By Staff
April 16th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Library hours for the holiday season
By Pepper Parr
April 16th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Regional Council is meeting this morning to adopt a Council Expense Policy. They will be amending an existing policy to replace the
words “are not” with “may be” so it reads as follows:
Council Members may be reimbursed for costs incurred when travelling to and from Halton Regional Centre for Regional business (e.g., Council or committee meetings, orientation, meetings with staff, etc.).
THAT the following clause be added to the Council Expense Policy as new subsection:
4.4.1 Meal Allowance (Per Diem)
When attending events outside Halton Region for Regional business that include an overnight stay (e.g. conferences), Council members are entitled to a meal allowance of $55/day for each day of the conference, plus one additional day for
travel. This allowance is to be paid to the Council members prior to attending the event. Where a meal allowance has been paid, no additional meal receipts from the event will be reimbursed. None of the meal allowance may be spent on alcoholic beverages or any other items noted in Section 4.7, Ineligible Expenses.
THAT Corporate Counsel be authorized to prepare any necessary by-law adopt ;
AND WHEREAS Council wishes to amend this Policy;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
THAT subsection 4.5.1 of the Council Expense Policy be amended by replacing the words “are not” with “may be” so it reads as follows:
Council Members may be reimbursed for costs incurred when travelling to and from Halton Regional Centre for Regional business (e.g., Council or committee meetings, orientation, meetings with staff, etc.).
THAT the following clause be added to the Council Expense Policy as new subsection
4.4.1 Meal Allowance (Per Diem)
When attending events outside Halton Region for Regional business that include an overnight stay (e.g. conferences), Council members are entitled to a meal allowance of $55/day for each day of the conference, plus one additional day for
travel. This allowance is to be paid to the Council members prior to attending the event. Where a meal allowance has been paid, no additional meal receipts from the event will be reimbursed. None of the meal allowance may be spent on
alcoholic beverages or any other items noted in Section 4.7, Ineligible Expenses.
THAT Corporate Counsel be authorized to prepare any necessary by-law.
The change in the policy, that has yet to be passed, was put forward by Burlington Councillor Paul Sharman and Halton Hills Councillor Clark Somerville.
 They will be entitled to ask for $55 to pay for their lunch when they have to travel.
By Rivers
April 16, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
 Ross Perot
Ross Perot, who ran for president in 1992 had it right when he called NAFTA a ‘giant sucking sound’. NAFTA has not been a great deal for America, or Canada, especially when it comes to the automobile. Between 1994 and 2004 Canada’s share of North American auto production tumbled from almost 15% to just over 8%. The US lost significant market share as well. And Mexico became the big winner – rocketing from barely 7% to over a quarter of all the cars built in this continent.
Donald Trump had ranted but done little in his first term to correct that trade imbalance, ultimately endorsing the USMCA which replaced NAFTA. But once re-elected he armed himself with ‘yes men’ and set out to change the way America operates. And in the on-and-off world of Trump’s import tariffs he has now whacked the auto sector with 25%.
Canada has a long history of auto production. Ford Motors started operations here in 1904, and by 1923 Canada became the second largest auto producer in the world and a major exporter of autos and auto parts. Today we’re not even in the top ten.
So, those autoworkers who are being laid off in Windsor and Ingersoll have more than Mr. Trump’s 25% tariffs to blame. But the tariff threat has put a chill in everyone working upstream and downstream in the auto industry. The mere suggestion of plant closures at Honda put all of Ontario on edge, for example.
 Brian Mulroney
It was Mr. Mulroney who killed the Canada-US auto trade pact in favour of his multi-sectoral trade deal with the Americans (NTA). He wrote off the auto pact which had ensured that the big three auto companies would build at least one car for every one they sold here. And then Mr. Chretien brought Mexico into our trade deal and the three amigos created NAFTA…and that giant sucking sound.
Not everyone is crying doom and gloom about Trump’s automobile tariffs. A recent article in ‘Driving’ magazine (see links) in fact, is rather upbeat about the prospects for the Canadian auto industry. To a large extent that is because of the way the Carney government has responded with our own counter tariffs and the provision of support for the Canadian auto makers to minimize the impacts.
 Mark Carney
Mark Carney has spoken about re-imaging Canada’s manufacturing sector, and re-engineering our economy. He has referenced the need for public involvement, public-private partnerships and greater foreign investment in rebuilding our manufacturing sector, and especially the auto and defence industries. And he (if he’s still PM) and Trump have agreed to start negotiations next month on sectoral trade arrangements, which will form the backbone of our future trading relationship with the US.
In the meantime Canadians need to focus on our own future. That means doing more of what we have started doing even in the brief moment since Trump’s tariffs were announced – building Canadian, growing Canadian and buying Canadian.
Ray Rivers, a Gazette Contributing Editor, writes regularly applying his more than 25 years as a federal bureaucrat to his thinking. Rivers was once a candidate for provincial office in Burlington. He was the founder of the Burlington citizen committee on sustainability at a time when climate warming was a hotly debated subject. Ray has a post graduate degree in economics that he earned at the University of Ottawa. Tweet @rayzrivers
Background links:
Giant Sucking Sound – More Perot –
Trump on Trade – Global Car Production – Auto Decline – Upbeat –
By Staff
April 16th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Have you noticed? Scroll through social media and it seems that everyone is talking about boundaries and mental health.
What are Boundaries?
Boundaries are limits you set in place to safeguard your mental, physical and emotional well being.
They define what is and isn’t ok with you and gives everyone ground rules to operate within.
Setting boundaries is an essential part of everyone’s mental health.
Our Boundaries Program
Eagles Nest knows just how important healthy boundaries are. For over 20 years we have been offering a Boundaries program for people to explore and implement boundaries. In fact, it is one of our most popular programs.
Boundaries Make an Impact
Talia* came to our Boundaries program and shared,
“Truly and honestly, I’m not one to reach out for myself but I had to go to the doctor for a check up. A year postpartum from my second child, the doctor asked how I was doing and I started crying. I went to a therapist and after I spoke to the therapist, she suggested (the) Boundaries (program).
I didn’t understand the push back from people… I didn’t realize how much it was affecting me. I was getting sick all the time, exhausted, sinking into a depression. I didn’t think it was ok to say no to anyone, ever.”
Many people used to say I was happy. I didn’t think so but now I am happy. I am living genuinely and authentically now.”
In the coming weeks, we will be sharing more of Talia’s story and what a difference boundaries made in her life.
Mental health matters. Because of the generosity of our supporters, we are able to offer affordable mental health programs and services, including the Boundaries program, to our community.
Interested in learning more about our Boundaries program? Read more here.
*name changed with permission to preserve confidentiality
By Tom Parkin
April 16th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
NDP plan targets aid to middle class and poor, Conservatives aim biggest benefit at high incomes, Liberals offer light version of Conservative plan.
How each party’s tax plans break out
The NDP and Conservatives have produced strikingly different tax plans that focus benefits on very different people, while the Liberals offer a more muted version of the Poilievre plan, according to an analysis by the Canadians Centre for Policy Alternatives.
The analysis by CCPA senior economist David Macdonald includes the changes to taxation and tax sheltering offered by the parties and determines their impacts on tax filers in various income bands using Statistics Canada’s Social Policy
Details of party tax plans
Several elements of the NDP tax plan direct benefits to low income earners and groups while increasing taxation on some capital gains, affecting high income groups:
- make the first $19,500 of income tax-free by increasing the Basic Personal Amount
- increase the Canada Disability Benefit from $2,400 to $4,800
- increase the Guaranteed Income Supplement paid to low-income seniors
- remove GST on “essentials and monthly bills” such as home heating, cell phone and internet bill, utility bills and meals purchased from grocery stores
- increase the percentage of capital gains over $250,000 a year that is subject to taxation (i.e. capital gains inclusion rate) from 50 per cent to 66 per cent
The Conservative tax plan increases access to tax sheltering and gives an income tax cut skewed to favour higher incomes:
- make all capital gains made from Canadian investments tax-free
- increase the annual amount that can be contributed to a Tax-Free Savings Account from $7,000 to $13,000
- increase by $10,000 the amount a worker over 65 years old can earn tax-exempt
- extend the limit on RRSP tax exemption from age 71 to age 73
- cut the tax rate of the first income tax bracket to 12.75 per cent and cut the non-refundable credit rate to 12.75 per cent
The Liberal tax plan offers the same income tax cut as the Conservatives, but at a smaller rate:
-
- cut the tax rate on first income tax bracket from 15 to 14 per cent and cut the non-refundable credit rate to 14 per cent
By Staff
April 16th, 2025
BURLINGTON. ON
Tomorrow, April 16, Mayor Meed Ward will be presenting the Keys to the City to Sarah Harmer, Chris McKhool, and Beverly Jacobs at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre.
 Key to the City
Residents are invited to attend this free event beginning at 7 p.m.
Sarah Harmer
 Sarah Harmer
Born and raised in Burlington’s Ward 3, Sarah Harmer is an acclaimed singer-songwriter and a dedicated environmental advocate. With three JUNO awards, including the JUNO Humanitarian Award, eight nominations, and two Polaris Prize shortlist recognitions, Sarah has used her platform to drive meaningful change. She co-founded Protecting Escarpment Rural Land (PERL) to safeguard Mount Nemo Plateau, part of a designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Her tireless work continues to preserve Burlington’s natural beauty and biodiversity.
Chris McKhool
 Chris McKhool
An internationally renowned musician and filmmaker, Chris McKhool has been a vibrant force in Burlington’s arts and culture scene. He is a four-time JUNO nominee, seven-time Canadian Folk Music Award winner, and two-time Cannes World Film Festival Award-winning director for The Refuge Project and Walking Through the Fire. Chris’s creative work, especially with his group Sultans of String, champions diversity and inclusion, positioning Burlington as a hub of cultural expression and connection.
Beverly Jacobs
For 25 years, Beverley Jacobs has demonstrated extraordinary commitment to volunteerism in Burlington. She spent 23 years offering comfort and care at Carpenter Hospice, and has been instrumental in preserving Burlington’s heritage through her 15-year involvement with the Friends of Freeman Station. Beverley has also supported local health initiatives through her 25-year dedication to the CIBC Run for the Cure and 10 years with the Bright Run. Her lifelong service embodies the spirit of community.
To learn more about the Keys to the City, visit Burlington.ca/KeyToTheCity
Civic Recognition Awards
City’s Civic Recognition program: Nominations for Spring 2025 are open now until Tuesday, April 22 at 4 p.m.
Civic recognition is given twice each year, in the spring and fall. Successful recipients are recognized in person at an evening Council meeting (May and October) where they are presented with a certificate. To nominate someone or to learn more, visit Burlington.ca/CivicRecognition.
We regret not being able to find a picture of Bev Jacobs.
Links and Resources
Burlington.ca/KeyToTheCity
Burlington.ca/CivicRecognition
By Staff
April 15th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Statistics Canada says the pace of price increases slowed last month.
The agency says the annual inflation rate was 2.3 per cent in the month, down from 2.6 per cent in February.
StatCan says a drop in the price of gas helped ease prices for motorists in March.
Good news
By Sabrina Nanji – Queen’s Park Oberver.
April 15th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Little by little, the evidence works its way to the surface.
Still waiting for the RCMP report.
 Integrity Commissioner J. David Wake
Later this week, Integrity Commissioner J. DAVID WAKE, is set to release a report that names the lobbyist for “undertaking to lobby when payment was contingent upon success” and “failing to file a registration” after he lobbied unnamed public office holders “with respect to requesting that a client’s lands be removed from the Greenbelt” as well as other clients’ requests for Minister’s Zoning Orders (MZOs).
John Mutton is named in the report
While lobbying to remove protected Greenbelt lands, Wake said Mutton knowingly put two public office holders in “a real or potential conflict of interest” by offering them gifts — a private round of golf and Raptors tickets.
After lobbying two public office holders for certain MZOs, Mutton put them in murky territory again — this time through political fundraising.
“For one of these public office holders, Mr. Mutton organized a political fundraiser raising more than $25,000 for the public office holder’s riding association approximately two months prior to the beginning of the 2022 provincial election,” Wake’s report reads. “In a lobbying communication to the second public office holder, Mr. Mutton noted he was responsible for bringing $5,000 to a particular political fundraiser and suggested some of these funds might benefit this public office holder, who was participating in that event.”
Win big, pay big: Mutton reportedly got paid hefty fees that were contingent on his lobbying successes. From 2021 to 2023, Wake said Mutton raked in at least $625,000 in contingency fees.
The breakdown: In late 2021 and early 2022, Mutton was paid $300,000 for MZO-related lobbying; in 2022, he got $225,000 for lobbying to remove a client’s lands from the Greenbelt; also in 2022, he was paid $100,000 for scoring an MZO for a client.
In 2023, Mutton had lined up a contingency fee of $250,000 for MZO-related lobbying, which “also included payment for additional work,” but that “was not yet payable at the time the investigation was completed,” Wake said.
Grits, too: Wake also dredged up Mutton’s Liberal government-era lobbying from 2016 and 2017, in which he failed to file a registration after lobbying three public office holders, on three different occasions, “with respect to the client’s goal of amending government policy and the making of legislation.”
Wake isn’t naming the public office holders or clients.
Benched: All of that amounts to a two-year ban on provincial lobbying for Mutton starting April 17 — one of the harshest penalties in Wake’s back pocket.
 Former Clarington Mayor John Mutton with Premier Ford
For his part, Mutton maintains he “acted in compliance with lobbying regulations and requirements for my consulting work.” He also claims that “in many instances, I was solicited by public officials to share my expertise, not the other way around.”
That’s from a letter the former Clarington mayor and jiu-jitsu champion wrote to Wake earlier this year. Mutton disagreed with Wake’s findings but won’t seek reconsideration “in the interests of my personal well-being and that of my business and employees.” He says he’s “relieved” the nearly two-year investigation is complete, as it “has taken a toll on me personally and professionally.”
Some of the violations laid out in the non-compliance report were covered in Wake’s bombshell 2023 investigation that forced the Ford government to backtrack on its Greenbelt carve-up. But Wake had not interviewed Mutton at that point, so he was only referred to as “Mr. X.”
Mutton took issue with that, saying Wake already characterized him as a “principal character” and “the fall guy” in the land swap scandal, which was “completely unfair.”
Wake, who’s retiring, recently released another report regarding NICO FIDANI-DIKER, a former aide to Premier DOUG FORD who was also found breaking the rules by failing to disclose his attempts to get developer clients’ lands removed from the Greenbelt, hitting up government officials that were his friends, and even proffering hockey tickets. Fidani-Diker said such “oversights” were his responsibility and took place when he was just starting up his consulting firm.
Watchdog’s bark is worse than bite: Fidani-Diker was publicly named, but he’s still allowed to lobby at his old provincial stomping grounds. Oppo critics called it a slap on the wrist and said the ethics watchdog needs more teeth.
Ontario is supposed to review lobbying laws regularly, but years after the deadline, it still hasn’t happened.
By Staff
April 14th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Race tightens in British Columbia as CPC support grows, Liberals’ strength in Ontario and Quebec holds
As the runway shortens for all parties to make gains and lock in votes in this federal election campaign, new data from the Angus Reid Institute shows the race tightening between the incumbent Liberals and the challenger Conservatives.
 Where the intentions are at this point. Debate on Thursday will be the turning point – if there is one.
For the CPC, these data represent the first glimmer of hope in several weeks, as their support ticks up ever so slightly, while Liberal support remains statistically unchanged, though down a point to 45 per cent.
However, the reasons driving this movement reveals more about the state of the campaign than topline vote intent data. The shift may be attributed to three key things.
 It is always about the economy – pocket books come before the heart
First, the issues: concern over cost of living and inflation has been climbing since the start of the campaign, up to 56 per cent now, while worries about tariff threats and managing the Trump-Canada relationship has declined, off 12 points in the last month.
This latter issue especially has represented a stronghold of Liberal support in recent weeks. Its diminishment in the minds of Canadians opens space for voters to change their minds.
Secondly, the personal momentum of Prime Minister and Liberal leader Mark Carney – the difference between improving and worsening opinions among Canadians – has slowed to a neutral pace. Canadians are as likely to say their opinion of him has improved (33%) as worsened (31%) over the past week. In recent weeks, Carney had been generating more positive impressions. However, he still holds an advantage over CPC leader Pierre Poilievre and NDP leader Jagmeet Singh on this metric, both of whom have negative momentum (-20, -27 respectively).
And third, a noticeable shift among some men back to the CPC. If the first weeks of the campaign were notable for the number of men willing to give the Liberals another look post-Trudeau departure, the second half may well be defined by the Conservatives’ attempts – which appear to be bearing fruit – to communicate directly to and woo back male voters. The CPC have regained the lead over the Liberals among men older than 54 (+7), while still leading among men aged 35 to 54 (+9).
 Intentions by age and gender.
By Staff
April 15th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
One is often known by the company they keep.
The Burlington Public Library has been keeping some pretty smart and intelligent company recently.
CEO Lita Barrie took part in a discussion on local democracy that was recorded by the CBC IDEAS program that will be broadcast in the near future
 Lita Barrie (CEO, Burlington Public Library), Sabreena Delhon (CEO, The Samara Centre for Democracy), Meg Uttangi Matsos (Director, Service Design & Innovation, BPL), Nahlah Ayed (Host, CBC’s IDEAS), and Ira Wells (Professor, University of Toronto, critic & author).
The Samara Centre for Democracy, co-founded in 2007 by Alison Loat and Michael MacMillan, is Canada’s leading non-partisan organization focused on strengthening and protecting Canadian democracy.
IDEAS is a CBC radio program that has collaborated with Samara on a series of programs that focus on democracy and how it works in Canada.
The most recent IDEAS production on democracy was recorded at the Burlington Public Library and will be aired in the near future.
By Staff
April 15th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
This was the convoy?
This stopped the debate?

Two Regional Police cars were parked nearby.
While those from the People’s Party of Canada got their 15 minutes of fame.
And the people of Burlington missed the opportunity to hear what the next Member of Parliament had to say about what the next government plans to do when elected.
The people who organized the event gave in so easily.
Isn’t that what the people in the United States did when they elected Donald Trump re-elected Donald Trump?
By Pepper Parr
April 14th. 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
OPINION
The goons have won again.
A group of citizens who have served the city very well for decades organized an event that is a critical part of a federal election – they organized an event that would have the candidates debating issues in a public forum.
But then the goons decided they would interrupt the event by convoying from Hamilton to the Port Nelson United Church.
They weren’t invited. The organizing group had sound reasons for not inviting the PPC, along with several other fringe parties.
They were following guidelines used by those who organize the televised debates.
In their media release the organizers said: ”
It is our opinion that in providing this platform for the parties not part of the formal proceedings, we have given them an excellent opportunity to engage with voters. We would be interested in knowing whether any other citizens group has afforded them the same opportunity.
It is also worth noting that we are a private group of citizens and not aligned with or receiving funding from any outside group. We have conducted candidates’ meetings at the municipal, provincial and federal level and have done our very best to be fair in doing so.
As far as we know, we are the only group conducting these meetings open to the public, which we think is a shame.
Whether as part of the question-and-answer proceedings or not, we have given all seven parties running candidates in our riding the opportunity to engage with voters which we believe is a great service to the voters of this riding.
It is ironic that although we were being accused of a ‘denial of free speech’ (their words) by PPC, it is in fact they who by their actions are denying voters of the opportunity to be fully informed. It is also ironic that, by their actions, they are denying themselves a platform to reach voters which is likely better than any other available to them in this riding.
As a society we need to be able to conduct our affairs in a manner that suits us. People who attend election events want to hear what the leading candidates have to say.This debate should have been held.
 Regional Police Chief Stephen Tanner: Let the goons know that you will not permit disruption of an important public event.
Would it not have been possible for the Regional police to follow the convoy to the church location and block traffic a few blocks away?
Let a representative with literature attend and hand out their message to those who are interested.
Could the public not hear from the Chief of police who would publicly advise that any attempt to disrupt would not be tolerated?
This bullying and pushing people around is unfair to people who care enough about what the candidates have to say.
We are letting the civility that makes us what we are as a society get away from us.
There is another option.
A report from one of the polling organizations has the NDP winning just 8 seats, which means they will not have party status.
 Liberal candidate: Karina Gould
 Conservative candidate: Emily Brown
So – could Karina Gould call Emily Brown (or vice versa) and ask her if she would agree to a virtual debate – just the two candidates – let’s be real here – we are at an existential point in the direction this country goes – it is going to be Mark Carney or Pierre Poilievre; those are the candidates the public wants to hear from.
Every seat is going to count. The public has a right to hear what they have to say. Karina, Emily – one of you has to call the other.
Show real leadership – please!
By Staff
April 14th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The organizers of the All Candidate meeting scheduled for 7:00 pm have advised federal election campaign teas that the event has been cancelled.
The Gazette received a tip two days ago that the event was going to be disrupted – the source was anonymous and could not be verified.
We passed the information along to the Regional Police and the church office.
In a statement released by the organizers they provided some detail:
With regret, the steering committee has decided to cancel the planned candidates meeting scheduled Monday April 14. The People’s Party of Canada has objected strongly to being excluded from the formal proceedings although they were invited to attend. We have become aware that they plan a protest in the form of a convoy starting in Hamilton and arriving at Port Nelson Church in Burlington and likely to disrupt the meeting in some way. We feel justifiably worried about the safety of people attending, and out of concern for neighbours of the church, the rest of the neighbourhood, the candidates and people planning to attend we feel that we have no choice but to cancel.
The meeting was organized and to be run by a steering committee of volunteers drawn from the Roseland Community Organization, Port Nelson United Church and the Roseland Park Country Club
This event was billed as an ‘all-candidates meeting’. In fact, the candidates representing only 4 of the 7 parties running in Burlington were invited to be part of the formal proceedings. There are 16 parties registered with elections Canada to run candidates in 2025. We needed to plan the event well before the final deadline for candidates to register, so we had no way of knowing how extensive the list of candidates for the riding would be. The steering committee therefor felt that we had to establish in advance fair and consistent criteria to be applied now and in the future in deciding who to invite to participate. We decided to use the criteria established by the non-partisan, federal, Leaders’ Debates Commission which oversees the televised debates.
That commission established three criteria, and a party must meet two of the three to be invited.
The criteria are:
Having at least one sitting member of parliament
Have endorsed candidates in at least 90% of ridings
Be polling at or above 4% in recognized national polls
The parties of the candidates invited tonight meet those criteria.
We believe these criteria are fair and reasonable.
There are three other parties with candidates running in this riding. They are Michael Bator, representing the People’s Party of Canada, Paul Harper, representing the Rhinoceros party, and Ocean Marshall representing the Libertarian Party. These three candidates were invited to be present and provide campaign materials and be available to speak to voters at the conclusion of the formal events. The same opportunity has been made available to all the candidates.
It is our opinion that in providing this platform for the parties not part of the formal proceedings, we have given them an excellent opportunity to engage with voters. We would be interested in knowing whether any other citizens group has afforded them the same opportunity.
It is also worth noting that we are a private group of citizens and not aligned with or receiving funding from any outside group. As such, quite frankly, we were free to establish whatever rules and issue whatever invitations were inclined to issue. We have conducted candidates’ meetings at the municipal, provincial and federal level and have done our very best to be fair in doing so.
As far as we know, we are the only group conducting these meetings open to the public, which we think is a shame.
Whether as part of the question-and-answer proceedings or not, we have given all seven parties running candidates in our riding the opportunity to engage with voters which we believe is a great service to the voters of this riding.
It is ironic that although we were being accused of a ‘denial of free speech’ (their words) by PPC, it is in fact they who by their actions are denying voters of the opportunity to be fully informed. It is also ironic that, by their actions, they are denying themselves a platform to reach voters which is likely better than any other available to them in this riding.
By Staff
April 14th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
City of Burlington administrative services will be closed on Good Friday (Friday, April 18) and Easter Monday (Monday, April 21). A summary of closures is listed below.
City Service |
Holiday Closure Information |
Animal Services |
The Animal Shelter at 2424 Industrial St. will be closed to appointments on Friday, April 18 and Monday, April 21. To report an animal control related emergency on a holiday, please call 905-335-7777. |
Burlington Transit |
Burlington Transit will operate on a Sunday schedule on Friday, April 18. Customer Service at the Burlington GO Station, 2101 Fairview St., and Specialized Dispatch will be closed.
On Monday, April 21, buses will run on a regular weekday service schedule and Customer Service and Specialized Dispatch will be open.
Online services
- Try Google Maps for real-time bus information and bus stop arrival times
- To book your specialized trip online, or for more transit information, visit burlingtontransit.ca
- Load your PRESTO card online at prestocard.ca
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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 Friday, April 18 and Monday, April 21.
Many service payments are available online at burlington.ca/onlineservices. If your request is urgent, call 905-335-7777 to connect with the City’s live answering service.
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
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Court administration counter services at 4085 Palladium Way will be closed on Friday, April 18 and Monday, April 21.
Except for the Easter closures, 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. Payment of Provincial Offences fines is available 24/7 at paytickets.ca. |
Parking |
Free parking is available downtown, on the street, in municipal lots and in the parking garage (414 Locust St.) after 6 p.m. and on holidays, including Friday, April 18 and Monday, April 21.
On Sundays, free parking is available downtown, on the street, in municipal lots, and in the parking garage (414 Locust St.).
On Saturdays, 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 at 1286 Lakeshore Rd..) do not provide free parking on holidays.
- Parking exemptions are required to park overnight on city streets and for longer than five hours. If you have family and friends staying with you that require street parking, please visit burlington.ca/parkingexemptions to register for a parking exemption. Please note: parking exemptions are not valid during declared snow events, to assist with snow removal.
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Recreation Programs and Facilities |
Easter weekend drop-in recreation activities
On Good Friday, April 18 and Easter Monday, April 21, Aldershot Pool (50 Fairwood Place W.) and Centennial Pool (5151 New St.) are open for morning lap and combo swims. Tansley Woods Pool (1996 Itabashi Way) is open for lap and recreational swimming. On Easter Monday, April 21, Appleby Ice Centre (1201 Appleby Line) is open for skating and recreational hockey.
Drop-in swimming, skating and other program times vary over the rest of the long weekend. Drop-in or reserve in advance. For schedules, visit burlington.ca/dropinandplay.
Outdoor fun
Head outside and play in our parks with trails, and more. Explore all the options at burlington.ca/outdoorplay.
Play equipment lending library
Pick up an old favourite or try something new, such as Spikeball, Tongue Drum, Cornhole, or a bird-watching kit! It’s free to borrow. Equipment pickup is on Thursdays, and return drop off is on Tuesdays at Haber Community Centre (3040 Tim Dobbie Dr.). To reserve, visit burlington.ca/playlending.
Tyandaga Golf Course
Tyandaga (1265 Tyandaga Park Dr.) will open for the golf season on Saturday, April 19. Tee times can be booked online at tyandagagolf.com starting Thursday, April 17 at 6:30 a.m., by calling 905-336-0005, ext. 2, or in person starting at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 19.
Enjoy takeout-only fish and chips from the dining room on Good Friday April 18 or Easter brunch on Sunday, April 20. Reservations are required. Please call D&T Classic Catering at 905-708-2913 or 289-933-3487.
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 (April 18-21)
- By phone at 905-335-7738, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (April 19 and 20)
- By email at liveandplay@burlington.ca (April 19 and 20)
- Phone and email service are closed on Good Friday and Easter Monday
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Roads, Parks and Forestry |
The administrative office will be closed on Friday, April 18 and Monday, April 21. Essential services will be provided as required. |
By Ray Rivers
April 13th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Each time I ran for office I’d start the campaign by hoping to avoid using lawn signs – but I was always overruled by my campaign team. Research on the effectiveness of election signs demonstrates that they work, not only for the candidate on the sign, but more generally for electoral turnout.
 Research says signs work – they help the candidate and they result in an increased voter turnout. And yes for those sharp eyed Gazette readers we are aware tat this is an old Trudeau election campaign.
My concerns were primarily about the waste of resources to produce and dispose of so many single use signs. And then there is the matter of the sight pollution, both during and, often, well after an election. Lawn signs can also be a divisive issue among neighbours with differing political perspectives. But by the same token they might help facilitate interest and discussion in the political campaigns begging for our vote.
So it is sad that we keep hearing reports of signs being destroyed, defaced or disappeared. It is illegal to mess with candidate election signs in a political campaign – considered theft since the sign belongs to the candidate whose smiling face or name graces it. But it does happen, not that we’ve seen much reported yet in the main steam media. But then, we’re barely half way through the election period.
 Signs on Carlisle Road in Hamilton were damaged. There were signs for both the Liberal and the Conservative candidates. None of the Conservative signs were damaged. The Chuck Phillips sign was torn out of the ground on the front lawn of the house. It was removed to the side of the driveway.
Reports of sign theft and damage are starting to roll in, however, including one in the PM’s riding in Ottawa. Locally there are complaints by Liberal campaigns in Milton, Burlington and Hamilton. Hamilton’s Flamborough-Glanbrook North Brant Liberal candidate, Chuck Phillips, has issued a press release and placed a post on his web site, claiming that he is losing a significant number of signs to somebody.
His Tory opponent claims to have also lost a few signs but didn’t seem too concerned about it. But then, as a well known incumbent whose team has virtually wallpapered the riding it might be hard to notice should a few signs go missing.
This electoral district has an exceptional turnout rate, averaging around 70%. So it will be interesting to see if all those red and blue signs still standing can move the needle – and get more folks out to exercise their franchise. After all, with so much at stake for the country’s future, this is not just another election.
Ray Rivers, a Gazette Contributing Editor, writes regularly applying his more than 25 years as a federal bureaucrat to his thinking. Rivers was once a candidate for provincial office in Burlington. He was the founder of the Burlington citizen committee on sustainability at a time when climate warming was a hotly debated subject. Ray has a post graduate degree in economics that he earned at the University of Ottawa. Tweet @rayzrivers
Background links:
Phillips Signs – Election Signs – Signs Impact –
By Frederico Fury
April 14th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
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By Staff
April 12th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
 Liberal Karina Gould.
 Conservative Emily Brown.
Here is the final Elections Canada list of candidates for the two Burlington seats.
Burlington
- BATOR, Michael (People’s Party – PPC)
- BEAUCHEMIN, Michael (NDP-New Democratic Party)
- BROWN, Emily (Conservative)
- GOULD, Karina (Liberal)
- HARPER, Paul (Parti Rhinocéros Party)
- HUTTON, Kyle (Green Party)
- MARSHALL, Ocean (Libertarian)
Some observations:
Hutton and Beauchemin both ran as candidates for seats in the provincial legislature; they appear to be people looking for a full-time job with a great pension.
Nice to see that the Parti Rhinocéros Party still has some life left in it.
The battle in Burlington is between Liberal Gould and Conservative Brown
Here is the final Elections Canada list of candidates for Burlington North – Milton West Burlington North—Milton West
Burlington North – Milton West
- AHMED, Naveed (NDP-New Democratic Party)
- AKBAR, Nadeem (Conservative)
- VAN KOEVERDEN, Adam (Liberal)
- ZACH, Charles (People’s Party – PPC)
Some observations: You can bet the farm on VAN KOEVERDEN. When you get Mayor Krantz, a Conservative when he was still in hos Mothers’ womb, doing a photot op with Van Koeverden you know the seat with go Liberal.
When can you vote:
Vote on advance polling days
Vote at your assigned polling station from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on:
- Friday, April 18
- Saturday, April 19
- Sunday, April 20, or
- Monday, April 21
Vote early at any Elections Canada office
 The April 28th federal election is the most important since Brian Mulroney and John Turner were the candidates. Think hard about the direction you want your country to go in. It is THAT important.
There are around 500 Elections Canada offices open across the country. Vote at any one of them by April 22, 6 p.m.
You will vote using the special ballot process.
Our offices are open seven days a week:
- Monday to Friday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Saturday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Sunday: noon to 4 p.m.
Find the Elections Canada office nearest you.
By Staff
April 11th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Do you know an outstanding person or group volunteering to make Burlington better?
Nominate them for civic recognition this spring.
Nominations are being accepted until April 22, 2025.
Civic recognition provides an opportunity for the Mayor and members of Council to acknowledge and celebrate the incredible contributions made by individuals and groups who volunteer their time to the City of Burlington.
Nominations are accepted twice each year, in the spring and fall. Successful recipients are recognized in person at an evening Council meeting (May and October) where they are presented with a certificate.
Celebrate an exceptional individual and/or group in Burlington who has:
- Contributed significantly to the quality of life in the community through volunteer efforts
- Identified and addressed a priority need in the community and put a solution into action
- Achieved provincial, national, or international recognition
For information about eligibility and how to submit a nomination, visit burlington.ca/civicrecognition.
The manner in which the city celebrates the people that have made a difference has certainly changed.
In 2011 the event celebrated people in six different categories:
Citizen of the Year
- Junior Citizen of the Year
- Senior Person of the Year
- Arts Person of the Year
- The Community Service Award
- The Environmental Award
The awards program started in 1965 when different service groups in the city had awards they were giving and the thinking was that this event would be better run by the city.
Over time the event evolved – at one point the event included a meal and rthe announcing of the winners in various categories.
Each of the award levels was sponsored by an organization or community group.
Citizen of the Year – Sponsored by Service Clubs of Burlington: Aldershot Lions, Central Lions, Optimists, Royal Canadian Naval Association, The Rotary Clubs of Burlington: Burlington, Burlington Central, Burlington Lakeshore, Burlington North
Junior Citizen of the Year – Sponsored by B’Nai Brith
Senior Person of the Year – Sponsored by the Heritage Place Retirement Community
Environmental Award – Sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of Burlington: Burlington, Burlington Central, Burlington Lakeshore, Burlington North
Community Service Award – Sponsored by Cogeco Cable Inc.
 There was a time when the city put an effort into celebrating those who made that extra effort to make the city a better place. Now the event is a photo op at a Council meeting.
Several years later the name changed to Burlington’s Best
Now it is an event that gives the public a little over a week to nominate an individual.
However, there is a small flicker in the flame that wars the hearts of those who truly believe in celebrating those who are what the city is made up of – MORE HERE
Yesterday, City Hall announced that acclaimed musician, cultural changemaker, and community advocate Chris McKhool will be presented with the Key to the City on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, from 7:00 to 8:00 PM at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre.
The honour recognizes McKhool’s extraordinary contributions to the city and beyond through his internationally celebrated artistic projects such as Walking Through the Fire and The Refuge Project. Both productions were deeply rooted in Burlington while resonating across Canada, spotlighting Indigenous voices, refugee stories, and diverse communities through music, film, and live performance.
 McKhool’s commitment to equity, access, and the performing arts has had a transformative effect on Burlington’s cultural landscape.
McKhool’s commitment to equity, access, and the performing arts has had a transformative effect on Burlington’s cultural landscape. He has worked to remove barriers for youth in underserved neighbourhoods, collaborated with educators and presenters across the region, and created opportunities for meaningful dialogue through artistic expression.
In 2024 alone, McKhool was inducted into the Burlington Performing Arts Centre Hall of Fame, and his work with Sultans of String has garnered multiple Canadian Folk Music Awards, a Cannes World Film Festival win, and national acclaim for his efforts to build inclusive communities through music. His projects have been featured in both local venues and international festivals, bringing Burlington’s name to the world stage while nurturing the arts at home.
Members of the public are invited to attend the ceremony and celebrate Chris’s achievements alongside family, friends, and community supporters. Special acknowledgment is extended to Burlington Indigenous artist Kate Dickson, who nominated Chris for this recognition.
McKhool is also part of the Pizza & Pajamas taking part at the Port Nelson United Church.
By Staff
April 12th,2025
BURLINGTON, ON
It is described as a temporary exhibit to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe and highlights the major role played by Canadians during the Liberation of the Netherlands in the final nine months of the Second World War.
Historical moments are evoked to illustrate the strong ties that united the two countries during the terrible winter of 1945.
The post-war era is also featured, from the many Dutch war brides who followed their Canadian soldier home to a new country, to the first large waves of Dutch immigration to Canada, as well as the many commemorative traditions of the more recent decades.
 The cartoon on the left was a popular postcard illustration.
Maple Leaves and Tulips: Then and Now, developed and presented by the Juno Beach Centre, in partnership with the Liberation Route Europe Foundation, demonstrates that Canadian-Dutch friendship, forged in fire, is still very much alive today.
Maple Leaves and Tulips: Then and Now
April 17 to December 31, 2025
Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum
Wednesday to Sunday – 9 am to 5 pm
Admission: Exhibit is FREE with admission. Regular admission rates are Adult (18 – 64) $14.25, Senior (65+) $12.50, Student (13 – 17) $12.50, Youth (6 – 12) $9.75.
By Staff
April 11th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
United Way Halton & Hamilton brought the community together for a night of impact, recognition, and celebration at this year’s Evening of Celebration.
Th event, honoured donors, community partners, and organizations who contributed to the $12.1 million dollars raised to support critical social programs across Halton and Hamilton.
 This looked like a night you wouldn’t want to miss.
The event was co-hosted by Lohifa Pogoson Acker, a consultant, business owner, hair artist, and speaker dedicated to community empowerment, alongside Chris Mai, former Weather Network personality and current media teacher. Claude DeMone, Regional President of RBC’s Southwestern Ontario region and United Way’s 2024-25 Campaign Cabinet Chair, was also in attendance as United Way officially introduced its new 2025-26 Campaign Cabinet Chair, Carrie Fletcher, Vice President, People, Culture & Diversity at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton and Vice President, Human Resources at St. Joseph’s Health System.
 Brad Park, President & CEO of United Way Halton & Hamilton.
“This year has been incredibly difficult for so many people in our community, and yet, we continue to see an outpouring of generosity and commitment from individuals, businesses, and organizations who truly care,” said Brad Park, President & CEO of United Way Halton & Hamilton. “Thanks to our donors, $12.1 million dollars will go directly into programs that provide essential services—helping people access food, housing, mental health resources, and other critical supports they need to move forward. We are deeply grateful to every person who contributed.”
This year’s campaign was launched during a time of unprecedented economic uncertainty, rising costs, and global instability, all of which continue to drive an increased demand for social services. Our community continues to face challenges and the need for stability is greater than ever. United Way remains a trusted and dependable source of support, working tirelessly to ensure essential services are there for those who need them most.
“The road ahead is uncertain, and we are heading into uncharted territory,” Park continued. “We are facing a combination of economic pressures, growing needs across all communities, and political and geopolitical factors that make it difficult to plan ahead. What we do know is that the need for support will only continue to rise, and United Way is committed to ensuring that people in Halton and Hamilton have somewhere to turn to in their time of need.”
This year’s Evening of Celebration recognized the outstanding contributions of individuals and organizations who have gone above and beyond to support their community. The following awards were presented:
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- Step Up for the Community Award
- Leading the Way in Philanthropy Award
- The Game Changer Award
- Leading the Way Awar
- Champions of Change Award
- Inspiring Local Love Award
- Labour of Love Award
A full list of award winners is HERE
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