 By Gazette Staff
July 7th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Mayoral Decision
In accordance with subsection 284.3 and 284.16 of the Municipal Act, 2001 (the “Act”), I, Marianne Meed Ward, Mayor of Burlington, hereby directs the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to:
1) With direction from the Mayor and in consultation with the CAO, and Deputy Mayor of Strategy and Budgets, prepare a summary of the draft 2026 Budget for Council and public consultation and input;
 I, Marianne Meed Ward, Mayor of Burlington, hereby directs the Chief Financial Officer … 2) Prepare the 2026 Budget, considering feedback from the community, members of Council in both their Council and Deputy Mayor roles, input from the Deputy Mayor of Strategy and Budgets, the needs identified in the 2026 financial needs and multi-year forecast (Financial Forecast) and direction from the Mayor; and
3) Ensure any proposed changes to budget (increases or decreases) are done in accordance with the overall objective of inflation plus infrastructure, with a target tax of 3.5% inclusive of Region, with the City portion of the total tax rate less than 3%, while adhering to the following four principles that balance providing for today while preparing for our future:
a. Affordability
b. Livability
c. Sustainability
d. Transparency
This direction takes effect following Council’s vote July 15, 2025 and remains in effect until modified or revoked.
The Motion had an addendum attached to it:
Under Bill 3, the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022, which amended the Municipal Act, 2001 (the Act) I Marianne Meed Ward, Mayor of the City of Burlington, hereby decide that, with respect to the 2026 Budget:
1) I will not exercise the power to veto under subsection 284.16(4) of the Municipal
Act, 2001; and
2) This Mayoral Decision provides written notice under subsection 284.16(4) of the Municipal Act, 2001, and subsection 7(7) of O. Reg. 530/22 to shorten the 10-day period to veto an amendment resolution passed by City Council to the proposed budget, to the date of council’s final deliberations and vote on amendments to the budget.
 By Pepper Parr
July 7th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
After four full hours in a Closed Session of Council they rose and reported the following:
The motion is to direct the commissioner of legal and legislative services and city solicitor or his designate to proceed in accordance with instructions as directed by committee regarding confidential legal report on potential litigation for aquatics procurement and report back to council.
 Councillor Lisa Kearns chaired the Standing Committee meeting. Can I please have a member move the motion?
I will look for comments, and then I’ll call the vote on the motion. The only comment made came from Councillor Sharman who said: ” We had a tremendous group of community members in the room. We had family members and representatives from both clubs.
 The Council Chamber was close to full with swimmers and their parents. “It is clear to me that we have a huge emotional outcry from members of the community with respect to something that’s so dear and important to them that they think it was necessary for this council to update itself, obtain information from the delegates, as well as from staff. There is an opportunity for us to learn more about it. I don’t really want to say more about it than that, but I’m pleased that we have asked staff to report back to us. .
Chair Kearns: “I’m pleased that we had the opportunity to hear from delegates and to see everyone’s perspective earlier today; it was a good opening, although the report was absolutely in confidential, as you know, this motion here doesn’t really say a whole lot either. That is meant to be kept in confidential, but it was a good opportunity to continue the dialogue with the community and hopefully get to the best possible outcome. I will now call the vote. All those in favor; the vote carried unanimously.
And that was it. What is not yet clear is, when staff will appear before Council and answer questions.
By Joseph Gaetan
July 7th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Having followed the Committee of the Whole (COW) meeting this morning, it was impossible to ignore the emotional weight carried by the young swimmers in attendance. Their long, sad faces told a story that no statistics or procurement policy can truly convey. The decision by the City of Burlington to deny the Burlington Aquatic Devilrays (BAD) pool time has had a tangible and heartbreaking impact.
 Members of BAD – not looking very pleased with what they were hearing. Beyond the procedural and legal questions, the human cost of this decision is quickly becoming irreparable. BAD is home to approximately 400 swimmers, with an additional 100 on a waiting list. These are not just numbers—they represent children, families, and years of commitment to a sport that thrives on stability and community. With the shift to Golden Horseshoe Aquatic Club (GHAC), many of these young athletes now face uncertainty, possible exclusion, and disrupted athletic development.
GHAC’s model appears to depend on absorbing swimmers from BAD in order to fulfill contract requirements. This has led to a situation that one councillor aptly described as a ‘zero-sum game’—where one club’s gain is another’s loss, and in this case, the most immediate and vulnerable losers are the children. Some families have already begun to exit BAD simply because they can’t wait for clarity. That is the real damage, and it is already happening.
It also remains unclear whether the Request for Proposals (RFP) approach was appropriate for this type of community service. There were hints from many that a negotiated process might better serve the community. As it stands, staff have entered into what appears to be a binding agreement with GHAC, while BAD may well have a legal basis for judicial review in Superior Court. If the City can find a resolution outside of court, it would likely result in fewer losers and a faster path to healing.
Key questions remain unanswered:
-
- Why was the RFP process used instead of a negotiated renewal?
- Would renewing BAD’s contract have caused less disruption and harm to swimmers?
- Will the GHAC model result in significantly higher program fees for families?
- Most importantly: if BAD’s application was never opened, how could the City disqualify the bid based solely on a document that does not exist under Ontario’s nonprofit regulations?
 Kimberly Calderbank This last question strikes at the core of the issue. If the rejection was based on a misinterpreted or impossible requirement, it suggests a critical failure in process and oversight. BAD submitted a valid Certificate of Status—the only up-to-date, official proof of incorporation available. Still, their application was dismissed out of hand.
What is at stake is not just pool time, but trust—between the city and its residents, between young athletes and their mentors, and between elected officials and the community. Rebuilding that trust will take time, humility, and, most importantly, action.
The city must act quickly and decisively to mitigate harm and restore confidence in its leadership.
By Gazette Staff
July 7th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
For the past three years, the Province has held its rent cap steady at 2.5%.
Despite recent rent decreases, including a 3.6% annual dip recorded in May, Ontario remains the priciest province for tenants in the country. At the same time, ongoing trade tensions have created economic uncertainty for all Canadians, and those who pay their shelter costs month to month are particularly vulnerable.
Given the precarious backdrop, the Ontario government has opted to cap rent increases at just 2.1% for 2026. At 2.5%, the cap for 2025 constituted a country-wide low and marked the third consecutive year of it being held at that level.
The guideline is informed by Ontario’s Consumer Price Index and applies to around 1.4 million households — however, it does not apply to rental units first occupied after November 15, 2018, vacant residential units, community housing, long-term care homes, or commercial properties.
“This cap is the lowest in four years, which demonstrates our commitment to protecting tenants across our province as we continue searching for ways to keep costs down across the province,” said Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Rob Flack in a press release from the Province.
The release explains that the cap represents the maximum amount a landlord can increase rent during the year without applying for above guideline rent increases (AGI) through the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB). According to the Tribunal’s Ontario 2023-24 Annual Report, AGI applications at the LTB have surged over 50% between the last two fiscal years, and over 125% since the 2020-2021 fiscal year.
 Meanwhile, the Province notes that rent increases are neither automatic nor mandatory, and can only be issued 12 months from the last increase. In addition, landlords who wish to raise rent are required to give 90 days written notice.
Monday’s press release also highlights Ontario’s progress in getting more rental housing off the ground, citing 6,977 rental starts between January to May 2025, marking a 25% increase over the same period in 2024. “This is the second-highest level of rental starts on record for this time of the year, after 2023, and showcases the government’s plan to get shovels in the ground to build more homes, faster.”
 By Pepper Parr
July 7th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The impact the resignation of Haassan Basit as Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) has yet to be felt. It will turn out to be much stronger and more damaging than most people realize.
Basit had a strong working relationship with a Mayor Meed Ward when he was Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Halton Conservation Authority.
 Haassan Basit brought a new level of staff organization to the City. General Managers were named Commissioners. When the city manager position opened up (Tim Commiso decided not to renew his contract) Haassan Basit applied for the job. He was hired.
The only person a city Council hires is the City Manager. The City Manager does all the staff hiring.
The City Manager hires city staff, organizes that staff into effective operational units and prepares a budget telling Council what will be needed to keep the city running and deliver all the programs City Council decides on.
The relationship between a city manager and a Mayor is unique.
When Tim Dobbie was City Manager and Rob MacIsaac Mayor, City Hall was a very smooth operation. Dobbie knew what Council wanted better than some of the Council members; he worked very very closely with MacIsaac.
Roman Martiuk was the City Manager when Cam Jackson was Mayor
 Rick Goldring served as a two term Mayor, first elected as mayor in 2010, and then for a second term in 2014. He was a member of Council representing ward 5. Rick Goldring, who defeated Jackson, started with Roman Martiuk and ended up with James Ridge. In between Jeff Fielding served as City Manager for close to three years, then left to work with Naheed Nenshi, Mayor of Calgary
One rarely sees this kind of senior-level change in the private sector.
Which brings me around to the relationship Mayor Meed Ward had with Haassan Basit. He was her choice for the City manager that was to replace Tim Commisso.
Meed Ward had worked closely with Haassan when he was CEO of Conservation Halton (CH). Basit did some very good work at CH. The hope was that he would bring about bring some of that to Burlington.
It didn’t work out that way.
Someone said that there were 80 applications for the job of City Manager – no one ever fact checked that number.
Mayor Meed Ward had no time for James Ridge. Her very first act as Mayor, once she was sworn in, was to call a Special Meeting of Council and have them agree to fire Ridge. Most of that meeting would have been closed and the public will never know what the vote was.
With Ridge gone Meed Ward was free to look for a new City Manager. She invited Tim Commisso, who we understand she didn’t know all that well, for coffee – that led to his being named as Interim City Manager. Commisso was, for the most part easy to get along with. He can be tough, Sheila Jones and Bryn Neally learned that when they were both let go at the same time. Why were they let go? – that story has yet to come out.
 Tim Commisso texting while Mayor Meed Ward looks on – the relationship was in tatters at this point. When Meed Ward made an unfortunate remark at an Ontario Big City Mayors group (OBCM) about her dissatisfaction with Commisso – it didn’t take long for that to get back to Commisso. Despite being given a very significant salary increase weeks before, Commissio advised the Mayor that he would not be renewing his contract.
What had become clear is that Marianne Meed Ward does not have the experience or character needed to work with dedicated professionals in a way that allows them to do the job they were hired to do.
Meed Ward must have thought Hassaan Basit would work out – they had worked together at Conservation Halton where he was Chief Executive Officer
He had a very strong relationship with environmental people at Queen’s Park and had an excellent relationship with Premier Doug Ford.
 Basit wasn’t with the city long enough to determine if the direction he was taking was going to make a difference. Was Haassan Basit recruited by the province? Or had he gotten to the point where he had enough of Meed Ward and went after a new opportunity? The role he will play at Queen’s Park is one that didn’t exist before he was hired.
Hassaan leaves the city early in August. The Mayor will now look for an Interim while Council advertises and looks for a new Chief Executive Officer. Mayor Meed Ward put a nice spin on Basit leaving. Don’t expect an exit conversation to take place between those two.
The hiring of a new CAO is a process that takes as much as six months – by that time the city council members will have begun the process of getting themselves re-elected.
The size of the pool of Ontario city managers that Burlington can draw upon is very small – and they all know each other.
It is reasonable to expect that applicants will want to wait until after the municipal election to submit applications.
The administration of the city is going to be bumpy, perhaps for as much as a year. Not what Burlington needs at this point in time.
It gets worse. The city has some very talented people with significant municipal experience. Some of those may begin wondering if Burlington is the place for them to continue developing their careers. Municipalities poach talent from each other all the time.
Jamie Tellier and Nick Anastasopoulos have shown how two departments can work hand in hand with each other and produce superb results. Will those two be polishing resumes – have they had phone calls?
Chad McDonald, Chief Information Officer, who heads up Digital Services, a department that has experienced huge growth. has done some sterling work – I’d be surprised if he hasn’t already had offers – there are private sector corporations that would love to have some of this man’s talent on their team.
The resignation of CAO Hassaan Basit and the messy situation on the allocation of pool time will have an impact that might not be immediately understood. That issue should have been on his desk; no mention so far on what, if any role, Basit played in the decision that was made.
 This might be the way some people see the City of Burlington. Burlington is getting to become a bit of a joke amongst senior civic administrators across the province – not something career civic servants will want to highlight on their resumes.
Anyone thinking of applying for the CAO job will think twice about jumping in – there are greener fields elsewhere.
Municipal level gossip is big – city managers all know each other – they tend to move from city to city every five years. The Tim Dobbie city manager model worked well – these men, and they were mostly men at that time, spent decades with a Mayor. Rob MacIsaac served as the Mayor of Burlington for three consecutive terms, from 1997 to 2006; Dobbie was with him every step of the way.
That model hasn’t been seen for some time.
Senior staff begin to wonder if Burlington is the place to build a career
Their mindsets move from doing some great thinking to – is this a good place for me to grow my career?
Is this all the result of Mayor Marianne Meed Ward’s leadership?
 By Pepper Parr
July 7th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Revisions: Pam Pitz will not be delegating on behalf of the Devilrays. Kimberly Calderbank, will delegate on the confidential legal report on potential litigation for aquatics procurement.Katie Lebel and Piers Allington will both delegate on the same issue.
Colleen Bent will delegate for the Golden Horseshoe Aquatic Club.
City council will learn today just what it means to have an engaged community.
 The issue is – where are these swimmers going to train? The Burlington Aquatic Devisrays (BSD) will be out in force with several delegations speaking on behalf of the Devilrays.
Kimberley Calderbank has said she would like to get everyone of the 400 members into the Council Chamber – not likely, but expect a significant turnout nevertheless.
Joseph Gaten wrote a succinct overview and outline as to just what the issues are.
 City Solicitor Blake Hurley Council is expected to go into a Closed Session during which the City Solicitor, Blake Hurley will advise on what the legal implications are on a contract award that many feel was a mistake.
Burlington has an awkward agenda procedure where they go into Closed Session during which several matters. When they come out of the Closed Session they report on any decisions they made. They seldom provide much in the way of detail.
The delegations take part at the beginning of a council meeting, which means quite a bit of time between the legal part and the public part.
Staff will be on hand to answer any questions Council members have.
The public does not get to interact with staff.
Link to the Joe Gaeten summary
 By Gazette Staff
July 6th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The Gazette received the following from Cody Bradt – Associate Head Coach & Chief Operating Officer
Thank you for the opportunity to provide clarity regarding the 28% Burlington resident statistic cited from Swim Ontario data.
 The Golden Horseshoe Aquatic Club (GHAC) is not a “Burlington” or “Hamilton” club—we are a multi-jurisdictional organization that has proudly served athletes across Burlington, Hamilton, Dundas, Stoney Creek, and beyond for over two decades. Our programs span several municipalities, and our membership reflects the diverse communities we serve.
 Cody Bradt – Associate Head Coach & Chief Operating Officer The 28% figure provided by Swim Ontario refers specifically to the home addresses of our registered members, not the locations where they train. Swim Ontario does not track or differentiate training locations in its reporting—only member residences. This data does not accurately represent the proportion of Burlington residents actively training within City of Burlington facilities.
To provide a more accurate picture: in the 2024–2025 season, 85% of the swimmers utilizing our training facilities within City of Burlington limits—specifically Goldfish Swim School and the Ron Edwards YMCA—were Burlington residents. Please refer to the attached map outlining all the facilities we utilized throughout the season.
We remain committed to serving swimmers across the Golden Horseshoe, including providing accessible, high-quality programming to Burlington residents within their own community.
That may be so, but Mr. Bradt is not that committed to talking directly to media; using media releases and statements allows GHAC to at least try to control the narrative.
Republished from the Toronto Star
July 6th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
When he was 64, Mike Kessler retired from his job in the auto industry because he felt like his brain wasn’t working as it should. He kept forgetting things like what day it was and the word he was looking for.
 Mike Keller His wife, Karen, pushed their doctor for a referral to a neurologist. It took a year to see the specialist and another eight months for testing, but finally, in 2021, they had an answer: Mike had vascular dementia and mild Alzheimer’s.
Their family doctor told them that for now, there was nothing more to be done.
“When you get Alzheimer’s, you don’t even get a lollipop. It’s just you’ve got Alzheimer’s. Have a nice rest of your day,” Mike says.
There are 700,000 Canadians living with dementia, and their numbers are rapidly rising. By 2050, it’s projected that 1.1 million Canadians will have Alzheimer’s, dementia’s most common form.
For people with mild Alzheimer’s, the treatment options are often what some clinicians call “therapeutic nihilism” — no medications are offered, because nothing can change the course of disease. A person’s cognition worsens, and they move from mild to moderate to severe disease in time. There are no approved treatments in Canada that can slow this progression, only drugs to quiet symptoms.
That may soon change.
 More than 120 drugs are in the pipeline, along with blood tests that will be able to detect Alzheimer’s. But should any be approved, Canada’s health systems do not have the capacity to diagnose, support and deliver these Alzheimer therapies within a reasonable window of time. Health Canada is currently evaluating two drugs — lecanemab and donanemab — that may slow the progression of Alzheimer’s in some patients with mild disease.
These therapies mark the beginning of a new chapter in Alzheimer’s care. More than 120 drugs are in the pipeline, along with blood tests that will be able to diagnose the presence of Alzheimer’s.
But should new treatments be approved, many people will not be able to access them. Canada’s health systems do not have the capacity to diagnose, support and deliver these Alzheimer therapies to eligible patients within a reasonable window of time.
The level of change needed in dementia care will have to be similar to the revolution that happened in cancer over the last 70 years. Decades ago, patients with cancer were sometimes not even told they had the disease. They weren’t urged to get screening. Now, people are encouraged to seek out a diagnosis as early as possible. There are specialized cancer centres, dedicated oncology teams, spiritual and social supports and hundreds of treatment options.
Advocates for people with Alzheimer’s say a similar revolution in dementia care is possible. But the change must start with recognizing that Alzheimer’s is “something other than a death sentence,” says Mike.
Mike was relieved when his doctor told him he had Alzheimer’s. “I have peace of mind now. I now know what’s wrong and I have time to make choices about how I spend my time,” he said. He joined the board of the Alzheimer’s Society close to his home in Amherstburg, Ont., and he sometimes meets other people with Alzheimer’s who treat their diagnosis like their life is ending. Kessler hates that. For him, this stage of Alzheimer’s is difficult, but busy and joyful.
He likens his brain to a cellphone where the battery runs low faster than it should. By midday, his “brain juice” is used up, and he needs a two-hour nap to recharge. Other times, he feels like he’s walked into a room but doesn’t know why.
The complete article is online at the Toronto Star.
By Gazette Staff
July 5th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The Gazette received the following from Cody Bradt, the Chief Operating Officer and Associate Head Coach of the Golden Horseshoe Aquatic Club.
Labeling what was sent to us as “Our Side” we were given the following:
There has been a great deal of discussion surrounding the recent awarding of the 2025 Competitive Youth Swimming RFP, and I believe it’s time we share our side of the story.
 Golden Horseshoe Aquatic Club. Throughout the RFP process, we respected the confidentiality rules and refrained from making public comments. Now that the contract has been awarded, we are able to speak openly.
First and foremost, the Golden Horseshoe Aquatic Club is not a “Hamilton club.” We are proud to serve swimmers across the entire Golden Horseshoe region—including Burlington, Hamilton, Dundas, and Stoney Creek. We’ve been part of these communities for over 20 years.
 This most recent procurement process is not new. It began in 2020, following more than a decade of GHAC coexisting with other user groups. . On a personal note, I’m proud to have grown up swimming in City of Burlington pools and to have called Burlington home for more than 20 years of my life. I know firsthand the profound impact that competitive swimming can have on shaping a young person’s confidence, discipline, and lifelong friendships. It’s a privilege to now give back to the same community that helped shape me.
This most recent procurement process is not new. It began in 2020, following more than a decade of GHAC coexisting with other user groups in City of Burlington-owned facilities. When the first RFP was released in 2020, we submitted a proposal and narrowly missed being selected. We respected the outcome, requested a formal debrief, and used that feedback to improve our organization. Although we lost nearly 200 members that season, we remained committed to our mission and continued offering high-quality programming outside of city-owned pools.
It’s also important to clarify that the incumbent organization did not “lose” their pool time—they completed their contract term. The 2020 agreement was for three years with two possible extensions, and it ran its full course.
When the City released a new RFP in 2025, we again submitted a proposal—and this time, we were awarded the contract.
 Cody Bradt – “the offer for a meeting was declined by their Head Coach.” It’s important to note that in February 2025—prior to the RFP being issued—we reached out to the incumbent organization to request a meeting to discuss the possibility of jointly approaching the City to return to a shared pool use model, as we had successfully done prior to 2020. This conversation included their Head Coach, President, and Past President.
Unfortunately, the offer for a meeting was declined by their Head Coach. We respected their decision and informed them that, in light of that, we would be submitting a proposal—just as we did in 2020.
At GHAC, we are proud to offer an inclusive program for all swimmers—including Olympic-stream able-bodied swimmers and Paralympic-stream swimmers with physical, visual, or intellectual impairments. Our organization does not distinguish between able-bodied and para-athletes. We have multiple coaches with extensive experience working with para swimmers at all levels—from those learning to swim for the first time to athletes competing internationally.
There has been some public conversation around the statistic that only 28% of our members reside in Burlington, as reported by Swim Ontario. That number reflects home addresses across our entire membership and does not accurately represent the makeup of those training in facilities in Burlington.
Statistics without context can be misleading. Over 85% of swimmers training at our Burlington practice locations are Burlington residents—and that figure has remained consistent throughout our existence.
We are a professional organization that respects every contract we hold, whether it be with municipalities, universities, or private institutions. That includes our former relationship with the City of Burlington, which we maintained respectfully from 2009 to 2020.
 Cody Brady: “If an agreement requires that 85% of swimmers come from within a specific community, we meet that requirement.” If an agreement requires that 85% of swimmers come from within a specific community, we meet that requirement—just as we would meet a condition requiring swimmers to be able to swim 25 metres. These are simply terms we follow, and have always followed, with integrity.
We also take pride in being responsive and professional in our operations. All new inquiries receive timely responses, and we work hard to ensure that every swimmer and family feels supported.
Our experienced coaching staff brings decades of knowledge to the pool deck, with coaches who have served on provincial and national committees and represented Ontario and Canada at international competitions. Their shared goal: to better the sport of swimming for everyone.
 The reality is, the youth of Burlington are not losing their place to swim—they are gaining a new opportunity to continue their development with a different organization. The reality is, the youth of Burlington are not losing their place to swim—they are gaining a new opportunity to continue their development with a different organization. One that is committed to welcoming all swimmers, helping them find a group where they belong, and continuing their journey in the sport. We already have over 120 tryouts scheduled for the fall and are excited to welcome new and returning athletes into our program.
At GHAC, we will continue to act with integrity and respect. We will not engage in tearing down other organizations. Instead, we will focus on facts, solutions, and a commitment to putting the youth of Burlington first.
This is an exciting new chapter, and we look forward to supporting every swimmer through it.
There was no email address or telephone number provided for us to follow up on. We will dig around and see what we can find. The Gazette did reach out to the GHAC person for whom we had an email – there was no response.
There was a video and a second document that we will wade through this evening.
Addendum. The video was of Cody Bradt speaking the words set out in the document we were sent. Photographs were added to this article when they became available.
Mr Bradt – do send us an email address and a telephone number so that we can make sure we fully understand what you have to say. Our interest is in the interpretation you give the Swim Ontario data. You can reach me at 905-462-1948.
 By Ray Rivers
July 5th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
After forcing the Canadian government to cancel its digital services tax (DST) everyone is expecting Trump to go after our supply management system. That’ll be a tough sell, given that the government recently passed a law protecting our supply management systems from being traded away.
So if that is off the table another negotiating point, especially around the auto sector, will be Canada’s electric vehicle (EV) mandate. The mandate requires that all new auto’s sold in Canada must be not polluting by 2035, with some interim targets along the way.
 President Trump has been a climate change denier every day he has been in office. Trump has always hated electric cars. He removed all of the US federal consumer incentives to purchase them from previous Biden rules. And he orchestrated a legislative override of California’s EV mandate, which looks a lot like Canada’s. Trump, Mr. Drill-Baby-Drill, makes no bones about being a climate change denier, and his disdain for the EV has amplified ever since he ended his bromance with Tesla EV company owner Elon Musk.
In preparation for Mr. Carney getting down to the nitty gritty of these US/Can trade talks, he was recently visited by the three wise men from the the US auto industry, but instead of gifts they gave him threats, and likely ultimatums. They argued that they can’t meet the EV mandate and it has to go or they probably will.
Of course, this is not new. Those very same wise men, or some reasonable facsimiles, have resisted every health and safety rule governments have had to implement, going back to padded dashboards in the sixties. They fought against taking the lead out of gasoline; against EPA fuel efficiency standards; against emission controls; and now this. Perhaps it’s just time to let them go and look at the alternatives.
 Chinese EV’s selling around the world. China is the largest car market in the world. 11 million EVs were sold last year alone, about 50% of all new car sales, thereby making that country the global leader in electric vehicle adoption in absolute terms. As we’ve been told repeatedly, Norway is nearly 100% EV, but even tiny mountainous Nepal is at 75%. By comparison EVs represent less than 15% of the new car market in this country.
Chinese EV makers are spreading their tentacles, starting to manufacture in Pakistan, a country without anything like Canada’s auto making tradition. Why hasn’t the Canadian government invited them to start manufacturing here? That would give Mr. Carney considerable leverage in his auto sector trade talks with Trump.
The 1960’s Can/US auto pact came about because the big three were worried about the Japanese and European car invasions into this country at that time – threatening the dominance of their models. The auto pact worked for them and for us, and was overtaken by all those NAFTA trade deals. But now we’re back to square one, with Mr. Trump demanding tariffs on just about everything.
And Trump means business, tariffs are here to stay. So forget about exporting cars to the US market. The future of Canada’s auto industry to build for the Canadian market – Canadian cars for Canadians. And it shouldn’t matter if those cars are owned by an American or a Chinese company. Though it would be ideal for a Canadian entrepreneur to step into the game.
 Federal government has been providing funding for EV stations. And about the EV mandate. Norway has one and so does China. But the market will ultimately decide, and there will be no going back. After all electric vehicles, now with driving ranges paralleling those of gas guzzlers, are superior in so many ways: lower refuelling costs; almost no regular maintenance; smooth and rapid acceleration; almost silent ride; no messy toxic gasoline fill up; and no tail pipe exhaust or air pollution. Once Canada has rationalized its EV charging systems, only a fool would buy a new gas guzzler.
 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:
Auto Boys – Carney Kills DST – California EV Mandate – Dump the Big Three –
By Joseph A. Gaetan
July 5th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
This recap summarizes the issues raised by the City of Burlington’s recent decision to deny the Burlington Aquatic Devilrays (BAD) access to municipal pool time. The recap is based, primarily on the Burlington Gazette articles between June 28 and July 4, 2025, that reveals wide-ranging legal, procedural, and community impacts.
1. Administrative Breakdown & Procedural Flaws
The City’s rejection of BAD’s proposal centered on the absence of a ‘current and valid Certificate of Incorporation’. BAD asserts that such a document does not exist in Ontario’s legal framework. Instead, they submitted a “Certificate of Status”, the recognized document for confirming not-for-profit status.
Despite the experience and credentials of City procurement staff, no effort appears to have been made to clarify or rectify the language, leading to disqualification based on an unmeetable requirement.
2. Transparency & Accountability Concerns
BAD received no opportunity to remedy or clarify its submission. After four decades of service to Burlington, they were abruptly informed of rejection. The City’s shifting justifications—from documentation issues to resident percentage requirements— to, was an RFP necessary, has raised further concern. Swim Ontario data adds further confusion and contradicts the City’s claims about club residency levels.
3. Legal Ramifications
BAD has now apparently filed for a judicial review and an injunction to halt the City’s contract award to GHAC. This means the City could face dual legal risks: from GHAC if the contract is rescinded and/or possible legal consequences for failing to ensure fairness and due process for BAD.
4. Equity and Policy Implications
GHAC’s higher fees and regional model contrast sharply with BAD’s accessible, community-focused approach. Choosing GHAC appears to favor a privatized, pay-to-play model over inclusive public service.
This decision may signal a troubling shift in how public infrastructure supports youth sports.
5. Emotional and Community Impact
 Bad swimmer during training exercises BAD swimmers and families describe a deep emotional toll. loss of trust, disruption, and a sense of betrayal by local leadership. Many families fear their children will lose opportunities or be forced into programs that do not align with their values or budgets. The “Reinstate BAD’s Pool Access for Burlington Kids”, petition now has 1,990 signatures.
6. Political Implications
Multiple City departments are implicated in this file. Communication has been opaque, and bad news was released at strategically quiet times. While procurement rules limit the Council’s direct involvement, many residents are demanding oversight and accountability.
Conclusion
This is more than a failed bid process. It reflects serious flaws in governance and policymaking.
The city must consider immediate remedies to restore public trust and uphold the principles of fairness that Burlington residents expect.
 Joseph A. Gaetan, BGS, is a Burlington resident who follows local governance issues. A retired businessman, he brings a disciplined fact based approach to his thinking.
Don’t get him going on the Ontario Land Tribunal
Related news articles:
Is the allocation of public facilities being privatized?
What are the membership differences between BAD and GHAC?
 By Katrine Vidstid
July 4th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Summer in Burlington is knocking, and people are very excited. The beaches are open, summer sports are already in session and tourists are having a blast. However, the sun can sometimes be too hot, and you are nowhere close to the beach. That’s why it is important that you know some cool spots where you can just spend your afternoon when around the city.
 Minutes from the downtown core – one of the best beach areas in Burlington. Whether you are exploring Burlington solo, with family or on a date, these indoor havens offer the perfect escape beyond scenic outdoor views. Talk about culture, entertainment and comfort.
And for those Canadians who enjoy some bit more excitement and keeping true to their country, you can check out live casinos in Canada and find a platform where you can just have fun on your phone. This might come in handy, especially after a long day and you just want to relax in your hotel room.
Shop All You Can at Village Square
If you love shopping, then Village Square is the place you ought to be at. This charming shopping center in downtown Burlington has been designed to resemble a European 19th-century village.
Although it was developed in the 1970s, the magical charm of its style keeps visitors in awe. Imagine red-brick facades, vintage-style lighting, cobblestone pathways and ivy-covered archways making your pathways. It is just like a place plucked out of a romantic novel.
Located just a few minutes away from the waterfront and Spencer Smith Park, Village Square offers all you would need as a visitor. Here, you will find boutique shops, cafes, restaurants and various professional services. For example, you can visit Buvette to enjoy a cozy environment while you sip a mocktail or catch up with family over an amazing charcuterie board.
To many, Village Square is not just a destination; it is a haven of calm, creativity and community.
Aladdin’s Adventures for Kids
It’s the summer holidays, and schools are on break. What would be better for your kids than taking them to a place where they can just enjoy themselves the whole day?
Aladdin’s Adventures indoor playground is a 12000 square foot facility that offers a colourful, fun world. You will find:
 Multi-level play structure with various slides.
Ball pits
Foam-ball fountains
Climbing areas
Tunnels
Toddler-designated zones
Arcade games
The venue remains well maintained throughout the year and from various reviews, the staff is extremely welcoming and helpful. The best thing about the place is that you are allowed to bring your own snacks. Parents also have a good time by themselves as there are good seating areas with free Wi-Fi and a café with snacks and drinks.
Far Away Greens for the Golfing Buddies
This is a top-rated indoor golf simulator venue that caters to the needs of golf lovers throughout the year. Whether you are a first-timer or an avid golfer, Far Away Greens offers the perfect avenue for golfing during the summer.
 There are 28 unique world-renowned courses from which you can choose. These include Pebble Beach and St. Andrews, among others. The good thing is that each simulator bay is private, fully equipped seating, snacks and climate control. If this is not a premium golfing experience, then what is?
Far Away Greens is fantastic for solo practice, family outings, clash of friends and corporate events.
Reviewing History at Joseph Brant Museum
For those lovers of history, the Joseph Brant Museum provides the answer to what Burlington was like in earlier years. This community museum is named after the famous Mohawk leader, Joseph Brant, who settled in the area between 1742-1807. A replica of Brant’s homestead serves as a beacon.
Additionally, the museum features three permanent galleries, a dedicated programming area for education programs and space for travelling exhibitions. If you are not learning about the history of Burlington, then you’ll be understanding how the city moved from its indigenous heritage to its current modern urban outlook.
During the 2025 summer, there are various events scheduled in the museum, including:
Fireworks from the rooftop: Enjoy an evening of food, drinks and live music.
Yoga with a view: Early morning yoga session as you view the waterfront.
Music from the rooftop: Enjoy an evening listening to live music from local musicians.
The Burlington Performing Arts Centre
 Located in the heart of downtown, the Burlington Performing Arts Centre is the perfect cultural haven during the summer. After a long day at work, you can go relax in the venue and watch live shows, including:
Stand-up comedy
Music performances
Dance groups
Orchestras
The BPAC attracts visitors from all over the world even as it brings acts from all over the globe. What makes the place very cozy during the summer is the blend of climate-controlled comfort and the well-designed lineup of performances that speak to your soul.
Whether you just want to listen to a cool orchestra performance or roar in laughter on a stand-up comedy night, the BPAC ensures that you are not only relaxed but also culturally enriched.
Finally, Summer is Here!
As the summer kicks in, finding the perfect balance between outdoor and indoor spaces might be what you have always needed all along. Where most people will probably go for outdoor fun activities, you’ll be thrilled to know that indoor activities can be quite relaxing. Whether you are an outgoing person or more introverted, there is definitely something for you once you are in Burlington.
 By Daniel Foch
July 5th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
From Mississauga to Scarborough, Hamilton to downtown Toronto, the very people who keep our cities functioning are being priced out of them.
The nurse can’t afford the city she heals. The teacher can’t afford the city she inspires. The tradesman can’t afford the city he builds.
If that doesn’t sound like a crisis, you’re not paying attention.
We’re witnessing an exodus in real time, one not driven by aspiration, but by survival. From Mississauga to Scarborough, Hamilton to downtown Toronto, the very people who keep our cities functioning are being priced out of them. And with every essential worker who leaves or breaks under the burden of housing costs, the ripple effects compound: fewer services, longer wait times, rising costs, and fraying social cohesion.
In the US, they call this a demand for “workforce housing” — why don’t we have the same term here?
A recent report by the Boston Consulting Group in collaboration with CivicAction describes the situation as an economic emergency that is quietly eroding the GTA’s foundation by pushing out the workers who hold it together.
This is no longer just a housing issue. It’s a labour issue, a health issue, an education issue, and an economic emergency. We are hollowing out our urban core, and in doing so, we’re corroding the country’s ability to function.
The Working-Class Squeeze is Now a Middle-Class Crisis
The report reveals a hard truth. Nearly one in every two households (see the chart below) in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) earns between $40,000 and $125,000 a year and, increasingly, they can’t afford to live where they work.
These people are not luxury seekers. They are the lifeblood of the region, early childhood educators, nurses, tradespeople, social workers, artists, retail staff. The very people a city depends on are making impossible choices: spending more than 30% of their income on rent, commuting two hours each way, or turning to food banks and public assistance, all while holding full-time jobs.
Even more worrying? Many can’t handle a $500 emergency. In one of the wealthiest regions in North America, over half of new food bank users in Toronto are from working households.
The True Cost of Unaffordability is Much Greater Than Rent
When we think about housing unaffordability, we tend to think in personal terms: missed dreams, cramped spaces, the heartbreak of being locked out. But those personal consequences scale quickly and dangerously.
Businesses are struggling to attract and retain talent. In response, some have begun offering wage premiums, costing an estimated $2.8 billion annually in extra payroll. But even that isn’t always enough. Nurses, for example, earn only a 3% premium on average, far below the 12–17% needed just to match the cost of living.
Our public systems are buckling. Financially stretched households spend less on preventive health. People experiencing housing instability visit emergency rooms 20% more often. Kids from housing-insecure families are nearly 30% more likely to fall behind in school. And in abusive households 79% of victims say high housing costs are a barrier to leaving.
This is what collapse looks like: not sudden, but cumulative.
Why the Market Alone Won’t Fix This
Let’s be clear on one thing. This isn’t just a supply issue. It’s a system failure.
- Zoning paralysis: In the GTA, 70% of land is zoned exclusively for single-family homes, locking out density and affordability by design.
- Approval gridlock: A new housing project in Toronto can take 20 months to get approved, four times longer than in Calgary.
- Misaligned incentives: Over half of Toronto’s new condo units between 2018 and 2022 were studios or one-bedrooms. Just 4% had three bedrooms.
- Funding black holes: Nearly 45% of housing projects are stuck at the feasibility stage, unable to secure the capital to break ground.
- Labour and material shortages: Construction costs have outpaced inflation, and over 93,000 construction jobs remain unfilled. Ironically, many workers can’t afford to live near the very sites they’re meant to build.
When so many inputs are broken, no amount of “build more” rhetoric will do the trick.
We Don’t Need to Reinvent the Wheel, We Just Need to Act Boldly
Other cities/countries have cracked this code. They didn’t wait for the private market to solve the crisis. They acted, and they acted together.
- Vienna houses over 50% of its population in publicly owned or co-op units, with rents 20% below market.
- Singapore built its way to affordability by integrating housing with transit and infrastructure, successfully putting 80% of its citizens in public units.
- Sweden uses prefab housing for 84% of detached homes, dramatically cutting construction time and cost.
- Portland rezoned for mixed-use and density and linked it with transit investment, creating livable, walkable neighbourhoods at scale.
The GTHA has made some moves, like approving Hamilton’s Light Rail Transit and exploring prefab, but we remain leagues behind.
What We Need Now Is a Four-Part Playbook
While no single policy can solve the problem alone, a focused, multi-pronged strategy can lay the groundwork for meaningful progress. Drawing from global best practices and tailored to the GTA’s unique context, here are four foundational actions that must be prioritized, starting now:
- Prioritize workforce housing
- Public housing should serve not just the poorest, but also the people who power our region. Essential workers deserve access to affordable homes near where they work.
- Unblock approvals and rezone with courage
- Create fast-track pathways for developments that meet affordability criteria. Rezone low-density neighbourhoods near transit into vibrant, mid-rise communities.
- Rethink financing
- Expand tools like social impact bonds and revolving housing funds. De-risk early-stage capital to unlock stalled developments — especially for non-profits.
- Align planning with purpose
- Bring housing, transit, jobs, and services into the same conversation. Target underused land near employment hubs for affordable, mixed-income communities.
The Time for Talk Is Over
Toronto is often described as a world-class city. But a world-class city doesn’t push its teachers to the margins, force its construction workers to commute from hours away, or make its nurses line up at food banks.
We are at a crossroads. Either we confront this housing crisis with bold, coordinated, cross-sector action, or we resign ourselves to an unraveling urban future marked by inequality, inefficiency, and fragility.
Let’s choose to build, not just homes, but the kind of region where people can live, thrive, and belong.
Daniel Foch is the Chief Real Estate Officer at Valery.ca, Host of Canada’s #1 real estate podcast, and Head Coach at realist.ca.
Originally published in Storeys – the most-read real estate news site in Canada.
By Gazette Staff
June 4th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The James N. Allen Skyway bridge will be experiencing several closures and reduced lanes on the Niagara-bound side this week due to ongoing maintenance work on the bridge’s infrastructure.
The Ministry of Transportation has said that all ramps from Eastport Drive and two right lanes will be closed from Friday, July 4, at 10 p.m. to Monday, July 7 at 5 a.m.
By Gazette Staff
July 4th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
City Hall staff are reported to have not even opened the BAD application due to a missing document.
For news stories that are controversial and moving quickly it takes time for the whole story to bubble to the surface.
In a broadcast on the Cogeco Your TV channel, we learn that the people reviewing the RFP – Request for Proposal – from BAD did not even open the application that was sent in by the BAD – Burlington Aquatic Devilrays claiming it was incomplete.
In the four-minute video Mayor Meed Ward now says that she will discuss the matter when it comes up at council on Monday of next week. Up to this point, the Mayor has said Council members could be involved in RFP discussions.
Kimberly Calderbank, was front and center in the broadcast, suggesting that BAD may find itself looking for a new home.
 BAD swimmers in a training session at a Burlington pool The challenge for Councillors on Monday is going to be – how do they wiggle out of this mess? there are serious legal implications.
The City has told GHAC that the contract is there‘s all they have to do is show that 85% of their members live in Burlington.
The data from Swin Ontario says that 28% of the GHAC members live in Burlington.
In order to get to that 85% level, GHAC will have to poach members from BAD, which will mean putting as lot of pressure on the student swimmers..
If the city rescinds the contract (we don’t know if anything has been signed yet), that is to be awarded to GOAC – expect them to sue for breach of contract.
The YouTube video clip is HERE.
Stick around – this story is far from over.
Once Counsellor made the following comment to the Gazette:
“A bunch of years ago the City had a similar problem with allocating football fields and the use of an RFP system to solve allocation arguments. It was brought to Council, as I recall, and it was decided to not use the RFP system and just figure how to equitably share the capacity.”
 By Gazette Staff
July 4th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
 Most people didn’t understand why the sculpture, a modernistic interpretation of orchids was installed in the middle of a busy road. City Hall is working with the existing Culture Boards to develop a new Culture Plan that will guide Burlington through the next decade (2026–2036) of artistic and cultural growth. The intention is to shape the future of Burlington’s arts and culture programs, services and investments. City Hall wants to build a future that is vibrant, inclusive and rooted in our community.
By connecting with residents, artists, cultural workers, organizations and communities across the city, the hope is to build a plan that is grounded in what matters most to Burlington. If something like this is going to work, voices from the community are essential.
 A survey was done about 10 years ago, asking people where the cultural sites were in the city. Will the city look at that data?  The Brant Museum is a combination of culture and heritage and is within what some describe as a “cultural district”. What does culture mean to you? Take the online survey and tell the city what programs you want to see, what services you support and where you’d invest in arts and culture. Help shape the future of Burlington’s Culture Plan.
By Gazette Staff
July 4th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Provincial Bill 9 could give municipalities the ability to remove Councillors for misconduct; word is that it was built to stall.
Would refusing the engage the public be considered misconduct?
MUNICIPAL ACT, 2001
The Schedule amends Part V.1 of the Municipal Act, 2001 with respect to codes of conduct. Here are some highlights:
1. Currently, the Act provides that municipalities shall establish codes of conduct. Re-enacted section 223.2 of the Act provides that the Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations prescribing a code of conduct for members of councils of municipalities and of local boards.
 Burlington Integrity Commissioner Jeffrey A. Abrams. 2. New section 223.3.1 of the Act requires the Integrity Commissioner of Ontario to perform certain functions with respect to Integrity Commissioners, including providing education and training to Commissioners.
3. New section 223.4.0.1 of the Act provides that after conducting an inquiry under section 223.4 of the Act, a Commissioner may make a recommendation to the Integrity Commissioner of Ontario regarding whether the seat of the member who is the subject of the inquiry be declared vacant. New section 223.4.0.2 of the Act sets out the responsibilities of the Integrity Commissioner of Ontario upon receiving such a recommendation, including the responsibility to conduct an inquiry. Subsection 223.4.0.2 (4) of the Act sets out the actions the Integrity Commissioner of Ontario is required to take upon completion of their inquiry.
4. New section 223.4.0.3 of the Act sets out the consequences where the Integrity Commissioner of Ontario refers a matter back to the Commissioner. New section 223.4.0.4 of the Act sets out the consequences where the Integrity Commissioner of Ontario recommends that a member’s seat be declared vacant, including requiring the council of the municipality to vote on such recommendation.
 By Katie Lebel
July 4th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
As a follow-up to your ongoing coverage of the Burlington Aquatic Devilrays (BAD), I wanted to share some new context that will inform Monday’s Council meeting, where the club will formally delegate.
 Is the Sports Eco-system in the process of changing? While the immediate issue is pool time allocation, the broader concern emerging from this case is that the City of Burlington may be unknowingly endorsing a shift toward a privatized model of youth sport — one that prioritizes market expansion over community values. BAD’s delegation will respectfully ask Council to consider what kind of sport ecosystem they want to support going forward.
Here are four key differences between BAD’s nonprofit model and the model GHAC appears to be advancing:
1. High Fee Structure
- GHAC programs appear to cost 2–2.5x more than BAD for similar age groups and training levels.
- These higher costs do not appear to be tied to more intensive programming or superior coaching.
- Instead, they seem to reflect a market-based, pay-to-play model that could create a barrier to access for many families.
- This marks a shift away from the principle that youth sport should be accessible and publicly supported.
2. Drop-In, Multi-Pool Practice Model
- GHAC swimmers reportedly attend practices at multiple pools across the region, rather than being assigned to a single site/team.
- This disrupts traditional sport development frameworks, which emphasize peer cohesion and long-term coach-athlete relationships.
- The model seems to prioritize parental convenience and consumer flexibility — echoing for-profit gym or swim lesson models rather than club sport principles.
3. Multi-City Expansion
-
 There are more than 130 swimming clubs in Ontario GHAC operates in Hamilton, Dundas, Ancaster, Stoney Creek, and now Burlington — a region-wide, growth-first footprint more characteristic of commercial expansion than community sport.
- Centralized administration and uniform branding further reflect a franchise-style approach, rather than a municipal or community-rooted one.
4. Aggressive Recruitment / Market Capture
- GHAC has begun recruiting BAD swimmers, which is viewed by many as a market acquisition tactic, not a collaborative approach between clubs.
- This raises concerns that the City’s endorsement of GHAC is enabling market consolidation, rather than fostering a diverse, inclusive sport landscape.
 We risk losing an entire philosophy of sport. 5. The Bigger Picture:
This isn’t an isolated case. The model GHAC is advancing is not unlike the rise of private swim schools like Aqua-Tots or Goldfish Swim School — both of which have steadily eroded participation in municipal swimming lesson programs by offering high-fee, drop-in based alternatives.
While these providers fill a market niche, the concern is that public infrastructure — in this case, municipal pools — is now being allocated in ways that mirror those privatization trends.
 Preserve what’s working. Why It Matters
“There could be room for both models in the sport ecosystem,” says Kimberly Calderbank. “But if the City pushes out volunteer-led, community-based clubs in favour of market-based providers, we risk losing more than just pool hours. We risk losing an entire philosophy of sport — one that values equity, inclusion, and community-building over revenue growth.”
BAD’s delegation will be rooted in gratitude, positivity, and a simple request: do no harm.
Protect access.
Preserve what’s working.
And ensure that Burlington’s public infrastructure serves all families — not just those who can afford to pay more.
Katie Lebel is a supporter of the Burlington Aquatic Devilrays.
 By Gazette Staff
July 2nd, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
BAD (Burlington Aquatic Devilrays) has discovered that moving swimmers to another club is a really bad idea. BAD Offers More Affordable Programming Across the Board BAD’s fees are significantly lower than Golden Horsehow Aquatics Club) ’s for comparable training groups.
Look at the numbers:
Example: BAD’s “Competitive 3” group is $690 per season, while GHAC’s comparable group is $1,780—over 2.5x more expensive.
More Value for Money at BAD
 Burlington-based club with 79% local swimmers BAD swimmers receive more weekly hours of training than GHAC counterparts.
In several examples, BAD offers double the training time at less than half the price.
BAD Supports a Larger Base of Burlington Youth BAD is a community-first, Burlington-based club with 79% local swimmers, compared to GHAC’s 28%.
Lower fees allow for greater access and equity in competitive sport participation.
GHAC’s Higher Fees Could Limit Access •GHAC’s fee structure suggests a move toward exclusive, elite programming with higher barriers to entry.
This shift could displace or exclude current BAD families and swimmers from continuing the sport.
Question of Equity in Municipal Decision-Making •If the City of Burlington supports GHAC despite its high prices and low local representation, it raises concerns about the equity and fairness of the decision.
Choosing GHAC may effectively privatize access to aquatic sport for Burlington youth.
By Louie Rosella
July 4th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
In its Live and Play Plan, the City of Burlington calls Sherwood Forest Park a “major destination” park in the city.
 It was a small group – the biggest concern seemed to be space for cricket games to take place. Thursday night (July 3), in the midst of rugby practices, soccer games and playground play, a few dozen residents showed up to the well-known park at 5270 Fairview Drive to hear the latest updates on the proposed amenities for the park’s “revitalization.”
The informal outdoor, “public living room” style event offered plans for the new park, including renderings of the proposed amenities.
This includes a proposed, full-size cricket pitch on the west side of the park, which would replace an existing soccer field, more parking spaces to accommodate the anticipated increase in park goers, a new splash pad, and the redevelopment of the Sherwood Forest Park Community Centre.
The redeveloped facility should include a full-size gymnasium and indoor walking track, according to City staff at Thursday’s event.
Residents in attendance had some questions about the planned cricket field, concerned that it would essentially be replacing the soccer field.
However, Ward 5 Councillor Paul Sharman said this updated plan addresses community needs.
 Ward 5 Councillor Paul Sharman, to the left, listening to what those who attended the event had to say. “It’s all a question of whether you live here today or you live here in the future,” he told the Gazette. “The big issue is the changing character of our population; an increasing number of people who want to play cricket.”
Demand for cricket fields in Burlington is huge, City staff said, as there is just one dedicated cricket field in the city, located in Central Park.
Sharman said if residents were to walk around their neighbourhoods on the weekends, many would see the baseball diamonds being used for playing cricket.
Other residents, including Margaret Hughes, expressed concern that there was no immediate consideration being given to lighting the pathways that run through the park.
“In the winter time, people are walking through here in the dark at 5 p.m.,” she said.
City staff said lighted paths, ironically, can create safety issues, as the dark patches between lights create shadows that present hazards, such as hiding uneven pavement, ice patches, or even a potential attacker.
“Clearly safety is the priority,” Sharman said. “You look at the playgrounds. We turn the lights off at 11 p.m., for that very reason because we don’t to have people out there drinking beer and making noise in the middle of the night.”
Hughes and others understand the need for more cricket fields in the city.
“We’re running out of space in Burlington,” she said.
So, when could the cricket field be up and running?
“It’s dependent on a grant coming from the provincial government,” Sharman said. “We’re not expecting to get that answer for a number of weeks.”
 City Staff member explaining the big picture to a resident. Burlington has applied for a grant from the province’s Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund to help fund the Sherwood Forest Park project.
Development of Sherwood Forest Park is being guided by the 2016 Sherwood Forest Park Revitalization Plan; the City recently made major investments on the east side of this park by upgrading the ball diamonds, playground, and other features, the City said.
Sherwood Forest Park is located next to the Appleby GO Major Transit Station Area (MTSA), which is expected to experience significant population growth through intensification, the City said.
The City’s Live and Play Plan, which the City says is designed to ensure Burlington continues to grow as a sustainable, vibrant, and economically strong community, identifies Sherwood Forest Park as a “major destination” park.
Louie Rosella is a professor at Humber Polytechnic and a former journalist in the GTA.
|
|
