 By Pepper Parr
August 16th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
I have a colleague who is fairly described as bookish.
His library is something to behold. The shelves cover all of two of the four rooms in the lower level of his home. Piles of books are scattered around the room.
Two chairs sit in front of a fireplace.
No video games just a laptop computer.
A couple of his neighbours were flooded – he was sparred. Had water come rushing into his home those books would have been destroyed; some are signed first editions.
There are close to 700 homes in the city where families are looking at furniture, appliances, children’s toys that are now spread out on the lawn or on the sidewalk waiting for a dump bin that they can toss it all into.
There will be some financial compensation – but those books would have been gone forever.
For those who did not suffer any damage – be grateful – you were lucky.
 The biggest collection of incidents was in ward 3 where a grate over an 8 foot pipe was badly clogged that resulted in a neighbourhood being seriously flooded with 13 homes taking in water that rose from the basement to the main floor. Much of the damage could have been avoided – all we had to do was ensure that grates were cleared regularly. Was there no reason that they could not be inspected monthly? Was not doing something like that the result of penny pinching on the budget side?
The fire department spends a considerable amount training its crews and ensuring that when there is a call the trucks roll out the doors of the fire department because the work needed to keep the men and women and the equipment in top condition is part of what they do and how they think every day.
We now live in a different time, our climate is going to be different for perhaps as much as 100 years. We now need to change as well.
We could have and should have begun changing 50 years ago – had we done that we would not be facing the climate we have now.
Councillor Sharman spoke disparagingly of people in his ward who had covered up drains on their property that resulted in their neighbours being flooded. For some unknown reason the city was not able to take action and remove the covering.
 Councillor Sharman, taking part in the Council meeting virtually was, as usual, very direct. Councillor Sharman said “I’ve heard of yards that have had significant impervious landscaping done in the last couple of years that directly resulted in overland water coming into neighbours, properties and basements.”
“Can we reopen our drainage and grading in such a way that we’re looking at our policy and our procedures to try to ensure that that grading and drainage inspections are being done when we know that permits are being requested.”
Sharman suggested that neighbours should be able to request an inspection if they know that some work’s being done that is questionable as far as drainage and grading in their neighbouring properties.
A lot of changes are going to have to be made. City Staff were on the problems quickly and very efficiently.
 Staff put in a lot of time gathering data, preparing reports and being able to tell Council how the crisis was handled. We now live in a different time, our climate is going to be different for perhaps as much as 100 years. We now need to change as well.
We could have and should have begun changing 50 years ago – had we done that we would not be facing the climate we have now.
 By Staff
August 15th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
When you have something to say that you think is important – you look for the best way possible to make your statement.
Someone in the Kearns Road area had “words” for the Prime Minister and Burlington MP Karina Gould who is a member of the Trudeau Cabinet.
An observant Gazette reader sent the following along.
 The words on the makeshift sign read: “Trudeau and Gould want to take your home equity. Tell them HOME. H-hands O-off M-my E-equity”
 By Staff
August 15th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The eagerly anticipated 2024 Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) is opening this Friday and Metrolinx is thrilled to enhance the CNE experience for GO and PRESTO customers!
 PRESTO cardholders receive exclusive discounts of up to 44% on CNE advance sale admission and ride tickets. This incredible offer is available starting now until August 15 on the PRESTO Perks website. Don’t miss out because after August 16, savings will drop to up to 37% for PRESTO card holders. Find more details about PRESTO discounts for CNE 2024 HERE.
In addition, veterans and a companion can ride GO and UP Express free to and from the CNE for the Warriors’ Day Parade on Saturday, August 17. Immediate family members of deceased veterans may also ride for free if carrying something to identify their relation to the late veteran, such as service papers or an identification card.
We’re also increasing GO Train services between August 16 – September 2 along the Lakeshore West and East lines to ensure customers can GO to the CNE with ease.
Lakeshore West:
- New eastbound train trips have been added, departing from Oakville GO making all station stops to Union Station in the late afternoon and evening.
- New westbound train trips have been added, departing from Union Station, making all station stops to Oakville GO and some to Burlington GO in the evening.
Customers are encouraged to use gotransit.com to plan their trips and check schedules in advance. Riders can transfer for free with One Fare between GO Transit and local transit agencies. Customers can also take advantage of our $10 weekend day online passes that allows you to GO wherever you want.
The Canadian National Exhibition takes place from August 16 to September 2, 2024 at Exhibition Place in Toronto.
 Canadian National Exhibition media preview Green Phantom, left to right, Pretty Ricky Willdy, Nova and Jimmy Hart announce the opening of the annual Canadian National Exhibition on media preview day at the CNE fairgrounds in Toronto on Wednesday, August 14, 2024. (The Canadian Press/Laura Proctor)
By Staff
August 16th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Attracting people to your cultural event is not easy.
Social media is great – providing you know how to use it to your advantage.
There are people who can help.
 Registration link is show below. Culture Days Ontario wants you to take part in their Culture Days event. Tune in on Thursday, August 29th, at 2pm ET. And learn the marketing and media tips you need to get your audiences to take notice and action during Culture Days.
Media expert Mercedes Blackwood will share practical tips on planning and running marketing campaigns. As well as how to work with the Media to help gain widespread reach for your arts and culture events.
We will also be joined by Ontario Culture Days’ Partnerships & Programs Manager, Kaitlyn Patience. She will share tips on connecting with and involving your local community, partners, and collaborators in your event promotion efforts!
 Join us to learn more about how to use the free Culture Days marketing tools, templates and resources available to help you:
- Increase attendance to your events.
- Increase awareness of your organization, group, business, or artistic practice.
- Create lasting audience connections and build year-round engagement.
This session will be presented in English with English captions available. A recording with French captions will be available shortly after the event. If you have specific questions or requests you would like addressed, please email us at info@culturedays.ca
Be the first to know; stay connected with your regional offices for updates, opportunities, and all-things Culture Days:
Register
 VR Pro, the organization that runs raises all over the place.
They appear frequently before City Council asking that roads be closed for the races to be run
And there are always people complaining about the rad closures and the inconvenience.
VR Pro has always maintained that they donate funds to worthy causes in the city but I don’t recall every hearing about just how much they actually donated – I usually felt that it wasn’t all that much.
I was wrong about that. The photo-op tells the story – that is an impressive amount of money – something worth the photo op Kudos to VR Pro.
 Kelly Arnott is in the middle.
 By Staff
August 15th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
After the BC NDP government lifted the ban on “card check” union certification imposed by the previous BC Liberal government, BC’s unionization rebounded to 30.8 per cent by January 2024.
In Ontario, where a ban has been in effect for most workers since the Mike Harris PC government, union rates now stood at 26.1 per cent in January 2024. Only Alberta, at 25.0%, had a lower union rate.
Despite the current Doug Ford PC government positioning itself as pro-union and pro-worker, it has given no indication when it plans to end the card check ban or what position it would take on a bill by the opposition NDP to end the ban.
Card check ban gives management chance to counter union vote
To trigger a legal duty for management to collectively bargain with workers, the union’s representation of the workers must be verified then certified by a government tribunal, usually a provincial labour board.
The standard “card check” certification system was created by the federal government in 1944 under wartime emergency powers.
When a quasi-judicial labour board verified at least 55 per cent of workers had signed a union membership card, the board would certify the union, obliging management to meet and bargain in good faith.
After wartime emergency powers ended and provincial jurisdiction was restored, provinces established their own labour relations acts, including the card check process.
The card check system offers workers privacy from their employers when deciding whether to form a union.
By Staff
August 15th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
 This is what it is all about. You want to be part of this. The annual Terry Fox Cure for Cancer run takes place on September 15th.
The people who run that very successful event are holding a number of events taking place for Run Day.
Next on the list of events is the Black Bull Brunch on Sunday.
T shirts will be available.
Related news articles:
The event is part of the City DNA
 By Staff
August 15th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
A Smith street resident wants to know why the City slaughtering hordes of trees all along the bike path? How can the City and council continue to brag about the tree canopy when they are out there destroying it daily?
The bike/pedestrian path from Martha all the way east has been the site of daily closures all summer while trees are cut down. Meanwhile, I can’t cut one tree down on my private property with obtaining a permit and paying the city thousands of dollars, despite the fact that I have planted 15 trees on my property over the years at my expense, all of which are still standing and which I take care of and maintain.
 No reason given for this tree culling. Developers cut down an entire forest of trees at Martha St. and James to build a condo, despite the fact they aren’t building where the trees were, right along the creek. The same thing was done on Martha by the creek this summer. But the desecration of the beautiful tree canopy all along the bike/pedestrian path is disgraceful.
 Nothing to suggest these trees were diseased. And any excuse about hydro wires and power failures doesn’t cut it, if that’s the excuse. Tall trees actually protect the wires because they protect them from high winds. Who told me that? An arborist out on the path. Planning on burying the wires in the next decade and beyond would be a good investment. But cutting them all down now is faster and who cares about the future? Regardless, completing cutting down this huge number of trees is lazy and irresponsible, not to mention hypocritical.
Trees produce oxygen, clean the air and reduce air pollution. They store carbon and carbon dioxide. They reduce the heat island effect and reduce the temperature in cities, helping cities and its residents adapt to climate change.
Trees protect against flooding – a single, mature leafy tree can absorb up to 450 litres of water through its roots every day, as well as capture rain water on its leaves. Their roots reduce soil erosion in the ground and slow the filtration of water into our drainage networks. What can help stop the hazards of sudden flash flooding? Mature trees. They improve water filtration, store water and reduce stormwater runoff. Urban trees promote physical activity, mental well-being and reduce stress, heart rate, asthma and many other ailments. I have sources for this data, if you’re interested in it. How can the City cut down this many trees while declaring a climate emergency which you tout when it suits you and ignore when it doesn’t?
And how much is it costing to hire these private companies to cut down all these trees?
Pictures tell the story.
This just a small portion, between Smith and Seneca, and some photos between Smith and Martha – they were still out hacking more trees there when I took the photos. They had finished that section weeks ago, then came back to chop down more.
 Was the clearing done in this area due to the creek?  Nothing on the city web site on this clearing. The resident makes several very good questions – getting answers during the summer isn’t going to be easy.
By Pepper Parr
August 15th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The 2024 Terry Fox T shirts are really smart looking – personal opinion. Expect me to wear mine as soon as I pick one up.
 Front of the 2024 T shirt  Back of the Terry Fox T shirt. That thin white line that runs through the type is the route that Terry ran – from Newfoundland to Thunder Bay. They will be available at the Black Bull on Sunday (the 18th) and at Denningers – Friday August 30, Saturday August 31 – 10 to 2PM
By Pepper Parr
August 15th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
There is at least one person leaning on Premier Ford about the RCMP asking witnesses what they knew and didn’t nor or what they did and didn’t do>
NDP Leader of the Opposition Marit Stiles asked today in a media release if Premier Doug Ford will come clean about his role in the Greenbelt scandal as the RCMP investigation continues and key Conservative staffers face questioning.
 Premier Ford with his full cabinet on display announces his plan to scrap the plans that were secretly made to develop large swaths of the greenbelt. “Doug Ford and his government bent the rules to benefit a wealthy few when he moved to carve up the Greenbelt – and now he’s under criminal investigation for it.
But Ford doesn’t have to wait for the RCMP probe to be complete – he can and should come clean now about his role in this scheme:
When exactly did the Premier first know about the plans to remove land from the Greenbelt?
Who directed staff to illegally delete emails related to the Greenbelt?
Who ordered code words to be used to evade Freedom of Information requests?
 NDP Leader of the Ontario Opposition Why won’t the Premier release his personal phone records related to this case?
People deserve so much better. Because on the Greenbelt, just like the Liberals’ Gas Plants, the truth will come out.”
There is an opportunity for the Premier to come clean when he speaks to the large gathering expected to hear what he has to say in Milton on Friday.
 By Pepper Parr
August 15th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
 The Liberals loved her the day she attended a party event in Hamilton – the glow is no longer there. The Provincial Liberals will be meeting in London in September. Party Leader Bonnie Crombie will of course be on hand to report on what she has managed to achieve in the short time she has served as Liberty part leader. She defeated three candidates last December.
Many of the party members were convinced that Crombie was just what the part needed to bring Premier Ford to heel. Those same party members were certainly upset when they learned that the party is paying Crombie $185,000 a year, which is more than Ford government Cabinet ministers are paid. Crombie doesn’t have a seat in the legislature – so the party executive decided that she was entitled to an income – which could be seen as reasonable.
What is unreasonable is the number of times the public hears from the woman. Days will go by without a word.
 Bonnie Crombie meeting with her Caucus for the first time Marit Stile, the NDP leader of the Opposition is getting her message out – rather effectively if truth be told.
With the RCMP now interviewing “witnesses” over the Greenbelt scandal there is certainly more than enough for Crombie to comment on. Premier Ford is going to be in Milton on Friday where thousands are predicted to show up for the event.
It would be nice to see Crombie setting out a list of the things she would like to see Ford comment on: Ford will stear clear of the sandals other than saying his government is an Open Book.-
By Staff
April 15th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The Burlington Footnotes have expanded their membership opportunities to include all adults who wish to celebrate the art of staying young.
The Footnotes, a widely respected group of dancers, singers, and musicians based in Burlington have up unril now targeting older adults: the redesigned Footnotes now welcome adults of all ages to become part of a lively group dedicated to physical, mental, and social health through participation in the performance arts.
 It’s show stopper every time that lineup appears on stage The Footnotes offer performance dance classes in tap, jazz, clogging, and lyrical dance at a variety of levels in various locations throughout Burlington. The professional teaching staff will guide prospective members to the most appropriate classes based on interest and experience.
 What a performance! Membership offers, in addition to reduced class fees and social events, the opportunity to participate on stage in Gotta SING, Gotta DANCE!, a musical variety extravaganza performed at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre. The next performance will be on June 17, 2025 at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm. The production’s fast paced routines, creative costuming and professional lighting coupled with each performer’s commitment to excellence are inspiring.
The Footnotes are 2019 recipients of the Burlington Performing Arts Centre Hall of Fame Award. They celebrated their 20th Anniversary production of Gotta SING, Gotta DANCE! In June, 2023. Entertaining audiences from around the GTHA and beyond, the Footnotes demonstrate that dance is for everyone, with no age barriers.
 Their annual event needed two performances to handle the size of the audience. Information, including class descriptions , schedules, and registration forms, can be found at www.burlingtonfootnotes.com Registration will be held in person at Appleby Ice Centre, Community Room 1, on Monday, August 26 from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm, or by mail.
The Burlington Footnotes is a not-for-profit corporation (2006) first established in Burlington in 1999 by Rosemarie Maurice. They demonstrate through live theatrical performances the stamina, vitality, and talent of adults of all ages. You can reach the Footnotes by email at: burlingtonfootnotes1@gmail.com
 By Ray Rivers
August 14th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
It wasn’t really a political interview. Elon Musk clearly doesn’t know how to do that. His Tesla Y was the best selling car globally last year. The boy-genius who gave the world the first serious electric car should have stuck to inventing things and left social media and politics to those who know what they are doing.
The chat, scheduled for 8 pm on Monday failed to launch on time. Musk’s X platform, formerly Twitter, may have been cyber-attacked or bogged down or something by the Iranians or Russians, as he has suggested. But more than likely X just crashed for mechanical reasons, and the highly promoted conversation between him and former US president Donald Trump was delayed for at least half an hour as a result. After all, Musk fired a good part of the original staff once he became the new Führer of the social platform.
 The grumpy guy chat eventually ended up being the kind of ‘let them eat cake’ The grumpy guy chat eventually ended up being the kind of ‘let them eat cake’ chat among like-minded billionaires that one could have expected. Trump’s world has been shaken up with the resignation of President Biden and the nomination of his VP, Kamala Harris, as Trump’s opponent. And so he has mostly been laying low because every time he shows up to rant on TV, his approval ratings apparently drop.
Trump appears almost contrite these days. Perhaps he realizes that having helped defeat Joe Biden, with bluster and BS in that first presidential debate, he is now in a new contest. And he has to contend with a fresh face which is drawing more media attention than he usually does, and is stealing his thunder.
 Musk’s X lets almost anyone write almost anything. I joined Twitter back in it’s earlier days, my columns are carried there. But I have not been impressed with its transformation to X under Musk’s domination. Before his time, there had been attempts to restrain mis-information, but no more. Trump had been banned after orchestrating the attempted Jan 6th insurrection, but was reinstated by Musk along with other unsavoury characters like Alex Jones. Today, Musk’s X lets almost anyone write almost anything. It’s unsurprising that mis-information and dis-information abound. Musk calls it free speech, but it’s more like chaos and confusion.
The EU, which takes misinformation seriously, had warned Musk not to violate E.U. laws about amplifying harmful content “that promotes hatred, disorder, incitement to violence, or certain instances of disinformation”. Musk’s response to the EU was to post this constructive meme – ‘Take a big step back and literally, f*** your own face!’
 Musk simply grunted approval as Trump rambled on. The first half hour or so, which seemed more like an eternity, was about the Trump assassination attempt played out in copious gory detail. Musk simply grunted approval as Trump rambled on with all the minutia of that event. Eventually Musk woke up when the discussion came to cutting government spending, regulation and debt, and the grunting turned into unfettered agreement on just about everything Trumpian.
Musk, the once the greatest solar power guru and environmentalist, advocated for more nuclear power at one point, suggesting that the dangers have been overrated. He noted that he had even visited the Japanese Fukushima site where he saw people eating veggies grown in the vicinity of the radioactive leak. Clearly that meant it was safe. To that Trump surprised everyone by saying he now liked the electric car, then politely admonished Musk for not putting solar panels on his Teslas.
As an interviewer, Musk played softball and sucked up to every word the former president uttered. He even joined the attack on VP Harris, noting that he once was a democrat. Clearly he has moved on because the Joe Biden democrats possibly pose a treat to him from making even more money and running his businesses without constraint. Or maybe he just got bored with social democracy and would like to visit the places where autocrats like Putin and wanna-be’s like Trump live.
 The program showed us just how shallow Musk, the introverted genius is. All in all, the best thing that could be said about this grumpy old guys chat was that it was boring. To be fair it had been billed as just a conversation. Though it was more of a monologue by Trump, complemented by errant grunts from his latest disciple who is bringing a bag full of money to the Trump election campaign. It ran for over two hours and revealed nothing that we didn’t already know or hadn’t heard.
But it did show us just how shallow Musk, the introverted genius, has been become. I’m really glad I didn’t end up buying one of his cars, as good as they are. And I’m not the only one either apparently. It seems other folks with a social conscience would rather buy from one of the emerging competitors than give more money, albeit indirectly, to the Trump for president election campaign.
 Ray Rivers, a Gazette Contributing Editor, writes regularly applying his more than 25 years as a federal bureaucrat to his thinking. Rivers was once a candidate for provincial office in Burlington. He was the founder of the Burlington citizen committee on sustainability at a time when climate warming was a hotly debated subject. Ray has a post graduate degree in economics that he earned at the University of Ottawa. Tweet @rayzrivers
Background links:
False Claims – Tesla Buyers – Grump[y Old Men
By Staff
August 14th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Export Development Canada (EDC) has announced the recipients of its 2024 Youth Education scholarships.
Twenty students received the International Business Scholarship, and for the second year, seven students from equity-seeking communities were awarded the Community Leadership Scholarship.
All scholarships are in the amount of $5,000. In addition to strong academic standing, the Community Leadership recipients demonstrate dedication to the advancement of their communities through extra-curricular and volunteering. Representatives from six of EDC’s Employee Resource Groups (ERG) were part of the scholarship nomination and selection committee. In addition, a seventh scholarship recognizes Ukrainian students for academic excellence.
 Ellie Moroz, Ellie Moroz, a Carleton University, 4th year Sprott School of Business students from Burlington said: “Receiving EDC’s scholarship not only alleviates the financial burden of my final undergraduate year but also empowers me to contribute more actively to my school’s community through my involvement in student leadership”.
By Pepper Parr
August 13th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
This is part 2 of a 4 part series
The discussion at the Council meeting has been edited for clarity and length.
While gathering data City Hall, staff have realized that changes are going to have to be made and that is going to cost.
Just how much, is a task that is now underway –” the budget cycle is coming up very quickly and there are some obvious areas that we would like to invest in” said Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Hassaan Basit.
 Enrico (Rico) Scalera, Director of Roads, Parks and Forestry Department Enrico (Rico) Scalera, Director of Roads, Parks and Forestry Department touched on a few of the new tasks yjat are going to have to be added to the budget, including enhanced Creek monitoring, maybe looking at our respond time capabilities to looking at where there may have been gaps, or maybe expanding out the areas that we thought were at risk that are currently being inspected.
Basit continued: “Maybe there’s more that needs to be put onto that list. Maybe the frequency needs to change, but we want to make sure before we present lots of solutions that they actually are solutions. We have some work to do on data and analysis; there has been some discussions internally which we will be presenting as one of our priorities around emergency preparedness. We have one Emergency Coordinator in Burlington: Toronto has 24. I think we could do with some additional resources there.”
There was a lot of discussion earlier during the Council meeting about being proactive. Not a lot of that was around funding; being proactive means preparing for something. Basit explained: “Having emergency preparedness plans in place, maybe a plan that’s specific to flooding might be the direction we have to go in. What we have right now are sort of generic, you know, EOCs and so that’s one area I can kind of give you a little bit of insight – that’s emerging as an early favorite as an area we may want to invest in that may actually inform where the gaps are.”
“We do need to take our time to conduct the analysis and also understand the nature of the storm that that occurred.”
 Councillor Paul Sharman: “I certainly echo all the great work that’s been done so far.” Councillor Paul Sharman: “I certainly echo all the great work that’s been done so far The coordination is so dramatically different to 2014, it’s palpably different. I totally agree – we have much work to do, but it leads to questions that arise in the southern part of the ward five in particular, where, of course, most of the flooding has occurred, and that’s got to do with legal non-conforming.
Rico gave an example: We’ve got water flowing from an older commercial property down a ramp onto the road, increasing the water flow in the road. We don’t know if its from the road or from the property across the road. Perhaps the commercial property caused the residential property to flood. Any insight on the adequacy of our understanding as to whose problem it is?
That question got passed to Scott Hamilton, Director of Engineering. We are aware of the non-performance issue as it relates to grading and drainage bylaws.
We do have bylaws in place that allow us to deal with those issues as they as they come up. The problem we have is that a lot of them are complaint based or resident driven.
The developments are separate. Our site plan process allows us to control or regulate those. But whenever a homeowner widens their driveways or hardscapes their backyard or paves their front yard, that’s a that’s a trickier situation for us to be aware of.
We do have a mechanism in place to deal with that – a lot of the calls come in to our engineering department have been around that exact thing – grading surface drainage from our neighbour’s property or commercial properties on our property. We get about four or five of these reviewed on site per day. We have about 155 of those, those type of complaints coming into the city now.
Sharman: I know this particular property – it’s been around there for a long, long time, and there’s lots of lots of catch basins and the there’s grading of the parking lot and all the rest of it that presumably was as required back in when the parking lot was built. Do we have a requirement for them to update that relative to potential massive rainfall and storms?
 Scott Hamilton: Director of Engineering Scott Hilton: If it was compliant when they built it, then no. But if they were not compliant, or they changed what was applied, was approved previously, then yes, we do have mechanisms to go and correct that.
Sharman: That was the answer to the first question. I have a second question. With respect to new development on old properties where somebody built a house, and have gone through all the site plan.
Scott Hamilton: We don’t do site plan for single family homes, I gather, as I recall, but where we’ve done all the work and approving it, and presumably with the grading as well relative to the house there is a question. Did we also define the grading for the rest of the yard that would cause it to not flood in the event we get 50 to 80 millimeters of rain. Yes, we regulate the entire lot.
What was becoming clear that the handling of floods was going to require a much different look at how these occasions get managed.It would be unfair to say the city doesn’t know what it’s doing – more to the point is for the city to figure out what they are likely to be up against – and with the rate of climate change an unknown.
By Staff
August 13th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Last week, federal Minister Minister Jenna Sudds said that parents are not concerned with whether a childcare centre is for-profit or non-profit, as long as it is affordable, convenient, and they feel comfortable leaving their children there – a significant departure from the federal government’s previous stance and policies related to the Association of Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement CWELCC agreement .
 That federal agreement with the provinces was negotiated by Burlington MP Karina Gould who was the Minister at the time.
AACE – Alberta Child Care Entrepreneurs calls on the Government of Canada to end its ideological approach to childcare across Canada.
While AACE is encouraged by the Minister’s policies, the association is concerned that the Minister’s motivations are politically driven and that the Government of Canada continues to take a divide an conquer approach to childcare in Canada – all provinces should receive envelope funding from the Government of Canada and should be given the freedom to develop childcare systems that fit the unique needs of each province.
Wondering if parents with children in Day Care feel the same way?
 By Pepper Parr
August 13th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Run Day is September 15th.
Registration at 8:00 am
Runners start at 9:00 am
Walkers start at 10:00 am
It all begins behind the Waterfront Hotel – the path is from the Waterfront Hotel to the canal and back.
Another Annual – the 44th Terry Fox Run for a Cancer Cure.
Burlington has something of Terry Fox in its DNA. There are two memorials about Terry and his run: one is in Thunder Bay where the Run had to be ended. Terry just wasn’t able to continue.
 The other is in Spencer Smith Park, west of Spencers’. The creation and set up of the monument was a citizen driven event. Casey Cosgrove, who was lost to cancer, was a part of getting the monument made and placed where it is.
Make a note of the date – we will be talking about it frequently.
 By Pepper Parr
August 13th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
OPINION
There are a lot of very good people working for the City of Burlington.
There are some exceptional people working for the city.
The problem is that there are not enough of either group on the payroll.
 Where did being a friend get former City Manager Tim Commisso? This situation has existed for more than a decade – part of the reason is that City Council does not hold staff accountable. And former City managers have not done the job that had to be done to change the culture at city hall.
It is not the role of council to involve itself in how well staff members do. That is a given – but council members can set the tone when they discuss what comes from staff.
Literally every member of council, some more so than others, goes out of their way to thank staff for the”awesome” or “wonderful” or “great work” that was presented – and that just isn’t the case. It is something every council member does before they even get to the question they want to ask
By doing what they are doing they are enabling those who aren’t doing a fine job to continue to be mediocre.
The Gazette is not going to make any friends with this comment. We are not supposed to be your friends. We would like to be in a position to respect what you do. We would like to be able to work with media people that understand the difference between public relations and journalism.
 Burlington Chief Administrative Officer Hassaan Basit. The current Chief Executive Officer (CAO) Hassaan Bait will do his best – he did a great job at Conservation Halton. He is not a pushy kind of guy – his approach is to appoint people to positions and then work with them and support them while they learn and grow into their new responsibilities – we are talking about senior level people here.
Hassaan hasn’t been in the CAO chair for six months yet. People are still getting used to him and he is learning what he actually has in the way of talent.
If you listen carefully to what he has to say and how he says it – you should have come to the conclusion that he is there to make things better.
He can’t do that alone.
By Pepper Parr
August 13th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Ontario has reached a tentative agreement with the associations representing school boards and the associations representing principals and vice-principals on the employment terms and conditions for principals and vice-principals in publicly funded schools.
The hope is that the agreement will provide stability needed to support student achievement.
 The principal sets the tone and the cultural of a school. The good ones are great and they make a big difference. But they are not all great. The memorandum of settlement is between the Ontario government, the associations representing principals and vice-principals (Ontario Principals’ Council, Catholic Principals’ Council of Ontario and Association des directions et directions adjointes des écoles franco-ontariennes) and the four associations representing school boards (Ontario Public School Boards’ Association, Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association, Association franco-ontarienne des conseils scolaires catholiques and Association des conseils scolaires des écoles publiques de l’Ontario).
The term of the agreement is four years, applying to 2023 to 2027.
Ontario’s commitment to stability in the classroom ensures that students benefit from the government’s back-to-basics agenda, which is focused on what matters most: boosting reading, writing and math skills in Ontario schools to prepare students for the careers of tomorrow.
Principals and vice-principals in Ontario are not unionized. Over the next several weeks, all parties will be undergoing their separate approval processes with respect to the tentative settlement. Ontario has successfully reached central agreements with all 9 of its education labour partners, namely teacher federations and education workers.
 By Julieta Belen Correa
August 13th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
 Artificial Intelligence (AI) will heralded a new era for the casino industry. A more exciting game as well. The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) has heralded a new era for the casino industry, especially in Burlington. Enhanced gaming experiences and personalized services are just a few of the benefits that AI brings to the table. This article explores how AI is transforming casinos and what it means for you as a player.
In recent years, artificial intelligence has significantly impacted various industries, and now it’s making waves in the world of casinos. Burlington, known for its vibrant gaming scene, is experiencing this transformation firsthand. As a local player, understanding these changes can help you make the most out of your gaming experiences.
Enhanced gaming experiences
One of the most noticeable impacts of AI in Burlington’s casinos is the enhanced gaming experience. AI technologies are used to analyze player behaviour and preferences, allowing for more personalized gaming options. For instance, Amunra has integrated AI to tailor game recommendations based on individual player habits, making each session more engaging.
 AI-driven systems can offer real-time game adjustments to maintain optimal player engagement. Moreover, AI-driven systems can offer real-time game adjustments to maintain optimal player engagement. These systems analyze data such as playing style and frequency to provide dynamic challenges that keep games interesting. This means that whether you’re a seasoned player or a newcomer, AI ensures that your gaming experience remains fresh and exciting.
Improved customer service
Another significant advantage of AI in Burlington’s casinos is the improvement in customer service. Advanced AI chatbots and virtual assistants are available 24/7 to address any queries or issues you may have. These AI-driven tools can provide instant support, ensuring that your gaming experience is as smooth as possible.
Additionally, AI helps in identifying and resolving potential issues before they escalate. Predictive analytics can foresee problems based on historical data and take preventive measures to enhance customer satisfaction. This proactive approach not only improves service quality but also builds trust between players and casinos.
Security enhancements
Security is a top priority for any casino, and AI has significantly bolstered this aspect in Burlington’s gaming establishments. AI-powered surveillance systems can detect unusual activities and potential threats with high accuracy. These systems use machine learning algorithms to identify patterns that may indicate fraudulent behavior or security breaches.
Furthermore, AI enhances cybersecurity by protecting sensitive player information from cyber threats. Advanced encryption methods powered by AI ensure that your personal and financial data remains secure while you enjoy your favourite games. With these measures in place, you can focus on having fun without worrying about security concerns.
 As technology continues to evolve, staying informed about these developments is crucial for any avid gamer. The future of AI in casinos
The integration of AI into Burlington’s casino industry is just the beginning. Future advancements are expected to bring even more innovative features that will further elevate player experiences. From augmented reality games to more sophisticated predictive analytics, the possibilities are endless.As technology continues to evolve, staying informed about these developments is crucial for any avid gamer. Embracing these changes will not only enhance your current gaming sessions but also prepare you for an exciting future in casinos.
|
|
By Pepper Parr
