 By Pepper Parr
May 24th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
With the closed meetings with the special interests groups completed, Mayor Marianne Meed Ward moves to the next step in her Red Carpet Red Tape initiative that she announced when she spoke to the Chamber of Commerce in January on her State of the City address.
 Mayor Marianne Meed Ward and her Red Carpet co-chair, Councillor Kelvin Galbraith The Mayor and her co-chair, Councillor Kelvin Galbraith have chosen the people they want to work with as the wade through the xx of comments about the trials and troubles of working with city hall. There were some positive comments.
The following individuals make up the Task Force:
Candace Herod, currently Information Technology Business Manager for Craig Careers and former President of Cogent Technology for 17 years. Candace also spent time working for the City of Hamilton as Project Manager for Housing.
 Shann McGrail, Shann McGrail, currently Executive Director at Haltech Regional Innovation Centre. Shann previously spent 12 years at Microsoft Canada and has since held positions focused on developing talent and driving innovation and change in the technology industry.
Don Baxter, a local expert and consultant on economic development and planning projects. Don’s focus has been on developing corporations and projects that act as a bridge between the public and private sectors. Don was previously President & CEO of Mohawk College Enterprise Corporation and past Executive Director of the Burlington Economic Development Corporation (BEDC).
 Vince Molinaro Vince Molinaro, President of Molinaro Group, one of Burlington’s longstanding residential and commercial real estate development groups for over 50 years. Vince helps ensure the development voice is at the table as we know many of our obstacles to business growth impact and affect this group.
Maria Thornton, a local small business owner who brings the small business owner perspective to the table along with experience and expertise as a Controller, CPA and CGA. Maria’s philanthropic leadership involves being former chair of Halton Food for Thought and she is now contributing her time and skills to the Gift of Giving Back.
Jamie Tellier works for the City of Burlington as Manager of Urban Design in the Department of City Building. His tenure here at the City along with his ability to ideate in innovative ways make him a great addition to this team.
 Anita Cassidy, Acting Executive Director, Burlington Economic Development Corporation, Anita Cassidy, Acting Executive Director, Burlington Economic Development Corporation, has been part of this journey from the start and brings a wealth of first-hand knowledge of the challenges of our local business owners to the table.
These were good choices. Having one of the better staff members from city hall on the Task Force and a responsible developer at the table will help. The addition of people with deep municipal experience will also help.
The group was presented with a summary of the feedback provided by the hundreds of business owners who attended the town hall, focus groups and 1-on-1 sessions or provided feedback via email if they were unable to attend.
Key themes were highlighted that had surfaced repeatedly, and anecdotal evidence was discussed around specific examples of challenges, obstacles, and red tape that has made it difficult for existing businesses to thrive, or new businesses to locate here in Burlington.
The Task Force identified the low-hanging fruit that could be:
A. Acted upon or influenced by the City of Burlington
B. Effected in a realistic and timely manner (ideally within my first term as Mayor)
C. Have a worthwhile and lasting impact on a meaningful number of businesses
The Task Force discussed possible solutions that were brought up at past sessions. They looked at the issues and the actions that would best solve them.
The Task Force was given the following homework:
Continue to review the list we discussed.
Think on it.
Reflect on feasibility, impact, and timing.
Expand on it.
Modify it.
Add things.
Remove things.
Do some research.
Talk to others.
Get more insights and information.
The Task Force will reconvene in two weeks to finalize the list of recommendations that we want to bring before Burlington City Council for consideration.
 Will whatever report gets put before council share the fate that the Shape Burlington Report got? For the sake of the city – we hope not.
 By Staff
May 24th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
 Alvin Tedjo Alvin Tedjo, the Liberal candidate in the provincial election for the Oakville North Burlington seat has announced that he will be running for the leadership of the Ontario Liberal party.
That organization is starting its re-build after the disastrous loss in the June election.
As the only non-former-government candidate in the race, Alvin will bring a fresh voice to the leadership contest. He’s also submitted a constitutional amendment ahead of the OLP AGM. Alvin will be discussing his vision for the party and how that relates to a vision for Ontario at the event on Sunday.
Related news story:
Tedjo wins nomination for Oakville Burlington North seat.
 By Staff
May 23rd, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Regional Police Service have identified, arrested and charged a male from Burlington in connection with an armed robbery that occurred on May 16, 2019.
 During the investigation it was determined that the same suspect had also committed offences at a local restaurant and motel.
Michael Jess (46) of Burlington has been charged with the following offences:
-Robbery with a Weapon
-Mischief Under $5000
-Fraudulently Obtain Food
-Fail to Comply Undertaking (2 Counts)
Jess was held for a bail hearing on May 21, 2019 and was remanded into custody.
The police had very good responses from many members of the public who assisted in this investigation.
People charged with a criminal offence are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Related news story:
Gas station robbery.
 By Ray Rivers
May 23, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
Seven in ten Canadians say they’d rather speak to their doctor over the internet than have to truck on down to one of those disease-laden offices where one spends more time in the waiting room than with your doctor. Health monitoring technology, most of which is delivered in a laboratory or specialty clinic (ultrasound, X-ray, MRI, etc.), has virtually obviated the need for the traditional annual physical examination.
This doesn’t mean one shouldn’t ever have, and see, a family doctor. But should we stop progress? There was a time when we only read the news in a newspaper. Today anyone reading my column has transitioned to reading on-line. So why can’t we also make the transition from the physical doctor’s visit to a more virtual reality?
Not to diminish the value of front line medicine, but increasingly the family GP has become a gate keeper and medical tour guide. Once a potential health issue has been identified the patient is typically off to a specialist.
So the Canadian Medical Association (CMA), the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (Royal College) and the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) are launching a task force to examine virtual care technology and how it can improve access and quality of care for patients from coast-to-coast-to-coast.
 Demonstration of a computer-based doctor-patient interface. Hamilton’s own Dr Richard Tytus, a CMA board member, Past President of Hamilton Academy of Medicine and resident physician at Steel City Medical clinic is leading a virtual care project using a computer-based doctor-patient interface. With the assistance of local health support staff, Dr. Tytus conducts limited medical exams for his patients, then diagnoses and prescribes on-line as needed.
Dr. Tytus has largely been focusing on those with mobility challenges, for example patients in nursing homes who can’t easily make the journey to his office. And while he has been successful working with that sub-group of the public, he also sees the potential to generalize this approach for a broader cliental including those with mental health issues, where accessibility and the benefits of immediate attention may be even more valuable.
Still, CMA president Dr. Gigi Osler says one big hold up is the matter of privacy. On-line data is thought to be less secure than files in a doctor’s office or the (hopefully) more protected E-health patient files . It’s one of the reasons your doc may not allow you to schedule an appointment directly over the internet. Dr. Tytus gets around the privacy issue in using his Skype-like appointments by obtaining permissions from the patient at the outset.
Another big hold up is government support. Governments may not simply be convinced of the cost/benefits of Telehealth yet. Ontario has actually slashed e-health spending in its latest budget. And besides the province still has its own, so-called Telehealth phone-in line, which generally defaults to directing you to your local emergency ward, because liability prevents real diagnosis.
Health care is primarily a provincial responsibility operating within the Canada Health Act. But, most provinces don’t even fund real telemedicine, so entrepreneurial medical practitioners and companies like the Maple group, are starting to fill the gap, offering private services.
Even after a century and a half of living together Canada’s provinces still dwell in silos of parochialism, limiting our progress as a nation vis-a-vis the rest of the world. And health care is no exception. One of the promises of Telehealth is the ability to bring the best health care professionals to your screen no matter where you live. But that would mean tearing down artificial provincial barriers.
A medical licence, for example, in one province does not transfer to another. Each province and territory has its own regulatory college and its own set of standards to license its doctors. And yet 9 out of 10 physicians support either a national licensing regime or universal recognition of provincial/territorial license.
It is expected that the joint medical task force will conclude to call on governments to implement a real Telehealth strategy with inter-provincial portability at the heart of any subsequently hatched program. Clearly Telehealth has a future beyond Dr. Tytus’ experiments among senior citizens in Hamilton. The challenge for governments, as always, is to work together to make it happen.
 Ray Rivers writes on both federal and provincial politics, applying his more than 25 years as a federal bureaucrat to his thinking. Rivers was a candidate for provincial office in Burlington where he ran against Cam Jackson in 1995, the year Mike Harris and the Common Sense Revolution swept the province. He developed the current policy process for the Ontario Liberal Party.
Background links:
The Annual Exam –
Virtual Care –
Ontario Telehealth –
Telehealth Task Force –
Canada Falling Behind –
CMA Sees Hope –
Maple Telehealth –
Ontario Cuts E-health –
By Staff
May 22nd, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
 James Smith just might have come up with a way to use the technologically “swift but financially expensive Presto Card to much wider use. GO Transit wants to hear from you about using elevators at the Burlington GO station. Complete the survey and be entered in a draw for one of three $50 PRESTO cards.
The survey is online (In French at MetrolinxRecherche.com/c/r/BurlingtonFrench) or by calling 416-869-3200.
Go Transit wants to know more about what people feel they need to get up and down those stairs. The survey results will help GO Transit support passengers who use elevators to access GO services.
Burlington Transit is working with Metrolinx on the survey.
By Staff
May 23rd, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
Seventy Halton District School Board elementary and secondary students participated in the 30th annual Skills Ontario Competition on May 6-8, 2019 in Toronto; a total of six Gold medals earned.
The annual three-day competition is the largest skilled trade and technology competition in Canada with more than 2,400 students participating. A broad range of skills and careers are represented across the manufacturing, transportation, construction, service and technology sectors.
Students representing the HDSB at Skills Ontario first participated in the 30th annual Halton Skills Competition on April 2, 2019 competing with approximately 1,000 elementary and secondary students in Halton. From the HDSB, 40 secondary students advanced to Skills Ontario.
Gold medal finalists (Secondary):
• Landscape Design – Nashwa Bilal, Grade 12 student at Craig Kielburger Secondary School
• Website Development – Mark Hutchison, Grade 12 student at Acton District High School
• Baking – Emma Kilgannon, Grade 11 student at Craig Kielburger Secondary School
Silver medal finalists (Secondary):
• Robotics and Control Systems – Noah Tomkins and Ella Walsh, Grade 12 students at Burlington Central High School
• Computer Aided Manufacturing – Michael Wong, Grade 10 student at Garth Webb Secondary School
Bronze medal finalist (Secondary):
• Electrical Installations – Callum Cornell, Grade 12 student at M.M. Robinson High School
Gold medalists in select contests are eligible to represent Ontario at the Skills Canada National Competition on May 28-29, 2019 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Emma Kilgannon and Mark Hutchison will advance to Skills Canada next week.
Of the elementary teams to advance to Skills Ontario, four out of eight teams placed in the Top 3 in their competition and seven out of eight teams placed in the Top 10 in their competition.
Gold medal finalists (Elementary):
• Technology – Ryan Irvani, Adam Qureshi, Alexis Tervit, and Daniel Zusman, Grade 5-6 students at Oodenawi Public School
• Lego Robotics – Venya Balaji, Manasva Katyal, Arnav Narang, and Meilin Song, Grade 8 students at West Oak Public School
• Video Production – Sam Onay and Bernard Ying, Grade 8 students at E.J. James Public School
 Bronze medal finalist (Elementary):
• VEX IQ Crossover – Aliza Ahmad, Sarim Khan, Pranav Marthi, and Maxwell Zanerips, Grade 6 students at Oodenawi Public School
Top 10 finalists (Elementary):
• Lego Robotics – Silver Creek Public School finished in 5th place (out of 16 teams)
• Green Energy – W.H. Morden Public School finished in 6th place (out of 22 teams)
• VEX IQ Crossover – McKenzie-Smith Bennett Public School finished in 7th place (out of 15 teams)
 By Staff
May 22nd, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
The following weather watch fron Conservation Halton has been issued to Shoreline Municipalities/Region, Emergency Services and School Boards at 12:05 pm.,
 The Conservation Authority does not issue this level of warning very often The latest information provided by the International Lake Ontario – St. Lawrence River Board (ILOSLRB) indicates that Lake Ontario levels will continue to rise over the next several weeks due to record high inflows from Lake Erie combined with reduced outflows from Lake Ontario which are required to limit downstream flooding within the lower St. Lawrence River.
The latest daily mean water level of 75.80 m (IGLD 1985 Datum) is approximately 75 cm above the historical average for this time of year but remains slightly below the highest levels observed in 2017. The latest Lake Ontario water level forecast suggests that there is a 50% chance that the current level could rise an additional 10 cm over the coming week and potentially reach or exceed peak levels recorded in 2017.
Levels are already at critical values in some areas, and there is also the potential for a greater rise depending on additional rainfall amounts.
Longer-term, Lake Ontario water levels are expected to peak and begin to decline within the next few weeks but will remain very high into the summer months.
 Structure in the background is the Joseph Brant Hospital that was under construction at the time. All shoreline areas should be considered dangerous during this time. Localized flooding combined with the potential for waves to overtop break walls and other shoreline structures continue to make these locations extremely dangerous. Conservation Halton is asking all residents to exercise caution around Lake Ontario shoreline areas and to alert children in your care of these imminent dangers.
This Flood Watch – Lake Ontario Shoreline message will remain in effect until June 5th. Conservation Halton will continue to monitor Lake Ontario wind conditions and lake levels closely and will either terminate this message or issue further updates as necessary.
 By Staff
May 22, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
Due to the amount of rain the City has had over the past few weeks, the following Grass Multi-use Fields and Ball Diamonds remain closed today:
• Berton Park F1
• Berwick Green Park D1
• Brada Woods Park D1
• Brant Hills Park D3, F1, F2, F3
• Clarksdale Park D1
• Frontenac Park F1
• General Brock Park D1
• Ireland Park F3, F4
• Kerns Park D1, D2
• Kilbride Park D1, D3, F1
• Landsdown Park D1, F1
• Leighland Park D1, D2
• Lowville Park D1
• Maple Park F1
• Millcroft Park D3
• Newport Park F1
• Orchard Community Park F1
• Palmer Park F1
• Pearson High School Fields
• Sheldon Park D1, F1
• Sherwood Forest Park D1
• Skyway Park D2
• Tom Thompson Diamond
• Wellington Park F2
All other fields are open.
Not much left to use is there?
By Staff
May 22, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
The get-away used by a robbery suspect was a BMX style bike.
 Police describe the bike used by a robbery suspect was a BMX style. The robberies took place in the New Street Appleby Line area on May 19th and 20th at approximately 10:00 pm
The two occurrences are believed to be related. In both occurrences, the suspect approached female victims while he was riding a BMX-style bike and demanded their money and belongings. The suspect produced a switchblade-style knife during each of the incidents. The suspect is described as:
Male, white, 20-30 years old with blonde/red hair and facial hair. Approximately 160-200 lbs, wearing a black baseball hat, black hooded sweatshirt and dark coloured pants/jeans.
Anyone who may have any additional information pertaining to this investigation, including home or dash-cam video footage of any potential suspect is asked to contact D/Cst. Jacqueline Ross at 905-825-4747 Ext: 2329.
Tips can also be submitted 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
May 21, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
Takes place on Friday – one of the most interesting fund raisers you are likely to come across in this community.
Open Doors, taking place at St. Christopher’s Church on Guelph Line has an entertainment line up, a silent auction that includes sightseeing flight over our beautiful city, a northern getaway at a beautiful lakefront cottage or a B&B experience in wine country. You will be amazed by the choices of items on which to bid and the generosity of the donations made by our local businesses.
 Open Doors is a group of 15 community based programs at St. Christopher’s Church that support our neighbours with Community Food, Families and Parenting, and Community Resources. As a community hub we schedule our programs so that you can access many resources in the same visit.
The Open Doors is one of the ways St.Christopher’s supports these efforts. The evening, May 24th 7:30 to 10 pm is a fun-filled evening of entertainment, delicious food and drink, and a lively silent and live auction. Auction items will include beautiful garden art doors painted by students from the Halton District School Board, an antique wheelbarrow filled with your favourite wines.
They’d love to see you at the Open Doors Gala on May 24, 2019. To purchase tickets please follow this link:
 By Staff
May 20, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
The choir of Port Nelson United Church presents its annual spring concert on Sunday, May 26 at 7:30 p.m.
The concert, entitled Celebrate!, features performances by the Choir of Port Nelson United Church under the direction of Stillman Matheson.
The special musical guests for the evening are the members of the Hamilton Children’s Choir, with artistic director Zimfira Poloz. Accompanists are Brent Fifield and Laura Pin, with trumpeter Nora Nolan.
 Choir of Port Nelson United Church “The choir of Port Nelson United Church will be presenting a varied program that will appeal to all lovers of choral music,” said Matheson, director of music at Port Nelson. “The Hamilton Children’s Choir will deliver a memorable performance, as they always do.”
Among the featured works on the program from the Port Nelson choir are Benjamin Britten’s “Jubilate Deo”, three pieces by Toronto composer Eleanor Daley, and Randall Thompson’s “Choose Something Like a Star”. The choir will also perform Mark Sirett’s “O God, Whose First Creative Word” which was commissioned by the Port Nelson choir to commemorate the completion of the Rekindle Project.
Ilumini, the senior choir with Hamilton Children’s Choir, will perform a variety of repertoire spanning many languages, cultures and eras, including Malaysian folk song “Wau Bulan”, arranged by Malaysian-Canadian Tracy Wong, a world premiere by Canadian Steven Webb, “Li Ngu Weko”, and a crowd-pleasing piece in the Mexican huapango style by Stephen Hatfield, “Las Amarillas.”
“Our Ilumini singers have been busy preparing a programme full of surprises for our guest appearance with Port Nelson United Church,” said Poloz. “We are thrilled to share some of our favourite pieces from Europe, the Americas, and Asia, including the premiere of a piece we will bring to Hong Kong on tour this July. We hope that our music makes you breathe deeply, sigh with wonder, and delight in the beauty of young singers sharing their full hearts and voices.”
 Port Nelson United Church This year’s spring concert honours the memory of Rev. Donald Gillies, a long-time minister with the United Church of Canada who was a member of the Port Nelson congregation in his retirement. Gillies was a talented organist and a proud supporter of the Hamilton Children’s Choir, and his family is generously sponsoring the concert.
“He was a much-loved member of our congregation, and we wanted to honour his life and contributions through music,” said Matheson.
The evening is also a celebration of renewal, as this year, Port Nelson marked the official opening of its newly renovated and accessible sanctuary and community space.
Admission is by a free will offering. All proceeds benefit the ministry of music at Port Nelson United Church.
Port Nelson United Church is located at 3132 South Dr. in Burlington in the heart of the Roseland community.
By Pepper Parr
May 18th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
 Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward tweets a picture she had taken of John Taylor while he was delegating at the Provincial Review meeting held on Friday.
It wasn’t sustainable and John Taylor wanted the Special Advisors to the Minister of Municipalities and Housing, who were touring the nine Regions that were part of a Provincial Review, to know that his 21 years of experience as a Regional Councillor had led him to the conclusion that in order to meet the 2041 target the Region had been given for population growth there would have to be a 3.25% compound increase in growth to get from the current 550,000 population to the 2041 target of 1million the province was imposing on the Region.
Taylor said it just wasn’t going to be possible to build that kind of infrastructure in 22 years.
The cost to the Region’s taxpayers to develop the infrastructure is not something the property tax base can keep up with.
Taylor didn’t limit his comments to the size of the infrastructure challenge. He pointed out that the Greater Golden Horseshoe is a “province within a province” and that transportation had to be looked at from that perspective.
He told the Special Advisors that transit should be made a Regional responsibility until there was an Authority in place to oversee transit from a Greater Golden horseshoe perspective.
 John Taylor in conversation with Halton Region CAO Jane MacCaskill. John Taylor may no longer be an elected official – he retired from the political scene and did not run in the 2018 municipal election.
Taylor added one comment that should have out a shivers through the few Burlingtonians who were in the room. “The constraints we are under” said Taylor “might mean resorting to greenfield growth”.
 By Staff
May 17th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
If this keeps up the only place you will be able to go to is a bus shelter.
 LaSalle Park Marina The city has closed sections of trail at Paletta Park and LaSalle Park will be closed for an extended period as a result of the wet weather southern Ontario has been receiving this spring.
With Lake Ontario water levels expected to rise over the next few days, one of the two public floating docks at LaSalle Marina will also be closed. One floating dock will remain open to the public this weekend.
Between April 1 and May 13, 226 mm of rain has fallen in Burlington. The average monthly rainfall for April and May combined is 150.3 mm.
Paletta Park
• Sections of trail at the south end of the park, near Lake Ontario, leading to the woodlot are closed due to erosion along the watercourse and at the waterfront.
LaSalle Park
 Stone Dust Trail, west of the Burlington Sailing and Boating Club • A section of Stone Dust Trail, west of the Burlington Sailing and Boating Club is closed due to flooding.
• One of the two public floating docks at LaSalle Marina is closed due to flooding.
One floating dock will remain open to the public this weekend.
Murray Cameron, Manager of Park Operations explains: “Even though there is some sun in the forecast this weekend, the water level of Lake Ontario is anticipated to rise further. City staff will continue to monitor the closures daily along the waterfront to ensure trails are safe to access.”
By Staff
May 17th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
A number of months ago the provincial government announced a review of how municipalities are providing vital services to residents and local businesses.
The announcement came as a surprise – it hadn’t been mentioned during the provincial election that made Doug Ford Premier of the province.
However it did send shivers down the spines of municipalities across the province – was the Premier about to do to them what he did to Toronto – cut the size of city council in half.
The provincial Review was established to review eight regional governments (Durham, Halton, Muskoka District, Niagara, Oxford County, Peel, Waterloo, York), Simcoe County and their lower-tier municipalities. In total, 82 municipalities are included in the review.
The objective of this review is to ensure that these municipalities are providing the vital services that residents and local businesses depend on.
The province appointed Ken Seiling and Michael Fenn as special advisors to assist with the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing with the Review. Michael Fenn was once a member of the management team in Burlington.
The province asked the public to “share your thoughts on the municipalities where you live, work or spend time.
“We want to hear your views on the way your elected municipal representatives make their decisions and represent your community. We also want your thoughts and observations on the efficiency, effectiveness and cost of the various municipal services that your municipalities provide.
“In particular, we are looking for your feedback on:
regional governance
decision-making
service delivery
“We will work with this feedback to ensure that our regional government system provides accountability, service delivery and governance that is best for the people of Ontario.
“We will report back on what we heard during this consultation in fall 2019.”
Seiling and Fenn will be listening to delegations at the Regional offices on Friday.
Here is what a Burlington grass roots delegation said:
Good Afternoon Mr. Fenn; Mr. Seiling
 We are the We Love Burlington Advocacy Group. We are distinctly ‘grass roots’ and non partisan. We advocate on a broad range of issues that affect the City of Burlington and its citizens.
- We mobilized as a very small action group about 6 weeks ago around the regional government review with a primary mission of raising public awareness that the review existed and what its implications could be. We believe that we have been extremely successful within the very limited time frame available to us.
- We recognize that the regional government review’s aim is to find efficiencies for the municipalities involved, to improve services and to address governance issues if they are found to exist. We support these objectives generally.
- We oppose any suggestion of amalgamation of the City of Burlington into a broader Halton Region organizational structure because we know, as reported in the 2015 Fraser Institute Report, that such actions are seldom fiscally prudent or operationally effective. We are concerned with a potential:
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- loss of direct access to local decision-makers and a loss of sensitivity to local needs
- Loss of Burlington’s distinct and proud heritage
- Increased bureaucracy and increased government, though potentially fewer politicians which is good
- Reduced or lost services, and
- Higher costs resulting in a higher tax burden and larger municipal debt.
- At present, Burlington has the highest ratio of councillors to citizens of any municipality in the region and we believe, the province (1:30,500 for Ward Councillors and 1:26,143 for Council as a whole). We believe therefore that we have an “efficient governance structure” which also has the requisite sensitivity to local issues not possible in a larger, less directly accountable and more distant governance model.
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 Burlington city council they day they were sworn in: Said to be the best bargain around when it comes to civic government. We understand that similar concerns have been put forward in detail by other delegations and in other jurisdictions. However, we would like to offer some additional cautions arising from challenges in the recent Provincial budget and other initiatives which have been implemented since the announcement of this review in January or which are on the government’s current policy agenda.
- In particular, the context of local municipal program delivery has changed dramatically in the last few months as a result of the:
- Opening of private cannabis stores which are now the subject of municipal regulation and enforcement.
- Reductions in transfers and support to public health entities and the potential for further consolidation of such services
- Reductions in transfers and support for child care, legal aid and a number of other social assistance programs
- Elimination of the LHINs and CCACs, with unclear catchment areas and successor organizations, which at the very least creates uncertainty and confusion around any local responsibilities for health care delivery.
- The proposed availability of wine and beer in corner stores which will create an additional regulatory burden on municipalities and, as in the case of cannabis, require a local focus in such areas as proximity to schools.
- Proposed changes to planning approvals through Bill 108 which appear to suggest a return to the substance (if not the fact) of the OMB model creating further uncertainty for local and regional planning directions.
- Potential changes to the Development Charges Act, again through Bill 108, that would download a number of additional costs to municipalities.
- Proposed changes to the Conservation Authorities Act, Environmental Assessment Act and 11 other pieces of legislation – all with downstream but unclear impacts on municipalities.
- In light of these considerations, we would submit that a better immediate focus for your review would be a “who does what exercise” prior to any consideration regarding governance and/or the redistribution of program delivery responsibilities.
- In particular, such a review would provide valuable insight into the optimal organization of service delivery at the local level in what has become a very dynamic policy context. It should also include an analysis of the net impact to taxpayers when all of the above initiatives are fully implemented.
- Indeed, how can we identify the overall cost/benefit of anything coming from the regional government review when the impact of provincial downloading to the municipalities is still unknown? We’re not saying that benefits won’t be derived but what will be the net result?
- In addition, there are processes and process improvements to the existing environment that could be mandated by the review; such things as a commitment to a defined exercise of self analysis by the municipalities in the region or common targets for further efficiencies in the current structure; a process of continuous improvement.
- There are also possible specific efficiency opportunities within the existing governance model.
- For example, consider optimizing/rebalancing procurement responsibilities.
- Could the region execute contracts and procurement deals with broader scope of application, hence greater potential savings?
- Are regional vendors of record a viable option?
- Are provincial vendors of record available to the region with even greater potential scope for application and savings?
- Is regional fleet management a possibility since, historically, discreet organizations often over buy and under utilize?
- Are the information technology platforms common across the region and truly interoperable? Is full advantage being taken of a common data resource/catalogue across all municipalities?
- We believe that before significant change is made to our existing governance and service delivery environment, available but non-disruptive improvements should be made first. Our overriding concern is that that there is a limited capacity for the quantum of change to municipalities that is anticipated over the coming months. And the system is in danger of being overloaded and becoming dysfunctional.
- Large business transformation and restructuring projects often fail not because they are ill-conceived but because too many projects at once, no matter how worthwhile, result in overloading what is essentially a ‘closed system’. Each project is critical on its own merits but the final tally of impact can be devastating. Cultural and organizational change is not inherently ‘open-ended’.
- We believe that it is prudent that you, as the Reviewers, help the government take the time to understand the complexity of the various organizational, governance and service delivery models that are being reviewed.
- We also believe that it is equally critical for you to identify where the true problems lie and the distinctive and varied nature of the opportunities for improvement. We support recent announcements that suggest that distinct and varied solutions are being sought; that there is no “cookie cutter” approach contemplated.
- We understand that change is both necessary and positive as long as it is thoughtfully done with better service to the citizen and better stewardship of public resources as the goal.
- However, even necessary changes imposed without a solid, well-understood environment for service delivery and decision-making can lead to system-wide confusion if not failure.
- We know that you are searching for “good ideas” but even the best ideas can be injurious to a system that is overtaxed with unclear outcomes and dwindling, uncertain resources. Today there are simply too many undecided elements in the policy and funding framework that municipalities have been handed by the province.
- We welcome examination of services that could possibly be more effectively planned, funded, delivered and/or co-ordinated at the regional rather than City/town level; that would benefit through broadening the scope of operation. However, we have not conducted a detailed analysis and will not offer candidates carelessly.
- We are opposed to any direction that would further distance the citizens of Burlington from those whom they elected.
- Although we may not always agree with the decisions of our chosen officials we support the decision-making process and would argue that the citizen’s voice is both heard and respected in Burlington and in Halton generally.
- In closing, we understand the objectives of the review and support them.
We believe that Halton Region is well run with a governance model that works and a service delivery model that is continually reviewed with necessary adjustments and improvements made.
- It has even been referenced by one of our provincial representatives as a “poster child” for regional excellence.
-
 They took an appeal to the Burlington MPP at Queen’s Park – and came away basically empty handed. From left to right: Deborah Ruse Lynn Crosby, Blair Smith and Josie Wagstaff We are concerned, however, that the review may impose change on a structure that has already experienced multiple shocks and can no longer absorb their impact. We caution you to proceed slowly and with a view to the cumulative financial and operational impacts of recent provincial policy directions.
- Finally, we firmly believe that the citizens of the affected communities should have a decisive and deciding voice in any proposed changes.
- We understand that the review and its consequences are entirely within the powers and prerogatives of the provincial government. We do not challenge that. But not one individual voted for them a year ago when they were unannounced and perhaps not even contemplated. As Blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa opined – “Just Cos You Can, Don’t Mean You Should”.
By Staff
May 17th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Regional Police are currently investigating a gas station robbery that occurred on Walkers Line yesterday.
At approximately 4:49 pm, a lone male suspect entered the Petro Canada Gas Station located at 1200 Walkers Line in Burlington. The male was armed with a knife and confronted the lone employee of the gas station. The suspect stole cash from behind the counter before leaving in a dark colored Chevy Cruze 4 door hatchback. The gas station employee did not suffer any injuries as a result of the robbery.
The suspect is described as a male with light complexion, balding red hair with a beard, approximately 45-55 years of age, 5’10” – 6’0″ with an average build and hoop earrings in both ears. The suspect was wearing a black jacket, black pants and white Adidas running shoes. Suspect was armed with a small pocket knife.
 The male in this photograph is a suspect in this crime, but please be reminded that persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Anyone who may have any additional information pertaining to this investigation is asked to contact Detective Stephen Siomra of the Halton Regional Police at 905-825-4747 ext. 2343.
Tips can also be submitted 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
May 16, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
We publish a report on what will be open in the way of public services whenever there is a holiday weekend coming up.
This weekend there will be an additional twist – free parking, city hall closed, hours for the swimming pools and the splash pads – the usual – but this time you will see some people going door to door introducing their candidate – well not the candidate yet but the Burlington New Democrats are fully expecting Lenaee Dupuis to be vetted by the national office of the NDP and running as their candidate in the upcoming federal election in October.
That means that, except for the Greens – and perhaps a couple of fringe parties – the slate of candidates for Burlington are in place.
Karina Gould, the sitting member and the Minister for Democratic Institutions will be the Liberal candidate;
Jane Michaels will be the candidate for the Conservative Party and Lenaee Dupuis representing the NDP.
 A Rotarian, a hockey Mom with a crazy dog. Also about to become the NDP candidate in the October federal election. What do we know about her? A Rotarian, a Human Resources Professional who has worked in a variety of industries including Technology, Consumer Packaged Goods, Freight Forwarding and Medical Devices. Her network is broad and her experience is tenured. She has recruited at all levels, developed training programs such as Change Management, lead candidate and team assessments.
Lenaee holds a Biology and English degree from Trent University and a Human Resources diploma from Sir Sandford Fleming College.
She is also a hockey and baseball mom to her son, Alton, and loves to travel with him and her husband Kevin.
She also has a crazy dog named Buddy that you should ask her about!
Local NDP types say they are going to be out canvassing this weekend, which will be the first time Burlington has seen an NDP candidate at the doors five months before an election.
The Gazette will be doing detailed interviews on all the candidates. Material on Gould and Michaels can be found using our Search feature – upper right hand corner of the Front Page.
By Staff
May 16, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward wrapped up her final Red Carpet Red Tape focus group earlier this week around the kitchen table of Capstone Farm, the home of 2010 ward 6 candidate Vanessa Warren and some of the rural business community members. The Mayor thought it “was a perfect setting for this group and I’m very appreciative of Vanessa’s offer to host us around her beautiful farmhouse kitchen table.” It appears the Mayor wasn’t taken out to the barn.
 There was a time when farming was the economy – Burlington’s produce was sold around the world. The Mayor maintains that “farmers and rural/agricultural businesses are a cornerstone of Burlington’s economy and a core part of our history and identity as a community.
“We are committed to helping them grow and thrive. There are many unique issues that face this group of businesses and today, we got into detail about what is most pressing.
 Is there any really active, full scale farming taking place? The equestrian business thrives, a great pear orchard on the north side of Dundas but few, if any cattle, no swine. What is the long range plan? A playground for the rest of the province? “The group had already done their homework, having met to brainstorm last week in preparation for our session today. This session included families that have each been farming in the area for 150+ years, passed on through generation after generation.
“In keeping with how our other focus groups were run, we started with a roundtable discussion on what the main challenges are to starting or growing a business in our rural areas, talked about what is already working, and brainstormed ideas about how to improve things. Since the session was more conversational, jumping from challenge to solution more easily, the structure of highlights will be more fluid than previous blog posts in this series.”
 This Appleby Line resident wonders if the Court decision will mean this pile of earth will be hauled away. Or does the decision mean she has a claim against someone for the damage done to the value of her property? Key highlights:
• Urban planning (where there is much more clarity) vs rural planning (nothing granular) – Rural relies heavily on business/land owner for EIAs, maps, justifying, etc., and detailed planning is downloaded to landowner/farmer (so before we can even do anything creative, we must do most of the work because there isn’t enough clarity around our land use).
• Regulations that lack clarity or defined “tipping points.” There are a lot of definitions in documents like the OP and beyond that are lacking, such as:
o “key feature”
o “natural heritage system:
o “adjacent to”
o “existing use”
o “special events” (and why only 6? And when are EIAs necessary?)
• Regulations that are so onerous as to favour large scale/big finance and exclude small business (they have the money, staff and expertise).
• Prolonged timelines are an issue with multiple agencies, most specifically and most often the Niagara Escarpment Commission (NEC), the Halton Conservation Authority, and the City of Burlington. As applications cannot be worked on concurrently, the staged reviews across multiple agencies end up creating a very lengthy timeline. It should also be noted there are many times when NEC exemptions can be granted (and should be obvious at the outset), but still require a full application for review, creating very unnecessary delays and red tape. Can we get more clarity from NEC about what the easy and clarified checklist is, to understand what is going to be exempt so in good faith, they can get started — can we develop an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) of things that are likely to be exempt?
• Building Permits: NEC is involved with almost all the lands up here (in the rural area); also, the Conservation Authority is involved too. Mapping has issues and much of it is not ground truth. Used to be able to get a permit in a couple of weeks (back in the 70’s). City of Burlington was felt to really mean “how can I help you get things done” vs now it is more like “here’s what you need to do, polite but not genuinely helpful”. Engineered stamped drawings for agricultural building all-of-a-sudden necessary. Now, things take 3-6 months to process with a lot of additional steps.
• Second is on the building review side — should be at client’s option — if you are required with engineered stamped/signed drawings — then why is there 30-60 days wait to have it reviewed (it’s like having it reviewed twice) and even at the end of an expedited service they’ve paid for, they came back at the last day to ask for more info.
 Regional Chair Gary Carr tastes some honey from an xxx on a pear farm in Burlington. • In order to protect farming, we have to protect farmers and let them have other ways to make money on their land and this effects the OP. Everything seems to be a no before it’s a yes. Seems an effort to protect something – but what? Can that even be identified and communicated?
• Have an SME (Kelly) at the City has been really helpful lately to move through a lot of these processes and suggest alternatives so instead of just hearing “no” it becomes “here is what will get you to yes”.
• Can there be a pre-consultation option for all 3 agencies before complex projects start the application process? If it’s no – we can get to no faster that way and save lots of people time and money. Could there be a day biweekly that all agencies meet and do speed dating through a bunch of pre-consults with a form filled out ahead of time to triage and look at fire, public health, NEC, etc.
• Protect the steward of the land – the land owner – they respect the rural area more than anyone and we need to trust them.
 It took $2 million out of the legal department’s budget to pay for the year long tribunal that decided the Jefferson Salamander was important and that an expansion of an existing quarry should not be permitted. Not a mention of the aggregate problem at the Red Tape event. • Point of Access to Fields has become an issue – Public Works at CoB will come along and reditch a roadside and not replace the access as a level crossing with a culvert – it’s City Land right of way – who pays for the culvert?
• Need to review storm water management in rural areas – ditches and culverts that are full of silt and no longer working. There are municipal ditches on private land that land owners aren’t permitted to clean or maintain but need work.
• CoB interactive maps and zoning maps are not current on the website so it’s not easy to find out when you’ll need a permit. You can’t do any real pre-work yourself. City doesn’t offer GIS layers on the maps.
OVERALL TOP IDEAS:
• Let’s create a culture of service at all agencies that is a “YES” mentality. A “Here’s how we get to yes” mentality.
• More clarity in rules, zoning, definitions in policies and more encouragement of farm diversified use to help support their economic sustainability.
• Pre-consultation options to save everyone time and frustration.
 Meed Ward was working full out that day. She went from her rural meeting right into the first meeting of the Red Tape Red Carpet Task Force, a group of business owners and thought leaders who will help distill all the information collected in the past two months and identify the biggest opportunities and most logical actions we can take to remove obstacles and help our businesses thrive.
There have been four private closed meeting with data, idea beefs and bouquets – but no one who doesn’t have a steak or an interest in the room.
Not the healthiest way to conduct public business.
The Mayor is opening things up – to whom and why to just the small special interest groups. She knows better.
 By Staff
May 15th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
There are fundamental rules in political discourse – there is at least one elected official in Burlington that hasn’t figured that out yet.
When an MPP agrees to host a petition – that is, keep a copy of the petition in their office so the public can come in and sign the document – the expectation is that when you enter the office and explain what you want to do – staff will politely show you where the document is and loan you a pen while you put your signature on the petition.
That apparently is not the way the Petition is being handled in the office of Burlington MPP Jane McKenna
The Gazette has been advised that “that when people come in to MPP Jane McKenna’s constituency office to sign WeLoveBurlington’s petition, staff attempt to “re-educate” them on the regional review and go so far as to promise that amalgamation is not going to happen in Halton.”
 Part of the WeLove team outside Queen’s Park: From the left Deborah Ruse, Lynn Crosby, Blair Smith and Josie Wagstaff Lynn Crosby, part of the We Love Burlington team points out that: “First of all, we believe that everyone is entitled to their opinion – no matter how well or misinformed. It’s what makes for a dynamic conversation that advances the agenda, any agenda. However, in this particular case, we stand in danger of missing the forest because we are focusing on one particularly ugly tree.”
She continues: “WeLoveBurlington agrees that amalgamation is unlikely in Halton – but this was not always the case. The petition, as all petitions do, reflects a point in time and that time may now be less relevant. This is not to say that there are not many serious issues attached to the regional government review and we have been careful to identify them accurately and often.”
“The most serious are a potential loss of local voice in decision-making, a lack of meaningful and true consultation with citizens concerning possible impacts, the potential to overload municipal governments with the effects of provincial downloading, the possibility that change will stress an already stressed municipal framework to the point of failure and the lack of transparency around the review’s recommendations.
“Add to this the fact that citizens will not get to decide whether any changes recommended by the review are what they want or can accept. So, amalgamation may not be ‘the issue’ now but it certainly is a suitable proxy for the range of serious issues that present themselves.
 MPP Jane McKenna during her first run for office – she won, then she lost and then she won again. “Please go to Ms. McKenna’s office and sign the petition. When her staff try to re-educate you, perhaps you can re-educate them.”
No love lost between the We Love crew and the MPP.
The WeLove delegation will be delivered at the Provincial Review session taking place at the Regional offices on Friday. The Gazette will publish that delegation on Friday.
 By Jim Young
May 15th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
In recent Gazette pieces on Citizen Action Labs and Engagement many valid points have been raised, some with which I agree, others on which I differ and offer my experience.
There are two different types of groups advocating for the citizens of Burlington. City appointed Citizen Advisory Committees and Independent Groups who advocate on issues of particular interest to them. Both types can, and have, enjoyed varying degrees of success in their advocacy and engagement with the city.
Some thoughts on why some of them work and some don’t may help start a conversation on Citizen Engagement and the future of City Advisory Committees.
 ECoB filled church halls – raised thousands of dollars – they were as grass roots as it gets. The difference in influence between Citizen Advisories may simply be this: Citizen Advisory Committees where there is a directly associated department exert less influence on council. Those Committees where there is no associated department, often exert more influence.
 Transit Advisory meeting – staff talent shows up – members appeared to have missed the bus. Burlington Seniors Advisory is successful because there is no “Department of Seniors”. This absence of departmental influence allows them to pursue seniors’ issues across multiple departments like Transit and Adult Programming. Without departmental affiliation, they are also free to work with Non-City groups like BfAST on issues like Free Seniors Transit. Most importantly, BSAC gets to make its cases directly to council or other city departments without any overshadowing staff influence.
Burlington Cycling Advisory (BCAC) has similar freedom from “Departmental Influence” and given the popularity of cycling with citizens, staff and council, they take full advantage of that.
Two non-city advocacy groups which have had remarkable success, for different reasons, are BfAST (Burlington for Affordable Sustainable Transit) and ECoB (Engaged Citizens of Burlington).
 Jim Young taking part in a Bfast panel discussion with Director of Transit Sue Connor BfAST are mostly ex-members of the old Transit Advisory, frustrated by years of anti-transit positions of former councils and staffs. Their success rests in not having to advise City Council. Free from staff control BfAST brings together advocacy from city and non-city groups and departments as diverse as Burlington Transit, BSAC, ECoB, BSC Inc. and many more in a way that City Advisory rules can prevent. With a new Transit Director and a new outlook on council, a rapport has developed with BfAST which may provide a model for what advocacy and engagement might look like.
 Engaged Citizens of Burlington came out of nowhere and energized the citizens of the city through the election debates they organized in every ward – packed audiences in most cases – and incumbents who failed to show. ECoB started as a protest against downtown over-intensification. Castigated by council and censured by planning and communications staff, it grew to become a massive voice for engagement and change. In the October election, ECoB’s organisation of mayoral and candidate debates changed the make-up of council and has given us a council who seem to genuinely want to engage.
Unfortunately, not all citizen advisories work. The old Transit Advisory failed because of a council and Transit Department that did not want advice from transit users or citizens, and the restrictive procedural rules imposed by committee clerks. In an attempt to recover, council created ITAC the city’s Integrated Transit and Transportation Advisory, a committee overweight with staff from Roads, Transit, Transportation and Parking and that same clerical forbearance that spoiled its predecessor.
ITAC were the torch bearers at council for the failed Cycling Lanes on New Street and who advised council to reject Free Transit for Seniors. Surely that says all that needs to be said about committees which don’t work.
 Jim Searle, at one time the chair of the CHAT team poses with the then Mayor Rick Goldring. Some Advisory groups get too close to the elected officials and not close enough to the people they are supposed to represent. I would like to finish on a positive note but CHAT (Charter Action Team), the committee responsible for Burlington’s engagement charter cannot escape a degree of criticism. CHAT was formed in 2014 under the auspices of Burlington Corporate Communications Department to implement engagement ideas from the 2011 Shape Burlington Report.
Any engagement undertaking, eight years in the making and only now reaching out for “Citizen Action” can hardly be considered a resounding success.
However, given the renewed attitude on council, I am more optimistic and hopeful that under their direction, CHAT will be more amenable to real engagement than the past suggests. If we could be sure of more council direction than staff on this new initiative, I would be even more hopeful. Let us get engaged with Citizen Action Labs and give CHAT one more try.
Related content:
City announces Civic Action labs
Jim Young doesn’t like the look of what he sees
Gazette opines on where it think the problem can be found.
 By Staff
May 15th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington Green has been running what they call an EcoFilmFest at the library on New Street for a number of years. The films focus on environmental issues.
The 10th annual Eco-Film Festival program for 2019 is set out below.
It is both an exciting and informative series of documentaries that creates awareness and opportunities for collective action within the community to help protect the planet.
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