 By Gazette Staff
February 17th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
 Mayor Meed Ward: Not a clapper. The manner in which people conduct themselves at City Council meetings has, for the most part, been an issue for Mayor Meed Ward.
When there is a happy event, the awarding of a certificate and recognizing someone are exceptions as far as Meed Ward is concerned.
So when there was some clapping the Mayor said: “Our by law does not allow disruption, so I would ask you not to disrupt the speaking,.
 Councillor Kearns: Very much a clapper. Point of order said Councillor Kearns: “ I’m not aware of any ban on that in our procedure by law. Could you point to the section please? The public is here to respond to us. I’m not saying that clapping is ideal, but at least they’re getting their say in some fashion.
Mayor Mead Ward: The procedure by law, doesn’t allow unreasonable or offensive conduct, and this means conductive or statements that can be considered disruptive. That’s the best I can do without a recess to determine further.
Expect moderate applause to be permissible at some point in the near future.
 By Pepper Parr
February 17th, 2026
BURLINGTON. ON
OPINION
Why did Mayor Meed Ward use her Strong Mayor Powers?
She said she used her powers simply due to timing – it gave staff two full days to work on the report, and the contents of the report were made clear by her direction.
 Mayor Meed Ward in her City Hall office. “All I have asked for is information to be given to us,” she told BurlingtonToday. She said it was done in the interest of time because council is making a vote on Tuesday. “We want the best information available.”
“I’m hoping the information that staff provides will help council make the appropriate decision and that the information provides a realistic picture of what this might mean for the community,” she said.
The public would have liked the best information as well.
Council can debate the matter but defer a decision until the public has had a chance to read the material that media have made available.
The Family Day weekend kept people outdoors – the last thing they wanted to do was read council agendas and reports.
The poor public engagement is due to the way council has treated the taxpayers; they’ve given up
 By Gazette Staff
February 17, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
Mayor Meed Ward is advising Council of DRAFT correspondence to the federal and provincial governments regarding Burlington’s two-year, 100% residential Development Charge (DC) exemption.
Her report is provided for Council’s awareness and inclusion on the agenda.
Implications:
Financial: Potential financial impact of the City’s two-year residential DC exemption.
Estimates indicate that foregone DC revenue could range from approximately $6M to $41M annually, depending on uptake. Replacement funding and legislative flexibility are being requested to mitigate potential impacts on municipal reserves and the property tax base.
Communication/Engagement:
The letter is intended to be transmitted to the federal and provincial governments and shared publicly through the Council agenda process.
Our take on this? Sounds like we have written the cheque and now need to find the money to cover it.
Dear Minister Robertson and Minister Flack,
Burlington shares your focus on one outcome: more homes built, faster—so more people can find a home they can afford, and our communities can grow in a healthy, sustainable way.
Current market conditions are presenting real challenges, particularly across the GTA, as many projects are struggling to move from approvals to construction. New home sales in the GTA hit record lows in 2025 – in May 2025, total new-home sales in the GTA were 87% below the 10-year average—with condominium apartment sales 93% below and single-family (ground-oriented) sales 74% below the 10-year average.
CMHC’s 2026 Housing Market Outlook points to ongoing headwinds, including trade uncertainty, slower population growth, and a softer job market, which are expected to keep demand below historical averages this year.
What that means on the ground is that the project math often doesn’t work. Financing is harder to secure, construction and servicing costs remain high, and for many multi-residential projects it’s harder to reach the pre-sale thresholds needed to start construction. The result is delay, pause, or cancellation—even where approvals are in place.
In that context, Burlington is moving quickly with a practical, time-limited measure designed to improve project feasibility and help get more shovels in the ground. On February 10, 2026, Burlington’s Committee of the Whole endorsed a motion directing staff to bring forward a by-law amendment for a two-year, 100% residential Development Charge (DC) exemption for units that:
pull a building permit; and
demonstrate active construction within the two-year period.
This is a significant step for our city. We’re doing it for a clear purpose: to reduce upfront costs so more projects can move to construction in today’s market—and so those costs aren’t simply passed along in the price of a new home. It’s about improving affordability so that people are able to achieve the dream of home ownership – whether that be for first time homebuyers or families that want to move into our community.
This matters for Burlington, as our future housing supply depends on redevelopment and intensification. With the city largely built out, most new homes will come from Options for the temporary elimination of Development Charges (DGM-03-26) building within the city. These projects are often more complex and more sensitive to broader economic and market conditions. When factors such as interest rates, construction costs, or financing, projects can slow down or pause, directly affecting the number of homes that actually get built.
That’s why Burlington is taking bold action and doing our part to create the right conditions by focusing on what we can control locally: reducing upfront costs that can help more projects reach construction in today’s market. This is where senior government partnership matters. We can reduce upfront costs to help projects move—and protect homeowners from a cost shift—if we do this together.
We recognize that both orders of government have introduced important housing measures aimed at improving affordability and increasing supply including the removal of the PST and GST relief for first-time buyers on new homes. At the same time, the current economic environment means we need additional, targeted actions that directly improve project feasibility.
Development charges help pay for the growth-related infrastructure that new housing requires—water and wastewater capacity, roads, parks, community facilities, and through Educational Development Charges under provincial legislation, land for new schools.
If Burlington waives DCs without replacement funding, the infrastructure still has to be built. The shortfall is absorbed through municipal reserves and can eventually put pressure on the property tax base. At the same time, Educational Development Charges continue to apply. The cumulative impact of all growth-related charges is an important consideration as we work to improve project feasibility and accelerate housing starts.
Without coordination, homeowners and renters through pass-through costs, end up paying for housing-enabling infrastructure in a less transparent way. Burlington wants to avoid that outcome. Our goal is to support housing starts without creating new financial pressure for households who are already managing higher costs.
Based on City of Burlington staff estimates, a full waiver of residential development charges could reduce Burlington’s DC revenue by approximately $16M to $41M annually, depending on uptake. Even using a more restrained scenario—grounded in 2025 activity and a lower-uptake assumption—the impact is estimated at closer to $6M.
That is a significant pressure on municipal finances.
Under the Development Charges Act, 1997, when DC revenue is not collected, municipalities must still fund the growth-related infrastructure those charges were intended to support. In practice, that means drawing from municipal reserves or identifying other sources of funding. This is the challenge municipalities face: we can take steps to improve project feasibility and accelerate housing starts, but without Options for the temporary elimination of Development Charges (DGM-03-26) replacement funding, the financial impact can flow back to homeowners and the community over time.
Despite this, Burlington is prepared to take decisive, time-limited action with a two-year, 100% residential DC exemption because we believe it can help move more projects to construction in today’s market.
However, the legislative requirements under the Development Charges Act, 1997 were designed to ensure fiscal discipline during normal market conditions. Without replacement funding during the exemption period, this measure cannot be implemented in a financially sustainable way.
That is why Burlington is calling on both orders of government to fulfill their public commitments related to development charge relief in a coordinated approach to cover the DC exemption value for eligible units over the two-year period.
Specifically:
Federally, Burlington is requesting that the Government of Canada fulfill its commitment to cover 50% of municipal DC reductions, including the program mechanism, how funding will be calculated and distributed, and when
municipalities can expect those supports to flow.
Provincially, Burlington is requesting the Province of Ontario fulfill its commitment to keep municipalities whole by covering the remaining 50% of the DC relief, or any amounts not covered by the federal government. As the Building Faster Fund (BFF) is currently under review and has been underutilized due to market conditions and the broader housing slowdown, a revised BFF framework could serve as an appropriate source of funding for municipal DC relief measures.
Burlington has not qualified for BFF funding to date, in large part because our housing supply is predominantly multi-residential—and that segment has been the most constrained under current market conditions. This is despite Burlington achieving a record 10-year high in housing starts.
Burlington is committed to enabling housing through practical tools and policy choices, and we believe this is an opportunity to demonstrate what effective intergovernmental partnership looks like: municipalities taking immediate steps to unlock projects, with provincial and federal governments providing the predictable funding support needed to
make those steps workable and durable.
We respectfully request your response outlining any commitments each of your governments may be prepared to offset the financial impacts of Burlington’s two-year residential DC exemption. The City of Burlington remains committed to working collaboratively with the Province and the Government of Canada to build our way out of this housing crisis, while ensuring communities continue to have the infrastructure and services that new housing depends on.
 By Gazette Staff
February 17th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
Kim Ingram, Senior Manager of Cultural Services, Recreation, Community and Culture Department as come up with options for the community-driven parade that will take place the day before the Lakshore Music Festival.
The purpose of this memo is to provide Council with additional background and analysis following direction provided at the Committee of the Whole meeting on February 9, 2026: “Direct the Director of Recreation, Community and Culture to be available to support a community-driven parade at the same time as the Lakeshore Music & Arts Festival in 2026, to be funded from the Community Investment Reserve Fund.”
This memo summarizes the operational, policing, route, staffing, and financial considerations identified through further review and presents two options for Council’s consideration.
Background & Analysis
Following Council’s direction, staff reviewed historical parade routes, assessed logistics from previous festival years, and consulted with key partners—including the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS)—to identify parade formats that could be accommodated in June 2026. This review considered available dates, route conditions, infrastructure placement, and the resources required to safely integrate a parade into the Lakeshore Music & Arts Festival weekend.
Through this analysis, staff determined that a traditional Saturday morning street parade presents multiple challenges. HRPS has advised that policing resources on Saturday (and Sunday) are significantly constrained due to festival-related deployment, and the early installation of the Community Stage at Brant Street and James Street will block the Brant Street parade route.
As a result, staff developed two alternative approaches for Council’s consideration that remain aligned with operational, safety, and resource requirements.
The first option is a scaled down parade—a small march featuring the Burlington Teen Tour Band—delivered along the Promenade on Saturday morning. This approach avoids major road closures, requires minimal staffing and police involvement, and can be delivered with a modest budget.
 Parade Route #1 Baldwin to Elgin. The red colour on Baldwin St is the parade staging area, the blue line is the proposal parade route, the red line on Elgin St is the parade dispersement area, the orange lines are the proposed location of the various activities per the proposal by the new For Profit festival organizers. The second option is a traditional street parade held on Friday, June 19, 2026, at 7:00 p.m., using a Brant Street route from Baldwin to Elgin (refer to Appendix A). This option is supported by HRPS, aligns with available resources, avoids conflicts with Saturday festival infrastructure, and provides a more traditional parade experience for spectators and participants. The estimated cost of a Friday evening parade is approximately $50,000, including required road closures, signage, paid duty policing, event staffing, rentals, and performer support.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this memo provides additional information on the feasible parade options for June 2026 while outlining the operational considerations associated with each. Staff will proceed as directed by Council and collaborate with partners to support the selected option.
By Gazette Staff
February 16th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
We apologize for the quality of some of the tables. We had to work with what we were given.
Supplemental Staff Memo
SUBJECT: Financial Impact and Funding Strategy for Temporary Residential DC Exemptions
 Craig Millar, Craig Millar, Chief Financial Officer provided the following.
The purpose of the memo, as discussed at Committee of the Whole (COW) on February 10, 2026, is to provide some additional information on the potential financial impact and funding sources for the following committee approved motion related to staff report DGM-03-26:
“Direct the Commissioner of Development & Growth Management and Chief Financial Officer to initiate a temporary Development Charge bylaw amendment for a two-year residential Development Charges exemption on all units that pull a building permit and demonstrate active construction within the two year period, as outlined in Option 1A in report DGM-03-26”.
While the intent of the motion is to stimulate development by increasing building permits being issued for the next two years. The City’s financial subsidy of DCs could extend for a number of years beyond the two-year exemption period. For example, under the Development Charges Act, DCs rates are locked in or frozen at the time of site plan approval, provided a building permit is issued within 18 months of the application approval.
Therefore, any site plans approved towards the end of year 2 of the DC exemption period will be locked into the exemption for another 18 months to pull permits. Once construction is completed and occupancy achieved, the City will have to subsidize DCs, several years past the intended DC exemption period.
As a result, it is difficult to estimate the dollar amounts and timelines and the City will have to subsidize the DCs related to this exemption. However, in the short term, there will be no impact on the approved 2026 operating or capital budget. Going forward, each year as part of the year-end reporting and the annual budgeting exercise, staff will make recommendations on funding options for any required DC subsidies, including any impacts on the City’s capital plan.
Capital Plan:
As presented in the 2026 Capital Budget, the 10-year growth expenditure is forecasted at $126.5M, and $94.4M is currently expected to be funded from DCs.
Potential Funding Sources:
1.) Retained Savings
As alluded to during COW, staff anticipates that year-end retained savings would be utilized to fund exemptions provided in 2026. Funds from retained savings are typically used to replenish the City’s reserves and reserve funds, including the Tax Rate Stabilization reserve fund. This reserve fund is used to finance one-time expenditures and a tool to support financial stability.
Although staff are currently in the process of closing for 2025 year-end, it is important to note that the target balance for the City’s consolidated stabilization reserve funds (excluding Building Permit Stabilization Reserve Fund) is set at 10%-15% of the city’s own source revenues. As referenced in staff report FIN-11-25, Operating Budget Performance Report as of December 31, 2024, and Summary of Year End Financial Position, as of December 2024, the
consolidated balance of these reserve funds is below target at 5.6%.
2.) Infrastructure Renewal Reserve Funds
The next funding source to be considered would be the Capital Infrastructure Renewal reserve funds. These reserve funds are supported by the City’s Infrastructure Renewal Levy and allocated to the City’s infrastructure renewal projects. However, as per the City’s 2025 Asset Management Plan, the City is currently facing a deficit of an estimated $350M over 10 years.
The approved levy for 2026 was 2%.
3.) Increased use of Debt to fund the City’s capital plan.
The City’s debt capacity is currently at 8.42% for total debt (the limit is 12.5%). Our current outstanding debt as of December 31, 2025, is $139.4M.
By Lucy Roberts
February 16, 2026
BURLINGTON,
Most cars don’t break down unexpectedly. Before breaking down, your car emits repeated noises to communicate. Learning your car’s basic and new features may prevent minor difficulties from becoming pricey repairs. While the engine squeals while cold and hits a bump, numerous systems may be involved. Identifying indications and causes is crucial.
 Before breaking down, your car emits repeated noises to communicate. Similar steps apply to auto parts Canada: Identify the issue, then find the right part. Guessing based on vague noise wastes time and money by replacing the wrong part. Diagnose the issue with each new sound. Where does it originate from, why, and do speed, direction, or engine use affect it?
Squealing, Brakes, Screeching
A loud screech may signal a brake key push. Many brake pad wear indicators emit a high-pitched noise as the friction material wears down. Washing or humid days may silence the shriek, but it generally returns. Growling damages the pad and rotor fast.
A screech may be heard without braking, especially at low speeds. A stone between the rotor and the backing plate, or a slightly twisted dust shield, can strike it. Although minor, these issues should be explored because repeated friction might cause uneven wear or overheating. Halt sound evolution. Usability difficulties may pose safety risks.
Stick to Bumpy Ground and Suspension Signs
If your car clunks over speed bumps or potholes, it may have suspension or handling issues. Old sway bar links, bushings, and ball joints can generate a loud knock. Slowing down on bumpy roads makes this knock more audible. Determine whether entering a driveway or stopping after a bump increases the noise level. Joints and nuts move when loaded.
 A suspension system – it determines the kind of ride you will have. If the car runs straight, suspension problems may not be noticeable. The noise often causes uneven tire wear, a vague steering response, or a tug. Fixing a clunk quickly preserves expensive parts and maintains balance. A loose section may stress nearby goods over time.
Humming, Whirring, and Wheel Bearing Tips
Tire or wheel bearing hums increase with speed. Without rotation or alignment, uneven wear can cause tires to make noise. Noise levels vary significantly with changes in road surfaces. However, weight changes can affect wheel-bearing noise. Even at the same speed, a bearing may sound louder when turning left or right.
Wheel bearings are critical because issues can arise quickly. A distant drone may appear first. It may rumble and constitute a safety hazard. Immediate inspection of the bearing prevents road damage and other hazards.
Pressing Turns and CV Joint Alerts
Worn CV joints click rhythmically when turning slowly, like while driving. CV joints power the rotation and lift of the front-wheel-drive wheels. If the covering boot splits and grease leaks, the joint wears fast. Sound usually starts soft and gets louder.
Wheel or axle grease can produce clicking. If detected early, a torn boot can be repaired without joint damage. Worn joints clack loudly. Ignoring it could damage the axle assembly or drive.
Lower Sounds: Hissing, Ticking
 Regular check-ups for your car will prevent this. Wheel noise and other sounds are needed. Steam or sweet scents under the hood may suggest a vacuum, intake, or coolant leak. A new engine tick that changes with RPM needs investigation. When the engine starts, leaky exhaust pipes shudder in the manifold and spew fumes. Reverberating hood noises are challenging. Note whether the engine only makes noise when it warms up, starts, or accelerates. The details help technicians verify your hearing and narrow the search.
Easy Way to Act Before Things Get Worse
Interpret new noises as messages. Check speed, stopping, steering, bumps, and engine RPM. Even if unsure, watch its source. Early problems are easier to detect and inexpensive to fix, so act while symptoms are moderate and consistent.
 By Joe Gaetan
February 17th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
On February 11, 2026, Mayor Marianne Meed Ward issued a directive requiring the City’s Chief Financial Officer to provide detailed financial analysis tied to the temporary elimination of Development Charges. That report will appear on the February 17 Council agenda. On its surface, this is a request for numbers and forecasts. In substance, it could signal a turning point in Burlington’s housing strategy.
When the Province introduced Strong Mayor Powers, the justification was: municipalities were not building homes fast enough. The solution was to concentrate certain authorities in the hands of the Mayor/Head of Council so housing-related decisions could move more decisively.
Burlington has not met the Province’s housing targets and, as a result, has missed out on grant dollars tied to performance. The City then created a permit-to-pipeline committee in an effort to streamline approvals and accelerate development, yet completions have not materialized at a pace sufficient to unlock funding.
The directive asks staff to lay out the assumptions behind an estimated Development Charge exposure ranging from $16 million to $42 million. Development Charges exist to fund growth-related infrastructure – roads, parks, community facilities. Forgoing that revenue, even temporarily, shifts financial pressures elsewhere. The question Council will face is whether that risk is justified if it stimulates construction activity and, in turn, improves Burlington’s ability to access provincial housing funds.
The Mayor’s direction is also requesting a realistic forecast of 2026 residential completions, informed by CMHC data and local trends. If projections show the City is unlikely to meet provincial, the case for intervention strengthens. If the forecast suggests targets remain out of reach regardless of incentives, the fiscal gamble becomes harder to defend.
Exploring an alternative to amending the Development Charges by-law outright is also significant. Instead of changing the by-law and risking unintended rate-locking or statutory complications, Council is being asked to consider whether a time-limited Development Charge grant program could achieve similar results. Such a program could provide a grant equivalent to the charge payable at construction, while preserving the integrity of the existing by-law framework.
 This kind of development is never going to get the city to the 29,000 units by 2031 One politically sensitive aspect may be the eligibility criteria. The Mayor has asked whether a grant program could be limited to residential units below a defined value threshold, excluding luxury homes. A blanket elimination of Development Charges risks being characterized as a broad subsidy to developers, including high-end projects. A targeted program, focused on more attainable housing, reframes the initiative as an affordability measure rather than a universal concession.
Strong Mayor Powers are based on housing supply tied to provincial priorities. The Mayor’s directive sets the analytical groundwork for an important decision. Supporters may see this as leadership – using the tools provided to unlock funding opportunities. Critics may view it as concentrating financial risk in fewer hands and compressing Council’s role in voting on a mayoral decision.
Development Charges are one of the few growth-related funding mechanisms municipalities control. If more homes are built, assessment rises. If assessment rises, tax capacity grows. If provincial thresholds are met, grant dollars follow. But if the anticipated acceleration does not materialize, the City absorbs the shortfall.
The February 17 meeting may not answer every question, but it will show the trade-offs. Burlington residents deserve to see how their elected officials will weigh the pros and cons of the directive.
Strong Mayor Powers were introduced with the promise that homes would follow. Burlington is now positioned to test whether that promise holds.
For those concerned about housing affordability, municipal finance, or the evolving balance of governance at City Hall, this is a meeting worth watching unfold in real time.
 By Eric Stern and Stephen White
February 16th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
On Monday, February 9, I live-streamed Burlington’s Committee of the Whole meeting. At least four delegations urged the City Council to reduce or defer development charges for new housing.
Council was eventually persuaded to move to the next step in granting a two-year freeze. The justifications were familiar: softer housing demand, unsold condos across the GTHA, economic uncertainty, affordability concerns, and potential layoffs in the skilled trades.
I found myself asking a simple question: why was there only one councillor aggressively challenging these arguments? Ontario law requires that development charges (DCs) be paid into the development charges reserve fund. If the purchaser of a new home doesn’t pay the DCs, the city will have to use either debt or general tax revenue to contribute to the reserve fund. The mayor was asked at least twice to clarify where the money for the DC reserve fund will come from, but did not provide a specific answer. The mayor is hoping that either the province or the federal government will provide funding; no agreement or program is in place, and this is nothing more than a hope.
Mississauga is the only city to come close to eliminating DCs.
“The motion eliminates development charges, effective immediately, for one-bedroom plus den and two-bedroom units. To be eligible, developers must pull a building permit before November 13, 2026.”
Burlington’s approved motion is an across-the-board elimination of DCs, including multi-million dollar homes.
So Much for a Free-Market Economy
Developers have perfected the art of ideological shape-shifting.
When the market was overheated pre-COVID, they demanded deregulation, faster approvals, and less government interference. Now that the market has cooled, those same voices are calling for government relief, reduced charges, and public support.
One can admire the intellectual fluidity, but let’s call it what it is: hypocrisy. You can’t champion the free market when profits are rolling in and demand government intervention when they aren’t.
I listened carefully to the case for reducing and deferring development charges. Here’s why I oppose it—and why I’m disappointed Council didn’t raise these points.
A Chronic Failure to Read the Room
 Residents warned for years that high-rise, investor-oriented condos were the wrong product. We urged developers to pivot toward housing people actually need. They didn’t listen. First, the condo slowdown didn’t arrive suddenly. It’s been building for years. Many of these units are tiny—often under 500 square feet—and overwhelmingly one-bedroom. They don’t work for families or multi-generational households. Demand didn’t disappear; it was misjudged.
Second, Ottawa signalled reduced immigration targets in 2023. Less immigration means less housing demand. The development industry either missed or ignored that signal.
Third, the reduction in the development charge is trivial. It’s roughly $11,000 on a 1-bedroom condo and $21,000 on a single-family home —a rounding error in the cost of a new home. I find it hard to believe this money will meaningfully result in more employment for tradespeople.
Fourth, the alarmism about layoffs rings hollow. Skilled trades are in chronic shortage. Talk to any renovator or contractor. Carpenters, electricians, bricklayers—these workers are mobile and in demand. Long-term unemployment is not the norm in this sector.
Fifth, a major supply shift is already underway. Baby Boomers are downsizing due to retirement, relocation, or death. Burlington has a disproportionately large 65+ population, and single-family homes—especially in south Burlington—are coming onto the market. This is exactly the housing young families want, yet it’s rarely factored into demand forecasts.
Finally, many residents warned for years that high-rise, investor-oriented condos were the wrong product. We urged developers to pivot toward housing people actually need. They didn’t listen.
I raised this with my councillor years ago and was dismissed. I’m not clairvoyant. I was just reading the market and paying attention to the macro-economic trends unfolding around me.
Exhibit A: Lakeside Plaza
Lakeside Plaza was once a thriving mall. For two decades, it was deliberately neglected, reportedly for tax advantages.
Since 2015, three redevelopment proposals have been brought forward. In public meetings in 2016, 2018, and 2023, residents were clear: affordable housing, low- to mid-rise buildings, and less density.
Each proposal ignored that feedback, offering instead a wall of high-rise condos along Lakeshore Road, with units barely fit for storage, let alone living.
More details here:
https://www.burlington.ca/en/news/current-development-projects/lakeside-plaza.aspx
Sorry, Not Sorry
Council has now approved what is effectively a bailout. How much revenue will be lost? Could be anywhere from $7.1 to $41.3 million.
Who fills the gap? And how much will it cost taxpayers in the future, who are already facing a 4.49% increase in their total tax bill—double the inflation rate (with Burlington’s portion of the bill increasing at a much higher 5.8%)?
I don’t feel sorry for developers. They helped create this problem. They were warned. They chose not to adapt.
 Eric Stern’s wish. If a manufacturer can’t sell cars or appliances because consumers don’t want them, they redesign, reduce prices, or retool. If small business owners hit hard times, they cut costs, delay investments, and sometimes lay off staff. That’s the reality of a free-market economy.
The real estate industry is not entitled to government-sponsored relief simply because it misread demand.
And if bailouts are on the table, where’s the relief for small businesses—or for taxpayers absorbing yet another tax hike?
The day I see repo trucks hauling off luxury BMWs from developer’s driveways is the day I’ll shed a tear. Until then—sorry, not sorry.
A colleague sent us an item that appeared on LinkedIn. It is the voice an Ontario lumber supplier.
Peter Turkstra, Turkstra Lumber, family owned and operated had this to say:
 By Pepper Parr
February 16th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
With little in the way of public notice, five of the seven members of Council have put the financial well-being of taxpayers at risk.
In September of 2025, Council approved as Motion to Direct the Commissioner of Development and Growth and the Chief Financial Officer to report back to the Pipeline and Permit Committee on October 9th on the options for a two year temporary development charges (DC) reduction with an appropriate impact analysis.
Early in the process of determining what a DC charge change would mean, the amount was suggested as a 20% reduction.
The cost to the city was estimated to range between $3,000,000 and $7,500,000
The property tax impact would be an increase between 0.06% to 1.44% .
All this went to Council on October 14th, 2025 and included:
For applications where a Site Plan or Zoning By-law Amendment is required, DC
rates are frozen for 18 months following approval.
Municipalities are allowed to charge interest over this time, not to exceed a maximum rate as prescribed by the DC Act.
Full exemptions for affordable housing units.
Full exemptions for non-profit housing developments.
Full exemptions for two (2) additional residential units within and/or ancillary to existing and new developments.
DC discounts for rental housing based on number of bedrooms per unit.
DC installment plan for purpose-built rental units – 6 annual installments payable starting from date of occupancy
Development charges are revenue to the city. When received they go into a reserve account from which they can be drawn when infrastructure has to be built.
Under the Development Charges Act any DC discounts from an amended by-law, which is what the city is proposing to do now, would need to be funded from the general tax base – which is you the taxpayer.
In the report Staff provided, they note that Development charges are difficult to estimate and are highly dependent on development activity. There has been very little development activity in Burlington in the last six months. One significant development pulled their plans.
Fast forward to February 9th were a Staff report talks in terms of temporarily eliminating Development charges.
The Agenda for that meeting set out to:
presents options to temporarily eliminate development charges either by pursuing amendment(s) to the City’s Development Charges by-law (DCs) or amendment(s) to the City’s Affordable Rental Housing Community Improvement Plan (ARHCIP).
After considerable debate, at times there were just five of the seven Council members at the table, they decided to xxxx and sent that recommendation to Council, which meets on Tuesday.
Between the adjournment of the Standing Committee, Mayor Meed Ward issued a Statement and Direction using the authority she has under the Strong Mayor Powers Act.
Those powers were given to the Mayor when Council signed a pledge to build 29,000 housing units by 2031. The City is nowhere near that number.
 Mayor Marianne Meed Ward Using her Strong Mayor Powers Mayor Marianne Meed Ward directed the Chief Financial Officer to include the following information in the CFO’s follow up memo to
Council, to be included on the February 17, 2026 Council agenda, regarding report “Options for the temporary elimination of Development Charges (DGM-03-26)”:
1. Development Charge Exposure Assumptions
Provide a detailed breakdown of the assumptions underlying the estimated Development Charge (DC) exposure range of $16 million up to $42 million, including:
o The assumed total number of residential units;
o The assumed unit mix by housing type;
o The applicable DC rate per unit type; and
o The resulting aggregate totals supporting both the $16 million and $42
million scenarios.
This information shall be presented in chart form and clearly outline all assumptions used in each scenario to enable Council to evaluate the likelihood and scale of the potential financial exposure; and,
2. Forecast of 2026 Residential Completions
Provide a forecast, informed by recent CMHC data and historical local development trends, identifying the number and type of residential units reasonably anticipated to achieve substantial completion in 2026, together with the corresponding DCs payable under current rates; and,
 CFO Craig Milar has been tasked with a mammoth job with a couple of days to get it done. We will see how well he has done on Tuesday 3. Associated Development Revenues
For the realistic forecast described in Item 2, as well as for the $16 million and $42 million scenarios, provide the estimated corresponding:
o Assessment growth;
o Building permit revenue;
o Parkland dedication revenue;
o Community Benefits Charge (CBC) revenue; and
o Any other development-related revenues.
The analysis should clearly identify revenues that would not be realized if such projects do not proceed; and,
4. Historical Residential Assessment Growth
Provide the City’s residential assessment growth for each of the past ten (10) year; and,
5. Historical and Recent Residential Development Charge Revenues
Provide the actual residential DC revenues collected in each of the past ten (10) years, together with the amount of DC revenues received in January 2024, January 2025, and January 2026, to provide historical context and assist in assessing
recent trends relative to the projected exposure scenarios; and,
6. Anticipated Funding Source – Realistic Scenario
For the realistic forecast described in Item 2, identify the anticipated funding source(s) required to offset any foregone Development Charge revenue, including:
o The potential use of operating surplus;
o The potential use of capital reserves and any other applicable reserves; and
o The current balance of applicable capital reserves and other reserves available to support such funding; and,
7. Alternative Implementation – Development Charge Grant Program
Provide an analysis of whether, as an alternative to amending the City’s Development Charges By-law, Council could establish a Development Charge Grant program that would:
o Provide a grant equivalent to the DC payable upon commencement of construction within a defined two-year period;
o Avoid amendments to the DC By-law; and,
o Reduce the risk of potential statutory challenges or unintended rate-locking implications associated with future by-law revisions; and,
8. Eligibility Criteria for Grant Program
As part of the analysis in Item 7, assess whether eligibility for a DC Grant program could be limited to residential units below a specified value threshold (for example, $1.75 million or another defined amount), thereby excluding luxury
residential units from eligibility.
 Marianne Meed Ward was just a citizen when this picture was taken. She became a Council member and then Mayor of the City and appears to have left the words behind. None of the ask has been made available to the public. It will be presented during the Council meeting on Tuesday. So much for transparency and accountability.
The options that were set out in the Staff report were:
Options
- Apply a temporary 2-year Residential DC exemption through an amendment to the DC By-law.
All residential developments will receive a full exemption of City development charges.
Estimated Cost $16.7M-41.3M
- Applying a temporary 2-year exemption for all Apartment units through an amendment to the DC By-law
All apartment units will receive a full exemption of City development charges
Other residential unit types are not affected and City DCs will continue to be applicable
Estimated Cost $10.7M-26.6M
- Apply a temporary 2-year exemption on 2BR+ Apartment units through an amendment to the DC By-law
Only 2BD+ apartment units will receive a full exemption of City development charges
Designed to incentivize larger high-density (apartment) units.
Other residential unit types are not affected and City DCs will continue to be applicable.
There was an additional Do Nothing option, which staff advised against for the following reasons:
Without action, it will likely mean development charges will not be collected, given market conditions and developments will not have been able to advance to occupancy in the near term.
A do-nothing approach would protect City documents (DC By-law and Background Study and the ARHCIP) from appeal or from compromising future updates.
A pause on action would allow the impact of other City, Provincial and Federal actions to play out which may provide insights into the best contribution and role the City can play to support the creation of new housing and the achievement of growth forecasts and ambitious housing targets.
Working together with the development community to resolve the extensive broad appeals to the BOP,2020 and subsequent appeals to OPA 2 would enable the City to even more aggressively pursue streamlining policies and processes to support City Council’s housing objectives. Unlocking those key appeals can pave the way for future phases of the Zoning By-law project and the Community Planning Permit System
How bad are things in the development community?
Related content:
Focus Burlington argues taxpayers should not be bailing out developers.
Gaetan: Keep an eye on this one.
 By Pepper Parr
February 17th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
Feedback from citizens who don’t like what they think is happening with the plans to eliminate Development charges for a two year peiod.
Can Burlington, acting alone, save the development industry
Developers don’t share profits in good years; in bad years, they expect us to share the losses
Property taxes are not geared to income; people on fixed incomes should not be forced to bail out industries. This is a federal or provincial responsibility
 Ward 6 Councillor Angelo Bentivegna  Mayor Marianne Meed Ward. In an election year, why are Bentivegna, the anti-tax guy, and MMW pushing this?
Why are all levels of government taxing housing to such a large extent
Can we pay postal workers to deliver flyers, auto workers to make climate-killing cars, and developers to build condos when there are thousands of condos on the market?
This council initiative has all the elements to end up like a fish that smells.
 By Tom Parkin
February 6th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
Skyrocketing average tuition under the Ontario Liberals helped Ford PCs win in 2018.
Canadian average tuition, 2006/07 to 2025/26
Ontario still has the highest average university tuition in Canada thanks to the Ontario Liberals, though a multi-year freeze has cut tuition by 17 per cent since they were defeated in 2018.
By the time the Ontario Liberals were defeated, four years of average tuition for a Canadian student cost nearly $40,000, up from about $26,000 in 2006/07, a 40 per cent increase.
The Ford PCs ended their freeze last week, allowing tuition to rise two per cent in each of the next three years.
Canadian average tuition rose 40% under Ontario Liberals
That 40 per cent increase increased the average Ontario university tuition cost by $2,642 a year in inflation-adjusted dollars. In the same period, annual tuition in Quebec rose $630, dropped $118 in Alberta, and in BC rose by $11.
The Ontario Liberals’ skyrocketing tuition helped Doug Ford into the premier’s office when his PCs highlighted it with a contrasting pledge to cut tuition 10 per cent, then cap it.
Ontario universities were already increasing revenue and expanding significantly on fees from international students. In the nine years from 2010/11 to 2018/19, the number of international students at Ontario universities increased by about 45,000, jumping from 35,000 to 80,000. The Ford PCs added 31,000 more international students in the next five years, reaching 111,000 in 2023/24.
But that international student revenue stream has now been throttled by the federal Liberals, who cut the number of visas available for temporary workers and students.
International students
With foreign student revenue now cut back, the Ford PCs last week ended its tuition freeze. It was a move several Ontario Liberals were quick to complain about, though none mentioned their role in creating the crisis.
Space for a new stance on international students
The sudden reversal on tuition policy can be an opening to a new public debate on the right way to draw international students to Ontario universities. Canadians rightly disliked a student visa system that commodified a path to Canadian citizenship. But simply cutting international students, rather than fixing the problem, throws out the baby with the bathwater
Ontario’s excellent universities are attractive to foreign students, who are willing to pay for an excellent education. Surely the UK., US or France would not stand in the way of Cambridge, Harvard or Le Sorbonne admitting full-freight students who help expand the educational excellence that benefits domestic students and the domestic economy.
Strong universities create jobs, drive globe-leading research and support innovation. A broader student base benefits Canadian students with wider course selection and internationally-recruited professors.
Universities are not an export good, but students coming to Ontario for an education bring money to Ontario’s economy.
There is space to advocate for a fixed student visa strategy that doesn’t commodify citizenship but does allow international enrollment that benefits Ontario’s students and economy. We’ll see if there is a political party willing to claim it.
 By Sadie Smithers
February 16th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
Understanding the variety of payment methods is crucial for any online casino enthusiast. Speed, convenience, and security are key factors that influence user satisfaction. Wildrobin offers a diverse range of options to cater to every player’s needs. Additionally, the wildrobin casino platform includes various payment methods to meet players’ needs.
 Financial data is secure. In the realm of online casinos, payment methods play an essential role in enhancing user experience. Players seek options that not only provide quick transactions but also ensure their financial data is secure. As the popularity of online gambling grows, the variety and efficiency of payment methods have become a top priority for platforms like wildrobin casino.
Common payment methods
Online casinos offer a plethora of payment options to suit different player preferences. Credit and debit cards are among the most common, offering ease of use and widespread acceptance. E-wallets such as PayPal and Neteller are also popular due to their speed and additional security features. Bank transfers, while reliable, often take longer to process. For those seeking anonymity, prepaid cards provide an ideal solution without compromising security.
 Cryptocurrencies Cryptocurrency payments have emerged as an increasingly popular option in the online casino industry, offering players enhanced privacy and faster transaction times. Digital currencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin provide decentralized payment solutions that bypass traditional banking systems. Many players appreciate the lower transaction fees associated with crypto payments, as well as the added layer of anonymity they provide. Mobile payment solutions have also gained traction, allowing users to make deposits directly through their smartphone billing systems or dedicated apps, making the gaming experience even more accessible and convenient for on-the-go players.
Speed and convenience
The speed at which transactions are processed is a critical factor for many online casino players. Instantaneous deposits allow users to start playing immediately, while swift withdrawals ensure players can access their winnings without delay. Payment methods that offer both these conveniences tend to be favored by users who value efficiency. Consequently, platforms like wildrobin casino prioritize offering fast and convenient options to enhance player satisfaction.
Security measures
 Financial transactions online. Security remains a paramount concern when dealing with financial transactions online. Online casinos implement advanced encryption technologies to protect user information from potential threats. This includes SSL certificates that safeguard data during transmission and multi-factor authentication to verify user identities. By ensuring robust security protocols, platforms build trust with their users, encouraging more frequent transactions.
A seamless payment process significantly enhances the overall user experience on online casino platforms. Players appreciate the ability to deposit funds easily and withdraw winnings quickly without facing unnecessary hurdles. By offering diverse and efficient payment options, platforms like wildrobin casino contribute positively to user engagement and retention.
 By Joe Gaetan
February 15th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
The issue raised in this article goes directly to the heart of transparency and accountability in municipal governance.
From a news report in the Gazette.
It’s Friday afternoon. The city is heading into a long weekend – Family Day on Monday.
The agenda for the Council meeting is on line. Some people make a point of checking it out.
There are several reasons to at least glance at it.
There is an item on the agenda that, if passed, would have the city not collecting development charges.
The meeting agenda for this coming Tuesday’s Regular Meeting of Council has not been made available to the public.
People who want to delegate have to register by noon on the business day before the meeting.
City Hall will close at the end of the day.
Quite why the City Clerk would let something happen is beyond understanding.
One would have thought that at least one Council member would have seen the problem and taken corrective action.
A decision not to collect Development Charges has the very real risk of costing the city a big bundle of money. And that money will eventually come out of the pockets of the taxpayers.
Link to the complete article.
The City bylaw that governs council meetings consists of more than minor administrative detail – it is a safeguard. The requirement that agendas be posted at least seventy-two hours before a regular Council meeting exists so that members of the public can review the business before Council, assess its implications, and decide whether to delegate. Without that notice, meaningful public participation becomes practically impossible. What is not known is when the 72 hour clock starts ticking. As this is a long weekend, the 72 hour notice requirement is technically attainable.
The Clerk’s role under section 7.1 includes ensuring notice of meetings is provided as set out in the by-law.
However, another section of the bylaw states that lack of receipt of notice does not invalidate a meeting. That clause should not be interpreted as a license to dilute transparency. It protects the City from technical challenges – it does not excuse avoidable failures in providing proper notice.
In a matter as significant as potentially foregoing Development Charges – with real financial consequences for taxpayers – the public deserves clear, timely disclosure. Seventy-two hours is not excessive; it is the minimum standard set by Council itself.
If the agenda was not posted within the prescribed time frame, that raises legitimate questions about the City’s procedural rules. More importantly, it undermines public confidence. Deferral, as suggested, may well be the prudent course – not only to clarify the financial implications, but to restore public trust in the process.
Transparency is not a courtesy. It is a condition of accountable government.
By Gazette Staff
February 15th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
Conservation Halton advises that this week will see mild temperatures and mixed precipitation which combined with antecedent conditions may lead to flooding.
 Great to look at: treacherous if children get too close. Daytime high temperatures are going to be above freezing this week, with Tuesday approaching double digits.
There is uncertainty surrounding the breakdown of the event, but a large Low pressure system will arrive Wednesday and bring significant precipitation in the form of snow or rain. Recent snow and ice monitoring indicates that the local water content of the snowpack is above our long-term average, and our rivers and creeks have significant channel ice cover. The snowpack will begin to melt with the warm temperatures and there is a risk of a rain-on-snow event for Wednesday, which has historically resulted in more significant spring freshet flooding and ice jams. The frozen ground will also increase runoff and contribute to elevated water levels.
Widespread flooding is not anticipated, however, fast flowing water and flooding of low-lying areas, natural floodplains, and areas with poor drainage may be expected.
Conservation Halton is asking all residents and children to keep a safe distance from all watercourses and structures such as bridges, culverts, and dams. Any ice-covered bodies of water are considered unsafe. Elevated water levels, fast flowing water, and cold water temperatures, combined with slippery conditions along stream banks continue to make these locations extremely dangerous. Please alert children in your care of these imminent dangers.
Conservation Halton will continue to monitor stream and weather conditions and will issue an update to this Watershed Conditions Statement – Flood Outlook message as conditions warrant.
This Watershed Conditions Statement – Flood Outlook will be in effect through Friday February 20, 2026.
 By Pepper Parr
February 15th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
 Adam Vickers, MRGLive point person. Adam Vickers was explaining to Council how the first Lakeshore Festival would play out in June of this year.
Mayor Meed Ward asks:
 “I notice at the moment that there’s no parade component. The parade was what got the Sound of Music started over 40 years ago. It was a marching band parade. I don’t know if the muster is the right word, but they would gather in the park and march there. And that’s really how the Sound of Music started. I’m very passionate about the parade and just wondering if you are open to that.
Adam Vickers the MRGLive point person on the event said: “We’ve had conversations with city contacts, and we’ve gone down this path, and I’ve been asked this question,
There are a couple different reasons we didn’t include it in the initial proposal. One was the financial side of it. We didn’t understand enough of what it took financially to put the parade on. And I’ve come to learn that past versions were free of charge to the parade participants. There’s a lot of associated costs to actually do it, street closures, you know, crew planning.
“That is not to say we couldn’t do a parade, but it’s not something we have a ton of experience doing.
“We would be open to exploring them for other years. I know that the parade is very important, so the other piece of that is that the sound of music was based on the parade. The Sound of Music was its own event. We are looking to separate ourselves from them and create something new.
“Then that is not to say that it’s off the table?
 I was just thinking, could the Teen Tour Band march down the Promenade on the Saturday morning? Councillor Paul Sharman asked: “Well, you know, I was just thinking, could the Teen Tour Band march down the Promenade on the Saturday morning if the team tour band wanted to walk down there, march down there?
Vickers, not wanting to commit to anything at this point, responds: “So again, this is not something that has been confirmed, but when we first started having these discussions, my first idea was to have the marching band on Saturday come through the site, up onto the stage and do a performance as part of the festival. I love drum lines, anything where I can get a bunch of drums in one place. I think it’s such a cool idea.
Sharman: “That wasn’t my question. My question was actually much more practical. Will the promenade be vacant? Will that space be open on Saturday morning? There was an opportunity to have the Teen Tour Band march down there.
Vickers: “It could be done, correct.”
The matter was left at that. Later in the day Staff had comments to make.
The conversations that followed the MRGLive presentation are funny, a furious waste of time and reveal a need to spend as much tax payers money as they can.
Council members really get into the weeds with their amendments and amendments to amendments stuff with the Motions they put forward. We will spare you as much as we can without losing the point.
Mayor Meed Ward ” I get that MRG does not want to do the parade, and that’s totally fine.
“I think we can keep it clean. They (MRG) are not eligible for the funding that we set aside( the $150,000) because they’re a for profit.
“There is a little bit of money – we wouldn’t need anywhere near that for a parade. But I’m just wondering if staff could undertake to ( I’m not going to suggest run it) but I think there are a number of community organizations that may be willing to step forward and deliver that for us as a as a partnership or an add on to the parade, and we’ve got some ability to provide some funding for that, should a partner, step forward.
“Rotary might be interested. They do festivals, even the folks that deliver this, the Santa Claus parade. For us, it’s just such a critical part of our heritage. And I did hear the the folks at MRG saying they are trying to brand their own Festival, and I absolutely get that. And so I’m not asking them to to deliver this, but I think it could be a neat add on. So what can you tell us about what we could do? I do have a motion to try my hand at whether we can get council to at least explore the options
 Commissioner Jackie Johnson Commissioner Jackie Johnson, serving as the Acting CAO, said “I’ll start by saying that we do understand that this has been something that some folks have wanted to see happen. And given the shortened timeline for this year’s event and the reduced amount of days for the festival, it isn’t something, we were going to be able to deliver. I would like to have the Director of Recreation, Community and Culture, Emily Cote, as well as Manager Kim if she wants to add some context around what this would look like, and sort of the rationale around why this is something that was not going to be feasible anyway, for 2026
 Director of Recreation, Community and Culture, Emily Cote. Emilie Cote: “Thanks, Jackie To reiterate kind of what Jackie said. The runway for parade is around a year. So that is typically the runway time that it takes to book bands do all the logistics. Given the short runway for MRG, that was also kind of why it wasn’t possible for them, given a lot of the new factors that are coming in this year as well, that’s also as part of the discussion. I just also wanted to point council back to the survey that we also did with the community back when we went out for a new provider. We asked folks to highlight themes and things that were imported for them. Parade didn’t show up as one of the items. So that was surprising to us.
“I do want to flag that we’re, of course, at the mercy of Council and the community in terms of if we were to go forward to run something, Our preference would be to have a longer runway. Look at 2027 that would be our preference. We’ve have had conversations with certain folks already. I mentioned last time we were here around the Burlington Teen Tour band alumni, they have expressed interest in doing something, especially with the next year being a large anniversary for the band. That said, if 2026 is really where we want to head to, we would need in the upwards of $50 to $60,000 to put that together. Even if we were to look to a service club to do that, there is a large aspect of logistics that would fall on our team, regarding the road closures, all the planning, as well as the going back and forth with MRG to make sure that the logistics really fits well with their event plan.
Mayor Meed Ward: Can you kind of walk us through what would be in there? Because I’m thinking, you know, a couple of grand for pay duty police officers to close the road. So how does it get up to 50 or 60,000 and is there a way to trim those expenses?
Emilie Cote: “The 50k is really around all the logistics behind the road closure. It includes vehicle mitigation, there’s also on a rear ends that go out to all the bands. So that’s a part of that. There are staffing costs. There’s police cost. Attached to that marketing, communications, as well. That’s been typically the budget that our prior vendor had worked with as well. Road closure is still being finalized, so depending on what that road closure looks like, if we’re looking at a completely different parade route, the cost could go up from that as well.
Mayor Meed Ward: Okay, “I’ll have more questions, but I’ll get back in line. (Members of Council can only ask two questions each time they speak).
Councilor Nissan: “Thank you for the chair, just confirming that they are going out with the for-profit model for this year.
Cote: ” Counselor they were exploring a not for profit arm, but just due to the runway, they weren’t able to make it happen for this year.
Nisan: “So it hasn’t been the door hasn’t been closed for future years.
Cote: “That’s correct.
Mayor Mead Ward returns: “I recall actually taking that survey myself. And I don’t think we asked at all about the parade, so it wouldn’t have come up. But I can tell you that on June, whatever it is, 18th, when we show up and there’s no parade, I can guarantee you’re going to hear about it. We won’t be able to do anything about it then. You didn’t ask at all about the parade, so it was just silent on that matter. Correct?
Cote: “Thank you for the correction. It wasn’t specifically asked.
Meed Ward: Okay, so we really don’t have a line of sight in the community unless we were to do another survey and ask them how important that was and then my next question is around.
“I was surprised to hear that we pay the bands an honorarium. I always thought people had to pay to be a float in the parade. Is there a way to, at least, for this year, to say, Hey, anybody that wants to participate and has a band, You’re welcome, but we’re not paying you to be there. And maybe you can contribute to the cost of it if we need them to. But I think we’ve got some funding to close the streets, and I know that it’s nowhere near 50 grand for for pay duty officers to close the street, but it’s, it’s, it’d be less than 5000 I would guess, for sure.
Cote: We absolutely could do a scaled down version, you know, and what that looks like, we’d have to, we have to look at it for sure. Definitely, the runway to book bands is too small , so we’d have to see who’s available for sure. But that definitely could be something, if that’s the will of Council, and we could look at different funding models for sure.
Councillor Bentivegna What are you commenting on?
Staff: Commenting on the report or the mayor’s proposal? She hasn’t put it forward yet.
Bentivegna: I want to wait until she puts it forward. Are you going to put it forward now.
Mayor MeedWard: First of all, thank you to staff for helping with the wording. And I’m not suggesting that you agree. It’s just always helpful to have some wording in advance, so we do have that circulated with the clerk. And this is, pretty flexible. It’s pretty wide open. It’s to explore opportunities for a parade in conjunction with, not saying that MRG needs to run it.
They’ve made it clear that they don’t have the bandwidth, which is totally fine. There might be a community group that could run it, and we don’t know what the costs are. I personally don’t think we need to pay honorarium for people to participate. I think we put a call out and say, who wants to participate? I think this is an important part of our music heritage and history, our marching band history, and this is an opportunity to showcase it. I don’t think it competes with the rebranding of the MRG Lakeside Festival; I think it can complement, and I think there’s opportunities even what Paul Sharman suggested to have the, you know, the Teen Tour band go down the Promenade, but I think we need to provide some direction and come to ground. I may be a lone voice here, which is fine, but I need to speak for what I think the community wants. We didn’t ask them, but I do know that anytime there’s a change to parades, we got it at the Santa Claus parade, people feel very passionately, and they will reach out and ask us to fix it and to make sure there’s participation. I want to get ahead of this early. If Council doesn’t want to go there, that’s totally fine, but I think it’s really important to do this. So this is here for council’s consideration. I think it gives you the flexibility you need, and you’ve certainly got some funding you can use as well.
I’ll let Councillor Bentivegna because he’s been so eager to speak to this.
 Bentivegna: First of all, I still want to talk about MRG, what isthe debate? The MRG delegation, did an absolutely incredible job. I don’t know about you guys, but I got a little excited about some of the things that he was proposing; I mean, it was just unbelievable.
“I’m concerned about us making some decisions outside of the MRG concept. We did discuss the parade with them and he he said he just didn’t know enough about the financing side of it, we doesn’t have enough time. And I know we were talking about someone else doing it, but when someone else does something that I’m doing in a big picture, I don’t want it to sort of mix up what I’m doing and what they’re doing and so on. But I look at it from a business standpoint. When you take over a business, it’s a new business, it’s new ideas, new excitement and a new look, and that’s what we need to evaluate on.
And he did say he would look at the following year, 2027, of doing something.
,Just my opinion. I know we all wanted to do well, so do I. We all have great ideas,I think we have a good operator,
Councilor Sharman: Well, the Teen Tour Band has come out for the last 14 years to the Appleby Line Street Festival. I can tell you, talk about excitement and professionalism, we have it all. The MRG people are also fabulous and professional and know exactly what they’re doing. I think the possibility of the combination could be phenomenal. I kind of take to heart, you know, the question of, would there be an overlap? Would they feel like we’re interfering with their flexibility and the logistics on the day? Clearly, that would have to be a discussion to be had. But, you know, he responded to the question, is the promenade going to be used and it was no. I don’t know about closing roads because I don’t know which part of the promenade would close. My question is, why not talk about it? Let’s see what we can do. Is the Teen Tour Band available on the Saturday morning?
We heard Adam this morning indicate that they would love to incorporate the band in some way, shape or form. So that’s already underway, but I think we’re talking about a little bit of it more than that with the parade discussion now.
Why not just proceed with the motion?
Councillor Nissan: Can we estimate what the approximate attendance of the parade is, ideally, in comparison with the Santa Claus parade?
Cote: I’m not sure we have that data, because we didn’t run the parade, and we did those ground-level insights last year in collaboration with BEDT. I don’t think we had specific details around attendance for the parade.
 Ward 3 Councillor Rory Nisan Nisan: Has Lakeshore said it’s not possible to do it this year. So is that the case?
Cote: Councilor, anything is possible if you asked me last year if we’d be able to find a successful vendor to deliver a festival here, I don’t know if we’d be here, and we are here so anything is possible for sure. I mean, certainly when staff are asked about our best decision, our best recommendation, you know, just given their resources and everything else we have going on in June, but we could do it, to your question.
Nisan: I’m open to exploring it more for 2027 rather than trying to make something work for this year. That being said, we’re aren’t talking about a significant amount of funding, and I would rather at least explore where else that funding could be used in the community, at least on a one-year basis, or going forward from there. There’s a lot of good we can do with that, with that money at this time, but I would be open to looking into it for future years. Seems very hard to pull off for 2026, very hard on the staff.
CouncilorStolte: I’m definitely in support of this motion. I would love to hear more about this. There have been rumblings of a group of volunteers who may or may not have a space to participate in the Lakeside Music Festival, who would very much like to put their efforts towards maintaining the parade and keeping it from disappearing. I don’t think it will take a ton of money, and I think we have a very engaged community who would like tests of staffing get that going. So I’d like to hear more about it.
Councillor Galbraith: Just gonna add my two cents. I only heard about this parade for the first time last week when the Mayor told me about it. Wasn’t aware that it started out as a Sound of Music event. I find it challenging to to put this together. After hearing staff for 2026 I can definitely support having a look at it for 2027 but I’m having a hard time with looking at it this year, so I think I’m going to pass on it.
But back to Councillor Nissan: Yeah, I’m actually wondering whether this amendment is necessary to potentially achieve the goals, as noted, particularly like Councillor Stolte, because she’s mentioning that there might be community partners interested. So my question to you, Emily and the team, what would you do if a community party came forward with an interest in doing a road closure, we have a road closure fund and doing a road closure to do a parade, you would evaluate that in the context of others and and we have the kinds of funding envelopes that could contribute to that.
So if we do, we need this amendment to allow that. . And they’ll have their own budget. I’m not sure who’s interested. If they came forward, we could look at that, right? Is there anything like whether we approve this motion or not, just whether we do the exploring, or whether the community does the exploring with us? I think we need a partner. I don’t think it works without a partner, and I like the optimism that there might be one. I haven’t heard it myself, but I’d rather let the community try if they want to so would that work.
. I think I read this amendment as us being a little bit more proactive and getting out there and soliciting interests and seeing if we can find someone. We have heard rumblings councilors, and we’ve heard groups and, you know, but so we would be a little bit more aggressive in that, in that approach. If this amendment were to go forward,
Thank you, Chair, I’m going to ask staff either way, whether we find a partner who’s going to do this, or whether we do it internally. How much time does it take to organize stuff like that? The questions that I have for staff is how much staff time are we talking about here? And can we be doing something more productive, I should say that something that is more within our means.
I think there’d just be a lot of logistics involved in trying to meet MRG street festival, road closure, and then where the best route could be. Obviously, when you can use an existing route. There’s some efficiency there, but I just can’t confirm that we’d be able to do that.
I’m just cautioning we have six months before this organization gets going, and we should be helping them do they want to do. I’m going to open my door to say, hey, come and see me. If you need help from me, I do anything I can.
Councilor Sherman: What happens if, for this year we just did the promenade? No road closures, nothing. They get out of their cars right there at the west end of the Parr, they congregate, they march down the promenade. And how much money is all that?
Cote: I think what we’re trying to say with with being politically correct, as conversations are still happening with MRG, because they’ve been running it like something like that is being planned.
Sharman: Okay, thank you. Let’s do that.
 Councillor Stolte: Thank you, . Councilor Sherman. My mind was blown there when we talked there a little bit about the extent of the parade historically, because it’s been done for how many years, a long time, a long time. I would still like to seriously see if the community groups coming forward have the capacity to fill in 90% of the blanks that will require only 10% of staff’s time to guide them or give them a little booklet, as in, this is how it’s been done for 45 years. This is what you need to let us know and see if we can make that happen.
Meed Ward: , It is very well attended and and your inboxes will be filling up if it doesn’t happen. We have actually a lovely picture of Takeshi Sakamoto in a open air vehicle. They came one year our twin city from Japan, during Sound of Music Festival. That’s one of our legacy historical pieces from our twin city relationship. They were just tickled pink to participate in that parade. And I personally think that I agree with Councilor Stolte, we have residents that are able to do this, but unless we put some kind of call out or proactive, if we just sit back and wait for people to wonder if the city wants to do it, wonder if there’s a possibility, wonder if there’s even money, we can actually be more helpful to our residents to say, actually, there’s all that. So let’s, let’s just see. Here’s a call out, not an RFQ, or an RFP, or any of that stuff. But I think when you said it, you know, in terms of predictability, if you had thought we would been here with a brand new vendor, we would, we wouldn’t be here if, if council didn’t push a little to say, We think you can do it. We think the community can do it. So let’s run a run something up the flagpole, so to speak, and see what comes back. And I have every confidence, just as I did when we asked if there was a new vendor that we’d get one.
I didn’t know it was going to be them, but wow, I have every confidence that will land this and for me, it’s do we do a parade or not? The logistics sort themselves out. If Council wants a parade, I think we have to do this direction. If you don’t, that’s okay. I’m going to send all the emails I get on this to you.
I think we can sort all of this out, honestly. Let’s not make it a bigger deal than it is. We’re good at this and, and we can figure it out. And I think the community will benefit from it.
And, and I think MRG actually, when I ask them the question directly, they’re not opposed to this at all. They just don’t want it to be part of what they’re doing, which is totally fine. We don’t need them to do we got other folks that can do it, and they’re already looking at potentially thinking about it for 2027 we don’t need to direct that today, but we do need to direct it if we want to keep it alive for 2026 and have that continuity so the motion stays, and we’ll see where the votes are.
Nisan: I have an amendment to the amendment. So let’s give it a quick shot here. I’m trying to thread the needle and put the community in the driver’s seat and let them come to us, because staff are clear that they are not going to get delivered this year, that it’s asking too much, and they have other events that they need to deliver as well.
I don’t think it’s it’s fair to say that, Oh, we could have done it, but we didn’t this. This is coming together quite late. And, you know, I’m open to 2027 but for 2026 this is what I would suggest I would let staff figure out how to communicate this to the community. How is the best way to do it, you know, whether it’s a press release or otherwise, reach out to the groups, but the idea is to be available to support a community driven parade.
So, yeah, that would be my amendment. I can, obviously goes without saying, support this. We have a harder time supporting the one that came before it.
Thanks. Okay, a couple speakers, Mayor, Mead, Ward.
 Mayor Meed Ward: Yeah, I’m fine with this. Yeah, I’m fine with this. That was the intent of exploring opportunities. So it’s just a different way of saying the same thing. In my mind, I’m just wanting to clarify that part of this would be making some funding available if, if they don’t think there’s funding available, we’re not going to get anybody. So do you need additional direction on making funding available from the pool that was already set aside for the the lakeside festival that is not being drawn upon?
Thank you, Mayor. I would suggest we add that in there, to be funded from the Community Investment reserve fund. Okay, I will make that further. Sorry, yes, if you’re good with that, I’m good, yeah, I’m good with that. Okay, so we’ll amend the and it’s not really an amendment to the amendment, but it’s it. That’s okay.
Councilor Bentivegnia: This is my last word on this. I will not be supporting this. I just see some red flags here because we got Lakeside music and art festival in this motion and this amendment, which means we’re involving them into this program, and then we’re wide open to be funded $1,000 $100,000 $200,000 you know, we should put at least an amount. I’m not going to support it either way.
Councillor Stolte: I’m actually really pleased to see this amendment. It’s something that I was considering bringing forward. I think it exactly words what we’re hoping to do just to support a community driven parade. I think the funding should be available. And to tell you the truth, given what we heard from our delegate this morning from MRG, I think they might actually be quite pleased to know that they’re off the hook for planning future parades, because I don’t think they’re in the parade business.
Chair: Okay, seeing no further comments, I will now call the vote on the amendment to the amendment,
All those in favour, any opposed, and that carries.
Now back to the amendment as amended.
All those in favour, and any opposed, and that carries,
An then, the main motion as amended. All those in favour, any opposed, and that carries.
This goes to a City Council meeting on Tuesday.
 By Ray Rivers
February 15th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
US president Donald Trump doesn’t believe in global warming and calls it a hoax. He obviously believes that his intuition is more powerful than all the scientific evidence and meteorologic data generated by thousands of scientists around the globe who make a living studying this stuff. So he has just killed the ‘Endangerment Finding’, the legislative requirement enabling the USEPA to regulate climate changing emissions.
Perhaps it is just a defensive pose. Greenhouse gases are long-lived in the atmosphere and that makes America the nation most responsible for global warming. It has been the greatest historical emitter of greenhouse gases (GHGs) on the planet – accounting for approximately 20% to 25% of all cumulative global emissions since 1751. And US carbon emissions are once again increasing after a decade of decline.
 World’s Biggest Solar Farm Goes Live in China China is currently the bad guy when it comes to annual greenhouse emissions but that may be changing. Both China and India have invested heavily in solar and wind power. And, for the first time since the 1970’s both nations have reduced their coal usage. That stands in contrast to Mr. Trump who is actually demanding more coal burning in America. And coal is only one of the two major sources of carbon emissions in America.
The other major source is the internal combustion engine (ICE), or as we know it the motor car. As far back as 1943, smog from industrial and auto pollution was so bad in Los Angeles that people couldn’t see to drive their cars – in fact they kept crashing into each other. And because the US was at war with Japan everyone imagined that this was a poison gas attack by their enemy. But it was really a self inflicted injury caused by their internal enemy – US made tail pipe and industrial emissions.
 Research is now showing that smog is also a precursor for dementia and Alzheimer’s outcomes. President Richard Nixon ushered in the Clean Air Act to clean up America’s smog filled cities. But even before him, another Republican, California governor Ronald Reagan established the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to fight severe Los Angeles smog and enable the state to set strict, trailblazing, emission standards in 1967.
California also led the world on phasing out toxic lead from gasoline as early as 1976. And it led the nation by requiring tight fuel efficiency standards, and ultimately low carbon fuel efficiency standards. And more recently by introducing an Electric Vehicle (EV) mandate, the phase out of new gas guzzlers by 2035, much like what Canada and Europe had introduced. Mr. Trump’s Congress last year not only killed the EV mandate but also weakened federal tailpipe standards, including those for heavy duty trucks.
The result of these actions will be a return to ever increasing air pollution for American cities. The US may not have the dirtiest air in the world but American cities trail the rest of the world when it comes to clean air. We have long known that dirty air is associated with any number of human health outcomes, from asthma to lung cancer, heart disease and, of course, death.
More recently researchers have concluded that smog is also a precursor for dementia and Alzheimer’s outcomes. They found that “PM2.5, a particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less, could increase the risk of dementia by 17%. It was small enough to be inhaled deep into the lungs and came from sources including vehicle emissions, power plants, wood burning and construction dust.”
Mr. Trump is a champion for the application of tariffs, though mostly his appear to be politically motivated or indiscriminate. Back in the 1990’s when America was a leading force on climate and pollution, it had developed a tariff regime which it planned to apply to those nations out of compliance with the Kyoto Protocol. Such a mechanism would have levelled the competitive economic field.
 The Kyoto Protocol has 192 parties (191 states and the European Union) that ratified the agreement, making them legally bound to its targets. That proposal died when GW Bush took America out of that climate change agreement, though others, including Canada for a short time, and Europe, continued to observe the Kyoto agreement. And Europe has developed a tariff regime along the lines once proposed by the Americans.
One can only hope that the EU has the resolve to slap tariffs, as appropriate, on all dirty imports, and especially those from Trump’s America. One can only hope that Canada does the same.
 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:
Endangerment Finding – Killer Smog – California’s Fight on Pollution
Trump Loves Coal – India/China Coal – Dementia and Pollution – Environmental Tariffs –
 By Jennifer Danish
February 16th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
Online slots have remained one of the most popular gaming formats among Canadian gamblers for many years. Their popularity stems from their simple rules, dynamic gameplay, and diverse bonuses and themes. Among the countless online pokies featuring ancient Greek gods, adventurers, and explorers of space and the deep sea, Royal Potato 2 from Print Studios stands out. Authorized users at https://casoola.com/ca note its unusual mechanics and vibrant visual style, which differs from traditional casino games. The slot offers an updated bonus structure and multiplier system, which, combined with high volatility, provides an enjoyable gaming experience.
Basic Information about Royal Potato 2
 Royal Potato 2 is a video slot with a classic 5×4 grid and 30 paylines. To win, you need to line up at least three identical symbols on a payline. Payouts are made from left to right, starting with the leftmost reel. During the game, players on casino Casoola and other gambling platforms can adjust their bets based on their bankroll. The betting range starts at 0.02x. The maximum bet is 0.25x per spin. The maximum win can reach 40,000x the initial bet.
Theme and Graphics in Royal Potato 2
This is an absolutely charming slot, with interesting, masterfully designed graphics and a multitude of unique characters. The game grid simulates a potato field with funny faces and plants. It is here that potatoes of all kinds enjoy their royal life (participating in countless balls, parties, and dances). The main colors of the game are green and earthy.
Key Features of the Royal Potato 2 Slot
Royal Potato 2 features 10 regular symbols, with King Eduardo as the best. Five of these symbols on a winning line award casino Casoola players a 50x payout. The game also features other high-paying symbols, such as Queen Taterina, Duchess Waffle, Countess Fritoria, Baron Rosti, and Lord Chippington. Lower-paying symbols include purple, orange, green, and blue potato flowers. Standard payouts for low-value flower symbols range from 0.3x to 3x the bet.
 Royal Potato 2 does not feature wild symbols, but it does feature several bonus features that significantly increase players’ chances of winning. Here are the most notable:
- Scatter (potato). This symbol pays out regardless of which reel it lands on, as long as there are at least three of them. As a reward, casino Casoola players receive 10, 12, or 14 free spins.
- Superspinners (small stones on the reel dividers). They can remain inactive or display a random number on each spin. Any win on a payline intersected by a Superspinner receives the multiplier it displays. Wins landing on multiple stones are multiplied sequentially.
- Bonus Buy. The Scatter Boost and Enhanced Scatter Boost features increase the number of bonus symbols on the reels by 50% and 150%, respectively, increasing the bet. The Royal Levy feature is activated at 31.70x the bet. The regular Spud Spins bonus is worth 100x the bet. Enhanced Spud Spins bonus with a guaranteed golden Superspinner and at least one sack of potatoes for a 340x bet.
- Royal Levy. This feature is activated by landing at least two King or Queen symbols on the reels. All values are added together, and each highest-paying symbol awards an instant prize of up to 500x or a Scatter symbol, which can trigger a bonus round.
 Overall, the Royal Potato 2 slot is packed with so many features that it’s almost overwhelming. Experienced casino Casoola players will surely appreciate it, but newcomers may find it a bit confusing. Royal Potato 2’s high volatility makes every game session truly exciting. High rollers will especially enjoy this slot. Thanks to the various bonus purchase options, they can place bets significantly higher than the base bet.
By Gazette Staff
February 14th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
Joseph Brant Hospital uses Linked In to recruit specialized staff.
Does it work?
 Dana, a Professional Practice Educator (PPE) for Surgical Services, Oncology & Ambulatory Care “I’ve always been drawn to a career that involves working closely with others and helping people,” said Dana, a Professional Practice Educator (PPE) for Surgical Services, Oncology & Ambulatory Care at Joseph Brant Hospital.
PPEs support the development and adoption of best practices across care areas and contribute to quality improvement, team development and a positive workplace culture. “It’s so rewarding to see new initiatives come to life and know they will make care safer and better for our patients,” she added.
We’re currently recruiting for a full time Professional Practice Educator to join our Perioperative/Operating Room Team. If you’re looking to make a meaningful impact in patient care, work with a dedicated team and enjoy a fulfilling work-life balance, we encourage you to learn more and apply: https://lnkd.in/gXhREGvs
 Young adults today face unemployment rates reminiscent of a recession as well as a housing crisis that leaves many unable to afford necessities. The Canadian economy is leaving many young people behind. Young adults today face unemployment rates reminiscent of a recession as well as a housing crisis that leaves many unable to afford necessities. Some 78 per cent of Canadians expect the next generation to be worse off than their parents. Growing wealth inequality has made young people even more pessimistic as they see mounting evidence that the economy is not working for them. They are earning less, saving less and face high barriers to owning assets unless they have help from family.
 We also know that Canada’s taxes and benefits are skewed heavily towards serving older people. It is estimated that government spending on those 65-plus is three to four times greater than on those under 45. While Old Age Security (OAS) has become more generous over the last 50 years, government transfers to younger Canadians remain unchanged. At the same time, many seniors pay little or no tax thanks to overly generous tax exclusions, deductions and credits.
Last fall’s budget extended small amounts of funding to various youth employment programs, but the overall numbers don’t lie. The budget includes an increase of $28.3 billion in OAS spending by 2029, but less than $1 billion in new youth employment spending. As our policymakers grapple with how to structure a broad policy response to changes in global economics and geopolitics, we need to address problems with our taxes and benefits as well.
A youth employment supplement (YES) to the Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) would be a creative, scalable, cost-efficient way to motivate young people to get a job, as well as help those who are working but don’t make enough to save and invest. An early version of this model was proposed in a project by graduates Gabriel Blanc, Samuel De Grâce, Kiran Gill and Jacob Kates Rose from the Max Bell School of Public Policy at McGill University.
The Canada Workers Benefit
The CWB offers means-tested tax relief to lower-income working Canadians in the form of a refundable tax credit. All Canadians over 19, except those who are enrolled in post-secondary education or are incarcerated, become eligible for the benefit after the first $3,000 of employment income.
The refundable tax credit increases as income goes up. In 2025, it topped out at $1,633 for individuals and $2,813 for families. The CWB is gradually reduced once adjusted net income reaches a certain threshold. No benefit is received if net earnings are greater than $37,742 for individuals and $49,393 for families. Alberta, Quebec and Nunavut have different negotiated thresholds. Federal legislation allows provinces autonomy in how the CWB is structured.
 The CWB, which grew out of a similar benefit introduced in 2007, has had support across the political spectrum and has encouraged people to work and helped reduce poverty amongst those who are employed. However, young people are the group most likely to live in poverty and the workers benefit does not do enough for them.
How would a youth employment supplement work?
A youth employment supplement could be created through an amendment to the Income Tax Act that would double CWB payments for single workers between 19 and 29 years old to an additional maximum of $2,000. To ensure the YES were properly targeted, the supplement would be calculated using existing CWB phase-in and clawback rates. Based on 2024 tax data, the average YES benefit for singles would amount to $1,179.
The supplement would not place any administrative burden on recipients. The Canada Revenue Agency would be able to determine eligibility and disburse funds using existing tax data. Based on the current proportion of CWB recipients between the ages of 19 and 29, a YES could benefit close to two million Canadians. And, as the CRA expands automatic filing, even more young workers could seamlessly receive the benefit.
Expected impact
Young adults today face higher hurdles to economic security, home ownership and saving for retirement or emergencies than previous generations. And building assets requires disposable income to invest and save. A 2024 report from Statistics Canada found that 55 per cent of people between the ages of 25 and 44 had difficulty meeting day-to-day expenses. . And a rental survey last summer found that almost half of respondents between 18 and 24 were spending more than 50 per cent of their income on rent, while facing an increasingly insecure job market.
At the same time, young people are carrying growing debt that many are unable to pay off. These debts are increasingly to private credit services that charge extremely high interest rates. A YES would not only help young Canadians meet basic needs, but would also aid them in establishing a viable financial foundation.
Income support programs like this have been shown to improve post-secondary educational outcomes and workforce participation. Research also shows that programs like a YES encourage financial planning and help maintain a stable, consistent standard of living in the face of uncertain income patterns.
 Canada is facing significant economic transformation driven by climate change, technology and a rupture in North American and global trading and security. Canada is facing significant economic transformation driven by climate change, technology and a rupture in North American and global trading and security. Although the long-term trends are uncertain, we are already seeing reduced hiring, particularly for entry-level professional jobs. Our taxes and benefits need to provide more security and income support to younger workers.
Costing and potential funding sources
In the 2024 tax year, a YES for single adults, defined as those with no spouse or dependents, would cost $2.29 billion. This figure does not include the cost of any changes to the disability supplement (to the CWB) or a YES for couples. These would need to be designed differently and would have additional costs.
By encouraging young adults to work, the added supplement to the CWB would, over time, lead to workforce retention and increased employment rates. And due to its inherent flexibility, it could easily be scaled or altered. Additional income tax revenue from the YES would also offset some of the costs.
New targeted programs, such as a YES, could be funded by reforms to our taxes and benefits. Paul Kershaw, founder of and lead researcher at Generation Squeeze, estimates that modest changes to Old Age Security and age and pension income tax credits would save between $14 billion and $19 billion annually.
An agenda for young adults
 Canada is overdue for a broader debate on intergenerational fairness and how our taxes and benefits support — and exclude —different age groups. We continue to live with programs designed by baby boomers to provide security to seniors — even if they are well off. Yet young adults in our country face challenges entering the labour market, securing stable employment and saving to build some measure of economic security in the face of rising costs in almost every sector.
There is almost no government agenda to address this growing disparity. We need policies designed to make the economy work for younger Canadians and to show that Ottawa is responding to their needs. A youth employment supplement could help rebuild financial security and allow younger adults to buy homes, finance education for themselves or their children and save for the future.
Editor’s note: The authors would like to acknowledge Jennifer Robson, Paul Kershaw and Gillian Petit for their insightful comments.
Matthew Mendelsohn is the CEO of Social Capital Partners. He is a former deputy minister with the federal and Ontario governments and was a professor of political science at Queen’s University and director of the Mowat Centre at the University of Toronto.
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