 By Pepper Parr
February 27th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
OPINION
Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes, CM, is founder, executive director of Rainbow Faith and Freedom and senior pastor emeritus of the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto commented recently on the transgendered teacher working at an Oakville High School.
 Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes, Speaking to the problem in front of the Halton District School Board trustees Hawkes said: “Whatever your opinion on this issue, it’s crystal clear that the public conversation around it is on the wrong track.”
“Prioritizing the safety and well-being of transgender people — including this educator — and all students is the clear objective.
Rev Hawks has failed to understand that the school board is in place to educate students and to protect them while they learn and grow into adulthood.
The rights of teachers are important and the transgendered community needs understanding and acceptance but not at the expense of the students.
Hawkes maintains “those objectives have been brushed aside. A recent direction to implement a “professionalism policy” (at the relevant school board) threatens to worsen this situation.”
Hawkes added: “In my experience, this conversation requires everything it has lacked thus far: sincerity, civility and calm, trust in those institutions working to find solutions, and faith in reasonable debate.
 Parents are offended with what they are seeing. “To be clear this case is about human rights. So, anyone entering into this conversation, must check their assumptions at the door and listen, first, to those whose rights are at stake.
“As a community, the urgent question we must ask, therefore, is how to make this conversation not easier, simpler, or magically expedient, but more civil, compassionate, and clear in purpose.”
While all the above are important – the students are the responsibility of the society they live in – and at this point my view is that the rights of others, not the students, which is what matters most.
Rev Hawkes had played a major role in helping the wider community understand people who face huge barriers in living their lives. He is to be commended and has been recognized for the work he has done.
Hawkes adds: “Many of our fellow Canadians are depending on us to find this answer. We have found it before, let’s find it again.”
Salt with Pepper is the musings, reflections and opinions of the publisher of the Burlington Gazette, an online newspaper that was formed in 2010 and is a member of the National Newsmedia Council.
 By Pepper Parr
February 27th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
It is interesting to watch a group of people discussing fervently the way they would like to see the country run.
 It was an attentive audience. These are not wackos, they are people who, yes, do have a political orientation: they are Conservatives who talked about every subject you could imagine. The Convoy, the tax regimen we have, doing something to make young people financially literate. Crime, poverty, self-reliance, love of country, family values.
There were two retired police officers in the room bringing a perspective that is not often seen.
Younger people, older people, politically astute people. People who ran for office and won, people who ran for office and didn’t win.
People who ran elections and people who are probably going to run elections again.
 Lianne Roon, Trevor Parry, Geoff Turner and Malika Dolaty didn’t disagree with each other and brought solid background information to a gathering of Progressive Conservatives on Saturday. The reason for people being at the event was to talk about affordability and housing.
They painted a grim picture.
There were no clear cut answers.
There were several good explanations.
Many of the people in the room were prepared to blame the government in office now; that’s part of what politics is all about.
But this group was not bashing the government – many certainly did think the government has got it all wrong and believe the federal government is borrowing far too much money to pay for the services they deliver.
They did agree that the spending the Liberal government did during the worst of the pandemic was money that had to be spent and of course they good have done a better job – the benefit of hind sight.
 Lianne Rood MP, Lambton, Kent, Middlesex said she was elected to listen to people and that meant hearing what the protesters who shut down Ottawa for a period of time had to say. Lianne Rood MP, Lambton, Kent, Middlesex gave a different view on the Convoy that shut down parts of Ottawa in January. She said she walked about the protesters and listened saying she was sent to Ottawa to listen and she left her walk about with a different understanding about what people thought when they used the word Freedom.
Rood is a potato farmer, she and her family run a potato farm and gave the audience of about 50 people a different view of what it is like to sell produce to the supermarkets. She no longer sells to that sector.
She has some views on the protection some of the agricultural sector get. Eggs, milk, chicken are all managed markets – tight rules on what products can be sold for and how much can be produced. Supply management is not the best idea from her point of view.
Malika Dolaty works for a large finance company. Her passion was the failure to make young people financially literate – young for her starts is as low is as five years of age.
She put up some numbers that made is very obvious that if younger people were not financially literate they had little chance of being home owners in the future.
 Geoff Turner, tax lawyer and the candidate of record for Etobicoke Centre believed that the approach the federal government has taken to the deficit is wrong. Geoff Turner, tax lawyer and the candidate of record for Etobicoke Centre believed that the approach the federal government has taken to the deficit is wrong. He said for the federal government to use a GDP to debt ratio as the guideline for what the government can afford to borrow is never going to see a balanced budget which he felt was vital. He had solid data that was difficult to fathom in the amount of time he had to explain it all.
Trevor Parry – a lawyer and a tax minimization expert said he would love to run for office but a young family and a wife that wants him to be home meant public service was not going to be part of his career going forward.
He described Canada today is as a “banana republic with snow”; that family does not matter to this government; that former Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney is a Communist and that health services are over managed.
He was entertaining.
 Emily Brown, the federal candidate for Burlington in the last election was the moderator who kept things on track. Emily Brown, the federal candidate for Burlington in the last election was the moderator who kept things on track and added that there will be a Town Hall meeting on Seniors in the future along with Town Hall meetings on Public Safety and another on Energy.
It was a good meeting, attendance for a cold Saturday was satisfactory.
By Pepper Parr
February 25th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Now that they have the title – Council is going to discuss the job description.
Here is what we know about the process they will go through on Monday:
Deputy Mayor with Portfolio
Overview
- A new model of governance to make the best use of the diverse experience and background of Council
- To deliver on the Vision to Focus Strategic Plan and ongoing initiatives and priorities
- Results in new positions for this term of Council based on the skills and strengths of each Councillor
- Deputy Mayor for Business and Red Tape Reduction – Kelvin Galbraith
- Deputy Mayor for Community Engagement & Partnerships – Lisa Kearns
- Deputy Mayor for the Environment – Rory Nisan
- Deputy Mayor for Housing – Shawna Stolte
- Deputy Mayor for Strategy & Budgets – Paul Sharman
- Deputy Mayor for Recreation & Community Services – Angelo Bentivegna
Proposed Principles
- Deputy Mayors works in collaboration with Mayor’s Office;
- Deputy Mayors work will advance key city initiatives as defined through the V2F Work Plan or other corporate documents;
- Deputy Mayors are assigned an executive lead by the City Manager for ongoing dialogue and resource needs;
- Deputy Mayor role does not replace the City’s governance structure. All decision-making still rests with all of Council by vote;
- Council can direct or endorse actions of Deputy Mayors.
 This was the road map used the last time Council peered deeply into the Strategic Plan and then set out what the Focus would be for the term of Office. The road map for the next Focus has yet to be set out. Proposed Roles
The role of the Deputy Mayor with Portfolio is to:
- Raise awareness and support the advancement of strategic initiatives.
- Bring forward to Council and sponsor policy and city related legislation proposals.
- Participate in intergovernmental meetings and delegations on portfolio items and other advocacy work.
Q & A
What else do you want to know about the new Deputy Mayor with Portfolio role?
Reflecting on Deputy Mayor with Portfolio Model
- What aspects of the Deputy Mayor with Portfolio model are clear? What is not clear to you?
- What excites you about the new Deputy Mayor with Portfolio model?
- Does anything concern you about this new leadership structure?
- What implications will this new model have on how Council does its work? Will this model impact or change Council process and if yes, how?
- What changes will be required to ensure the Deputy Mayor with Portfolio model is a success?
Reflecting on Deputy Mayor with Portfolio Model
Proposed Principles
- Deputy Mayors works in collaboration with Mayor’s Office;
- Deputy Mayors work will advance key city initiatives as defined through the V2F Work Plan or other corporate documents;
- Deputy Mayors are assigned an executive lead for dialogue;
- Deputy Mayor role does not replace the City’s governance structure. All decision-making still rests with all of Council by vote;
- Council can direct or endorse actions of Deputy Mayors.
What else should be considered and added?
Reflecting on Deputy Mayor with Portfolio Model
Proposed Roles
The role of the Deputy Mayor with Portfolio is to:
- Raise awareness and support the advancement of strategic initiatives.
- Bring forward to Council and sponsor policy and city related legislation proposals.
- Participate in intergovernmental meetings and delegations on portfolio items and other advocacy work.
What else should be considered and added?
Reflecting on Deputy Mayor with Portfolio Model
Commitments to Each Other
What commitments can Council members make to each other to ensure this new model is effective and efficient?
 By Pepper Parr
February 25th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
This article is about the wording of documents that relate to the way the public gets to speak to the people they elected. It doesn’t have all that much in the way of good news. Words set out in blue should be read very carefully – these are your rights that are being debated.
We are still here – now you know why.
City Council will meet on Monday in a Workshop setting where they will go through a 108 page document that includes a robust review of the existing Procedural Bylaw and debate just what the newly created Deputy Mayor positions mean and how whatever they are supposed to be doing will be explained to the public.
It will be interesting to see how the members of Council jockey for positions that give them more influence than that have had in the past over matters that are more Staff related than Council matters.
The wording of some of the sections in the procedural Bylaw could be seen as red flags.
Documents that set out rules are always number so that they are easily found and referred.
This report includes those number along with references to various Act of the Provincial legislature – try to ignore them for the moment.
The following refer to how the Chair of a meeting manages the behaviour of Council members:
43.2 Where a member has been called to order by the Chair for disregarding the rules of procedure and the member persists in such conduct, the Chair may order the member to vacate the meeting place. If the member apologizes, the Chair may permit the member to retake their seat.
43.3 If the member called out of order does not apologize and will not leave their seat, the Chair will recess the meeting and request that the Clerk contact security.
 Councillor Paul Sharman  Councillor Lisa Kearns  Councillor Kelvin Galbraith That’s a pretty heavy hand.
The Public doesn’t get treated much better.
- Public Conduct at Council and Committee Meetings
44.1 Only members and authorized City staff will be allowed to proceed beyond the speaker’s podium without permission of the Chair or Clerk.
44.2 Public attendees must maintain order and will not display signs or placards, applaud, heckle, or engage in telephone or other conversation, or any behaviour that may be considered disruptive. No person will use indecent, offensive, or insulting language or speak disrespectfully to anyone in Council Chambers.
44.3 All electronic devices must be turned off or switched to silent during Council and Committee meetings. Photography and video should be kept to a minimum during a meeting and will only be permitted so long as it does not interfere with the meeting in any way. At any time during the meeting, at the discretion of the Clerk, use of electronic devices may also be prohibited if it is believed that the use is interfering with any audio or video broadcast of the meeting.
44.4 Any person who contravenes any provision of this section may be expelled from the meeting by the Chair.
- Presentations
45.1 Presentations addressing matters relevant to the City and seeking to provide information, or receive input from Council, or Committee will be permitted from any local board or similar authority including relevant agencies, boards, commissions as well as other levels of government and City staff.
45.2 Presentations of a maximum of ten minutes will be permitted provided that the presenter, or their representative has requested and been granted status from the Clerk before the agenda is published.
45.3 Council may limit or extend the time allowed for a presentation by a majority vote.
 Vanessa Warren, one of the best delegators the city has.  Gary Scobie  Anne and Dave Marsden
- Delegations
46.1 Requests to delegate at a Committee meeting and Council must be submitted to the Clerks Department prior to noon the day before a meeting. If the meeting is held on a Monday, delegations must register by 12 noon the Friday before the meeting.
46.2 Any person, group of persons, or organization may request to speak to an item listed on the agenda provided that the subject matter of the delegation directly relates to the item on the agenda. All requests to delegate must be made in writing to the Clerk, outline the nature of their request, and include any additional material (i.e. PowerPoint) by the deadline stated in section 46.1.
46.3 If a delegate requests to speak regarding a matter not listed on the agenda, they must have a member of Council sponsor the item by way of a motion memorandum to the Clerk no later than Wednesday at 12:00 pm (noon) the week the agenda is prepared.
46.4 All delegations will be heard at Standing Committee. Where a delegate has spoken at Committee, a further delegation request by the delegate, or a related party, will not be permitted on the Council agenda unless the delegation is bringing forward new information. Only the new information will be heard.
46.5 The Clerk will provide the Chair with all requests to delegate submitted after the deadlines stated in section 46.1, for Council consideration. A majority vote is required to permit the delegate to speak.
46.6 Delegations will be permitted without prior registration during any public meeting as required by sections 17 (19.2), 34 (14.2) and 51(20) of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990,
- P.13. Delegations are strongly encouraged to register before the standard delegation registration deadline and will be asked to fill in an attendance form to fulfill legislative notice requirements.
46.7 Delegations will be permitted to speak for a maximum of ten minutes at Committee and five minutes at Council. The allotted time includes any audio or video presentations but does not include answering questions from members. If there are numerous delegates taking the same position on a matter, the Clerk will encourage them to select one spokesperson to present their views within the time allocation.
46.8 The speaking time for a delegation may only be extended by majority vote of the members present.
46.9 Delegations must abide by the rules of procedure and public conduct at meetings. They will accept any decisions of the Chair and not enter into cross debate with members, other delegations, or staff. Any discourse between members and the delegation will be limited to members asking questions for clarification and obtaining additional, relevant information only.
46.10 Where the City Manager or the Clerk determines that a person requesting to delegate is likely to engage in unreasonable or offensive conduct, make unreasonable or offensive statements or demands, repeatedly speak on a subject matter that is not within the City’s jurisdiction, or otherwise misuse the privilege of addressing Committee or Council, the person will not be permitted to appear as a delegate at the meeting.
46.11 At the discretion of the Mayor/Chair, City Manager or City Clerk, written delegation material may be requested in advance of the meeting prior to confirming registration as a delegation. Upon review of that material by the Mayor/Chair, City Manager or City Clerk, if it is deemed not applicable to the business of Council or Standing Committee, the delegation will not be registered to speak at the meeting.
46.12 If a request to delegate has been denied in accordance with section 46.1, the City Manager or the Clerk will:
- a) Notify the requester that they will not be permitted to appear as a delegate and provide reasons for the decision; and
- b) Inform the members of the decision to deny the request.
46.13 Delegations are not permitted at Council Workshops.
During the municipal election last October the City Clerk did in fact unilaterally decide that a person running for office would not be permitted to speak. That is as authoritarian as a government can get. These are the people you elected.
 City Clerk on the left – City Manager on the right.. Councillor was not present at Council for much of the pandemic; he has since returned to the Council Chamber. The debate on Monday should be interesting. Stuff like this doesn’t get much attention until a person finds that when they have an issue their access to their council is limited.
Is it naive to expect that governments, federal, provincial, regional and municipal are in place to protect your right?
By Zoe Demarco
February 24th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
The belief in Burlington is that parents want to get their kids into the housing market as early as possible. Home ownership is almost part of a Burlingtoners’ DNA.
Zoe Demarco, a stff writer for Storeys, a Real Estate Newsletter puts home ownership into perspective.
Today’s first-time homebuyers hear a myriad of stories about the ease at which the last generation was able to enter the real estate market.
 Whether you believe it has become easier or harder, there certainly exists vast differences in buying a home today compared to 30 years ago. To determine just how much times have changed, real estate agency Zoocasa analyzed a number of important factors, including average prices and mortgage rates, comparing their current status to what was seen in the early 1990s.
Prices
In 1989, the average resale price in Toronto was a healthy $254,197. But as the early 1990s recession set in, inflation and unemployment rose. By 1995, the average price in the city had dropped to $195,311, a 23.2% decline. Thanks to the ensuing “long slump,” prices didn’t surpass the 1989 figure until 2002.
Nationally, the average resale price increased 8% from 1990 ($142,091) to 1997 ($154,768). Between January 2022 and January 2023, the national average sale price declined 18.3% to $612,204.
“The current housing landscape is still in a period of recovery after staggering price gains during the pandemic followed by rapid interest rate growth that restricted buying power,” Zoocasa noted.
Although salaries have risen since the early ’90s, they have not kept pace with the increase in home prices. There are only five major cities in Canada where a single person earning the median income can afford to buy the average home.
Demographics
According to data from Statistics Canada, the number of people aged 25 to 34 years was smaller in the ’90s than it is today. The age group makes up the vast majority of first-time buyers and, without them, there was less momentum to drive the market forward.
While the age group is larger today, many have been sidelined by high prices, rising interest rates, and declining affordability. Instead, investors swooped in to take their place.
 Mortgage rates
Historical data from Ratehub.ca shows that the five-year fixed mortgage rate was around 14% in 1990. It dropped to about 7% in January 1994, but had risen back above 10% by July of that year.
Over the past decade, the five-year fixed rate has hovered between 5.3% and 4.6%. The lower rate has made buying a home in Canada “more attractive and feasible,” Zoocasa said. Although the Bank of Canada has incessantly raised interest rates over the past year, the current five-year fixed rate of 6.49% is still well below levels seen in the ’90s.
House type and location
 Single family units are now quite close to high rise towers in many Canadian communities. The 1990s were characterized by suburban expansion, with, according to Statistics Canada, the majority of new homes built in low-density “peripheral neighbourhoods” outside city centres. Housing starts declined throughout the first half of the decade, but began to slowly rise in 1996, led by construction of single detached homes.
Today, though, high-rise condos and apartments account for the majority of housing starts across Canada. Buyers’ growing desire for an “urban lifestyle” has led to an influx of construction in downtown cores.
While average home prices were lower in the 1990s, buyers dealt with significantly higher interest rates and lower salaries. The first-time buyer of today faces fiercer competition than they would have a generation ago, and their housing prospects have dwindled along with affordability.
“There’s no question the housing environment and trends of today have changed drastically since the 1990s – for better and for worse,” Zoocasa concluded. “Only time will tell what the future market brings.”
Zoe Demarco is a Staff Writer at STOREYS and was formerly the Urbanized Editor at Daily Hive. Born and raised in Toronto, she has a passion for the city’s ever-changing urban landscape.
 By Staff
February 24, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Every Director of Education takes on the job with a belief that they can move the needle, bring about changes that leaves the school board a better place while they are in place.
 Curtiss Ennis Halton District School Board Director of Education Curtis Ennis has chosen to focus on the Boards’ Multi-Year Strategic Plan as it relates to mental health, environmental leadership and the Iindigenous perspective on issues the community faces
HDSB hosts Director’s Panel Series on Bringing the Multi-Year Strategic Plan to Life
The first session will be Normalizing Mental Health in Everyday Speech on March 2 at 6 p.m. at hdsb.ca
HDSB families, students, staff and community members are invited to the Director’s Panel Series on Bringing the Multi-Year Plan to Life to raise awareness about the commitments outlined in the HDSB’s Multi-Year Strategic Plan (2020-2024). Panel speakers at the sessions will include HDSB students, parents and subject-matter experts to explore issues and themes and share knowledge relating to key areas of focus in the Multi-Year Plan including mental health and well-being, environmental leadership and Indigenous perspectives and awareness.
Sessions will be led by Director of Education Curtis Ennis and Human Rights & Equity Advisor Pardeep Nagra.
The first session in the panel series will be:
Normalizing Mental Health in Everyday Speech
Thursday, March 2 at 6 – 7:30 p.m.
This will be a virtual event, with the livestream linked on the HDSB website (hdsb.ca).
Registration is not required.
Normalizing Mental Health in Everyday Speech provides the foundation for students across the HDSB to acknowledge and begin their own mental health journey.
Panel speakers at the Normalizing Mental Health in Everyday Speech session include:
- Mira Backo-Shannon, HDSB parent
- Michelle Bates, HDSB Manager & Mental Health Lead
- Jasmeet Chagger, Founder of SOCH Mental Health
- Maneet Chahal, Founder of SOCH Mental Health
- Sree, HDSB Grade 8 student
- Eileen, HDSB Grade 8 student
- Chase, HDSB Grade 8 student
- Sabrina, HDSB Grade 11 student
- Chloe, HDSB Grade 12 student
- Piper, HDSB Grade 12 student
Those interested in attending the event can submit a question to the panel before or during the panel discussion through this Google Form:
Curtis Ennis, Director of Education for the Halton District School Board. explained: “Each session in the series will explore issues and themes outlined in our Multi-Year Plan from various perspectives, including student voice”.
“We look forward to listening and learning from students, families, staff and community members as we work toward our collective goals as a Board. Over the next three months, we will dive deeper into the work we’re doing to advance Mental Health and Well-Being, Environmental Leadership and Indigenous Perspectives and Awareness, as reflected in the HDSB’s Multi-Year Plan 2020-2024 and the Human Rights Equity Action & Accountability Plan – The Way Forward.”
Future sessions in the series include:
Environmental Leadership (Tuesday, April 18 at 6 – 7:30 m.)
Indigenous Perspectives and Awareness (Tuesday, May 16 at 6 – 7:30 m
 By Staff
February 24th,2023
BURLINGTON, ON
This is about as bold as you can get.
Again – the scammer is using a reasonably well know brand name that I think we used about a decade ago.
Thinking that we will recognize the service provider and approve the amount they want.
The moment you do that – they have banking data which they will exploit and perhaps even sell that information to someone else.
These false claims are costing the banks a fortune – the technology to change the way identity information is handled is out there – no one seems to want to taake the lead and institute the changes.
Until that happens – be vigilant and watch the address the email comes from/
Invoice ID- BS812476
Dear Customer
Customer Support – 1-(833)-812-1621
Thanks for choosing our services
Kindly find the details of the opted Basic support plan for 3 pc, devices with (6 yearly on-site service) added with Network Security.
Your account is debited with $629.99 successfully
Note- The charge will come up/reflect in your account in 48 Hrs.
Subscription Details:
| ORDER # : 407-0353423-8824727 |
| Item/Plan: Basic support plan for 3 pc |
| Net Amount: $629.99 |
| Transaction Date: 24 Feb. 2023 |
| Item number- 2897653AYP |
| The payment mode used in the past is debited and it will be charged within 24 hours |
| In order to cancel the subscription or auto charge please contact 1-(833)-812-1621 |
| If you have not placed this order please contact within 24 hours at 1-(833)-812-1621 |
| What you get– Unlimited telephonic support via remote session |
| All issues that do not not involve a failed hardware or parts replacement will be covered |
| The devices connected to this computer are also covered under this plan. Any hardware changes would involve an extra charge. |
Thank you for being a valued customer
Premium Virtual Support
Consumer ID:18113744
Privacy Policy | Report Spam | Unsubscribe
To ensure delivery to your inbox, add the sender to your contact address book.
3415 1st Street MI MI 48064
192.168.2.82866 All rights reserved
You don’t want to go anywhere near the address or the telephone numbers they provide.
By Staff
February 24th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Staff at the Burlington Library are excited. One of their pet project drew 270 entries – a record for them/
It’s time to vote for your favourite contenders in Burlington Public Library’s (BPL’s) annual Burlington Bookmarks contest. The library received a record number of entries this year—over 270—and they need your help. Librarians selected four finalists in each age group, and now it’s up to the public to choose the winners. The winning bookmark from each age category will be printed and distributed at BPL branches while supplies last.
16 Finalists
This year’s theme is “be inspired by your favourite book.” Artists got creative with this prompt and submitted bookmarks inspired by children’s books, novels, and even self-help titles. Among the 16 finalists are bookmarks based on The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.
Finalists for the 5 and under category
Finalists for the 6 – 12 category
Finalists for the 13 to 17 category
Finalists for the 18 and over category
How to Vote
You can vote on BPL’s website .
Select your favourite bookmark from each age category and submit your ballot. Only one ballot will be accepted for each IP address. Voting closes March 1st, and the winners will be revealed soon after.
Pick Up a Placeholder for Your Book
The four winning bookmarks will be professionally printed and distributed to library branches for customers to enjoy in their next great read. These bookmarks are always a hot commodity, so make sure you don’t miss out. Keep tabs on the contest by checking the library’s website and social media channels (@BurlOn) to be the first to know when the bookmarks are available.
By Pepper Parr
February 24th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
In the world of Identity theft and phishing there is a cycle.
The public learns that an organization has been hacked and a lot of data stolen. Yahoo got hacked, a large Ontario based insurance company got hacked. One of the hospitals got hacked.
The data that was stolen gets sold on what is called the “dark side” of the internet. There is a brisk trade in the information that was stolen.
The buyers of the information pay nickels or dimes – but when you are buying 1 couple of million names – it adds up. The people selling the information will sell it to anyone who pays.
The people who buy the information then use it to communicate with you and try to convince you to give them the kind of information they need to get into your bank account or convince you to send them money.
We are now seeing numerous emails telling us that there is an offer we won’t want to refuse; a notice that there is an account balance that is due, shipping instructions. They get quite creative.
Here are several of the messages we got. You might be getting them as well.
This is the address the email came from:
Costco <appsketiersteam@gmail.com
Clearly not a Costco email address
Another example
Hortons@fan-kinjito.com
Tim Hortons has a massive audience – it is a trusted brand and people have seen offers from the brand before. Remember Roll Up the Rim.
Another example:
This one was supposed to have been sent by WaImart
info@jpmd-eigyou-sys.com>
The scammers have bought your email address and using the names of brands that you know and tend to trust are using to pull you im
You need to pay attention – look very closely at the address the email came from. If you don’t recognize it – don’t click on it.
If you are suspicious – respect your sense of being suspicious – you are probably tight.
 By Nick Raffoul
February 23rd, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Gambling, an activity as old as civilization itself, has been present in Canada since the early settlers from Europe brought it with them. Throughout the centuries, gambling has had periods of both legality and illegality depending on the particular jurisdiction. In this article, we explore the legal history of gambling in Canada and its current state.
 Gambling, an activity as old as civilization itself. An Overview of Canada’s Gambling Law History
Canada has a long and complex history when it comes to gambling laws. From the early days of Canada, where there was an official ban on betting, to today’s more relaxed attitude, it has been a bumpy ride. The first provinces in Canada that provided legal forms of gambling were Quebec and Nova Scotia in the late 18th century. Then, in the 19th century, provinces such as Ontario followed suit. All three provinces opened up various venues for regulated gambling activities, such as betting houses and lotteries.
The Origins of the Canadian Criminal Code and Its Impact on Online Gambling
The foundation for modern-day gambling law enforcement was laid out by the creation of the Canadian Criminal Code back in 1985. This code is mainly responsible for regulating all aspects of gaming throughout Canada’s ten provinces and three territories, including matters involving wagering over internet networks such as those found at offshore online casinos outside Canadian borders or even home computers connected through telephone lines with foreign sporting books. Interesting to know that such Canadian casinos offer competitive no deposit bonuses.
Largely thanks to this law, most online casino websites based outside Canada cannot be accessed directly by Canadians without having bypass techniques put into place which makes things difficult for players while also sending a clear message that these types of activities are discouraged by authorities within the nation’s borders.
A Comparison of Canadian Gambling Laws to Other Countries
The Canadian landscape regarding legislation surrounding gaming is quite distinct compared to other countries around the world. Unlike many European countries or Australia, online casinos are not legally allowed in Canada, with their only availability being through licensed offshore sites. Meanwhile, there are states within regions like Europe that provide much more liberal laws and regulations which allow residents access to a multitude of online casino games and even mobile applications that facilitate wagering activities at physical settings like horse tracks or casinos.
It seems clear that due to its smaller population size compared to these larger jurisdictions, Canada takes a much stricter approach concerning gaming legislation not to be overwhelmed by potential problem gamblers if everything was made more accessible from inside the country.
 Today, technology plays a significant role when it comes to Canadian gambling legislation as governments are tasked with keeping up with new technologies. How Has Technology Influenced Gambling Legislation in Canada
As technology advances, so does how people can play and access games, which has forced lawmakers to adjust their laws and regulations surrounding gaming activities continually.
Today, technology plays a significant role when it comes to Canadian gambling legislation as governments are tasked with keeping up with new technologies such as blockchain-based currencies, virtual reality casinos, and betting apps connecting players with international platforms.
These advancements have made it difficult for provincial governments to keep track of legal and illegal gaming activities occurring within their respective jurisdictions. At the same time, there are those who argue that more liberal regulations should be implemented in order to capture revenue from what is now a global industry where most bets are placed offshore without any money going back into the Canadian economy. This issue is still unresolved today, but technological advances will continue to shape how legislators regulate gaming activities in the country.
Examining Different Types of Casinos and Their Licensing Requirements in Canada
Canada is home to a variety of casino venues, ranging from large-scale casinos attached to resorts to small local gaming businesses. Each type of casino is governed by different sets of legislation and licensing requirements that must be followed by their operators before they can open the doors for business.
For instance, land-based casinos, which are usually connected to resort facilities, are typically covered under provincial gambling laws, which require them to obtain a license from their respective province or territory before they can start offering services.
Meanwhile, current and new online casinos, whether based in Canada or offshore sites, are subject to Canadian criminal law, which makes their presence clear through regulations like the Canadian Criminal Code prohibiting excessive gambling activities throughout the country.
All Canadian gambling establishments must adhere to the laws and comply with their respective licensing requirements if they want to continue operating within their jurisdictions.
Assessing Risk Factors Involved with Online Gambling Platforms in Canada
Online gambling platforms have become increasingly popular in recent years, allowing players to access a wide range of casino games and eSports tournaments right from the comfort of their own homes. Although online gambling provides an easy and convenient way for Canadians to participate in gaming activities, there is still risk involved with these platforms.
 Risk, like reward is a part of gambling. As mentioned, the Canadian Criminal Code prohibits any form of Internet gambling that is not licensed by provincial governments resulting in risks such as player funds being lost or seized by authorities. Furthermore, online casinos may lack adequate security measures, which could lead to players’ personal information and data being leaked or stolen.
With these risks in mind, it is important for individuals who are looking to engage in online gambling activities to assess all the potential risks ahead of time before committing and ensure that the platform they are using is properly secured and regulated accordingly.
Conclusion
The history of gambling laws in Canada shows a gradual emergence from strict regulations to more liberal ones. From local and provincial governments who had previously banned all forms of gambling, to the current federal government that has allowed for more leniency for certain activities, it is clear that attitudes have shifted over time. As technology advances and individual provinces take steps towards legalizing online gambling, the landscape of regulations surrounding this industry will continue to change in the years to come.
With these changes come an array of potential risks that must be addressed by players, regulators, and other stakeholders so that Canadians can engage in gaming activities safely and responsibly.
By Pepper Parr
February 24th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
The vast majority of Canadians do not know what war is; they have never experienced war on our land and those who fought wars elsewhere in the world are now few in number.
The war in Ukraine is a war being fought for every Canadian. If that war is lost to the Russians – Canada will find itself involved in a war on our far northern borders.
 Russian bombing has destroyed thousands of residential structures – 8 million people have left the country. The Chinese and the Russians have eyes on the North West Passage, buoys that collect data were discovered in the Passage recently – they were put there by the Chinese
 The support is needed – and it needs to be more than just wearing a ribbon. The Ukrainians are winning this war but the Russian President is not able to give in at this point.
This is a very treacherous time for the world. Today, the first anniversary of the fight in Ukraine their President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said:
“It was a year of pain, sorrow, faith and unity. And this is a year of our invincibility. We know that this will be the year of our victory!”
We need to more than hope so.
They need our support and we need to give it to them.
Salt with Pepper is the musings, reflections and opinions of the publisher of the Burlington Gazette, an online newspaper that was formed in 2010 and is a member of the National Newsmedia Council.
 By Pepper Parr
February 24th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
The sign of a healthy society can be seen when groups of people hold events to explain changes taking place in the way things are done and inform people on what action they can take.
The informing and engaging is usually done by the elected officials who are put in office to guide and direct.
When the elected fail to deliver – people in a healthy society come forward to do the job.
On Saturday there will be an event at the New Street branch of the Burlington Library on Affordable Housing. Not much of that in Burlington but to be fair municipalities are limited in just what they can do. The responsibility rests at the Regional level.
The event on Saturday is free – just walk in.
By Staff
February 23rd, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
All City of Burlington facilities and programs are open Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023.
Service Burlington customer service and response is also available by phone: 905-335-7777 or by email: city@burlington.ca.
Halton Court Services (HCS) if also available by email: burlingtoncourt@burlington.ca or by phone: 905-637-1274 for remote services.
For Burlington Transit updates, please check http://myride.burlingtontransit.ca for real-time bus arrival and route planning info. Transit customer service can be reached by email at contactbt@burlington.ca. Need to load funds on your PRESTO card? Visit http://prestocard.ca.
 By Graziella Calleja
February 23rd, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
 The American gambling industry has has considerable influence on the Canadian market. As the US online gambling industry continues to expand, many in Canada are left wondering how it will impact their gambling practices.
You may be interested to know that the US online gambling industry has already had a profound influence on Canadian players and businesses.
In this blog, we’ll explore exactly how this is happening and what it means for Canadian gamblers.
Impact of US Online Gambling Industry on Canadian Market
The US online gambling industry is one of the biggest industries in the world. It is estimated to be worth around $40 billion and counting, with about 56 million players playing different casino games or betting on sports. Since the US has many states with legal online gambling, it is natural that this industry would have considerable influence on other countries, including Canada.
It all starts with how they are connected geographically: for instance, Ontario shares a border with two US states that have legalized online gambling in their jurisdiction (Michigan and New York). This makes it easier for residents of both countries to access games legally, as there are more avenues which they can possibly use when trying to play casino games or bet on sports.
The influence of the US extends further beyond just providing easy access—recent surveys and studies have shown that up to 16-17% of Canadian gamblers now play at offshore sites approved by US jurisdictions. This means that Canadians have become more comfortable with playing at offshore casinos since they trust the regulated ones approved by US gambling authorities—such as Nevada and New Jersey—over their own country’s gaming laws.
This increases competition among current and new Canadian online casinos and sportsbooks in order for them to remain competitive in an increasingly crowded market. As such, Canadians can benefit from improved bonuses or promotions offered by these operators so that they can stay ahead of competition from American-regulated sites entertaining players from neighbouring countries like Canada.
 The long Canada USA border has tens of thousands crossing the border to gamble in both countries. Canadian online gambling regulation has changed significantly over recent years due to increased pressure from not just its neighbour – but also due to safety standards set by operators based in the United States that follow strict gaming regulations, which ensure better financial protection for customers who use their services. Therefore, the players who take part in international gaming markets are now assured better protection than before, thanks to these regulations, which continue to evolve as technology advances over time.
Factors Driving the Growth of US Online Gambling Industry
The US online gambling industry is growing rapidly due to increasing numbers of people logging in to participate in real-money games, such as sports betting and casino gaming. The industry is also benefiting from increased legalization across numerous states, federal efforts to remove barriers for Indian tribes and operators to enter the market, relaxed regulations for cryptocurrencies and other payment options, as well as technological advances like virtual reality.
With the growth of the US online gambling industry comes an opportunity for Canadian operators to expand their presence in this lucrative market. Some operators will likely be using cross-border collaboration with US operators and macroeconomic forces driving expansion to enhance their market share presence.
Furthermore, Canadian operators can use cutting-edge technologies and strategic marketing techniques, such as search engine optimization for US markets, to drive traffic and grow their businesses. By leveraging their existing customer bases, brand recognition and networks in Canada, they can replicate their success story south of the border. Additionally, investments by major casinos into mobile apps add a further layer of convenience and appeal which could be adopted by online gamblers in both countries, benefiting the overall market size growth further enhanced by currency exchange advantages between Canada & US$.
Strategies Adopted by US Online Gambling Industry to Enter Canadian Market
The US online gambling industry has multiplied over the last few years, and the Canadian market is an increasingly attractive one for these operators. To get around the laws in certain provinces and give their players access to legal gaming websites, US gambling companies have adopted a variety of strategies.
One of the most common is partnering with provincial government agencies such as the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) to offer online services through their platforms. This strategy allows companies to legitimately offer real-money casino games while complying with all provincial laws in Canada. Such partnerships have taken off in Ontario, allowing US gambling companies such as 888 Casino and PokerStars to offer their services in the province under OLG’s platform.
 The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations and the province signed an amendment to the Gaming Framework Agreement. In addition, US-based gambling operators have also sought to partner with First Nations bands who held legal rights over land and gaming operations on them. This strategy allowed them access to markets that were otherwise closed off due to restrictions in certain provinces, such as Quebec and British Columbia which prohibited real money gaming sites for all but government-backed corporations. Striking deals with First Nations tribes and providing customers access through these agreements allowed companies a much more significant foothold into Canadian markets than they otherwise would’ve been able to get.
Finally, many US companies have invested heavily into advertising campaigns aimed at Canadian players both in local media outlets (print media, TV commercials) as well as digital channels (online banners on websites, paid search). This cutting-edge strategy helps build awareness and recognition of online casinos among customers who may not be aware that such services are available at all or don’t know if they are available legally or not. As a result of this push by betting sites for customers south of Canada’s border, most major cities now have numerous ads for offshore gaming destinations vying for attention from Canadians seeking an alternative from domestic offerings or from abroad competition looking to lure Canadian clientele away from local sites.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the US online gambling industry has had a significant and lasting influence on the Canadian market. Over the years, American developers have brought both technological advances and marketing expertise to Canada — giving Canadian players access to a greater variety of games, more sophisticated platforms and bigger bonuses.
By Staff
February 23rd, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Tough on a day like today – when you are scraping the windshield of the car, to think about sitting outside in the sunshine licking your fingers clean of the sauce you put on your fibs. .
 Will Ribfest attendance set a new record in September? Canada’s Largest Ribfest Returns to Spencer Smith Park Labour Day Weekend 2023 !!
No more driving through a parking lot to get those finger licking Ribs.
Canada’s Largest Ribfest, a fundraising initiative of Burlington Rotary Lakeshore, is excited, as well they should be, to announce that they will be back in Spencer Smith Park from Friday September 1- Monday September 4, 2023.
 It was an obstacle course that went very well – the community turned out in droves. The hope is – maybe? they could set a new attendance record.
After a two year pause due to the pandemic, Ribfest plans on a triumphant return to Spencer Smith Park in 2023
Over the years, Canada’s Largest Ribfest, a fundraising initiative of Rotary Burlington Lakeshore, has raised over $4.5 million for local, national l, and international charities.
 By Staff
February 23rd, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington is blessed with thousands of seniors who are well educated, in good health and able to serve their community using the experience they gained while part of the full time work force.
The Halton District School Board wants to tap into one of those people to serve on the Board’s Audit Committee
 School Board offices are on Guelph Line They are looking for a community member with financial expertise and business knowledge to serve on its Audit Committee for a three-year term beginning April 1, 2023 and ending March 2026. The Board is seeking a community member who embraces an equitable, multicultural and inclusive environment and is willing to dedicate their time to make a lasting contribution to the Board.
The Audit Committee is comprised of three trustees and two independent members drawn from the community at large. The Committee meets at least three times a year, plus ad hoc meetings as required. Meetings take place at the J.W. Singleton Education Centre beginning at 2 p.m., and selected meetings may also take place in a virtual format.
The primary role of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board of Trustees in fulfilling its duties related to governance and oversight. The duties of the Audit Committee fall under the following key areas: the financial reporting process, internal control framework, risk management practices, performance and function of the board’s internal and external auditors and the Board’s compliance with its obligations under legislation.
The candidate’s eligibility criteria includes:
• Applicants must have sufficient accounting, senior financial management or other relevant business experience to understand public sector accounting and auditing standards.
• The applicant must not be a current employee or Officer of the Board or of any other district school board or school authority.
• The applicant must not have a parent, child or spouse currently employed by the Board.
Candidates must submit a letter of interest and resume by 4 p.m. on Friday, March 24, 2023 to:
Roxana Negoi
Superintendent of Business Services & Treasurer
Halton District School Board
PO Box 5005 STN LCD 1
Burlington, ON, Canada
L7R 3Z2
Email: jabate@hdsb.ca
Candidates who are short-listed will be requested to attend an interview conducted by the Audit Committee’s selection committee.
 By Pepper Parr
February 22, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Council approved the application for a new event called Burlington Holiday Market for a two-year period (2021 and 2022) after which there would be a review
 Meagan Madill was touted as a “Rock Star” – found herself facing mixed views from a public that wasn’t told about the event until it reach Council. When the announcement was first made Mayor Meed Ward called Meagan Madill a “rock star”.
The 2021 Holiday market was beaten up by the weather and had to close early.
The second year wasn’t all that much weather. It was cold and the vendor offerings weren’t all that appealing
 Rick Burgess: retired lawyer and a former candidate for the office of Mayor has become the spokesperson for the Holiday Market Retired lawyer and former candidate for Mayor Rick Burgess appeared before council early in February to defend the event and ask that the event be given another try.
The organizers had discussions with ward 2 councillor Lisa Kearns about linking the Holiday Market with the Santa Clause parade which takes place earlier in December.
The Director of Recreation, Community and Culture was to report on the economic impact of local business, cultural impact, and parking/active transportation impact of the Burlington Holiday Market.
The second Burlington Holiday Market was anchored in Parking Lot 1 (431 Elizabeth Street) as well as utilized the Elgin Promenade and the new Promenade expansion (431 Pearl Street) that connects Lot 1 to the Centennial Trail and included the use of Civic Square.
Timing issues resulted in the Event Organizer not having event metrics available for the early February Standing Committee meeting – they were able to delegate and present data.
Brian Dean of the Burlington Downtown Business Association (BDBA) provided a letter of support for the continuation of the event along with some suggestions on the timing and location of the event in the future.
The report from the organizers reports substantial increase in the amount of pedestrian traffic during the event in comparison to the weekends before and after. The chart below compares pedestrian data from 2021 to 2022.
* Traffic count includes pedestrians and bicycles
Parking staff provided data that is recorded through the city’s municipal parking systems’ new Business Intelligence (BI) units over three weekends to compare usage from Thursday – Sunday during the weekends before, during, and after the event. Data was obtained from Lot 4 (between John St. and Elizabeth St.) and the downtown parking garage at 414 Locust St. Data from Lot 3 (near the No Frills Plaza was unavailable due to a system error.) The BI units summarize daily usage counts on surface lots at 9am, 1pm and 6pm.
Although there was a slight increase indicated in the use of parking during the event (an average of 5% on event weekend) the date would also suggest that the increased volume of pedestrians who visited the area by a personal vehicle had a normal turn- over rate thus parking inventory never reached full capacity except for Lot 4 which tends to be near full capacity on a regular basis:
Options Considered
The options for the future of Burlington’s Holiday Market were as follows:
• To decline or cancel any further events to take place
• To let it proceed but move it to the first weekend in December to coincide with the annual Santa Claus Parade (held the first Sunday in December)
• To let it continue to be held the second week in December as it is now in Downtown Burlington, or
• Move the event to another location in the city.
 The space has a reputation as a wind corridor, it lived up to that reputation in 2021 December weather is problematic. Outdoor events always face weather-related risks at any time of year; winter weather has harsher impacts resulting in higher risks.
The Lot 1 corridor north of Village Square has been challenging – a traditional wind corridor. The BDBA has recommended that the organizers move the event footprint further west along the Elgin Promenade and consider adding the Burlington Performing Arts Centre (BPAC) plaza.
After two consecutive years for Burlington’s Holiday Market and based on the data reported along with there being no major issues or concerns arising from residents or local businesses, staff recommends that the event move forward if organizers continue to apply to host if there are no major changes or other impacts added like the introduction of any road closures or other such matter which would require a public consultation process.
Retail is a tough business and there are few really, really great seasons. Covid 19 hit this sector hard – it was a daily struggle to keep the doors open. For many members of the BDBA there was no time for the emails sent out by the Executive Director talking up the Holiday Market. Brian Dean seemed out of touch with his members; he certainly wasn’t in the trenches with them.
The one thing the Holiday Market could do was take potential business from the brick and mortar locations in the downtown core. A dollar spent at a table in a tent was a dollar that didn’t make it to the retail cash register.
When the event was first introduced as something that would grow to become the equivalent to the Christmas market in Munich – that should have been enough to tell the public that this initiative had not really been thought through. However, it isn’t dead yet
 By Pepper Parr
February 22, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
In their message to the craft people in Burlington – an operation known as Burlington MADE commented that “it’s been a minute – or three years – since we’ve held an in person show, and we’re so excited to be back at it again this spring! At the Art Gallery on April 15th.
Applications are now OPEN for the 2023 burlingtonMADE spring show – and we can’t wait to see what amazing vendors will be a part of our first flagship in three years.
Dates to keep in mind:
March 3: applications due by 11:59pm
March 7: vendors notified
March 12: vendor agreements and payments due
Details:
DEADLINE
For the first round of jurying, applications must be submitted by 11:59pm on Friday, March 3, 2023. All applicants will be notified by Tuesday, March 7, 2023, and payment will be due by Sunday, March 12, 2023.
Applications received after the deadline will be curated and placed on our wait list. These applicants will only be notified if a spot opens in their category.
 The curated selection process is what gives. this event the sense of cache it has. CURATING PROCESS
After the application deadline, our jury will score and select the most suitable applicants in each discipline.
burlingtonMADE is a highly competitive, curated market and we intend to thrive by continuing to evolve, therefore past vendors will not receive preference. Remember, we often receive three to four times the number of applications we can accommodate, so please be thorough in your responses and include a booth photo to help our jury make their choices.
VENDOR FEES
$165+HST for a 6′ x 5′ indoor space
$200 +HST for a 8′ X 5′ indoor space
please note there are very few 8’X5′ spaces
Vendor fee includes:
opportunity to showcase and sell your handmade products
your photo, shop name, and link on our website and social media
onsite parking at the venue
two vendor passes
two shopper passes to give away as a promotional offering
tablecloths are not supplied. If using a table, you are responsible for bringing your own floor-length tablecloth
6’x3′ table and two chairs
 A wide range of items has been a feature of burlingtonMADE in the past. VENDOR RESPONSIBILITIES
You, the maker, must be present on the day of the show.
Set up will begin at 8am on Saturday. You are expected to be ready for business 15 minutes before show opening. Any vendor who packs up before show closing will not be asked to return.
We expect our vendors to help promote the show on social media leading up to the event – please tag us in your posts @burlingtonmade
Be courteous to other vendors and shoppers. Your entire display must not exceed the space you have booked. There will be space for you and your neighbour to enter/exit the selling area.
We are committed to being an eco-friendly event and ask that you use compostable or recyclable packaging where possible. Styrofoam is not permitted.
Acceptance into the Burlington MADE show is a license to use your digital images and accompanying information to promote your work and burlingtonMADE/ hey RW inc. as a whole. This includes promotion on the website, social media, and any other media we see fit. Photography and/or videography at the event will also be used to promote our brands and future events.
VIP SWAG BAGS
We host 100 premium-ticketed VIP shoppers and press who will receive a tote bag of goodies to take home. While not required, we encourage all vendors to consider contributing items to our 100 VIP swag bags. We want these tickets to be highly coveted, so they will be well-promoted!
 These will be very popular – they always are. Swag bag contributions may be smaller than your full-price items, but business cards or advertising alone will not be accepted. You may include your business card or advertising WITH a small item or a coupon to be redeemed at your table or online shop. If you do not have or cannot make smaller items, you may contribute 10-25 (or more!) full-sized items that we will disperse throughout the bags.
FOUR-PURCHASE GIVEAWAY
We run a successful giveaway for shoppers who make 4 or more purchases at the show, which we have found helps increase your sales! We encourage all vendors to contribute one full-sized item to these giveaway baskets, which will be displayed at the entrance to the event.
FOOD VENDORS
Our venue is a NUT FREE facility – any food items containing nuts must be sealed, and not opened on premisis.
Licensed food vendors, please note: upon acceptance, you will need to complete a Food Vendor’s Application through Halton Public Health before being permitted to participate. The requirements can be viewed here:
Access the application form HERE
By Pepper Parr
February 21st, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Halton, and the municipalities within the Region ar in great financial shape. How do we know that?
 Gary Carr on the campaign trail – his campaign signs were a jersey that he wore. Won by a landslide Because Regional Chair Gary Carr issued a statement today advising the public that Halton has received a Aaa credit rating for the 35th consecutive year
On February 3, 2023, Carr reported that “Moody’s Investors Service reaffirmed Halton Region’s Aaa Credit rating for another year. Achieving this rating status ensures that Halton Region and its Local Municipalities that borrow under this credit rating will continue to receive the best funding rates in the capital markets. Moody’s report praises Halton Region’s growing and diversified economy with a rising population, its fiscal management practices and institutional framework. The Region has maintained its top credit rating from Moody’s Investors Service for the last 35 years.
“Preserving Halton’s strong financial position has been an essential part of enhancing our services and critical investments, especially as we work to grow and support infrastructure for residents,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. “We are proud to preserve this credit rating for the 35th consecutive year. Receiving this Aaa credit rating confirms our prudent financial planning and supports our ongoing plans to maintain a high quality of life in Halton.”
Earning a top credit rating from Moody’s Investors Service is critical to preserving Halton’s strong long-term financial position as the Region works to build and enhance infrastructure. This distinction is a key objective in the 2023 Budget and Business Plan, and allows public funds to go further when investing in essential Regional works, including road, water and wastewater projects that help build healthy, complete communities.
Moody’s report highlighted the following credit strengths as rationale for their decision:
• exceptional levels of liquidity and low debt burden;
• strong governance and management including forward looking operating and capital planning;
• diversified economy and strong population growth leads to rising tax base; and
• stable and predictable revenue sources support strong fiscal outcomes, and shelter the Region from fiscal pressures including adverse Provincial changes
In July 2022, S&P Global Ratings also upheld its top rating for Halton. Halton Region has maintained top credit ratings from S&P Global Ratings (AAA) since 2002 and Moody’s Investors Service (Aaa) since 1989.
 Regional government does all the debenture borrowing for the four municipalities. Any borrowing Halton municipalities want to do is funnelled through the Region who does the borrowing on behalf of the municipality.
While we have a good credit rating and money in the bank and Canada’s inflation fell to 5.9% in January – food prices keep on soaring
Meat prices rose by 7.4 per cent, their highest increase since 2004, while baked goods, dairy products and fresh vegetables saw double-digit increases.
The Consumer Price Index — a broad-based basket of goods and services used to measure inflation — was 5.9 per cent higher than it was at this time last year. That’s down from the 6.3 per cent inflation seen in December.
Inflation has eased somewhat since last June, when it hit a 39-year high of 8.1 per cent. But it’s still well above the Bank of Canada’s target of two per cent per year.
Meanwhile Burlington increased its spending by 5.7% over last year. The total tax increases is 7.57% with the difference between the two being what the city collects on behalf of the Region and the schools boards.
School boards did not increase their taxes this year.
By Pepper Parr
February 21st, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
We got a look today how things are likely going to go at Queen’s Park.
 Marit Stiles: Her question: “Did anyone in the Premier’s office or any other government staff have a role in making the invitation list for this family fundraiser?” Marta Stiles, speaking at the Leader of the Opposition for the first time was putting questions to Doug Ford.
We all knew what her questions were going to be about: The money that was donated for events related to the wedding of his daughter and the deals Stiles believes were made to give developers advance notice of changes in legislation that would make land that was protected from development – suddenly available for development.
The first question was related to the wedding:
The Premier responded:
Well, first of all, I welcome the first question from Leader of the Opposition regarding any family matters. My family is separate them from a political process. They aren’t involved. I had an opportunity to speak to the Integrity Commissioner Mr. Speaker, I asked him for his opinion. And he found there was no violation. Again, this event was cleared by the Integrity Commissioner.
Stiles asks a supplementary question.
 Marit Styles: “It is about the Premier’s behaviour. It’s about accountability and the integrity of the office that he holds.” Speaker I want to be clear, this is not about the Premier’s family. It is about the Premier’s behavior. It’s about accountability and the integrity of the office that he holds. Sources told reporters they felt pressured to attend and some were asked for additional donations of up to $1,000. Did anyone in the Premier’s office or any other government staff have a role in making the invitation list for this family fundraiser?
At this point the Premier stops answering questions and has Paul Calandra, Government House Leader, do the speaking:
Calandra: The Premier has already responded to that. As the commissioner also responded to that, Mr. Speaker, but at the same time, we are continuing to move forward as a Government to ensure that we continue to build a strong prosperous Ontario and it is seen throughout the province of Ontario whether you’ve travelled to the north to south east in the west, the province of Ontario is moving in a very good direction we are seeing 1000s of jobs being created Mr. Speaker, we are seeing investments come back to the province of Ontario. That is what we continue to fight for Mr. Speaker. Yes, we’re also fighting to ensure that young families can afford to get their first home something that almost everybody in this place has enjoyed reasons why families and people came to this province to this country for generations.
Speaker is because they wanted the dignity and the hope and the optimism that they could also enjoy that first home and we are going to do everything in our power to make all Ontarians can enjoy that type of optimism and success for the future.
Stiles get to ask her final supplementary question
Leader of the Opposition Marit Stiles:
Speaker It really should not be too much to ask for the premier of this province to answer the questions that Ontarians have. The premier has a close relationship with developers we know that, he’s acknowledged it, but when the guest list for a family event includes the very developers who later benefited from this government’s Ministerial Zoning Orders (MZO’s) and the Greenbelt land sales, something doesn’t sit right.
 Leader of the Opposition Marit Stiles: “something doesn’t sit right.”. The government has a history of very specific land decisions that somehow end up benefiting their friends and their donors. Does the premier understand how bad this looks not just for the premier, but for the integrity of his government?
Calanda, speaking again for the Premier:
Again, the Integrity e commissioner has responded as well as the premier Mr. Speaker
Yes, we’re making decisions that will put more of the valuable resources of the province of Ontario available for families for young Canadians who want to be able to buy that first home, but we didn’t just start last week we started from 2018 Mr. Speaker and at every step of the way, every step of the way.
The opposition has been opposed to that when we brought on transit oriented communities to build housing around the transit infrastructure, which by the way, Mr. Speaker is the largest investment in transit in the history of this province, if not the country.
Mr. Speaker, we brought in rules to build transit oriented communities. They voted against him Mr. Speaker so it is no surprise that they are against building more homes for people. It is that hope and optimism that we have been fighting for since we were elected; since the Progressive Conservative government was even formed to do that the people of this province wanted a prosperous province, but they also wanted the hope and dignity of having their first home and we are going to do everything in our power to make sure that that is affordable for everybody.
The Premier will deflect, defer or just ignore. The New Democrats are going to have to come up with some very strong evidence – get it out to the public domain and let the media pound away at it
The Auditor General and the Provincial Integrity Commissioner are investigating. No word yet on what the OPP Racket Squad has come up with – they are reported to have been nosing around.
Related news stories:
NDP leader sends investigation requests,
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