 By Pepper Parr
November 3oth, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
After deciding not to continue working with the Sound of Music, the Not-for-Profit organization that put on the free attendance music festival for 30 years, the City sent out a Call for Applications that resulted in 12 submissions, which ranged from modest community-scale events under $250,000 to large, multi-day music festivals exceeding $2 million.
.The range and diversity of submissions underscored the strong interest in Burlington’s waterfront and confirmed that commercial, not-for-profit, and community-based sectors all recognize the long-term potential for a renewed music festival at Spencer Smith Park.
 An MRG production. Concerns were raised about the limited preparation time for a 2026 launch and highlighted the need for a longer-term agreement with the City to allow their event to grow and achieve its full vision over multiple
All applications were reviewed using the City’s Festivals and Events Policy, and the Festivals and Events Strategy Team (FEST) completed a thorough review based on the policy criteria of innovation, economic impact, sustainability, accessibility, professionalism, risk and safety.
 MRG brings experience and scale to concerts in locations across Canada. This structured review identified MRG Live Ltd., (https://www.mrglive.com) as the top applicant, demonstrating the strongest alignment with Burlington’s policy framework, community priorities, and the City’s objectives for a financially sustainable, high-quality waterfront festival that would be known as the Waterfront Music Festival and take place on June 19–21, 2026.
MRG is not a not for profit. It is an Ontario Business Corporation formed in xxx by xxxx
MRG Live, a division of The MRG Group, is a leading independent North American concert and entertainment production company. Founded in 2008, MRG Live has since become Canada’s largest concert and entertainment promotion company and expanded into the USA in 2020. The company produces over 1,000 events annually, servicing MRG’s nine owned, operated or programmed venues, and producing concerts across Canada and in key US markets ranging from clubs, to theatres, to arenas.
MRG Live’s mission is to be the leading partner for connecting talent to their audiences. Focusing on developing and growing artists and markets, while never forgetting the importance of the fan experience.
To get a sense of the scale and experience the group has – here is what they did at the West 4th Avenue Khatsahlano Street Party, Vancouver’s largest free Music + Arts Festival. “Created with love in 2011 by the members of the Kitsilano West 4th Avenue Business Association, Khatsahlano features multiple stages showcasing more than 50 of Vancouver’s top musical performers as well as the eclectic work of local artisans and street performers. This 10-block street fair, spanning from Burrard to MacDonald Street also features a wide variety of food options, bustling patios, giveaways, special activities, and licensed beer gardens!”
Do they know how to draw a crowd?
Khatsahlano Street Party (175,000 attendees), Surrey Fusion Festival (100,500 attendees),
There are a lot of questions that will hopefully be asked when this is discussed at Council on Monday. What will happen to the superb group of volunteers who worked to get the festival up and running each year?
Nor is there any mention of the role the Performing Arts Centre will play in the event. They were billed as the Premier sponsor for the 2025 event and put $100,000 into the 2025 event.
What wasn’t contained in the report was the size of the city’s financial contribution – $150,000 was available.
Did anyone prepare a list of the things that could go wrong?
The decision to accept the Staff recommendation will go to Council on December 9th.
Over the coming months, staff will provide support in addressing the logistical requirements necessary to deliver the event. An information report will be prepared for Q1 2026 to present these details to Council and ensure they are shared with the broader community.
Options considered:
Option 1: Proceed with MRG Live Ltd. as the Music Festival Provider for 2026
Option 2: Pause for 2026 and Plan for 2027
3,500 people responded to a survey – looking for clear support for Canadian artists, affordability, sustainability, and the continuation of Burlington’s tradition of hosting a major summer festival at Spencer Smith Park.
 By Sadie Smith
December 1st, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Let’s be honest: most of us in Burlington use some form of digital entertainment to unwind. Whether that’s streaming, gaming, apps and yes, even the occasional online casino session. With more options than ever, it’s becoming harder to tell what’s legit, what’s risky and what you should keep an eye on before diving in. Whether you’re just curious or you already enjoy a little online play now and then, it’s worth knowing how to stay safe, informed and in control.
 It is worth knowing how to stay safe, informed and in control. This isn’t about telling you what to do with your downtime. It’s about making sure that whatever you choose, you’re doing it with eyes wide open with no surprises, no shady fine print and no regrets.
Transparency matters more than you think
You probably compare products, travel or local restaurant deals before making a decision. Digital entertainment should be no different. Whether you’re downloading a game, signing up for a streaming service or trying out an online casino, transparency is your best friend.
Here’s what you should look for every time:
- Clear rules and terms: If it feels confusing or intentionally vague, that’s a bad sign.
- Straightforward privacy policies: You should know what’s being tracked or stored.
- Visible customer support channels: If something goes wrong, you want an actual human response.
- Licensing and regulations: Especially important for online casinos.
One thing a lot of residents don’t realize is how much variation there can be between platforms. Some offer super-clear info right up front, while others bury important details behind long walls of text. When in doubt, choose platforms that are open about how they operate.
Why withdrawal speeds matter, even if you’re just playing casually
 If you’ve ever played at an online casino, you probably know the feeling: you score a win, request a cashout and then, nothing. Days go by. Sometimes, even a week. In the world of digital entertainment, slow withdrawals are more than just annoying; they can be a signal that a platform isn’t using the most secure or user-friendly systems or that you’re not using the right payment method.
Fast withdrawal casinos tend to use better payment processors, provide clearer timelines and avoid unnecessary delays. And if you’re comparing a fast withdrawal casino in Canada, you want to compare top-rated options to see which platforms actually deliver on their promises.
This is where resources like onlinecasino.ca really come in handy. It’s a resource for Canadian online casino enthusiasts, offering detailed information on top online casinos, including ratings, reviews and bonuses. The site provides guides on selecting the best casinos, playing popular games and understanding Canadian gambling regulations. If you’re someone who prefers to play with confidence (and less hassle), a resource like this can save you from a lot of trial and error.
Responsible play isn’t complicated; you just need a plan
 Let’s talk about the part most people skip: playing responsibly. And don’t worry, this isn’t meant to sound preachy. Think of this as the digital-entertainment version of checking your mirrors before changing lanes. It’s just smart.
Here are a few practical habits worth adopting:
Set time boundaries before you start: It’s wild how quickly an hour can disappear when you’re deep into a game or streaming session. Set a timer if you need to; your future self will thank you.
Keep entertainment money separate: Using a dedicated “fun budget” makes everything clearer and stress-free. That way, whether you’re renting a movie or placing a small wager, you know exactly where you stand.
Don’t ever chase: If you’re playing casino games online, chasing losses is the fastest way to end up annoyed or stressed. Stick to your plan and walk away when you’ve hit your limit.
Take breaks and check in with yourself: Just ask, “Am I still having fun?” If the answer is no, it’s time to tap out.
Use built-in casino tools: Most regulated platforms offer cool features like deposit limits, play reminders or even cool down periods. Take advantage of these as they are made to protect you, not hold you back.
Stay curious, stay safe and stay informed
Digital entertainment should be fun, simple as that. Whether you’re streaming a new show, exploring mobile apps or trying out online casino games, the goal is to feel good about how you’re spending your time (and your money). Burlington residents have tons of options these days, and that freedom can be empowering as long as you approach it with a little awareness.
 Make sure that whatever you choose to do – do it safely and on your own terms. And with winter settling in, there’s something pretty great about getting cozy at home; curling up under a blanket, sipping something warm and enjoying the kind of digital entertainment that helps you relax after a long day. Just make sure that whatever you choose, you’re doing it safely and on your own terms.
So the next time you’re looking for a new digital pastime, take a moment to check transparency, compare withdrawal speeds, understand the rules and make a plan before jumping in. You’ll enjoy yourself a lot more when you know you’re making smart and safe choices.
 By Ray Rivers
November 30th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
 You just knew these two were going to get something going: turned out to be a Memorandum of Understanding. Does that equal a Valentine? Photo credit: Carney meets with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith during a stampede breakfast July 4, 2025. Photo by Darren Makowichuk Like the cat which ate the canary, Danielle Smith had the biggest smile as she sat down with the prime minister to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU). And why not, she got virtually everything she had asked for from the PM. She’d worked hard for this – a license to make Canada’s richest province even richer. But where is the thanks from her political base?
The ultra right wing of Danielle Smith’s UCP (United Conservative Party) is made up of Alberta separatists from the former Wildrose Party. To keep those radicals on-side and to blackmail the federal government into giving her another pipeline she has deliberately fanned the separatist flames in her province. Her oxymoronic motto “a sovereign Alberta inside a unified Canada” says it all.
This is not going to end well. She was booed by delegates at this weekend’s UCP convention – 65% said they would vote for independence if a vote were held today. Smith’s MOU is a pyrrhic victory – she may get her pipeline and all the carveouts on emission reductions, but she may well lose her base and the next provincial election unless she can change the channel. Once promised independence, the party zealots will not be content with just another pipeline.
Mark Carney is a brave man and has embarked on the biggest gamble of his career. In the process of painstakingly sucking up to Alberta he made a detour on Canada’s highway to reducing climate changing emissions. And his driving has alienated his former political allies in B.C. and those among the indigenous community. Liberals are supposed to be big on the environment – even Elizabeth May thought so. So what was he thinking?
 Prime Minister Mark Carney: Perhaps uppermost in his mind may have been the need to increase the diversity of Canada’s export markets. Perhaps uppermost in his mind may have been the need to increase the diversity of Canada’s export markets. Oil is the country’s most valuable export but most of it currently goes to a now unpredictable USA. If America’s fickle US president slapped a whopping 50% tariff on Canadian heavy crude would American refiners retool to use abundant American oil and stop importing?
And then there is Alberta separatism. Albertans selfishly lay the blame for their hatred of the rest of Canada squarely on the Trudeaus – both father and son. But it was the anti-federalist former premier Peter Lougheed who first ignited the fires of separatism, poisoning federal-provincial relations in an uncomfortable parallel with Quebec’s René Lévesque. “Let those eastern bastards freeze in the cold”.
Mark Carney is paying the price for bending over for Smith. He has lost (from Cabinet) Steven Guilbault, the former environment minister – the environmental conscience of the Liberal party. Now, the electric vehicle mandate, banning new gas guzzlers by 2035, is pretty much all that stands between him and what Stephen Harper stood for. Other things being equal, Carney’s party may well lose most of its B.C. seats and probably many in Quebec and Ontario in the next election, which might now come sooner than later.
His goodwill with the indigenous communities has been shaken if not lost. And he is unlikely to swing any Liberal voters to his side in tribal Tory Alberta anyway. After all, they have been cultured to hate the Liberals even more than they want to get out of Canada. Trading Canada’s climate change strategy for possible peace in Alberta may well turn out to a big price to pay.
But Mr. Carney can take a bow for the 3rd quarter GDP growth numbers (2.6%) in Canada’s economy, despite Trump’s tariffs. That will be harder to maintain once the USMCA is gone, starting in the summer of 2026. But there is $70 billion in investment promised by the oil rich UAE. Also Mr. Carney has negotiated an important trade deal with Indonesia, the fourth most populist country in the world, and we are on track to better trading relations with both India and China.
 Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is reacting to an audience booing her this weekend. So just maybe, Mr. Carney knows what he is doing and it’s working. But he might want to listen to the remarks Smith delivered in her speech to the UCP convention this weekend. When Smith had raised, signing the MOU with the PM on the first day of this convention, she was greeted with a round of boos.
So Smith decided to double down on some Alberta strong and free, anti-federal rhetoric. This included the upcoming sovereignty legislation which can nullify federal laws, including the gun laws, according to her. Perhaps she was just playing to the crowd, but I have a feeling this is just the beginning.
 Ray Rivers, a Gazette Contributing Editor, writes regularly applying his more than 25 years as a federal bureaucrat to his thinking. Rivers was once a candidate for provincial office in Burlington. He was the founder of the Burlington citizen committee on sustainability at a time when climate warming was a hotly debated subject. Ray has a post graduate degree in economics that he earned at the University of Ottawa. Tweet @rayzrivers
Background links:
Separatism – Richest Province – UCP Convention – Smith/Carney –
How Alberta Sees It – MOU – Lougheed – Smith Booed by Separatists –
 By Gazette Staff
November 28th, 2025
BURLINGTON,ON
The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives has fought for decades to achieve income equality. This article is the first in a series they will be doing on how we as Canadians can get to the point where our students can have what their parents and grandparents had: income security.
 If you’re wondering why young people are anxious, angry, or disengaging, income inequality is the tie that binds. “It’s time to make inequality unacceptable: the top 20% Account for 64.8% of Canada’s total net worth.
 “New Statistics Canada data confirms something you probably already intuitively know: income inequality remains at a record high. And like you, we’re fed up with it.
“Canada’s wealthiest households (the top 20 per cent) now account for 64.8 per cent of Canada’s total net worth. Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) argues: That’s outrageous!
“It’s a far different story at the bottom of the wealth ladder: the least wealthy (the bottom 40 per cent) in Canada account for only 3.3 per cent of Canada’s total net worth.
“It’s an everlasting story—one we’ve been talking about at the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) since 2006, when we broke open a national conversation about inequality through our Growing Gap project.
 It’s such a betrayal of our responsibility to future generations. “We exposed how new generations of Canadians couldn’t live the dream so many in their parents’ or grandparents’ generation took for granted: home ownership, steady and secure work, decent pay, retirement security.
“It’s such a betrayal of our responsibility to future generations. But the rich just keep getting richer. Canada still tolerates outrageous levels of poverty and working poverty.
“The steep cost of housing is the symbol for a generation of young Canadians who can’t afford to get into the market. But becoming a tenant instead of an owner is also fraught: in the absence of meaningful rent control mechanisms, the rental market is no safe haven.
“Canada’s youngest households’ debt-to-income ratio hit 178.1 per cent in the second quarter of 2025. Their average disposable income grew slower than any other age group—mostly because their wages are going down.
“You might think it’s a temporary problem; that as they grow older they’ll earn more and own stuff. For too many, that dream is far beyond their grasp. Households in the 35- to 44-year-old age bracket have the highest debt-to-income ratio in Canada, at 254.2 per cent.
omething’s got to give. That’s why the CCPA is kickstarting Growing Gap 2.0, building on its original focus on the rich and the rest of us.”
By Gazette Staff
November 28th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
With much of the winter season still to come, the City is reminding residents of its snow clearing service levels and providing guidance to help residents stay informed during future snow events.
Clearing all the snow is tiring, but there is an upside: driving down a road like this:
 This is a Canadian winter Declared Snow Events
 Salting of primary and secondary roads is initiated at the start of every snowfall event. Salting of primary and secondary roads is initiated at the start of every snowfall event and plowing will occur when an accumulation of 5 cm is reached. When accumulation reaches 7.5 cm, the City will declare a “Snow Event” to advise that local residential road plowing will occur and to announce the prohibition of all on-street parking. During a snow event, road clearing updates will be sent to Snow Control Update subscribers at 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. To receive Snow Control Updates by email, visit burlington.ca/subscribe to subscribe to receive these updates.
Snow event declarations and parking restrictions are announced through the City’s social media as well as through Snow Control Updates, which can be found at burlington.ca/snow.
Parking Permit Cancellations
When a snow event is declared, there is no parking on any city street until after the snow event has been declared over, no matter the permit type. The City thanks residents for their cooperation to move their vehicles off city streets to help with snow-clearing operations. Residents who park their cars on streets blocking snow removal may face a $120 parking ticket or be towed. The declaration of a snow event means that the City expects a large volume of snow that will require clearing. Residents may still be subject to a ticket for parking which impedes road operations despite the actual snow volume.
All existing parking exemptions are invalid during snow events.
Potential City facility closures – Stay Informed
 Nelson Arena: Doesn’t happen very often, but if weather conditions are treacherous, places like this get closed. When weather events such as snow or freezing rain become more extreme and safe travel becomes more challenging, the City may decide to close some or all City facilities such as community centres, pools, arenas and City Hall. When City facilities are closed due to weather, residents can stay informed by subscribing to Facility, Sports Field and Pool Closure updates at burlington.ca/subscribe. Residents can also check our website at burlington.ca/facilityclosures. The recorded message at 905-335-7738 will also be updated when recreation facilities are closed due to inclement weather.
A declared snow event does not automatically mean all City facilities are closed or programs are cancelled.
On occasion, a recreation program may be cancelled when City facilities remain open. If a registered program is cancelled while the facility remains open, City staff will notify participants directly. Residents wondering about the status of drop-in programs should check the City’s website: burlington.ca/dropinandplay
Snow Clearing Service Levels
- Residential roads are not maintained to bare pavement but are sanded as required at intersections, hills and sharp curves to enhance traction.
- All sidewalks are plowed after 5 cm of accumulation and salted or sanded as required.
- Roads will generally be cleared 24-hours after the snowfall has ended. Heavy snowfalls or successive storms can sometimes extend this period longer than 24 hours. Please be patient as our crews work to clear the busiest streets first.
- The City is not responsible for clearing windrows left on driveways when the plow passes. If you think you will need help clearing the windrow, please make arrangements such as speaking with your neighbours, family members or hire a contractor.
Road and Sidewalk Plow Tracker
 It takes time to clean up after a storm; please give us 24-hours after the snow has ended to do this work. Residents can visit burlington.focus511.com to see which streets and sidewalks have been plowed. When plows pass over a road, the colour of the road on the map changes to indicate a plow is operating in the area. As the clean-up continues, roads throughout the city will change colour until all plowing is complete.
What Residents Can Do
During the winter season, the City of Burlington maintains 1,900 lane kilometres of roads and 850 kilometres of sidewalks. Residents can help with the removal of snow from streets and sidewalks by following road safety and parking rules:
- Please wait until 24-hours after the snowfall has ended before calling or emailing your road concerns and 48 hours for sidewalk enquiries. It takes time to clean up after a storm; please give us 24-hours after the snow has ended to do this work. Your patience is appreciated.
- Do not park vehicles on the street during a snowfall or declared Snow Event. Also, please do not leave vehicles over the sidewalk while in your driveway as this can prevent the sidewalk plow from completing its work.
- Do not shovel, plow or blow snow from residential or commercial properties onto the road or across the road. This poses a hazard to motorists and is prohibited by the Ontario Highway Traffic Act and City bylaw.
- Snowplows need room to clear the snow. Please stay back 20 meters as sand and salt may be dropping from the trucks. This also gives you room to stop safely.
- Do not pile snow in the bike lanes in front of your residence or business.
- Give snowplows plenty of space at intersections. The snowplow may need two or more lanes to turn or to get through the intersection. If a snowplow is waiting to turn left at an intersection, do not pull up and stop underneath or in front of the wing plow (the plow attached to the right side of the truck). Your vehicle could be struck by the plow when the truck pulls forward.
Burlington is a city where people, nature and businesses thrive. Sign up to learn more about Burlington at burlington.ca/subscribe and follow @CityBurlington on social media.
 Scott Hamilton, Commissioner, Public Works Scott Hamilton, Commissioner, Public Works: “Thank you to the Burlington residents who continue to move their vehicles off the street during Snow Events. Your cooperation makes a significant difference and allows our crews to clear roads more quickly and safely. We also appreciate your patience as we work through major storms. With significant snowfall or back-to-back storms, clearing all routes takes time, and we appreciate residents for following parking rules, shovelling snow back onto their own property, and helping neighbours who may need a hand.”
Links
 By Annestina Anthony
November 28th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
 Nathan Phillips Square There’s no doubt about it, Christmas in Toronto can be magical. The lights on Queen Street West, the festive markets in the Distillery District, and skating at Nathan Phillips Square all make the city feel special. But it can also be stressful. Between work parties, family visits, shopping for gifts, and trying to keep up with, well, everything, it is easy to feel overwhelmed.
Yet the good news is that there are ways to reduce stress and actually enjoy the holidays.
Make Time for Yourself
This one is top of our list for a reason, and it cannot be emphasized enough: One of the best ways to keep Christmas stress under control is to take time for yourself. Even just a few simple minutes each day can help. It can be having a quiet, warming coffee in the morning while listening to music or taking a bath in the evening to unwind. The point is to have moments where you are not doing anything for anyone else.
Toronto has lots of options if you want to get out of the house. A walk through High Park or along the Waterfront Trail can give you fresh air and a little peace. Even a stop at a quiet café like Rooster Coffee House in the Junction can feel like a mini escape from the holiday chaos.
At home, there are ways to relax that do not involve leaving the house. Reading, drawing, cooking, or working on a creative project can all take your mind off stress. Gaming can also be a surprisingly good way to relax. Video games help you focus on something fun and provide a way to escape for a while. Online gaming, including iGaming, can also be enjoyable. There, you can learn how to play crash casinos with crypto, for example, on platforms that are safe and secure and bring you the chance of winning a bit of extra Christmas funds, if you are really lucky.
Family Gatherings
 You don’t have to have perfect conversations or make everyone happy. Family visits can be stressful, especially if you do not see some relatives often and it’s for a specific reason. It is normal to feel nervous about these gatherings. One way to handle this is to set realistic expectations. Remember, you don’t have to have perfect conversations or make everyone happy. Small positive interactions are enough.
Try to avoid topics that often cause tension, like politics. Talking about local events, holiday plans, or hobbies can help keep conversations light. If you feel overwhelmed, take a short break. Stepping outside for a walk or going to another room for a few minutes can help you reset.
Remember, however, if things feel like too much, there is no obligation to stay in a situation where you feel uncomfortable. Make your excuses and leave.
Work Parties
Work parties can be super fun, yes, but they can also cause a lot of stress. The pressure to talk to everyone or act a certain “casual professional” way can be tiring. Planning ahead can help. Decide how long you will stay and stick to that plan. Focus on a few good conversations instead of trying to talk to everyone. Treat office games or competitions as just for fun and keep a light attitude. Don’t feel forced into participation if you don’t want to. A simple “No, thank you” is all that’s required.
Things to Do Around Toronto
Getting out of the house can help reduce stress. Toronto has lots of festive activities that are fun and relaxing:
- Holiday Markets: The Toronto Christmas Market in the Distillery District is full of lights, food, and music. It’s iconic for a reason, and a short visit can feel like a break from the holiday rush.
- Skating: Outdoor rinks like Nathan Phillips Square give you a way to exercise and enjoy the season. Moving around naturally reduces stress.
- Nature Walks: Toronto’s ravines and trails, such as the Don Valley Trails or Crothers Woods, are perfect for quiet reflection. A quick half-hour walk in nature can feel refreshing.
- Cultural Activities: Visiting the AGO or catching a seasonal show at the Royal Alexandra Theatre is another way to reset your mind and enjoy the season.
 Huge tree with large crowds celebrate the lighting of the Christmas tree in the Distillery District. Relaxing at Home
Spending time at home can be just as good for reducing stress:
- Creative Hobbies: Baking, crafting, or making your own holiday decorations can be a nice way to relax and feel accomplished.
- Mindfulness and Meditation: Spending 10 to 15 minutes on meditation or yoga can calm your mind. Apps like Headspace or Calm can guide you if you are new to this.
Shopping Without Stress
 Rushing about in crowded locations can be stressful. Buying gifts can be one of the most stressful parts of Christmas. Shopping online or in person before December can prevent last-minute crowds, although be warned, it’s already looking busy out there! Thankfully, Toronto has many local artisans who sell gifts online, which makes shopping easier and supports small businesses.
It helps to make a budget and stick to it. Knowing what you can comfortably spend will prevent financial stress. Remember, Christmas is not a time to get into debt, so only ever shop within your budget.
Socializing Mindfully
Overcommitting socially can drain you, and it’s not only introverts who suffer. Only say yes to events that matter to you and politely decline the rest. Remember, “No” is a whole sentence. During social events, focus on being present. Listen, enjoy conversations, and do not worry about impressing anyone. Laughter most definitely helps, so find humor where you can.
Limit Technology
Phones and computers can add more stress during an already stressy holiday. Constant notifications, emails, and social media can make you feel pressured. Consider turning off notifications during family time or in the evenings, as this will help you be more present and relaxed. Some apps and games can actually help you relax instead of stressing you out, though, so choose your digital time wisely.
Exercise and Healthy Eating
Exercise and nutrition are important for keeping stress low. Toronto has many gyms, yoga studios, and winter sports facilities. Even a walk or stretching session at home can help. Eating a mix of holiday treats and healthy meals will keep your energy steady and mood stable. You do not need to be perfect, just try to balance things.
Practising Gratitude
Taking a few minutes each day to think about what you are grateful for can shift your focus away from stress. You could be thankful for health, friends, family, pets, your job, or just having a cosy home. And sharing these thoughts with friends or family can add so much warmth to your celebrations and make the season feel more joyful, and it’s a nice little reminder of what Christmas is meant to be all about.
Other Ideas to Reduce Stress
There are plenty of other small things you can do to make the holidays calmer. Some people like to do small acts of kindness, like volunteering or helping out an older neighbour by cooking for them. These activities can give a sense of purpose and make you feel good. Another idea is to plan a “quiet day” just for yourself, with no plans or obligations. Reading, listening to music, gaming, or cooking can fill that day with simple pleasure. Or why not stick on a classic Christmas movie like A Muppets Christmas Carol or Scrooged that you can laugh along to?
Even keeping your home tidy can reduce stress. Decorating and organising in a way that makes you happy can help you feel more in control. Lighting candles, playing festive music, or creating small cozy corners at home are simple but meaningful ways to make your space relaxing.
Key Takeaways
 Christmas is difficult mentally for many of us. Christmas is difficult mentally for many of us. The key is to plan for yourself, set limits, and focus on things that bring you joy. Spending time on personal activities, enjoying some “me time” fun, attending family and work events with realistic expectations, exploring the city, and keeping social and digital boundaries can all help reduce stress.
This season, give yourself permission to enjoy the holidays at your own pace. Take small breaks, do things that make you happy, and remember that Christmas is about more than obligations.
By Pepper Parr
November 28th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
At the October 6th Standing Committee of Council it was decided to:
Decline Burlington’s Sound of Music Festival Inc.’s 2026 funding request and discontinue municipal financial support due to ongoing financial instability and non-compliance with Agreements conditions; and
Approve the reallocation of $150,000—originally designated for Sound of Music in the 2026 Operating Budget—to the Community Investment Fund. This adjustment will enhance support for a broader range of festivals and events across Burlington, promote greater equity and sustainability in cultural programming, and create opportunities to potentially support a new music festival and/or provider in 2026; and
Direct staff to report back to Council on exploration of potential opportunities for a different form of music festival and/or a different operator of a music festival at Spencer Smith Park, following a call for expressions of interest from potential event organizers; and
Remove Council’s Ex Officio appointment from the Burlington Sound of Music Inc. Board of Directors. A Council Member was appointed in 2022 under MO-03-22 for the duration of the term, building on a 2019 request from SOM (COW-11-19) to reinstate a Council-appointed ex-officio position.
The City asked for feedback from citizens. That survey closed November 17th.
The recommendation was seen as the end of Sound of Music, a free musical festival that has run as a free concert for more than 30 years.
 There were internal management problems at the Sound of Music that resulted in the very abrupt resignation of the then Executive Director SoM did have its internal management problems; it was also facing a much different economy. Many felt the time had come for some kind of an entrance fee to make the event financially sustainable. The Mayor was close to being adamant about the event being free.
The city set a deadline of November 27th for anyone who could put together a festival using the $150,000 the city would make available.
It seemed ludicrous that the city would walk away from an event that was signature to the city and a huge boost to the local hospitality sector.
During the October 6th meeting, Sarah Plamieri, Burlington Performing Arts Executive Director delegated explaining the role BPAC played as the Premium Sponsor of the Festival.
Sara Palmieri: Executive Director, Burlington Performing Arts Center. Eight months into the job – sets out an ambitious agenda – with caveats all over the place.
This BPAC arrangement didn’t work out and eventually resulted in the appointment of Sara Palmieri as Executive Director. Cleaning up the mess and finding a path that permits BPAC to support SoM without damaging what BPAC is in place to deliver might be a challenge. In her report to Council Palmieri made it very clear what they could do and couldn’t do. There was even a hint of what they wouldn’t do.
 Sara Palmieri: Executive Director of the Burlington Performing Arts Center “My name is Sara Palmieri. I’m the Executive Director of the Burlington Performing Arts Center (BPAC). I stepped into this role about eight months ago, and I’m pleased to be here today to provide council with an update on BPAC involvement with the Sound of Music Festival, and also to share a little bit about BPAC direction.
“I’m pleased to be joined by BPAC Board Chair Peter Van Dyke and our Vice Chair, Jim Thompson. I’d like to focus on three main areas, BPAC’s partnership with The Sound of Music Festival, the history of our involvement, what we’ve contributed, and what we stand in for 2026 our role and our mandate as a cultural anchor and community Performing Arts Center, and our financial stewardship and reserves; how we’re using them responsibly, and our broader direction for renewal and growth.
“BPAC’s first involvement with SoM was in 2024 under my predecessor. The arrangement was not formalized through a clear agreement, and it created some challenges and placed strains on our resources in 2020. The BPAC Board and Interim Executive Director at the time worked together to establish a proper Sponsorship Agreement with the festival.
That partnership went very smoothly in 2025. Our support included paying a $100,000 financial sponsorship, supplying technical support for Battle of the Bands over the course of four months, hosting the Battle of the Bands finale in our Community Studio theater, managing VIP ticketing and memberships through our box office on behalf of the festival’s behalf, hosting and overseeing the BPAC Plaza stage with our staff, our volunteers, our technical equipment and our audience support.
We committed to a two-year sponsorship, which created both an opportunity to support the festival and the city and an opportunity to elevate BPAC’s brand and visibility at the same time. Consistent data around audience numbers, economic impact and brand visibility and reach has not always been available, which makes it difficult to fully measure the return on investment, and we look forward to having clear impact measures in order to assess the value of such partnerships. While we’ve made it very clear that our support in 2026 will remain, the SoM needs to be financially sound, have a clear plan in place and has secured support from funders, sponsors and the community.
“We were also clear with SoM that BPAC sponsorship is not intended to pay down deficits, and that our resources must remain focused on our mandate and our future priorities. It is also important that everyone understands the BPAC role. We are a community cultural center. We’re a performing arts venue. We’re not a festival organizer. We are a not-for-profit, registered charitable organization with a mandate to present, support and grow the performing arts in Burlington. We are a cultural anchor for Burlington. We’re a big, shiny community center where residents can gather and connect and celebrate. Over the next three years, we’re working to expand our visibility and deepen engagement through programming and education initiatives, community access programs that open our stages and our spaces to local groups; charitable initiatives that ensure equity and participation and ongoing partnerships with incredible local organizations.
“It’s also important to note that the BPAC board has worked tirelessly over the past 16 months to strengthen governance and transparency, including a complete update of governance policies, ensuring that BPAC is well managed, accountable and aligned with best practices.
 Palmieri: BPAC is in a stable financial position. “It’s also an opportunity for us to share with Council our broader direction and priorities around audience development and community engagement, sponsorship and donor growth. We’re also re-engaging the business community in growing philanthropic support to strengthen sustainability and growth of our community and our access program investment in people and infrastructure.
“After years of an operational surplus and a growing capital reserve we’re now using our reserves responsibly to strengthen our organization. We are planning for major capital needs, including a new roof in 2031 as well as technology and facility upgrades that will ensure BPAC continues to serve Burlington for decades to come, as well as strategic alignment with the city. We acknowledge that BPAC is in a stable financial position.
“We’re running planned deficits in 2025 and over the next few years. In order to make these critical investments using our reserves to bridge this period responsibly, it’s important for us to speak to our financial reserve as there’s been some public discussion about its size as part of our public 2024, audited financial statements.
“BPAC holds an accumulated surplus reserve of approximately $5.18 million. These reserves are not excess funds. They’re not the result of operating surpluses. Today, the board has an approved plan to put these reserves to work through strategic investments, future capital needs and responsible risk management.
We’re currently in a period of planned board approved deficits. In 2025 we’re projecting a deficit of approximately $269,000 in 2026 we’re projecting a deficit of approximately $211,000 both deficits will be offset by a responsible draw from our reserve. In addition to the BPAC Reserve, also covering unplanned necessary facility expenses in 2025 including the repair of a groundwater leak at the facility and the replacement of critical information technology and network switches. Our goal is to return to a balanced budget by the 2028 fiscal year, ensuring that our reserves are used responsibly to bridge this period of renewal and investment while continuing to refine our long term strategy for the stewardship and future use.
“This approach reflects good governance. and accountability, and we have a solid based and strength and governance, and we’re leveraging both our reserves and the city’s ongoing investment responsibly together these position BPAC to remain strong and resilient and be able to serve Burlington for decades to come, to come, it’s important to stress that while BPAC is in a stable position, our reserves are already allocated to bridge plan deficits, address urgent needs and prepare for major projects like the roof in 2031 the city’s annual operating grant continues to be the cornerstone of our stability.
 Palmieri: Our support for the Sound of Music Festival has been significant, and we remain committed to a partnership in 2026 “What these reserves allow us to do is to leverage that investment responsibly protecting the city’s contribution while giving BPAC the ability to invest in our facility, our people, our programming and our community. Our support for the Sound of Music Festival has been significant, and we remain committed to a partnership in 2026, but it’s clear that BPAC cannot expand its role or its level of financial support over what has already been committed to.
Palmieri: “We are not in a position to take on a bigger role or provide larger financial support.”
“In closing, we’re in a period of renewal and growth. We’re financially stable and strategically investing in our people and our facility and focused on deepening our engagement with Burlington residents, businesses and cultural partners. I want to make it clear again that we will continue to support the SoM should things move ahead in 2026 but it must ensure it aligns with our mandate and capacity.
“We are not in a position to take on a bigger role or provide larger financial support.
“Thank you, and I’m happy to take any questions.”
The public, for the most part, was not aware of just how involved BPAC was with the SoM in the past few years nor did most people know anything about the size of the reserves.. They are the result of an amount that is added to the purchase of every ticket for every event put on at the Performing Arts Centre. That has to be seen as very prudent stewardship.
Yesterday was the closing date for those who wanted to express an interest in putting on a SoM event in 2026 with the $150,00 the city was prepared to put on the table.
 By Joe Gaetan
November 27, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
 The Escarpment is what gives Burlington its sense of being rural – despite all the towers in the core. Burlington is a city endowed with enviable natural features. From an Economic Development standpoint, it is more accurate to say Burlington is an island. Hemmed in on all sides by fixed, immovable boundaries; the Escarpment to the north, Lake Ontario to the south, and a tangle of provincial highways and freight rail corridors cutting across the middle. Our city has almost no room to grow outward. Yet it is expected to absorb major intensification targets handed down by the Province while also trying to present itself as a modern, walkable, livable community. This contradiction is becoming harder to ignore.
And now, Burlington is once again debating whether to bring economic development back in-house. Before council rushes into yet another organizational shuffle, it is worth asking: are we solving the right problem? Or are we rearranging the governance structure without addressing the geographic and policy constraints that actually define Burlington and its economic reality?
The Geography Trap: Limited Land, Unlimited Expectations
Burlington’s economic potential is structurally constrained. Unlike neighbouring communities that have room to expand business parks or create new employment corridors, Burlington is boxed in. The remaining employment lands we have are fragmented, expensive, and often complicated by access issues. The QEW/403/407, HWY 5 corridors make north-south travel difficult, and also limit the ability to stitch together walkable districts, innovation clusters, or connected employment zones.
This means Burlington’s residential growth will be primarily vertical and perhaps in the form of mixed-use intensification. But what about industrial and other economic development or redevelopment?
The future health of our economic development requires a coordinated plan, strong investor confidence, and more than ever predictable municipal decision-making. With respect to Economic Development and a sound plan going forward, Burlington faces challenges on many fronts.
Provincial Intensification Targets Are a Double-Edged Sword
The provincial mandate for intensification transformed Burlington more dramatically than political will or municipal planning exercises. These targets have forced density into areas not ready for it, while simultaneously shaping the economic geography of the city.
Density done right can support transit, retail streets, and talent attraction. On the other, it puts enormous pressure on aging infrastructure, drives up land costs for employers, and complicates the retention of light industrial uses that form the backbone of Burlington’s small-business economy.
Economic Development: A Structural Problem, Not a Governance One
Burlington has spent years debating who should run economic development, be it an arms-length agency or City Hall but without fully addressing what economic development actually needs to accomplish given Burlington’s constraints.
Bringing economic development in-house will not magically produce employment lands or reduce the cost of doing business. Nor will it fix the competing visions at City Hall between walkability, sustainability, intensification, and fiscal constraint.
Walkability vs. Reality: A Vision Without the Land to Support It
Burlington’s desire to become a walkable, transit-supported city is admirable but collides with the brute facts of geography. Rail lines and highways divide neighbourhoods. The Escarpment limits northward connectivity. Major intensification is being funneled into a tiny slice of the city, placing pressure on a handful of corridors rather than creating multiple vibrant, walkable districts.
 The industry is on the other side of the Bay. The Risk Ahead: Becoming a Bedroom Community With No Economic Engine
If Burlington is not strategic, it risks becoming a commuter city with limited commercial tax growth, rising residential taxes, and declining business retention. The high cost of land, limited space for new employers, and governance instability will discourage some businesses from expanding here.
Conclusion: Burlington Needs Clarity, Not Another Restructure
Whether economic development sits inside or outside City Hall is secondary. What Burlington truly needs is a sober acknowledgement of its geographic constraints and a long-term economic plan that is realistic, integrated, and stable across political cycles.
Without that, Burlington will remain an island, isolated, not by geography alone, but by its inability to align vision with reality.
Joe Gaetan is a Burlington resident who writes on important Burlington issues.
 By Sadie Smith
November 28th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
 Some of the most advanced entertainment technology in the world. When you open a gaming app or join a live casino table in Canada this year, you are stepping into an experience fueled by some of the most advanced entertainment technology in the world. Immersive tools work together to deliver fast, smooth, and personalized gameplay that keeps evolving every month.
Growth Pushing the Operators to Innovate
Canada’s digital gaming audience is growing quickly, with recent data showing that more than 20 million Canadians are expected to take part in digital gaming during 2025 as regulated markets expand and mobile access improves across the provinces.
Ontario continues to lead this surge in momentum, now home to 46 licensed operators that compete to attract players with better design, advanced technology, safer play tools, and more creative live games that feel closer to the real casino experience while remaining entirely digital.
As interest rises and expectations shift toward higher-quality interactions, Canadian players now want fast streaming, instant payments, and platforms that actively protect their well-being, which means the technology behind iGaming must keep advancing quickly, not tomorrow but today, so the experience stays fresh, secure, and genuinely enjoyable every time someone logs in to play.
High-Speed Connectivity and Mobile Networks
Canada’s upgraded network infrastructure now allows the majority of players to enjoy high-speed mobile and home internet connections that support instant gameplay load times, reduced lag, and a much more satisfying live-streaming experience. The 5G is delivering “fiber-like speeds”, as the federal government calls it, to millions of devices.
As a result, Canadians can now place a live bet during an NHL game break, switch to a blackjack table streamed in HD, and cash out all from their phone without worrying about frozen screens or delays ruining their momentum.
Cloud Gaming and Real-Time Streaming Power
Alongside faster networks, cloud gaming delivery systems and streaming technologies are becoming more advanced. Cloud delivery behind the scenes allows the game processing to happen on powerful remote servers instead of on your device. This means operators can deliver sharper graphics with more complex visuals without requiring players to own expensive hardware.
Live dealer casinos benefit from these upgrades, since the real-time camera switching, chat overlays, and synchronized betting actions are now stable even when thousands of Canadians join the same game at once to have a genuine casino feeling without ever leaving home.
Artificial Intelligence
There is no one-size-fits-all approach in a highly competitive market like iGaming. Artificial intelligence and machine-learning systems are now woven into how platforms customize offers, game recommendations, and user journeys. AI uses real-time behavior analysis to recommend games, guide new players to more comfortable risk levels, and create a lobby that feels customized around your interests instead of being cluttered with irrelevant content.
They also play a crucial role in responsible gaming. Machine-learning models now act as safety tools by detecting harmful betting patterns like sudden deposit spikes or extended play without breaks, prompting cooling-off reminders or spending controls meant to help protect vulnerable players before problems escalate.
Modern Payment Methods, Blockchain, and Faster Banking
 Quick and secure payments matter just as much as high-quality gameplay, which is why Canadian gaming platforms continue integrating fast payout options, such as Interac, e-wallets, and secure mobile banking tools that help you move funds without unnecessary delays.
At the same time, blockchain technology is gaining recognition across global jurisdictions as a future solution for verifying the fairness of online slot games. Although it is not yet a mainstream component of Canada’s regulated market, blockchain remains highly effective at recording outcomes through transparent ledgers that remove doubt from the equation. As the industry moves toward stronger standards of trust and transaction reliability, its role is expected to grow.
Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality
Virtual reality and augmented reality are taking their first steps into the Canadian iGaming scene, bringing the possibility of walking through a virtual casino floor or joining a 3D poker table with friends across the country from the comfort of your living room.
While the technology remains at a premium price point and requires stronger device performance than traditional gameplay, fast improvements in headset affordability and mobile processing power are removing those barriers quickly. With that momentum, AR and VR could soon move online casino gaming away from screens to immersive environments that can fully engage players from the comfort of their homes.
The Future of Online Gaming is Here
 You are stepping into a new era of entertainment where cutting-edge technology works quietly in the background to make every moment better. Canada’s online gaming community is growing stronger each year, and the technology behind it keeps evolving to deliver faster, smarter, and more engaging play for everyone. Powered by 5G, cloud gaming, live streaming, artificial intelligence, and emerging AR and VR innovation, the experience for Canadians in 2025 feels like the future arriving ahead of schedule.
So whenever you log in for a spin, a bet, or a live table chat, remember that you are stepping into a new era of entertainment where cutting-edge technology works quietly in the background to make every moment better.
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.
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