 By Ron Foxcroft
April 3rd, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
For entrepreneurs and all Canadian business we should be planning for many economic challenges in 2025.
The President of the United States changes his agenda, more often than he changes his underwear.
WE are going to plan for the worst, and strategically have options 1, 2, and 3 moving forward.
Slowly the Republicans will challenge Trump’s motives, but currently they will not challenge him and face his wrath.
They are more concerned about their self interest.
Slowly, a few members of his cult will be hurt and turn on him.
Slowly, Corporate USA will begin to get hurt by his motives, and turn on him.
This entire process will take many months, therefore, Corporate Canada is facing difficult economic challenges throughout 2025.
I am delighted how Canadians proudly have become more united than ever in our history.
United as Canadians we are strong, facing the USA President who is a Bully but when confronted will be a Coward.
Ron Foxcroft is the president of Foxcroft International
 By Staff
April 3rd, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
April is a busy month at the Performing Arts Centre.
 BURLINGTON STUDENT THEATRE Little Performer, Junior, and Intermediate Levels BURLINGTON STUDENT THEATRE:
Tue Apr 8, 2025 at 7:30pm
 The Australian Bee Gees
Paquette Productions Presents:
The Australian Bee Gees Show – A Tribute to the Bee Gees
Tue Apr 15, 2025 at 7pm
 Burlington Symphony Orchestra: Burlington Symphony Orchestra:
The Music of Spain
Sat Apr 19, 2025 at 8pm
Shantero Productions Presents:
Lunch at Allen’s… Farewell Tour!
Tue Apr 29, 2025 at 7:30pm
 New Millennium Orchestra Burlington New Millennium Orchestra:
Amazing Talent Competition
Wed Apr 30, 2025 at 7:30pm
 When Student Theatre actors or adults who are on this stage for the first time – many are just awe-struck. It took $29 million to get the doors open in October of 2011. The theatre has had five different Executive Directors in its four years of operation
Tickets can be purchased over the phone, in person and online. Box Office hours: Mon–Sat. Noon–4pm. 905-681-6000
 By Staff
April 2nd, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The McMaster Children’s Hospital set out the rules for people who think they might have measles.
Here is the drill – pay attention.
Measles is very contagious and is easily spread in the air. If you or your child has measles symptoms or is at the hospital for measles testing, you and your child will be put in a room by yourself with controlled airflow or with a special machine called a HEPA Filter. This is to prevent the spread of measles and protect other people. We are working very hard to stop the spread of measles.
 Before your visit
If you are coming to the hospital and you think your child has measles or has been around another person with measles, you must contact us first:
- If you or your child has a Clinic appointment, call your clinic before coming for the appointment.
- You and/or your child may need to be tested for measles. We will also prepare a space for your appointment.
- If you come by ambulance, tell the paramedics.
- If you come to the Emergency Department on your own, a vaccinated adult should enter the hospital ALONE to tell the registration staff that someone who may have measles is coming in.
– or –
Call us before you come. We will meet you outside the doors and bring you to a room.
Call 905-521-5020 and tell them that you or your child might have measles
During your visit
- You and your child must stay in your room with the door closed.
- Some rooms need a HEPA filter. This is called airborne isolation.
- If you need to go out for tests or the bathroom, the staff will help you with this.
- Everyone entering the room will wear gowns, gloves, masks and eye protection.
- We may need to limit the number of visitors.
Leaving the hospital
- We will help you exit the hospital through the shortest and safest route. Please wait until we can help you.
- We will have a space for you to sit if you are waiting for a ride. Do not sit in the waiting areas or come back in the hospital to wait.
- After you leave the hospital, DO NOT come back into the hospital, café, cafeteria or pharmacy unless you need emergency care.
- If you need to come back in, call (905)521-5020.
Ut sounds a little draconian – there are good reasons for being so strict.
While we haven’t heard anything from Joseph Brant Hospital – they will (at least we hope so be just as strict.-
 By Pepper Parr
April 3rd, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Ron Foxcroft will tell you every chance he gets that he sells his Canadian-made whistles to customers in 120 countries.
 Ron Foxcroft – sells his whistle in more than 120 countries. He will also tell you that on Day 1 of the Trump tariffs a U.S. customer had cancelled an $18,000 order of whistles and marine gear just after 7 a.m. Tuesday.
Foxcroft, who is pretty handy with words now calls the President of the United States “President Chump.”
Speaking to Hamilton Spectator reporter Matthew Van Dongen, Foxcroft said “another would-be customer kiboshed a warehouse storage and transportation contract with Fluke Transportation, also owned by Foxcroft, that would have been worth $46,000 a month.
 Foxcroft: “There will be some lumps, but no knockout punches from the trade war.” “In both cases, customers apologetically said they simply “can’t withstand” what amounts to a 25 per cent price hike prompted by the new tariffs on virtually all Canadian imports to the U.S. — and which have spurred strategic counter-tariffs in turn on targeted U.S. goods.
“There’s going to be pain. We’re planning for about 12 months of uncertainty and economic chaos,” said Foxcroft in an interview on Day 1 of the tariff war.
“But we have been braced for this since January … And really, this is an opportunity to look beyond the U.S. for new partners and relationships.
“We respect our American partners. But we don’t respect the Chump administration.”
Foxcroft said his businesses will take some lumps, but no knockout punches from the trade war.
Fox 40 stocked up on a particular type of imported resin — a critical ingredient to make whistles — ahead of the tit-for-tat war of retaliatory tariffs.
 There is a Foxcroft whistle in his pocket wherever he goes. He handed out a whistle to the late Queen Elizabeth II when he was presented to her at Buckingham Palace. Asked how his products will be impacted Foxcroft said: “If they interpret the ring on the whistle, and the clip on the Lanyard, we are subject to the Steel and Aluminum Tariff. I explained that in detail last night on CHCH.”
There will be stories like this throughout Canada.
Everyone will be watching closely how the federal government reacts to the Trump announcements. While the initial reaction to the tariff announcements seemed to be that “it could have been worse,” everyone is waiting for the other shoe to drop.
 By Staff
April 2nd, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The question that goes with this picture is: Do you still believe the polls?
The lineup was of people attending a Pierre Poileivre event in Kingston, Ontario on a day when the polls had the Liberals ahead by more than 9 points.
 That is a very very long line – people in Kingston waiting to get into a Pierre Poilievre speech.
 By Pepper Parr
April 3rd, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
 Jeremy Freiburger led the search for a cultural identity and the development of a cultural action plan for the city of Burlington. Jeremy Freiburger announced today that he is leaving what started out as a scrappy group of artists just hunting for a home for the creative work we all did, Cobalt Connects has grown to take on an insane mix of projects. From feature-length indigenous films to massive public art installations, municipal and provincial level research and cultural planning, restoring old theatres and leading local festivals, funding music videos and doing weirdo science on people’s brains in response to cultural stimuli – we’ve done some really exciting work and all of it has engaged you, our community, in one way or another.
Cobalt Connects has always been an organization that responded to the community before us with an eye to make positive change and impact. We’ve paid out millions of dollars in artist fees, produced content for our community and others to enjoy, launched facilities that still house hundreds of artists in Hamilton and beyond, and we hope, helped shape the city and province we all live in.
 Jeremy Freiburger, author of a report that provided direction for the city’s cultural plan based on reams of data he had gathered. The city didn’t do all that well implementing its Cultural Action Plan. Freiburger had a contract with the City of Burlington to do all their serious arts based thinking – the city wouldn’t have a serious arts programme without Jeremy. It wasn’t an easy job. He is going to be close to impossible to replace.
Freiburger announced that it was “time for me to change” and said he will be leaving Cobalt Connects as its Executive Director to take on an exciting new opportunity to lead the cultural programming development at Royal Botanical Gardens . I aim to bring the same sense of entrepreneurship, creativity and pushing the edges to this remarkable organization that has so much potential for the arts.
Cobalt Connects will carry on under the leadership of Steve Deeps (he/him) and Steff Bishop (they/them), two amazing people who have helped shape the programming and projects you know and love from Cobalt Connects over the past few years – and a committed Board of Directors. They are amazing, passionate, skilled cultural workers who will now shape the future of the organization and will have my ear to bend and advise forever.
Yes, that could be true – but they aren’t Jeremy Freiburger.
It will be interesting to see what he can achieve at the RBC; he will have the advantage of working with people who understand what is needed and have wisely chosen someone who can do the job.
 By Pepper Parr
April 2, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
First look – early word on the trump tariff announcement.
 Trump with a list of tariffs that will be levied on it – Canada was not included. As usual, Trump rambled, but the consensus, such as it is – isn’t as negative as many expected.
Everyone is, of course, waiting for copies of the Executive orders. Trump signed just two of them, and they didn’t seem to be all that long.
Federal Cabinet to meet within the hour.
More details will be provided later today.
 By Staff
April 2nd, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Ontario NDP MPP Dr. Robin Lennox expressed deep concerns about instances of measles outbreaks in Ontario:
 Measles is not just a child disease. “No parent should have to lose their child to a preventable illness like measles. Measles is highly contagious and will disproportionately affect children and immunocompromised individuals in our communities.
“Measles is generally considered rare. Comparing 100 cases in one week to 120 cases the last is like comparing bad to worse—the fact that there are already 100 cases in a single week far exceeds the norm.
“We need strong leadership from the government to address this head on, starting with more investments in our local public health units who have struggled to deliver services due to chronic underfunding.
“We need a public awareness campaign focused on the safety and effectiveness of measles vaccination, including early vaccination for children in areas of outbreak. And we need to address vaccine hesitancy which has surged over recent years by encouraging parents and families to discuss measles vaccination with their trusted healthcare providers.”
 By Pepper Parr
April 2nd, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Donald Trump has never heard of a Royal Commission. In Canada Royal Commissions have in the past changed the direction the country has taken and brought about significant changes n our culture. The recommended Royal Commission could very well change our relationship with Americxa and in the process change the United States.
A Brock expert, together with colleagues from other Canadian universities, is calling upon the federal government to convene a royal commission on securing Canada’s future.
 Brock University Associate Professor of Political Science Blayne Haggart. Alongside Jörg Broschek, Érick Duchesne and Patrick Leblond, Brock University Associate Professor of Political Science Blayne Haggart penned an open letter, available in English and French and also published by Policy Options, outlining the argument in favour of a royal commission.
Haggart says that although royal commissions may seem old-fashioned — the last one was the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, established in 1991 — they have proven effective at mapping out complex issues and informing a path forward.
 Former Prime Minister Prime Minister Lester B.Pearson. 1963 Prime Minister Lester B.Pearson established the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism. That Commission report, known as the Laurendeau-Dunton Commission, led to the recognition of English and French as Canada’s official languages.
The Glassco Royal Commission on Government Organization, appointed in 1960 to inquire into the organization of the Government of Canada. Chaired by businessman J. Grant Glassco, it issued a five volume report in 1962 and 1963 recommending that government departments be managed on a decentralized basis, that the Treasury Board be reorganized, and that senior management should rotate between departments.
Tha Royal Commission also recommended that the Dominion Bureau of Statistics should become an independent department whose independence should formally be recognized. In January 1965, this led to an Order in Council, which designated the Bureau Department of the federal government.
“Royal commissions not only set out recommendations that the government should act on, but they also set out a way of thinking about things based on voices from across the country,” says Haggart. “A royal commission is a way we can think publicly about these things and build consensus.”
In the letter, the authors outline how drastically the world has changed over the past 20 years and say that Canadians are long overdue for some dedicated thinking and action around security.
According to Haggart, some key concerns are reducing economic dependence on the United States and reducing security vulnerabilities within the military, while also continuing to co-operate with the U.S., when necessary.
He also says the threat to Canadian sovereignty has created a moment for Canada to commit more fully to respecting the sovereignty of Indigenous nations and finding ways to work together.
 “It is vitally important that our current moment of patriotism and nationalism be used positively,” says Haggart. “Our Canadian sovereignty is under attack by the United States, and it’s at risk, which tells us that sovereignty is important, something we should respect, especially in our treaty obligations with First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.”
Haggart points to recent calls to resurrect plans for constructing a national oil pipeline as an example of how reactive thinking and decision-making that fails to involve multiple perspectives or consider new options will not serve the current moment.
“Building a cross-country pipeline is a project that has been on the back burner for the past several decades,” he says. “But it’s not 2009 anymore. We’re in a climate emergency. There are other energy technologies out there. Things have changed, and a pipeline is only one possible way we could address our current problems. Simply dusting off existing projects won’t be enough to get us through.”
He also says the groundswell of popular support for Canadian businesses in the last two months shows that citizens are ready to consider new approaches.
“The ideas people are open to today — of creating a more self-contained, resilient Canadian economy and making the military more independent — have been largely ignored or downplayed for the past 40 years, during which we focused on free trade and integration with the United States,” says Haggart. “There is a visceral sense that we have to change things, but unless we work through exactly what that means in the public eye, the temptation of the status quo will continue.”
Haggart is also concerned that the big picture is not yet playing a major part in the federal election campaign.
“We can’t tax-cut our way out of the problem that we’re in — we need new thinking,” he says. “If we make decisions moment to moment, we could end up sleepwalking in a direction that we don’t want to go. At some point, the government has a responsibility to take the time, do the work and figure out what we want to do as a country.”
The letter:
Open Letter to the Next Prime Minister of Canada: Call for a Royal Commission on Securing Canada’s Future
There is no longer any room for doubt. Donald Trump’s return to the U.S. presidency is a seismic shift for the entire world.
 We are in a time when the flag has come to mean much more to Canadians. However, the liberal international order that Trump threatens and that benefited Canada so greatly for so long has been unraveling for more than two decades.
As a result, Canadian policies and mindsets rooted in the late 20th century are hopelessly outdated. The time for complacency is over. Canada must wake up, adapt and steel itself for the harsh realities of today.
In short, we need a royal commission on securing Canada’s future.
The world in which Canada operates has fundamentally changed in the last 20 years. It began with the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Afterward, security trumped trade in the U.S. New and enhanced security measures led to a “thicker” border. More rules, regulations, paperwork and scrutiny caused delays and increased costs. Canada-U.S. trade suffered as a result.
This shift further illustrated the risks of Canada’s deep economic dependence on its southern neighbour, but our reaction was to work even more closely with the U.S. to keep the border open to trade.
Since then, the escalating climate crisis, the rapid digital transformation, the global financial crisis, China’s economic and political rise, Russia’s authoritarian resurgence and U.S. fears of hegemonic decline have only intensified America’s focus on national security as a defining feature of its economic relations, pushing other countries to do he same.
The policies and governance mechanisms that underpin Canada’s society, economy and security were not designed for the current illiberal international landscape.
After the Second World War, Canada sought greater integration with the U.S. – a trend that was cemented by the free trade decisions of the 1980s and 1990s. At the same time, Canada also joined the U.S. in promoting an open, rules-based, multilateral global order.
Canadians assumed, with good reason, that the U.S. would continue to respect and support such a system because it benefited from it economically and militarily. Globalization, democratization and unipolarity following the end of the Cold War formed the basis of the “peace dividend.”
Canada thrived within a system we took for granted, failing to question whether its foundations could shift. Even as the world changed around us, complacency set in – as if global upheavals and U.S. policy shifts were distant concerns. This mindset weakened our influence, eroded our global role and stifled productivity growth long before the current crisis exposed the true cost of our inaction.
No previous crisis has so starkly exposed Canada’s existential challenges as the Trump 2.0 shock. Trump’s return has shattered our illusions, forcing Canadians to confront the world as it truly is. From newspaper editorials to the national anthem echoing in hockey arenas, a new awareness has taken hold. Canadians now recognize that our country faces its greatest challenge in decades.
In the past few months, Canadians have shown unwavering resolve in the face of Trump’s unprovoked threats to our independence. We have made it clear that Canada is worth fighting for. Elbows up.
Every crisis calls for two types of action: containing the imminent threat and addressing its root causes.
Canadian governments have handled short-term crises relatively well. Just look at the success of the Team Canada response during Trump 1.0.
But crisis management is not enough. We must rally Canadians in an all-hands-on-deck effort to forge a bold new socioeconomic model – one that doesn’t just help us survive turbulent times but positions us to emerge stronger than ever.
This requires new thinking. To build the future, we must first imagine it.
Canada might actually end up with a pair of cajones.
By Staff
April 2nd, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Ontario’s measles outbreak is likely to continue into the summer, the province’s chief medical officer of health said lastFriday, but a stable rate of new cases is a hopeful sign that it will not worsen.
 Dr. Kieran Moore: province’s chief medical officer of health Measles is so contagious that one infected person can spread it to 16 others, but the province is not seeing that growth rate at the moment, Dr. Kieran Moore said in an interview. This week there were just over 100 new cases and 120 new ones the week before that, he said.
“Normally, in an outbreak (it) would go in a very escalating, rapid fashion, but we’re seeing stable numbers week after week, which gives us hope,” he said.
“This virus typically spreads in late winter and through spring, and we’re finding that it’s not accelerating. So that’s probably thanks to the great work in communities to try to limit spread, as well as our messaging with local public health agencies to affected communities and health system preparedness.”
Public Health Ontario says there have been 572 cases since the outbreak began in October — 453 of them confirmed and 119 probable. Of the 42 people requiring hospitalization, two have required intensive care, and 36 have been children — most of them unvaccinated.
He said Friday that the “vast majority” of Ontario’s cases are among people in those communities, and local public health units are focusing on outreach to try to contain the spread. Unvaccinated infants, kids and teenagers in the Southwestern and Grand Erie public health units are most affected.
The health units) have always had a strong relationship with these communities, and have continued the communication,” Moore said, including communications in Low German, spoken by some Mennonites.
“They have advertised on some of the Low German radios. They’ve translated their documents into Low German to ensure that they can be understood at community level…We call it the ground game. The ground game outbreak is where all the work has to happen and all the communication and collaboration.”
The Ontario Liberals have urged Moore and Premier Doug Ford to more publicly deliver public health messaging on measles.
“The premier and his chief medical officer of health need to tell the people of Ontario their plan to fight measles,” public health critic Adil Shamji wrote in a statement.
 Extremely contagious. “The government of the day should not have to be told to take action. It should be leaping into action. Anything less will put thousands of lives at risk.”
Moore said he is not planning a press conference. Local medical officers of health have been the public lead on the issue, and some medical experts have been doing television interviews about measles, he said.
“We know our partners at Public Health Ontario are experts that are helping us with this outbreak, (and) have had good communication,” he said.
“We monitor the effectiveness of our communication, and we’re happy with how this is being covered, how the press has really raised the awareness of this, both at a national level and within Ontario.”
There have been measles cases outside the most-affected health units, but many are linked to global travel and have not spread locally, Moore said.
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases in the world. The World Health Organization says the virus can remain active in the air or on infected surfaces for up to two hours.
It usually begins with a fever, cough, runny nose and red watery eyes, followed by a red blotchy rash that starts on the face and spreads to the body and limbs. The virus can lead to pneumonia, inflammation of the brain and death.
The number of cases reported in Ontario over the last week is more than the number of cases recorded over the course of a decade between 2013 and 2023.
ByPepper Parr
April 2nd, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
As of today, the divisive “carbon tax” was officially cancelled. Canadians will save an average of 18 cents/litre at the pumps.
 Will Trump wear that smirk when he signs the Executive Order that will set out what his tariff plan is going to set out? By the end of the day, we will know what Trump’s tariffs are going to do to us – we might not be able to afford to buy a car that we can put that gas into.
There are going to be cars manufactured in Canada on the market.
Used car prices are expected to rise.
 By Staff
April 2nd, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
It’s a huge week for President Donald Trump’s tariff agenda — and the global economy. Trump has set a Wednesday deadline for reciprocal tariffs, while the first auto imports tariffs are slated to take effect the following day.
When it comes to their scope, uncertainty reigns: Trump had suggested the tariffs would have some exemptions, but told reporters Sunday the levies would hit “all countries.”
The Washington Post also reported that he has revived his idea of a universal tariff. A maximally aggressive approach would set Trump on a collision course with US allies, businesses, and congressional Republicans. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., said the administration needs to “make the case” to tariff skeptics.
“We’ve got businesses that will be harmed by this but are also supportive of what the president is trying to do,” Johnson said. “They are willing to give the president the benefit of the doubt.”
What do the European countries think?
By Staff
April 2nd, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Beginning Saturday, April 5, the following service updates will be implemented to enhance connectivity across the region:
Lakeshore West:
For exact trip departure and arrival times, customers are encouraged to check schedules in advance on the GO Transit website and plan their trip ahead of time.
In addition, GO Explore bus service returns with new routes and locations serving attractions across the region:
Toronto Premium Outlets – Route 25K: This new service will connect Toronto Premium Outlets directly to the TTC subway at Kipling station. It will also connect customers to Square One, Dixie Transitway, Renforth Transitway, and Kipling GO. Service will run on weekends from April 5 to Aug. 24.
 The units that carry the bikes are clearly marked. Canada’s Wonderland – Routes 47 and 52: These two seasonal routes will serve Canada’s Wonderland on weekends from May 10 to Aug. 24.
Toronto Zoo – Route 96: This seasonal route will serve the Toronto Zoo on weekends from April 5 to Aug. 24.
Metrolinx is also adjusting several GO Bus routes to support upcoming construction projects for GO Expansion that will bring faster, more frequent service across the network. Customers are encouraged to check the GO Transit website for more information.
Customers can also sign up for On the GO Alerts to receive real time updates about trip schedule updates, delays or disruptions.
 By Ray Rivers
April 2nd, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Some pundits are calling it a crisis, and some a civil war – but nobody is calling it winning – as the Tories continue their decline in public support. In fact their fall from grace is happening way faster than the two years it took for Mr. Poilievre’s meteoric rise in the polls.
 Poilievre can talk a good story. Current Tory leader, Pierre Poilievre, is an articulate and convincing attack dog who, much like Donald Trump, thrives on character assassination and misinformation. His success at trashing Trudeau and grinding down his public approval rating seemed like the path to a Tory victory. But then along came the tariff crisis and a new Liberal leader. And the wheels began to fall off the Tory tour bus.
As the Conservative Party heads to the polls, it does so with a couple of handicaps. For one thing its leader has no resume, certainly nothing that compares to that of Mark Carney, his Liberal opponent. Poilievre can talk a good story but Carney has actually done it – an Oxford polished economist who had governed both the Canadian and British central banks as those economies each went through economic crises.
Carney’s track record includes being CEO of the extensive Canadian investment company Brookfield and heading up a UN environmental program. He has built and maintained close professional relations with most European heads of government, especially those of France and Britain. Carney also has had previous interactions with US president Trump, and based on the two leader’s recent phone contact appears to have gained Trump’s respect as well.
Then there is the matter of Poilievre’s style, which Canadians and many Tory insiders would like him to change. But it seems the only game he knows is to keep calling this country weak and broken, in the hope that voters will see him as its saviour. But this persistent negativity and personal name calling, which may have helped turn Canadians against the former Liberal leader, is a poor substitute for leadership.
 Alberta Premier Danielle Smith thinks she ought to use Canada’s current crisis to push for more provincial sovereignty. When it comes to the matter of national unity he also suffers from the intrusion of Alberta’s separatist premier on his behalf. Her shameless cozying up to the very people, the MAGA crowd down south, who are scaring Canadians out of their comfort zones at the moment, is disquieting. Danielle Smith is out of her lane and out of control.
Smith had initially asked Trump to stall, not end, the tariffs until after the election because she felt that would restore Tory political fortunes. And it is telling that she believes that Poilievre is of like mind to the erratic US president. Does that imply that she approves of Trump’s erratic approach to government, including his breaking of the USMCA, which he once touted as the best deal ever?
Further, she has chosen a great time to reach out to Quebec’s premier inviting him to help craft a plan to tear Canada apart. She thinks they ought to use Canada’s current crisis to push for more provincial sovereignty. It’s exactly that kind of parochialism which has historically created all those inter-provincial trade barriers all our politicians now claim they want to eliminate.
So, if there is a civil war brewing among Tory loyalists, they have only themselves to blame for their choice of leader. Being prime minister is not just another job, but it is a job. And like any job the best person is the one who is best qualified. And that, more than anything else, accounts for why the Tory steamroller appears to have stopped rolling along.
 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:
Civil War – Smith – More Smith – Poilievre – Even More Smith – Smith and Sovereignty –
 By Juliette Diamond
April 2nd, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
 When Ontario legalized iGaming in April 2022, there was a real sense of excitement and curiosity about what it would bring. Everyone expected big things, such as a boost in revenue and new, innovative gaming experiences. Now, three years on, the market has evolved in ways that many didn’t see coming, with new players, fresh regulations, and plenty of surprises along the way.
Market Growth and Milestones
Since legalization, Ontario’s iGaming market has experienced impressive growth in both revenue and player participation. In the first few months alone, operators quickly saw an influx of new players eager to try their luck in a regulated, secure environment. As the market matured, this initial excitement turned into steady growth, with revenues reaching billions annually and showing no signs of slowing down. Players are no longer just dipping their toes; they’re diving in, especially with any online casino in Ontario now available to them.
Along with the market’s growth, there has been a shift in how games are designed and offered. Developers have focused heavily on creating immersive and engaging experiences that cater to the preferences of Ontario players. Live dealer games have become a popular feature, alongside slots that incorporate advanced graphics and interactive elements. Innovation has been at the forefront, with providers continually pushing boundaries to enhance the gaming experience.
 Providers are also paying more attention to mobile optimization, ensuring that players can enjoy their favourite games on the go. The journey from 2022 to now has been nothing short of a success story for Ontario’s iGaming industry.
Player Experience
The player experience in Ontario’s iGaming market has come a long way since legalization. One of the biggest improvements is the variety of games available. Players now have access to an impressive selection of titles, ranging from classic casino games like blackjack and roulette to innovative new slots and live dealer experiences. The sheer variety means there’s something for everyone, whether you’re a seasoned player or just getting started.
Safety and security have also been a top priority, with platforms continuously improving to ensure a secure and transparent experience. With regulated operators, players can rest assured knowing that their personal and financial information is well protected. This trust is essential in building a loyal player base, and Ontario’s regulatory framework has played a big role in ensuring this.
Responsible gaming initiatives have also become integral to the landscape. Operators have implemented tools and features like self-exclusion, deposit limits, and reality checks to help players stay in control. These measures not only protect players but also contribute to a safer overall gaming environment, reinforcing the province’s commitment to responsible gambling.
Impact on Traditional Gaming
Brick-and-mortar casinos in Ontario have had to adapt quickly to the rise of online gaming, and many have embraced the shift rather than resisted it. Traditional casinos are now enhancing their digital presence by partnering with online operators to offer a seamless transition between in-person and virtual experiences. These collaborations allow players to enjoy the same games online as they would in a physical casino, often with special promotions and loyalty programs that bridge the gap. This fusion of traditional and online gaming has not only helped brick-and-mortar casinos stay relevant but also created a more diverse and flexible gaming landscape for players.
Regulatory Adjustments
Since legalization, Ontario’s iGaming regulations have been fine-tuned to keep pace with the market’s rapid growth. One of the key changes has been the tightening of rules around advertising and marketing, with a focus on ensuring that promotions are transparent and fair. This adjustment is designed to protect consumers from misleading offers and ensure that operators operate with integrity.
 Ontario’s regulatory body, is the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). Ontario’s regulatory body, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), has also introduced stricter guidelines around responsible gambling practices. The province has made it clear that player protection is a top priority, ensuring that all online gaming platforms promote safe and responsible play. These regulations not only foster a fair environment but also help to build trust, ensuring players can enjoy their gaming experience without worry.
What’s Next for Ontario’s iGaming Market?
Looking ahead, Ontario’s iGaming market is set to embrace a range of emerging technologies that could redefine the player experience. Artificial intelligence (AI) will likely play a significant role, particularly in personalizing gameplay and improving customer service. AI could power smarter recommendations, tailor game offerings to individual preferences, and even help manage responsible gambling by tracking player behaviours. This level of customization and insight could make the gaming experience feel more personal and engaging than ever before.
Additionally, the potential for virtual reality (VR) to create immersive casino experiences is on the horizon. VR could offer players the chance to step into a virtual casino environment, interacting with real dealers and other players in a completely new way. As these technologies continue to evolve, the future of Ontario’s iGaming market looks full of exciting possibilities.
Ontario’s iGaming Market Is Stronger Than Ever
 Players have endless options for entertainment. In just three years, Ontario’s iGaming market has grown from a bold new venture to a thriving, dynamic industry. What started with excitement and anticipation has transformed into a well-regulated space where players have endless options for entertainment. With robust player protections, diverse gaming experiences, and continuous technological advancements, the market has matured in ways that benefit both operators and players alike.
As Ontario continues to lead the iGaming landscape, the future looks even brighter. Whether through cutting-edge innovations or stronger community engagement, the province has set a solid foundation for sustainable growth. For players, that means more choices, better experiences, and a gaming environment they can trust.
 By Tom Parkin
April 2nd, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Projections put Carney’s Liberals at 203 seats, 87 ahead of Poilievre — and free of a strong NDP opposition.
In normal times, socialists voting for capitalist archetype Mark Carney would be an absurd idea, but that’s exactly what some left-wing voters are contemplating for Canada’s April 28 election.
The shift has drained support for Jagmeet Singh’s social democratic NDP despite announcements highlighting Carney’s problematic corporate behaviour and his current conservative leanings.
 While Carney was board chair of investment bank Brookfield Asset Management the company persued “opportunistic real estate [purchases] in order to take advantage of the stress in the market,” and helped Canadian investors dodge taxes using Caribbean tax haven accounts directly overseen by Carney.
On becoming Liberal leader, Carney adopted several core Conservative positions including cancelling a planned tax inclusion increase on those making capital gains over $250,000 a year, ending the consumer carbon tax, stalling pharmacare, and unspecified cuts to “slay” the deficit, positions left-wing Canadians would usually recoil from.
But for many left-wing voters, Carney is the lesser evil to Pierre Poilievre, who rode the anti-vaxx movement to a Conservative leadership win then tried to ride Trump’s tailwinds to the prime minister’s office.
Even as Trump threatened to annex Canada, Poilievre’s biggest January media push was a long sit-down with Jordan Peterson, the Trump supporting identitarian who recently moved to MAGA-land to protest Canada.
The event earned the endorsement of Elon Musk, also widely despised by left-wing Canadians.
The left-wing lesser-evil movement has driven down NDP support. But with a massive Carney majority the new threat, in the next four weeks Singh may yet be able to move left-wing voters back to the NDP by offering his party as a hedge against Carney’s conservative leanings.
The CBC’s poll tracker currently shows Poilievre’s Conservatives 5.8 points behind Carney’s Liberals. But what counts are seats, and the Conservatives’ bad vote inefficiency compounds their losses.
Conservative candidates pile-up big wins in southern Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba ridings. But winning a seat with 45 per cent support or 75 per cent is still just winning one seat.
In both 2019 and 2021, the Conservatives received about 200,000 more votes than the Liberals but both times won about 35 fewer seats.
Current projections show the Liberals beating Poilievre by 87 seats, a bigger gap that 2021, 2019 or 2015.
The Liberals are currently projected to win 203 seats and the Conservatives 116, down three seats from Erin O’Toole’s 2021 result.
The red flags Singh has been planting about Brookfield and Carney’s conservative leanings may yet pay off as the reality of a big Carney majority sinks in.
In a dynamic where the threat is now a big Liberal majority, calls by Singh to elect more NDP MPs as a hedge against Carney’s conservatism should resonate with traditional NDP voters.
That logic of the situation suggests Singh needs to start two new pushes.
First, and in the context of Trump annexation threats, Singh can make the case NDP values are a fundamental to Canada’s different history and identity, pointing to icons including dental care, childcare and pharmacare, but also the grandparents of them all, universal healthcare and a real labour movement.
Second, Singh can talk about what Liberals do when there’s no strong NDP fighting for those Canadian values.
In late 1999 and winter 2000, amid left-wing fears of the Canadian Reform Conservative Alliance, many left-wing voters also made a lesser-eviL move, dropping NDP support to the 10 per cent range while Liberal support soared, sometimes touching above 50 per cent.
The result was that in late February, 2000, Liberals used their strength amid NDP weakness to table a budget with $58 billion in tax cuts. They lowered the capital gains inclusion rate from 75 to 50 per cent, cut the corporate taxes rate from 28 per cent to 21 per cent, eliminated the surtax on high personal incomes, and cut tax rates for top incomes.
And they let the Canada Health and Social Transfers fall behind combined inflation and population growth even though they had cut the CHST 34 per cent between 1993 to 1996 and frozen it from 1997 and 1998.
Right wing things. Done with left-wing votes.
In April 2025, with Poilievre pushed back, the lesser evil socialists who moved to the right may shift back on the idea there is the value in casting an NDP vote, especially where that vote sends an NDP fighter to Ottawa to defend icons of Canadian identity from Carney. Singh has four weeks to make that case to them.
Discussion about this post
 By Staff
April 2nd, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
A total of five FIRST robotics teams from the Halton District School Board (HDSB) will compete at the FIRST Ontario Provincial Championship in Mississauga April 2-5.
Schools participating include Garth Webb SS (Team 5409), Georgetown District HS (Team 4976), Aldershot School (Team 9263), Oakville Trafalgar HS (Team 1334) and Burlington Central HS (Team 2386). The HDSB held the FIRST kick off in January at Burlington Central HS with more than 250 people in attendance.
 HDSB students setting up their robotic device that was designed to shoot a basketball into a net. Each HDSB team qualified for the provincial competition based on their results from taking part in regional competitions, including those held at McMaster University, Nipissing University, University of Waterloo, Durham College and in Newmarket. This provincial competition is a qualifier for the World FIRST Robotic Championship to be held later in April.
“Many thanks are extended to all of the teachers, coaches, mentors, volunteers and sponsors that provide students with this extremely valuable opportunity that supports the development of critical STEM and technological skills such as manufacturing, electronics, programming, CAD/CAM, pneumatics, design, media and transferable skills such as teamwork, problem solving and communication,” says Veronica Kleinsmith, Specialist High Skills Major Lead at the Halton District School Board. It has truly been an amazing and enriching experience for our students.”
“The FIRST Robotics Competition provides students with an incredible opportunity to showcase their skills in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM),” says Curtis Ennis, Director of Education for the HDSB.
“By engaging in these challenges, students build confidence, problem-solving skills and resilience while gaining practical experience. These competitions play an important role in fulfilling our commitment, as outlined in the HDSB’s 2024-2028 Multi-Year Strategic Plan, to Learning, Engagement and Achievement by connecting classroom learning to real-world scenarios. As students apply their knowledge to practical challenges, they develop essential skills and explore meaningful career opportunities in skilled trades and technology. I extend my sincerest congratulations to our HDSB teams on your remarkable achievements!”
 The Halton District School Board hosted a kickoff event ahead of the “Inspiration and Recognition in Science and Technology” or “FIRST” robotics competition season. Established in 2001, FIRST Robotics inspires young people to be leaders and innovators in science and technology by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills to inspire innovation and foster self-confidence, communication and leadership.
Achievements at the regional competitions included:
-
- Aldershot School (Team 9263) received its first blue banner. The team was part of the alliance that scored a new world record for points in a single match in the 2025 Reefscape Competition.
- Burlington Central HS (Team 2386) won the Spirit Award at the McMaster University Competition.
- Georgetown District HS (Team 4976) won the Humber District Event, their third 1st place win as a team.
- Garth Webb SS (Team 5409) placed first overall at the Nipissing University regional competition, winning their second gold medal of the season and earning a place in the top twelve teams in the world. They also received the Excellence in Engineering Award.
- Oakville Trafalgar HS (Team 1334) competed at McMaster University, earning a spot in the third place alliance and winning the Team Sustainability award for environmental impact and continuity.
By Staff
April 1st, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Liberals hold massive lead among those Comfortable & Thriving on Anhus Reid Economic Stress Index
Economic turmoil between Canada and the United States has taken the headlines this year, perhaps obscuring several positive domestic trends. Falling rents, a grocery cost reprieve, and stable inflation have some Canadians feeling better about their economic stress, and it appears to the benefit of the federal Liberals.
New data from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute finds a two-point decrease this quarter in the number of Canadians “Struggling” on the Economic Stress Index, which measures self-professed ability to pay for housing, groceries, and debt, as well as optimism about the coming year and an assessment of past 12 months. This decrease adds to a five-point drop between September and December, meaning approximately one-quarter fewer of those who were Struggling at the beginning of fall say the same now at the beginning of spring (33% down to 25%).
 As pundits and observers seek to understand campaign dynamics and the interplay of voters between the Conservative and Liberal Party, consider that the CPC continue to by far the top choice for the Struggling, with more than half of that group (56%) saying they would vote for Pierre Poilievre’s party. This is close to identical to the CPC’s support among the Struggling over the past year. The challenge for Poilievre and co. is that this group has shrunk significantly, and Liberal support has risen from 12 to 26 per cent within it.
The story is equally challenging within other groups across the Economic Stress Index.
 
Among the Uncomfortable, the Liberals and Conservatives are now tied after the CPC led by 29 points in December. The Liberals lead by 15 points among the Comfortable and 30 within the Thriving. The Conservatives led both groups at the end of 2024.
By Jim Portside
April 1st, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
 The Sunshine List was created by the Mike Harris government in 2006. Why are there so many teachers on the 2024 Sunshine List?
The Sunshine List was first released in 1996. The list shows us the names of Ontario public sector employees earning $100,000 or more. The $100,000 threshold has not changed since 1996. Using the Bank of Canada’s inflation calculator, $100,000 in 1996 is the equivalent of $185,017 in today’s dollars.
The 2023 list contains the names of 300,681 people.
The 2024 list contains the names of 377,667 people.
In 2019 the Ford government passed Bill 124 – “Protecting a Sustainable Public Sector for Future Generations Act”. The bill capped salary increases for employees of hospitals, universities, schools, long-term care homes, and non-profit organizations receiving government funding.
The public sector employees took the government to court and won. In February 2024, the Ontario government repealed Bill 124. Collective Bargaining Agreements often contain a “reopener” clause that allows for renegotiation of the agreement’s terms if certain conditions are met.
 Teachers demonstrating against government cuts in education. The conditions were met and the retroactive salary increases were handed out, causing a significant one-time salary boost for many of the employees affected by Bill 124. The scale of this is so massive that the hit to the projected 2024-2025 provincial budget deficit is around $6 billion. If Bill 124 had remained in effect the province’s deficit would have been $600 million.
The Sunshine List groups people by sector. Working with just the “School Boards” sector we can see the following:
In 2023 School Boards employed 80,282 people earning $100,000 or more, 60,516 of those people have the word “Teacher” in their job title.
In 2024 School Boards employed 118,050 people earning $100,000 or more, 92,472 of those people have the word “Teacher” in their job title. That’s a whopping 52.8% increase.
We should see things return to normal on the 2025 Sunshine List.
By Staff
April 1st, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The Ontario government is increasing the minimum wage from $17.20 to $17.60 an hour effective October 1, 2025, to support workers and businesses. This annualized wage increase is based on the Ontario Consumer Price Index (CPI) of 2.4 per cent and will bring Ontario’s minimum wage to the second highest provincial rate in Canada.
 His income will go up $835.00 a year starting October 1st. “Our government will continue to have the backs of Ontario workers, investing in skills training and development and helping ensure that work pays,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “Ontario’s minimum wage remains one of the highest in the country. Now more than ever, workers and businesses need fair, balanced and predictable wages.”
A worker making the general minimum wage and working 40 hours per week will see an annual pay increase of up to $835.00 as a result of these changes. Under the Employment Standards Act, Ontario’s minimum wage increases annually based on the Ontario CPI, a measure of inflation that represents changes in prices experienced by Ontario consumers.
This increase is just one of the ways the government is supporting Ontario workers and helping make Ontario the best place to work, live and raise a family.
Quick Facts
- About 36 per cent of workers at or below the wage of $17.60 per hour are in retail trade and 24 per cent are in accommodation and food services.
- Over the past seven years, Ontario’s minimum wage has increased from $14 per hour in 2018 to $17.60 later this year.
|
|
