 By Ray Rivers
January 3rd, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
“The evil knuckleheads picked the wrong vehicle for a terrorist attack.” (Kekius Maximus formerly Elon Musk on X)
Tragic yes, but the the irony is so thick one can’t help but smile. A US veteran blows himself up in a Tesla parked outside the front doors of the Trump hotel in Las Vegas. I mean, ‘the Donald’ hates electric cars (EV’s). But he loves his unofficial banker and stooge #1 Elon Musk, or Kekius Maximus as he now calls himself on X, formerly Twitter.
 Tesla vehicle on fire outside Trump Hotel in Los Angeles. Clearly the intent was to send a message – but what? Was the former soldier saying he hates Trump – protesting his election victory? Was he expressing disapproval at the unholy marriage of Donald and Elon (aka Kekius the crypto avatar)? Was he telling us that this Tesla Cybertruck is so resilient that it can withstand an explosion – which it almost did? Or was he trying to say that you need to load a Tesla with camping fuel and rocket mortars in order for it to catch fire?
Despite all the fake news to the contrary bursting into fire is not a standard feature on Teslas or most other EV’s. There was that unfortunate high publicity incident of damaged battery electrodes on a number of electric Chevy Bolts, resulting in 16 fires and a recall of over 100,000 vehicles. But other internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles are at least as fire prone. Hyundai recently recalled over three million ICE cars warning drivers not to park their vehicles indoors.
Tesla will tell you that over the decade from 2012 to 2021, the number of fires on US roads involving Teslas was 11 times lower per mile than the comparable figure for all cars. And newer developments, such as, sodium ion and solid state batteries, are expected to reduce the fire risk even further.
Other studies confirm that conclusion, including a recent one by Swedish investigators which found that your ICE guzzler is something like 18 times more likely to catch fire. An Australian study found the risk of fire with an EV was 0.0012% versus 0.1% for an ICE.
Fires aboard ships have also been erroneously scapegoated onto EV’s. However, the International Union of Marine Insurance, following the Fremantle Highway (cargo ship) fire claims that….“To date, no fire onboard a Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC) has been proven to have been caused by a factory-new EV.” In reality, none of the EV’s on that ship were damaged and the fire has been proven to have actually begun on another deck.
But sometimes the facts don’t matter. Nowhere is that more true than with the EV. After all, if the Canadian federal target of ending gas guzzler sales by 2035 actually comes to fruition, it will have a huge impact on big oil and big oil producing jurisdictions which count on the revenue that the black gold brings in.
Thousands of ICE engineers and auto workers would be affected, as would all those garage mechanics who tinker with those complex ICE engines, transmissions, exhaust systems and pollution control devices. We are victims of our past and some find something weirdly romantic about the smell of the toxic gasoline fumes, car exhaust, the roar of a leaky exhaust mufflers and the shifting of gears.
 Elon Musk prancing on stage while Donald Trump speaks But the biggest challenge to the phase out of gas guzzlers is politics. For some bizarre reason there is an ideological divide over existential challenging climate change. Conservatives seem to consider global warming and all potential mitigative solutions as a threat to their way of life. Donald Trump may be the global chief climate denier but Canadian conservatives also refuse to accept climate change as a real concern.
Conservatives generally don’t support renewable energy or EV’s or most other measures to reduce our carbon footprint. These changes are generally perceived as unnecessary at best, and a threat to their lifestyle at worse. That accounts for the war on carbon pricing, and provincial policies in Alberta and Ontario to slow down progress on green energy and low carbon transportation.
The other kind of politics may also be the reason why EV new car registrations in Norway now exceed 80% and China which sold over 8 million new electric cars in 2023 accounts for almost 60% of the world’s EV production. By contrast Canada’s numbers barely reached 12% last year, while the US market turned in fewer than 9% of vehicles sold as EV, including hybrid models.
Why are we so far behind? Elon Musk’s Tesla was the best selling car globally in 2023 so it can’t be the cars. Big oil and big auto laughed at Elon Musk until they realized the joke was on them. Today he whispers in Trump’s ear and is struggling to take over the helm of Trump’s MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement.
 A genius. Like other genius types, Musk is a study in contrasts -unbridled by labels. Having earned his green/liberal credentials as inventor of the modern EV he is also one of the most right wing conservatives in America, even supporting near Nazi political movements in Germany and the UK.
Musk defies stereotyping and makes it possible to both love and hate him. Is that perhaps what the obviously disturbed soldier in his newly rented Cybertruck was trying to say? Was his target Tesla or Musk, Musk or Trump? And why didn’t he just post his complaint on X, formerly Twitter, instead of blowing himself up?
 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:
Las Vegas Truck Bomb – Musk Quotes – EV Sales – EV Sales Canada – Ship Fire –
Doug Ford’s Big Footprint – Alberta’s EV Tax –
 By Staff
January 3rd, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Electoral recovery hinges on large group of undecided & NDP voters who “might” still support Liberals
The Angus Reid Institute reports that Just days into the new year the future of the governing Liberal Party remains obscured as its most prominent figure, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, continues to mull his next plans. This, after one of the most politically challenging months of his nine-year term saw his approval and his party’s vote intention tumble to new lows.
New data from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute finds that in an ironic twist, the person most likely to imbue the Liberals with some (though currently faint) hope in these dire electoral circumstances is the person who played a significant part in these challenges.
After she resigned as Finance Minster in December, Chrystia Freeland is most likely – among six potential candidates to potentially compete for succession in the prime minister’s resignation – to increase their party’s vote share in a future election.
Currently the Liberal Party is able to rely on loyal base of just 13 per cent of Canadians. This group is most likely to stay with the party come what may. (Note, data released December 30 indicated vote intention among only decided and leaning voters at 16 per cent)
In the event Freeland were to succeed as Liberal Party leader, the party’s fortunes among the total population jumps eight points to 21 per cent. While this offers her a large advantage over Mark Carney, Melanie Joly, Dominic Leblanc, Anita Anand, and Francois-Philippe Champagne, all of whom generate little change compared to Trudeau, the Conservative Party still holds a commanding advantage in all situations. In a faceoff against a Freeland-led Liberal Party, the CPC still hold a 15-point lead.
For the Liberals, the challenge is clear: currently, one-quarter of Canadians (27%) say they might consider supporting that party but do not currently. Within this group of available voters two-in-five (38%) say they would vote for the NDP, while 26 per cent are initially undecided when asked about a future election. Prime Minister Trudeau does not fare well among this group that “might consider” his party. He holds a 59 per cent disapproval rating, though Pierre Poilievre fares even worse, with 79 per cent saying they view him unfavourably.
 By James Portside
January 3rd, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
This information is not professional investment advice. Investors are advised to do their own research into individual stocks before making an investment decision.
The five stocks with the largest dollar value of insider acquisitions in the public market are:
|
| Athabasca Oil Corporation —–Buy Quantity: 595,000 Average cost: $5.21 Total: $3,099,214.41 |
| Insider |
Relationship |
Transaction |
Date |
Quantity |
Price |
Total |
| Athabasca Oil Corporation |
1 – Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
12-31-24 |
294,100 |
$5.27 |
$1,549,759.95 |
| Athabasca Oil Corporation |
1 – Issuer |
38 – Redemption, retraction, cancellation, repurchase |
12-31-24 |
-642,200 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
| Athabasca Oil Corporation |
1 – Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
12-30-24 |
300,900 |
$5.15 |
$1,549,454.46 |
|
| TFI International Inc —–Buy Quantity: 5,000 Average cost: $197.53 Total: $987,633.00 |
| Insider |
Relationship |
Transaction |
Date |
Quantity |
Price |
Total |
| TFI International Inc. |
1 – Issuer |
38 – Redemption, retraction, cancellation, repurchase |
12-31-24 |
-203,444 |
-$46.93 |
$9,547,835.17 |
| ENGLAND, WILLIAM T. |
4 – Director of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
12-30-24 |
5,000 |
$197.53 |
$987,633.00 |
| TFI International Inc. |
1 – Issuer |
38 – Redemption, retraction, cancellation, repurchase |
12-30-24 |
48,861 |
$195.38 |
$9,546,638.08 |
|
| Total Energy Services Inc —–Buy Quantity: 82,903 Average cost: $11.89 Total: $985,749.83 |
| Insider |
Relationship |
Transaction |
Date |
Quantity |
Price |
Total |
| Total Energy Services Inc |
1 – Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
12-31-24 |
82,903 |
$11.89 |
$985,749.83 |
| Total Energy Services Inc |
1 – Issuer |
38 – Redemption, retraction, cancellation, repurchase |
12-31-24 |
-89,403 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
|
| Enghouse Systems Limited —–Buy Quantity: 8,000 Average cost: $26.73 Total: $213,852.80 |
| Insider |
Relationship |
Transaction |
Date |
Quantity |
Price |
Total |
| Stoyan, Paul James |
4 – Director of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
12-30-24 |
8,000 |
$26.73 |
$213,852.80 |
|
| Stantec Inc —–Buy Quantity: 1,696 Average cost: $113.43 Total: $192,385.35 |
| Insider |
Relationship |
Transaction |
Date |
Quantity |
Price |
Total |
| Ammerman, Douglas Keith |
4 – Director of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
01-02-25 |
1,190 |
$113.53 |
$135,106.06 |
| Brown, Shelley Ann Marie |
4 – Director of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
01-02-25 |
303 |
$113.14 |
$34,281.42 |
| Morin, Marie-Lucie |
4 – Director of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
01-02-25 |
203 |
$113.29 |
$22,997.87 |
The five stocks with the largest dollar value of insider dispositions in the public market are:
|
| Luca Mining Corp —–Sell Quantity: -5,699,975 Average cost: $0.62 Total: -$3,533,984.50 |
| Insider |
Relationship |
Transaction |
Date |
Quantity |
Price |
Total |
| Calu Opportunity Fund, LP |
3 – 10% Security Holder of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
12-31-24 |
-5,699,975 |
$0.62 |
-$3,533,984.50 |
|
| Peyto Exploration & Development Corp —–Sell Quantity: -65,000 Average cost: $16.90 Total: -$1,098,233.50 Options Issued: 65,000 Average cost: $11.90 Total: $773,450.00 |
| Insider |
Relationship |
Transaction |
Date |
Quantity |
Price |
Total |
| Frame, Riley Millar |
5 – Senior Officer of Issuer |
51 – Exercise of options |
01-02-25 |
65,000 |
$11.90 |
$773,450.00 |
| Frame, Riley Millar |
5 – Senior Officer of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
01-02-25 |
-65,000 |
$16.90 |
-$1,098,233.50 |
|
| FIRSTSERVICE CORPORATION —–Sell Quantity: -2,100 Average cost: $261.83 Total: -$549,846.06 |
| Insider |
Relationship |
Transaction |
Date |
Quantity |
Price |
Total |
| Rakusin, Jeremy Alan |
5 – Senior Officer of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
12-30-24 |
-2,100 |
$261.83 |
-$549,846.06 |
|
| Propel Holdings Inc —–Sell Quantity: -11,465 Average cost: $36.29 Total: -$416,091.22 Options Issued: 11,465 Average cost: $6.69 Total: $76,723.40 |
| Insider |
Relationship |
Transaction |
Date |
Quantity |
Price |
Total |
| Ahluwalia, Sarika |
5 – Senior Officer of Issuer |
51 – Exercise of options |
12-31-24 |
11,465 |
$6.69 |
$76,723.40 |
| Ahluwalia, Sarika |
5 – Senior Officer of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
12-31-24 |
-11,465 |
$36.29 |
-$416,091.22 |
| Buchman, Noah |
5 – Senior Officer of Issuer |
47 – Acquisition or disposition by gift |
12-30-24 |
-1,400 |
$37.37 |
-$52,318.00 |
|
| Kelt Exploration Ltd —–Sell Quantity: -20,000 Average cost: $7.10 Total: -$142,000.00 Options Issued: 20,000 Average cost: $0.99 Total: $19,800.00 |
| Insider |
Relationship |
Transaction |
Date |
Quantity |
Price |
Total |
| Gigg, Bruce Douglas |
5 – Senior Officer of Issuer |
51 – Exercise of options |
01-02-25 |
20,000 |
$0.99 |
$19,800.00 |
| Gigg, Bruce Douglas |
5 – Senior Officer of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
01-02-25 |
-20,000 |
$7.10 |
-$142,000.00 |
What is Insider Trading?
How Insider Trading works.
 By Staff
January 2nd, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
 The lights glowed so pleasantly; the young children couldn’t get to the tree fast enough on Christmas Day.
If you were lucky the cats didn’t climb the tree and bring the whole thing down.
Time comes to take down all the decorations and store them away for next year.
And then you have to get rid of the tree – which is where your Regional government is there to help.
Continue reading Christmas Tree collection dates set – January 6th and 13th
 By Staff
January 2, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Northern Cardinal Ghent Limited, the developer behind the 2170 Ghent Ave., application proposes twenty-one (21) 3-storey townhouse units within three (3) development blocks along a new private road extending from Ghent Avenue.
 Twenty-one 3-storey townhouse units proposed. A total of 48 parking spaces are proposed providing two (2) resident spaces per dwelling unit and six (6) visitor spaces. The subject property is currently vacant.
 The applicant will lead an Open House January 7, 2025, 7 – 9:00 p.m., at Centennial Hall, Central Branch – Burlington Public Library, 2331 New St., Burlington. ON
Planner of the file is Jaclyn Schneider: J905-335-7600, ext. 7326
Jaclyn.schneider@burlington.ca
 By Pepper Parr
January 2nd, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The questions put to Karina Gould in an interview were asked by Julie Slack, Editor of Burlington Today
The question everyone wanted to ask was: Are you going to run again? Yes she is.
Right now Karina Gould serves as the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons.
It is a frenetic job that has her on her feet for very full days. When the House is sitting she is beside the Prime Minister and on her feet during question period.
During the delivery of the Fall Economic Statement (FES) which turned into a crisis that may end up bringing the government down, Gould was front and center.
 Home is Burlington – in Ottawa, she lives in a hotel. During an interview with Burlington Today Gould talked about everything but the Prime Minister admitting that it is: “a tough time to be in politics. I think it’s a tough time to be an incumbent government no matter what.”
Gould, the Mother of two calls home in Ottawa space in a hotel
I last crossed paths with Karina Gould at the Terry Fox Run for a Cancer Cure – her parting words at the time were: “Wish me Luck.”
It is going to take more than luck to get her through the election whenever it takes place.
Doing the job she is in place to do, talking up what the government has done, Gould said: “that was really good because that pays for things like dental care, like the new school food program, the additional funding for our Canadian armed forces, our support for Ukraine, support for housing, for Indigenous communities, and the list goes on and on and on. I was worried it was going to be really raucous. I thought the Conservative might, oppose items….but I think they kind of ran outta gas.”
“It was a different fall session, but, you know, it was, it was a minority government, in the true sense and that’s what happens. Minority governments are not clean. They’re very messy. There’s a lot of brinksmanship, a lot of games, but, uh, we made it through.”
Asked how she handles confrontation. Gould responded: “I know what I’m fighting for and that’s the people in my community. I have to say behind the scenes, even though Andrew and I disagree on many things. When it comes to negotiating, we’re not acrimonious with each other but there’s a level of professionalism and respect.
Q: There’s a lot of talk about Donald Trump. Have you met him?
“I haven’t met Donald Trump, and I don’t know if I will, I’m not really in the position to, but one never knows.”
At this point in the interview – it got a little silly
Q: Most famous person’s cell phone number in your contacts other than the PM?
Used to have Samantha Power and Melinda Gates.
This or that
Playlists or podcasts? podcasts
Shoes or slippers? Slippers (depends on the house)
Swimming pool or beach? beach
Cats or dogs? Cats, but I love dogs
Summer or winter? winter
Cash or cards? cards
Cookies or chips? chips
 Karina Gould in full campaign mode. Can she do it again? Cute – but the country faces a crisis and Karina Gould is right in the middle of it, but not part of it – other than being the Liberal MP for Burlington she isn’t part of the hatred towards the Prime Minister the country is facing but when the full story of what really happened during that week Chrystia Freeland dropped her resignation letter bomb she was there and will have a lot to say when the book is written.
Gould’s immediate challenge is the next federal election—can she hold the seat? She seems to think so.
She will meet with her constituents on January 12th – security at that event is going to be very very tight – not something we have experienced in Burlington in the past.
Gould is at a very high personal risk – there are people who want to harm her physically – and that is not what this country is about.
 By Staff
January 1st, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Many people would have missed this late year-end announcement related to the extension of the deadline for making charitable donations that can be claimed on tax returns
The federal government is extending the deadline for making charitable donations that can be claimed on tax returns through to the end of February, the Department of Finance announced in a press release today.
 Deadline for including donations on your tax return extended.  The federal government intends to amend the Income Tax Act to extend the deadline for making donations eligible for tax support in the 2024 tax year, until February 28, 2025.
The department said this was being done to “mitigate the impacts of the four-week Canada Post mail stoppage by providing donors with sufficient time to ensure their contributions are received and processed, helping charities ensure they can deliver vital services to the communities that depend on them.”
By Staff
January 1st, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
From Burlington MP Karina Gould:
I am pleased to invite you to my 10th Annual New Year’s Levee to ring in 2025! There will be light refreshments for the occasion and a special program to go along with it. You can find the details for the celebration below.
 Karina Gould with her second child at the Terry Fox Run for a Cancer Cure during the summer. When: Sunday, January 12th
Where: Art Gallery Burlington – 1333 Lakeshore Road
Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
To RSVP to this event, please fill out the Google Form linked to the image above.
I hope you can join!
By Staff
January 1st, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Theodora Hamilton is the first baby to be born at Joseph Brant Hospital (JBH) in 2025, arriving at 5:02 a.m. on January 1, weighing 6 pounds and 14 ounces.
 Gabriella and Thomas Hamilton from Stoney Creek. Theodora seems quite content. Parents Gabriella and Thomas Hamilton from Stoney Creek were very happy to ring in 2025 with the arrival of their first child and their parents’ first grandchild. Gabriella was also born at JBH.
The arrival of their first child was exciting in many ways for Gabriella and Thomas.
The original due date was Dec. 20, 2024, then changed to Dec. 27. As they got closer to the end of the year, the couple hoped that their baby would arrive in 2025. Gabriella went into labour at 5:30 a.m. on Dec. 31 and – to their delight – Theodora was born on New Year’s Day.
“It was right on time,” said Thomas. “We were excited about that.”
In keeping with a time-honoured New Year’s tradition, Theodora and her parents were presented with a gift from the hospital.
More than 1,600 babies were delivered at JBH in 2024. The physicians, midwives and nurses in the hospital’s Labour and Delivery unit provide excellent, quality care to pregnant, labouring persons and newborns.
After delivery, parents and newborns move to the Maternal & Child unit, which provides a broad range of care and services to address the physical and emotional needs of families before and after delivery
 By Staff
January 1st, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
We made it through 2024 – by the skin of our teeth but we are still standing.
So, what are the plans for 2025?
We want to stay alive until 2026, when the Americans will hold their mid-term elections, which hopefully will result in the Democrats taking control of the House and the Senate.
We are going to elect a new Prime Minister – sooner than we expected. Will we make the same mistake the Americans made when they elected Donald Trump?
While it isn’t necessary, Premier Ford looks like he is going to call an election, hoping that the public will forget about the messy land transactions and before the RCMP issue their report. Where are the Mounties when you really need them?
It is going to be a challenging year.
Make the best of it.
 By Pepper Parr
December 31st, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
 It was a scene seen far too often. It would have been a better hockey game if the Canadians had stayed out of the penalty box.
They couldn’t – one player was in the penalty box twice when power-play goals were scored by the Americans.
Not quite the way I wanted to end the year.
 By Pepper Parr
December 31st, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
OPINION
Well – he does have to go.
When, yesterday would be great if all the baying and howling is any indication as to what the public wants.
 He was a great campaigner – not that good a Prime Minister and he certainly didn’t learn all that much when he had the job. Justin Trudeau has said he would take time to reflect and he should do just that. Were he to throw in the towel today – nothing would change – except for the people who will then start their campaigns to replace him.
No reason for Justin to quit just yet.
Return to the House on the 27th of January which is when the House is due to resume sitting.
That morning Justin could choose to meet with the Governor General and ask that the House be prorogued for four months while the Liberals hold their leadership race.
What does Justin’s future look like – the political career has come to an end.
He isn’t a lawyer so he can’t serve as Counsel to a major law firm. There is no experience in the commercial sector – he can’t add much to a corporate Board of Directors. He might manage to land at some arts organization.
Justin Trudeau has a hard hard year ahead of him.
He won’t go hungry – his Father’s estate assures that he will be able to pay the rent can pay the rent and he still gets to drive the Mercedes.
As for the country – who will the Liberals choose to lead them when a federal election does take place?
Some mention Chrystia Freeland. Send her to the Senate.
Dominic Leblanc? Too close to the Irvings but has been an excellent Public Safety Minister and wpild have to be part of the team that will be in place to deal with Donald Trump.
François-Philippe Champagne – Could certainly do the job.
Mark Carney – let him win an election first.
 Nate – was finally made a Cabinet Minister for a portfolio he could make a huge difference with. He has the energy and the temperament needed and he actually knows how to think outside the box. He’s never been part of the party’s inner circle. The surprise that is ahead of us is Nate Erskine Smith, the current Minister of Housing.
This is the one portfolio that is in desperate need of someone who can take bold, innovative positions on housing.
There are solutions and Erskine Smith has three to maybe four months to show the public what can be done. His return to politics – he did say he was not going to run again – is something he is going to get past his wife.
The work of the government doesn’t stop just because Parliament isn’t sitting.
The challenge for the Liberal Party is to show Canadians that they can lead the country and stand up to Donald Trump and his really stupid, ignorant behaviour. I can’t imagine Americans being proud of the man who is their president.
The challenge for Canadians is to learn from the mistake the Americans made in their choice – we don’t have to be quite as stupid.
Salt with Pepper is an opinion column reflecting the observations and musings of the publisher of the Gazette, an on-line newspaper that is in its 12th year as a news source in Burlington and is a member of the National Newsmedia Council.
By Pepper Parr
December 31st, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
We are on our way out of a tough year.
What were the top stories for 2024?
In no particular order:
 The Ontario Land Tribunal said no to the development on the site of the Waterfront Hotel The OLT decision to not approve the plans for the Waterfront Hotel site.
Pulling Sound of Music from a near-death experience – and chuckling at the comment David Shepherd made when he said he would like to see the debt “go away”.
Wondering what was really behind the quick as a wink resignation submitted by the then Executive Director of the Performing Arts Centre. They’ve yet to find a replacement.
Then there was the practice of using a number that isn’t defined to convince taxpayers that they are getting a decent deal.
 Nisan and Galbraith seemed to have forgotten who they were working for. Best performance of the year had to be “the sky’s the limit” dance put on by Councillors Nisan and Galbraith who seem to have forgotten who they were working for. Link to that story – click HERE
Then there was the “dismissal” of two senior staff members. The Gazette was alerted to their being shown the door by a tip that came in from someone calling from a phone booth.
 By James Portside
December 31st, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
This information is not professional investment advice. Investors are advised to do their own research into individual stocks before making an investment decision.
The five stocks with the largest dollar value of insider acquisitions in the public market are:
|
| Rogers Communications Inc —–Buy Quantity: 20,000 Average cost: $43.67 Total: $873,396.00 |
| Insider |
Relationship |
Transaction |
Date |
Quantity |
Price |
Total |
| Gemmell, Robert |
4 – Director of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
12-27-24 |
20,000 |
$43.67 |
$873,396.00 |
|
| Nutrien Ltd —–Buy Quantity: 10,490 Average cost: $64.04 Total: $671,779.60 |
| Insider |
Relationship |
Transaction |
Date |
Quantity |
Price |
Total |
| Seitz, Kenneth Alvin |
4 – Director of Issuer, 5 – Senior Officer of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
12-24-24 |
10,490 |
$64.04 |
$671,779.60 |
|
| George Weston Limited —–Buy Quantity: 1,200 Average cost: $227.50 Total: $273,000.00 |
| Insider |
Relationship |
Transaction |
Date |
Quantity |
Price |
Total |
| Dalglish, Camilla H. |
6 – Director or Senior Officer of 10% Security Holder |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
12-24-24 |
1,200 |
$227.50 |
$273,000.00 |
|
| Morguard Real Estate Investment Trust —–Buy Quantity: 47,800 Average cost: $5.40 Total: $258,120.00 |
| Insider |
Relationship |
Transaction |
Date |
Quantity |
Price |
Total |
| Armoyan, Sime |
3 – 10% Security Holder of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
12-27-24 |
200 |
$5.40 |
$1,080.00 |
| Armoyan, Sime |
3 – 10% Security Holder of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
12-24-24 |
47,600 |
$5.40 |
$257,040.00 |
|
| Ero Copper Corp —–Buy Quantity: 10,000 Average cost: $19.46 Total: $194,616.00 |
| Insider |
Relationship |
Transaction |
Date |
Quantity |
Price |
Total |
| Gosselin, Chantal |
4 – Director of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
12-27-24 |
10,000 |
$19.46 |
$194,616.00 |
The five stocks with the largest dollar value of insider dispositions in the public market are:
|
| National Bank of Canada —–Sell Quantity: -16,741 Average cost: $132.70 Total: -$2,221,566.32 Options Issued: 42,888 Average cost: $47.93 Total: $2,055,621.84 |
| Insider |
Relationship |
Transaction |
Date |
Quantity |
Price |
Total |
| Ferreira, Laurent |
7 – Director or Senior Officer of Insider or Subsidiary of Issuer (other than in 4,5,6) |
51 – Exercise of options |
12-24-24 |
21,956 |
$47.93 |
$1,052,351.08 |
| Gingras, Marie-Chantal |
2 – Subsidiary of Issuer |
51 – Exercise of options |
12-24-24 |
9,880 |
$47.93 |
$473,548.40 |
| Gingras, Marie-Chantal |
2 – Subsidiary of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
12-24-24 |
-9,880 |
$132.80 |
-$1,312,053.10 |
| Hébert, Brigitte |
5 – Senior Officer of Issuer |
51 – Exercise of options |
12-24-24 |
11,052 |
$47.93 |
$529,722.36 |
| Hébert, Brigitte |
5 – Senior Officer of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
12-24-24 |
-6,861 |
$132.56 |
-$909,513.22 |
|
| LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT CORP —–Sell Quantity: -100,000 Average cost: $10.38 Total: -$1,037,952.00 |
| Insider |
Relationship |
Transaction |
Date |
Quantity |
Price |
Total |
| Feltheimer, Jon Henry |
4 – Director of Issuer, 5 – Senior Officer of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
12-26-24 |
-100,000 |
$10.38 |
-$1,037,952.00 |
|
| Propel Holdings Inc —–Sell Quantity: -18,800 Average cost: $37.40 Total: -$703,120.00 |
| Insider |
Relationship |
Transaction |
Date |
Quantity |
Price |
Total |
| Buchman, Noah |
5 – Senior Officer of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
12-24-24 |
-18,800 |
$37.40 |
-$703,120.00 |
|
| TC Energy Corporation —–Sell Quantity: -5,000 Average cost: $66.50 Total: -$332,500.00 Options Issued: 5,000 Average cost: $53.97 Total: $269,850.00 |
| Insider |
Relationship |
Transaction |
Date |
Quantity |
Price |
Total |
| Masud, Jawad |
7 – Director or Senior Officer of Insider or Subsidiary of Issuer (other than in 4,5,6) |
51 – Exercise of options |
12-24-24 |
5,000 |
$53.97 |
$269,850.00 |
| Masud, Jawad |
7 – Director or Senior Officer of Insider or Subsidiary of Issuer (other than in 4,5,6) |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
12-24-24 |
-5,000 |
$66.50 |
-$332,500.00 |
|
| STEP Energy Services Ltd —–Sell Quantity: -26,501 Average cost: $4.21 Total: -$111,646.20 Options Issued: 18,001 Average cost: $0.53 Total: $9,523.51 |
| Insider |
Relationship |
Transaction |
Date |
Quantity |
Price |
Total |
| Kane, Joshua Maxwell |
5 – Senior Officer of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
12-24-24 |
-8,500 |
$4.24 |
-$36,042.00 |
| McFarlane, Bradley James |
5 – Senior Officer of Issuer |
51 – Exercise of options |
12-24-24 |
18,001 |
$0.53 |
$9,523.51 |
| McFarlane, Bradley James |
5 – Senior Officer of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
12-24-24 |
-18,001 |
$4.20 |
-$75,604.20 |
What is Insider Trading?
How Insider Trading works.
 By Staff
December 30th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
46% say PM should resign, prorogue House for leadership race; two-in-five want a Feb. 2025 election
In a year-end report the Angus Reid Institute, a multinational public opinion polling company said “… the federal Liberals, they are on the precipice of a very unhappy New Year.
 Justin Trudeau. “Amid growing calls for their leader to resign, the latest public opinion data from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute shows the party’s support among decided and leaning voters down to just 16 per cent.
 In the 2011 election under then leader, Michael Ignatieff, the Liberals received 18.9 It represents the lowest level of support for the party in Angus Reid Institute tracking dating back to 2014. It is also quite possibly the lowest vote intention the Liberals have ever received in the modern era. Even in the worst electoral performance in the party’s 157-year history, the 2011 election under then leader, Michael Ignatieff, the Liberals received 18.9 per cent of votes from Canadians, and at minimum 17 per cent in polling leading up to that election.
“Meanwhile, as he mulls his future during his ski in the snow in B.C., approval of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, which had been steady in the low 20s, now plummets to an all-time nadir of 22 per cent.
 “These latest blows come at the end of a punishing two weeks wherein Trudeau lost his finance minister and lost the would-be replacement star he’d been chasing. This culminated in an open loss of confidence by a growing number of Liberal MPs who are now publicly calling for him to go.
“While Trudeau has said that he would reflect on the growing rebellion within his own ranks, approaching half (46%) of Canadians and three-in-five (59%) current Liberal supporters say it’s time for him to step aside and call for a party leadership contest. Another two-in-five (38%) Canadians believe Trudeau should call for a general election himself when he returns from his holiday break.
For a detailed look at the polling link to the poll here: www.angusreid.org/
By Staff
December 30th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
 Boys lined up for basketball practice at the Haber Recreational Centre The good folks at Recreation, Community and Culture have come up with a way to attract the grade 5 kids into the gyms, swimming pools and ice rinks.
The message is clear: Get active with our Active5 Pass!
The City of Burlington’s Active5 Pass gives Grade 5 students free access to drop-in recreation activities including:
- Open gym time
- Skating
- Recreational Swimming.
Click HERE to learn more and to Register
By Pepper Parr
December 30th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
It was the one picture that caught my eye during the year.
All that “bling”?
I thought it was the Russians who did this kind of thing; the Americans are pretty good at it.
 Pictured here are:Gen. Jennie Carignan, left, assumes command of the Canadian Armed Forces, with Gov. Gen. Mary Simon and outgoing Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Wayne Eyre taking part in the ceremony on July 18, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
By Pepper Parr
December 29th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
What is it with a city government that seems incapable of telling taxpayers how big the increase in taxes this year was over the previous year ?
Set out below is a timeline on statements released by city hall sent to us by a Gazette reader.
“The number the city uses, 4.97%, was correct on October 25th, 2025, but became incorrect as soon as the police budget was released on October 31st, 2024. Why did CAO Basit and Mayor Meed Ward continue to use 4.97% as the overall increase on November 4th and November 7th”?
The number they use is an average of the taxes that are paid to school boards, and the Regional government – which includes the Police Services Budget.
What the people paying taxes need and want to know is – how much did the CITY taxes increase this year. In Burlington, that was 7.8%
October 25th, 2024 – Burlington releases the 2025 budget
“The projected overall tax increase for 2025 is now 4.97 percent”.
Burlington’s portion of our tax bill is increasing by 7.5%.
October 30th, 2024 – Halton Police Services Budget is released
Burlington calculated the “overall” increase of 4.97% using a police increase of 5.65%.
The police budget, which Burlington’s council does not control, calls for an 11.84% increase.
The projected overall tax increase for 2025 is now 5.76%.
November 4th, 2024 – Mr. Basit introduces the budget to council
Mr. Basit, the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) states “Projected property tax increase is 4.97%”.
November 7th, 2024 – Mayor Meed Ward’s virtual town hall
Mayor Meed Ward states “That total increase is 4.97%. Of that, the city portion is 3.79%.
November 25th, 2024 – Eric Stern delegates to our council
“It was interesting to watch Mr. Basit present a 4.97% on November 4th when the Halton Police budget had been made public on October 30th. Did Mr. Basit knowingly misrepresent the truth?”
December 10th, 2024 – Mayor Meed Ward speaks to this issue
No apology and no explanation to taxpayers.
Does a higher standard of engagement start with clear and accurate information from city hall?
By Pepper Parr
December 29th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The Gazette published an article on December 14th, about a delegation Eric Stern made at a City Council meeting on November 25th.
Early in the delegation, Eric Stern mused: “It was interesting to watch Mr. Basit present a 4.97% on November 4th when the Halton Police Budget had been made public on October 30th. Did Mr. Basit knowingly misrepresent the truth?”
Mayor Meed Ward wrote the Gazette with a complaint and copied the National Newsmedia Council, complaining about what we published.
This is what happened:
In the article we published we confused what Mayor Meed Ward said in her Spectator letter with what she said at a Council meeting where she used a Personal Privilege to make her point about what Eric Stern said while delegating on November 25th, 2024
We apologize for mixing up the issue. It was in fact incorrect. The Mayor’s Letter to the Editor of the Hamilton Spectator referred to an issue she had with a different media person.
Click HERE to listen to what the Mayor did say.
For those who want to read Stern’s delegation click HERE
Link to the Mayor’s Letter to the Hamilton Spectator is HERE
By Staff
December 29th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
It’s called the Community Improvement Program.
It offers substantial support and is wide open to ideas. Talk to the Planning department—the link is at the bottom of this article.
The program isn’t in place yet, but we expect to see it operational in Q2 2025.
What is a Community Improvement Plan (CIP)?
- Enabled through Section 28 of the Planning Act
- A Planning Act tool that can be used to make development more feasible or attractive for property owners, through financial and non-financial incentives
Community improvement plan means a plan for the community improvement of a community improvement project area.
 The different forms of housing that are now possible – “as of right” Community improvement means the planning or replanning, design or redesign, resubdivision, clearance, development or redevelopment, construction, reconstruction and rehabilitation, improvement of energy efficiency, or any of them, of a community improvement project area, and the provision of such residential, commercial, industrial, public, recreational, institutional, religious, charitable or other uses, buildings, structures, works, improvements or facilities, or spaces therefor, as may be appropriate or necessary.
Community improvement project area means a municipality or an area within a municipality, the community improvement of which, in the opinion of council is desirable because of age, dilapidation, overcrowding, faulty arrangement, unsuitability of buildings or for any other environmental, social or community economic development reason.
Community Improvement Tools
- Make grants or loans to owners and tenants of land and buildings within the community improvement project area to pay for the whole or any part of ‘eligible costs’ related to community improvement
Eligible Costs
- The total of the grants and loans that is provided in respect of the lands and buildings shall not exceed the eligible cost of the community improvement
- Includes costs related to environmental site assessment/remediation, development, redevelopment, construction and reconstruction of lands and buildings for rehabilitation purposes or for the provision of energy efficiency.
- Provide additional flexibility in offering financial incentives and can be stacked with other
Planning Act (Section 69(2) Fees)
Municipalities are permitted to reduce the amount of, or waive entirely, the requirement for the payment of a fee in respect of a planning or building application.
Development Charges Act (Section 5)
Allows a Municipality (through its development charge by-law) to provide for full or partial development charge exemptions for certain types of development.
Municipal Act
- Section 365.1 enables Municipalities to implement the Brownfields Financial Tax Incentive Program, intended to bring brownfields back into productive use. Municipalities may pass by-laws providing for the cancellation of all or a portion of the taxes for municipal purposes levied on eligible properties for which a phase two environmental site assessment has been conducted. CIP required
- Municipal Capital Facility Agreement (MCFA): allows municipalities to completely exempt development charges and property taxes. Affordable housing is an explicit permitted use under MCFA tools.
- Housing Strategy and Housing Accelerator Fund Action Plan Direction
- Need a minimum of 200 new rental units per year in Burlington to meet demand (2021 Housing Needs and Opportunities Study)
• Increase housing options – affordable, rental, Missing Middle
Burlington Housing CIP Purpose
- Incentivize new rental housing and affordable housing options in a permanent building form:
- New units: Additional Residential Units (ARUs), plexes (du/tri/fourplex), row houses, courtyard housing
- Low-rise apartments (4-storeys and less)
- Mid-rise apartments (5 – 11 storeys)
- High-rise/Tall Building apartments (12+ storeys)
- Larger rental units (i.e. 3-bedrooms)
- Supportive housing, Accessible units
- Short term HAF Targets (2025/26)
– Support HAF $8.25M allocation for ARUs; $2.5M for other rental and affordable units; $1M missing middle
 Long term Housing Strategy Implementation (2027+) – through the CIP, with CIP budget request- Incentives for rental and affordable permanent units to bridge the gap
- Develop incentives that provide the best value and outcomes
- Develop a range of incentives with longevity
- Identify opportunities to stack programs/incentives – within the CIP and with other programs of City & other levels of government (e.g. Better Homes Burlington home upgrade interest free loan; Halton Region, CMHC Affordable Housing Fund)
- Address City priorities and Meet HAF targets, e.g. 3-BRs in MTSAs; energy efficiency/green infrastructure; missing middle & affordable housing
Incentive Types
Capital Grants: support new construction, rehabilitation, and conversion of spaces for affordable housing. Direct funding lowers the financial burden on property owners, making it more feasible to create affordable units.
Non-Reserve Fund Incentives: includes tax increment grants, fee waivers, and deferral programs –
reduce upfront costs for property owners.
- Tax increment grants retain a portion of the increased property tax revenue generated by the new development, which can be reinvested into the project.
- Fee waivers eliminate or reduce fees associated with building permits/ other municipal
Forgivable Loans: support homeownership and rental unit creation, with conditions tied to affordability and project completion. If specific criteria met, such as maintaining the units as affordable for a set period, the loan may be forgiven, effectively turning it into a grant. This approach encourages property owner commitment to long-term affordability.
Non-Financial Incentives: range of incentives, including: the strategic use of surplus municipal land for affordable housing projects by providing access to land at reduced costs or even at no cost, thereby removing one of the most significant barriers to affordable housing—land acquisition costs.
Reserve Funds: specific funds maintained by the municipality to assist with affordable housing projects beyond typical funding mechanisms. By having dedicated funds set aside, municipalities can respond more flexibly and quickly to emerging housing needs.
 The province is serious and looking for municipalities that want to take part. Potential CIP Financial Programs
Base Incentives
Additional Residential Unit (ARU) Incentive (forgivable loan):
-
- Requirement for affordable ARU units during the HAF timeframe, January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2026.
- purchase and/or fund related construction costs for a new, legal permitted
- detached ARU
- garage conversion (detached or attached) to residential
- ARU within existing residential unit (i.e. basement, main floor, attic).
- renovate an existing noncompliant ARU
- assistance with professional drawings (i.e. architect, engineering)
- Missing Middle Tax Increment Equivalent Grant (TIEG):
- Annual grant over a long-term period to offset tax increases for new rental multi-unit developments that are 4 storeys or less including duplexes, fourplexes, courtyard housing, and low-rise apartments. Excludes single-detached homes and ARUs.
Potential CIP Financial Programs
Base Incentives
Mid/High-Rise Tax Increment Equivalent Grant (TIEG):
Annual grant over a long-term period to offset tax increases for new rental mid-rise/high-rise multi-unit residential developments. It would be for rental buildings that are:
- 5+ storeys
- Proposed in a strategic location:
- City’s ‘Mixed Use Nodes’ such as neighbourhood commercial plazas;
- Intensification Corridors like Fairview Street and Plains Road East; or
- Major Transit Station Areas (MTSAs): Appleby GO, Aldershot GO and Burlington GO MTSAs.
Potential Non-Financial Incentives
- Housing and Surplus Lands Policy: To acquire, sell, lease, or offer municipal properties at or below fair market value to support City Housing policies, plans, and strategies. By leveraging surplus lands, this will enhance financial incentive programs within the CIP.
- Housing and Capital Projects Policy: To require all major municipal capital projects be reviewed and assessed to consider the inclusion of new
- Draft CIP for Review: January 2025
- Report to Council, Statutory Public Meeting: February 2025
Email housingstrategy@burlington.ca with questions and speak with staff
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By Ray Rivers
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
