By Staff

September 9th, 2024

BURLINGTON, ON

Burlington has a new community organization.  Rather than report we will pass along to you what they passed along to us and give you some time to read it over and decide if this interests you.

A city or town can never have too many community organizations Oakville has more than a dozen and they are the better for it.

Community engagement in Burlington has problems getting the oxygen needed to stay alive. ECoB – Engaged Citizens of Burlington proved that the public interest is there – sustaining it over time seems to be the problem.

Effective today a new community wide residents association has been launched in the City of Burlington. The Association is called the Burlington Residents’ Action Group (“BRAG”), and has been created after several months of intensive discussions with a number of concerned citizens, stakeholders and ratepayers’ associations in other communities.

ECoB filled a church hall.

BRAG’s mission, as outlined in its Constitution, is “To identify, advocate for and promote strong, definitive and effective measures to advance the interests of all Burlington citizens.” Its mission is to promote measures that ensure Burlington becomes a community “….in which citizens are respected participants and partners in all decisions that affect their interests.”

BRAG’s primary objectives include the following:

• • • • To promote greater awareness and understanding amongst residents on local and regional issues that impact residents.
      • To actively lobby politicians and civic officials on behalf of residents, and to ensure the interests of residents always remain a paramount concern.
      • To advocate for measures to enhance and protect Burlington’s unique history, culture and character.
      • To support the election of local and regional representatives who support the aims and objectives of our association.

BRAG’s creation came about in response to a number of growing concerns impacting Burlington residents such as increasing taxation, development intensification, urban transportation, flood abatement, Strong Mayor Powers, and a heightened sense that civic leaders are not really listening to residents’ concerns.

BRAG’s first priority will be the City of Burlington’s municipal budget. An online petition has been launched calling for three important changes in Burlington’s 2025 budget and related processes:

• • • • A zero percent increase in taxes for the coming year;
      • Clear language when communicating tax increases;
      • The creation   of   a   transparent   and   user-friendly process that enhances understanding and awareness.

Citizens gather for budget discussions. This meeting involved a number of city firemen who were attentively listened to by Councillor Craven, on the right in the blue shirt.

A hyperlink to the online petition can be found here: https://change.org/Burlington2025

Regarding the City’s 2025 proposed budget BRAG’s President, Eric Stern commented:

If the proposed 2025 increase is approved, for every $1,000 in Burlington property taxes you paid in 2022, you’ll pay $1,387.20 in 2025.

 For comparison, the Region of Halton increased the R-Region line, on your final tax bill, by 2.52% in 2023 and 3.05% in 2024. Compounded over two years that’s a 5.65% increase compared to Burlington’s 27.39% increase over the same two years.

“Our Burlington City Council has a spending problem”.

To this end, BRAG members will be actively engaged in the budget review process in the coming months. Preliminary indications are that the City is proposing an 8.9% increase in municipal taxes for 2025 which, BRAG contends, is wholly unacceptable. BRAG will be actively participating and attending budget discussions throughout the City, as well as promoting greater community awareness on this and similar issues.

A budget meeting held by the city on a cold January night – three people showed up – two of them were running for office. Getting the public to take part is often a challenge.

BRAG encourages concerned residents to sign this petition. Moreover, we welcome residents who, like ourselves, are deeply concerned with the current direction of this City, and feel there is a compelling need to change the overall policy direction. Those seeking more information are welcome to contact us for further details.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Eric Stern President

Burlington Residents’ Action Group (“BRAG”) E-mail: eric.stern@gobrag.ca

    Website: 

By Staff

September 8th, 2024

BURLINGTON, ON

The City of Burlington is hosting its fourth annual Food for Feedback event on Saturday, Sept. 14, between noon and 4 p.m. at Central Park (2299 New St.).

Residents can come to enjoy a free meal in exchange for sharing their thoughts on City projects.

City staff, advisory committees, Mayor Marianne Meed Ward and members of Council will also be in attendance to listen to resident feedback.

Expect the table with the Finance people to be swamped – there is now a well organized group who want to see lower taxes and a City Council that instructs staff to get used to spending less money.

This now annual event went through some arduous debate.  At one point each member of Council was arguing that the event should be held in their ward.  They came close taking that idea seriously.  The Staff report on the event was so poorly prepared and the presentation so badly managed that the then Director was no longer the Director.

A related news story

How we ended up with an annual Food for Feedback event

By Pepper Parr

September 8^th, 2024

BURLINGTON, ON

In the 12 years we have been covering Burlington Council meetings we have seen it all.

There have been some brilliant delegations.  We watched as a single parent, quite young, not particularly well educated, speak to council and drive home the challenge single parents with jobs that don’t pay very well cope on a day to day  basis.

We watched a woman turn to then Mayor Goldring and tell him to be quiet while she was speaking.

We have watched presentations from developers who tried to control the information Council was going to be given.

The evening a decent sized group of mothers who played soccer filled the room with babes in arms and strollers all over the place – made their point – they wanted a fairer distribution of the time available on the soccer pitches in Sheridan Forest park was one to remember.

Things are not like that anymore.  The group of people who would delegate regularly is much smaller these days – some of that is a hangover from the Covid 19 concerns.

We watched recently, as the Mayor was just plain rude to a frequent delegator.

The procedure at the opening of Council meetings now has the Mayor reading this statement:

Mayor Meed Ward

As a reminder, delegates are required by the procedure bylaw to speak only to the report and the item on the agenda. Further delegates must be respectful of staff council members and other members of the public who may have a different perspective on an item. Personal attacks will not be tolerated and we do have a respectful workplace which includes council chambers. So please focus on the issue that you have registered to delegate to and note that those who spoke at committee on an item are required to bring new information forward only and are not to repeat what they said at committee.

Not exactly a welcoming statement.

That procedural bylaw has been described as badly outdated but no mention as to when it will be revised.

At a Council meeting the Mayor announced Anne and Dave Marsden in council chambers said they will speak to two items on the agenda. The first one is the 2024 proposed budget and tax levy for the business improvement area. And the second one is the motion memorandum calling for a new Halton courthouse in Oakville.

“You have five minutes for each of those” she said.

Anne Marsden

Marsden began by saying: “Over two weeks ago, we did start email conversations  with every member of council and the only on this subject, a very serious subject. And the only response we got was a confirmation from Mayor Meed Ward. We’ve had no correspondence at all, no interest shown by any member of council in this very serious matter. The recommendation before Council on this agenda item is approve the 2024 proposed budget for the Burlington Downtown Business Association improvement area. Burlington BIA members pay a tax levy of over a million dollars.  This report presents an overview of the 2024 Burlington downtown business improvement area,

Marsden went on for the time she was permitted.

At one point the Mayor interrupted Marsden saying: “sorry you are we are not dealing with that by law. So please restrict yourselves to the by law that we are dealing with thank you,  we are not dealing with that 2015 bylaw

Mayor intercedes again “ I’m going to have to interrupt you. We’re not dealing with a 2015 authorizing bylaw. We are dealing only with the budget today. So please confine your remarks to the budget today. I’m sorry that  is not relevant  to our budget deliberations today.

Marsden: The last time you interrupted me and said I couldn’t speak on a certain item I corrected you and the clerk agreed with that correction. There was no apology from you for interrupting members the public who are trying to ensure that residents are treated fairly.

Mayor: Thank you very much for your delegation. Moving now to your second delegation, which is on the motion memorandum regarding the call for the new Halton courthouse in Oakville. Once again I will advise you to follow our procedure Bylaw and stick to the item in front of us on today’s agenda,  you have five minutes.

Marsden begins her delegation.

She gets through the five minutes without any interruptions from the Mayor.

Mayor Meed Ward responds:  “Thank you very much for your delegation. We know it’s not easy to  present and these issues we are very passionate about.”

Marsden was having a very difficult day – she was in tears part of the time.

Councillor Lisa Kearns

Councillor Shawna Stolte

Councillor Paul Sharman

We have seen other delegators come close to breaking down with one saying she had to get some professional help due to the stress related to her delegations.

These are people who care deeply about issues in their community.

There has to be a better way to treat them with the dignity and respect they deserve.  Councillors Kearns and Stolte and Councillor Sharman have managed to be kind, considerate and helpful when delegates struggle to make their point.

It can be done.

By Staff

September 7^th, 2024

BURLINGTON, ON

It will be a very short event – couple of hours.  But for those who are committed fans of fighter aircraft – there is an opportunity to see the aircraft on the ground.

It is the Royal Air Force  Red Arrows Museum Visit September 11, 2024 at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum between noon and 2:00  pm.

There is nothing firm about the arrival and departure times.

Watching this squadron roll out to the tarmac and get into the and to meet up with the Lancaster Bomber that is part of the War Museum Collection will be a sight to see.

While on their tour of Canada celebrating the RCAF 100th Anniversary, the Red Arrows have added a stopover visit at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum. The squadron is made up of Hawk T1 is a fully aerobatic, low-wing, two-seat training aircraft.

Come out to see the United Kingdom’s aerobatic team, the Red Arrows, on the ground. Please note this is NOT an air show and the Red Arrows will not be performing their aerobatic routine.

The Red Arrows will be visiting the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum for a special photo flight with the Lancaster at approximately 2 pm.

Having those Red Arrows in the air being photographed with the Lancaster will be something to watch.

Admission: Regular admission rates apply – Adult (18 – 64) $16, Senior (65+) $14, Student (13 – 17) $14, Youth (6 – 12) $11. Free admission for museum members.

By Staff

September 6^th, 2024

BURLINGTON, ON

It is 1810 and an oversized canoe glides with nary a ripple into the Port Nelson harbour, now the site of tiny Port Nelson Park at the foot of Guelph Line.

Despite its silent entry, it carries three tons of cargo and 60 men. People on shore watch and wave at the navigator to give a noisy welcome for the goods carried here have been anticipated with much delight. The ship’s navigator knows that Port Nelson, a significant lake port, does not have a sheltered natural inlet like Bronte’s, but the large wooden dock and the sandy sloping beach make it easy to unload the huge bateau. In fact, navigating is quite simple as there are two sentinel 100-foot pine trees that serve as benchmarks for sightlines to the wharf.

It was once one of four docks along the edge of what is now Burlington. Tonnes of lumber was shipped out as well as tonnes of grain. Today it is a tiny park with not even a mention of its history.

Along the shoreline there are three more docks: Bunton, Baxter and Torrance. Farmers in the area grow wheat everywhere there was a bit of earth. Traffic jams on Brant Street and Guelph Line develop with streams of carts hauled by horses and oxen taking this grain to Port Nelson to be dumped into bins and loaded into waiting boats. Burlington has the most important grain shipping point, bigger than Hamilton, and consequently this has spawned a flour manufacturing industry with a huge steam flour mill built in 1812.

James Gage, the founder of Burlington, bought land from the heirs of Chief Joseph Brant. Gage then developed Port Nelson and a square piece of land known as Wellington Square.

The shoreline of Port Nelson is not what we see today when we stand at the water’s edge in tiny Port Nelson Park.

The original Water Street is under water. North of Water Street at the time was Main Street, later renamed Lakeshore Road.

The warehouses, shipyard and the long Port Nelson dock, where grain-carrying schooners and later steamships tied up for more than 100 years, have all vanished.

In 1910 a storm wrecked the dock, which is under water today. That same storm eroded 75 feet of commercial shoreline.

This little park play a role in the loss of significant public space that is yards away to the west.  The land was owned by the city and the province.  A  Staff report came out of the then Waterfront Advisory Committee that was then looking into the various Windows on the Lake.

There were two such windows east of Port Nelson Park; Market Street ???get names

A Staff report got to Council with several options related to a strip of land between the two Windows on the Lake

The city council decision came out of a Staff report that set out three options: Do nothing with the property, lease it to the property owners whose homes abutted the land or sell it.

At the time, then Council member John Taylor said that there was a park yards to the east that met the needs of local residents.  Then Council member Marianne Meed Ward fought a losing battle to save the land for public use.

When selling the land was on the table smart local residents put in a proposal and bought the properties for less than $250,000

This is what the city could have had – but the existence of the tiny Port Nelson Park was seen as enough to let the land to the west get bought up.

There is currently a development before the Ontario Land Tribunal (the hearing has taken place – awaiting a decision) that could add tw 30 plus story towers to what is currently the Waterfront Hotel.

Proposed towers to be built on the south side of Lakeshore Road at the foot of Brant Street.

It appears that the city is prepared to lose every foot of waterfront viewing area to some form of development.

Where is the vision for this city?

By Staff

September 6th, 2024

BURLINGTON, ON

Did anyone see this one coming?

It is on the Agenda for the Council meeting that takes place next Monday – as a Consent item – which means no discussion unless a member of Council pulls it from the Agenda.

Here’s the scoop on what $1,680,944 is going to get us:

Chad Macdonald, Top guy for the city in things technology – explaining why a software application is needed.

Approve the sole source procurement of the eCheck Automated Compliance solution as our fast-tracking online building permit assessment platform to Archistar Pty Ltd. (”Archistar”) for an initial term of up to five (5) years at total cost of $1,680,944 before HST for acquisition and ongoing licensing; and

After the initial term, authorize the Chief Information Officer to deem the software legacy should they see fit; and

Authorize the Manager of Procurement Services to approve change orders to the original contract value for necessary license or software expansion, pending such change orders are within budget; and

Authorize the Chief Financial Officer to incorporate the ongoing maintenance cost of this software into the multi-year budget simulation for 2026, and

Authorize the Manager of Procurement Services to execute any required agreement(s), with content satisfactory to the Commissioner, Legal & Legislative Services/City Solicitor and issue any required Purchase Order(s).

By Staff

September 5^th, 2024

BURLINGTON, ON

Starting today, all licensed convenience stores in Ontario can sell beer, cider, wine and ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages, marking the largest expansion of consumer choice and convenience in provincial alcohol sales since the end of prohibition almost 100 years ago.

As of September 5, 4,187 convenience stores across Ontario are licensed to sell alcoholic beverages, in addition to nearly 3,000 other licensed retail outlets as well as takeaway options from licensed bars and restaurants.

“Today’s expansion delivers on our government’s promise to give people in Ontario the same choice and convenience enjoyed by people throughout the rest of Canada,” said Premier Doug Ford. “With today’s announcement, we’re also creating new opportunities to produce and sell world-class Ontario-made beer, wine and ready-to-drink beverages in nearly 4,200 convenience stores across the province.”

Find out where the locations are in your neighbourhood

The government’s phased expansion, which began earlier this year, is giving customers across Ontario more choice and convenience, supporting businesses and helping to promote Ontario-made beverage producers. By the end of October 2024, as part of the government’s plan to expand alcohol sales, every eligible convenience, grocery and big-box grocery store in Ontario will be able to sell beer, cider, wine and ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages if they choose to do so.

Doug Ford is said to be a tee-teetotaller but when it come to supporting an election promise and currying favour – you do what you gotta do.

“People finally have more options to responsibly and conveniently support local Ontario breweries and wineries – or whatever their drink-of-choice may be – even closer to home, and today’s announcement is another milestone in the government’s commitment to deliver more choice and convenience to consumers,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance. “In addition to supporting Ontario retailers, domestic producers and workers in the alcohol industry, our vision for a better marketplace has come to life thanks to people and businesses across the province.”

The government is also permanently allowing the transfer of wine and spirits between locations with the same owner and/or affiliated licensees in order to help bars and restaurants effectively manage inventory, and is allowing licensed grocery and convenience stores to display alcoholic beverages in multiple areas of a store, while maintaining small-producer shelf space requirements as well as policies that will continue to ensure the safe and responsible sale of alcohol.

The government will continue to work closely with the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO), the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and The Beer Store, in addition to consulting and meeting with industry partners, local beverage alcohol producers and other stakeholders as it completes the launch of this new marketplace.

To support a vibrant beverage alcohol industry, at least 20 per cent of the beer, cider, wine and ready-to-drink beverages on display in grocery and convenience stores must be produced by craft producers.

It all started when the Premier used a “buck a beer” as a campaign angle.

The government is enhancing protections for winery retail stores, offering additional support to the local industry. These time-limited measures are designed to incentivize the co-location of these stores and ensure their viability in the evolving alcohol marketplace. The measures include extending protections and incentives for co-located winery retail stores until January 1, 2036 and enabling co-located winery retail stores to offer home delivery services.

Over time, Ontario’s new, more open marketplace will introduce up to an estimated 8,500 new stores where these products can be sold.

Everyone in the booze business applauds the changes made – except for those who work with alcoholics and the thousands of damaged households across the province.

For the most part the old system worked.  The multi-national beer companies had a strong hold on the beer market.

The Beer Store is the only place taking empties. Some LCBO agents are taking them.

Opening up sales opportunities for the small independent locations was a good move.

Giving The Beer Store $225 million to keep them quiet for awhile was necessary.

Requiring space for the Craft Breweries to display their products was good for breweries who have always had a hard time getting their product before the public.

The issue that hasn’t been given the attention it needs is the return of the empties.  That has to given attention as soon as possible.

By Staff

September 5th, 2024

BURLINGTON, ON

Featured below are companies that have experienced recent insider trading activity in the public market through their direct and/or indirect ownerships, including accounts they have control or direction over.

The list below features insider transaction activity for today’s date; it does not convey total ownership information as an insider may hold numerous accounts.

Buying and selling activity by insiders may reflect perceived value in a security. Selling activity may or may not be related to a stock’s valuation. An insider might want to raise funds for personal reasons. An insider’s total holdings should be considered because a sale may, in context, be insignificant if this person has a large remaining position in the company. Some people put great weight on insider transaction activity when they see multiple insider trading’s of a company’s shares.