 By Tom Parkin
April 2nd, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Projections put Carney’s Liberals at 203 seats, 87 ahead of Poilievre — and free of a strong NDP opposition.
In normal times, socialists voting for capitalist archetype Mark Carney would be an absurd idea, but that’s exactly what some left-wing voters are contemplating for Canada’s April 28 election.
The shift has drained support for Jagmeet Singh’s social democratic NDP despite announcements highlighting Carney’s problematic corporate behaviour and his current conservative leanings.
 While Carney was board chair of investment bank Brookfield Asset Management the company persued “opportunistic real estate [purchases] in order to take advantage of the stress in the market,” and helped Canadian investors dodge taxes using Caribbean tax haven accounts directly overseen by Carney.
On becoming Liberal leader, Carney adopted several core Conservative positions including cancelling a planned tax inclusion increase on those making capital gains over $250,000 a year, ending the consumer carbon tax, stalling pharmacare, and unspecified cuts to “slay” the deficit, positions left-wing Canadians would usually recoil from.
But for many left-wing voters, Carney is the lesser evil to Pierre Poilievre, who rode the anti-vaxx movement to a Conservative leadership win then tried to ride Trump’s tailwinds to the prime minister’s office.
Even as Trump threatened to annex Canada, Poilievre’s biggest January media push was a long sit-down with Jordan Peterson, the Trump supporting identitarian who recently moved to MAGA-land to protest Canada.
The event earned the endorsement of Elon Musk, also widely despised by left-wing Canadians.
The left-wing lesser-evil movement has driven down NDP support. But with a massive Carney majority the new threat, in the next four weeks Singh may yet be able to move left-wing voters back to the NDP by offering his party as a hedge against Carney’s conservative leanings.
The CBC’s poll tracker currently shows Poilievre’s Conservatives 5.8 points behind Carney’s Liberals. But what counts are seats, and the Conservatives’ bad vote inefficiency compounds their losses.
Conservative candidates pile-up big wins in southern Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba ridings. But winning a seat with 45 per cent support or 75 per cent is still just winning one seat.
In both 2019 and 2021, the Conservatives received about 200,000 more votes than the Liberals but both times won about 35 fewer seats.
Current projections show the Liberals beating Poilievre by 87 seats, a bigger gap that 2021, 2019 or 2015.
The Liberals are currently projected to win 203 seats and the Conservatives 116, down three seats from Erin O’Toole’s 2021 result.
The red flags Singh has been planting about Brookfield and Carney’s conservative leanings may yet pay off as the reality of a big Carney majority sinks in.
In a dynamic where the threat is now a big Liberal majority, calls by Singh to elect more NDP MPs as a hedge against Carney’s conservatism should resonate with traditional NDP voters.
That logic of the situation suggests Singh needs to start two new pushes.
First, and in the context of Trump annexation threats, Singh can make the case NDP values are a fundamental to Canada’s different history and identity, pointing to icons including dental care, childcare and pharmacare, but also the grandparents of them all, universal healthcare and a real labour movement.
Second, Singh can talk about what Liberals do when there’s no strong NDP fighting for those Canadian values.
In late 1999 and winter 2000, amid left-wing fears of the Canadian Reform Conservative Alliance, many left-wing voters also made a lesser-eviL move, dropping NDP support to the 10 per cent range while Liberal support soared, sometimes touching above 50 per cent.
The result was that in late February, 2000, Liberals used their strength amid NDP weakness to table a budget with $58 billion in tax cuts. They lowered the capital gains inclusion rate from 75 to 50 per cent, cut the corporate taxes rate from 28 per cent to 21 per cent, eliminated the surtax on high personal incomes, and cut tax rates for top incomes.
And they let the Canada Health and Social Transfers fall behind combined inflation and population growth even though they had cut the CHST 34 per cent between 1993 to 1996 and frozen it from 1997 and 1998.
Right wing things. Done with left-wing votes.
In April 2025, with Poilievre pushed back, the lesser evil socialists who moved to the right may shift back on the idea there is the value in casting an NDP vote, especially where that vote sends an NDP fighter to Ottawa to defend icons of Canadian identity from Carney. Singh has four weeks to make that case to them.
Discussion about this post
 By Staff
April 2nd, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
A total of five FIRST robotics teams from the Halton District School Board (HDSB) will compete at the FIRST Ontario Provincial Championship in Mississauga April 2-5.
Schools participating include Garth Webb SS (Team 5409), Georgetown District HS (Team 4976), Aldershot School (Team 9263), Oakville Trafalgar HS (Team 1334) and Burlington Central HS (Team 2386). The HDSB held the FIRST kick off in January at Burlington Central HS with more than 250 people in attendance.
 HDSB students setting up their robotic device that was designed to shoot a basketball into a net. Each HDSB team qualified for the provincial competition based on their results from taking part in regional competitions, including those held at McMaster University, Nipissing University, University of Waterloo, Durham College and in Newmarket. This provincial competition is a qualifier for the World FIRST Robotic Championship to be held later in April.
“Many thanks are extended to all of the teachers, coaches, mentors, volunteers and sponsors that provide students with this extremely valuable opportunity that supports the development of critical STEM and technological skills such as manufacturing, electronics, programming, CAD/CAM, pneumatics, design, media and transferable skills such as teamwork, problem solving and communication,” says Veronica Kleinsmith, Specialist High Skills Major Lead at the Halton District School Board. It has truly been an amazing and enriching experience for our students.”
“The FIRST Robotics Competition provides students with an incredible opportunity to showcase their skills in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM),” says Curtis Ennis, Director of Education for the HDSB.
“By engaging in these challenges, students build confidence, problem-solving skills and resilience while gaining practical experience. These competitions play an important role in fulfilling our commitment, as outlined in the HDSB’s 2024-2028 Multi-Year Strategic Plan, to Learning, Engagement and Achievement by connecting classroom learning to real-world scenarios. As students apply their knowledge to practical challenges, they develop essential skills and explore meaningful career opportunities in skilled trades and technology. I extend my sincerest congratulations to our HDSB teams on your remarkable achievements!”
 The Halton District School Board hosted a kickoff event ahead of the “Inspiration and Recognition in Science and Technology” or “FIRST” robotics competition season. Established in 2001, FIRST Robotics inspires young people to be leaders and innovators in science and technology by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills to inspire innovation and foster self-confidence, communication and leadership.
Achievements at the regional competitions included:
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- Aldershot School (Team 9263) received its first blue banner. The team was part of the alliance that scored a new world record for points in a single match in the 2025 Reefscape Competition.
- Burlington Central HS (Team 2386) won the Spirit Award at the McMaster University Competition.
- Georgetown District HS (Team 4976) won the Humber District Event, their third 1st place win as a team.
- Garth Webb SS (Team 5409) placed first overall at the Nipissing University regional competition, winning their second gold medal of the season and earning a place in the top twelve teams in the world. They also received the Excellence in Engineering Award.
- Oakville Trafalgar HS (Team 1334) competed at McMaster University, earning a spot in the third place alliance and winning the Team Sustainability award for environmental impact and continuity.
 By Staff
April 1st, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Liberals hold massive lead among those Comfortable & Thriving on Anhus Reid Economic Stress Index
Economic turmoil between Canada and the United States has taken the headlines this year, perhaps obscuring several positive domestic trends. Falling rents, a grocery cost reprieve, and stable inflation have some Canadians feeling better about their economic stress, and it appears to the benefit of the federal Liberals.
New data from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute finds a two-point decrease this quarter in the number of Canadians “Struggling” on the Economic Stress Index, which measures self-professed ability to pay for housing, groceries, and debt, as well as optimism about the coming year and an assessment of past 12 months. This decrease adds to a five-point drop between September and December, meaning approximately one-quarter fewer of those who were Struggling at the beginning of fall say the same now at the beginning of spring (33% down to 25%).
 As pundits and observers seek to understand campaign dynamics and the interplay of voters between the Conservative and Liberal Party, consider that the CPC continue to by far the top choice for the Struggling, with more than half of that group (56%) saying they would vote for Pierre Poilievre’s party. This is close to identical to the CPC’s support among the Struggling over the past year. The challenge for Poilievre and co. is that this group has shrunk significantly, and Liberal support has risen from 12 to 26 per cent within it.
The story is equally challenging within other groups across the Economic Stress Index.
 
Among the Uncomfortable, the Liberals and Conservatives are now tied after the CPC led by 29 points in December. The Liberals lead by 15 points among the Comfortable and 30 within the Thriving. The Conservatives led both groups at the end of 2024.
 By Jim Portside
April 1st, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
 The Sunshine List was created by the Mike Harris government in 2006. Why are there so many teachers on the 2024 Sunshine List?
The Sunshine List was first released in 1996. The list shows us the names of Ontario public sector employees earning $100,000 or more. The $100,000 threshold has not changed since 1996. Using the Bank of Canada’s inflation calculator, $100,000 in 1996 is the equivalent of $185,017 in today’s dollars.
The 2023 list contains the names of 300,681 people.
The 2024 list contains the names of 377,667 people.
In 2019 the Ford government passed Bill 124 – “Protecting a Sustainable Public Sector for Future Generations Act”. The bill capped salary increases for employees of hospitals, universities, schools, long-term care homes, and non-profit organizations receiving government funding.
The public sector employees took the government to court and won. In February 2024, the Ontario government repealed Bill 124. Collective Bargaining Agreements often contain a “reopener” clause that allows for renegotiation of the agreement’s terms if certain conditions are met.
 Teachers demonstrating against government cuts in education. The conditions were met and the retroactive salary increases were handed out, causing a significant one-time salary boost for many of the employees affected by Bill 124. The scale of this is so massive that the hit to the projected 2024-2025 provincial budget deficit is around $6 billion. If Bill 124 had remained in effect the province’s deficit would have been $600 million.
The Sunshine List groups people by sector. Working with just the “School Boards” sector we can see the following:
In 2023 School Boards employed 80,282 people earning $100,000 or more, 60,516 of those people have the word “Teacher” in their job title.
In 2024 School Boards employed 118,050 people earning $100,000 or more, 92,472 of those people have the word “Teacher” in their job title. That’s a whopping 52.8% increase.
We should see things return to normal on the 2025 Sunshine List.
 By Staff
April 1st, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The Ontario government is increasing the minimum wage from $17.20 to $17.60 an hour effective October 1, 2025, to support workers and businesses. This annualized wage increase is based on the Ontario Consumer Price Index (CPI) of 2.4 per cent and will bring Ontario’s minimum wage to the second highest provincial rate in Canada.
 His income will go up $835.00 a year starting October 1st. “Our government will continue to have the backs of Ontario workers, investing in skills training and development and helping ensure that work pays,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “Ontario’s minimum wage remains one of the highest in the country. Now more than ever, workers and businesses need fair, balanced and predictable wages.”
A worker making the general minimum wage and working 40 hours per week will see an annual pay increase of up to $835.00 as a result of these changes. Under the Employment Standards Act, Ontario’s minimum wage increases annually based on the Ontario CPI, a measure of inflation that represents changes in prices experienced by Ontario consumers.
This increase is just one of the ways the government is supporting Ontario workers and helping make Ontario the best place to work, live and raise a family.
Quick Facts
- About 36 per cent of workers at or below the wage of $17.60 per hour are in retail trade and 24 per cent are in accommodation and food services.
- Over the past seven years, Ontario’s minimum wage has increased from $14 per hour in 2018 to $17.60 later this year.
By Staff
April 1st, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
 Conservation Halton advises that Environment Canada and the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) Surface Water Monitoring Centre (SWMC) are forecasting a large Colorado Low Pressure system that will bring between 30-50mm of rainfall to the region, with possibly higher amounts in embedded Thunderstorms. Rain is expected to start mid-day Wednesday and continue until Thursday morning.
 Widespread flooding is not anticipated, however, fast flowing water and flooding of low-lying areas, natural floodplains, and areas with poor drainage may be expected.
Conservation Halton is asking all residents and children to keep a safe distance from all watercourses and structures such as bridges, culverts, and dams. Elevated water levels, fast flowing water, and cold water temperatures, combined with slippery conditions along stream banks continue to make these locations extremely dangerous. Please alert children in your care of these imminent dangers.
Conservation Halton will continue to monitor stream and weather conditions and will issue an update to this Watershed Conditions Statement – Flood Outlook message as conditions warrant.
This Watershed Conditions Statement – Flood Outlook will be in effect through Friday April 4, 2025.
 By Helena Litvinova
April 2nd, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Canada has always had a vibrant casino scene. Whether it’s the glitzy gaming halls of Ontario or the sleek online platforms catering to players from coast to coast, Canadian gamblers have no shortage of choices. From spinning reels to strategic card games, there’s something for every kind of player. Here’s a closer look at the top 10 casino games that have captured the hearts (and wagers) of Canadians. Well to make your experience even better, find the best online casino overviews for Canada and play only in the best casino. But what games to play? Let’s find out!
1. Slot Machines: The Reels That Keep on Spinning
 Instant gameplay with minimal rules. Canadian casinos count slot machines as their dominating force. They serve as the casino’s most popular attractions because of how simple they are and their entertainment functions. Themed slots feature live-action graphics together with bonus features that deliver fast gameplay that can lead players to significant cash wins.
Why Canadians Love Slots:
- Instant gameplay with minimal rules
- Massive progressive jackpots
- Wide range of themes: fantasy, adventure, history, and more
Players can find many more options in online slots because of mobile compatibility and bonus offers that were previously unavailable. Casino players in Canada put Mega Moolah, Book of Dead, and Sweet Bonanza at the top of their game rankings.
2. Blackjack: The King of Card Games
Blackjack has maintained its place as a permanent fixture in Canadian casino gaming areas since the beginning of the decades. This game is ideal for thinkers who want mental stimulation because it combines strategic decisions with good fortune and possesses a minimal advantage for the casino.
Several Leading Versions of Blackjack Popular in Canadian Casinos:
- Classic Blackjack
- European Blackjack
- Atlantic City Blackjack
Blackjack remains competitive since players can join forces at the tables. The feeling of unspoken connection connects every participant at their table while they play their games in any format.
3. Roulette: A Spin for Every Style
 There are three main types of roulette played in Canada: Playing roulette delivers an unrivaled thrill to players. Take your bets before observing the ball as it rotates while you experience an anxious waiting period. Players throughout Canada have long been attracted to the classic game that shows no signs of fading in popularity.
There are three main types of roulette played in Canada:
- European Roulette: Single zero, better odds
- American Roulette: Double zero, higher house edge
- French Roulette creates bonus regulations that benefit the betting customers.
Roulette stands out because of its elegance and tendency to produce unique outcomes that remain timeless favorites for Canadian gamblers.
4. Poker: Where Skill Meets the Stakes
Canadian gambling culture features a distinctive position for the game of poker. The game exceeds its basic aspects because it combines the development of awareness with deliberate waiting and the strength to stay cool. The popularity of poker within Canada keeps growing because internationally recognized star Daniel Negreanu comes from Canada.
Popular poker games include:
- Texas Hold’em
- Omaha Hi-Lo
- 7-Card Stud
The popularity of poker has increased substantially because online poker rooms alongside televised tournaments have become popular features among Canadian gamblers. Most Canadians spend their practice time at home against potential casino opponents.
5. Baccarat: High-Class Simplicity
 The game captures players because they merely need to wager on Player or Banker or a Tie outcome. Although previously known as a game for high-stakes players baccarat now attracts players of all backgrounds in Canada. The game captures players because they merely need to wager on Player or Banker or a Tie outcome.
This game gained traction through:
- Online live dealer tables
- Favorable odds
- Minimal decision-making
Both casinos that operate from physical locations and digital casinos now feature Baccarat games as part of their main offerings.
6. Craps: The Social Dice Game
Craps establishes itself as one of the most active games available in Canadian casino establishments. Despite possible complexity in the gameplay rules players constantly enjoy the upbeat casino setting that leads to various team victory opportunities.
Top reasons players enjoy craps:
- Lively table atmosphere
- Wide variety of bets
- Strong community engagement
Players who learn basic craps betting rules consider the game to be their preferred choice for thrilling casino experiences.
7. Video Poker: A Solo Strategy Game
 People find appeal in this game’s quick cadence together with superior betting probabilities. The combination of video poker includes poker rules and slot machine mechanics. People find appeal in this game’s quick cadence together with superior betting probabilities relative to some slot machine varieties.
Common versions include:
- Jacks or Better
- Deuces Wild
- Joker Poker
Most Canadian players value playing this game for its positive combination of single-player focus and thoughtful gameplay especially when they prefer digital play.
8. Keno: A Game of Pure Luck
Players searching for leisurely gameplay should try keno since it matches their preferences. Waiting patiently through each draw lets you verify whether your luck brings success. This lottery-style game allows players to experience a pleasant shift from their usual gambling activities.
Keno appeals to:
- Casual players
- Lottery enthusiasts
- Fans of low-stakes gambling
You can play keno both inside casino lounges and their corresponding online game lobbies.
9. Sic Bo: The Hidden Gem
Canadian players are discovering Sic Bo through its development as an ancient Chinese dice game in the country. Sic Bo provides casino players with an exclusive betting experience while introducing a little bit of mystery from around the world.
Why it’s worth trying:
- Simple rules
- Multiple betting options
- Unique cultural feel
Players can find Sic Bo appearing more frequently in live dealer platforms of online casinos.
 Available in modern versions and new interfaces bingo continues to find success in online gaming platforms. 10. Bingo: Classic Fun with a Twist
Bingo exists as a notable gambling option in Canada even though it does not fit casual definitions of casino entertainment. Available in modern versions and new interfaces bingo continues to find success in online gaming platforms.
What players love about bingo:
- Social interaction
- Themed rooms and progressive jackpots
- Fast-paced, low-pressure gameplay
The traditional bingo experience evolved into digital entertainment which brings pleasure to senior players.
Conclusion
Canadian casino players enjoy various casino games which include reel spinners and traditional card competitions. An incredible mix of simple player access to strategic elements and pure entertainment enjoyment assures that players will always find enjoyable games. The top 10 favorite online games will continue to dominate Canada’s gaming culture as online gaming further develops.
 By Pepper Parr
April 1st, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The next chapter in pet healthcare has arrived. To be located at 561 Brant Street in Burlington, they are set to open their doors on April 11th.
Novel, an interesting name for a veterinary medicine and surgical services, is rooted in improving access to veterinary care for all.
 Emma and Brendon are from the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph, the number one veterinary school in Canada. Local owners and co-founders Brendon Laing and Emma Harris have dedicated their entire careers to veterinary medicine. Brendon is a veterinarian and an active contributor to the industry, having just wrapped up his presidency with the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association. Emma is a PhD Candidate whose research is dedicated to understanding the socioeconomic and demographic influences on access to veterinary care.
Both Emma and Brendon are from the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph, the number one veterinary school in Canada.
Novel offers a no-exam-fee model. “The walk-in fee creates a ‘wait-and-see’ approach to healthcare. If a medical issue exists, I want to help as soon as I can” says Brendon. “But as a pet owner, if I know I’m going to incur a fee of over $100 right away, I hesitate; I pause.
So we got rid of the exam fee in the name of eliminating barriers to care”, says Emma. Members sign up to Novel and pay $20/month for a single pet or $24/month for multiple pets and receive unlimited examinations, access to a 24/7 support line, and between 10-40% off all medications, products (including food), services and diagnostics.
Novel is priced, on average, up to 40% less expensive than traditional clinics, according to a self-funded research study.
As a second-generation veterinarian, Brendon has witnessed first-hand how the industry has evolved: “The veterinary industry has reached a tipping point. We need to completely reconsider how we deliver quality care at a more affordable price point, and that’s exactly what we’ve done with Novel”.
Novel is hosting an opening celebration on April 11th from 5-8pm at 561 Brant Street. Meet the team, tour the hospital and enjoy food, drinks and professional pet photography.
By Tom Parkin
April 1st, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Flight sales collapse as Canadians boycott travel to Trump’s country and hear stories of American officials harassing and detaining Canadians.
Annexation threats from U.S. President Donald Trump and stories of detainment by American police and border officers are causing a collapse in airline flight bookings between Canada and the United States, according to travel data company OAG, a UK-based airline travel data aggregator.
OAG reports airline ticket purchases made by mid-March 2025 for flights between Canadian and U.S. airports in April 2025 are down almost 76 per cent from the number made by mid-March 2024 for April 2024.
By mid-March 2024 there were 1,218,570 airline seats booked for travel between Canadian and U.S. locations in April 2024.
As of mid-March 2025, only 295,982 seats are booked for Canada-U.S. travel this April, according to OAG.
Bookings by mid-March this year for travel in May and the summer months are also over 70 per cent down from levels in mid-March 2024.
Canadian airlines cutting U.S. flights, redeploying planes to Europe
But bigger changes to flight schedules could still be coming if ticket sales for flights in the summer, traditionally the busiest time for travel between Canada and the United States, continue at such low levels.
The downturn in travel between Canada and the U.S. may also be ending the Amtrack rail service between Seattle and Vancouver. The company last week suddenly cancelled the service citing maintenance problems with the aging trainsets plying in the route.
But while previous Amtrack press releases had announced new equipment was coming to the route starting in 2026, last weeks’ notice of service suspension made no mention of a return to service next year with new equipment.
 By Pepper Parr
March 31st, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
In a campaign that has been remarkable for its volatility and dynamism, a new element enters the race: relative stability.
New data from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute finds voter intention unchanged over the last week, with the Liberal Party holding an eight-point lead over the Conservatives, while the fortunes of the NDP and Bloc remain similarly unchanged.
Asked how they intend to vote, 46 per cent of Canadian voters say they will support the Liberals, compared to 38 per cent for the Conservative Party. Support for the NDP (7%) and Bloc Québécois (7%) continues to linger in single digits.
Liberal leader and Prime Minister Mark Carney continues to maintain an advantage among most demographic groups. Men aged 35- to 54-years-old are the only age-gender segment to be more likely to vote Conservative. The Liberals otherwise lead between four points (men older than 55) and 27 points (women older than 55).
Further, Carney’s positive net favourability among both men (+18) and women (+26) remains stable. His rivals – Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre and NDP leader Jagmeet Singh – struggle among one gender or the other. For Poilievre, this represents an ongoing inability to build positive impressions among women – three-in-five (61%) who say they view him unfavourably. For Singh, same problem, only among men, who by a two-to-one margin view him more negatively than positively.
The resurgence of the Liberals fueled by Carney’s election to leader is partially driven by women voters returning to the party after abandoning it at the end of 2024, but also by picking up vote intention from men. In March 2021, support for the Liberals among men ranged from 27 per cent among 18- to 34-year-olds, to 30 per cent among men aged 35 to 54. The Carney Liberals currently are receiving support from 45 per cent of 18- to 34-year-old men and 46 per cent of those older than 54.
The battle at this point is between Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre and Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney Carney. The focus is on the gender differences in the data Angus Reid has collected.
NDP leader Jagmeet Singh stands a chance of losing his British Columbia seat.
Hovering over all this is the Trump tariff threat – with a major announcement expected on Wednesday.
Liberal leader and Prime Minister Mark Carney had his first call with U.S. President Donald Trump, who struck a much more positive tone than seen in recent weeks and described the conversation as “very productive”. Trump also appeared to be more respectful of Carney, considering Trump called Carney by his official title and not governor, as he did with predecessor Justin Trudeau. Canada’s response to the U.S., and the tact taken by the leader of its future federal government, remains a key issue for the campaign.
By Pepper Parr
April 1st, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Welcome news for the people flooded last summer – what took so long for these approvals?
The Ontario government is activating the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO) program for Tyandaga Park Drive, Meadowbrook Road, and Fieldgate Drive in the City of Burlington, which experienced flooding caused by overflowing creeks, in the summer of 2024.
 On July 15 and 16, 2024, extraordinary, severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall led to flooding in several creekside neighborhoods in Burlington and other parts of the Greater Toronto Area.
On November 29, 2024, DRAO was activated in specific areas alongside creeks and rivers in parts of Burlington, Mississauga, Halton Hills, and Toronto due to flooding from the storm. Ontario is now activating the DRAO program for additional areas in Burlington that were also affected by overland flooding from the storm.
 Very detailed maps on the areas covered by this announcement are provided. This is the Headon Forest map. The disaster assistance program applies to a primary residence and its basic contents, or to a small business, farm or not-for-profit organization. It provides assistance for emergency expenses and the costs to repair or replace essential property following a natural disaster not covered by insurance.
To find out if they may be eligible for assistance, if they are in the activation area, and for next steps, individuals, small businesses, farms and not-for-profit organizations should review the maps and program guidelines available ontario.ca/DisasterAssistance, or call 1-877-822-0116 or email disasterassistance@ontario.ca after speaking with their private insurance provider.
Residents with no insurance coverage, or whose insurance coverage is insufficient to cover essential costs, have until July 29, 2025 to apply for assistance through the program.
Additional Resources
Preparing for an emergency
Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians Guidelines
By Pepper Parr
March 31st, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Strengthening Schools Through Kindness, Connection and Community will explore the HDSB’s commitment to Kindness, Connection and Community, as outlined in the 2024-2028 Multi-Year Strategic Plan, and how it is being brought to life in schools and workspaces through meaningful actions.
Panelists will discuss how centring a culture of kindness in learning and working environments supports student and staff success and well-being, creating a genuine sense of belonging and the conditions for students to thrive.
 Amy Collard, Chair of the Halton District School Board. Joining the session as panelists will be Amy Collard, Chair of the HDSB, representation from HDSB students and staff, as well as Dr. John-Tyler Binfet, PhD, Professor of Education at the University of British Columbia. Together, the panel will explore how kindness, connection and community strengthen schools. Dr. Binfet will share insights on how students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 conceptualize kindness in learning environments and how they define and enact kindness to themselves and others.
Monday, April 7 from 6 – 7 p.m.
This will be a virtual event with the livestream linked on the HDSB website (hdsb.ca).
Registration is not required.
 Curtis Ennis, Director of Education for the Halton District School Board. Curtis Ennis, Director of Education for the Halton District School Board explains the program this way: “This session presents an exciting opportunity to dive deeper into how centring a culture of Kindness, Connection and Community plays an integral role in strengthening our schools and workspaces.”
“By modeling empathy and respect in our daily actions, and striving to create learning and working spaces where everyone feels a genuine sense of belonging, we create a supportive environment and strengthen relationships among students, staff, families and the broader community. We look forward to coming together to discuss how these efforts help ensure that everyone in the HDSB community feels valued, supported and empowered to succeed.”
The 2024-2028 Multi-Year Strategic Plan sets direction and prioritizes the collective actions of all students, staff, families and community members. This plan ensures our efforts as an organization are aligned and coordinated to support more than 67,000 students, 11,000 staff and the broader HDSB community. The six commitments identified in this four-year plan intersect and overlap to ensure that we take a cohesive approach to fulfilling its objectives.
To this one has to add: Kindness, Connection and Community are important – very important but not at the expense of students graduating that cannot write a paragraph and cannot do simple math without their cell phone. Knowing something about the history of Canada and the importance of voting.
All one has to do is look south to get a sense of what a lousy education results in. We can avoid that and be kind, connected and participant in the community we live in.
the country
By Pepper Parr
March 31st, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
While the candidates are looking for votes, the voters in Burlington will want to know exactly where they will go on April 28th to cast their ballot.
That time around, at the federal level, Burlington had three MP’s.
In 2023, Elections Canada did a required review of the population in each constituency, held public hearings and revised many of the boundaries.
They also increased the number of seats in the House of Commons from 338 to 343
The result is one less seat for Burlington. What was once (1) Burlington, (2) Oakville North Burlington and (3) Milton is now just Burlington and Burlington North–Milton West
Burlington
BURLINGTON MAP
Population: 125,435
Number of registered electors (estimate) 99,533
Number of polling divisions: 258
Area: 76 km2
Boundaries description
Consists of that part of the City of Burlington lying southeasterly of a line described as follows: commencing at the intersection of the southwesterly limit of said city (Kerns Road) and Dundas Street; thence northeasterly along said street to Highway 407; thence southerly along said highway to Guelph Line; thence southeasterly along said line to Upper Middle Road; thence northeasterly along said road to Walkers Line; thence southeasterly along said line to Queen Elizabeth Way (Highway 403); thence northeasterly along Queen Elizabeth Way to the northeasterly limit of said city (Burloak Drive).
Burlington North–Milton West
Burlington North map
Your future electoral district is Burlington North–Milton West. This will be your electoral district for any general election called on or after April 23, 2024. Here is the information that is currently available:
Population: 125,575
Number of registered electors (estimate): 89,456
Number of polling divisions: 196
Area: 377 km2
Boundaries description
Consists of:
- that part of the City of Burlington lying northwesterly of a line described as follows: commencing at the intersection of the southwesterly limit of said city (Kerns Road) and Dundas Street; thence northeasterly along said street to Highway 407; thence southerly along said highway to Guelph Line; thence southeasterly along said line to Upper Middle Road; thence northeasterly along said road to Walkers Line; thence southeasterly along said line to Queen Elizabeth Way (Highway 403); thence northeasterly along Queen Elizabeth Way to the northeasterly limit of said city (Burloak Drive); and
- that part of the Town of Milton lying southwesterly of a line described as follows: commencing at the intersection of the southeasterly limit of said town (Lower Base Line West) and Regional Road 25; thence northwesterly along said road, Ontario Street South and Ontario Street North to Steeles Avenue East; thence southwesterly along said avenue to Martin Street; thence northwesterly along said street and Regional Road 25 to the northerly limit of said town (5 Side Road).
There was a time when the names and boundaries used by the federal government and the provincial government were the same.
Elections Canada has upgraded their boundaries based on Census date. Ontario has yet to upgrade their boundaries.
By Staff
March 31st, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
About 7,000 runners crossed the finish line in Hamilton’s annual Around the Bay road race Sunday. They ran in four events — 30 km, 15 km, 10 km and five km — along a new route that started and ended at Liuna Station on James Street N.
 There were different starting points for some of the races. Race director Anna Lewis said she felt “a sense of gratitude to the participants for showing up on a rainy day,” and to the organizers and roughly 500 volunteers who made the event possible.
 It was wet and cold  Hamilton Harbour is circled by the runners. Hamilton experienced rain and near-zero temperatures Sunday morning, but in much of southern Ontario, freezing rain caused power outages and dangerous driving conditions.
About 10,000 people registered to run, but Lewis told CBC Hamilton some decided not to attend because of the ice storm. “Weather always plays a role in turnout,” said Race director Anna Lewis .
This year’s 30-km race took runners north from Liuna Station to loop around Hamilton Harbour. At the 26-km mark runners went through Dundurn Castle and back to Liuna Station. Participants in the 10-km and 15-km routes ran along the same route but took shuttle buses to different starting lines.
Full race result can be found HERE
 By Pepper Parr
March 26th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
An update:
Our reader followed up with Hydro and learned that the message was legit. “I discussed this with Hydro staff, who said they don’t write the standard messages, and when they are addressed to a person they expect that person will act accordingly. I pointed out the similarity to a spam message and the reaction was indifferent.
From a loyal Gazette reader:
“This note just arrived in my mailbox.
 Huge monitor displaying the hydro system. Burlington Hydro also managed the Milton Hydro system.  Control desks “Apparently power will be out in Burlington next Monday morning. It up to users to deal with potential problems, like running their computers, websites, medical devices whatever.
“No mention of what locations, just a website to check updates (if your router will work with no power)
“I have been here for 15 years and have never heard of such a thing. If my “understanding is appreciated”, it certainly will not be given.
“Outrageous!”
By Staff
March 29th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Weather reports have been threatening something between 30 and 50 mm of rain and some freezing rain in parts of the province.
Burlington has dealt with this kind of weather before.
In December of 2013, during the Christmas holiday there was a storm that shut down a number of roads n the city – the rural areas were particularly hard hit.
Many of the people in rural Burlington gathered at the Kilbride Fire Station looking for answers. Two woman who showed up in their pajamas were worried about how long their emergency generator could run. The Fire Chief asked them what kind of generator they had. A red one they replied. It was that kind of an event.
We just might experience the same kind of storm: stock-up and be ready to help your neighbors.
Here are some of the pictures the Gazette published about that event.
 This was a tree that was not going to give in to the weight of the ice and snow.  People on Millar Road couldn’t get in or get out – the road was completely blocked. Took days to clear up this one.  Some of the roads were clear – not as much as a branch on the ground.  Live cables that had snapped were sitting at the side of a number of roads waiting for Hydro staff to locate them and get crews out to make repairs.  Dan Guatto, doing his best to communicate in an environment where there are a lot of things not working very well. His cell phone got him through most of the problems.  Fire chief Tony Bavota handing out cards with direct line telephone numbers and ensuring that people got the help they needed. Bavota said he wasn’t going to worry about lines of authority – if they need help – Bavota did everything he could to get it to them.  Senior City Hall staff and just about anyone who could be spared at Hydro were at the Kilbride Fire station to answer questions.
 By Gib van Ert, Robert J. Currie and Allan Rock
March 26, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Originally published on Policy Options
Late in 2024, the incoming president of the United States, Donald Trump, began calling for the annexation of Canada.
What was first taken as a tasteless joke quickly emerged as a chief plank of the new administration’s foreign policy. On Jan. 7, a reporter asked Trump whether he intended to use military force against Canada – something he had threatened only moments earlier to use against Panama and Greenland. “No, economic force,” Trump replied.
Both military and economic force to annex another country are forbidden under Canadian and international law. Any U.S. takeover attempt already faces serious political and public resistance. But we also have legal and constitutional defences of our sovereignty, to be taken up if needed. Let us hope it does not come to that. But lawyers and judges must be ready in case it does.
Trump’s goal is clear
 Trump repeated his commitment to territorial aggrandizement in his inaugural address, saying: “The United States will once again consider itself a growing nation, one that increases our wealth, expands our territory, builds our cities, raises our expectations and carries our flag into new and beautiful horizons.” Since becoming president on Jan. 20, Trump has followed through with his threats in the form of on-again, off-again tariffs on various Canadian exports designed to cause severe damage to our economy.
He uses nonsensical justifications for tariffs, but his real goal is clear – the use of economic force to undermine Canadian sovereignty and pave the way for U.S. annexation.
Trump repeated his commitment to territorial aggrandizement in his inaugural address, saying: “The United States will once again consider itself a growing nation, one that increases our wealth, expands our territory, builds our cities, raises our expectations and carries our flag into new and beautiful horizons.”
He also invoked Manifest Destiny, the discredited 19th-century American belief in the irresistible spread of its empire across North America.
International law is on Canada’s side
The acquisition of territory by force has been illegal under international law since the end of the Second World War – ironically because of U.S. leadership at the San Francisco conference that drafted the 1945 United Nations Charter.
Article 2(4) requires all UN members to “refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.”
The UN Declaration on Principles of International Law Concerning Friendly Relations and Co-Operation Among States affirms that no acquisition of territory by “the threat or use of force shall be recognized as legal” and no state may use “economic, political or any other type of measures to coerce another state in order to obtain from it the subordination of its exercise of its sovereign rights.”
Why are younger Canadians more susceptible to Trump and the lure of the 51st state?
We live in a dangerous world. Canada needs to bulk up
Donald Trump is changing the political culture of the United States
 The Supreme Court of Canada: a majority are female. This prohibition is also a matter of international human-rights law, specifically the right to self-determination. Of particular importance to Canada, Article 3 of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples specifically confirms the right of Indigenous Peoples to “freely determine their political status.”
These international norms are also part of Canadian law. They represent customary international law, which the Supreme Court of Canada has repeatedly affirmed forms part of Canadian common law.
This means that the international legal principles of Canadian sovereignty over its territory, the right of Canadians to self-determination and the illegality of foreign acquisition of territory by threat or use of force, including economic force, are rules of Canadian common law that must, in proper cases, be given effect by Canadian judges.
The Constitution assumes Canadian sovereignty
Canadian sovereignty and territorial integrity also underpin our written Constitution. The Constitution Act, 1867 (formerly the British North America Act) vests executive power in the Sovereign, establishes a Privy Council for Canada and continues the command-in-chief of Canada’s land and naval forces in the Sovereign as head of state.
These provisions are irreconcilable with any transfer of executive power from the head of state, as advised by Canadian political leaders, to a foreign power.
Major amendments to the Constitution in 1982 added the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the protection of Aboriginal rights and a new mechanism for amending the Constitution without British involvement. Throughout its provisions, the Constitution Act, 1982 assumes, and requires, Canadian independence.
Section 3 confirms the rights of all Canadian citizens to vote in elections for members of the House of Commons and to serve as MPs. The continued existence of the Commons as the elective element of our federal legislature is the essential prerequisite of these rights.
Section 6 declares the right of every Canadian citizen to enter, remain in and leave Canada – a meaningless right without a Canada to enter, remain in and leave.
Part V sets out several ways in which the Constitution can be amended. Capitulation to a foreign power is not one of them.
Finally, Section 52(1) provides that the Constitution is the supreme law of Canada and that any law inconsistent with it is of no force or effect. The force of all the Constitution’s other provisions turns on this one, which empowers Canadian courts to strike down other laws as unconstitutional.
Indigenous rights are also critical
The position of Canada’s Indigenous peoples must also be remembered.
Modern Canada is the product of a series of territorial encroachments and acquisitions by France and Britain in pre-modern times. Canadian courts continue to struggle with the consequences of that history, empowered by the 1982 Constitution’s recognition and affirmation in Section 35 of the existing Aboriginal and treaty rights of the Aboriginal peoples of Canada.
This process of reconciliation gained new impetus with Canada’s adherence to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in 2016 and Parliament’s recognition of that declaration as a universal international human-rights instrument with application in Canadian law.
All of this gives legal foundation to an instinct that should come naturally to anyone living on this continent: we are long past the point in our history where Indigenous lands and traditional territories can be swapped back and forth between states without Indigenous consent.
Judicial resistance may be needed
The United States seems now to have turned against the principles it once championed. But those principles remain the foundation of both the international legal order and Canada’s laws.
American attempts to force annexation by economic means are being met with strong resistance from our political leaders and the public. That resistance may succeed and Trump’s dream of making Canada the 51st state may be shattered by politics alone.
But if Canada-U.S. relations so deteriorate that our independence is actively threatened, political and popular resistance may require the support of legal and judicial resistance. The annexation of Canada by a foreign power is manifestly illegal. Canada’s courts must not hesitate to say so.
Gib van Ert is a partner at Olthius van Ert and a former president of the Canadian Council on International Law.
Robert J. Currie, K.C., is the Viscount Bennett Professor of Law in the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University.
Allan Rock is president emeritus of the University of Ottawa. He has served as federal minister of justice and attorney general, as well as Canadian ambassador to the United Nations.
By Staff
March 29th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
This is the first time we recall hearing City Hall set out what they would like to see coming out of the federal election that takes place on April 28th.
City Hall had this to say: “On April 28, Canadians will return to ballot boxes to make their voices heard in what could be a defining election for the country. As Burlington residents consider the future and our shared place in it, the City continues to advocate for meaningful and robust partnerships with all parties in support of our community’s goals in 2025 and beyond.
 “Strong, multi-level government relationships will preserve the great quality of life for everyone in Burlington.
“Burlington is focused on five policy priorities that, through collaboration with the Government of Canada over the next four years, will help us make a difference.
“Five Policy Priorities for the Federal Government
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- Supporting industry and protecting jobs, businesses, and the economy..
- Negotiating a New Municipal Growth Framework.
- Advancing affordable housing solutions..
- Addressing the homelessness crisis
- Protecting the natural environment and taking action on climate change.”
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward said “We’re committed to working with our partners at the federal government to meet the needs of our community. We’re connecting with each candidate in this election to ensure they know our priorities. Municipalities know our communities best, and we can’t solve the issues we face alone. We look forward to working with the new government. I encourage everyone to get out and vote to make your voice heard on the issues we face.”
 By Staff
March 29th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Shelly Sanders, author of The Night Sparrow, will be at A Different Drummer Books on Sunday, April 6, starting 2:00 pm.
 “Sanders’ page-turning narrative recounts women’s comradeship and courage in the face of carnage and peril from both outside and inside their ranks. With each turn of the page, the author’s unwavering compassion for her characters shines through…Sanders’ novel illuminates a little-known chapter of women in combat and their astonishing contributions during World War Two.” –Jeanette Lynes
If the hype is any indication – this might be something you want to take in.
“… Illustrious journalist, educator and novelist Shelly Sanders visits the bookshop to share her riveting new work of historical fiction in a vivid presentation.
“…a tense, engrossing tale of World War Two. Based on true events, this is an improbably beautiful novel about a brutal episode in history.” –Janie Chang
Admission is free.
By Jim Portside
March 29th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The macro picture one gets from the 2024 Sunshine list is hard enough to swallow – the macro level look is close to mind boggling. Does the angle of the pay increases graphic replicate what is done in the private sector?
Here are some of the more notable salary increases.
 Jennifer Johnson earned 20.68% more in 2024. Ms. Johnson’s job title changed from “Senior Project Manager, Facilities and Buildings” to “Senior Project Manager”.
Kirsten Renner earned 19.81% more in 2024. Ms. Renner’s job title changed from “Supervisor, Payroll Services” to “Supervisor”.
Lori Jivan earned 18.53% more in 2024. Ms. Jivan’s job title changed from “Supervisor, Budgets and Policies” to “Manager”. It’s nice to see someone who does a stellar job of presenting the budget to taxpayers being richly rewarded.
Blake Hurley earned 14.97% more in 2024. Mr. Hurley’s job title changed from “Executive Director, Legal Services and Corporate Council” to “Commissioner”.
These salary charts remind me of a U2 song – “Hello, hello. We’re at a place called Vertigo”?
These are all good people – the question one has to ask is: are these increases realistic and can the city afford it?
 All is well at city hall. After pushing through a 10.21% increase to property tax revenue for 2024, with almost no population growth, staff is richly rewarding their own efforts. Our mayor likes to call 2024’s 10.21% increase a 4.99% impact on our total tax bill but the reality is the city received 10.21% more revenue from taxpayers and, based on the Sunshine List, they know how to spend the money.
Related news story:
Burlington as it is seen on the 2024 Sunshine list.
Jim Portside is a Burlington resident who retired after several decades as a successful business owner
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