|
||||||||
|
February 22, 2026 BURLINGTON, ON
Mayor Meed Ward issues a joint statement. Released Sunday afternoon. Is this how you curry the Millcroft vote?
 11,002 people live in Millcroft, where the median age is 46 and the average individual income is $207,638. Previously published: Bentivegna gets his statement out. 
February 24th, 2026 BURLINGTON, ON
Ward 6 Councillor Angelo Bentivegna jumped the gun and told media that the city offered ARGO, the owners of the Millcroft golf course, $15 million for the property. Argo took a pass on that. Residents of the Millcroft community think the city should pay $25 million, $50 million, $100 million, whatever it takes. The 10,000 plus residents of the community fear that theirhomes will suffer a devaluation of AS MUCH AS 30%. What is absolutely stunning about this is – where did the Mayor get the authority to offer $15 million of your tax money? It hasn’t come before Council – unless it was done in a closed session. In a posting on her Facebook page, which has since been deleted the Mayor said: “Recently, our staff followed up those discussions with a letter expressing the city’s interest to acquire the lands for $15 million – representing roughly three times what they purchased the land for in 2020. “We have now received information confirming that Argo are not willing to sell its land to the City. Additional information on this matter will be shared through future updates to Council, but we wanted the community to have this information as soon as possible. “While we were hoping for a different outcome, we will continue to advocate for saving Millcroft. Our best hope continues to be provincial intervention through a Ministers Zoning Order that preserves the land as parks and open space.”  Mayor Meed Ward: Choosing to mislead rather than be honest with the Millcroft community. As you can see Mayor Meed Ward goes on to suggest that a provincial intervention through a Ministers Zoning Order is possible. A snowball has a better chance in hell than an MZO ever being issued. Why the Mayor continues to mislead the Millcroft community is disgraceful. The community took their argument about the use of the golf course’s property to the Land Tribunal, where they did not prevail.
February 24th, 2026 BURLINGTON, ON
In a Letter to the Editor of the Hamilton Spectator Ward 3 Councillor Rory Nisan came out swinging when he said: Lobbyists are in the driver’s seat in Burlington, and it could cost us as much as $41 million, equal to an additional 7.8 per cent tax increase or $391 for the average property. All because of the mayor’s motion to subsidize developers.  Ward 3 Councillor Rory Nisan asks: How did we get here? How did we get here? The mayor came to power in 2018 on a platform to stop unwanted development in downtown Burlington. The agenda saw some success on paper, but downtown developments continued to be approved by the provincial tribunal with almost no exception. Then, something changed. Premier Doug Ford criticized Burlington for its lack of housing starts in August 2023, calling our numbers “totally unacceptable.” He was half-right. Our lack of new housing was a function of several factors: the temporary freeze put on development in the downtown, but also market conditions. The city became defensive. Suddenly, we were measuring every metric other than housing starts to prove we were doing our job. A city committee was created, making recommendations directly to city council, to figure out how to improve city processes. The Pipeline to Permit committee was touted by the mayor as an innovative concept where members of council, developer representatives and the community sat around the table. A committee that was supposed to improve processes soon began to widen its scope. As a council member with no vote on the committee, I raised alarm bells. The community voice was all but absent — no resident delegations were permitted. The next thing we knew, the committee was debating eliminating development charges for two years through a motion from the CEO of the West-End Home Builders Association, a member of the committee representing developers in Hamilton and Burlington. We were in the twilight zone: the main lobbyist and advocate for the local development industry sitting at the council horseshoe bringing a motion to benefit his membership at the expense of taxpayers. We fought at council and pushed the issue to where it belongs, Committee of the Whole, where all councillors are present. The mayor took up the charge in support of the lobbyist motion, eventually calling for the complete removal of development charges for two years.  WestEnd Home Builders Association, Chief Executive Officer. Mike Collins-Williams addressing City Council. Developer Vince Molinaro listens in. But the pressure from the development industry, with the support of the mayor, hasn’t stopped and continues to this day. A one-vote majority on the Committee of the Whole recommended to remove development charges, a subsidy of $16 million to $41 million. That money will have to be made up by you. The battle now goes to council on March 2. The industry is struggling, the mayor asserts. True, but other industries and our taxpayers are hurting also, and Burlington taxpayers shouldn’t subsidize developers who must turn profits to build. The mayor’s proposal amounts to a cheque written by council to developers out of Burlington bank accounts. Development charges are not the best way to pay for new roads, community centres and fire stations. But asking Burlington taxpayers to foot the bill is unacceptable. Instead, the provincial government, which is responsible for the provincial economy, can fund the growth through income taxes received from the expansion of our population, or the sales tax collected on new homes.  Nisan maintains Mayor came to power in 2018 on a platform to stop unwanted development in downtown Burlington. This is what I mean when I call on the province to “make us whole” and why three council members have not budged from this position. We do not support gambling recklessly with your taxes. But if funding is allocated to Burlington, the development charges can be removed immediately. This was also the mayor’s exact position in the fall. Now she wants to go ahead without any guarantees, which, if no funding is given, would leave taxpayers holding the bag. What changed? The unelected lobbyists of our city are running the show right now. The mayor is standing by. Now is the time to stop this developer subsidy from taxpayers and put the people back at the centre of our decision-making in Burlington. That’s what we’re fighting for.
February 24th, 2026 BURLINGTON, ON
DEBORAH SERRAVALLE is launching her new novel Mockingbird Diary of St. Helena Island Sunday March 1, 1 pm at A Different Drummer Books 513 Locust Street Burlington Admission is Free Meet novelist Deborah Serravalle, sharing her new work of historical fiction, a vivid chronicle of courage and altruism amid the upheaval of the American Civil War, Mockingbird Diary of St. Helena Island.
February 24th, 2026 BURLINGTON, ON
The Fraser Institute, a right-of-centre think tank released the following this morning:  Not the kind of report card the Premier wanted from the Fraser Institute Despite Premier Doug Ford’s explicit commitment to fiscal policy reforms in the province, Ontario has failed to constrain the growth in overall spending, achieve balanced budgets consistently, or reduce provincial debt and lower tax rates. While the provincial debt relative to the size of the economy (i.e. GDP) has declined slightly (3.5%), the decline is a result of modest economic growth rather than the elimination of government deficits and borrowing. Moreover, most of this limited progress is forecast to be undone over the next three years. Premier Ford made many early campaign promises of structural policy reform, but the government’s actual fiscal outcomes have included increased spending, persistent deficits, and an absence of any meaningful tax reductions.
February 24th, 2026 BURLINGTON, ON
 The fifth year of the War begins tomorrow. The Russian Federation following the breakup of the Soviet Union had celebrated the new found freedom of the former Ukrainian Soviet republic. Yet it was only a quarter century later when it undertook to invade and ethnically cleanse its sovereign neighbour. That was lesson one: Constant love among nations is a myth. Alliances and partnership can disappear as quickly as they form. Russia, along with the USA and UK guaranteed the territorial sovereignty of Ukraine in exchange for the new country giving up its nuclear weapons, the third largest arsenal in the world. The weapons were delivered to Russia leaving the new nation defenceless, naively believing in eternal peace. That was lesson two: Good fences make better neighbours. Putin may have invaded but the leaders of the so-called free world – Obama, Biden and Trump – were his enablers. And the Europeans still can’t come to grips with the seriousness of this moment, squabbling over a unified military or not. Canada too had let its military capabilities erode. After all, the only nation which had invaded Canada was America and they were our friends – until they weren’t. That was lesson three: History has a way of repeating itself. The good news is that Ukraine will survive, despite threats from both Putin and Trump to just surrender. The bad news is that Putin’s invasion was the prelude to the end of the international rules based order. And now his protege, Mr. Trump, has come along to bury the bones. That was lesson four: The international order for peaceful co-existence is over. Ukraine has learned a valuable lesson. In a recent BBC interview President Zelenskyy, an awesome hero in this sad saga, claimed that Russia had started WWIII – and he is right. And it’s worth noting the other heroes in this conflict; those brave ordinary Ukrainians who have put their lives on the line to defend what is just and rightfully theirs. That was lesson five: In the end we have to believe that good will triumph over evil.
February 24th, 2026 BURLINGTON, ON
On March 2nd, a Special Meeting of Council will take place. Among the several items on the agenda is the vote on whether or not to implement a two year lifting of the development charges developers are required to pay for the housing they build. It is a complex question with numbers and percentages that boggle the mind. Council is deeply split on the issue. Ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns has gone on the offensive and is very much against going forward with the proposal that is being promoted by the West End Home Builders Association. She has a Call to Action posted on her Facebook page.  Kearns is addressing Council. Councillor Galbraith, on the left, listens patiently. This is a major issue. Inform yourself.
February 23, 2026 BURLINGTON, ON
Each Council member puts out a newsletter to update their constituents on what’s taking place. This week Ward 6 Councillor Paul Sharman sent out his material. Is there anything missing?
 Never at a loss for words, Ward 6 Councillor neglect to mention a major Council event in his newsletter.  Sharman in fill vocal mode. Not a word, not a single word about the meetings taking place on the development industry ask that Development Charges be eliminated for two years. We are talking about millions in revenue that the city will not receive for a period of time. Sharman was quite vocal when this issue was discussed at Council earlier in the week. Hard to see this one as an oversight or another one of those learning opportunities.
February 24th, 2026 BURLINGTON, ON
The war in Ukraine started four years ago. Six million people have been displaced inside the country, and some four million have left Ukraine. More than 100,000 are estimated to have been killed Millions live under occupation in areas that Russia controls.  Each day at 11, soldiers killed in action are buried in the Saints Peter and Paul Garrison Church. Lviv, which has been subjected to only intermittent assault, has transformed itself into a city that visibly lives and breathes the war. A large stand in Market Square, updated every morning at 9, displays the photos and biographies of soldiers who will be buried that day. This was the war Donald Trump was going to end the day after he was inaugurated. Underground schools have become part of Ukraine’s unbreakability. Lviv has become the world capital of amputations and prosthetics. More than 100,000 men and women are believed to have lost limbs. And this war is far from over. Keep the Ukrainian people in your thoughts and prayers.
February 23, 2026 BURLINGTON, ON
There is always a public fascination with how much we pay the elected and appointed officials. When the public isn’t happy with what is taking place, we hear people asking: Are these people really worth what we are paying then? For the record, the following is what members of City Council earn.
Burlington is a two tier form of government. Council members are both city council members and Region Council members and are paid by both. The members of City Council are also Deputy mayors appointed by the Mayor: no money but a spiffy business cards. Member of city Council also have an individual sum of money they can spend. Set out below is how each member of council used the $10,400 they are given. The Mayor is allocated $32,240.
Members of the Committee of Adjustment are paid based on the Committees they actually attend.
You get to decide if they are worth what they are being paid. In October, you will vote on which members of Council should be re-elected.
February 23, 2026 BURLINGTON, ON
Held overnight on February 20, 2026, Sleepless For Our Community brought together individuals, families, workplace teams, and community leaders who spent the night sleeping in their vehicles as an act of solidarity. Participants raised vital funds to strengthen a network of local supports that help community members facing financial hardship, housing instability, and food insecurity. Funds raised through Sleepless For Our Community will help United Way–supported programs that provide housing stabilization, food security, employment readiness, financial literacy, and wraparound supports for individuals and families navigating poverty. These investments help ensure people have access to stability, dignity, and pathways toward a more secure future.  Brad Park, President & CEO of United Way Halton & Hamilton. “This is about now.” “The need in our community continues to grow, and it’s showing up in every corner of Halton and Hamilton,” said Brad Park, President & CEO of United Way Halton & Hamilton. “The funds raised through Sleepless For Our Community will help strengthen the social supports that our most vulnerable neighbours rely on. Supports that can mean the difference between crisis and stability.” Park added, “This event is about acting now. When people are struggling to afford rent, put food on the table, or keep their families housed, timely support matters. Thanks to the generosity of this community, we’re able to invest in programs that respond to immediate needs while also addressing the root causes of poverty.” United Way Halton & Hamilton also extends sincere gratitude to a very generous local philanthropic family who graciously matched all funds raised over $150,000, significantly amplifying the impact of the community’s generosity and helping ensure even more people can access critical supports when they need them most. Beyond fundraising, Sleepless For Our Community plays an important role in raising awareness about the realities of poverty in the region. Rising costs, housing pressures, and food insecurity continue to push more individuals and families into difficult situations, underscoring the importance of community-driven solutions. “Events like Sleepless For Our Community remind us that poverty is not an abstract issue. It affects real people, right here at home,” said Park. “This community showed up with compassion and action, and the impact of that generosity will be felt across our network of local agencies and programs.” Fundraising continues through to March 2, 2026.
February 23, 2026 BURLINGTON, ON
Based on a comment from a former Canadian diplomat, people are thinking seriously about putting for effort in recruiting young people into the armed forces. Some see this as something that should be mandatory for people between the ages of 19 to 25. Two years in the army would give young people some work experience, learn just what discipline means. Some would choose to make the armed forces a career choice. Every Israeli is required to serve in the Defence Forces of that country. The diplomat said: “We should also establish a meaningful reserve force to bolster our military presence across the North and relieve the active armed forces of their current responsibility for civil emergencies.  These were the ships that fought the Battle of the Atlantic, the longest naval battle in history. Shown here is HMCS Haida, currently tied up in Hamilton. “Using educational and training inducements to recruit would double the value of this investment in national security, making it also an investment in human capital.” Having to serve in the armed forces would come as a jolt to the first cohort; in time, young people would see the benefit. I would not have been able to sail to the Mediterranean or to the United Kingdom, or to visit Scotland and Ireland. Training missions to Italy and Belgium certainly broadened my horizons. It helped me decide as well what I wanted to do and didn’t want to do. An opportunity to attend an Officer Training program was something I took a pass on. On of my postings was to serve on HMCS Haida which I can now visit given that she is tied up on Hamilton
February 23rd, 2026 BURLINGTON, ON
“An Ugly Truth”, written by two very credible people who have been following tech and Facebook for some time. “The platform held detailed information on all its user accounts, even when posts were deleted. Facebook kept a record of everything a person had ever written and every image uploaded.” Think about that for a moment. EVERYTHING. With that kind of data Facebook has been able to manipulate what Facebook users get in terms of a news feed. As of early 2026, Meta (formerly Facebook) is involved in several major court cases in California, but the most prominent, active trial is a landmark lawsuit alleging that Meta (Instagram/Facebook) and YouTube designed addictive platforms that harm children’s mental health. The book is worth the time if you have it. And if you want to know how the Russians used Facebook to influence the first Trump election.
February 22, 2026 BURLINGTON, ON
I have to disagree with my publisher on just how decent the City of Hamilton is at handling our tax dollars. In his recent editorial, he complimented the City’s mayor, Andrea Horwath, with bringing in a decent budget by “whittling down the proposed tax hike to 3.85%”.  A Hamilton style pot-hole Excuse me, but 3.8% is almost twice the general inflation rate which hovers around 2%. And Hamilton, though no longer the highest taxed of Ontario municipalities is still up there with the worst. And what do we tax payers get for all those taxes we pay Well, yes there are those overpriced tiny houses (see link below). And anyone who has driven in the City can tell you why Hamilton has become famous for the worst-maintained roads in the province. It’s true that a 3.85% increase is considerably better than the rate increase facing Burlington residents, but calling Horwath’s budget decent should be faint praise, at best. Kudos for the small budgetary cuts like ending free lunches for council and senior staff – literally feeding at the public trough. And the City did eventually kill the proposed expensive and dysfunctional stoplight they tried to push onto the peaceful Carlisle residents.  Rural Hamilton Of course, the budget numbers are helped by the City gouging rural residents to help pay for the urban residential storm-water management. I’ve lived in rural Hamilton for over twenty years and since amalgamation it has only become more expensive. Now Windsor or Vaughan have brought in budgets with zero tax increases. That is what I’d call a decent budget.
Background links: Editorial – Tiny Homes – Worst Roads – Carlisle Stop Light – Just Getting More Expensive – Vaughan Zero Tax Increase –
February 22nd, 2026 BURLINGTON, ON
Did the government need a statement to make people aware of this scourge on our society? Minister of Children, Community and Social Services Michael Parsa, Solicitor General Michael Kerzner, and Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria released the following statement to mark Human Trafficking Awareness Day: “Human trafficking is a horrific crime that targets our most vulnerable, violates victims’ most basic human rights and has a devastating impact on families and communities across Ontario. Ontario is taking action to support survivors and hold offenders accountable, through a historic investment of $345 million in our Anti-Human Trafficking Strategy, the largest investment of its kind in Canada. We are taking a whole-of-government approach to end human trafficking in Ontario, including:  This is the level where trafficking has to be stopped. The British have done the right thing, stripped former Prince Andrew of his titles. With some luck, they might charge him with a criminal offense, find him guilty and put him in prison. Launching three Children at Risk of Exploitation (CARE) units since 2021 that unite child protection workers, police and Indigenous liaisons to better safeguard children and youth who have experienced trafficking or are at high risk. Equipping law enforcement and justice partners with stronger tools to identify and target perpetrators, dismantle trafficking networks and bring criminals to justice, including through the Intelligence-led Joint Forces Strategy dedicated to fighting human trafficking through intelligence gathering. Investing $6 million from 2025 to 2027 through the Victim Support Grant program to fund 19 projects that help police better support victims of crime, including survivors of gender-based violence and human trafficking. Developing new resources for parents to have early and age-appropriate conversations with their children about human trafficking and how to recognize the warning signs. Partnering with the trucking industry to raise awareness and strengthen prevention efforts as well as improving safety at transportation hubs, including ONroute service centres, by improving lighting, security cameras, and displaying the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Strengthening law enforcement’s access to key information in human trafficking investigations by updating guest registry requirements for the accommodation sector, including hotels and online accommodation platforms.
|
||||||||
 By Gazette Staff
February 21st, 2026 BURLINGTON, ON
Ward 6 Councillor Angelo Bentivegna released the following statement:  Ward 6 Councillor Angelo Bentivegna. “In December 2025, the Provincial Land Development Facilitator concluded their involvement in discussions between Argo and the City concerning the future of the Millcroft Golf Course lands. “Following that transition, and consistent with the direction provided to our CAO, he continued direct conversations with Argo’s representatives to explore whether there was a path for the City to acquire some or all the golf course lands in the public interest. “Most recently, the city formalized that interest in writing, advising Argo that the City would be prepared to purchase the lands for $15 million, approximately three times the amount reportedly paid for the property in 2020. This offer reflected a serious and good-faith effort to secure these lands for the community. “The City has since been informed that Argo is not prepared to sell its lands to the City. “While that response is disappointing, it is important that we understand the steps that have been taken and the City’s willingness to pursue acquisition at a significant premium. Further information, including supporting materials to assist with public communication, will be provided to Council in upcoming updates. “As Ward 6 Councillor, I remain committed to keeping our community informed and to continuing to advocate for outcomes that protect the long-term interests of Millcroft residents and the City as a whole.” Will this be enough for Bentivegna to keep his seat in the October municipal election?
|
By Pepper Parr
February 21st, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath has said she might change the tax increase Council has approved.
Hamilton City Council whittled a proposed tax hike from 4.25 per cent to 3.87 per cent.
City Staff had proposed a 5.5 per cent hike.
Burlington decided on a 5.8% increase. Mayor Meed Ward prefers to use the 4.89% number, a sleight of hand the Mayor uses frequently.
Burlington has had budget increases that amounted to a 44.90% increase during the current term of Council
Horwath — who can veto amendments as part of strong-mayor powers — said she plans to take the time to look at all amendments before making a final decision.
While Hamilton City Council has gotten a little wacky at times, they have shown that when they put their shoulder to the wheel they can do the job they were elected to do.
Burlington Councillors just don’t seem to have that capacity.
This City Council does not appear to be able to create a budget that meets the needs of the taxpayers.
By Gazette Staff
February 20th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
The City of Burlington has made the following changes to the City Council and Committee meeting calendar for the week of March 2, 2026.
The agendas for all Committee meetings happening during the week of March 2 will be posted online to burlington.ca/calendar later today (Friday, Feb. 20, 2026).
For all meetings, members of the public wishing to delegate can register at burlington.ca/delegate by noon, one business day prior to the meeting. Any relevant correspondence can be submitted to clerks@burlington.ca by noon, one business day prior to the meeting.
Please visit burlington.ca/calendar for the latest information about Council and Committee meeting dates, including a livestream link for all meetings.
By Gazette Staff
By Gazette Staff
By Ray Rivers
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
United Way Halton & Hamilton’s Sleepless For Our Community raised over $337,000 for Local Support providing critical support for local programs that help people experiencing poverty and housing insecurity across Halton and Hamilton.
I am just finishing an interesting and very disturbing book.
By Gazette Staff
CNOY is a winterrific, family-friendly walk in support of charities that serve people experiencing hurt, hunger and homelessness. Eagles Nest is a proud partner of CNOY.
Funds raised from Coldest Night support the mental health services that Eagles Nest offers. Read more about the services and supports we offer 
By Lynn Crosby
