 By Pepper Parr
October 17th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
 We would ask Ms Bortolotti to explain how she arrived at the 876,000 number. On Tuesday, October 16th, Leah Bortolotti told City Council that
“We did media releases supporting social media, digital ads, posters all across the city’s facilities, five media articles to date, the reach was 876,000 based on circulation publication. The sentiment at that time, not currently, was 100% neutral for media stories, so not any interest either way.”
The Gazette takes exception to the statements that were made.
Saying the reach for five articles that were published was 876,000 – we wonder what was she smoking? I know what our circulation is and I can guess what the other media that serve the Burlington market is – and it is nowhere near that number.
We would ask Ms Leah Bortolotti to explain how she arrived at the 876,000 number.
Bortolotti adds that the sentiment of the articles that were published was 100% neutral adding the phrase “at the time”
The piece on engagement in Burlington Today, for which Lawson Hunter, the author, deserves credit, was scathing.
The Gazette has yet to see anything that was anywhere near acceptable in terms of citizen engagement on the part of the city.
 “I’ve seen this before, working provincially, you think that people will be very interested in a specific item, and they’re not.” It is just something none of the people in the city communications group understands. To the best of our knowledge, there isn’t a single person in the communications group who has experience in journalism. Most of them have some accreditation in public relations.
That they hold the jobs they have was not a mistake they made – the city Human Resources does the hiring and they seem to feel that communications people don’t have to know very much about what media is and how it works.
What we see communications staff doing is more fairly described as public relations – they are in place to protect the brand, to polish the apple they call the City of Burlington. Remember – the best mid-sized city in Canada. Do they know how that distinction was arrived at? They might want to look into that.
A colleague mentioned to me recently that the communications advisers for almost every department in the provincial government are former journalists – people who understand what media is; what it can do and what it cannot do.
During her remarks to Council Ms Bortolotti said: “I’ve seen this before, working provincially, you think that people will be very interested in a specific item, and they’re not.”
We were not able to find very much on the various social media about Ms Bortolotti.
She sent us a note on an article we had published pointing out an error we had made. She was right – we attributed words to the wrong person. We fixed that problem and decided to see if we could begin a conversation with Leah Bartolini. One Coucil member told us she didn’t know who the woman was when she stood at the lectern.
Leah Bortolotti was introduced as the Head of Corporate Affairs. The city org chart has been confusing almost from the day it was first introduced. The communications people seemed to have difficulty in keeping up with the details. We aren’t sure who Bortolotti replaced.
She was presentable; she was direct and on several occasions said she didn’t have the answers – not something one hears from city hall staff. Good on her for being direct.
She had a tough first day before the public, however based on what we have learned we think (hope) the public can expect an improvement on the way engagement is practiced in Burlington. Don’t jump all over the woman. Give her some time.
If experience counts, and it should – here is what Leah Bortolotti has done in the past.
She started with the City of Burlington “on August 14th after a competitive recruitment process. I am responsible for the leadership and direction of the City’s CAO office, and I also oversee the following departments: Communications and Community Engagement (in which Oanh Kasperski is the Director of Communications and Community Engagement and reports into my division), Government Relations, and the City’s Internal Auditor.
“My most recent position was at Conservation Halton as the Director of Communications and Marketing. I also worked for the Ontario Government and held various positions in different ministries including the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks as the Chief of Staff and Director of Issues Management and Legislative Affairs, and the Office of the President of the Treasury Board Secretariat as the Manager of Issues Management and Legislative Affairs.
“My undergraduate degree is an Honours of Communications with a Minor in English Language and Literature and I hold a Master’s degree in Communication Studies with a specialization in Public Relations. I also hold several certifications in digital and social marketing.
“Some background about me that would tie some of your remaining questions together would be that I’m originally from Ottawa and before the Sens were established, we were all Habs fans, given the proximity to Quebec. I’ve now been in GTA/GTHA for over 8 years and during my time here, have found that I unknowingly, and unfortunately (given their track record), became a Leafs fan.
We can only commiserate with Ms Bortolotti on her hockey preference
For the immediate future we see promise and wait to see how she changes the way engagement is done going forward in Burlington.
 By Ayesha Travail
October 17th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Hockey Canada has officially announced the roster of 44 players who will proudly represent the nation at the upcoming 2024 U17 World Challenge. Scheduled to take place from November 3 to November 9, this prestigious event will showcase young hockey talent in Ontario.
Fan Engagement Across Canada
 The U17 level was where women like this learned their skills. While the tournament is set to occur in Ontario, hockey fans from all over Canada are eager to engage with the event in various ways. Many supporters plan to travel to Ontario to experience the games firsthand, while others will opt to watch the matches via online streaming or television broadcasts. The excitement will also extend to fans who may choose to participate in sports betting, placing wagers on the outcomes of the games through various platforms. Author and sports betting expert Neil Roarty explains that sports betting in Canada has grown in popularity with British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Alberta sportsbooks all available online for punters. These sportsbooks come with robust security measures and a wide range of bonuses and promotions.
With the legalization of single-game sports betting in most Canadian provinces, fans will have the opportunity to explore odds, once available, for each team participating in the upcoming tournament. Although specific betting lines for the 2024 matches have not yet been established, anticipation is building, especially following Canada’s triumphant performance in the 2023 tournament. Last year, Canada claimed the gold medal in Charlottetown, with Cameron Schmidt scoring a dramatic backhand goal 9:18 into overtime, securing the nation’s first U17 title since 2015.
This enthusiastic engagement underscores the importance of the U17 World Challenge as a unifying event for hockey fans across the country, providing an interactive experience that allows them to immerse themselves in the sport.
Selection Process for the Canadian Team
 Olympic Gold medals are won by girls that started playing hockey – U17 was one of the levels they would have played at. The selection process for the Canadian roster was led by Byron Bonora, the U17 head scout, along with Benoit Roy, the director of hockey operations. They collaborated closely with Scott Salmond, the senior vice president of high performance and hockey operations. The selection team also included regional scouts such as Rob Simpson (Ontario), Pierre Cholette (Quebec), Darrell Woodley (Ontario), and Darren Sutherland (Atlantic) along with representatives from various hockey organizations who contributed to the evaluation of talent.
Representation from CHL Teams
All 44 players selected have been drafted by Canadian Hockey League teams, showcasing the impressive depth of talent in Canadian junior hockey. This diverse roster includes 21 players from the Ontario Hockey League, 15 from the Western Hockey League, and eight from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. These young athletes represent the future of Canadian hockey and have demonstrated exceptional skills and dedication to their sport, reflecting the high standards of training and competition in the CHL. Their participation in the U17 World Challenge is a testament to their potential and promise as future stars.
Tournament Schedule and Key Matchups
The 2024 U17 World Challenge will commence on November 3, with Canada White facing off against Czechia at 3:30 p.m. ET, followed by Canada Red competing against Finland at 7:30 p.m. ET. Each team will participate in two preliminary-round games before advancing to the medal rounds, culminating in the medal matches on November 9. Pre-tournament exhibition games will also take place on November 1, providing teams with a final opportunity to prepare for the main event.
A History of Excellence in U17 Hockey
The U17 World Challenge, established in 1986, has become a significant platform for young hockey players to showcase their skills on an international stage. This tournament not only allows players to compete against some of the best young talent from around the world but also provides invaluable experience in high-pressure situations. Over the years, more than 2,000 NHL draft picks have participated in this tournament, demonstrating its importance in developing future stars of the game.
Notably, 17 players have been selected first overall in the NHL Entry Draft since 2001, highlighting the caliber of talent that emerges from this competition. Alumni of the tournament include illustrious names such as Ilya Kovalchuk, Rick Nash, and Connor McDavid, who have all gone on to have impressive careers in the NHL. The U17 World Challenge serves as a critical stepping stone for young athletes aspiring to reach the highest levels of professional hockey, making it an essential part of the sport’s developmental landscape.
Anticipating the 2024 U17 World Challenge
 She isn’t there yet but if this young girl is going to be a champion or just enjoy the sport at some point she will be a U17 As the 2024 U17 World Challenge approaches, excitement is building for the thrilling matchups that will showcase Canada competing against top teams from around the globe. Fans are eager to witness the rise of the next generation of hockey stars, making this tournament a must-watch event.
Many hockey enthusiasts are looking to engage with the action by attending games, streaming online, or watching on TV. The legalization of sports betting adds another layer of excitement, allowing fans to place wagers on game outcomes and enhance their viewing experience. This combination of live action, community involvement, and the thrill of betting makes the U17 World Challenge a highly anticipated highlight in the hockey calendar.
By Staff
October 17th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
 BRAG – Burlington Resident Action Group has been doing a superb job on staying on top of how the city budget is being put together.
Taxpayers have seen double-digit increases for the past three years approved by a Council that doesn’t know how to stop spending.
Stephen White who is quick to admit that he is not a finance person did spend an evening taking in one of the Mator’s Budget meetings. She has held a Budget meeting in every ward in the city.
Here is his take on the Budget meeting he attended:
For the first time in my years in Burlington, I participated in the city’s budget consultation process. Actually, it wasn’t just once, but four times: three in person, once virtually. Admittedly, in the past, the thought of sitting in a room for two hours with a bunch of accounting and finance types quibbling over “reserves” and “capital expenditures” filled me with dread. However, as I reviewed my tax bill for the past two years, I chafed at the prospect of meekly acquiescing to yet another exorbitant rate increase without actually taking an opportunity to share feedback.
I fully expected I would be spending the evening with 50 or 60 other engaged citizens. While the first two in-person sessions had around twenty or so residents, in the case of the Ward 5 meeting it would have been difficult to field a baseball team with the number of attendees.
For those who didn’t attend one of these sessions, let me share with you my impressions.
1. It’s the mayor’s Budget.
The mayor introduced the event, and to her credit, she did a good job welcoming attendees. I fully expected her to introduce her council colleagues, and then hand the meeting over to a finance official to review the budget materials.
Such was not the case.
 “my budget”. The mayor made it clear, not once, not twice, but on several occasions, that this was her budget. Several times in the half-hour presentation she referred to it as “my budget”.
The PowerPoint showed the city’s budget is expected to grow by 8.04%.
She clearly owns this…..lock, stock and barrel!
2. Our Invisible finance department.
I kept half expecting someone from the city’s finance department to chime in at different times in these meetings to clarify a point or explain a detail. Crickets. Usually, that task was assumed by Ward 5 Councillor Paul Sharman. Evidently, finance officials are missing in action.
3. The Ever-Shifting Financial Narrative.
Every presentation was slightly different. There was either a new slide, additional details, or a new graph. There’s something to be said for “reading the room”, and providing additional clarification. However, consistency is important too.
4. Priming the Pump.
On several occasions, the mayor referred to the challenges the city is facing. Upgrades to old infrastructure, the need for more flood abatement measures, depleted reserves, inflation, etc., were all cited as significant challenges that the city is facing, and that may/will require additional funding (translation: higher municipal taxes). Perhaps so, but aren’t all municipalities facing these same issues? What makes Burlington so extraordinary? I never did hear a clear answer to that question.
5. Preventative maintenance.
 Councillor Sharman has been the financial voice Mayor Meed Ward listens to – that was after he spent two terms of council trashing her. At one point, Councillor Sharman referenced the old computers from the 1990’s that City employees were apparently working with. He asked attendees how many of us still had thirty-year-old computers at home. Perhaps the question that someone should have asked was: with all the finance staff, internal and external auditors, why did it take until recently to highlight the need for replacement? My understanding is that cities set aside money, every year, into reserve funds to pay for major upgrades. What has happened to Burlington’s reserves?
6. Revenue Generation.
The city, according to the mayor, is heavily dependent upon property tax revenues. Naively, I asked a question about the potential tax revenue that would accrue from adopting a Vacant Home Tax, and was told that the city wasn’t adopting this measure because it was too complicated and cumbersome to administer.
Ostensibly, it would require 12 additional staff to manage this program. Citizens would balk at completing the survey form. One of my BRAG colleagues pointed out that the city could just tap into electricity rates to identify residences with unusually low hydro usage, and then go after residents and developers who are leaving their properties vacant. My counter-point, which no one really answered, was why are Ottawa, Toronto and Hamilton adopting this measure, and not Burlington? Why is it that the British Columbia government has raised over $120 million in two years from this program?
Then there is the issue of user pay. Shouldn’t the people who use the service actually be paying for it? The mayor is promoting the idea of free bus fares for all riders 24/7. As some attendees mentioned, there is no such thing as “free” because ultimately, someone has to pay. The potential lost revenue, according to one article, is $2 – 6 million. I guess money really does grow on trees.
7. Frivolous Expenditures.
 Are we ever going to know what the final cost of the Bateman experience is going to amount to? A number of attendees cited examples of programs or initiatives the city had pursued that were, to put it diplomatically, a less than prudent use of municipal revenue. Perhaps the most blatant example of this is the “Love Your Neighbour” campaign. For those who may be unaware, this is a program the city provides which allows residents to apply for a $500 grant to host a neighbourhood party. Presumably, the creation of engagement and connectedness can be enhanced by closing down a residential street, getting a bouncy castle for the kids to play on, and then having a couple of brews with your neighbours from down the road. Why the city is paying residents to host parties when we have unfilled potholes, homeless people and traffic congestion is a complete mystery to me.
I also heard multiple questions raised around speed bumps (why do we require more?), bike lanes (many are infrequently used), the Bateman renovation (what are the actual costs?), the new Skyway Arena (much too large), Service Burlington (ineffective, duplicative), etc.
The mayor, during the Ward 1 meeting, made the point that the city needed to generate $4 million in cost savings in order to shave one percent off the proposed tax rate hike. However, if the city actively pursued the identification of multiple unnecessary expenditures wouldn’t all these cost savings add up? Probably not, so why bother? It feels like cost savings are of interest to the taxpayers but not the people who work on the budget.
8. Not Everything is baked In.
 Neighbours clearing out catch basins. Evidently, the Report on the July 2024 flood, and its measures to improve the City’s flood abatement infrastructure, are not fully known. Consequently, the budget does not include all these potential costs. Then there are the costs associated with the Bateman renovation. I’m still unclear whether these are in or out. Finally, there is the consultant’s report regarding the proposal to extend free bus service to all riders.
I’m not a budget expert, but it seems to me if there are multiple unknowns how can you responsibly or accurately craft a credible budget?
9. A Missed Engagement Opportunity.
Perhaps the thing that perplexed me the most was the multiple expressions of assistance from members of the audience. I recall, during the Ward 1 meeting that a gentleman in the audience offered his assistance in reviewing certain Information Technology operating systems and procedures to help identify economies and savings. He got a perfunctory response, something like “don’t call us, we’ll call you”. Evidently, this individual had considerable background and expertise from his working career. Leveraging his insights might be helpful. Whether he gets a follow-up call remains to be seen, but I wouldn’t bet money on it.
Wait and See:
Now that the one-sided consultation phase of the Budget Review process is over, the mayor, the council and city officials will pull all the details and feedback together, put them into a big black pot, stir it around, and whatever strange elixir is created becomes the city’s budget for the coming year. October 25th is the big day.
 Stephen White: Budget meetings “have galvanized residents across this city, and raised significant questions about how our finances are being managed.” I thought participating in this budget process would be enlightening and informative. Sadly, I came away with more questions than answers. However, if one positive theme emerged from this experience it might be that it has galvanized residents across this city, and raised significant questions about how our finances are being managed. Residents are slowly realizing our council is not representing our interests and we are becoming more engaged while vocally demanding more answers. And to think we didn’t have to apply for a Love Your Neighbourhood grant, rent a bouncy castle, or buy a case of beer!
 By Pepper Parr
October 17th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Earlier this week we wrote a short article attributing a statement made to Councillor Paul Sharman when in fact it was Jim Thompson who made the comment while delegating about the way the city was handling citizen engagement.
Sharman said: “I appreciate your your comments Jim. I will be sending out messages on Facebook and through my newsletter today with respect to the meeting in Ward five.
 Jim Thomson – expect to see a lot of this T-shirt The practice in Burlington is not to permit discussion between a delegation and a member of council so when the words: ” but why hasn’t the city sent out any notification of the changes? You’ve got a professional communication staff that’s failing to communicate” were said we thought it was Sharman continuing a sentence.
This was brought to our attention by Leah Bartolini who is now the Head of Corporate Affairs who thought it was important for the Gazette to make a correction and to apologize the Councillor Sharman.
And we do apologize to Councillor Sharman. The original article has been deleted from the Gazette
We see the error as minor and focus on the words that were used: “You’ve got a professional communication staff that’s failing to communicate” . Who said it isn’t really all that important – it is what was said that mattered.
Members of the Burlington Conservative party have been advised that the deadline to sell memberships is 11:59 PM Friday, October 18th.
 By Pepper Parr
October 16th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Who knew!
It did seem odd that so many people weren’t able to attend the Council meeting on Tuesday.
I wondered – but there was a good reason.
 Will CAO Basit do his fancy footwork while he is in Japan? Expect the Mayor to lead whatever parade there is. Mayor Meed Ward, Councilors Galbraith and Nisan and CAO Hassaan Basit were on their way to Japan.
Wonder why Councillor Bentivegna, who chaired the Council meeting, (he did get through it) chose not to announce where these people were.
This was deliberate – instructions may have given not to say a word. This is sleazy and it smells.
Feels like they had to sneak out of town.
 Councillor Galbraith  Councillor NIsan The public perception has not been all that good about the spending involved.
For Nisan – this is his second trip to one of our Twin Cities.
The trips to Burlington two Twin cities has been a tradition. It was budgeted for and the funds had been allocated.
Given the significant tax increases it might have been time for the city to change the frequency of the visits.
It will tale some diplomacy to make these once every five year visits – perhaps a small gift exchange each year.
 By Staff
October 16th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
 British humour with outrageously inventive interactive elements.
Buckle your theatre seats, coming to Burlington and venues this holiday season is a production that is guaranteed to bring audiences of all ages pure joy and laughter: O Christmas Tea: A British Comedy.
Imagine the delightful absurdity of Monty Python, the physical comedy of Mr. Bean, and the whimsical charm of Dr. Seuss – all blended into one brilliant production by Canada’s beloved multi-award winning comedy duo James & Jamesy. O Christmas Tea is a festive masterpiece, combining clever British humor with outrageously inventive interactive elements. When a Christmas tea party spirals into chaos, flooding the world with tea, the audience is swept away on a hilariously whimsical adventure that celebrates friendship, imagination, and holiday cheer.
Critics can’t stop raving. With 5-star reviews from CBC, London Free Press, and Torontoist, O Christmas Tea has been praised as “complete and utter fun for all ages,” and “an ode to the idea that anything is possible.” Audiences across the globe have fallen in love with its heartfelt humor and wildly creative staging.
This isn’t your typical holiday show. O Christmas Tea stands out because it doesn’t just entertain – it actively engages. The audience becomes part of the story, which is packed with unexpected twists, delightful physical comedy, and laugh-out-loud moments. James & Jamesy’s chemistry on stage and their boundless imagination create a feel-good experience that’s perfect for families, friends, and anyone looking for a little magic this Christmas.
The show’s unique approach to blending British tradition with fresh, inventive comedy creates a feature-worthy story, offering a joyful break from the usual holiday programming. It’s a show designed to spark connection and leave everyone with a smile.
O Christmas Tea will be coming to Burlington Performing Arts Centre on 13th November at 3pm and 7.30pm.
By Staff
October 16th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
We recently asked the city communications people if the loan the city made to Sound of Music last June had been repaid.
Our understanding was that the loan was $250,000 and was going to be repaid as soon as the revenue from the Sound of Music events was in hand.
 Entrance to the biggest free musical event in the province – perhaps in the country. That was mid-June.
The answer we got this morning was odd.
“Please connect with Sound of Music staff.”
The city loans money and doesn’t appear to be able to say if the loan has been repaid.
Getting through to anyone at Sound of Music is a challenge at the best of times.
 By Staff
October 16th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
What Insider Trading is all about click HERE-
The five stocks with the largest dollar value of insider acquisitions in the public market are:
|
| LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT CORP —–Buy Quantity: 1,506,767 Average cost: $9.29 Total: $13,997,926.57 |
| Insider |
Relationship |
Transaction |
Date |
Quantity |
Price |
Total |
| Liberty 77 Capital L.P. |
3 – 10% Security Holder of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
10-15-24 |
310,436 |
$9.30 |
$2,885,987.86 |
| Liberty 77 Fund International L.P. |
3 – 10% Security Holder of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
10-15-24 |
243,184 |
$9.30 |
$2,260,775.40 |
| Liberty 77 Capital L.P. |
3 – 10% Security Holder of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
10-14-24 |
232,102 |
$9.26 |
$2,148,843.30 |
| Liberty 77 Fund International L.P. |
3 – 10% Security Holder of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
10-14-24 |
181,820 |
$9.26 |
$1,683,323.23 |
| Liberty 77 Capital L.P. |
3 – 10% Security Holder of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
10-11-24 |
195,521 |
$9.32 |
$1,821,668.08 |
| Liberty 77 Fund International L.P. |
3 – 10% Security Holder of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
10-11-24 |
153,164 |
$9.32 |
$1,427,028.15 |
| Liberty 77 Capital L.P. |
3 – 10% Security Holder of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
10-10-24 |
78,365 |
$9.31 |
$729,520.45 |
| Liberty 77 Fund International L.P. |
3 – 10% Security Holder of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
10-10-24 |
61,388 |
$9.31 |
$571,477.08 |
| Liberty 77 Capital L.P. |
3 – 10% Security Holder of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
10-09-24 |
28,478 |
$9.24 |
$263,154.18 |
| Liberty 77 Fund International L.P. |
3 – 10% Security Holder of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
10-09-24 |
22,309 |
$9.24 |
$206,148.84 |
|
| Hamilton Thorne Ltd —–Buy Quantity: 2,349,000 Average cost: $1.76 Total: $4,127,624.98 |
| Insider |
Relationship |
Transaction |
Date |
Quantity |
Price |
Total |
| AWM Investment Company, Inc. |
3 – 10% Security Holder of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
10-10-24 |
783,000 |
$1.56 |
$1,221,010.20 |
| Greenhouse, David |
6 – Director or Senior Officer of 10% Security Holder |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
10-10-24 |
783,000 |
$1.56 |
$1,221,010.20 |
| Stettner, Adam |
6 – Director or Senior Officer of 10% Security Holder |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
10-10-24 |
783,000 |
$2.15 |
$1,685,604.58 |
|
| Total Energy Services Inc —–Buy Quantity: 135,709 Average cost: $9.72 Total: $1,318,891.62 |
| Insider |
Relationship |
Transaction |
Date |
Quantity |
Price |
Total |
| Total Energy Services Inc |
1 – Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
10-11-24 |
134,854 |
$9.72 |
$1,310,416.77 |
| Total Energy Services Inc |
1 – Issuer |
38 – Redemption, retraction, cancellation, repurchase |
10-11-24 |
-197,054 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
| Kirstine, Jessica A. |
4 – Director of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
10-10-24 |
495 |
$9.95 |
$4,925.25 |
| Kirstine, Jessica A. |
4 – Director of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
10-09-24 |
360 |
$9.86 |
$3,549.60 |
|
| Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc —–Buy Quantity: 16,500 Average cost: $73.98 Total: $1,220,686.50 |
| Insider |
Relationship |
Transaction |
Date |
Quantity |
Price |
Total |
| Madsen, Jørn |
7 – Director or Senior Officer of Insider or Subsidiary of Issuer (other than in 4,5,6) |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
10-10-24 |
16,500 |
$73.98 |
$1,220,686.50 |
|
| Asante Gold Corporation —–Buy Quantity: 729,800 Average cost: $1.39 Total: $1,012,190.22 |
| Insider |
Relationship |
Transaction |
Date |
Quantity |
Price |
Total |
| Easah, Malik Mohammed |
4 – Director of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
10-11-24 |
244,400 |
$1.40 |
$343,357.56 |
| Easah, Malik Mohammed |
4 – Director of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
10-10-24 |
485,400 |
$1.38 |
$668,832.66 |
The five stocks with the largest dollar value of insider dispositions in the public market are:
|
| High Liner Foods Incorporated —–Sell Quantity: -800,000 Average cost: $13.60 Total: -$10,880,000.00 |
| Insider |
Relationship |
Transaction |
Date |
Quantity |
Price |
Total |
| BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. |
3 – 10% Security Holder of Issuer |
00 – Opening Balance-Initial SEDI Report |
10-10-24 |
0 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
| BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. |
3 – 10% Security Holder of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
10-10-24 |
-800,000 |
$13.60 |
-$10,880,000.00 |
| High Liner Foods Incorporated |
1 – Issuer |
38 – Redemption, retraction, cancellation, repurchase |
10-09-24 |
0 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
|
| Dollarama Inc —–Sell Quantity: -72,530 Average cost: $143.04 Total: -$10,374,868.70 |
| Insider |
Relationship |
Transaction |
Date |
Quantity |
Price |
Total |
| Di Pesa, Mark |
5 – Senior Officer of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
10-11-24 |
-530 |
$143.47 |
-$76,039.10 |
| Robillard, Geoffrey Peter |
5 – Senior Officer of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
10-11-24 |
-72,000 |
$143.04 |
-$10,298,829.60 |
|
| EQB Inc. (formerly Equitable Group Inc.) —–Sell Quantity: -8,000 Average cost: $105.05 Total: -$840,400.00 |
| Insider |
Relationship |
Transaction |
Date |
Quantity |
Price |
Total |
| Moor, Andrew |
5 – Senior Officer of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
10-09-24 |
-8,000 |
$105.05 |
-$840,400.00 |
|
| Awale Resources Limited —–Sell Quantity: -923,500 Average cost: $0.46 Total: -$428,496.00 |
| Insider |
Relationship |
Transaction |
Date |
Quantity |
Price |
Total |
| Keshishian, Ardem |
5 – Senior Officer of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
10-10-24 |
20,000 |
$0.46 |
$9,288.00 |
| Orecap Invest Corp. |
3 – 10% Security Holder of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
10-09-24 |
-943,500 |
$0.46 |
-$437,784.00 |
|
| AGF Management Limited —–Sell Quantity: -32,840 Average cost: $10.45 Total: -$343,178.00 Options Issued: 40,876 Average cost: $10.45 Total: $427,154.20 |
| Insider |
Relationship |
Transaction |
Date |
Quantity |
Price |
Total |
| MCCREADIE, KEVIN ANDREW |
5 – Senior Officer of Issuer |
51 – Exercise of options |
10-09-24 |
40,876 |
$10.45 |
$427,154.20 |
| MCCREADIE, KEVIN ANDREW |
5 – Senior Officer of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
10-09-24 |
-32,840 |
$10.45 |
-$343,178.00 |
 By Pepper Parr
October 16th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Environmental Defence, an environmental advocacy organization has kept a keen eye on what the province wants to do with the announced Hwy 413.
They recently acquired a 68-page trove of previously unreleased documents that they say reveals significant concerns about values that must be protected under federal jurisdiction as required by the Species at Risk Act (SARA), the Fisheries Act, the Migratory Birds Convention Act, the Canadian Navigable Waters Act and the Duty to Consult under Section 35 of the Constitution.
“These new records further validate long-held concerns about this highway,” said Tim Gray, executive director at Environmental Defence. “The Ontario government is trying to recklessly push forward with Highway 413 in a way that harms species at risk and considers Indigenous consultation an afterthought.”
 Western Chorus Frog Federal departments communicated concerns about Ontario’s approach to species at risk including how data collection is being undertaken, the lack of protection for certain species and questionable proposals for the relocation of species at risk. The Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) revealed that the largest remaining Western Chorus Frog critical habitat area lies in the direct path of the Highway 413 project. Environment and Climate Change Canada scientists flagged that the highway routing seemed to be pre-determined and that alternative route assessments were not completed for species at risk such as the Western Chorus Frog, Red-Headed Woodpecker and Rapids Clubtail.
 Red-Headed Woodpecker The ATIP release also highlighted apprehension from the federal government about the highway due to its potential impact to the navigable waters of the Credit River, Etobicoke Creek and Humber River due to changes in water infiltration and base-flow as a result of paving large sections of the headwaters for each of those rivers (ATIP, pg. 27-28). Other concerns include a lack of information on current Indigenous traditional uses, such as hunting, fishing or gathering, by Indigenous communities and the project team’s lack of engagement with Indigenous Knowledge Keepers.
“The concerns identified in this ATIP clearly show that the federal government needs to immediately re-designate this risky and expensive highway for a full federal Impact Assessment,” said Gray.
 Many argue that turning 407 into a non toll highway would solve the problem that 413 is supposed to solve.
By Pepper Parr
October 16th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
We know now that there is someone at the wheel.
Hassaan Bait didn’t take part in the Council meeting yesterday.
We were advised this morning that he will be away until the 23rd of October.
 Blake Hurley, Commissioner of Legal and Legislated Services will be acting CAO until October 16th and can be contacted at blake.hurley@burlington.ca
 Jacqueline Johnson, Commissioner of Community Services will be acting CAO from October 16-22 and can be contacted at Jacqueline.johnson@burlington.ca
By Staff
October 15th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Clive Thomas was riding northbound on King Road today for his swim class at Angela Coughlin and said he was “ almost clipped by a passing SUV while crossing the bridge on the 403 overpass.
“Those bridges are under Ontario rule. There is NO room to pass if there is oncoming traffic. Will a body have to be scraped off the road before safety measures are put in? I ride everywhere in Burlington and am livid with Ford.
 There is a marker on the right side of the photograph showing a bike lane – pretty small. Let’s see what MPP Natalie Pierre can do for Clive. “This is a life and death matter, and for a guy like Ford who never misses a meal and never rides a bike, this borders on madness.
“I want to call you on this matter. I almost bit the pavement today , and want clarity on this matter. I’ve cc’d the Gazette here for your information. Please let me know when you will able to take my call.”
 By StaffOctober 15th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
 The proposed development consists of an 11-storey mixed-use building containing commercial and residential uses at-grade, and residential uses in its above-ground levels. The proposed concept provides vehicular parking in a surface parking area located along the south side of the building and below-grade in 3 underground levels. In total, approximately 316 vehicle parking spaces and 276 bicycle parking spaces are provided. The proposed concept provides a total of 255 residential units, consisting of 3 (1%) studio units, 162 (64%) one-bedroom units, 48 (19%) two-bedroom units, and 41 (16%) three-bedroom units. Approximately 1,273 m 2 of commercial space is also provided.
The site is at 84, 92 & 104 Plains Rd E & 990 Glenwood Dr
A completed application not yet been received by the Planning department
Hybrid Pre-Application Community Meeting
Oct. 30, 2024
6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
126 Plains Rd East
St. Matthew on the Plains Anglican Church – Fireside Room
By Pepper Parr
October 15th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
More changes to the city staff organization chart.
Leah Bortolotti, now the Head of Corporate Affairs, had her first council meeting responding to community engagement issues related to the Ward Boundary – Size of City Council issue.
Councillor Kearns:
“I have looked at it again in the actual report on engagement matters, which says that the product, the project, will involve extensive public engagement.
“We don’t always see that qualifier around public engagement. It says that there will be extensive engagement and that a communications plan is being finalized to ensure residents are aware of the review.
 Ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns: Asked questions that have not been asked before. “So what we’ve seen so far with the turnouts on the currently scheduled events is certainly not the type of turnout that I would hope we would have concerning such a serious matter that will be considered before the next election. So I’d like to hear from staff on what will we expect back although it’s an ongoing engagement and a plan is being finalized. When will we see that plan, and when will we know more about what we’re going to receive back in terms of engagement the staff member like to comment on that please.
 Leah Bortolotti: We are also putting together a communications kit for all council to use. Leah Bortolotti: “What we did so far on this was a blast out on September 23. We did a news release, social media, Get Involved Burlington, and we did continued updates on the website. We’re doing a full comms plan starting January, once the final kind of results come in to update everybody. We also are doing an update on social media tomorrow, on the two other dates. That was the plan. I apologize if it wasn’t soon enough for everybody. Given other initiatives for common engagement. We felt that was still timely enough to let people know about the two other engagement sessions.
“We are also putting together a communications kit for all council to use, and that should be coming this week as well, to communicate this to their constituents. I’m open to, obviously, if there’s a need for more communications on this to to respond to those needs or wants. But we feel, as it currently stands, that that plan was extensive for what we’re what current phase that we are in, there is a second phase in January. I mentioned, that we’ll have a bigger budget to do even more communications and engagement and to report back on the initial findings of Watson’s review.”
Kearns: “With the response that you’ve received thus far. How would you measure it against the efforts being put out by the city?”
Leah Bortolotti: “Being relatively new to the city, I can say that it seems like the response is low given our efforts. I don’t necessarily think it’s a lack of communication. I can’t speak to why residents aren’t more actively civically engaged on this, but I can say that we’ve been communicating publicly. I don’t know the respondent demographics when it comes to age, background – but what I can say is we can continue to communicate on social media. I’m not sure if you will see an influx in more respondents, but we’re happy to do so.
Kearns has a second set of questions – they are only permitted two at a time.
Kearns: “I think it’s fair to agree that we do need some robust engagement on this. How will staff get to the root cause of not having the engagement that we need to make the appropriate decisions? What will you do to find the root cause of this lack of engagement?”
 Leah Bortolotti: you think people will be very interested in a specific item, and they’re not. Leah Bortolotti: “Sorry, I don’t have an answer for you on that, because I don’t necessarily think that that’s a just a staff exercise. We can continue to communicate as much as we would like, and what is asked of us – we can’t hand-hold someone to these sessions and force them to respond or to respond online. The best we can do is to work with Watson to ensure that we are communicating as broadly as possible.
Bortolotti added – we don’t have just have this survey. We have two different sections where if people aren’t comfortable with responding to that, maybe the rigor of a survey or the structure is too much for some people – they can also put their feedback directly to those spots on the website. “We’re trying to be as accommodating and flexible as possible with that. I will say that at this point in time, I don’t have an answer for you on what the root cause is.
“I’ve seen this before, working provincially, you think that people will be very interested in a specific item, and they’re not. We’re happy to collaborate with Watson and and take feedback on maybe where there are gaps or opportunities. I don’t think that currently, anything that has been done right now would indicate that there’s not a for lack of trying, we definitely are working to ensure that as many people are responding to these questions and participating as possible.”
 City Solicitor Blake Hurley was sitting in as Interim CAO. Interim CAO Blake Hurley: “This is something that the city staff and our consultants are looking to get that engagement from the members of the public, and to answer your question about, what can we do to determine what the cause is of the out the turnout or lack of turnout so far at our sessions. That’s one of the benefits of working with our consultant who’s very experienced In this area. I think we can draw upon them to determine whether or not this is normal, or whether or not they’re used to seeing more engagement in other municipalities that they’ve done this work in and similar consultation, the advice we’ve heard so far from our consultant is that we have a robust engagement plan. I don’t want to draw a conclusion yet that it’s a communication plan issue, because our consultant has advised us that, yes, we are consulting appropriately and in line with what they’ve done before.
Tonight is our first online session for consultation on this matter that provides an alternative opportunity for members of the public to engage if for some reason, coming out to one of the sessions, I think we’ve had a few in the evening and one in the daytime. If those times have not worked for people, tonight’s online. Tonight’s online session may provide an additional opportunity that provides some more flexibility to them. I also want to make sure that it’s not lost on everyone that in order to provide comments, you don’t have to just attend one of these sessions. There is an opportunity to just write in to our staff and our consultant working on this and that feedback is more than welcome and welcome as much as feedback received in person. So, for those who find the time does not work for them for whatever reason in their personal lives, if they do want to comment, staff is very receptive to receiving those comments via email.
Council Kearns: “Sure, I appreciate that. There is a very significant difference between having a plan and having an outcome. I think we want to be outcome-driven on this approach. I think there’s also opportunity to continue the engagement and receive a report back through a council information report on any changes that are made or more enhancements that are made to the communication piece on this.
“I won’t table a motion. I’ll let you allow the next two sessions or more to unfold with a monitor on outcomes and getting those numbers up, we have just heard that it is lower than expected, so let’s at least get aligned which will be great. Maybe a council information package would be useful? Council information report would be helpful in the next month or so to see where we are.
“I didn’t want this to fall into consent at all. I think this is an important conversation. I won’t table a motion, but I’ll look for an information report. Is that fair?”
Bortolotti : Yeah, that’s absolutely fair.
Kearns: “I just want to make sure that we all have on record what currently has been done, just so we have that awareness.
“The initial report to council, came March 2024 and then the procurement happened. We did a soft launch at Food for Feedback in September and that received a lot of interest.
 Leah Bortolotti was direct when she said she did not have answers. That was a good first step. “We did media releases supporting social media, digital ads, posters all across the city’s facilities, five media articles to date, the reach was 876,000 based on circulation publication. The sentiment at that time, not currently, was 100% neutral for media stories, so not any interest either way.
“City Talk article was featured in 2020 June, there’s also one upcoming in December. We sent it out to 7000 plus subscribers at the Get Involved Burlington. We did an online survey. On October 7, we did a video launch, as well as a document library containing lots of reference material on the Get Involved Burlington page. We are more than happy to continue that push, and we will get a report on the engagement to you.”
And that was it.
A woman, Leah Bortolotti, new to the job was direct when she said she did not have answers. That was a good first step.
Now to get some people who understand communications around the table – think outside the box people.
By JimPortside
October 15th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The stock market is often called a voting machine. Some studies show at least 1 in 3 Canadians trade stocks. With an estimated 41,288,599 people living in Canada, well over 13 million people are voting.
 When enough people vote for; that is buy a stock, the laws of supply and demand dictate that the price goes up. We all know that when people are selling the price goes down. Realize that OMERS, CPP, and all the other retirement funds and money managers are also voting.
We outsiders, as individual investors are also voters.
Does insider trading data help individual investors vote for a winner?
Let’s start with where Insider Trading data comes from and whether we can trust the data.
The source of the Insider Trading data is the System for Electronic Disclosure by Insiders – www.sedi.ca – Canada’s on-line, browser-based service for filing and viewing insider reports as required by various provincial securities rules and regulations.
The following information is from https://www.securities-administrators.ca/about/
“Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) is the umbrella organization of Canada’s provincial and territorial securities regulators whose objective is to improve, coordinate and harmonize regulation of the Canadian capital markets
The reporting of insider trading serves two important investing functions:
It provides transparency and information to the market about the trading activity of directors, senior officers or significant shareholders of reporting issuers.
It deters insider trading on confidential information, since insiders know that they will be required to disclose their trades.”
Ok, insiders are required to disclose their trades, SEDI is an umbrella group for various provincial securities regulators. Now we know where the data comes from.
Do we trust the data? This is where things get complicated.
Let’s create a fictional company we will call FicCO and assume we are all insiders.
FicCO insiders know that if they start buying FicCO stock, they have to report the purchases on SEDI, where outsiders will see insiders buying stock and will consider joining the party. After all, insiders have the clearest view of a great earnings report, a new product in development, someone kicking tires on a takeover, the potential demise of a competitor – you name it, if anyone knows, the insiders know.
The fact that insiders know that others review their purchases may skew the reasons they purchase stock. Maybe FicCo’s CEO gets a bonus if the stock price hits a certain value. The stock price is not there, so he or she can make and report some large insider purchases, this may induce others to buy the stock, driving up the price. If the CEO doesn’t want to hold FicCo stock for the long term, they can sell small amounts over time, in a way that does not trigger an outsider to review their position in FicCo and also sell.
Another example is FicCo insiders know a great earnings report is on the way, a group of insiders sell large blocks over a day or two, triggering others to sell, then slowly buy back the shares over a few weeks, in a way that does not trigger others to buy.
I’m not saying any company does any of this, I’m just saying the possibility exists. In a perfect world insider buying should indicate it is safe for individual investors to buy. If only we lived in a perfect world.
More on Insider Trading to follow:
A description of the algorithm used to report the top five published in the Burlington Gazette
Some specific examples of how Insider Trading was used
Some study results that show how following insider trading works
Jim has lived in Burlington for much of his life and has watched the city change and grow over the years. With over 1,000 people working for the city there is a lot going on. As a now retired, successful business owner, Jim is interested in exploring and sharing some of what our local government is working on. You can reach Jim by emailing Jim.Portside@gmail.com
By Staff
October 15th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
After some rather awkward discussion related to how the city engages with the public mention was made that there was going to be a virtual Town Hall meeting THIS EVENING
 Current ward boundaries Council Composition and Ward Boundary Review is currently at this stage
Community Engagement Session
Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024
7 to 8:30 p.m.
Virtual meeting via Zoom
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83690753520?pwd=hgWxu8bajhD4aGCun8xx1AXx82UP8Z.1(External link)
Passcode: YK1xnb
Come speak to staff about council composition. Input gathered from the community will be used to help create recommendations about council composition that will go to City Council for their consideration in December 2024.
By Staff
October 15th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Insider Trading Data Filed Friday, October 11th to Monday, October 14th, 2024
The five stocks with the largest dollar value of insider acquisitions in the public market are:
|
| Quebec Innovative Materials Corp. (formerly Quebec Silica Resources Corp.) —–Buy Quantity: 805,000 Average cost: $0.36 Total: $288,240.00 |
| Insider |
Relationship |
Transaction |
Date |
Quantity |
Price |
Total |
| Inwentash, Sheldon |
3 – 10% Security Holder of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
10-10-24 |
202,500 |
$0.38 |
$77,760.00 |
| ThreeD Capital Inc. |
3 – 10% Security Holder of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
10-10-24 |
202,500 |
$0.38 |
$77,760.00 |
| Inwentash, Sheldon |
3 – 10% Security Holder of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
10-09-24 |
200,000 |
$0.33 |
$66,360.00 |
| ThreeD Capital Inc. |
3 – 10% Security Holder of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
10-09-24 |
200,000 |
$0.33 |
$66,360.00 |
|
| Andean Precious Metals Corp —–Buy Quantity: 168,800 Average cost: $1.51 Total: $254,719.20 |
| Insider |
Relationship |
Transaction |
Date |
Quantity |
Price |
Total |
| 2176423 Ontario Ltd. |
3 – 10% Security Holder of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
10-08-24 |
84,400 |
$1.51 |
$127,359.60 |
| Sprott, Eric |
3 – 10% Security Holder of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
10-08-24 |
84,400 |
$1.51 |
$127,359.60 |
|
| Gold Reserve Ltd —–Buy Quantity: 67,049 Average cost: $3.45 Total: $231,579.80 |
| Insider |
Relationship |
Transaction |
Date |
Quantity |
Price |
Total |
| Camac Partners, LLC |
3 – 10% Security Holder of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
10-14-24 |
119 |
$3.39 |
$402.84 |
| Camac Partners, LLC |
3 – 10% Security Holder of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
10-11-24 |
66,930 |
$3.45 |
$231,176.96 |
|
| Greenridge Exploration Inc —–Buy Quantity: 150,000 Average cost: $0.80 Total: $119,700.00 |
| Insider |
Relationship |
Transaction |
Date |
Quantity |
Price |
Total |
| Starr, James Russell |
5 – Senior Officer of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
10-11-24 |
150,000 |
$0.80 |
$119,700.00 |
|
| Sol Strategies Inc. (formerly, Cypherpunk Holdings Inc.) —–Buy Quantity: 301,000 Average cost: $0.33 Total: $97,845.00 |
| Insider |
Relationship |
Transaction |
Date |
Quantity |
Price |
Total |
| Guoga, Antanas (Tony) |
4 – Director of Issuer, 5 – Senior Officer of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
10-11-24 |
301,000 |
$0.33 |
$97,845.00 |
The five stocks with the largest dollar value of insider dispositions in the public market are:
|
| Dollarama Inc —–Sell Quantity: -72,530 Average cost: $143.04 Total: -$10,374,868.70 |
| Insider |
Relationship |
Transaction |
Date |
Quantity |
Price |
Total |
| Di Pesa, Mark |
5 – Senior Officer of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
10-11-24 |
-530 |
$143.47 |
-$76,039.10 |
| Robillard, Geoffrey Peter |
5 – Senior Officer of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
10-11-24 |
-72,000 |
$143.04 |
-$10,298,829.60 |
|
| EQB Inc. (formerly Equitable Group Inc.) —–Sell Quantity: -8,000 Average cost: $105.05 Total: -$840,400.00 |
| Insider |
Relationship |
Transaction |
Date |
Quantity |
Price |
Total |
| Moor, Andrew |
5 – Senior Officer of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
10-09-24 |
-8,000 |
$105.05 |
-$840,400.00 |
|
| Tucows Inc —–Sell Quantity: -6,000 Average cost: $26.30 Total: -$157,830.00 |
| Insider |
Relationship |
Transaction |
Date |
Quantity |
Price |
Total |
| Noss, Elliot Lawrence |
4 – Director of Issuer, 5 – Senior Officer of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
10-09-24 |
-1,000 |
$26.52 |
-$26,520.00 |
| Noss, Elliot Lawrence |
4 – Director of Issuer, 5 – Senior Officer of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
10-10-24 |
-2,100 |
$25.97 |
-$54,546.00 |
| Noss, Elliot Lawrence |
4 – Director of Issuer, 5 – Senior Officer of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
10-11-24 |
-2,900 |
$26.47 |
-$76,764.00 |
|
| Pan American Silver Corp —–Sell Quantity: -4,342 Average cost: $31.09 Total: -$135,012.90 Options Issued: 4,342 Average cost: $17.53 Total: $76,115.26 |
| Insider |
Relationship |
Transaction |
Date |
Quantity |
Price |
Total |
| Emerson, Christopher |
5 – Senior Officer of Issuer |
51 – Exercise of options |
10-10-24 |
2,342 |
$17.53 |
$41,055.26 |
| Emerson, Christopher |
5 – Senior Officer of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
10-10-24 |
-2,342 |
$31.08 |
-$72,790.30 |
| Emerson, Christopher |
5 – Senior Officer of Issuer |
51 – Exercise of options |
10-11-24 |
2,000 |
$17.53 |
$35,060.00 |
| Emerson, Christopher |
5 – Senior Officer of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
10-11-24 |
-2,000 |
$31.11 |
-$62,222.60 |
|
| Equity Metals Corporation —–Sell Quantity: -300,000 Average cost: $0.22 Total: -$64,500.00 |
| Insider |
Relationship |
Transaction |
Date |
Quantity |
Price |
Total |
| Macdonald, Robert William John |
5 – Senior Officer of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
10-10-24 |
-250,500 |
$0.22 |
-$53,857.50 |
| Macdonald, Robert William John |
5 – Senior Officer of Issuer |
10 – Acquisition or disposition in the public market |
10-11-24 |
-49,500 |
$0.22 |
-$10,642.50 |
By Pepper Parr
October 15th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
 Both Mayor Meed Ward and Ward 1 Councillor Kelvin Galbraith were absent this morning.
Councillor Bentivegna chaired the meeting.
There was a quorum – but just.
This situation is an example of why a seven-member Council is not really that viable.
By Pepper Parr
October 15th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
With all the provincial political parties tightening up – not certain that there will be a Spring provincial election but wanting to be ready if there is one – we are seeing possible candidates putting together teams to seek the nomination.
The current MPP for Burlington, Natalie Pierre would be expected to run for re-election.
 Oliver Parker – son of the city The Liberals were very quiet until Thursday of last week when Oliver Parker, currently a federal civil servant who works in the Department of Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) where he toils as a labour economist evaluating EI policy.
Parker’s parent moved to Burlington when he was very young. The family has been in Burlington for more than 20 years. He describes himself as a “son of the City. High school was at Notre Dame. When he graduated he went to Carleton University and completed a Bachelor of Arts degree and then to Germany to complete a Masters degree at the University of Bayreuth where he focused on the economic history of productivity and trade between the two world wars.
Parker is currently enrolled in a Doctorate program at Queen’s University, Belfast. His PhD program is part time at this point.
Parker is fluent in French and German.
There isn’t much of a profile for Parker in the city – for the most part, he was at university studying.
He was part of the Safe Street group that has delegated at city hall.
Parker said he keeps abreast of the major developments – he argues that the parking part of the 2030 Caroline development is excessive – the city already has a traffic problem. More parking in the downtown area means more cars on the streets.
 Well-educated Notre Dame HS graduate in the process of earning a Doctorate seeks the Burlington Liberal nomination. He has two immediate tasks – plans to knock on every door in the city seeking the nomination and focus on advocating for more affordable housing. He maintains the city is missing its affordable housing targets.
Appreciate that Oliver Parker is seeking the nomination – he has to be nominated first – then he becomes the candidate.
Then he has to win the riding and become an MPP where he will join the 9 Liberals – assuming they are all elected. – their leader Bonnie Crombie will also be seeking a seat in the Legislature.
Andrea Grebenc sought the nomination for the Burlington seat in the last election. She lost to Mariam Manaa who then lost the election to Natalie Pierre. Grebenc announced late Monday that she will seek the nomination.
By Pepper Parr
October 15th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
I sent a note to Andrea Grebenc on Thanksgiving Day asking if she was in or out of the Provincial Liberal nomination race. Shortly before going to my evening bubble gum for the eyes routine (Netflix) there was a note from Grebenc: Hi Pepper, Yes, I’m in.
Here is her story:
 Andrea Grebenc: Serving as Chair of the HDSB during the pandemic. “As an experienced leader, dedicated community advocate, and lifelong resident of Burlington, I am thrilled to announce that I am seeking the Ontario Liberal Party nomination for the Burlington provincial riding. I invite you to join me in shaping a brighter future for this great city and Ontario.
“Burlington is more than just a place on the map—it’s where my father found refuge and where I grew up surrounded by the support and values that make this community truly unique. It’s where I’ve chosen to raise my family and invest in the future we all share. My commitment to serving Burlington has been unwavering, whether it’s through my role as a twice-elected School Board Trustee for the Halton District School Board, serving as Board Chair during the most challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, or stepping up to run for Halton Regional Chair in 2022, earning the trust and support of 20,000 voters.
“I believe in a Burlington where every resident has access to quality publicly-funded education, affordable housing, reliable publicly-funded healthcare, and efficient and effective transportation. I have been privileged to work alongside other community supporters on the City of Burlington’s Integrated Transportation Advisory Committee and as part of the Appleby Line Street Festival organizing committee. I feel honoured and humbled to have been recently recognized by Burlington’s SB Partners Chartered Accountants as a Burlington Community Champion. These experiences have only deepened my resolve to fight for policies that reflect the needs and aspirations of our community.
 Conferring with then HDSB Director of Education Stewart Miller “With experience in public speaking, debating, and media relations, and a track record of building strong relationships with local council members, provincial and federal politicians, and other community leaders, I am ready to be a strong voice for Burlington at Queen’s Park. My vision is grounded in practical solutions and guided by a passion for making a real difference in the lives of those around me.
“But I can’t do this alone. I need your support to secure the nomination and to build a campaign that truly represents the heart and spirit of Burlington. By joining the Ontario Liberal Party today at no cost and standing with me and trusting me with your vote at the soon-to-be-announced nomination meeting, you are choosing a candidate who understands the challenges we face and is committed to delivering results that matter.
“Together, let’s make Burlington an even better place to live, work, and raise our families. Let’s drive positive change, rooted in the values that have always made our community strong. Join me in this journey. Let’s build a future we can all be proud of.”
Oliver Parking announced his drive to seek the same nomination last Thursady.
A fair healthy nomination race is good for the democratic process and for the community at large.
For more information or to get involved in the Grebenc campaign:
Email: contact@andrea4burlington.ca
Phone: 905-510-4847
Website: https://Andrea4Burlington.ca
More on what Andrea Grebenc achieved when she was a school board trustee later.
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