 By Ray Rivers
January 31st, 2926
BURLINGTON, ON
One day Canadians may actually be thanking Donald Trump for slamming Canada with tariffs and shaking us into standing up for Canada. CUSMA re-negotiations won’t be completed this year, but it is unlikely it’ll be anything like previous ‘free trade’ deals. And this past year has been one of economic uncertainty which we’d all like to move past.
The South Korean automotive giant Hyundai had once made cars in Canada. But with the implementation of the 1989 Canada/US free trade agreement, unlike Japanese car makers Toyota and Honda, it left only to set up operations in the USA.
So, just last week the Carney government released information that signifies the potential return of Hyundai. The details have yet to be released of a memorandum (MoU) with the South Korean government, but it sounds like Hyundai and other South Korean industrial giants are expected to bring their operations over here. In the mix are other potential manufacturing opportunities including Canada’s new submarines, EV batteries and vehicles, satellites, AI and nuclear technology.
 Algoma Steel has begun to use “arc” based technology in its steel plant in Sault St. Marie. This announcement comes on the heels of a partnership agreement between Sudbury’s Algoma steel and the Hanwha Ocean submarine maker for a quarter billion dollar investment in Algoma and a long term term profit-sharing agreement. Algoma had recently been forced to close down some of its older operations and lay off staff, in part because of the 50% Trump tariffs on steel products from Canada.
This agreement, should it pan out as expected, embodies the kind of message that Mr. Carney had previewed with his well received Davos address. Middle nations finding their own way to economic welfare and security out from the control of their powerful and more autocratic neighbours.
 The intention is for the Canadian Navy to have a fleet of12 submarines. Ending free trade with America may well be the best thing Canadians will have done for their economic future. One door opens when another shuts.
 Ray Rivers, a Gazette Contributing Editor, writes regularly applying his more than 25 years as a federal bureaucrat to his thinking. Rivers was once a candidate for provincial office in Burlington. He was the founder of the Burlington citizen committee on sustainability at a time when climate warming was a hotly debated subject. Ray has a post graduate degree in economics that he earned at the University of Ottawa. Tweet @rayzrivers
Background links:
Video – MoU – Korea Agreement – More Agreement – Algoma –
 By Pepper Parr
January 31st, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
A feature report in the Globe and Mail this morning put Burlington at 18th in a list of 100 cities.
In the top ten for the following categories:
Young Professionals, Raising Kids, Midlife transitions, Retirement, Newcomers and Entrepreneurs: Burlington didn’t make the cut in any of them.
This is the third listing the Globe and Mail has done.
 By David Barker
January 31st, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
The following is a comment David Barker made on the Focus Burlington website; they have given us permission to reprint the opinion.
I understand Gary’s frustration with the way the delegation process works. But I would suggest unless the delegate can show that his/her position is supported by more than just himself/herself It is unlikely that Council will take much note of it. And why would it? Let’s say you get up and delegate a certain position on a matter and then I get up and delegate the complete opposite position. Who should they listen to? Who should they act upon? I suggest one needs to be able to show that one’s delegation is for and on behalf of a large and representative grouping. An exception to this might be when a delegation is made by a particular individual of repute, knowledge and expertise.
 David Barker delegating at a City Council meeting. Having said that, as I understand it, one can only delegate to council in regards to a matter on its agenda. If that is so I would suggest it is a little bit stupid. I believe a resident should be able to delegate to council on any matter at any time.
So I would suggest that a separate day or maybe two half days each month be set aside for delegations to be made to council in regard to any matter affecting the city. I suggest one would still have to register in advance the intention to delegate in order to allow Council and staff to manage time effectively.
This, in my opinion, would truly expand the democratic process.
The same issues that I have highlighted above will still exist.
But miracles might happen, and maybe a delegate will bring to council’s attention an issue and make a suggestion as to how to deal with the issue and a light will go on in each of the council members’ heads and they will take up that idea.
 David Barker One may make a delegation, but again the delegation is on behalf of the single person making it unless it can be shown otherwise.
People might say that residents can bring up any item they like through their ward Councillor. Theoretically, that is true. In practice, it is not. Ward Councillors act as filters.
Personally, I am not a fan of providing information about what I wish to delegate upon and give advance notice to council members. I think that allows them to turn off and not really listen to the delegation. I think they need to be taken by surprise so to speak. Maybe that would encourage more questioning from the council members.
So to reiterate my main suggestion is – let’s have a delegation day or days when anybody can make a delegation about any matter they wish to bring to council’s attention.
 David Barker is a Burlington resident, a retired insurance executive. He lives in a historical home on Lakeshore Road for which he has been given grants to upgrade the home.
 By Gazette StaffJanuary 31st, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
Between January 2-019 and August 2025, the number of people (beneficiaries) (1) receiving Ontario Works (OW) and the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) in Halton Region who were experiencing homelessness steadily increased, revealing a growing gap between income supports and the cost of housing. The number rose from109 (January 2019) to 483 (July 2025), a 343% increase (Figure 1)
The new data obtained by Maytree Foundation through a Freedom of Information request provides a clear picture of how Ontario’s social assistance system is driving rising levels of homelessness. (2) The data includes OW and ODSP beneficiaries who reported no fixed address, were transient, or were living in emergency shelters. What the trend shows is not a short-term fluctuation, but a structural problem that has worsened over time. What the trend tells us:
Before the pandemic (2019):
Early pandemic period (2020-2021):
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Number dipped briefly, coinciding with emergency income supports and eviction moratoria, However, this decline was temporary.
Post-pandemic surge (2022 onward):
Ontario Works accounts for most of this increase, reflecting the growing vulnerability of people relying on very low, time-limited income supports in a high-cost housing market. ODSP numbers have also risen steadily, underscoring how people with disabilities face profound barriers to securing and maintaining housing.
Income assistance falling behind.
While homelessness among OW and ODSP recipients in Halton rose sharply between 2019 and 2025, income assistance rates did not keep pace with the cost of living, particularly for people on Ontario Works.
For OW, maximum monthly rates were effectively frozen over this period. A single person received $733 per month (maximum shelter allowance of $390 and basic needs allowance of $343) in January 2019, and that amount remained unchanged by August 2025. If the rent is $300, the person receives $300 for shelter; if the rent is $500, he/she still receives the maximum of $390. If the person cannot provide proof of housing cost, he/she may only receive $343 basic needs portion.
Couples faced the same reality, with the maximum benefit holding steady at $1,136 per month. In real terms, these amounts lost significant purchasing power as rents, food, and utilities increased.
ODSP rates increased modestly but still fell far short of covering basic housing cost. A single ODSP recipient saw monthly benefits rise from $1,169 in 2019 to $1,408 in 2025, while couples’ benefits increased from $12,750 to $2,107. Even with these increases, ODSP incomes remain well below what is needed to secure market rental housing in Halton.
Duration of homelessness among OW and ODSP recipients (Ontario)
Ontario-wide data show clear differences and growing similarities in how long OW and ODSP recipients experience homelessness.
In January 2019, homelessness among OW recipients was more often short-term: 41% had been homeless for 0-4 months, while 30% had experienced homelessness for more than 12 months (including 14% for more than 24 moths) as shown in Figure 2.
In contrast, homelessness among ODSP recipients was already overwhelmingly long-term: 75% homeless for more than 12 months, 62% for more than 24 months (Figure 3), highlighting long-standing barriers to housing stability for people with disabilities.
In August 2025, the duration profile had shifted markedly. Among OW recipients, long-term homelessness increased substantially, with 39% homeless for more than 12 months (including 19% for more than 24 months), indicating that homelessness is becoming harder to exit.
For ODSP recipients, chronic homelessness remained the norm: 73% were homeless for more than 12 months, and 58% for more than 24 months, like 2019 despite significant growth in absolute numbers.
While comparable duration date is not available at the Halton level, these Ontario-wide patterns provide an important reference point for interpreting local counts and underscore how inadequate income supports and the lack of deeply affordable, accessible housing are driving longer and more entrenched homelessness across the province.
This is not an individual failure – it is a policy failure
Maytree’s report (3), Designed to Fail, argues that Ontario’s income security system is structurally incapable of preventing homelessness. OW and ODSP rates fall far below the cost of rent, let alone other necessities. When housing is unaffordable by design, homelessness becomes a predictable outcome – not an exception.
The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) (4) projected homelessness in Ontario to continue increasing through the next ten years (2035). In 2025, an estimated 85,000 people experienced homelessness in Ontario. Under steady conditions, known homelessness is projected to reach approximately 177,000 people province-wide by 2035. Under an economic downturn scenario, projected homelessness exceeds 297,000 people.
(1) The number of beneficiaries refers to the total number of single individuals and heads of family units on social assistance plus all their dependents (i.e., spouses, dependent children and dependent adults).
By Gazette Staff
January 30th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
This is the time of year when a good winter coat really matters.
There are far too many people who don’t have a coat that is up to what the current weather is doing to us.
Good news: Thanks to the generosity of many, the Knights of Columbus in Ontario have exceeded their goal in terms of new winter coats distributed to youth and veterans.
Bad news: more and more Ontarians need new winter coats.
Knights of Columbus in Ontario donated a record-breaking 20,736 new winter coats to children in need this year through its Knights of Columbus Coats for Kids® program. The Ontario chapter of the organization surpassed its target thanks to the tireless work of its members and insurance agents who collected funds at countless events held throughout the year at its more than 450 councils across the province.
“Providing coats for kids and veterans is the perfect example of the work we do day in and day out,” says David Gelinas, State Deputy for the Knights of Columbus in Ontario. “Charity drives us to meet needs in our community and areas where people are suffering. We’re men who care about others because we care about our shared faith.”
 Winter coats ready for pick up. The main recipients of coats included school boards and organizations like McGregor Community Centre in Toronto, Indigenous communities in Northern Ontario, the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, and Veteran House in Ottawa. These organizations worked with families to identify children and veterans in need and delivered the coats discreetly.
 Sonny Sangemino, with Knights of Columbus “We’re thrilled by the results, but at the same time, we’re concerned about the growing need we see in our communities and families,” says Sonny Sangemino, General Agent with Knights of Columbus Insurance, who has been contributing to the program for over a decade. “This year’s campaign is another stark reminder that many Canadians are experiencing financial struggles and need the help of a community.”
The more than 57,000 Knights in Ontario — 200,000 in Canada — have now started a new season of gathering funds for the 2026-2027 winter coats program. The organization, along with its insurance agents across the country, invite all persons of goodwill to consider supporting its local fundraisers, which are generally organized through Catholic parishes across Canada.
The Canadian Knights of Columbus Coats for Kids® program started in Ontario in 2016 with 2,676 coats donated. Since then, the program has grown to nearly 2 million coats distributed in Canada and the United States. Last year alone, the Knights in Canada donated 40,000 coats with a total of 18,000 in Ontario.
About the Knights of Columbus
In 1882, Blessed Michael McGivney, a young parish priest in New Haven, Connecticut, founded the Knights of Columbus to serve the needs of a largely immigrant Catholic community. What began as a small fraternal benefit society has since grown into the world’s premier lay Catholic men’s organization, with more than 2.2 million members in over 16,800 local councils. As members of one of the world’s leading charitable organizations, Knights donated more than 48 million service hours and over $197 million for worthy causes in their communities in 2024. The Knights of Columbus also offers a range of life insurance products to members and their families. Knights of Columbus Insurance has more than $124 billion* of life insurance in force. In addition, the organization offers investment services in accord with Catholic social teaching through its wholly owned subsidiary, Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors, which holds more than $30 billion** in assets under management. Guided by the principles of charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism, the Knights of Columbus is committed to strengthening Catholic families and parishes, by enabling men to grow in their faith and put that faith into action through service to all in need.
By Gazette Staff
January 30th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
For the first time in years, renters in several major markets are seeing some breathing room.
The “new year’s special” advertising a two-bedroom unit at a midtown Toronto highrise might be what draws you in when searching for your next home — an offer for up to three months of free rent, plus a $500 “move-in bonus.”
Or perhaps a year of complementary internet, on top of two months’ free rent, sweetens the deal for those interested in a rental promoted in central Vancouver.
 Landlords across Canada are increasingly dangling such incentives, along with other common perks like free parking, waived pet fees and moving allowances, to compete for new tenants. After a post-pandemic surge in rental costs, real estate watchers say the scales have tipped back in favour of renters amid falling prices, higher vacancy rates, and uncertainty in the housing market overall.
“It’s a race to the bottom,” said Marco Pedri, a Toronto-based broker with Shoreline Realty who specializes in leasing transactions.
“We talk about the inventory of all these new buildings. These landlords are competing with one another, driving the prices down.”
That trend seems poised to continue for much of this year, especially after 2025 marked the second consecutive year of record rental housing starts in Canada. Experts say more apartment completions are also expected this year as projects wrap up, giving renters additional choice.
“The math works better for rentals than for large home ownership projects right now,” said Mathieu Laberge, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp.’s chief economist.
But with so many new listings and prices falling, the question is whether demand from renters will follow in 2026.
Some real estate agents believe that’s already begun.
 Tom Storey of Royal LePage Signature Realty Tom Storey of Royal LePage Signature Realty said 2025 was one of his team’s biggest years for leasing transactions. He said demand for rentals gained steam as fewer clients were willing to step off the sidelines in the sales market.
“What was clear to me is that the need for real estate hasn’t changed, but in 2025, how people chose to access it was a lot more on the leasing side than the purchase side,” said Storey, adding that declining sales prices and lower interest rates have also prompted buyers to hold off as they wait for the market to “bottom out.”
“That seems to me one of the many reasons why people chose to rent for the short-term, because rental prices had dropped as well. Starting rents in 2025 were lower than they were in 2024 and 2023.”
December 2025 marked the 15th consecutive month that average asking rents fell nationally year-over-year, according to analysis from Rentals.ca and Urbanation based on listings data from the former’s network.
They say average asking rents in Canada fell 3.1 per cent overall in 2025 and are down 5.4 per cent from two years ago. In December, asking rents fell around eight per cent in Vancouver, five per cent in Toronto and Calgary, two per cent in Montreal and 0.5 per cent in Ottawa on an annual basis.
But affordability concerns linger.
At $2,060, the overall average asking rent in Canada last month was down 2.3 per cent from a year ago. But that’s still nearly three per cent higher than the national average asking rent of three years earlier, according to the report.
Asking rents are also still around 14 per cent higher than pre-pandemic levels of December 2019.
 Giacomo Ladas said property managers are now coping with a double whammy — lots of new supply available, plus a relatively shallow pool of renters. Rentals.ca spokesman Giacomo Ladas said property managers are now coping with a double whammy — lots of new supply available, plus a relatively shallow pool of renters.
While some tenants are still feeling priced out of the market, movement has also slowed after the federal government introduced an immigration cap, which has stunted population growth. Demand also typically cools in the winter months, he said, resulting in both lower asking prices and incentive offers aplenty.
“What’s important to note as well is that we are still expecting a lot more supply coming into the market,” said Ladas, noting about 180,000 units are currently under construction across Canada.
“Based on the end of last year, we were seeing negative population growth, so we don’t expect demand really to pick up any time soon, but more supply is on its way. Because of that, we see vacancy rates increase.”
Meanwhile, the rental market wasn’t immune to last year’s widespread economic uncertainty linked to trade concerns, which clouded Canada’s real estate outlook.
Some local real estate boards say the trade dispute led to fewer resale transactions than initially forecasted. Many potential first-time buyers took a wait-and-see approach that still lingers, holding onto their rentals instead of moving forward with plans to own.
Similarly, renters were less inclined to pay premium prices, said Ladas, even though developers pushed ahead with purpose-built rental projects, having borrowed money to build them before tariffs went into effect.
“People were staying in their rental apartments longer and we weren’t seeing turnover rates increase,” he said.
The average two-bedroom turnover unit rent declined in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Halifax last year, according to CMHC data.
The national housing agency said the vacancy rate for purpose-built rental apartments sat at 3.1 per cent in the fall, up from 2.2 per cent at the same point in 2024 and above the national 10-year average.
Laberge said the agency believes 2026 will be another renter-friendly year in most Canadian markets. With additional supply expected from other ongoing projects, he said it will give incomes time to catch up to rent growth of previous years.
“When the turnover rents start going down, there’s more fluidity in the market,” he said.
For now, the dynamic has allowed clients more freedom to pick and choose where they live, said Pedri.
A more affordable environment means they can prioritize factors such as location or amenities when moving, instead of having to settle. Pedri said many are also opting to lock into rent-controlled units while prices are lower.
 “I truly don’t see landlords jacking up rent by an absurd amount (this year),” “I truly don’t see landlords jacking up rent by an absurd amount (this year),” he said.
“At the end of the day … I see more landlords caring about the relationship with the tenants than caring about trying to squeeze every nickel and penny out of them.”
After several years of tight conditions, Canada’s purpose-built rental market is beginning to show signs of normalization.
That’s the picture painted by Yardi’s latest Canadian National Multifamily Report, which recaps Q4 2025 and shows a market that remains broadly resilient — but increasingly balanced — as new supply comes online, vacancy rises, and rent growth cools across major metros.
That shift is being driven in part by new supply, with Canada’s largest metros adding more than 94,600 rental units through November 2025, per CMHC and Common Sense Economics. It’s one of the strongest stretches of purpose-built rental delivery in years, and the impact is now showing up in pricing and availability.
While several large markets — including Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa–Gatineau, and Calgary — recorded year-over-year declines in deliveries, Vancouver and Edmonton saw significant increases, underscoring how uneven the supply story remains across the country.
National new-lease rent growth slowed to just 0.7% in Q4 2025, down sharply from 2.4% in Q3 and 6.4% a year earlier. Several Ontario markets tipped into negative territory, including Kitchener–Cambridge–Waterloo (-2.7%), Toronto (-1.0%), and Hamilton (-0.2%), reflecting softer demand tied to outmigration, a pullback in non-permanent residents, and growing competition from condominium units being rented after failing to sell.
In-place rents are also losing momentum. The national average increased just $9 in Q4 to $1,746 — the smallest quarterly increase in more than four years — bringing annual growth down to 3.2%. Halifax, Montreal, and Ottawa–Gatineau posted the strongest year-over-year gains, while Calgary was the only major market to record a decline.
Vacancy continues to climb. Canada’s national apartment vacancy rate rose to 4.5% in Q4 2025, the highest level since Yardi began tracking in 2020. Vacancy rates were highest in Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Saskatoon, and Hamilton, and increased year-over-year in most major CMAs, including Toronto and Vancouver. Population growth has slowed sharply, with Statistics Canada estimating just 81,000 net new residents in 2025, the smallest year-over-year increase in decades, driven in part by reduced targets for non-permanent residents and record-high outflows as temporary permits expire.
 Housing supply remains structurally constrained, Despite the softening, Yardi stresses that the market isn’t breaking. Housing supply remains structurally constrained, meaning occupancy should hold up outside of specific segments such as bachelor units. Operating costs, however, remain elevated, averaging $8,004 per unit annually in 2025, with the highest expenses recorded in Ontario and Alberta.
“Canada’s rental market is entering a new chapter,” said Peter Altobelli, Vice President and General Manager of Yardi Canada. “We haven’t seen this level of new purpose-built rental supply in a long time, and it’s already shifting market conditions.”
The takeaway heading into 2026 is a familiar one: fundamentals are still intact, but the balance of power is shifting. And for the first time in years, renters in several major markets are seeing some breathing room.
Portions of this article were first published by Canadian Press
 By Gazette Staff
January 30th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
The Ontario Library Association (OLA) has announced the 2026 OLA Board of Directors.
 Lita Barrie OLA consists of five library sectors: public, school, academic, health, and special libraries. The OLA Board consists of an executive committee, members at large and representation from each
of the five library sectors.
Members of the OLA Board will be introduced at the association’s Annual General Meeting on January 28, 2026.
Lita Barrie worked with the CBC’s production Ideas that had one of their programs broadcast from the Burlington Library. She has led the library community in introducing technology to the bookshelves. It will be interesting to see what she does while serving as President of the Ontario Library Association.
 By Gazette Staff
January 30th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
 Canadian Blood Services is calling for people across the country to donate blood or plasma as soon as they can.
Log in to the website and make an appointment.
Or call directly at 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283) The call is TOLL FREE.
Feel lighter, brighter, better this winter by booking and attending a blood or plasma donation appointment or joining the Canadian Blood Services’ Stem Cell Registry between January 1 and March 31, 2026 — and you could enter for a chance to win round-trip tickets for two courtesy of Air Canada Foundation, to any Air Canada scheduled destination.
Canadian Blood Services, Burlington
1250 Brant St
Burlington, ON, L7P 1X8
By Gazette Staff
January 30th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
 Community Development Halton has published an interesting and very detailed report on housing in the Region of Halton.
Halton Region has one of the highest rental markets in Ontario[1]. But what is often overlooked is how different the market treats new renters compared with long-term renters.
A new study form Statistics Canada confirms a pattern seen across the country:
“Renters who recently moved into their unit face significantly higher shelter costs than renters who have lived in their homes for many years”[2]. This pattern holds even after adjusting for housing type, building age, income and neighbourhood characteristics,
The 2025 Statistics Canada study on renter shelter costs shows:
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New tenants (< 1 year in unit) pay the highest rents in Canada.
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 Moving in: How long they stay is a major determinant to the rent they pay. Long-term tenants (10+ years) pay the lowest, protected by rental control and lower historical rents.
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Turnover, not unit quality, explains most of the difference.
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Rent gaps grow larger in tight markets with low vacancy.
This is what we see in Halton Region today.
These gaps mirror national findings that new entrants into the rental market face the highest housing costs[4].
Mobility drives costs: many Halton renters move frequently
Frequent movers face market rents, while long-term tenants benefit from rent control stability-widening the affordability gap.
Why are newcomers paying the highest rents?
Rent control protects tenure, not people. Ontario caps (2.5% in 2025) increase for existing tenants, but vacant units reset to market rates. New renters pay the full increase; long-term renters do not.
Rental units occupied for the first time after November 15, 2018, are exempt from the annual rent increase guideline altogether. This means that for a new renter in a newer building, the landlord can raise the rent by any amount annually (after the first 12 months)[5].
Halton’s vacancy rate is extremely low. At 1-2%, competition forces new renters to bid into very high prices
Newcomers face strong mobility pressures. Many must move to find work, settle families, or leave temporary housing
Screening barriers exist. Landlords may prefer: Canadian credit history, local references, permanent, stable employment. Newcomers often lack these, even when financially strong.
House rentals, basement suites, and condos turn over more often and have higher renter turnover[6].
Turnover results in higher rents.
Affordability is not equal: who faces the heaviest burden?
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44% of Halton renters spend 30%+ of income on shelter costs
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23% are in core housing need
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Only 11% live in subsidized housing
Meanwhile, newcomers who pay the highest median rents show lower “core housing need” rate not because they are better housed but because many rely on overcrowding or shared housing to manage costs.[7],[8],[9]
In Halton, rent affordability is determined not only by where you live or how much you earn, but by when you entered the rental market. Strengthening purpose-built rental supply, improving tenant screening fairness, and supporting newcomers’ housing transition will be central to address these disparities.
Footnotes:
[3] Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2021
[6] CMHC (2022–2023), Secondary Rental Market Report; CMHC (2023–2024), Rental Market Report – GTA Supplement; Statistics Canada (CHSP & CHS housing mobility analyses)
By Pepper Parr
January 30th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
Emily Brown, the Conservative Party candidate in the 2025 federal election, is the candidate of record for the Burlington constituency. That qualifies her as a member of the Party and the right to attend the Conservative Party conference taking place in Calgary this weekend.
 Burlington Conservatives loved her – just not enough of them. She will be one of several thousand people deciding if Pierre Poilievre should be kept on as party leader.
Poilievre was one of the reasons Brown was unable to defeat Karina Gould, the Burlington MP. With a different leader Brown may well have taken the constituency.
Karina Gould, of the Liberal Party, has 43,593 of 78,107 votes (55.81%).
Emily Brown, of the Conservative Party, is in second place with 31,666 votes (40.54%)
The Gazette would love to know how Brown votes in the leadership review.
By Gazette Staff
January 30th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
This shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone.
Premier Ford’s Progressive Conservatives confirmed this week that no media will be permitted to attend any portion of the party’s three-day convention at the Toronto Congress Centre, an unusual decision that is already drawing criticism from political observers.
 There is something pugnacious about Doug Ford. Premier Ford has a number of reasons for not wanting any media at his event.
He is still able to get away with practices like this. The public has yet to arrive at a clear understanding as to what Doug Ford has done during his several terms of office.
The Greenbelt scandal – when the public became aware of it the Premier said he made a mistake.
Using private personal cell phones to conduct government business.
The Skill Development fund scandal.
The Highway 413 decision
Failed to come anywhere near close in meeting the number of new homes needed.
Failing to support public health care while pushing for private medicine to meet the demand.
The public is still in a Ford Nation mode.
 There will come a time when the public clues in. There will come a time when the public clues in – then the slide will be downhill and quick.
The report the public expects from the RCMP investigation would help the public see the man in a different light.
No word on the Mounties on when the report will be made public.
Soon soon maybe?
 By Gazette Staff
January 30th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
The following statement was issued by Corey Hogan, MP for Calgary Confederation in the House of Commons. He should have bounced it off people who could have advised him to stay silent
 Perhaps someone could teach MP Hogan how to walk back a divisive statement. “I want to welcome Canadians coming from across the country to Calgary this weekend.
“While this should be an opportunity for Conservatives to focus on the issues that matter to Calgarians and Canadians, they’ll instead be spending their time debating a woman’s right to choose, the harmful and discriminatory practice of conversion therapy, and defunding CBC/Radio-Canada.
“It’s clear Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives are doubling down on the same divisive, American-style politics Canadians rejected last spring.
“At this crucial time for our country, that’s not the serious leadership Canadians expect and deserve.”
The Gazette would suggest that this is not the time divisive comments from a Member of Parliament
“Mark Carney and our new Liberal government are relentlessly focused on delivering for Calgarians and all Canadians, by building our economy, protecting our communities and sovereignty, and empowering workers and businesses with more opportunities.”
 By Gazette Staff
January 30th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
A true Canadian icon. Hailed as “Canada’s Queen of R&B Soul,” this enduring artist has touched the hearts of fans around the world with her impressive music catalogue.
 Jully Black: She’s dominated the charts, producing multiple singles reaching the Top 10 pop, R&B and dance music charts. She’s dominated the charts, producing multiple singles reaching the Top 10 pop, R&B and dance music charts. She’s also taken home Juno and Gemini Awards alike, earned innumerable industry accolades, and was inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame in 2021.
This February, she’s bringing her powerhouse vocals, hilarious personality and love of people to BPAC! Experience for yourself what makes Jully Black widely considered one of the greatest Canadian artists of all time.
 The concert is going to give people permission to be vulnerable, permission to dream again, and permission to not be aged out,” Songs and Stories Tour this winter offers a live concert mixed with storytelling inspired by her life experiences. Classics like “Sweat of Your Brow” and “Seven Day Fool,” and a whole selection of songs people haven’t heard yet, will be played.
Black says the curation was inspired by Jaimie Foxx’s jokes where he tells his life story and Lauryn Hill’s live music experiences.
“This tour is dedicated to my mom and it’s about telling my story in a way that’s triumphant, in a way that’s going to give people permission to be vulnerable, permission to dream again, and permission to not be aged out,” Black told Now Toronto.
After her last tour in 2008, Black’s mother passed away, her record company shelved The Black Book album, and her manager quit.
Jully Black With Opening Support by Ra B.
Wednesday February 11th: | 7:30pm
Tickets can be ordered HERE
 By Ralph Edger
January 30th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
If you play online casino games in Canada, you’ve probably wondered who actually regulates these sites. You might assume there’s a single national license that covers the whole country. In reality, the system is more layered than that.
Canada uses a mix of federal law and provincial control. Understanding how those two levels work together helps you make better decisions about where you play, how safe your money is and how much trust you can place in casino bonuses and promotions. So let’s take a closer look at the difference between federal and provincial rules.
At a high level, Canada does not issue a single national online casino license. Instead, the federal government sets the legal boundaries for gambling, while provinces decide how online casinos are actually operated and regulated. This means a casino can be legal in one province, restricted in another, or operating offshore without a Canadian license at all. Understanding this structure is essential before choosing where to play.
 The provinces license gambling sites. Each province has different rules. Ontario has been the leader so far, with Alberta getting ready to license. Why licensing matters for Canadian players
Licensing is not just a technical detail. It affects your experience in real ways. A licensed casino must follow rules around fairness, responsible gambling and how player funds are handled. It also determines whether a site has clear bonus terms, reliable withdrawals and a proper complaints process. In Canada, knowing who licenses a casino helps you understand what protections you actually have when you sign up.
The Federal role in setting up the legal framework
At the federal level, gambling is governed by the Criminal Code of Canada. This is where the foundation is set, but it’s important to understand what the federal government does and does not do.
The federal government does not issue online casino licenses. Instead, it defines who is legally allowed to offer gambling services in the first place. Under the Criminal Code, only provincial governments are permitted to conduct and manage gambling. This includes lotteries, land-based casinos and online gambling platforms.
It is also important to note that Canadian federal law does not criminalize individual players for gambling online. The Criminal Code focuses on who is permitted to offer gambling services, not on players who choose to participate. This distinction explains why Canadians can legally access a wide range of online casinos, including those licensed outside the country.
Provincial authority is where licensing actually happens
This is where things get more practical for players. Each province has the authority to decide how online gambling is offered within its borders. Some provinces run their own platforms. Others go further and allow private companies to operate under provincial oversight. Because of this, licensing can look very different depending on where you live in Canada.
In general, provinces can:
- Operate their own online casino platforms
- Set standards for responsible gambling
- Decide whether private operators are allowed
- Enforce rules around advertising and promotions
A fully regulated open market in Ontario
Ontario is the clearest example of a modern, regulated online casino market in Canada. Rather than limiting online gambling to a single government-run site, Ontario allows private operators to offer online casinos and sportsbooks, as long as they meet strict regulatory standards.
 This system is overseen by iGaming Ontario, which manages the market, and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, which handles registration, compliance and enforcement.
For players, this has real benefits:
- Licensed casinos must meet Canadian standards for fairness and security
- Players’ funds must be properly protected
- Bonus terms must be clear and not misleading
- Operators are subject to audits and ongoing oversight
This model also benefits the province itself, as regulated private operators generate tax revenue and market fees that are reinvested into public services like education and healthcare, as well as responsible gambling programs. If a casino is registered in Ontario, it’s legally operating within the province and accountable to local regulators.
Other provinces with government-run platforms
For example, British Columbia operates online gambling through PlayNow, managed by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation. Quebec offers online casino games via Loto-Québec, while Alberta operates PlayAlberta under the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission. Atlantic provinces participate through the Atlantic Lottery Corporation, which serves multiple provinces under a shared framework.
Outside Ontario, most provinces take a more centralized approach. Instead of licensing private online casinos, they operate gambling through Crown Corporations or provincial lottery agencies. These platforms are legal, regulated and designed to keep gambling revenue within the province.
Examples include provincially run sites in British Columbia, Quebec, Alberta and the Atlantic provinces. While most of these provinces still operate government-managed platforms, Alberta has recently advanced a regulatory framework that will allow private online casino and sportsbook operators to register and compete under provincial rules, and Ontario’s regulated model continues to be closely watched as other policymakers consider how online gambling may evolve in the future.
While these platforms are safe and regulated, they often offer fewer game providers, fewer promotions and less competition compared to open markets like Ontario. This difference explains why many Canadians still explore other options when it comes to online casino play.
Offshore casinos and the Canadian grey area
 There are many offshore gambling sites that are regulated by Malta, the UK and other jurisdictions. An Indian reservation in Quebec operates a gambling site. Here’s where things get a little more nuanced. Many online casinos used by Canadians are licensed by international regulators. These casinos are not licensed by Canadian provinces unless they are registered in Ontario. At the same time, Canadian law does not criminalize players for using offshore sites. The legal focus is on who offers gambling, not who plays.
As a result, offshore casinos operate in a grey area. They are accessible to Canadians, but they are regulated by foreign authorities rather than Canadian ones. This makes research especially important, especially when bonuses and promotions are involved.
How to check who licenses an online casino
Most legitimate online casinos clearly display their licensing information at the bottom of their website. This usually includes the name of the regulator, a license number, and a link to the authority that issued it. Players can verify this information by visiting the regulator’s official website and checking the operator registry.
If a casino does not clearly state who licenses it, or if the information cannot be independently verified, that is a strong warning sign. Transparency around licensing is one of the simplest ways to assess a casino’s credibility.
How licensing connects to bonuses and promotions
Bonuses are one of the first things players look at when choosing an online casino. Free spins, deposit matches and welcome offers can all be very appealing. Licensing plays a big role here.
Provincially regulated casinos, especially in Ontario, must follow strict rules about how bonuses are advertised and explained. Terms need to be transparent, and misleading promotions are not allowed. Offshore casinos may offer larger or more aggressive bonuses, but the rules depend entirely on the regulator behind the site.
 A bonus is a feature used to attract and retain gamblers at a site. Because licensing standards vary so widely, many players choose to research casinos beyond surface-level bonuses. Comparing offers only makes sense when you also understand who regulates the site and how disputes are handled. This is why many players begin their research at this website, where casino bonuses are examined alongside licensing, payment practices, and overall platform reliability. This broader context helps players judge not just the size of a promotion, but the credibility behind it.
What licensing means for payments and withdrawals
Licensing also affects how your money is handled. Provincially licensed casinos must follow standards around player fund segregation, identity checks and withdrawal processing. This reduces the risk of delayed or denied payouts.
With offshore casinos, the experience can vary widely. Some operate professionally and reliably. Others may apply unclear terms or slow payment processes. Knowing who licenses a casino gives you insight into how disputes are handled if something does go wrong.
Responsible gambling and player protection
Another key difference between licensing systems is responsible gambling. Canadian provincial regulators require licensed operators to offer tools like deposit limits, self-exclusion options and access to support resources.
These requirements are enforced and monitored. Offshore casinos may offer similar tools, but the level of enforcement depends on the regulator involved. That makes it even more important to understand where a license comes from and what it actually covers.
The bottom line for Canadian players
So who licenses online casinos in Canada? The federal government sets the legal foundation, but provinces control how online gambling is offered. Ontario operates a fully regulated market with private operators, while most other provinces still use government-run platforms, even as some begin to explore alternative regulatory models.
Offshore casinos remain accessible to Canadians, but they operate outside provincial licensing unless registered in Ontario.
 By Pepper Parr
January 29th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
OPINION
For those who may have missed what was going on at the Chamber of Commerce State of the City address given by Mayor Meed Ward last Friday, note that Meed Ward mentioned each member of Council, with Councillor Sharman getting several mentions – the exception being Ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns.
Not a word about a Councillor who did more work on the budget than any other Council member. Kearns had three items that would have reduced spending by more than a million dollars; all were voted down..
 Councillor Kearns shook every hand she could find during the Chamber of Commerce event. She has brought to the attention of city residents how little has been done on revising whatever there is in terms of a long-term vision for the city.
Her focus on safe streets has been consistent.
Given what Council set out to do in 2018 when they were first elected (re-elected in 2022) there isn’t that much to show for their efforts.
Kearns, for her part was working the Convention Centre room, reaching out to anyone who would give her a moment of their time.
One of the worst-kept secrets at city hall is that Kearns is expected to file papers as a candidate for the Office of Mayor.
The outcome of the 2026 municipal election will be pivotal for the city. Should she win, Kearns will make changes that are badly needed. If she loses, she will return to the private sector, where she should do very well.
Should the Mayor lose – well, no one has any idea where she will go. There are not a lot of openings at this point.
It will be a fierce election battle – something Burlington needs at this point.
By Gazette Staff
January 29th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
The Federal Conservatives meet in Calgary this weekend to debate policy and to vote on a review of Pierre Poilievre’s leadership.
It has been a bumpy past year for Poilievre.
 Pierre Poilievre in Ottawa He lost his seat in Ottawa during the federal election and had to find a safe seat in Alberta. He won the seat in Alberta’s Battle River—Crowfoot seat in a byelelction, but will not be running in that seat come the next federal election. The member who gave up the seat so that Poilievre could be returned to the House as leader of the Conservative Party has said that he will be running for that seat, which means Poilievre will have to find a new constituency to run in.
An awkward situation to be in, given that there could be any day, due to the current makeup of the House of Commons. The Liberals do not have a majority.
Poilievre is facing the first leadership review the party has held in 21 years.
The Toronto Star reports that: “The percentage of delegates who vote against triggering a race to replace Poilievre will lay bare just how much of the Conservative base views Poilievre as its ticket back to the prime minister’s office.
“If the number starts with an eight, you’re absolutely safe,” said Mitch Heimpel, a former Conservative staffer and vice-president of government relations at Texture Communications.
“If it starts with a five, you’re absolutely dead.
If it starts with a seven, you’re safe, but the party is restless.
If it starts with a six, that second number matters.”
 By Gazette Staff
January 29th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
Community Development Halton is offering Part Two of a course on negotiating.
You CAN Negotiate!
Writing Grant Applications like a Negotiator!
Benjamin Miller of the Ontario Nonprofit Network shares ways to write your grant applications with key negotiating principles in mid: offers, bargaining, and closing the deal. This session is designed for small-to-medium size organizations with no or limited staff for grant writing and fundraising support.
The course is a ZOOM offering.
Link to the course, which takes place February 3rd is HERE
 By Tom Parkin
January 28th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
Giving away $10 billion needed for health care, education and defence won’t do anything to root out the causes of Canada’s food inflation.
Annual rate of inflation, monthly, Jan – Dec 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a boost to the GST tax credit Monday, offering it as an offset to rapidly rising food prices squeezing low income families.
That the announcement came just two months after delivering a federal budget that had no mention of the $10 billion expenditure is a pretty clear signal food inflation took the prime minister by surprise and he felt politically pressed to do something.
Putting the cost on taxpayers won’t fix food inflation
But the return of food inflation could only have been a surprise to those who don’t pay for food or weren’t watching the data dashboard. As today’s chart shows, food inflation ran at or above the general price inflation all through 2025.
The Liberals’ enriched GST tax credit will benefit low-income Canadians, but not until July 2026, and there’s a lot of groceries to be bought before then.
But the real problem with Carney’s announcement is it does nothing to fix fosing food prices. It’s no different than the nonsense Canadians got from Pierre Poilievre, who claimed cancelling the carbon tax would end food inflation. Carney cancelled the carbon tax; inflation didn’t even notice.
Whether from Carney or Poilievre, a tax cut does not fix the source of food inflation, which lies inside our food supply chains. Worse, it just shifts the burden of food inflation onto the taxpayer or takes from other public priorities.
Canada’s food supply chain dominated by major players
It’s a job for people with more expertise than Data Shows to dig into the exact points where inflation is being injected into food prices. But it doesn’t take a lot of expertise to see where some we need some investigation, if anyone cared to do that.
One line of investigation has to be into anti-competitive practices by the three big grocery store companies. Loblaw (under their many banners), Empire (Sobey’s) and Metro, together control close to 90 per cent of the grocery sales in Canada. Due to regional coverage, shoppers in some towns or neighbours effectively face a monopoly.
Loblaw and Sobey’s have been lucrative enough business to make multi-billionaires out of the families controlling them. Metro ownership is institutional.
As our chart below shows, despite the endless ideological complaints about supply management, it’s not milk and eggs driving up food bills. It’s not vegetables. Or even fruit, which we don’t have much control over in December. The driving force is meat, particularly beef.
Price index change, Dec 2024 to Dec 2025
Ground beef was up 16.3 per cent and stewing beef rose 12.4 per cent from December 2024 to December 2025. Steak cuts were up even more, even as general inflation rose only 2.4 per cent.
That is not normal, explainable or tolerable.
Like grocery retailing, the meat-packing industry is also dominated by a small group of extremely rich and politically influential people, making it an obvious place to shine a light for anti-competitive practices. The JBS meat-packing plant in Brooks, Alberta, and two Cargill plants in High River, Alberta and Guelph, Ontario accounted for 84 per cent of federally-inspected beef.
JBS is based is Brazil and was subject of parliamentary inquiry that found the company received billions in subsidies that lacked transparency and were politically influenced. Company owner Wesley Batista, son of JBS founder José Batista Sobrinho and key member of the billionaire family, was imprisoned for insider trading in 2017.
Cargill is privately owned by the Cargill-MacMillan family, which has accumulated $60 billion.
According to the Canadian Cattle Association, against these beef industry behemoths cattle ranchers are price-takers, not price-setters, and it’s downstream from there the inflation is growing.
In the United States there have been recent and successful anti-trust class-action settlements against meat companies after accusations they conspired to inflate prices.
And of course, here in Canada an illegal price-fixing scheme continued for years without detection or disruption by a toothless Competition Bureau. No one faced criminal charges despite a $500 million settlement in favour of Canadian food shoppers.
 By Ralph Getter
January 28th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
 Men’s hockey tournament at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games promises to be one of the most competitive yet. The upcoming men’s hockey tournament at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games promises to be one of the most competitive yet. With NHL players back in Olympic competition for the first time since 2014, the gap between contenders has tightened, the depth charts are stacked, and no one with medal aspirations can afford to start slowly. The thrill of high-stakes betting will not subside from the opening faceoff until the gold medal night.
Here’s a look at the teams that are most likely to challenge for Olympic hockey glory and the factors that tend to decide short, high-pressure tournaments.
Canada’s odds for Hockey championship glory
Canada head to Milano Cortina as favorites, and for good reason.
The expected lineup revolves around a wealth of elite centers, mobile but physical defence, and scoring options from all four lines. In a world of a very compact Olympic schedule where fatigue and injury accumulate quickly Canada’s biggest advantage is depth. If one star player is injured or unavailable, another NHL-level replacement can step in with minimal drop-off in quality. Another NHL level replacement enters the ice with no drop off in quality.
Importantly, Canada has a lengthy history of success internationally. Their past experiences in high-stakes elimination games will give them the edge as margins shrink and games become trench warfare. Betting markets consistently reflect this reality in their hockey picks, having Canada close to the top for gold medals.
Team USA: Banking on speed and modern hockey techniques
The US has become the leading choice alternative and, in some markets, is the outright leader. The hallmark traits of this roster generation are speed, puck movement and offensive creativity that could also fit into the international-sized ice surface.
Balance is what distinguishes U.S. from previous editions. The team isn’t reliant on one scoring line anymore. They can win through speed or an organized approach, changing to counter the opponent and situation. Such flexibility makes them dangerous in knockout rounds, where teams must figure things out on the spot. The issue here isn’t talent but execution under Olympic pressure, where one error can ruin your chances for a medal.
Sweden worthy Olympic hockey longshots
 This puck isn’t getting by this goal tender. Sweden is generally right behind the top North American teams, which makes them a favorite choice for bettors who want some value but not so far down the list. The players are detailed in their defense, cleaning up pucks that they defend against, and for a breakaway that makes the most of limited chances.
Sweden’s ability to manage the pace of the game can be infuriating. In a single elimination format, patience has changed outcomes in a snap. Sweden can beat any team in the tournament if their power play starts to click and their goalie finds his form early on.
Finland: Predictable yet hard to stop
Few teams can be more chaotic than Finland’s Olympic hockey. Finland shines as the game slows and emotions increase, known for their low mistake hockey and relentless discipline. Although they don’t usually control possession, they put opponents out of their comfort zone.
Finland is valuable due to its predictability. You know exactly how they will play, yet stopping them remains hard. In elimination games, particularly against stronger opponents, the Finland team usually converts games into special teams’ face-offs and late, coin-flip goals in tight games; the comfortable place they know well.
Czechia carry upset potential in the knockout rounds
Czechia has quietly restructured itself into a real medal threat. With elite NHL scoring talent, fast moving defensemen, and enhanced depth, they have one of the highest ceilings amongst non-favorites. International tournaments are about chemistry, and Czechia has proved it can come together quickly when top lines do so.
They won’t need to outplay a favorite for long intervals. In the quarterfinal or semifinal, one explosion or one dominant goaltending performance can steal a game. Consequently, this unpredictability makes Olympic brackets treacherous.
How the landscape looks in the absence of Russia?
A major storyline surrounding the 2026 tournament is who won’t be there. Russia’s ongoing ban removes a perennial gold medal contender from the competition in most brackets. Historically, when NHL players are included, Russian teams are able to win tournaments almost outright.
With that threat gone, the path to the podium opens up for the top tier ones, and the mid-tier teams have a more realistic chance of going deep.
What determines Olympic hockey finals?
 The Olympics have seen a lot of stacked lineups thwarted by outstanding goal tending. Simply having talent is not enough to get an Olympic gold medal. The efficiency of the special teams very often separates finalists from the early losers when the referees tighten the standards. As matchups shorten, center depth becomes important, and faceoff wins become more valuable.
Seeding is also very important. The knockout positioning takes place in the group stage, where a team can loose out at the hands of a favourite. In the end, goaltending is the true wildcard. The Olympics have seen a lot of stacked lineups thwarted by outstanding goaltending.
By Gazette Staff
January 26th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
Two Halton District School Board (HDSB) teachers are recipients of the Governor General’s History Award for Excellence in Teaching, Canada’s most prestigious honour in the field of history. Ian Duncan, teacher at Garth Webb Secondary School, and Heather Howell, teacher at M.M. Robinson High School, are recognized among a small number of educators nationwide and are the sole recipients from Ontario this year.
Established in 1996 and administered by Canada’s History Society, the award recognizes outstanding achievement in the teaching and learning of Canadian history – celebrating educators who support student learning by strengthening understanding of the past through innovative historical projects. Through meaningful engagement, these educators help students develop critical thinking skills and a deeper connection to Canada’s history.
 Ian Duncan: Garth Webb Secondary School, Oakville, Ontario Ian Duncan is recognized for the Historytellers Project, a Grade 10 initiative with The ArQuives that invited students to research underrepresented areas of Canadian history. Students examined archival materials of 2S&LGBTQ+ history in Canada and collaborated with historians, artists and community members to develop short non-fiction narratives. Through the project, students strengthened their historical thinking skills by analyzing sources, considering multiple perspectives and presenting their findings in clear and engaging ways. The project concluded with physical and digital exhibits shared within the school, the broader community and online.
 Heather Howell is honoured for leading the Heritage Garden Initiative, a collaboration with Museums of Burlington and M.M. Robinson High School’s horticulture therapy program, Heather Howell is honoured for leading the Heritage Garden Initiative, a collaboration with Museums of Burlington and M.M. Robinson High School’s horticulture therapy program, part of the Community Pathways Program for students with special education needs. Working on the historic grounds of the Ireland House Museum, students cultivated a heritage garden using traditional methods reflective of late 19th-century food production. Alongside developing practical horticultural and workplace skills, students examined artifacts and historical tools to explore continuity and change in local food systems and community life. Produce from the garden was donated to the Burlington Food Bank, extending the project’s impact beyond the classroom and into the community.
“This national recognition reflects the dedication that HDSB teachers bring to their classrooms each day and the excellence in teaching that takes place across our schools,” says Curtis Ennis, Director of Education for the Halton District School Board. “Ian and Heather’s work demonstrates a strong commitment to engaging students through meaningful, innovative learning experiences. Through their work, students build critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, empathy and adaptability – skills that prepare them for success today and in the future.”
Background Resources
Governor General’s History Award 2025 Recipients
Ian Duncan – Governor General’s History Award 2025 webpage
Heather Howell – Governor General’s History Award 2025 webpage
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