 By Staff
December 28th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Communicating With A Person Living With Dementia
Wednesday, January 15, Time: 6 – 8 p.m.
To be broadcast via Zoom.
We will provide the Zoom link days before the event
 Recognizing the signs of dementia. It’s important to make an effort to engage people living with dementia to reduce their isolation and help them feel included. Yet it can be uncomfortable and intimidating if you don’t know what to say or how to respond – especially if they say things that we consider inappropriate or that don’t make sense to us.
Our Communicating with a Person Living with Dementia workshop will give you tips, tricks and strategies you can use to connect effectively with people living with dementia at all stages of the disease.
The Burlington Gazette wishes the people of the city the very best during what is both a festive season and an occasion to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
Imagine where we would be without him.
 By Staff
December 24th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
 By Natalie Mehra
December 24th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
 As I sit down to write a holiday message to you that I hope has some meaning, I am thinking about a couple of ground shaking events that have happened in the last few weeks, one in the U.S. and one here.
In the United States, Luigi Mangione has been charged with the shooting of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO Brian Thompson. The assassination-style killing has provoked an outpouring from the American public. MEMEs (internet graphics) and videos abound. All over the internet are new folk songs written about Luigi. People have taken to inserting Luigi into photos at their work, school, or home, to provide him with an alibi. Photos have been altered to look like stills from Mission Impossible: there’s Luigi, alert, svelte, young, almost impossibly tidy in his orange jumpsuit, highlit against a phalanx of police escorting him out of a helicopter overlaid with a soundtrack of pumping hip-hop.
Luigi has become a cultural hero.
It is no wonder. Forbes reported that UnitedHealthcare denies more claims than other health insurance companies in the U.S. — rejecting up to one-third of claims the magazine says. Similar reports have gone viral. (The company denies them.) Thompson — the CEO who was killed — made of $10.2 million annually, including salary, bonus and stock options. UnitedHealthcare, part of the giant conglomerate UnitedHealth Group, reported more than $16 billion in operating profits last year. That’s $16,000,000,000 in profits. Making millions (or billions) from denying health care to people has them angry. Beyond angry. This week’s events have tapped a vein of seething fury in America, uniting people across political lines in a country that is deeply divided.
In the United States, medical costs are the number one reason for bankruptcy. Fifty-six million people struggle with medical debt each year. That’s more than the entire population of Canada. Ninety percent of them took out a second mortgage on their home to pay their medical bills. Eleven million people last year ran up high interest debt on their credit cards to pay medical bills. The cost of (usurious) interest on those cards will leave them in a cycle of debt for years, if not for life.
Last week the public outcry resulted in Anthem Blue Shield reverse a decision to limit coverage for anesthesia during surgeries and other procedures. Their plan was to cease insurance coverage after a recommended duration of time for that type of surgery. Connecticut’s Democratic Senator Chris Murphy expressed the outrage of his constituents: “Saddling patients with thousands of dollars in surprise additional medical debt. And for what? Just to boost corporate profits?….Reverse this decision immediately.”
Here in Canada, we watched the explosive resignation of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland after a dispute with the Prime Minister’s Office. Reportedly, Freeland and the PMO disagreed over what she described as the HST tax holiday gimmick in the face of an economic statement that reported a $61.9 billion deficit. Leaked to the Globe and Mail was another claim that the Prime Minister’s people were of the opinion that Freeland was unable to articulate the government’s economic plans effectively. Whether it is the fault of the Finance Minister, the Prime Minister ( and/or the media, the opposition parties, the silent social movements in Canada…) it is definitely worrisome to me that Canadians do not have a clear picture of the economic choices ahead of us.
The government reports about $20 billion of that deficit is one-time spending for Indigenous land and other claims currently in court and special COVID payments. After these, the deficit will be in the $40 billion range. I note this in particular because a few years ago I was writing a report and I remember looking back at the Harper years in government, and trying to calculate the total of his corporate and income tax cuts. Bottom line? Harper’s tax cuts took $41 billion per year out of federal revenues as of 2015. That is per year, each year then and since. It is even more per year in today’s dollars.
Lest you think that you benefited from those tax cuts, let’s take a closer look at the actual evidence.
Corporate tax cuts are usually justified as attracting business investment and funding productivity gains, but in fact these tax cuts have resulted in more than $700 billion in corporate “dead money” not going to anything that benefits the public. In fact, Harper’s record was the worst since prior to World War II on key economic indicators including job creation and corporate investment.
Furthermore, income tax cuts virtually always benefit the highest income earners. Remember, income taxes are indexed. That means, the highest income earners pay the most and the rate of tax goes down as the level of income is less. Income taxes redistribute money from the highest income to the middle class and poorest. Under analysis, almost 80 percent of the Harper government income tax cuts went to the highest 15 percent of income earners.
Years ago, economists Richard Shillington and Hugh Mackenzie calculated the value of public services to the median (dead in the middle) income household. They found the value to that household to be $41,000 (in 2009). In today’s dollars that would be more than $60,000 per year for each household. Their point? Funding public services is a net gain to most of us, not a take away.
You may be wondering what this has to do with health care. The answer is taxes have everything to do with health care. Canada created our public health insurance for all in the 1960s because people couldn’t afford health care on their own. As Justice Emmett Hall famously said:
 Justice Emmett Hall “As a society, [we] are aware that the trauma of illness, the pain of surgery, the slow decline to death, are burdens enough for the human being to bear without the added burden of medical or hospital bills penalizing the patient at the moment of vulnerability. The Canadian people determined that they should band together to pay medical bills and hospital bills when they were well and income earning. Health services [are] a fundamental need, like education, which Canadians could meet collectively and pay for through taxes.” Justice Emmett Hall, was the Chair of the Royal Commission on Medical Services that resulted in the 1968 passage of the Medical Care Act.
The Canada Health Act, passed in 1984, banned extra user fees on patients for medically needed hospital and physician services. We do not have millions of people going bankrupt to pay medical bills because we have public health insurance – paid by taxes. We do not have profiteering insurance companies denying claims to make billions in profit from the sick and the dying.
At the Ontario Health Coalition we are not partisan. We don’t tell people how to vote and we don’t favour one political party over another.That does not mean that we shy away from telling people the truth about the various parties’ positions and records on health care and we will fight any party or government that threatens our health care.
 The federal government floated the entire country in the pandemic. The truth is this. The federal government floated the entire country in the pandemic. They brought in three new social programs: child care, the beginning baby steps of pharmacare and dental care for seniors.
Every new social program is an income transfer — from the highest income earners whose incomes have skyrocketed over the last generation — to everyone else. They mitigate the income inequality dished out by the private marketplace and support people to live to their human potential. Public health care means that we live without the risk of financial ruin if we have an accident or fall ill.
When politicians like Pierre Poilievre say they are going to reverse those social programs, like the new dental care program for seniors, in whose interests are they acting? (Remember, Mr. Poilievre was in Stephen Harper’s cabinet — a key decision maker in that government.)
Again, this is not partisan and it absolutely is not an endorsement of any political party. I am writing this because I’m worried about what is missing in the debate about the deficit. Costs are already crushing for most of us. Building & expanding our public services are a key way to reduce costs for people. Cutting taxes for corporations and the wealthy (which most tax cuts over the last generation have done) increase inequality and costs for most of us. The toxic combination of budget constraints while privateers have moved in and are taking money out of our healthcare system that has been devastating. It has to stop.
In the debate about our choices going forward over the upcoming months in Canada, let us please remember that.
Let us also remember that what we do changes public policy. As we end this year, let’s celebrate the incredible job that we do as a Health Coalition, founded to safeguard our public medicare for all. We have shifted public opinion in our province in a way that is unmatched in Canada. Polls show that the opposition to privatization and support for public health care is far higher in Ontario than anywhere else in the country.
That is our work. The slight wins we have had in long-term care — some fines for terrible operators, reinstatement of inspections — have been are due to our relentless efforts together. We still have public hospitals despite Doug Ford’s attempts to privatize them, and the growth in private clinics has not been as robust as his budget plans indicate. That too is our work. We have been featured in literally hundreds of media stories this year, effectively setting the key issues and holding the Ford government’s feet to the fire.
 Much more is needed and we have much more planned, but as we head into the winter break, I just wanted you to know that we — together — are exceptional. The work we do is vitally important. Thank you to the local coalitions across the province, who are our backbone. You have my heart. You are the best of people and I love working with you. Thank you to the Ontario Health Coalition Board of Directors, a dedicated group of thoughtful people whose commitment to the cause deserves our deepest gratitude. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to the tens of thousands of volunteers out there who have leafletted, come to protests, organized events, helped to research, put out social media posts, written letters, attended meetings and every other thing you do to make our movement one of the most effective and unique in Canada. Thank you to those of you who have donated to help in our common cause. We could not do it without you.
I hope you are proud of our work. It is the privilege of my life to dedicate myself to the principles of equity and compassion that are foundational to our public health care for all. As we head into this season of light, let us keep the light of those beautiful principles burning for all.
Natalie Mehra is the Executive Director of the Ontario Hospital Coalition
 ByPepper Parr
December 23rd, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
A follow-up on what we understood to be a clearing of some encampments along Guelph Line at Fairview and Mountainside.
Our informant reported that there were eight to ten police cars clearing the encampment.
We reached out to the City Communications people who reported the following:
“On Saturday, December 21, emergency crews from Burlington Fire and Halton Regional Police Service responded to a fire involving multiple tents and 17 propane tanks which posed significant risks to life and nearby properties. Habitants of the encampment had abandoned the site prior to the arrival of fire crews, who extinguished the fire and secured the propane tanks. City and Regional staff have since attended to offer shelter services to any individuals who have returned to the site. City crews are currently engaged in clean-up efforts.
 There was a tent community at the western end of the Beachway near the canal amongst the trees. “This incident underscores one aspect of the safety concern regarding the encampment at Fairview St. and Guelph Line. As a result, the City is following the Region’s encampment protocol to ensure shelter assistance is offered to those in encampments and notices of trespass are issued to those who decline shelter assistance and choose to stay on these City-owned lands.”
Up to this point, the public has heard very little about just how many tent communities there are in Burlington and how many people have chosen to live “roughly” in the city
 By Pepper Parr
December 23rd, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
After a week that will become an interesting part of Canadian political history, Justin Trudeau prepares for Christmas in Ottawa and then a skiing trip in British Columbia.
Meanwhile members of the House of Commons continue to demand that he quit now – yesterday would have been even better.
After a tumultuous week that saw Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland resign and renewed caucus unrest, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has no plans to step down over the holidays, according to the Globe and Mail.
Trudeau will continue to reflect on his future while spending time with his family on a ski vacation.
Over the weekend, a large portion of the Liberal Party’s Ontario caucus privately called for Trudeau to resign, while subsequent meetings between MPs are being organized, as more caucus members become impatient.
New Brunswick MP René Arseneaul said the prime minister did not have the luxury of time, and urged him to come to a quick decision.
“He cannot wait, he has to address Canadians and talk about what happened and be clear about his intentions,” said Arseneault.
 Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is under tremendous pressure to give up his job and let someone else become the Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada Actually, Justin Trudeau can take all the time he feels he needs. There is nothing in the rule book that requires him to leave at this point in time.
The Toronto Star reports that Chrystia Freeland is considering a leadership bid that has been propelled by Liberals, including some MPs, who believe she would be a strong contender to succeed Trudeau.
The Washington Post reports that President-Elect Donald Trump wants to take back the Panama Canal; something the American government turned over to the Panamanian government in 1999.
 The connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. It is about 82 km (50 mi) long from deepwater to deepwater. The Panama Canal Treaty, stated that the Panama Canal Zone would cease to exist on October 1, 1979, and the Canal itself would be turned over to the Panamanians on December 31, 1999.
It is not clear if Canada is going to become the 51st State before or after the Panama Canal is once again in American hands.
By Pepper Parr
December 23rd, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
 Police respond to complaints. Who complained about the tent communities? Around 10:00 am this morning Halton Regional Police Cruisers, there were eight to ten of them, working parts of Guelph Line clearing out encampments near Mountainside and Fairview.
No details on whether or not arrests were made.
Many of those who do not have adequate shelter choose to live outdoors where they are safe from the often brutal conditions in the Regionally operated shelters.
 These tent communities were located in the Beachway area. No word yet on whether they have been removed. The police seldom act without a complaint, unless there is a clear and present public danger, which suggests the request came from the city. No response from the request made to the city communications team.
 By Staff
December 23rd, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The Beer Store Statement on 396 Elizabeth Street, Burlington Store Closure
 The Beer Store at 396 Elizabeth Street, Burlington will close permanently at close of business day on Sunday, January 19, 2025.
We appreciate that this location closure may impact some customers. The two closest TBS locations that sell beer and accept empty alcohol container returns are:
- 1235 Fairview St. Burlington, L7S 2H9
- 2055 Mount Forest Dr. Burlington, L7P 1M4
These sites are open for product purchases and empty container returns. The Beer Store collects for reuse and recycling approximately 1.7 billion beverage alcohol containers, including beer, wine, and spirits. We have a deep commitment to our recycling program.
By Staff
December 23rd, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
On both Christmas Day and Boxing Day, GO trains and buses will operate on a Saturday schedule and UP Express trains will run on a weekend/holiday schedule for both days.
Riders can transfer for free with One Fare between GO Transit and most local agencies, including the TTC.
New Year’s Eve Schedules
Metrolinx will be offering complimentary service on GO Transit and UP Express this holiday season in partnership with Forty Creek Whisky. And no, they will not be serving the beverage on the trains.
Both GO Transit and UP Express services will be free to all customers on New Year’s Eve from 7 p.m. until 8 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2025.
In addition, GO Transit will run extra late evening trips into Union Station to help customers travelling downtown, as well as a variety of special trains from Union Station after midnight to help them get home safely:
- Lakeshore East and West Lines: There will be additional trips arriving and departing regularly at Union Station throughout December 31.
- Milton Line: There will be additional late-night trips departing Union Station on December 31, with the last train departing Union Station at 2:55 a.m.
- Barrie Line: There will be additional late-night trips departing Union Station on December 31, with the last train leaving Union Station at 3:54 a.m.
- Stouffville Line: There will be additional late-night trips departing Union Station on December 31, with the last train leaving Union Station at 4:12 a.m.
- Richmond Hill Line: The 6:45 p.m. train departing Union Station will be cancelled and replaced with a later train departing Union Station at 1:15 a.m., making all stops before arriving at Bloomington GO at 2:21 a.m.
 By Pepper Parr
December 23rd, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The Environmental Defence argues that the federal government refusal to assess the many dangers Highway 413 would pose in areas of federal responsibility, Minister Guilbeault, Prime Minister Trudeau, and MPs in the government caucus are reducing the number of tools at their disposal to properly ensure the survival of federally protected endangered species, fish habitat and the cultural values of Indigenous Nations.
In their report, Environmental Defence said:
 “The decision now leaves federal Ministers and MPs with only a few tools to prevent the environmental destruction that would be unleashed if Highway 413 is built. For example, the federal government’s own recovery strategy for the endangered redside dace fish identifies construction, paved surfaces and urban sprawl (which is induced by highways such as Highway 413) as the “most immediate threats to the species.” The government now must issue a protection order prohibiting those activities everywhere they’d impact the species’ habitat, which includes much of Highway 413’s route. That order is due on January 25th, 2025.
“In addition, the federal government will now have no legitimate basis for issuing the federal Species at Risk Act permits that would be required to build Highway 413. A federal impact assessment of Highway 413 would have given Canada’s Minister of Fisheries, Minister of the Environment and other federal decision-makers clarity on critical information when permits will be sought by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation. By not designating Highway 413 under the Impact Assessment Act, it is now impossible for federal decision makers to understand how to best mitigate cumulative impacts on the environment, and to understand species at risk and conditions downstream.
“There are 29 federally listed species at risk located along the proposed Highway 413 route and species such as the western chorus frog, redside dace and silver shiner could be extirpated from Ontario or Canada if Highway 413 is allowed to go ahead. These concerns were recently highlighted in a letter signed by over 100 scientists and sent to Minister Guilbeault. A Minister’s Emergency orders under the federal Species at Risk Act may now be necessary to stop these species from disappearing forever. A sad commentary on both our provincial and federal governments.”
Background Information:
This decision to not designate Highway 413 for impact assessment cannot be explained by any concerns about the federal government overstepping its jurisdictional limits. While a Supreme Court advisory opinion temporarily undermined the Impact Assessment Designation process, those vulnerabilities were eliminated with the passage of an amended revised Impact Assessment Act in June 2024. The amended Act clearly restored legislative authority to redesignate Highway 413, and other highways that pose such clear dangers within areas of federal responsibility, for an impact assessment.
The Memorandum of Understanding between Canada and Ontario also carefully safeguards Canada’s freedom to designate Highway 413 for an impact assessment.
A federal impact assessment for Highway 413 would not have been duplicative of processes that fall within provincial jurisdiction, like local traffic volume and construction opportunity costs. The provincial government recently passed Bill 212 to exempt the provincial aspects of the Highway 413 proposal from Ontario’s Environmental Assessment Act and Greenbelt Act, and the federal government wasn’t being asked to overturn that exemption.
Environmental Defence is a leading Canadian environmental advocacy organization that works with government, industry and individuals to defend clean water, a safe climate and healthy communities.
 By Staff
December 23rd, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Dating in the Digital Age, Monday, January 20, 2025 7:00pm – 8:00pm, Central Centennial Hall
Treena Orchard in conversation with Alicia Cox Thomson
A special pre-Valentine’s Day event featuring anthropologist Treena Orchard, author of Sticky, Sexy, Sad, in conversation with culture writer and broadcaster Alicia Cox Thomson.
In this tech-saturated world and ever-changing social landscape, what does seeking connection mean and what role do dating apps play in relationships and romance? Dr. Orchard presents insights, personal experiences and practical, down-to-earth advice on navigating both digital and real-life connections.
This conversation explores the complexities of love, longing, and self-discovery and will resonate with parents, adults, and anyone curious about modern relationships.
A Different Drummer Books will be on site with books for sale and signing after the talk.
Borrow Sticky, Sexy, Sad from our collection
Treena Orchard is an anthropologist and associate professor in the School of Health Studies at Western University. She researches and engages in activist debates about sexuality, gender, and health among diverse cultural and digital communities. Deeply committed to public scholarship, she regularly writes for and is featured in leading online publications, including Cosmopolitan, Men’s Health, and The Conversation. Her memoir Sticky, Sexy, Sad: Swipe Culture & the Darker Side of Dating Apps documents her rite of passage from dating app novice to savvy swipemaster.
Alicia Cox Thomson has been working in the media industry for over 20 years. Today, she writes about culture, design business, style and more for the Globe and Mail, Chatelaine and the CBC. You can also find her on-air as a columnist for CBC Radio’s The Next Chapter championing her favourite books.
Register – there are just 42 spaces left at this point
 By Blair Smith
December 23rd, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
When I read the announcement that Natalie Pierre had changed her mind and was going to be the Progressive Conservative candidate for Burlington, my first and very uncharitable thought, was that to have “renewed energy” one, theoretically, needs to have some energy in the first place.
I have some personal experience with trying to interface with Pierre and her constituency office over a personal health care issue. What I received was the official party line, no empathy, no personal contact and no help.
Whom I did receive a great deal of help from afterwards, quite unexpectedly since we have been on opposite sides of many issues, was Jane McKenna. Thank you Jane. So, there is my disclosure – I do not support Natalie Pierre. I consider her to be less than useful and certainly not the best choice for Burlington for the Ontario Legislature – a placeholder at the very best. But, she may take up residence at the end of Queen’s Park Circle again.
 Andrea Grebenc; Ontario Liberal Party flag bearer in the next provincial election. The Ontario Liberals in general and the Burlington Liberal Association in particular have a habit of shooting themselves in the foot while simultaneously eating their young. They draw defeat from the jaws of victory with little effort and even less thought. Moving in to the next provincial election they have chosen Andrea Grebenc as their flagbearer and, in my opinion, she is a good choice, Her competition in the nomination contest, Oliver Parker, was also a very solid candidate and has much to offer in the future. But what will they do with the opportunity? Grebenc will have her challenges; she is bright, personable and works hard but does she work at the right things; the things that will make a difference in the campaign? Will she tie herself to the local Liberal Association and follow its mediocre history of performance? And if she is wise, and aligns herself to the Provincial Liberals most securely, will she be able to differentiate herself from a nebulous Crombie and a toxic Trudeau?
I love American football and while watching the Cincinnati game I was surprised to see a political advert from the Provincial Tory Association. It focused exclusively on Bonnie Crombie – her “friendship” with Justin Trudeau and her history of approving tax increases – “Bonnie Crombie, she’s too expensive”. Wow! The campaign can’t be far off and now we know, as if it wasn’t obvious anyways, what the Tory tag lines will be. We know what Natalie Pierre is (and isn’t). Anyone that can say with a straight face “I continue to be inspired by the leadership of Premier Ford and our government’s vision for Ontario” will never be capable of independent action, will remain a party shill.
But do we know what Andrea is? Is she strong and savvy enough to be able to present an option that resonates with jaundiced voters like me; that offers the best choice for the City, divorced from the tired policies and unrestrained egos of those above?
We will know soon enough.
 By Pepper Parr
December 22, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
We asked Burlington Provincial Liberal Association nominee Andrea Grebenc for a comment on the news that Natalie Pierre had decided to run for the Burlington seat in the Legislature after announcing several weeks ago that she would not be running again
Andrea Grebenc: Candidate for the Burlington seat at Queen’s Park. Grebenc said: “My commitment is clear: I am honoured to run and ready to serve my entire term to be the strong voice Burlington deserves at Queen’s Park.
I will not flip-flop on this commitment.
Burlingtonians have told me what issues are important to them:
Healthcare, Education, and Housing.
Burlingtonians want a government that will pay more than just lip service to these vital issues. They want actual affordable housing and well-resourced publicly funded healthcare and education.
I will fight for Burlington. I will continue to work tirelessly to hear from our community and make their voices heard at Queen’s Park!
Related news stories:
October 21st: Natalie Pierre announces she will not run.
December 21, 2024 – Natalie Pierre announces she is throwing her hat back in the ring.
 By Ben Smith
December 22, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
This article is authored by Ben Smith, President of AVESDO: a Canadian software company harnessing the power of data to help real estate professionals make better, faster, and more informed sales decisions.
The longer term 2024 forecast proved less accurate than we’d hoped, as we optimistically — but falsely — predicted government interventions would be helpful through the year. (Instead, they proved quite the opposite.)”
As 2024 comes to an end, we are looking back at all that happened, and ahead to what’s on the horizon.
 Ben Smith, President of AVESDO To begin, we revisited what we said this time last year. Having come off of a strong(ish) Q4 in 2023 with positive signs ahead, we certainly got some things right. But the longer-term forecast was less accurate than we’d hoped, as we optimistically — but falsely — predicted government interventions would be helpful through 2024. (Instead, they proved quite the opposite.)
We predicted that activity would pick up some in Q1, starting with a slow build as governments enacted new housing policy, rates came down, and immigration continued. Q1 was steady for sales and launches and, despite rate drops lagging till June (as opposed to the April timeline we had predicted), developers released the most inventory in Q2, albeit to softer demand than anticipated.
Govs In The Game
With rate cuts missing the spring market and landing right before summer started, still-hurting buyers adopted a wait-and-see response, setting their sites to the fall. As predicted, all levels of government got in the game, but — as we’d soon find out — the results were more negative than positive. A typical tale included a swing towards some much-needed change, which would only be backhanded by an equal or greater policy setback, all while tax increases (rather than decreases) were tabled.
An example from the West Coast was as follows: The Provincial government updated the building code to allow for single staircases in low-rise buildings to help with efficiency, only to thereafter introduce accessibility requirements on 100% of units — requirements that would stop developments in their tracks due to their enormous cost and size implications. This is just one of several examples we saw, nation-wide, that confirmed policymakers have no idea how housing actually works.
The combination of A) heavy rental policy that prevented rent increases from matching rising costs and B) sweeping attacks against short-term rentals all but stopped the investor buyer, and did little to ease supply issues — as other headlines would report, those housing types weren’t the ones families needed after all. At the same time, without the investor, it becomes both very risky and very difficult to make a presale go. So, many developers put down their pencils altogether, while others took smaller bite-size risks, resulting in a decline in average project launch sizes.
All across Canada, it seemed that municipal, provincial, and federal governments entered the housing sphere, their competing interests creating more disruption and paralysis than gain. The easy move to cut taxes — which make up ~30% of the price of a new home — was not on the table. The impression of action and typical capitalist Boogeyman fearmongering fueled regional elections across the country, as votes took priority over housing supply. Despite what side of the fence one falls on politically, looking ahead, we can only hope for a more stable foundation for developers to plan against that allows for forward movement.
Prices Not Falling, Projects Not Going
With questionable housing policy, delayed rate cuts, and a progressively weakening (and increasingly socialist) Canadian economy, our predictions and hopes for the second half of the year did not materialize. In fact, things got worse. Much worse. We saw fewer sales and fewer units coming to market. By the numbers, we saw 30% fewer sales on 43% fewer units launched in the second half of 2024, compared to the first six months. (Further, 2023 was already tough, and this year sales through our system still managed to fall 30% YoY.)
You don’t have to be a mathematician to see that the government policies certainly did not increase housing (as had been promised). If the data is not enough for you, greater evidence may be found in how loud developer voices became over the last six months, as lobby groups organized in both the east and west to try to get their voices heard in the policy rooms.
We commented on closings last year, and the difficulty remained through 2024, as we had predicted. Interestingly, this year’s larger story was receiverships, caused by crushing interest rates at the developer level as many third-tier and smaller developers went bust on projects that, in some cases, didn’t get past the land stage, while others had sold out and were well under construction but couldn’t hang on to completion. Although sensational in gross dollars, these stories grew in number, but never made it to the mainstream top-tier firms who have managed to weather this storm… so far.
We’ll see a few institutional lenders become developers in 2025, as they now have large land and development holdings from projects they foreclosed on.
As for prices: They’re not falling and they won’t. We’ve said it many times over the last few years — although the by-unit price has declined in some areas, the average price people are spending to own a new home continues to rise, albeit slowly. This year was no different. Higher priced areas simply stopped launching, and suburban areas continued to rise in price due to higher costs. As a rule, we see prices in most areas are now above $1,000 psf, and held under $1,250 psf to achieve any kind of absorptions. More suburban wood-frame product located well out of city centres is now in the $800-$1,000-psf range.
Inflation – 1. Affordability – 0.
In summary, 2024 saw less supply coming to market, fewer sales, far slower absorptions, and an industry bleeding jobs and productivity in the middle of a housing crisis. The general sentiment is one of exhaustion. Buyers stayed put, as did developers, maintaining impeccable control of supply, throttling launches with the precision of an Indy car racer. So, where do we go from here?
When It Comes To New Housing, Will Governments Ever Listen To The Experts?
Looking Ahead (And… Up?)
As we shared in a previous article,sales picked up after the October rate cut, which seemed to pull rates and confidence into a now-meaningful band. As of mid-December, we’ve just been given another 50bps, and we expect to get another 25bps in early 2025. Things get murky thereafter, but current predictions see the overnight rate down around 2.5% before summer 2025, which should bring much-needed relief to costs, with positive impacts to both supply and demand.
Prices will continue to rise slowly, to keep up with continued cost pressures that are being made worse by increasing government extractions. Interest rate cuts are likely to increase absorptions, though we expect sales to remain measured throughout 2025, with the first half of the year spent cleaning up existing inventory. Recently closed and standing inventory will continue to offer great deals, as those sellers will be eager — this will help build momentum for the second half of the year. BC will start the year stronger than Ontario and will continue that pace forward, with Ontario expected to find some footing late in the year — we hope.
We do not expect much activity in Vancouver or Toronto’s downtown cores yet, as we anticipate the ongoing move-out and densifying of the ‘burbs. In the west, we’ll see more concrete towers in suburban centres, plus a shift from townhomes to wood-frame apartments, to find affordable pricepoints in these locations. In the east, once single-family neighbourhoods will make way for townhomes and low-rise apartments, with an increasing number of mid-rises along more urban corridors.
Wild Cards
Two wild cards to watch for are A) more debilitating policy, and B) the threat of a declining population.
The insanity of the federal government and their “exploration” of a vacant land tax would, in my view, be a fairly immediate nail in the housing industry’s coffin. If they ignore all reasonable reviews — as they are prone to do — and actually pass something like this, the shrapnel would be large and wide, reversing any positive predictions outlined above.
As for population decline and immigration: who would have thought we’d be where we are now? With the Fed flipping immigration policy on and off like a light switch, I can’t begin to guess what happens next, and I suspect the impact will take some time to play out.
What I can say is, there is a very real risk that Baby Boomers start dying in very large numbers as they near the average age of death in Canada: 81. If this happens, and is combined with overzealous immigration tightening fueled by pressures south of the border, we could see dramatic population declines over the next couple years — and oversupplies in some housing types and regions that would land heavily with these segments. Older single family homes in rural areas and cottages in tier-two locations come to mind. This would impact the supply of any new building in affected areas with ripple effects across the housing continuum.
The good news is, there are positive signs, fueled by rate cuts, that could help on the road to getting supply back to normal levels. On the flip side, we must find ways to hold governments accountable for some of the worst crisis management policy we’ve seen.
Call To Action
I can’t understate it: the housing industry has been able to bring a steady stream of supply to market for years, despite growing affordability issues that have existed for decades. And now, in the worst housing crisis we’ve seen, there is less supply than ever, the industry is bleeding jobs and economic productivity, and our governments routinely make announcements to state the opposite — it’s just not true.
If you’ve made it this far, and you hope to see our positive predictions come to fruition, I encourage you to send letters to your municipal, provincial, and federal government representatives and ask for housing tax relief, and demand they involve the industry — who make up 95% of all new housing — in their solutions. As Beau Jarvis from Wesgroup said in his open letter to Chrystia Freeland, “When faced with a drought, the government offers subsidies and tax credits to support food production. The housing sector is, effectively, in a similar ‘drought.’ Yet instead of offering incentives, the government proposes yet another tax.”
On the back of falling interest rates, 2025 could be a turnaround year — as long as governments don’t get in the way. Or even better, if they get out of it.
This article was produced in partnership with STOREYS Custom Studio
By Pepper Parr
December 22nd , 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
It started with a Zoom call between the Prime Minister and his Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland during which the Prime Minister is reported to have told the Minister of Finance that he wanted her to table the Fall Economic Statement (FES) document, speak to it and then that would be the end of her job as Minister of Finance.
 Mark Carney, former Governor of both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England was the choice to serve as the Minister of Finance – was never on stage. Mark Carney was to take over the job once the FES was tabled.
It was a brazen move on the part of the Prime Minister – it just didn’t go down all that well with Freeland.
She took the weekend to think about it and early Monday morning released a statement saying she was resigning. Freeland was less than polite.
The House of Commons was to meet in the afternoon to hear what the FES was all about – hard to do when there was no longer a Minister of Finance in place to do the job.
 Karina Gould, Burlington MP and Government House Leader House Leader Karina Gould tables the FES document and then literally fled the House of Commons with all the other Liberal members, to attend a Liberal Caucus meeting.
While the Prime Minister was meeting with his caucus he was also scurrying around to get the Governor General to be ready to swear in a new Minister of Finance – this time it was going to be Dominic LeBlanc – no not Mark Carney – he hadn’t been seen or heard from. LeBlanc was now 1) Minister of Finance, 2)Minister of Public Safety and 3) Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs; that is a full plate.
With a new Finance Minister in place Prime Minister had to make some Cabinet changes and try to right the ship of state which was listing badly.
Demands that he resign were coming from the Opposition as well as members of the Liberal Party.
And this was just Monday.
 Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland sent the Prime Minister a resignation letter that could well be the document that ends his career – and he didn’t see it coming. On Tuesday there was a fund raising event for the Laurier Institute at which the Prime Minister explained that at Christmas time when families meet and they talk politics there are differences that get resolved.
Wednesday the Liberals held their annual Christmas party.
When Chrystia Freeland entered the room she got an ovation from most of the people at the event. She had the grace to approach the Prime Minister and give him a hug
The Wednesday was also the last day of the House of Commons session – they were off until January 27th.
Thursday there is word that the Prime Minister is going to shuffle his Cabinet – which he does – adding Nathan Erskine-Smith to the Housing portfolio.
Anita Anand remains minister of transport, but adds the internal trade portfolio.
Gary Anandasangaree remains minister of Crown-Indigenous relations and northern affairs, and becomes minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency.
Steven MacKinnon becomes minister of employment, workforce development and labour.
Ginette Petitpas Taylor becomes president of the Treasury Board.
On Friday the Governor General swears in the new Cabinet members.
 Justin Trudeau: Taking the next six weeks to reflect on just what his options are. During the five days the Prime Minister doesn’t say a word publicly.
All kinds of background meetings.
The Prime Minister is said to be taking the six weeks to reflect on what he has heard from his caucus.
The list of Members of the House of Commons inches up from about a dozen on Monday to as many as 45 of them have now signed a letter privately urging Trudeau to resign — the embattled Liberal leader is now fighting an increasingly lonely battle for his political future.
By Pepper Parr
December 21st, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
MPP says she has renewed passion and energy
 Natalie Pierre changes her mind – found renewed passion and energy. Natalie Pierre announced earlier today that: “After heartfelt reflection and with renewed passion and energy, I have decided to run in the next provincial election. In October, I shared that I would not be seeking re-election. What followed was unexpected and deeply humbling. Your calls, messages, and personal visits poured in—urging me to reconsider. You shared your hopes, your concerns, and your belief in the work we’ve accomplished together.
“Burlington is my home, and there’s still much work to be done. I am committed to building on what we’ve accomplished and addressing the challenges ahead.
“I continue to be inspired by the leadership of Premier Ford and our government’s vision for Ontario—advancing economic growth, strengthening education, improving health care, and supporting businesses. Together, we can achieve so much more for our city and our province.
“Thank you for your faith, your encouragement, and your passion for our city. I look forward to continuing this journey with you.”
Interpretation: The Burlington Progressive Conservative Association couldn’t find a candidate and a provincial election is closer than many realized.
By Pepper Parr
December 21st, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
It was a rumour at first – but it now appears to be true: The Beer Store on Elizabeth between Pine and Lakeshore will close sometime in January.
A reader reports that it’s been there forever. Does anyone know who owns the building – prime property.
 These empties are going to have to find a new landing place. The closing is the result of the Legislation that brought in the selling of beer at retail locations. The supermarkets, even the gas stations have cashed in on this.
The Gazette reached out to the media people at the Beer Store corporate level – nothing so far.
Our reader asks: “Where are we supposed to return our empties if The Beer Stores closes, even if we can buy the product in a corner store, which I don’t because I like unusual brands?”
A Gazette reader with a discriminating taste for beer – wonderful.
At some point, the province is going to have to come up with a way for people to return empty bottles for recycling. The beer makers actually need the bottles.
 By Staff
December 21st, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Originally published by Policy Options
The sensational resignation of Chrystia Freeland highlights a growing crisis in Canada’s democratic institutions, where a powerful Prime Minister’s Office undermines the cabinet system and weakens the public service built to support it. It’s a breakdown that Donald Savoie has been warning about for decades.
Savoie, one of Canada’s leading scholars on public administration, argues that the system’s rupture has been clearly exposed by the fact a plan to spend over $6 billion on a Christmas GST/HST holiday and $250 payments was announced without first being presented to cabinet or caucus. Freeland denounced the government’s “costly political gimmicks” in her bombshell resignation letter.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has shuffled his cabinet but the Freeland resignation and the long-term trend of diminishing power for ministers raise real questions about whether the positions have become more symbolic than key government leadership jobs. With all main opposition parties poised to take down the wounded government at the next opportunity, they are likely also to be short-lived.
Governing from the centre has become entrenched as the way Ottawa makes decisions and wields power, but this episode “is over the top,” said Savoie. “Such an important package announced without cabinet being involved? This is not cabinet government. This is presidential government.”
“And, frankly, I don’t think any future prime minister can take it further than this other than to say, ‘I will have no cabinet. I will run government on my own, with my own office.’ That’s the only further place left.”
The big question, however, is whether Freeland’s resignation could be a catalyst for reform beyond the current political crisis.
“This could be helpful and make a strong case for the next government that this model is highly risky politically and highly risky if you care about implementation,” said a former deputy minister. “Trying to micromanage everything from the centre doesn’t actually work.”
Financial pressures and a Trump presidency are pushing Canada to recalibrate its fiscal, economic, and international priorities. This could also be a rare chance to align a new policy agenda with major public service reform.
Savoie has for decades been sounding alarms about the concentration of power and the politicization of the public service. His 1999 book Governing from the Centre earned him the ire of then-prime minister Jean Chrétien.
Savoie revisited the issue during the Harper era with Court Government and Collapse of Accountability in Canada and the United Kingdom, arguing that Canada is run more like a kingdom or a court, where decision-making is centralized among a small circle of advisers surrounding the prime minister. This coterie often sidelined ministers, Parliament, and the public service – but with room for a few trusted figures in the mix.
And this year, he turned the spotlight on the struggles of the public service, much criticized as bloated, inefficient and even broken, with his book Speaking Truth to Canadians About their Public Service.
Over the decades, successive prime ministers have steadily tightened their grip on decision-making, policy direction, and the messaging surrounding them – a trend that has marched in lockstep with the advent of the 24/7 news cycle and the rise of social media.
Centralization of power was first introduced by former prime minister Pierre Trudeau, but Savoie argues his son has taken it to the extreme. It’s a long way from his declaration in 2015 as he formed his first cabinet: “Government by cabinet is back,” he said, promising that ministers would have significant independence with their files.
Instead, the reins grew even tighter, with the real power held by what reports described as a “triumvirate” of Trudeau, his chief of staff, Katie Telford, and Freeland.
In Canada’s Westminster system, authority belongs to ministers, but power resides with the prime minister. When ministers cannot or will not exercise their authority, and defer to the prime minister, the system falters – and the public service, built to support it, struggles to work like it should.
When cabinet doesn’t even debate $6 billion in spending, you have to question whether cabinet ministers have any authority or role, Savoie said. “Governing from the centre is bad for ministers, but it’s not good for public servants, either.”
It has been an open secret that Finance bureaucrats thought the $6-billion package was bad policy.
It’s not unusual for tensions to rise between prime ministers, finance ministers, and bureaucrats. But former public servants argue the PMO’s hand has become more overt. It contributed to Bill Morneau’s resignation as finance minister and the replacement of a long-serving deputy with outsider Michael Sabia – a deliberate shift from Finance’s traditional fiscal orthodoxy.
Several bureaucrats contend the moves were part of a broader effort to centralize power. By replacing both the minister and deputy with figures more aligned with the PMO’s agenda, Finance was destabilized, ensuring key decisions flowed increasingly through the Prime Minister’s Office.
But detractors of Savoie have dismissed his concerns as alarmist or overly fixated on one part of the relationship between parts of the government.
Arguing for the centre
Michael Wernick, a former top bureaucrat, argues concerns about centralization are overstated. Government is vast, issues are complex, fast-moving and span too many departments to function without a firm hand and strong governance from the centre. He said the Liberals’ big problem is an “ineffective PMO that has lost its ability to keep things moving.”
The large expansion of what’s now called the political service over the past 40 years has had a big impact on public servants. Today, there are up to 800 political staffers and advisers – almost as many as the number of bureaucrats in the Finance Department – who function like a parallel institution.
Bulking up the Privy Council Office isn’t the solution to what ails the public service
Government communications under Trudeau
Deconstructing Canada’s ballooning $67-billion federal bureaucracy
As Alasdair Roberts explains in his book, their role has shifted from simply helping ministers to actively challenging public servants’ advice and pushing bureaucrats to align with ministerial direction – further consolidating power within the PMO.
Their growth began under the Mulroney government, which was wary of public servants. It introduced chief-of-staff positions – starting in the PMO. These roles came with greater influence and higher salaries, establishing them as key political advisers.
Today, ministers’ chiefs of staff and many policy advisers are appointed by the PMO. They navigate the space between elected officials and bureaucrats, driving PMO-approved policies.
“This isn’t each minister is getting some extra help. This is the governing party extending its reach across the whole system. That is very different. They’re selected because of their connection to the governing party,” said one longtime senior bureaucrat.
As a result, deputy ministers, once the ministers’ primary advisers, are often sidelined. Their advice is sought too late, not considered thoroughly, or bypassed entirely. This leaves deputy ministers and ministers, both accountable, defending decisions they didn’t make.
Traditionally, the best policy decisions come when policy ideas and how to implement them are made together but “delinking them leads to failures…and we have a long list of failed policy and failed implementation in recent years,” said one senior official.
In a lecture, Jocelyne Bourgon, a former clerk of the Privy Council and president emeritus of the Canada School of Public Service, called the growth and influence of political advisers “dangerous layers of unaccountability.”
“It used to be very small and, therefore, probably not significant, but it is growing fast. And as it is growing, we have to ask ourselves, how does it fit in? And if it is going to continue to grow, then we need to design a system that builds the accountability for that tranche as well,” she said.
Too many poets, not enough plumbers
With the rise of political staff has come the growth of what Savoie calls “the poets,” further upending the balance between policy ideas and implementation.
Poets are public servants working in policy, analysis, communications and work mostly in Ottawa-Gatineau – where nearly half of the public service is based. In contrast, the “plumbers” are the frontline workers who deliver programs and services: issuing cheques, managing borders, and inspecting plants.
“The poets know how to deal with the media, with the politicians and with Parliament. That is very important for the prime minister,” said Savoie.
Preparing for a Conservative government in the public service
The role of deputy prime minister is not as powerful as most think
At the same time, the public service has grown top-heavy, with over 9,000 executives – mostly poets – and a surge in new senior and associate positions, further widening the gap between policy-making and hands-on implementation.
On top of the growing numbers, senior executives – especially deputy ministers – move too frequently, some staying in a role for less than two years. This constant churn leaves little incentive to fix problems. “It’s like driving a car with failing brakes,” said one bureaucrat. “They know something’s wrong but won’t act until it completely breaks down.”
A host of other challenges are piling on top of each other. The erosion of merit, the hollowing out of the Public Service Commission, hybrid work, Treasury Board’s diminished role as a budget office; ineffective leadership, outdated technology; rules, structures and a human-resources regime rooted in a bygone era. The list goes on.
Many point out the government’s biggest failures – Phoenix, ArriveCAN, and massive passport and immigration backlogs – were the result of the public service’s mismanagement, not political interference.
As validated as he feels today, Savoie sometimes wishes he had never written the book, which became a staple on many student reading lists. He recalls visiting Stephen Harper’s office and spotting a well-thumbed copy marked with orange sticky notes.
“We use it as a manual,” a staffer told him.
He never imagined his critique would become an Ottawa playbook.
“It reinforced governing from the centre because people saw it as, ‘This is how Ottawa works,’ and I feel a responsibility for that,” Savoie said. “Sometimes I think it made the situation worse.”
This article was first published by Policy Options with support from the Accenture Fellowship on the Future of the Public Service.
By Staff
December 21st, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
There are no illustrations with the article.
The best news story of the week appeared in the Toronto Star this morning.
During a week that has been gobsmacked by fast-breaking news, it was a welcome relief to learn more about the Winter penis and erictile dysfucntion.
Kevin Jiang, a Toronto Star Staff Reporter reports in detail.
The shift in temperatures on top of the psychological impact of the season can serve to worsen or even push people on the edge into full erectile dysfunction, experts say.
“There’s no question (patients complaining of erectile dysfunction) increase over the winter, and in most cases it’s men looking for a quick fix,” says Dr. Jack Barkin, a urologic surgeon, a leading expert on sexual dysfunction and clinical professor of surgery at the University of Toronto.
Reports of erectile dysfunction typically increase by 15 to 20 percent in the winter, compared to the regular months, he added.
Usually, when someone experiences erectile dysfunction, it falls under three categories: vasculogenic, meaning it stems from an issue with blood flow; neurogenic, where something had gone wrong with the nerves; or psychogenic, where the problem is psychological.
All three variations can be made worse by winter, but especially vasculogenic erectile dysfunction.
“There are basically three things that drive the penis. Number one is blood flow. Number two is the nerve supply that stimulates the erection itself. And then the third thing is the hormonal level — testosterone,” Barkin explained. “Those things have to be in sync for good libido, as well as good erectile functioning.”
Many can attest to the shrinkage that accompanies a sudden drop in temperature, as famously addressed on the TV show “Seinfeld” — when you leap into a pool or step out of the shower, for example.
It’s a natural function of our bodies, explained Dr. John Aquino, medical director of the Ontario Men’s Health clinic. “In cold temperatures, your body wants to keep its warmth to the core of the body for the vital organs,” he said. “So it sort of shuts down more circulation to the extremities, like your hands.”
Veins constrict, limiting blood flow and causing penile shrinkage — leading to an up to 50 per cent reduction in the organ’s length and an up to 30 per cent reduction in its circumference or girth, Barkin added. The testicles, which typically hang outside the body to maintain optimal temperatures for semen production, may also be pulled up into the body.
While this reaction is not limited to winter, the season can cause it to happen more frequently and for prolonged periods of time.
For healthy individuals, the shrinkage may have little impact on their sexual performance. “But for men that are already suffering from erectile dysfunction, this can be a real difficult phenomenon,” Barkin said, explaining that circulatory issues in the organ can be exacerbated by temperature-related blood vessel constriction.
“The penile arteries are the smallest (arteries) in the body,” he noted. This constriction can also cause some to lose an erection mid-sex if it suddenly gets chilly.
Aquino added that “if someone was already prone to erectile dysfunction — maybe they had a preexisting compromise of the small blood vessels there for various reasons, maybe they have vascular disease or diabetes or hypertension — then (winter penis) could be even a bigger challenge to overcome.”
If you don’t recover from penis shrinkage after warming back up, it may be time to see a doctor. “It may be an underlying sign of other blood vessel abnormalities — high blood pressure, for example, high cholesterol, cardiac problems or heart problems,” Barkin said.
In the end, winter penis shouldn’t have any long-term consequences, Aquino explained. “But it can be distressing for some men, though. Not just in the ego sense, but actually, the feeling of the genitalia shriveling up inside their body just physically distresses them.”
Other ways winter affects male sex drive
Penile shrinkage is just one piece of the puzzle. Barkin notes that as people bundle up indoors, they may not be getting enough sunshine exposure and, subsequently, vitamin D. A deficiency of the nutrient can lead to an increased risk of erectile dysfunction.
But perhaps a larger contributor is the psychological impact of winter. For many experiencing erectile dysfunction, the issue is “in the big head, not the little head,” Barkin explained — and seasonal affective disorder is a significant driver of this condition.
“Because of the lack of sunlight, people can get chronically depressed,” he said, explaining that it can also partly contribute to neurogenic erectile dysfunction. “That’s another reason why winter penis, or seasonal erectile dysfunction, can be quite prominent.”
Winter can also significantly affect testosterone levels, a key hormone for erectile function.
“The male hormone is very emotionally related, so things like stress and whatnot can impact dramatically on that,” Barkin said, referencing studies that found testosterone levels plummeted in people undergoing stressful situations, like U.S. army rangers undergoing training.
Meanwhile, people tend to stay inside and not exercise as much. They may gain weight and drink more alcohol — all factors that can significantly affect testosterone.
“Another component is that in cold weather, people don’t get out as much. They don’t socialize as much,” Barkin said. “The old adage of use it or lose it comes into play, where if you don’t get repeated stimulation” it might impact your future performance.
How to treat seasonal erectile dysfunction
How you treat winter penis depends on the type of erectile dysfunction you suffer from.
If it’s circulation-related, consider bundling up more when you go outside — Barkin recommends long underwear or even investing in electric, heated undergarments. “Diminish your time outside if you are suffering from that and take breaks — if you’re out skiing, go back to the chalet every 20 minutes or so,” he said.
If you’re still struggling to have an erection, try raising your body temperature by taking a warm — not hot — bath, he continued.
If you’re suffering from seasonal affective disorder, you can invest in a UV lamp, which mimics sunlight indoors. Otherwise, it’s important to continue exercising throughout winter, go on sunny walks and avoid consuming too much alcohol or tobacco to maintain healthy testosterone levels, Barkin explained.
Finally, you can see your doctor for medical intervention, whether through medication or treatments like low intensity shockwave therapy.
“The last point I wanted to make, which is so important, is smoking,” Barkin finished. “Smoking also causes (blood vessel) constriction. So if one is on the brink of erectile dysfunction, definitely stop smoking — it can have at least a 20 to 30 per cent improvement in their erectile function.”
By Staff
December 21st, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Youth leadership has, at times, been a challenge for Burlington.
Community Development Halton, an organization that serves the Region, recently received a grant from the Burlington Foundation’s Community Fund.
 The grant will help to empower youth through leadership opportunities that amplify youth voices on volunteerism and civic engagement and influencing the nonprofit sector with recommendations to ensure that volunteer opportunities are accessible and appealing to youth.
 Rishia Burke, Executive Director, Community Development Halton Rishia Burke, Executive Director, Community Development Halton points out that “This youth-led initiative will bring youth voices to the centre of change to influence volunteerism and civic engagement opportunities in Burlington.
 Megan Tregunno, CEO of the Burlington Foundation Megan Tregunno, CEO of the Burlington Foundation reports that CDH is one of 33 organizations funded from the Burlington Community Fund which is made up of contributions from community donors and residents who care deeply about helping others.”
The Burlington Foundation’s annual granting program amounts to $1.2 million
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