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How the city now wants to provide notice to the public

By Staff

June 7th, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

This is a very significant change in policy and deserves attention by those who follow what gets done at city hall.

The Municipal Act, which sets out how municipalities operate, states that “a municipality shall adopt and maintain a policy with respect to the circumstances in which the municipality shall provide notice to the public and, if notice is to be provided, the form, manner and times notice shall be given.”

The City’s Public Notice policy was originally enacted on April 7, 2008 as Schedule E to the Procedure By-law 37-2008. It remained part of the Procedure By-law until 2016 when it was inadvertently repealed by Procedure By-law 64-2016. No notice policy was established in its place and this policy is required by legislation.

Strategy/Process
The Public Notice Policy, set out at the end of the staff report, demonstrates that the City of Burlington wants its residents to be aware of when City business occurs. The Policy provides a clear outline on when and how residents will be notified when Municipal Act items are completed.

Establishing a Public Notice Policy, allows the community to know how and when notices will be provided and aligns with the principles of open government. The Policy also provides guidance to public notice authors, which ensures that all notices are uniform, communicates the pertinent points, and are written in plain language.

Corporate Communications – Newspaper and City Website
The Municipal Act has changed over the years giving municipalities more flexibility in terms of when public notice should be given, as well as the form and manner in which notice is provided. Use of the newspaper is no longer prescribed except in limited circumstances. Therefore, it is recommended that the City move to publishing notices to the City’s website, a shift to this new process will reduce advertising costs substantially.

To achieve balance, the Policy indicates that the City may use more comprehensive methods when providing notice, and for a longer period. It also encourages public notice authors to consult with Corporate Communications & Engagement staff to ensure that all appropriate tactics are used (e.g. amplifying through corporate social media accounts, use of corporate digital screens, use of local media) and that the use of other formats, such as video or direct mail are considered when providing notice to the public.

Many municipal comparators have moved towards publication of notices on their website, either exclusively or a hybrid approach with an optional or mandatory newspaper publication.

The new Public Notice Policy will provide greater flexibility to the municipality by allowing notice to be given on the City’s website in accordance with the City’s Corporate Communications Policy and Web Communications Policy.

Website Enhancements
Corporate Communications will be enhancing the City’s site and public access by establishing a Public Notices webpage under the News and Notices menu at https://www.burlington.ca/en/your-city/News-and-Notices.asp, which will feature notices under the Municipal Act, in one centralized location to improve customer service.

Planning and Heritage Act notices will also be posted to this site.

In addition, links to the Region of Halton Notice page, and the Ontario and Canada Gazette will be present to provide residents with a one-stop shop for most government notices.

Options Considered
In order to meet the intent of the Municipal Act and identify subjects or matters where notice is deemed prudent, the Public Notice Policy sets out the minimum and/or recommended notice standards. The Policy provides a listing of items where specific notice requirements for specific sections of the Act and other legislation are required.

When reviewing the City’s former Public Notice provisions, the notice provisions in the Municipal Act and current public notice practices of surrounding municipalities, staff took into consideration the most effective means of providing notice to the public.

In addition, staff undertook to provide for notice timeframes that gave the public sufficient time to make submissions. Nothing in the policy prevents the City from using more comprehensive methods of notice or for providing for a longer notice period. In addition to specifying or providing recommendations for notice, the Public Notice Policy will provide clear direction to determine what department is responsible for providing each notice. This will serve as a tool to help City staff understand the notice requirements and their responsibilities for providing notice.

The Public Notice Policy has been reviewed by the stakeholders involved in providing notice including staff in Finance, Capital Works, Licensing, Clerks and Planning departments. Staff was requested to provide comments and feedback on the policy requirements outlined in the Public Notice Policy. All recommended changes have been considered during the review process of this policy.

Financial Matters:
Depending on the type and frequency of notice, cost is incurred to provide notice. If the requirement under the Municipal Act is for direct mail or newspaper notices, the associated costs for these mediums are unavoidable. As newspaper advertising and direct mailing can be expensive, consideration was given to providing alternative forms of notice where appropriate.

Engagement Matters:
When notice is required, the public will receive such notice in the form, manner and time outlined in the Public Notice Policy. By providing notice, the public is kept informed of Council’s priorities, municipal policy issues and budget matters thus enhancing accountability and transparency.

The new Policy was drafted with communication and engagement methods in mind, respecting market analysis and trends including use of social media. The City website (https://www.burlington.ca) remains as the City’s primary and predominant internet presence however the use of social media is also a key aspect of how the City communicates with its residents to engage, inform and receive feedback. In addition, the use of social media affords the opportunity to deliver time-sensitive information quickly.

Should Council approve the Public Notice Policy, it will be made available on the City’s website under Corporate Policies.

Conclusion:
The City of Burlington is committed to ensuring notice is provided to the public when required by legislation or as otherwise deemed necessary. The Public Notice Policy will provide a standard with respect to the circumstances in which the City shall provide notice to the public and, if notice is to be provided, the form, manner and timeframe notice shall be given.
Supporting the Public Notice Policy is in keeping with Burlington Council’s 2018-2022 V2F of enhancing and emphasizing a customer first approach in all City service areas.

The policy city staff is proposing:

1. Where the City is required to give notice under the Act, the notice shall be given in a form, manner and time as set out in Schedule A unless;

 The notice required in the Act or other legislation is greater in scope or time;

 Notice for the subject is not provided for in Schedule A and Council, by resolution, or staff determines that notice is desirable, in which case the Director responsible for the subject requiring notice shall provide notice.

2. Time periods set out in this Policy shall be counted by excluding the day of the period on which notice is first given and including the day of the period on which the meeting or other event takes place.

3. Every notice given shall contain the following information, when applicable:

 Identification of the authority under which the notice is given;

 A description of the purpose of the notice (i.e. date, time and location if applicable) and effect of the proposed action;

 A description of how and where comments can be made, including any submission deadlines;

 Contact information for the purpose of submitting written comments or obtaining additional information; and,

 Where the notice is related to identifiable lands, a key map showing the location of the lands; and

 That the Public Notice is given by The Corporation of the City of Burlington, or by the City Clerk on its behalf.

4. Where Direct Mail is required and the matter is related to identifiable lands, notice by Direct Mail shall be to the abutting property owner, unless legislation requires circulation to property owners within a designated radius of the identifiable lands.

5. A Public Notice, utilizing the City’s website, shall be sufficient even if the City website is not accessible at all times during the public notice posting period.

6. Nothing in the policy shall prevent the City from using more comprehensive methods of notice or for providing for a longer notice period.

7. No additional notice will be required for subsequent meetings where a matter has been deferred to a subsequent meeting by Council or by a Committee of Council.

8. Where possible, Public Notices should be written in plain language and provided in an accessible manner. Public Notices shall incorporate the following strategies to enhance participatory opportunities for the public:
• Ability to scan for information: Make use of short sentences and paragraphs, and headers.
• Ease of reading: Use simple sentence structure and grammar.
• Use simple everyday words instead of technical jargon: Use active voice rather than passive voice.
• Target audiences: Anticipate their interests and address potential enquiries.
• Images: Use images especially if it helps readers understand the message.

9. If a matter arises, which in the opinion of the City Manager, in consultation with the Mayor, is considered to be of an urgent or time sensitive nature, or which could affect the security of property or health or well-being of the residents of the City of Burlington, or if a state of emergency is declared, or is so advised by a Provincial Ministry, the notice requirements of this policy may be reduced or waived.

Definitions:

For the purpose of this policy, unless otherwise stated, the following definitions shall apply:

Term Definition
Act Means the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c 25 as amended, and any successor legislation in substitution thereof and included regulation thereunder.
City Means The Corporation of the City of Burlington
Council Means the Council of The Corporation of the City of Burlington
Direct Mail Means notice sent via regular mail or registered mail.

Term Definition
Department Head Means an officer or employee of the City who will generally hold the title of ‘Director, appointed by the City Manager or Council, as applicable, to oversee a department, or a person appointed or designated to act in place of the Director when the Director is absent or refuses to act.

Mayor Means the Head of Council of The Corporation of the City of Burlington elected or appointed in accordance with the Municipal Act, 2001 and the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, S.O. 1996, c. 32, as amended, or the Deputy Mayor or Acting Mayor as may be appointed or designated by Council from time to time.

Newspaper Means a printed publication having general circulation in the City of Burlington.

Notice Means a written, printed, published, or posted notification or announcement.

Plain Language Means a way of writing, organizing and presenting information so that it makes sense and is easy to read.

Information should be presented with straightforward vocabulary and sentence structures and by organizing material clearly and logically, to ensure that messaging is clearly understood.

Procedure By-law Means the by-law to provide for the rules of order of Council and its Committees, 2021-31, as amended, and any successor legislation in substitution thereof.

Public Notice or Notice to the Public Means notice given to the public generally but does not include notice given only to specified persons.

Term Definition
Public Notices Page Means the webpage on the City of
Burlington’s website where notices are posted and archived.
Subject Matter Means the issue, measure, requirement, meeting or other matter in respect of which a notice is being given.
Website Means the official internet website of the City of Burlington whose uniform locator is known as www.burlington.ca.

References:

 Municipal Act, 2001, c. 25, as amended
 Planning Act, 1990, c.P.13, as amended
 Conducting Engagement and Research Regarding City Projects, Initiatives, and Services Corporate Policy
 Corporate Communications Policy
 Roadways and Infrastructure – Road Closures – Temporary and Permanent Corporate Policy

Roles:

Accountable:

Council is accountable for approving this Public Notice Policy, and any necessary amendments.
The City Manager is accountable for approving amendments for Council’s consideration and waiving this Public Notice Policy when required in accordance with Objective 9.

The City Clerk is accountable for recommending and preparing any necessary amendments to the Public Notice Policy, collecting concerns or complaints relating to the Public Notice Policy and ensure staff prepare and circulate notices within the designated time.

Responsible:
Directors are responsible for ensuring staff prepare and circulate notices within the designated time.

City Staff are responsible for preparing notices within designated timeframes and coordinating notices to be published (via newspaper, mail, and/or website).

Opening up locations where the air is cool for those who do not live in air conditioned housing.

By Staff

June 7th, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

The Region put out a heat alert and then extended it for an additional day. When the Region announces a heat wave the municipalities open up locations that are cool.

When temperatures are expected to be at least 31°C and overnight temperatures are above 20°C for 2 days or the humidex is at least 40°C for 2 days a heat alert is issued.

It is that time of year again – this time however there are people who are going to be more hard hit than when circumstances are normal.

One way news people tell the hot weather story is to ask if it is hot enough to fry an egg on a sidewalk. We aren’t there yet – but it is very uncomfortable for those in locations without conditioned air.

The malls in the past have been open – they became a place people could go to to walk around in, a cool location.

Burlington will open Central Arena’s Auditorium located at 519 Drury Lane as a Cooling Centre from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the heat warning.

Community members can use the facility for 1-hour increments and will be screened for COVID-19 when they arrive.

Measures will be in place to ensure physical distancing. Visitors must wear a non-medical face covering in the Cooling Centre. Please stay home if you are ill and always practice physical distancing (2m)

Behaviour along parts of the waterfront on the weekend was less than civil

By Staff

June 7th, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

The weather was warm and the locals got a little restless.

A Burlington resident wrote saying the last she had heard was that ‘there was still a pandemic and there were some rules on social distancing and being out with crowds of people that were not immediate family.

“Last time I checked there was still a pandemic and provincial rules were still in effect.”

Our reader reports that on Saturday there was “a party in the park with well over 100 attendees.”

“There was garbage and smashed beer bottles everywhere. Nearby residents had to listen to the pounding of their music well past the 11pm noise bylaw.

“No bylaw officers and no police attended. The park was all cleaned up this morning by city workers and this is what it looks like by 5pm.

“A downtown business owner caught someone defecating in between the buildings.

“We have found discarded Gatorade bottles filled with urine on our property. We are constantly being awoken at all hours of the night by the cars with the modified mufflers racing up Lakeshore.

The Pier was packed – the breezes would make Covid19 concerns a little easier to live with.

“There is never any enforcement by police or bylaw. Downtown is going downhill fast.

“We have sent numerous letters of complaint to the Mayor and Ward 2 Councillor.

“The people who live in this neighborhood are not very impressed.”

The Bylaw enforcement people do not patrol the city – they respond to specific complaints and they investigate.

The police do patrol and they do respond directly to complaints.

The owners of this hospitality facility were fully aware of what the rules are – why they weren’t observed and enforced is something they will have to explain – to whom?

The Mayor invites direct contact but is not always able to respond immediately. The ward 2 Councillor is involved in other interests.

People may hear from these two elected officials during the week we are into.

If this kind of behaviour becomes a pattern there is going to have to be an increase in the police presence.

Can the demand for public space and a place to be outside be met in Spencer Smith Park?

Very significant number of people respond to the location of Rainbow crosswalks survey - most wanted it in front of the Catholic school board.

By Staff

June 6th, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

The Gazette reported yesterday on the response to the question – where should the next Rainbow crosswalk be located.

There were more than 4000 responses – with 2813 wanting to see it located on Fairview near the Drury Street intersection which is the location of the Catholic District School Board.

One can see some differences of opinion when the matter gets to council on Tuesday. What comes first – the wishes of the supporters of the gay community or the wishes of a school board that decided not to permit the flying of the rainbow flag at Catholic schools.

Delicate.

The responses and the way the numbers broke down are set out below.

Some demographics on the people who responded.

It would have been useful to see some additional demographic data like age and gender. It will be interesting to hear what, if any, interpretation staff provide and what position council members take.

With just a little imagination - city hall can come up with a way to keep the streets clean.

By Staff

June 6th, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

Easily cleaned up if there was someone people could call.

No one wants the downtown streets to look like this.

Pictures were taken on the weekend and there is usually someone somewhere who can take a call and have the mess cleaned up.

Someone somewhere at city hall can do what it takes. So just do it.

If the city can spend $10,000 on a rainbow crosswalk – someone somewhere can find someone who is on duty during the weekends to handle situations likes this.

Create a phone number that is easy to remember and promote it on everything that gets published. People will remember the number and use it. Try 905- cleanup (253 2687)

Citizens choose location for next Rainbow Crosswalk - opposite Catholic School Board

By Staff

June 5, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

Rainbow Crosswalk are now part of the Burlington streetscape.

The first was put in place across Lakeshore at Burlington Street, at a cost of $10,000.

Public response was very positive and there was appetite for other Rainbow crosswalks.

The city did a survey asking people where they thought the next cross walk should be.
The response to the survey was very high – the preferred location surprising.

Citizens chose to have the next Rainbow Crosswalk on Fairview, near Drury which would be basically in front of the Halton District Catholic School Board.

The report on the survey and the results will be going to Community Planning, Regulation and Mobility Committee on Tuesday June 8th beginning at 9:30 a.m.

It will be interesting to see if there are any delegations.

The Halton District Catholic School Board chose recently to not permit the raising of Rainbow flags at Catholic schools.

Man Charged with 40 Offences Related to Burlington Garage, Shed and Vehicle Entries

By Staff

June 4th, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) – 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau (CIB) with the assistance of 2 District CIB has concluded a week-long investigation in relation to a series of garage and shed break-ins, and vehicle entries in Burlington and Oakville.

Since May 23, 2021, a total of 37 incidents were reported where vehicles, garages and outdoor sheds were entered. In many incidents, the accused used the garage door opener stolen from the vehicle in the victim’s driveway in order to gain entry to the garage. Multiple items were stolen through the course of these entries, including high-end bicycles and tools. The accused was also using a stolen vehicle to perpetrate these crimes.

On June 2, 2021, Dylan Brown (28) of Hamilton was arrested at a Hamilton residence. He has been charged with the following offences:

Break and Enter (11 counts)
Theft Under $5000 (4 counts)
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000 (13 counts)
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000 (3 counts)
Trespass at Night (6 counts)
Fraud Under $5000
Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose
Trafficking Stolen Property

A Criminal Code search warrant was executed as a result of the investigation and approximately $70,000 worth of stolen property was recovered.

Brown has been held in custody pending a bail hearing.

Investigation is continuing in efforts to identify other possible suspects in regards to these incidents. Anyone with information regarding this investigation or wishing to inquire about any recovered stolen property is asked to contact the following investigators.

D/Cst Cole Richards – 3 District Street Crime Unit at 905-825-4747 ext. 2345.

D/Cst Mark Bingham – 2 District Street Crime Unit at 905-825-4747 ext. 2268.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers. “See something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.

We would like to remind our community of the following tips to help prevent becoming a victim to these types of crimes:

Ensure your vehicle doors are always locked
Always roll up your windows
Remove all valuables from your vehicle
Leave an exterior light on to illuminate your driveway at night
Remove your garage door opener

Hospital Fund raising involves the small business sector.

News 100 blue By Staff

June 4th, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

The Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation has a fund raising initiative underway and has found willing supporters within the commercial sector.

They are there when you need them. Be there for them when they need you.

Using the tag line: This June, support local businesses and support local healthcare. The following have joined the J.

Factory Shoe Outlet
Joseph Tassoni Face Coverings
COBS Bakery – Maple Mews Location
Domenic’s Italian Eatery
AIM Insurance Good for You, Good for our Community

These are a few of the corporations that are taking part in the drive. Each has something unique in the way they donate – each supports the hospital.

Factory Shoe Outlet is over halfway to its fundraising goal of $40,000!
AIM will donate $5 to Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation.

Jack is all in!

When Jack Fernihough saw the We Love our Hospital lawn signs were popping back up around the city, he went to his garage and proudly added his sign from last year back onto the front lawn. But he had thrown away his old “We Joined” sign. So when the Foundation was delivering a sign to his neighbour, Jack asked if he could have the full set.

“It’s just something fun,” he said. “I think it’s important to support the hospital because a strong community needs a strong hospital. And Burlington is a top-notch city, and we need a top-notch hospital.”

To request a sign, please click here.

Signs will be delivered and installed by Foundation staff following all safety precautions with contactless delivery.

The plea from the Foundation is: We need you now more than ever.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges to Joseph Brant Hospital and we are working tirelessly to make sure that we’re here for you in the moments that matter.

Make this moment matter,

Rivers: Is it Time to Phase out Natural Gas?

By Ray Rivers

June 3rd, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON’

The previous provincial government closed all of the coal-fired power plants and permanently banned coal as a fuel for electricity production. That was one of the largest greenhouse gas reduction initiatives in North America. More than 30 mega-tonnes of greenhouse gases annually were eliminated.

That is the equivalent to taking seven-million petroleum powered vehicles off our roads. In addition, closing the coal plants helped reduce the number of smog days in Ontario from 53 in 2005 to zero in 2015.

In 2005 coal-fired electricity still accounted for 19% of the utility bill. By 2015 when coal was gone, wind and solar energy had come from nowhere to account for 9%, even as electricity use in the province increased by another 3%. And while the costs of getting there were not inconsequential, solar and wind are today’s lowest cost sources of electrical energy.

Wind turbines work exceptionally well if located in the right place.

Of course wind and solar are intermittent sources of energy by their very nature. And while awaiting the development of backup energy storage systems, natural gas had been included in the mix to allow for those times when the sun was down or the wind had stopped blowing. Still, by 2018, the year the government changed political parties, natural gas accounted for only 3% of the energy mix.

Renewable energy accounts for a third of the electricity produced in Ontario. And a third of that comes from Ontario’s fleet of solar and wind installations. But after the 2018 election the Ontario government stopped approving and started cancelling new solar and wind projects. Still, even in 2020 wind and solar still generated over 11% of the provincial energy mix.

As a result Ontario’s electricity system is currently about 94 percent carbon free. However that is down from 97 percent under the former government, though still very respectable when compared to other jurisdictions like the USA, or even Alberta.

Solar panels have proven to be very cost effective.

Unfortunately the current provincial administration is allergic to naturally sourced renewable energy. In fact, the Premier has recently moved to de-prioritize renewable energy in an effort to allow increases in the carbon content of Ontario’s energy mix.

So it should not be surprising that this Ontario government, through its wholly owned Ontario Power Generation, has just spent three billion dollars purchasing three existing gas plants from TC Energy. It is easy to understand why TC Energy would want to unload these facilities which represent yesterday’s fossil fuel burning technology. But why would the Ontario government buy them?

The contrast with what we see happening in the US could not be clearer. US President Joe Biden is committed to eliminating natural gas electricity production within 15 years, replacing it with renewable energy. Canada has just announced new climate change targets for 2030 which would entail a 40-50% reduction in fossil fuel burning.

Recently 27 municipalities across Ontario, representing half of the province’s population, have demanded that Ontario phase-out natural gas electricity production. They are concerned about re-carbonizing Ontario’s energy mix and the potential smog pollution which would result. Converting Ontario’s vehicle fleet to electricity is hardly carbon free if recharging the cars’ batteries relies on carbon based electricity.

The province’s Independent Electrical System Operator (IESO),which manages Ontario’s power system, had begun a stakeholder engagement process to examine the feasibility of phasing-out natural gas. In response, the Ontario Energy Association (OEA,) which represents most large energy providers, quickly generated a report in defence of the gas plants.

One of the three gas fired energy plants the province bought.

The OEA report delivers what they term a ‘rough estimate’ of $60 billion over the next decade as a consequence of eliminating natural gas from electricity production. Rough estimate is a generous term for this sketchy effort at producing a large enough number to get everyone’s attention. And unsurprisingly, the imaginary number, intended to impress the reader, is based on heroic and incomplete assumptions – in short, shoddy work.

But this is not just about climate change and the environmental consequences of burning more fossil fuel. There have been huge economic costs associated with the direction this government has been taking us from the get-go. They gave away $3 billion when they dismantled Ontario’s cap and trade emission reduction system. Another $231 million was spent compensating approved new renewable energy projects which were cancelled by the government.

Then there were the millions, (initially $30 million) which were poured into the pointless effort to kill the national carbon tax. And now the Province is spending $3 billion to buy gas power plants which will have to be decommissioned in as little as a decade.

Meanwhile the government is paying $6 billion a year to subsidize our monthly electricity bill, a practice estimated by the Ontario Energy Association to possibly end up costing $228Billion over the next 25 years. And even so, the cost of electricity has actually increased since this government came to power, peaking just prior to the onset of the pandemic and the Premier’s decision to offer work-at-home rate relief during the crisis.

By any measure, economic or environmental, this is a troubling roadmap. And it is taking Ontario tax payers into the most ideologically driven and wrong-headed misadventure since a former premier broke up Ontario Hydro.

Ray Rivers writes regularly on both federal and provincial politics, applying his more than 25 years as a federal bureaucrat to his thinking. Rivers was once a candidate for provincial office in Burlington. He was the founder of the Burlington citizen committee on sustainability at a time when climate warming was a hotly debated subject. Ray has a post graduate degree in economics that he earned at the University of Ottawa. Tweet @rayzrivers

Background links:

Coal Power Plants – Ontario Energy Mix – Ontario Electricity Rates –

Municipal Pressure – OEA Study – TC Plants –

Today’s Energy Mix – Ratepayer Subsidy –

Roadmap to reopening starts June 14th providing 60% of us are vaccinated

By Staff

June 2nd, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

There is now a road map to get us from where we are to where we want to be in the battle to prevent the further spread of Covid19 and its variants.

The Roadmap to Reopen, a three-step plan to safely and cautiously reopen the province and gradually lift public health measures based on the provincewide vaccination rate and improvements in key public health and health care indicators.
Roadmap to Reopen outlines three steps to easing public health measures. Each step lasts for 21 days providing the criteria for moving to the next step are met.

Burlingtonians understand social distancing

Step One An initial focus on resuming outdoor activities with smaller crowds where the risk of transmission is lower, and permitting retail with restrictions. This includes allowing outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people, outdoor dining with up to four people per table and non-essential retail at 15 per cent capacity.

People got out and exercised.

Step Two Further expanding outdoor activities and resuming limited indoor services with small numbers of people where face coverings are worn. This includes outdoor gatherings of up to 25 people, outdoor sports and leagues, overnight camps, personal care services where face coverings can be worn and with capacity limits, as well as indoor religious services, rites or ceremony gatherings at 15 per cent capacity.

Step Three Expanding access to indoor settings, with restrictions, including where there are larger numbers of people and where face coverings can’t always be worn. This includes indoor sports and recreational fitness; indoor dining, museums, art galleries and libraries, and casinos and bingo halls, with capacity limits.

The province will remain in each step for at least 21 days to evaluate any impacts on key public health and health system indicators. If at the end of the 21 days, the following vaccination thresholds have been met, along with positive trends in other key public health and health system indicators, then the province will move to the next step:

Step 1: 60 per cent of adults vaccinated with one dose.

Step 2: 70 per cent of adults vaccinated with one dose and 20 per cent vaccinated with two doses.

Step 3: 70 to 80 per cent of adults vaccinated with one dose and 25 per cent vaccinated with two doses.

As soon as 60% of the population is vaccinated we can move into Step One of the Roadmap to re-opening.

The government expects to enter Step One of the Roadmap the week of June 14, 2021.

What the public is permitted to do between June 2nd and the 14th is not at all clear – other than to get out and get vaccinated.

Step One will permit the resumption of more outdoor activities with smaller, well-managed crowds where risk of transmission is minimized and will permit retail, all with restrictions in place, including but not limited to :

Outdoor gatherings up to 10 people;
Outdoor dining up to 4 people per table;
Outdoor fitness classes, personal training and sports training up to 10 people;
Essential retail at 25 per cent capacity and can sell all goods (including discount and big box);
Non-essential retail at 15 per cent capacity;
Retail stores in malls closed unless the stores have a street facing entrance;
Outdoor religious services, rites and ceremonies with capacity limited to permit 2 metres’ physical distancing;
Horse racing and motor speedways without spectators;
Outdoor horse riding;
Outdoor pools and wading pools with capacity limited to permit 2 metres’ physical distancing;
Outdoor zoos, landmarks, historic sites, and botanical gardens with capacity limits;
Campsites, campgrounds and short-term rentals; and
Overnight camping at Ontario Parks.

The detail is dizzying.

The number of working poor people in Burlington is lower than Milton and Halton

By Staff

June 1st, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

Work or employment is commonly understood as a means for individuals to have a decent living.

With the impact of COVID-19 over the past year, there were substantial changes in both employment and earnings, leading to precarious work for individuals and their families.1 Many of those individuals may become the working poor and how we as community ensure that all members of our community are included in the recovery process is critical.

As shown in the chart below, Oakville and Milton are above the Halton average, while Burlington and Halton Hills are below.

As with poverty, there are many ways to define working poor. Using Statistics Canada’s tax filer information set as the data source,2 working poor3 is defined as individuals with an after-tax income below the Low Income Measure (LIM-AT) and earning an annual working income4 of over $3,000.

The income threshold of $3,000 reflects the federal government’s Working Income Tax Benefit (WITB) refundable tax credit intended to provide tax relief for eligible working low-income individuals and families who are already in the workforce and to encourage other Canadians to enter the workforce.

Using the most currently available data, in 2018 a working poor person earned more than $3,000 but less than $24,654 (LIM-AT for a single adult).

In 2018, there were over 444,000 working poor individuals in Ontario. They represented about 6.6% of the population (18-64 years) excluding full-time students living on their own. By comparison, in Halton Region, the working poor population was over 12,000 accounting for 4.5% of the working age population.

The data was provided by Community Development Halton.

1 COVID Economic and Social Effects Study (CESES), McMaster University, 2021. https://labourstudies.mcmaster.ca/research/covid19- impact
2 Grouping of postal codes were provided to Statistics Canada and Statistics Canada makes no representation or warranty as to, or validation of, the accuracy of any Postal Code OM data

3 A similar definition is used in Metcalf Foundation, The Working Poor in the Toronto Region, mapping working poverty in Canada’s richest city by John Stapleton, April 2015
4 Working income is the total amount of an individual’s income for the year from employment and business, excluding losses.

Stay at Home ends tomorrow - Roadmap to re-opening follows

By Pepper Parr

June 1st, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

Tomorrow, June 2nd, we come out of the Stay at Home order the province put in place April 7, 2021.

Social distancing was observed in most places.

However, all the other public health and workplace measures remain in place provincewide until Ontario enters Step One of the Roadmap to Reopen, at which point some restrictions will ease with an initial focus on outdoor settings.

The Roadmap to re-opening is a complex document with specific changes that are linked to the number of people who have been vaccinated.

Details on that Roadmap will follow in a separate article.

“With the Stay-At-Home order set to expire, we need to provide people with certainty so that they can continue to follow public health guidance. Doing so will help us to meet our goal of starting to gradually lift some restrictions when we enter Step One of the Roadmap when it is safe to do so.”

In a concentrated effort to reduce mobility and opportunities for transmission, the Stay-At-Home order required Ontarians to remain at home except for the purposes set out in the order, such as exercise, going to the grocery store or pharmacy, or accessing health care services. Once the Stay-at-Home order expires on June 2, these restrictions will no longer be in effect.
However, all other existing measures will remain in place provincewide, including restrictions on gatherings, businesses, services and activities.

This includes limiting indoor gatherings to households only and outdoor gatherings of up to five people, subject to limited exceptions, maintaining a cap of 25 per cent capacity for essential retail where only certain goods are permitted to be sold, restricting non-essential retail to curbside pickup and delivery only, as well as limiting short-term rentals to individuals in need of housing and allowing Ontario parks and campgrounds on public lands to be used for day-use only, subject to limited exceptions.

Ontarians will be able to leave home to travel within the province to a secondary residence for any reason however, they are not be permitted to host members of another household indoors except for a person from another household who lives alone or with a caregiver.

A simple, easy-to-understand summary of restrictions can be found on the province’s “Reopening Ontario” webpage, which provides details on what public health measures are in place before the province enters Step One of the Roadmap to Reopen. As always, anyone who may have been exposed to COVID-19 or who may be exhibiting symptoms of the virus should use the province’s self-assessment tool to determine what they should do next, including getting a test and isolating if necessary.

One has to wonder why a Stay at Home order was put in place.

With the expiry of the Stay-at-Home order, emergency order O. Reg 266/21 (Residential Evictions) will also expire on June 2, 2021.

Emergency orders currently in effect under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act have been extended until June 16, 2021.

No word yet on what the Premier wants to do with schools. He is looking for a consensus: should something go wrong the blame can be shared by everyone.

Mariam Manaa: a young women with significant community experience in a political setting seeking the Liberal nomination

By Pepper Parr

June 1st, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

Mariam Manaa said she knew the day she sat in on a House of Commons committee meeting that the world of politics was definitely for her.

Mariam Manaa

Manaa had worked as a summer intern with Oakville North Burlington MP Pam Damoff; it was a four month gig but it was enough at the time to learn just what a politician does.

Mariam returned to school, she had been attending high school in Oakville where the family lived. She continued her studies in community planning and keeping busy with the Muslim Association of Canada work she and her Mother did.

The family, Mom and Dad and two brothers came to Canada when Mariam was eight years old. They lived in the Gaza part of Palestine. While Mariam doesn’t remember all that much she does know that it was a trying time for the family.

The Israelis had occupied the country and then withdrawn but kept a very tight security ring around Gaza.

The parents wanted something better for their children and immigrated to Canada.
Her Mother worked in a bakery, her Dad worked as a handyman and the children went to school.

It was a huge emotional and psychological change for the family.

“Sitting in that House of Commons committee room with my notebook in hand listening intently to everything that was being said I couldn’t believe how fortunate I was” said Manaa.

A few years later Mariam applied for a job with Burlington MP Karina Gould who was also a Cabinet Minister. She was hired and spent more than three years with Minister Gould.

In her mind Mariam said she was in basic training to become a politician. She knew she was a Liberal – and she fully understood the different levels of responsibility that the federal politicians had and the role the provincial government played in the lives of ordinary people.

“I wanted to be doing things that made a difference in the lives of normal people.

“Education was really important to me; health and the environment mattered to me.” Manaa said she learned something new everyday she was on the job.

“I had gotten myself to the point where I knew I needed to pick up additional skill sets.
I was always involved with the Muslim community and got a chance to work for the Muslim Association doing public relations work.

A community advocate from an early age Mariam Manaa now wants to represent Burlington in the provincial legislature.

Mariam now wears the traditional Muslim hijab but didn’t wear it during her high school years.

“My cultural views and learning more about what it really meant to be Muslim were aspects of my life that I grew into when I had completed high school.

Respecting the cultural and religious part of her community led to Mariam, working with the Muslim Association, to holding a pop-up vaccination station where Muslim women could be vaccinated in private. Muslim women do not display their bodies the way western woman do.

Getting vaccinated meant lowering the burqa sleeve which is something that is just not done in a public setting.

“We got a great turnout from the women in the Muslim community” said Manaa.

She has come to learn that one of Canada’s strengths is its diversity.

“People respect those that are different in the way they dress and the lifestyle they live – but they are accepted and invited to take part in the fostering and developing of the community.

“Giving back is such a fundamental part of who my family is – we see the news on television at night and know how terrible it is in the land that I came from – where I was raised as a child.” Mariam spends her days on the telephone talking to people one-on-one. I try to get to between 30 and 40 people each day building support for my nomination.”

The Burlington Liberal Association will decide on June 26th who the Liberal candidate will be. It is not certain yet if the event will be virtual.

After a bit of kafuffle it comes down to two women seeking the Liberal nomination to be the candidate in the June 2022 provincial election

By Pepper Parr

May 31st, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

OPINION

So – what did happen?

We learn that ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns had decided to accept a suggestion that she seek the nomination for the Burlington seat in the Legislature.

We were never able to get that confirmed directly from the Burlington Liberal Association but we were able to get confirmation from a reliable party source.

Mariam Manaa – seeking the Liberal nomination.

We were unaware that there was a already a Miriam Manass, woman who had expressed an interest and was running a personal campaign to seek the nomination.

All we had was Lisa Kearns filling her social media with everything she had. Today it was pairs of children’s shoes at the foot of the flag poles outside city hall in support of the 200+ children who were buried on the grounds of a Residential School used to house Indigenous Children who had been taken from their parents.

Lisa Kearns during a Facebook moment at the foot of the flag poles outside city hall

Kearns informed us that she wrote a university thesis on just that issue. We asked for a copy of the thesis thinking it would be interesting to read what a student had to say about the shameful past that had churches being responsible for the welfare of children and then abusing them. Not all the churches but far too many of them. “Don’t have the document anymore” advised Kearns. Most people hang on to the work they do at the university level.

Then out of the blue we learn that Andrea Grebenc has decided to seek the nomination for the Burlington seat. We thought that she would be a very good candidate for the ward 3 council seat. She has credibility.

Andrea Grebenc during a virtual school board meeting.

The faster than you can say “Jack Rabbit” Kearns announces that she likes the look of Grebenc and has decided to drop out of the race and support Grebenc.

What really happened?

And also – what happened to the woman who was being “groomed” to replace Kearns on city Council once she had won the provincial seat?

She appears to have been thrown under the bus.

Kearns and Grebenc were not close to each other. I doubt that they actually met – but could be wrong on that.

Our belief is that Kearns found there was a sudden need for a change of clothing when she learned of the Grebenc announcement and did what she could to give herself political coverage.

No need to take a look at the other candidate – Grebenc would fill the bill.

As much as we admire the work Grebenc has done at the school board she would have been better advised to solicit Kearns’ vote and take a pass on an endorsement.

The joint media release the two woman put out was pretty self-serving – no one came out of that looking very good.

The lingering question is – how much damage has Kearns done to her brand and image? She has made herself vulnerable. The mind of the policy wonk failed her – when there was a personal threat – back away. There has always been a skittishness to Lisa Kearns.

Kearns said both personal and professional matters brought about the decision to withdraw. She should have said that and moved on

Courage of your convictions wouldn’t apply here.

What then does apply? That is something the voters will get to decide in 2021. Does Kearns think time will wash this all away?

Salt with Pepper is the musings, reflections and opinions of the publisher of the Burlington Gazette, an online newspaper that was formed in 2010 and is a member of the National Newsmedia Council.

Related news stories

Lisa Kearns announces

Grebenc announces

Mariam Manaa announcement

Joint media release

Lane Closures: North Shore Boulevard East, at QEW Toronto/Niagara on-ramps, June 1 - 4, 2021

By Staff

May 31st, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

The Ministry of Transportation Ontario (MTO) is doing work on North Shore Boulevard East, between QEW Toronto and QEW Niagara on-ramps

All lanes will be closed except for one lane in this section of North Shore Boulevard

Tuesday, June 1 to Friday, June 4, 2021
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

MTO Traffic Control personnel will maintain two-way traffic and provide priority right-of-way for emergency vehicles when needed.

RoundTables held by MP should be more transparent

By Pepper Parr

May 31st, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

OPINION

Earlier today Karina Gould, Burlington MP and member of the Trudeau Cabinet where she serves as Minister of International Development, sent out her May Newsletter in which she said:

MP Karina Gould talking to a citizen after one of the last public debates that took place during the last federal election.

“While the COVID-19 pandemic has been difficult for all of us, it has highlighted barriers that many individuals and sectors face disproportionately.

“This month, I hosted roundtables to discuss issues facing seniors and individuals living with disabilities.

“I heard from service providers and community advocates on how to continue building a community that is inclusive by design and that enables an environment of belonging for all Canadians. It was important to hear their perspectives as we work with the provinces and territories on improving supports for Canadians living with disabilities, create dignified employment opportunities, and support accessible spaces here in Burlington and across the country.’

First let us applaud the Member of Parliament for holding the RoundTables. These are important – the elected need to hear from the electors.

There is however a larger audience that hasn’t a clue what the various advocates think is important and how the MP responds to them.

These RoundTables, as important as they are, should be open to media. Not to participate but to observe and report and then to follow up with the voice of different community groups and the MP as well.

It’s known as transparency – a word used by the elected when it suits their purpose.

Park Ambassadors on duty to answer questions

By Pepper Parr

May 31st, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

A Gazette reader asked:

“Tell me why I see this all the time. Shouldn’t they be spread out so that those parking at any given time all along the Beachway can easily find one…or is it like when you go to a big box store and you can’t find an employee in the aisle ?”

Park Ambassadors on duty on the weekend – they are in place to answer questions and help people with parking issues.

Fair question. Unfortunately a number of weeks ago a city staff member (we are calling them Park Ambassadors) was accosted and felt their personal safety was at risk.

City Manager Tim Commisso had been adamant that he is not going to see his staff put at risk – the Ambassador’s were to work in pairs. (And yes the picture we got shows three people who appear to be working together). This is the price we pay for those who feel they have a right to abuses civil servants.

Zoom Zoom - candidate for the Liberal nomination holds a Town Hall

News 100 red By Pepper Parr

May 29th, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

That didn’t take her very long.

Andrea Grebenc seeking the Liberal nomination for the 2022 provincial election.

District School Board Chair Andrea Grebenc announced her intention to seek the Liberal nomination as the candidate for the 2022 provincial election

The Gazette did an interview, published it earlier today.

Then we get an announcement that Grebenc will be holding a Zoom Town Hall Sunday evening 7:00 pm.

Registration:
https://forms.gle/Y1ATWiR9tR2wS5fm9

Miriam Manaa – also seeking the Liberal nomination.

Glad she chose Sunday – watching the Habs take the Leafs in a critical game is my Saturday night priority.

The Gazette has been in touch with the other candidate for the nomination Miriam Manaa and will be interviewing her as soon as possible.

School Board Chair Andrea Grebenc wants to be a member of the provincial legislature

By Pepper Parr

May 29th, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

She won handily in 2014 against three other candidates for a seat as a trustee with the Halton District School Board. She used the first two years to get a feel for the job she eventually became exceptionally good at. Her colleagues thought enough of her ability to make her chair of the Board during her first term.

Listening carefully

In her second term she was acclaimed and served as the Chair of the Board every year.

In her first term she made the difficult decision to vote for the closing of two of the seven Burlington high schools one of which was in her ward. It was also the high school from which she graduated.

As the Trustee for 10 elementary schools and two high schools she busied herself with getting to know the schools, the student population and the problems. Grebenc has an open, engaging personality that says how can I help without using the words.

She is a problem solver who grew into an advocate with the strength of character to challenge the province and the way it was handling what Grebenc saw as serious flaws in the way education was being both delivered and funded. School board trustees often seem to be a little timid, more into the fluffier parts of being an elected official. Timid is not a word that gets used to describe Andrea Grebenc.

Andrea Grebenc on the right at a major public meeting with fellow trustee Jeanne Gray.

A life long Burlington resident, the child of parents who immigrated to Canada and chose Burlington as home. Grebenc was once in the Burlington Teen Tour Band and worked as a Sound of Music volunteer – both touch points for young people experiencing the city.

School started at St. Mark’s Catholic elementary school after which she went on to Lester B Pearson high school and then attended Wilfred Laurier University earning an Honours Bachelor Science degree.

The mother of three children she formed her own company offering communications and IT services.

As a trustee she took a year to get the understanding she needed to be effective.

When the province began to consult with the public on increasing class sizes and imposing mandatory e-learning courses Grebenc worked with her fellow trustees and spearheaded, the Halton Education Action team of HDSB Trustees to find out what Halton parents, guardians, and community members thought of these changes. The trustees organized, formed and ran in-person regional focus groups, surveyed the community, analyzed the data, and wrote a comprehensive report that was used as evidence against the changes.

The Halton community consultation proved to be a more robust consultation than that of the Ministry. The Halton submissions, almost 7,000 in-person and surveyed, amounted to more than the Ministry received from the rest of the province combined.

The trustees are currently advocating for evidence-based collaborative decision-making surrounding the issue of permanently expanding online and remote learning.

Andrea Grebenc: speaks directly and is usually on point. She seldom ducks a question.

She is forthright about her opinions on how Provincial decisions and directives affect students and Ontario’s education system.

As a trustee she has made the province her constituency and has focused on improving education through her work as a school board trustee.

The Grebenc profile became one that was recognized beyond the Region.

In July of 2020 it was “Whereas” after “Whereas” in the motion Grebenc put before her trustees. They were followed by the resolution:

“Be it resolved that the Chair ask the Minister of Education for clarification about who the decision maker is for the September school year start up.”

Grebenc had the support of her trustees. In comments made after the motion was tabled Grebenc said that “there are in excess of 36,000 elementary students within the Halton Board – where are those children going to be cared for should they have to distant learn ?”

“What will we get – quickly formed day care centre’s that are not regulated, not inspected with other children coming from who knows where ? The bubbles that most families created to ensure their kids were safe would not be feasible.”

Grebenc had made her mark.

Andrea Grebenc has a strong working relationship with the Director of Education Stuart Miller.

Grebenc tends to be a listener and problem solver; drama and grandstanding are tools she leaves behind.

The capacity to get things done spills over into her community work. One of her most recent projects was forming “Masks for COVID -Burlington”. In April 2020, she recruited and organized 80+ people throughout Burlington into a living, caring and productive mask-making machine. Andrea organized material procurers, cutters, sewers, and distributors, making daily rounds to transport materials and masks to Long Term Care and Retirement Homes early in the pandemic when PPE was scarce.

The original mandate was 2,000 masks, but due to the dedication of the volunteers, 3,000 masks were completed and distributed and the group was able to expand their mandate to include some local food banks.

Andrea currently sits on the Mayor’s COVID task force and provides status updates on behalf of the Halton District School Board.

Grebenc is one of two women seeking the nomination to be the Liberal candidate in the provincial election set for June of 2022. Given the current political climate in the province there are a number of reasons to believe the Premier will call a snap election if his support firms up once inoculation levels reach the 60 or 70% levels and new infection reports are consistently below 1000.

Final gypsy moth pesticide spraying to take place June 1st and 2nd

By Staff

May 29th, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

The Forestry department will be overseeing the application of the second and final application of a bio-pesticide on Tuesday, June 1 and Wednesday, June 2

Public risk is very very limited.

Low-flying helicopters will be used to apply the pesticide over four wooded areas to control gypsy moth (lymantria dispar dispar, LDD) populations.

Gypsy moth caterpillars eat the leaves of trees, causing significant defoliation and potential long-term impact to the City’s urban forest.

The first application was successfully completed on May 25.
The final application of the pesticide will be completed between 5 and 9 a.m. and is expected to take 5-10 minutes for each park.

The areas identified for spraying include:
• City View Park
• Kilbride Park
• LaSalle Park
• Zimmerman Park

City staff will be temporarily preventing vehicles from using roads nearest the spray areas as the helicopter passes. The stoppage will take less than 15 minutes.

An interactive map is available on burlington.ca/gypsymoth that allows residents to enter an address so they can see where the address is in relation to the spray areas.

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