 By Pepper Parr
September 14th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
OPINION
There has always been a concern with the thinking Mayor Marianne Meed Ward does when it comes to financial matters.
Many people sense that she does not have a firm grasp of balance sheets and profit and loss statements.
 Hydro reserves were raided to pay for Marian upgrades. There is a tendency to spend, a habit of raiding reserve funds to pay for projects she wants to go forward with.
Frugal is not a word used by this Mayor.
Now that she has Strong Mayor Powers the Mayor can get away with almost anything – given the size of the city council it will be hard to defeat anything she comes forward with.
 There was nothing wrong with the idea of rainbow crosswalks. But did they all have to be done in the one year and then add rainbow benches as well? There are some who think Councillor Sharman will serve as a modifying influence – not something we want to depend on.
Power is not equalizing; power corrupts; power reveals.
The people of Burlington have seen what this Mayor can do when she gets the bit in her teeth.
Will this be her finest hour? Stand By – this could be painful.
Salt with Pepper is the musings, reflections and opinions of the publisher of the Burlington Gazette, an online newspaper that was formed in 2010 and is a member of the National Newsmedia Council.
 By Pepper Parr
September 14th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
This is the process a city budget goes through each year.
It will be a different budget process this year. Why?
There is now legislation which gives the Mayor the power to direct the Chief Financial Officer to produce a budget that is delivered to members of Council not later than October 30th.
Then what? The schedule as set out in the Strong Mayor legislation.
Some staff members are already having difficulty with the process – it will be awkward, bumpy – but eventually there will be a budget.
A remark by the Mayor during a Standing Committee meeting left a glimmer of hope.
She told her colleagues that she was prepared to hear whatever council might have in mind in the way of a cap on just how high the budget increase could go.
Related editorial opinion:
Nothing frugal about this mayor
 By Paul Hanson
September 13th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Have you ever wondered why your money won’t just go as far as it did before the pandemic? We get told it’s due to massive, unforeseen events that are out of control of every day people: the war in Ukraine, COVID-19, Brexit; the list could go on and on. But once these large disruptions in the global order of things have occurred, how do the shockwaves propagate out through the rest of society?
 The cost of living is hitting everyone – solutions are not clear yet. The truth is that each and every one of us, to a tiny, but not vanishingly small degree, are playing a part in this. Don’t mistake this analysis for an attempt to blame the victim, or to say that you should be doing more to support the economy; this is not what’s being said here at all. Rather, we talking about the small shifts in behaviour consumers are making as a result of the cost of living crisis, and how these seemingly small acts can have a profound affect on the wider economy.
Learning from a trip to the cinema
Let’s consider, for a moment, the prospect of asking your boss for a raise. Imagine you work at a cinema, you want your wages to go up to cover the increased cost of food and fuel. This is a perfectly reasonable thing to want, especially in the present situation, but your boss still declines your request. She tells you that her business is struggling because of more and people staying at home — they simply have less money to spend on leisure activities like sitting in front of the big screen for a couple of hours on a Sunday afternoon.
 Cutting screening subscriptions is a choice many are making. She can’t afford to give you a pay rise until business picks up again, but business is unlikely to pick up unless people have more money to spend. Do you see how this quickly becomes a vicious circle? And that’s before we’ve even broached the fact that many people are reducing the number of streaming subscriptions they have, let alone considering spending precious disposable income on a 2-hour trip to the local cinema.
But the cinema is an outdated form of entertainment, you say. Think again, it goes far deeper than that…
Understanding the true cost of lunch out in town
As a whole, we’re spending less on food on days out with the family, as well as on evening meals on the weekends to enjoy a break from the kids. Again, in times where money in the household budget is constrained and wages drop in real terms, this is a perfectly prudent thing for everyone to do. The problem is it doesn’t help the cafes, bars and restaurants who have to pay the staff whose household bills and living expenses continue to rise.
Taking a packed lunch and enjoying a picnic, rather than stopping in at your favorite cafe, may feel like a smart thing to do because it saves you money in the immediate future. But what about the knock-on impact to the rest of the economy? If more and more people start doing it, there’ll be less work for the catering and hospitality sectors, which means less money for the people who rely on them for their livelihood.
 Soaring food prices are hitting everyone. But my eating habits don’t really have any impact, you say. How about another key area many of us are cutting back on?
Seeing the impact of the staycation
Short weekends away nearby rather than lengthy foreign holidays are becoming more and more common during the cost of living crisis, and again, this is perfectly understandable. The problem is that while it keeps money in your pocket so you can cover your urgent expenses and outgoings, it will hit the tourist industry hard.
At the heart of it we’re not really talking about the abstract idea of an ‘industry’ making less money, we’re considering how consumer spending shifts result in less money to pay staff. Wages stay low, fewer people purchase products and services, running costs increase and the vicious cycle continues.
Final Thoughts
 A summer picnic is a lot less than a familty dinner in a restaurant. Many of us are turning to more affordable, cost-effective ways to enjoy our free time. YouTube is a free alternative to Disney+ and Paramount, picnics in the park are kinder to the budget than a meal out, and things like free casino games or free online bingo are becoming increasingly popular ways to play instead of playing for real money.
While this helps us stretch our household budget further that week, the impact on the economy is far wider and longer lasting. This shouldn’t be pure doom and gloom though: these types of patterns in the economy are always cyclical. Opinion may be split on when the upturn will begin, but history shows it always does.
Be patient, prudent and kind and we will all get there.
 By Pepper Parr
September 13th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Will it be semi-detached house?
Maybe duplexes?
 Albert Facenda – on a roll; chomping at the bit, looking for a way to get zoning changes in place. Triplexes don’t appear to be popular.
Take those three forms of housing and then add the letters MZO – Ministerial Zoning Order. That’s when the province tells a municipality what it has to do.
Sometime in the next few weeks – maybe the next few days, Burlington’s MPP Natalie Pierre will be getting a visit from one of the smaller developers – the guys who do small one off project – and taking through a situation that some believe has been a breach of responsibility on the part of the city when it comes to permitting zoning is low density parts of the city.
Albert Facenda has been itching to get at this one for more than seven years.
He delegated at council earlier this week – feels Chair Paul Sharman kept trying to shut him down explaining that what Albert wanted to talk about was not on the agenda.
That has never bothered Albert in the past.
Going forward – this should by fun.
Stand By
By Pepper Parr
September 12th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
The Boy Scout movement isn’t what it used to be
 There was a time when a lot of boys were Scouts. Those who became what were then called Queen’s Scouts were seen is as a cut above the crowd.
Today they would be called King’s Scouts and they aren’t what
The 11th Burlington Scout troop is no longer active but in its day it was very active. There was some land donated to the Scouts and they carved a camp out of the wilderness just outside.
Kevin Jackson, one of five Cam Jackson brothers, reached out to us to advise that Paul Barbour is arranging a small reunion at Camp Speyside on Saturday September 23.
Anyone who was a member of the 11th Burlington scout troop is invited. You can bring along your kids, wives, parents.
The only condition is no alcohol and no smoking.
No doubt everyone has forgotten how to get there, so Paul is going to show us the way. Be at the Pineland Public School parking lot at 10 am on September 23.
Bring a lawn chair if you wish. If you prefer to drive direct to the camp, contact Paul and he can send you a map or give you the Finlay’s address to plug into your GPS.
If you have questions you can contact Paul at 905 639 3501 or email him at paul@barbourfinancial.com
We will be meeting the Finlays, sharing stories of Mr. Evans and Bill Orchard and walking through our past.
Afterwards we can go for lunch at a nearby bar/restaurant in Acton. It should be a fun day. Please let Paul know if you are planning to come so we know who to expect at Pineland Public School.
 By Pepper Parr
September 12th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Check this out.
The province is filled with people who have signed up to be able yo vote on who the new leader is going to be when the ballots are counted at the end of November
44,000 members were eligible to vote during the 2013 OLP Leadership,
38,000 members were eligible to vote during the 2020 OLP Leadership.
The deadline for registration to vote at the end of December was on Tuesday. The total number of memberships within the OLP eligible to cast ballots in the November leadership vote is estimated to be over 80,000.
 John Fraser, Interim Leader of the Ontario Liberal Party John Fraser, Interim Leader of the OLP must have been wearing a huge smile when he said: “I want to thank all of the grassroots Ontarians who have joined our party in record numbers, and each of the leadership candidates and their teams for the hard work they are doing to engage with communities across our province”.
The news of record-breaking membership numbers follows the Ontario Liberal Party’s two by-election victories in Scarborough–Centre and Kanata–Carleton.
“Ontarians are fed up with Doug Ford’s billion-dollar backroom deals, and are finding a new home in the Ontario Liberal Party,” added Fraser. “Ontario Liberals will continue to fight for the brighter future that families deserve, and build on this momentum as we prepare for another by-election in Kitchener Centre, and success in 2026.”
Potential members of student clubs on post-secondary campuses have another two weeks, until Tuesday, September 26th, 2023 to register as a member.
Voting will take place via ranked ballots on Saturday, November 25, 2023, and Sunday, November 26, 2023, with ballot counting and the announcement of round-by-round results taking place on Saturday, December 2, 2023.
The first of five debates will take place on Thursday, September 14 at 7:00 PM in Thunder Bay. To learn more about the 2023 Leadership contest, and to watch Thursday’s live stream, visit https://ontarioliberal.ca/leadership/.
 By Staff
September 12th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Ok, so summer is officially coming to a close. But that doesn’t mean that all the fun has to end just yet. There are still lots of things that you can do in the neighbourhood and in your backyard to keep the family entertained and keep everyone going before the snow comes.
 Fall colours – brilliant – to be enjoyed People dread the end of summer, but fall can actually be the most beautiful and fun-filled season of all. The leaves changing colours and falling into big, rainbow-filled piles. Pumpkins growing in pumpkin patches, waiting to be collected and made into jack-o-lanterns. Hot cocoa that you can sip by a bonfire as the nights grow nippier. There are plenty of things that you can do to take advantage of fall and savor all that it has to offer. Let’s take a look at some of the more popular fall activities that people are taking on this season.
Halloween backyard party
Why not transform your yard into a Halloween paradise? Even if it gets a bit nippy at night in the fall, you can have a bonfire and set up a couple of heat lamps. Think about your decor: You can decorate your outdoor patio doors with spider webs, and cut out cardboard witches to hang from the trees. Use some old sheets to make ghosts out of, and hang them around the yard.
You can make your catering part of the decor, as well. Halloween dishes can be some of the most fun and creative that you put together all year. Make some dishes covered in “blood” using ketchup, or use olives to create “eyeball” hors d’oeuvres.
And of course don’t forget the pumpkins! There are tons of things you can do with pumpkins. First of all, make a jack-o-lantern carving contest part of your main event. You can showcase all the entries after the carving is complete, and the most creative entrant can win a spooky prize in the end.
 Skeletons have always been a part of Halloween – get creative and think of the many ways they can be used in your home If you’ve got a pool, why not bring it into the excitement? There are lots of ways that you can decorate your pool to give it a fall look. How about floating skeletons to add to your spooky theme? Maybe get a fog machine to provide a spiffed-up atmosphere?
All this will set the perfect stage for your guests. The array of costumes that fill the yard will provide photo-perfect moments. Just be sure you have your phone on the night setting!
Activities in the neighbourhood
Beyond your home, there are also plenty of ways to take advantage of fall around your neighbourhood. Collecting leaves, acorns, and other fall treasures is a favourite for many. Take the kids on a nature walk and see what you can collect. Once you’re done, there are some fun crafts that you can do to display your collections.
 Gather pine cones in the fall and paint them to be used as decorations during Christmas. Have you ever painted acorns and pinecones? This can be a great way to immortalize fall and add to your home decor until it’s time for Christmas. Find some fun colors that will give your collection a special glow, and arrange your pieces in an artistic display to keep in a special place in the living room.
Another fall favourite is making leaf prints. Find some plain paper – perhaps you can use several sheets to create a montage of images – and glue your leaves on in different arrangements. Try to use a variety of colours and leaf types to give yourself a nice variety.
A related craft is making leaf presses. This can be a way to keep your leaves for a long time, even after they get old. You’ll want to choose leaves that are relatively flat so they don’t crumble and lose important parts. Find a big, heavy book and lay the leaves carefully between two sheets. It is recommended to add moisture to the leaves before you insert them. If you use wax paper, this is the best method to preserve your leaves for a long time.
Apple picking
No fall would be complete without apple picking. You can take the family to the nearest orchard and fill up on whatever type each of you prefers. Once you’ve assembled your choice pics, there are lots of things that you can do with them.
 Bobbing for apples dates back to the 14th century, and it has ties to courting rituals. Part of your Halloween night can include bobbing for apples. This timeless tradition never gets old and is fun for all ages. You can also use apples to decorate other parts of your holiday scene, especially if you carve some of them to go with your jack-o-lantern display.
And, of course, there are countless dishes you can make with apples. Both apple and pumpkin pies will suit your hungry partygoers just perfectly. How about trying your hand at making your own apple cider? Hot or cold, it can be something that the whole family will love. Add a stick of cinnamon, and you’ve got the perfect complement to that evening party.
Don’t let fall slip by
Even though we all dread the end of summer, we shouldn’t let fall simply go by without taking advantage of all that it has to offer. There are countless activities, holiday traditions, and food ideas that you can take part in that will be fun for the whole family and give you happy times to remember.
So bundle up, if necessary, go out and pick your choice pumpkin, and think of the perfect Halloween costume!
 By Staffer
September 11th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
In today’s digital age, online casinos have gained immense popularity, providing players with the convenience and excitement of gambling from the comfort of their own homes. Ontario is Canada’s most populous province, but can you play slots canada online there?
Understanding the Regulatory Framework for Online Gambling in Ontario
 Online casinos are regulated in Canada by the Alcohol Gaming Commission of Ontario. Online gambling in Ontario is regulated by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). The AGCO oversees the province’s gaming industry and set guidelines to ensure fair play, player protection, and responsible gambling practices. Online gambling is legal in Ontario, allowing residents to partake in various casino games through licensed online platforms.
The AGCO ensures that online casinos operating in Ontario meet specific criteria, including secure and fair gaming systems, responsible gambling measures, and the protection of player funds. By adhering to these regulations, licensed online casinos provide a safe and trustworthy environment for players to enjoy their favourite games.
The Benefits of Playing in Legal Online Casinos in Ontario
Playing in legal online casinos in Ontario offers several advantages for players. Firstly, it provides a convenient and accessible way to enjoy casino games. With just a few clicks, players can access their preferred online casino platforms from the comfort of their homes, eliminating the need to travel to physical casino locations.
 Bonuses reward long term players and add some excitement to the experience. Moreover, legal online casinos in Ontario often offer enticing bonuses and promotions to attract new players and reward loyal customers. These bonuses can enhance the gaming experience and provide additional opportunities to win. Additionally, licensed online casinos adhere to responsible gambling practices, providing tools and resources to help players maintain control over their gambling activities.
One of the other benefits is that you don’t need to comply with a vestiment-code, nor do you have to endure the cold weather in the Winter. So, even if playing in a land-based casino can be a very interesting and exciting experience, there are a few advantages about playing in online casinos that you have to keep in mind. But, if you want to have a safe experience, it’s very important that you play only in licensed casinos.
The Importance of Choosing Licensed Online Casinos
 Do your homework and know who you are dealing with in the casino world. While online gambling is legal in Ontario, it is crucial for players to choose licensed online casinos to ensure a safe and secure gaming experience. Licensed online casinos operate under the regulatory oversight of the AGCO, guaranteeing fair play, the protection of personal information, and secure financial transactions. Players should always verify the licensing and certifications of an online casino before engaging in real money gambling to ensure they are playing on a reputable platform.
It is important for players to do their due diligence and select licensed online casinos to ensure they are engaging in legal and secure gambling activities. By making informed choices and adhering to responsible gambling practices, players can enjoy the excitement and entertainment of online casinos while maintaining control over their gaming experiences.
By Sheldon McGrath
September 12th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Discover why playing at a Canadian-specific online casino like PinUp Casino offers a more tailored and enjoyable gaming experience. Explore optimized gameplay, necessary certifications, and exceptional customer support for Canadian players.
Why is it good to use a version of an online casino built specifically for the country you are living in?
 Providing specific support services for people with different needs and requirements – language being an important one. No one is going to deny the fact that online casinos have shifted the gambling industry because they opened up a door for a whole new audience of players. Thanks to the brands, like Pin Up Casino , it has become much easier for gamblers to access their favourite games, no matter where they are. But it is important to admit that at first, people were frustrated with such websites because they were not adapted for a specific market. It means there were only international versions of online casinos, but now, Canadian players can play games with the local variant of their favourite brand. There are a lot of reasons why it is good to do so.
Reasons to use a local version of online casino
There are several good reasons why the Canadian version of the PinUp Casino is better for local players. Here they are:Well Optimized For A Region. One of the first things people will admit about the Canadian version of the site – it is well-optimized for a specific region. This means people will find games, payment methods, and special rewards that were selected according to the statistics of the country and there are going to be boundaries in terms of the way people are able to play online. All promotions and payment methods will work clockwise.
 The Canadian version of the Pin Up, it is a Curaçao license. All The Necessary Certifications. For the online casino to operate in a specific country, it is very important to be regulated by the correct organizations. In the case of the Canadian version of the Pin Up, it is a Curaçao license. This is important for the best experience of players, as it means the website will work correctly, and it is an indicator that all games are fair and updated to the latest version of the software.
High-Quality Customer Support. Local online casinos often provide customer support services that are more attuned to the needs and preferences of local players. Players can expect to communicate with support agents who understand your language and are familiar with the specific challenges and inquiries you may have. Having access to dedicated customer support can be a game-changer when Canadian players encounter issues or have questions about the platform. Quick and effective support can enhance your overall experience and resolve any problems promptly.
These reasons alone should be motivational enough for people to register an account at PinUp and start playing without any restrictions. But it is important to admit that age restrictions are applied, depending on the specific province, where the player currently lives.
 Pin-Up brand designed for the country you live and play in. The best way to experience online casinos
People who are looking for a decent way of playing games online should start with a local version of the Pin-Up brand. Such casinos are designed to cater to the specific needs of Canadian players. So, the next time people look for an online casino, they should consider choosing one that is built specifically for the country they are living in to enjoy a more personalized and enjoyable gaming experience.
 By Pepper Parr
September 11th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
 Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Paul Calandra The province may not move forward with a review of six regions with both upper- and lower-tier municipal governments. In a statement released earlier today Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing said he will be reviewing the move announced by his predecessor to appoint facilitators to assess regional governments in Durham, Halton, Waterloo, York and Niagara regions and Simcoe County.
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing said today that he “wants to ensure the province’s approach supports the goal of getting homes built quickly in those fast-growing areas.
The previous minister, Steve Clark, said last month that the facilitators in the six regions would be appointed by today, but the change in plans comes a week after
Clark resigned amid the fallout of two scathing reports on Greenbelt land swaps.
Burlington City Council had an item on a Standing Committee agenda with considerable detail and how the process of determining if administrative efficiencies could be achieved.
 City Manager Tim Commisso – might not have to undergo a review of what his working relationship with the Region is going to be. The overall framework and approach being recommended for developing a regional review strategy and resultant City of Burlington submission to the regional facilitator is based on the consideration of service delivery options or categories.
This may never come to pass which would make the We Love Burlington group happy. They opposed the idea when it was before the public back in 2019
Related news story:
We Love Burlington
By Pepper Parr
September 11th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Council Standing Committee news will be a little slower getting to the press room today. The city kept running into technical problems. The communications systems must have gone rusty while council had all of August without any council meetings.
They started late and weren’t really back on line with both voice and video until pretty close to 11:00 am.
We contact the City Clerk and advised him – twice – there was no response.
 Councillor Paul Sharman We sent along a note to Councillor Sharman who is prompt just about all the time and he did get back to us.
The following is the email traffic between Sharman and the Gazette
10:14 Gazette to Sharman: There is no sound. I have confirmed it with two other people.
10:27 Sharman to the Gazette: The technical problem is a disappointment. The meeting needs to proceed because there is important work to be done. It is being recorded and that will be published with the minutes as soon as possible.
10:40: Gazette to Sharman: That’s not acceptable.
The back and forth is a critical part of understanding the debate. You were doing quite a bit of chatter with Laura Boyd
I will take a formal complaint to the City Ombudsman.
This borders on being recklessly irresponsible.
The meeting needs to be adjourned until the problem is resolved.
With the issues on this agenda – one would think there is something being hidden.
TIME Sharman back to the Gazette
As you wish Pepper.
Council chambers are open to the public and interested members are welcome to attend.
I appreciate that members of the public have become dependent on technology to listen in, however it was not regulated that technical difficulties should cause a meeting to be delayed. Schedules are already made and need to be maintained.
Personal attendance is more reliable. But, nothing is perfect.
At just after 9:30 the video portion was being broadcast – a nervous looking Chair kept glancing left and right. An unhappy looking city manager said nothing. The City Clerk was never seen until the very end.
During the difficult phase we would see messages on the screen:
It is our view that if voices cannot be heard then the City Clerk should have called for a recess until the technical problems had been resolved.
There have been consistent technical problems ever since the city moved to a hybrid format a the start of the pandemic.
The only way to describe the repeated technical problems is poor maintenance of the service being used by the city or just rank incompetence.
Quite why the City Manager has not ordered that the system be made fool proof – technical staff had all of August to repair, revise and test – is beyond any reason we can think of – he tends to delegate but this has become ridiculous.
Given the number of problems with the service one would think that the technical people would do a short test before the start of every meting.
During the meting there were a number of matters that are critical – the change in the way the budget is going to be debated and delivered now comes under the Mayor Strong Powers: it is no longer a council budget – it is the Mayor’s’ budget. And given the difficulty Meed Ward has with financial statements and the tendency to spend the clearest possible public understanding is vital.
 City Clerk Kevin Arjoon When Councillor Sharman says “there is important work to be done” he is absolutely correct – which is all the more reason to ensure that the public is able to see and hear what is said.
When someone wants to take a complaint to the City level Ombudsman they must first put the concern before the City Clerk – we can then take the complaint to the Ombudsman.
We are waiting for a response from the City Clerk.
By Staff
September 11th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington provincial Liberals have now had an opportunity to listen to all five candidates for the leadership of the Ontario Liberal Party.
 The final leadership candidate, Adil Shamji, spoke to the group on Sunday. His web site at HERE
 Adil Shamji addressing Liberals in Burlington Getting to the point where the election of the new leader takes place moves now into the debate stage.
Today, Monday September the 11th at 6:00 pm is the final opportunity to become a member of the Ontario Liberal party and be able to vote in the ranked ballot that will take place late in November.
The Ontario Liberal Party has an open membership – there is no fee, you must be at least 14 years of age and reside in the province.
To register – use this link
Related news story:
Being part of making a difference.
By Staff
September 11th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward announces the appointment of Marie Nash as her new Chief of Staff.
 Marie Nash: New Chief of Staff for Mayor Meed Ward Marie has been a leader of more than 12 years in communications, public policy, and community engagement. She brings with her a strong business background, extensive knowledge of the functions of municipal governments and experience working with government stakeholders. These skills will serve our goal of promoting Burlington as open for business and are especially needed at a time when collaboration between all government levels is crucially important.
Marie was most recently the Chief Operating Officer at the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, where she worked to further elevate the institution’s operations, communications, advocacy efforts, value proposition and engagement with all members of the business community, large and small. Working directly with the CEO and Board of Directors in developing and executing the organization’s overall short- and long-term strategies, she ensured the relevancy and longevity of the 178-year-old institution.
During the pandemic, Marie successfully created and executed programs and policies that addressed critical issues, such as the creation of Hamilton’s COVID-19 Concierge program, Ontario’s Vaccine Support Council, and the Rapid Testing for Business program. She also led the creation of multiple research projects and reports that resulted in significant recommendations on issues — such as women in the workforce, labour shortages and childcare — leading to measurable improvements in the community’s quality of life.
Marie also chairs and sits on multiple boards and committees, including Tourism Hamilton’s Music Advisory Committee, the City of Hamilton’s Physician Recruitment and Retention Steering Committee,
By Pepper Parr
September 11th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Premier Doug Ford has a promise for young people in Ontario: an affordable home for under $500,000.
He has certainly gone out on a limb: Speaking to a Kitchener crowd on Friday during his “carnival-style FordFest”, the premier finished his speech with a promise of building 1,600 square-foot houses across the province similar to the wartime homes — also known as the Strawberry box houses — built across Canada after the Second World War.
 Built for veterans returning from WW II – thousands were built on large lots across the country. Beginning in 1941, a federal crown corporation called Wartime Housing Limited (WHL) built almost 26,000 rental housing units for war workers and veterans. It was a successful yet temporary phenomenon. Six years later, Central Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CHMC) absorbed and dismantled the wartime company. The houses will have finished basements that owners can rent out, backyards with fences, paved driveways, and will be built on land made available through partnerships with municipalities, Ford said
And the total sum: under $500,000.
One can only imagine the reaction within the developer sector – never mind the gulps heard in Planning departments across the province.
For continued: “You can’t find a home for under $500,000 anywhere in this province, but as sure as I am standing here, we’re going to make that available to young people, people that are renting right now that have a dream of home ownership,” he said.
The fifteen minute speech was about housing with some divisive comments on how young people choose to identify themselves. It was the Premier take a shot at the province’s school boards, deciding to wade into a national debate about parental involvement.
“Most important is the parents’ rights to listen and make sure they are informed when their children make a decision. It’s not up to the teachers, it’s not up to the school boards to indoctrinate our kids,” he said.
 By Pepper Parr
September 10th,2023
BURLINGTON, ON
 Surprisingly, no one guessed the correct number of phishing emails that are sent out every day.
The actual number, as determined by Maleware Byte, an anti-malware software for Microsoft Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, Android, and iOS that finds and removes malware, is 3.4 BILLION. With that kind of an onslaught the average person has to be very very vigilant.
By Pepper Parr
September 10th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
After a decent summer break City Council gets back to the grind with Standing Committee meetings on two days of the week.
 Approved at a recent OLT hearing for 27 storeys. Traffic will enter the underground parking from John. One item that will get discussed is the 26 story tower that was approved at a recent Ontario Land Tribunal meeting recently.
It will have a major impact on one of the more popular watering holes in the city.
The NoFrills Plaza on the North side of the site will get developed at some point. The thinking has been to move to supermarket closer to Brant Street with underground parking, some resident at the rear and a pathway along Rambo Creek which is on the eastern side of the site.
Mark Bales, the tough guy for most of the Carriage Gate developments is on the OLT appeal as representing Carriage Gate.
The development contemplates a mixed use development, including a 27-storey mixed use building (inclusive of a mechanical penthouse and elevator machine room) and a maximum of 259 residential units. The development includes retail / commercial / office uses on the ground floor and a maximum permitted height of 90 metres
 This part of the city will look a lot different in five years. Someone will pick up the Joe Dogs site, it is owned by a pharmacist in Brampton whose interests are in renting properties – not in developing. The tower will rise to the north of Joe Dogs – how they will manage to operate with construction taking place – not yards but literally inches away will be interesting.
 Never one to miss a photo op, ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns lives a block to the west of the development site. It’s a ward two development which will have Councillor Lisa Kearns all over the decision. Kearns sees that is as her turf – it will be interesting to hear what she has to say.
John Street, at the rear of the development, is not actually a street – officially it is a lane that some want to see pushed north right up to Victoria.
 The two red lines show the boundary of the development. Joe Dogs isn’t inside those two red lines.
 By Staff
September 9th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
The Doug Ford government is doing every thing it can to convince the public that Greenbelt lands might be needed to achieve the 1.5 million new homes by 2031.
The public accepts that 1.5 million homes are needed – but they don’t buy into using Greenbelt lands to make it happen.
There isn’t an opportunity to cast a ballot until 2026 but there are opportunities galore to protest.
And protest they did:
 This is not a rag tag crowd – this is one of those occasions where size does matter. Some of the locations where demonstrations are taking place are set out below:
Tuesday, Sept. 12th
Barrie – Grace United Church – 7:00-8:30 PM
Featuring special guest speakers: David Crombie, former mayor of Toronto and former chair of Greenbelt Council; Tim Gray, Executive Director of Environmental Defence Canada; Margaret Prophet, SCGC; Franz Hartman, Alliance for a Liveable Ontario.
RSVP Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/uniting-for-a-sustainable-future-public-forum-on-the-greenbelt-tickets-699659128287?aff=new
Thursday, Sept. 14th
Ancaster – Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre – 5:30-8:00 PM
Saturday, Sept. 16th
Toronto – Queen’s Park – 11:00 AM
This rally is part of a globally coordinated action to demand that governments end fossil fuels – fast, fair, and forever.
Sunday, Sept. 17th
Newmarket – Intersection Yonge and Mulock – 11:00 AM – 1:00pm
Marching to MPP Gallagher Murphy’s office to deliver letters and petition for government to take better action to stop climate change.
Saturday, Sept. 23rd
Richmond Hill – Richmond Green Sports Centre and Park – 1:00-3:00 PM
Facebook Event Page:
 ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE (environmentaldefence.ca): Environmental Defence is a leading Canadian environmental advocacy organization that works with government, industry and individuals to defend clean water, a safe climate and healthy communities.
By Pepper Parr
September 9th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
The call it phishing.
A process that has someone trying to trick you into giving them some of your personal data and getting you to open an email that will do you nothing but harm.
How many of these do you get – and do you recognize them for what they are.
There is now some data on just how many of these things get sent out.
Malware Bytes, a service that we use to protect the Gazette web site.
Phishing is a type of cybercrime where hackers and cybercriminals trick others by pretending to be trustworthy sources to steal sensitive information like passwords or credit card details. They do this through fake emails, websites, or messages that look real.
Phishing uses tricks to manipulate people into sharing private information. To stay safe, it’s important to be aware of phishing tactics and verify requests to avoid falling for scams.
Send your guess to: publisher@bgzt.ca (that my address at the Gazette). I’ll tally the answers and report back to you on Sunday. The BGZT domain is an abbreviation for Burlington Gazette
 By Pepper Parr
September 9th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Wham, wham, wham, and wham and wham again.
Auditor General’s report
Integrity Commissioner’s Report
Premier and his Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing stand tough.
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing resigns
And the continued drip, drip, drip from the media is as they look for a Mr. X.
What does it all mean to Burlington? Immediately not all that much – the City Planning department could use a solid definition of just what affordable housing is and what is meant by attainable ? With that information some thinking and whatever creativity there is at Planning, Council and within the community can emerge.
None of the 15 sites that were taken out of the Greenbelt were within Burlington boundaries. However, there are a number of sites in Burlington that are cleared for development – but there isn’t a shovel with in a kilometre of a GO station – which is where this City Council wants to see the growth taking place.
In what the Mayor calls he Pipeline to Permits collection of data she said:
Burlington is committed to doing our share to meet the challenges of the housing crisis – so young people, newcomers, families, seniors, and everyone can call our fine city home. Burlington has an unprecedented 38,219 units in our development pipeline — everything from pre-consultation with developers for their land, up to approved units. Of note: there are currently 3,642 approved units, with another 3,112 waiting for site plan applications from builders. There are an additional 7,948 tied up at the Ontario Land Tribunal.
Currently, the City of Burlington has under active building permit review, a total of 1,863 housing units.
 Does the number of appeals at the OLT add up to a good excuse for the delay in developments seeing shovels in the ground? The CSL site to the west of the Burlington GO station has some small site plan issues that need resolving.
 There were no Official Plan problems with the application – no zoning issues either. Site plan differences are supposedly holding this one up. The Molinaro development at the intersection of Brant and Ghent has yet to see any equipment on any of the properties.
Will the need for housing result in any movement on the Eagle Height opportunity?
What about the Bronte Meadows site where Upper Middle Road become Burloak Road – will there be any movement on that site?
Will the Emshie property at Guelph Line and Harvester Road be looked at differently? Dr. Shie has been looking for a way to develop that site for a long time. We wouldn’t be surprised if he hasn’t already held a meeting with his planning consultants to consider what there might be in the way of options now that the Premier and his new Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing has said this is a crisis and we are determined to build that 1.5 million homes by 2031.
 Premier Ford with Mayor Meed Ward: He did say she was a good person but that the City’s development record was dismal. Burlington was singled out by the Premier for its dismal development performance. The Mayor and the Premier were going to have a conversation – no word on how that went from Mayor Meed Ward.
All the players are saying that going forward decisions will be based on planning principles – not politics. Development in Ontario is now a political issue – that has to be resolved if Doug Ford expects a third term in office.
Will the changes that are going to take place give Mayor Meed Ward an opportunity to reshape her public profile and find a way to depend less on photo ops and be in a position to make announcements that can polish and restore the image ?
 Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing wants to see development now so that the 2031 target of 1.5 million new homes can be met. Can Burlington help? After listening to Paul Calandra, the new Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing did a Q&A with Queen’s Park media one couldn’t help with the sense that any idea that is reasonable will be warmly welcomed and whatever rules or regulations are holding things up – will get a more than a hug from the province.
The provincial government needs a couple of wins and Burlington just might be where that win takes place.
In one of her statements Meed Ward said: “This is the reality on the ground in Burlington that isn’t reflected in the housing permit numbers from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Developers are investing in Burlington in record numbers. We’ll do our part to ensure planning and permits are in place so they can build.
“Council has unanimously adopted the Province’s housing pledge of 29,000 units by 2031, and I have no doubt that we will be able to issue permits for that amount, given what’s in our pipeline.
“We’re developing a plan to accelerate our permits. We’ll have more details to come on that.”
By Pepper Parr
September 9th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Next Saturday the United Way will hold their Big Pull – it’s the Kick Off event for the 2023-24 fund raising campaign.
At this point there are 15 groups registered for the event that has each group pulling a 200,000 lbs Airbus 50 yards along the tarmac at the Hamilton International Airport.
 Brad Park, President & CEO OF United Way Halton & Hamilton. Brad Park, President & CEO OF United Way Halton & Hamilton and his team are geared up for what will be a multi-month fund raising drive.
Brad points out that one in every six people in the Region have used a United Way service; that amount to 143,000 people who have had their lives impacted in some way by a United Way service.
Everyone knows about the United Way – it is almost taken for granted – which is part of the problem. Is as recognized is as the organization it – the funds that are needed to deliver those services don’t just fall off the back of a truck.
United Way is seen is as the service that holds communities together.
Seven years ago a decision was made to merge all the local United Way groups in the Halton Region – Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Halton Hills and Hamilton into what is now known is as UWHH – United Way Hamilton Halton.
Pulling all these individual units together into one large organization meant that the back end services were combined: payroll, basic administration, grant distribution were now one – that resulted in lower costs and in the end better administration.
Park said that at first he wasn’t sure the amalgamation was the best opportunity to streamline the services. At the time he headed up the then Oakville United Way. It didn’t take Park long to realize the upside benefits with relatively few downside problems.
 Brad Park, left, with Milton Mayor Gord Krantz Park now heads up that single administrative organization – he is working within a much bigger picture. The problems in Burlington are not the same is as those in Milton – but the solutions are much the same. Resources from a bigger organization can be moved from community to community with a focus on just where they are needed.
The smaller administrative units didn’t always have the skill sets they needed. With the one organization – there is now much more depth.
“Scale has made a difference” said Park who has been part of United Way in some shape or form for 28 years. He started out giving his Mother a hand – she was part of United Way when he was a boy. “I was stuffing envelopes at the age of 10” he said.
Park did an Arts degree at Guelph University – majored in economics and expected to work somewhere in the corporate sector. Finding a job when he graduated was not is as easy is as he expected. His Mother suggested he help her out and he never left.
He started out in 1995 at the United Way of Cambridge and North Dumfries; spent a good decade as Campaign Director and went on to lead the Brant United Way as Executive Director in 2010 for two years, then took on the CEO of United Way Oakville in 2012, prior to amalgamation. In 2017, an amalgamation brought Milton, Halton Hills, Burlington, Oakville and Hamilton into one United Way. Park was appointed CEO of that entity in 2017. “So currently, this is my 29th year with United Way. Between my mother and I, there is almost 70 years of service to the community through United Way.”
Coming out of a pandemic “the UWHH is at the threshold of a new chapter in the community’s journey as they approach the launch of the 2023-2024 Campaign.”
 Fifteen people need to pull the plane 50 yards. The Plane Pull event symbolizes the collective strength and determination as teams come together to pull an airplane. Cogeco Inc. and TD are sponsors of the event this year.
Park said that “Through the 106 local programs and services, we have touched the lives of over 143,562 families and neighbours, providing crucial support and guidance. By focusing on local needs and basing our strategies on evidence, we mobilize our partners to create coordinated, connected, and seamless programs and services that address needs at their source.
 “The crucial social services and resources across our local communities have been stretched beyond capacity with ever-increasing demand. we need your support and partnership to make a lasting difference.
“With every dollar raised this year, we create a ripple effect of positive change, improving the lives of those in need and ensuring a more equitable and thriving future for all.”
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