 By Pepper Parr
March 31st, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
After 11 years of exemplary leadership, Colleen Mulholland, President & CEO of Burlington Foundation, has advised the Board that she will retire at the end of December 2022.
 Colleen Mulholland: worked tirelessly during the 2014 flood relief effort. In making the announcement the Foundation Board said: “when Colleen stepped into the role of President & CEO in 2011, she greatly improved the Foundations ability to achieve their mission through the evolution of the leadership and presence within our civic, business, charitable, and philanthropic communities.
“Under Colleen’s vision and direction, Foundation assets have grown substantially from $5 million in 2011 to over $24 million in assets today.
“In 2014, Colleen was instrumental in leading and managing the Burlington Flood Disaster Relief Program on behalf of the City of Burlington. Alongside Ron Foxcroft, Chair of the Relief Committee, the Foundation raised a combined total of $2.7 million in a 100-day campaign to support flood victims most in need through the generosity of the community, local businesses, and the provincial government.
“Since the onslaught of the pandemic in 2019, Colleen led Foundation efforts to rapidly launch fundraising initiatives and manage several phases and programs of Covid-19 relief funding totaling over $1.3 million to help support our most vulnerable community members.
 At a fund raising gala with Angelo Paletta. “Under Colleen’s leadership, in 2014 Burlington Foundation was the first Not-For- Profit organization to be honoured with a Business Excellence Award by the Burlington Chamber of Commerce.
“During her tenure Colleen has received several awards recognizing her tireless commitment to supporting community. In 2015, Colleen received an Outstanding Community Service Award from the City of Burlington and the Province of Ontario for her leadership in successfully managing the Flood Disaster Relief Program. And in 2017, Colleen received an Ontario 150 Award in honour of the substantial contributions she has made in our community and in the province.”
“Most recently, Colleen was awarded the 2021 YWCA Women of Distinction Lifetime Achievement Award for Hamilton/Halton for her over 30 years commitment to supporting community and for improving the quality of life for so many.
“Over the past decade, Burlington Foundation has become a strategic community foundation able to work effectively in a complex and ever-changing landscape, as well as a learning organization that embraces reflection and refinement. We are deliberate and focused on how best to improve the lives of those most vulnerable in our community. We are nimble when it comes to opportunities. We are constantly improving. The Board of Directors collectively embraces these attributes. And that will not change with the coming leadership transition.
“We are very fortunate to have worked alongside a leader with Colleen’s passion, creativity, and drive to establish good productive partnerships. And in that regard, I am pleased to share that Colleen will assist the Board with the recruitment of a new generational leader to join Burlington Foundation prior to her departure.”
 By Staff
March 31st, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Life and new energy are beginning to take shape at the Performing |arts Centre. A new season will be announced at the end of May.
Between now and then the Centre is accepting nominations for its 2022 Hall of Fame Inductee.
Nominations must be submitted to the committee by noon on April 20, 2022. The committee is comprised of a cross-section of the Burlington arts community. BPAC staff and Board members and their family members, are not eligible. The nomination form can be filled out on BPAC’s website at: www.burlingtonpac.ca/hall-of-fame.
“We are adding our 10th inductee after our 10th amazing season on stage at BPAC and it is always exciting to add another photo to the wall, write another chapter in BPAC’s history and honour another life supporting the arts in our community,” said BPAC Executive Director Tammy Fox. “So many people have had a hand in shaping our rich and vibrant cultural scene and I would urge everyone to take this opportunity to recognize someone for what they have done for performing arts in Burlington.”
 Rainer Noack  Bob Missen Recognized in the past are: Gordie Tapp (2013), Rainer Noack (2014), Lawrence Bonanno & Stewart Laughton (2015), Bob Missen (2016), Burlington Teen Tour Band (2017), Helen Zdriluk (2018), Burlington Footnotes (2019), Hayley Verrall (2020) and Gary W. DeGroote (2021).
By Staff
March 31st, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
It does look as if there is going to be a summer –
 Museums of Burlington has set out their summer day camp program at Ireland House Museum and Joseph Brant Museum.
Camps are designed for children between the ages of 5-12 years old and run daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. The cost is $250/week, or $55/day (Family Museum Members receive 10% off).
Week 1 | Medieval Times | July 4 to 8 at Ireland House Museum
Hear ye, hear ye… Calling all knights and princesses! While the Middle Ages may have been a dark period in history, we will be exploring the brighter side of things with fun crafts, foods and games. Our Medieval Times camp will include activities relating to castles, mythical creatures, fairs, and everything in between. Join us at Ireland House Museum from July 4 – 8 to begin the quest!
Week 2 | Extreme Planet | July 11 to 15 at Joseph Brant Museum
As hot as a volcano, and as cold as an iceberg! This week will explore all the extreme elements of Planet Earth. Join us as Joseph Brant Museum from July 11th- 15th as we explore Earth’s extreme temperatures, weather, sports, and animals. Campers will also get the chance to check out the newest travelling exhibit Beyond Human Limits LITE from Science North.
Week 3 | Holiday Extravaganza | July 18 to 22 at Joseph Brant Museum
Christmas in July?! Yes, you heard that right! This week will focus on 10 awesome holidays, each day filled with themed crafts and hands-on activities to help us celebrate. We will explore all the fun traditions that you know and love as part of your favourite holidays. Join us at Joseph Brant Museum from July 18 – 22 to participate in the festivities!
Week 4 | Ancient Civilizations | July 25 to 29 at Ireland House Museum
Take a step back in time as we explore ancient civilizations! Join us at Ireland House Museum from July 25 – 29 as we travel across the world from Ancient Egypt to the Inca civilization in South American. Learn to make and play some of the world’s oldest games, build ancient structures, and see what inventions have stood the test of time!
Week 5 | Movie Mayhem | August 8 to 12 at Joseph Brant Museum
Take 1, action! Join us at Joseph Brant Museum from August 8 – 12 to learn about how movies have become a treasured part of pop culture, and how they have advanced over the past 100 years. Explore how animators create movie magic in Disney, Pixar, and Marvel films through our daily crafts and activities. Grab your popcorn and enjoy the show!
Week 6 | Children’s Classics | August 15 to 19 at Ireland House Museum
Dive into the world of classic children’s stories! Each day we will explore the works of famous children’s author. Make your own candy creation from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and create rainbow Oobleck inspired by Dr. Seuss. Join us at Ireland House Museum from August 15-19, and don’t forget to bring your sense of adventure and imagination.
Week 7 | Culinary Kids | August 22 to 26 at Ireland House Museum
Do you love cooking and baking? Time to dig out your chef hat! This week will tickle your taste buds as we prepare a variety of treats from Canada and beyond. Sweet, salty, savoury
and sour, we have it all! Join us at Ireland House Museum from August 22 – 26 to show us your culinary creativity!
What To Bring
- Mask (optional)
- Lunch and 2 snacks (peanut-free)
- Sunscreen and sun hat
- Closed-toed shoes
- Water bottle
Please email museumeducation@burlington.ca for more information or if you have any questions.
You can register HERE
 By Staff
March 31st, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
 Of course we know – but we don’t seem capable of doing all that much about what is going to happen next.
Epidemiologist Peter Jüni said the highly transmissible BA.2 variant of Omicron isn’t the main culprit — its peoples’ actions, bolstered by the relaxing of health restrictions. He calls it the “‘throw-caution-to-the-wind’ wave.”
Hospitalizations are rising, too — up to nearly 800 this week from around 600 just 10 days ago.
Meanwhile we have a Premier taking a major risk to public health while he scrambles to win re-election. Why the public health people have not returned to wider testing is hard to understand,
 By Staff
March 31st, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton District School Board is inviting students, parents/guardians and staff to participate in the online engagement survey Have Your Say from March 28 to April 21, 2022. Topics for feedback include learning and instruction, safety and well-being and school environment.
The survey is open from March 28 to April 21, 2022 and can be found HERE.
The information gathered from the Have Your Say survey will help the Board continue to create a positive environment, inform School Improvement and Well-Being Plans and allow parents/guardians and students to have a voice in creating a supportive community in HDSB schools. The survey will provide the Board with feedback regarding the goals and targets in the HDSB’s Multi-Year Plan 2020-2024. The Board will share a summary of the information collected with stakeholders in Fall 2022.
 Curtis Ennis, Director of Education for the Halton District School Board. “As partners in education, your input is valued and appreciated,” says Curtis Ennis, Director of Education for the Halton District School Board. ”The Board is committed to fostering an inclusive environment and building relationships to continually improve the educational experience for all students. Engaging students, parents/guardians and staff is critical to student success, which is why we’re inviting you to complete this online survey. With your feedback, we can help guide meaningful change to improve student learning, well-being and success.”
The Have Your Say surveys will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. The surveys are confidential, with individual responses grouped together for analysis. For parents/guardians, the survey is available in seven additional languages: Arabic, French, Hindi, Punjabi, Simplified Chinese, Spanish and Urdu. Respondents will select their preferred language when they begin the survey.
Additional information, including Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), can be found at haveyoursay.hdsb.ca or by emailing haveyoursay@hdsb.ca.
 By Staff
March 30th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Regional Police Service draws to your attention a rash of attempted thefts from vehicles across Burlington this week
A total of 16 incidents have been investigated by police since March 27, 2022. In many instances, vehicle windows were smashed in order to gain access the interior. Several of the entries were reported to have no valuables stolen. These incidents occurred during the night.
 Are you anywhere on this map? Images are where thefts have taken place. Police would like to remind residents of the following tips to help protect themselves from these types of incidents:
Anyone with information regarding these incidents is asked to contact the 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4777 ext. 2316.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers. “See something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.
 By Pepper Parr
March 30th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The pandemic certainly cut into meeting with people.
It wasn’t until I was part way through an interview with Ward 1 Councillor Kelvin Galbraith that he mentioned he is never in city hall unless he is chair of the Standing Committee. Other than that he works from home. The suggestion was that he might be able to sublet the space he has at city hall.
 Ward 1 Councillor Kelvin Galbraith during a Standing Committee meeting. While Galbraith isn’t in the office all that much he is certainly busy enough with the development activity in his ward – which he now refers to as Ward 1 and not Aldershot – the Tyandaga people don’t like that name and the Maple people would rather be part of ward 2 – so for Galbraith – using the description ward 1 makes life a little less contentious.
I started out by asking Galbraith why he ran for office and how much of what he said he would do has actually been done. I followed that up by asking if he is running got another term. He is.
He ran for office because he wasn’t happy with the kind of development that was taking place in the community. He wanted to see more variation in the commercial space that was going to be in the ground floor of the developments popping up on Plains Road.
 It took Galbraith some time to find a place in the community to meet with constituents. The Peach Cafe is where he is most comfortable. He wanted space that had the duct work needed for restaurants in place and he wanted to see a larger variety of commercial operations. The ward doesn’t have the supermarket choices he thinks the community needs.
The changes coming to Plains Road in the summer are significant and mark a distinct change that Galbraith thinks will get people out with their bikes.
The disappointing part of getting people on bikes is that Galbraith drives a gas guzzling pickup back and forth to city hall. Optics on that one aren’t good.
 Mayor Meed Ward and ward 1 Councillor Kelvin Galbraith are the co-chairs of the Red Tape Red Carpet Task Force. There was a point during this first term where Galbraith appeared to be almost joined at the hip to Mayor Meed Ward; some felt that he should be a little more independent. Galbraith points out that he has voted differently than the Mayor on a lot of the motions. When Mayor Meed Ward drafted Galbraith the the Red Tape Red Carpet Task Task Force she said she needed someone who understood what the commercial and development people were having problems with.
Kelvin is often uncomfortable with the pace at which business gets done at Council meetings. He is a much more get on with it kind of guy – talking just so he can hear himself isn’t his style.
Galbraith made the point that many people think all the development is taking place in ward 2 – in the downtown core. He passed along a list of the development applications taking place in his ward and suggests he might have at least as many.
Pending Applications
Amendment Applications
Applications in Other Stages of Development
1085 Clearview Ave.
1157-1171 North Shore Blvd
1371975 Ontario Inc. (Markay Homes) – 1167 Bellview Cres.
Adi Development Group – 101 Masonry Crt
Aldershot Properties Inc. – 35 Plains Rd
Fellowship Canadian Reformed Church – 1350 Waterdown Rd
Markay Homes – 1159 Bellview Crescent
National Homes (Brant) Inc. – 2100 Brant St
Urban Solutions – 539 King Forest Court
Where Galbraith differs from ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns is the way he interacts with his constituents. He hasn’t held a meeting for the past two years – saying that Covid19 didn’t make meetings possible. Kearns found a way to hold both live meetings that were also virtual. It worked quite well.
 Kelvin Galbraith talks to constituents in a coffee shop. He has yet to hold a community wide meeting that is live. In terms of his retail politicking – Galbraith has some distance to go. He is approachable – but you have to approach him. He is not a glad handler.
His focus is business and he is very much in tune with the development community pointing to several developments where he believes he solved a lot pf problems that were created by community involvement.
 National Homes Development on Brant – sold out in weeks. The 2100 Brant National Homes development that is now underway was a mess. Getting it through the various community development and Statutory meeting stages was a challenge.
Galbraith now finds that the problems are with the city engineering department and other departments.
What surprised Galbraith was that National Homes, the 2100 Brant developers, tore down the sales office that was set up on the site. All the homes were sold in a two week period – which points to just how significant the demand for housing is in the city. Galbraith can’t get them approved and at the shovels in the ground fast enough.
Part two: What Galbraith wants to achieve in a second term if he is returned to office. Coming soon
By Pepper Parr
March 30th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
You will not get much in the way of an argument from anyone on making buying a home easier.
Today, the Ontario government introduced legislation that, if passed, will support a plan to crack down on speculators who are driving up the cost of housing, protect home buyers from predatory development practices, and create more housing options for homeowners and renters by accelerating development timelines to get more homes built faster.
The More Homes for Everyone Act outlines the next suite of concrete actions the province is taking to address Ontario’s housing crisis. This plan, built on recommendations from the Housing Affordability Task Force and the first-ever Provincial-Municipal Housing Summit, will deliver both near-term solutions and long-term commitments to provide more attainable housing options for Ontario families.
It didn’t take long for the West End Home Builders Association to put out a statement. Here is what they had to say.
The Provincial Housing Affordability Task Force hit the nail on the head – we need to build more homes. More homes on the market in Hamilton and across Ontario will give everyone a fair shot at becoming a homeowner and building a future. For the last several years we have not been building enough homes to keep up with demand. This is exactly why bold provincial intervention is critically required: to reduce red tape and bureaucratic inefficiencies while incentivizing municipalities to speed up the housing approvals process.
A development that eventually got through the application process found that it didn’t have to set up a sales office – they were sold out in two weeks. Now they are stumped and stymied by the city engineering department. The West End Home Builders’ Association (WE HBA) is supportive of the wide range of policies proposed in the More Homes for Everyone Plan and encourages all political parties to support a quick passage of legislation prior to the Writ being dropped for the provincial election. We need action now.
 Mike Collins-Williams, CEO of the West End Home Builders’ Association. “The West End Home Builders’ Association is supportive of the measures proposed by the provincial government to speed up the planning process through the More Homes for Everyone Plan to address Southern Ontario’s growing housing crisis. Building from the Housing Affordability Task Force report, this new legislation proposes efficient, targeted policies that recognize the need to get all kinds of new housing built faster in communities across the province,” says Mike Collins-Williams, CEO of the West End Home Builders’ Association.
WE HBA notes that the provincial government regards the Housing Affordability Task Force Report as Ontario’s long-term housing road map. Our members support the immediate measures in the proposed More Homes for Everyone Plan to encourage more timely municipal decision making and to streamline approval processes. The government has indicated that there will be additional measures implemented over the long-term through the establishment of a Housing Supply Working Group and future Housing Supply Action Plans.
The housing crisis is a complex issue that requires a long-term strategy and commitment from all levels of government and industry to work together as partners, to build the necessary supply of housing for a rapidly growing population.
Housing is a complex business as is the process that puts in place the regulations that set out the costs of completing a development application.
Recently Burlington city Council had to defer the determination of what planning application rates would be put in place. BILD (Building Industry and Land Development Association) and WE HBA took months of back and forth meetings and questioning the consultant that had prepared the report that set out what the rates would be.
In the end there was no appreciable difference between the end result and what was proposed in the first place.
The city manager mentioned during one of the meetings that the work the consultants were doing at the extra meeting was above and beyond what they had been hired to do – and that the city was going to have to get a retainer in place for the additional hours
That phrase – if the shoe fits – wear it; would seem appropriate right about now.
 By Staff
March 30th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
This is not what I thought a Mom’s Night out was all about.
 The event is to take place at the Joseph Brant Museum on May 6th.
Guests will enjoy an interactive and relaxing evening learning the art of mixology, cocktail creation, and the fascinating world of tea. Monarch Tea Co. owner and Certified Tea Sommelier, Katie Cyr will lead guests through creating three mocktails/cocktails.
Ticket price includes admission to Joseph Brant Museum should guests wish to browse our exhibitions. Doors open at 6:30pm, and the workshop begins at 7:00pm, all supplies are included.
No mention if they are providing designated drivers.
Tickets are $55/person,
You can book an event HERE
By Staff
March 30th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Another good news story – something that should have been done years ago – the Government eliminating fees for police record checks for volunteers
 The Ontario government is eliminating the cost of police record checks for volunteers of all ages looking to give their time and skills to the causes they care about. This includes Criminal Record Checks and Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Checks, which are commonly required by organizations that work with volunteers.
Beginning April 1, 2022, amendments to the Police Record Checks Reform Act, 2015 will remove the fee for these two types of police record checks, making it easier for Ontarians to support animal shelters, food banks, emergency response initiatives, and many more organizations in their communities. Volunteers can also receive up to five copies of these types of police record checks for free, making it easier to apply to multiple volunteering positions.
This change will make it easier than ever to participate in initiatives like Volunteer Corps Ontario, which is currently recruiting and training volunteers to help their communities during emergencies like natural disasters.
 Milton MPP Parm Gill “Removing the cost of these essential police record checks is one way our government is making it easier for people across the province to embrace the Ontario Spirit and volunteer in their communities,” said Parm Gill , MPP for Milton and, Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism. “It is our hope that this initiative will make it easier for non-profit organizations to attract committed and talented people to help those who need it most.”
Quick Facts
• A police record check is a search of police database records about an individual and is often used as part of a screening process for employment, volunteering, education, professional licensing, rental housing, insurance, adoption, child custody, foster care and other purposes In Ontario. The Police Record Checks Reform Act, 2015 governs the types of record checks that can be conducted for screening purposes.
• These changes are intended to encourage volunteerism. They exclude people who perform a service in exchange for a form of credit, such as an academic credit. Students who have completed their full academic volunteer requirements and go on to additional non-credit volunteering will become eligible.
• Prospective volunteers will still need to pay any fees charged by police services for Vulnerable Sector Checks, which are considered the most thorough type of police record checks and require a comprehensive search of national and local police databases.
• These amendments expand the Lieutenant Governor in Council’s regulation-making authority to prescribe requirements for how police services conduct police record checks for volunteers, and how long a police record check for a volunteer for a
By Staff
March 30th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
This was a good decision – one of those “about time” things.
 Olivia on the left and Iman on the right.. The credit for this belongs to the two woman who delegated so very well at city council.
The result of their delegation is:
Free menstrual product pilot project in Burlington’s public washrooms
The City of Burlington will begin offering free menstrual products in 90 public washrooms throughout 19 City recreational facilities, including City Hall as a pilot project for the remainder of 2022.
City staff will monitor usage and engage feedback from users and report back to City Council later this year.
Through extensive research, data collection, done by the Pink Project who collaborated with the city municipalities, school boards, local institutions will be providing free menstrual hygiene products in public washrooms.
These products are now considered as essential to the community as offering toilet paper, soap and paper towels.
Early in 2023 the data collected on the take up of the products will be evaluated and a decision will be made to make the service something that the city just does.
By Staff
March 28th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
It is probably the most storied location in the city. There is a bronze marker along the north edge of Spencer Smith Park that identifies the spot.
 The Compas area, lower center, was where the Brant Inn was located with an open air deck where dining and dancing was a regular feature. Every day hundreds of people walk by the compas spot on the Naval Promenade in Spencer Smith Park without realizing it was once on of the most jumping spots in town.
It was the place to be on a New Year’s Eve.
The Joseph Brant Museum is hosting a joyful glimpse into the past for an elegant night of hors d’oeuvres, drinks, dancing, and live musical entertainment.
Guests will also be able to admire a view of the lake while enjoying dessert from the “Sky Club” on Joseph Brant Museum’s rooftop terrace. Come dressed to the nines for An Evening at the Brant Inn!
 Ticket are $78.00 per person(includes the taxes)
May 28th 7 – 11 pm
Reserve early – space is limited
Tickets HERE
Related news stories:
Remembering the Brant Inn
By Staff
March 28th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
A number of Council members have been unhappy and somewhat disturbed over the way information was kept from the public by having the debate take place in a CLOSED session of Council.
When a CLOSED session of Council was about to take place – a notice would be read out saying what they (Council) needed to go into CLOSED for and then the web cast went dark displaying just GET THE VISUAL. When Council came out of a CLOSED session they would report that Council has agreed to do what was agreed upon in the CLOSED meeting.
Once council member complained publicly that “we can’t even tell the public the address of the property that was being discussed. The struggle to determine what could and should be released was between Council and Nancy Shea Nicol, the City Solicitor.
Last week for the first time we saw a situation where Council talked about going into CLOSED but decided not to. The City Solicitor said she would provide a report on what the issue was with all the details.
Some context:
The site was zoned MXT and as such the development application being made complied with the zoning by law and would go directly to site plan approval, Development Application proceeds straight to site plan.
In contrast when a zoning bylaw amendment is requested the proponent will go through community meetings, a Statutory Public meeting and receive a planning recommendation report for council to vote on.
None of these steps are required for applications that are in compliance with the regulations of the bylaw, as is the case with these lands.
What Councillor Kearns was able to do was undelegate the application which meant site plan approval would be determined by Council and not staff.
The developer chose to take their application to the Ontario Land Tribunal. While waiting for a hearing date the city and the developer were able to come to terms on the differences and entered into a Settlement Agreement which will now be heard by the Ontario Land Tribunal on GET THE DATE.
There is a bigger question: When the city learned that intensification was going to be focused on what were originally called mobility hubs – later changed to MTSA Major Transit Service Areas – why didn’t the Planning department look at the zoning status of all the lands around the MTSA and do what needed to be done to change the zoning.
The following is what the City Solicitor released.
On April 4, 2020 the Community Planning Department acknowledged that a site plan application had been received by Brookfield Properties, Inter Rent REIT and CLV Group Inc. (the “Applicant”) for Site Plan Approval for 2269, 2243 Fairview Street & 864 Drury Lane (the “Site”) to support the development of the Site with seven (7) residential towers on top of four (4) mixed-use podiums, with overall tower heights ranging between 29 and 37 storeys. However, the Site was located within an area that was the subject of an Interim Control By-law and related study, resulting in a development ‘freeze’ on lands within the study area.
The Official Plan Amendment (“OPA 119”) and Zoning By-law Amendment (“ZBA 2020.418”) that resulted from the recommendations of the ICBL study were appealed, including by the Applicant, in February 2020. These appeals to ZBA 2020.418 had the effect of continuing the development ‘freeze’ on the Site, and resulted in no decision being made on the site plan.
On August 11, 2021, the Applicant appealed the site plan application to the Ontario Lands Tribunal based upon non-decision of the City within the required time period set out by the Planning Act.
On December 17, 2021 the Applicant submitted a Settlement Offer to the City for consideration. The Applicant is seeking a settlement of its appeals of OPA 119, ZBA 2020.418 and its site plan application. The Settlement Offer proposes a resolution of the appeals in which the Applicant would withdraw its appeal of OPA 119 and the City and the Applicant would seek approval from the Ontario Land Tribunal (“OLT”) for site-specific amendments to ZBA 2020.418 to permit the development contemplated in phase 1 of a phased site plan. These site-specific amendments would add to the regulations contained within ZBA 2020.418 to regulate the development proposed in phase 1 of the site plan, as described below. The City and Applicant would also seek an Order from the OLT removing the Site from the ongoing development ‘freeze’ that applies to this area. The Settlement Offer proposes to resolve the site plan appeal by the City and the Applicant seeking approval from the OLT for site plan contemplating development of phase 1 of a multi-tower residential development on the Site. Future phases of the development of the Site would require Site Plan Approval from the City. Additionally, the Settlement Offer contemplates the City and the Applicant agreeing to certain parameters that would not only apply to Phase 1 of the development set out in detail in the Settlement Offer, but also to the future development of phase 2 that would be subject to a future site plan approval process by the City. Key parameters of the proposed site plan appeal settlement include:
Phases 1 and 2 will each contain two towers of 33 and 37 stories (Phase 1) and 33 and 35 stories (Phase 2) in height;
The four towers proposed in Phases 1 and 2 will all be purpose-built rental buildings, with 100% of units in the buildings being in rental tenure;
Phase 1 will provide a total of 38 three (3) bedroom residential rental units, including 25 three (3) bedroom rental units contained within the two towers;
When the Applicant seeks site plan approval for Phase 2, the towers will include at least 25 three (3) bedroom residential rental units;
Provide a minimum 30m separation between proposed towers;
The tower floor plates of the four towers in Phases 1 and 2 will have tower floor plates of up to 890 square metres;
The Applicant will dedicate 1.71ha of parkland, in addition to providing cash-in-lieu of parkland in the amount of approximately $13 million. Additionally, the Applicant will provide a privately-owned publicly accessible space (‘POPS’), maintained in perpetuity at its expense, of 0.25ha located immediately adjacent to the dedicated parkland located along Fairview Street to function as one cohesive park that may be further expanded should lands to the west of the Site re-develop in the future.
Phases 1 and 2 of the Site Plan (containing two levels of underground parking will address groundwater through a private permanent pumping stormwater management system discharged into the City’s storm sewer system at regulated volumes and quality, with ongoing stormwater management system maintenance requirements registered on the title of the rental buildings. Future phase(s) of development on the Site will have separate underground facilities and stormwater management for those phases will be reviewed by the City in future applications for site plan approval.
The Applicant will make a Municipal Consent application to bring permanent buried hydro to the entire site (Phases 1, 2 and 3). Should the applicant wish to install additional temporary overhead hydro, those drawings and details will be included with the Municipal Consent application, along with required fees and securities.
 Height of the site relative to other major developments in the city GET THE GRAPHIC OF THE SITE
Site Description and Surrounding Land Uses
The subject site has an area of 3.4 ha, and approximately 224 m of frontage along Fairview, and 143 m of frontage along Drury Lane. Access to the site is currently provided via both Drury Lane and Fairview Street. A vacant garden centre, brewery, auto repair shop, dance studio and furniture store are currently located on the Subject Lands. It is the intent that the existing buildings and structures be demolished prior to the site being redeveloped.
Surrounding the subject site are the following uses:
North: The Lakeshore West GO rail line is located adjacent to the Subject Lands directly to the north. A low-rise residential neighbourhood occupies the lands north of the rail line. An overpass pedestrian bridge at the north terminus of Drury Lane provides access over the rail line to the residential community to the north.
South: Fairview Street, low rise institutional and medical building consisting of the Halton Catholic District School Board and a medical clinic.
East: Drury Lane, and a number of low-rise service commercial and retail uses are located east of the Subject Lands, including an automotive repair and home store.
West: A car dealership is located adjacent to the Subject Lands directly west, followed by a creek and the Burlington GO Station. The Paradigm Condominium development, (5 tower and 24 storey residential condominium development) is located immediately west of the Burlington GO Station.
The Site Plan Application:
The Site Plan application that is the subject of the appeal includes 4 buildings with a total of 7 towers ranging in height from 29 to 37 storeys. The comprehensive development plan will provide 2,515 residential units of mixed type and tenure; 3,703 square metres of retail/ commercial space; there will be shared amenity space between all buildings in a variety of forms, including indoor, rooftop and outdoor elevated amenity area; all proposed parking to be located within a combination of a 4-storey above-ground parking structure abutting the northern lot line or within 5 levels of underground parking abutting the southern property line. Each building is proposed as follows:
Building A will consist of a six storey podium and a 33 storey tower with 338 residential units.
Building B will consist of a five storey podium and two towers with 651 residential units. Tower B1 will be 29 storeys and tower B2 will be 34 storeys. Ten (10) Townhouse style units are incorporated into the podium fronting onto Fairview Street.
Building C will consist of a four storey podium and two towers with 774 residential rental units. Tower C1 will be 33 storeys and tower C2 will be 37 storeys.
Building D will consist of a four storey podium and two towers with 752 residential rental units. Tower D1 will be 33 storeys and tower C2 will be 35 storeys.
Vehicular access to the proposed development will be provided primarily through an internal driveway through the site from Fairview Street to Drury Lane, similar to the driveway that presently exists on the Subject Lands. The parking structure will be accessed via Drury Lane and the internal east-west driveway, which will function as a private street. Access to the underground parking will also be provided through the internal driveway. A minimal amount of layby parking is proposed at grade. Parking is proposed as 1-5 levels of underground parking and 4 levels of parking in a structure at the rear of the site. In terms of parking rates, there are 2761 spaces for 2515 units (including visitor), 154 spaces for commercial and 34 spaces for maintenance. The total parking rate is 1.16 spaces per unit.
The Site Plan in the Proposed Settlement
The Proposed Settlement contemplates a phased approach to the development of the Site, with site plan approval for phase 1 by the OLT, and subsequent phases of the development of the site to occur through future applications for site plan approval by the City. Phase 1 will consist of a four-storey podium and two towers with 774 residential rental units. Tower C1 will be 33 storeys and tower C2 will be 37 storeys. Phase 1 also includes the internal (private) east-west road and a public park. The OLT’s approval of the Site Plan for phase 1 of the development would include conditions of Site Plan Approval that would apply to Phase 1, which consists of buildings C1 and C2 on the Site Plan. As noted above, the parameters of the settlement (such as height and floor plate size) would apply to Phase 2 (Buildings D1 and D2 on the proposed plan); however, a new Site Plan Application to the City would be required to be approved by the City, subject to conditions. Phase 3 on the Site Plan, which includes Buildings A and B to the south fronting onto Fairview Street remains independent from the settlement and will require separate review and subject to that review, may or may not be approved by the City in its current form.
 By Pepper Parr
March 29th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Do you want Google out of your life?
Apparently it can be done.
 Security software we use – Malwarebytes – (they are good and reasonably priced) does a series of Podcats.
They did one recently that is worth the time.
It is long – runs 49 minutes. But if you really want to know just how this stuff works and what you can do to limit its impact on your digital life.
When you get to the podcast, scroll down to De-Googling Carey Parker’s (and your) life
I know for certain that one of my readers – goes by the name “Putz” will be listening.
De-Googling Carey Parker’s (and your) life In the latest episode of Lock and Code, host David Ruiz looks at the steps to removing Google and its many services from your life.
By Staff
March 28th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
On March 18, 2022, at 8:15 pm, the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) responded to a condo building in the area of Fairview Street and Brant Street in Burlington. Three suspects demanded cash and attempted to abduct a male victim at gunpoint outside his apartment. The victim was forced to the lobby area and was assaulted, however he was able to escape to a security area and police were notified. The three suspects fled the area in a vehicle. This was believed to be a targeted incident.
 Seized items A thorough investigation, which included a Criminal Code search warrant at a residence in Hamilton, was conducted by the 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau. This investigation was also aided by members of the 3 District Street Crime Unit, Mobile Surveillance Unit and Emergency Services Unit.
On March 19, 2022, Ryley Donnelly-Lavelle (23) of Hamilton was arrested and charged with:
- Possession of Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose
- Kidnapping Using a Firearm
- Use Firearm while Committing Offence
- Assault with a Weapon
On March 25, 2022, Andrew Burroughsford (38) of Burlington was arrested and charged with:
- Accessory After the Fact
- Possession of Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose
- Possession of Cocaine
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle
On March 25, 2022, Christopher Newton (38) of Hamilton was arrested and charged with:
- Possession of Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose
- Kidnapping Using a Firearm
- Use Firearm while Committing Offence
- Possession of Prohibited or Restricted Firearm/Ammunition
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000
- Fail to Comply with Probation
- Careless Use of Firearm/Weapon/Ammunition
- Pointing a Firearm
- Unauthorized Possession of Firearm in a Motor Vehicle
- Carry Concealed Weapon
- Possession of Firearm/Ammunition Contrary to Prohibition Order (4 counts)
- Possession of Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose
- Unauthorized Possession of Firearm
On March 25, 2022, Luke Willems (37) of Hamilton was arrested and charged with:
- Kidnapping Using a Firearm
- Use Firearm while Committing Offence
- Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose
On March 25, 2022, a 17-year-old of Hamilton was arrested and charged with:
- Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose (2 counts)
- Kidnapping Using a Firearm
- Pointing a Firearm
- Use Firearm while Committing Offence
- Careless Use of Firearm/Weapon/Ammunition
- Carry Concealed Weapon
- Unauthorized Possession of Firearm
- Unauthorized Possession of Firearm in a Motor Vehicle
- Possession of Prohibited or Restricted Firearm/Ammunition
- Possession of Firearm/Ammunition Contrary to Prohibition Order
Donnelly-Lavelle, Newton, Willems and the 17-year-old were held in custody pending a bail hearing. Burroughsford was released on an Undertaking.
As a result of the investigation two firearms and ammunition were seized
 Deputy Chief Wilkie Deputy Chief Roger Wilkie states; “I would like to commend our officers for bringing this investigation to a speedy conclusion. The bold and shocking nature of these crimes will not be tolerated in our community. Officers from multiple units across the service worked tirelessly and with seamless collaboration to identify and safely arrest these armed and dangerous suspects.”
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4777 ext. 2316.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers. “See something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.
By Staff
March 28th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Community Development Halton (CDH) has been publishing the Community Lens since 2008. .
This lens report is about Caregivers and is being published in two parts.
To mark 2022 National Caregiver Day on Tuesday, April 5, CDH is publishing a two-part Community Lens series on caregivers. This issue, Part One, will look at caregivers in Halton. Next month in Part Two, we will look at the impacts of COVID-19 on caregivers during the pandemic.
The Ontario Caregiver Organization (OCO) defines caregivers as “ordinary people who provide physical and/or emotional support to a family member, partner, friend, or neighbour.” Funded by the Government of Ontario, the OCO is a nonprofit that was created in 2018 “to support Ontario’s estimated
3.3 million caregivers.”1
Caregivers: An Invisible, but Indispensable, Economic Contribution
Caregivers perform at least two primary vital functions in Canada. First, there is the social function which enables “people to stay and age in their home, which is where they want to be.”2 Secondly, caregivers perform an indispensable economic function “without [whom], Canada’s healthcare and social systems would collapse.”3 However, calculating a precise economic contribution remains difficult. Estimates are dependent on definition and calculation approaches, such as average caregiving hours and the rate of pay that caregiving is valued at. The unpaid contribution of caregivers to the Ontario economy is undoubtably in the billions of dollars, perhaps even tens of billions, but estimates differ.
The OCO in its Spotlight Report for Ontario (2019) estimated that the contribution of caregivers to the Ontario economy is “the equivalent of between $26 and $72 billion to our society every year.”4 In the 2021 survey by OCO the contribution of carers to the Ontario economy is estimated at $28.5 billion,
factoring in “average time caregivers invest in providing care and multiply it, even just at minimum wage.”
Even using the more circumspect estimate of $28.5 billion, and comparing it to other Ontario economic sectors, provides readers with a sense of the invisible contribution caregivers make to the provincial economy. Ontario’s financial services sector, for example, “which employs about 359,000 people”, is valued at approximately $60 billion to the provincial economy.5 While the Ontario food and beverage manufacturing sector, which employs “over 104,800 people”, generates revenues of “more than $48 billions.”6
Community Lens is prepared by Community Development Halton to disseminate and interpret important community data as it becomes
available. For more information please contact us at data@cdhalton.ca or 905-632-1975
How many caregivers live in Halton?
Approximately 24% of Ontario’s population are caregivers. This is based on an estimate of 3.3 million caregivers7 from a total provincial population of 13,448,494 in 2016.8 Census 2021 population data for Ontario of 14,223,942, is available. However, we are using 2016 Census population data since the OCO was created in 2018 and is likely using a 2016 Census population reference. Using 2021 population data, without calculating a revised caregiver estimate, may present a distorted estimate of caregivers in the province. Incidentally, this 24% caregiver estimate is similar to a national estimate provided by Statistics Canada in 2018, which found that “approximately one in four Canadians aged 15 and older (or 7.8 million people) provided care to a family member or friend with a long-term health condition, a physical or mental disability, or problems related to aging.”9
In 2016, 548,435 people lived in Halton.10 Applying a 24% caregiver estimate to the municipality, there may have been as many as 131,624 caregivers in Halton in 2016. Putting this in a wider municipal population context, we can see that an estimate of 131,624 caregivers in Halton was larger than the
110,128 people living in Milton and over twice as large as the population of Halton Hills, which had 61,161 residents in 2016.11
Community Lens is prepared by Community Development Halton to disseminate and interpret important community data as it becomes
available. For more information please contact us at data@cdhalton.ca or 905-632-1975
This two-part Community Lens series intends to raise awareness of the experiences of caregivers. In our view, an increasingly important, but often overlooked, area of life for many people and families across Halton. In April 2022, we will release Part Two of this series, which will look at the impacts of COVID-19 on caregivers.
Further resources
If you are a caregiver, or know someone who is, and would like further information around resources and support, we recommend visiting the Ontario Caregiver Organization website: https://ontariocaregiver.ca
As always, if you have any questions or feedback about this Community Lens or any of Community Development Halton’s other social policy and planning work, you can email data@cdhalton.ca.
By Staff
March 28th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
For the second straight year Ontario saw a significant increase in total residential building permits, with more than 122,000 building permits issued across Ontario in 2021 for new development as well as home improvement. This represents a 15% increase from the previous year – continuing a trend that saw a 9% increase from the year before.
The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC), which tracks property data across Ontario, reports residential home improvement permits were up by 18%, to nearly 70,000. These permits were for home improvements including renovations/additions, swimming pools, sheds, garages and decks.
 “COVID-19 restrictions were likely a major factor again, with people focused on their home because they were spending so much more time there,” explains Carmelo Lipsi, MPAC Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “In every category of home improvement – additions, renovations, swimming pools, garages, decks and sheds – the numbers were up, in many cases by double digit percentages.”
Notably, the increases in 2020 and 2021 represent a marked shift from previous years – reinforcing the notion that pandemic restrictions were a driver of home improvement decisions. By comparison, in 2019 home improvement permits were up by just 5% (with overall building permits increasing marginally by 0.3%), while in 2018 they decreased by 15% (overall permits down by 18%) year over year.
Analyzed by category:
- Total Building Permits – 122,334 across Ontario, up by 15%. Toronto led the province with 9,478 permits in 2021, an increase of 28% from 2020. The Township of Severn saw the largest percentage increase of any municipality, jumping 467% (272 building permits in 2021, compared to 48 in 2020).
 Residential Home Improvement – 69,488 province-wide in 2021, an increase of 18% from 2020. Brampton was tops with 7,382, up by 29% from 2020. Severn Township again led in percentage increase, issuing 545% more home improvement permits (129 versus 20 the year before).
- Residential Renovations/Additions – 38,399, up 19% in 2021. Brampton was the provincial leader with 7,133 renovation/addition permits, an increase of 29% from the previous year.
- Residential Swimming Pools – 9,059 total in 2021, up 33% (continuing a trend that saw a 53% increase from 2019 to 2020). As in 2020, Ottawa was Ontario’s swimming pool capital, with 1,372 pool permits in 2021, a 47% jump.
- Residential Sheds – 4,223, up 18%. To require a permit, a shed must be a minimum size, so this category includes large, stylish sheds that have become increasingly popular as separate living/work space or backyard getaway. Hamilton, with 137 shed permits (a 19% increase), was provincial leader.
- Residential Garages – 6,579 across the province, up 9%. Toronto had the most, with 234 permits. But it was London, among larger cities, that saw the biggest jump, from 90 in 2020 to 207 in 2021, a 130% increase.
 Residential Decks – 9,502, up 2%. Hamilton also led in this category, with 884 deck permits, an increase of 29% from 2020.
“This is an interesting trend to watch, to see if it continues once pandemic restrictions have been lifted for good,” Lipsi says. “Many indicators suggest that working from home will be more prevalent than it was pre-pandemic, and we’ll see if that continues to translate to more spending on the home.”
About MPAC
MPAC is an independent, not-for-profit corporation funded by all Ontario municipalities, accountable to the Province, municipalities and property taxpayers through its 13-member Board of Directors.
Their role is to accurately assess and classify all properties in Ontario in compliance with the Assessment Act and regulations set by the Government of Ontario. We are the largest assessment jurisdiction in North America, assessing and classifying more than five million properties with an estimated total value of $2.96 trillion.
 By Pepper Parr
March 28th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
There are a few occasions when a member of city council takes a potion on an issue that is distinctly different – and at odds with the prevailing view.
Every member of Burlington’s city council is also a member of Regional Council.
 The opening slide in a 15 minute presentation. Recently ward 3 Councillor Rory Nisan declared that he was opposed to the lifting of the masking bylaw and set out his view in a long presentation that included 38 Power Point slides.
While lengthy the presentation is worth a look – especially for those residents of ward 3 who are going to have to decide if Nisan is worth returning to office in October.
Click HERE for the presentation
By Pepper Parr
March 28th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Stephen Del Duca finally got a chance to land a solid punch on Premier Doug Ford.
 Provincial Liberal leader Stephen Del Duca In congratulating the federal Liberals on the signing of a child care funding agreement Del Duca said: “… I am disappointed that Premier Ford, who, knowing how difficult a time young families are having making ends meet, knowing that federal child care money was on offer that could change their lives, deliberately chose to make them wait, and wait, and wait for help.
“The thing is, the only time child care has been a priority for Doug Ford was when he cut it in his first two years in power.
“Remember this headline – it’s from the Toronto Star – May 2, 2019:
Doug Ford’s cuts put over 6,000 subsidized daycare spaces at risk
“Ontario is cutting a total of $80 million from licensed child care across the province, including the $50-million fund to help offset costs for licensed child-care providers
“Today, Doug Ford brags about a financial agreement he could and should have gotten 6 months ago. His failure has cost families thousands. And while every other province got agreements early, many still opted to make their payments retroactive to the beginning of this year, because they knew it was needed.
“Ontario was last to sign and Ontario parents will be the last to benefit from the federal funding.
“Ontario Liberals are the only ones pledging that if we form government, we will make sure Ontario families do not pay the price for Doug Ford’s delays. We are the only ones who will make payments retroactive to January 1st – an average of $2,750 per child – and the only party pledging $10 per day for before and after school care by this September.
 “I don’t trust Doug Ford to implement this agreement. I say that not out of partisanship, but based on both his past cuts, and his negotiating priorities.
“From Day 1, Doug Ford has wanted as few strings attached to this federal funding as possible. Ask yourself why and who that benefits. Again, just yesterday they were bragging about how they reduced some of those funding requirements.
“We all saw Doug Ford try to profit off federal COVID funds. Let’s not let him do the same with child care.”
 Getting a much needed drink of water.  By Staff
March 28th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
It happens every year.
Well just about every year. The 2020 race did not take place due to Covid19 The 2021 race was run virtually.
It has been happening since 1894
The Around the Bay Road Race on Sunday, March 27, 2022 was a cold day that called for hearty runners to complete the 30 km event,
Hamilton’s Around the Bay Road Race is the oldest on the continent, first run in 1894, three years before the Boston Marathon. Rich in tradition, it has been won by the best from around the world, including Boston Marathon winners and Olympic gold medallists. Become part of the continuing tradition by running this challenging course around Hamilton’s natural harbour!
They will do it again on March 26, 2023
 Each runner chooses what they will wear. Quite a difference between these four. Photographs by Denis Gibbons
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