 By Scot Armstrong
May 21st, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Despite Burlington only being, according to a 2021 census, Canada’s 28th biggest city, many top-class Canuck sporting heroes from several sporting codes hail from within its borders. Although the City hasn’t any professional sports teams, it is a sporting hub for many aspiring young athletes seeking to break into the big leagues.
As a result of Burlington’s sporting tradition of nurturing potential future stars and supporting its home-grown talent as they establish their careers within pro sporting circles is unquestioned. This support includes wagering on these sports stars and their teams through the best sports betting sites Canada offers.
With Ontario being a pathfinder in Canada’s online gambling landscape, Burlington natives were some of the first to experience the country’s now-thriving regulated sports betting industry, which allows for wagering in a variety of betting markets, with online payments quick and easy to carry out through a wide-ranging selection of traditional methods.
As Betting Expert Neil Roarty of BestSportsBetting Canada explains: “The most popular traditional accepted payment methods at Canadian bookmakers are Interac, Instadebit, iDebit, Visa and MasterCard. Those options have always been available at grey market betting sites, and they are also available at the locally regulated new betting sites that have launched in Ontario over the past year. You should be able to use them for instant deposits and quick withdrawals, with no fees charged.”
As a result, Burlington residents can use these quick and efficient payment methods to back their favorite sporting sons, daughters, and the teams they represent without any fuss. Let’s look at three Burlingtonites who have done the city proud in their chosen professional sporting codes after breaking through as youngsters born and bred in the City.
 The drive to lead can almost be felt in this thrilling photograph. We’ll start with Mark Oldershaw, who has distinguished himself as one of Canada’s top sprint canoeists. Born into a family with deep roots in the sport, Oldershaw is a third-generation Canadian Olympic canoeist and the fifth family member to participate in an Olympic Games.
Mark became the first member of his family to win an Olympic medal when he claimed bronze in the C-1 1000m event at the 2012 London Games, adding two further third places at the Duisburg World Championships the following year. With these medals, Mark Oldershaw has earned a position as one of Burlington’s most celebrated athletes.
Melanie Booth debuted for the Canadian Women’s National Soccer team at 17 years old and progressed to earn 65 caps for her country. In 2007, she represented Canada at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in China before earning selection to the Olympic squad that won the bronze medal at the 2012 London Games.
Domestically, Melanie represented the Ottawa Fury, the Toronto Inferno, and Sky Blue FC, among others. However, it was her defensive prowess and leadership within the Canadian National team that stood out and has formed the inspiration for aspiring soccer players in Burlington and beyond.
Despite his underdeveloped frame as a teenager, Josh Anderson displayed the tenacity to earn selection to the junior ice hockey side, the London Knights’ roster in 2011/12. The following year, he was drafted by the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets, signing a three-year contract. Despite incessant injuries, Anderson rallied to help the Blue Jackets to its first Stanley Cup second-round appearance in franchise history in 2018/19.
 Josh Anderson – watching the puck. Following a 2020 trade to the Montreal Canadiens, the now-191 cm right winger earned the moniker “Powerhouse” due to his ability to perform in “big” games. Still on the Canadiens’ roster, Josh has represented the franchise 268 times while also earning ten Canadian international caps. Through all of his trials and tribulations on the ice, Josh Anderson has tasted success and served as a role model for Burlington youth to succeed despite any perceived limitations.
Many other Burlington natives are instantly familiar in Canadian professional sporting circles, drawing support from the City’s fans and sports bettors alike. Burlington’s tradition as a breeding ground for some of Canada’s best looks set to continue long into the country’s sporting future.
 By Pepper Parr
May 21st, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
It was a wonderful weekend.
 For the gardeners – this was THE weekend. The gardeners were out in force, either at the nurseries or in their yards planting and weeding.
The country roads were busy with people who owned convertibles out for a drive and enjoying the weather.
Spencer Smith Park has the place to be for many.
 The pond at the Discovery Centre will have opened. It was a chance for people to relax and refresh – because we are going into a week when inflation numbers will be released early today which are expected to impact the bank rate than many hope will be lowered so that mortgage rates become at least a little more bearable.
Housing starts in April are lower than they were last April and are lower than they were in 2018 which means the pressure on rental rates will remain. They are down 37%.
Gas prices are up 7% – they are inching down
City Council meets to vote on the recommendations that came from the Standing Committees – maybe there will be some good news at that level.
 By Pepper Parr
May 21st, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
When the popularity, the general public support for a politician begins to slide; when the people who were ardent supporters walk away – it is time to reconsider the strategy to bring those supporters back into the fold.
 Victory was sweet – it always is on election day. The challenge is to solidify the support and grow it. Marianne Meed Ward was elected she was representing the very serious concerns that people had about the kind of development that was taking place in the downtown core. Her election also represented a change from a City Council that made her life extremely difficult. At the time Councillors Craven and Sharman actually colluded to prevent her from insisting that Council be transparent and accountable.
Today Councillor Sharman is the strongest supporter Meed Ward has on a council that is seriously fractured.
Based on information from people involved in her campaigns the followers fall into three categories:
-
-
- completely disillusioned and in vocal opposition
- still supportive, or
- have not disclosed
These are people who contributed a great deal of time and effort, some contributing financially as well.
The list we were given had 30 names, we were advised that there were at least another 25 names.
Of those in the Continue to be in Support category six – (20%).
Undisclosed: 2 of 30 or 7%
Disillusioned and Opposed 22 of 30 or 73%
Inner Team Disposition
Still Support – 3 of 10 or 30%
Opposed – 7 of 10 or 70%
A rather shocking result,.
Names, not even initials are being shown. There are those who have experienced the backlash when you cross Meed Ward.
 Marianne Meed Ward being sworn in as Mayor the first time What is it that is behind this shift in support from a group of people who worked hard to elect Marianne as Mayor? One reader said: “… she alienates all supporters every time. Look at her own council of former allies! She always needs a new team, new staff, had nobody after two terms of council on side to come to city hall with her – hadn’t done any networking?
It’s like she’s a professional campaigner and that’s still all she is. Can’t lead and can’t work with anyone. Those of us who believed in her and her message turned when we saw it wasn’t true and when she turned nasty on Shawna (Ward 4 Councillor Shawna Stolte) after complaining of being a victim of nasty behaviour by her former colleagues. That was really it for me. And the litany of broken promises. Totally opposite of what she always used to say she stood for. “ That 14 minute rant was stunning – that a Mayor would make time while attending the graduation of her daughter to make the comments she made was more than many could take.
 By Wildeno Anthony
May 21st, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
It is not a secret that slots are the most popular category at online casinos. They can boast various wagering ranges, inbuilt features, bonus rounds, etc. However, the main attraction for gamblers is visual effects, especially themes. Currently, you can find slots with space, futuristic, marine, and other themes.
The same is true for various geographical locations, and Canada is not an exception. Gamblers from this country may find dozens of slots dedicated to its nature, cultural peculiarities, and more. Are you ready to try your luck playing the best online casino with the Canada theme? Then you are in the right place!
Timber Jack
 Are you ready to plunge deep into the beauty of serene Canadian woods? Then, join the trip with Timber Jack and search for sky-high wins among the towering trees. The slot comes with 30 betways, which may appear on 5 reels and 3 rows. The RTP of this Canadian-themed slot is below average (94%).
It means a player can theoretically receive $94 CAD for every $100 CAD wagered. This game is a top option for casual players because of betting limits. You may choose the stake amount within the $0,01 CAD – $0,2 CAD range. Among the main features you can experience are 3D, Wilds, and Free Spins.
Symbols perfectly match the overall theme. Among them are a chainsaw, maple leaves, axe, and more. While playing, you can hear the chirping of birds and the sound of chopping wood in the background. It adds atmosphere to the game and immerses you in the gameplay.
Wild North
 Are you ready to take a pause and explore the world of Canadian wildlife? Then, launch a Wild North game and experience the beauty of the aurora borealis, tall snow-covered pines, and many wild animals.
You will meet wolves, owls, lynxes, and deers on your virtual journey. The game has a medium variance and is played on the extended 5×4 layout with 15 potential betways. A wide betting range (from $0,2 CAD to $100 CAD) makes this game interesting for casual players and high rollers. If you are the lucky one, then you can hit the main prize of up to x2,500 your initial bet.
The game can boast a wide range of symbols, including Free Spins, Bonus Game, Award on no-win, Mega Symbol (3×3) and more. The RTP of the game is 94,57%, but it may range. Wild North is perfectly optimized for mobile gaming, so you can play it on the go from any device.
Money Moose
 This is another top slot that perfectly reflects the beauty of Canadian nature. The slot was created by Booming Games in 2021 and gained extreme popularity among Canadian players. The game has a 97,05% RTP and high volatility. It means you will get $97,05 CAD (approximately) on every $100 CAD spent wagering.
The upper limit for the sum you can win is x8,000 your initial bet. The game offers a handy 5×4 layout with up to 30 betways possible. While playing, you can use bets within the range of $0,6 CAD – $54 CAD. Among symbols, you can see wolves, bears, mooses, wild hogs, and more.
Expand your gambling experience with extra Free Spins, Scatters, Wild, and Energy Symbols. Smooth animation and relaxing sound effects may plunge you deep into the atmosphere of a trip to the Canadian mountains and a fusion with nature.
Ice Ice Hockey
 Hockey is definitely one of the first things that come to mind when you think about Canada. This is a national sport that has widely entered mass culture, including the gambling industry. A vivid example of this can be the same-named game created by Wizard.
The game offers an RTP of 96,10% and high volatility. It is designed with a fairly classic 5×3 layout on which you can experience 40 betways. Keep in mind that paylines work both ways. The game allows you to use the betting range from $0,40 CAD to $40 CAD and a chance to win up to x5,000 times your initial wager.
Ice Ice Hockey will not definitely let you get bored with Wilds, Scatters, and Free Spins. As symbols, you can see all the main attributes of hockey, from images of sportsmen to sticks and skates.
Grizzly Gold
 This slot is another example of how often top casino software providers use the theme of wild Canadian nature in their games. While playing Grizzly Gold, you can delve deeper into the world of owls, bears, deers, and other animals. The cutting-edge graphics with soft animation make the gameplay unforgettable.
The RTP of this slot is 96%, while the variance is very high. 1024 paylines may appear on the 5×4 layout and bring you x10,000 times your initial bet. Play Grizzly Gold from any device and boost your gameplay with Multipliers, Scatters, Free Spins and other engaging features.
By Pepper Parr
May 20th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Council held a Special Council meeting last week. It was a CLOSED meeting and one of the shortest on record.
It was to receive a report on Burlington Enterprises Inc., which is part of the Burlington Hydro operation.
There was no detail on just what the organization does other than it is part of Burlington Hydro.
Burlington hydro has one shareholder – that is the City of Burlington.
The CLOSED meeting approved the following:
All by-laws, resolutions, contracts, proceedings, elections and appointments, enacted, passed, made or taken by the shareholders, directors or officers of the Corporation, at any time since the completion of the last fiscal year of the Corporation (hereinafter collectively called “the corporate proceedings”) as the same are set forth or referred to in the minutes of the shareholders and directors for the Corporation and in the other records of the corporate proceedings, and all acts and proceedings taken by the directors, officers, agents or employees of the Corporation under the authority of or pursuant to any of the corporate proceedings be and the same are hereby ratified and confirmed with the effect stated in such corporate proceedings; and insofar as any such corporate proceeding shall not have been validly enacted, passed, sanctioned, confirmed, authorized or made, the same is hereby for greater certainty enacted, passed, sanctioned, confirmed, authorized or made, with retroactive effect, and in all other respects with the effect stated in the minutes and records of the Corporation.
The firm of KPMG LLP be hereby appointed to serve as the Corporation’s auditors until a replacement is selected and appointed by the Shareholder at remuneration to be determined by the directors.
There are five directors including Mayor Meed Ward and City Manager Hassaan Basit
 Burlington Hydro Operations Room. Burlington also managed the Milton Hydro operations. The only thing we recall Burlington Hydro doing was paying the fees for Mayor Meed Ward to attend an Institute of Corporate Directors course at the McMaster University DeGroote School of Business where Meed Ward earned the ICD designation; which she includes on just about every media she sends out.
In order to maintain the designation a holder must be a current member in good standing of the Institute of Corporate Directors and to commit to a minimum of 14 hours of ongoing governance education annually.
When the Gazette first inquired as to who paid for the education we were told that it was a private matter – turns out Burlington Enterprises cover the coast which is understood to be in excess of $20,000.
These courses are designed by the Institute of Corporate Directors and delivered by several top ranked universities.
Burlington Hydro meetings are not open to the public.
There was something Council didn’t want the public to know.
We did learn that Burlington Enterprises decided to continue with the same auditor.
The meeting was chaired by Councillor Sharman; Mayor said she was taking a family member to a hospital appointment.
There is much more behind that statement than a “hospital appointment”.
By Pepper Parr
May 20th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Earlier in the month the provincial government hosted an event called Exercise Heatwave. It was a large-scale simulated exercise which will reinforce provincial procedures and response to heat-related emergencies.
Six municipalities will participate, including Guelph, Mississauga, Peterborough, Sault Ste. Marie, Thunder Bay and Toronto, along with three federal government departments and more than 50 non-governmental organizations.
The Exercise took place between May 7 and 9.
 Newly outfitted Emergency Operations Centre To support municipalities in times of emergency, the province coordinates emergency management through the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre (PEOC), which is staffed at all times and monitors evolving situations inside and outside of Ontario. To make the space more efficient and enable greater collaboration and information sharing, the PEOC was recently modernized with a new video display wall and floor layout, an upgraded audio system, ergonomic desks and chairs, a breakout room and folding walls that allow the space to be divided into three separate rooms that can be used for different functions.
The government is taking further action to ensure the province is as prepared as possible in the event of an emergency. In April, Ontario released its first annual report on the Provincial Emergency Management Strategy and Action Plan, highlighting progress made in 2023 to move emergency management forward.
 Regional Police have two mobile command units; one with a broadcast aerial that will allow them to transmit from wherever they are located. The province also recently announced the 113 recipients of the Community Emergency Preparedness Grant, a $5 million investment that is empowering communities and organizations to enhance their emergency response by helping them purchase critical emergency supplies and deliver training and services.
Last week City Council met in CLOSED session for a workshop on:
Media relations training during emergencies.
To the best of our knowledge media was not invited to take part.
The climate has changed. It is reasonable to assume that there will be heat waves that we may not be prepared for. Is the city working out now what it wants to say should there be a serious heat wave with deaths being reported?
Related news articles:
Halton leads the way with high level secure communications systems.
Regional police have two mobile command buses.
 By Pepper Parr
May 18th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The increase in rental prices has done unimaginable damage to individuals and the economy of the country. We can’t roll back the stupid mistakes that were made by the federal and provincial governments. And we are currently living with problems that the municipal sector can’t deal with. Storey an online publication that serves the property markets and doesn’t appear to be a friend of the Premier of Ontario, which is surprising – the two – property and the Premier, are often joined at the hip. The following was published by Storey.
Written by Zakiya Kassam the article draws heavily on data from Urbanation and Rentals.ca – the people doing the best data collection we have been able to find.
Average Canadian Rent Has Shot Up 32% Since ‘Pandemic Low’
 In his analysis of the latest data, Urbanation President Shaun Hildebrand remarks that “the rental market in Canada has become increasingly fragmented, with expensive cities seeing rents soften and affordable markets experiencing a continued rapid escalation.”
Average Canadian rent continued to chug steadily upwards last month — something we’ve more or less come to expect from the segment as would-be homeowners hold out for interest rate cuts, leaving the rental market to soak up that demand.
According to the latest national rent report from Rentals.ca and Urbanation, the monthly asking average across all residential property types clocked in at $2,188 in April, marking a ‘near-record high,’ as well as a 9.3% increase year over year and a 0.3% uptick month over month. The month-over-month increase in particular represented “the first monthly increase in rents since January 2024.”
“However, rents were down slightly by 0.4% over the past three months, illustrating an ongoing moderation in rent growth following the sharp acceleration that occurred during the spring and summer of 2023,” Friday’s report also says.
Still, when you compare April 2024 to the “COVID-19 low” of April 2021, Canadian rent has shot up by a staggering 32%, or by an additional $526 per month.
The report highlights that there was significant nuance between average purpose-built rental and condo rents, with the former spiking 13.1% to $2,124, and the latter edging up just 3.8% to $2,331.
 With affordability still remarkably pressed across the country — thank you so much, inflation — it was the smaller and (relatively) more affordable units that saw the greatest price appreciation in April. Namely: purpose-built studios, rents for which saw a steep, 17.2% rise to an average of $1,575.
Rental Market “Increasingly Fragmented”
In his analysis of Friday’s data, Urbanation President Shaun Hildebrand remarks that “the rental market in Canada has become increasingly fragmented, with expensive cities seeing rents soften and affordable markets experiencing a continued rapid escalation.” (This is something Hildebrand has drawn attention to in past reports as well.)
“Without a sufficient supply response, those affordable markets are at risk of quickly becoming unaffordable, leaving renters nowhere to turn,” Hildebrand adds.
 As Hildebrand alludes to, average asking rents for apartments continued to slip in April in Canada’s major rental markets: Toronto and Vancouver.
In Toronto, rents fell 2.3% year over year and 0.9% month over month to an average of $2,757, continuing a trend that began in September 2023. In a similar fashion, rents in Vancouver dipped 7.8% year over year and 0.4% month over month to an average of $2,982.
“Apartment rents in Toronto have declined 5.4% from their peak in November 2023 ($2,913), while Vancouver rents have fallen 10.7% since reaching their high in July 2023 ($3,340),” the report also notes.
Meanwhile in Edmonton — a major Canadian city that has historically been known to be affordable for renters — rents surged 13.3% annually to an average of $1,507. In Calgary, the annual pace of rent growth clocked in at 8.6%, putting the average rate at $2,089. In Ottawa and Montreal, rents were up 2.5% and 8.6%, respectively, in the month.
Similar trends were observed on the roommate rent front last month, with Toronto seeing a 5% year-over-year decline for shared accommodations, putting the average at $1,269. In Vancouver, those same two metrics came in at 1% and $1,450, respectively. By comparison, roommate rents in Calgary jumped up 10%, while Edmonton, Ottawa, and Montreal saw increases of 8%, 3%, and 3% year over year.
Nonetheless, asking rents for shared accommodations managed a 9% annual uptick across the four provinces tracked for this type of rental — Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, and Quebec — to an average of $996 per month.
 By Staff
May 18th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
 There was a time when we were all children. In time for the Victoria Day long weekend, the City’s nine splashpads will be open by Saturday, May 18. The splash pads will stay open until the fall.
The Nelson Outdoor Splash Park will offer designated free times during the pre-season schedule. The pool will be unavailable during these sessions.
Splash pads are located throughout the city and are free to use. To find a splash pad near you, visit burlington.ca/splashpads.
Outdoor Pools
Outdoor Pools will be opening earlier this summer.
- Nelson Pool and Splash Park (4235 New St.) will open May 25.
- Mountainside Pool and Splash Park (2205 Mount Forest Dr.) will open June 8.
- LaSalle Wading Pool (50 North Shore Blvd.) will open June 15.
 Safe, secure – one of the things that makes Burlington the city it is. The City of Burlington will offer a modified drop-in swim schedule at outdoor facilities between May 25 and June 29, with summer schedules beginning June 29.
Stay informed by checking out our schedule online, which will be fully available for viewing starting May 22 at burlington.ca/dropinandplay.
Links and Resources
burlington.ca/pools
burlington.ca/splashpads
By Staff
May 18th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
A Regional Transportation Master Plan identified the need for additional capacity in the Dundas Street (Regional Road 5) corridor from Brant Street (Regional Road 18) to Bronte Road (Regional Road 25), in the City of Burlington and the Town of Oakville.
 Dundas at Brant – looking east The required Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Study was completed, Public Information Centres and separate property owner meetings were held at which the preliminary preferred design concept was presented.
The preferred alternative identified in the Environmental Study Report for Dundas Street from Brant Street to Bronte Road includes an ultimate six lane roadway, including the provision to include higher order transit operations, in consultation with the Local Municipalities.
 The widened Dundas Street corridor. The widened Dundas Street corridor will include both on-road and off- road Active Transportation infrastructure (both sides of the road), as well as a raised median to enhance landscaping and corridor features. This study provides an opportunity to develop multi-modal transportation improvements along Dundas Street which includes enhancement as an attractive corridor for pedestrians and cyclists, integrating new and existing land uses with heritage and natural features.
By Raymond Ronson
May 17th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
In recent years, we’ve seen cryptocurrency exchanges become one of the biggest players in the finance sector due to the huge growth they’ve experienced. One of the most recognizable names of these exchanges is Binance. This crypto exchange became a global powerhouse due to the vast range of services it offers its millions of users.
 Binance exchange became a global powerhouse due to the vast range of services it offered. Despite that success, Binance has found itself facing a class action lawsuit that was granted by the Ontario Superior Court. We’ll be discussing that lawsuit in this article and how its outcomes might affect Canadians who use crypto.
Currently, Canadians are using crypto exchanges like Binance to acquire crypto for various purposes with many mainly using crypto as an investment that they can buy and hold on to. There’s another large cohort of people in Canada who use crypto for transactions such as buying gift cards, playing online casino games like crash and slots, and donating to good causes.
Many Canadians are active traders on platforms like Binance and spend their time trying to profit from crypto price fluctuations using strategies like arbitrage trading and swing trading. These are only some of the uses of crypto that have benefited many Canadians who will be keen on seeing how the Binance case ends and what it will mean for crypto exchanges, and them. Now, let us get into the details of the case.
As things stand, Binance has been brought to trial on charges that the company engaged in market manipulation, fraudulent practices, and contravened securities laws in Canada.
The Ontario Superior Court has certified the lawsuit as a class action so the affected parties can collectively seek compensation from Binance. By doing so, the court has acknowledged the commonality of the claims that have been brought to the company and highlighted a need for an efficient resolution to the case.
If found guilty, Binance will face huge financial penalties that will affect the company’s market standing and reputation. Other implications include operational changes as Binance may have to revise its practices to prevent future legal challenges. For Binance’s subsidiaries, their regulatory compliance may come into question, and their operations could be impacted as well.
 The Ontario Superior Court has certified the lawsuit as a class action. Photo credit: KATRIN BOLOVTSOVA Another big implication is that this case is going to ensure that all crypto operations are as heavily regulated as real money online casinos to protect consumers in Canada. However, this shouldn’t be bad news for consumers as they can check if the crypto services they use are registered with the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC). Having this registration means that the service provider you’re using is compliant with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing regulations.
To stay safe, consumers can also research the compliance practices of the service providers they’re considering. Additionally, crypto consumers can ensure that their service providers are following basic compliance procedures like record-keeping, due diligence, and reporting obligations. By doing that, they will always be on the safer side regardless of what may happen during the Binance case.
By Staff
May 17th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Lisa Kearns has made it to the big screen.
 Kearns on TV – Sound of music is a BIG deal A spot on the CHCH TV red couch that has been taken up by Mayor Meed Ward much of the time has now featured Kearns who was there to exude what the Sound of Music means to the city.
The interesting news was that there is a free shuttle bus service from the Burlington Centre (formerly the Mall) parking lot to downtown Burlington.
More on the shuttle service:
School buses will be used to transport people
Shuttle Stops:
Hudson’s Bay @ Burlington Centre 777 Guelph Ln.
Downtown Burlington @ Lakeshore Rd. & Elizabeth St.
Free transportation, free event – all this has put Burlington on a national map as the site of the largest music festival in the country. And it got Kearns on TV
Expect to see more of that as Kearns, currently the Councillor for ward 2, positions herself for a run as Mayor of the city – you heard it hear first.
By Staff
May 17th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
City council approved the City-wide seasonal patio program for the 2024 patio season to continue to support local businesses. Some patios have already been installed. The installation of several downtown sidewalk detours began yesterday and will run until Oct. 31, 2024.
 John Street looking south Some patios are being installed on City sidewalks. These sections of the sidewalk will be detoured onto the road with traffic barriers. These barriers will help with pedestrian safety.
The sidewalk detours for patios are being installed in downtown Burlington on:
- The north side of Lakeshore Road between Brant Street and John Street
- The north side of Lakeshore Road between Locust Street and Brant Street
- The west side of Brant Street, north of Lakeshore Road
- The north side of Pine Street between Elizabeth Street and Pearl Street
- The east side of John Street between Pine Street and Lakeshore Road
- The north side of Elgin Street between Locust Street and Brant Street
Additional detours will also be installed throughout patio season, as needed for pedestrian safety up until Oct. 31, 2024.
 Craig Kummer, Acting Executive Director of Community Planning, Regulation and Mobility Craig Kummer, Acting Executive Director of Community Planning, Regulation and Mobility explains: “As we start to enjoy summer-like weather, the patio team is working to support our local businesses by turning around their patio permit applications as quickly as we can. As part of this initiative, it’s important to think about keeping everyone safe, from patio staff and patrons to pedestrians.
“City staff are working with interested businesses on a case-by-case basis to consider how their outdoor patios can operate while maintaining safety measures.”
By Staff
May17th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The City of Burlington’s updated draft Community Engagement Charter is now ready for review before being finalized.
 The team heading up this project report that they have used public feedback on the original Charter to create this draft and that they have engaged with a variety of groups and individuals.
City staff, Members of Council, community groups, local businesses, Council appointed Committees, faith-based groups, youth, newcomers and past members of the Charter Action Team have been involved.
Citizens have an opportunity to review some of the proposed changes or updates based on what we heard before reviewing the draft document.
Public Engagement Opportunities
There will be three in-person public sessions and one online session.
Session 1: Tuesday, June 4, Burlington Seniors’ Centre, 2285 New St. 7 to 9 p.m. register
Session 2: Tuesday, June 11, Tansley Woods Community Centre, 1996 Itabashi Way, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. register
Session 3: Wednesday, June 12. Online. 7 to 9 p.m. register
Session 4: Wednesday, June 19, Tansley Woods Community Centre, 1996 Itabashi Way, 7 to 9 p.m. All are welcomed; however, this session is in partnership with the Halton Multicultural Council (HMC). HMC will provide translation services for anyone who requests the service. Anyone registering for this session will be asked which language they would prefer. register
Check out the quick poll and tell us what word (Resident, Citizen or Community Member) should be used in the Engagement Charter and Framework.
During the engagement, we heard a lot of great ideas on how to make engagement better in Burlington. Take a quick survey and tell us your top 5 ideas you think the City should consider.
By Staff
May 16th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
 The Art Gallery staff probably does not encourage climbing all over this piece of art – wonder if those children were told why the beams are where they are? City Hall might be closed; you are going to have to pay to park your vehicle in the Beachway and at Lowville Par on the Victoria Day Weekend – BUT the AGB is open Monday, May 20 from 10 am – 5:00 pm and will host some fun family programming.
We hope to see you there, and wish everyone a safe and happy holiday weekend.
By Staff
May 16th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
After losing their Executive Director Food4Kids Halton put together a search team and have found the person they believe will lead the organization very effectively.
 Jennifer Sully-Ferraro appointed Executive Director of Food4 Kids Jennifer Sully-Ferraro brings to the role over 15 years of leadership experience in the non-profit sector, focused on addressing poverty and homelessness. She has been instrumental in building partnerships across community groups, governmental agencies, and private sector entities to foster innovative solutions and impactful programs.
“Jennifer’s commitment to social change and her proven track record in non-profit leadership will be invaluable to Food4Kids Halton as we continue our mission to fight child hunger,” said Terri-Lynn Puckerin, Chair of the Board. “Her innovative approach and ability to unite various stakeholders will enhance our efforts to provide accessible, nutritious food to children across our region.”
Sully-Ferraro has been the Senior Director of Programs and Client Care at Evangel Hall Mission for the past eight years. Before that, she was the assistant director of The Open Door. Jennifer is a graduate of McMaster University and holds an MA in Public Policy and Administration from Toronto Metropolitan University. She is the 2023 recipient of the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association’s Sybil Frenette Award for Outstanding Leadership.
 “Food is a human right and I’m thrilled to join Food4Kids Halton and contribute to the great work that is already being done. Ensuring that every child has access to nutritious food is not just a job—it’s a commitment to fostering healthier futures,” Sully-Ferraro stated regarding her new role. “We know that food insecurity is becoming a reality faced by more and more families every day, and filling the gap when schools are closed is a vital role.”
As Executive Director, Sully-Ferraro aims to expand the reach and deepen the impact of Food4Kids Halton, ensuring that no child in the region goes hungry.
About Food4Kids Halton:
Food4Kids Halton provides packages of healthy food for elementary school students with limited or no access to food each weekend and throughout the summer. Last year, Food4KidsHalton distributed more than 41,000 food packages to over 1,000 children at 100 schools in Burlington, Halton Hills, Milton and Oakville. A Food4Kids bag typically contains breakfast, lunch and snacks for the weekend consisting of fruits, vegetables, bread and other ready to eat easy open products. Our work is made possible by collaborating with schools, volunteers, and community partners. Food4Kids Halton is one of six Chapters across Ontario supporting more than 4,000 children. Visit www.food4kidshalton.ca.
By Staff
May 16th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
From European settlers arriving in the late 18th century, to the present day of people who decide to call Burlington their home—there are a lot of reasons why people over the centuries decided to settle here.
 The Museums of Burlington is hoping to hear your immigration stories! Whether it be yourself, or your family’s journey from generations ago, our goal is to collect a holistic oral history of our community. We recognize that there is a wealth of history to be explored that make up our collective heritage.
We invite those who are interested in participating to fill out a quick form. We thank everyone who will apply, but please note we will only be contacting those whose stories are selected for the project.
Click HERE to take part in the project.
If you have any questions regarding the project, please do not hesitate to email Lynna at lynna.nguyen@burlington.ca.
 By Pepper Parr
May 16th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
City sharing tree care tips ahead of May long weekend
The long weekend ahead will see many residents spending time in their yards cleaning up from winter and preparing their lawns and gardens for the summer. The City is sharing tips with residents who are planning on doing tree maintenance in their yard or in front of their home this planting season.
 Consistent pruning and proper care produces streets that have this kind of canopy. Tree maintenance and care
It is against the Public Tree By-law (068-2013) to do any landscaping around the trunk of any City tree that includes large rocks, masonry and tree-surrounds. Stones and bricks placed in and around the base of trees can impact their ability to absorb oxygen and water. This can be damaging to the health of the tree.
“Volcano mulching”, where there is a thick layer of soil in contact with the tree trunk, is prohibited. This can cause bark decay and a root problem called root girdling. The proper way to mulch is in more of a doughnut shape so the tree trunk has room to breathe. The depth of the mulch should be about 5 cm, or slightly less for soils that are poorly drained, like clay.
Storing materials or equipment in the area of a City tree, either above ground or below ground (the root zone), requires an injury permit from the City.
It is against the Public Tree By-law (068-2013) to use any part of any public tree to secure or support an object or structure. This includes nailing, pasting or attaching a sign or poster to a City tree.
Tree pruning
- Pruning or removing a City tree is only to be performed by City staff or a private contractor under the direction of Burlington’s Roads, Parks and Forestry Department. Regular pruning of City trees is done on a seven-year cycle to promote public safety and tree health. For information about the City’s 2024 street tree pruning program, visit: 2024 Street Tree Pruning Program
- Refrain from pruning oak trees until November 1st to minimize the potential spread of oak wilt, a damaging fungal pathogen that can kill oak trees in a number of weeks.
To help guide residents on proper steps to take when conducting work around a City or private tree, the City has created a Guide to Tree Protection. Information about the City’s Public and Private Tree By-law is available at burlington.ca/trees
By Staff
May 15th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Readers: Save Saturday, May 25 for the biggest book sale of the year! Our super-sized sale will be in Centennial Hall at Central Branch from 9am to 5pm.
Since the runaway success of our September book sale, we have continued our in-depth review of our print, DVD, and CD collections, and we’re thrilled to offer another amazing shopping opportunity to Burlington book lovers.
 “We always want to ensure our collections are relevant and desirable to our community,” says Cody Vanderslot, Digital Resources & Collections Manager. “Our print collection continues to be hugely popular, so it’s vital for us to keep it in top shape.”
With a physical collection of over 350,000 books, DVDs, CDs, and magazines, continuous maintenance of the Library’s collection is a big project. Vanderslot and his team look at data such as the last date borrowed and the number of times an item has been loaned since it joined the library’s collection. Other factors like relevance, currency, condition, historic value, representation, and maintaining a complete series are also considered.
“We use a data-driven approach to ensure we keep what our customers want and remove what they don’t,” says Vanderslot. “All of this work behind the scenes makes our collections more searchable and enjoyable to browse so readers can find what they’re looking for.”
The main purpose of collection maintenance is to improve our collections for the community, not to remove items. Since the sale last fall, we have added over 12,000 new items, not including digital items. Many of the removed items were extra copies of titles we continue to own and outdated resources that have been replaced with more current information.
So Many Books!
With summer approaching, it’s a great time to stock up on leisure reads to toss in your beach bag. We hear there will be plenty of romance, mysteries, science-fiction, westerns, graphic novels, adult fiction and non-fiction, and picture books!
The sale includes around 5,000 paperbacks, hardcovers, large-type, picture books, board books, DVDs, CDs, audiobooks, and magazines for all ages. Everything will be on display for browsing in Centennial Hall and the tables will be restocked throughout the day.
Shoppers can buy a sturdy Books Make Me Happy zippered canvas book bag at the sale and stuff it full of sale items for $15—one price for the bag and the books.
Alternately, items are priced individually for those toting their own bags:
- Print books: $1
- All audio-visual items (DVDs, CDs, audiobooks): $2 each or 3 for $5
- Magazines: 4 for $1
The Library accepts payment by cash, debit, and credit. The book sale is all about building a library collection that Burlington wants. Book sale proceeds will go back into BPL’s collection budget.
By Staff
May 15th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The Ontario government is cracking down on impaired driving by introducing
Legislation that, if passed, would impose stiffer penalties for those who drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs – including a lifetime licence suspension for those convicted of impaired driving causing death.
 After the ignition interlock device is installed in your vehicle, you will need to blow into the device, located near the driver’s seat, before your vehicle will start. If the device detects a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over the preset limit of 0.02 the vehicle won’t start. If you are under the preset limit, the vehicle will start and you will be asked to provide breath samples at random times while the vehicle is running. If you don’t provide a sample or if your BAC exceeds the limit, the device will: issue a warning record the event activate specific alarm systems (for example, lights flashing, horn honking) until you turn off the ignition “Everyone deserves to return home to their loved ones safely at the end of the day,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “Too many families in Ontario have had their lives torn apart by the careless and shameful actions of impaired drivers. That’s why our government is introducing tough new measures, including lifetime licence suspensions, that will protect families and keep our communities safe.”
Additionally, the government will require anyone convicted of impaired driving to install an ignition interlock device in their vehicle and undergo mandatory remedial education and treatment for first and second-time alcohol and drug-related offences respectively.
“Mothers Against Drunk Driving commends the Ontario government for taking steps to make roads safer and hold impaired drivers accountable,” said Steve Sullivan, CEO of MADD Canada. “Despite progress, too many people are still making the choice to drive impaired, and we need to ensure sanctions hold drivers accountable while focusing on reducing recidivism.”
The proposed legislation would also increase immediate roadside licence suspensions for first and second-time alcohol and drug-related offences and clarify police authority to stop vehicles and/or administer sobriety tests for drivers on or off the highway.
In response to increasing instances of cannabis-impaired driving, the government will also work to provide additional tools and training to help police officers detect drug-impaired driving and launch a province-wide campaign to highlight the dangers of drug-impaired driving, with a focus on cannabis and young drivers.
The facts set out just how serious the DUI is:
In Ontario, one in three roadway fatalities involves impaired driving.
A 2022 roadside survey found that one in five drivers tested positive for drugs, alcohol, or both.
The percentage of drivers killed while under the influence of cannabis more than doubled between 2012 and 2020.
Ignition interlocks are in-car alcohol breath screening devices that prevent the vehicle’s engine from starting if it detects alcohol in the driver’s system.
For alcohol and drug-related offences, the province is proposing to increase the first and second-time roadside licence suspensions from three and seven days to seven and 14 days, respectively.
To keep communities safe, the Ontario government is also cracking down on auto theft by introducing legislation that, if passed, would suspend driver’s licences for people convicted of the crime. •
By Pepper Parr
May 15th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
UPDATE: “We are in the process of reviewing the complaint you filed ( which means it is not yet accepted as a complaint) we do not provide status updates or a “timetable” in terms of this process. If we require anything further from you, we will let you know and will otherwise be in touch with you in due course.” Sincerely Principles Integrity Janice Atwood and Jeffrey A. Abrams, co-principals.
Anne Marsden has an issue that she feels very strongly about.
 Anne Marsden delegating with her husband at her side. The feelings were so strong that she researched, pulled together the documents that were needed and filed a complaint with the City’s Integrity Commissioner: Principle Integrity.
Filing a complaint does not mean that it will be dealt with.
The Integrity Commissioner reaches out to the party the complaint is against, hears what they have to say and decides if they should proceed.
Marsden tells us that she has been told her complaint will be dealt with.
Marsden now wants to know – When?
And has asked the Integrity Commissioner to “please advise what we can expect in terms of a timetable to deal with our complaint confirmed as received by Principles integrity. Is there a file number or person we should be addressing, if so would you please advise what that it is.
“We would appreciate a timetable update at your first opportunity.”
The complaint concerns the manner in which the Mayor dealt with some information.
This is not going to end well for anyone – including the Integrity Commissioner.
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