 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.
By Pepper Parr
May 15th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The local Liberal Party organization may not have gotten the memo yet but the people at head office have said (not announced yet) that the party will soon open nominations for candidates in ridings across Ontario for the 2026 election.
 Bonnie Crombie has to hit the road again, looking for strong candidates, raising money for the next election and figuring out what went wrong during the by-elections. Her number 1 wish would be for the RCMP to make an announcement. That would take the wind out of the Doug Ford sails The word was put out during a meeting at which Liberal Party leader Bonnie Crombie spoke about how the Liberal’s would react to the loss of two seats during the recent by-elections. The Milton seat was seen as one the Liberals could win. They didn’t.
 Zee Hamid, formerly a Liberal – now the PC member for Milton is going to have to make nice with the PC Caucus once he is sworn in. Zee Hamid, formerly a Liberal was talked into running for the Progressive Conservatives (was there a promise made) and with the support of every Tory they could find to cover the riding they surprised a lot of Liberals who thought they had the seat in the bag.
The Toronto Star reports that “Hamid’s nomination had rankled some Tories given his Liberal past, but Ford was convinced that would help the PCs in a close race. Liberal sources have also said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s slide in the polls is not helping the provincial party.”
In the meantime, Crombie said she will continue travelling the province, meeting with Liberals and local media to become better known in advance of the next provincial election campaign two years from now.
Burlington now has to begin their candidate search and hold a nomination meeting.
There is a potential candidate out there that could beat Natalie Pierre, the current MPP.
Would the local party organization live with her? They didn’t want to the last time around.
By Staff
May15, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
City Hall wants you to know that Fireworks are permitted to be set off on Victoria Day only (May 20).
Please continue to use our valued outdoor spaces responsibly. The City’s bylaw regulates where and when residents can set off family (low hazard) fireworks. For more information about who to contact if you have a concern, visit burlington.ca/fireworks.
City Council decided that they would not support a fireworks display except for Canada Day. Link to how that decision was made at the end of this article.
| City Service |
Holiday Closure Information |
| Animal Services
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The Animal Shelter at 2424 Industrial St. will be closed to appointments on Monday, May 20.
To report an animal control related emergency on a holiday, please call 1-888-264-3135. |
| Burlington Transit |
Burlington Transit will operate on a Sunday schedule on Monday, May 20. For real-time bus information and schedules visit myride.burlingtontransit.ca.
The Downtown Transit Terminal, at 430 John St., and Specialized Dispatch will be closed on Monday, May 20. |
| City Hall |
Service Burlington and the Building, Renovating and Licensing counter on the main floor of City Hall at 426 Brant St., will be closed on Monday, May 20.
Many service payments are available online at burlington.ca/onlineservices.
For online development services, MyFiles can be used by residents who have applied for Pre-Building Approval. Check the status of Pre Building Approval applications at burlington.ca/MyFiles. |
| Halton Court Services – Provincial Offences Office |
Court administration counter services at 4085 Palladium Way will be closed on Monday, May 20.
With the exception of the Victoria Day closure, telephone payments are available at 905-637-1274, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. All in-person services are available from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. Many services are also available by email at burlingtoncourt@burlington.ca or online at Halton Court Services. |
| Parking |
On Sunday, May 19 and Monday, May 20: Free parking is available downtown, on the street, in municipal lots and in the parking garage (414 Locust St.).
On Saturday, May 18: Pay parking downtown is required in high-demand parking lots (Lots 1, 4 and 5) and all on-street metered parking spaces. A three-hour maximum is in effect for all on-street spaces. Free parking is available in the remaining municipal lots and the parking garage (414 Locust St.).
NOTE:
- The Waterfront parking lots (east and west) do not provide free parking on holidays.
- Parking exemptions are required to park overnight on city streets and for longer than five hours. Visit burlington.ca/parkingexemptions.
- Paid parking, on weekends only (including long weekends), at Beachway Park (1100 Lakeshore Rd) begins Saturday, May 18 using HONK Mobile.
- Please make an online reservation using Park Pass to visit Lowville Park on weekends. Reservations are free and available in three-hour time slots starting Saturday, May 18.
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| Recreation Programs and Facilities |
Drop-In Recreation Activities
Tansley Woods Pool at 1996 Itabashi Way and Centennial Pool at 5151 New St. are open on Victoria Day, Monday, May 20 for recreational and lap swimming.
Drop-in swimming, skating and other program times vary for the long weekend. Drop in or reserve in advance. For schedules and online reservations, visit burlington.ca/dropinandplay.
Splash Pads Opening
The City’s nine splash pads will open on Saturday, May 18. For a list of locations, visit burlington.ca/splashpads.
Outdoor Activities
Burlington has a wide variety of outdoor activities to enjoy with your family during the long weekend, including:
- trails and multi-use paths
- parks and playgrounds.
- picnic site reservations for La Salle or Hidden Valley Park
Find out more at burlington.ca/outdoorplay.
Golf
Tyandaga Golf Course is open for the season. Tee times can be booked online at tyandagagolf.com or by calling 905-336-0005, ext. 2.
Play Lending Library
Our Lending Library has a variety of outdoor and indoor play equipment available to borrow at no charge. Equipment pickup is on Thursdays, and return drop off is on Tuesdays at Haber Community Centre (3040 Tim Dobbie Dr.). From archery to wiffle ball, and Kanjam to pickleball – check out burlington.ca/playlending for details.
Customer Service
Recreation, Community and Culture customer service is available to assist you over the holiday weekend.:
- In person at recreation facility counters during program times (May 18 to 20)
- By email at liveandplay@burlington.ca (May 18 and 19)
- By phone at 905-335-7738, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (May 18 and 19)
Phone and email service are closed on Victoria Day, Monday, May 20. |
| Roads, Parks and Forestry |
The administrative office will be closed on Monday, May 20. Essential services will be provided as required. |
Related news stories:
City fire works decision.
No fireworks on Victoria Day
By Staff
May 15th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
 Become a member – the place becomes a second home. If you are a member of the Burlington Performing Arts Centre – you will know about the kick off the season event that is taking place.
This is the occasion when they do their reveal- and showcase the events planned for the next season.
 Rainer Noack Rainer Noack will lead the audience as the 24/25 season – he is at times a very funny man.
The evening will also include award presentations for the 2024 Hall of Fame inductee, surprise guests and musical performances.
Members receive advance ticket buying access and can purchase tickets on the night of the launch, and for two weeks prior to public on-sale on June 14, 2024.
If this is something you want in on – become a member. Click HERE
By Staff
May 14th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The Sound of Music is not that far away.
 Huge crowds for the music which is always great.
A lot of people are using the event as an occasion to meet with colleagues, business partners; using it as an occasion to reward those employees who make you the success you are.
Reserve your places for:
VIP Lounge Day Pass
Platinum VIP Lounge Day Pass
Sound of Music Festival VIP Lounge Weekend Pass:
Sound of Music Festival Platinum VIP Lounge Weekend Pass
Click here
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