By Pepper Parr

October 16^th, 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 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 Pepper Parr

October 15^th, 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 Staff

October 15^th, 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 Pepper Parr

October 15^th, 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 15^th, 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.

By Pepper Parr

October 14^th, 2024

BURLINGTON, ON

Burlington Residents Action Group (BRAG) ran a very short survey soliciting views on the heat pump program the city is currently running.

A large heat pump – they come in various sizes – depending on the size of the house you have.

Homeowners can now apply for an interest-free loan of up to $10,000 for the purchase and installation of an air-source heat pump. Application is done through the City’s Better Homes Burlington Pilot program. Homes that are more energy efficient use less energy, save the homeowner money, and produce fewer greenhouse gases.

This was a pilot program in 2023; there is reason to believe that the program will be carried forward.

Results of a BRAG survey on the city Better Homes Heat Pump program. The data shown was captured during the first 24 hours to survey was available.

City staff were available to act as a support for homeowners to assist in finding rebates and grants from businesses and different levels of government for the purpose of improving home energy efficiencies.

The connection to city staff is: burlington.ca/betterhomes or email betterhomes@burlington.ca.

The “Better Homes Burlington” pilot program opened in September 2023 and provides interest-free loans up to $10,000.

The federal “Canada Greener Homes Loan” program started in January of 2024 and provides interest-free loans up to $40,000.

The Better Homes Burlington pilot program opened in September 2023, and accepted applications until January 2024. In March 2024, Council voted to extend the Better Homes Burlington pilot program for an additional application cycle. Applications will be accepted until the end of December 2024, or until the program is fully subscribed, whichever comes first.

We were very surprised to learn that a member of Council applied for and was apparently accepted for the program.  Bad enough that this Councillor no longer lives in the ward he represents – but now appears to be able to dip into a program in which the number of loan possibilities is limited.  Most people think Council members are more than adequately paid.

The Canada Greener Homes Loan program is administered through CMHC and provides interest-free loans of up to $40,000, repayable over 10 years, to Canadians for the same kinds of retrofits eligible under the Greener Homes Grant program. This low-cost financing option for home retrofits results in energy cost savings for Canadians that can then be used to help repay the loan over a 10-year time period. To qualify for the Greener Homes Loan program, a mandatory pre and post-retrofit evaluation by an energy auditor has been and will continue to be a requirement under the program.

What did residents think of the city program ?  Not that much.

The survey was posted on a number of platforms.

Click HERE if you want to take the survey

By Pepper Parr

October 14^th, 2024

BURLINGTON, ON

Why is this house the center of an expensive legal battle between the owner and the City?

The demolition-renovation is said to have been issued by the City.

The matter went to the Committee of Adjustment where it was on the agenda and then removed from the agenda.

Settlement offers were on the table and then off the table.

Legal fees in the hundreds of thousands are reported to have been paid.

This is a messy one.

By Staff

October 12th, 2024

BURLINGTON, ON

This from a federal government department.

Exciting news: Tuesday is the day Canada Carbon rebate goes out, and this is one of the largest ever!

While the “carbon tax” gets a lot of negative attention, the rebate is good news for everyone.

For an Ontario family of 4 the estimated quarterly payment is estimated at $280.00

The total payment (4 quarterly payments) from April 2024 to January 2025 is estimated at $1120.00

But that’s not all:

• The government is doubling the top-up for rural residents from 10% to 20%.
• This is the first time, Canadians living outside major cities are getting double the rural supplement: – not only did we double the Rural Top-Up, but we are double-doubling the Rural Top-Up cheques to cover April and July payments.

The new Canada Carbon Rebate for Small Businesses has been announced and will deliver over $2.5 billion to about 600,000 Canadian businesses before the end of this year (December 16^th if registered for direct deposit and December 31^st if receiving payment by cheque).

In Ontario, $509.3 million are going to be returned to small and medium sized businesses for 2023-2024

It is $146.00 per employee for the Canada Carbon Rebate for small businesses

And finally, all major financial institutions will now start to clearly identify quarterly direct deposits of carbon tax rebate as the “Canada Carbon Rebate”.

The Government is taking real action to both fight climate change and put more money back in the pockets of middle-class Canadians.

Pierre Poilievre likes to talk and repeat “Axe the tax”, but he will never talk about the rebates, which keep getting bigger and bigger.

Ontarians need to know more about this.

By Pepper Parr

October 10^th, 2024

BURLINGTON, ON

There is not much more than confusion and a constant state of bickering between the political parties in Ottawa. The Conservatives desperately want an election – tomorrow if they could have their way.  To pull the plug now would result in an election weeks before Christmas – which no one wants.

The Liberals seem to have taken the position to just wait it out and be ready to campaign in June of 2025.

Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre

The hope is that Pierre Poilievre will continue to blow his brains out and that the economy will turn taking some of the pressure off the Liberals.

Good luck to all of them.

Locally – it’s a tense game.

There are three potential candidates for the Conservative nomination.

Emily Brown who has every right to expect to be given the nod from Burlington PC members.  She has earned it but she is sweating this one

Newcomer Connor Fraser is out doing everything he can to get in front of people.

Shaheryar Mian

Shaheryar Mian tells people he is out knocking on doors – we’ve yet to hear of anyone who has seen him as their doorstep.

The Gazette is trying to interview – so far – no response.  Not a good sign.

The rules of the game for the local Conservative Association is that anyone seeking the nomination can sign up new members – there are qualifications.  Must live in the constituency.

Connor Fraser campaigning during Appleby Line Festival

The federal Conservative Association will at some point advise each constituency that they have 48 hours after which they must close off the accepting of new members to the local association.

At that point those seeking the nomination will have to register the people that have recruited as new members.

The fear is that Shaheryar Mian will dump hundreds of new members and be in a position to win the nomination when it comes to a vote.

Things are a little tense with local Conservatives.