 By Staff
January 31st, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton District School Board (HDSB), in collaboration with SAVIS of Halton and EFRY Hope and Help for Women, will host a third information session on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025 to continue to raise awareness about sex trafficking and sexual exploitation in the Halton community.
The session will be held from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at Georgetown District High School (70 Guelph Street, Georgetown).
 This session is being held in response to overwhelming participation in the joint Anti-Sex Trafficking information sessions held in February and June 2024 in Milton. This third session will be held in Halton Hills and will be identical in content to reach those in the community who were unable to attend the first two sessions.
Those interested in attending can register online. The information session is open to all members of the Halton community, and registration will remain open until the event reaches full capacity. Child minding will be provided at no cost for school-age children (Kindergarten to Grade 8). Overflow parking will be available next door at St. George’s Anglican Church (60 Guelph Street, Georgetown).
The session will uncover the realities of sex trafficking and exploitation and provide insight into who is at risk, digital and cyber security considerations, warning signs and how to keep our children and youth safe. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from survivors of sex trafficking and representatives from Halton Regional Police Service, SAVIS of Halton and EFRY Hope and Help for Women. This event offers a unique opportunity to learn about the direct effects sex trafficking has on the individual and their community.
Background resources
Anti-Sex Trafficking – Halton District School Board SAVIS of Halton
EFRY Hope and Help for Women
February 2024 Anti-Sex Trafficking Information Session Recap Video
 By Staff
January 30th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
This article has been updated.
Transforming Minds, Shaping the Future
On Feb. 24th in Burlington, Ontario, an organization called the “i3 Institute” is holding their “Reviving Roots Conference” with the theme of “Reclaiming the Muslim Identity in a Secular World.” One of the speakers is Mohammed Hijab.
Hijab an outspoken antisemite obsessed with Jews and Israel, he’s described pedophilia as “relative,” and he routinely pontificates about the superiority of Islam.
 Members of i3 – names of the men were not provided. i3 institute is a non-profit organization offering classical Islāmic education through a holistic and interactive approach. Impact? Today we have several brands to help Muslims reach their full potential!
We have been serving different segments of the Muslim communities with a focus on youth development through regular halaqas, workshops, conferences, and tournaments for the personal and professional development of our students and volunteers.
Mayor Meed Ward appears to have taken exception to the event – and released the following statement:
 Some wondered what the statement was about when it appeared on social media. Struck the Gazette as a little inflammatory. Reactions like this do not help. The Region has a growing Muslim community – we are no longer a white Judeo-Christian society.
Gazette reader Ted GAmble provided this LINK in his comment.
By Staff
January 30th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Angus Reid Institute asks: Three-quarters say ‘bring back parliament’ – but do they want to deal with Trump or to trigger an election?
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau prorogued parliament on January 6th and sent the Liberal Party of Canada into a search for his successor, but that hasn’t meant any slowdown in cross-border challenges from the Trump administration in the interim. Is Canada equipped to respond?
 New data from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute finds many Canadians believing parliament should be recalled, but not to deal with Trump – they want to head right into an election.
Indeed, half of Canadians say parliament should resume sitting and an election should be triggered, as has been threatened by the Conservatives, New Democrats, and the Bloc Québécois. The other half aren’t so sure an election is needed and are divided between wanting to keep parliament prorogued until March or to bring it back but only if no election is called.
This divide in public opinion helps to portray the outlook of the country right now. The domestic political landscape is anything but unified, with fissures at the provincial and federal level in dealing with Trump.
After Alberta Premier Danielle Smith declined to add her name to a joint statement from provincial leaders in the face of threats from the U.S. President, many have singled her out for not being a “team player”. Most Canadians (55%) say they would prefer their provincial leadership put the country first, but three-in-10 disagree, including half in Alberta (52%) and 41 per cent in Saskatchewan.
Key Findings:
Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre recently called Canada “weaker than ever” in his statement asking that parliament be recalled. Half of Canadians (53%) agree with this statement, while two-in-five (41%) disagree
That said, Canadians are also five times as likely to say that public statements about Canada’s weakness are “harmful” (51%) to negotiations, rather than helpful (11%). A plurality of would-be CPC voters say it makes no difference (46%) while the vast majority of all other voters say it hurts Canada’s position.
 By Staff
January 30th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Perry Bowker loves that Canada is a Constitutional Monarchy and he wants the country to give King Charles III, the respect he deserves.
In a note he sent the federal government, he asked:
 Overweight dork.  Scrambled eggs all over his chest Dear Canada Ministry of Culture/Canadian Identity/Monarchy and the Crown:
Could we please have a proper official portrait of the King?
The current “official” portrait makes him look like an overweight dork! This official one in the UK is not bad. But all the scrambled eggs regalia is so 19th Century. We are a modern, diverse country!
 King Charles III – a relatable human being.  King Charles III – Head of the Commonwealth I prefer one that makes him look like a relatable human being, Head of the Commonwealth.
Please save our country from further embarrassment and change the official portrait.
Perry Bowker is an active member of the Lions service group; he lives in Burlington.
 By Staff
January 30th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Karina Gould, speaking to media in Ottawa earlier today set out part of what she would do should she become leader of the Liberal Party on March 9th.
By Pepper Parr
January 30th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
It seems kind of quiet on the political front.
Behind the scenes, those running for the job of Premier of Ontario or the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada are talking to almost anyone who will listen to them.
 Emily Brown, Conservative candidiate  Karina Gould, MP – Liberal candidiate In Burlington Emily Brown announced that the Conservatives raised $15,000 in two weeks. Earlier in the month Karina Gould announced she had raised $50,000 in two days.
Gould was raising money for her leadership bid; Brown was raising money for her run to become the Burlington MP.
The race for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada has Mark Carney clearly leading Chrystia Freeland. The question is – where will the Chrystia votes go on the second ballot count.
Continue reading Seems kind of quiet on the political front.
 By Staff
January 28th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
 A solid breakfast – essential. From February 3 – 28 Halton Food for Thought will be holding its seventh annual FEEDUARY campaign to shine a light on the importance of Student Nutrition Programs across Halton region. The campaign will include visits at 13 Halton schools welcoming guests from the community who will get to see the important role these programs play in a student’s day firsthand.
Continue reading Halton Food for Thought is taking their story to the Classrooms
By Pepper Parr
January 29th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Doug Ford has more going for him in this snap election than people realize.
 Were he to be going into an election that was scheduled – like the one that was supposed to take place in 2026 there would be limits on the amount of money political parties can spend on campaign advertising.
Continue reading No limit on what the Ford campaign spend on advertising
 By Pepper Parr
January 29th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
OPINION
The last chapter of the most recent journey Burlington’s Natalie Pierre has taken has started.
 Natalie Pierre speaking in the Legislature Doug Ford got Lt.-Gov. Edith Dumont to issue a writ of election. The Legislature came to a close at 4:00 pm Tuesday afternoon and the election began.
Should Natalie Pierre be re-elected she will begin a second term as an MPP – a job she didn’t want and didn’t do all that well at during the several years she has represented the city at Queen’s Park.
Continue reading Natalie Pierre: ‘With some personal luck she will lose the election and be freed to become the person she is’
 By Ray Rivers
January 28th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
OPINION
Why is Doug Ford forcing Ontario into an unnecessary early election? We can understand that he fears the release of the RCMP investigation into misconduct over the Greenbelt fiasco. Withdrawing publicly protected lands from the Greenbelt in order for developer friends to enrich themselves has got to be some kind of corruption by anyone’s definition.
 Can you read the body language? Ford is in the best position to know whether he actually committed a crime. But calling this unnecessary election is a pretty good sign that he is worried. One could imagine that campaigning for re-election next year would be harder in the unlikely event that some judge actually put him behind bars.
Continue reading Rivers: Could Doug Ford be campaigning from Behind Bars? Not this time
 By Staff
January 28th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
 Different elevations.
The properties in the football – that part of the city that is between Lakeshore Road and Old Lakeshore Road, have been waiting for the right opportunity before putting shovels in the ground.
Using language only a planner would choose the city reports that: The proposed development of the subject lands features a 27 storey mixed-use building with 196 residential units and at-grade retail along Lakeshore Road. The development proposes 1- and 2-bedroom units.
Continue reading Developments in the ‘football’ are getting closer to having shovels in the ground
By Tom Parkin
January 28th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
 This kind of shopping has declined in Ontario – and risen in other provinces. Ontario’s retail sales in November remained 2.7 per cent lower than June 2022, the month the Doug Ford government was re-elected, according to data released by Statistics Canada.
Ontario’s retail sales recovered to $25.2 billion in November, extending gains for a fourth month, but were $100 million less than December 2023 sales of $25.3 billion and $700 million below the $25.9 billion in sales during June 2022, the month Doug Ford’s PC government was re-elected.
Continue reading Ontario’s consumer slump – is this a Doug Ford factor?
By Staff
January 28th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
He did it.
 Can he be re-elected? Premier Doug Ford today confirmed that the Honourable Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, has accepted the premier’s advice to sign a proclamation dissolving the 43rd Parliament of the Province of Ontario, effective as of 4:00 p.m. today.
Continue reading It is now official – the current government comes to a close at 4:00 pm this afternoon – election will be on February 27th.
By Farooq Azam
January 28th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
 Combined these are two of the best tools available. Social media advertising is a powerful tool for reaching your target audience and achieving marketing goals, but without proper allocation and optimization, it’s easy to overspend with minimal results. To get the most out of your budget, it’s essential to choose the right platforms, refine your targeting, and continually optimize your campaigns. Here’s how to allocate and optimize your ad spend across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok to achieve the best results.
Understand Your Target Audience
Before allocating your budget, you need a clear understanding of your target audience. Each platform attracts different demographics:
- Facebook: Ideal for reaching a broad audience, including older demographics and diverse interest groups.
- Instagram: Popular among younger users, particularly Millennials and Gen Z, and excels at visual storytelling.
- LinkedIn: Best for B2B marketing and professional services, with an audience of decision-makers and industry professionals.
- TikTok: A favorite among Gen Z and younger Millennials, perfect for brands with creative, fun, and engaging content.
By understanding where your audience spends their time and how they interact with content, you can allocate your budget to platforms that align with your campaign objectives.
Allocate Budget Across Platforms Strategically
Effective budget allocation for social media advertising is multi-layered; it’s important to divide it proportionally across platforms based on their potential ROI for your business. Here’s a general guideline:
- Facebook and Instagram: Allocate a significant portion of your budget here, especially if you’re targeting a broad audience or running e-commerce campaigns. Their advanced targeting options and visual formats are highly effective for most businesses.
- LinkedIn: Set aside a higher cost-per-click (CPC) budget if you’re targeting professionals, as LinkedIn ads tend to be pricier but deliver high-quality leads for B2B campaigns.
- TikTok: Dedicate a smaller portion of your budget to TikTok for experimental or creative campaigns that require engaging, short-form content.
Always leave room for testing, especially if you’re exploring a new platform.
Set Clear Goals and Objectives
Define what you want to achieve with your social media advertising. Common goals include:
 Increasing brand awareness.- Driving website traffic.
- Generating leads.
- Boosting sales or conversions.
Your goals will influence your ad format, targeting strategy, and budget allocation. For example, if your goal is lead generation, LinkedIn’s Lead Gen Forms might be a better investment than TikTok’s short-form videos.
Optimize Ad Formats and Creative Content
Each platform has unique ad formats, so tailor your content accordingly:
- Facebook and Instagram: Use carousel ads, video ads, and Stories to engage your audience. High-quality visuals and compelling captions are crucial.
- LinkedIn: Focus on Sponsored Content, InMail ads, and thought leadership pieces. Highlight industry expertise and actionable insights.
- TikTok: Create short, engaging videos that align with trending sounds or challenges. Authenticity and creativity are key to success on this platform.
Ensure your ad creative aligns with your brand identity while resonating with the platform’s audience.
Refine Targeting and Audience Segmentation
Targeting the right audience ensures your budget is spent efficiently. Use these strategies:
- Custom Audiences: Retarget website visitors or engage with existing customers using custom audiences on Facebook and Instagram.
- Lookalike Audiences: Find new prospects similar to your best customers by creating lookalike audiences.
- Interest and Behavior Targeting: Focus on users’ interests, job titles, or behaviors, especially on LinkedIn and Facebook.
- Geographic Targeting: Narrow down your audience based on location to avoid wasting ad spend on irrelevant users.
Continuously monitor your audience performance and make adjustments as needed.
Test and Measure Campaign Performance
Regular testing and optimization are crucial for maximizing your social media advertising budget. Use A/B testing to experiment with different ad formats, headlines and captions, and targeting options.
Track metrics like click-through rates (CTR), cost per click (CPC), cost per acquisition (CPA), and return on ad spend (ROAS) to identify which campaigns deliver the best results. Platforms like Facebook Ads Manager and LinkedIn Campaign Manager offer robust analytics tools to help you measure performance.
Focus on Retargeting and Remarketing
 Retargeting ads allow you to re-engage users Retargeting ads allow you to re-engage users who have already interacted with your brand. These campaigns are often more cost-effective and yield higher conversion rates. Use retargeting to:
- Remind visitors about abandoned carts (e-commerce).
- Nurture leads who have downloaded a resource (B2B).
- Promote time-sensitive offers to recent website visitors.
 Keep up to date with new tools that help you do a better job. Stay Up-to-Date with Platform Trends
Social media platforms are constantly evolving. Stay informed about new ad formats, algorithm changes, and emerging trends to ensure your strategy remains effective. For instance, TikTok’s shoppable ads or Instagram’s interactive Stories features could offer unique opportunities to reach your audience.
Keys to Effective Budget Allocation for Social Media Advertising
Maximizing your advertising budget requires strategic planning, creative execution, and continuous optimization. By understanding your audience, setting clear objectives, and tailoring your approach to each platform, you can achieve better ROI and drive meaningful results. Regularly analyze performance and adapt your strategy to ensure every dollar spent contributes to your business goals. With the right approach, social media advertising can be one of the most impactful tools in your marketing arsenal.
By Staff
January 28th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The Nelson Quarry application to increase the size of the quarry they are currently taking aggregate out of is back on the table.
Continue reading Part two of a long expensive legal process begins to limit the area that aggregate can be taken out the Nelson quarry site
 By Pepper Parr
January 28th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Here is how it looks like things are going to work.
After a Republican introduced legislation earlier this month to propose a constitutional amendment that would allow Trump to run for a third term, Representative Dan Goldman, Democrat of New York, said in a statement:
Continue reading The pattern
By Eric Stern
January 27th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Many residents have noticed that playgrounds don’t last very long in Burlington. I still visit playgrounds with one or more of my grandkids.
We live in the east end of Burlington and often walk at Bronte.
 BRAG included playgrounds in the 14 concerns they had with the amount of money the city spends on these installations. Set out below is the concern BRAG had and the city response. And that seems to be all that is going to be done. There was no dialogue – just pieces of paper going back and fourth.
I’ve heard at least one council member explain that provincial legislation requires play structures to be replaced every 10 years. I couldn’t find anything for that.
The city does have a liability issue with playgrounds, children hurt themselves, and parents sue the city. The provincial legislation requires that playgrounds be regularly inspected to help mitigate this risk.
Continue reading BRAG wanted to know how much the city spends on upgrading equipment in park playgounds
 By James Portside
January 27th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
 By Staff
January 27th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Today is the last day you can sign up as a member of the Liberal Party of Canada.
Members of the Party will have to right to help choose the next leader of the party in a vote that will be taken on March 9th Liberals will know who their Prime Minister will be.
 Continue reading Last day to join the Liberal Party of Canada and take part in choosing the next Prime Minister
 By Staff
January 27th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Proposed Development Upgrade
A development application has been submitted for a Zoning By-law Amendment to rezone the lot containing an existing single detached dwelling, to facilitate construction of a new larger single detached dwelling.
 The new dwelling is proposed to have a maximum building height of 3 storeys (23.39 metres) and an area of 26,000 square feet (2,500 square metres). That 26,000 sq feet is above grade. There is an additional 10,000 sq feet in the basement.
Continue reading Single detached dwelling with 26,000 sq feet – want a zoning change
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