 By Staff
April 30th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The City of Burlington is inviting residents, business-owners and landowners to a virtual information session to learn more about urban forestry initiatives in the city, including the Street Tree Planting program and the annual Gypsy Moth Control program.
 There were five apple trees on Guelph Line – the drive way leads to a church. The trees were cut down because the geese, who ate the apples, were pooping on the driveway. The promised replacements were never planted. The open house will take place on Wednesday, May 12, from 7 to 8 p.m. on Microsoft Teams. Registration is not required and there is no cost to attend.
Link to join the meeting will be available on getinvolvedburlington.ca/forestry.
During the meeting, City of Burlington forestry staff will share information about:
• 2021 Gypsy Moth control program – As part of a multi-year pest management program, the City will be using a low-flying helicopter to aerial spray a bio-pesticide over four parks and wooded trail areas (City View Park, Killbride Park, LaSalle Park, Zimmerman Park) to control gypsy moth populations and protect city forests from heavy defoliation. More information about this year’s program, including locations and timing will be discussed at the open house.
• 2021 street tree planting program – Staff will provide insight about the goals for the future of Burlington’s canopy; plant healthcare challenges with growing trees on a street side; and plans to protect the city against future invasive species.
 Cut down for a development Quick Facts
• In total, Burlington plants approximately 1,000 trees annually as replacements, through capital projects, development and in response to resident requests for street trees. Trees are typically planted in boulevard settings but are also planted in parks.
• The trees within Burlington’s urban forest provide a wide range of environmental, economic and social benefits, including improved air quality, reduced storm-water runoff, energy savings, noise reduction, natural bird and wildlife habitats, higher property values and overall beautification of city streets and parks.
• The city’s Urban Forestry section is responsible for the city’s ongoing operations and maintenance of municipally-owned trees, forest planning and health, and forest protection. Key programs include: preventative maintenance through grid pruning, tree planting and stumping programs, and the administration of public and private tree protection bylaws.
Background:
Burlington struggles with the tree issue. Everyone loves them but far too many people want to ignore the need for a solid sustainable tree canopy when it gets in the way of what they want to do with their property.
The bureaucrats at city hall understand what the urban part of the city needs but are out of touch with what the rural property owners have to deal with.
 Old trees in Roseland – not nearly enough new trees being planted. Roseland – many many really good trees but far too many tress that do not have much time left – there hasn’t been an intelligent planting program – something that should have started years ago.
The most contentious public meetings in the past ten years have been about trees and the private tree bylaw the city has in place.
Burlington really isn’t walking the talk.
Pity – when you pause at the New Street – Gooderam intersection and look south you see what the city has – there is no certainty that this is going to be the same in 25 years.
 What a beautiful street to walk or drive down. The properties on this street sell for a premium because of the trees. But even on this street some homeowners have demanded that they be given permission to cut down a tree. 
By Staff
April 29th 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The Ontario government has appointed Norm Sterling as Chair of the Greenbelt Council. The former minister of environment, and founding member of the Niagara Escarpment Commission, will help guide the province as it undertakes what could result in the largest expansion of the Greenbelt since its creation in 2005.
 Norm Sterling, former Minister of Environment named as Chair of the Greenbelt Council. “Mr. Sterling brings important experience to the Greenbelt Council, and I am confident that under his leadership there will be incredible work done to support growing the Greenbelt,” said Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “As a fellow grandparent, we understand the importance of leaving all of our grandchildren, and great grandchildren, with an enhanced version of the gem that is the Greater Golden Horseshoe.”
The Greenbelt Council was created to provide advice to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing on land use matters related to the Greenbelt, including education and outreach to promote the goals of the Greenbelt Plan.
In December, six members of Ontario’s Greenbelt Council stepped down — joining David Crombie, the council’s chair — to protest proposed government rules they say would gut environmental protections in the province.
 David Crombie, served as the Chair of the Greenbelt Council – resigned in protest. Crombie, a former Progressive Conservative federal cabinet minister and Toronto mayor, says his resignation, which takes effect immediately, comes in response to measures contained in an omnibus budget bill tabled last month by the provincial government.
Sterling, doing his best to fill the Crombie shoes said: “It is an honour to serve as Chair of the Council as we work towards growing the Greenbelt. I will leverage my experience to work collaboratively with our council to ensure that we are working toward protecting and growing the Greenbelt.”
 Ontario’s Greenbelt protects farmland, communities, forests, wetlands and watersheds. It also preserves cultural heritage and supports recreation and tourism in Ontario’s Greater Golden Horseshoe.
• Established under the Greenbelt Act, 2005, the Greenbelt is a broad band of protected land that currently includes over 800,000 hectares of land in the Greater Golden Horseshoe.
• The Greenbelt currently contains 21 urban river valleys and associated wetlands. These are the valleys of rivers that pass-through cities or towns and act as urban gateways to the Greenbelt.
• The term of Mr. Sterling’s appointment is for three years.
• All Greenbelt Council Members receive a per diem for attending meetings.
 By Eric Vandewall
April 29th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Since March 12, 2021, in response to the urgent need to vaccinate as many people in our community and protect high-risk individuals from the COVID-19 virus, Joseph Brant Hospital began operating a Halton Region Vaccination Clinic in the Pandemic Response Unit PRU. The PRU’s flexibility in design allowed us to quickly mobilize the PRU to serve this purpose, using our skilled staff onsite to administer the vaccines. To date, we have vaccinated over 16,000 individuals in our community and will continue to immunize prioritized groups established by Halton Region.
At the same time, daily news reports convey the troublingly high number of new COVID-19 cases across the country. It is important to remember the heartbreaking stories behind those numbers. At JBH, we feel every single loss. With each loss, we know that there are so many families, friends and colleagues in immense grief.
 Beds can be moved and a vaccination booth set up in a very short period of time In Halton, we continue to see high numbers of new COVID-19 cases and it is too soon to determine if we have reached the peak of this third wave. In terms of our hospital’s capacity, today JBH is at 91% capacity. We are currently caring for 28 patients with COVID-19 – 16 of these patients are in Intensive Care Unit (ICU). In recent weeks, the total number of patients (COVID-19 and non-COVID-19) in our ICU units has ranged on average from the low 20s to as high as 29. We have the capacity to surge to 32 patients in ICU if needed.
Understandably, given the dire situation, we have been asked why we continue to use our PRU as a vaccination clinic and why it is not being used for COVID-19 care to help manage patient overflow in regional hospitals dealing with record numbers of COIVD 19 patients.
I hear you and I understand your concerns. While I do not wish to minimize the seriousness of the situation, I would like to provide further context and explain where we are today.
Vaccination is a critical step to reducing the spread of COVID-19 as well as to keep people healthy, safe and well. We stand ready to mobilize the PRU back to providing patient care within 24 hours if additional bed capacity is required. That decision cannot be made solely by JBH. The decision to open the PRU to care for patients is a decision made at the regional level – at the HNHBB (Hamilton, Niagara, Haldimand, Norfolk, Brant and Burlington) Regional Incident Management System (IMS) table. The PRU was intended to be used when all conventional space in hospitals was exhausted across the region, as a “safety valve”, to relieve pressure on conventional hospital beds and to ensure there is sufficient capacity to care for COVID-19 mild to moderate patients who are on their way to recovery and to return home. Hospitals continue to respond internally to the growing demand for ICU care and we are seeing more mobile response units constructed to help expand capacity. The point of requiring the PRU for patient care has not yet been reached.
 Everyone who has been vaccinated at JBH and comments said it was “just great”.  The PRU structure is between the hospital expansion and the parking lot. It was set up in a very very short period of time – albeit at considerable expense. Since the beginning of 2021, JBH has accepted 50 inter-regional patient transfers, including patients from the greater Toronto Area (GTA). All of these were serious cases placed in available ICU and acute care beds on designated units in our hospital. The most appropriate place for these individuals was to be located in conventional hospital space. Many of these individuals required ventilation and constant monitoring for a deterioration in their condition. In addition to using all the available space in our hospital to care for these patients, we have been able to increase the number of ICU beds up to 32. This has been done by reviewing our health human resources and placing all available healthcare staff in roles to support staffing these additional ICU beds, as a result of our surgical ramp down. I am incredibly proud of all of our team members, including those who have been redeployed to support the provision of comprehensive and compassionate care to our patients.
In conclusion, please understand that while our PRU is a well-equipped and robust temporary short stay field hospital space, it does not replace conventional inpatient beds in the hospital. The PRU was designed for individuals who are medically stable, presenting mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms, who require additional supports before they are ready to return home.
If the decision is made to mobilize the PRU back to providing medical care, we can make that happen in short order, relocating the vaccination clinic to an alternate space onsite. Every day we are working closely with our regional and provincial health partners to monitor the evolving situation, assess risk and determine the need for PRU capacity.
 Eric Vandewall, at what was supposed to be a celebratory event at which the Minister of Health at the time was to announce a large provincial contribution to the building of the extension to the hospital. The Minister got stuck in QEW traffic so we all went home. The cheque did arrive. Finally, please continue to follow the guidance of medical experts and public health officials. If you are eligible to get vaccinated, doing so keeps you and your loved ones safe, and brings us one step closer to making our communities safer. If you have vaccine concerns, talk to your doctor or please seek out credible sources of information like Halton Region and the Province of Ontario. I also encourage you to follow JBH on our social media channels to stay up-to-date on the latest news and information from our hospital.
Thank you again for your continued support and understanding during these challenging times.
 By Staff
April 29th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Today, Halton Region Police Chief Stephen Tanner becomes the longest serving police chief in the country – 20 years.
His annual report to the Board is, according to the current chair Jeff Knowles, very impressive. The Gazette will report on that when it is made public.
 Halton Regional Police Services Chief Stephen Tanner now the longest serving police chief in Canada. Police Service Board meetings are not on the top of the list for very many reporters; unless there is something that has caught the public’s attention.
When Chief Tanner went out of the country around Christmas time many were upset and asking – why?
Turned out the Chief had permission to leave his post – that was given to him by the then Chair of the Police Services Board Oakville Mayor Rob Burton.
That decision cost Burton his job as Chair – he resigned.
Chief Tanner was one of many Chiefs who quickly told the province earlier this month, that Halton would not be using the additional authority the province had given them to stop people and ask where they were going and where they lived when the province was under a Stay at Home order.
Stephen The Regional Police have State of Emergency authority that they have not used and do not expect to use. The City of Burlington Mayor declared a State of Emergency that immediately set the day to day operations of the city in the hands of an Emergency Control Group that makes decisions regularly at its meetings which often take place more than once a week.
By Staff
April 29th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Starting Monday, May 3, Halton residents who are 50 years of age and older (born in or before 1971) and cannot work from home can book an appointment to receive their COVID-19 vaccine at a Halton Region COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic.
“We are pleased to be able to offer more appointments to priority populations,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. “We continue to follow the Province’s direction on prioritization and our ability to keep opening appointments to more residents is reliant on ongoing and dependable vaccine supply from the Provincial and Federal Governments. Our clinics are ready for more supply – we have the capacity to double the amount of people we vaccinate each day.”
Halton Region continues to follow Provincial direction on prioritization and does not have the authority to grant exceptions. Residents who are 40 years of age and older are also encouraged to book an appointment at multiple participating pharmacies in Halton for the AstraZeneca vaccine. This vaccine is safe and effective, and another way to gain protection from severe illness and complications from COVID-19.
“The more people we vaccinate each and every day, the closer we get to returning to normal,” said Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Halton Region Medical Officer of Health. “We have six clinics operating 7 days a week and participating pharmacies continue to offer appointments to those 40 and older. Please get the vaccine when it is your turn – the best vaccine option is the first one available to you.”
Important information & instructions:
- On Monday, May 3, Halton residents 50 years of age and older (born in or before 1971) who cannot work from home can book a COVID-19 vaccination appointment through Halton’s online booking system.
- While booking online is the fastest way to schedule an appointment, residents can also call 311 if they require booking support. Residents who are not currently eligible to receive the vaccine are asked not to call 311 or visit the online booking system to ensure eligible residents have access.
- Vaccinations at Halton’s clinics are by appointment only (no walk-ins) and must be booked through Halton Region’s online system or through 311. Please do not contact clinics directly. Bookings for Halton residents are not available through the Provincial booking system; residents who access the Provincial booking system will be guided back to Halton’s system.
- Vaccinations at a participating pharmacy are by appointment only (no walk-ins) and must be booked directly through the pharmacy. Please do not call 311 for pharmacy appointments. If you are 40 or older, please visit ontario.ca/PharmacyCovidVaccine to find a location and information on how to book.
- Eligible residents can book appointments at any one of Halton’s six COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics located in Burlington (including Joseph Brant Hospital), Halton Hills, Milton and Oakville (including Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital). Residents are reminded that parking is free at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital and Joseph Brant Hospital for those with scheduled appointments at these clinics.
- Residents who have already scheduled an appointment for vaccination through Halton Region can verify/check their appointment details or reschedule first dose appointments.
- Halton Region is reminding residents that have booked appointments at a Halton Vaccination Clinic and have been able to find earlier first and second dose appointments (for example, through a pharmacy) to please remember to cancel their appointments by calling 311 at least 24 hours in advance, so that someone else who is eligible can get the vaccine.
- Please note that cancelling appointments is only for those who have not received their first dose yet and changing second dose appointments cannot be easily accommodated. Residents who have had their first dose are strongly encouraged to keep their second dose appointment, unless for extraordinary circumstances (for example, work schedules that cannot be rearranged, conflicting specialist appointments). Rescheduling second doses remains dependent on vaccine supply and appointment availability.
All appointments are contingent on the availability of vaccine supply.
By Pepper Parr
April 29th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
In terms of communicating with the public it went exceptionally well. The latest in a series of Telephone Town Hall events ran for an hour last evening ran out of time before they ran out of questions.
 Dr. Dale Kalina, Medical Director, Infection Prevention and Control, Joseph Brant Hospital Moderated by the Mayor, the strongest theme was information on the different vaccines being used by the Public Health units and the pharmacies.
Dr. Dale Kalina, Medical Director, Infection Prevention and Control, Joseph Brant Hospital pressed the point that the vaccine used was not a concern – what was important was that people get vaccinated.
Close to a majority of the questions asked related to the vaccines available.
Throughout the evening there were mini-surveys that asked what people thought about allowing public participation in public events suggesting that consideration is being given to opening things up a little.
There was just the one question on recreational issues; many of the people taking part in the call weren’t required to say a word.
The public was well served.
A transcript of the event will e published.
We will ask the Mayor what there are in the way of plans to open up events to the public – it will depend on what the response to the mini survey reveals.
 By Staff
April 29th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
So much for the Stay at Home order.
The Halton Regional Police Service – Burlington Street Crime Unit has completed a drug trafficking investigation with a pair of arrests and a number of charges.
On Tuesday April 27, 2021 investigators arrested Nicklauss Ancion (26) of Brampton and Megan Noble (29) of No Fixed Address in Burlington.
Ancion has been charged with:
- Trafficking – Fentanyl
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – Fentanyl
- Obstruct With Intent to Resist Arrest
- Weapons Dangerous
Noble has been charged with:
- Possession of a Controlled Substance – Fentanyl
- Breach Probation
At the time of arrest, Ancion was in possession of a knife (which was seized by officers).
 The evidence Search warrants were also executed at a residence in Burlington and a second home in Brampton. As a result of the investigation, officers also seized approximately 5 grams of fentanyl, and a small amount of cash (see attached photo).
There were no physical injuries sustained during the arrests.
 Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Detective Scott Heyerman of the 3 District Street Crime Unit at 905-825-4777 ext. 2342.
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.
 By Staff
April 29th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Halton Region is investing $3.5 million in programs and services that support the health, safety and well-being of residents through the Halton Region Community Investment Fund (HRCIF) in 2021. This investment also supports the needs of vulnerable populations during the COVID-19 pandemic and addresses needs identified through the Halton Community Safety and Well-Being (CSWB) planning initiative.
 Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. “By investing in community-based non-profit organizations, we can help ensure that essential services are available to those who need them most,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. “This funding is one of the ways we are supporting our community during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Thank you to everyone who is helping us move forward together.”
 Region of Halton administrative offices in Oakville Programs that have received funding through the HRCIF continue to address a broad range of human service needs and priorities, including initiatives that strengthen the health, safety and well-being of our community. A total of 31 new grants have been approved to date in 2021. Some of the investments include:
• $30,000 to the Bob Rumball Canadian Centre of Excellence for the Deaf to support active living, education and inclusion among older adults who are deaf;
• $80,480 to the Oak Park Neighbourhood Centre to provide hub based supports for residents in an at-risk community in Oakville;
• $30,000 to Halton Women’s Place to upgrade the security system at its shelter locations;
• $26,690 to Christian Horizons to provide workshops that support internet safety for individuals with a developmental disability;
• $30,000 to the Syrian Canadian Foundation to provide online education and social connection sessions for Arabic speaking newcomer women;
• $139,895 to the Housing Help Centre for Hamilton-Wentworth (operating in Halton) to support clients with complex needs to have long-term housing success; and
• $107,540 to support the Halton Equity and Diversity Roundtable to implement initiatives to strengthen equity and inclusion.
Applications for funding through the HRCIF will continue to be accepted on an ongoing basis in 2021 to respond to emergent needs and address the continued impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizations that meet eligibility criteria may submit their application through the application form on halton.ca. Applications will be reviewed regularly until all available funding has been allocated.
For more information on the HRCIF and a full list of the programs and services that received funding, visit the HRCIF webpage on halton.ca or call 311.
By Staff
April 28th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Watching the Cherry Blossoms Bloom.
The City of Burlington’s Mundialization Committee invites residents to celebrate spring and the city’s friendship with its twin cities, Apeldoorn, the Netherlands and Itabashi, Japan.
To help limit the spread of COVID-19 and following the current provincial Stay-at-Home order, all celebrations will be held virtually this year.
 These trees have been in place for years: each spring their blossoms come out first in pink and then change to white and then fall to the ground. Each spring the hope, the beauty and the relationship with the people of Japan who gave us the trees is renewed. Virtual Sakura Festival
This year’s virtual Sakura Festival commemorates Burlington’s 32-year twin-city friendship with Itabashi, Japan and includes:
• Live photo stream of cherry blossoms: Follow the progress of the Japanese cherry blossoms on the Sakura trees in Spencer Smith Park as they get ready to burst into bloom over the coming weeks, with a live photo stream available on burlington.ca/CherryBlossoms.
Through the photo stream, residents can view new photos of the trees, taken every day, or select the time lapse feature to see the progression of the blooms to date.
• Videos celebrating Japanese culture: Between May 5 – 12, follow the City’s social media channels, @cityburlington on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, for videos featuring traditional Japanese performances in music, dance and more.
Canada Netherlands Day
This year’s virtual celebration recognizes the 76th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands by the Canadian Armed Forces and the 16th anniversary of Burlington’s twinning with the City of Apeldoorn.
• May 5 – Follow the City’s social media channels, @cityburlington on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, to see two videos featuring distinguished guests, and musical performances from groups in Apeldoorn and Burlington. Highlights include a speaker who shares his experiences as a small boy at the end of World War II, and a unique performance by elementary school students from Trinity Christian School in Burlington.
 Mayor Marianne Meed Ward leads the parade in Itabashi, Japan, with city manager (white shirt center) Tim Commisso following and showing fine form. Itabashi, Japan
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward had this to say: “The cherry blossoms of the Sakura trees in Spencer Smith Park are one of our city’s most picturesque landmarks our community, and visitors, look forward to every year.
This year, as we do our part to stay home and limit outdoor gatherings to members of the same household, this virtual experience means that residents can enjoy these beautiful pink blooms no matter where there are. I’m also looking forward to commemorating an important milestone in Canada Netherlands Day marking the 76th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands by Canadian Armed Forces – arguably the birth of the deep connection and friendship between our two nations.
We are very fortunate in Burlington to have formed strong friendships with our twin cities – Itabashi, Japan and Apeldoorn, the Netherlands — and I thank our Mundialization Committee for coordinating this year’s virtual events in honour of these important and special relationships.”
By Staff
April 28th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The Ontario government continues to work with the federal government to further support vulnerable workers by doubling payments made through the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) program, the province will introduce legislation that, if passed, will offer up to three paid sick days per employee.
Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development, will introduce legislation on Thursday that would, if passed, require employers to provide employees with up to $200 of pay for up to three days if they are missing work because of COVID-19. This program will be retroactive to April 19, 2021 and effective until September 25, 2021, the date the CRSB will expire.
 Let’s see what happens at Queen’s Park on Thursday. By providing time-limited access to three paid leave days, the province is ensuring employees can pay their bills as they help stop the spread of the virus, including by getting tested, waiting for their results in isolation or going to get their vaccine. The province will partner with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board to deliver the program and reimburse employers up to $200 per day for each employee.
“Our government has long advocated for the federal government to enhance the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit program to better protect the people of Ontario, especially our tireless essential workers,” said Minister McNaughton. “It is a tremendously positive step that the federal government has signaled their willingness to continue discussions on the CRSB. Now we can fix the outstanding gap in the federal program so workers can get immediate support and can stay home when needed.”
The province has also offered to provide funding to the federal government to double CRSB payments to Ontario residents, adding an additional $500 per week to eligible individuals for a total of $1,000 per week. Combined with the province’s proposed three days of paid COVID-19 leave, doubling the CRSB would provide Ontario workers with access to the most generous pandemic paid leave in the country.
If an eligible worker learns that they must isolate for longer than 50 per cent of the time they would have otherwise worked for the week, whether because of a positive COVID-19 test or risk of exposure, they may apply for the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit if they haven’t taken a paid leave day under this proposal.
Let’s see what happens at Queen’s Park on Thursday.
By Staff
April 28th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Is that light at the end of the tunnel?
The small buds on the trees are turning into leaves; the Farmer’s Market has announced they are opening in the middle of May.
And now the city Parks and Recreation department has announced that registrations for summer camps will open on May 1st.
This is progress.
The City is hopeful that Summer Camps and a new Park Play program will be able to run, with registration for both opening May 1, 2021 at 9 a.m. As always, any City-run program will be subject to the Provincial and public health regulations and could be cancelled as we continue to respond to this pandemic.
To help reduce the spread of COVID-19, summer programs will meet health regulations designed in consultation with Halton Region Public Health and in alignment with provincial health regulations. Precautions include lower ratios of participant to staff and capacity, physical distancing, mandatory health screening and enhanced facility cleaning.
 No one within six feet. Park Play Program
The Park Play program is for children and youth ages 8 to 14 years and includes fun, active and creative games run by City staff in four local parks: Iroquois Park, Mohawk Park, Cavendish Park and Leighland Park. The program will run July 19 to Aug. 13, 2021.
The participants may choose not to stay the entire time, they can leave and go home for lunch and come back or bring their lunch to the park to eat. Sign in and out procedures are the same as Drop- in programs, but only registered participants are permitted to participate with the group.
Summer Camp
Similar to 2020 summer camps for youth ages 4 to 16 years, this year’s program will offer outdoor and physical activities, active and quiet games, arts and crafts, and nature-based activities. These camps are inclusive for all participants and feature additional staff for a smaller camper to leader ratios to help maintain physical distancing in camp and ensure safe supervision of campers.
Summer Camps include:
• SNAP 4 to 10 years old
• Youth 9 to 14 years old
• Junior Leadership 12 to 14 years old
• Leaders in Training for 14 old 16 years old
• Music Camp for 7 to 10 years old
• Student Theatre:
o Arts Camp for 6 to 15 years old
o Theatre Specialty Camps for 9 to 15 years old
All programs have spaces for Individuals with Disabilities within each camp group.
To register or for more information, visit burlington.ca/summer.
Recreation Fee Assistance
Recreation Fee Assistance is funding made available to individuals or families who need help to pay for City of Burlington recreational programs.
For more information or to apply, visit burlington.ca/feeassistance. Information available by telephone – call 905-335-7600, ext. 8501 to leave a voice mail.
 Chris Glenn, Director of Recreation, Community and Culture Chris Glenn, Director of Recreation, community and Culture said: “Last summer’s camp programs went very well and we’re hoping to build on that success for this year. The new Park Play program is not a day camp but will offer many of the same fun games and activities that people of all abilities can participate in. ”
Links and Resources
www.burlington.ca/summer
www.burlington.ca/feeassistance
By Staff
April 28th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
This evening the Mayor and a collection of people who can answer COVID19 related questions will be taking part in a Telephone Town Hall from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
The town hall will be hosted by Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, who will be joined by a panel of local leaders to help answer residents’ questions. The panel will include:
 Tim Commisso, City Manager will be on the call.
Tim Commisso, City Manager, City of Burlington
Dr. Dale Kalina, Medical Director, Infection Prevention and Control, Joseph Brant Hospital
The Honourable Karina Gould, Member of Parliament, Burlington
Allan Magi, Executive Director, Environment, Infrastructure and Community Services, City of Burlington
MPP Effie Triantafilopoulos, Oakville-North Burlington
Eric Vandewall, President and Chief Executive Officer, Joseph Brant Hospital.
How to Participate
Residents who would like to participate in the town hall can:
1. Join by telephone: Call 1-800-541-5864 just before 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 28 to join the town hall. For those individuals calling in, please be advised more than one attempt may be required due to the high volume of traffic on the phone lines. If the first call does not connect, please hang up and dial the 1-800 number again.
2. Listen to audio: Live audio from the April 28 town hall will be broadcast on YourTV, channel 700 on Cogeco and on the YourTV Halton YouTube page.
Once the call begins, a moderator will provide participants with instructions for how to submit their questions to the leadership panel.
A recording and transcript of the town hall will be posted to this web page after April 28 at burlington.ca/townhall.
By Staff
April 28th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Communicating with our elected officials should be a very simple process: write a letter, send an email or make a phone call.
That wasn’t the experience Tamara De Dominicis had when she wanted to let Burlington MPP Jane McKenna know how she felt about a vote McKenna cast in the Legislature yesterday.
We want to share that letter with you. All kinds of information in that letter we were not aware of.
Dear Ms. McKenna,
I am writing to you today because I am deeply troubled by your choice to vote against paid sick days for our Ontario workers. Covid aside, no person should have to choose between their health, the health of their coworkers and other points of contact, and their financial security. In this time of a global pandemic, surely it is more important than ever to protect both the individual workers and to stop the spread of illness.
 MPP Jane McKenna pauses at the door to a public meeting on transit matter – decides not to walk into the room. If we assume minimum wage earners like those who staff our grocery stores and warehouses, delivering goods that are essential to our daily needs, make approximately $2430 a month (calculated at minimum wage being $14 /hour and a 40 hour work week with a 15% tax deduction for an under $48 535 tax bracket), let us then examine monthly bills.
Assuming rent in Burlington for a one-bedroom costs a minimum $1800, groceries average $200, basic internet is $50, a basic phone plan is $50, and gas is on average $150 monthly, total bills amount to $ 2450 (you’ll note that this is $20 less than their paycheque). Missing a single day of work takes away $97 (after tax).
What kind of choice would you have this person make if they lost out on monies earned from a single day of work? Should they skip groceries? Rent? Internet, and deny their children access to online education?
With the stay at home order, the provincial government introduced a legal requirement to stay home from work if you are feeling ill. This forces sick workers to face a moral conundrum of choosing between following rules laid out by the government for the safety of its people or being able to provide for themselves and their families.
If your government cannot commit to paid sick days in general, surely we can come kind of compromise. You could introduce a temporary bill for paid sick days during the course of the pandemic.
Finally, I am also troubled by your decision to remove your contact form and email from your website and disable comments and messaging from your Instagram account. You are an elected official whose responsibility it is to represent your people. Please listen to our needs and represent us in parliament.
Eagerly awaiting your swift reply in this urgent matter,
Tamara De Dominicis
Ms McKenna isn’t the only elected official that limits where negative comments can be placed. Burlington’s Mayor and the Regional Chair are both reported to remove comments that do not support them. Poor practice.
 By Pepper Parr
April 28th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The demand that Lisa Kearns resign immediately is foolish.
Were she to do that there would then be the need for a by-election which this city can do without.
 Ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns What Ms Kearns should be doing in issuing a Newsletter to her constituents announcing her plans (a tweet is what high school girls do – time to grow up) explaining why she will be running as a Liberal in the next provincial election which will be on June 4th, 2022 unless the Premier feels he needs to return to the people for a new mandate. Not something he is likely to do.
Choosing to drop bits and pieces of her situation here and there or have long chats with her female friends who then pass along the evolving story is a poor way to communicate with a public that elected her in the first place.
Ms Kearns is an intelligent young woman with a first rate mind who has served the city well in a relatively short period of time.
There is now a nomination meeting that has to take place; given that the provincial Liberal’s approached Ms Kearns she may well face nomination uncontested.
The party needs to now focus on putting together a team and raising the dollars to run a strong campaign. There are many that want the compliant MPP to hold the seat.
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.
By Pepper Parr
April 27th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
OPINION
The Science Table released their recommendations to Doug Ford and his Cabinet on Wednesday of last week and made them public on Thursday of last week.
Most people fully expected the Cabinet decisions would fairly reflect the recommendations.
 They didn’t.
That was the moment when everything just flipped. Police forces across the province said they would not follow the provincial directions that would permit them to stop people and ask where they were going .
Municipalities across the province said they could not see how they could close the public parks.
Several very prominent people on the Science Table were prepared to resign.
Burlington’s Mayor called an Emergency Council meeting for the Saturday.
The Premier reversed his position on a number of items on the Monday but by then the damage was done.
 A weary, tired Premier – battered by media, pummeled by public opinion. During a brutal media event that followed, CTV News reporter Colin D’Mello said to Ford: “… you say the buck stops with you, but I think people across this province are wondering, what does that actually mean? Columnists have recently said there is no effective leadership at Queens Park. Another one said you are showing raging ineptitude, and some are calling for your resignation.” D’Mello then asked: “Premier, do you still have the moral authority to lead this province as Premier?
The penny had just dropped. The public has not seen the Premier since.
John Doyle in his Globe and Mail column on entertainment was just as brutal. On Monday of this week he said: “If you live in Ontario, Premier Doug Ford has been ubiquitous on TV for more than a year. Almost every weekday – rarely on weekends – he’s been part of the local newscasts.
“During this pandemic period, his TV appearances and news conferences have had a strange trajectory. It’s been an up-and-down, zigzagging media strategy that was always going to lead to his recent blubbering, blustering mea culpa-filled news conference from a backyard in northwestern Toronto.
“Ford is not a natural on TV. But, watching him, you suspect he thinks he is. His natural mode is combative, dismissive and inflexible. And that has led him and his handlers down a disastrous road. Only media strategists who are themselves right-wing populists with a pro-business, anti-union agenda could possibly think it was ever going to work long-term through a human catastrophe.
“There was a time, at the start of all this, when Ford’s angry inflexibility fit the occasion. Then it didn’t, mainly because Ford and his communications team ceased to focus on the broad public good and began spinning a narrow political agenda that confounded the public and was aimed at a political base only. Inflexible became insincere and then deceitful.”
 In his first year he couldn’t be stopped – he was everything to everyone. Then the penny dropped March of last year Ford was on TV, enraged by price-gouging when a high-end grocery chain began selling hand wipes, usually costing about $8.49, for $30. “Nothing gets me more furious than someone taking advantage and price-gouging the public that are in desperate need of these items,” Ford thundered. He announced he would enact legislation to outlaw the gouging. The grocery chain backed off and apologized.
Ford’s media strategy went awry precisely when he began to ignore medical experts – that’s an example of media-savvy strength vaporizing – and made explicitly political and ideological decisions.
We’ve seen many things in Ontario this past year and among the most bizarre has been the unraveling of a communications plan that, as soon as Ford’s angry inflexibility became a liability, was always going to end in tears.
And so where are we now? The news Monday reporting the death of a 13 year old girl who died at home of a Covid19 infection while her Mother was in the hospital recovering from a Covid19 infection.
The child’s father, the family breadwinner, had to work if the family was to be fed.
The public fully expected the Premier to announce something that reflected the Science Table recommendations. Sick days pay was front and centre along with target vaccinations programs aimed the “hot spots”.
On Friday of last week – nothing
Saturday, Sunday nothing. Premier Ford does not work weekends.
Surely there would be something on Monday.
Nothing.
 Editorial cartoonists had found there mark – they were merciless. While the provincial leadership appeared to be frozen, Medical Officers of Health in Brampton and Toronto were inspecting work places where there were large numbers of employees working in crowed conditions. The different Medical Officers of Health shut plants down for for periods of time.
Not a word from the Chief Medical Officer of Heath for the province reporting on what was happening.
Each day the number of new infections and deaths were reported – positivity rates were above the 10% level.
There had been no action on the desperate need for paying people who should not be reporting for work.
Yesterday and today the public learns that the federal government and the provincial government were bickering over a plan that would put $1000 a week into the pockets of those who had to stay home from work.
The sticking point was who would run the program. The federal government has their CERB program – all a person had to do was apply and then wait for the money to appear in their bank account.. The federal program was limited to $500 a week – Ontario said they would top it up to $1000 if the federal government ran it. The federal government said the computer application wasn’t flexible enough to be revised.
What the public was seeing was the equivalent of a bunch of chickens running around with their heads chopped off – blood all over the place.
Factory and assembly line workers in the Brampton area were, in the words of one scientist, “being left to burn”.
The province was reported to be anxious about how their stakeholders would react to being forced to pay people who did not report for work because they were ill.
Meanwhile Amazon, Sobeys, Loblaws and others were reporting massive revenue gains.
There is a simple solution – have the province order the corporations to pay people if they are not well enough to work and then let the corporations turn to the federal and provincial governments for reimbursement.
Those companies have payroll procedures in place – they can move money into bank accounts in literally minutes.
All we have to do is coax the Premier out of hiding and do another media event where he tells his Minister of Finance and Minister of Labour to get into a conference room (wear your masks – keep six feet apart) and figure this out and have a solution they could take to Cabinet.
The provincial bureaucracy would arrange for pizza and some of that buck a beer to sustain them while they figure it out
We are facing a disaster – we know what has to be done – other jurisdictions have solved this problem.
Ontario, the economic engine of the country, is now relying on medical people from the Maritime provinces and the armed forces to fly in and help us through this. The last time that happened was when Mel Lastman called in the army to clear snow from the streets.
 Could Andrea form a government? Doug Ford has has shown that he is not up to the job that has to be done. There isn’t all that much in the way of leadership on the opposition benches to replace the current government and one can’t see any of the Cabinet members itching to be Premier.
Later this week there will be a funeral for a 13 year old girl who died despite her father using CPR to get oxygen into her young lungs.
Nothing in the way of condolences from the Office of the Premier.
These tragedies have to stop.
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.
By Pepper Parr
April 27th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Things are heating up across the provincial political spectrum.
The Liberals are sending out several messages a day on their social media feeds – they want the Premiers head on a pole and think they have him on the ropes..
Potential candidates are getting calls from media asking for comment.
 Is there just a little defensiveness in the McKenna body language ? Andrew Drummond is on the left. That moved Andrew Drummond to touch base and advise that he has formally applied to be the NDP candidate in Burlington provincially. Drummond adds: “I have begun to assemble a campaign team and with our record fundraising in 2019 and 2020, I am extremely excited to be preparing to launch a robust campaign to take this seat from Jane McKenna.
He continues: “More than 55% of Burlington voters have chosen a progressive candidate in the past three elections and with Jane McKenna making statements about how worrying about COVID compares to Chicken Little, I am confident that I can win this seat for the NDP.”
With the news from Lisa Kearns that she will be the Liberal candidate there is a race.
Watch for distinct changes in the way Jane McKenna begins to behave.
By Pepper Parr
April 27th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
You first read about it in the Gazette.
 Lisa Kearns – expected to be the Liberal candidate for the Burlington seat in the Legislature. Watch for a change from blue to red in her clothing choices. WARD 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns made a mention in her Twitter account that she is being vetted by the provincial Liberals as the candidate in the next provincial election – which may be much sooner than expected.
With the ward 2 seat now in play – the political musical chairs gets interesting.
More on that later in the week – you will never believe who Kearns is said to be grooming to take her place on city council.
The provincial seat is currently held by Jane McKenna, who won it, lost it and then won it again.
Related news stories
Lisa Kearns being considered as the provincial Liberal candidate
By Staff
April 27, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington will receive $59,700 from the Ontario Government’s Inclusive Community Grants program that will be used to install hearing loop systems in city recreation centres to help individuals with hearing aids and cochlear implants get clearer sound, participate more fully and enjoy their experiences in programs and activities.
As part of the Burlington Active Aging Plan, the City has expanded recreational programs for older adults and seniors across the city. As this segment of the population grows in Burlington so does the demand for recreational services. This initiative will help keep older adults and seniors active, healthy and engaged in the community and offer them recreation and social programs that will enrich their quality of life. These projects are planned for completion by March 31, 2022.
 4 million people in Canada have some degree of hearing loss. The Canadian Hard of Hearing Association estimates that 4 million people in Canada have some degree of hearing loss, which works out to almost 1 in 10 Canadians. Hearing aids are an effective solution to improving hearing quality. However, hearing aids are not always effective in all environments on their own. Induction loop systems (hearing loops) are a great way of improving sound quality for individuals wearing hearing aids or cochlear implants.
Many individuals in City programs rely on hearing aids. By installing hearing loops in City facilities, it will make it easier for these individuals to hear and have a more positive experience.
Hearing loops will be installed in areas including customer service counters, meeting rooms, multi-purpose program rooms and auditoriums in City facilities that host the majority of adult and senior programs. Initially, the City will focus on five community centres:
 Haber Recreational Centre is one of the locations for the hearing loops. The Burlington Seniors’ Centre, Tansley Woods Community Centre, Haber Community Centre, Mountainside Community Centre and Brant Hills Community Centre.
The next phase will look at customer service counters at various City pools.
Ward 4 Councillor, Shawna Stolte said: “As our older adult and senior population grows in Burlington, it’s important for the City of Burlington to invest in safe, accessible community spaces for individuals of all ages and abilities to enjoy.
“I am proud of my fellow council members for recognizing this need and investing City funding to augment this grant. This will allow the City to install hearing loops in as many facilities and spaces as possible to enhance the recreation experience for those in our community with hearing loss.”
By Staff
April 26th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
It wasn’t tank top and short shorts weather but it was an improvement over the weather the city experienced the past two weeks.
Previously, when the weather was warm and did invite short shorts there were complaints about the number of people who were using the Promenade at Spencer Smith Park and just hanging around the downtown core.
 No crowds, many people were masked and traffic moved nicely. The Covid19 infection reports are still a serious threat – the prevailing attitude in Burlington seems to be that those reports concern Toronto and the Region of Peel – Burlington is safe.
Far from the truth – many people in Toronto and within the Region of Peel do the best they can to get out of their communities and visit places like Burlington. The waterfront is a huge attraction.
 Families gather in the Square opposite city hall enjoying the warmer weather. The Emergency Control Group that oversees just how the city administration responds to the infection threat is working double time putting together plans to limit the number of people who use the park and the Beachway where there are long stretches of sandy beachfront that will become very inviting when the summer weather is upon us.
For City Manager Tim Commisso this is a problem that keeps him awake at nights; he knows full well that should there be a spike in the number of Covid19 infections in Burlington the public howl will fall on his shoulders.
 Running a city with some exceptionally good people supporting him is a job Tim Commisso, City Manager could do with his eyes closed – that may be why he took on the job when asked to serve as interim and then applied for the job. The task he deals with now is not what he saw coming – but it is something he has to deal with. The public doesn’t hear all that much from the Emergency Control Group. At their most recent report to Council Commisso said that he expected to have to meet with Council more often than the on average monthly report in that takes place.
The Emergency Control Group is tasked with adjusting service delivery levels and allocating staff to where it is needed most.
There are now 10 bylaw enforcement officer on the payroll – while parking is something they used to spend a lot of time on – parking is no longer getting the same attention.
The rate of calls to the bylaw enforcement office is up over 200% from last year. The staff in that office often have to tell people that it is going to be awhile before they can get the attention they want.
Meanwhile, the running of a city has to take place, with the city hall basically closed; open if you need a marriage license – by appointment only. Transit is still running the system.
Parks are now open and the people at Parks and Recreation have acquired an ability to pivot on about two hours notice skill set.
For people at the municipal level everything is in a state of flux; with the vast majority of the 700 plus full time people working from their homes. They have all gotten very good at slipping into Zoom meetings.
Finances are in good condition; the province has provided short term and long term funds creating enough of a cushion for Joan Ford, City Treasurer to have the confidence she needs to assure the public that we will not be going broke.
By Pepper Parr
April 26th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Committee of Adjustment (CoA) is the place you appeal to when you need a small adjustment to the zoning of a piece of property
The CoA is an independent body appointed by Council under authority granted by the Province of Ontario. The Committee has seven members and two alternates who are all residents of the City of Burlington.
 Item posted on Kearns Facebook page The Committee of Adjustment is authorized by the Planning Act to consider applications for:
Minor variances from the zoning bylaw.
Extensions, enlargements or variations of existing legal non-conforming uses under the zoning bylaw.
Land division and consents – severing a new lot from an existing lot, adding land to an existing lot, easements, mortgages or leases in excess of 21 years.
Conformity to the zoning bylaw for a particular use.
There have been some boisterous CoA meetings in the past; the hearing that related to the Jack Dennison application to sever the property he once owned on Lakeshore Road took years to be completed and in the end went to the OMB where the CoA decision was set aside.
Dennison, who was the ward 4 Councillor at the time eventually got the decision he wanted – it raised more than eyebrows.
Members of Council are rarely involved in CoA meetings. However in the past former Councillors Rick Craven and John Taylor have appeared. Craven attended but did not speak to an application nor did he identify himself as a ward Councillor. John Taylor did speak to an application.
 Ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns The current Councillor for ward 2, Lisa Kearns has appeared before the CoA twice and in a notice on her Facebook page is advising people of the meeting this week.
 Maurice Desrochers, talking to residents who live near the block long development he was proposing for the St. Luke’s ward. The application she refers to is one made by Maurice Richard Desrochers, no stranger to CoA procedures. There are three separate applications, all related to a property on the corner of Caroline and Burlington Street, a part of the city that is seen as a choice location to live where re-sale prices are well into the million dollar level.
There appear to be people either on the CoA or involved in the administration of the hearings who take exception to members of Council appearing.
The Gazette source asked not to be identified
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