposed in the amended motion to guide this committee’s study.
I wish to spend my time today discussing some of the changes to our electoral system that have been introduced over the past century; changes that at the time were seen as rather dramatic alterations to our system.
Many of these reforms, however, are now looked back upon by Canadians as moments of true progress in the history of our great democracy.
 Boundary for the constituency of Burlington The electoral system we have today is the product of almost 150 years of evolution. The election we saw in October was quite different from elections upon Confederation, when only a fraction of Canadians, namely land-owning men, had a say in our democratic institution.
Our government’s pledge to replace the first past the post system is just another step in this historical evolution to a more inclusive, efficient, and stronger electoral system for all Canadians.
Allow me to begin in 1920, over a half century after Confederation.
After 50 years of elections in this country, Parliament established the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer. It was not until 1927 that the Chief Electoral Officer was appointed by the House and not the government. These were seen as quite major changes at the time, but they are ones we can all look back on, knowing they have helped lead to nearly a century of trusted and independent electoral administration in this country.
It was not until 1964, nearly a full century after Confederation, that Parliament introduced independent electoral district boundary commissions to draw riding boundaries, bringing an end to gerrymandering. Prior to this, the government could simply decide who got to vote where, with little recourse for individuals, communities, or opposition parties. This is another instance of what was once proclaimed to be a fundamental change to our electoral system. In hindsight, we see that this reform has helped build trust among Canadians that our electoral system has integrity, that it is fair, and that all communities have a voice.
 Karina Gould accepting congratulations from former MP Mike Wallace the night of the last federal election. In our ever-evolving system, parties only began registering with Elections Canada in 1970, and they only became subject to election spending limits in 1974. After a century of elections, Parliament significantly altered our politics by removing the role of big money in our elections. I truly believe our democracy is stronger because of that, but once again, it was an area of contentious debate at the time. Today, the idea of unlimited spending in an election would be quickly dismissed by Canadians as a barrier to the level playing field we hold dear for free and fair elections. We are proud that our elections are based on ideas and debate, and not simply dollars.
I have spoken briefly of some reforms to the electoral system itself, but I would like to turn now to the increasing franchise over the years; a clear example of how far our electoral system has progressed since Confederation.
Allow me to return back to the 1920s, when elections in this country were decentralized and run under a hodgepodge of provincial statues.
In the 1920s, the federal legislation deferred to the provinces in allowing disqualifications on the right to vote for “reasons of race”. This provision worked to disqualify many Canadians, including those of Chinese, Japanese, and Ukrainian descent, among others. However, it was not until 1948 that Parliament deleted references to disqualification on the basis of race. It was not until 1950 that Parliament allowed the Inuit the right to vote, and it was not until 1960 that Parliament allowed first nation people the right to vote without forcing them to give up their status or home on a reserve.
Expanding the franchise was divisive at the time. Today, however, we look back and simply wonder what took Parliament so long to recognize the rights of all Canadians in exercising their vote.
 Karina Gould listening to a constituent. Women were not able to vote until legislative changes were enacted in 1918.
Those individuals living in poor houses or the homeless were not able to vote until 1929. War objectors were not able to vote between 1938 and 1955.
It was only in 1970 that the voting age was lowered to 18 from 21.
What I am trying to get at is that, when we reflect on these developments without the partisan frames in which they were originally debated, we see reforms that uphold and correspond to our values as Canadians; we see reforms that uphold the rights of all Canadians; and we see reforms that strengthen the bond between the people and the government and that instill trust that the government is formed by the true democratic will of all Canadians.
It is almost incomprehensible that we could ever exclude a full 50% of society from the franchise, that we could exclude indigenous peoples, ethnocultural minority groups, and those who dared to express different beliefs from those of the government of the day. While I am certainly not proud of the history of disenfranchisement in Canada’s electoral history, I am truly proud of how far our democracy has evolved into a more inclusive system for all Canadians.
Electoral reform is the next step in this evolution toward a more inclusive system. We can build a better system that provides a stronger link between the democratic will of Canadians and the election results, one that motivates Canadians to take part, one that reflects our collective values of fairness, inclusiveness, gender equity, openness, and mutual respect. To get there, the process leading to reform must also embody these values.
Parliamentarians will need to set aside partisan interests and engage in a thoughtful and substantive dialogue with each other and with citizens.
 Karina Gould during the federal election debates in Burlington. I strongly believe that stepping away from the first past the post system and embracing a new system that can reflect these values and the values articulated in this amended motion would be another milestone in the history of Canada’s elections. I suspect future generations will look back at the reforms proposed in this motion and reflect on them, as I have done today with past reforms. I suspect they will note this is yet another example of how our electoral system has evolved to further increase the inclusion of all peoples, to better reflect the will of voters and the representation of the House, and to work toward a system that produces a House that looks more and more like the faces of Canadians.
I hope all members will join me and support the creation of this committee.
By Staff
June 3, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Late last night the police released a follow up report on a motor vehicle accident that took place early in March.
Basically a car went off the road at the intersection of Kerns Road and North Service Road. The collision left one man with serious head injuries while a second male escaped with bruises and concussion. There was also a significant amount of damage caused to a roadside guide rail that resulted in a lengthy road closure.
 It was around 4:00 am in the morning. Someone overshot the stop sign, crashed into the barrier at the intersection and ended up in a patch of land. A stupid accident which police at the time said speed and alcohol were suspected. Charges laid – no names released – why? Following a protracted investigation, a 22-year old Burlington male has now been charged with two offences – Impaired Operation and Over 80 contrary to the Criminal Code.
No further details regarding the charged individual will be released.
In the March media release the following information was given:
Halton Regional Police Service is investigating a serious single motor vehicle collision that occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning leaving a Burlington man in critical condition.
Shortly before 4:00am Saturday March 12th a black VW Golf was travelling south on Kerns Road in the City of Burlington. At the intersection with North Service Road, the vehicle failed to stop or to negotiate the turn and continued through the guard rail at the south edge of North Service Road, coming to rest in the sunken area between North Service Road and Highway 403.
The male driver of the Golf, a 22-year old Burlington male, sustained serious injuries and was transported to Hamilton general Hospital where his condition is described as critical. His male passenger escaped with minor injuries.
Due to the serious nature of the incident, the Collision Reconstruction Unit attended and assumed responsibility for the investigation.
At this stage speed and alcohol are being considered as factors.
Details of the vehicle occupants are not being released.
It’s pretty clear someone doesn’t want their name in the paper – must be some heavy legal talent leaning on someone.
It’s a Traffic Court offence.
By Staff
June 2, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Regional Police Service, in conjunction with Halton Women’s Place report a very successful “Dress for Success” Campaign.
Last April members of the Halton Regional Police Domestic Violence Investigative Unit launched a clothing drive to gather new and gently used professional attire to donate to Halton Women’s Place. The goal was provide clients of the shelter with attire suitable to allow the women to feel confident and to thrive in a professional environment.
The campaign concluded May 31 and was incredibly successful with over 122 large size bags of new and gently used items donated.
 Staff from Halton Women’ Place and the Halton Police Service Domestic violence unit [pose with some of the clothing that was donated. Carm Bozzo, Development Manager at Halton Women’s Place said: “Halton Women’s Place is so very grateful for the Halton Regional Police Services’ campaign of collecting clothing and accessories for the month of May for our clients. The Domestic Violence Unit has worked so hard and did a fabulous job with this campaign. We were happily overwhelmed with the generosity of this community. Our clients were also very overwhelmed and so grateful for the incredible items that they received. As well, we are always happy to share our excess donations to organizations like Compassion Society and therefore more and more individuals are helped”.
Detective Donna Whittaker from the Domestic Violence Investigative Unit proposed and managed the clothing drive. She noted that the campaign was a huge success and a positive experience for her and members of the unit. “Halton is an amazing community full of kind, generous people and the response to this campaign has been absolutely exceptional. We are all so appreciative of the community’s generosity and support of this worthwhile initiative. I am confident the donations received from this campaign will have a positive impact on many, many women who can now “Dress for Success”. Thank you to everyone who donated or were otherwise involved in this campaign. “
By Pepper Parr
June 2, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Are you ready for this?
A budget of $705 million for the Halton District School Board.
That is a whopper of a number and much of it comes out of your wallets. The province provides a significant amount – but that too comes out of your wallet.
 This is how that $705 million gets spent.  The bulk of the school board budget is spent on teaching students – here is a breakdown of that spending. Key expense items:
Classroom Teachers
The $17,870K increase includes the addition of 17.5 Elementary Teachers and 38.1 Secondary Teachers due to enrolment growth, 1.25% across the board salary increase and removal of the delay in grid movement per the central labour agreement. This is partially offset by the reduction of 17.5 Elementary Special Education Teachers to reflect change in delivery model.
Supply Staff
The $1,350K increase reflects the impact of projected rising trends in usage and the impact of the central labour agreement.
Educational Assistants
The $2,200K increase includes the addition of 35 Educational Assistants and 1.25% across the board salary increase per the central labour agreement.
Early Childhood Educators
The $617K increase includes the addition of 1 Early Childhood Educator, 1.25% across the board salary increase and removal of the delay in grid movement per the central labour agreement.
Textbooks and Supplies
The $1,014K increase includes the addition of a new decentralized school budget supplement based on the School Needs index and transfer of Education Program
Computers The $806K increase reflects the acquisition of school technology funded through the Technology Learning Fund 21st Century Learning EPO.
Professionals, Para- professionals & Technical The $1,242K increase includes the addition of .5 Child and Youth Counsellor, 1 IPRC Clerical Support, 1 Applied Behaviour Analysis Trainer and 1 Social Worker for International Students and Refugee Support. This increase is also reflective of central labour agreements.
Library and Guidance
The $1,006K increase includes the addition of 2.5 Elementary and 3 Secondary Library and Guidance Teachers due to enrolment growth, 1.25% across the board salary increase and removal of the delay in grid movement per central labour agreements.
Staff Development
The $260K increase includes professional development and training to increase teacher capacity specifically related to special education.
Department Heads
The small increase of $15K represents the increase of department head allowances based on shifting enrolment between secondary schools and impact of the central labour agreement.
Principals and Vice-Principals
The $643K increase includes the addition of 1 Elementary Vice-Principal and estimated impact of the central labour agreement once finalized.
School Office
The $982K increase includes the addition of 5.2 Clerical Support Staff due to enrolment growth, 1.25% across the board salary increase per the central labour agreement and increase in administrative computer replacement.
Coordinators and Consultants
The $42K decrease includes turnover and job classification savings, partially offset by implementation of central labour agreements.
Continuing Education The $51K increase includes the impact of central labour agreements as well as addition of International
Language Supervisors.
Administration The $420K increase includes the impact of central labour agreements and the upgrade of financial system software. Also included is the continued support for Records Management implementation.
Transportation
The $702K increase reflects an increase in operator costs per contractual agreements and projected service delivery.
Interesting that the Board of Education chooses to show their numbers as $702K – that K actually means 1024 and not a round 1000
Director of Education Stewart Miller expressed some concern over how well the public understands the way education is funded and said he wanted to create a committee that would take on the task of getting a deeper explanation o education funding into the hands of the public.
By Pepper Parr
June 2, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Wow – these guys can spend money like a drunken sailor.
The Regional council agreed to purchase all the homes in the Beachway community on a willing buyer – willing seller basis. During the last few years a number of homes have been purchased on this basis.
There are basically two groups in the Beachway – those who do not want to sell – the love the community they live in and want to be left along to enjoy the home and the life style they have.
There are others who are willing to sell and they want to get every last dollar that might be available to them.
With a buyer who has to buy every home in order to turn that part of the city into a park – a very large park and a well-designed park – this put the sellers in a great position.
How great?
The structure at 991 Lakeshore Road went for $535,000. It was described by a Beachway resident this way: “lot size…tiny…probably almost house foot print only…house is an absolute shack!! with no proper septic etc. Almost can’t live in it…it’s an absolute dump inside. When I say shack…I mean it.”
 All the property on Willow is now in the hands of the Regional government. Owning this part of the Beachway is critical to the long range park development plans – a new road is to be along this part of the park. The structure is one of four located on Willow Street, a very short street that runs off Lakeshore.
With prices like this being offered the owners of property in the Beachway will do what is best for them – just sit tight and watch the prices rise. Great for the property owners – brutal on the public purse.
 The house in the center is reported to have been sold for $405,000  The Regional government is in the process of changing the look and feel of the Beachway community – turning it into a park that will focus on the natural elements and make kit into something significantly different than what it is today. While the Regional real estate people pick off the homes one by one people in the Regional Planning department toil away at completing the design of the Beachway Park.
 This doesn’t look like a home that is being readied for sale to the Regional government who will eventually tear it down. Regional planners are working up a plan that will turn what was once a community that had its own newspaper and was home to hundreds of people. The plan for the park is a splendid piece of planning – but will it meet the longer terms needs of the city – and will it b a safe place?
Some of the properties in the Beachway were not much more than shacks that probably didn’t meet all the by laws. Other homes are lovely buildings carefully and lovingly maintained by their owners – and they don’t want to move.
 One of the nicest properties in the Beachway – but if the plans for the park are to be fully realized – this house can’t remain  Do homes like this have to be torn down? If the current Beachway park plans are to be realized the has has to go. There isn’t anyone thinking about changing the park plans – at this point. The Region however is run by elected officials – and plans do change but it is going to take a lot of political courage and leadership to make that happen. Some people are upgrading their homes. There will come a point where the wishes of the Region, solidly backed by the vast majority of Burlington city Councillors, will clash with the property owners. That;s many years away – but that day is coming.
By Staff
June 2nd, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Municipalities across Ontario are asking the province to reform the Ontario Municipal Board, and severely limit its power over local planning decisions. More than 80 municipal councils have passed resolutions seeking OMB reform, including Toronto, Markham, Guelph, Newmarket, York Region, and Oakville.
 Ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward thinks the Ontario Municipal Board should be abolished – it was put in place years ago for good reasons – do those reasons no longer matter? Burlington is not one of them.
The resolution began in Aurora and asks the province to “limit the jurisdiction of the OMB to questions of law or process” and to “require the OMB to uphold any planning decisions of Municipal Councils unless they are contrary to the processes and rules set out in legislation.”
Ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward supports this kind of change
A resolution passed by Oakville council asks the province to: exclude the board from hearing appeals of applications for amendments to provincially approved official plans; require the OMB to show deference to the decisions of local councils subject only to the test of reasonableness; and require the board, as an appellate body, to implement the concept of precedent in its decisions.
The province has said it will look into OMB reform this year.
In May, Meed Ward joined over 100 municipal representatives (the only one from Burlington) at a Municipal Summit on OMB Reform. The consensus from the Summit was to request that the province forbid any appeals to the OMB of local Official Plans that have already been approved by the Province. This would dramatically reduce the number of appeals, save time and money, and free up time for the OMB to deal with other matters within its jurisdiction in a timely fashion.
 Councillor Jack Dennison appealed a Committee of Adjustment decision that went against his request to sever his property. The Ontario Municipal Board sided with Dennison and allowed him to sever. Another recommendation arising from the Summit was to remove appeals to the OMB for Committee of Adjustment decisions on minor variances, and instead direct local councils to create an appeal body or let the local city council be the final appeal body (which would be more time and cost effective).
These and other recommendations from the Summit will be forwarded to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and the province. A representative from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario attended the summit, and AMO will discuss OMB reform at its annual conference in August.
Meed Ward said she “whole heartedly supports reform, and wouldn’t miss the OMB if it were abolished.
The OMB has become, in effect, the local planning departments for municipalities, creating duplication of services, overriding decisions of locally elected councils by an unelected tribunal, and costing hundreds of thousands of taxpayers’ dollars to defend Official Plans that have already been approved by the province and conform to growth requirements. These costs, borne both by municipalities and the development industry, are built into taxes and into the cost of housing. OMB-driven municipal planning is expensive, wasteful, time-consuming and unaccountable, and must change.”
 The ADI development group is before the OMB not because they didn’t like the decision the city made but because the city did not make a decision within the required time frame. Meed Ward wants Burlington to join the call for a change and plans to introduce a moption at Council. When? She isn’t sure. “Hard to say anything about timing at this point. Would either be July or September.
Introducing this kind of motion in July just before the August break when a lot of people are away might not be the best time to go public with something like this.
Whichever, we will be hearing from Meed Ward on the role the Ontario Municipal Board should play in the affairs of the city in the not too distant future.
 By Staff
May 30th, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
Detectives from the Halton Regional Police Service Child Abuse and Sexual Assault (CASA) Unit have charged a Burlington man, Joseph Robert Angel (25 years of age) in connection with two separate sexual assaults committed on May 24, 2016.
The two incidents took place at the Longo’s grocery store located at 1225 Fairview Street in Burlington between 8:45pm and 9:30pm.
Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to contact Detective Constable Matt Cunnington at 905-825-4747 ext. 8978 or Detective Constable Alanda Prescod at 905-825-4747 ext. 8977 of the of the Halton Regional Police Child Abuse and Sexual Assault Unit, or Crime Stoppers at 1 800 222 TIPS, or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes)
By Pepper Parr
June 1st, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Not quite sure what this means but the Mayors of Burlington, Ontario and Apeldoorn, Holland signed an Expression of Interest today at Burlington City Hall to promote economic development opportunities between the two cities.
In a media release city hall said an Expression of Interest focuses on advancing potential partnerships in three specific areas, including:
• Clean technology sector development;
• Trade partnerships;
• an exchange program for post-secondary students.
The word that matters here is “potential” for that is about all we have seen in terms of new development in the city.
The Burlington Economic Development Corporation will lead discussions on behalf of the City of Burlington.
 Apeldoorn Mayor John Berends and Burlington Mayor Rick Goldring “expressing an interest” in each other Mayor Goldring said: “Based on conversations during our visit to Apeldoorn last spring, as well as meetings this week, we have agreed on three specific areas of opportunity we are looking to pursue. Apeldoorn is a natural economic partner due to our twinning agreement, as well as its prominent clean technology sector as it relates to Burlington’s Community Energy Plan.”
The Mayor went on to say that: “Today’s signing furthers the twinning agreement established between the cities of Apeldoorn, the Netherlands and Burlington, Canada on May 6, 2005. The twinning agreement states that the cities will explore economic development and new business opportunities.”
And that is about all the two cities have been able to do “explore”.
“Apeldoorn is interested in furthering business with Burlington,” said Mayor John Berends. “Several of our companies are interested in Canadian partnerships, especially in a city like Burlington where we have already established a good working relationship.”
There has been some relationship development between Apeldoorn and Burlington but just at a mid-management staff level. Rob Peachey, Manager Parks & Open Space in the Capital Works Department, was part of the delegation that went to Holland to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Liberation of Holland and he said at that time that he expected to exchange ideas and processes with his peers in Holland, particularly as it related to parks and recreation.
Holland is a country where bicycles are a large part of the movement of people. Burlington is still struggling to get to the point where bicycles are more than a form of weekend recreation.
 The Economic Development Corporation shows land that is vacant and for sale. New Regional Court House is to be built on part of the property. Burlington’s Economic Development Corporation hasn’t had much in the way of real economic development to report on – they list future conferences on their web site and, we stand to be corrected, but there hasn’t been a new business of any size or significance brought to the city since the BEDC was reorganized and new management out in place.
Fresh Insights Consulting was created to do some market research for the local business community by MBA students from McMaster University and that operation appears to percolate nicely.
If the objectives and targets in the much touted Strategic Plan are to be met there is going to have to be something significant happen in the next 25 years, which is the length of the dream contained in that document.
Both the Economic Development Corporation and the city’s Strategic Plan appear to be pretty well reflected in the image on the BEC web site – lots of colour but pretty confusing looking.
 Image on the Economic Development corporation web site, while colourful, is confusing – reflecting that state of economic development in the city. Has there been any? The development taking place in Burlington is residential – with million dollar condos on Lakeshore Road and small residential on Fairview next to the GO station – plus the ADI development on Dundas and Sutton.
The ADI development on Lakeshore and Martha street is still being actively marketed and still working to get through the Ontario Municipal Board hearing that is due to come up for air sometime in June.
Hard to see where those high-tech, high paying jobs are going to come from – if they do arrive – there should be a places for people to live.
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