 By Staff
June 13th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
If there is an event taking place at the Freeman Station – expect to see Alan Harrington somewhere on the site.
Last weekend there was a collection of antique trucks and cars on display that Harrington photographed and sent tot he Gazette.
The Friends of Freeman Station in Burlington held an open house on Saturday bringing many first time visitors to the site.
 A Vette, a bug and a tenderly restored pick up truck  The attraction this time was “classic old cars & trucks” – the kind used to bring people and cargo to and from the station.
About a dozen machines in attendance including: a 1950 black Cadillac, 1962 white Corvette and an 1970s Volkswagen Beetle.
Later in the day the 1937 Studebaker Burlington Fire Engine #4 arrived and kids were able to climb in and ring the bell.
 This antique fire truck gets almost as much attention in Burlington as the Teen Tour Band. The weather was expected to be gloomy but turned out perfect.
The station will be open again on Friday July 1 2022 to celebrate Canada Day.
 By Pepper Parr
June 13th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Dan VanderLelie, President, Burlington Professional Firefighters Association, IAFF Local 1552 and Director Zone 3, Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association, is an Acting Platoon Chief in the Burlington Fire department. He delegated to city coumcil last week.
 Dan VanderLelie, President, Burlington Professional Firefighters Association, IAFF Local 1552 and Director Zone 3, Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association. It was one of the lengthier and drill down deep delegations this writer has ever heard in Burlington . Dan was before Council for more than an hour.
As head of the Fireman’s union it has been suggested that he puts the interests of the union members before the public interest. Our experience with Dan, covers a period of ten years and in that time I have come to the conclusion that Dan is very concerned about public safety and the safety of the men and women who fight fires. He does argue that if the firefighters are not properly taken care of – you don’t have an effective fire department
Here is what else VanderLelie had to say:
When responding to fires in high rise buildings, firefighting crews of four to five members instead of two or three are significantly faster in putting out fires and completing search and rescue operations. The Fire Department Master Plan report (which was also discussed at Council on the same day) made it clear that the Burlington Fire Department is not currently able to assemble the fire fighting teams that are needed to fight high rise situations.
 What the city has and what it is going to need in terms of equipment and staff -including two new fire stations. The minimum required is 39 firefighters at the location within 10 minutes and 10 seconds. It has to be noted that the department currently only deploys 35 firefighters per shift which includes a platoon chief
VanderLelie adds that one high rise fire will pull multiple resources from different parts of the city – which doesn’t leave much to answer another fire call in the same time period.
 This graphic shows where the current fire departments are located and what each has in the way of equipment.. When there is a major fire that requires a lot of equipment the dispatch people will move equipment around so that there is the kind of coverage needed on an hour by hour basis. The Burlington fire department should add resources to the waterfront downtown area, which contains many high rise high rises and large future developments. Building a station nine (which would be a new station) and stuffing it with a truck with four firefighters provides better coverage for the downtown core.
Increasing ladder 342 (which is a fire fighting unit – not a piece of equipment) with a daily minimum staffing of four would allow for more efficient deployment of aerial apparatus and protect existing and proposed high rise structures and occupants.
Increasing daily minimum staffing on rescue 312 and 372 (these are also units) will allow for timely assembly of effective response force. This will better protect the citizens structures and firefighters. The purpose of the National Firefighting Professional Association (NFPA) 1710 standard is to specify the minimum criteria addressing the effectiveness and efficiency of the Career (as opposed to volunteer) public fire suppression operations, emergency medical service and special operations delivery and protecting the citizens of the jurisdiction and the occupational safety and health of the fire department employees.
 Each red dot is a development application that is working its way through the approval process. So I don’t want to say imagine this because you already aware of the intensification and density we are faced with in the very near future. When we requested the IAFF International Association of Firefighters do a GIS study for us which you all received a copy of – they were astonished at the speed and rate of the vertical growth in the city.
Their report discussed the development expected to take place and the need for additional fire station space and equipment in station 3’s and and more on station 1’s area. They were shocked at how quickly and how high we are going.
The intensification and vertical growth will create increased traffic congestion. It will also create longer emergency contact times whether it be for medical rescue or a fire. It must also be pointed out that this creates response time concerns for all of the other occurrences that we run within the city.
Our city has seen tremendous growth over the past 11 years, whether it be up in whether it be out and during that time our fire service has been stagnant. There has been no increase in staffing or deployment options. We’ve had zero growth. We’ve been asked to do more with the same or less – this model in practice cannot continue.
The fire chief made a presentation to you a couple of weeks ago regarding our staffing levels. I’m asking that the immediate needs to be addressed and met by this council and further requests be included in the 2023 budget.
That was the end of the VanderLelie delegation. The questions from members of Council began; it took the Acting Platoon Chief an hour to answer them all
After his formal delegation he was asked by Ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns what was involved in fighting fires in high rise towers – buildings in the 30 floor plus range. Kearns: asked: can you explain the word high rise tome? And can you explain what a high rise response involves? And can you give us a better understanding of the resources required?
I’ll also ask you to weave in some conversations around what is a tall building? What is a high rise? I’m not quite sure recalling those two things, the same thing from a planning perspective and from a response perspective.
 This is what is required in the way of a medium response force. Dan: Okay. So if I may, I’m going to walk you through some of the the issues that we’re faced with including what a response looks like. And we’ll count through some of the individuals that respond.
So high rise fires are extremely labour intensive for us. There’s many factors that add so much complexity to it, Vertical Response – having to get to the floor. We talked about four minutes getting to the building – we could have up to two minutes in a vertical response if we’re in elevators. If we can’t take elevators we got to take stairs and therefore adding more time understanding that time means more fire growth. Fire conditions are amplified if, let’s say in the in the unit where the fire is, if the windows blow out. Obviously feeding more wind, wind driven fires, are extremely dangerous for firefighters.
The top of the list is the residents – we can have upwards of 400 residents in a building. So when you start factoring in the fire and the smoke migration to the other floors, which means more time and more taxing on the firefighters.
 The manpower and equipment demands increase wit the height of the building. These apartments are concrete. They’re ovens. They are concrete boxes, just radiating heat inside. Extreme heat makes things difficult.
I will use an apartment building with say 20 stories on Maple Crossing Boulevard. The first primary truck and when I say primary I mean a pump rescue which has four firefighters on it. When I say rescue, that’s two firefighters. A ladder truck is two firefighters. With the first primary truck on scene they will do an evaluation of what they have and report that back to dispatch and do a size up.
 The annunciator panel is almost a map to the building with real time data essential to the firefighters who need to know what is happening where. They firefighters will have made their way to the lobby. They’ll broadcast an initial report to our dispatch as to what they see on the annunciator panels and verify the incident location.
Every building has a panel that displays information – which floor a fire is on – which unit the fire is taking place in and determine if the building is equipped with a Chubb box, which is that little silver box which only firefighters have access to – it holds all the keys necessary to access every space in the building.
They open up the box pull out the appropriate keys they need; be it an elevator master key or a master key for the building.
They then move to take control of all the elevators and bring them to the ground floor. Then find the superintendent to gather as much information as we can.
That crew will then begin to initiate search and rescue operations and attempt confinement and extinguishment. The driver of the vehicle will be left with the elevator to operate the elevator. That’s if we can use the elevator. If we can’t use the elevator then we’ll take the driver with us. walking up the stairs
The firefighters will climb to one of two floors below the incident floor and that will be designated as incident control for our crews.
Then, as we are preparing we’re looking at what’s happening on that floor. The layout of the of the cabinets, the layout of where the elevator is the stairwells, the door numbering so then we’ll proceed to the operation stairwell and standby the standpipe connection.
We need two firefighters to hook up the standpipe, these are the pipes that carry the water to each floor – but we’ve only got one that can do it because the other two need to assist the captain going to the fire floor to begin rescue operations. So the crew will connect the high rise pack to the appliances in the standpipe and then we’ll begin to make our way down the hall into the onto the fire floor to the unit in question for fire containment, extinguishment or other measures that may be needed to mitigate the situation.
 A team of firefighters carrying high rise packs of hose and an oxygen tank preparing to ascend a stairwell. These crews will have with them so obviously their full PPE or personal protective equipment, their breathing apparatus, their hand lamps or portable radios. If we have a truck phone, we’ll take that with us. The high rise apartment packs, which is pretty much taking the truck up to the floor. So we have hoses, forcible entry tools, thermal imaging camera and other equipment that’s required.
So that’s the first truck. The second truck is going to arrive and they’re going to they’re going to support rescue operations as best as they can. So the second primary that arrives, they’re going to make their way to the incident control for and they’re going to set up a RAT team. The RAT team – rapid intervention team is there to protect the fire fighters.. If a firefighter goes down or firefighter needs rescue, that rapid intervention team is used for that so they bring all of their equipment. So that’s two guys off of that four man truck.
 A pumper truck that will push water up through hoses and standpipes to get water to each level. Then we need a second hose line. Realistically we need two people to take that second hose line. We’re only going to get one because of the people that we have there. And then the captain is going to act as a support role and an on deck role on that for so now we’ve got eight firefighters on scene eight firefighters on scene.
A third primary truck is in charge of water supply – locate a hydrant and then when you walk up to an apartment or the CFTC which means fire department connection, you see those brass fittings that stick out the side of the wall of the of the apartment those are we’re going to use those are the that’s FTC. That truck is tasked with water supply so they’re going to hook into the they’re going to use the crew that they have there to hook into that. And then once that’s hooked up, the driver remains with the truck. Those other three firefighters report to the incident control floor as more support.
The fourth primary that now shows up will report to the incident control for this out of all the trucks is one of the trucks that’s tasked with the most. The officer will be the incident safety officer will also be the could be the incident command for officer to have their people will formulate the RAT team which to set up an accountability board and know how to maintain accountability of all the firefighters that are involved in fire suppression operations or any firefighters that are on air on scene.
On air means those firefighters using oxygen. The rescue that showed up more than likely with the first primary they’ll still be in the lobby. They’ll be running lobby control and an accountability board in the lobby as well.
That accountability board tells the command people where every fire fighter is, how much oxygen they have left in their tanks if they are on air.
 There are limits to just how high a ladder truck can rise. The ladder when it shows up, will have two firefighters on will be charged with setting up aerial operations if required. They will be responsible for assisting and pressurizing of the stairwells with ventilation fans. They’ll provide ventilation through the through the roof, and they’ll also provide air monitoring.
Now a lot of the time what with all of this and all of these individuals that are working we haven’t factored in whether or not we find the victim yet whether or not we’ve had smoke migration or fire migration to another floor. We saw this in Toronto. I can’t remember the street but we saw in Toronto a few years back. The fire licked its way up and made its way to the next balcony.
At this point we have 20 people on scene with a Platoon Chief who is going to Command operations and move our resources.
With 20 or more on site it is more than likely that there will be a secondary call for a secondary unit to assist us with response. When we put all that together, the city has all those trucks – four of them – three primaries remaining with 12 firefighters and one rescue so we have 14 firefighters remaining in the city.
Like I said more than likely upgrading that department fire so now we’re going to have three trucks.
Dan VanderLelie was nearing the end of his explanation – added that it has been said before that while one fire is being battled there will always be another somewhere else that requires firefighters and resources .
And to meet those other fire calls the department needs both firefighters and equipment.
So, it’s been said before it’ll never happen, but every time we say it will never happen. It always happens.
Sorry. I should have told you it was going to be long.
 By Staff
June 13th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
 The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) has extended their service hours at the District stations effective today, Monday, June 13, 2022 as follows:
Burlington now open to the public 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Georgetown 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Milton now open to the public 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Oakville now open to the public 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
HRPS Headquarters is also open 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, closed on statutory holidays.
In addition to attending a HRPS facility in-person, there are a number of ways to contact the HRPS, depending on the assistance needed:
In an Emergency
If you have an emergency, please dial 9-1-1. It is an emergency if someone’s immediate health, safety, or property is in immediate danger or there is a crime in progress. For non-emergencies, dial 905-825-4777.
Collision Reporting
The HRPS has three Collision Reporting Centres. These centres are staffed and managed by Accident Support Services. Learn more here.
Record Checks
The HRPS provides Police Record Checks to residents of Halton region for employment or volunteer purposes. Police Record Checks are available online or in-person at the HRPS Headquarters.
Freedom of Information Services
Anyone needing to file a FOI request can now do so online, via our website at haltonpolice.ca/foi
Online Reporting
We have a number of online reporting tools available on our website. These tools can be used to report some crimes, or to report traffic concerns.
 By Pepper Parr
June 10th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
OPINION
The city manager sits in on every Standing Committee meeting as well as Council meetings.
The City manager is the only person that Council hires. The city manager runs the administrative side of the city delegating the authority he got from Council to his team.
Members of Council chair the Standing Committees – as Chair they make decisions on how the procedural manual is to be interpreted and remind speakers if they have run out of time or if they are wandering from the subject matter.
Earlier this week, for the first time in the ten years I have been covering city council Tim Commisso, the City Manager caught the eye of the Chair and said the following.
 City manager Tim Commisso at Standing Committee earlier this week. “I think it’s one of the things we’re very fortunate yo have which is a great relationship with the Chief, but I would just caution council, I don’t know if it’s fair for the delegation to be talking in depth about operations.
I’d be honest with you, I think certainly perspective on NFPA. You know, and that I just think you’re going to hear from the on the presentation on the master plan in front of the chief.
So I just suggest that the in depth nature of fire operations and I know, Mr. Vanderlelie is more than capable of speaking about it, but I think it’s really questions that are directed, I think in conjunction with the Master Fire Plan.
Finally, the other thing that raises and it’s a very good point is the growth intensification comes with certainly a set of questions is whether we need to be in a position to fund something like a new station downtown in advance or once we see that growth in the tech space so I just I would just suggest it through the chair. The questions really don’t focus on operations so much.
Thank you.”
For the City Manager to suggest that a Fire Service Captain should not delve into operations when he was specifically asked by a Council member to do just that is a bit more than surprising.
Salt with Pepper is the musings, reflections and opinions of the publisher of the Burlington Gazette, an online newspaper that was formed in 2010 and is a member of the National Newsmedia Council.
By Pepper Parr
June 10th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Every once in a while a delegation stands before council and says what many people feel.
Jim Thompson, who has delegated frequently in the past couple of months, usually on the LaSalle Park Marina, was ready to speak..
“Welcome Jim”, said Chair Galbraith, “I think you know the drill you will have 10 minutes whenever you’re ready.”
Before starting Thompson said:
 Jim Thomson blasting Council at the start of his delegation earlier this week Okay, I’m ready. Okay, first thing I want to say is that I find that your opening remarks are patronizing. If I don’t get any questions here, it doesn’t mean that the council understood me perfectly clearly.
It just means you don’t want to ask questions or engage. So with that, can I have the next slide please?
And Thompson got on with the delegation
That is not what Council was expecting.
Thompson did get a couple of questions from Councillor Sharman.
And he also got a look from Chair of the meeting, ward 1 Councillor Kelvin Galbraith – if looks could kill – Thompson was dead.
And Thompson was not wrong – too often Councillors sit mute and don’t engage delegations. That statement – “If there are no questions it just means that you have provided clear comments that don’t require clarification” is read out at every meeting when there are delegations. Many delegations find it offensive. Councillors might think in terms of asking for a rewrite of what they are required to read out.
It sounds like something that was prepared for the Chair of a meeting by the city’s Communications department
 By Pepper Parr
June 9th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
There will be life at the marina.
The LaSalle Park Marina Association has secured the insurance they needed; a crane has been booked and the lift in is set for June 16th.
 Boats will go into water on the 16th The city hasn’t has had to put in as much as a dime. The LPMA paid for the services of a lawyer the city was going to bring in to oversee the joint venture loan agreements. The LPMA is paying for the use of the waterlots that are owned by Hamilton and the LPMA is continuing to pay the fees that are part of the agreement they have with the city.
The thought that the city would have to take over operation of the marina – won’t happen.
They will be hoisting the pewter mugs with tots of rum when the lift in is complete.
 By Staff
June 9th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) has made an arrest related to a “grandparent scam” being operated in the region. The grandparent scam is a type of fraud that has been an ongoing trend across Halton resulting in many community members being victimized.
On June 8, 2022, HRPS officers were made aware of a scam in progress taking place in Georgetown. Police attended the residence and arrested Kevin Tshiyoyi (27) of Montreal.
 Kevin Tshiyoyi The suspect attended this location in order to collect $10, 000 cash from a victim for the alleged and fabricated bail of her grandson. This is a theme often used by fraudsters throughout the GTA.
The suspect was placed under arrest by investigators and charged with Fraud Over $5000.
Following his arrest, and through additional investigative steps, police were able to identify a hotel room where the accused was staying. In June 9, 2022, a search warrant was executed at an Oakville hotel room where evidence related to additional fraud offences in Halton and neighboring jurisdictions was located.
In total, investigators have charged Tshiyoyi with 11 counts of Fraud over $5000 and Unauthorized Possession of a Credit Card.
Total losses by victims in these occurrences is more than $80,000.
A photo of Tshiyoyi is attached as police believe there may be additional victims. Investigators are asking anyone who has information or has been victimized by him to contact the Regional Fraud Unit – Intake Office at 905-825-4777 ext. 8741.
 Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers. “See something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca
Emergency (Grandparent) Scams
These types of scams typically involve the victim receiving an unsolicited phone call regarding a loved one being in distress. The perpetrators falsely identify themselves as a loved one, or impersonate a police officer and/or other participants of the criminal justice system (such a lawyers, bailiffs, and “bondsman”), falsely claiming that the loved one is in police custody as a result of a specific incident. They request a larger sum of money to have the supposed loved one released from custody, or to pay for associated bills/fines accrued as a result of the alleged incident. The funds requested can be in the form of a direct cash payment, bank transfers, various gift cards, and digital currency. While the scam is ongoing, and the payments are being made, the perpetrators will on occasion use the threat of a fictitious “gag order” to prevent the victim from discussing the matter with anyone else.
Tips to protect yourself
• Attempt to verify the caller’s identity – do not volunteer any information, and further ask very specific probing questions about the caller.
•Request to call back the initial caller – then independently find the number of the police service (or other purported agency in question) and call them directly to clarify the situation. If unsure, call your local police service and ask them for assistance.
• Attempt to directly call the loved one in question and clarify the matter with them.
Remember – Fraudsters will count on your good will to act quickly and help a loved one. Take your time and use above noted tips to protect yourself.
Additional information on frauds and scams can be found here, or through the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website.
By Pepper Parr
June 9th 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
 A graphic of a bus at a charging station. Transit people are working on a pilot to test something like this in Burlington. It isn’t totally official, which means the Communications people haven’t gotten the memo yet, but it looks like Burlington is going to have a four electric bus pilot, as early as 2024.
The pilot will be done with CUTRIC, an organization with some of the brightest people working on turning diesel buses into electrical.
That is good news.
By Pepper Parr
June 9th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
During a presentation on the capacity the fire department has to meet the challenges if there is ever a fire in a high rise.
The Gazette will report on that meeting in depth later in the day,
There was a graphic shown during the presentation that will give you a sense of what kind of growth Burlington is going to experience.
It isn’t exactly a pretty picture.
 This is what the fire department thinks they are going to have to deal with in the future.
 By Pepper Parr
June 9th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The city has been dealing with Metrolinx on the cost and timing of both the Burloak Grade Seperation and Drury Lane Pedestrian Bridge.
Both projects are already included in the City’s capital budget with sufficient funds to cover the required contributions to Metrolinx, assuming the approval of an additional 12-month road closure.
Getting to this point has proven to be an arduous task.
 The current situation at the Burloak crossing The budget for the Burloak grade separation went from $60 million to $177 million – and Metrolinx expected Burlington to pick up a share of the increases.
The cost of the grade separation was to be 50% Metrolinx and 25% for both Burlington and Oakville.
It will be interesting to hear how the city managed to keep the cost at the original number.
Burloak grade separation
• Temporary relocation of utilities April 2023 –March 2024
• Relocation of Burlington Interlock (track work) November 2022 – April 2023
• Temporary Road/Track Detour March 2024 – June 2024
• Bridge Construction August 2023 – May 2026
• Interim Completion June 2026
• Completion of road works June 2027
 When completed in 2027 this is what is expected to be in place. More once Council has completed its discussions later today.
 By Staff
June 8th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Teen Fitness program returns for 12th summer, registration underway
 GoodLife, a multi-national commercial fitness organization is offering its free Teen Fitness program across Canada this summer – the first time since 2019 the program has taken place in clubs. GoodLife started the Teen Fitness program in 2010, and this year the program is especially important to help teens address the mental and physical damage caused by the pandemic.
Statistics Canada confirms youth in Canada are reporting lower levels of physical activity since before the pandemic, with the percentage of youth meeting the Canadian physical activity recommendation dropping from 51% in the fall of 2018 to 37% in the fall of 2020. In addition, the Canadian Mental Health Association reports roughly 1 in 5 children or youth are struggling with mental health challenges that stem from pandemic conditions.
“Teen Fitness participants tell us having access to the gym helps them establish a routine, build confidence and connect with friends. These benefits can help youth take better care of their health – not just the physical, but also the mental health erosion many experienced as a result of isolation, hours of unstructured sedentary time and nearly constant stress throughout the pandemic,” said Jason Sheridan, COO, GoodLife Fitness.
Creating a routine
For many teens, the absence of a structured routine during the summer months can contribute to lack of direction, negative behaviours and boredom. Studies find a more stable routine can help reduce stress, increase focus and boost mood. Teen Fitness participants agree that going to the gym adds some much-needed structure to help them feel more in control of their lives.
Teen Fitness is available to anyone between the ages of 12 and 17 and includes access to 200+ GoodLife Fitness Clubs across Canada, all completely free of charge. A parent or legal guardian must register a teen for the program, but they do not need to be an existing GoodLife Member to register.
Registrations for Teen Fitness are open now at www.teenfitness.ca. Participants have free access to the Clubs from July 4, 2022 to September 6, 2022.
 By Staff
June 8th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
It is that time of year – again.
The 43rd annual Sound of Music Festival is taking place over two weekends: June 11 and June 16 to 19, 2022.
 The crowds pay a premium to gather at the edge of the stages. To meet the needs of the festival and to ensure public safety, road closures are noted below.
Parade route streets will re-open as soon as possible after the parade on June 18. Vehicles parked illegally in the event area will be tagged or towed for emergency access.
 Road Closures
Emergency Road Closures:
• June 11 and June 16 to June 18 nightly from 10 p.m. to midnight; and
• June 19 from 6 to 8:30 p.m.:
• Lakeshore Road from Elizabeth Street to Maple Avenue.
Streetfest Closures:
• Saturday, June 18 from 3 a.m. to Sunday, June 19 at 8 p.m.:
• Brant Street from Caroline Street to Lakeshore Road.
Parade Closures:
Saturday, June 18 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. the following streets will be closed:
• Baldwin Street from Hurd Avenue to Brant Street
• Brant Street from James Street to Baldwin Street
• Drury Lane from Courtland Drive to New Street
• Caroline Street from Drury Lane to Elizabeth Street
• James Street from Brant Street to Elizabeth Street
• Elizabeth Street from Caroline Street to James Street
Parking Restrictions Posted
• Please do not park in restricted areas.
• See parking rules at each pay machine.
Traffic Supervision
Road closures will be managed under the supervision of the Halton Regional Police Service. Emergency access will be maintained at all times in the event area.
Event notices were delivered to all residences, religious centres and businesses affected by the event.
Road Closures or Traffic Control Information
Event Liaison, City of Burlington, 905-335-7600, ext. 7704
Burlington Transit Delays and Information
Bus route detours in effect for Routes 2, 4 and 10.
Minor delays in the downtown core should be expected on all festival dates.
 By Staff
June 8, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Halton Region Public Health has confirmed Halton’s first reported case of monkeypox virus. The individual is currently isolating at home and all contacts have been notified by Halton Region Public Health.
“While most people infected with monkeypox will have mild symptoms, some people such as children, pregnant women and those with immunodeficiencies are at higher risk for severe disease,” said Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Halton Region Medical Officer of Health.
 An example of monkeypox “If you have symptoms of monkeypox, it is important to stay home and call your doctor to be assessed. When seeking medical care you should wear a high quality medical mask and cover up all lesions.”
Monkeypox is a disease caused by the monkeypox virus. Symptoms of monkeypox typically include
fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, low energy, muscle aches and skin rash or lesions.
The rash usually begins within one to three days of the start of a fever. Lesions can be flat or slightly raised, filled with clear or yellowish fluid, and can then crust, dry up and fall off, much like chickenpox.
The number of lesions on one person can range from a few to several thousand. The rash tends to be concentrated on the face, palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
Symptoms can start within five to 21 days after exposure to monkeypox, but usually appear in six to 13 days. Symptoms last between two to four weeks and go away on their own without treatment. A person infected with monkeypox can be contagious five days prior to the onset of rash until the rash has cleared and new skin has formed after a few weeks.
The virus can spread from person-to-person by respiratory secretions, direct contact with skin lesions, and/or contact with materials contaminated with the virus (for example, bedding, clothing).
The virus enters the body through broken skin, the respiratory tract or mucous membranes (for example, mouth, nose, eyes). Transmission through respiratory secretions requires prolonged face to face contact with close proximity to an infected person.
Halton Region Public Health continues to monitor the situation, investigate suspected and confirmed cases and complete contact tracing. For more information on the virus, visit Halton Region’s monkeypox webpage.
 By Staff
June 8th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
 They fascinate almost everyone – the 7 to 11 age group wanted to hold them in their hands. You may not have heard about the Butterfly Project – but you have certainly heard about Climate Change.
How do you explain Climate Change to children between the ages of 7 and 11?
The older children get it and often become champions.
For the 7-11 set it’s a different situation. However they are the demographic that tends to be fascinated by Butterflys.
Gloria Reid and her pal Sharon Clark who are now officially Butterfly Rangers and have brought the David Susuki led initiative that started with five Canadian cities in 2017 to Burlington..
The Butterflyway Project is a volunteer-led movement that’s bringing nature home to neighbourhoods throughout Canada, one butterfly-friendly planting at a time.
They recruited a team of volunteer Butterflyway Rangers in each community. Their mission was to plant native wildflowers in yards, schoolyards, streets and parks to support bees and butterflies. The goal was to establish local “Butterflyways” by planting at least a dozen pollinator patches in each neighbourhood or community.
Over the past five years, they have recruited and trained more than a thousand Butterflyway Rangers from hundreds of communities. They’ve connected with neighbours, schools, city agencies, businesses and community groups. To date, they’ve helped:
Get 85,000+ butterfly-friendly wildflowers into the ground.
Create 6,000+ pollinator patches for wild bees and butterflies.
Establish official Butterflyways in 75 communities and neighbourhoods.
Gloria Reid and her pal Sharon decided to grow a Ranger Group in Burlington. They expect to show that a small group of residents can make a big difference. Rangers make their communities greener and healthier. They create opportunities, connect people and champion fun ideas.
Apply HERE to be a Butterflyway Ranger
You can also apply at this address.
 By Connor Fraser
June 8th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
A significant portion of my life has been spent cycling around Burlington. During high school, my commute often took me along Plains Road. On weekends, my friends and I would find our way to Spencer Smith Park and the beach. From a young person’s perspective, safe cycling options go a long way towards cementing a lifelong commitment to healthy behaviour.
 Lanes dedicated to cycling – some want to see barriers in place to protect cyclists. If my experience has taught me one thing, it’s that travelling around Burlington on a bicycle is inconvenient and borderline dangerous. Bike lanes along major streets such as Plains Road are intermittent and full of potholes. Connecting lanes between neighbourhoods – such as the Lakeshore Road QEW underpass – are non-existent. Under such conditions, cyclists are forced to dismount and walk long distances, or take their chances in live traffic.
Thankfully, a number of large-scale cycling projects are about to break ground in Burlington. In 2022, Plains Road between Waterdown Road and Spring Gardens Road will be resurfaced and buttoned up with protected cycling facilities. In 2025, Prospect Street and the remainder of Plains Road are scheduled for installations.
While these projects are likely to cause short-term disruptions to residents’ lifestyles, they should be welcomed with enthusiasm and open-mindedness. Aligning near-perfectly with the city’s strategic goals, cycling is both an environmentally sustainable method of transportation, and one that promotes long-term physical and mental health. As much as bike lanes are a short-term investment to enable diverse forms of mobility, they are also a long-term investment in environmental health and preventative healthcare. People who are empowered to cycle more often due to the presence of a convenient cycling network are more likely to remain healthy and happy throughout their lives.
 City photo op to promote cycling to work. Several very senior people in this picture even owned a bike. Unfortunately, Burlington’s recent past has been marred with hostility towards the concept of bike lanes. The New Street Bike Lane Pilot was removed in 2018 following the recommendations of a report entitled “New Street pilot project review and resurfacing.” While the report noted a common perception among residents that traffic along New Street became more congested during the pilot, the authors admitted that cause and effect was difficult to determine. For example, average westbound travel times between Walkers Line and Guelph Line increased by just 1.5 minutes during peak evening hours, while negligible travel time increases were noted for eastbound travel during peak hours. Moreover, when taking an average of datapoints over the entire day, impacts to travel times were minimal in both directions (+16 seconds westbound, +1 second eastbound). The report also found inconclusive evidence of traffic diversion onto adjacent roadways. Nevertheless, the New Street pilot was removed by council, setting back Burlington’s progress towards integrated mobility by several years.
Fast forward to the present, and conditions have changed such that all residents should be able to embrace, and also benefit from, upcoming cycling installations. Notably, the pandemic has enabled more people to work from home and avoid rush-hour traffic that some claim is aggravated by bike lanes.
Despite my above enthusiasm, progress towards building out the municipal cycling network is slow and suffers from critical underfunding. The New Street pilot project review and resurfacing report recommended (as a consolation) installing separated cycle tracks “for consideration in the 2019 to 2028 capital budget.” My sources at city hall informed me this project has been pushed until 2031 – a delay of at least 3 years. According to the 2022 Budget, several other projects that were listed as “high priority” by the 2021 Cycling Plan and initially targeted for completion by 2025 – have subsequently been pushed back. The Active Transportation Crossing of the QEW and Walker’s Line resurfacing will be delayed by 5-6 years and 2-3 years respectively beyond original timelines, documents suggest. We’ll see if anything changes once the Integrated Mobility Plan is released.
Is Burlington under equipped to make investments in public infrastructure and in particular cycling infrastructure? The media release page for the 2022 budget proudly displays how our municipal tax rate is significantly lower than other GTA municipalities (over 12.5% lower than the average municipality). If the consequence is that important projects must experience significant delays, it’s not a statistic to be proud of. We must be willing to pay for infrastructure upgrades, especially those that enhance quality of life to the extent that bike lanes will. Not only could there be noticeable upsides for property values (transit oriented communities are actually desirable for young people and young families), but the long term returns to personal, public and environmental health would be material and far outweigh any initial investment. One might argue that the above-cited delays are pandemic-related. However, our neighbours such as the City of Toronto used the pandemic as a catalyst for major expansions of their cycling networks.
The point is this. From my limited understanding, life is about compromise. That’s precisely what is happening here and why I hope to see uniform support behind city council and city staff. On one hand, Burlington is getting new cycling infrastructure. On the other hand, the projects have been delayed and will likely be completed incrementally over the next decade – keeping impacts on daily routines to an absolute minimum and allowing long periods for adjustment. Compromise.
I sincerely hope that most are enthusiastic about the upcoming cycling projects and are ready to eventually consider embracing cycling as a legitimate alternative to the automobile when it comes to getting around town!
 Connor was born in Hamilton in 1997, is a long-time resident of Aldershot. He has volunteered for several local organizations and advocated to municipal leaders on building transit oriented, walkable communities.
In 2020, Connor completed undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto, with a B.A.Sc. in Engineering Science and a major in Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Connor has returned to U of T to enrol in the dual Master of Global Affairs and Master of Business Administration program.
By Staff
June 7th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
 Spongy moth, commonly known as the gypsy moth or Lymantria dispar dispar (LDD), is an invasive pest The spongy moth, commonly known as the gypsy moth or Lymantria dispar dispar (LDD), is an invasive pest that is a nuisance and can cause damage to trees in Burlington and throughout many parts of Canada.
Each year, the City’s Forestry team and other forestry experts survey public trees and woodlots within Burlington for these pests to determine the risk of damage to the trees. Last year, the surveying found the number of egg masses on trees were reduced from previous surveys and within limits that do not warrant an aerial spray application. The City of Burlington did aerial spraying in 2019 and 2021 which has been very successful in reducing this infestation and for 2022 will be focusing on area specific methods to address these pests.
In some areas around the City has placed either “sticky bands” or “burlap bands” around their preferred trees to help prevent the caterpillars from crawling up the trunk to the tree’s canopy.
Most trees can survive an infestation of spongy moth caterpillars and will be able to regrow new leaves without having permanent damage done.
Residents and property owners can also do this on their trees to help reduce the spongy moth’s population.
Free Burlap Banding Demonstrations
Residents and tree enthusiasts are welcome to attend a free “burlap banding” demonstration that will be held at three parks in Burlington on June 11. A forestry expert will show participants the materials needed and the steps to create the simple, yet effective method of burlap banding.
Burlap banding is an effective way to help reduce the population and damage done by spongy moths.
Registration is not required. Demonstrations will happen rain or shine.
Session #1
Location: Kilbride Park, 2175 Blessington St.
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Session #2
Location: LaSalle Park. 50 North Shore Blvd.
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Session #3
Location: Sherwood Forest Park, east side. Enter from Fothergill Boulevard, off Burloak Drive
Time: 12:30 p.m.
 A moth eating its way through a leaf. About the spongy moth
Spongy month, previously known as the European Gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar dispar, is a non-native invasive pest that was introduced in the late 19th century. It was first discovered in Ontario in the 1960’s and has been a major defoliator of deciduous and coniferous trees across Southern Ontario.
Gypsy moth populations tend to be cyclical, with peaks every 8-12 years, followed by dramatic population decline of the pest.
Burlington’s Integrated Pest Management program
As part of Burlington’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program, Forestry staff assess sites annually across the city and conduct egg mass surveys to determine areas that have exceeded an action threshold, when natural processes can no longer maintain pest population levels on their own. Although healthy trees can generally withstand defoliation several years in a row, trees which are already in distress from problems such as acute drought, compacted soils, diseases or other pests, may decline and die. Generally, healthy trees which are defoliated in spring, will regrow leaves again by mid-summer.
 Aerial spraying for gypsy moths. The City of Burlington last conducted an aerial spraying program for spongy moth caterpillars in 2019 and 2021. Program frequency is determined as part of the City’s Integrated Pest Management program.
 Steve Robinson, Manager of Forestry Steve Robinson, Manager of Forestry who has made it through a couple of dozen Standing Committee meetings with his shirt still on his back. Burlington is really hard on the forestry people. Robinson said: “Our Integrated Pest Management program looks at multiple factors to decide if we need to do an aerial spraying with a natural pesticide referred to as BtK. We look at how many egg clusters are on the trees in the fall, whether the wooded area is healthy enough to handle a normal cycle of caterpillars and if the area was sprayed the year before.”
By Staff
June 7th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
 Community Development Halton has rescheduled the Social Location and Systems of Oppression workshop to Wednesday June 15, 2022 at 12:30pm.
If you previously registered for the original date of May 31, you have received an email with instructions; if you missed registering earlier, you can register for the new date until June 13 at 5:00pm.
 In this workshop you will walk away with:
• an understanding of your social location, systems of oppression, and common terms and how they relate to JEDI (justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion;
• understanding and harnessing your power, holding power, and giving power;
• how to share power – where and how this is possible at all stages of the volunteer engagement cycle; and
• how to lead equitable volunteer programs regardless of your positional power within your organization and specific tactics to foster inclusion
WEDNESDAY JUNE 15, 2022
12:30PM – 2:00PM
Via ZOOM
Register Today at: CiviCRM | Community Development Halton (cdhalton.ca)
CDH Members: $15
Non-Members: $25
By Staff
June 7th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Here’s what Karina Gould had to say in the House of Commons yesterday.
 Burlington MP Karina Gould speaking in the House of Commons Responding to a Member from New Brunswick, who had issues with the way the government was managing the Child Care benefit program, Burlington MP Karina Gould said:
Mr. Speaker, the member knows very well that in his province of New Brunswick, we have now reduced child care fees by 50%. In fact, that leaves hundreds of dollars each month in the pockets of the mothers he is talking about.
When it comes to the Canada child benefit, for a single mom, that could mean almost $7,000 a year. That is real money for families that need it when it comes to the high cost of living.
We have been there since 2015, and we will continue to be there for them every step of the way.
Later in the same day Gould tackled the problem with the Passport service. Thanking a different colleague for a different question related to the problem people have had getting passports renewed Gould said:Gould said:
Mr. Speaker, it is really reassuring to hear the Bloc talk about Canadian passports. We are in the process of hiring more employees. Since January, 600 employees have been hired. We are now hiring another 600, and 600 Service Canada employees are being redeployed to ensure that we can better respond to Canadians’ needs.
We will continue to change the process because we know that it is important for all Canadians across the country to have access to their passports.
As we know, this is an unprecedented time, when many Canadians want to travel at the same time. Many passports expired over the past two years, and we are in the process of ensuring that Canadians can travel because we know that is what they want to do.
As I have already mentioned in the House, many offices across the country are open in the evening and on Saturdays. We are doing what we can to provide this service to Canadians.
By Staff
June 6th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) in partnership with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) formed Project Eleanor to investigate the high rate of high end auto theft.
The work started in January of this year and through a variety of investigative means, several suspects were identified and the location of a shipping yard was discovered.
Over the course of two days, criminal code search warrants were executed at a residence in Toronto and a shipping yard in Mississauga.
As a result of Project Eleanor, 32 stolen vehicles were recovered worth an estimated $2.2 million dollars.
Investigators also located and seized $11,000 in Canadian currency, stolen property and technology used in reprogramming auto theft.
On January 8th 2022, the following individuals were arrested and charged:
Alexandre DOYON (22) of Toronto:
- Theft Over $5000 (of motor vehicle)
- Possession of Automobile Master Key
- Possession of Break In Instruments
Konstantinos SOTIROPOULOS (22) of Quebec
- Theft Over $5000 (of motor vehicle)
- Possession of Automobile Master Key
- Possession of Break In Instruments
Gustavo SALAZAR (23) of Toronto
- Theft Over $5000 (of motor vehicle)
- Possession of Automobile Master Key
- Possession of Break In Instruments
On April 23rd 2022, the following individuals were arrested and charged.
Alexandre DOYON (22) of Toronto (re-arrested):
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
- Trafficking in Property Obtained by Crime
- Fraud Under $5000
Investigators continue to make efforts to arrest other individuals connected to the investigation.
 By Staff
June 6th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
It was the largest invasion ever assembled, before or since, landed 156,000 Allied troops by sea and air on five beachheads in Normandy, France.
It happened 78 years ago.
The names of some of the men who did not return are etched in the Cenotaph next to city hall
D-Day was the start of Allied operations which would ultimately liberate Western Europe, defeat Nazi Germany and end the Second World War.
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