 By Staff
April 12th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
 Much needed facility will go to City Council for final approval later this month
A five (5) storey Long Term Care Facility building containing 256 beds and a six (6) storey Retirement Home building containing 115 units to be developed as well as associated ancillary commercial uses in the ground floor.
The proposed gross floor area for the Long Term Care Facility building is approximately 17,346 m² and for the Retirement Home building is approximately 9,510 m² resulting in a Floor Area Ratio of 1.8.
Additionally, the development proposes 238 vehicle parking spaces including 6 accessible parking spaces, 8 bicycle parking spaces and 2 loading spaces.
The development was recommended by Planning department and goes to Council later this month where a vote to approve the development will be taken.
 By Staff
April 12th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
The City’s summer swimming lessons and aquatic leadership programs will be opening for registration on April 22 at 9 a.m. The programs are viewable online now.
Adult 19+ and Adult 55+ summer programs will be opening for registration on May 27 at 9 a.m. with programs viewable online on May 17.
View registration information at burlington.ca/recreation.
 Learning a life long skill Saturday, April 22 9 a.m. • Swimming lessons for all ages and skill levels are available in group and private lesson formats
• Aquatic leadership courses
• Log in and register at liveandplay.burlington.ca.
 Waiting for the ball to come their way. Saturday, May 27 9 a.m. • Variety of in-person indoor and outdoor opportunities
• Sports, games, fitness, creative activities, music programs, social events, discussion and learning programs
• Log in and register at liveandplay.burlington.ca.
Non-resident registration opens April 28 for swimming lessons and Aquatic leadership programs, and June 2 for Adult programs.
Summer youth and camps programs went on sale in Spring. Some spaces are still available for select summer youth and camp programs; registration is open now.
 Assisted Registration
Residents who need extra support or do not have online access to register for programs can call 905-335-7738 for staff-assisted telephone registrations starting April 22 and May 27 at 9 a.m. The Recreation customer service team is also available through email at liveandplay@burlington.ca. Phone and email support is available Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and weekends 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
In-person registration is available starting Monday following the launch at Tansley Woods Community Centre, Burlington Seniors’ Centre and other recreation customer service counters during program times.
Recreation Fee Assistance
Recreation is for all, regardless of financial situation. Recreation Fee Assistance is funding made available to resident individuals or families who need help to pay for City of Burlington recreation programs. For more information or to apply, visit burlington.ca/feeassistance.
 Emilie Cote, Director of Recreation, Community and Culture “No matter your age, our programs are a great opportunity to get out, meet friends, make new ones and get active in your community. Our catalogue has programs for arts, athletics, education and more.”
 By Staff
April 12th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Spring has finally sprung, which means planting season is just around the corner!
Whether you have a green thumb or are just starting out, Community Living has you covered and they are ready to help your garden grow!
They have teamed up with BigYellowBag and Plantables. Both companies deliver high quality garden products straight to your door.
 Give and Grow with Big Yellow Bag- Garden Soil
When you use promo code CLBURL23 at www.bigyellowbag.com
You will receive $5.00 off your purchase
BONUS – SAVE an additional $10 when you order by April 30th
CLB earns $10 for each bag order
 There is value for money here. Plant and Grow with Plantables- Organically Grown Plants
Choose from 25+ varieties of organically grown plants, that are tasty and as easy-to-grow. All plants are just $4.50 and shipping right to your door is only $14.99 (Free after $75). Use promo code CLBURL23 at https://plantables.ca/for/clburl23
Your plants arrive on your doorstep
CLB earns 10% of every order
Your garden helps us grow. It’s easier, than ever to support Community Living Burlington!
If you have any questions regarding either fundraiser, please email fundraising@clburlington.ca
You can only imagine what your support will do for Community Living
 By Staff
April 6th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
The Bruce Trail Conservancy (BTC) will be conducting a controlled burn at the site of Fisher’s Pond located off Cedar Springs Road in Burlington the week of April 10-14, 2023. The aim of the controlled burn will be to continue the work of transforming the surrounding meadowlands into a tallgrass prairie, one of the rarest habitats in Ontario, while reducing the amount of invasive vegetative species gaining control in the area.
 A wide area can be burned off to permit new growth. Always tightly supervised with very close attention paid to wind conditions. The controlled burn will take place on a single day between April 10 and 14, 2023. The timing of the burn must be carefully chosen based on weather and climate conditions as well as mindfulness of ecological concerns, such as reptile movements and the nesting activities of birds. As such, the exact date of the burn will be determined swiftly when conditions are appropriate. The BTC will post a notice on our website and social media channels once the date is confirmed. On the day of the burn there will be no access to the Fisher’s Pond Side Trail or the main Bruce Trail between Springer Crescent and Guelph Line. BTC Staff will be positioned at entrance points to advise trail users.
A controlled burn, also called a “prescribed burn”, is a widely used method that allows for the growth and regeneration of native grasslands. This deliberately set, carefully planned and controlled fire will be conducted by specialists from Lands & Forests Consulting, a company with extensive experience ensuring that burns are controlled, safe, and occur in such a way that minimizes smoke in the surrounding areas. Local fire services have approved the burn plan and the site will be monitored by Lands & Forests Consulting continuously until the burn is declared out.
 Smoke will exist while the burn is taking place and for approximately 48 hours after the fires have been extinguished. Residents near Guelph Line and Dundas Street in Burlington and the surrounding areas may see smoke while the burn is taking place and for approximately 48 hours after the fires have been extinguished, however, smoke issues will be minimized by burning under specific wind directions and atmospheric conditions. Please be advised that visible smoke in the area is not cause for concern and firefighting services will be on standby in the highly unlikely event that emergency action is necessary.
Regular controlled burns are an important natural component in establishing and maintaining endangered plant communities restricted to prairie habitats in Ontario, which have been in
 By Corinne Galvan
April 11th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Were you aware that there are nearly three billion online games in existence? In fact, the chances are high that this number is actually under reported. While virtual games can be a great deal of fun, it is important to remember that they can also be used to hone specific skill sets. Let us take a look at four game categories and how each may positively impact your mental “fitness” over time.
 Strategy-Based Platforms
Games such as chess and checkers have existed in one form or another for thousands of years. In the same respect, it is known that the Romans incorporated dice as a form of entertainment.
These bundles are unique in the fact that they teach basic forms of strategy. This is why they are even taught to military cadets. The good news is that you do not have to enlist in the army to enjoy all that such platforms have to offer. There are plenty of online versions to choose from.
Making Decisions Under Pressure
 Do you enjoy visiting an Ontario casino from time to time? If so, why not translate this form of entertainment into the digital domain? We are all aware that many individuals register with virtual casinos as a means to earn an additional side income. However, many of the games themselves represent excellent ways to become comfortable when thinking under pressure. Poker, backgammon, roulette, and blackjack are all associated with time limits and therefore, being able to make on-the-spot decisions is a talent that should never be taken lightly. Casinos can help to improve and augment this skill set.
Visual Acuity
There are still other types of online games which can help to improve your visual acuity if played on a regular basis. In fact, medical professionals have employed such methods for quite some time. The good news is that the casual nature of these platforms is sure to provide you with hours of entertainment. Point-and-click games are a perfect example, as they are rather lighthearted and still challenging. Many can be downloaded as a smartphone application that plays offline; an additional benefit while out and about.
 Critical Thinking
Possessing sharp and flexible critical thinking skills is crucial during countless real-world situations. While this is an inherent trait of all human beings, the approaches themselves can be improved by playing online games. Strategy-based platforms and decision-driven variants are two common examples. As the story is partially based on the choices that players make, they will be required to think outside of the proverbial box if they hope to succeed. There are even times when collaborative efforts are supported (such as when accessing a multiplayer game).
While we are all aware that online games are a great deal of fun, they can also offer a wide spectrum of additional benefits that are not always apparent at first glance. Feel free to explore the virtual community in order to further determine which genre is the most appropriate for your unique tastes!
 By Pepper Parr
April 11th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Is there anyone who speaks for and about transit issues in Burlington?
The six members of Council are now all Deputy Mayors with what Mayor Meed Ward called a “portfolio” which portfolio looks into and after the transit service – the word doesn’t event appear in the list of portfolios.
 Imagine seeing one of these scooting up and down Brant Street or along Fairview. They are called Autonomous Vehicles that drive along a pre-determind route, can carry up to eight passengers along with a driver who could take over the wheel if needed. Transit sucks up a significant portion of the budget. This council is tightly focused on getting both affordable and attainable housing in place for the thousands of people who are expected to call Burlington home by 2031
They are going arrive – how will they get around the city – there is already a considerable amount of grid lock.
 Sue Connor, former Director of Transit for Burlington. There was a time when the city had one of the best transit operators in the province serving is as Director of Burlington Transit. For reasons that were never explained Sue Connors moved on and now spends a lot of her time with CUTRIC, Canadian Urban Transit Research & Innovation Consortium where her experience is being put to good use.
While with Burlington Connors shepherded Council through the challenge the city faced is as it began thinking how it would move away from diesel powered buses to battery or hydrogen fuel cells systems. There are significant differences between the two.
Battery powered buses have been around for some time; hydrogen is more recent. Much of the thinking about which works best is being done at CUTRIC.
Burlington doesn’t have a single member of Council with any depth of understanding about the challenges the city faces.
The current Council doesn’t seem to have much in the way of appetite for both understanding and resolving the issue.
This failure, and it is a failure not an oversight is something the city will pay for dearly in the not too distant future.
The city did declare a Climate Emergency – it sort of got left at that. Councillor Nisan has the Environment portfolio but don’t expect him to take up the torch for buses that don’t pollute – unless there is an advantage in it for him – polishing up the profile wouldn’t be excuse enough.
 There is little interest in transit in Burlington. It would be safe to say that not one member of council has been on a bus so far in this term of office. People in Burlington want to drive in their car and complain about grid lock. There is nothing exciting about transit – but if the city went after an opportunity to be a pilot site for one of these autonomous vehicles thousands of people would at least want to try one out.  Ward 1 – Councillor Kelvin Galbraith; Deputy Mayor for Business & Red Tape Reduction:
Ward 2 – Councillor Lisa Kearns; Deputy Mayor for Community Engagement & Partnerships.
Ward 3 – Councillor Rory Nisan; Deputy Mayor for the Environment
Ward 4 – Councillor Shawna Stolte; Deputy Mayor for Housing
Ward 5 – Councillor Paul Sharman; Deputy Mayor for Strategy & Budgets
Ward 6 – Councillor Angelo Bentivegna; Deputy Mayor for Recreation and Community Services
Do you see the word “transit” in the portfolios the members of Council have as Deputy Mayors ?
Transit is getting a lot of attention in other municipalities. Whitby was the location for a pilot of the Autonomous buses driven by batteries.
Salt with Pepper is the musings, reflections and opinions of the publisher of the Burlington Gazette, an online newspaper that was formed in 2010 and is a member of the National Newsmedia Council.
 By Pepper Parr
April 11, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Chris Goff lives in ward 3 and drives school buses that get children who live in Aldershot to school.
While a student at Mohawk College he served as the student representative on the Board of the Community College.
 Chris Goff, candidate for the wards 1&2 trustee seat on the Halton District School Board. He also served on the Board of the Association of Community Colleges.
He describes his strength as someone who understands and has experience in governance issues; something he feels can be improved at the Halton District School Board.
His view is that the trustees are elected to oversee the running of the school board – not to get into the weeds of daily operations.
Goff would like to see better communications between the Board of Education and the parents. His view is that the “messaging is poor”.
His concern with the Oakville High School teacher, who is no longer in the classroom, was from a safety perspective. Dressed as he was Goff felt student safety was at risk.
Goff has attended school board trustee meetings prior to the pandemic lock downs and is familiar with how they do their work.
Goff said he has seen and reviewed past budgets but was not aware the Board of Education currently has a survey out asking people for feedback before they deliberate the budget for 2023-24
The two top issues for Goff are problems with the school bussing and the mental health of students. The operation of the school buses is handled by the Halton Student Transportation Services; they sign contracts with the bus operators on behalf of both the public and Catholic school boards – not something the trustees handle other than oversight.
Goff’s long term hope for education in Ontario is better communication and more attention paid to the processes that are relied upon. The system is Ok said Goff; it is the processes that need improvement.
Goff ran in the election that took place last October. The by-election was necessary due to the resignation of a newly elected trustee.
Goff had a very positive opinion on the STEM program at Aldershot High School but added that “the last two years have been rough – the students couldn’t be in class due to the Covid19 pandemic.”
Goff’s web site can be found HERE
By Pepper Parr
April 10th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Members of city council are also members of Halton Regional Council where they earn $62,647.00 annually.
 Ward 3 Councillor Rory Nisan They are also reimbursed for expenses they incur attending conferences – the registration for the conferences is paid for by the Region
Ward 3 Councillor Rory Nisan cost the Region $71,933 –
$62,647 in salary,
$5,356 in “other expenses”
and $3,930 in conference attendance.
No other Councillor took away more than $70,000 cumulatively or more in conference and other expenses.
 Rory Nisan at a conference with MPP for Oakville North Burlington. Nisan, who is now in his second term is as a City and Regional Councillor, got more in the way of Regional funds than anyone else on the 24 member Council, with the exception of Gary Carr who is Chair.
We have reached out to the Councillor for some detail on just what the “other expenses” were and which conferences he attended.
 There has been no response to date
 By Paul Sebastian
April 10th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Mountain biking is a thrilling and adventurous outdoor activity that has become increasingly popular in recent years. While it was once considered a sport for adults, mountain biking has now become a family-friendly activity, with many parents introducing their children to the sport at a young age. This article explores the world of mountain bikes for kids’ adventures and highlights some of the benefits of this exciting and engaging activity.
Choosing the Right Bike
 The right kind of bike at the right time will mean a lifetime of enjoying the sport. One of the most important things about mountain biking for kids is selecting the right bike. Like adults, kids’ mountain bikes come in various sizes and models, and choosing the appropriate one for your child is essential. It’s important to consider the child’s age, height, and weight when selecting a mountain bike. Additionally, you should look for bikes with adjustable seat heights, easy-to-use brakes, and lightweight frames that are comfortable for the child to ride.
Benefits of Mountain Biking for Kids
Mountain biking is an excellent outdoor activity for kids because it has many benefits. Firstly, it allows children to get out and enjoy nature. Mountain biking allows kids to explore new trails, experience different terrains and environments, and appreciate the beauty of nature.
Furthermore, mountain biking can help improve children’s physical health by developing their cardiovascular fitness, endurance, and strength.
Moreover, mountain biking is an excellent way to develop children’s social skills. Kids can ride with friends and family, creating opportunities for social interaction, bonding, and teamwork. It’s also a great way to build self-confidence, as children can push themselves to take on new challenges and develop new skills.
Safety Tips for Kids
 Helmets are a MUST. Make sure it fits properly. When it comes to mountain biking for kids, safety is of utmost importance. Parents should ensure that their children have appropriate safety gear, including a helmet, knee and elbow pads, gloves, and sturdy shoes. Additionally, parents should teach their kids how to properly use their brakes and ensure that their bikes are in good condition before each ride. Children should also be taught the importance of staying on the designated trails and avoiding areas that may be too challenging for their skill level.
Mountain Biking Programs for Kids
 Getting the kids off to a good start will result in safe biking. Many communities and organizations offer mountain biking programs for kids. These programs are designed to teach children the basics of mountain biking, including proper technique, safety, and bike maintenance. These programs also allow children to meet and ride with kids with similar interests. Furthermore, some programs offer competitive opportunities for kids who want to take their mountain biking skills to the next level.
Conclusion
Mountain biking is an exciting and engaging outdoor activity that kids can enjoy. It provides an opportunity for children to explore the beauty of nature, improve their physical health, develop social skills, and build self-confidence. When it comes to mountain bikes for kids’ adventures, selecting the right bike and ensuring that children have appropriate safety gear are of utmost importance.
Furthermore, parents can enrol their children in mountain biking programs, which offer an excellent opportunity to develop their skills and meet other kids who share similar interests.
 By Staff
April 9th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
 The scam scum are using brand names that you know and trust to draw you into giving them personal information that gets them to the point where they can access your personal financial accounts.
Some have lost tens of thousands.
There is very little that is free on the internet – you are usually giving away personal information in exchange for a Google map or a picture of someone you were searching for.
The financial damage is severe – the banks are taking a beating; the law enforcement people cannot keep up with the avalanche of complaints.
YOU are the best line of defence. Always, always look at the address of the person sending you the email – if you don’t recognize it – take a pass.
Make a point of looking at the email address – very carefully – this one came from: Costco@techbumbles.com – and that ain’t Costco.
By Pepper Parr
April 9th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
The Burlington Blast are in Regina getting ready to play their first game of the National Championship Ringette tournament.
The Burlington team is in the U16AA category consists of 3 age groups:
 Bake sales, clothing drives and a GoFundMe account – plus a lot of training got the team to Regina. There are three teams representing Ontario for U16AA based on the results of our provincial championships. The provincial gold medalist is named “Team Ontario”
1. Ajax (Team Ontario)
2. Burlington
3. West Ottawa
The round robin games take place from Monday April 10 to Wednesday, April 12.
Games are played at the Cooperators Centre in Regina where there are six regulation-size ice surfaces, 32 dressing rooms and a capacity of 1300 people
The Blast play 5 games in the round robin over three days. The results of those games determine when who they play on Thursday.
Thursday, April 13 are the play-in and quarter final games
Friday April 14 are the semi finals
Saturday April 15 are the gold medal games.
 Burlington Blaze Ringette team days before they left for Regina to participate in the National finals. The players are staying at local hotels. The turnaround of only a month, between provincials and nationals meant the players booked their own flights – so there isn’t a picture of a team heading west with hopes of returning with Gold medals.
By Pepper Parr
April 9th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Daniel Oke is a ward 1 resident, who runs a martial arts school and wants to become the Halton District School Board trustee for the Burlington wards 1&2 seat.
His Mother was a teacher for 33 years in Oakville schools, his father was in a PhD program. He has a masters in western history, completed his PhD studies but never wrote a PhD thesis as he wanted to get into the work world and start a family.
Oke who has some strong views on public issues.
Oke has never attended a Board of Education meeting but did say he has friends who do attend and they have kept him informed.
 Daniel Warren Oke -candidate for the Burlington Wards 1 & 2 HDSB seat. His top two issues are what he calls a “broken education system” and “repairing the damage that was done during the past three years.”
The Halton School Board is in the process of reviewing its budget. Oke wants to be sure that the taxes collected go into what the students need and not “expensive lunch room furniture for teachers” He describes teacher as “well paid and protected”
Oke refers to what is done in school now as a “factory style” approach that requires students to sit at a desk for seven hours a day; “boys are not wired to be able to sit at a desk for seven hours a day”
Asked what the current board of trustees are doing wrong Oke said “there have been some shifts in direction but they caved into the union demands when they were threatened with personal legal action” The Halton District School Board has gone along with the masking policy put out by the Regional Medical Health Officer.
Oke does not think the pandemic lock downs should have been imposed; he described what was done to students as “child abuse” and “probably not permitted under the criminal code.”
“Masks cause bodily harm and never worked” and were not safe to wear, said Oke.
Daniel Oke’s web site is HERE
 By Staff
April 8th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
It will be some time before we become fully aware about what changed us forever as a result of the pandemic.
Now into our fourth year the restrictions are much less onerous. But the scientists seem to believe that this one isn’t over yet.
 New Canadians being sworn in at a Burlington Canada Day event. In the lower left corner former Former Lieutenant Governor of Ontario – The Late Lincoln Alexander and wife Marni Beal Alexander. For much of the pandemic we had to meet virtually and for many of those occasions it made sense to do just that. People found that Zooming could cut down a lot of the travel time involved in pulling groups of people together.
Many organizations chose to use the pandemic as an opportunity to change the way business and some commerce is done.
The City of Burlington chose to make all their council meetings virtual events – it was mandatory at first but now it is described is as an opportunity to choose what is most efficient.
The city of Burlington seems to have adopted the hybrid approach – live or virtual – whichever you prefer – the result being that if the weather was not favourable you could stay in your PJ’s and attend the meeting on line. One Council member attempted to Chair a meeting from his living room.
The City Manager decided that some staff members could be permanently virtual – coming into the office for just the Christmas Party.
 The Late Peter Appleyard serving as a Citizenship Judge was a British–Canadian jazz vibraphonist, percussionist, and composer. He died in 2013 One Burlington resident got very miffed when he spotted what he took is as an attempt to turn the Citizenship ceremonies into virtual event. He spoke up about the ‘virtual citizenship’ idea and was horrified to find that the government was putting together plans to eliminate in-person citizenship ceremonies, apparently to “clear the backlog”.
He asked MP Karina Gould to “please persuade your government to abandon this travesty saying that Citizenship ceremonies are a cherished, important step of becoming Canadian” and then added that he would “volunteer my time and effort to perform such a ceremony in my area. I am in no way a judge, or Order of Canada recipient, but I am retired, have the time, and certainly the willingness to preside at such an event if there is a way to be deputized for this purpose.”
The federal government had already said they had “resumed in-person ceremonies and are also offering a virtual option for faster, more accessible services for our clients.”
Staff from the Office of MP Gould wrote that they are “… are all ears on our proposed changes to the Citizenship Act to give applicants access to self-administer the Oath of Citizenship, without the presence of an authorized official.”
A citizen responded: “Our citizenship is so much more than a legal status. It is our daily acts and the duties and responsibilities that come with them that make us Canadians.
The proposed regulations on self-administration, citizenship applicants would not require a witness.
“Sorry”, said our citizen “not good enough. What is proposed is as sterile as getting a license plate at Service Ontario, unworthy and disrespectful of a new citizen who has dreamed and worked hard to become one. And I don’t like the idea of a citizen being thought of as a ‘client’, and I hope Minister Gould doesn’t either.”
So if you are ‘all ears’, please hear this: Don’t Do It !
By Pepper Parr
April 8th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Anthony Hoyes is one of five people running for the vacated Ward 1&2 Burlington seat on the Halton District School Board.
He is a ward 5 resident who works for Burlington Transit as a Supervisor where he feels his experience in dealing with people is the strength he brings to the table.
 Anthony Hoyes; running for the ward 1&2 Burlington seat on the Halton District School Board His two major issues are bullying and diversification in the Halton schools; student equity matters to Hoyes who saw the issue with the teacher at an Oakville High School in attire that many thought was very inappropriate.
Hoyes saw any decision the trustees made about the teacher as a double edged sword. The students had to be protected and the views of the parents listened to – and at the same time strong union support for the teacher was difficult to deal with when the union took the view that the rights of the teacher could not be forgotten.
He would like to see the school board he wants to sit on returning to the reason why children have to attend school – teach them the basics and do so in a safe environment and stop distracting them from issues that are not part of what they need to help them thrive.
Hoyes has never attended a school board meeting, wasn’t fully aware that the meetings are open to the public
He had no views on the Board of Education budget and has not done the public survey the board puts out. He wasn’t aware that it set out on the HDSB web site.
He was open and transparent on what he knew and didn’t know about board of education matters – believing that he would learn on the job
“This is my first time running for public office – “I’m still learning” he said.
Nominations for the by-election close on April 14th
 By Staff
April 8th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
It is once again Clean Up – Green Up time
Be a part of the growing number of Burlington residents, groups, schools and businesses signing up to participate in Community Clean Up Green Up 2023!
FREE supplies available, get your clean up event posted to our map and enjoy the outdoors while you help to keep our shared community clean and green and beautiful.
Thousands of communities across the province hold events like this: Burlington just seems to do it a bit better. On occasion BurlingtonGreen has been able to entice a company from the hospitality sector to put on a BBQ event, usually at city hall where hundreds of people turn out.
 Click on the link to sign up and join the groups already in place.
 By Pepper Parr
April 8th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington now has a Lands Partnership – an idea that was brought forward by City Manager Tim Commission to put the city in a position where it would have access to the land it would need in the future.
The need for park space is going to be very severe once the high rise towers that are in very stages of the approval process are built.
 A lot of these single story elementary schools were built more than 50 years ago to meet the first significant wave of population growth as the city became more urban. The city doesn’t have that much land left – what the City Manager is looking at very carefully are elementary school sites that may not be needed in the future.
On February 16, 2021, City Council approved a recommendations for a new organizational structure called the Burlington Lands Partnership (BLP) and approved funding in the amount of $250,000 from the Strategic Plan Reserve Fund to support the Year 1 operations. A second $200,000 was later allocated.
The Lands Partnership was to be focused on strategic lands related to the following priorities:
Maximize business development opportunities and advance future economic growth and job creation.
Implement major city building projects that enhance the quality of life for all citizens.
Deliver increased supply of attainable/affordable housing through proactive long- term strategies and innovative partnerships.
 There are a lot of unknowns on precisely how the former high school is going to be used and just how much space is going to be allocated to the different groups. A lot more work to be done at this level. One project supported by BLP was the adaptive reuse of Robert Bateman High School; they did the preliminary business case justifying the decision to acquire the site for adaptive reuse into a City owned and operated new community hub and Brock University campus.
On April 6, 2022, Council received the City’s multi-year community investment plan that highlighted the major community land and facility initiatives over the short and medium term.
The report outlined the total of all community investment opportunities amounts to a preliminary best estimate of $374.5 million, over the period 2023-2030, comprised of the following:
Delivering Enhanced Community Benefits ($120 million): includes potential future investments in strategic land, related city community, recreation and cultural facilities, and site amenities to address projected community growth to year 2051 including the provision of City services related to future development in the three Major Transit Station Areas (MTSA).
Acquisition of Strategic Lands ($105 million): includes future land investments for City-wide parkland needs, future site specific needs for community facilities and amenities with the three MTSAs and other non-City related land priorities, including but not limited to the provision of City owned land for the purpose of increasing the supply of attainable housing in the City.
 The city is going to need an additional fire station in the downtown area. Expanding City Operations & Services ($149.5 million): includes investments in strategic land and related operational facilities to support growth and ensure efficient and effective delivery of direct city services, including Transit, Roads, Parks and Forestry (RPF) and Fire services. Specific future major facility investment includes the expansion and/or upgrades to both the existing RPF Operations Center and Burlington Transit facility on Harvester Road; potential new Fire Station #9 (downtown); relocation/construction of Fire Station No. 4 (Appleby) and Fire Station No. 3 (Aldershot). All facility expansions will be informed by master plans and/or related strategies which will be presented to Council for their consideration and approval.
On December 13, 2022, Council endorsed and directed the Chief Financial Officer to consider one-time funding of $200,000 as part of the 2023 budget to support the 2023 external due diligence and project management needs of the Burlington Lands Partnership.
The report also directed the City Manager and the Director of Community Planning to schedule a Council Workshop for Q2-2023 on attainable housing and partnership options; and direct the City Manager and the Executive Director of Legal Services and Corporation Counsel to report back in Q4-2023 with a Strategic Land Policy and strategy that includes a municipal policy directive on surplus school sites which will inform the multi-year community investment plan. Subsequent to the approval the following has occurred:
The BLP funding for 2023 has been approved in the 2023 Budget by Council.
A Council workshop on attainable housing and partnership opportunities has been scheduled in Q3 2023 to accommodate other priority workshops already scheduled in Q2.
The Strategic Land Policy remains on track for completion in Q4 2023 and that timing also aligns with a revised timing for the update of Multi-year Community Investment Plan (MCIP).
Strategy/process includes recognizing the critical importance of strategic lands to the future growth and development of Burlington and the potential for partnership opportunities. The BLP structure is intended to assist in building internal capacity and integrate all required due diligence activities.
 The Big picture – a Strategic Plan that sets out where the city should be going in the next 25 years. It isn’t a magic wand. The BLP fits into the Strategic Plan that will be fully reviewed this year A review of the larger picture gets done and then the Vision To Focus, which is the part of the Strategic Plan that will be set out. Tied into this is the GO Investment Corridor which was approved in July 2022. Burlington Economic Development and its role of supporting Land Readiness and Attractiveness is another part of what is taking place.
Burlington’s remaining greenfield employment land sites are fewer today and come with multiple constraints resulting in a lower supply of investment ready land to reach our business growth goals. In addition, the city must shift from greenfield development to redevelopment, intensification and to the creation of mixed use, amenity rich employment hubs that meet the needs of current and future businesses.
Upcoming Council Engagement
In order to support the due diligence work on land partnership opportunities, BLP has planned the for the following touch points with Council:
 Council consists of seven members: Ward 3 Councillor Rory Nisan does not attend in person – choosing instead to take part virtually. Regular individual updates with the Mayor, Deputy Mayors and Ward Councillors on land due diligence projects.
Sept. 18, 2023 – Council Workshop on attainable housing and partnership options
Q4 2023 – Update on BLP 2023 performance/accomplishments, confidential land opportunities, and recommendations for future strategic land management and another look in Q4 at the Strategic Land Policy and Strategy that includes a municipal policy directive on surplus school sites which will inform the multi-year community investment plan
Given the nature of the BLP activities being focused on land related opportunities, in keeping with the provisions of the municipal act, the update reports do encompass a closed session component to provide Council with pertinent and confidential land related information.
 Tim Commisso is the man carrying the ball on much of what is before Council – he has never come across as a big believer on citizen participation. The Gazette has yet to hear him push council to involve the public. As specific land related opportunities evolve, Council and staff will endeavour to make information on land opportunities available publicly at the appropriated time both for purposes of information and engagement and prior to final decisions where possible.
In terms of citizen engagement this sounds like a lick and a promise and not much more
 Jim Thomson puts what e wants to say on his chest: don’t forget the soccer pitch at Bateman. Staff believe they were able to demonstrate that the Robert Bateman High School acquisition and related partnerships with the HDSB, Brock, Burlington Public Library and TechPlace was successful due in part to the dedicated early stage due diligence resources made available and administered through BLP. Citizens managed to bring to the attention of Council that parking was going to be a problem and they questioned changes to the soccer pitch.
Both Staff and Council seem to feel they can take a pass on genuine citizen engagement. Everyone is the poorer from that approach.
This comes back to Council on April 18th.
“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour.
And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said , “I thirst.”
When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.
 Mina Wahidi’s died on April 4th 2023.
Mina Wahidi was the founder of Compassion Society of Halton – a charity that she founded 23 years ago out of a place of need and one that has grown today into a hard-wired community hub where anyone who is struggling and going through a hard time is welcome – regardless of color, faith, race/ ethnicity, gender, nationality and/ or political affiliations.
It is without doubt that The Compassion Society would not be what it is today – had it not been for Mina’s contributions and hard work in its earlier stages. From her beginnings in her basement, then a church basement and onto a small storefront in White Oaks plaza on Plains Road and on, until recently, through several of the units at the ‘Bingo’ Plaza on Plains Road. Today Compassion Society has its home on 1881 Fairview Street Burlington and helps and supports over 3000 Halton residents with food, clothing, self-care and hygiene items, basic needs for their children and families through special programs and community referrals to many other services in the community.
For this and more, Mina Wahidi was recognized and acknowledged by the City of Burlington through the Burlington Citizen of the year award in 2005. She also received a Queen’s Jubilee medal and the Paul Harris Fellow Award, a prestigious Rotary Club Honor. A champion of the most vulnerable amongst us – with lived experiences of hardship and vulnerability – Mina never shied away from helping others no matter what. No one ever saw her without a smile on her face and the passionate positive energy that she always emanated was contagious.
What Mina has started at Compassion Society is a phenomenon of continuous charity that continues to support and help individuals in need beyond her life and time on this Earth – for this every blessing and gratitude that the patrons of Compassion Society feel every time they come to the charity – Mina will forever be rewarded and cherished.
On behalf of the Compassion Society board of directors, staff, volunteers and clients we honor her memory and offer our deepest condolences to her family – especially her three young children. Wishing them peace and patience in these trying times.
A GOfundme site has been established Click here:
By Staff
April 6th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
When a municipality has to borrow large sums of money to be paid over a long period of time they work with the Regional government who do the borrowing for everyone at the same time.
This time around they are going to the market for $154,647,000 in 2023.
As shown in the following table, the combined debt requirement in 2023 for the Region and the Local Municipalities is estimated at $154,647,000, and represents the maximum amount of debt that would be issued in 2023.
 The final decision will be made at the time of the market issue. Of the $154,647,000, $54,647,000 relates to the Region and reflects borrowing of up to that full amount related to the 1 District Facility in Halton Hills for the Halton Regional Police Service.
Burlington has borrowed to cover the costs of turning Bate into a Community Hub. The public still doesn’t know how much that venture is going to cost.
 By Staff
April 6th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
The City of Burlington’s Tyandaga Golf Course will open for the 2023 season on Saturday, April 15.
Tyandaga Golf Course will begin taking tee-time bookings on Tuesday, April 11. Tee times will be available starting at 7 a.m. each day and can be booked by calling the Pro Shop at 905-336-0005, ext. 2 or in-person at the Pro Shop. Members will be able to book 14 days in advance.
 Golf course will be groomed and ready for the golf carts. Tee times can be made on April 11th. For any questions regarding opening and the course, please email tyandaga@burlington.ca or call 905-336-0005 or visit tyandagagolf.com.
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