 By Staff
May 12th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
 The Closer Look was that part of the Official Plan Review that focused on the downtown – what did we want and what was possible. Remember the Taking a Closer Look at the Downtown? The exercise that had people taking walking tours and talking one-on-one with the planners, sitting in on Standing Committee and Council meetings to hear what the consultants had to say about what could be done and what couldn’t be done in terms of setbacks and height, and shadows resulting from the different height options?
 Alison Enns – she mothered that Closer Look from the very beginning. She introduced a number of innovative approaches to engaging the public; a public that wasn’t as engaged as it should have been. The group involved in working with the the public, Alison Enns and members of the team she was leading, churned out document after document. Two options were put forward, one of which didn’t seem to please anyone – the other began to look like the best of the lot but not all that good.
The problem wasn’t so much with the ideas but with the graphics and illustrations that were used to get the concept across to people – they just didn’t work all that well.
 A graphic of one of the concepts for Brant Street looking south: it doesn’t convey all that much information. The announcement that we were now facing a pandemic changed everything. The province shut everything down; then the Mayor declared a State of Emergency and the city administration began running the city on a day to day basis – the crisis was something during which any immediate decisions that had to be made could be made without getting tied up in the procedural process that is required at council.
The COVID-19 infection was running rampant and it took some time for the health people to get a grip on the outbreaks that were taking place.
Most of them, it turned out, were cases where people working at several different nursing homes at the same time were spreading the disease.
Early in the game the disease was brought into the country from China, Italy, other parts of Europe and the United States.
Then the health people learned that the disease was being transmitted from one person to another in the community.
 On May 3rd the Halton Region Public Health Unit said the infections came from the following sources. Travel was significantly reduced. We had to stay home and we had to be careful about the way we conducted ourselves around other people when we were outside.
City Hall staff didn’t go to city hall anymore. Some exceptions – several of the members of Council go to city hall because it is a quiet place where they can get some work done.
The “Taking a Closer Look at the Downtown” project was the name the planners gave to the Scoped Re-examination of the Adopted Official Plan: it has experienced delays due to COVID-19. There is now an updated project timeline.
It includes opportunities for public engagement.
End of May 2020: The City will release:
• the recommended policy changes for Downtown Burlington,
• the associated staff report,
• consultant report and
• technical studies.
 From the left: Paul Lowes with SGL Planning and Design, one of his staff, Alison Enns and one of her planning colleagues.
These documents will be posted for public review on both the Taking a Closer Look at the Downtown project webpage on Get Involved Burlington and the New Official Plan webpage.
July 2020: The City will share two more documents:
• Financial Impact Analysis concerning the recommended policy modifications, and
• Draft Downtown Burlington Placemaking and Design Guidelines for public review.
Aug. 28, 2020: Anyone with comments on these documents should submit their comments to the project team by Aug. 28 so the project team has time to consider the feedback in advance of the Sept. 30 Committee meeting.
Sept. 30, 2020: City Council will review all reports at a public meeting of the Community Planning, Regulation, and Mobility Committee on Sept. 30. This meeting will include a presentation from City staff and the project consultants, and opportunities for the public to delegate.
Oct. 7, 2020: Council will consider the Sept. 30 recommendations at a Special Council meeting on Oct. 7.
 By Staff
May 12th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
On Saturday, May 9th, the Province announced it would be reopening provincial parks and conservation reserves starting today, with more to follow by Friday, May 15 for limited-day use. Recreational activities are limited to walking, hiking, biking and bird-watching. Parks are free until the end of the month.
 One of the really nice trails in a Conservation Halton Park – not yet open to the public. Note that this does not include the Conservation Authority parks: – Mt. Nemo, Crawford Lake, Rattlesnake Point, Hilton Falls, Kelso, Mountsberg and Robert Edmonsdson.
 This view from the top of Mt Nemo – not something you can experience this week. These parks are separate from Conservation Reserves and Provincial Parks, and are independently owned and operated without tax revenues. Conservation Halton (CH) parks remain closed for now. CH is looking into a number of options that will allow monitoring visitor volume and opening parks in a safe and responsible way through pre-registered bookings in the coming days. CH will be gradually opening parks in a phased approach over the next several weeks.
Camping and other activities are not permitted at any provincial park or conservation reserve. All buildings and facilities, including washrooms, water taps, campgrounds, back-country campsites, roofed accommodations, playgrounds and beaches continue to be closed.
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward said “the province’s announcement mirrors our situation in Burlington — unlike other cities, we never closed our parks. They have remained open throughout the pandemic for walking through. We continue to ask people to ‘walk, don’t stop’.”
Consistent with provincial emergency orders and Saturday’s provincial announcement, city park amenities, including playgrounds, remain closed.
 Walk through but no playing or congregating in the park Mayor Meed Ward said: “We closed parking lots adjacent to parks to avoid overcrowding and encourage people to stay in their neighbourhoods. As we review what our neighbouring municipalities are doing, we will also review this as we prepare our phased reopening of amenities and park use, consistent with public health advice and provincial announcements. We will be coordinating efforts with local park organizations to be consistent as possible in the use of parks and trails.”
Outdoor recreational amenities that are intended to be used by more than one family, such as outdoor playgrounds, sports fields, beaches, picnic sites, and park shelters, remain closed until May 19th, as an Emergency Order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. Under the Emergency Order, green spaces in parks, trails and ravines, that are not otherwise closed, are available for walk-through access only.
“Walk-through” access means that individuals should pass through, and should not ‘stay and play’, even if they are in a group of less than five people. This is to prevent groups from congregating in green spaces in parks, trails and ravines.
Maintain 2 metres (6 feet) distance from others. You may need to change your route or the time of day that you go out in order to keep this distance.
Step aside or pass others quickly and courteously on sidewalks.
Do not enter spaces that are barricaded or have signage indicating the area is closed.
Keep your dog on a leash.
Remember to wash your hands when you return home.
 By Pepper Parr
May 12th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
The strategic thinkers ask the “What if” questions.
Their job is to attempt to look over the horizon and figure out what lies ahead and then plan for that possible eventuality as well as they can.
The province is stepping very gingerly into opening things up. Parks and provincial conservation areas have been opened. Retail is permitted to sell you something and have it delivered to you at the curb.
I saw one clothing store promoting their product line – couldn’t get my head around buying a suit without tying it on first and then having the alterations done.
Restaurants are hoping the province will come up with some regulations they can live with – staying alive is their issue at this point.
We Canadians watch with despair and at times total disbelief at what is taking place south of us. Hearing the Premier insist that the border between us and them be kept closed now sounds like a really good idea. Interesting change for Canadians.
The province is dragging its feet just a little in announcing when and if schools will be opened. My take is that the writing is all on the wall – see you all in September is the message I think we can expect – but I’ve been wrong before.
 What if ? The BIG question is – where will we be in December?
Will there be Christmas? If the province finds that every time they loosen up there are spikes in the number of new infections meaning they have to clamp down.
December is the month for retail. It is also a huge festive family month.
But what if things are just so bad that it would be necessary to put and keep regulations in place that severally limit what we will be able to do ?
The Premier broke the rules on Mother’s Day – will he, and others be able to exercise the discipline needed to stay the course should we be in December where we are now ?
The leadership of the country keeps referring to this as a war with absolutely no actual war time experience. We may be about to have to learn just what hard times are.
The people who are doing that strategic thinking are, hopefully, asking the hard questions.
There once was a small community in California named Paradise, which is what the people who lived there thought it was – until forest fires burned down every dwelling. Nothing was left standing.
We no longer have plagues; there are crop failures, tragedy hits some families. Life has never been fair.
All we have is our own inner strength – we might want to think about just how strong we may have to be.
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
May 11th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Her name is Deepika Lobo.
She is a medical practitioner who has the honorific Dr. in front her name.
She is an Assistant Medical Officer of Health with the Region of Halton working as the medical lead on the COVID-19 pandemic.
Educated as a doctor in India where she worked for a year as a GP, Dr. Lobo came to Canada and earned her public health degree at McMaster University. She has also earned an MBA at McMaster.
 Dr. Deepika Lobo, Assistant Medical Officer of Health with the Region of Halton working as the medical lead on the COVID-19 pandemic. Lobo directs a team of 220 people who have the job of doing what they call “case management”.
The media refer to it as tracking and tracing, that is – identifying those who have been in contact with a person infected with COVID-19.
“We know the disease is transferred from person to person” she said. “When we determine that a person has been infected we want to know two things:
1: Who the infected person come into contact with in the last 48 hours and
2: who have they been in contact with for the last 14 days.
It is these people who might be the next person to become infected.”
More than 150 people are assigned to this case management work.
Lobo continues to explain: “Once we have them identified as an infected person, we begin trying to get in touch with the people they have been in contact with: these are the people we are now very concerned about.
“Sometimes the infected person has only been in contact with one or two people. They may have already begun self-isolating.
“Some of the contact was very casual – there is no need to dig deeper. We have learned to differentiate between high risk and low risk exposure.
“We explain to the infected person what they have to do – they have to self-isolate for that 14-day period during which the disease is going to grow. We quickly become aware of the personality we are working with and determine just how much they know about the disease; more often than not the person wants to know as much as we can tell them.
“They are usually very thankful that someone is reaching out to them.
“We counsel them while they recover from the infection on their own.
“Our task is to constantly assess and follow up every other day with the infected person who is self-isolating.”
What Lobo hasn’t had up until very recently is software that will serve as a massive data base the case management staff can refer to and add information to so that when there is a staff rotation (these people have to get some rest) there is a fully detailed report on the people who are self isolating.
 A nursing home with a 30 year reputation lost 11 of its residents. The biggest concern is managing the “outbreaks”. Some public health practitioners see four or five cases of infection at a long term care or nursing home as an outbreak. In Halton one infection at a nursing home is considered an outbreak and they are all over it.
“When there is an infection in a nursing home” said Dr. Lobo, ” we know that it was brought into the institution – who brought it in and who have they been in contact with is something we need to know.” It is a desperate race to track that down and time is their worst enemy.
“Telephone calls are made, people are not at home, call backs are made by staff all trained not to alarm people.
“Sometimes the person with the infection hasn’t been in contact with very many people; one perhaps two. Other situations the person with the infection has been in touch with as many as 30 people. That’s when the rush is on to get in touch with every one of them, enter them into the system and begin asking questions.
“All it takes is one infected person to be in contact with 20 people and within that twenty people there are five who have been infected – you can see where this takes them.”
Lobo emphasizes that it is vital to get in front of these situations when they are sometimes far behind. It is a race – and the consequences are measured in peoples lives.
“When there is a case that has a bearing on an institutional setting – the immediate objective is to contain it and ensure that it doesn’t surge out of control.
“It is in situations like that that tough measures have to be put in place which people often don’t understand and don’t appreciate.
“Staff resources are shifted to drill down and learn who has been in contact with the infected person and work out from that person.”
 The paramedics came through in a major way – it hadn’t occurred to anyone to use these people. The work for the team is exhausting – asked for her best experience so far Dr. Lobo pauses – then almost bursts when she explains “the paramedics suggested that they could do some of the testing. What really made a huge difference was the way the paramedics have come through for us by going to people’s homes and testing for the infection.
“They have 2500 of those tests – sometimes as many as 200 in a single day.
“That testing is vital – and it takes trained manpower to do it properly.
“It never occurred to us to call upon the paramedics – the said they could do it – and they did.”
Asked what the worst experience has been – there was another pause – then a recognition of those who were lost.
The pace at which this disease is racing through some locations is almost frightening.
The staff she has have to be both managed and trained. We learn something every day that we ensure is shared with everyone.
The case management people develop relationships with the people they are talking to at least every second day; it is a relationship that is under stress from the start – the job is to manage the stress and not let it take over.
There are 46 nursing homes – long-term care residences in the Region. Lobo is amazed that there have been just three outbreaks – one of which was tragic, 11 lives were lost in what was a quality operation.
Lobo has handled intense situations in the past – “but never on this scale”
Asked how much longer is this likely to go on – Dr. Lobo said “we don’t know. We are a day to day operation.”
When will they celebrate the end – “no idea”, she said, “we just hope it is soon.”
The regional public health units are directed by the province – they determine the overall direction – The Region follows that direction.
The staff have learned to support each other – they rely on one another for emotional and mental health support. These people have families at home – they volunteer hundreds of extra hours.
The province will decide to open things up a little – just a bit – we then wait that two to four weeks to see if there is an uptick or a spike in infections. If there are – the province might decide to cut back and re-impose restrictions.
Lurking in the background is the wish – a hope for a vaccine.
To date there have been 23 deaths in the Region; 11 of which were in institutional setting.
Dr. Lobo said there have been at least 40 guidance papers written and prepared for those who have to do this work in the 34 Public Health Units in the province; directing and supporting the people who do the slogging work – listening closely to what the infected people are saying; assuring them as well as supporting them.
Few people in the Region know that there are that many people working exceptionally long hours to identify infected people and ensure that they self-isolate.
They look forward to the day when they can see there was not one new infection reported – then that curve will have been flattened.
 By Ray Rivers
May 11th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
“All countries will wake up after the global pandemic with much higher debt levels. Canada is fortunate because we are starting at a much lower net debt-to-GDP level,”..…”If low interest rates are maintained, there is no good policy case for rushing to austerity — either spending cuts or tax increases.” (former parliamentary budget officer Kevin Page)
Isn’t it a rule that one is supposed to become more conservative as they age? So I’m looking at the ballooning federal deficit – and it’s a lot of money. This year’s red ink may well stretch into the three hundred billion dollar mark. Government revenue has dropped like a lead weight and these monstrous payouts are rising like hydrogen blimps.
 720 billion is what it would cost to pay out a Universal Basic Income annually. Tory leader Scheer has grumbled that the $2000 a month in emergency funding (CERB) is discouraging folks from going to work, but CERB breezed through Parliament anyway. And he is wrong – it’s not the $2000 that is keeping folks at home – it’s the lockdown.
In fact Scheer should get on board with the other opposition parties, some voices within his own party, and even the Anglican Church, which are all calling for a permanent universal basic income (UBI). The COVID-19 health crisis landed on us with lightening speed and with it came the economic crisis, thanks to the necessary lockdown.
Since both crises will likely be with us, at least to the end of this year, those emergency funds will need to be extended. That sounds more and more like a UBI. Having already rejected implementing a proper UBI Mr. Trudeau needs a rethink. It is time for him to re-discover his social democratic roots and implement a permanent UBI or move aside for some one who will. There are those who once thought universal health care was impossible too.
UBI is not a new idea. There have been a number of pilot UBI projects around the world and the results have all been positive, even those in Ontario and Manitoba which were prematurely aborted. If mental health and income security mean anything to society UBI is a no-brainer. And there is no evidence that UBI provides a disincentive to work, so Mr. Scheer’s concern about ‘money for nothing’ turning us all into lazy bums is nonsense.
 As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has yet to take to the idea of a Universal Basic Income. Do the numbers. A UBI at the $2000 per month level for each of the 30 million Canadian adults might seem frighteningly high. But UBI would eliminate the need for old age security, unemployment insurance and a host of other federal and provincial income support programs in addition to the complex of welfare programs administered by all three levels of government. UBI would be taxable and possibly even clawed-back for high income earners at tax filing time. In the end the numbers should be, at a minimum, a wash.
UBI or not Canada is facing a record high deficit this year. But we’ve done this before. Does anyone remember that we were once heavily invested in the second world war? The federal government, unlike the provinces or municipalities is not constrained by debt, at least not in the short run. We print our own money and the Bank of Canada is buying up most of that debt. So we owe that money to ourselves.
But we should expect inflation when it is safe to reopen the economy. We’re already seeing some of that – especially hand sanitizers and meat products as the processing plants shut down. And inflation may affect our currency exchange rates, but even much of that is unlikely. After all, if there is an upside to this being the pandemic it is in that we are all in this together – a level playing field – this economic malaise is truly global. And inflation is an eventual pathway out of the debt, since today’s obligations will be smaller in tomorrow’s inflated dollars.
We can pay ourselves back once this is over. Canada ran sizeable deficits in the later Pierre Trudeau years, and right through the Mulroney near-decade. Yet after Jean Chretien balanced the budget both Harper and Trudeau inherited and grew one of the lowest debt-to-GDP economies in the G7. And even with a deficit of $300 billion our debt-to-GDP ratio will still be lower than when Chretien came into office, unless our economy really slips into the dark side.
 The federal government can just print all the money they want to distribute. Most economists and politicians agree with the current approach of keeping the fiscal taps running. But the truth is that UBI would be more efficient than what the PM is doing now. It would cost less, avoid duplication for some and inadvertent exclusion for others. It would also avoid the inevitable double-dipping and potential cheating inherent in the current mess of hastily developed income subsidy programs.
Still we shouldn’t be too worried about those deficit numbers even as we are getting more conservative in our golden years, at least not yet. We’re doing what we can – staying home, keeping our physical distance, washing our hands often and always wearing a mask in public. Governments may have been responsible for letting this outbreak get as bad as it is here in Canada. But they are doing the right thing in keeping the money flowing.
And they will need to do even more of that once we safely open up more economic activities. Already the federal minister of infrastructure, Catherine McKenna, is calling for shovel-ready projects to get us back to work sooner than later – but hopefully only when it is safe to do so. But even when we get back to full employment UBI makes for better social policy and sounder economic sense.
 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:
Deficit – Biggest Deficit – CERB –
Wage Subsidy – Who’s Missing – UBI –
 By Staff
May 11th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
While the province improves its testing and report fewer new infections the municipal sector pulls together to prepare for a recovery.
Twenty municipal and regional governments, as well as key economic development partners from across the GTA and Niagara announced the launch of the GTA Economic Development Alliance. The formation of the Alliance is in response to the COVID-19 crisis and the urgent need to collaborate, share knowledge and ideas, and pool resources to support the regional economy in its recovery from the global pandemic.
 This would be a very large, perhaps cumbersome committee. Founding partners out of the City of Burlington, Durham Region, and the City of Toronto identified the need for economic development offices to coordinate a united, focused effort on delivering research and developing programming to help mitigate the effects of COVID-19, as well as advocate for effective relief measures and create informed policy recommendations.
Currently, the list of partners has grown beyond the founding partners to include Aurora, Brampton, Georgina, Halton Hills, Halton Region, King, Markham, Milton, Mississauga, Niagara Region, Oakville, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Whitchurch-Stouffville, and York Region. The Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO), as well as the regional investment attraction agency Toronto Global are also included.
The group has identified four key pillars for collaboration, in supporting businesses to get back to business once the Province lifts the state of emergency declaration. They include research, advocacy, programming and innovation.
Each pillar will have a leader, who will be responsible for executing the strategy. According to Martin Bohl, Sector Manager, Health and Life Sciences at The City of Brampton, the initiative was a no brainer.
 Anita Cassidy, Executive Director of Burlington Economic Development. “What started off as a check-in across municipal borders has evolved into an all hands-on-deck approach to supporting businesses and Brampton is very proud to be a part of it. After all, regardless of where businesses are located, or where municipal borders lie, we’re all in this together.”
The vision of the group is to be the champion for Ontario’s COVID-19 mitigation and business recovery through delivering effective economic development expertise and advocacy at the speed of business. Anita Cassidy, Executive Director of Burlington Economic Development, said “We’re already seeing the detrimental effects of mandatory closures, lay-offs, borders closing, and supply chain disruptions on our local economies. We need to get ahead of what’s next, which is the start of a long journey to economic recovery.”
The group says that coordination and idea sharing will create opportunities to increase impact and improve support for businesses of all sizes and across all sectors. According to Simon Gill, Director, Economic Development & Tourism at Durham Region, “Great ideas can be made even better when you have a large group contributing. This group’s coordination can help to position our communities for economic recovery.” He added, “For example, we’re all doing research, and we’re all advocating to higher levels of government for effective relief measures. If we coordinate, we can be more effective.”
The downside to this is that with lets say just three people from each municipality you have a committee of 60 people. Not a prescription for quick action.
Keeping the initiative agile, nimble and tightly focused and looking for quick solid wins to earn some credibility is vital.
 By Staff
May 9th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
 Walking a dog? Keep them on a leash They forgot about the woof woofs.
The debate on social distancing was all about people and how far apart we had to stay away from each other.
It took a while – but we got the hang of it.
Apparently we didn’t fully understand that is was not just us – it included man’s best friend. The bylaw enforcement officers saw the problem – it got on to the Emergency Coordination Group, led by the city manager.
That got it onto a Standing committee agenda.
The lead up to the rather minor change is interesting.
It’s wordy and complicated but that is what the Rule of Law is all about. A city council can’t just do what they want – they have to justify it as well
 Council – learning that the rule of law determines what they do. Whereas on March 11, 2020 the World Health Organization declared a worldwide pandemic regarding the Novel Coronavirus 19 (“COVID-19 Pandemic”); and
Whereas on March 17, 2020, the Province of Ontario declared an emergency relating to the COVID-19 Pandemic under the provisions of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.E.9 (“Emergency Management Act”); and
Whereas section 4 of the Emergency Management Act provides that the head of council of a municipality may declare that an emergency exists in the municipality or in any part thereof and may take such action and make such orders as they consider necessary and are not contrary to law to implement the emergency plan of the municipality and to protect property and the health, safety and welfare of the inhabitants of the emergency area; and
Whereas on March 21, 2020 an emergency was declared by the Mayor of the City of Burlington, under the provisions of the Emergency Management Act, relating to the COVID-19 Pandemic; and
Whereas the Provincial Government’s modelling and forecast projects that the State of Emergency will last months and will result in a severe and long-term challenge to the health care system; and
Whereas the Council of the City of Burlington considers the protection of health and safety of the public to be a paramount concern, and has suspended the operations of all City facilities, other than those deemed essential for the welfare of the citizens of the City of Burlington, during the COVID-19 emergency; and
 She ordered that when you walk outside you keep six feet away from everyone else. Dr. Meghani, Medical Officer of Health, Region of Halton Whereas the Medical Officer of Health recommended physical distancing measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including maintaining a distance of at least 2 metres from other individuals who are not members of the same household; and
Whereas The Corporation of the City of Burlington considers it necessary to enact a regulation to support the intent and purpose of the Provincial Orders made under the Emergency Management Act in order to protect property and the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the City of Burlington, by prohibiting certain activities and regulating physical distancing during the COVID-19 Pandemic Emergency; and
Whereas sections 8, 9 and 11 of the Municipal Act, 2001 authorize the City of Burlington to pass by-laws necessary and desirable for municipal purposes, and in particular, paragraphs 5, 6, and 8 of subsection 11(2) authorize by-laws respecting public assets of the municipality, the economic, social and environmental well-being of City, the health, safety and well-being of persons, the protection of persons and property; and
Whereas section 425 of the Municipal Act, 2001 provides that any person who contravenes any by-law of the municipality is guilty of an offence; and
Whereas on April 6, 2020, Council of The Corporation of the City of Burlington passed By-Law 17-2020, being a By-law to Promote and Regulate Physical Distancing During the COVID-19 Pandemic State of Emergency;
Whereas an amendment to By-law 17-2020 is required to regulate the physical distancing of animals on Public Property;
Now therefore the Council of the Corporation of the City of Burlington hereby enacts as follows:
 The dogs know what social distancing is. 1. By-law 17-2020 Part 1: Definitions 1 is amended by adding the following definitions:
“Animal” means any member of the animal kingdom other than a human;
“Leash” means a line or for leading or restraining an animal, including a dog, while the animal is being transported from place to place outside of a cage;
“Owns” includes possess, or have control over, or keeps or have care or custody of;
2. By-law 17-2020 is amended by adding the following new Section 7 immediately following Section 6, with all subsequent sections renumbered accordingly:
 On a leash – before the COVId19 period dogs were allowed to run all over the place. Not now. 7. (1) While on public property, every person who owns an animal shall keep the animal on a leash not exceeding 2 metres in length at all times.
(2) While on public property, every person who owns an animal shall ensure that the animal does not come within 2 metres of any other person or animal that does not reside with them in a single household.
3. Subject to the amendments made in this by-law, in all other respects, By-law 17- 2020 is hereby confirmed unchanged.
4. This by-law comes into force on the date of its passing.
City council will be expected to pass this byplay on the 25th day of May, 2020.
 Ammunition recovered with 14 rifles in an Oakville incident.  By Staff
May 8th, 2020
OAKVILLE, ON
Sometime after the noon hour on May 1st, the Halton Regional Police Service received a call regarding a male barricaded in a home, possibly with weapons, on Honeyvale Road in Oakville.
The call originated from someone concerned about social media posts they had seen online.
Frontline officers, TAC, K9, and negotiators were deployed to the scene with the goal of bringing this to a safe conclusion.
Roads were closed to pedestrian and vehicle traffic in the immediate area and adjacent homeowners were instructed by officers to shelter in place in their basements until the situation was resolved.
During negotiations, a second party (female) exited the home unharmed and negotiations continued unsuccessfully with the male party.
Officers then received information that escalated our concern for the male, and entry was made into the home at which time the male was apprehended under the Mental Health Act and transported to a local hospital for assessment.
Upon his release from hospital on May 7, 2020 he was subsequently charged with the following Criminal Code offences:
-Uttering Threats to Cause Death
-Mischief Over $5000
A Criminal Code search warrant was executed at the residence of the accused, resulting in the seizure of 14 guns and over 10000 rounds of ammunition.
 None of these weapons are covered by the recent federal government ban announcement.  The accused has been held in custody pending a bail hearing.
The Halton Regional Police Service will not be releasing the name of the accused.
Anyone with further information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Det. Ryan Smith of the 2 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4747 ext. 2219.
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.
This might be seen as just another dangerous police action that was worked out – until you see the picture of the weapons retrieved and recalling the terrible tragedy in Nova Scotia very recently where 22 people were killed.
The federal government decision to ban certain types of weapons doesn’t include most of the weapons in the picture that accompany this article.
Our view – ban all guns.
By Staff
May 7th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
 All four municipalities in the Region will now have high schools that will offer the International Baccalaureate Programme.
International Baccalaureate (IB) is a worldwide, nonprofit education program founded to give all students the opportunity to receive an education fit for a globalizing world. There are four IB education programs, all of which are intended to develop students’ intellectual, emotional, personal and social skills.
The Halton District School Board announced that Craig Kielburger Secondary School in Milton has received notice that it is now an authorized International Baccalaureate (IB) World School. The IB Diploma is a comprehensive two-year programme that students can take in their last two years of secondary school. The Programme is set to begin for Grade 11 students for the 2020-2021 school year.
Through the programme students take courses that prepare them for university. These courses are content rich and focus on the development of skills that are necessary for post-secondary success. Students will complete an independent research essay and undertake a project that involves community service.
For the past two years, the school has offered an Advanced Learning Programme (ALP) for Grade 9 and 10 students to prepare them for the rigorous two-year IB Diploma Programme in Grade 11 and 12. The IB programme has a focus on developing intercultural awareness. Students will explore the world around them through inquiry, critical thinking and open-mindedness. They will seek to understand different points of view and understand that people with different opinions can also be right.
 Craig Kielburger Secondary School in Milton “We are thrilled about our school’s authorization as an IB World School,” says Jacquie Pece, Principal of Craig Kielburger Secondary School. “The Diploma Programme will provide Milton students with increased learning opportunities that will prepare them well for the challenges of university.”
“We are excited to meet the students’ interests in pursuing the IB Diploma Programme,” says Jacqueline Newton, Superintendent of Milton schools at the HDSB. “The Milton community including Trustees Heather Gerritts and Donna Danielli, school and Board staff continue to be supportive of implementing this program at CKSS.”
Craig Kielburger SS joins a global community of schools committed to developing knowledgeable, caring young people who will be ready to negotiate their futures successfully and make contributions resulting in a more harmonious and peaceful world.
In the Halton District School Board, the following schools are also authorized IB World Schools offering the Diploma Programme: Burlington Central High School in Burlington, Georgetown District High School in Halton Hills, and White Oaks Secondary School in Oakville.
 By Staff
May 8th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
This is a very rich city.
Take a look at the organizations in place – offering food support; meals, doing the shopping for you. Each of those organizations has dozens, in several cases hundreds of people showing up every day serving as volunteers.
Many people and families across Burlington are finding themselves in need of food support, including those who have never needed to access a food bank before or simply need food delivery. Within Burlington, there are dozens of different non-profit food organizations willing to help anyone who needs food, including food donations, prepared meals or simply delivering groceries. Below is a short list of some of the organizations offering help.
 In order to make up those meals to be delivered all kinds of food has to be brought into the church kitchen. Friday Night Community Take Home Meal Bags
Already prepared meals as well as any available produce, dairy, hygiene and baby needs. Pick up Monday, Wednesday, Friday, noon to 4 p.m. Wellington Square United Church, 2121 Caroline St. *Delivery as needed.
For more information, email llunski@wsquare.ca or call 905-634-1849 or visit www.wsquare.ca/outreach/friday-community/
Food for Life Pre-bagged Food Programs
• St. Luke’s Anglican Church, 1382 Ontario St. Tuesdays, 11:30 a.m.
• Faith Christian Reformed Church, 2258 Mountainside Dr. Tuesdays, 6:15 to 7 p.m.
• Brant Hills Presbyterian Church, 2138 Brant St. Wednesdays, 1:30 p.m.
• Tansley United Church, 2111 Walkers Line, Fridays, 9:30 a.m.
• Good Food Line, 905-635-1106 ext. 7 or email goodfood@foodforlife.ca
Compassion Society
Non-perishable food packages, produce, meat, bread, and hygiene Items available Monday, Wednesday, Friday, noon to 2 p.m. 484 Plains Rd. E., Unit 14. For more information, email contact@compassionsociety.net or call 905-592-3722.
Salvation Army
Clients may come weekly if necessary to receive non-perishables, milk, eggs, produce, frozen meat, baked goods; quantity and variety will vary from week to week. 5040 Mainway, Unit 9; Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to noon. To request food, call 905-637-3893.
 Each of the organizations has their own niche -Food Bank is part of a wider network. Burlington Food Bank
Pre-packed boxes of non-perishable foods, hygiene, produce, milk, eggs, bread and frozen meat. Contactless delivery to lobby or door. To request food, email info@burlingtonfoodbank.ca or call 905-637-2273.
Glad Tidings Church
Glad Tidings Church would like to serve those who require mandatory isolation with free grocery delivery. For more information on how to receive help, go to gtburlington.org/groceries or call 905-335-8172 and leave a message.
These organizations are delivering the services that are needed. The corporate sector is ponying up some of the money that is needed. Every city is doing its own thing – this is what we are doing in Burlington.
By Staff
May 7th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
 Robin Bailey, Executive Director of the Burlington Food Bank does a daily YouTube broadcast. The Burlington Food Bank is currently serving 650; that is double what they served in April of last year and a 20% increase over the March numbers.
There are some very grateful people out there: One household sent this note:
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!! I just received my delivery by a lovely lady, with two helpful children in the backseat! Your generosity is overwhelming. I feel like its Christmas morning. I have spent the last 2 hours filling my fridge and cupboards. The personal care products are so amazing! The amount of anxiety that has been lifted is wonderful. I am going through old recipes so I can bake and freeze.”
The flow of funds to buy the food that is distributed has been impressive but the demand is growing.
There are all kinds of volunteers and some innovative fund raising ideas as well.
If you are in need or know of someone who could use our help have them email us at info@burlingtonfoodbank.ca or call 905-637-2273 to make arrangements to have food dropped at the door. If you live in Burlington, we are here to help.
The daily web cast
If you can help with a donation CLICK here
By Staff
May 7th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Come Saturday we can go to a hardware store.
That’s progress.
One of the biggest reasons the provincial government is able to begin the process of opening things us is because of how, for the most part, people have listened and followed the rules.
 Councillor Stolte, on the right, with daughter Danielle wearing masks made by volunteer community sewers. Ward 4 Councillor Shawna Stolte, put what we do in perspective when she said: “The COVID-19 virus doesn’t move on its own; it needs people to move it.”
Physical distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic is one of the most important steps everyone needs to take. To discourage people from gathering and to help reduce the transmission of the virus, the City of Burlington has closed all vehicular access to our parks.
Only walking, jogging, riding a bike or scooter/wheelchair through a park or trail is permitted, except for Spencer Smith Park, where only walking is allowed.
Remember to:
- Keep two metres away from others – about the length of a hockey stick
- Move to the right on pathways to make room for others to pass safely
 Six feet ? Maybe. The younger set – 18-25 roughly have a bit of a problem with the distancing thing. That demographic has been spared for the most part. The day there is a death due to an infection they might begin to listen.
The province has shown strong, consistent leadership and they have shown that when they don’t get it right they know how to change quite quickly. The decision to drop a license plate that didn’t work is a solid example.
When this is all over, and it will be all over at some point there will be an investigation where we will learn how wrong we have been with the way we regulate retirement, nursing and long term care homes. We heard one leading medical practitioner insist that there be criminal investigations. Some of the people in the care business may have already “lawyered up”.
It is interesting to note where the deaths took place and where they didn’t. Some people were doing the job.
Hardware stores and golf courses – opening up. Hair salons and nail parlours opening up.
When the restaurants and the patios come back on line summer might actually arrive.
By Staff
May 6th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Parks are closed.
The Conservation areas are closed.
People don’t like the closures – but they are part of coping with the COVID19 disease that has brought about the death of thousands.
So we put up with.
 One of the lambs – it has to be fed.  American Kestrel at the Mountsberg Raptor Centre However, there is a problem, Mountsberg is home to more than 60 animals, from hawks, owls and eagles to horses, goats and sheep, a whole bunch of bees and even a couple snakes, to name just a few. Conservation Halton has a dedicated team of staff members who care for the animals, and in return, the animals help to teach school children, summer camp participants and park visitors about conservation and agriculture.
It costs about $200,000 per year to feed and care for the animals at Mountsberg, and because the Conservation Halton Parks do not receive support from municipal, provincial or federal taxes, they depend on entrance fees, membership purchases and other donations to fund these expenses. With the parks closed, due to COVID-19, Conservation Halton does not currently have this revenue, but they do still have mouths to feed.
The Conservation Foundation launched the Mountsberg Animal Food Fund to help feed the animals; they would like you to consider donating on their website: The campaign went live on #GivingTuesdayNow and will remain active through the spring to ensure the animals get the care and support they need.
The full donate web site address is: www.conservationhalton.ca/mountsberg-animal-food-fund.
Conservation Halton is the community based environmental agency that protects, restores and manages the natural resources in its watershed. The organization has staff that includes ecologists, land use planners, engineers, foresters and educators, along with a network of volunteers, who are guided by a Board of Directors comprised of municipally elected and appointed citizens. Conservation Halton is recognized for its stewardship of creeks, forests and Niagara Escarpment lands through science-based programs and services.
The Gazette has put together a team of parents who are at home taking care of their children while the province goes through school closures and the shut down of everything other than essential services.
Ashley Worobec and Nicki St. George will write regularly on how they are coping. We invite parents to take part in this initiative by adding comments to each Coping with COVID19 & the kids article.
 By Ashley Worobec
May 6th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
We have been managing pretty well over the past few weeks. The initial shock and disbelief has eased, and we’re settling in to a new normal. However, with the Covid numbers trending as they are lately, I’ve been closely watching the Premier’s announcements and I’m anticipating that I’ll be back to work by the end of May. Of course that’s just speculation, but four other Provinces have now returned their chiropractors to work so I’m hopeful that Ontario won’t be far behind.
My focus has been at the clinic lately, as we’ve been gathering the necessary PPE, and we’re installing a plexiglass barrier at the front desk to minimize contact for our reception staff. When we are given the go-ahead to return, we will be ready to do so safely.
 Backyard update As far as what this confinement is doing to the family unit, I’d say it’s been really good for us. As soon as this situation unfolded, my main goal became to create a good environment for my kids. I read an opinion piece online that talked about how children will remember this time in history, and it became my goal to ensure that they remember it positively. They won’t remember the stress, the financial implications, the worry; they will remember the time we spent together, the games we played, the bike rides we went on.
I check in with them regularly, to see what some of their highlights are, and we try to add more of those things into our days- we’ve biked to my in-laws for a driveway visit a handful of times (a 9km round-trip), something we had never done in the past. We’ve played board games in the sunshine in our backyard, we’ve put up a “silly walking sign” on our front sidewalk and laughed at passers-by, and I’ve thrown more football passes than I can count.
 Learning the guitar My daughter has been saving her money for many months to purchase a guitar, and it arrived the other day, so she’s been learning to play via online apps and YouTube videos. We’ve painted both kid’s bedroom walls, in colours of their choosing. THESE are the memories we are making. And while my stress is still there, I’m using the lens of my children to guide our days. They understand what’s happening- we’ve been very honest with them and we watch the news together, but we’ve kept the focus on the positive and away from fear.
As far as schoolwork goes, it’s been a manageable amount for us. With me not working, I’m the main teacher, and we spend 1-2 hours in the morning completing their school tasks. Most often, we start our days with a 5km run (myself and the dog running, my husband and kids on bikes or rollerblades), and then we get into schoolwork when we return, which is usually around 9:30 or 10am- that means we’re wrapped up before lunchtime.
 Keeping the intruders away They are missing their friends and their teachers though, and most days they FaceTime their friends as well as my extended family in Alberta. On Monday evenings, we have a group Zoom call with all of my husband’s side of the family, and that’s become a real highlight of the week. We are hopeful that school will resume by September, but we’ve talked to the kids about the possibility that the Fall may look different than usual, so that they’re prepared with that in the back of their minds. As we’ve done all along, it’s one day at a time. Because my husband is a teacher, we’re in a great situation logistically, as he’ll be home with them if schools are still closed, so we don’t have the childcare piece to worry about that many parents do.
In regards to my running, I’m getting in that 5km loop every morning, and while it’s doing nothing to improve my fitness (there are lots of stops/breaks involved!), it’s really helping me to cope mentally. I truly enjoy that time, and when I look back on Covid, those morning family runs will be at the forefront of my memories.
On Sunday mornings, I’ve been getting out for a longer run on my own (usually around 12-15km); in the “normal” world, I would typically run with my training group on Sunday mornings, but these days it’s a solo run, starting around 9:00am rather than 7:00am.
 Worobec starts her day with a run. Rain doesn’t change the schedule; snow didn’t either. I am currently registered for the Chicago marathon in October (I qualified for this race with my marathon time in New York City last November), but I’m anticipating that it will be cancelled, as has been the case with most other races this year. The Chicago organizers have not yet made that decision, but I’m mentally prepared for the email to arrive any day. I always love having a challenge though, so on Saturday, May 9th, I am participating in the virtual Brooklyn Half marathon- essentially it’s just an online way for the running community to come together. It’s a free registration, and the idea is that you complete 21.1km in your neighbourhood, and then upload your results to their website. It’s being organized by the New York Road Runners, the same running club that puts on the NYC marathon, so I was happy to see this come across their e-newsletter.
If anyone else is interested in getting involved, I encourage them to visit the website at https://www.nyrr.org/races/nyrrvirtualbrooklynhalf.
 By Staff
May 6th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Some State Governors in the United States are thinking of making the wearing of face masks mandatory. Ontario hasn’t taken to that idea yet.
A major Burlington supermarket announced that it requires patrons to wear a face mask when they are in the store.
 Ward 1 Councillor Kelven Galbraith and his wife Angie Blignaut  Ward 4 Councillor Shawna Stolte and her daughter Danielle One of the problems is that face masks are in short supply.
The Gazette undertook to provide the material and the ties for face masks that are being sewn together by volunteers from across the city – there are ten sewers in place now and they have one person cutting cloth from bolts and running the cloth ties through a surging machine.
A couple of members of council are wearing masks and distributing them to people in their wards. Those masks are fashion statements.
The Food Bank plans to include a mask with every food hamper they deliver. Arrangements are being worked on to collaborate with other community organizations.
By Staff
May 5th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Regional Public Health Unit report on the number of cases of the COVID virus show some decline. Curve is not as flat as it needs to be, but there has been some progress.
Cases over time
541 – COVID-19 cases among Halton residents to date (478 confirmed + 63 probable)
 Figure 1: COVID-19 cases, by episode date, Halton Region, Mar. 1-May 3, 2020  Figure 2: Cumulative COVID-19 cases, by episode date, Halton Region, Mar. 1-May 3, 2020 Figures 1 and 2 show the 541 COVID-19 cases among Halton residents reported by end of the day on May 3. All cases have been graphed according to their episode date, which is used to estimate the date that symptoms began. Figure 1 shows the number of new cases per day, while Figure 2 shows how cases have accumulated over time. Counts for the past 14 days should be interpreted with caution, since there is a delay between when a person becomes infected and when they develop symptoms, get tested, and are reported as a case. Please note the large increase on April 11 is due to expanded testing and identification of COVID-19 among asymptomatic individuals at Mountainview Residence.
Individuals who are lab-confirmed cases are shown in green. Individuals who are probable cases are shown in orange. Probable cases are epi-linked cases, which means they are presumed to have COVID-19 because they are symptomatic close contacts of cases or returning travelers who have COVID-19 symptoms.
Case demographics
73 cases were residents or patients of an institution experiencing an outbreak (13% of all cases)
86 cases work in health care (16% of all cases)
 Figure 3: COVID-19 cases, by age and sex, Halton Region, 2020 Figure 3 shows that by end of the day on May 3, the most COVID-19 cases were among Halton residents aged 40-59 (with 200 cases, or 37%). 317 cases (59%) were female.
 Figure 4: COVID-19 cases, by municipality of residence, Halton Region, 2020 Figure 4 shows that by end of the day on May 4, the greatest number of COVID-19 cases were among residents of Oakville (with 184 cases, or 34%). Please note this figure shows counts, and therefore does not take into account the different population sizes or age structures of the four municipalities. Counts in municipalities can also be inflated by outbreaks that have occurred within institutions in their boundaries. The figure excludes one case with municipality information pending.
Case exposure source
 Figure 5: Percentage of COVID-19 cases, by exposure source, Halton Region, 2020 Figure 5 shows that by end of the day on May 3, 225 of Halton’s COVID-19 cases (42%) had no known travel or contact history, and therefore were believed to have acquired the virus within Ontario, making them community cases. 206 cases (38%) had contact with a confirmed case that was believed to be the source of their infection. 98 cases (18%) had a history of travel that was believed to have been the source of their infection. Information on exposure source was pending for the remaining 12 cases (2%).
Case outcomes
75 cases who have ever been hospitalized to date (24 listed as currently in hospital)
395 cases who have recovered to date
22 cases who have died to date (11 of the deceased were residents or patients of an institution experiencing an outbreak)
Institutional outbreaks
12 confirmed institutional outbreaks of COVID-19 reported to Halton Region Public Health to date (4 are ongoing)
 Figure 6: COVID-19 institutional outbreaks, by date outbreak was declared, Halton Region, Mar. 1-May 3, 2020 Figure 6 shows the 12 confirmed outbreaks of COVID-19 in Halton institutions reported by end of the day on May 3. Institutions are defined as long-term care homes, retirement homes, and hospitals. Eight of the outbreaks have resolved, while four remain ongoing. Among the 12 confirmed institutional outbreaks reported to date, seven (58%) have been in retirement homes, four (33%) have been in long-term care homes, and one has been in a hospital (8%).
Lab testing
>7,500 Halton residents are known to have been tested for COVID-19 to date
Comparison to Ontario
17,923 total confirmed COVID-19 cases reported in Ontario to date
 Figure 7: Age-specific rates of COVID-19 (per 10,000 population), Halton Region and Ontario, 2020 Figure 7 shows age-specific rates of COVID-19 for Halton and Ontario. Rates take into account the population size of each age group to make it possible to compare between different areas. Halton’s age-specific rates are currently significantly different from the provincial rates for all age groups except youth aged 0-19. For example, Halton has 32.5 cases per 10,000 residents aged 80+, which is statistically significantly lower than the 58.7 cases per 10,000 residents aged 80+ in Ontario overall. It is important to note that these rates will fluctuate as numbers increase throughout the pandemic, and that differences between age groups may reflect differences in the likelihood of developing symptoms and being tested.
Data limitations and data sources
Halton case data: integrated Public Health Information System (iPHIS), extracted at 7:00 AM on May 4, 2020, to reflect data entered by the end of the day on May 3, 2020
Halton lab data: COVID Data Information System, extracted on May 4, 2020.
Ontario case data: Public Health Ontario, Epidemiologic Summary, COVID-19 in Ontario: January 15, 2020 to May 3, 2020, posted on May 4, 2020 to https://www.ontario.ca/page/2019-novel-coronavirus
Denominators for Halton and Ontario age-specific rates: Population projections [2020], IntelliHEALTH Ontario, extracted on April 8, 2020.
Data notes
All cases of diseases of public health significance diagnosed in Ontario are entered into iPHIS by local public health units. iPHIS is the Integrated Public Health Information System. It is a dynamic disease reporting system which allows ongoing updates to data previously entered. As a result, data extracted from iPHIS represent a snapshot at the time of extraction and may differ from previous or subsequent reports as data are updated.
The data only represent cases reported to public health and recorded in iPHIS. As a result, all counts will be subject to varying degrees of underreporting due to a variety of factors, such as disease awareness and medical care seeking behaviours, which may depend on severity of illness, clinical practice, changes in laboratory testing, and reporting behaviours.
Cases are included if their “diagnosing health unit” in iPHIS is Halton Region, which means counts include only individuals whose primary residence is in Halton Region. The case may not necessarily have been managed by Halton Region, if they were temporarily residing elsewhere during their case management period. Cases managed by Halton Region who normally live elsewhere but who were managed by Halton Region staff because they were temporarily residing in Halton during their case management period have not been included.
Cases for which the Disposition Status in iPHIS was reported as ENTERED IN ERROR, DOES NOT MEET DEFINITION, DUPLICATE-DO NOT USE, or any variation on these values have been excluded.
Figure 1 distinguishes between lab-confirmed and probable cases. Since April 7, probable cases are defined as epi-linked cases, meaning they are symptomatic close contacts of cases or returning travelers who have COVID-19 symptoms and therefore are presumed to have COVID-19. All other figures and numbers include both confirmed and probable cases combined.
Figures 1 and 2 use episode date, which is a field that is intended to approximate the symptom onset date for each case. It is calculated hierarchically, using symptom onset date if available; when it is not available, specimen collection date is used; if neither symptom onset nor specimen collection date are available, the lab test date is used; and finally, if none of these other dates are available, the date the case was reported to Public Health is used.
In subsequent reports, counts in Figures 1 and 2 may increase as cases are added from past dates as individuals become symptomatic, get tested, and their results are reported to Halton Region Public Health, as well as any past results are added due to delayed data entry or new arrival of lab results.
Cases are considered to be patients or residents of an institution experiencing an outbreak if they are linked to a confirmed Halton institutional outbreak in iPHIS, and they are not known to be a staff person at the institution.
Cases are considered to work in health care if they are known to have an occupation that involves caring for patients, e.g. physician, nurse, occupational therapist, recreational therapist, chiropractor, paramedic, midwife, orderly, etc. Individuals who work in health care settings but do not provide direct care to patients (e.g. managers, cleaning staff) have not been included.
Exposure type is determined by examining the exposure and risk factor fields from iPHIS to determine whether a case travelled, was a contact of a case or neither. A hierarchy has been applied as follows: Travel-related > Close contact of a confirmed case > Neither (indicating community acquisition) > Information pending.
Case outcomes (hospitalizations, recovery, deaths) reflect the latest available information reported to Halton Region Public Health and recorded in iPHIS by the extraction time.
Institutional outbreaks include outbreaks of COVID-19 in settings such as long-term care homes, retirement homes, hospitals, and prisons.
Lab testing data reflects only lab tests that have been reported to Halton Region Public Health and entered into CDIS. There may be more residents who have been tested but not reported to Public Health.
For daily Halton case tables and up-to-date information about how to protect yourself and others, please visit halton.ca/covid19
For daily provincial epidemiologic summaries and more information on COVID-19 in Ontario, please visit Ontario.ca/coronavirus
For national information on COVID-19 in Canada, please visit Canada.ca/coronavirus
By Staff
May 5th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Timely – very timely.
With the province locked down while we deal with a pandemic that has infected tens of thousands and been the cause of death for tens of hundreds the city is offering advice and direction on how to better prepare for what we are going through.
 The focus is on the young people, partly because this is National Youth Week.
The theme for the Emergency Preparedness initiative is “Putting on your resiliency backpack” and being prepared.
The best thing residents can do to protect themselves and the community is stay home, practice physical distancing and use online tools for social connectedness.
In an emergency, protecting yourself from mental stress and harm is just as important as protecting yourself from physical harm.
Within the web site page burilngton.ca/covid19resources, there are several organizations offering mental health supports and resources across the City. Many workplaces also offer similar resources and supports through workplace employee assistance programs.
One of the largest law firms in the country is sponsoring a Mental health in the age of dramatic change and uncertainty event.
Tips for protecting your mental health
 Be aware of your thoughts and feelings. It is normal to feel anxious- Limit the news you are watching or reading and ensure it is from a reliable news source
- Reach out to friends and family through phone calls, video chats, texts
- See resources and supports offered through burlington.ca/covid19resources
- Keep healthy habits: eat healthy foods, stay active, get a good night’s sleep, drink water
- Limit, reduce or avoid alcohol, drugs and caffeine
- Take advantage of your employer’s employee assistance programs for mental health
Stress and anxiety can be high for youth during emergency situations, too. Many youths are working the front lines at grocery stores, restaurants and delivery. They are at risk and they feel at risk – and many of them wonder – does anyone care?
There are organizations, resources and supports to support youth mental health in Burlington such as the Reach Out Centre for Kids (ROCK).
ROCK has put together resources and suggestions to help support children, youth, and families at this time of uncertainty. They are committed to live answering phone calls from the hours of 9 – 5 p.m. each business day. Families will have the ability to speak directly to a ROCK staff person. They have also created the opportunity to connect families to a pathway coordinator staff who will assess and support connection to brief virtual consultation services.
REach them in a number of ways:
rockonline.ca
Main Line: 289-266-0036
Crisis Line: 905-878-9785 – 24/7
 Youth are also invited to participate in the No Socks for Ivan daily challenges, which can be found on No Socks for Ivan’s Instagram page at burl_youthvoice. Daily challenges include posting about binge-worthy shows, books, shout-outs to essential and front-line workers, dance moves, athletic feats and more.
The Mayoris certainly onside pointing out that “There’s no better time than now to explore the issues around emergency preparedness and mental well-being. The City’s new webpage provides a wealth of information on supports and resources, and I am so impressed at how dozens of organizations from across our community collaborated to put this information together in such a short time. We are all facing resiliency challenges right now and we need these amazing local supports more than ever. I am thankful for the great work they continue to do to help our residents in these trying times.”
Amber Rushton, now the Community Emergency Management Coordinator, a who happens to have a lot of experience organizing communities and projects that take place in those communities saiid: “As we reflect this week on the importance of emergency preparedness and mental health and wellness, I ask that individuals, family members and friends of all ages across our community reflect on one vision: Putting on your resiliency backpack. What could you put in yours? How could you fill your neighbours? How could you fill your family members or your friends?
“These are unprecedented times and it’s still important to be prepared and take care of ourselves, which includes physical distancing, healthy habits and reaching out for health and mental health resources. Remember: in community we persevere, taking the right steps each day toward a more resilient tomorrow. Stay healthy and be kind to one another. You are not alone.”
Links
- Youth Week: burlington.ca/youthweek
- Mental Health Week: mentalhealthweek.ca/
- Emergency Preparedness Week: burlington.ca/epw
COVID-19 Links and Resources
- For further COVID-19 information, including where to get tested, please visit Halton Region Public Health halton.ca/coronavirus
- COVID-19 Resources: burlington.ca/covid19resources
- Residents can stay informed at burlington.ca/coronavirus as well as on our social media channels: @cityburlington on twitter and facebook.com/cityburlington
- Questions about the cancellation of Recreation programs can be directed to rentals@burlington.ca or liveandplay@burlington.ca or 905-335-7738
- Government of Ontario: ontario.ca/coronavirus
- Government of Canada: canada.ca/coronavirus
- World Health Organization: who.int
- Joseph Brant Hospital: josephbranthospital.ca/covid-19
By Pepper Parr
May 4th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton District School Board joins school boards across Ontario in celebrating Education Week from May 4-8, 2020. This year, the HDSB will celebrate Education Week through a different lens each day to focus on the importance of schools, staff, families and the community working together to support the well-being and success of students.
 Students at Bateman high school in a cooking competition with fire fighters – the kids won. “While we may be learning differently right now, Education Week provides an opportunity for us to demonstrate how we are working together and doing our best to keep the continuity of learning in supporting students at the Halton District School Board,” says Stuart Miller, Director of Education for the HDSB.
“Without question, student success and well-being is a partnership among schools, parents/guardians and the community. The current COVID-19 situation exemplifies it more than ever. During Education Week, we celebrate students and staff, and we also want to take the opportunity to acknowledge the support our HDSB families have been providing their children during these many weeks of teacher-led distance learning,” adds Miller.
Monday, May 4 – Emphasizing the #HDSBstillconnected social media campaign to foster support among Halton District School Board staff, students and families during the Ontario school closure. The campaign demonstrates that although we cannot be together right now, we are still connected.
Tuesday, May 5 – Engagement & Achievement: The HDSB will highlight how students engage in their learning, school, and community, and how staff contribute to a collaborative learning environment.
Wednesday, May 6 – Stewardship & Resources: The ways in which students are provided with innovative and creative opportunities and supported through technology and resources within accessible and equitable environments will be explored.
Thursday, May 7 – Equity & Well-Being: Examples will be shared of how the HDSB strives to provide an inclusive and caring learning environment while advancing a culture of respect that supports the
well-being of all students and reflects the changing needs of school communities.
Friday, May 8 – Celebrating Excellence: On the final day of Education Week, the HDSB is celebrating the accomplishments and successes of HDSB students and staff.
The Board is proud to recognize the success of students through its annual Celebration of Student Excellence event on Thursday, May 14. Given the current school closure, this will be a ‘virtual’ event that will start at 7 p.m. Each year, one student per school is honoured for their excellence in academics, athletics, self-improvement, community work, citizenship or student leadership. A link to the ‘livestream’ of the ceremony will be on the homepage of the HDSB website (www.hdsb.ca).
This is what the Halton District School Board has to say about the week during the year that we look at what we have managed to do in educating the students that are going to be tomorrow’s leaders.
Is that all that is going to come out of the world facing the biggest pandemic we have every experienced – and the experience isn’t over yet.
What will we be doing differently this time next year?
 Students answering survey questions about school closings while their parents debate with school board officials in the same room. What will the students take away from this experience?
What will the parents take away from it – along with a deep appreciation for what those teachers do day in and day out?
What will teachers know in a year that they do not know now?
While we struggle to meet the educational needs for a situation we did not see coming our way – there is more to our reaction to the disease than appreciating the students that are being recognized by their schools.
 By Pepper Parr
May 4th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
When I look at the analytics for the Burlington Gazette some amazing information bubbles to the surface.
We have about 20 – maybe 25 people who each day who read news stories that are three, four, sometimes five years old.
I am constantly amazed when I get a note asking me to follow up on a story that someone read that we had published a number of years ago.
We are working on a really neat story about on a full place setting of sterling silver dinner ware that is in close to mint condition.
We are looking for a way to have a presentation case made and then create an occasion when they can be used.
I was reading a book review on Henry Kissinger and wondered what it would be like to listen to the Nixon tapes – the ones that brought down the Richard Nixon presidency.
The tapes are public and are in the Nixon Library. Just Google Nix tapes
If you’re looking for something really interesting to do – you will never get another chance to hear those tapes – when the COVID19 disease has been beaten we will all go back to earning money and dealing with a different world.
In one of the tapes Nixon tells one of his staff that “we have to slip some money to Illinois on the sly” and then later says we will do that and then later “screw him”.
 This is the way the big boys play the game – now let your mind go to the problem Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had with then Minister of Justice Jodie Wilson Raybould and the SNC Lavalin business.
This is what politicians do on a day to day basis – at every level. Think local.
 By Pepper Parr
May 4th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
 She gets right into the trenches with her constituents – this time it was a Legion kitchen. Karina Gould is a Mother, a Burlingtonian, a graduate of McGill University and Oxford University. She is a Member of Parliament and a member of the Justin Trudeau Cabinet.
When she writes to her constituents she talks to her people. In her most recent missive she had this to say: “Let’s get through the local stuff.” Karina has been doing BIG stuff at the world level as well.
“This is mental health week, I encourage you to check in on someone new every day. Whether it is a family member who you have talked to this week, or a colleague who you have not seen since social isolation began, I am sure they would really appreciate to hear from you.
“I know many members of our community might be struggling in other ways as well. COVID-19 has caused many to become food insecure and they may not be sure how to access the supports that are available here in Burlington. To assist those in need, the City of Burlington has compiled an extensive list of resources that residents can access to get the help they need or offer supports to the community. To access this page, please consult the link found here.
 Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the World Health Organization had a conversation with Minister of International Development Karina Gould that he isn’t likely to forget. He won’t be looking forward to the follow up call he will be getting either. “I know that accessing supports for the first time can be nerve racking but I can assure you the teams at the Burlington Food Bank, Food for Life, and the United Way are some of the most compassionate people out there. They understand the situation that you’re in and they don’t care about your income, they just care that you have access to food. Should you have any questions about accessing supports in Burlington, please do not hesitate to contact my office.
“I have some good news. In many parts of the country, the curve has flattened. This means that we are seeing some progress because of the commitment and determination shown by Canadians to stay home and practice physical distancing is paying off.
“To continue to improve on our results and ensure that we beat COVID-19 we must continue to stay home, wash our hands, and when we go out, stay two meters away from one another.”
 Karina Gould – punches well above her weight. Local matters, especially when you want to get re-elected. During the month of April Gould had conversations with the people at the World Health Organization (WHO). Right now the world is struggling to control COVID-19 disease but there are a lot of people who wonder and are concerned that the WHO did not do the job that could and should have been done to warn the world what was likely to be coming our way.
The perky, always smiling mother of one child, can also be very firm and persistent at making her point. She advised WHO that they have been put on notice by the government of Canada.
This is a woman who punches well above her weight.
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