 By Pepper Parr
November 8th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Bad enough that the two witnesses from the city’s planning department were not on the same page; now we know that the city was fudging some of the material they were presenting and that they tried to argue that a media release, supposedly put out on June 15th amounted to policy.
Worse – the press release was really a transcript of what a planning staff member recalled understanding what the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing is reported to have said.
We don’t make this stuff up – it comes out of the written decision released by the OLT Ontario Land Tribunal last week that gave Carriage Gate approval to build a 29 story tower. The decision, which appeared to have surprised Mayor Meed Ward when she said: This is a devastating and shocking decision imposed on our community, which completely disregards the vision of residents, council and staff for this area.
This decision completely dismisses the considerable feedback from residents in opposition to this file – and their valuable suggestions for what would be appropriate. This decision ignored over 100 people who took the time to attend a community meeting, delegate to council, and write pages of letters. There was no acknowledgement of our community’s voice in this decision.
The decision highlights the inappropriate application of Provincial Planning Policies to justify overdevelopment and underscores the importance of a speedy decision from the Minister to remove the Major Transit Station Area designation from downtown and adjust the boundaries of the Urban Growth Centre to the Burlington GO Station, where this scale of development should be. We will continue to work to defend our plan and put growth where it belongs.
 Unless the city can pull a rabbit out of a hat – the building on the lefty is a done deal. The City had argued that on June 15, 2021, the Minister announced that he was moving the location of the Burlington Urban Growth Centre from its existing location to the area surrounding the Burlington GO Station. As a result, the City maintains that the Development is no longer within a UGC area.
The City originally submitted that an adjournment “is required to allow the Parties to provide supplemental witness statements in order for the Tribunal to have the opinions of the expert witnesses on the effect of the subject lands no longer being within a UGC at the time of the Tribunal’s eventual decision in this matter. Without this, the city argued, the Tribunal will not have expert opinion evidence that reflects the policy regime that must be applied to consideration of the applications.
The OLT decision said: “The position taken by counsel for the City and for the Region therefore wholly depends on the contention that a new policy regime was ushered in solely by the Minister’s June 15th oral announcement. This alleged policy pronouncement is claimed to have been captured in an informal transcript filed with the Tribunal – prepared by an unidentified person – of the Minister’s remarks made at the June 15th press conference.
“It appears conceded by the City that the ‘unofficial’ informal transcript that is attached as an exhibit to the sworn Affidavit of the City’s planning witness Mr. Plas is not a complete record of the Minister’s comments made on that occasion. An adequate explanation for this was not offered to the Tribunal.
“Despite the unusual evidentiary basis described above, there seems to be no controversy between the Parties about the main gist of the Minister’s remarks made at this press conference. However, Lakeshore’s (This is the Carriage Gate corporate name for the proposed development on the NE corner of Lakeshore Road and Pearl) counsel adamantly maintains that those verbal comments by the Minister did not and could not constitute the formal lawful introduction of new provincial planning policy.
 For marketing purposes it will be known as Beausoleil
During the time period leading up to the hearings, the Region of Halton adopted ROPA 48 (Regional Official Plan Amendment) on July 7, 2021, which, among other things, reflects the noted change in location of Burlington UGC that was apparently mentioned orally by the Minister on June 15th (although Ms. Yerxa for the Region points out that the prior process leading up to ROPA 48 was of considerable duration and reflected much work and consultation along the way, much of which is contained in the supporting Affidavit of Ms. Poad). ROPA 48 is apparently now before the Ministry for approval.
“However, beyond the remarks of counsel for the City and the Region, there was no evidence to demonstrate that the Ministry will approve it beyond a statement to that effect from Mr. Plas in his Affidavit tendered before the Tribunal. In the Tribunal’s view, this is not proper subject of opinion evidence – it is merely argument, which was repeated in more detail by counsel for the City and the Region at the Motion hearing.”
“In response, the Appellant filed an Affidavit from Mr. Smith, an experienced Planner who challenges the conclusions expressed by Mr. Plas about the effect of the press conference announcement from the Minister and also the allegation that the Minister’s oral announcement was “supportive of ROPA 48”. Again, in the Tribunal’s view, Mr. Smith’s statements are also not proper opinion evidence determinative of this particular issue.
“The Tribunal is unable to accept the contention that the oral remarks made by the Minister at the June 15th press conference, taken alone, constitute the promulgation of new Ontario planning policy by way of an ‘update’ or other ‘revision’ of the Growth Plan in terms of the location of the Burlington It is to be noted that the Minister’s remarks do not specify the precise boundary of this apparent location change, nor do they indicate the effective date of the change. In any event, the Tribunal was not convinced by the City counsel’s submission that no written statement or enactment of the change in the Burlington UGC location is required by law.
 Did the City of Burlington get screwed over by the Minister of Municipal Affairs or did he just plain forget what he said he would do? “Neither Counsel for the City or the Region could cite any jurisprudence specifically on this point to support this unique argument. Moreover, in the Tribunal’s view this notion seems counter-intuitive in light of the very detailed provincial planning regime currently in force. The Tribunal specifically disagrees that the Minister’s remarks described above can be treated as a lawful, formal issuance of Provincial policy within the meaning of s. 1, 2 and 3 of the Planning Act.
“The Tribunal also agrees with Lakeshore’s counsel that for the purposes of this appeal the relevant provincial policy provisions include those set out in the current Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) and the current GP. The Tribunal thus rejects the contention that the current GP has somehow been changed or ‘updated’ in relation to the location of the Downtown Burlington UGC by reason either of the June 15, 2021 oral comments of the Minister or the content of the draft ROPA 48 which has not been approved by the Province.
“The Tribunal is of the opinion that the City’s proposition that a hearing should be adjourned to deal with anticipated possible future changes in provincial policy is:
(a) without foundation and without case law authority;
(b) amounts to a repudiation of long-established jurisprudence since it requires the evaluation of planning applications on the basis of alleged “emerging” policy intended to signal a new evolution of priorities for intensification in the City; and
(c) is highly unusual given that the very notion of modifying the UGC boundary in the City was not introduced until nearly 2 years after the Appellant’s applications were deemed complete by the City.
 This is the Urban Growth Boundary that Mayor Meed Ward fought hard to have changed. She thought she had – the Minister of Municipal Affairs said he would approve but had not yet signed the decision. So, legally it has not been changed and the Beausoleil development get the go ahead from the Ontario Land Tribunal  Nick Carnecelli had a stronger case and lawyers who knew what was acceptable in terms of evidence – something the city didn’t have . The Tribunal also agrees with the submission of counsel for the Appellant that:
“the press conference statement itself goes no further than suggesting the Minister “will be moving” the UGC, not that it already has been moved. This is a statement of possible future intention and nothing more. It provides no indication of how or when. It does not discuss implementation at all. There is no reference to ROPA 48 despite the statement of Mr. Plas. It refers to “long-term planning” as opposed to immediate effect”.
As a final matter, the Tribunal further disagrees with the argument of the City’s counsel that the purposes and policies underlying the Tribunal’s Rules of Practice and Procedure in any way require the granting of the City’s adjournment motion in the unique circumstances of this case, and the Tribunal declines to exercise its discretion to do so.
What does all this mean? First that the city is made to look like a couple of high school students screwing things up.
Secondly, it leaves the Mayor with a problem with the OLT decision, which, try as she might, is likely to hold.
 This piece of land and the site of the Waterfront Hotel will be the next battle ground. Then there is the north side of Lakeshore Road from Brant to Martha that will get the developer treatment. What impact is the decision going to have on the several development across the street in a piece of land known as the football where there are two developments working their way through the application process and at least two properties within the football that do not have any development activity ongoing.
Mayor Meed Ward had put everything on getting the Urban Growth Centre Boundary moved and she thought she had it done.
Both Planning and Legal are responsible for this one.
How many more like it are there out there?
Related news story.
City planner described as not an expert witness in OLT decision.
 By Staff
November 7, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Canada’s expanse of natural beauty, with mountains and glaciers, secluded lakes and forests, is almost unmatched around the world. But the charm of this country is not just the outdoors. The country has cosmopolitan cities, with a wealth of entertainment, such as online casino Canada and others, but at the same time, despite their global nature, they remain clean, safe, friendly, and multicultural. In fact, Canada has repeatedly been rated as one of the most livable countries in the world. Regardless of your preferences and interests, go to Canada and it will not disappoint you. That is why today we will tell you about one interesting place.
On the western shore of Lake Ontario, in the province of the same name in Canada, is the city of Burlington. Hamilton is not far from it, and the distance to the Canadian capital is 50 km. The city is part of Canada’s Golden Horseshoe industrial agglomeration. About 180,000 people live here.
Burlington History
 Back in 1798, Loyalist Joseph Brant was granted a 1,400-hectare tract of land on the Burlington Bay shore. It was the first and one of the most famous residents of the future city. In 1873 the village of Burlington was formed by the merger of the two settlements of Wellington-Square and Port Nelson, and it received city status in 1914.
It was used to handle cargoes such as timber and wheat that came to Port Nelson. In 1854, after the railroad was built, trade began to grow strongly. When the timber supplies ran out and ships began to dock at the big Toronto and Hamilton wharves, agriculture began to develop in Burlington. Gradually an ordinary once-populated town was transformed into a beautiful garden city.
Top 10 Sights to See in the City
Burlington is called the garden city for good reason. There are plenty of sights and beautiful parks to see and do:
The Royal Botanical Gardens
Considered one of the largest in all of Canada, it is part of the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve. Founded in 1930, during the Great Depression, the botanical garden gradually grew and was inhabited by populations of various animals. Unique rock garden and rose garden, arboretum, and lilac park were created here.
Spencer Smith Park
 Located in the center of town, it is a great place to relax. You can stroll along the paths along the waterfront and enjoy the beautiful views of the lake, and many people picnic on the green lawns.
The Art Gallery of Burlington
It is located in the heart of the city and was opened in 1978. The gallery has a unique collection of ceramics and the work of ancient artisans.
Joseph Brant Museum
In this historic building, you can explore the heritage of the city. The museum has both permanent and traveling exhibitions.
Skyway Bridge
It consists of two parts, one built-in in 1958 and the smaller one in 1985. Its steel suspension structure connects the cities of Hamilton and Burlington, located on the banks of the canal. Burlington Bay. The bridge is 2,560 m long and the main span spans 151 m.
 Brant Street Pier
It is S-shaped and stretches 137 meters over Lake Ontario. It offers a great view of the city and the lake’s surface.
The Navy Seamen’s Memorial in Spencer-Smith Park
Its creator is the famous sculptor Andre Gauthier. A cast bronze sculpture of a Canadian World War II sailor is set on the shore of Lake Ontario.
Discovery Landing
This 4,328-square-meter building faces the lake. You can watch the weather from here. There is an observatory with an excellent panoramic view. Nearby is a century-old pond, which in winter turns into an ice rink.
 Some of the best berry picking in the province. Stonehaven Farm
Established back in 1904, today it is a large complex that includes, along with the agribusiness, a store selling homegrown fruits and vegetables, as well as a corn maze and amusement rides.
Indian Wells Golf Club
This 18-hole course is located at the foot of Mount Nemo. Lovers of the game have a great time here.
 By Pepper Parr
November 5th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Budget building is an art and a dance that involves Staff and the members of Council.
Staff understand how municipalities work. They don’t have a bottom line that they have to meet – they do strive to provide great service – but they need funds to do that – and they aren’t shy about asking.
Set out below are the services the city performs.
How much of your tax dollars go to each of the services. That data is also available. Do you feel you are getting value for the tax dollars spent delivering that service to you?
Notice that they talk in terms of millions of dollars
By Pepper Parr
November 5th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The park currently known as Ryerson Park at 565 Woodview Rd. will be renamed to reflect the City’s current naming policies for City assets.
 The park is tucked in behind the school. Between Aug. 24 and Sept. 11, residents were invited to suggest a new name consistent with today’s standards. The name submission portion of this project is now closed and a small working group of City staff, Indigenous Leaders and community stakeholders have created a short-list of names that residents can now vote on.
Staff will take the voting results and report back to Burlington City Council with a recommendation for a new name early in the new year.
Voting is open now at and will be open until Nov. 19, 2021.
Shortlist of Names
More than 500 names were submitted in phase 1.
The Shortlist Committee has considered all the names and chosen three names.
A fourth naming option has been added from Indigenous Elder Stephen Paquette after consulting an Indigenous linguist: Sweetgrass Park.
Sweetgrass is one of the sacred medicines to many First Nations. It is used as a purification medicine in ceremony to purify ourselves and to heal.
 For years the contribution Edgerton Ryerson made to the creation of the public educational system we have today was held in great esteem. Public sentiment changed when hundreds of graves were discovered at residential school sites, which were built long after Ryerson had passed on. His statue was defaced and then toppled. The proposed park names and rationale:
• Head of the Lake Park: This name was chosen to reflect the name of the current land agreement in place that allows settler communities to occupy the location of the park in question, as per the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.
• Unity Park: When forms of hatred and attempts to divide people are on the rise we need to find ways of expressing what we think is important. Unity means that we embrace our differences, that we value other people’s experience and beliefs
• Truth and Reconciliation Park: To heal as a nation we need to speak the truth and reconcile our relationship with the Indigenous peoples of Canada.
• Sweetgrass Park: Sweetgrass is used as a purification medicine in ceremony to purify ourselves and to heal.
Why are we renaming Ryerson Park?
At the June 16, 2021 meeting of the Halton District School Board (HDSB), trustees unanimously approved a motion to rename Ryerson Public School on Woodview Road in Burlington, in accordance with the Board’s Naming and Renaming Schools Policy and Governance Procedure.
 Mayor Meed Ward meets with Andrea Grebenc, Chair of the Halton District School Board As part of the Board motion, the Chair of the Board sent a letter to inform the City of this decision. Burlington City Council then unanimously voted to rename Ryerson Park. This was done out of respect for Indigenous residents in our community, particularly following the recent discovery of mass graves at former residential schools.
Burlington’s Ryerson Public School, and adjacent Ryerson Park, are named after Egerton Ryerson for his contributions to the Ontario education system, however, Ryerson was also instrumental in the design of Canada’s residential school system. In 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada concluded this assimilation amounted to the genocide of Indigenous people.
Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward explains: “Earlier this year, Burlington City Council unanimously voted to rename Ryerson Park, in line with the recent HDSB decision to rename the adjacent school. This was done out of respect for Indigenous residents in our community and visitors to our city — particularly following the recent discovery of mass graves at former residential schools.
By Staff
November 5th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Cogeco is adding to the senior staff.
Chris Burke has been brought in as Vice President, Digital and Analytics.
 Vice President, Digital and Analytics Burke has over 25 years of expertise in digital and analytics, in addition to his leadership experience in his previous roles. He will definitely be a great asset to the company. “I am confident that Chris will play a key role in the implementation of our growth strategy,” says Frédéric Perron, President of Cogeco Connexion.
He most recently served as Vice-President, Digital Technology at Manulife’s Global Wealth and Asset Management, where he was in charge of the evolution of the technology that powers Manulife’s Global Digital ambitions.
Prior to his role at Manulife, he was the Vice President, Digital Solutions and Sales Enablement at RBC. He was responsible for the definition, implementation, and evolution of global client and employee digital experiences across web, mobile, social media, and emerging channels for RBC Wealth Management and RBC Global Asset Management. Previously, he was the Practice Director, Web and Portal Solutions for TELUS National Application Solutions. Chris Burke holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Western Ontario.
Cogeco Connexion regroups the Canadian cable operations of Cogeco Communications Inc. Cogeco Connexion is the second largest cable operator in Ontario and Québec based on the number of Internet service customers served. It provides its residential and small business customers with Internet, video and telephony services through its two-way broadband cable networks.
 By Staff
November 5th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
 Mainway, between Northside Road and Guelph Line will be closed nightly:
Nov. 4 to 6, 2021
7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
for resurfacing work.
Emergency vehicle access will be permitted, and local access will be maintained up to the closure points. Through traffic will be detoured as per map.
By Pepper Parr
November 4th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
They told us there would be intensification.
And there is intensification.
The view is of The Gallery a 23 storey tower under construction on the north east corner of Brant and James Streets.
Is this close enough to the sidewalk for you?
The building comes right to the property lot line.
 The four storey podium has been completed. Tower will rise to 23 storeys – the new look for downtown Burlington.
 By Pepper Parr
November 4th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
During the days before the pandemic got a grip on the world some members of the public would gather in a public place and go over literature on the budget that was being proposed.
There was never an opportunity to change any of the numbers but there were lots of chances to ask questions.
 Carol Gottlob who was a candidate in ward 4 and Angelo Bentivenia a candidate in ward 6 – both lost the first time around – would show up for public budget meetings. Attendance at these budget Public Information events was sporadic. During those occasions when there was to be a municipal election the attendance was very good. People planning on running for council would all sit at the same table and busy themselves with how their candidate would manage the budget.
Those years when there wasn’t a municipal election coming attendance was sparse.
 It was a cold winter night, snow was falling. The city had called a budget presentation event. No one showed up except for a couple of people who had run for office and wanted to stay in the loop. The Mayor hung around for a while then left. Staff packed up their equipment and headed home. The event took place at the Mainway community centre. Less than 20 yards away the arena was close to packed with parents watching their kids play hockey. The budget that set out how much of their tax money would be spent on recreation services was something they didn’t appear to be of or concerned about.  One evening, it was snowing and except for two council hopefuls – nary a soul showed up. That evening right next door was a rink filled with parents watching their children playing hockey.
This time around the communications people are doing their best.
There were full day Council Workshops where Service Presentations were given by staff. They were intense and took place on September 22, 23, 28 & 30, 2021.
Today the Budget Overview took place. Staff set out what they saw as necessary and yes there were a number of asks as well.
A bit of discussion took place related to a position in the Clerk’s Office that was understood to be needed. Discussion on that job came to a quick end when City Manager Tim Commisso explained that the job had already been filled.
The FTE (Full time employee) number is going to grow by an additional 70 people during 2022. That’s above the 14+ that are going to be hired by the Planning department – those 14+ positions will be covered by fees paid by developers to have their applications approved.
There will be a Virtual Budget Townhall to be emceed by the Mayor on November 22, 2021.
The CSSRA Standing Committee will do a 2022 Budget Review & Approval on November 30 & December 2, 2021
It all goes to Council for Budget Approval on December 14, 2021.
There is one rather interesting change to the way members of Council can influence the budget directly. There was in the past a BAR form (Budget Action Request) that members of council would fill in setting out where they felt cuts could be made or additions made. Council members would use the BAR form to promote something they wanted to see done in their ward.
This year they are being asked to prepare and submit a memo setting out their rationale for proposed budget amendment(s). This was to increased transparency for the public. Those memorandums would be summed up reflecting all the proposed changes.
Those memorandums are due in the Finance Department by 4pm on November 23.
Not sure where the idea of the memorandums came from – it will certainly stretch the capacity of at least three current council members.
 By Pepper Parr
November 4th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The Gazette suspended the privilege David Barker had to comment in the Gazette’s Comments section.
We did so late in September. There are yards and yards of paper with comments and the back and fourth email from Barker.
A day or so after suspending Barker I received the following:
From: david barker [mailto:caboman09@gmail.com]
Sent: October 2, 2021 8:37 PM
To: Pepper publisher <publisher@bgzt.ca>
Subject: Re: WE no longer publish
Rookie
What a complete dork you are! Such a pompous old fart, unable to publish any criticism. Very self-important. You certainly live up to the nickname given to you by those at city hall. LOL.
Please investigate all you like the heritage grants were awarded to me by City Council. Another rookie mistake on your part. The advisory committee has no authority to approve or award heritage grants or loans. Only City Council has that power. I am 100% confident neither the committee nor I have done anything untoward. For the record, and as shown on the official record (meeting minutes) on two occasions I recused myself from any discussion; and on the third occasion I did not attend the meeting, being out of the country.
Rookie mistake after rookie mistake. Possible indications of onset of senility or just plain incompetence.
I shall be reporting a complaint against you personally and the Gazette corporately to the National NewsMedia Council relating to your inappropriate censorship and your harassing language via email.
I already have screenshot copies of the published editor’s notes to my comments going back more than a year. So delete away. But I suggest you keep copies because they will be called for by the National NewsMedia Council. You cannot delete your rude, abrasive and uncalled for language in emails I received from you.
Silly old man
I have no comment to make.
 David Barker is a retired insurance executive and a Member of the Heritage Advisory Committee and the owner of a fine house that has been designated as historically significant
 By Staff
November 4th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The Aldershot Food Collection Committee is having a Special INFANT FOOD Collection for ROCK’s Infant Food Pantry on SATURDAY, NOV. 13TH,11am to 3pm.
If you can help please do.
 By Staff
November 3rd, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Budgets are a numbers game – for members of Council it is a real life situation that they have to deal with and then explain to the people that elected them.
In order to explain what they are faced with Council members have a series of visuals that set it all out.
On the left they list four factors that impact the budget and tell you (the orange ball) what the impact on the budget is.
On the right they do the same thing with four other factors and use that orange ball to tell you what the impact is on the budget.
 
Then they add another graphic to show what the tax increase is going to be to that point.
They aren’t done yet. Consideration has to be given to the risks involved in running a city. Three more factors are added and another orange ball to tell you what the impact is going to be on the budget.
 Add in the cost of risk mitigation factors. And there you have it – the final tax increase number. And with that you now know what the 2022 budget exercise is going to be all about.
What do you cut where to get a number Council can live with and still get re-elected and something the public will swallow.
No one seems to think that 5.45% increase will sit all that well with the voters.
By Staff
November 3rd, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Regional Police Service has announced a new annual collaborative anti-hate campaign called #NoHaltonInHalton. The inaugural campaign will run November 8 to 12, 2021.
 Two young men captured on video putting up hate notices at city hall. It does happen in Burlington. In an effort to stop hate and promote respect, equity and inclusivity in our community, the Halton Regional Police Service has partnered with the Halton District School Board, the Halton Catholic District School Board, Conseil Scolaire Catholique MonAvenir, Conseil Scolaire Viamonde, Crime Stoppers of Halton, and other community stakeholders, to run this anti-hate campaign in over 180 schools and learning facilities across the region.
Eliminating all forms of hate in Halton region, and better supporting victims and communities impacted by it, is a key priority for the HRPS and its campaign partners. Of the hate and bias motivated incidents reported across the region last year, 42 per cent directly involved or impacted schools or school aged youth. The #NoHateInHalton campaign is one of many strategies and initiatives that supports the Service’s ongoing commitment to bring anti-hate awareness and education to school-aged youth and the broader community of Halton.
 Video of a person walking away from a location where hate literature had been distributed, This year’s campaign will aim to bring attention to the following topics within schools:
– Eliminating hate and bias motivated incidents,
– Encouraging individuals to report an incident that is motivated by hate or bias,
– Building a sense of community within schools across the region,
– Encouraging students and staff to work collaboratively to eliminate hate within the schools and support impacted individuals and groups, and
– Reducing the stigma that is often associated with victims of hate and bias-motivated incidents and removing any barriers to reporting those incidents.
Posters will be posted at learning facilities across the region to heighten awareness of the campaign. Stickers featuring a QR code to Halton Crime Stopper’s website, where incidents motivated by hate or bias can be reported anonymously, will also be posted in high schools to help reduce any barriers to reporting incidents.
This campaign will also bring awareness to supports available to victims or those negatively affected by hate or bias motivated incidents. The campaign will also address factors that lead to individuals exhibiting hateful behavior and the impact of hate on community safety and well-being.
Members of the community can engage with this anti-hate awareness and education campaign by joining the conversation on social media with a post about how they are embracing respect and inclusion with #NoHateInHalton.
Members of the community can also visit the Hate and Bias Motivated Crime webpage on HaltonPolice.ca for information about Hate and Bias Motivated Crimes and the Halton Regional Police Service’s commitment to eliminating these types of incidents from our communities.
Every person has the right to feel safe in our community. Victims of hate or bias motivated crimes are encouraged to contact the Halton Regional Police Service. The following is a list of valuable support services and resources in Halton Region for victims of hate or bias motivated crimes:
By Pepper Parr
November 3rd, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
He was far from perfect but he ran Ontario the way it was supposed to be run – something that is sadly missed today.
Compared to what we have today – at both the government and opposition levels he was a giant.
 Bill Davis had problems learning how to balance a budget; never really did learn. If you’ve got nothing better to do on Thursday – give listening in some thought.
That the event is going to be live at the Roy Thomson Hall is a good sign – if we continue to behave the way we have been behaving that light at the end of the tunnel will continue to get brighter.
A memorial service to celebrate the life of the Honourable Premier William G. Davis, PC, CC, O. Ont, QC, will be held at Roy Thomson Hall at 11:00 a.m. on November 4, 2021. The Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, Premier of Ontario, Mayors of Toronto and Brampton, along with family members and friends, will pay tribute to the former Premier at the event.
Tickets are still available for members of the public to attend and join family, friends, and dignitaries in honouring the life of Premier Davis.
 He turned “bland” into an art form. Premier Davis passed away on August 8, 2021, at the age of 92. As the 18th Premier of Ontario, Premier Davis had a lengthy career in public service, leading the province from 1971 to 1985. During his tenure, Premier Davis is credited with creating Ontario’s community college system, the province’s first Ministry of Environment, and the province’s public broadcaster, TVO.
Members of the public who wish to attend the memorial can register to reserve a seat through Roy Thomson Hall. The event will adhere to current COVID-19 health and safety measures, including vaccination requirements.
 They aren’t making them like this anymore. Gone perhaps but never to be forgotten. For those unable to attend in person, the memorial will also be livestreamed on the Government of Ontario Youtube channel and will be available with closed captions. For members of the media, broadcast cameras will not be allowed inside the hall, the livestream feed can be used instead. Reporters wishing to attend must reserve a seat through the online booking system as well. Members of the public are also invited to share their messages of sympathy in the online book of condolences.
Additional Resources
Registration to attend the Premier Davis Memorial at Roy Thomson Hall
Online Book of Condolences
By Staff
November 3rd, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington is providing an update on its staff vaccination numbers in accordance with the City’s COVID-19 Staff Vaccination Policy. This policy is applicable to all City staff, regardless of work location. All City staff are required to show proof of vaccination, with some exceptions for those who are legally entitled to accommodation.
 As of Tuesday, Nov. 2:
• 97% of City staff have submitted their vaccination status as required by the City’s COVID-19 staff vaccination policy
• 88% of City’s total work force (includes full-time and part-time employees) are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
This percentage reflects how many staff in our total workforce are vaccinated and not the vaccine status of only those staff who have supplied their vaccination information.
There is additional work underway to collect outstanding vaccination status submissions and up to date information will continue to be gathered.
Quick facts
• City staff who are unvaccinated or not yet fully vaccinated are required to participate in regular Rapid Antigen Testing prior to entering the workplace.
• Starting Oct.4, required Rapid Antigen Testing was provided to unvaccinated individuals by the City. After Nov.26, the City will no longer provide Rapid Antigen Testing and an unvaccinated individual will be required to arrange and pay for their own
Rapid Antigen Testing.
• As part of the City’s commitment to providing a safe and healthy workplace, employees are also required to complete an e-screening form prior to entering a City facility.
• There are 1500+ employees at the City.
• City Council has fully supported the City’s COVID-19 Staff Vaccination Policy. This policy also applies to members of City Council.
Tim Commisso, City Manager explains that: “The City, as an employer, has an obligation under Ontario law to take all necessary precautions to protect its workers. We continue to gather the vaccination status of staff to give us a clear and accurate picture of our total workforce and serve our community through this pandemic.”
By Staff
November 3rd, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The living wage is the hourly rate that ensures that a person working full time, full year, earns enough to participate in the normal life of their community. In Halton the rate has been calculated to be $20.75 per hour (2021).
CDH works in close partnership with the Ontario Living Wage Network (OLWN) and since we last made calculations in 2019, new policies that provide support to families with children have been introduced by the provincial government. Combined with changing family demographics, it has become clear that expenses for a reference family of four is no longer the most representative for living wage calculations in Ontario.
 New supports for families with children meant that living wage calculations were coming back with reductions over the 2019 rates. Yet we all know the cost of living has not gone down. Inflation has quadrupled since the beginning of 2019 and is at a 18-year high. Our calculation was no longer reflecting reality.
The 2021 calculations take into account a weighted average between a family of four, single parent with one child and a single adult.
Because of this change in the calculation process we are not able to easily compare calculations from 2019 to those updated this year. In some communities, living wage rates have remained close to previous calculations while other rates have increased more dramatically. The 2021 living wage rates reflect changing demographics in our province and increases in inflation. We believe they accurately reflect the realities of costs in Ontario. For more details about how Ontario Living Wage Network calculated this year’s rates visit https://www.ontariolivingwage.ca/livingwageweek2021
The province of Ontario announced this week that the minimum wage would rise to $15 an hour in January.
 By Staff
November 3rd, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
 To help reduce the backlog of road testing due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Ontario government is using several GO station parking lots as temporary road test centres to help fill demand as pandemic limitations ease – including parking lots in your coverage area.
 Those looking to book their passenger road tests (class G2/G) can now do so at Burlington GO, Mount Joy GO, East Gwillimbury GO, and Oshawa GO, which offer convenient locations – and ample space – to put their driving skills to the literal test.
Signs will be set up at each GO Station.
The testing in Burlington is taking place in the NORTH parking lot.
 By Pepper Parr
November 2nd, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Taxes are about politics – good government service comes after that.
 The four year average amounts to 4.14% – nothing to brag about but with inflation hitting that level – might it be acceptable? You get elected when you lower taxes and fake the delivering of service as best you can.
Burlington changed the way and frequency that it collects leaves and then citizens fight like crazy with those who want to cut down the trees so they don’t have to rake them up or they want to put in a swimming pool.
In the fourth year of a term of office the practice is to lower taxes just enough to show that you care and add a service or two that doesn’t cost all that much,
Some will argue that COVID19 changed those practices.
When the public sees just how much money the city got from the federal and provincial governments they will wonder why taxes are predicted to increase by 5.45% over last year.
The four year tax run for the current council is not encouraging. Is this a tax and spend government?
Too early to tell.
 Sharman will experience some indigestion … Mayor in waiting Paul Sharman will tell you, even if you don’t ask, that during his first year as a member of Council he pushed for a 0% increase – and got it.
Sharman will experience some indigestion over the Mayor in Waiting title; he’s not modest – just strategic.
How the rest of council are going to explain the increase will be interesting to watch.
 Mayor Marianne Meed Ward. was seen as unbeatable when she ran for Mayor the first time – has the music changed? Will a budget be her undoing? The Mayor has already staked out her position – the budget they will be looking at on Wednesday is a “staff wish list” – that’s what the Mayor is reported to have said during her CMHL 15 minutes of fame bit last week.
During this four-year period, the city’s budget included the 1.25% infrastructure levy to direct towards the growing infrastructure funding gap while at the same time provided significant investments in Transit, By-law Enforcement and Forestry.
Add to the mix interest former Mayor Rick Goldring has shown in matters civic. This could be very interesting.
By Staff
November 2nd, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The 2021 Remembrance Day ceremony will again be virtual and will be live-streamed at burlingtonlegion.com, beginning at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11. Please do not go to the Burlington Cenotaph.
 The Royal Canadian Legion and veterans are asking residents to stay home and stream the ceremony online. Only those directly involved in delivering the ceremony will be at the Cenotaph.
To view the live streaming, go to burlingtonlegion.com at 10:45 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021. The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. The ceremony will also be available for viewing afterward.
The 35-minute ceremony will include a colour guard, two minutes of silence, music performed by some members of the Burlington Teen Tour Band and a reading of In Flanders Fields.
The 9 a.m. ceremony at the Naval Monument in Spencer Smith Park is open to the public.
By Staff
November 2nd, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The Regional Municipality of Halton Medical Officer of Health amended Instructions that were issued on October 19th to include:a grace period of 12 weeks for children turning 12 years old, to allow a reasonable opportunity for their vaccination to be completed.
Fully vaccinated – please. On October 19, 2021, Halton Region’s Medical Officer of Health (MOH), Dr. Hamidah Meghani, issued a letter of instructions to indoor sports and recreational fitness facilities to implement vaccination policies that require all eligible individuals to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to participate in organized sports and recreational fitness activities in these settings.
The amended letter of instructions released today adds a grace period of 12 weeks for children turning 12 years old, to allow a reasonable opportunity for their vaccination to be completed.
Halton’s MOH, Dr. Meghani, reminds all residents that while Provincial regulations have recently changed to remove capacity limits and requirements for physical distancing in facilities used for sports and recreational fitness activities, other important public health requirements remain in place. These include requiring proof of vaccination, screening, masking, contact tracing, cleaning/disinfection and safety plans to describe the measures and procedures implemented to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.
Dr. Meghani also strongly encourages facilities (including facility operators and permit holders) to continue to implement physical distancing for all children 11 years and younger (who are not eligible for vaccination at this time) participating in organized sports and recreational fitness activities, or activities of any kind in which masking may be inconsistent.
To read Dr. Meghani’s amended instructions for businesses/organizations with indoor facilities used for Organized Sports and Recreational Fitness Activities or for additional public health information and guidance, please visit halton.ca/COVID19.
By Staff
November 2nd, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Ron Foxcroft, a well known Hamilton based entrepreneur and Burlington resident who was named Citizen of the Year in 2015 for his work on flood relief in 2014, said recently that we need to: “Be smarter and more innovative” if we are going to get through the inflationary jump we are into.
Statistics Canada reported on Oct. 20 that the consumer price index (CPI), a key inflation gauge that measures change in how much Canadians are paying for goods and services, jumped again in September. It was up 4.4 percent compared to September 2020, the “fastest pace” of increase since 2003.
Canada’s CPI has now exceeded the Bank of Canada’s inflation-control target range of 1 to 3 percent for six consecutive months, while the U.S. CPI was up 5.4 percent in September year-over-year.
Foxcroft said some elected officials’ suggestion of taxing the rich more doesn’t solve problems.
 “The so-called rich are the people employing people [and] carrying charities,” he said, so in taxing them more “you’re going to have unintended consequences.”
While cautioning that there is no quick fix, he proposed reducing the size of government to cut costs and addressing the labour shortage by prioritizing getting the skilled labour force back to the required level.
“Let’s promote, and let’s come up with programs to attract, maintain, and keep and reward people that are going into the skilled trades,” he said.
He also suggested reducing dependence on imports by building up domestic manufacturing capacity in Canada, with an emphasis on greater diversity of products.
“Being smarter and more innovative, like we do in the private sector, is the way you solve problems,” Foxcroft said.
Foxcroft recently published a book: The 40 Ways of the Fox that has now been released in the United States.
Related news story:
Smaller government.
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