 By Richard J. Howell
April 19th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Social platforms have become quite relevant and powerful in today’s age and can be used for multiple purposes, including building and expanding your professional network. Having a strong and wide professional network is always beneficial because it opens new job and opportunities for you, provides you with the latest industry insights, and keeps you updated on the latest happenings in the industry.
Nowadays, most people rely on social platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook to grow and expand their network, and that is what we will be discussing today as well. Let us take a look at several ways in which you can use social platforms to expand your professional network.
Choose the Right Platform
The first and foremost thing is to choose the right platform for building and expanding your network. There are many social platforms available, but choosing the right ones where you can connect with colleagues, industry leaders, and potential employers is the right thing to do. The top three platforms for growing and expanding your professional network are:
 LinkedIn: LinkedIn is the go-to platform for professional networking. Anyone who wants to showcase their professional experience and skills, stay updated on job openings and industry trends, and connect with professionals from various fields should use LinkedIn as their first priority.- X (formerly Twitter): People who are looking for real-time engagement and staying updated on industry news should use X as a great platform. On X, you can follow thought leaders, participate in discussions, share your insights, and build a personal brand by posting valuable content and connecting with other people.
- Facebook: Facebook isn’t just for personal use and socializing only; it is also a great platform for expanding your professional network. On Facebook, you can join niche groups and communities related to your industry to connect with like-minded professionals, stay informed about the latest events and opportunities, and share resources.
Apart from these platforms, other platforms like Instagram, Reddit, https://omeapp.com/ or niche forums shouldn’t be neglected or overlooked.
Optimize Your Profile
After choosing the right platform(s), the next thing is to optimize your profile. Optimizing your profile involves multiple elements, including a strong headline, a summary, a professional photo, and your skills and achievements. Curate a strong headline and summary for your profile because these are the first things that anyone will see when they look at your profile, so make it count.
Along with this, use a high-quality professional photo where you are dressed appropriately to make a strong impression and showcase your skills, certifications, and accomplishments clearly on your profile.
Build and Engage Your Network
 Once you have set up your profile, start by building and engaging with your network. The best way to build your network is to connect with people whom you already know, such as:
- Current and former colleagues.
- Classmates and alumni from your school or university.
- Industry peers you’ve met at events or conferences.
After this, you can follow industry leaders, companies, and organizations to stay updated on industry trends, join groups and communities related to your field to share and gain knowledge, seek advice, and expand your network, and engage with content to show your interests and add value to the conversations.
Create and Share Valuable Content
The secret to building and expanding your network on social platforms is to create and share valuable content. Posting articles, infographics, and updates related to your industry will position you as an industry leader and knowledgeable professional, which can increase your value in the industry.
Share your thoughts, experiences, and expertise through original posts to keep your network engaged and provide them with valuable information. Don’t forget to use multimedia and incorporate videos, images, and infographics to make your content more engaging.
 Don’t Overlook Direct Messaging and Networking Events
Lastly, don’t forget the importance of direct messaging and attending virtual events. Whenever you are reaching out to new people to build connections, personalize your message by mentioning how you found them, why you’d like to connect, and how you can add value to their network. Plus, webinars, live sessions, and online conferences are excellent opportunities to meet new people and shouldn’t be missed in any way whatsoever.
 By Pepper Parr
April 19th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Fences are up; surveillance is installed. Trees could be coming down soon. The developer is setting the stage to get started on building as soon as they complete the conditions of the OLT decision from June 2024. He is already crossing the finish line, hoping we have given up.
We are not giving up!
Call to Action: Join us on Saturday, April 26 from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm for a Community Assembly
We are asking Doug Ford and the Minister of Housing to come to Millcroft to and see what is at stake.
· 
This is not just a Millcroft issue – if this development isn’t stopped – there are other large pieces of land that will be the next target.
We need you and your family to RSVP (select the link or reply to this email) because the media will be joining us to support our final, collective call for leadership and accountability. Your presence matters!
Date: Saturday April 26, 2025
Time: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Location: In front of Hole 7
BYOBB: Bring Your Own Bristol Board
MYOM: Make Your Own Message – * Please review friendly suggestions below *
Parking: Millcroft Park (for those outside of our community) 4250 Millcroft Park
We are gathering — in a friendly, neighbourly way. This is not a protest. This is a community gathering.
Please keep messaging friendly, positive, and professional.
This Is Our Last Call
Protect Millcroft, Protect Burlington
This Is the End of the Millcroft Golf Course, Unless We Act Now
Focus on Nature & Greenspace
Greenspace Is Not Replaceable
Once It’s Gone, It’s Gone
Focus on Greenspace & Future Generations
Smart Growth, Green Future
Preserve the Green, Protect the Future
Our Community Needs Greenspace — Now and Tomorrow
Our Community Deserves a Say; Premier Ford, Come Walk With Us
Unaffordable Homes Won’t Fix the Housing Crisis
Greenspace Can’t Be Rebuilt
Golf Course Closure / Slippery Slope Messaging
· Today 92 Homes. Tomorrow, the Rest of the Course
· We’re Not Just Losing Land — We’re Losing a Legacy
 By Pepper Parr
April 19th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
OPINION
Is this a good time to look at what the political leadership in the country might look like once all the ballots have been cast and everyone sworn in and settled in the House of Commons seats?
 Jagmeet Singh Should Jagmeet Singh lose his seat in Burnaby South– who replaces him as leader of the New Democrats?
 Pierre Poilievre If Pierre Poilievre loses the election by a number larger than the pollsters are suggesting – what do the Conservatives do? Hold a Leadership review? And what if the Conservatives decide Poilievre has to go – who do they choose to replace him?
It looks like Carney is going to win the election, but what if he has a plurality of just one seat – who does he look to for support?
 Mark Carney And what does a week Liberal majority do to the strength that Carney said he needs to confront Donald Trump?
 By Tom Parkin
April 19th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Conservatives took about 220,000 more votes in both 2019 and 2021, but 36 and 41 fewer seats.
With now less than 10 days until the ballots are counted, a mood of defeat is settling over the Conservatives.
 Pierre Poilievre Their last hope was for Pierre Poilievre to score a big win in the debates to turn things around. He didn’t.
Fearing Trump comparisons, and therefore unable to unleash his inner attack dog, Poilievre was average. And he needed to be a lot better than average to move the needle.
The Conservatives are six points back in popular support, according to an average of recent polls. And they have historic weak vote efficiency. In both 2019 and 2021, Conservatives received about 220,000 more votes. But in 2019 they elected 36 fewer MPs than the Liberals; 41 fewer in 2021.
The Conservatives get big vote pile-ups in southern Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. But they can only win the same riding once.
Also: use Progressive Vote Guide at ProgressiveVote.ca to review ridings where the NDP is a strategic or safe vote.
Because of their lagging popular support and vote efficiency handicap, Conservatives would need to grow by almost one point every day until April 28. A surge of that scale has never happened in a federal election and there’s no hint of one happening for Pierre Poilievre now.
Question shifts to look of PM Carney’s opposition
 Mark Carney responding ti Pierre Poilievre during the debate. As the question of who will become prime minister resolves, the emerging question is about the composition of the opposition Prime Minister Mark Carney will face.
The debate showed clear patterns about who and what each opposition party will fight for in the next parliament.
Poilievre pushed to pump oil and cut taxes. He pressed on a plan to use the notwithstanding clause to lengthen the jail terms of multiple-murderers.
Singh pressed Carney over threatened cuts to health transfers, support for workers affected by Trump tariffs, closing tax haven access, and his history of profiting from rent-busting.
 Yves-François Blanchet MP is a Canadian politician who has served as the leader of the Bloc Québécois and member of Parliament for Beloeil—Chambly since 2019. BQ leader Blanchet asked why Carney refuses to disclose his investments, as done by other leaders, and perceived intrusions into provincial jurisdiction.
Where progressive opposition can win is key question
Carney jousted with Poilievre over who would pump more oil or cut more taxes, but pivoted away from direct questions about health transfers, rent-busting, tax dodging and no disclosure. He gave no clarity about where he will cut billions to both balance the budget and pay for his capital gains tax cut.
In the last 10 days, Carney may yet avoid transparency on these questions. Being not Trump, Poilievre or Trudeau looks like it will be enough.
That makes it even more important Canadians elect as many progressive MPs as possible who will pressure Mark Carney in the Commons after this election. Helping progressive voters see where they can make that happen is the singular challenge in the final 10 days.
 By Staff
April 19th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
A pile of stolen signs found on the Duncaster Trail.
The people who did this could have instead been distributing literature and helping to get out the vote.
 By Estelle Farthing
April 19th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
 4K – a smooth streaming experience without any delays and pauses. 4K streaming provides amazing details and a wonderful experience. It shows clear images and bright colors. However, to enjoy 4K streaming, you must have a good internet connection.
In this article, we will discuss the ideal internet speed for 4K streaming and the factors that affect streaming.
Let’s have a look!
What Is the Ideal Internet Speed for 4K Streaming?
Usually, the ideal internet speed for 4K streaming is 25 megabits per second (Mbps). Having 25 Mbps or more is important for a smooth streaming experience without any delays and pauses.
However, the lower speed will increase the buffering and impact the overall streaming experience. Moreover, you may need more speed if you use the internet for heavy tasks.
Factors That Affect 4K Streaming
Here are some factors that can affect the 4K streaming:
Network Congestion
 Network congestion happens when many people use the internet at the same time. Network congestion is an important factor that can impact the streaming experience. It usually happens when many people use the internet at the same time.
So, your speed may drop if you stream at a busy time. To avoid this, you can select a fast and reliable internet plan or stream at a less busy time.
Also, run a Wi-Fi speed test for a smooth streaming experience. This speed test will help you access your internet performance and see if your connection is fast enough for streaming.
Router Quality and Placement
Router quality and placement also affect your streaming. If a router is old, outdated, or placed far away in a corner, it can result in poor speed and dropped signals.
To avoid this, make sure your router is updated and functions well. Also, place the router in any central area for better signal reach.
Streaming Platform Requirements
Each streaming platform has its own needs. Some platforms work well with 25 Mbps, while others may need more speed.
 Too many devices on the network at the same time impacts performance. So, always choose the internet plan, keeping your streaming platform and its requirements in view. Moreover, you must have a fast internet connection to stream without any issues.
Speeds like 641Mbps down and about 83.2Mbps up can help prevent lag and buffering. If you are considering a streaming platform, make sure your current internet speed is sufficient before selecting a plan.
Number of Connected Devices
The number of connected devices also affects online streaming. You may face issues like buffering or power speed if more devices are connected.
To avoid this, try to reduce the number of connected devices when you stream.
 By Ray Rivers
April 18th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The political debates in Canada’s federal election this year are over. As is often the case, there were no winners in either of the two debates held in each of the country’s official languages. If anything, Mark Carney as the front runner deserves credit for largely surviving the assault in both debates by the other three political leaders.
 Prime Minister Mark Carney Carney is not your typical politician. He is an academic and an intellectual with an impressive resume of achievements. And, he’s clearly not very comfortable in the political bun fight. He was barraged by attacks from all sides and seemed overwhelmed at times. But he did maintain his cool, added some occasional humour and brought forward methodical rebuttal arguments.
Carney appeared to become defensive about his decision to eliminate the consumer carbon tax and as he discussed his time as Brookfield CEO. Even his gotcha question about Poilievre’s security clearance didn’t really work for him. And Carney, the economist, failed to admonish Poilievre for his erroneous assumptions on the cause of our post pandemic inflation.
Unlike the other leaders, particularly Poilievre, he was courteous and polite with his responses, rarely, if ever, interrupting someone speaking. Clearly he is more used to the etiquette of the board room than to cut-throat political theatre. Still, he survived the onslaught and methodically made some good points, though he delivered no serious blows and failed to decimate his opponents. In this high stakes poker game we call politics he left a lot of money on the table.
Pierre Poilievre used almost all of his time to effectively regurgitate his well rehearsed stump speech. There was really nothing new in anything he said but he repeated it well. Perhaps he is waiting for his actual platform to be released. However, he reached beyond logic to defend his decision to become the first federal leader to want to invoke the notwithstanding clause.
It all became very annoying, the robotic repetition of his familiar attack dog routine – the lost Liberal decade and how he’d bury the Impact Assessment Act, Bill 69, which actually hasn’t stopped any pipelines yet. There were times when I wanted to turn off the volume or fast forward the tape just to escape the monotony.
Also, at times it seems he’d forgotten that he wasn’t running against Justin Trudeau. Perhaps having demolished Trudeau’s character he was now hoping to tar Carney with the same brush. And there was this certain air of desperation – as if this was all he had in his quiver. It seems that in this crisis all he is offering are tax cuts, building more pipelines and exporting more oil.
 Jagmeet Singh was passionate and seemed sincere for the most part. Jagmeet Singh was passionate and seemed sincere for the most part. He jumped in several times to defend Carney on matters of fact, something admirable for a political leader hoping to actually win voters back from the Liberals. But he levelled his own attacks as well. His messages hadn’t really changed since the last election – save health care and do something about affordability. It was as if this were just another election in normal times for him.
Singh’s party can lay legitimate claim to publicly supported health care, and more recently dental, child and pharmaceutical care. Though he was always a junior partner to the Liberals in implementing these social programs. If he had an industrial policy he was hiding it. This may well be his last federal debate as he is fighting for his political life, and that of his party in this election.
 Bloc leader Yves-François Blanchet Bloc leader Blanchet was delightful at times in both debates and he made his points well. But he is a parochial regional leader whose ultimate goal is removing Quebec from Canada. He has admitted he’ll never be prime minister and doesn’t even like to speak English in Montreal. The debate commission has come under a lot of criticism for excluding the Greens and Peoples parties. That they continue to give air time to a regional separatist party is almost absurd, though some would say it is just the Canadian way.
The biggest criticism goes to the moderator of the English debate, Steve Paikin. This was supposed to be a debate, not a shouting match. Yet he let Singh and Poilievre cross talk, over Carney’s and over each others’ answers. Excuse me but I wanted to hear what each of the candidates had to say.
The moderator of the French language debate was much better at keeping the debate under control and much fairer to all the debaters. He actually cut off Singh’s mic at one point after Singh went off topic and started ranting about health care funding. Paikin noted that he’d watched the debate in French, but he clearly hadn’t learned anything from it.
Also, Paikin’s time clock for each leader didn’t add up. Some leaders seemed to have far more speaking time than others. Poilievre got the best camera shots, often avoiding the obtrusive podium in the picture. It’s almost like the CBC had forgotten that he’s promising to shut down the network and fire them all if he wins.
 Pierre Poilievre responding to Mark Carney In the end, this election is a contest between the two traditional political parties. Conservative leader Poilievre came across as a smooth talking career politician with little or no business or management experience and with a plan for Canada’s future built on tax cuts and exporting more oil and gas.
Mark Carney on the other hand came across as a rather lacklustre debater who nevertheless comes with a proven record in international negotiation, impressive top level business and public service experience, and a visionary perspective for rebuilding all of Canada. That’s how I saw it anyway.
 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:
French Language Debate –
 By Pepper Parr
April 18th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Maybe the debates made it happen.
Whatever it is – people are out trying to cast their ballots.
One reader waited an hour at Nelson High School – gave up said they will try again on Saturday.
We are waiting to see what the pollsters have to say late Saturday.
 Nelson High School parking lot at 5:00 pm this afternoon
 By Staff
April 18th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
 It’s one of the holiest and most somber days in the Christian calendar as followers remember the execution of Jesus.
How did Jesus’ final days unfold? Scholars are still debating
The people and places of the Passion are well documented in the Bible, but pinning down the exact locations and timing of the trials of Jesus in Jerusalem is an ongoing challenge.
For billions of Christians, Good Friday remains one of the holiest days in the religious calendar. Commemorating the day Jesus died by crucifixion around A.D. 30., Good Friday is a crucial part of the Christian Holy Week, the series of holidays that culminates in Easter, when, according to Christian faith, Jesus returned to life after dying on the cross.
It is a time where believers mark the events leading up to the Passion of Jesus Christ, including the trial of Jesus before the Roman prefect, Pontius Pilate. Biblical scholars and historians have pored over surviving records to determine the exact timing and location of this crucial event, but definitive answers have yet to be found.
What’s the context behind Good Friday—and how do Christians observe it every year?
Good Friday represents Jesus’ execution at the hands of the Romans. So why do Christians call the holiday “good”?
“‘Good’ in this instance means something like ‘holy’ or ‘pious.’ It is ‘good’ because it is ‘holy,’ not because we are supposed to think that crucifixion is a good thing,” explains Candida Moss, Edward Cadbury Professor of Theology at the University of Birmingham.
Religious scholars believe that Jesus of Nazareth—whom billions of Christians believe was the son of God—lived in the first century in what is today Israel. At the time, the Roman Empire controlled the region. Scholars have different interpretations about Jesus’ life, but they agree that he built on his Jewish faith to proselytize a religious vision that attracted a growing number of followers.
 Judas kisses Jesus in Caravaggio’s “The Taking of Christ,” painted circa 1602. Accusers and judges
In the Bible, the apostle Judas betrays Jesus by revealing where he has sought refuge after celebrating the Passover feast: the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives. The Temple Guards discover Jesus there, arrest him for the disturbance at the Temple on the eve of Passover, and take him before Caiaphas, the Jewish high priest, at his private residence where Jesus would be interrogated.
 Caiaphas interviewing Jesus. Caiaphas, the Jewish high priest, at his private residence interrogating Jesus.
Caiaphas may have deliberately sought to indict Jesus in a private session to avoid having certain council members—notably, the Pharisees (a Jewish sect, some of whose members were supporters of Jesus)—rise to his defense. Many scholars have argued that without the full backing of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish political and judicial council, the high priest did not have the power to order a man’s death. Therefore, the only solution was to refer the matter to the local Roman authorities and bring Jesus before Pontius Pilate. Caiaphas’s challenge was to come up with a charge that would justify a sentence of death.
During the interrogation, Caiaphas asked Jesus directly, “Are you the Messiah?” According to Mark, Jesus replied, “I am,” and then cited from Psalms and from the Book of Daniel: “You will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of ‘the Power,’ and ‘coming with the clouds of heaven’
With those words, Jesus had given Caiaphas the perfect pretext to involve the Romans. Though Jesus had merely quoted from Scripture, the high priest knew that words such as power and coming with the clouds of heaven would have a very different meaning for the Romans.
Historians also agree that around Passover, a significant Jewish holiday, Jesus was arrested and tried before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of the province. The Bible claims Pilate sentenced Jesus to death by crucifixion.
 The traditional location of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives lies near the Temple Mount. So why was Jesus killed? It’s possible that his rising profile made him a political target. At the time, Jewish religious leaders led popular protests that challenged hierarchies in Roman Judaea.
“Jesus was sentenced to die and executed at a very tense political and religious moment,” says Moss.
As Jesus spread his teachings, Jewish pilgrims gathered in the city of Jerusalem for the feast of Passover.
“This made the Roman authorities nervous,” Moss explains. “Passover celebrates liberation from slavery and oppression, and the Roman authorities didn’t want people taking inspiration and rising up against the Roman empire.”
 Pontius Pilate interviewing Jesus Indeed, Pilate may have sentenced Jesus to execution for a political reason. According to Bart Ehrman, James A. Gray Distinguished Professor of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Jesus was referred to as “King of the Jews.”
“Being King meant being the political leader of the people of Israel,” he wrote in his blog. “And only the Roman governor or someone the Romans appointed (like Herod) could be king. Anyone else who claimed to be king was usurping Roman prerogatives and was seen as a threat, or if not a threat, at least a public nuisance.”
Jesus’ form of execution aligns with this. “Crucifixion was a form of execution that was practiced by the Romans and was used for enslaved people, bandits, and rebels,” Moss says. “It is likely that Pilate, fearing some kind of uprising, sentenced Jesus to die as a political subversive.”
Days or weeks?
It’s difficult to determine exactly when the trial presided over by Pilate took place. The Book of Mark places it immediately after the hearing by Caiphias: “[A]s soon as it was morning . . . they bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate,” who initiated a hearing (Mark 15:1).
Some ancient writers, including the Evangelist Mark, often compressed events into a shorter time frame to maintain the narrative integrity of the story. The idea of the events of the Passion taking place in just a few days appealed to early Christians, for it enabled a commemoration of them in one “holy week,” but some scholars believe the actual events may have taken longer to play out.
 Antonio Ciseri painted Pilate showing the scourged Jesus to the crowds, known as “Ecce Homo,” in 1880. The judge, by custom, would have been the highest-ranking Roman magistrate in town. Pilate had come to Jerusalem during Passover to suppress any form of violent protest from the local population. His presence dictated that he would oversee the proceedings.
The Gospels of Matthew, Luke, and John, describe an elaborate trial that hews closely to the Ius Civile—Roman Law. The chief Jewish priests are the main accusers (delatores in Roman jurisprudence) who present evidence (Luke 23:2). Their evidence is found wanting, so the judge himself must interrogate the accused.
The Bible describes how Jesus refuses to respond to Pilate’s questioning (Matthew 27:14), but in the Gospel of John, a learned debate ensues between Pilate and Jesus. The accused gives evasive replies to Pilate’s questions, leading Pilate to declare, “I find no case against him” (John 18:33-38). In both Matthew and John’s accounts, the trial takes place before a large crowd, who insists upon Jesus’ execution, despite Pilate’s findings.
But it is quite possible that Mark’s succinct summary of the hearing before Pilate might be closer to the actual events. In Mark’s portrayal, Jesus was ushered before Pilate who asks, “Are you the king of the Jews?” to which Jesus’ response is “You say so,” (Mark 15:2). Pilate made no further attempt to question him. Indeed, by this account it would have been pointless. Anyone identified as a “king of the Jews” was, by definition, a rebel against Rome and rebels merited only one punishment: crucifixion.
When is Good Friday?
The actual dates of Good Friday change year to year—and that’s because the holiday always precedes Easter, which commemorates what Christians believe to be Jesus’ resurrection on the third day after his death. There isn’t a consensus on when this religious event happened or which calendar to use when calculating dates.
The authors of the Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, the men credited with writing the canonical texts that partly make up the New Testament—used the Jewish calendar, and they claimed that Jesus’ death happened in the month of Nisan, which corresponds to what is now March and April, when Passover typically falls. Yet, they don’t agree on whether it happened on 15th or 14th Nisan.
Moreover, early Christian leaders failed to agree on when exactly to celebrate Easter, which impacted when Good Friday could be observed.
“Most Christian denominations use the ‘computus paschalis’ to determine the date of Easter,” Moss says. “Most years, Easter is the first Sunday following the first full moon after the spring equinox.”
But that this isn’t always the case for all Christians.
“The date of Easter is calculated differently in Orthodox Christianity than in other denominations, so many years it falls on a different date. The reason this is so complicated is because in the Bible and in Christian tradition, Jesus’ death is tied to Passover and the date of Passover is calculated using a lunisolar calculation,” Moss explains.
The location of the trial is also uncertain. The Gospels refer to Pilate’s “headquarters,” or the praetorium, the seat of the provincial governor. There are two possible locales. One was the old palace of Herod, a sprawling complex in the southwestern city. The other was the Antonia Fortress, the Herodian citadel adjacent to the Temple complex, where the main Roman garrison was based. Herod’s palace would have offered more comfort for the prefect of Rome, but if trouble arose, it was likely to happen in the Temple forecourt.
 Antonia Fortress, the Herodian citadel adjacent to the Temple complex. The content of this article came from National Geographic Magazine.
 By Staff
April 18th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Marit Stiles, Leader of the Official Opposition has released the following statement in response to the Integrity Commissioner’s 2-year lobbying ban on John Mutton a.k.a. Mr. X, as well as the naming of Matt Johnston, both prominent characters in Premier Ford’s Greenbelt carve-up:
“These are the kind of people that this government is in business with – a lobbyist who has broken the law not once, not twice, but repeatedly for almost a decade. This is ridiculous, and we know that it is far from over.
 John Mutton with Premier Doug Ford  Marit Stiles going after Premier for in the Legislature. “Mutton is no stranger to this government’s scandals. He received hundreds of thousands of dollars to open up Greenbelt lands, win over MZOs, all while putting public office holders in conflicts of interests with fundraisers, Toronto Raptors tickets, and more.
We need to know who these public officials are.
“Our province is facing a lot of uncertainty right now – people are worried about their future, their livelihoods. People need a government they can trust to put their best interests first.
“The Premier needs to clean up the culture of cash-for-access and preferential treatment that continues to plague his government so we can get to work strengthening Ontario.”
Background:
Mr. Mutton organized a political fundraiser raising more than $25,000 for a public office holder’s riding association, brought in $5,000 to a fundraiser that benefited a public office holder, and offered public office holders Raptors tickets. Mutton’s unregistered lobbying reaches as far back as 2016, when he lobbied the Ontario Liberal government.
The Integrity Commissioner has also published non-compliances against Matthew Johnston and Michael Froderick.
Mr. Johnston’s advocacy on behalf of several Greenbelt developers was mentioned throughout the Integrity Commissioner’s report on Steve Clark and the changes to the Greenbelt.
According to the Integrity Commissioner, Greenbelt developer Sergio Manchia bought tickets to the Premier’s daughter’s stag and doe from Tony Miele, the head of the PC Party’s fundraising arm, and gave them to Mr. Johnston.
The Ontario NDP has written to the Integrity Commissioner to release information about the public office holders implicated in Nico Fidani-Diker’s lobbying activities, and continues to call for transparency about public office holders who are in conflict of interest from Mutton’s lobbying activities
Over the past two years, the Official Opposition team has unearthed evidence after evidence about the $8 billion Greenbelt scheme and questionable MZOs designed to enrich lobbyists and insiders on the public dime.
Doug Ford’s Conservative government is currently under RCMP criminal investigation for the Greenbelt carve-up
 By Staff
April 17th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Marit Stiles: “:Cancel the deal” Marit Stiles tells the Legislature that a “bombshell New York Times investigation revealed that Ontario taxpayer dollars are going into the pockets of a company that misrepresented itself to get a 95-year lease from the Ford government for Ontario Place.
After two years of evidence and reports pushed by Marit Stiles and the Official Opposition NDP, along with community leaders, Premier Ford said that he needs to take a second look at this multi-billion-dollar mega-spa deal.
“Why are we handing over $2.2 billion in taxpayer dollars to a broke Austrian company to build a luxury spa in downtown Toronto that no one asked for? , said Stiles
“The latest investigation from the New York Times confirms what we have been saying all along – Premier Ford and Minister Surma got scammed, and Ontarians are going to be stuck paying for it for the next 95 years.
“Cancel the deal and let’s focus on strengthening Ontario.”
 The man made island was cleared of the 800 trees on the site for construction that is scheduled for next spring. Photo Credit:Ian Willms for The New York Times
Doug Ford said he had asked his government to look into the contract that granted a 95-year lease to a European wellness company after a New York Times investigation into the deal.
West Island has been cleared of trees for development by a European spa company.
Reporting from Toronto New York Times reporter Matina Stevis-Gridneff wrote:
“The premier of Ontario on Wednesday said that he had asked his government to look into a deal that the province signed with a European wellness company to develop and operate a spa and water park off Toronto’s coveted waterfront.
“Premier Doug Ford’s request that the lease be re-examined came after a New York Times investigation found that the company, Therme, had overstated its experience during the bidding process.
“After the years-long process, the province signed a nearly century-long lease last year with the Austrian-based company to develop an artificial island in Lake Ontario.”
 “I went directly to the minister and to the deputy and said, ‘Here, look into this’,” “When I heard this, this allegation, I went directly to the minister and to the deputy and said, ‘Here, look into this’,” Mr. Ford told the news media in Toronto on Wednesday.
“I just want to double- and triple-check the contract,” Mr. Ford said. “We’ll look into it, make sure everything passes a smell test.”
In written comments to The Times, a spokesman for Therme said that these issues had already been investigated and that the company had met the requirements of the process and passed the necessary tests.
“We respect Premier Ford’s desire to double- and triple-check, and we fully support efforts to reaffirm the integrity of the process,” he added. “Our commitment to this project remains steadfast.”
During the bidding process, the company owned and operated only one wellness facility, in Romania, outside Bucharest. But the Times investigation found that it had claimed to be running four to six facilities in Europe in its submissions to the Ontario government.
The misstatement of Therme’s actual experience was first raised in an in-depth audit of the deal by Ontario’s auditor general that was released late last year.
The Times investigation found that the company had, over the course of several years, presented itself as one and the same as a bigger, older, well-known German firm by the same name that does operate several water parks.
The two companies both told The Times that they had a “knowledge-sharing agreement.”
A representative for Therme said that its wording could have been more precise, and that references to its success in Germany were meant to communicate that the plan’s concept had been successful.
Therme’s statements about its experience weighed significantly in Ontario’s decision to grant it the Toronto lease, The Times investigation found. Therme bought one of the German spas late last year.
“I understand they’re all one company, so one bought the other company,” Mr. Ford said on Wednesday. “So I guess they’re a larger, stronger company, but they’re going to look into this allegation.”
Therme did not buy the German Therme, they are not one company, and the acquisition of the single German spa happened well after it submitted its bid to the Ontario government and won the lease.
 One of several architectural renderings for the development. Financing for the project has not yet secured.
The project on Toronto’s high-value waterfront has been an ongoing saga for the Ford government, which has faced resistance from local residents who wanted to preserve the space as a public park.
In October, the province cut down more than 800 trees on the land to prepare it for handing over to Therme. Therme is contractually obligated to begin construction by next spring; it has not yet secured outside financing for the project.
The development has been long criticized by Ontario opposition parties. Marit Stiles, the opposition leader in the Ontario legislature, called for the agreement to be canceled.
“I think it’s better to get this over with now and cancel the deal, and we’ve been saying that since Day 1,” Ms. Stiles said on Wednesday. She added: “Look, Ontario never asked for this. That land was being put to good public use.”
Mr. Ford said canceling the contract was not on the table. “This is going to be something spectacular at the end of the day,” he said. “It’ll be the No. 1 tourist attraction, I say in the country, next to Niagara Falls.”
Matina Stevis-Gridneff is the Canada bureau chief for The Times, leading coverage of the country.
 By Staff
April 17th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Heritage properties and the designation of homes was a major issue for Council earlier this week.
Helen Callaway, co chair of Kilbride United Church Board of Directors and the chair of the Kilbride history group, appeared before Council saying: “I really want to thank you for this opportunity to speak to the heritage designation of Kilbride United Church. We’re thrilled to have that designation so that the church remains in the community forever.
 Kilbride United Church as it stands today – Council decided that the Church would be designated as a heritage property.
“However, we’re going to ask that the addition of what we believe is the Davidson church not be included in that designation.
“There are a few errors in the report that you received, and I’ll speak to some of them, but first, I’m going to give you just a wee bit of history. In 1853 William Paten and Francis Baker, Irish immigrants who saw the potential of what is now Kilbride.
 Helen Callaway, co chair of Kilbride United Church Board of Directors and the chair of the Kilbride history group. “The new immigrants to the community brought a really strong religious belief with them. In 1854 the Cumminsville Bible Society was established, and members went from location to location. Originally, those meetings were held in the Temperance halls of Cumminsville and Lowville. In case you don’t know, Cumminsville is at the corner of Cedar Springs Road and McNiven Road.
“George and Rhoda Harbottle sold the land for $5 of lawful money. It was not donated, as was stated in the original report, according to the indenture. The chapel, or meeting house, is referred to as the Canadian Wesleyan Methodist New Connection chapel of Nelson Township. It wasn’t called a church, and the name Zion, we’re not sure when that was adopted to the church.
“In 1878 the decision was made to move the church to the present location on the corner of Kilbride Street and Jean street. It really would have been a sight to see to bring that original church on skids, pulled by oxen down the hill to the stream back up again, and then placed in its original location, sometime after that.
“Around 1881 Davidson church on Appleby line and fourth line, just south of Britannia Road, was closed. The congregation did not merge with Kilbride because of the distance.
“All we know is that Davidson church was moved sometime after 1881 and before 1912. It’s very unfortunate that all of the Davidson records have been thrown out decades ago, the ladies of the church had a wonderful clean. They didn’t realize the value of the old books that they threw out.
“The Davidson church section has been renovated a number of times as well, and we feel that a lot of the historical elements have gone except perhaps the shell and the windows. It now houses a kitchen, meeting rooms and our gas furnaces. We no longer have written proof that this is Davidson church. It is only in our oral history, and it’s our strong recommendation that this portion of the current church should not be considered for Heritage designation.
“In times of community troubles and emergency, the congregation has come together to help. In 1967, the ladies of the church, gathered to provide food and refreshments for the searchers of Mary Ann, she was abducted on her way home from school and has never been found.
“The church bell is going to ring on April 27 at four o’clock in her memory.
 Inside the Kilbride United Church
“Today, the congregation of Kilbride United Church is at a crossroads, and we have to consider our future. We have an aging, declining membership and dwindling donations. Unfortunately, this is true of many of the churches today. However, we’re fervently looking for many options to keep the doors open, including some upcoming talks with the church in Hamilton that has turned its future around. We remain extremely hopeful. However, we have to be realists. We cannot, if we cannot turn the financial future into a positive one, we have to consider putting the church up for sale. There’s no question that we want the original 1860 structure to have a heritage designation. That perpendicular piece, the Davidson church, is a deterrent to selling. A buyer would have limited options as to what they could do with it.
Many times old historic buildings have been repurposed as businesses, stores and even homes, and we would hope that the church would at least remain as an event space for the community, or, like Bethel, have yearly service and weddings and funerals, if and only if that’s a very big if the church needs to be closed, we would love to see it maybe as a museum showcasing the settlement of North Nelson.
“Kilbride has a really rich history. The congregation of Kilbride United Church hopes that you will consider a historic designation for the original church structure only unfortunately, the Davidson church portion, in our opinion, has lost its history and value over the years. We don’t know what the future is going to be for the church, but we are working very hard at keeping the doors open and having the church both for our spiritual needs and for community events.”
Council decided that the church would be designated.
By Pepper Parr
April 17th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
OPINION
Would it be correct to say that politics and sports are a large part of what defines us a country?
How then do we explain to people who are not Canadians, do not live here, that there was an occasion when the country was in the middle of a leadership debate and getting ready to decide who was going to be the next Prime Minister and that the debate scheduled was moved back an hour so the voters could watch a hockey game.
The Montreal Canadiens were scheduled to play against the Carolina Hurricanes in Montreal.
 Prime Minister Mark Carney  The Stanley Cup The Canadiens have their own form of sainthood in the eyes of the French-Canadian population.
So the debate was moved back an hour, the Canadiens went on to win the game which meant they would be one of the teams vying for the Stanley Cup.
With five Canadian teams in the playoffs – there is a decent chance that the Stanley Cup will return to Canada – where it belongs, IMHO.
And again, IMHO, the country will get the Prime Minister it needs and we can watch how he manages an American President who has decided he will annex Canada and make it their 51 state.
This is a country worth fighting for.
By Tom Parkin
April 17th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
There is no help on the way for the many Ontarians being financially crushed by high rent, high house purchase prices and the economic drag they exert.
On Tuesday, the Canada Housing and Mortgage Corporation reported Ontario workers started a record low 2,962 housing units last month.
The PCs’ own Housing Affordability Task Force found the province needs to spur 12,500 units starts every month for 10 years to bring price balance to the housing market.
 CMHC data: Ontario housing starts Last month’s starts were just 24 per cent of that target. Since the Ford government accepted the task force targets in February 2022 it has not hit its target in any month.
Workers in Alberta, with a population of five million, last month started construction on about 1,000 more units than in Ontario, where the population is 16 million. In Quebec, with nine million residents, 400 more units were started last month than in Ontario.
Ongoing affordability crisis brings economic malaise.
 Alberta and Quebec show what can be done; Ontario has yet to figure that out. Ontario’s ongoing housing affordability crisis comes with a drought in retail sales and consumer spending. Typically, consumers contribute about two thirds of the revenues fuelling GDP, but with high rent and mortgage costs, less money is left over for other purchases.
And when consumers aren’t buying, businesses aren’t hiring. Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey for March, released April 4, found Ontario now has the highest unemployment rate, 7.5 per cent, outside of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Doug Ford’s PC government has shown month after month it is not serious about addressing Ontario’s housing crisis, a disregard causing enormous drag on the province’s economy affecting everyone, not just renters and those searching to buy homes.
The refusal has a particularly hard impact on construction and trades workers, though for now several key construction unions have not wavered in their loyalty to the PC party government, which has paid them tens of millions in grants.
There is no fix to Ontario’s economic problems without a fix to the housing market, a step Premier Ford appears to be too beholden or narrow-minded to take.
 By Staff
April 17th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Election systems need to be protected against cyber attacks so that voters can choose their leaders. Cyber attacks can steal data from election systems, change results, and affect the whole process and public trust. So, the government must take the right steps to protect these systems.
In this article, we will discuss some effective ways for government officials to protect election systems from cyber attacks. Let’s have a look!
Prevent Suspicious Activity
 Identity theft is the first step for hackers. You can prevent it by being very very careful if you see something suspicious. One of the best ways to protect election systems is to prevent any suspicious activity. You should carefully monitor the systems for strange activity and take action fast if you notice anything suspicious.
For example, if you see a sudden increase in traffic, this can also be a sign of a cyber attack. So, you must stay alert and stop threats before they cause damage.
Implement Network Segmentation
Network segmentation is another good way to protect election systems. For this, divide the network into smaller and separate parts and ensure good security for each part.
By dividing the network into smaller segments, you can ensure effective protection. Moreover, the attacker cannot easily access other parts if one part is attacked.
Moreover, checking your IP address is also important for keeping networks safe. Knowing what is my IP address will help you find any unauthorized access and possible cyber security threats to your network. You can protect your network from hackers by regularly checking your IP address.
Credential Management
Proper credential management is also important for securing election systems. So, make sure to use strong, unique passwords for all accounts and change them often.
Also, use multi-factor authentication (MFA) as it adds extra security by requiring an additional verification code. This makes it much harder for attackers to access the system.
Software Updates and Patch Management
 Install the updates when they become available. Software update and patch management fix any problems in the system and make it harder for attackers to get into your system.
So, regularly update the software and apply patches to increase the security and reliability of election systems. This not only reduces the cyber attack risks but also improves the system’s functioning.
Log Management
Last but not least, log management provides information about network activity and can help find any security threats.
By managing logs, you can find out about any suspicious activities and respond quickly to fix the issues.
 By Staff
April 16th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Meeting up with people your age and talking about the books you are reading appeals to a lot of people.
The Burlington Library sets up meetings for kids and adults who want to do just that.who want to do just that.
No need to make a reservation – just drop by.
Here are the dates and the locations:
based on this month’s theme
 This isn’t part of the Library programme: Some people knew how to get in on the event and stay cool at the same time. Not sure how much reading got done.. BPL Reading Challenge Meet-up
Thursday, April 24: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Central – Centennial Hall
Age group: Adult
event type: Book Clubs, Writing
Chat about books based on this month’s theme
Wednesday, June 25: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Tansley Woods – Program Room
Age group: Adult
event type: Book Clubs, Writing
Chat about books based on this month’s theme
Wednesday, July 30: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Alton – Program Room
Age group: Adult
event type: Book Clubs, Writing
Chat about books based on this month’s theme
Thursday, August 28: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Brant Hills – Mountain Garden Room
Age group: Adult
event type: Book Clubs, Writing
Chat about books based on this month’s theme
Wednesday, September 24: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Central – Centennial Hall
Age group: Adult
event type: Book Clubs, Writing
Chat about books based on this month’s theme
Wednesday, October 29: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Tansley Woods – Program Room
Age group: Adult
event type: Book Clubs, Writing
Chat about books based on this month’s theme
By Staff
April 16th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington City Council approved the 2025 Tax Levy Bylaw at a special meeting of Council today.
Approval of the bylaw is an annual requirement to set tax rates for each year. The bylaw allows the City to bill 2025 property taxes and set payment due dates for final tax bills on June 21 and Sept. 21, 2025.
Final tax bills will be mailed out in May for the 2025 billing cycle.
The City of Burlington collects taxes for the City, Halton Region, and the Halton district school boards.
For each residential dollar collected, 51.4 per cent stays in the City, 32.9 per cent goes to Halton Region, and 15.7 per cent goes to the Halton district school boards.
Interesting that the media release does not spell out just how much your tax bill is going to amount to.
The Gazette turned to Jim Portside for the skinny on just much of your money they expect. Portside has become a bit of an expert on how the city taxes its residents.
On April 15, 2025 council approved the 2025 Tax Levy By-law (FIN-07-25). The report presented to the council contains this table:
Followed by this statement:
The overall combined 2025 urban residential taxes, for Burlington residents, increased by $53.44 or 5.82% per $100,000 of CVA. Rural residential property taxes will increase by $49.52 or 5.79% per $100,000 of CVA.
With the approval of this By-law, it’s now official: The total tax bill will increase by 5.82% for urban residents and 5.79% for rural residents.
The report also states:
“The tax rates for the City and Region are based on the 2025 budget requirements, while the tax rates for education are provided by the Province.”
What do the increases look like for the city, region, police, and education?
Tax payment options
Property tax payments can be made:
- At financial institutions
- Through online banking
- By setting up pre-authorized payment plans by month or due date, to help spread out the payments throughout the year. This also helps ensure on-time payment. For more information, visit burlington.ca/propertytax, or email pap@burlington.ca.
- In-person by cheque or debit at the Service Burlington counter inside City Hall, 426 Brant St.
- By placing a cheque and remittance stub in an envelope marked “Attention: Property Tax Department” in the depository box located at the Locust St. entrance to City Hall
Property tax assistance programs
The City provides several property tax assistance programs for:
- Charities
- Heritage property owners
- Older Adults – Tax Deferral Program
- Low-income seniors and persons with disabilities who own homes
For more information and eligibility details, go to burlington.ca/propertytax.
Quick Facts
The City of Burlington collects property taxes for the City, Halton Region, and the Halton district school boards.
The total combined tax levy for all three entities is approximately $553.9 million.
The City’s levy is $264.7 million and it collects $170.1 million on behalf of Halton Region and $119.1 million on behalf of the Halton district school boards. The taxes levied for Halton Region and the Halton district school boards are remitted to them.
Another Quick Fact
How are taxpayers faring?
 We can see that 3% of taxpayers have outstanding tax bills, the highest level in 5 years.
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 –
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