 By Pepper Parr
November 28th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Eric Stern’s last delegation raised the issue of whether the Mayor’s budget meets the Municipal Act requirements.
 Eric Stern expects to delegate at City Council today. He might get a rough ride. Stern contends that expecting citizens to map the changes stated in the mayor’s proposed budget into the table on page 728 of the staff budget requires hours of work and does not meet the OMA’s (Ontario Municipal Act) requirement to state estimated expenses. By making this so complex the city has denied citizens the opportunity to easily review the budget.
It is also apparent that the mayor did not propose a budget but merely listed some changes to the city’s budget.
“This raises the issue of risk that some clever cookie will file a judicial review that the city budget is “ultra vires” i.e. without authority. A matter that the Burlington Ombudsman can decide if asked.”
 While proven to be wrong on how she has interpreted the Strong Mayor Powers she has Mayor Meed Ward is sticking to her guns. Staff will merge the changes approved by council and issue an updated document and that will make the above sentence moot. I bet the updated document will be presented at the start of tomorrows meeting.
From what I have read the Ontario ombudsman will not repeal legislation that council has passed. Do we know if the Burlington Ombudsman has this power?
This has been the most challenged budget we have seen in the 12 years we have covered city council.
By Pepper Parr
November 28th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
The Mayor will be putting forward a Motion asking Council to:
 Mayor Marianne Meed Ward will direct the CFO to draft operating and capital budgets for 2025 and 2026 as well. Endorse a Mayoral Direction to the Chief Financial Officer for the 2025 and 2026 budget years as follows:
-
Direct the Chief Financial Officer to prepare the draft operating and capital budgets for 2025 and 2026 whereby the city’s portion of the overall property tax increase is
not to exceed 99% of which approximately:
99% is for city services; and
1% is for city infrastructure renewal funding; and
That the draft budgets be provided to the Mayor in preparation of the Mayor’s Proposed Budget in each year
Background to 2024 Budget:
Under new provincial legislation, the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022, introduced Nov. 23, 2022, and extended on July 1, 2023 to all municipalities that had already committed to a housing pledge, including Burlington, which unanimously committed to a housing pledge in March 2023, Mayors are now required to submit a budget for council review.
This responsibility cannot be delegated. Council has 30 days to amend the Mayor’s budget; the Mayor has 10 days to veto any amendments, and the Council has 15 days to issue and overrides to the veto, by 2/3 majority. At the end of this process, the budget is deemed to be approved. For the 2024 budget council deliberations are expected to conclude after council Nov. 28, and council will vote on whether to end the 30-day review period. I will not be exercising the ability to issue a veto, and will instead be issuing a mayoral decision at the end of council’s deliberations to end the veto period.
Once that is signed the budget will be deemed approved.
If the Mayor does not fulfill this obligation of preparing a budget by February 1 of a budget year, council can begin budget preparations at that time. However, it is not in the city or the community’s interest to wait, as we would not be able to take advantage of early procurement or preferred pricing by tendering projects months earlier. Waiting would cost the city, and residents, more, and risk being able to find bidders for capital projects.
Thus, the Mayor will work with staff, council and the community to prepare a budget by year end preceding each budget year (with the exception of an election year).
Planning for Budget 2025 and 2026
In fulfilling the obligation under the legislation to present a budget, the Mayor can provide direction to staff to prepare a budget.
 There are a number of people who believe Sharman provided a lot more than support to the Mayor for her budget. Some believe has was the guiding force behind what was done. The Mayor does not need to seek council endorsement of any budget direction. However, she said: ” by way of this motion, I am doing so because of a continued commitment to collaborative and democratic team leadership and decision-making. I have consulted with and have the support of Councillor Paul Sharman, the Deputy Mayor of Strategy, Budgets, Process and Performance, in this approach and staff direction.”
As indicated, the Mayor will work closely with staff, council and the community to seek suggestions to improve the budget preparation and approval process and the manner in which we communicate the budget.
Direction for Tax Increase of 3.99%
“We are thus both seeking council’s endorsement for me to issue a Mayoral Direction to staff to prepare draft budgets such that the city’s portion of the overall tax increase is no more than 3.99%, including a separate dedicated infrastructure levy per year for the capital budget.
“Council has heard from thousands of residents during the 2024 budget deliberations, expressing concerns about affordability, inflation on basic items like groceries, and rising housing costs and interest rates. We have heard a range of perspectives about what the community would like us to do, from a zero tax rate increase or a tax cut, 3% tax increase up to 4 and 5% increase. We have also heard from residents supporting increased taxes. The GetInvolved budget survey commissioned by the city showed 55% of residents support a cut to services to maintain current taxes, or a cut to services to reduce taxes.
“Separately, the statistically valid community survey found that 57% of residents support increasing taxes to enhance services or to maintain services at current levels. This survey is considered an accurate predictor of the majority of Burlington residents, 95% of the time, within a range of 3% either way.
“Additionally, 91% of residents on the GetInvolved budget survey said that it was “somewhat important” or “important” to set aside funding to replace infrastructure, such as roads, to ensure they meet community needs now and into the future. The second part of the Mayor’s Direction responds to this feedback by separating out a dedicated infrastructure with a minimum 2% commitment each year.
“We must consider and balance all this input, as well as the long term financial sustainability of the city and all its services in preparing annual budgets, this one as well as future ones.
“We want residents to know we have heard them, and are working to respond to all the input we’ve received.
“The hope in providing this direction is to provide some predictability to staff and the community about future budgets, and respond to the request to keep the tax increases as low as possible.”
 By Pepper Parr
November 27th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
There is a flicker to that flame that brought out a number of delegations that took Council to task on the way they were putting together the budget for 2024.
 Vera Chapman, a recent delegator Eric Stern, Dan Chapman, Lydia Thomas and Vera Chapman are new to the Council Chamber podium. They are serving the citizens of the city exceptionally well.
We received a comment this morning that sets out what one of them thinks is wrong with the process and the way members of Council have found a way to become mute when it comes to how they behave when presented with the facts.
Said one of the delegators: “In terms of a “do over” on the budget I don’t know if that is a legislative requirement. I have to send my powerpoint in by noon today, someone will read it, notify the mayor, and then they will add an appendix to the budget book. The appendix will show revenue amounts by type of revenue and they will pass the budget. I don’t like this because they are hiding information from the public. Information that should have been available during the review process, but that is how this council operates. I don’t expect any change. Having the revenue by type in amounts will help with next year’s battle.
“The key point in MMWs twisted reasoning appears to be Burlington signed the housing pledge, therefor Burlington had to accept the strong mayor powers. So this needs to be refuted first.”
The Gazette has set out how the city managed to confuse the two pieces of legislation that were related to the creation of Strong Mayor Powers. So far they have ignored the legislation. An excerpt from that article is set out below.
Analysis of Regulatory Impact:
By amending this regulation, the strong mayor framework would apply to more municipalities. Currently the framework applies to two municipalities – the City of Toronto and City of Ottawa.
Local impacts will depend on how the heads of council (HOC) in designated municipalities choose to use these strong mayor powers and how the municipality will support the implementation of these powers and duties for the HOC.
There are no requirements in the regulations that would result in new administrative costs for municipalities. Municipalities may choose to update local processes and policies at any time, based on their local needs and circumstances.
Bill 3, sets out the Strong Mayor Powers for Toronto and Ottawa.
Bill 39 cover additional municipalities – includes Burlington
Bill 3: Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022
Bill 39: Better Municipal Governance Act, 2022
O. Reg. 530/22 – Municipal Act
By Pepper Parr
November 27th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
 Councillor Paul Sharman: Rethinking It appears the Councillor Sharman gave some second thought to the Notices of Motion he hastily withdrew during the marathon Standing Committee last week.
He is asking that several be put back in – what is that going to do to the 4.99% the Mayor had her heart set on.
Not much in the way of detail
Motion for Council to Consider:
Add Burlington Digital Services, Manager of Experience Strategy and Design
$190,512.00 to 2024 budget (#30)
Reason:
All items if left not accommodated will result in the following: Digital transformation stagnation, workforce enablement challenges, service delivery inefficiencies, underutilized investments, security and compliance risks, impaired organizational performance, reduced engagement in service design and improvement, deterioration of employee experience, difficulty in adapting to technology changes, challenges in system maintenance and upgrades.
Approved as per form by the City Clerk,
Reviewed by the City Manager – In accordance with the Code of Good Governance, Council-Staff Relations Policy and an assessment of the internal capacity within the City to complete the work based on a specific target date (quarter/year).
Motion for Council to Consider:
Add, Burlington Digital Services, Application Analyst Workday/EAMS, $ 136,391.00 to 2024 budget (#33).
Reason:
If left not accommodated will result in digital transformation stagnation, workforce enablement challenges, service delivery inefficiencies, underutilized investments, security and compliance risks, impaired organizational performance, reduced engagement in service design and improvement, deterioration of employee experience, difficulty in adapting to technology changes, challenges in system maintenance and upgrades.
Approved as per form by the City Clerk,
Reviewed by the City Manager – In accordance with the Code of Good Governance, Council-Staff Relations Policy and an assessment of the internal capacity within the City to complete the work based on a specific target date (quarter/year).
Motion for Council to Consider:
Add human capital investment in stabilizing operations, Analyst – Compensation ,
$124,512.00 to 2024 budget (#43).
Reason:
This position is part of the Human Capital Investments in Stabilizing Operations investment to focus on improving the city’s capability and performance, and implementing the city’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strategy and Corporate Learning and Development.
Approved as per form by the City Clerk,
Reviewed by the City Manager – In accordance with the Code of Good Governance, Council-Staff Relations Policy and an assessment of the internal capacity within the City to complete the work based on a specific target date (quarter/year).
Motion for Council to Consider:
Add human capital investment in stabilizing operations, Manager Organizational Development , $157,373.00 to 2024 budget (#47).
Reason:
This position is part of he Human Capital Investments in Stabilizing Operations investment to focus on improving the city’s capability and performance, and implementing the city’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strategy and Corporate Learning and Development.
It was identified by staff as one of the top priority positions in response to Staff Direction (SD-37-23) requesting prioritization of new staff positions, released after the presentation of the Mayor’s Budget. See page 63 of the budget book for additional details.
Approved as per form by the City Clerk,
Reviewed by the City Manager – In accordance with the Code of Good Governance, Council-Staff Relations Policy and an assessment of the internal capacity within the City to complete the work based on a specific target date (quarter/year).
Motion for Council to Consider:
Reduce $100,000.00 from “Multi-year Community Investment Funding (Report CM-03-22)” from the mayor’s budget.
Reason:
Recommend that a decision on the above 2024 budget provision be deferred until staff can formally investigate the development and application of new financing tools including those as outlined in recent BLP workshop held on Sept 18th in support of future community development and deliver attainable housing.
Approved as per form by the City Clerk,
Reviewed by the City Manager – In accordance with the Code of Good Governance, Council-Staff Relations Policy and an assessment of the internal capacity within the City to complete the work based on a specific target date (quarter/year).
Motion for Council to Consider:
Add Operator – Recreation Services 4 PT roles converted to FT with a cost of $100,00 to the 2024 budget funded with a reallocation of the $100,000 base budget increase for Maintaining Recreational Assets as referenced in Appendix A of the Mayor’s Budget Report MO-02-23. This results in no tax increase.
Reason:
Re-allocation of funds already accounted for in Mayor’s budget.
Approved as per form by the City Clerk,
Reviewed by the City Manager – In accordance with the Code of Good Governance, Council-Staff Relations Policy and an assessment of the internal capacity within the City to complete the work based on a specific target date (quarter/year).
The reasons given for a $136k plus add on are very telling. Is that how bad it really is? If left not accommodated will result in digital transformation stagnation, workforce enablement challenges, service delivery inefficiencies, underutilized investments, security and compliance risks, impaired organizational performance, reduced engagement in service design and improvement, deterioration of employee experience, difficulty in adapting to technology changes, challenges in system maintenance and upgrades.
 By Staff
November 27th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
The Millcroft community seems to be split on just how their case should be presented to the Ontario Land Tribunal hearing scheduled for March 5th, 2024. Between now and then there has been and will be on November 24 – Exchange of witness statements, summoned witness outlines, expert reports.
December 15 – Exchange of response to witness statements.
The March hearing is expected to last 9 days.
The two community groups have come to realize that they each see the issues through different lenses and despite repeated efforts have not managed to agree to take part in the Tribunal hearing is as a single entity.
 The infrastructure that keep the storm water flowing to safe places will be disrupted if the proposed development takes place.  Millcroft Greenspace Alliance (MGA) points out that in order to speak to the issue, a technical expert must represent the case. MGA is arguing that they are the only group that has identified the potential flood risk the proposed development poses to existing homes both in Millcroft and south Burlington.
They are working with a storm water expert to present our case.
 MAD, Millcroft Against Development wants a stop put to any development in the community.
There is a lot riding on this. Some people are hoping that the Mayor’s attempt to convince the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing to issue a MZO (Municipal Zoning Order) that at the stroke of a pen would shut down any development; so fat there the Mayor hasn’t heard from the Minister.
 By Pepper Parr
November 26th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
I’ve always wondered why Burlington gets all wound up over a news article that ranks them is as one of the best places to live.
Do they need others to tell them?
 A waterfront that is one of the best in the province. A Globe and Mail Ranking Burlington came in 5th of Canada’s most livable cities. Victoria BC was the top city, followed by North Vancouver, Winnipeg, Regina and then Burlington, The survey ranked the cities on a variety of categories, including economy, housing, demographics, healthcare, safety, education, community, amenities, transportation and climate. Behind these broad categories were dozens of sub-categories. A total of 439 communities were assessed for the ranking.
Burlington scored in the top ten in the categories of:
- Best for raising kids (9)
- Best for midlife transitions (3)
- And Best for newcomers (7)
Dig deeper HERE
 Does it get any better than this?
By Pepper Parr
November 26th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Internet went out early Saturday morning.
Tummy didn’t work all that well either.
So we are behind – will do what we can to get caught up.
 By Staff
November 24th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Eric Stern delegated to City Council during the budget debates. We asked him if he would do a short piece on what he had to say about his experience in talking to City Council.
Here is what he had to say:
I’ve delegated (spoken) to council twice and I’m slowly learning the inner workings of the budget process.
This is my high-level summary:
1 – Use social media to repeat the simple message “4.99% budget impact.”
 2 – Bury the details, where almost no one can find them, on page 728 of the budget book.
Page 728 shows a 13.7% spending increase.
3 – Wendy Fletcher, the citizen who created a Petition asking people to help STOP the Proposed 2024 Property Tax Increase, points out the city’s own survey shows the majority want services cut or maintained at the current level. No problem, release a new “statistically accurate” survey that shows people want tax increases. Release on a Friday just before an important, and public, Tuesday meeting. I haven’t been able to find the survey so there won’t be much public input but it does make for a great talking point for the mayor.
4 – Make a few tweaks to the budget so the council can say they listened to the public.
5 – Use the strong mayor powers to limit citizen input and force the city prepared budget through in 30 days. The strong mayor legislation allows the mayor to prepare a budget. Repeat another simple message over and over again, “Doug Ford forced me to present a budget.”
6 – Run a victory lap and start hiring somewhere between 50 and 90 new employees.
7 – Repeat next year. Why not, last year the city pulled off a 15.5 per cent municipal tax revenue increase and no one even noticed. Don’t believe me? Take a look at line 1 of your tax bills for 2022 and 2023.
Our mayor and council have been in power for so long they have forgotten who they represent. Public service organizations rarely have enough resources to do their jobs. Council, as our board of directors, is tasked with balancing insatiable need with what the community can afford.
We are heading towards a two-line tax return:
Line 1 – How much money did you make last year?
Line 2 – Send us the amount on line 1.
Dan Chapman delegated at city hall on Thursday November 23rd. Chapman was eloquent, intelligent and didn’t hold back his distaste with the increases. Have a listen.
By Pepper Parr
November 24th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Tuesday, Nov. 28 at 9:30 a.m. – Review of proposed 2024 budget at Special Meeting of Council.
Key Budget Meeting Dates
Tuesday Nov 28 at 9:30 a.m. – Special Meeting of Burlington City Council
Council will review the Recommendation that came of out the two day meeting that went through the Motions put forward by members of Council.
The authority Mayor Meed Ward has under the Strong Mayor Powers can be used at this meeting.
 Will this group be sending each other Christmas cards this year – even if the Mayor chooses to veto some of the decisions the six Councillors made? The rules set out in Bill 36 are:
The head of council then has 10 days from the end of the council review period to veto any council amendment.
To veto a council amendment, the head of council must provide written documentation of the veto and rationale to each member of council and the municipal clerk on the day of the veto. Council then can override a head of council’s veto of a council amendment with a two-thirds majority vote, within a 15-day period, after the head of council’s veto period.
There are mechanisms in place to enable council and the head of council to shorten their respective review, veto and override periods. For example, council could pass a resolution to shorten their review and override period, and the head of council could provide written documentation to members of council and the municipal clerk to shorten the veto period.
At the end of this process, the resulting budget is adopted by the municipality.
A review of the chronology:
Mayor Meed Ward produced her proposed budget on October 30th.
After receiving the proposed budget from the head of council, council can amend the proposed budget by passing a resolution within a 30-day review period.
Members of Council produced 54 Notices of Motion setting out what each would like to see changed. They were debated on November 21st and 23rd. The result of those debates go to City Council on November 28th as a recommendation.
The Mayor does not have to accept the recommendations. She can veto anything but has to provide written notice to members of Council and the City Clerk
Tuesday, Dec. 12 at 9:30 a.m. – Meeting of Burlington City Council.
This is the meeting at which the Mayor advises Council that she has chosen to veto some of the Council recommendations. That she can does not mean that she will.
If she does choose to veto she must provide written notice and explain why she chose to veto to the members of Council and the City Clerk.
 Will the Mayor choose to use the veto power she has? Council can override a head of council’s veto of a council amendment with a two-thirds majority vote. That means at least 4 members of Council will have to vote against what the Mayor wanted to do.
This process is raw political power being used by a Mayor who can get very belligerent and nasty when she does not get her way.
 Will Jim Thomson be allowed to attend the next Council meeting? At the end of this process, the resulting budget is adopted by the municipality.
Not known yet is who will wipe up the blood on the floor of the Council chamber. All we know is that the taxpayers will pay for the clean up.
And Jim Thomson will probably not be there to protest – they marched him out of the Council Chamber for protesting earlier in the week. They may have chosen to ban him for two years.
By Staff
November 24th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Picodi Canada analyst team checked the price lists of 364 internet service providers in 85 countries worldwide and created a ranking of countries with the most and the least affordable internet access.
In this report, we included only offers with unlimited internet access without additional services such as TV or mobile plans.
Internet access is not going to get any cheaper – with four corporations dominating the market and public access to the internet.
The federal government continues to say they are going to do”something” – still waiting.
Where does Canada stand in the list of prices for access?
They are set out below.
By Staff
November 24th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
City Manager Tim Commisso sat on a detailed report about the serious problem the city was dealing with WHEN.
 City Manager sat on a report when the public needed some direction on a serious social problem. He didn’t make the report available to members of Council – he just kept it to himself. There was never an explanation.
In Burlington when you are the City Manager you can do what you want.
 That crisis has passed. We now have the Burlington Sustainable Development Advisory Committee and the City of Burlington’s Animal Services staff are hosting an information session to help people learn about local wildlife and strategies to help you continue to live with the many animals that thrive in our city.
Topics to be covered include: the roles that wildlife play in cities, co-existing with wildlife in Burlington, and tips to reduce unwanted contact.
A question and answer period will follow.
- Nov. 30, 2023
- 7 p.m. start
- Online via Zoom
Register in advance for the free online session. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information about joining the webinar.
Related news story:
City sits on report
By Pepper Parr
November 23rd, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Wendy Fletcher finally got to address City Council.
She used a lot of number which Councillor Bentivegna asked to have sent to him: “I’m better with a piece of paper in front of me”
 “The average income in Burlington is not as high as council believes. According to the 2021 Census by Stats Canada, there are only 17,355 people earning over 100K and 22,750 in the 60-100K range. That’s only 40,105 residents earning over 60K and some rent. There are 40,000 seniors and most probably not making over 60K. Further, the average income was determined to be 42K, which is less than the Ontario average of 56-60K.
“Putting undue financial strain on taxpayers two years in a row to have money in the bank for an increase in assets that occurred from the stroke of a pen is not taking the taxpayers appetite for risk or willingness to pay, into consideration. Reassessment of the assets wasn’t required until 2028 making this premature. Robust support was directed to the DIR fund in 2023. While further funding would always be nice, it isn’t a necessity and its not supported by the economics which have changed considerably since the May report. This is a nice to have, not a need to have. By exercising some patience for interest rates and inflation to drop, and scrapping this tax increase for 2024, it would drop the current budget by 0.97%.
Doing so would say to taxpayers that this council is hearing them.
There wasn’t very much in the way of follow up questions from members of Council.
Fletcher had more to say – we will cover that in the days ahead
You can sign the petition HERE
By Staff
November 23, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Bateman Naming Update
With the support of the Robert Bateman Naming Shortlist committee, the City is recommending to the Environment, Infrastructure and Community Services Committee (EICS) on Dec. 7 the name of Burlington’s newest community centre be “Robert Bateman Community Centre.”
 Robert Bateman now lives in British Columbia. When the submission deadline passed, a committee was formed to review the submissions and create a shortlist of names that aligned to the City’s naming policy and represented the community voice. This committee included representatives from the Advisory Committees of Heritage and Inclusion, City Council, the Indigenous Talking Circle, and City staff.
Survey results
- 221 names were received.
- 44 per cent were for Robert Bateman Community Centre (or a close variation).
- Pinedale was the second-place name with three per cent of the submissions.
The consensus of the committee was that the community has already overwhelmingly chosen the name Robert Bateman Community Centre and it would be disingenuous to poll the community again or put a short list to a vote.
Next Steps
Staff will submit a report with the name recommendation and rationale to the Environment, Infrastructure, and Community Services Committee meeting Dec. 7 and to City Council on Dec. 12, 2023.
 No word yet on where the new name will be placed.
By Pepper Parr
November 23, 2023
November 23, 2023
The Mayor said she would bring in a budget with the city portion of the total tax at 4.99%
After weeks of debate, two rambunctious meetings the Budget Standing Committee was able to bring it in at 4.88%
The public opposition was greater than I have seen it in the 12 years I have been covering budgets in Burlington.
It isn’t over yet – the Budget numbers are a recommendation from the Standing Committee – they go to Council on the 28th
This Council will see this as a win – there are a lot of people who won’t share that view.
By Pepper Parr
November 23rd, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Why would someone want to screw around with a Council member’s Facebook page?
 Stolte on Facebook We got this message from Ward 4 Councillor Shawna Stolte.
Our previous Facebook page has recently fallen victim to unauthorized access. We have had to create a new page to ensure the security of our community’s digital space. We understand the importance of staying connected, especially during these times, and we want to ensure that our residents can continue to engage with us online.
The corrected Facebook page is HERE
By Pepper Parr
November 23rd, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
A budget meeting that heard several strongly worded delegations managed to shave a little off the proposed tax rate (4.99%) the Mayor put out when she released the budget she insists the province required her to produce.
A lot of detail to come – the news at this point is that the city portion of the tax bill that will be in your mailbox as soon as it gets through Council on the 28th.
 Complete document will be available when available.
 By Staff
November 23, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Members of the Aldershot Tennis Club met last weekend to celebrate the $135,500 Capital grant they received from the Ontario Trillium Foundation in November 2022.
All those Lottery tickets you bought and didn’t win on – that money went to the Ontario Trillium Foundation and transformed the physical landscape of the Aldershot Tennis Club, ensuring the safety of players and longevity of the facility,” said the MPP for Burlington. “The renovations have served as a catalyst for a renewed sense of community, well-being and recreation for tennis enthusiasts of all ages in Burlington.”
Roll the cursor over the photograph.
 Your Lottery ticket loses bring smiles to the faces of Aldershot Tennis Club members. The OTF Capital grant, awarded over 12 months, allowed the Tennis Club to address a community need by funding the resurfacing of the Club’s Tennis courts and the fixing of the exterior pavement for improved drainage to keep leaking water out of the bubble and reduce tripping hazards. As an added benefit, the renovations have also made the court area far more visually appealing.
“I cannot express just how positive the impact of this OTF grant was for the Club,” said Ron Gelens, President of the Aldershot Tennis Club. “This grant has guaranteed that members of the club will be able to enjoy the great game of tennis for years to come. The courts were getting worn down and needed to be upgraded. The club had saved enough money to replace the existing bubble for indoor tennis, but the Ontario Trillium Foundation funds allowed the board to replace outdated lighting and overhaul the courts. It’s almost like we have a brand new facility now!”.
Aldershot Tennis Club is a not-for-profit volunteer-run tennis facility for recreational and competitive players of all ages with four fully-lit Plexicushion surfaced courts for year-round play, enclosed by a heated bubble in the winter season. Professional lessons and clinics are available. Clubhouse facilities are provided for members’ and guests’ use. There is a full slate of leagues, round robins and ladder competitions and regular social events and tournaments are held. Summer memberships are available and a wait list is available for indoor winter tennis. Please visit https://www.aldershottennis.ca/# for more information.
 By Pepper Parr
November 23, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Councillor Stolte asked that we include the following in our report:
Wondering if you could clarify your article regarding my question of the delegate this morning.
I did not suggest an additional TAX on vehicles.
I was suggesting a possible USER FEE “in lieu of taxes” as the delegate was suggesting that the City should be charging individual residents more by way of User Fees rather than increase taxes.
This example of a $300. Per vehicle user fee could REPLACE the Infrastructure Levy and thereby reduce property taxes.
How would you feel about this one to lower taxes?
 Vera, a banker was delegating when Councillor Stolte asked her how she felt about a $300 tax on every vehicle registered to a Burlington address. Ward 4 Councillor Shawna Stolte asked a delegation what she thought about the idea of putting in a $300 a year tax on every vehicle with a Burlington address.
The public would holler about being asked to pay that amount – that would be the same public that went for more than five years without a tax increase and as a result the city has an infrastructure deficit of around $5 million.
It would certainly not be a popular tax – but it is the kind of thing Burlington is going to have to do if they are to get a grip on their budgets.
By Pepper Parr
November 23rd, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
They will convene at 9:30 on today (Thursday) and resume going through the 54 Motions that we put on the agenda.
When the Standing Committee recessed at 10:00 pm on Tuesday that had gone through 50 Motions, eight or nine were deferred and many withdrawn.
 Ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns ran a tight meeting and managed to stick handle competing motions. The Thursday meeting will be interesting. The meeting, for the most part went well. Ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns was chair and kept the wheels on. When Kearns sheds her core anxiety she can be a) very efficient, b) very funny – cheeky and c) exhibits the skills that a good Chair needs.
There are a couple of issues that will need resolving. Mayor Meed Ward had a matter she wanted to proceed on (Manager for Organizational Development) but found she was unable to do so because three people who had Motions withdrew them and there was no way at that point that the Mayor could get them back on the table.
We were looking at a Mayor who was feeling very maligned with no idea what she would and could so next.
The city portion of the 2024 tax increase was set at 5.06%
It will be interesting to see how Kearns decides to get the meeting underway and how they manage the items that were deferred.
 By Pepper Parr
November 22, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
When Mayor Meed Ward announced that she was required to use the Strong Mayor Powers she was given by the province and would be putting a budget forward many took the position that Meed Ward was wrong.
 Councillor Sharman has become the lead on defending the Mayor’s use of Strong Mayor Powers to produce a budget. When delegating on Tuesday Ann Marsden challenged Council and said that there was no requirement for the Mayor to provide a budget.
Councillor Sharman said he was put the question to staff and later in the day he asked CFO Joan Ford:
 Joan Ford: Chief Financial Officer “Would you explain the process that we are under with respect to strong mayor’s legislation. And whether the mayor has the ability to not present a budget or to delegate that stuff.
“It was raised by several of the delegations and there seems to be some confusion about the process. So could you explain the process we’re in right now?
Ford responded: “Thank you very much for the questions. So under the strong mayor’s legislation, it does say that the head of council shall prepare a budget and provide that budget to council.
“It does further say that if the head of council does not propose a budget to council by February 1, then Council share shall prepare and adopt the budget for the municipality.”
Joan Ford might be correct when she uses the word “shall” – it depends on which version of the Strong Powers she is referring to.
There were two Strong Mayor Power decisions. Toronto and Ottawa were given strong powers; then, many months later, the rest of the municipalities were given the power.
However, they were not identical.
On July 1st, the rest of the municipalities were given Strong Mayor Powers; but several, Guelph is the best local example, did not chose not to use the Strong Mayor Powers.
For those who require more detail the following should satisfy them.
The Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022, the Better Municipal Governance Act, 2022, and associated regulations give the head of council (HOC) of certain municipalities strong mayor powers and duties. Currently, Toronto and Ottawa are the only municipalities where the HOC has strong mayor powers and duties.
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is proposing amendments to O. Reg. 530/22 under the Municipal Act (MA) to expand the list of municipalities where the HOC has strong mayor powers and duties, to include certain single-tier and lower-tier municipalities that have committed to the province to move forward on shared provincial-municipal priorities and support the provincial priority to build 1.5 million homes by 2031.
In addition, the Ministry is proposing to clarify that existing dual vacancies rules in the Municipal Act (i.e., the lower-tier municipality, not upper-tier, is required to fill the vacancy) also apply in municipalities where HOC has strong mayor powers and duties.
Proposing that amendments to O. Reg. 530/22 would come into effect on July 1, 2023. Other amendments to designate additional municipalities where HOC has strong mayor powers and duties may be made in the future.
Analysis of Regulatory Impact:
By amending this regulation, the strong mayor framework would apply to more municipalities. Currently the framework applies to two municipalities – the City of Toronto and City of Ottawa.
Local impacts will depend on how the heads of council (HOC) in designated municipalities choose to use these strong mayor powers and how the municipality will support the implementation of these powers and duties for the HOC.
There are no requirements in the regulations that would result in new administrative costs for municipalities. Municipalities may choose to update local processes and policies at any time, based on their local needs and circumstances.
Further Information:
Bill 3: Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022
Bill 39: Better Municipal Governance Act, 2022
O. Reg. 530/22 – Municipal Act
Did Joan Ford make a mistake and confuse the first piece of legislation (Bill 3) with the second(Bill 39) or did Councillor Sharman lead her into saying what he needed to cover the story he and the Mayor have been spouting for the past three months.
 Kicking off her campaign in 2014 Marianne Meed Ward asked for the trust of the people she wanted to represent. Or were they both fibbing?
There are those who are very angry with the Mayor’s insistence on sticking to her position that she is required to deliver a budget.
They maintain the Mayor is lying; knows that she is lying and will stick to her position – she is already putting together an information base on what she wants to put forward in the way of a budget for 2025.
During one of her election campaigns for the ward 2 Council seat Marianne Meed Ward said to a group of people gathered at the Art Gallery that while she wanted their vote – what she really wanted was their trust.
You can’t continue to tell less than the truth and expect to have the trust of the people you represent.
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