 By Gazette Staff
November 26th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
A Hold & Secure has been put in place at Burlington City Hall.
 The City is actively monitoring the situation and working with Halton Regional Police Service to resolve the matter.
Burlington City Hall remains closed for the remainder of the day.
Only other word is a thanks to residents for their patience and understanding.
Mayor Meed Ward added a comment on her LinkedIn pshe:
“Council and staff at City Hall have been escorted out by police and we are safe. I want to thank police for their quick actions and care to attend to this matter and keep us all safe.”
 By Gazette Staff
November 26th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Enjoy $35 tickets (all-in!) to select performances from the 25/26 BPAC Presents Season, including Gowan, Sam Roberts Band, Jully Black, The Celtic Tenors, and more!
Offer is active from 12pm – 11:59pm on Friday, November 28th.
To redeem offer, use promo code
2025ODS
This is the perfect opportunity to buy tickets as an amazing gift, or secure those seats you’ve been waiting to purchase! Hurry, this offer is for one day only, and some shows have a limited number of discounted tickets available.
Ticket prices won’t be this low again, so take advantage of this deal of the Season while it lasts!
Discount applies to up to 4 tickets per show per customer.
Sale is applicable to all seats, except for box seating. All sales are final. No refunds or exchanges. Offer does not apply to previously purchased seats.
See all the available shows: Click HERE
 By Lesley McDaniel
November 24th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
British Columbia’s startup ecosystem is experiencing a remarkable resurgence in early-stage capital formation, with Vancouver companies alone securing approximately $780 million across 72 deals during the first half of 2025. This funding acceleration marks a significant departure from the capital constraints that characterized much of 2023 and early 2024, when venture investors adopted more conservative deployment strategies amid macroeconomic uncertainty and elevated interest rates. The shift reflects not only improving market sentiment but also fundamental strengths in B.C.’s innovation infrastructure, sector specialization, and policy support mechanisms that are attracting both domestic and international capital.
Vancouver-based investor Yazan al Homsi, who operates Founders Round Capital while maintaining cross-border investment activities through Catalyst Communications DMCC in Dubai, has observed these dynamics firsthand through his portfolio companies and broader market analysis. His perspective combines ground-level operational insights with comparative analysis across North American and Middle Eastern innovation ecosystems, providing unique visibility into the factors driving B.C.’s funding momentum and the implications for founders, investors, and policymakers navigating this evolving landscape.
 The data supporting B.C.’s funding acceleration extends beyond simple dollar figures to encompass deal structure, investor composition, and sector concentration patterns that reveal underlying market dynamics. Early-stage transactions—encompassing seed and Series A rounds—have demonstrated particular strength, suggesting renewed investor confidence in nascent ventures addressing large market opportunities with innovative technological approaches. This contrasts with patterns observed in other Canadian markets where later-stage growth capital has dominated transaction activity, reflecting different ecosystem maturity profiles and investor risk appetites.
What’s Driving the Surge in Early-Stage Capital
Several interconnected factors explain Vancouver’s funding acceleration, according to al Homsi’s analysis. First, sector concentration in high-growth areas including clean technology, artificial intelligence, advanced materials, and life sciences positions B.C. companies at the intersection of investor interest and policy support. These sectors benefit from both market demand drivers—such as corporate sustainability commitments and AI adoption across industries—and public sector incentives including grants, tax credits, and procurement programs designed to accelerate commercialization.
 Simon Fraser University generates a steady flow of research-based startups while supplying technical talent. Clean technology demonstrates this dynamic particularly clearly. Al Homsi’s investment in Aduro Clean Technologies, which trades on NASDAQ under ticker ADUR, exemplifies the type of breakthrough innovation attracting substantial capital flows. The company’s Hydrochemolytic technology addresses critical inefficiencies in plastic recycling through AI-powered chemical processes, representing exactly the convergence of environmental necessity and technological capability that defines compelling investment opportunities in the current market environment.
Government support mechanisms have strengthened considerably over the past eighteen months. Innovate BC’s 2025-2026 budget maintains robust funding for technology commercialization programs, while federal initiatives including the Strategic Innovation Fund and Canada Growth Fund provide substantial capital for scaling cleantech and advanced manufacturing ventures. These public sector investments serve catalytic functions, de-risking early-stage technologies and validating market opportunities in ways that facilitate subsequent private capital deployment.
 The return of institutional investors to early-stage markets represents another critical factor. After retreating from seed and Series A transactions during 2023’s funding contraction, venture capital firms with larger fund sizes have resumed earlier-stage deployment as portfolio companies from previous vintage years mature and generate returns. This institutional participation increases average transaction sizes while providing follow-on capital capacity that reduces financing risk for portfolio companies.
Vancouver’s ecosystem infrastructure has matured substantially over the past decade, creating conditions that support accelerated company building. The presence of established technology companies including Shopify, Amazon Web Services, and Microsoft provides both technical talent pipelines and potential acquisition partners. Universities including the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University generate steady flows of research-based startups while supplying technical talent. Accelerators, incubators, and co-working facilities offer structured support for early-stage companies navigating the challenging transition from concept to commercial traction.
Yazan Al Homsi Analyzes Sector Winners and Governance Implications
The distribution of funding across sectors reveals where investors perceive the most attractive risk-reward profiles. Clean technology captured significant capital flows, reflecting both regulatory pressures driving corporate sustainability investments and technological breakthroughs that improve project economics. Artificial intelligence applications across healthcare, education, and industrial processes attracted substantial interest as commercial adoption accelerated beyond experimental deployments.
 Clean technology captured significant capital flows. Life sciences and biotechnology maintained strong funding momentum, building on Vancouver’s established strengths in these sectors. Advanced materials companies addressing applications in batteries, semiconductors, and construction materials secured notable transactions as supply chain concerns and geopolitical dynamics drove interest in domestic materials capacity. Even sectors facing broader market headwinds, such as consumer technology, showed selective strength where companies demonstrated clear paths to profitability and capital efficiency.
Al Homsi emphasizes that funding acceleration brings both opportunities and risks for founders. “Access to capital enables companies to scale faster and capture market opportunities before competitors,” he notes. “However, capital availability can mask underlying business model weaknesses or governance deficiencies that create problems later.” This perspective reflects lessons learned during his twelve-year tenure at PricewaterhouseCoopers conducting due diligence across the Middle East and North Africa, where he observed how rapid capital deployment sometimes preceded governance maturation.
The governance and compliance dimensions of B.C.’s funding environment have evolved considerably alongside capital availability. New transparency register requirements for private companies, strengthened anti-money laundering frameworks through FINTRAC updates, and enhanced beneficial ownership disclosure standards create more robust oversight mechanisms that protect investors while imposing additional administrative requirements on portfolio companies.
These compliance obligations affect early-stage companies disproportionately, as they typically lack dedicated legal and finance functions capable of navigating complex regulatory requirements without external support. However, al Homsi argues that early investment in governance infrastructure pays dividends throughout company lifecycles. “Companies that establish proper financial controls, board governance, and compliance frameworks from inception navigate growth stages more successfully than those that defer these investments until problems emerge,” he explains.
The practical implications for founders involve recognizing that capital raising success increasingly requires demonstrating governance maturity alongside technological innovation and market traction. Investors conducting due diligence evaluate management team composition, board structure, financial reporting systems, and compliance capabilities as integral components of investment decisions rather than secondary considerations addressed post-transaction.
 Vancouver skyline Vancouver’s funding environment also reflects broader geographic dynamics affecting Canadian innovation ecosystems. While Toronto maintains dominance in absolute funding volumes, Vancouver demonstrates particular strength in sectors including clean technology, materials science, and certain life sciences applications. Montreal leads in AI research commercialization and gaming technology. This regional specialization creates distinct investment profiles that sophisticated investors recognize when allocating capital across Canadian markets.
The international dimension of B.C.’s funding surge deserves particular attention. Foreign investors, particularly from the United States and increasingly from Middle Eastern sources, represent growing shares of transaction volumes. These international capital flows reflect both Vancouver’s proximity to major U.S. technology hubs—facilitating relationships with Silicon Valley and Seattle-based investors—and the city’s emergence as a destination for impact-focused capital seeking exposure to clean technology and sustainable innovation.
Al Homsi’s cross-border investment activities through Catalyst Communications DMCC position him to facilitate these international capital flows. His observation is that Middle Eastern investors increasingly view Canadian innovation assets as attractive opportunities combining technological excellence with political stability and transparent legal frameworks. “Gulf region investors are allocating substantial capital to technology and sustainability sectors globally,” he notes. “Canadian companies offering breakthrough innovations in areas aligned with regional development priorities can access this capital pool effectively.”
Looking forward into late 2025 and 2026, several factors will influence whether B.C.’s funding momentum sustains or moderates. Macroeconomic conditions including interest rate trajectories and broader equity market performance affect venture capital deployment patterns. Exit activity—through acquisitions or public market offerings—determines whether investors generate returns that fuel subsequent fund formations and continued deployment. Policy stability and program continuity at both provincial and federal levels affect the attractiveness of Canadian innovation investments relative to opportunities in other jurisdictions.
 The maturation of B.C.’s innovation ecosystem creates positive feedback loops that can sustain funding momentum even amid broader market challenges. The maturation of B.C.’s innovation ecosystem creates positive feedback loops that can sustain funding momentum even amid broader market challenges. Successful companies generate experienced founders who launch subsequent ventures, create acquisition opportunities that generate returns for investors, and establish corporate venture arms that invest in related startups. Technical talent trained at successful companies flows to new ventures, accelerating development timelines. This ecosystem maturation suggests that B.C.’s current funding strength reflects structural advantages rather than purely cyclical factors.
For founders navigating this environment, the message is clear: capital availability creates opportunities but requires disciplined deployment and strong governance foundations. Investors including Yazan al Homsi emphasize that successful companies combine technological innovation with operational excellence and governance maturity—a combination that positions ventures for sustained success rather than temporary momentum.
 By Gazette Staff
November 25th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington, on
Hamilton Fringe announces – the team just came back from the annual Conference (held at Saskatoon this year), and now we’re back with the biggest announcement of this season yet: the Hamilton Fringe Festival main series lottery applications are now open!
 Got an idea for a 20-, 60-, or 90-minute play? We want to see it on stage at the Hamilton Fringe Festival, taking place July 15-26, 2026.
We’re accepting lottery applications for the following categories:
Main Lottery – Ontario 60-Minute (including Hamilton 60-Minute), National 60-Minute, International 60-Minute, General 90-Minute.
FringeXchange BIPGM Artist (Black, Indigenous, Person of the Global Majority) – lottery winners receive a FREE performance slot!
FringeXchange Disability Justice Artist – lottery winners receive a FREE performance slot!
Fringe Mini Bar Series – 20-minute shows in a lively bar/café environment
Submit your lottery applications by January 11, 2026 at 11:59 PM, then mark your calendars for the Lottery Party on January 15 at Staircase Theatre (27 Dundurn St N, Hamilton ON), where we’ll announce the drawn artists and companies!
Learn more & apply to Hamilton Fringe!>Don’t forget—there’s less than a week left to submit your script to Hamilton Fringe’s New Play Contest! More detail HERE
The New Play Contest is a great opportunity to share your work with this awesome panel of theatre professionals: Mercedes Isaza Clunie (2024 New Play Contest winner!), Sungwon Cho, and Patrick Teed.
 All contest submissions are anonymized for the jury, so it doesn’t matter if you’re just getting started as a writer or you’re a GG winner—the jury is going on your submission alone! And the winning script gets a FREE 60-minute production slot in the 2026 Hamilton Fringe Festival plus a $300.00 cash prize. Second and third place winners each receive a Fringe Binge 6-Show Pass for the festival.
In the words of the last year’s New Play Contest winner, Alexa Higgins: “Take a chance and submit your script—you never know where it could lead!”Submit your script by November 20!Last thing—we just closed the ALERT Junior Producer applications, and just LAUNCHED the search for the 2026 ALERT Resident Company!
The ALERT Resident Company program is a customized training program perfect for emerging performance companies or collectives to get the support they need to grow their company, refine their skills, and expand their artistic network by producing a show at the Hamilton Fringe Festival!
Applying is FREE! Applications close on December 8, 2025, at 11:59 PM ET.
Learn more & apply to the ALERT Resident Company program
 By Gazette Staff
November 24th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
 When first envisioned Millcroft was a model others were expected to follow.
On November 5, 2025, the charges related to the tree removals at Millcroft Golf Course were scheduled for first appearance before the Court. Legal counsel appeared on behalf of Argo Development Corporation and Argo (Millcroft) Limited, and acted as agent for all other defendants. All matters were adjourned to February 11, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. and marked to be spoken to. No date for the trial of these matters has been set yet. The purpose of the adjournment was to:
1.Allow the prosecution additional time to prepare and produce the voluminous disclosure;
2.Give the defendants time to review the disclosure and retain further legal representation, as required; and
3.Allow the parties time to enter into any resolution discussions.
The following defendants have been charged:
Private Tree By-law defendants: 2079610 Ontario Ltd. operating as Millcroft Golf Club, Argo Development Corporation, Argo (Millcroft) Limited, Millcroft Greens Corporation, Timbertek Inc.
Public Tree By-law defendant: Timbertek Inc.
Municipal Consent By-law defendants: 2079610 Ontario Ltd. Operating as Millcroft Golf Club, Argo Development Corporation, Argo (Millcroft) Limited, Millcroft Greens Corporation, Timbertek Inc.
MAD continues to work closely with our elected officials Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, MPP Effie Triantafilopoulos, Councillor Angelo Bentivegna, Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr and Community Advocates. They are using every tool in their tool box to preserve our green space. MAD can assure you that the fight is still on!
 Is this a by-law offence taking place? Mediation is ongoing and confidential, so we have no updates on this matter at this time.
We hope you have seen our new lawn signs. Our first order is now sold out. Our generous supplier, Global Printing, a fellow Millcroft resident, surprised us with a sizable discount, with the price now only $17.
Please email the Admin team at admin@millcroftagainstbaddevelopment.ca if you wish to order a sign. The image of the new lawn sign draws attention to this “tragic” development, building on floodplains, illustrates our unity as a community and that the fight continues.
We encourage you to keep up the fight as well. Continue with your calls, emails, letters and comments on our public social media. We are not going down easily and we are getting noticed! Well done folks!
 By Jim Barnett
November 25th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Editor’s note: Jim Barnett is a long-time resident, lives in the eastern side of the city and has been delegating to Council for years. Lots of references to the Budget book in his delegation to City Council. Pay attention to the increases he points out.
 Jim Barnett: Burlington’s portion of the budget is still more than double the rate of inflation. Reading through the proposed budget was both enlightening and at the same time disturbing. It was obvious that a lot of thought had gone into the budget preparation but Burlington’s portion still resulted in an increase more than double the rate of inflation. It still references a 2.98 % increase when the final police budget has not been factored in and includes education, an area where the city has no influence and is being used to mask the magnitude of the city spending. This needs more explanation since our population is not increasing, its less than one percent, and most economists are suggesting the economy is slowing and spending restraint is required. There seems to be large increases in salary and benefits in most areas, 6 or 7 percent or more when the private sector is less than 3 %. Why is this? Where is the detailed justification? Since city employees put the budget together, they are also the beneficiaries of these salary and benefit increases.
Do they have a conflict of interest?
Some examples are:
Page 81, Development and growth Management up 10.9%
Page 101, Community service Admin. Wages and Benefits up 8.6%
Page 106, Wages and Benefits in Transit up 7.5%
Page 125, Customer experience up 8.6 %
Page 132, Public works Wages and benefits up 10.5%
Page 161 Legal Salaries and wages up 20.4%
Page 183 Finance Salaries up 9.9%
While it appears that the employee count is stable, should it not be coming down since the city is not growing? In addition, there is consultant growth in a number of areas, masking employee growth.
Some examples are:
Page 106 Transit consultants up 28.6%
Page 113 Recreation consultants up 9.5 %
Page 144Transportation consultants up 13.5%
Page 158 Corporate and legal consultants up 16.1 %
Page 161 Legal consultants up 141.9%
Page 187 Finance consultants up 17.4%
The above is just a short list from the many examples of large salary, benefit, and consulting increases in the budget.
Throughout the document there are statements about money being spent to improve or better something. But for the most part there are no measurable statements about how much better so that you know if the action taken produced the desired results. This would be standard in a well-run organization.
My second main concern in the budget is the whole issue of Transit. We have the situation where we have million-dollar buses hauling on average of a little over one passenger at a time. To me this does not make any sense. The budget shows operating and capital expenses for this year of 32 million dollars with an income from all sources of 6.6 million, a loss of 25.4 million.
In addition to this there is close to half a million dollars in other areas of the budget to try and improve transit, such as special signal lights. Since less than 10 percent of the population uses transit, please see the following for discussion purposes.
There is a Burlington Transit statistic that shows an average boarding of 27 passengers per hour. If there are more than 27 busses is service on average, it supports the statement that the loading is in the one passenger per bus on average.
Average ridership over 50 weeks is estimated at 150 trips per year. 3,000,000 total rides
Number of passengers 3,000,000/150 equals 20,000
Subsidy per passenger $30,000,000/ 20,000 equal 1500’s dollars per rider.
The math may not be perfect. If not show me yours.
Burlington Transit has engaged a consultant. The report is not going to be available until next March or April, well past this year’s budget preparation. I attended one of the information meetings. It was clear, in my opinion, the consultants were looking for support for more buses, more routes, more options and more frequency. They did not spend any time looking for ways to reduce costs and improve efficiency in the use of the assets.
On top of this they are looking for ways to electrify the fleet which takes the cost of a 40-passenger bus from one million to one and a half million per bus!
There are numerous complaints about the busses not arriving on time. As a solution to the tardiness, Burlington Transit is suggesting more shelters with more amenities. Will they propose air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter, maybe a TV, possibly a washroom for the convenience of passengers waiting for the bus to arrive?
On page 563, the plan is to buy all new busses at 40 ft, and spending 57.4 million dollars over 10 years for these busses. Why?
This area needs a lot of work. The category is the fourth most expensive in the city yet it only serves a small percentage of the population. See page 27.
My penultimate point. The mayor correctly asks for proper decorum and polite interchange. I totally agree. Politicians and staff should not feel intimidated or threatened as they carry out their responsibilities. It would be helpful if the politicians would respond to our questions with a dialogue rather than practicing to be in the house of commons for Question period or ignoring our inquiries altogether.
Some general comments.
Page 16 Several existing positions were relocated saving 1.2 million. If the people are still there, there was no cost avoidance.
Page 17: Eliminated two administrative roles in Engineering by moving contact to Service Burlington. Were there underutilized people in Service Burlington, or more hires there?
Page 39 Average tax increases for the next 5 years are forecasted at 5.23%. This is far more than inflation is forecasted. I suggest a lot of work needs to be done to keep Burlington affordable.
Page 40 Since there is not going to be much growth in the city, why are Development and Growth management costs increasing by 10.9% Transit up 7.3 % plus other costs in Engineering. Community Services Administration 8.0%. Customer experience 9.9% It seems that council wants to spend a lot of money to try and convince us they are doing a good job.
Page 43 Human resources costs increasing 6.3 %, with Benefits moving up 9.25%
Page 44 Some of the vertical columns do not add. The most distressing number is an almost 10 percent (9.8) increase in staff in an almost no growth city.
Page 45 and 46 The Transit category is the fourth largest consumer of tax dollars.
Page 81 Development and Growth management, an increase of 10.9%
Many jurisdictions are backing away from general greening targets, particularly in green fleet targets. Burlington’s budget seems to be going the other way. Why is this?
There are a lot of people working more hours per week in Burlington for wage and benefit packages far below that enjoyed by the city workers without anything close to the same job security. There is a major housing issue, a growing food insecurity with more and more people having to resort to food banks. The proposed city taxes are going to increase the hardships on a lot of people in Burlington. I ask that you keep that in mind in your deliberations.
Finally, I would like to take a moment of silence to posthumously thank Ann Marsden for her years of work trying to bring accountability and transparency to city council.
Jim – you weren’t able to say to the end of the day-long meeting when they announced that the forecasted increase for 2026 is 5.8% The final number will be determined by what the Regions decides it is going to need.
 By Gazette Staff
November 25th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Winter Break Day Camp
Winter Break Camp at Joseph Brant Museum is for children aged 5-12 years and runs from 9am to 4pm.
The cost is $55 per day (members receive 10% off). Each day is a different theme filled with games, crafts and fun!
Space is limited, pre-registration is required.
Register HERE
 By Pepper Parr
November 25th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
In show business, it’s always – the show must go on.
At times, that can be a challenge.
The group, Ballet Jörgen, putting on the Nutcracker Suite was to go on stage at the Performing Arts Centre this evening.
The truck with all the stage sets was loaded and ready to be transported.
Then someone stole the truck.
Ballet Jörgen general manager Stephen Word said the five-tonne Penske truck contained irreplaceable sets and backdrops for “The Nutcracker: A Canadian Tradition” — which is currently in the midst of an Ontario-wide holiday tour.
 The canoe was in the truck that was stolen. It was recovered late late last night, which was a relief.
Ballet Jörgen had produced 216 original creations and for the 120 performances across Ontario.
Before they knew the truck had been found, dozens of people put their shoulders to the wheel and did everything possible to beg or borrow or rebuild different parts of the set.
One group said they would build a new sleigh overnight. It was an incredible community response.
Sara Palmieri, Executive Director at the Performing Arts Centre told the Gazette this morning: “We were in close and constant communication with Ballet Jörgen from the moment we learned the truck had been stolen.
 Sara Palmieri thought for a short period of time that BPAC was going to have to create the stage setting for a production that was to go on stage this evening. “Our priority throughout was to support the company in whatever way they needed. Even before the news came this morning that the truck and sets had been recovered, we had already committed to moving forward with our two sold-out public performances and our sold-out school show. The company was actively revising elements of the production, and we were fully prepared to adapt alongside them.
“Part of presenting live performance is that, every so often, you’re met with unexpected situations. What makes this industry so special is how collegial and collaborative it is – presenters, artists, and companies rally together quickly with a shared goal of bringing exceptional work to our communities. This was no exception, and Ballet Jörgen handled an incredibly difficult situation with grace and professionalism.
“We’re relieved and grateful for the positive outcome, and we’re very much looking forward to welcoming the company and our audiences to BPAC today and Wednesday.”
Show business: they just make it happen.
 By Gazette Staff
November 25th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Nice way to make that GO train trip into the city just a little nicer during the holidays.
 They put their hearts into every note. This festive season, the Metrolinx Carolers return to spread holiday cheer inside Union Station on Wednesday mornings in support of the United Way.
 The United Way is a worldwide not-for-profit movement that is helping improve lives by supporting over 300 community agencies across the Greater Toronto Area.
The Metrolinx Carolers have a long tradition of ringing in the holiday season with our Ontario Public Service partners by supporting the United Way in its annual fundraising campaign.
The Metrolinx Carolers will be raising spirits and accepting donations every week leading up to Christmas including on:
 Let the music warm your hearts and open your wallets for those who aren’t as fortunate as you are. Wednesday, November 26, Bay Concourse, 7:00 – 9:00 a.m.
Wednesday, December 3, York Concourse, 7:00 am- 9:00 am
Wednesday, December 10, Bay Concourse, 7:00 am- 9:00 am
Wednesday, December 17, York Concourse, 7:00 am- 9:00 am
Let the music warm your hearts and open your wallets for those who aren’t as fortunate as you are.
 By Pepper Parr
November 25th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The Intercounty Baseball League (IBL), which has been in operation since 1919, has announced that it is now a fully professional league that will hereafter be known as the Canadian Baseball League (CBL.ca). These changes reflect the significant growth of its fan base over the last three years, which culminated in a record 249,590 fans attending games in 2025.
 The Canadian Baseball League is, simply put, the best professional baseball league in Canada. Last season, 64 players with either MLB or Minor League Baseball experience suited up to play in the League, including former MLB All-Star and World Series champion Fernando Rodney who pitched for the Hamilton Cardinals. Last year also witnessed former Guelph Royals player, Liam Hicks, make the Major League roster of, and become an integral player for, the Miami Marlins.
Burlington was once part of the Intercounty Baseball League.
 
The Burlington Twins were formed in 2011 but lasted just one season. They were followed by the Burlington Bandits. The team was sold to a younger management group and re-named the Burlington Herd. The Herd found after several seasons, they were unable to work with the city administration and moved to Welland, where they operated as the Welland Jackfish and have been a leading team.
In their first year in Welland, the Jackfish had their best regular season with a 19–17 record and earned their first playoff series victory.
The Jackfish finished 15–15 in a condensed 2021 season, their second year. They were swept in the first round by the Barrie Baycats.
“Fan interest in the League has exploded to historic levels,” said CBL Commissioner Ted Kalnins. “The quality of baseball has always been top-rate, with players drawn from across Canada, Latin America and Japan, but the main engine of our growth has been significantly enhanced fan experience, with fun in-game entertainment, contests, unique theme nights, and accessible players, all at a very affordable price for an entire family.”
 Not too many empty seats at this game. In addition to the name change, there will be numerous changes in store for the Canadian Baseball League in 2026, some of which will be announced in the coming weeks. The CBL’s regular season will increase from 42 to 48 games, commencing the second week of May 2026. Only five teams will qualify for the playoffs, thereby raising the competitive stakes of the regular season. The fourth-place team will face the fifth-place team in a one-game playoff, followed by two best-of-seven series to determine the Dominico Cup champion.
All CBL games will continue to be streamed live on YouTube, but will now also be available, along with other League content, via Roku, FireTV, Apple TV, iOS and Android apps.
The history of the Intercounty Baseball League will continue to be carried forward in every respect. For the last year, numerous efforts were undertaken to research and consolidate historical information, photos and artifacts associated with the IBL’s lengthy history. Among other partners, the Hanlan’s Point Chapter of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) has been assisting with this project, which shall continue to be a League priority.
“Our history is what made our future possible,” Kalnins said. “Now, the Canadian Baseball League is ready to write the next chapter in the Canadian baseball story – one that will create an even better, more engaging, more memorable experience for our players, our communities, and most of all, our fans.”
The Canadian Baseball League (CBL) is the top independent professional baseball league in Canada, boasting ex-MLB, MiLB and elite graduating NCAA college baseball players, including players from the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Panama and Japan. The 2026 season will mark the CBL’s 108th year in operation. The CBL is one of the longest continuously operated baseball leagues in the world and serves as a valuable training ground for coaches, umpires, and front office staff. More than 40 IBL players have advanced to Major League Baseball or returned to the CBL following their MLB careers. The league is comprised of teams from Barrie, Brantford, Chatham-Kent, Guelph, Hamilton, Kitchener, London, Toronto and Welland.
 By Pepper Parr
November 25th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
They have been promising to do something to tighten up rules related to granting bail to people arrested for violent crimes for some time..
For more than five years, judges have been releasing those charged with criminal offences to be free until their trials take place.
Public outrage has been fierce – the provincial government introduced legislation yesterday that changes the way release on bail will be managed.
The Ontario government has introduced legislation requiring an accused person or their surety to provide a cash security deposit in the full amount ordered by the court. This initiative would improve bail compliance, keep violent, repeat offenders behind bars and make it easier for the province to collect forfeited bail payments when bail conditions are violated.
 Ontario Attorney General Doug Downey seated in the provincial legislature. “For too long, the broken bail system has allowed violent and repeat offenders back on our streets, putting innocent people at risk,” said Attorney General Doug Downey. “That’s why our government is taking action and delivering on our promise to fix the bail system by making bail more real and consequential for people accused of serious crimes. It’s the latest step in our work to keep our streets and communities safe.”
Currently, if the court orders release on a promise to pay, no cash deposit is required. In this event, a surety (a person who has agreed to ensure that an accused person follows their bail conditions) and/or accused person does not have to pay the amount pledged unless the accused person does not follow the terms of their release and the court orders payment. This creates potential challenges related to the collection of forfeited bail payments, including time and resources that must be expended in order to collect payments.
Under the proposed new system, a cash security deposit in the full amount ordered by the court would be required once the accused person is released from custody. If the accused person follows the terms of their release, the deposit would be returned when the case concludes or the surety’s obligations end. If bail conditions are not met, the money would be automatically recovered upon being ordered forfeited by the court.
To help make bail real and consequential, the government is also proposing to follow up on previous amendments to the Bail Act to improve the collection and administration of bail debts by requiring sureties to provide up-to-date information so the province can collect forfeited bail money more easily. Other proposed measures would enhance collection tools for garnishing wages, seizure and sale of property and property liens for accused and surety bail debts. These collection tools would be needed if cash bail security is not complied with.
“By strengthening Ontario’s bail system, we’re taking decisive action to protect our communities from violent, repeat offenders,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “Our government is backing that commitment with record investments to build new correctional facilities, expand capacity and ensure there is always space to keep dangerous criminals behind bars.”
As part of a comprehensive bail reform strategy, these new measures would enhance digital tools to track repeat offenders and those not in compliance with bail conditions. This would include the creation of a surety database to help streamline and enhance surety checks. There have been cases where sureties have failed to report when the accused person they are supervising has breached their bail conditions, or where the same surety has proposed themselves for multiple accused persons simultaneously. The creation of a surety database would help hold sureties accountable, improve efficiency, increase public safety and strengthen information sharing between police services by allowing police to access data collected by other jurisdictions. It would also provide a centralized repository for information supplied to police by prosecutors, ensuring that critical details are consistently available for bail hearings and subsequent proceedings.
 The strategy would also expand bail prosecution teams. These teams are made up of dedicated prosecutors who partner with provincial and local police services to prepare the strongest possible cases in bail hearings involving serious and violent crimes, with the intent of keeping violent, repeat offenders behind bars. Since 2023, they have effectively managed over 4,100 serious violent cases at the bail stage.
Those involved in car theft and drug offences are often part of well-organized and well financed groups. They may be able to post the surety required. These criminals are going to be very hard to control. This first step is a good step. Let’s see how it works out.
 By Pepper Parr
November 24, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
It was the longest Standing Committee Council meeting put in by the seven members since they were first elected in 2028
Rather than adjourn at 4:30 pm – they pushed through to 5:39 so they could approve a recommendation that would go to Council on December 2nd and not have to return to Council the following day.
The disappointing part of the exercise is that they all skipped out the door without telling the public just what the CITY tax rate increase was going to be.
 I got it below 4.5% – 4.46% Mayor Meed Ward wanted to be able to tell the public that the blended tax rate was going to be less than 4.50% – they got it to 4.46%
The blended rate is the average of the school board rate, the Regional rate and the city rate. Of the three, the only one the Council determines is the amount of money the city will spend. That number was never uttered during the final minutes of the meeting.
I was reminded of what is called the Three Shell Game – A Con Artist Game Magic Trick.
 City CFO Craig Millar; put a couple of very good ideas on the table. In the next couple of weeks, you will hear every member of Council and the City CFO Craig Millar tell you that the tax increase is 4.49.
The fact is the City budget increase is 5.8% resulting in a proposed overall property tax increase of 4.46% (pending and changes at Halton Region). Information we got from a Staff member who was still at her desk at 6:20pm
Some interesting spending. Transit, Indigenous Affairs and Park Benches we all debated at length.
 Councillor Bentivegna struggled to understand far too many of the Motions being debated – one of which he put on the table.
Give us a day or two to put together a news report.
 By Sadie Smith
November 26th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Each year, online casinos become more creative in how they keep players interested. One of the most notable trends lately is the rise of seasonal gaming events — short-term updates, themed tournaments, or festive versions of familiar slots. Among the sites experimenting with this format, Big Clash stands out for how it blends design and timing to refresh the usual casino experience without changing its essence.
How the Idea of Seasonal Gaming Took Off
 BigClash Casino update visuals, background music, or even bonus structures to reflect major holidays or global celebrations. In the early 2010s, most online casinos had static game collections. A slot released in January looked the same in December. Today, the situation is different. Sites like BigClash Casino update visuals, background music, or even bonus structures to reflect major holidays or global celebrations. Players might find snowflakes on winter-themed slots, pumpkins in autumn, or fireworks during summer events. These small changes create a sense of atmosphere and rhythm across the year.
Why Players Enjoy Temporary Updates
Part of the appeal comes from the feeling that something limited is happening — the same principle that drives special events in video games. Regular players enjoy it when familiar titles take on new forms, even briefly. It breaks monotony and adds anticipation for what comes next. At the same time, developers get to experiment with artwork, music, and narratives that wouldn’t fit into standard game releases.
Technology Behind the Change
 Modern casino sites utilize cloud systems and modular design tools that enable quick visual or audio updates. Seasonal updates rely on flexible software frameworks. Modern casino sites utilize cloud systems and modular design tools that enable quick visual or audio updates. That’s why players don’t need to download new files — the seasonal version appears automatically in their browser. This technical progress enables casinos to adapt more quickly and maintain freshness without overwhelming users with frequent changes.
The Role of Big Clash Casino in the Broader Trend
The seasonal model isn’t just about adding visual effects; it also demonstrates how e-gaming evolves into a form of entertainment. BigClash Casino seamlessly integrates thematic events into its regular offerings. For example, specific slot collections might get temporary backgrounds, soundtracks, or minor bonuses tied to festive periods. It’s not about attracting attention — it’s about giving players a reason to return and see what’s new, just as film or music platforms release themed content throughout the year.
Responsible and Balanced Gaming Experience
Modern casino sites are also more aware of the importance of balance. Seasonal features are meant to entertain, not encourage excessive play. That’s why many sites now include responsible gaming tools, allowing users to manage their time and limits even during event periods. In this way, the evolution of online casinos reflects a more mature, user-oriented approach to digital leisure.
 A touch of real-world rhythm into the virtual environment. Conclusion
Seasonal events have quietly transformed the way online casinos engage their audiences. They bring a touch of real-world rhythm into the virtual environment, turning familiar games into temporary experiences that feel timely and refreshing. Through this approach, BigClash Casino illustrates how modern e-gaming combines creativity, technology, and timing — not to promote play, but to make the experience more varied and meaningful.
 By Ray Rivers
November 24th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Canada used to pride itself on being a leader on the global warming issue. All of that seems to have changed with our new prime minister. Mark Carney had once been appointed as the United Nations Special Envoy on Climate Action and Finance, so one would have expected he’d be an advocate.
But then his nation has found itself in an economic trade war with it’s largest customer and facing off against an Alberta provincial government determined to destroy the country – unless they could expand and diversify access to other oil markets. Currently Canada’s largest export, western oil, goes to American refineries, and as we know Trump could change that in a pen stroke.
 Carney has halved former PM Trudeau’s tree planting promise.  And so it was unsurprising that Canada’s voice was nowhere to be heard at this year’s annual Congress of the Parties (COP 30) to the UN convention on climate change. Among other things, Mr Carney has halved former PM Trudeau’s tree planting promise. And it would be outright hypocrisy for Canada to call for the phase out of fossil fuels when the PM has cast the country as an energy superpower and has cancelled so many climate action programs of his predecessor.
Over 200 Canadian delegates, about half from the non-government sector, showed up at Belém Brazil this month, a city appropriately located at the mouth of the Amazon. But they were apparently pretty much there for the warm weather, food and beverages because Canada was otherwise silent. Belém is not a tourist town and was unprepared to hold fifty or so thousands of delegates, in fact forcing some to have to curl up for the night on cruise ships and even converted shipping containers.
This was the second largest COP, after COP 28 in Dubai, but America decided to stay home. So China assumed global leadership and the Saudis won the day, managing to short circuit a resolution to phase-out fossil fuels which most delegates, including host country Brazil, had hoped for.
America has historically been the largest carbon polluter – though China has surpassed it in recent years. Still, unlike the USA, China is on the right track to getting off carbon. The Chinese produce more renewable energy than any other nation on earth and, in fact, are on track to add more renewable energy to their grid than the rest of the world combined this year. Also, China produced 70% of the world’s electric vehicles last year.
 U.S. climate bill’s EV incentives are not the game-changer North American auto industry was hoping for – The Globe and Mail Mr. Trump’s America First has become contagious in America. Auto maker General Motors, for example, has gone all-in on new gas guzzlers. The company is luring buyers to its new vehicles, which resemble retro 50’s classic cars – each with a petroleum power plant. Trump has cancelled all the incentives to buying an EV and the USEPA has been ordered to kill all greenhouse emissions restrictions for power plants.
Drill Baby Drill is the order of the day in America for Mr.Trump who has called climate change the biggest hoax ever perpetuated. It’s as if Trump, who used to own gambling casinos, is playing Texas Hold-em, or more appropriately Russian roulette with the planet. He’s all in – calling-out climate change as a bluff and upping the ante with his Drill-Baby-Drill.
Background links:
Canada Missing in Action – Trump no Trump – Carney VS the Climate – Saudi Green Plan – Newsom vs GM –
COP Showdown – EPA Emissions –
By Pepper Parr
November 24th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
While the direction the Burlington Economic Development & Tourism corporation (BEDT) is sort of on hold until sometime in April when the City CAO, Curt Benson, gets back to Council with the options that can be considered.
The issue is whether BEDT continue to exist as an arms length not for profit or does it be brought in-house and operate as part of the city administration.
 One of the documents that got this significant review before the public was a scathing report from a group of consultants that operate as Rubicon Strategy.
Some members of Council want to know who hired this firm and what do we know about the work they have done in the past. They are not on the list of preferred servce suppliers.
We are advised that the CAO made the decision.
Organizations that won millions of dollars in grants from an Ontario worker training program are at the centre of a political storm. Labour groups have hired professional lobbyists over the past five years, including several government-relations firms with close ties to Premier Doug Ford.
The fund and the role of lobbyists have been the subject of questions from opposition parties at Queen’s Park since the release of a report by Ontario Auditor-General Shelley Spence last month. Her audit concludes that the distribution of $1.3-billion in grants under the program, which gives money to organizations to train workers, was “not fair, transparent or accountable.”
The report says the Labour Minister’s political staff overruled evaluations by non-partisan bureaucrats and doled out hundreds of millions of dollars to organizations with lower scores on their applications, while higher-ranked applicants were overlooked. Plus, the audit said, dozens of groups hired professional consultants to lobby the Labour Minister or his department before they were selected. But the report did not name lobbying firms or recipients.
Rubicon Strategies has been heavily involved in the Skills Development Fund (SDF). They were lobbyists involved in convincing the Ministry of Labour as to who would be given grant.
Many wanted to know who Rubicon Strategy is. Now we know.
Related news story:
The Rubicon report.
By Pepper Parr
November 23rd, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Councillor Stolte advises us that “it was the Integrity Commissioner I was running my ideas by.”
Could be – but why would an elected official clear an opinion piece with the Integrity Commissionser?
Ward 4 Councillor Shawna Stolte approached me during the September Food for Feedback event last September telling me that she wanted to write an Opinion piece for the Gazette.
 Ward 4 Councillor Shawna Stolte: Growing into the job took time. She was concerned about the lack of public interest in civic affairs and wanted to write an opinion along the lines of “Put up or Shut Up”; she wanted to see more in the way of people ready to run for public office.
I was delighted; Stolte was thinking of doing something in the fall and we agreed to get back to each other in a month or so.
The Gazette supported Stolte in the 2018 election to defeat then Councill Jack Dennison. The objective was to ensure that just one candidate ran again Dennison. If that could be achieved – he could be defeated – and he was.
It took Stolte some time to get up to speed. The biggest issue she faced in her first term was a disgusting effort on the part of the Mayor to force Stolte to issue a public apology to a Staff member for what was more in the way of a misunderstanding than anything. We refer to that occasion as the Mayor’s rant; it is here for you if you want to see a politician going off the deep end.
 Georgie Gartside with Councillor Stolte. Mayor wanted Stolte to apologize to Gartside for what was more of a misunderstanding than anything Stolte’s other first term issue was when she made public, information that was discussed in a closed session – a no-no in the world of municipal politics where far too much is discussed in closed sessions.
At that time, the amount being spent on the repurposing of Bateman High School into a community centre wasn’t clear.
That got Stolte a stiff reprimand from the Integrity Commissioner, who docked her five days’ pay.
None of that made any difference to Stolte in the 2022 election. Turnout was pathetic in 2022 and every member of Council was returned to office – that event was COVID’s gift to the City.
During her second term, Stolte, as Deputy Mayor, was responsible for Housing, which at that time was becoming a serious issue for the city, the province and the federal government. It is still one of the biggest concerns Ontario faces.
Stolte came up with the idea of creating a Permit to Pipe Lime committee that would include non-elected people who would make recommendations to Council. Getting building permits through City Hall was a challenge for some of the smaller developers
It was a good idea, something that had not been done before, and it has delivered some solid results. – especially for the development sector.
Stolte should have chaired the Permit to Pipeline meetings, but it was seen as a hot new municipal initiative, and Mayor Meed Ward was not going to let the positive public reaction go to anyone else. Meed Ward chaired most of the meetings and, to some degree, still does.
Stolte had said when she was first elected that she would be a two-term Council member. Her view then was that city Councils’ need fresh minds and that it was not good practice to serve more than two terms. Mayor Meed Ward and Councillor Sharman will have served four terms come the 2026 election. Both have given every indication that they will run again.
When I went back to Councillor Stolte a week ago about the Opinion piece she said she wanted to run the idea by her Council colleagues before putting pen to paper.
 Ward 6 Councillor Paul Sharman  Ward 1 Councillor Kelvin Galbraith. I could just imagine how Council members would react to an Opinion piece suggesting other people run for the office they hold. Other than Sharman and Galbraith no one on this Council has ever had a job that pays more.
City Council has become a cozy group of people. They snip and snap at each other from time to time; the group mentality shuts out anything that comes from the public. Public engagement has improved a little. The turnout over the allocation of swimming pool time has energized parents. Council got it wrong and is in a position to right that wrong; the fear of yet another lawsuit has sent the issue to the City Auditor. Quite what Council expects the Auditor to do isn’t clear.
What appears to be clear is, we will never know what Shawna Stolte wanted to say about other people running for public office.
By Pepper Parr
November 23rd, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The starting position for the 2026 budget is set out below.
It is a whopper. Some analysis will follow.
Beneath what City Staff has prepared are the changes indicidal council members want to see changed.
That too will require some analysis.
Adopt the 2026 Operating Budget including any approved budget amendments to be applied against the proposed net tax levy amount of $282,201,378; and
Endorse that any surplus or deficit resulting from a difference between the actual results and the estimated 0.75% City portion of the net assessment growth be transferred to / from the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve Fund; and
Adopt the 2026 Capital Budget for the City of Burlington, with a gross amount of $105,722,127 with a debenture requirement of $10,350,000 and the 2027-2035 capital forecast with a gross amount of $1,074,884,815 with a debenture requirement of $26,675,000 as outlined in the 2026 Budget Overview (FIN-42-25) and as amended by Council; and
Administer the debenture in the amount of $6,350,000 in 2026 as tax supported debt; and
Administer the debenture in the amount of $4,000,000 in 2026 as Multi-year Community Investment debt; and
Declare that, in accordance with sis. 5(1)5 of the Development Charges Act, 1997 and sis. 5 of Ontario Regulation 82/98, it is Council’s clear intention that the excess capacity provided by the above-referenced works will be paid for by future development charges.
 By Sadie Smith
November 24th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
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By Gazette Staff
November 22nd, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
As part of its plan to protect Ontario and build a more competitive, resilient and self-reliant province, the government is launching consultations to help inform the 2026 Ontario Budget. These consultations will build on the progress outlined in the 2025 Fall Economic Statement and support the next phase of the province’s plan to protect Ontario.
 “As we prepare for the 2026 Budget, we want to hear directly from the people of Ontario about what matters most to them, from keeping costs down and taxes low, to creating good jobs and getting shovels in the ground on critical infrastructure,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance. “Together, we will continue to navigate global challenges, safeguard our economy and ensure Ontario remains the best place to live, work and raise a family.”
To ensure the 2026 Budget reflects the priorities of people and businesses across the province, the government is seeking input from workers, families, business owners, organizations and communities on what they want to see addressed in the year ahead. Ontarians can share and submit their ideas by:
-
Attending an in-person consultation meeting held across the province
Sending a written submission by mail or online
Completing an online survey
Through a responsible and balanced approach and strong fiscal management, Ontario will continue to invest in workers, businesses and the world-class public services people rely on, while maintaining the flexibility needed to respond to fast-changing global conditions. For more information, or to participate, visit the online portal.
Additional Resources
2025 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review: A Plan to Protect Ontario
2025 Ontario Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario
By Miles Rakadovic
November 21st, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Not every home improvement project plays by the same rules. Small rooms—think bathrooms—pack a punch when it comes to technical challenges and tiny details. There’s almost no room for mistakes: one missed step, like a bad waterproofing job or a shower floor that doesn’t slope right, and you’re looking at ruined walls, water damage, and maybe even mold hiding out where you can’t see it.
 You’re not just paying for a new look—you’re making sure the bathroom holds up for years. This is precisely why securing a skilled contractor for bathroom remodeling services is essential. They get how to lay down vapor barriers, pick the right fans to keep humidity in check, and tackle tricky tile work with an eye for how materials move and shift over time. You’re not just paying for a new look—you’re making sure the bathroom holds up for years, keeps repair costs down, and bumps up your home’s value when it’s time to sell.
Basements, on the other hand, are a different beast. Here, it’s less about tiny details and more about the big picture.
You’re usually starting with a blank, sometimes damp slate and turning it into comfortable, usable space. The first hurdles are all about the basics: stopping water from seeping in, sealing things up tight, and maybe adding things like egress windows for safety or some soundproofing to keep things quiet.
Unlike a bathroom, which is all about fitting systems into a compact space, a basement is about creating an entirely new part of your home—bedrooms, offices, playrooms, whatever you need. The contractor you want here is more architect than artisan, someone who knows how to frame walls, follow building codes, and lay out rooms so the whole space works.
Done right, a finished basement is a game changer. It makes your house bigger in real terms, not just nicer to look at. But you’ve got to get the fundamentals right—dryness, safety, structure—before you ever think about the finishing touches.
 Done right, a finished basement is a game-changer. So, if you’re planning a renovation, know what you’re getting into. Bathroom remodeling calls for a specialist obsessed with detail and flawless system installs, while basement development needs someone who can handle big, structural challenges and turn empty space into something livable.
Match the contractor to the job. When you do, your investment pays off—not just in style, but in lasting quality and real value.
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