 By Pepper Parr
February 20th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Dan Jacobs sent in a comment that we are upgrading to a news story.
Based on what Jacobs said in his comment it would appear that he has some role within the Progressive Conservative party.
 John Greven explaining why Natalie Pierre was not sitting in the chair reserved for her at that all candidate event on Tuesday. He maintains he was the person who spoke directly with John Greven, the debate moderator, about Natalie Pierre’s failure to take part in the all- candidate event on Tuesday.
“As the person who spoke with Mr Greven directly, and for a significant period of time, he most certainly did receive a direct response.”
The issue was not how direct the response to Pierre’s failure to show up was – the issue was that she didn’t show up.
A “ commitment that Natalie would personally call every person in attendance who wished to speak with her” is worse than saying the dog ate my homework.
“We also provided a QR code and link that people could use to book in times to speak with her.”
Really? The public was told that Natalie was going to be out knocking on doors not sitting by the phone waiting for disapointed constituents to call her.
Jacobs adds: “ At no time was it mentioned that there is any policy in place regarding debates, because there is no such policy.” Interestingly, Progressive Conservatives across the province are not taking part in public debates.
Jacobs also said: “If this is a direct quote, then Mr Greven has show (sic) his partisanship by fabricating the response.”
Greven did no such thing. He was fair, decent and reflected the concerns of the community when he talked about the missing Natalie Pierre.
“In addition” said Jacobs, “ no less than a half dozen additional representatives of the organizers asked the same question about Natalie’s attendance by phone, e-mail, and by attending the campaign office, and all were provided the same response.”
And that makes the failure to appear acceptable?
 Progressive Conservative candidate Natalie Pierre chose not to use the table set up for her use. She didn’t show up for the debate. The Progressive Conservatives are a political party that wants to stay in power and they will do whatever they can to continue being the government of the province. The public understands that and on the 27th they will decide if they want to continue being governed by that political party.
What reason does Natalie Pierre have for not showing up? Because they told her not to?
Where is the independence and the responsibility to represent the people that elected her?
Natalie Pierre decided that she would not run for re-election then changed her mind and announced that she would seek office again. Failing to win will put her out of her misery.
The decent woman who was nominated was destroyed by a political party that lost its moral footing when it elected Doug Ford.
Salt with Pepper is an opinion column reflecting the observations and musings of the publisher of the Gazette, an on-line newspaper that is in its 12th year as a news source in Burlington and is a member of the National Newsmedia Council.
 By Staff
February 19th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Tuesday, March 04
7:00pm – 8:00pm
 Author of One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This
Jared Bland, writer and former Arts editor of The Globe and Mail, in conversation with award-winning novelist and journalist Omar El Akkad about his new book One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This, a powerful reckoning with what it means to live in a West that betrays its fundamental values.
El Akkad believed emigrating from the Middle East to the West promised freedom. Now twenty years later, after reporting news such as the War on Terror, climate change, and the Black Lives Matter protests, he concludes much of this promise is a lie. One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This chronicles his painful realization and is El Akkad’s heartsick breakup letter with the West—giving voice to the same breakup happening all over the United States. This book is for all the people who want something better than what the West serves up.
About the Author
Egypt-born Omar El Akkad grew up in Qatar, moved to Canada as a teen, and now lives in the United States. He is a two-time winner of the Pacific Northwest Booksellers’ Award and the Oregon Book Award. His debut novel, American War, was named by the BBC as one of 100 novels that shaped our world.
Jared Bland is the former publisher of McClelland & Stewart and was a vice president of Penguin Random House Canada. He has also served as the Arts editor of The Globe and Mail, a senior editor at House of Anansi Press, and the managing editor of The Walrus.
Presented in partnership with McClelland & Stewart and A Different Drummer Books.
A Different Drummer Books will be on site with books for sale and signing after the talk.
Register HERE. Just 62 seats left
Tuesday, March 04
7:00pm – 8:00pm
 By Staff
February 19th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
More high rise and density for Aldershot.
The proposal is to develop 1010 Downsview Drive and 355 Plains Road East with mid-rise, mixed-use buildings along Plains Road East and stacked townhouses at the rear of the properties.
 It was first heard by City Council in December of 2022. The City failed to act on the request for changes in the Official Plan and a change in the zoning bylaw within the 120 day timeline. That took the matter to the Ontario Land Tribunal.
At the tine Stephen Miller spoke against the development saying:
“I take particular issue that the mixed use general (MXG) zoning designation is being used as a means of gaining intensification at the expense of retail. One only has to review the recent development projects on Plains Road to realize just how minimal the retail options will be as a result of these mixed use developments. To quote some recent applications where the retail space built was significantly less than the space being displaced: 1.35 Plains Rd East – 2,473 square feet2.348 Plains Rd East – 2,000 square feet3.484 Plains Rd East – 10,748 square feet
“Simply put, the adoption of MXG is merely accelerating the decline of retail and commercial outlets along the Plains Road corridor and leaving the ward residents with fewer local amenities.
“It is interesting to read the applicant’s justification report1 in support of their application.”
The public was told that the matter had been appealed to the Ontario Land Tribubal.
 The proposal at 1010 Downsview Drive (on the west side of Downsview Drive) is to develop an 8-storey mixed-use building with 141 residential units with retail at grade along Plains Road East and 56 stacked townhouse units at the rear of the property.
The proposal at 355 Plains Road East (on the east side of Downsview Drive) is to develop two mid-rise buildings, 9-storeys and 11-storeys in height, connected by a 6-storey lower building with retail at grade along Plains Road East, and stacked townhouses at the rear of the property.
The proposed development at 355 Plains Road East includes 347 apartment units and 40 stacked townhouse units along the rear of the property. There are 262 parking spaces proposed at 1010 Downsview Drive and 489 parking spaces proposed at 355 Plains Road East.
 By Pepper Parr
February 19th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
“Well there is your story” said one of the about 100 people who attended the all candidates meeting that took place at Port Nelson United Church Tuesday evening.
 Liberal candidate Andrea Grebenc in front of her literature table taking to supporters. The table to her left was set up for Natalie Pierre, Progressive Conservative candidate The man was speaking about an empty table – it was one of four set aside for the candidates to set out their literature and be on hand to talk to people attending the debate.
The Liberals had their table, the New Democrats and the Green party had their table. Some thought that perhaps the Progressive Conservative candidate had yet to arrive.
As people gathered in the room the debate was going to take place in, moderator John Greven stood to introduce himself and explained that the people organizing the debate had reached out on several occasions to invite Natalie Pierre to take part – “we didn’t get a direct response” said Greven, adding that “we did hear from a Progressive Conservative party spokesperson who said their policy was for candidates to not take part in debates but to spend their time knocking on doors”.
During the debate the candidates made a point of not berating Pierre for not taking part.
 Moderator John Greven explaining to the audience why the seat set aside for Natalie Pierre was empty. During the Q&A portion of the evening the Gazette put a question to Ms Pierre asking if ‘the reason you are not here this evening is because you are embarrassed by some of the Doug Ford statements – his “sparky” statement comes to mind.
Sparky was the word used by Ford when he was addressing a gala police services event and talking about people who are sentenced to prison for life for murder or attempted murder. Life in prison is not enough for these people – send them to “sparky; the colloquial term for the electric chair.
By Pepper Parr
February 18th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The pressure must have been big time.
Penny Hersh, along with the Mayor and we think the city’s legal counsel, determined that an event scheduled by a Muslin Group known as i3 that was to take place at the Burlington Convention Centre has been cancelled by the Convention Centre management.
Set out below is the letter that was sent.
The i3 group did ask for people to be in touch with them earlier in the month – to the best of our knowledge they didn’t receive one call.
Will this further strain realtionships with the Muslim community
 By Pepper Parr
February 18th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Hassaam Basit had more news than any member of Council when he did an update.
Burlington, as you know, is a city of many communities. And so on January 22nd our incredible community champions were celebrated for their dedication to all of the work that they do within their communities. This includes city programs like Love My Neighborhood, Outdoor neighborhood rinks and the Neighborhood Matching Community Fund.
 CAO delivers an update on what his team has being doing at City Hall. Goodies for the people moving the snow are in the works. January 22 was also a snow- storm. We’ve had many in succession, but despite that, 80 community members showed up and came out for an evening honoring their hard work. We have received 120 centimeters of snowfall in the past week, three storm events with 75 centimeters in total. In quick succession, the city activated its EOC and level two enhanced monitoring, which allowed for all of the communication and operations to be pulled into one stream. And as you would know, members of council, you received those very thorough, very detailed emails from our Director of Roads, Parks and Forestry. The city’s Crews have been working 24 hours a day on 12 hour rotating shifts, non stop without any break.
At some point when this is over, I think I will show up with some goodies and warm beverages for them. Thank you to everybody in the city as well as all the communities, for being patient as they go through and carry out those tasks. Now not to be outdone, our fire crews, two weeks ago, delivered a baby boy, and so I think that’s fantastic news. I don’t know which Ward it was in, but it was a Burlington baby.
 Our Medical Director, Dr Sheldon Cheskes, has brought the safe pins to Burlington Fire. Now, the safe pins provide a way for fire services to be recognized for the work that they do. There’s some technical, you know, jargon. It’s called
On April 4, Dr Cheskes will be at Burlington Fire, presenting those pins to individual firefighters; their is a long list of them.
On corporate services, the city’s social media accounts now have enhanced image descriptions. It’s called alt text. It’s a useful way to ensure people who use screen readers can perceive images. It’s part of our accessibility.
Our community panel, which we have put a call out for community members, is growing. We have 60 residents now who have registered to provide feedback on all sorts of important projects, like Ward boundary review, asset management plan and climate change action. This is part of, a commitment from the city to engage in and engage with as many voices as we possibly can on health and safety.
Our year – end data shows that the city achieved its 2024 objective for WSIB lost time. Our goal was to be below 1.97 per 100 FTE, and we’re at 1.57 which is good. It is, of course, something where the work is never done and will continue to make enhancements and push forward with all sorts of safety training and the cultural aspects of, you know, having a safe workplace.
 She brought in the volunteers and made sure they were properly trained.  She was pretty good with a hammer as well. She will be missed A quick shout out to Michelle Dwyer. She was our Manager of Engagement and Volunteers. Michelle retired very recently after 34 years of service to the city of Burlington. You have all had experiences working with Michelle her creativity and helping each of you engage with the community. So I’m sure you’ll join me in wishing her well in the next endeavor, and with that, thank you very much.
By Staff
February 18th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The all candidates debate for the people seeking the Burlington seat in the Provincial Legislature will take place this evening at Port Nelson United Church.
The event starts at 7:00 pm
We now know that John Greven will be the Moderator.
 John Greven will moderate the All Candidate debate at Port Nelson this evening. For those who don’t know John he:
Worked at Halton District School Board
Studied at University of Windsor
Lives in Burlington, Ontario
From Chatham, Ontario
He and his wife have travelled extensively in Cambodia, India, Kenya and Sri Lanka – each trip has been about trying to make the world a better place for some of the needy of those nations.
 By Ray Rivers
February 18th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
In our democracy, a sitting government usually calls an election because its term is over, or because there is policy disagreement that can best be settled by going to the people. But neither of those explain why Mr. Ford has decided to call this unnecessary early election in one of the most brutal winter periods in recent memory. Pity those party workers canvassing for votes as they watch lawn signs either swept away by winter storms or a passing snowplow. And voting day, Feb 27th, is promising to be another cold snowy day.
 Doug Ford: A provincial Premier not a Prime Minister. Doug Ford would tell you that this is all necessary because he wants a four year mandate to fight the US president Trump. But that is nonsense – he’s provincial premier not PM. And we all suspect the real reason is the upcoming RCMP report on the Greenbelt. Ford admitted that he once mused about giving the provincial Greenbelt to his developer friends. Then he promised during his first and again during his second election campaign that he wouldn’t do that. Then he did that. Then he backtracked and finally apologized for being such an idiot. And now the RCMP may be on the cusp of potentially charging him with corruption.
The other political leaders easily trashed Ford’s record. By all accounts Ontario voters are worse off now than they were seven years ago when Ford won his first majority government. Hallway health care, for example, which he was going to eliminate, has only worsened. Two and half million Ontario residents can’t find a doctor and are forced to use walk-in-clinics or hospital emergency wards…or do without.
Traffic congestion, in fact grid lock in major cities, is the worst in modern history. Ontario’s contribution to climate changing greenhouse gases is increasing once again after years of decline. The provincial targets for housing have been missed again and new housing starts have tumbled. In fact, even single family homes, the kind Mr. Ford likes, have fallen to a 69 year low in the province. Meanwhile in 2024, more than 80,000 people in Ontario were experiencing homelessness, a 25% increase from 2022.
Ford’s promise to eliminate the deficit; to reduce electricity rates, to reduce taxes have all been broken. And despite racking up massive deficits and debt he has withheld or cut much needed revenues to education and health care. Instead Ford has wasted tax payer dollars either suing the federal government over carbon pricing, shutting down new electrical power plants and paying for his pet projects. One of those pet projects is the new spa at Ontario Place, which is costing every family in the province something like $400 according to the opposition NDP leader.
 Nobody who watched the debate should want to trust Ford to manage our economy, even in good times. And we’ve all been told the upcoming tariff years will not be good times. Sometimes debates matter in an election, It is unfortunate this one was timed around family dinners on Family Day, possibly missing the attention of many Ontario voters. So, many voters who might automatically vote for status quo will just do what they did last time. But nobody who watched the debate should want to trust Ford to manage our economy, even in good times. And we’ve all been told the upcoming tariff years will not be good times.
This is a snap election and last night’s was the only general debate among the leaders. When it was over there were only three left standing and Doug Ford wasn’t one of them. Ford never justified this early unnecessary election and the costs and inconvenience it is imposing on the voters. The debate, however, exposed just how poorly Doug Ford has managed the province and its economy.
On what planet does that pathetic performance record entitle him to continue as premier? Does he think we have rocks in our heads?
By Pepper Parr
February 18th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Penny Hersh, a resident of the city who has been a passionate advocate against any form of anti-semitism that she even sniffs, never mind the blatant, repugnent examples that surface from time to time.
 Penny Hersh: The strongest advocate the city has against antisemitic behaviour. We are fortunate to have her doing what she does. In material sent to the city as part of a written delegation, Hersh first chose to thank Mayor Meed-Ward for bringing this motion to the Committee of the Whole on February 10th, 2025.
She added: Since the initial anti-semetic issue that occurred at the Brant Community Centre in June we are now dealing with trying to cancel the Reviving Roots Conference scheduled to take place at the Burlington Convention Centre on February 24th.
The scheduled speaker, Mohammed Hijab is an extremist that spews hate of Jews, Christians, LGBTQ community, and anything “Western. He also feels that “any girl with breasts and hips” can be married.
THE ASK – we would ask that council consider amending an existing motion
Portions of the existing motion are set out below.
City of Burlington By-law 13-2024
Whereas sections 8, 9, and 11 of the Municipal Act, 2001 authorize The Corporation of the City of Burlington (the “City”) to pass by-laws necessary or desirable for municipal purposes, and in particular paragraphs 5, 6, and 8 of subsection 11 (2) authorize by-laws respecting the economic, social and environmental well-being of the municipality; the health, safety and well-being of persons; and the protection of persons and property; and
“Deliver” means to deliver, leave, place, deposit or post anywhere of the Property or mailbox associated with a Residence, whether or not handed to a person, and the non “Delivery” has a corresponding meaning;
“Graphic Image” means an image or photograph showing, or purporting to show, a fetus or any part of a fetus;
“person” includes an individual, firm, sole proprietorship, partnership, association, or corporation;
“Property” means the whole or part of any parcel of real property, including all buildings, structures, personal property, or other property located thereon;
“Residence” means any Property or address that is not clearly identified from the abutting roadway as the location of a business.
No person shall Deliver or participate in the Delivery of a Graphic Image to any Residence, unless;
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-
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- the Graphic Image is fully concealed within a sealed envelope or package; and
- the sealed envelope or package containing the Graphic Image is marked with the following notice and information:
- the name and address of the person who is responsible for Delivery of the Graphic Image; and
- a warning that the envelope or package “contains a Graphic Image that may be offensive or disturbing to some people”.
Enacted and passed this 19th day of March 2024.
Hersh wants the city to create a policy that allows Council to deem an event or part of an event unsafe or non-inclusive.
The process would include community input on materials or presentations that are against city policy.
The bylaw changes would allow private facilities to use the public conduct policy to guide cancellations.
The Asks are significant; allowing a Council to deem an event or part of an event unsafe or non-inclusive would run up against the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
There are events that are seen by some people as offensive. A private group holding an event in a private place that will discuss issues that are in themselves offensive is not reason enough to create a bylaw that would lead to City Council sticking their noses in.
People are at times ugly and they do ugly things – but does that make them illegal?
Some serious sober second thought needs to be brought to bear on this one.
This issue came to the surface when a group with the name i3 announced that they were holding an event at the Burlington Convention Centre. The event was their “Reviving Roots Conference” with the theme of “Reclaiming the Muslim Identity in a Secular World.” One of the speakers is Mohammed Hijab.
Hijab an outspoken antisemite obsessed with Jews and Israel, he’s described pedophilia as “relative,” and he routinely pontificates about the superiority of Islam.
The Gazette published a piece on the event. A link to that article is HERE.
What little we know about i3 is repugnant. Does that mean they cannot meet in private and do what it is they want to do? Be very careful when attempting to tell people what they can and cannot do in private.
By Chris Ashley
February 18th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
| Home insurance protects your most valuable asset – your home. With various coverage types and exclusions, it’s easy to overlook potential gaps. This guide will help you understand the basics and ensure you have the coverage you need for peace of mind.
What Does Home Insurance Typically Cover?
Most standard home insurance policies cover the following:
- Dwelling Coverage: Protects the structure of your home, including walls, roof, and built-in systems, from damage caused by covered events like fires, storms, or vandalism.
- Personal Property: Covers personal belongings, such as furniture, electronics, and clothing, up to a certain limit.
- Liability Protection: Provides coverage if someone is injured on your property or if you accidentally damage someone else’s property.
- Additional Living Expenses (ALE): Pays for temporary housing and living expenses if your home becomes uninhabitable due to a covered event.
Common Gaps in Coverage
While home insurance covers a wide range of risks, there are some situations that might not be included:
- Floods and Earthquakes: These are typically excluded and require separate policies.
- Wildfires in High-Risk Areas: Standard policies usually cover fire damage, but if you live in a wildfire-prone area, you may need supplemental coverage.
- High-Value Items: Jewelry, art, or collectibles may exceed personal property limits.
- Maintenance-Related Damage: Issues like mold, pest infestations, or gradual wear and tear are typically not covered.
How to Assess Your Coverage Needs
- Know Your Home’s Value: Ensure your dwelling coverage reflects the cost to rebuild your home at current material and labor prices, not just its market value.
- Evaluate Your Belongings: Take an inventory of your possessions to ensure your personal property limit is adequate. Many insurers offer apps or tools to simplify this process.
- Consider Local Risks: If you live in an area prone to wildfires, flooding, or earthquakes, explore specialized coverage options.
- Consider Liability Risks: If you have a pool, trampoline, or frequent visitors, you may need higher liability limits or umbrella insurance.
Tips for Filling Coverage Gaps
- Supplement for High-Risk Events: Purchase separate flood or earthquake insurance if needed. In wildfire-prone areas, ensure you have enough fire insurance and explore extended replacement cost coverage for rebuilding.
- Review Deductibles: Check if your policy has a separate deductible for fire, wind, or other high-risk events. Adjust if necessary.
- Upgrade to Replacement Cost Coverage: Opt for policies that pay for the full cost to rebuild or replace damaged items, rather than factoring in depreciation.
- Consider Personal Property Riders: Add riders for expensive items like jewelry, electronics, or equipment.
- Add Home Business Coverage: If you run a business from home, standard policies may not cover related equipment or liability. Look into additional coverage options.
How to Save on Home Insurance
- Bundle Policies: Combine home and auto insurance with the same provider for a discount.
- Increase Your Deductible: A higher deductible can lower premiums, but ensure it’s an amount you can comfortably pay out-of-pocket.
- Improve Home Safety: Adding fire alarms, security systems, or storm shutters can qualify for reduced rates.
- Shop Around: Compare quotes from multiple providers to find the best rate for the coverage you need.
Home insurance is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and your needs may change over time. Regularly review your policy to ensure it provides adequate protection for your home, belongings, and lifestyle. |
 By Staff
February 18th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
City Council will meet at 9:30 this morning and work its way through a reasonable sized agenda. How snow removal, while not on the agenda, will certainly be discussed
Council will review the recommendations from Standing Committees starting with the Committee of the Whole meeting of February 10 and 11, 2025
There will be an update of all the Staff Directions that have been issued but not fully acted upon. The findings and the proposed path forward for managing outstanding staff directions.
There have been occasions in the past when Council became aware of Directions issued that were no longer relevant and Directions that were just plain forgotten. It will be interesting to see what comes up and how Council reacts. It’s a sort of mini report card on how the administration has been getting things done.
 Pilot project that will cost the city $700,000 in lost revenue to provide free service for youth is on Council meeting agenda. The Fare-Free Transit for Youth – Summer 2025 Pilot will be on the table. There is a Direction to “Authorize the Director of Transit to implement Fare-Free Transit for youth in July and August 2025 as a pilot project.
Much of the discussion will be on “Authorizing the Chief Financial Officer to draw on the Ontario Provincial Gas Tax to fund the revenue loss of approximately $70,000, into the 2025 operating budget.
Appointments to the Advisory Committees (Committee of Adjustment and Mundialization Committee) are to be announced.
Council is finally getting to correspondence from the Ontario Ombudsman regarding Integrity Commissioner.
 Curt Benson stick handles the major development issues. Housing Accelerator Fund implementation update. This relates to funds from the federal government that have to be spent within a specific period of time. This get to Council through the Development and Growth Management Report (DGM)
More on the 2026 Municipal Election preparation and selection of alternative voting methods. Online voting on election day was not going to be used but people would be able to vote online for the advanced polls.
Motion memorandum regarding increasing childcare spaces in Burlington. The intention is to direct staff to provide a report for Committee of the Whole on opportunities to use policy and city assets, as well as other opportunities to increase the number of childcare spaces in Burlington.
Council will receive information from Legal and Legislative Services regarding an update on staff monitoring and review of recent municipal responses and considerations to the regulation of the delivery of graphic images and non-peaceful demonstrations.
A potentially disturbing discussion will take place on monitoring and reviewing municipal responses regarding graphic images and non-peaceful demonstrations. It is part of a review that was requested of recent municipal responses and considerations to the regulation of the delivery of graphic images and non-peaceful demonstrations.
The disturbing part is who determines just what a non-peaceful demonstrations is?
A Burlington Lands Partnership update regarding city-owned lands that have potential for partnership development. There is apparently a considerable amount of city owned land that could be used for development. At this point the city isn’t prepared to say how much land there is and where it is located.
All the public is getting at this point is a report on city-owned lands that have potential for partnership development.
When it comes to land city Council and the administration keep all the cards very close to their chests.
 The development was the object of a very robust discussion that may have resulted in a totally different orientation and possibly several three bedroom units. The development proposal at 2169-2175 Ghent Ave., will be getting a lot of attention.
Council heard a very refreshing delegation on this development. More to come on that event.
In a Confidential triannual litigation update report Council will learn who is suing the city and who the city might be suing. A lot of taxpayers money changes hands as a result of these meetings.
Council will get a Confidential status report on the Contingency Reserve – January 28, 2025
If past meetings are any guide – Council will get all this done and adjourn but not before members of Council report on what is taking place in their wards.
By Pepper Parr
February 17th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
It was a two- hour debate with the four candidates who want to be the next Premier facing off in a debate.
Did anyone win? Marit Stiles put out a release saying she had won. It was clear to me that Doug Ford didn’t win. He didn’t have two – the polls are very much in his favour. Will that lead still be in place on the 27th – few believe it will hold but no one is prepared to talk about just what the electorate will do.
 Few see the election as necessary – other than Donald Ford.
Set out below are their closing statements. Before we get to them a few observations. Marit Stiles was very animated. Doug Ford looked like a lumpy donut – he just stuck to his line – you need he because I can take on Donald Trump or words to that effect.
When asked what they would feed to one of the opposing candidate if they were having them over to dinner: Doug Ford said, without a smile: “Macaroni and Cheese”.
 Moderator David Common with candidates Bonnie Crombie and Marit Stiles on his left. Fords and Shreiner were on Common’s right. David Common of CBC’s early morning program in Toronto did say at one point that there was a lot of tension in the room.
Time for the closing statements: That is one uninterrupted minute.
PC Leader Doug Ford,
 “Well, folks, we’re going to have a very clear choice in this upcoming election. This is all about leadership. We’ve seen what Donald Trump is going to do in the White House for the next four years, and no matter if he puts a tariff on us today, tomorrow, next month, next year, you know it would devastate our economy.
“There’s one person on that stage that’s going to protect your families, protect jobs and protect businesses and protect communities, and that’s myself.
“We’re going to reinvest into the economy like we did, and we saw over 850,000 jobs. We’re going to diversify trade around the world, which we did. We saw over $70 billion of investment. But I can’t do it without a strong mandate.
“If I get a strong mandate from the people of Ontario, I will work harder than I’ve ever worked. I will fight against Donald Trump like you’ve never seen before. On February 27 I’m asking for your vote, and may God bless the people of Ontario.”
Liberal leader Bonnie Crombie.
 “We need a premier that will protect everyone’s job, not just his own, and is who is able to get us a family doctor like they had promised. You know, tonight we talked a lot about some really important issues, no question. And I want to leave you with this, if we want to change our health care system and a family doctor, you need to change the government.
“So today I’m asking you. I’m asking those of you who voted NDP in the last election to vote Liberal, to vote for a government that will fix our health care system and to get you a family doctor, and together, we can change government. Thank you.”
NDP Leader of the Opposition Marit Stiles,
 “When times are tough, people look for hope, and for me, I find that hope in the strength of the people that I meet all across the province of Ontario, but after seven long years of Doug Ford and his wasteful scandals and his broken promises, rising costs are really hurting a lot of people in this province, and they are weakening us. He has left us weaker than ever before. A few weeks ago, while he was facing and we were facing the biggest threat that our country has faced in generations. He decided to quit his job.
“Now, most people in Ontario, if you quit your job and then you didn’t show up for work the next day, you wouldn’t expect to be rehired. But Doug thinks that he deserves that. I got to tell you, you don’t have to settle for this. You have the power to change things, and I want to offer you that hope. We can fix our schools. We can build truly affordable, permanently affordable homes, we can hire doctors and fix the health care crisis that these folks have contributed to, and we can bring new leadership and new ideas to Ontario. It’s time for change.”
Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner.
“I want to thank each and every one of you for tuning in tonight. My commitment to you is that I will fight to put you in your community first. I will fight for fairness right now.
 “In Doug Ford’s, Ontario, the rich insiders are getting richer and the rest of us are just struggling to get by. You have to ask yourself if it’s any better now than it was seven years ago, and it’s clear when it comes to housing, health care, education, climate action, affordability, the answer is no. What separates greens from every party up here is that we’re running local champions who will be your voice at Queen’s Park, not the leader’s voice in your riding.
“I tell my deputy leaders, Matt Richter, Parry Sound Muskoka and Ashlyn Clancy, Kitchener center, that I’m not your boss. The people of your riding are your boss, and we need more of that in Ontario, and that’s what the Ontario Greens will deliver as we fight for fairness.”
As we wrap ourselves up from this 2025 Ontario leaders debate, I would like to thank all four leaders: PC leader, Doug Ford, Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner, NDP Leader Marit Stiles and Liberal leader Bonnie Crombie who are on this stage with me tonight. Thank you all for those watching and listening, for engaging in your future. Election day just 10 days away, Thursday, February 27 I’m David Common. Thank you very much for watching.
 By Staff
February 17th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Fresh off campaigning in eastern Canada, Karina Gould was headed for Calgary where an event was to take place.
 At least 18 people were injured. There were 80 passengers on the plane Then the real world changed the plans – A Delta Airline flipped over on its back as it was landing. More than 18 people were injured.
Two of the Pearson runways were shut down leaving Gould stranded at the airport while her team on the grand scrambled for a way to include her in the event virtually.
The campaign team reported: “Just letting everyone know that the event tonight is still on however, Karina is currently stuck at Pearson Airport.
 Karina doing a campaign meeting in Toronto. Due to the situation at Toronto Pearson Airport, Karina will not be able to attend tonight’s event. However, the event is still moving forward. A member of our team will be present, and we are working on a way for Karina to deliver a few remarks despite the circumstances.
By Staff
February 17th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Voting locations were made available on February 14.
All you need to know is your postal code.
Readers living in rural communities are finding that the service does not work for their locations. We will followup and see what we can learn from Elections Ontario
For those of you in urban areas it works.
Click HERE to find out where you go to vote.
You will see this image –
Click on it
 That will get you to a box where you enter your postal code.
That will give you the location of your voting location. Remember to take personal identification with you.
 By Staff
February 17th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
A loyal reader popped us a note on how she was spending the 60th anniversary of the Canadian flag.
It’s our 7th year…may move here if Poilievre gets in…a man like Trump with no vision and so many of your readers support him….scary and depressing stuff.
Like many Canadians’ my husband and I feel the need to escape the harshness of our winter. For the past 7 years we have spent 2 – 3 months in the Algarve in Portugal. Albufeira is a coastal town in the middle of this part of the country. With moderate temperatures of 17-19 degrees at this time of year, the area attracts Canadians, Dutch, English and other Europeans.
 We attended the annual Canada Day celebration at a local bar called Coyote’s. The place was suited up with Canadian flags, red and white balloons and streamers.
Canadians from all over the area came decked out in their reds and an abundance of enthusiasm, driven even more so by current events. Snacks and entertainment were provided by the establishment with the National Anthem bellowed out by everyone often spontaneously but also directed by the band.
A great time was had by all as patriots donned out in red and white packed the interior with others spilling out onto the patio.
 A moderate temperatures of 17-19 degrees It was pride on full display!!!!
By Staff
February 17th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The next Premier of Ontario will be chosen ten days from now
The four candidates seeking to become the next Premier of Ontario took part in a debate on Friday in North Bay. There will be another debate in Toronto this evening. It will be streamed on the CBC YouTube channel
The following are the the closing arguments made in the North Bay debate
Mike Schreiner of the Green Party.
 Mike Schreiner of the Green Party. I want to say thank you to my colleagues for being here tonight. This is democracy in action, and we need to strengthen our democracy, something I believe deeply in. You know, I understand times are tough out there right now. So many families are struggling to get by, to find an affordable home, pay the grocery bills, maybe have a nice March Break with their kids, and that’s exactly why the Ontario greens are fighting for fairness, fighting to make your life a little bit better after seven top long years, fighting for generational fairness so that people in the north and the south can actually have an affordable home, we put forward a plan to legalize housing within existing urban boundaries, so we can quickly start building homes people can afford in the communities they know and love where we have infrastructure, we would renew fees and charges on starter homes to make them affordable for young people.
Again, we would actually start protecting renters, because there is no city in Ontario where a full time minimum wage worker can afford average monthly rent, we would actually have government get back into the building affordable and deeply affordable, nonprofit Co Op and supportive housing with wraparound mental health and addiction supports, because nobody, nobody in Ontario, when housing should be a human right, should be homeless tonight, over 81,000 people in encampments right now. That is so wrong.
We would lower taxes for people earning under $65,000 in households under 100,000 saving you up to $1,700 a month, paying for it by asking the wealthiest tax bracket to pay a little bit more so we have fairness in our tax code. We would reverse the $1,500 cut per student in education so our students don’t have to learn in overcrowded classrooms. We would actually make the investments we need for people to have access to primary health care and to end hallway medicine and ensure that mental health is health and work towards covering it under OHIP, and we would protect the places we love in this province, you know, I love to go fishing. I love to go canoeing. I grew up hunting. You can’t do those things if you have a government that doesn’t protect the nature that protects us as we see the increasing frequency and severity of unsafe weather events fueled by the climate crisis.
We have to protect our farmland and our nature that protects us. We can help people be able to afford things like giving a free heat pump program like PEI in New Brunswick. Have to lower your energy prices and address climate at the same time, we have solutions, but we need local champions, green MPP to come to Queen’s Park and deliver those solutions, because that’s the kind of fair Ontario each and every one of you deserve.
Doug Ford from the Conservative Party,
You know, folks, this election is about leadership. Who do you trust to protect your family, your jobs, businesses and communities? This election is about who’s going to protect the people of Ontario.
Over the last five weeks, we’ve seen what the next four years will look like under President Trump’s White House. He’ll shift the goal post every single day on a whim, creating economic chaos every sign every single time he does it, whether he imposes tariffs tomorrow, next month or next year, President Trump will continue to use tariffs to get what he wants.
We have to be eyes wide open. Tariffs will devastate northern industries like mining, steel and forestry. They’ll put 1000s of Northern workers jobs at risk. President Trump doesn’t know what all we know that Canada is not for sale. Canada is resilient. We’re strong, and we’ll stand up to President Trump and the tariffs to protect Ontario. I’m asking the people for a strong, stable, four year mandate so we can outlast and outlive the Trump administration. The stronger the mandate, the better we’ll be able to protect communities and families and businesses around Ontario as we face down the threat of Donald Trump’s tariffs. Ontario and Northern Ontario has never been more important.
Northern Ontario was blessed to have an abundant supply of critical minerals. The US needs it, the world needs it, but our critical minerals don’t do us any good if they’re sitting in the ground or being shipped off to China, the future prosperity of our province, of our country. Unlocking economic potential of the ring and the ring of fire is absolutely critical. We need to do more. We need to do it faster. The need to speed up permitting and approvals of critical minerals in the ground process shipped right here in Ontario.
We need to ship those out around the world, and we need the federal government to get out of the way. They keep delaying and delaying. We need no more excuses, no more reasons why we can’t or we shouldn’t, friends. We’re in the Battle of our lives here in the province in our country. The front line of that battle starts right here in northern Ontario with the critical minerals. We’ll do whatever it takes to turn Ontario into a critical mineral and energy powerhouse around the world, please join us, and together, we’ll do whatever it takes to protect the people of Ontario. I want to thank you and God bless the people of Ontario. Thank you
Marit Stiles, NDP Leader of the Opposition:
The opportunity to be here with everyone has been fun, I would say, before we leave, though, I want you to ask yourself this question, in tough times, who do you trust to be on your side?
 Marit Stiles, NDP Leader of the Opposition: Seven Years of Doug Ford have cost you his bad deals, his scandals have wasted billions of dollars, and they have made life a lot harder for Ontarians. He delivers for the wealthiest, the insiders, but never for the rest of us.
And he’s been singing the same song, folks for seven years. You know, most Ontarians, if they quit their job or they didn’t show up for work. They wouldn’t expect to get rehired, but Doug Ford does, and he thinks he can pull one over on Ontarians, well, we can’t afford another four years of this. We can’t afford more hospitals closing. We can’t afford to lose more family doctors or nurses so burned out because they’ve been so disrespected and taken to court by this government?
We can’t afford wait times in our emergency rooms of 10 to 22, hours if you’re lucky enough to find an emergency room even open. You know, along Highway 11 right now, since we’re in northern Ontario, there are 800 kilometers between Timmins and Thunder Bay, there is one delivery unit on that highway, along that highway, for all of the women who need to give birth. Think about that, right?
That’s Ontario today under Doug Ford, and that’s the North homelessness in every community, and addiction and mental health crisis, the cost of everything just completely out of control.
Ontario needs new leadership, and we need new ideas. In this election, you can trust me to be on your side as Premier, I am going to fight against the rising costs. I am going to defend every job in every sector. I’m going to hire doctors and build homes, and I am also going to fix our schools.
Listen, you’re going to hear a lot over the next few weeks about the legacy of Doug Ford. I want you to think about what we can do that’s better here in the province of Ontario, how we can change things. And so with that, I hope you, I will entrust you to consider supporting me as your premier and to vote for a government, an NDP government that’s on your side. Thank you.
Bonnie Crombie, Leader of the Liberal Party in Ontario:
Thank you for having me here. As you know, this is my first time on this stage. Previously, I was Mayor of the city of Mississauga, so I’ve run a government, a pretty successful government, for almost a decade.
 Bonnie Crombie, Leader of the Liberal Party in Ontario: It was very fiscally responsible, but I really feel on social issues, as I hope I’ve demonstrated to you here today. What I want to say is that looking around at this tariff threat and Donald Trump to the south of us, I can’t imagine that there’s another premier in this country that would choose this moment, choose now to call an election. Honestly, we all want our premier to be hard at work, at their desk, working, protecting jobs, our jobs, not just his own job.
By calling an election, it is irresponsible, but I think you’ve heard a lot tonight about the choices that you’re facing. One thing is pretty clear. I don’t think that Doug Ford deserves four more years. Our Northern and our remote communities are really struggling under seven years of Doug Ford and he raised the issue of trust. You can’t trust him because he doesn’t deliver. He doesn’t do what he says he’s going to do. Sure, it sounds folksy and kind of nice, but it’s not real. It’s not true. Back in 2018 he said he’d end hallway medicine, the wait times have doubled.
Back in 2018 he said he’d cut your taxes. He hasn’t cut your taxes. He didn’t get it done. But I will as part of my platform. I’m determined to do it.
In 2022 he said he’d build 1.5 million homes. I was a mayor. I thought, well, this might be good. We’ll get some incentives to build. It didn’t happen. It didn’t happen. He didn’t get it done.
Our record today is worse than it was in 1955 worse housing on record. Jobs are leaving the province to other provinces that have figured it out. BC is building 70% more homes than we are. Think about that for a moment. So is Alberta, 36% more even Quebec, they figured out how to get it done under the same fiscal framework, under the same constraints, like interest rates.
You need a real partner here with the municipalities, and I’m someone who’s walked in your shoes, and I understand what’s happening. Lots of downloading; that downloading has to stop. Our mental health and addictions issues; they need a plan. They need proper funding behind them, not 350 beds, which doesn’t go anywhere, not even in the city of Toronto, let alone over 10 years, spread over how many municipalities this is a this is a crisis right now. What is happening to people who are homeless, over 200,000 of them people facing opioid issues.
I have a plan. My plan is to ensure that you get the basics right. I’m going to ensure that you have a family doctor. I’m going to invest in industries as well, but my most critical goal for you is to ensure that all two and a half million people in Ontario have a family doc. I’m recruiting 3100 of them for less than the price of his fantasy tunnel under the 401 he’d rather put money into a foreign spa than put it into our health care system. He’s putting more money into our spa than into the health care system. we’re going to cut your taxes and build affordable housing.
Doug Ford, incumbent Premier of the Progressive Conservative Party
You know, folks, this election is about leadership. Who do you trust to protect your family, your jobs, businesses and communities? This election is about who’s going to protect the people of Ontario. Over the last five weeks, we’ve seen what the next four years will look like under President Trump’s White House. He’ll shift the goal post every single day on a whim, creating economic chaos every sign every single time he does it, whether he imposes tariffs tomorrow, next month or next year, President Trump will continue to use tariffs to get what he wants.
 Doug Ford, incumbent Premier of the Progressive Conservative Party We have to be eyes wide open. Tariffs will devastate northern industries like mining, steel and forestry. They’ll put 1000s of Northern workers jobs at risk. President Trump doesn’t know what all we know that Canada is not for sale. Canada is resilient. We’re strong, and we’ll stand up to President Trump and the tariffs to protect Ontario. I’m asking the people for a strong, stable, four year mandate so we can outlast and outlive the Trump administration. The stronger the mandate, the better we’ll be able to protect communities and families and businesses around Ontario as we face down the threat of Donald Trump’s tariffs. Ontario and Northern Ontario has never been more important.
Northern Ontario was blessed to have an abundant supply of critical minerals. The US needs it, the world needs it, but our critical minerals don’t do us any good if they’re sitting in the ground or being shipped off to China, the future prosperity of our province, of our country. Unlocking economic potential of the ring and the ring of fire is absolutely critical. We need to do more. We need to do it faster. The need to speed up permitting and approvals of critical minerals in the ground process shipped right here in Ontario.
We need to ship those out around the world, and we need the federal government to get out of the way. They keep delaying and delaying. We need no more excuses, no more reasons why we can’t or we shouldn’t, friends. We’re in the Battle of our lives here in the province in our country. The front line of that battle starts right here in northern Ontario with the critical minerals. We’ll do whatever it takes to turn Ontario into a critical mineral and energy powerhouse around the world, please join us, and together, we’ll do whatever it takes to protect the people of Ontario. I want to thank you and God bless the people of Ontario.
By Staff
February 17th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
 Rosie DiManno, TorontoStar columnist decides to call out King Charles III Rosie DiManno, a Toronto Star columnist covering sports and current affairs for the Star has never been one to mince her words.
In a column published online this morning Rosie let it all out – both barells – asking where is the King when he could be useful?
A king outranks a potentate or a mountebank shilling from his Oval Office soapbox.
And we’ve got one of those — a king, I mean.
 King Charles III So where is King Charles III when Canada needs him? Not a peep out of His Majesty since U.S. President Donald Trump has been blathering and bloviating about this country becoming the 51st American state, repeated ad nauseam, any time he can wedge in a dig. Stony silence as well from the useless Governor General. For that matter, where are the 55 other nations in the Commonwealth that was so vitally important to the late Queen? They haven’t said boo in defence of their beleaguered fraternal member. Or … hello, Europe?
In a constitutional monarchy, the king can’t proclaim “off with his head,” nor ruffle any governance feathers. But savvy Queen Elizabeth II knew how to thread that needle, making her position known in times of crisis. For instance she used her influence among Commonwealth leaders to suspend Zimbabwe over its human rights abuses. (President Robert Mugabe, a dyed-in-the-wool Anglophile despite the legacy of colonialism in what was Rhodesia, went into such a fury — his knighthood also stripped — that he later withdrew Zimbabwe from the organization.)
A coronet-ed head does have subtle power. But Canada might as well be on the other side of the moon, rather than merely the other side of the Atlantic, for all the support for sovereign dominion that Charles has expressed these past few weeks. Links between Charles and Canada have been historically strong — he’s made 19 visits, though all as Prince of Wales, last in these parts in 2022. As the Queen spread out her children and grandchildren as nominal figureheads of the Crown across the Commonwealth, establishing particularly close ties, we got Prince Andrew, who attended school here.
Trump, who has long been in awe of the Royal Family, was especially enthralled by the Queen. Awe for royals but now OW for Canada as the disrupter-in-chief has deep-sixed turned diplomacy, with a slew of whinges about America’s northern neighbour and greatest trading partner. He might not wear a bejewelled headpiece — oh how he wishes — but he’s certainly been wielding his Sharpie like a sword in a frenzy of executive orders.
Charles may not want to be seen as mucking into a partisan spat between Canada and the U.S. But, he’s never had difficulty getting his sentiments across via leaks to the media by assorted confidantes and acolytes. That’s how he effectively demonized Diana as the cuckoo Princess of Wales during the mutually hostile years that threatened the future of the monarchy. And if he doesn’t want to step into this political whirlwind, then send Prince William. Remind Trump that we are part of a much bigger historical empire, millennia old. The USA is, relatively, a pipsqueak and Pax Americana is already in decline. We even once burned down their damn White House. Well, the British did in 1814 during the War of 1812.
Of course, royals need to receive an invitation to step foot in Canada — not including Prince Harry, who went off the protocol grid when he and Meghan landed for a few months in a Vancouver Island mansion after the turncoat Sussexes bolted as “working royals,” before packing up for California. No such invite has been extended. Doubtless “Governor Trudeau,” as Trump disses the prime minister, has more urgent matters on his mind — contending with the unhinged president and staring into the abyss of his protracted resignation with a Liberal leadership race in full throttle. But seriously, in a time of existential upheaval, he really should draft in all the help he can get.
 President Donald Trump signing yet another Executive Order The Beltway Bully obviously delights in provoking Canada, tossing around insults whilst reinventing the presidential wheel. Everyone knows, though, that there’s only one way to deal with a bully and that’s to sock him back twice as hard. While at first, when the coveting-Canada postulation was viewed as just a lame joke, it was easy to let the jibe slide. “Never going to happen,’’ said Trudeau last month of the U.S. annexing Canada. Just Trump being Trump, laying the foundation for future negotiations, arm-twisting an ally like no other over tariffs disastrous for both countries, triggering a trade war and force-marching Ottawa into stiffening its borders against illegal migrants and fentanyl.
Except Trump wasn’t just blowing smoke. He did unilaterally rename the Gulf of Mexico, he did wrangle concessions out of Panama over the canal, he did turn his rapacious eye for territorial expansion toward Greenland. At least Denmark countered by threatening to impose a 500 per cent tariff on Ozempic and Wegovy, the weight loss drugs trademarked by a Danish pharmaceutical company. And Trump did — still does apparently — intend to plant the U.S. flag in Gaza, exiling some 2 million Palestinians.
So no, not laughing at Trump’s witless cheek anymore. Just last week, Trudeau told an economic summit in Toronto that he believes Trump’s fixation on Canada is “a real thing” and that the president hankers for this country’s abundance of critical minerals. Trudeau may have once taken Patrick Brazeau to the mat in a charity boxing match but his jabs at Trump have scarcely amounted to rabbit punches. It’s been embarrassing from many angles, even as Trump’s craven hunger for us has galvanized a nation so often at regional knives drawn.
It was actually former Prime Minister Stephen Harper who came out swinging. At the recent launch of his new book, Harper told a private audience: If I was still prime minister, I would be prepared to impoverish the country and not be annexed, if that was the option we’re facing. Now, because I do think if Trump were determined, he could really do wide structural and economic damage, but I wouldn’t accept that. I would accept any level of damage to preserve the independence of the country.’’
Put some more lead in your pencil, Justin, and go out with a bang-bang.
And Your Highness? The real one, not the pretender Prince Trudeau — get your royal purple arse over here.
By Pepper Parr
February 17th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
This is the month the city is scheduled to take the Civic Square rebuild to tender.
The timeline at this point is:
Detailed design, permits and approvals from July 2024 to March 2025, tender in February/March 2025 and construction from June 2025 to June 2026.
Members of Council realize this project is one that they are going to have to wear in the months leading up to the 2026 municipal election if the project is late or turns out to cost even more than expected.
If it turns out to be something that people like – they will applaud and be pleased. If it turns out to be a clunker and gets a thumbs down – every member of Council could be looking at the end of their municipal careers.
The problem at this point is that at this point there doesn’t appear to be any potential candidates, other than a possible for Ward 2.
There are many reasons to expect delays on this one – the tariff mess might kill.
Meed Ward said in a Tweet at the time: “Last week, Council received an update from staff regarding next steps on the Civic Square renewal project. We’re nearing the completion of the design work; however, Council has asked staff to report back in September (that was last year) so that Council and the community can get a better understanding of the design.
At a public meeting in City Hall less than 50 people showed up to ask questions of the planners and the design team.
What’s to share? The decision has been made, the funds needed have been allocated and the design teams and doing what they do. Learning that $200,000 was going to be spent on public art was a bit of a surprise but you can’t have a refurbished Civic Square without some art.
Anne Marsden, never a supporter of the project added that: The current Council cancelled the budgetted efforts of the previous Council to abide by access laws for Civic Square. They then turned it into a vanity project that will not satisfy access and safety issues until 2026 and is more than six times the cost. Clearly showing they do not give a fig about how much they spend or their responsibility under the access laws.
Expect some news on this in the not to distant future.
By Staff
February 17th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Recreational facilities will be opening Monday, Feb. 17 at 9 a.m.
Drop-in recreation programs will resume and facilities will be open for scheduled rentals.
 Sliding down a slop was a family event. Was Mom making hot chocolate at home?  Pond opens to the public this morning. The Burlington Rotary Centennial Pond will open tomorrow, weather and ice conditions permitting.
Residents are encouraged to call the ice conditions hotline at 905-335-7738, ext. 8587 before leaving to make sure the Pond is open.
With all the snow – there are still great opportunities to get out and slide.
 By Pepper Parr
February 16th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Ron Dennis, an ink stained wretch, who has edited a lot of copy in his years as a respected journalist.
He now lives in Ottawa, originally home town for him; posted his response to remarks Leader of the Opposition Pierre Poilievre made during a speech in Ottawa.
Dennis was moved to publish the following on his Facebook page.
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