 By Pepper Parr
January 20th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
 Karina Gould during an election campaign. Burlington has 27 days to have its Member of Parliament, Karina Gould, in position to take a shot at becoming the Prime Minister of Canada.
Any citizen in the city who can meet the following criteria can become a member of the Liberal Party of Canada:
a) be at least fourteen (14) years of age;
b) support the purposes of the Party;
c) ordinarily live in Canada or, for Canadians living abroad, be qualified as an elector who may vote in accordance with part 11 of the Canada Elections Act;
d) not be a member of any other federal political party in Canada; and
e) while Registered as a Liberal, not have publicly declared an intention to be a
candidate for election to the House of Commons other than as a candidate of the Party.
Item e means Gould cannot vote for herself
The vote will be done on a ranked ballot. Rank Karina Gould as the only person you want to vote for. Make her your first choice, your second choice and your third choice – and as your fourth choice if the voting goes that far
She will need thousands of Burlingtonians to sign up and vote for her.
First step is to click on the link and sign up – registration is free.
Gould held her campaign kick-off at a retail location in Burlington on Sunday. We will report on what she said later in the week.
 By Staff
January 20th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The world will be looking at America today. It will be grim.
To get a sense of what government can do, especially local government, click on the link HERE and have a peek at what the Skyway Community Centre in the eastern part of the city will look like when it opens sometime this year.
Continue reading Skyway arena – something you are going to want to see – will have a roof full of solar panels
 By Pepper Parr
January 20th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Nathaniel Erskine-Smith isn’t running for the Liberal leadership. He has a different job to do, and not much time to make a difference.
Erskine-Smith represents Beaches-East York, the community I published the community newspaper in more than 40 years ago. The paper is still published weekly – never more than 40 pages – because that is about as much as the carriers can handle as they deliver the paper door to door – free.
 Erskine-Smith had said that he was not going to seek re-election – it was clear to him that he wasn’t one of the Justin Trudeau favourites – he frequently voted against the party. Then in one of the Prime Minister’s Cabinet shuffles Erskine-Smith was invited into Cabinet. He took the job seriously and in the following interview (which I didn’t do) he sets out what the issues are and what he is in the process of doing.
In an interview with Erskine-Smith earlier this week, which I did do he did mention that he thinks there is a project he could work through with Burlington – no details at this point.
Continue reading Can the current Minister of Housing make a difference in the few months he has left?
By Staff
January 19th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Several egg brands sold in at least five provinces are being recalled due to possible Salmonella contamination.
 The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says eggs with the specific lot code information sold under the Compliments, Foremost, Golden Valley Eggs, IGA, Western Family, and No Name brands in Ontario, British Columbia, and Manitoba are affected.
Continue reading Major egg recall due to possible Salmonella contamination.
 By Harold Dickert
January 18th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
No one is talking about “Garbage into oil” technology. Not even the Canadian Liberal Party, who added major funding to the world’s largest facility now under construction just outside of Montreal – built by Enerkem (https://enerkem.com/).
 From 360 000 tonnes of waste To 285 000 000 liters of clean fuels
Continue reading We can turn garbage into fuel – so why aren’t we doing that
 By Pepper Parr
January 19th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
A number of Gazette readers have asked – where does the $350,000 that political party leadership candidates have to put up come from?
Big corporations or wealthy people who want to influence governments.
Why does that happen – because the average person doesn’t buy a membership in a political party and donate $10 four times a year. Look at the candidates and support the one that reflects your values.
The politicians would much rather have tens of thousands of small donations and not find themselves beholden to bankers and corporate interests but without financial support from the average person – the corporate interests move in.
And we know where that has gotten us don’t we?
So for the squawkers – make a donation to a political party of your choice and make a real difference or stop complaining.
Salt with Pepper is an opinion column reflecting the observations and musings of the publisher of the Gazette, an on-line newspaper that is in its 12th year as a news source in Burlington and is a member of the National Newsmedia Council.
By Pepper Parr
January 19th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Chandra Arya, Jaime Battiste and Frank Baylis – who are they?
Their names will be on the ballot Liberal Party members will be given when they vote for the new Party leader on March 9. That assumes they have paid the required registration fees. They don’t have a hope but they will never the less be on a ballot that is ranked.
When the results of the first vote are shown, Liberals will have some idea how Mark Carney, Chrystia Freeland and Karina Gould did.
Continue reading What ranked balloting is going to mean to the Liberal leadership campaign
By Staff
January 17th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
 Karina Gould MP Burlington Karina Gould will be making an in-person announcement on Sunday, January 19th in Burlington.
11:00 am is the event start time.
She will be accompanied by friends, family, and supporters, and will stay to take questions from the media.
Gould will make remarks at 11:00 am and then take questions from reporters.
There will be 20 minutes for questions, one question + follow up per reporter.
No word on where the event will take place – security is going to be tight for every public announcement.
 By Staff
January 17th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Ontario Parks is looking for students who love to learn and care about making people happy and healthy.
Starting January 20th, applications will open for summer positions at parks across the province including:
Continue reading Summer Jobs at Ontario Parks – Applications open Monday, January 20th
By Staff
January 17th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The Ontario government is making it simpler for seniors aged 80 and over to safely stay behind the wheel by introducing a more convenient process for renewing their drivers’ licences.
 Starting February 3, 2025, drivers in this age group will be able to complete mandatory vision and cognitive screening assessments and renew their drivers’ licences in a single visit at select ServiceOntario centres. By the end of Spring 2025, this service will be available at all ServiceOntario locations across the province.
Continue reading Renewing a driving license will become easier for those over 80 in February
 By James Portside
January 17th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
This information is not professional investment advice. Investors are advised to do their own research into individual stocks before making an investment decision.
The five stocks with the largest dollar value of insider acquisitions in the public market are:
|
| Morguard Real Estate Investment Trust —–Buy Quantity: 99,700 Average cost: $5.50 Total: $548,294.92 |
| Insider |
Relationship |
Transaction |
Date |
Quantity |
Price |
Total |
| Morguard Corporation |
3 – 10% Security Holder of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
01-15-25 |
57,400 |
$5.50 |
$315,644.92 |
| Morguard Corporation |
3 – 10% Security Holder of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
01-14-25 |
14,400 |
$5.50 |
$79,200.00 |
| Morguard Corporation |
3 – 10% Security Holder of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
01-13-25 |
27,900 |
$5.50 |
$153,450.00 |
|
| First National Financial Corporation —–Buy Quantity: 12,824 Average cost: $39.00 Total: $500,136.00 |
| Insider |
Relationship |
Transaction |
Date |
Quantity |
Price |
Total |
| FNSC Holdings Inc. |
3 – 10% Security Holder of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
01-14-25 |
6,412 |
$39.00 |
$250,068.00 |
| Smith Financial Corporation |
3 – 10% Security Holder of Issuer |
47 – Acquisition or disposition by gift |
01-14-25 |
-6,412 |
$38.99 |
-$250,003.88 |
| Smith, Stephen |
4 – Director of Issuer, 7 – Director or Senior Officer of Insider or Subsidiary of Issuer (other than in 4,5,6) |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
01-14-25 |
6,412 |
$39.00 |
$250,068.00 |
| Smith, Stephen |
4 – Director of Issuer, 7 – Director or Senior Officer of Insider or Subsidiary of Issuer (other than in 4,5,6) |
47 – Acquisition or disposition by gift |
01-14-25 |
-6,412 |
$38.99 |
-$250,003.88 |
|
| Morguard Corporation —–Buy Quantity: 3,200 Average cost: $111.00 Total: $355,200.00 |
| Insider |
Relationship |
Transaction |
Date |
Quantity |
Price |
Total |
| Armoyan, Sime |
3 – 10% Security Holder of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
01-13-25 |
3,200 |
$111.00 |
$355,200.00 |
|
| Jaguar Mining Inc —–Buy Quantity: 120,800 Average cost: $2.23 Total: $268,828.32 |
| Insider |
Relationship |
Transaction |
Date |
Quantity |
Price |
Total |
| 2176423 Ontario Ltd. |
3 – 10% Security Holder of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
01-13-25 |
60,400 |
$2.23 |
$134,414.16 |
| Sprott, Eric |
3 – 10% Security Holder of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
01-13-25 |
60,400 |
$2.23 |
$134,414.16 |
|
| Tourmaline Oil Corp —–Buy Quantity: 2,500 Average cost: $66.44 Total: $166,109.00 |
| Insider |
Relationship |
Transaction |
Date |
Quantity |
Price |
Total |
| Rose, Mike |
5 – Senior Officer of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
01-16-25 |
2,500 |
$66.44 |
$166,109.00 |
The five stocks with the largest dollar value of insider dispositions in the public market are:
|
| G Mining Ventures Corp —–Sell Quantity: -514,622 Average cost: $13.17 Total: -$6,780,144.22 Options Issued: 34,622 Average cost: $0.00 Total: $0.00 |
| Insider |
Relationship |
Transaction |
Date |
Quantity |
Price |
Total |
| La Mancha Capital Management GP |
3 – 10% Security Holder of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
01-13-25 |
-160,000 |
$13.19 |
-$2,109,904.00 |
| La Mancha Investments S.à r.l. |
3 – 10% Security Holder of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
01-13-25 |
-160,000 |
$13.19 |
-$2,109,904.00 |
| Loza-Sawiris, Yousriya |
3 – 10% Security Holder of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
01-13-25 |
-160,000 |
$13.19 |
-$2,109,904.00 |
| MacDonald, Norman |
4 – Director of Issuer |
51 – Exercise of options |
01-13-25 |
34,622 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
| MacDonald, Norman |
4 – Director of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
01-13-25 |
-34,622 |
$13.01 |
-$450,432.22 |
|
| Canadian Natural Resources Limited —–Sell Quantity: -85,504 Average cost: $45.00 Total: -$3,847,721.98 Options Issued: 85,504 Average cost: $10.85 Total: $927,977.44 |
| Insider |
Relationship |
Transaction |
Date |
Quantity |
Price |
Total |
| Balog, Brenda Gayle |
5 – Senior Officer of Issuer |
51 – Exercise of options |
01-13-25 |
4,504 |
$19.36 |
$87,197.44 |
| Balog, Brenda Gayle |
5 – Senior Officer of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
01-13-25 |
-4,504 |
$45.37 |
-$204,341.98 |
| Stainthorpe, Mark Allen |
5 – Senior Officer of Issuer |
51 – Exercise of options |
01-15-25 |
81,000 |
$10.38 |
$840,780.00 |
| Stainthorpe, Mark Allen |
5 – Senior Officer of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
01-15-25 |
-81,000 |
$44.98 |
-$3,643,380.00 |
|
| Peyto Exploration & Development Corp —–Sell Quantity: -103,000 Average cost: $17.09 Total: -$1,760,770.00 Options Issued: 105,000 Average cost: $11.85 Total: $1,244,250.00 |
| Insider |
Relationship |
Transaction |
Date |
Quantity |
Price |
Total |
| Lachance, Jean-Paul Henri |
4 – Director of Issuer, 5 – Senior Officer of Issuer |
51 – Exercise of options |
01-13-25 |
35,000 |
$9.49 |
$332,150.00 |
| Lachance, Jean-Paul Henri |
4 – Director of Issuer, 5 – Senior Officer of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
01-13-25 |
-35,000 |
$17.20 |
-$602,000.00 |
| Lachance, Jean-Paul Henri |
4 – Director of Issuer, 5 – Senior Officer of Issuer |
51 – Exercise of options |
01-14-25 |
38,300 |
$12.38 |
$474,323.00 |
| Lachance, Jean-Paul Henri |
4 – Director of Issuer, 5 – Senior Officer of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
01-14-25 |
-38,300 |
$16.96 |
-$649,680.00 |
| Lachance, Jean-Paul Henri |
4 – Director of Issuer, 5 – Senior Officer of Issuer |
51 – Exercise of options |
01-15-25 |
31,700 |
$13.81 |
$437,777.00 |
| Lachance, Jean-Paul Henri |
4 – Director of Issuer, 5 – Senior Officer of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
01-15-25 |
-31,700 |
$17.10 |
-$542,070.00 |
| Carlson, Tavis Aaron |
5 – Senior Officer of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
01-16-25 |
2,000 |
$16.49 |
$32,980.00 |
|
| Byrna Technologies, Inc —–Sell Quantity: -43,731 Average cost: $39.89 Total: -$1,744,562.19 |
| Insider |
Relationship |
Transaction |
Date |
Quantity |
Price |
Total |
| Eng, Victor |
5 – Senior Officer of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
01-15-25 |
-43,731 |
$39.89 |
-$1,744,562.19 |
|
| Agnico Eagle Mines Limited —–Sell Quantity: -10,000 Average cost: $120.27 Total: -$1,202,730.00 |
| Insider |
Relationship |
Transaction |
Date |
Quantity |
Price |
Total |
| Girard, Dominique |
5 – Senior Officer of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
01-14-25 |
-10,000 |
$120.27 |
-$1,202,730.00 |
What is Insider Trading?
How Insider Trading works.
 By Lisa Nathalie
January 17th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Canada is home to some of the most diverse bucket-list destinations on the planet — it has some of the best ski slopes, thousands of kilometres of untouched nature, and multiple hubs of commerce and entertainment of international renown. This, coupled with its expansive tourism push in recent years, means that Canada relies on an adaptable and modern aviation industry.
Luckily for tourists and Canadians alike, the nation hosts North America’s busiest and most technologically advanced airports, perfect for handling the influx of tourism expected over the next ten years. Take a look at the top ten busiest airports in Canada.
10. Kelowna International Airport (YLW)
 Kelowna Airport – gets people into the heart of British Columbia wine regions. You can fly into Kelowna, a critical gateway to British Columbia’s Okanagan region, to explore some of Canada’s best wineries, lake regions, and the breathtaking scenery of Osoyoos. The airport serves around 2,000,000 passengers a year and offers destinations nationwide and routes all the way down to sunny Mexico.
9. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ)
 The Billy Bishop Airport is minutes from Toronto’s downtown core. Toronto’s second-largest airport, situated on the Toronto Islands, is named after one of Canada’s most iconic fighter pilots. This airport caters to just over 2,000,000 passengers a year and makes a great alternative to the massive Toronto Pearson International Airport, especially if you’re looking for either domestic or short-haul flights. You can expect shorter security queues and faster processing times so that you can make every minute count of your vacation or work trip.
8. Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ)
Coming in at 8th place on the list is Halifax Stanfield. The airport serves the Halifax region, mainland Nova Scotia, and other areas in the Maritime provinces. As Canada’s easternmost international airport, it is a vital connection for rural communities and also provides hundreds of jobs for the region’s tourism sector. The airport generated a massive C$4.2 billion for the Nova Scotia economy in 2023 alone, and with a rise of over 20%, it’s expected to continue to grow in the coming years.
The airport is also home to numerous Fixed-Based Operators (FBOs), private companies that provide essential aviation services like fuel, parking, maintenance, and passenger amenities.
7. Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport (YWG)
Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport, located in the Winnipeg Capital Region, handled just over 4 million passengers last year. YWG is crucial for connecting small communities living in difficult conditions with regularly scheduled flights to Northern Manitoba, Northwestern Ontario, and Nunavut.
6. Ottawa/Macdonald–Cartier International Airport (YOW)
As the airport serving Canada’s capital city, Ottawa International is a home base for Canadian North and a major hub for Porter Airlines, which is investing $65 million into the airport infrastructure over the coming years. The airport serves the National Capital Region with over 4 million passengers annually — a 36.9% increase on the previous year, the highest such growth among Canada’s busiest airports.
The airport’s modern terminal, extended in 2008, features artwork reflecting the region’s history and culture, creating a uniquely Canadian welcome for first-time visitors to the country.
5. Edmonton International Airport (YEG)
Climbing into the top 5 busiest airports in Canada sees a marked jump in passenger numbers, with a massive 7.4 million passengers flying in and out of Edmonton International Airport. The airport caters to residents and visitors to the Edmonton Metro Region, some three hours north of Calgary.
The airport itself is so busy due to the lack of other major cities in the region, making it the only major airport for those travelling from Alberta and Saskatchewan.
4. Calgary International Airport (YYC)
Calgary International Airport, also known as “the gateway to the Rockies,” serves a whopping 18.5 million passengers a year. One reason for YYC’s huge numbers is its proximity to Banff and Canada’s impressive range of ski destinations.
YYC is home to two terminals — one domestic and one international — and serves as the main hub for Canadian airline WestJet. The airport offers world-class accessibility with modern parking systems, easy-to-use car rental services, and the reliable Calgary Transit System, which offers routes across the region.
3. Montréal–Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
Serving the Greater Montreal area, Montréal–Trudeau International Airport is a bustling hub that managed over 21 million passengers in 2023. This large operation is the region’s primary link between Canada’s French-speaking population and the rest of the world.
YUL’s strategic location makes it perfect for transatlantic flights, with popular routes to Paris, London, and Frankfurt. This dynamic location, combined with a modern general aviation terminal, makes it an ideal airport for those looking to charter a private plane to Europe and beyond. Domestic travellers also benefit from frequent flights to Toronto, Vancouver, and Halifax.
2. Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
 Some people choose to dine at the airport before their departure. Vancouver has a superb restaurant that uses an Indigenous theme at its entrance. Vancouver International Airport, nestled on Sea Island in Richmond, British Columbia, is the busiest airport in Western Canada. Welcoming almost 25 million passengers in 2023, the airport is the ultimate gateway to the region’s surrounding mountains, lakes, and the icy North Pacific. YVR is consistently ranked as one of the best airports in North America and was most recently named as the number-one airport on the continent in 2024.
Vancouver International is also the nation’s best link to Asia, with frequent flights to Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Seoul. Its location also makes it a popular stopover for flights to Australia and New Zealand.
1. Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
 Toronto’s Pearson Airport With almost double the capacity of number two on the list, Toronto has been Canada’s busiest airport for decades. It’s the primary hub for Air Canada and the second busiest arrivals hub for international travellers to North America. Serving the Greater Toronto Area, Pearson handled an impressive 44.8 million passengers in 2023, making it the pride of Canada’s already-impressive aviation industry.
Located just outside Toronto in Mississauga, Pearson offers direct flights to destinations on every continent. With its cutting-edge amenities, including world-class dining and shopping, Toronto Pearson sets the standard for Canadian airports when it comes to sheer size and availability.
Canada, Connected
With some of the most forward-thinking, accessible, and downright massive airports in North America, Canada continues to impress year-on-year with its dazzling array of airports. Vancouver continues to offer the best service in North America, Toronto Pearson connects you to the world with ease, and Calgary, Halifax, and Winnipeg airports continue to provide a vital lifeline to some of the continent’s remotest communities.
By Pepper Parr
January 17th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
If you want to know just how much trouble media is in North America try this on for size.
 Jeff Bezos with his second wife Laura Sanchez The Washington Post, owned by Jeff Bezos, who owns the Amazon organization told the Post editorial staff they were not to endorse any candidate during the election.
The Post was said to be getting ready to endorse Kamala Harris.
The Post had a tag line, Democracy Dies in Darkness, that was always published under the title of the newspaper.
Continue reading Just how much trouble is North American media in?
By Staff
January 17th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The Ontario government has begun issuing $200 taxpayer rebates to provincial taxpayers, as well as each of their eligible children, to help address the high cost of the federal carbon tax and high interest rates, with cheques set to reach families over the coming weeks.
 “With Ontario families struggling due to the federal carbon tax, high interest rates and global economic uncertainty, our government is stepping up as part of our ongoing work to keep costs down and help families make ends meet,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance. “Our prudent fiscal management means our government is able to provide this critical support for families even as we continue to improve Ontario’s finances and invest in our world-class public services.”
The cheques are being mailed to all Ontario residents who are eligible for the taxpayer rebate. To qualify for the rebate, you must have been 18 years or older and a resident in Ontario on December 31, 2023, not be bankrupt or incarcerated in 2024, and have filed a 2023 Income Tax and Benefits Return by December 31, 2024.
Continue reading Taxpayer Rebate Cheques Now Being Sent to Ontario Families
By John Nicolic
January 17th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
One or more countries can take economic sanctions against another country in order for the latter state to lose certain economic opportunities. Sanctions aim to change the state’s behavior, decrease its economy, or penalize it for the occurrence of international violations. Trade restrictions, asset freezes, and restrictions on financial transactions are all sorts of sanctions.
 These measures have a variety of impacts on the target country’s economy, from reducing export dollars to raising import costs and foreign investment. A perfect example here is Russia right now. Sanctions also have a psychological effect on consumers and investors, which leads to huge capital outflow, and a devaluation of national currencies.
Sanctions and National Currencies
Often, countries under sanctions have very devalued their national currencies. This is due to several factors:
- Access to international capital markets is restricted;
- Cuts in exports because of trade bans;
- Loss of investor confidence and huge capital outflow;
- Foreign currency reserves liquidation.
The ruble lost a lot of its value after, for example, in 2014 when sanctions were imposed on Russia. A sharp drop in export revenues particularly in the form of oil and gas sales led to such a shortage of foreign exchange earnings that proved to be the main factor.
The Case of Iran
Iran has been facing sanctions for decades, which has had serious consequences for its national currency, the rial. The main effects include persistent inflation due to restrictions on imports of vital goods, a decline in the foreign exchange reserves needed to maintain the currency, and the emergence of a shadow market for currency exchange where the rial’s exchange rate differs significantly from the official rate.
In addition to that, Iran has been forced to look for alternatives to trading, and one of them was using barter transactions or cryptocurrency. This example serves global Forex trader a reminder that geopolitical factors need to be factored in before looking at currency risk.
The Venezuelan Crisis
 The economic downturn in Venezuela has been exacerbated by falling oil prices, with sanctions against Venezuela among the possible culprits. The national currency — the Bolivar — has effectively become nearly worthless and hyperinflation has gone into hyperdrive. The loss of oil revenues as the primary foreign exchange source made it impossible to raise capital abroad, and the loss of trust in the economic system by the domestic and foreign public (citizens and the international community) had been key causes.
In this case, we see the negative impact of reliance on a single export commodity that renders an economy vulnerable to sanctions and global shocks. What is more, such crises show how quickly macroeconomic problems can grow into the total collapse of the economy.
Impact of sanctions on Venezuela:
| Factor |
Consequences |
| Loss of oil revenues |
Decrease in foreign exchange reserves |
| Restrictions on financial transactions |
Inability to attract foreign capital |
| Loss of confidence in the economic system |
Hyperinflation and devaluation of the bolivar |
The example of Venezuela for global traders demonstrates why it is never a bad idea to diversify and remember geopolitical factors when thinking about currency risk. This is precisely the situation in which you should pay to have your investments handled by brokers such as the xChief. A proven forex broker will reduce the impact of these factors on your investment, plus supply you with quality analytics.
Ripple Effects on Global Markets
Sanctions hit their targets as well as the global markets. The main consequence is an increase in the price of commodities such as oil and gas because of less supplies. Increased volatility in currency markets means both threat and opportunity for traders: The sanctions strengthen alternate currency usage such as the Chinese yuan or cryptocurrencies as a means to avoid sanctions restrictions. The situation is that reduced world economic growth results from falling international trade. As a result, often sanctions completely upset the global currency landscape, launch new financial alliances, and intensify the need for portfolio diversification on the investor’s side.
Lessons for Traders
Sanctions need to be considered in any trader’s strategy. Key lessons include:
- Check on the news imposing or tightening sanctions that may have an impact on currencies and stock prices;
- Analyze the long-term effects on a currency due to sanctions, including a dependency on the export of a limited commodity;
- Of course, diversify the portfolio to mitigate the exposure to geopolitical risks;
- To minimize the losses that occur during volatility, use risk management tools like stop losses and limit orders.
The currencies of countries not covered by sanctions can be also thought of as attractive to investors in conditions of geopolitical instability. For example, you might think the US dollar, or the Swiss franc, is a safe haven.
Conclusion
Exchange rates and global economic stability are influenced by economic sanctions. However, analyzing their impact allows the traders to understand better currency market dynamics and minimize risk. Past cases provide lessons that for success in foreign exchange markets you need to be flexible, driven, and able to adapt to changing geopolitical circumstances.
 By Pepper Parr
January 17th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
UPDATE: The city anticipates a phased opening of Skyway Community Centre and Park and amenities beginning in the spring of 2025 with full opening in Fall 2025.
It’s costing the city a bundle, much of the money borrowed; it is a beautiful structure – one that the residents of the east end are going to love.
No word yet from the city on when it will open – the Skyway Community Centre has almost everything you could expect a community centre to have.is
For an interesting visual tour of the community centre click HERE
Plans exist for a large community to be developed a couple of hundred yards away from the community centre. Set below is a rendering of what the developer would like to proceed with.
 The plans for this project are somewhere in the planning loop. Across the road and a couple of hundred yards to the east the Burloak park adds to the facilities that are going to be available to this community when it eventually gets built.
By Staff
January 16th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The City is conducting a Council Composition and Ward Boundary Review. The review is being done to help plan for the future and ensure voters are represented equally in the local government decision-making process.
The last ward boundary review for Burlington was completed in 2005, when the city’s population was 139,000. Since this time, the city’s population has grown to approximately 186,948 (2021 Census). Over the next 25 years, the city will continue to grow. Approximately 265,000 people are expected to call Burlington home by 2051.
Phase One of public engagement for the Council Composition and Ward Boundary Review, in October 2024, focused on the current size and structure of Burlington City Council. On Dec. 2, 2024, an interim report was presented to City Council. This report was informed by resident feedback shared in Phase One of the review. On Dec. 10, 2024, City Council directed the consultant team to coordinate the review to bring back ward boundary options that maintain six wards in Burlington. This means Burlington Council will continue to have seven members, one mayor and six councillors, and each local councillor will continue to represent their ward in Burlington and be a regional councillor on Halton Regional Council, along with the mayor.
Continue reading Public engagement opportunities to shape Burlington’s ward boundaries start Feb. 4
By Pepper Parr
January 15th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
This is one of those projects where the citizens lost because the Planning Department didn’t do its job.
 It was to be a community minutes away from the Aldershot GO station. Hone for more than 3000 families – not even a coffee shop in the immediate area. The development is the last stage of the Station West development ADI built on Masonry Road, just east of Waterdown Road.
It is a huge development on land the Adi Group bought from Paletta International for a reported $14 million. It was a fantastic deal for the Adi people
It all started in 2015 in a church hall.On Wednesday, June 24, 2015 at the West Plains United Church there was a community meeting at which the city’s planning staff set out a proposal that had been submitted by the ADI Development Group for the development of land that was south of the rail line, east of Waterdown Road and immediately north of Masonry Road
It was a staff presentation and the first time the community got a look at what the developer had in mind. Using the language of the planner it was an application to subdivide a 5.09 hectare parcel of land located south of the CN Rail tracks on the east side of Waterdown Road.
The subdivision design includes a road running north/south, extending north from Cooke Boulevard, and a 3.08 hectare development block on the east side of the proposed road.
The proposed development for the development block includes 200 stacked townhouses, 64 standard town
This latest application proposes to amend the Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw to permit a mixed-use development comprising three tall buildings with retail uses at ground level and residential uses above.
In the original proposal (2022): Building A (northwest corner of site) was 36 storeys tall including a 4-storey podium. Building B (southeast) was 26 storeys tall. Building C (southwest) was 36 storeys tall. Buildings B and C shared a three-story podium. The proposed buildings contained a total of 1,139 residential units and 231m2 of ground-level retail at the corner of Masonry Court and Cooke Blvd. 1,031 parking spaces were proposed within five levels of underground parking.
Continue reading Final stage of the Adi development gets approved – the citizens- there are thousands of them – have next to nothing in the way of parkland
By Pepper Parr
January 16th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Mapping out the year we are now into. What can the citizens of the City expect during 2025?
Chaos? Prosperity?
2025 is the year before the current Council has to seek re-election. The 2026 budget will be a lot different than what we saw in 2025. Both staff and Council are fully aware of BRAG and the impact they had on the 2025.
 Eric Stern, spokes person for BRAG with a copy of the Proposed 2025 budget. What were those impacts? There will be a budget book much earlier in the year and the words “budget impact” may be forgotten.
The Bateman Community Centre is expected to open in 2025 – nothing is ever certain with this site – when it does open expect a significant change in how the City and Brock University make use of the site.
Continue reading What can the citizens of the City expect during 2025? Chaos? Prosperity?
 By Staff
January 16th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton District School Board is hosting Mental Health & Well-Being Information Sessions for parents/guardians this Winter and Spring. Covering specific topics based on feedback from parents/guardians, each session will be led by a mental health expert in that area who will share their knowledge and provide helpful information and resources.
Continue reading Mental Health & Well-Being Information Sessions
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