 By Staff
April 27, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Joe Gaetan has taken the position that “Regardless of your party politics, selling off Ontario Hydro One Inc., is not a good thing.”
He maintains that the selling of publicly owned assets is a trend that started a while ago and in some cases makes perfect sense. However in this case there are a number of reasons as to why the current proposal should come off the table.
 The revenue produced for the province by Ontario Hydro is outstanding. The provincial government wants to sell the asset and forgo the revenue for a fantastic cash grab. ‘First and foremost the government of the day neither asked for, nor were given a mandate to sell Hydro One. In exchange for a one time inflow of cash from the sale, we the taxpayers will forego the differential future income of Hydro One in perpetuity. If Hydro One is good enough to sell, it’s good enough to keep a controlling ownership of at least 51%.
“If the government keeps a 40% minority share in Hydro One, as currently planned, they will be mostly insulated from complaints about performance shortcomings and rising fees. Once sold it will be almost impossible to buy it back.
“The current model of electing governments has resulted in many people giving up and not voting on Election Day. There are many reasons for that, one of which is many people don’t believe their vote counts. Direct democracy is where enough of us take a stand and tell the government that even though they won the last election they do not have a mandate to do as they wish.
 Joe Gaetan believes hydro is too good an asset to sell – wants the government to at least maintain control.web “In New Zealand 895,322 taxpayers voted against a similar sale of assets, in spite of the vote the government went ahead anyway and sold the assets, but they at least had the foresight to retain a 51% ownership of the assets it had on the auction block.
At 8:20 on April 24, 2015 Gaetan launched this petition asking for a moratorium and a referendum on the sale of Hydro One Inc. as it has been proposed. The petition can be found at: https://www.gopetition.com/petitions/hydro-one-sale.html.
If you feel strongly about this, please click the link to add your signature to the petition and then feel pass it along.
 By Pepper Parr
April 27, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Culture in Burlington took another step forward last week when a Culture Days information session took place at the Art Gallery of Burlington.
 Local artists were able to set up a booth in Civic Square at the 2014 Culture Days – most reported they did very well at raising their profiles.
It was a small crowd but several of the people who play major roles in how culture is marketed and delivered in this city were in the room
There is a non-profit organization that maintains a web site with everything anyone would want to know about cultural events in the province. Culture Days raises the awareness, accessibility, participation and engagement of Canadians in the arts and cultural life of their communities.
To make it really work the Culture Days organization say again and again – ya gotta register – and the earlier the better.
Register an event is what makes an event work. It is not the simplest thing to do. McLeod wasn’t able top get the computer she was using to project the process onto a screen but the Gazette went on line and gave it a whirl – and it does work.
There are four basic criteria to Culture Days activities:
1. Your activity is free to the public
All activities registered as part of Culture Days are free; that is, they cannot be ticketed or occur in a space that charges admission. If you have already planned a mix of free and ticketed programs, register your free activities with Culture Days, and simply let the public know that you have other activities available as well. Fundraisers or sales can happen in proximity to your free event as long as it does not overshadow or restrict/prevent access to free activities. Note: asking for voluntary donations or placing a donation box near the entrance is not the same as requiring donations.
 Teresa Seaton, a stained glass artist has been a prime mover behind the annual Art in Action tour – and is now part of the newly formed Arts and Culture Collective. 2. The activity takes place during the Culture Days weekend: September 25, 26 and/or 27, 2015 Activities registered as part of Culture Days take place during this year’s Culture Days weekend, but you do not need to have three days of activities or activities that last all day. Even a single one-hour participatory event scheduled during the Culture Days weekend qualifies. If your organization already offers arts learning or outreach activities, simply schedule one of your regular events during Culture Days.
3. The activity is participatory
All Culture Days activities are participatory in nature. This means that your activity involves some kind of hands-on aspect or offer the public “backstage”/behind-the-scenes access to see how you do what you do. Invite the public to go beyond a typical audience experience and instead play a part in the creative process. For instance, if you are in a choir, rather than stage a performance, you might offer a workshop on how to sing or harmonize; if you own or operate a dance studio, you might offer a dance class; if you are involved in a community radio station, you could offer a guided tour of your studio. Engagement and participation is key, regardless of the activity. Don’t forget that fun counts too! People love to do what they normally don’t have a chance to experience. Refer to the activity types in the upcoming section for more participation ideas.
4. The activity is registered at culturedays.ca
When you register your activity online, you officially become part of Culture Days and benefit from the national promotional campaign that directs the public to the website to discover activities in their community. Registering online also gives you the chance to be included in the national Public Relations and Marketing campaign. You can also sign up to get regular e-newsletters with valuable advice and news about Culture Days.
Activity Types and Categories
There are five basic participatory activity types that can be registered as part of Culture Days, encompassing a wide range of artistic and cultural categories/disciplines.
1. hands-on activity: create, help make or try doing something yourself
2. behind-the-scenes: see inside artistic spaces and get a peek at creativity in action (indoors/outdoors)
3. excursion: tour of more than one location (eg. art gallery crawl)
4. discussion: artist talks, panels, round-tables and other cultural conversations where you can learn and discuss
5. collective creation: contribute to a collaborative act or work or art
The criteria and the regulations have that distinct stamp of a bureaucrat on them – but the process does work.
 The city’s cultural manager guided Burlington’s participation in the 2014 Culture Days – Angela Papariza talks to Trevor Copp who took a plea to city council for a better cultural environment in the city. On the last Friday of September (September 25, 26 and 27, 2015) many municipalities in Ontario celebrate Culture with a three day event. Burlington has done this for a number of years and will be doing so again this September.
Promotion is critical according the Catherine McLeod who runs the Ontario arm of Culture Days
Why Register an Activity? From highlighting your community, raising your profile and meeting new audiences, to networking and connecting with like-minded citizens, the reasons are multiple!
 Some of the most exciting quilting ever done was on display at the Art Gallery of Burlington last year. It will be interesting to see how the Art Gallery chooses to participate in 2105 Highlight the Cultural Vibrancy of Your Community
Every corner of this country is full of creativity, arts and culture. By participating in Culture Days, you help your fellow citizens become aware of the many unique opportunities available to them and encourage participation in arts and cultural activities in your own backyard. You draw attention to the different cultures and heritages that contribute to the development and vitality of your community.
You cast a spotlight on the cultural organizations and individual artists in their midst.
From children’s choirs, “stitch and bitch” groups and performing arts organizations to art colleges, museums and design firms, there are myriad perspectives, experiences, disciplines and techniques to share and discover. Working together, Culture Days participants showcase the vibrancy of local arts and culture, and encourage everyone to discover something new, something different, and to re-connect with their own creativity and community.
Arts and culture initiatives and industries not only make a vital contribution to our dynamic economy but, crucially to the social development of our neighbhourhoods, regions and country, promoting life-long learning, creative thinking, resiliency, appreciation of diversity, compassion and so much more.
 Spread the word. Arts and culture are important.
Make Worthwhile Connections, Meet New Supporters & Audiences
A significant amount of Culture Days activity organizers share space with other organizers during the weekend, often collaborating with someone or organizations with which they had not previously worked. Whether it is to create a hub of diverse activities in one area to attract visitors, or as an excuse to finally contact someone you’ve been meaning to connect with, Culture Days is the perfect opportunity to meet other creative people in your area, share resources, form new alliances that will last year-round, and meet new potential supporters and audience members.
Collaborations can also inspire unique cross-pollination among creative practices, connecting across sectors, cultures and generations.
Moreover, your participation in Culture Days can be the catalyst to create a legacy of strong connections between citizens, artists, cultural workers and their communities.
 During the creation of the Spiral Stella the public provided artifacts that were bronzed and made a part of the sculpture that stands outside the Performing Arts Centre. Here children watch in amazement at how the moulds are made. Develop Your Skills
Culture Days offers a fantastic opportunity to sharpen your promotional and organizational skills.
By taking advantage of the free tips and tools offered on the website, you can make the most of your Culture Days experience and apply everything that you have learned or improved upon year-round.
Whether it is leveraging social media for the first time as a promotional tool, organizing as a community, or connecting with people as passionate as you are, the vast and varied network of collaborators that makes up the Culture Days initiative is the perfect support system.
Learning works best when you have people to share it with, so don’t hesitate to get out there and put it all into practice, and be sure to not be humble about your successes!
Raise Your Profile
Culture Days offers helpful tips and tools to conduct your own promotion and media relations. It is a great opportunity to be featured in your local paper, association newsletters, or arts blogs, to name a few. Don’t hesitate to tell everyone about your unique activity.
In addition to being included in the national marketing and communications campaign, you might also take part in local or regional marketing initiatives. By pointing the general public to culturedays.ca where your activity is registered, people in your community and beyond your usual circles will learn about you and your activity.
Benefit from your participation by collecting contact information, business cards and comments from your visitors. This is a chance to build your email list and collect glowing testimonials for your next brochure or website update. Just by sharing your passion and talents, you can recruit new members, clients or audience members on the spot.
 Making culture the focus of conversation is what the Culture Days committee feels will raise the profile of the arts in a community. Unite To Make Arts and Culture The Topic of Conversation
Culture Days is the largest-ever collective public participation campaign undertaken by the arts and cultural community in this country. Last year, artists, cultural organizations, diverse groups and local organizers in nearly 800 communities registered some 7,500 events. The marketing and media campaign generated impressions in the hundreds of millions.
In the three years since its inception, one in three Canadians reported being aware of Culture Days – that’s more than 11 million people!
By participating, you promote and reveal the creativity of our citizens, creators, organizations, and communities through a vast Canada-wide marketing and public awareness campaign. Whether you create a new program or already have a relevant interactive activity planned, everything included in the Culture Days weekend pushes arts and culture into the limelight.
It all happens September 25, 26 and 27, 2015 – what artists do between now and then will determine just how successful the day is. Wish for sunshine!
By Staff
April 27, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Getting people to tell you what they think before decisions are made seems to be harder than listening to people who are unhappy with decisions that have been made.
City Council is about to begin the process of setting out the Strategic Plan they will use as a guide for the decisions they make for the next three years.
 Ideas and concepts were written up on sheets of paper and put up wherever there was space. It all got debated and boiled down to the Strategic Plan the city is now working with – that plan is to be reviewed and revised now. The Strategic Plan created in 2011 was an excellent document. It did have some limitations but given that prior to 2011 the city tended to publish a booklet with a lot of nice picture and precious little in the way of content. 2011 was great.
The Plan adopted by Council was a long time in coming – staff and council took eleven half days to discuss and debate what the priorities should be – what they wanted to focus on and achieve in the term they were getting into.
They settled on three Strategic Directions:
Vibrant Neighbourhoods
Prosperity
Excellence in Government
 The body language tells it all – there was some,e vigorous debate during the creation of the best Strategic Plan the city has had in some time. Here Frank McKeown, current Executive Director of the Burlington Economic Development Corporation, the Mayor’s Chief of Staff at the time and Paul Sharman city Councillor and a member of the Board of the BEDC Whenever a staff report was prepared for Council the writers of the report were expected to show how the recommendation was related to those three directions
As part of public engagement, which hasn’t been all that good so far, the city is asking the public to download a copy of a Workbook that has been put together for any individual who wants to express an opinion. The Workbook is an opportunity to provide input into planning Burlington’s future.
The deadline for submissions has been extended until end of day May 4, 2015.
In its media release the city said: “To help set priorities, each Burlington City Council creates a strategic plan to match with the four-year term of council. The 2015-18 City of Burlington strategic plan will result in changes to the 2011-14 strategic plan, based on community feedback and changing needs.”
 The Strategic Plan was facilitated by Georgina Black; they couldn’t have done the job they did without her. Prior to extending the deadline for comment the city had received less than 50 responses.
The workbook is available online or in hard copy and can be mailed on request. Strategic plan facilitators are on standby to help groups complete the workbook. Please contact strategicplan@burlington.ca, call 905-335-7600, ext 7378, or visit www.burlington.ca/strategicplan for details.
 By Pepper Parr
April 28, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
UPDATE:
Got the following note from Transport Canada:
“Just wanted to note that this article is inaccurate. The lift bridge is a Public Works asset, not Transport Canada. It is not being divested and is not part of the Port Asset Transfer Program.”
The Gazette will seek some clarification and report back/
Governments have a nasty little habit of releasing news late on a Friday afternoon. It is seldom good news – that stuff gets sent out when newsroom are wide awake and operational.
What was the bad news? The Hamilton-Burlington Lift Bridge is up for sale – Hamilton and Burlington have first dibs on the property but if they don’t buy it – then someone else can buy the structure.
 In a 5:31pm Friday news release, the Harper government announced a new program called the “Ports Asset Transfer Program” which will sell Transport Canada-owned port facilities to the private sector if provinces or municipalities don’t agree to take responsibility for facilities the federal government no longer wishes to maintain.
For this part of the world that means what is officially called the Burlington Canal Lift Bridge is going to get sold. Lisa Raitt’s, Minister of Transport, news release backgrounder states municipalities will have a 60-day period this summer to decide to purchase the Lift Bridge from the federal government.
If Hamilton and Burlington decide to not purchase the bridge (or the province for them), Transport Canada will offer the bridge for sale to the Hamilton Port Authority and the private sector.
Earlier in the month the Burlington and Hamilton Council’s joint Greater Bay Area Committee met. One of the agenda items was the Lift Bridge negotiations.
Hamilton City Manager Chris Murray said communication was ongoing with the Federal government, and that both City Managers were awaiting additional financial information from the federal government before providing recommendations to the respective City Councils.
Murray made no statement about potential privatization or a forthcoming ultimatum. He did state that he expected to have more information from the Federal government shortly and that a report would be forthcoming to Council.
Burlington’s city manager, James Ridge hasn’t said a word publicly.
Mike Wallace, Burlington’s member of Parliament has yet to make a comment.
Expect this issue to quickly be added to the both Burlington and Hamilton City Council meetings. Burlington has the delightful pleasure of working with the federal Transportation department on both an air park and now a canal bridge.
Is anyone thinking about a toll bridge? Governments are looking for new sources of revenue.
Were indebted to Joey Coleman and The Public Record for background on this article.
By Pepper Parr
April 27, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Late in March, BFAST (Burlington for Accessible Sustainable Transit) held a meeting to hear what transit users thought of the service.
 Mayor Goldring decided to promote his personal use of transit by releasing a “selfie” he took while riding the bus to work. Earlier in the year BFAST put out a challenge asking members of Council to use transit one day of every week for a month. Mayor Goldring took the challenge, got himself on the front page of a newspaper and was begging to be seen as a transit advocate.
Ward 1 Councilor Marianne Meed Ward took the challenge – she didn’t get her picture in the paper but she had some very useful data – it was not good news.
As community based events go the Saturday morning session went very well. BFAST issued a Summary of their findings – the full report will come out late in May.
 The March meeting broke out into workshop groups – here the seniors discuss what works and doesn’t work for them. The Forum attracted about 90 people with much to say about their experiences using Burlington’s buses. There in the role of listeners were four of the seven members of Burlington City Council, including Mayor Rick Goldring, as well as Burlington’s MPP, Eleanor McMahon. Not present, unfortunately, was anyone responsible for designing and operating the transit system – Burlington Transit.
Positive messages from the participants can be quickly told: everyone praised the friendliness and thoughtfulness of the bus drivers, who often help passengers in unusual circumstances.
Now for the negative messages, the same problems coming up over and over again. Because of cuts to service and frequent route changes during the last three years, Burlington Transit’s system is no longer convenient, resulting in a considerable drop in ridership. And two fare increases, one in May 2013, and another to take effect in May 2015, have made it unaffordable for many potential users.
 Community Development Halton Executive Director Joey Edwardh looks a little puzzled with the information Mayor Goldring has pulled up on his Smart phone To illustrate the lack of convenience, consider the schedule on the North Service Road (Route 81.) The buses operate between 6:00 and 9:30 am and between 3:00 and 6:00 pm, on weekdays only. A person who uses this route asked, “What am I supposed to do at other times of the day? It makes it difficult if I have appointments to go to.” Or, she might have added, if you have to get back from work after 6:00 pm. Further, this route has no service on Saturdays and Sundays. This is just one example among many that show how inconvenient transit service is in Burlington.
The South Service Road is even worse: although there are many hotels and businesses, as well as McMaster’s DeGroote School of Business located along this road, there are no buses to serve them.
The most recent fare increase seems to have been designed to persuade (force?) users into acquiring Presto cards. However, for many people, getting a Presto card is not as simple as saying “Hey, presto!” For some seniors and young people and for people with limited financial resources the application process is not easy, and putting money on the card can only be done online or at the three GO stations and the Downtown Terminal. Also, the initial fee of $6.00 is enough to deter some people from applying. A young person said that Presto ought to be as convenient as cash in order for it to replace cash fares.
Signage at bus stops throughout Burlington presents a problem for many, especially occasional transit users. Ideally, every bus stop should display the route numbers of the buses stopping there and the scheduled times of arrival. The reality is rather different: bus route numbers and arrival times are nonexistent. You need a Ride Guide and the ability to decipher it. It was pointed out that signage for buses serving the GO stations is quite limited.
 Ward 1 Councillor Rick Craven appears to be making a point to transit advocate James Smith about how the service works. Craven did not take the BFAST challenge. Burlington Transit’s Handi-Vans provide an essential service for people with disabilities unable to use the regular bus service. Unfortunately, as BT’s nine Handi-Vans cannot handle the current demand, users must book at least a week in advance. To deal with requests at short notice, such as necessary medical appointments, taxis should be used to supplement the Handi-Van fleet when required, as is the case in Oakville. This provision would be a valuable service, as well as the taxi scrip program which many citizens would like reinstated. (For many seniors who are frail, the ride on Handi-Van is not possible due to a bumpy ride.) It should be added that several people questioned why those who are legally blind and those with low vision are excluded from using the Handi-Van service.
Another issue affecting many transit users concerns buses no longer going into Mapleview Mall and Burlington Mall. The walk from the closest bus stops to a mall entrance is not pedestrian friendly, and it can be dangerous in winter conditions, especially for people with limited mobility and for those who use walkers and wheelchairs.
Many people pointed out that the bus schedules are too tight, making it very difficult for the drivers to stay on schedule. When a driver attempts to catch up after falling behind schedule, there may be a loss of safety.
All the shortcomings of the Burlington transit system mentioned above result from a common cause: serious underfunding of transit by the City Council. It seems that the guiding principle when making decisions about transit is to save money, not to provide a good service.
 Ward 5 Councillor Paul Sharman making a point during one of the BFAST workshops. Sharman did not take the BFAST challenge Recommendations
Spend more money on transit!
Provide more frequent service and extend the hours of service.
Improve the route schedules to make good connections at GO stations and other transfer points.
Post schedules with route numbers and arrival times at all bus stops.
Make Presto cards easier to obtain and to load.
Supplement Handi-Vans with taxis when required and reinstate the Taxi Scrip program.
Community buses should be labeled as such, and promoted.
The Downtown Terminal should be staffed during all hours when buses are operating.
Provide more bus shelters and make sure they are accessible for motorized wheelchairs.
The community meeting was a success; a majority of the members of Council were in the room, what happens next? The budget for the next fiscal year has been cast in stone. The two members of council with the most fiscal prudence, Taylor and Dennison did not take part in the meeting – don’t expect either of them to move any money from their |”shave and pave” program into transit. Councillor |Sharman is not likely to become a transit advocate any time soon.
Burlington Transit seem to have convinced themselves that the several million they are going to spend on technology to gather data will solve all their problems.
The transit advocates have a long road to travel.
By Pepper Parr
April 25, 2105
BURLINGTON, ON
Tom Muir is an active community participant – he is also a bit of a burr under the saddle of the Councillor for his ward Rick Craven.
Muir is not the kind of guy that backs down easily – and he is the kind of guy who does his homework
When he delegates before city Council – which he does frequently – his questions are pointed and often sharp.
 Plains Road, east of Waterdown – residents believe the properties are being assembled with plans are for a 6 storey structure. He recently wrote a staff member in the planning department about a development that no one was actually sure was going to take place – the only information the public had was a sign on the property saying units were for sale.
Muir asked the planning department for some details on any plans the city might have received about a potential redevelopment on 40-58 Plains Road East.
The staff member said:
I have attended several meetings with the owners of 40, 46 & 50 Plains Road East. Formal preconsultation meetings were held in December 2012 and July 2014 to discuss a 6 storey apartment building on these three sites. An Official Plan amendment (OPA) and rezoning would be required to allow any redevelopment of these properties for an apartment building. I have not attended any discussions or held any preconsultation meetings involving 58 Plains Road East.
The City of Burlington has not received an application for OPA or rezoning of these properties. We have not approved any apartment building on these properties. However the City cannot legally prevent property owners from advertising their intentions or from collecting names of potential purchasers for residential units which are not approved or built.
 Waterdown Road is in the process of being widened, the local convenience store was expropriated and there are plans for some very significant developments – the residents would like to be informed. Muir now knew more than most people in his community. What galled Muir the most was that there had been a community meeting to talk about the thinking being done for the stretch of Plains Road between Cook and Filmandale and there was no mention of the meeting about any development proposals or pre-consultation meetings.
Muir commented in his response to the planner saying:
“It is not right, and highly regrettable, that this information was not disclosed to the public as part of the official process and meeting. That it was largely by accident that I discovered this failure to disclose key information relevant to the purposes of the meeting just makes the situation more intolerable.
The disclosure of such information should be city policy, period. I just don’t understand what the thinking or objective is in non-disclosure. What kind of organization lets this happen?
Awareness of this information would clearly affect the knowledge and thinking of the public regarding the issues and questions being posed to them by the city at the meetings, and in the process. Therefore, the issues, comments, and concerns they provide in response are similarly affected.
Therefore, the turnout numbers of the public are influenced downward, and the comments you have received, and may receive further, are not fully informed, and are therefore biased, because this information is missing.
I think you need to do the meeting again, with the public fully informed as to what has been, and is, going on in regard to the missing information, and how that might relate to the OP and by-law issues that are under review.
“This is not the first time in my experience in Ward 1” said Muir “that the city has failed to disclose this kind of particularly relevant and material information to the public in formal meetings. The resulting bias in response received from the public is always the same.”
“And it always leads people to lose trust in the process, and in the integrity of the city’s ethic and code of conduct. This is so simple to avoid – always do the right, honest thing.”
 A vacant lot across the road from properties that are beleived to be part of an assembly sits next to Solid Gold, an “adult entertainment” business. Many would like to see that establishment turned into something more acceptable to the community. The lead speaker at the meeting on March 24th was the city planner. He had to know about the possible development. He didn’t say a word.
The ward Councillor, Rick Craven also spoke to the crowd of about 80 people – he didn’t say a word either – you can bet the mortgage that Councillor Craven knew about the project and assume that he had had a number of conversations with the developer.
Let us add one more piece of information. The Gazette received the following from a reader whose credibility is as strong as it gets. That person wrote: Regarding Greg Woodruff’s article, I think the Plains Road project has been in the works for a while. Through one of our daughter’s friends, we learned that properties on Fairwood Place E. – up to Birchwood – were being assembled about a year ago. If true, the development proposal will extend well beyond the Plains Road corridor – right into the neighbourhood.
Expect to hear more from the people of Aldershot about this one.
 By Staff
April 25, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The planned closure of Waterdown Road, between Plains Road and Masonry Court, is on track – the road will close to through traffic on Monday, May 4, 2015. The closure is expected to last until October 2015.
Detour
A detour will be provided along Cooke Boulevard and Masonry Court.
Local Access
Local access for residents and businesses within the road closure limits will be maintained. At times, access may only be provided from one direction.
Fire Station #3
City of Burlington Fire Station #3 will maintain access through a driveway onto Emery Avenue.
Burlington Transit
Bus stops for Burlington Transit will be routed along the road detour.
 By Ray Rivers
April 25, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Last week Canada’s premiers met to brag about each other’s achievements in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Alberta, whose increases negated everyone else’s reductions, was absent, presumably busy with a provincial election. Saskatchewan’s Brad Wall argued for business as usual, since our greenhouse gas contributions amount to a small fraction of the global total, thereby challenging Ontario’s Premier Wynne on her government’s successes.
 Climate change is real – except to those who wrote the last federal budget document. And Mr. Harper’s government with an historic legacy of denying climate change and otherwise doing squat, blamed the provinces for Canada’s crappy performance. With that outburst from the federal environment minister, and given an impending federal budget, even a pessimist might have expected something, even anything, about climate change action in the budget. Sorry pessimists!
When international oil prices tumbled, along with federal income projections, finance minister Joe Oliver panicked, delayed the budget and dumped Canada’s GM shares (bought to save GM in 2008) for a whacking loss of over $3 billion. Next, he robbed the government’s piggy bank, its fiscal reserve for as much as $2 billion, and then pulled some sleight-of-hand around future employee contract negotiations to manufacture a small surplus.
Canada’s economy is heading into recession, led by the faltering Alberta economy. So one would have expected some new measures to stimulate the economy. But there is scant discussion of economic drivers in Joe Oliver’s master plan, unless one considers new corporate tax cuts, or re-announcing the tired old federal training, innovation and infrastructure initiatives.
This budget is arguably the most ideological document to come out of Mr. Harper’s decade of governance, notably excepting Bill C-38, also called the environmental destruction act. It is a common belief among the extreme right-wing that government, itself, is the problem and smaller government is always better government. One wonders why people who believe that government is so insignificant try so hard to get elected into office.
 Harper needs the votes of the greatest democrats in the nation – the people who always turn out on voting day – the seniors. This federal budget is about buying votes in the upcoming election. Mr. Harper’s promised tax break for the highest income Canadian families through income sharing is now formalized. But to win his next election, Harper needs the votes of the greatest democrats in the nation – the people who always turn out on voting day – the seniors.
It was only a couple of years ago that Mr. Harper denied seniors their Old Age Security by raising the retirement age to 67. And by blocking provincial demands to upgrade the Canada Pension Plan he angered seniors groups. So, to make amends, he is upping the contribution limit for TFSAs (interest tax-free savings accounts) to a whopping $10,000. And the well-heeled will no doubt be appreciative.
There was another budget announced this week. Though unlike the feds, Ontario hasn’t yet balanced its budget. Ontario’s finance minister, Charles Sousa, is privatizing electricity generation, going back to the future and completing the job even Mike Harris and Ernie Eves couldn’t get done. The money from this dis-investment will be allocated to infrastructure and building transit and roads for the GTA, in particular.
The Province is finally allowing beer to be sold in supermarkets, albeit with some antediluvian rules to discourage customers. And there is good reason for that since expanded provincial beer consumption might, inadvertently, put a dent in Premier Wynne’s climate change initiatives.
 Will Burlington’s Beer Fest benefit from the change in beer selling policy the provincial government put forward? Apparently global beer consumption in 2004 was 150.392 billion litres, resulting in a significant 9,354,382 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions. Save the planet, drink whiskey.
These are two completely different budgets from two very different governments. Yet, Ontario could get to balance if they only increased progressive income taxes. Instead, the only provincial tax hike is a recessionary ‘buck-a-box’ for beer – likely a concession to the trans-national oligopolies controlling our Beer Stores. The benefits of the planned investments in infrastructure will be almost immediate and broadly felt. And, eventually the rest of the public will appreciate the economic benefits from faster commute times.
Joe Oliver’s budget, on the other hand, has done little but widen the spread between the haves and have-nots. It is understood that the vast majority of benefits from the family income-splitting scheme will go to the wealthiest families. And this interest tax-free account makes no economic sense. Since the average deposit into Tax Free Savings Accounts (TFSA) was about $3000 when the limit had been $5500, who do we think will benefit when the limit goes to $10,000?
 Rivers suggests our economy is heading for a recession. Savings are essential in order to fund new investment. But without consumption there is no demand for investment. All of our income is either spent on consumption or saved. So were that new limit on TFSA’s to be actualized, there could be at least $4500 less consumption per saver per year – which is highly recessionary. And the last thing this faltering Canadian economy needs is to be pushed faster and further towards recession.
I have heard some call this federal budget a blow to generational equity – primarily by young people. Perhaps it is, but at a minimum it is a clear case of ideology trumping sound economics. I always believed the time to reward yourself (with tax breaks) is when the economy is booming – not when you are likely heading into a recession.
 Ray Rivers writes weekly on both federal and provincial politics, applying his more than 25 years as a federal bureaucrat to his thinking. Rivers was a candidate for provincial office in Burlington where he ran as a Liberal against Cam Jackson in 1995, the year Mike Harris and the Common Sense Revolution swept the province.
Background links:
Provincial Climate Change Federal Budget TFSA Changes Contingency Fund
A Tax on Future Generations Retirement Savings Tax Breaks GM Shares Bill C-38
Provincial Budget Provincial Budget Priorities Beer in Stores Beer and Climate Change
 By Staff
April 24, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington MP Mike Wallace spoke yesterday in the House of Commons and said:
 Burlington MP Mike Wallace at a Conservative Caucus meeting in Ottawa Mr. Speaker, I really appreciate the member’s honesty. He was clear in his speech that his party is in favour of increased taxes to pay for a number of the programs the New Democrats have indicated they are interested in. I am actually looking forward to debating those issues at election time also.
However, I am a little confused. On one hand, in his speech he talked about corporations needing to pay their own way, and then the previous speaker from his party was taking credit for the small business tax rate going from 11% to 9%. Ninety per cent of the businesses in the country are small businesses.
Are the New Democrats for increasing taxes on business, or are they against taxes going up for business? It is a very confusing message. I do not think they know what they actually stand for. I would be interested to hear what he has to say about that.
Wallace was responding to remarks made by Jack Harris, the NDP Member for St. Johns East in Newfoundland who had said previously:
Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to have an opportunity to speak to the Conservative budget. The budget is no pleasure, but to have a chance to talk about what is wrong with it, where it is lacking, the negative direction it is taking the country and some of the things that my party, the NDP, would do instead is something I cherish.
The Conservative budget would spend billions in handouts to the wealthiest at a time when the government should be investing in accessible child care, affordable housing and supporting seniors who are struggling to get by. Places like Newfoundland and Labrador and the people there and the Atlantic who have critical issues that need to be addressed, like regional economic development and supporting communities, issues such as the constitutional obligation of the government to support Marine Atlantic, are absent from this budget.
Absent as well are the $280 million that the government promised the government of Newfoundland and Labrador in a fishing industry development fund in response to the consequences of CETA and the request to remove its powers to expect local processing in fisheries. Where is that? All of these are absent.
Things get a little testy at time in the House of Commons. When Wallace was finished speak Harris stood again and responded with
Mr. Speaker, we have noticed over here that the hon. member is confused on many occasions. He did not actually need to tell us that.
If he had been listening, he would have known that the leader of the NDP gave a major speech several months ago in which he called for a decrease in small business tax rates down to 9%. That was very clear. He also called for an increase in the capital cost allowance for manufacturers. This is desperately needed in the member’s neck of the woods, in Ontario, because of the hollowing out of manufacturing that has happened during the government’s administration. We are trying to fix that.
We do understand what needs to be done, but we do not support the notion that major corporations, highly profitable corporations, can have tax cuts and sit on that cash for years and years and not use it to create jobs.
Both New Democrat Harris from Newfoundland and Conservative Wallace from Burlington were commenting on the federal budget that was handed down the day before. Fine men representing their constituents.
 By Staff
April 24, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
On April 23rd 2015, members of the Halton Regional Police – 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau arrested two Hamilton residents in connection with two recent Pharmacy Robberies in Burlington.
 Part of the evidence seized by police in Burlington pharmacy arrests. Police executed a search warrant at a residence on Horning Drive in Hamilton where a significant quantity of stolen narcotics, a stun gun, stun flashlight, flick knife and a quantity of cocaine and marihuana were seized.
Arrested and held for bail are:
Geoffrey Peter MACPHERSON (29 yrs) of Horning Drive in Hamilton
• Robbery X2
• Wear Disguise X2
• Possession of prohibited weapon X3
• Possession of prohibited weapons while prohibited X 8
• Possession of a controlled substance (cocaine) for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of a controlled substance (marihuana)
• Possession of controlled substance (hydromorphone) for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of controlled substance (temazopam) for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of controlled substance (lorazepam) for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of controlled substance (oxycodone) for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of controlled substance (hydromorph contin) for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of controlled substance (fentanyl) for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of controlled substance (morphine sulphate) for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of controlled substance (Tylenol 3) for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of property obtained by crime X 2
• Breach Probation X3
Sarah Elizabeth MACDONALD (26 yrs) of Horning Drive in Hamilton
• Robbery X2
• Possession of prohibited weapon X3
• Possession of a controlled substance (cocaine) for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of a controlled substance (marihuana)
• Possession of a controlled substance (cocaine) for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of a controlled substance (marihuana)
• Possession of controlled substance (hydromorphone) for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of controlled substance (temazopam) for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of controlled substance (lorazepam) for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of controlled substance (oxycodone) for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of controlled substance (hydromorph contin) for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of controlled substance (fentanyl) for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of controlled substance (morphine sulphate) for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of controlled substance (Tylenol 3) for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of property obtained by crime X 2
The pharmacies held up were St George Pharmacy located at 5295 Lakeshore Road in Burlington. The pharmacist at that location fled from the drugstore when the robber pulled up his shirt to reveal his waistband.
The I.D.A. pharmacy located at 1893 Appleby Line in Burlington was the second drugstore robbed. In that instance the suspect demanded narcotics and money while brandishing the knife at the pharmacist. The suspect was given an unknown quantity of narcotics and money.
Anyone who may have witnessed these incidents or has information that would assist investigators who have not yet spoke to police are asked to contact Detective Phil Vandenbeukel – Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4747 ext. 2343 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or through the Internet at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com, or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes.)
 By Staff
April 24, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
You make hay when the sun shines – that’s what the farmers will tell you.
 Mayor Goldring clearly knows when he is on a roll – the interest in what he has to say about intensification has filled all the seats at the Performing Arts Centre on April 28th – so there will be a second performance on Thursday, May 28, 2015 at 7 p.m. at Tansley Woods Community Centre, 1996 Itabashi Way. Admission is free. Registration is requested by calling 905-335-7607 or emailing mayor@burlington.ca.
Billed as an important discussion on the role of intensification in the community the Mayor will serve as the event’s keynote speaker. City staff will also be in attendance for the question and answer session.
By Staff
April 23, 2105
BURLINGTON, ON
The Art Gallery of Burlington’s annual art auction is going to be quite a bit more than a one night stand this year.
The auction is the premier fundraising event that draws hundreds of art enthusiasts and collectors who take home outstanding pieces of original art in support of AGB’s exhibitions and enriching the education programs.
 On this the first anniversary of the Art Gallery of Burlington under its new brand, they have grown the event into an Art Auction AND Sale to celebrate the tremendously talented local, regional and national artists and their work.
This year’s art experience starts Sunday May 31 through auction night June 6, 2015:
• Week-long Art Activities – Public Opening Preview, Art talks, Art Workshops, Art Collecting Seminars and daily auction previews.
• 200 for $200 Art Sale – May 31 – June 6, 2015. Featuring original, small artworks in various mediums available for purchase all week, maximum size in this category is 12″ x 12″.
• Live & Silent Auction – June 6, 2015
ABOUT AUCTION NIGHT – La Belle Époque: 1889- 1914
When you arrive at AGB June 6th, you will be transported to Paris at a time when artists from all over the world were drawn there to study and create; challenging traditional methods and presenting their work on the world’s stage. The Art Gallery of Burlington will be transformed into a Parisian marketplace as guests are immersed in the sights and sounds of late 19th century Paris for a celebration of artists and their work.
At 6:30pm the night begins with a catered cocktail reception while you preview the fabulous artwork on offer. The live auction starts at 8pm and the silent auction closes at 10pm as guests are treated to a Jazz Trio with musicians from Symphony on the Bay and enjoy Parisian style desserts and digestives.
Art Auction Preview: Opens Sunday, May 31, 2-5pm. Previews for the live and silent auction and the Art SALE are open all week during AGB hours of operation.
TICKETS: Art Auction tickets on sale now: Online, in person or by phone.
$60 for AGB members, $80 for non-members.
By Staff
April 23, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON
Early Thursday morning police were given information about a suspicious male observed washing his hands in the creek near Brant Hills. The police were told this male may have had a gun in the waistband of this pants.
Police attended the area and contacted the surrounding schools, which were subsequently placed on hold and secure while police conducted the investigation. The hold and secure of the schools was lifted after approximately one hour.
A trail of blood drops led police to a residence on Coldstream Drive which was found to have a broken window.
A suspect was located inside the home, he had barricaded himself from police. Officers from the Tactical Rescue Unit arrested the suspect.
Police are continuing to investigate at this time and will provide an update as soon as possible.
There are no public safety concerns.
 By Pepper Parr
April 22, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington has struggled mightily to get a private tree bylaw in place – it wouldn’t fly with this council.
 The best argument there is for a private tree bylaw The city is now going to try the educating them route – and with that objective in mind they are going to hold an Arbor Day on Saturday, May 2, at Central Arena, 519 Drury Lane, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Almost a Trees 101 event, the city’s first Arborfest event will provide the public with an opportunity to learn more about the benefits trees bring to our community.
“Recent community surveys and public engagements have revealed a desire among residents to increase their education and awareness about trees and the value they bring to our community,” said Scott Stewart, general manager of development and infrastructure. “We are excited to invite residents to this free, fun, family event held just in time to celebrate Arbor Day.”
Arborfest 2015 will feature:
• Exhibits from local community groups, gardeners and landscape vendors who play a key role in promoting the health and benefits of Burlington’s urban forest
• Tree planting in Central Park
• Fun activities for children.
At the several public meetings to explain the why of a private tree bylaw we heard some pretty stupid arguments as well as some of the most reasoned, reasonable thinking put forward in this city. But there is still a significant – “my home is my castle and I will do whatever I want on my property” viewpoint floating around out there.
BurlingtonGreen fought mightily to persuade Council to put a private tree bylaw in place. It failed but the environmentalists just don’t give up
Who voted for the private tree bylaw and who didn’t?
Why a private tree bylaw
This is why we call it Earth Day!
We may not see the Harpy Eagle in Burlington – but then they are not likely to see the Snow Owl in Chile either.
 Harpy Eagle by David Tipling.
 By Staff
April 21, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Who are these people?
There are 15 of them, nominated by their peers for one of six Burlington’s BEST awards which will be announced at a city run gala May 14, 2015
The city has provided a short biography of each and the Gazette has added a few words on those we have met in our travels
 Angelo Bentivegna making biscotti Angelo Bentivegna initiated Beauty and the Bistro, a grassroots campaign to raise funds for a digital mammography machine with biopsy attachment for Joseph Brant Hospital – $450,000 was raised. Angelo has been a member for nine years on the steering committee for the “Gift of Giving Back” food drive. His newest project is coordinating the “Cooking for Friends” soup program at the Burlington Seniors Centre.
 Ron Foxcroft with the whistle that changed sports around the world. Ron Foxcroft is very well known to everyone in the community and a tireless supporter of everything Burlington, but nothing tops how he responded to the flood relief challenge on behalf of all of the affected citizens of Burlington. The short time given to this initiative to be successful and the focus required by Ron in leading the team was inspirational.
Maibritt Bergman A leader of the North BurLINKton Community Dinner: shops and picks up food donations, sets menu, leads volunteers for gym set-up, food prep, servers, clean-up. Establishes a very encouraging relationship among all the volunteers. Also, Regional Coordinator for Samaritan’s Purse yearly Shoebox campaign.
Helen Deadder cooks healthy home-cooked meals for seniors in the North end of Burlington. Helen loves to cook for those in her community and takes a detailed approach to the North Burlinkton 55+ Luncheon. She plans the meals, acquires the ingredients and slow cooks them to perfection.
Esperanza Peacock is a dynamic Burlington citizen who volunteers her time to many different community efforts around the city. She is a core team member for North BurLINKton’s Dinner Night Out, where she gives love and a listening ear to anyone who is in need. She runs a support group for newcomers to Canada, and is very passionate for new comers to feel apart of the community.
Bonnie Purkis has been very active on a number of fronts regarding services specific to seniors: she is an active volunteer at the Burlington Seniors Centre, has been a member of the Burlington Seniors Advisory Committee and has also started a very successful initiative at her place of residence (an apartment complex) to engage seniors in various social activities.
Kevin Han is a committed volunteer with the Chillzone after-school program which is a free after-school program focused in latchkey children in marginalized families. Kevin shows dedication to investing in the children through homework help and problem solving help and has become a reliable friend and role-model to the children.
Caitlyn Kay is involved at Notre Dame as a Prefect where she is a mentor and role model to the younger students. She volunteers at the school’s Breakfast Corner, providing nutritious snacks to students who arrive to school hungry.
Connor Fraser has volunteered in many different capacities over his four years in high school all related to giving of his time and assisting various organizations in our community – Burlington Green, Compassion Society, Rotary Club, to name a few. He maintains high academic standing and is Co-President of the Student Council, reads the daily announcements and is a member of our Link Crew (mentors for Grade 9 students)
John Kemp participated at the school performance\play called ‘Footloose’ as an actor, singer and narrator. He worked very hard and put all his energy and effort to make the play a success. He also plays the saxophone and speaks French fluently. John has a kind and helpful nature and has touched many lives with simple everyday actions.
Tomy Bewick has been involved in the Burlington Slam Project for nearly seven years where he has brought his love of spoken word and developed the achievements of each poet who has come through the Slam. Tomy has contributed his time, energy and focus on youth initiatives and building the art community in Burlington.
 Chris Giroux – the film side of the team planning on bringing a Film Festival to the city. Chris Giroux is the Co-Founder of the Tottering Biped Film Festival which recently had its second year. Chris works tirelessly to promote the art of filmmaking in Burlington and showcases our local talent base alongside an incredible line-up of international short films.
Leslie Gray runs KooGle Theatre Company and has created, produced, costume designed, performed, directed and choreographed since 2008 when KooGle performed their first production at the Central Park Bandshell. Leslie is dedicated to her craft and continues to provide professional theatre performances to Burlington, teaches musical theatre to ages 5-17 year olds and is always willing to collaborate with local artists.
Mary Jane Pilling has been a volunteer at Museums of Burlington since the program began in 1975. Through her dedication to the Museums of Burlington, she has had the opportunity to meet, educate, inform and preserve Burlington’s history for museum guests. Her care and recording of artifact items in the collection will touch the lives of Burlington’s future citizens.
Alan Harrington is president of the Burlington Historical Society and on the board of the Friends of Freeman Station. Alan created a Twitter account for Freeman Station and has assisted with fundraising, supplying Freeman t-shirts, Station-ery and other items. Alan conducted walking tours at Doors Open Burlington in September 2014 and will conduct the first Jane’s Walk in Burlington on May 2.
The late Dave Morris was a dedicated volunteer who worked tirelessly to help promote and conserve Burlington’s heritage. He was a member of Heritage Burlington from 2002 to 2010 and the president of the Burlington Historical Society from 2009 to 2010. Dave’s work in the community supported the efforts in the creation of Heritage Month and Doors Open. Dave built and maintained the BHS website and kept it up to date. One of his last projects was to digitize the oral histories and post them on the site. He was a member of the SOS – Save Our Station team that helped keep the Freeman Station from being demolished.
 Monte Dennis in the stripped shirt Monte Dennis is the current chair of the BurlingtonGreen Transportation Committee. He created a detailed scale model of an intersection, known as the Integrated Transit Intersection that accommodates all forms of transportation. He is active in promoting the Mount Nemo Heritage Study and the formation of the Ontario Soil Regulation Task Force.
 Susan Fraser getting her paddle signed by Olympian Mark Oldershaw. He willingly signed the paddle which will probably never go into the water again. Susan Fraser is BurlingtonGreen’s longest serving volunteer (since 2007). She has assisted with planning the city-wide Community Clean Up Green Up events, dedicated hundreds of hours to help the team deliver the popular and impactful Youth Eco-Summit and has assisted with elevating the voice of the environment on a number of issues in Burlington such as tree protection and wildlife habitat protection at LaSalle Park.
IronDames are a remarkable group of 15 dedicated and amazing women who take on physical challenges while raising crucial funding to support Burlington residents who are coping with a cancer diagnosis. They have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for Wellspring’s Cancer Exercise Program which allows free access to physiotherapy and exercise services for those living with cancer.
Christine Karczmarczyk has made a significant commitment to volunteer as Volunteer Services Coordinator for the AGB. She worked tirelessly and single handedly for at least 24 hrs per week to keep the AGB program up and running from June 2014 – December 2014. She contributed over 500 volunteer hours in 2014 overseeing both the Student and Adult Volunteer program at the AGB (Approximately 90 active volunteers). She led and organized the whole ‘Volunteer Force’ for the Gallery’s community fundraiser, Soup Bowl held over four days in November 2014
Mary Nichol This nomination is made for the outstanding successes over more than three decades of recognizing sport accomplishments, of bringing sport groups together and in advancing the opportunities for sport in Burlington. Mary exemplifies this criteria as she “makes sport grow stronger” through her leadership as a Board of Director of the Burlington Gymnastics Club (BGC) and the President/Past President of the Burlington Sport Alliance (BSA), both volunteer positions, having served since 1979 and for BSA board since it started in 2001.
Bob Vandenberg has helped the the BTTB raise thousands of dollars to put towards their five year rings. He has assisted the Magic Moment Concert, the Burlington Beerfest and the Burlington Bandits in providing food items for their attendees. Bob started as a volunteer with the Band about 10 years ago. He is currently still an active volunteer with them, as well as the Bandits and Beerfest.
Unfortunately we do not have pictures of all the nominees.
By Staff
April 22, 2105
BURLINGTON, ON
In the not too distant future Burlington will begin creating the Strategic Plan it wants to follow for the next four years.
The city’s Economic development Corporation will be working on the economic part of that plan and is now reaching out to gather information from stakeholders and anyone else with views on the prosperity of the city.
 While the moment is about the photo opportunity – the news is that there are shovels in the ground, commercial space is being built and jobs are being created. The developing an Economic Vision for the City of Burlington has to be based on a fact-based, practical plan that can address pressures and economic trends across the region and province.
As part of this process, we are asking for your input and participation in the following survey. The survey will assist in identifying Burlington’s key strengths and challenges, and will help make sure your perspective is represented as part of the new economic vision. The survey should take 15 minutes to complete.
Here’s the link: Click here
 By Staff
April 22, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
There is a service that allows media, or anyone else for that matter, to track what a Member of Parliament says in the House of Commons.
With a federal election expected in the fall, the Gazette will, as a public service, provide regular reports on what Mike Wallace, Burlington MP says on the House.
 Mike Wallace, Burlington Member of Parliament Wallace is the chair of the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights and chair of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.
On Tuesday he said the following:
Mr. Speaker, I have been here all morning. It is now a little after one o’clock. I would like to go through the process. The bill was introduced by the minister. There was second reading debate. Everyone in the House agreed, and it went to committee. There was a discussion at committee and witnesses.
It came back here.
There have been comments about why the Conservatives have not been up to speak to this. The fact of the matter is that the whole House agrees with the bill. What opposition members are arguing about today is the short title. They do not like the short title. One party is carrying the debate from ten o’clock until two, is my understanding. Then on another date, we will hear about not having enough time to debate issues.
There is other legislation we could have introduced that the opposition members may actually disagree with, and we could have a real debate in the House.
Based on the respect I have for the member who just spoke, would it not have been a better use of the time of the House to deal with legislation and actually have a debate on other than the short title?
In the near future we will publish reports on the funds made available to the Member for the running of his offices in Ottawa and Burlington and how they were used.
By Pepper Parr
April 22, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Later this month we will see, for the first time, a policy initiative that the Mayor has put his mark on.
During Rick Golding’s first term, much of the thinking was done during his election campaign. He produced a number of excellent position papers that we will review once we hear what the Mayor has to say on intensification.
Mayor Goldring has realized that his constituents, to a significant degree, do not fully understand what is meant by intensification and how Burlington is going to face that challenge – and for Burlington this is a challenge.
 There are parts of the city where any form of intensification is not going to get past the first sentence. The backlash in some communities will be so strong that the Mayor, and every member of this Council, will quickly move on to a subject that leaves smiles on the faces of the voters.
Ontario is changing and Burlington is going to have to change with it – it will not be an easy transition and the Mayor has decided this is a subject he can show some leadership.
During his first term of office Mayor Goldring sponsored a series of talks on subjects that he felt were important to the city. He brought in some excellent speakers, including Andre Picard one of the foremost thinkers in the country on health related policies. Goldring brought in Ken Greenberg, a noted planner who works out of Toronto for the most part and has been instrumental in changing some of the thinking on how municipalities relate to developers and how the two can work together.
This time the Mayor is going to make the presentation – it will be his show. He will pull together the content and decide how he wants to present the data he will have collected.
He will, we assume, explain the policy guidelines within which the city has to work and what he feels are some of the directions the city can take as it works to meet the population increases the province has imposed on the city.
“Intensification is an issue that has captured the interest of many Burlington residents” said the Mayor on his web site. “People want to know why our community is seeing more buildings, particularly in the form of mid-rise and high-rise structures. Hear about the federal and provincial policies that are driving intensification and how Halton and Burlington are managing these pressures. Learn where we are growing, as well as innovative ideas we are investigating.”
The event is titled: Building Burlington: Where to build in a city that is built out. Problem with the title is that the city is not built out. There are hundreds of acres of land left for residential properties and more than we need in the way of employment lands.
The free event is “sold out” ; with the room full the Mayor will be speaking to an audience that wants to hear what he has to say. One hopes there will be vigorous debate and a fulsome exchange of views – both are needed.
By Greg Woodruff
April 21, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
On March 24th city staff held a meeting to discuss possible zoning changes to a large section of Plains Road. The area discussed was on the South side of Plains Road positioned East of Waterdown Road. Later residents discovered a developer is already advertising to sell 75 condo units at 40-58 Plains Road East in violation of current zoning character provisions.
Though it was casually mentioned the city had been “approached” by a developer; no indication was given that a specific plan was in motion.
 The public meeting was an information gathering occasion for the city planner who said he was there to listen to the community and what they wanted. He did make mention of an project that was not formal yet – the residents think the project is well along the development path. The graphic above shows the portion of Plains Rod that was under review and its proximity to the Aldershot GO station and the suggestion that the pink area could be developed as a “mobility hub” This leaves the distinct impression that this meeting was in bad faith. It seems like the purpose of the meeting was only to say the public was “consulted” on an issue staff already had a plan to change. I realize that staff may not have been in a position to mention this specific development. At minimum the staff could have indicated that if the zoning was changed they would expect to see condo buildings in the “range of 70 plus units”. Why they did not could be anything from simple lack of communication to an outright attempt to misslead the public.
I think traditionally the public has considered staff as neutral parties implementing zoning regulations and changes in a balanced way. To some it seems like staff have now been co-opted into provincial employees with “intensification” as the decisive factor in decision making. If staff failed to mention this development or the like because someone judged that residents would have a negative reaction; then they are no longer operating in a neutral way. This is unfair not only to residents and developers, but also to the staff themselves.
Some basic questions now need answering:
1) What exactly is the current function and purpose of staff in regard to planning and development?
2) Was the city made aware of this 75 unit proposal from the developer?
3) Was there any conversation among or direction to staff about hiding the nature of probable developments if the zoning was changed?
4) Did any staff indicate that they would work for the developer to get the zoning changed?
Recommendations:
1) All communication between staff and this developer on this matter needs to be made public.
2) Staff are “trading” zoning violations for attributes to buildings. “Horse trading” zoning violations needs to be made into a transparent public process.
In this area we have less trees, less businesses and more congestion.
I reject outright the suggestion that the liveability of our community needs to be sacrificed for the provincial “intensification” mandate. Intensification is designed to spur positive changes in our community; not serve as a rationalization for negative ones.
Greg Woodruff runs the Citizens for Responsible Development. He was a candidate for the office of Chair of the Region of Halton. There is more about that organization here.
The Gazette reported on that March meeting.
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