 By Pepper Parr
May 3rd, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
 Ward 5 Councillor Paul Sharman Ward 5 Councillor Paul Sharman has announced that he will run for re-election on October 26th.
He has served as a Councillor since 2010.
In his announcement, he said he “would meet with people in their communities if that is what they want.”
There are a lot of questions that need asking.
Sharman has not been a public transit advocate, but in the recent past there appeared to be a change in his thinking.
Related news story:
Sharman speaks out on what Argo can do for Burlington
 By Pepper Parr
May 2nd, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
A Gazette reader commented yesterday that what Burlington needs on City Council is a lawyer and some businessmen.
The City has a lawyer to manage the legal problems.
A municipality is not a business. A business is owned by people who expect it to make a profit.
 Council members are elected to create policy and give Staff directions and to represent the interests of the people who elected them. Municipalities strive to ensure there is a surplus at the end of each fiscal year.
Municipal Councillors have one job: to serve their constituents. To know their constituents and to live in the ward they represent.
They are not elected to run the city. Staff are hired to do that
No personal agendas – they are there to listen and to lead – when it is appropriate.
 When we bow our heads and listen to the Last Post and Reveille, we are promising the men and women who gave their lives to protect the democracy we have that we will do the job. That is what you are expected to do on October 26th. When an individual casts a ballot, they are underlining what they feel on Remembrance Day: honouring the tens of thousands of men and women who died in the two World Wars to ensure that we could live in a democracy.
The citizens vote to ensure that the promise is kept by electing people who understand grassroots democracy.
On election day, voters give the power they have; their inalienable right to decide for themselves, to whichever government level they are electing and expect that person to represent them honestly.
It is as simple as that. When we wander off that path – well look to the south of us to see what can happen.
By Pepper Parr
May 2nd, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
City Hall was accepting nomination forms from those who wanted to be candidates in the October 26th municipal government.
Running for Mayor
City Hall was accepting nomination forms from those who wanted to be candidates in the October 26th municipal government on Friday.
Ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns and Ward 3 Councilor Rory Nisan filed their forms on Monday.
Kearns has a very robust website and plans laid out for an active campaign.
 Kearns decided it was either to get elected as mayor or to leave politics entirely.  Rory Nisan, candidate for Mayor Nisan has a website with little in the way of content. His decision to run for Mayor did not come as a complete surprise.
Ward 1 candidate:
At this point, the only nominated candidate is Kelven Galbraith
Ward 2 candidate:
Nothing yet. There are two people who have said they will file papers: Brad Harness and Sean Cameron might be holding back until they learn what Regional Chair Gary Carr will do. He is rumoured to be interested. He attended the Ward 2 meeting that took place last week.
Ward 3 candidate:
Nothing yet. With current Ward 3 Councilor Rory Nisan throwing his hat in the ring to become Mayor the ward is wide open.
Ward 4 candidate:
This is where things have heated up. Current Councillor Shawna Stolte will face Oliva Duke who ran against her in 2022 and got 1748 votes; Stolte won the seat with 3591 votes. Chris Carter has also filed nomination papers and has a website in place.
 Current Ward 2 Councillor Shawna Stolte  Chris Carter, Ward 4 candidate  Olivia Duke, trying a second time to serve the residents of Ward 4 Ward 5 candidate:
Nothing yet. Everyone will be waiting to see what current Councillor Paul Sharman decides to do. His decision to run again is not a certainty.
Ward 6 candidate:
 Current Ward 6 Councillor Angelo Bentivegna Angelo Bentivegna has filed his papers and is expected to have his van decorated again.
Some elections get very active, particularly when there is an electorate that is grumpy and unhappy. Names that are being talked about have Karina Gould reported to be considering a run for Mayor and Mayor Meed Ward taking a look at the federal seat, should Gold jump into municipal politics. Rumours like this have to be taken with a grain of salt. However, Gould is reported to have visited Marianne Meed Ward at her home.
 By Pepper Parr
May 1st, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
One of the first things people need to know about Lisa Kearns is that Kearns Road was not named after the family.
Lisa comes from a very humble, working-class family that has strong Catholic roots. All her elementary and high school education took place in Catholic schools.
She had part-time jobs through high school and university.
All this information came out of a long interview on a rainy Saturday afternoon.
Once it was clear that Kearns was going to run for Mayor I had asked Kearns to do a sit-down interview and tell me all about who she was, what the core values were, and where she had worked after graduating from university.
 I asked for pictures of her childhood days – she brought hundreds of them. “Just how much do you want” asked Kearns. “Everything” I said. She arrived for the interview with one of those expanding file folders stuffed with more than 100 photographs. “This is who I am” she said.
The I am consists of my Mother and Father, a brother and a sister.
 Lisa Kearns before starting school.  Grade two was great fun for Kearns This wasn’t a family that went to Florida – they were stay-at-home people who went camping and enjoyed fishing
Lisa had part-time after-school and weekend jobs at variety stores and a deli that were close to the family’s Hamilton home.
She was like any other normal child in what was a pretty solid household.
She did Halloween like any other child, had an entry in a Science Fair, and an award for being a good public speaker at the elementary level.
While at Western University she majored in political science, was part of the politcal science club.
Out of university an early job was selling billboard advertising space during an economy that was in trouble. Keeping clients during aneconomic downturn is what selling is all about. Kearns earned her bonus every year.
She moved on to Life Labs, where she was responsible for procurement. Left that company to become the ward 2 Councillor in 2018. There were great expectations back then. Kerns was one of five newbies on a seven-member council. Expecting some turnover from the previous ward Councillor, Kearns saw nothing but a pile of papers on the desk.
By the middle of her second term it was becoming clear to Kerns that council had become close to dysfunctional. It just wasn’t working – and had gotten confrontational.
 Running around during a Halloween party.  A Science Fair exhibit with a sense of humour  A Public Speaking award earned at the elementary school level. After sorting through the pictures and commenting on them I asked Lisa – “Why are you doing this – why are you running for the Office of Mayor.”
Her response was interesting.
“While it is very early in the 2026 election process, as I look back to where I am now, I don’t think I fully realized what I was stepping into.
“I know I can do a better job.”
“What we have now can’t be it.
“In my bones, I just know we can do a better job.
“Council has become very confrontational – and confrontation isn’t who I am.”
It is far too early in the municipal election process to have a really clear picture of what kind of mayor Kearns would be should she win. If what has been published elsewhere it looks like Councillor Nisan will also run for Mayor. Nothing on what current Mayor Mead Ward and what she plans to do.
A couple of weeks before the Saturday interview, I had asked Kearns, “What kind of Mayor do you want to be ?”
She didn’t understand the question right away, so I rephrased it. “Do you want to be a Rob MacIsaac or a Walter Mulkewich?” She said she didn’t know. But during the Saturday interview, she said she had thought about it and was very clear: She wanted to be a MacIsaac Mayor.
 Rob MacIsaac was the Mayor who brought the idea for the Pier to the Council table. He was a builder – Lisa Kearns wants to follow those footsteps. Rob MacIsaac put the idea for the Pier on the table, he was behind the move to tear down the old police station on Locust and have the Performing Arts Centre built. He was the force behind the creation of Team Burlington that put the Chamber of Commerce and the Burlington Economic Development Corporation in the new building that had several floors of parking above.
Rob MacIsaac was a builder who changed some of how the downtown core worked.
I am chasing down a tip I got from a usually solid source; and have reached out to someone who could confirm the information I have. If true, it will change the political landscape during the election we are now into.
This is going to be a very very interesting municipal election for Burlington. The second person I am reaching out to would have access to some information I picked up yesterday.
 By Pepper Parr
May 1st, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
 A piece of plastic got turned into a multinational corporate endeavour. Innovative financing and a measure of moxie made it all come together.  Gallagher scored the goal that made the difference in the fifth game of round one in the Stanley Cup playoff series. There is a guy in Burlington who has done very well selling a pea-less whistle he invented to the sports community.
The Habs, Sabres and Raptors are on at the same time tonight.
Ron Foxcroft plans on watching all three.
I’ll stick with the Habs – they can close out the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs in Montreal tonight.
The city will go bonkers.
By Gazette Staff
May 1st, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
Lisa Kearns files her nomination papers and immediately puts out flyer.
Looks like a well oiled election campaign.
By Pepper Parr
May 1st, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
In a lengthy comment published on Facebook, Ward 5 Councillor Paul Sharman shared his views on transit, They are evolving.
 Councillor Sharman: “We all can see with our own eyes, that most of the time buses in Burlington have mostly empty seats.” “I would catch the bus if they were more convenient. I spent my entire childhood and youth years depending on public transit. I have never described the Burlington Transit in any demeaning way. Indeed, a bus that now costs over $1m to purchase, which requires significant maintenance, and will be replaced after 12 years, is a thing of beauty. Our drivers are well managed, courteous and friendly people, who care about their work.
That never describing Transit in a demeaning way is a huge stretch.
“I have pointed out what we all can see with our own eyes, that most of the time buses in Burlington have mostly empty seats. Empty seats = idle capacity, which costs a fortune.
“The Burlington 2026 transit budget is $37m, fare collection is about $6m, ie 16% of cost. A very large proportion of riders live in Hamilton, coming to work here, for which we are grateful, but they are also subsidized by Burlington property taxes. Average daily number of rides is about 9500, which = about 4700 people riding to where they are going and back again. Deduct the riders who live in Hamilton and do not pay Burlington property taxes, you can see that for Burlington property tax payers it means that about 98.5% them of do not use the service for which they will pay $31m out of their own pockets. That is $157 annually collected for every person in Burlington who don’t use our buses or $516 annually from every property tax payer.
“There are reasons why Burlington property tax payers don’t catch the bus system. The system is designed around large capacity buses, fixed routes and a fixed schedule. Routes and bus stops are designed such that every home is within 400 mtrs walk of a stop, which is a long way for people in a hurry, or people who find such a walk difficult. Some stops have shelters others not, but they are pretty cold in winter…. especially if you miss the first bus you intended to catch. We can do so much better.
“Many of the increasing number of older adults continue to drive into their later years because walking to a bus stop or inconvenience does not work for them. Nor for most people. Further, did you know that Handy Vans are only available to people who have a doctors certificate. Handi Van riders find they have to book a ride up to 2 weeks in advance to be certain to get a seat, and may have to get a taxi home later if their appointment goes too long.
 Appleby GO station parking lot. “Burlington residents drive to the GO station because it is convenient time wise and access to their own transportation is at the door. They will pay the considerable cost of owning a car because of accessibility and convenience.
“Modern technology, suitable vehicles, operators such as Argo exist and are already operating around the world, in Canada and in Ontario. On demand rider cost would be the same as present
“Older drivers, commuters and everyone else can simply call for a ride when they want one. Ridership will increase dramatically at a massively reduced cost to tax payers. If anyone has any doubt of whether what other municipalities and people who need transportation already know, just order an Uber, that the cost will four times more than a bus for a local ride.
“Burlington can continue to offer large bus service on the few routes that justify them, but even on those routes, small vehicles will do the job outside peak hours. We might even need more bus drivers!
 Sharman: insists he is a numbers man. “I am a numbers person and it is my belief that 1) $37m is massively excessive; 2) riders will take advantage of a convenient on demand service that will pick them up where they are, when they want to be picked up, and dropped off where they wish to go; 3) that ridership will increase dramatically, which will have the effect of increasing $ total fares collected: 4) increased fare revenue will cause total cost to tax payers to reduce and therefore reduce taxes! Win, win, win.
“If nothing else staff should try this out.”
What Sharman fails to reveal is that Burlington Transit is already using Argo buses to transport people who had asked for HandiVan service
Related news story:
 By Ray Rivers
May 1st, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
Mr. Poilievre is having a field day mocking the Carney government for creating a wealth fund. There are something like thirty such funds around the world. Alberta’s former premier Lougheed created the provincial Heritage Saving Fund in 1976, built with the substantial petroleum royalties at the time and based on the fear, back then, that the province might eventually run out of the black gold.
Despite criticism that the Alberta fund over the years has been treated like an ATM, more like a chequing than a saving account, and accessed whenever the government felt it needed cash, it has grown to over $30 billion today and is targeted to hit $250 billion some day in the future. Unlike Alberta though, the federal government gets very little in the way of oil and gas royalties.
 These war loans were heavily subscribed to – note the picture of the King and Queen at the time. So the plan for Canada’s new national wealth fund will be based on a $25 billion endowment by the feds and open investment to private corporations and presumably individuals with a little extra cash in their pockets. That might end up as something akin to investing in a war bond to fund rebuilding the economy in this economic war with the USA.
The details are yet to come – most likely only after a board of directors is constituted. Canada already has a large pool of capital in the Canada Pension Plan, which currently is approaching $800 billion in value. However, being largely composed of obligatory contributions by future pensioners, the government is wise not to mess with one of the world’s most successful pension funds.
Poilievre’s claims that a wealth fund should be financed by federal budgetary surpluses is a laudatory but naive notion given that for almost twenty years, since the 2008 economic recession, neither the Liberal nor Conservative governments have ever generated a budgetary surplus. Fellow Tory Doug Ford was all about eliminating deficits as well, that is until he became premier and realized that the prospect of raising taxes or cutting essential programs has a political as well as a social and economic cost.
And Poilievre’s demand that the federal government remove all gas taxes would just add another eight billion dollars to the current deficit. That kind of math helps explains why he thinks he understands economics better than the sitting PM with his Harvard and Oxford degrees and his record as central banks governor. The complexity of higher finance clearly seems to evade the Tory leader’s comprehension – so he lashes out as best he can, accusing the PM of directing government policy to further enrich himself and his former business associates – essentially accusing him of corruption.
 Poilievre has once again been transformed into attack dog mode. But perhaps what is most concerning about Mr. Poilievre, who has once again been transformed into attack dog, is his lack of faith in Canadians and his inference that Canada doesn’t have enough wealth to start a fund – that Canada only has debt and that the new Sovereign wealth fund is just another debt fund. This is not the time to depreciate the country, especially if you are a political leader hoping one day to govern.
Canada is widely considered the 18th richest nation on earth with the 11th largest economy. Not bad for a nation of just over 40 million people, about half a percent of the planet’s population. According to the International Monetary Fund Canada has the strongest fiscal position in the G7, with the lowest net debt-to-GDP ratio, at just under 12% and a triple A credit rating.
 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
Wealth Funds – Poilievre on Wealth Fund – Wealth Funds – Alberta Heritage Fund – Brookfield Funds –
By Pepper Parr
May 1st, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
An Abacus poll found Ford’s Progressive Conservatives at 37 per cent with the leaderless Liberals, who elect a new chief Nov. 21, at 36 per cent, a statistical tie. Marit Stiles’ New Democrats remain in third place with 17 per cent while Mike Schreiner’s Greens were at five per cent.
Say that again: A political party with no leader is a point behind the Premier of the province
 Doug Ford: Time to say as little as possible and hope the public concerns blow over. The poll found Ford’s Progressive Conservatives at 37 per cent with the leaderless Liberals, who elect a new chief Nov. 21, at 36 per cent, a statistical tie. Marit Stiles’ New Democrats remain in third place with 17 per cent while Mike Schreiner’s Greens were at five per cent.
Abacus president David Coletto said two recent contentious moves by the premier appear to have hurt the Tories.
First, Ford’s decision to amend the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act to retroactively exclude the release of his records and those of ministers, parliamentary assistants and aides.
Second, his $28.9 million purchase of a 2016 Bombardier Challenger 650 executive jet to be used for official travels.
The public will begin to focus on the municipal election, which take place on October 26TH – nominations opened today.
The Future of Online Casinos
Online casinos play a big role in online entertainment. They are certainly among the most successful businesses operating in the industry. Gambling platforms on the internet generate billions of dollars every year, and their popularity keeps growing. All of this has made many wonder what the future of online casinos has in store.
Obviously, it is impossible to know what will happen months, years, or even decades from now. However, we can certainly make some guesses based on the popular trends today, and the hopes for the future that many have spoken about. So, in this article, we are imagining how online casinos might look like in the next couple of decades.
Live Gambling Will Grow
The success of streaming can be seen in the film, television, music, and even video game world. Many people today prefer to get their content online, then to visit theaters or concerts. The same could be said for gamblers who want to take a moment to explore iGaming. Many would rather relax at home than visit a casino. However, a lot of gamblers miss the face-to-face that online casinos can’t provide…or can they?
The introduction of live gambling has been an incredible phenomenon for the industry. Live casinos are so popular that they’ve become a staple, rather than a feature. It is actually more bizarre to learn that a website does not have a live games option nowadays. Knowing this, it is not strange to think that in the future, live gambling will continue to improve and gain popularity.
VR and AR Will Improve
As things stand right now, virtual reality is simply not where we need it to be. For years, people have dreamed of a virtual casino, where they can go and feel like they are really there. However, even offline virtual reality games are now as developed as many of us would like them to be. For online casinos, VR integration is even tougher. The same is true for augmented reality as well.
But, the dream of a virtual reality casino is simply too powerful to give up on. We, as humans and sci-fi fans, have been dreaming of virtual reality for decades, and it is unlikely that we are going to give up on the dream. While game developers might not be focusing on specifically casino VR, we are certainly going to get something out of the pursuit in the future.
AI Integration is Unavoidable
We say AI integration I unavoidable, but the truth of the matter is that it is already a big part of online gambling. Machine learning software helps to detect fraud, prevent problem gambling, and even to promote the right games to the right people. What we can expect to see in the future is not AI integration, but rather, a superior machine learning program, that will do the job better.
There are many people who are staunchly against the development of AI. However, as understandable as the fear may be, the genie has been let out of the proverbial bottle. The tech is here to stay, and will continue to develop years into the future.
 By Pepper Parr
April 29th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON’
Ramp up the access to psychological services for High School students.
The province is considering banning students from looking at a social media when they are in schools.
Those students who were never able to discipline their use of being on their cell phone for much more than five minutes will be going into withdrawal.
Parents should take some responsibility for this, but they too are addicted to their cell phones.
 I’ll call this one – you call that one.  Students have forgotten how to have conversations. Minister of Education Paul Calandra says the province will be working closely with the federal government on a social media ban for kids under a certain age.
He also says he is considering implementing an “outright ban” of cellphones on school properties, with some medical exemptions.
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew’s government recently announced that it plans to ban children from using social media accounts and artificial intelligence chatbots, starting in classrooms.
Federal Culture Minister Marc Miller has said the government is seriously considering a law enforcing age limits on social media use, as Australia has done.
 This is what a generation of parents has let happen to their children.
 By Pepper Parr
April 29th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
It is accepted by most people that there is a shortage of Handi Vans in Burlington.
These buses are a door-to-door service offered by Burlington Transit to people with disabilities. The service is available to registered customers who are unable to use a conventional bus.
These are the vehicles that transport people with disabilities from where they live to where they want to go, be it a doctor’s appointment, a visit to a family member, or to do some shopping.
The van holds about xxx people and have ramps that make it possible for people with wheel chairs to embark and disembark.
When a Handi-Van is needed, the customer calls Burlington Transit and explains where they want to go, often as much as two weeks before the transportation is needed.
People apply to use this form of transit by completing the specialized transit application. The form has to be signed by their doctor. How they get to the doctor to have the form signed when they don’t have access to the Handi-Van service is something they figure out.
Handi-Van schedulers are available Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding holidays.
The customers know the people in the xxx department very well – they have been talking to each other for years.
The service works, but it means there is an awful lot of waiting around, which is the life of those who are disabled.
We will return to the Handi-Van service and its limitations.
The transit people are looking for ways to create a transit service that is not confined to buses running specific transit routes. They are looking for small buses that would work as an on-demand service for specific parts of the city. Funds were allocated for the Transit service to prepare for a study that would xxxx
Argo, a privately owned company located in Brantford, is a service that uses electrically propelled buses to transport people. They have a computer application that allows people to log n and request transportation. The user gets a response, and the closest Argo bus picks them up. That is a simplification of how the Argo system works.
The problem with the Argo system is that it takes control of who people call transit service out of the hands of the city transit service.
At some point, the city may decide they want to outsource that service – but that is not a decision that has been made.
One of the Argo buses was on display at a recent transportation and transit event hosted by Councillors Sharman and Kearns.
The Gazette recently met with a Burlington Senior who has been using the HandiVan service for more than a decade.
On March 18th this person was picked up by an Argo bus that was returning to her John Street address from the Mandarin restaurant. It took an hour and 20 minutes to complete the trip. One could walk the distance in that amount of time.
On April 21st, this person took an Argo bus from Burlington Centre to her John Street residence. This person concluded tat the driver of the Argo bus did not know the city very well.
Our question is: Why do people requiring HandiVan service find themselves being moved around by an Argo bus?
Does the city have a working agreement with Argo that has not been made public?
Who is covering any of the liability insurance needed?
There are more questions that answers on this issue.
 By Gazette Staff
April 30th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
 June 2017, the Burlington Teen Tour Band marched into the Performing Arts Centre, making it their Official Home. It was a near sold-out audience watching the Burlington Teen Tour Band perform at the FirstOntario Concert Hall (Hamilton Place) last night for the first time since the Burlington Performing Arts Centre opened in 2011.
The Burlington Teen Tour Band (BTTB) drumline won first place in the Premier Class at the 2026 Canadian Drumline Association (CDA) Guelph Ontario Regional on April 10, 2026″
The photograph at the right is of the Teen Tour Band entering the Performing Arts Centre when it was made their official home.
The Teen Tour Band is the only one in Canada that is supported by the city financially. It also has a strong Alumni Association
 Some colour was added to the evening which included a number of superb solo performances
 The Junior Redcoats show the audience what the Band is going to look like in the future.
 For the closing number, “Celebration” by Kool & The Gang, the band surrounded the audience.
 By Gazette Staff
April 29th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington residents are getting a new place for health services.
It will be called the Support House Community Health Centre and will be located at 760 Brant Street.
 Located at the intersection of Ghent and Brant, the owners had planned on adding additional housing to the South end of the property. The site had significant for a new restaurant that would draw on the population that will begin to live in the Fairview high-rise condos that will eventually be built. Burlington residents are getting a new way to connect with doctors, nurses, and other health-care experts.
On Wednesday morning, MPP Natalie Pierre, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health Anthony Leardi, and Support House executive director Christina Jabalee announced a $2.1 million investment from the provincial government that will see the city’s first Community Health Centre up and running as early as next month.
“This is a significant milestone for our city and for our community,” Pierre said. “The Community Health Centre model connects patients to a primary care provider, and a full team of healthcare professionals that work collaboratively.”
Approximately 10 full time staff will be working at the new space, with two physicians, two registered nurses, plus social workers, peer support workers, and more.
Though the centre is expected to open in just a few weeks part-time, it will take until the end of summer for the space to be fully operational.
“We are hoping within six months we will be up and running full time,” Jabalee said.
The Community Health Centre will be a resource for the community to find the care they need, and that the centre is long overdue in Halton.
Other regions in Ontario have been benefiting from Community Health Centres for years, while those in Halton have been waiting for a way to connect to a doctor.
“These Community Health Centres are everywhere, but they call this the dry zone,” she said. “We will have salaried physicians and nurse practitioners so we can take time with those who have multiple needs, who are vulnerable in the community, to help what is going on to make sure they can get the care they need.”
Pierre called the model a single stop for those in need to find the right place to go for treatments.
“If that is addiction, counselling, nursing care, mental health support, it is a one-door-to-many-door approach, and that is important for us in Burlington,” she said.
The funding for the new centre comes from the $3.4 billion Primary Care Action Plan, Pierre said. The PCAP oversees the attachment of every resident in Ontario with a primary healthcare practitioner, which Pierre said will happen by 2029.
Burlington’s Community Health Centre will aid 4,500 people in the community, she said.
“This expansion of primary care in Burlington is made possible through the latest call for proposals under our government’s Primary Care Action Plan,” Pierre said. “It is one more way we are building on our progress and ensuring that people right here in Burlington, and across Ontario, have access to high quality health care closer to home for years to come.”
The Support House Community Health Centre is located at 760 Brant Street.
 By Gazette Staff
April 29th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
It happens every year – the Cherry Trees blossom and crowds show up with cameras in hand.
Interestingly, however, most of the visitors are from diverse communities.
The cherry blossom trees (Sakura) in Spencer Smith Park were donated by the Nakazawa family of Itabashi, Japan, along with the city of Itabashi itself, as a gift to Burlington.
The former Itabashi City chairman Kan Nakazawa and his wife, Toshiko, donated the 54 trees and the limestone walkway (KanTo Walkway) in 1997 to symbolize the friendship between the twin cities.
The bloom is a spectacular sight to see, with peak bloom typically happening in late April – early May, and lasts anywhere from 6 to 14 days, depending on the weather.
The Japanese word “Hanami” translated directly, means “flower viewing”.
 By Pepper Parr
April 29th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
 Fifteen years ago, the Performing Arts Centre opened officially with Sara McLaughlin on the stage.
The ticket prices were not a gift – sold out wasn’t going to happen. City Hall ended up giving tickets to senior staff to fill the seats.
It was a wonderful evening. COGECO brought in their cameras. Executive Director Heather NAME wore a stunning green dress.
 Cogeco Cable did a thoroughly profesional job of cable casting live the Gala Opening of the Burlington Performing Arts Centre. Mark Carr interviews then Mayor Rick Goldring.  BPAC executive Director Brenda Heatherington would make the cover of Vogue magazine with this dress. This was her night, which she celebrated with 700 of the most important people in town. The actual first presentation was by name. Two elderly women walked out – the music wasn’t fr them.
On May 28th BPAC will celebrate its 15th year and present the program for 2026-27. This is a members-only event; an occasion when members get first dibs at seat selections.
 The Performing Arts Centre looked great on its official opening night – staff showed they knew how to dress the place. It will be an evening full of big announcements, surprise performances, food, drinks, and more!
Become a member today to attend Season Launch and to unlock an entire season of unforgettable experiences.
Click HERE to become a member.
 Two Performing Arts members going over the season program, deciding what they want to get tickets for.
By Gazette Staff
April 29th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
The Comic Strippers are going to take to the Main Stage at the Performing Arts Centre on May 10th. If you want to keep Mom happy – book your tickets now.
The Comic Strippers are a fictitious male stripper troupe, played by a cast of some of Canada’s best improvisational comedians. These guys try to be sexy… it just comes out funny. Constantly grooving and gyrating, in between scenes they banter with the crowd and perform their sexylarious twist on improv sketches. They sing, they “dance;” these guys are oiled up and ready to make you laugh. Women often say the most attractive thing about a man is his sense of humour – so ladies, these stripped-down comedians are sure to make your head explode. And not to worry, gentlemen, this is definitely a parody of male strippers. “A show suitable for both men and women… an entertaining ride where anything goes.” – Rip It Up Magazine
 Mother may never be the same after this performance Semi-undressed and completely unscripted, The Comic Strippers take off their shirts and take on your suggestions to create a whole new genre of comedy.
WARNING: No extreme nudity, just extreme hilarity. A show for all genders… 19+ only
Fresh from sold-out shows in Vegas, Australia and across Canada and Canadian Comedy Award Winners for Best Live Production, The Comic Strippers are:
Roman Danylo – For five seasons, Roman starred on CTV’s Comedy Inc. As a stand-up comedian, he has appeared on Just For Laughs and The Debaters.
Chris Casillan – An improv comedy vet with The Vancouver Theatre Sports League, Chris is also a Canadian Comedy Award winner with his sketch comedy group Canadian Content.
Michael Teigen – As well as being a professional improviser and theatre actor, Michael has been in over 30 television shows and over 40 feature films.
Pearce Visser – Pearce is a 25 year veteran of improv, performing and teaching across Canada and the globe, is in the Cirque du Soleil talent roster, and can be seen occasionally on film and tv.
What do media have to say?
★★★★★ “Extremely funny comedy show that showcases their mercurial improvisational talents.” – UK Fringe Review
★★★★ “A high- energy evening that never loses pace.” – Adelaide Now
“One of the most hilarious shows I’ve ever seen.” – Vancouver Sun
Tickets:
Regular: $77 (All-in)
Group of 10+: $72 each (All-in)
*Phone or in-person onlyi
Click HERE to place an order.
By Gazette Staff
April 29th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
They are in the final stretch of their Earth Month campaign—can you help them get there?
They are so close to their goal—if just 10 people give $30, they will make it.
All gifts to BurlingtonGreen will be matched by Thordon Bearings (up to $2,500), doubling your impact.
Your donation supports real, local environmental action right here in Burlington—powered by a small but mighty team and an incredible community.
Click HERE to donate
By Gazette Staff
April 29th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
The 2026 Commonwealth will take place in Glasgow this year. Canada, being a part of the Commonwealth, will participate. A traditional part of the Games is to have a baton created by each country that is used in a relay in the country and transported to Glasgow where they will be received by King Charles III.
 Few Canadians know that the very first Commonwealth Games took place in Hamilton in 1930. The inaugural Games were then called the British Empire Games.
The athletes’ village was the Prince of Wales School next to the Civic Stadium, where the competitors slept two dozen to a classroom.
Eleven countries sent a total of 400 athletes. Women competed in only the swimming events.
The participant nations were Australia, Bermuda, British Guyana, Canada, England, Northern Ireland, Newfoundland, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa and Wales.
The Hamilton Games featured six sports: athletics, boxing, lawn bowls, rowing, swimming and diving and wrestling and ran at a cost of $97,973.00.
 The Canadian baton will end up in Glasgow for the start of the 2026 Games Although its origins remain unclear, it is believed that the idea for a Commonwealth baton relay was conceived during the late 1950s by the Games Organizing Committee.
The story behind the Canadian baton that will be presented to the King .
Painting Rationale: Water is Life. It literally harbors the life that sustains us every single day. It permeates every aspect of life on Earth and without it, we simply would not exist. The Indigenous peoples of
Turtle Island (North America) have always known and respected this. Globally, we must change our relationship with the water because without water, we are little more than dust.
Each of the 74 countries taking part in the 2026 Commonwealth Games has crafted a baton that will, in some cases be part of a relay that takes place.
Canada is a very wide country, so the Canadian relay will be more commemorative than real. At the ceremonial event in Burlington on May 6th at the Gazebo in Spencer Smith Park students will run short distances.
 The Canadian baton that will arrive in Glasgow and be presented to the King at the opening of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Background to the thinking that went into the crafting of the baton:
First Nations: In Canada, the water connects everything and everyone. The First People of Turtle Island mastered river navigation, but with widely fluctuating terrain, respect was paramount to survival, as heaving rapids could quickly end an expedition.
This painted story punctuates the impressive canoe skills of Indigenous people who helped European newcomers to navigate and map an entire country using the waters that have always connect us. The impressive birch bark canoe was a staple among communities. It was sturdy, reliable, and well made. , From the great cedar Canoes of the west coast to the birchbark canoes of the east, this invaluable tool was a vital component of daily life.
Inuit: The Inuit have always lived in the North. Most of the animals they needed to survive live in or near the ocean. For hunting and travel, hunters needed transportation that was well adapted to their needs. The engineered the “Kayak” (Kayak). This highly efficient water vehicle was quick, required minimal supplies to make and was beautifully waterproof, which allowed hunters to manage the intense winds that blow across northern waters.
Younger people learned from older and more experienced paddlers for many years before paddling their own kayak. They would practice paddling by the shoreline and would later became assistants to experienced hunters. Races were a way to hone skills and develop techniques and the paddle strength that could keep a hunter out of harm’s way.
Metis: Across the country, the Metis relationship with water is one of deep spirituality viewed not as a commodity but as a sacred, living entity that is essential to all life, community well-being, and identity. The beautiful flower bead patterns used in Metis art and clothing design echoes the important relationship the Metis people have with the plant world. Clean water is essential to ensuring that the plant medicines needed for the people continue to grow and provide the same care that has sustained them since the first Europeans came across the ocean. Historically, Métis voyageurs were an integral part of linking communities together through the fur trade as they travelled, traded and became interpreters.
nibi onje biimaadiiziiwin – water is life – everything alive on the only home we’ve ever known, water is life. water connects us, feeds us, quiets our thirst and it cradles us when we seek grace in a struggling world. this Ojibway phrase in all languages has become a battle cry to fight for the water that gives us all life. the health of the water mirrors the health of humanity. ginawaydaganuc – we are all connected
 By Pepper Parr
April 28th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
On May 1st, you can file nomination papers to run for office, or you can write a book.
City hall for nomination; Public Library for the book.
Annual Writing Contest Opens May 1st
 Burlington Public Library launches Write Here Write Now 2026
Calling all Burlington writers—your next story starts right here, right now!
Burlington Public Library invites writers across the community to take part in its annual Write Here Write Now writing contest, running from May 1 to 31.
 What are the chances of someone using a typewriter to create their book? Will some try to submit a short story from their cell phone? Open to ages 9 and older who live, work, or attend school in Burlington, the contest encourages participants to submit an original, unpublished short story inspired by this year’s theme, Beyond the Open Door. The theme is open to interpretation. An “open door” might lead to adventure, transformation, mystery, or something entirely unexpected. But whatever lies beyond it, the theme must be clearly and thoughtfully woven into your story.
One winning entry will be selected in each age category: children (ages 9–12), teens (ages 13–17), and adults (18+). A panel of judges will review all submissions, and each winner will receive a $100 cash prize.
The theme for the contest this year is “Open Door\s”. “” Open Door” can lead anywhere. Wherever your idea takes you, make sure the theme is clearly and thoughtfully woven into your story.
The deadline to enter is 5pm on Sunday, May 31.
Visit www.bpl.on.ca/writenow for the contest entry rules and online submission form.
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