By Staff
April 10th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Beer is now being sold in the following supermarket locations:
Longo Brothers Fruit Markets, 2900 Walker’s Line
Walmart, 4515 Dundas St.
Walmart, 2065 Fairview St.
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April 6th, 2018 BURLINGTON, ON
How much time should your children spend before a screen? And how do you get them away from that screen when they have been in front of one for far too long?  The problem – The Community & Parent Partners for Kids (C.A.P.P. for KIDS) is presenting the event that begns at 7:00 pm and runs to 8:30 p.m. at the New Street Education Centre (3250 New St., Burlington). There will be community displays from 6:45-7 p.m. Parents are invited to attend the free evening presentation on Tuesday, April 10, 2018 aimed at addressing the appropriate amount of screen time for young people in a society increasingly dominated by technology. Called ‘Should We Unplug Our Kids? Reflections on the revised Canadian Paediatric Society Position Statement on Screen Time for Children’, the presentation will highlight the current trends, research and recommendations related to screen time.  How much screen time is appropriate – and how does a parent come up with rules that work? Child experts Maria Ramos and Linda Bell will lead the presentation. Both are experienced Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologists with advanced skills in facilitating the development of language and emergent literacy in preschool children. Their role includes coaching parents and service providers as well as offering community presentations on a variety of related topics. C.A.P.P. for KIDS is a partnership between Halton Region, Halton District School Board, Halton Catholic District School Board, Reach Out Centre for Kids (ROCK), Our Kids Network, Halton Regional Police Service, Ontario Early Years, Burlington Public Library, City of Burlington, and the Halton Multicultural Council. For more information about this event, email mailto:capp4kids@gmail.com.
April 3rd, 2018 BURLINGTON, ON
James Burchill has a style that is unique. Basically he is a communicator and has come up with a format that he calls Smart Car Coffee Confidential. He takes people out for a drive in his little Smart Car and has a conversation – stopping along the way for a cup of takeout coffee. He has interviewed VIP’s, sports people, people who do the darndiest things for a living. Burchill, besides being a shameless self-promoter, is a Brit – something he is quietly proud about.  Two Brits – watch for what they do during a Coffee Confidential on Friday. In a forthcoming Coffee Confidential he is out with Paul Coppcut, who toils away at “personal brand development”. What makes this video such a hoot is that the two of them are nutso about Queen. Not THE Queen but the musical royalty Queen. The two of them sit in the car shaking their heads like a couple of bobble head dolls yucking it up. A short short clip of just what these two Brits do when the music is turned on is RIGHT HERE. The full Coffee Confidential will run on Friday. Brighten up your day – supposed to rain later this afternoon and this evening.
March 24th, 2018 BURLINGTON, ON
The Joseph Brant Hospital will be getting $11.2 million in new provincial government funding that will be added to Joseph Brant Hospital’s budget for 2018/19.  Burlington MP Eleanor McMahon is also the chair of the Treasury Board. Members of the provincial legislature have been fanning out across the province making funding announcements on increases in funding for hospitals. Burlington MPP Eleanor McMahon was at Joseph Brant Hospital yesterday to outline how this major increase in hospital funding will provide better access to care, reduce wait times, address capacity issues and better meet the needs of Burlington’s changing population. This overall increase of 4.6 per cent across the province is on top of the 3.2 per cent provided last year — allowing hospitals to invest with more precision in the care and supports that address the specific needs of their patients and community.
McMahon said “Patients and families across Ontario will also directly benefit from this increased funding with the expansion of essential services to reduce wait times and priority procedures such as cardiac care, critical care, chemotherapy, treatment for strokes, hip and knee replacements, and medical imaging.” McMahon added in her media release that the is responding to rapid economic change by bringing in a higher minimum wage and better working conditions, free tuition for hundreds of thousands of students, easier access to affordable child care, and free prescription drugs for everyone under 25, and 65 or over, through the biggest expansion of medicare in a generation.
March 5th, 2018 BURLINGTON, ON
Keeping ourselves healthy is important. Part of that involves getting well again should we get sick. Enter single payer health insurance – the only efficient way to deliver health care. John Robarts gave us OHIP back in the late sixties with a little help from the federal government. Then Bill Davis added a senior’s drug plan in 1972.
Canadians have one of the better health care systems anywhere, and it will only get better with the addition of a single payer drug plan. Oh sure Americans like to talk about our waiting lists for elective surgery, but at least all residents here have access to care. And if we were to double our health budget, the equivalent of what Americans pay per capita, those waiting lines would be a lot shorter. But most importantly, we sail past the US when it comes to health outcomes. We have lower infant mortality, are generally healthier and we outlive them.  The last coal fired generating plant in Ontario The Liberal government in Ontario started to phase out dirty coal electricity plants soon after coming to power in the early 2000s. Between 2006 and 2015 smog-causing nitrogen dioxide emissions dropped by 32 per cent, sulphur dioxide by 48 per cent, carbon monoxide by 53 per cent, and fine particulate matter by 25 per cent. Despite population growth and an increase in the number of motor vehicles on Ontario’s roadways, the air above our cities, like Toronto, is cleaner than we’ve seen in our lifetimes. According to the Ministry of Environment…“There were no smog advisories issued in 2015, compared with 2005 when there were 53 smog days. Based on the Air Quality Health Index, the province’s air quality was rated in the low risk category for 90 per cent of the year in 2015.” And Ontario’s carbon ‘cap-and-trade’ system, which started last year, will continue to deliver that kind of good news. The province estimates that improved air quality is saving over $4 billion annually in health care costs. But then the provincial auditor general estimates that moving to green energy has cost almost forty billion over the past decade or so. That would be a wash – except that these are all mostly hypothetical numbers, the kind accountants and economists like to fiddle with as they make their political arguments. What matters most is whether our quality of life has improved and whether we can afford this improvement in air quality in the face of increases we’ve seen in the cost of hydro.  Smoking in public is getting harder and harder to do – unfortunately it is the younger people taking up the habit. The Liberal government also fought an uphill battle banning smoking in public places and restricting toxic lawn pesticides. We all understand the health benefits of not smoking, though pesticides are less well understood when it comes to their relationship to diseases like asthma and cancer. But a recent Conference Board report recognizes Ontario with the lowest rate of respiratory mortality in Canada, despite having the most concentrated population. OHIP+ is estimated to cost roughly half a billion dollars a year. And the province claims to be running a balanced budget even without the kind of without additional federal finding we might expect coming out of the new federal initiative. The provincial NDP have yet to release their election platform though Andrea Horwath, supportive of OHIP+, has mused about implementing a universal program. None of the PC leadership contenders have committed to continuing the OHIP+ program, let alone any expansion of it. The platform passed by the party last November does speak to continuation of the Liberal initiated program, but the candidates have been careful to avoid adopting a platform which also contains plans for a $4 billion dollar carbon tax. That is troubling on a number of fronts, particularly since at least a couple of the candidates have talked about also killing the cap-and-trade program which reduces other air borne pollutants associated with the combustion of fossil fuels in addition to CO2. In fact the preoccupation of the these candidates is with the conflicting goals of tax cuts and debt reduction.  The current cap and trade CO2 emissions program pumps tens of millions into the provincial economy. If cancelled where would funds for health care come from? And that means that money will need to be found elsewhere to satisfy these goals, most likely in the most expensive part of the budget – health care. There already was a financial hole in the Patrick Brown platform – right smack dab in health care. So it would not be unrealistic to expect Ontario to opt out of any national universal pharmacare program should the PC’s win the election later this year, and maybe even shelve OHIP+. It’s politics too, as we witnessed by the confrontational attitudes permeating the last PC candidates debate. Why would a Tory government in Ontario agree to anything a Liberal federal government wants to do. Even if, in the case of a carbon tax, the money stays in the province. In Brown’s platform the money would have been returned in lower income tax rates for the middle classes – revenue neutral.  The Harris government took millions and millions out of education and health care – it took decades to restore those services. We have seen this movie before. It was the late ‘90s and Ontario took Mike Harris at his word, having come to office with a promise not to touch health care, and then desperately looking at the health budget to pay for his income tax cuts. He closed hospitals, fired nurses, and threw the entire system into chaos. Ontario moved to the back of the line in health care, owning the longest surgery wait times in Canada. Gurneys stacked up in hospital corridors as we watched our loved ones suffer in despair. Heart patients were literally dying waiting for surgery and cancer patients had to be bused to Buffalo for radiation treatment. Let us never go back to those days.
Background links: Health Report Card – Canada’s Rank – Cost Effective Care – OHIP+ Details – Hoskins – Ontario’s Plans – Conference Board – Ontario Climate Change – Canada vs USA – OHIP+ –
March 1st, 2018 BURLINGTON, ON
If the weather forecast holds the roads could be recovering from a lot of snowé Minor traffic delays can be expected. Road Closures 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. 9:45 to 10:30 a.m. 9:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lane Use
February 14th, 2018 BURLINGTON, ON
McNeil was a babysitter in her home in the City of Burlington between 1996 – 1998, and was known to babysit children within her neighbourhood. At the time of the offences, the female was known by the name Maureen Crawley The accused was held for a bail hearing. Anyone who may have any additional information pertaining to this investigation is asked to contact D/Cst. Matt Cunnington of the Halton Regional Police Service Child Abuse and Sexual Assault Unit at 905-465-8978.
January 23, 2018 BURLINGTON, ON
The weather system currently passing through the watershed may bring an additional 10 mm of rain overnight prior to ending Tuesday morning. These rainfall amounts combined with saturated ground conditions will result in elevated water levels and increased flows in local creeks.  With as much as 25 mm of rain in the past 24 hours the flow pf water in the watershed creeks will be higher and faster. Caution. Further, milder temperatures and melting ice may contribute to blockages at bridges and culverts and produce localized flooding concerns in low lying areas. Widespread flooding is not currently anticipated. Our reservoirs are currently at winter holding levels which allows for larger storage capacity for circumstances of this nature. Conservation Halton is asking all residents and children to keep a safe distance from all watercourses and structures such as bridges, culverts and dams. Elevated water levels, fast flowing water, and slippery conditions along stream banks continue to make these locations extremely dangerous. Please alert children in your care of these imminent dangers. Conservation Halton will continue to monitor stream and weather conditions and will issue an update to this Watershed Condition Statement –Water Safety message as conditions warrant. This Watershed Condition Statement will be in effect through Wednesday January 24, 2018.
January 12th, 2018 BURLINGTON, ON
The fact that there is a provincial election months away does change the level of information sent out by the different ministries – that however should not take away from the really good programs that are being introduced. The province created OHIP + the biggest expansion to Medicare in a generation by providing drug coverage to over four million children and youth.
More than 350,000 prescriptions have been filled to date under OHIP+ and the numbers continue to grow, making a real difference in the lives of people and families across the province.
All people need to do is present their Ontario health card number along with a valid prescription for an eligible medication at an Ontario pharmacy and the medicine will be provided free of charge. The introduction of a significant increase in the minimum wage has created a controversy that has put what people who are on the lower end of the income spectrum on the table. One can argue, fairly, that this should have been done years ago and that the increase should have been more gradually. That should not however detract from the fact that the wage has been increased and that those funds will work themselves into the economy. All facts to be kept in mind as we move into a phase of the provincial election where positions will begin to be taken. Time to pay attention. There is a search tool on the province’s web site that helps people learn just which drugs are covered. You might find that useful.
December 22nd, 2017 BURLINGTON, ON
Not the best time of year to ask people to find a couple of minutes to respond to a city survey. Things are so busy that the supermarket in my part of town is going to be open until 11 pm tonight. Nonetheless – know this: The City will be replacing 14 playgrounds over the next two years and is encouraging families who use the specific parks to complete a survey to say which kinds of playground features would be most wanted. Beginning Dec. 28, 2017, city staff will be at nearby recreation centres asking for input. The online survey is HERE and will be available until January, 31, 2018.  Location of the 14 parks that will be upgraded in 2018 Playgrounds to be replaced in the next two years are: 1. Brada Woods Park, 5196 Brada Cr. Chris Glenn, director of Parks and Recreation explains that: “The survey results will be used to create plans for the parks that will be specific to that park. Talk to your kids about what kinds of play structures they like. Ask them if they prefer straight or curving slides, monkey bars, poles, swings and other fun, interactive equipment.” The survey questionnaire runs 17 pages – we will run it again in the New Year when you have more time for this kind of thing.
December 19th, 2017 BURLINGTON, ON
On January 1st, 2018 the new OHIP + program kicks in – Burlington MPP Eleanor McMahon twill be hosting a Coffee Drop In on OHIP+ at : Shoppers Drugmart Roseland Plaza
Thursday, December 21, 2017; 1:30 p.m. (Please arrive no later than 2:00 p.m., unless previously arranged with MPPs Office) Shoppers Drugmart Roseland Plaza, 3023 New Street, Burlington Related news story: OHIP + begins January 1st, 2018
December 14th, 2017 BURLINGTON, ON
An infection prevention and control inspection conducted by the Halton Region Health Department on December 4, 2017, identified that clients who have received medical services at the Ontario Institute for Facial Surgery operated by Dr. Joseph Korkis located at 672 Brant St., Unit 405, in Burlington may have been exposed to improperly cleaned, disinfected, sterilized and stored instruments used for procedures. The inspection was initiated following a patient complaint. Halton Region is not aware of any cases of infection associated with this clinic at this time.  Joseph A. Korkis, MB, FRCSC, FRCSl, FRCS, FCAFPS, offers Nasal and Facial Plastic Cosmetic Surgery, Snoring and Sleep Apnea Surgery in Burlington Ontario. “Improperly cleaned, disinfected, sterilized and stored medical instruments carry a low risk of transmitting infectious diseases, such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to clients,” said Dr. Joanna Oda, Associate Medical Officer of Health for Halton Region. “As a precaution, the Halton Region Health Department recommend that all clients who have ever received medical services from Dr. Korkis at the Burlington clinic contact their physician (or go to a walk-in clinic if they do not have a physician) to discuss testing for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV. Clients can download a letter to bring to their doctor by visiting halton.ca/health.” On December 4, 2017, upon completion of the inspection, the Halton Region Health Department closed the Ontario Institute for Facial Surgery. As of December 12, 2017, Dr. Korkis has satisfied all the requirements of the Health Department and can resume patient services at this location. A question that might be asked is why the public wasn’t informed on December 4th that the clinic had been closed? This is not the first time the Region has closed a medical office in Burlington – earlier this year a dentist was closed for much the same reason – not ensuring that the instruments used were properly sterilized. For more information about hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV, the inspection or investigation and to obtain a copy of the physician letter, please visit halton.ca/health or call Halton Region at 311, 905-825-6000 or toll free 1-866-442-5866. For inquiries related specifically to the Ontario Institute of Facial Surgery or Dr. Korkis, please contact the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario by visiting cpso.on.ca.
December 5th, 2017 BURLINGTON, ON
The new wing of the hospital is open – all we hear are good things. The last stretch of the $60 million fund raising drive is going well. The city of Burlington had to tax its citizen for $60 million and the hospital Foundation had to raise another $60 million. The hospital is now focused on doing major renovations on the older portion of the hospital. Each year the hospital prepares a report on what they did during the year. These are sometimes as dry as toast without any butter – and never contain a critical word or make any mention of where improvements are needed. This year the hospital created a large graphic – filled with numbers.  634 volunteers put in 74,380 hours – that’s 117 hours per volunteer. Impressive It certainly tells the story. You can read the full report HERE Related new stories:
December 5th, 2017 BURLINGTON, ON
They are calling it OHIP+ You are going to hear a lot about it in January when the province rolls out a program that will make more than 4,400 drug products free for anyone age 24 years or younger. There not be a program to enroll in – all that is needed is a health card number and an eligible prescription.  All you will need to participate in the OHIP + program is a valid Health card. Who will be covered? OHIP+ coverage will stop on your 25th birthday, but you may qualify for other financial help with prescription drug costs. What medications will be covered: The list is extensive and includes: antibiotics to treat infections The starting point is a visit to your doctor or nurse practitioner and get a prescription. Then you take your health card OR health card number to any pharmacy in Ontario. The pharmacy will fill their prescription at no charge – you don’t pay a dispensing fee, deductible or co-payment. Trillium Drug Program members. If your child is age 24 or under and a member of a Trillium Drug Program household, as of January 1, 2018 they will be covered through OHIP+. This means, because you don’t pay out-of-pocket for their medications, no money from those medications will count toward your deductible. Students going to university/college in another province  John Hoskins – Minister of Health and Long Term Care will be all over the television news when the OHIP+ program is rolled out. He was a Liberal Party Leadership candidate the lat time around – expect to see him in the race the next time the Liberals go looking for a new leader. If you’re going to university or college in another province, your prescriptions may still be covered by OHIP+ if you: remain insured by OHIP Expect to hear a lot more about this program – there is an provincial election in June and the current government really wants to get re-elected.
November 28th, 2017 BURLINGTON, ON
The people who live along West Haven in Tyendaga will troop over to the Crossroads Centre for a third public meeting put on by Meridian Brick this Thursday. As part of Meridian’s “good neighbour” policy they will update the community on the status of the many studies they have had done – the residents will ask questions and their environmental adviser will ask tough questions of the Meridian staff who will be out in force. The Mayor may or may not show up. Same goes for the ward Councillor Rick Craven – they just want this issue to go away. The issue for the residents is the shale mining the brick maker wants to do in the third piece of land – referred to as the eastern cell or Cell 3.  Everyone knew how close the eatern quarry was going to be to the high end homes that were going to be built. Current owners claim the warning clause that was supposed to be registered on title doesn’t appear. They fear serious depression in the value of their homes and refer to an appraisers report that finds property value losses between 8% to 40% in proximity to pits and quarries. The brick manufacturer has gone through several corporate mergers. Brick has been manufactured in Aldershot sine the early 1900’s. The current manufacturing plant was built in 2000.  Meridian makes it very clear they are licensed to do what they do – the West Haven residents want to see limitations put on that license. The issue for Meridian is keeping the plant operational. To do that they will have to de-forest an area with a reported 9000 trees. Meridian points out that they do have a license (first issued in 1972) to mine for Queenston shale – that is used to make very good brick. The residents point out that the community that exists today didn’t exist in 1972. It wasn’t until the end of 1998 that a development Plan was approved in principle by the Region. The battle lines have been drawn. The development was first put forward by Jannock Limited, a Mississauga based developer. They sold their interest to Brant Haven Homes who built the high end residences. Brant Haven has an excellent reputation for building fine high end homes. In a 24 page Region of Halton document there are two references to a quarry operation that was yards away from where the homes were to be build “The owner and the Region acknowledge and agree that this agreement shall be registered on title to the lands. To that effect, the owner hereby consents to the registration of this agreement on the title to the lands.” The West Haven residents claim that the agreement is not registered on the title they have. On the very last page of the agreement there is a second paragraph labelled as a Warning clause with the following: “The following warning clause shall be registered on title and included in all development agreements and Offers of Sale and Purchase or Lease of all lots: “The purchaser/ tenants acknowledge the presence of a future extractive industrial land use to the west and that extraction may take place during the day time only.” Those were the words on the Application to Register Notice of Agreement Pursuant to Section 71 of the Land Titles Act that was signed by Jannock and the Region. When the development was sold to Brant Haven were they aware of the Warning Clause? They should have been – they are not likely to get involved in the dispute – unless the Region begins to look into the matter. This isn’t the kind of thing the Region does on its own; someone will have to delegate at the Region and ask some questions and then a member of Regional Council would have to ask some questions. Every member of Burlington city council is a member of the Regional Councillor; half of their income comes from the Region  The residents close to the east quarry fear that the day the trees are cut down the value of their property could drop by as much as 40% When Brant Haven began to sell the houses – did they advise the purchasers that there was a warning clause? Not the kind of thing some real estate agents mention. It is up to the lawyer who closes the purchase of the property to research the title and ensure that there are no liens or conditions involved. None of the people involved in the dispute say that they were made aware of the warning clause and it appears that the warning was never entered onto the title. Who is responsible for the oversight? Was it deliberate? Where were the lawyers who did the closing for the buyers? This all happened more than 18 years ago and no one remembers – or doesn’t want to remember. It wouldn’t be difficult to look at the title document and get the name of the lawyer who did the closing paper work and collected a fee. Their name would be on the file. Could be embarrassing for a number of Burlington based lawyers.
November 22, 2017 BURLINGTON, ON
With the re-developed Joseph Brant hospital now basically fully open the public is going to get a chance to make a different kind of use of the space.  An architects rendering of the new entrance to the Joseph Brant Hospital which now faces the lake. . This year, on Sunday, December 3rd, the Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation is hosting their first Join the Joy! Holiday Open House and Designer Tree Auction, held in the new Michael Lee-Chin and Family Patient Tower. They want you to join them from 11:00 am-1:30 pm on the 3rd for some holiday family fun! Proceeds from the Join the Joy Holiday Open House and Designer Tree Auction will support the Hospital’s Labour and Delivery program, helping to ensure the best possible care for our Hospital’s youngest patients. General admission is free of charge and includes complimentary parking, hot cocoa and musical entertainment. There is a Children’s Festive Passport of Fun that is being sold for just $5.00 that will give your child (ages 2-12) full access to our holiday activities: Picture with Santa Festive Holiday Crafts Teddy Bear Clinic (Children are encouraged to bring in a teddy bear, stuffed animal or doll) Face-Painting and Balloon Animals Make Your Own Finger Cast Investigating Germs Festive Photo Wall Parents and Guardians are welcome to admire and bid on the beautifully decorated Designer Holiday Trees as well as take part in: Silent Auction WHEN: Sunday, December 3 WHERE: Michael Lee-Chin & Family Patient Tower, Joseph Brant Hospital, 1245 Lakeshore Road Please note: Children are not to be left unattended and are under the responsibility of their Parent and/or Guardian at all times. 0
November 22, 2017 BURLINGTON, ON
David Suzuki has been doing media interviews for at least 50 years – he is an old hand at it. The energy isn’t what is was a decade ago but the passion and the belief that we are the only people who can make the change if we are going to save this planet. Suzuki tells his audiences that we human beings are the only creatures on this planet that think in terms of having a future – our challenge is to decide what that future is going to be.  David Suzuki – preaching his gospel knowing that we can save this planet on simple step at a time – he reminds us that WE have to take those steps. Asked if it is too late – he will look at you through those eyes we have seen when he was doing Quirks and Quarks on CBC and on The Nature of Things, a CBC program he is still doing. Suzuki works at two levels – evangelizing and getting out the big picture. He takes to the stage and repeats the same message – it is ours to live, work and play in – and now we need to save it – we have come perilously close to killing this planet. His other level is more personal. He still rants about the damage done by the Harper government and still gets back to his core message – “pay attention to the science.” He rails at what he sees the politicians doing and tells the story of a high school classmate who in the 50’s said he wanted to be a Politician because that is the level at which you can make a difference. At that point David Suzuki will look at you intently and ask – “Do you know any young people who want to go into politics today?” About a decade ago (was it really that long) the federal government decided that it would no longer have Statistics Canada do the long form census. The science community – indeed all of the academic world was stunned. (The long form census is the document that gathers all kinds of data that is used to learn what is happening in the country – what people are doing. It is a critical measuring device without which it is very difficult to make decisions.)  The long form census was brought to an end by the Harper government – sanity prevailed and it was brought back quickly by the government that succeeded him. When the decision not to continue with the long form census was made by the Harper government the head of Statistics quit in protest. “They should have all walked out the door and made a statement” says Suzuki. David shrugs, looks up and without saying a word conveys the feeling that it is difficult at times to understand why people do what they do. Suzuki asks: “How old are you” – I tell him – he says “you’re looking pretty good” – realizing that both of us are getting a little long in the tooth but don’t know how to stop fighting the good fight. Later in the evening Suzuki will take to the stage and talk to an almost adoring audience. He is an icon that the young people admire, respect and look to for some of the answers. When he gets going the energy comes back and he is close to unstoppable. He touches the lives of all and he knows it – so he travels the country and spreads his gospel.  The Blue Dot message. Suzuki was brought to the city by Burlington Green – they brought Jane Goodall a couple of years ago. These marquee speakers do well with the young audience that Burlington Green attracts. They are energetic, keen, wide eyed and bushy tailed. Suzuki put it very well when he said: “They get it.” Tied into the talks Suzuki gave was the “blue dot” which is a project that wants every Canadian to have the right to clean water and a healthy environment. “When our provincial and federal decision-makers have recognized our right to a healthy environment, we will turn toward the ultimate goal: we seek to amend the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to include the right to a healthy environment, so that we can join the 110 countries around the world that already have this right included in their constitutions.” There are now more than 150 municipalities that have signed on to the Blue Dot movement – Burlington made that decision in 2015.
November 6th, 2017 BURLINGTON, ON
If she can do it – you can do it.  Burlington MPP Eleanor McMahon getting her flu shot. Burlington’s MPP will be out today getting her flu shot. They are now available at many pharmacies and your family doctor. “The flu shot is the best way to protect yourself and those around you from getting the flu. Getting the vaccine shot is quick, it’s painless, and it’s free for anyone who works, lives, or goes to school in Ontario. The sooner you are vaccinated, the sooner you can protect yourself and those around you from getting the flu. I encourage everyone who is able to do so get a flu shot as soon as possible,” said MPP McMahon. There are a number other of simple steps to prevent the spread of the flu virus including: • Wash your hands frequently. Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds to help remove bacteria and viruses. Wash before and after eating, after you have been in a public place, after using the washroom, after coughing and sneezing, and after touching surfaces that may have been contaminated. An alcohol-based hand sanitizer is also effective in killing viruses. • Keep your hands away from your face. In most cases, the flu virus enters the body through the eyes, nose or mouth. • Cough and sneeze into your arm, not your hand. If you use a tissue, dispose of it as soon as possible and wash your hands. • Keep common surface areas clean and disinfected. Doorknobs, light switches, telephones, keyboards and other surfaces can become contaminated with all kinds of bacteria and viruses. Regular cleaning and disinfecting of these surfaces with regular household disinfectants can help. Viruses can live on hard surfaces for up to 48 hours. • If you get sick, stay home. If you think you have the flu, you should stay home until your symptoms are gone. If your symptoms get worse, call your health care provider.
November 6th, 2017 BURLINGTON, ON
You live in a nice part of town. The homes are in the million dollar price range. Traffic is just local – the view out over the lake is pleasant. Life is good – the neighbours get along with each other quite well. The Tyandaga West Subdivision was registered in 1999. The original developer ran into problems and sold their interest to another developer who completed the project. The development is very close to a quarry that mines shale for the manufacturing of brick. The brick company has gone through a number of mergers and acquisitions and is now known as Meridian Brick. The corporate organization has had a license from the province to quarry for shale since 1972. Aldershot has been home to brick manufacturing sine the 1900’s.
For the most part the residents were really aware of the brick making operation – until they were told that the mining for shale was going to take place less than 100 yards from their homes, All was well until the neighbourhood got a letter from the brick manufacturer that they were going to begin mining for shale in the eastern section of the property. There are three sections that are marked for shale mining with a hydro line running through the property. When the community got the letters they met, organized and started to make their views and concerns known to their elected officials and to the brick company.
Indeed they do said the residents – it was issued in 1972 and a lot of things have changed since then. In a very smart piece of community organizing they pointed out just how much things have changed in the 40 plus years since the license was issued. The community reached out to the Mayor and the ward Councillor as well as the MPP and Cabinet Minister Eleanor. In a prepared statement TEC said: “Ms McMahon (local MPP) and members of her local team were made aware of the health and ecological concerns of the community with respect to the proposed quarry extension in September 2015. “Since that time there have been ongoing discussions and meetings, and specific requests from TEC of Ms McMahon’s office. TEC had requested her to take the lead in organizing meetings for TEC, with the MOECC and MNRF and to assist TEC in a process to obtain a Ministerial Zoning Order that would enable a review of the quarry to be conducted. Ms. McMahon has voiced TEC ‘s concerns and objections to Meridian’s plans but to date the group are unaware if she has facilitated a meeting with the various ministers as there has been minimal communication although that has requested many times. “In May 2017, her office acknowledged that Meridian does have to carry out endangered species studies. To date Meridian nor Minister McMahon have provided any information with respect to the studies.” You can see where that’s going. At this point – the community and the corporation are each holding their own meetings.
 David Donnelly, environmental lawyer representing TEC Donnelly is a bit of a “pit bull” – he is a tough cookie and not shy about stepping into a battle for the environment. He looks for solutions that will keep everyone happy. The TEC people are vigilant – they recently spotted some equipment that was working the property. Hiding in some bushes a resident filmed the work crew – listen to what was recorded on a cell phone.
Note the graphic that set out the sound that the residents will hear every day that the mine is being quarried for shale.  The illustration sets out what the residents are going to have to deal with. 102 decibels is louder than a food blender (80 db) on a kitchen counter. Is the city going to allow that much noise? There is a solution that is being put forward by the TEC people. Their counsel David Donnelly, in conservation with Mayoralty candidate Mike Wallace on Cogeco’s The Issue with Mark Carr sets out one approcach but as Donnelly points out “there is no point going to city hall if they don’t want to listen.” It was pretty clear that Wallace was listening.
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October 20th, 2017 BURLINGTON, ON
They all gathered at the Regional office in Oakville and talked up the new funding for repairs and retrofits to social housing in Halton in order to improve living conditions and fight climate change. Linking social housing to climate change is a different twist –a sort of two birds with one stone thing.  MPP for Milton – India Nadoo Harris  MPP for Oakville – Kevin Flynn Burlington MPP Eleanor McMahon Halton will receive up to $8,497,961 for repairs and retrofits to social housing apartment buildings over five years through the Social Housing Apartment Improvement Program (SHAIP), contingent on carbon market proceeds. This includes $1,659,751 for 2017-18. This program is what the public is getting back from the carbon market the province created. That carbon market is what increased the cost of the gasoline you put in your cars.
Proceeds from Ontario’s carbon market must by law be invested into programs that help households and businesses reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save money on energy costs. Programs include home energy retrofits, public transit, social housing retrofits, and electric vehicle incentives and infrastructure. Halton will also be receiving $3.1 million over three years through the Home for Good Program to increase access and supports to help families in need remain permanently housed. This is part of the province’s goal to end chronic homelessness by 2025.  These are very disturbing numbers – they point to a very serious problem for Burlington. Getting more affordable housing built is, at least for Burlington, a very pressing need. The Burlington Foundation released their Vital Signs report earlier this week. Look at the housing situation – those are very disturbing. Kevin Flynn MPP for Oakville added a comment that points to a program – The Home for Good program – that “will receive $3.1 million over the next 3 years as part of the government’s Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy to end chronic homelessness for people living with complex physical and mental health challenges by the year 2025. “This funding will provide housing assistance, as well as counselling, addictions services and life-skills training to ensure that anyone living in Halton Region will have the security – and dignity – of having a safe place to call home.” Affordable housing comes under social welfare which is a Regional responsibility. All seven members of Burlington city council are also members of the Regional Council. This is a program Burlington city Councillors could work assiduously at to the benefit of those that cannot afford the Burlington market rate for rent. When a comparable unit goes for $894 in Hamilton and $1264 in Burlington – it is very clear that something is out of balance. Burlington needs more affordable housing.  Regional Chair Gary Carr. Regional Chair Gary Carr said: “Providing safe, affordable and accessible housing opportunities is one of Regional Council’s strategic priorities. Maintaining and improving our social housing infrastructure is integral to providing high quality service to residents in our assisted housing communities. We are proud to work alongside our partners at the Provincial Government and are thankful for the provincial investment which will benefit Halton residents.” Political Pablum.
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An investigation conducted by the Halton Regional Police Service – Child Abuse and Sexual Assault Unit (C.A.S.A.), resulted in the arrest Frances Maureen McNeil (55 years), of St. Catharines on February 13th, 2018 and charged with: Sexual Assault, Sexual Interference and Invitation to Sexual Touching
Conservation Halton advises that as of 11:30 PM January 22nd, rain gauges throughout the watershed have recorded rainfall totals up to 15 mm over the last 24 hours.
In only 11 days into the New Year, more than 220,000 young people age 24 years and under have had their prescriptions filled at no cost through OHIP+: Children and Youth Pharmacare.
Under OHIP+, more than 4,400 medications are covered, including asthma inhalers, drugs to treat depression, anxiety, epilepsy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, antibiotics, epinephrine auto-injectors like EpiPens, insulin, diabetes test strips, oral contraceptives, some medications to treat childhood cancers and other rare conditions, and many others.
McMahon, MPP for Burlington, will join David Pinkus, Pharmacist Owner, to provide residents with information about OHIP+: Children and Youth Pharmacare and to demonstrate the online platform for searching through the list of more than 4,400 publicly funded medications. OHIP+ will provide medication s to everyone age 24 years or younger, beginning January 1, 2018.
The people on West Haven, which run west off Kerns Road, are not opposed to the manufacturing of brick – but they do wonder if a quarry that was approved forty years ago is appropriate in what is now a built up neighbourhood.
The residents got even less than lip service from the politicians – “they have a license” said both the Mayor and the ward Councillor Rick Craven.
The West Haven residents incorporated a not for profit with the name Tyandaga Environmental Coalition (TEC) was the kind of community that could raise funds quite easily – they asked residents to pony up $500 per household. That gave TEC a war chest and they hired one of the better (perhaps the best) environmental lawyers – David Donnelly, one of the lawyers on the winning side of the fight to block the expansion of a quarry in the Escarpment.
Explaining the intricate detail on just how this carbon market almost defies description. Writing it would be a challenge – understanding it is something else – getting people to read it is another dimension.