 By Pepper Parr
August 9th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
 The top block in orange is the current quarry – the smaller orange block is where they want to expand. In 2014 their application was denied. Nelson has come back with a different approach. The good people of North Burlington, those from ward 3 in particular, met last night at the Conservation Halton offices to hear what their ward Councillor, Rory Nisan, could tell them about the plans Nelson Quarry has for the quarry that is close to mined out.
In a separate new story, the Gazette reports on what took place at a meeting that was basically Standing Room only event
While the Nelson Quarry people have yet to make an application – and thus there isn’t much the city can react to – the company has been active. They have a web site in place with a lot of pretty drawings and a considerable amount of detail on what they plan to do.
They have engaged two lobbying firms that are amongst the best in the business, to help in creating the story they want to be in the public’s mind as this project works its way forward.
Project Advocacy Inc. is Canada’s only public affairs firm that specializes in supporting project developers facing community opposition and government challenges.
Here is what they do: They take an innovative approach based on citizen advocacy.
“We use grassroots strategies combined with government and stakeholder relations to earn and maintain the social licence required for a project’s success. “
“We help developers find, organize and give voice to otherwise silent supporters of your project in host communities.
“Our sophisticated campaign strategies help identify local citizens supportive of your proposal and help organize them into an effective political force. They sign petitions. They show up at public hearings, and they act as local advocates for your project.
“This approach, paired with government and stakeholder relations, has proven key to getting large developments approved in Canada’s increasingly challenging licensing and regulatory environment.
“Whether it is an energy and infrastructure project, a mine, or a commercial real estate proposal, Project Advocacy Inc. will build an effective advocacy program that will counter NIMBY opposition and drive support for your project among local citizens, elected leaders, government officials and the media.”
Project Advocacy had their man in the room last night.
Motivated and sophisticated best describes the Project Advocacy group. They are supported by colleagues who are just as good at a slightly different level. Barry Campbell, founder of Campbell Strategies sets out the role that lobbyists play.
Pay attention to what this man has to say – he is very good at what he does. He was once elected to Parliament and has practiced law with two of the major firms on Bay Street.
 Barry Campbell, founder of Campbell Strategies “At Campbell Strategies, we have two types of clients”, explains Campbell: “those who have issues they need resolved. And, those who have opportunities they need realized. Despite this difference, there remains a constant between them. The need for wise counsel from people who understand their unique situations. Completely.
“As a bonus, our clients find themselves working with a team of government relations and communications professionals who are not only highly experienced, but without the hyperbole and self-importance that – in our industry – so often comes with it.
“We’re connected, of course. But it’s deeper than that.
“We treat our network of government, media, and regulatory leaders as relationships, not just connections. Our reputation is based on the right ask, at the right time, of the right people, with the right message.
“You’ll get no bullshit from us, and we’ll deliver none to our network
Campbell explains: “Lobbying at its best is vital to the flow of information and ideas. It bridges a significant gap between the public sector and the private sector and can lead to more informed public policy decisions and better corporate decision making.
“Lobbying is often attacked by the left as a way for powerful voices to “have their way with government”. Lately, the attack is coming from the right where libertarian voices have suggested that if government would only get out of the way (read deregulate everything), companies wouldn’t need to lobby anyone for favours. Both attacks are predictable and wrongheaded.
“There are many examples where information provided to officials seeking to regulate this or that has resulted in more effective regulation. Without lobbying, officials and elected officials would only know what they knew when they got to the office and I would suggest that is very often not enough of a baseline for serious decisions. That’s why officials consult and take meetings.
“When I was an MP, some wondered why I would ever meet with lobbyists. The answer was self-evident. If I never met anyone, I wouldn’t know anything other than what I already knew, which often wasn’t enough to help me understand complex issues. The strict lobby registration rules in Canada which require registration of most interactions with important public officials and provide a public record of same, are a pretty good check on what some worry about. The strict constraints and low permitted financial contribution rules are another check on the influence many worry about.
“And lobbying can be a public good or accomplish much public good.
 Tandia, an area credit union can now offer service that are basically the same as a bank. They lobbied to get the changes. “Lobbying can result in better and appropriately targeted tax or regulatory policy that achieves important public policy goals while removing the risk of collateral damage. A public policy goal to eliminate a practice believed to be adversely impacting consumers, such as pay day lending, might initially paint too broad a brush ensnare legitimate players who want to play by a coherent set of rules that don’t blow up their business model. Lobbying by credit unions resulted in changes to the Bank Act so that credit unions could expand nationally and provide more competition at the retail level. Lobbying by financial institutions and emerging ‘fintechs’ will shape a better financial services sector offering the choice that consumers want.
“As officials think about public policy and ready recommendations to “take to the Minister”, they are informed by the consultations with and entreaties by corporate and other stakeholders. That is a good thing.
“I have been a “lobbyist” for two decades and have never had a meeting with a Minister where he or she made a decision, then and there, to do something just because I asked. And I would never have that meeting (and it usually isn’t even ever required) without working first with the relevant departmental officials to do the tough slogging respectful of the job officials have to do to provide their bosses with the best and most informed advice.
“I know, and the best lobbyists know, that effective lobbying isn’t about setting up a meeting with someone important. That the easy part. Effective lobbying requires the right ask, at the right time to the right audience. It is research based and considers how the ask can dovetail with the government’s priorities by solving a problem or making my client’s problem a problem government comes to understand they need to solve because by doing so they will accomplish a goal they have.
“The problem can’t ever be putting relevant and contextual information in front of officials and decision makers. What they do with that information is their responsibility. To constrain the flow of information, between the public sector and the private sector and to close the door on that vital exchange will isolate public policy decision makers and inevitably lead to poorer decisions.”
 Nelson has released drawings of what they maintain the quarry could look like if turned into a park. This is what the people of North Burlington are up against. These are smart people who have been engaged by clients with a problem. Nelson Quarry needs the aggregate – it is there right underneath the surface and they believe they can convince the public that giving them access to that aggregate in exchange for parkland will work.
During the Thursday evening meeting there were a number of people who stood to speak – were they speaking for themselves or representing the interests of the lobbyist?
The first attempt by Nelson Quarry to get access to more aggregate failed. It started in 2004 and ended with a decision in 2012 that denied their application.
PEARL, a community organization formed to fight the application has basically disbanded. They fought the good fight and won. They are tired, they raised and spent a lot of money. The City of Burlington spent more than $2 million in legal fees.
But in the end the public will prevailed.
It will be a tougher fight this time around.
Background links:
Nelson quarry opens the park project web site.
The PERL web site
 By Staff
August 9th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Regional Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance following an assault and apparent abduction that took place in the area of the Queensway Drive and Cleta Street (near Guelph Line and Highway 403) in the City of Burlington this afternoon.
On Thursday, August 8, 2019 between 1:45 – 1:50 PM, an unidentified male was walking on the south side of Queensway Drive near Cleta Street when two vehicles (a silver Dodge Caravan, and an older model 2-door black Honda Civic) pulled up and stopped.
 One suspect exited the passenger side of the Dodge Caravan and both the driver and passenger exited the Honda and chased an unidentified male onto a residential property on Cleta Drive.
The unidentified male appeared to be assaulted by the three suspects before being put into the van. Evidence suggests that the unidentified male was taken from the area against his will in the silver Dodge Caravan. The silver Dodge Caravan, with the unidentified male inside, was last seen southbound on Cleta Drive towards Glenwood School Drive.
Suspect #1 (Driver of the Silver Dodge Caravan):
No description available, as driver did not exit vehicle
Suspect #2 (Passenger of Silver Dodge Caravan):
Male, white, slim build, no shirt, camo shorts
Suspect #3 (Driver of Black Honda Civic):
Male, white, tan baseball cap, black pants with white stripes down leg, white shoes, white t-shirt
Suspect #4 (Passenger of Black Honda Civic):
Male, white, black track pants, black hoodie with hood up, white high top shoes
Unidentified Male:
Male, white, appears to be in his 30s, dark coloured shorts, black and green t-shirt
At this time, the whereabouts and condition of the male and the four suspects are not known. The Halton Regional Police Service is concerned for the safety and well-being of the unidentified male and would like to speak to anyone, including that male, who can provide information about this incident. If you have information, security camera footage, home surveillance footage, or dash cam video from that area during the timeframe of this interaction, we encourage you to please contact the on-duty Staff Sergeant in Burlington at the earliest opportunity.
Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers “See Something? Hear Something? Know Something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.
 By Staff
August 9th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
On August 7, 2019, the Halton Region Health Department confirmed that a bat found in the area of Upper Middle Road and Cavendish Drive in Burlington and a bat found in the area of Lakeshore Road and Bronte Road in Oakville have tested positive for rabies.
 Rabid bats found in Burlington and Oakville These are the first two confirmed cases of rabies in Halton this year. Residents who may have had physical contact with a bat are advised to contact the Health Department by calling 311.
“The Health Department is reminding residents to avoid all contact with bats and other wild animals,” said Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Halton Region Medical Officer of Health. “Anyone who comes in physical contact with a bat or other wild animal should see a physician immediately and contact the Health Department.”
Rabies is a viral disease that causes severe damage to the brain and spinal cord, and if untreated before symptoms appear, can lead to death. The virus is spread through the saliva of an infected animal, usually entering through a bite or scratch. Rabies illness in humans can be prevented after exposure to rabies by the use of rabies vaccine, which is extremely effective, but only if it is administered before symptoms occur.
It is not always possible to identify if a bat has rabies, however rabid bats may move slowly, lose the ability to fly, remain active during daylight hours or be unresponsive to loud noises.
 They are frightening – but they fly at night for the most part. There are a number of things you can do to protect your family and pets:
• Seek medical attention immediately if you come in contact with a raccoon, skunk, bat or other potentially rabid animal.
• Report all animal bites or scratches to the Halton Region Health Department.
• Warn your children to stay away from any wild, stray or aggressive animals.
• Do not feed or keep wild animals as pets.
• Do not touch dead or sick animals.
• Make sure your pet’s rabies vaccinations are up to date.
• Keep your pet on a leash when off your property.
• Have your pet seen by a veterinarian if it has come in contact with a raccoon or other wild animal.
For more information on rabies, visit halton.ca or contact the Halton Region Health Department by calling 311.
 By Pepper Parr
August 8th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
Is this another Money magazine type list where cities are ranked under a number of categories as the best of something?
When Burlington was named the Best mid-sized city in the Country city hall and the economic development people went bananas and told anyone who had ears how great we were.
The Money magazine ranking went to Oakville and Burlington dropped that claim to fame. It will be interesting to see how the city takes to this latest ranking.
 Maclean’s Magazine has ranked Burlington as the Number One for Best Community in Canada 2019
Grabbing the number one spot in the Top 25, Burlington receives high scores for its excellent quality of life, prosperous economy and envious location. Burlington is not only the best community, but was also ranked as the Best Place to Raise a Family by Maclean’s.
 Drilling down into the details. “Those of us who live in Burlington have always known our city is the best in Canada, the best in the world” said Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward. “Our ‘secret sauce’ is a unique blend of community assets, natural environment, and great citizens. We have outstanding community centres, rinks, pools, museums, parks and festivals; we’re book-ended by natural environment, from our downtown waterfront park and sand beach to the Niagara Escarpment World Biosphere Reserve, and by great people who look out for each other and give back to our community.” The Mayor continued “Burlington has it all: big city assets, the Greenbelt on our doorstep, and small-town friendliness.
”It’s why my husband and I chose to move here in 2000 and raise our three kids here. Our Council will continue to work with our community to make sure Burlington stays the great place it is to live, work, play, grow up, raise a family, and retire.”
 Top 14 – and where the strength are. Burlington Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) celebrates this news. Burlington is home to several global top employers including, Boehringer Ingelheim, Cogeco Connexion and EcoSynthetix. “Burlington is home to a number of high growth companies that know our fantastic quality of life attracts the best talent. Receiving this acknowledgement clearly emphasizes the incredible work-life balance in Burlington” said BEDC Acting Executive Director, Anita Cassidy. “Our location makes us an ideal location for companies to attract and retain the high-quality talent they need to grow their business.”
Burlington ranks just above Grimsby at number two and Ottawa at number three, with the methodology comparing 415 communities in Canada by a number of factors including, wealth and economy, commute, crime, amenities and culture. The City of Burlington is proud to be recognized by Maclean’s as the number one best community in Canada. This achievement comes weeks after BEDC receives national recognition for their Foreign Direct Investment Strategy by American Cities of the Future and further solidifies Burlington as a destination of choice for both talent and business.
Residents of the city elected a new council to stop the gutting of the quiet, residential-friendly downtown where just about everything walkable is being replaced by condominiums that exceed 20 stories.
 The ward 2 Councillor announced a public meeting where details on a structure that will see shovels in the ground will be released. Many saw that development as the beginning of the end of the pleasant downtown they know.
The announcement that appears to have come from both the city and the developer with the ward Councillor serving as the Master of Ceremonies sound like a celebration.
The Mayor likes the Maclean’s ranking – the developers will milk it for all it is worth.
 Is this the tipping point for Burlington – where frothy rankings replace solid policy with teeth that can bite? Is there still an opportunity to save enough of what Burlington has been while 20+ floor buildings rise out of the ground?
All the details you are ever going to want on this latest municipal ranking.
 By Pepper Parr
August 8th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
There is a fine Detective Constable in the Halton Regional Police Service who will have become aware of new tools that are now available to police forces in the province.
They allow the police toget more information quickly sothat every effort can be made to find the person who has wandered away from home.
Each day that Detective Constable Joe Barr drives to or from work he is reminded of the case of Helen Robertson who went missing July 5th, 2016.
She was never found. There were bits and pieces of evidence but nothing that gave police the information they needed to successfully find Helen and return her home.
With more than 240,000 Ontario seniors estimated to be living with some form of dementia today, being able to locate seniors in the first 24 hours after they go missing is crucial to saving lives.
Ontario is putting the safety of seniors first by providing police officers with more tools they need to respond quickly and effectively to missing persons investigations.
“Every minute counts when a senior goes missing to help keep them safe. This is another example of how our government is putting seniors and their families first by providing essential front-line services new tools to help find our missing loved ones faster,” said Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility. “We are protecting what matters most to help seniors live independently in their communities, while also helping to ensure they are safe.”
The Missing Persons Act, proclaimed by the government on July 1, 2019, provides police with three additional tools to use when there is no evidence a crime has been committed. These tools will allow police to:
• Obtain copies of records that may assist in a search;
• Obtain a search warrant to enter a premise to locate a missing person; and
• Make an urgent demand for certain records without a court order.
The Act also includes guidelines on what information police may disclose about a missing person before and after they have been located.
Previously, when a person went missing without evidence of criminal activity, police were limited in the ways they could investigate. With this legislation, police can now respond to missing persons investigations quicker, while balancing concerns for an individual’s privacy.
“Police and family members tell us that the first hours after someone goes missing are the most critical,” said Sylvia Jones, Solicitor General. “That’s why we’re providing our frontline heroes with more tools to quickly find our loved ones.”
Fifty per cent of those who go missing for 24 hours or more risk serious injury or even death.
Sixty per cent of people living with dementia will go missing at some point, often without warning.
There is no requirement to wait 24 hours to report someone missing in Ontario.
Nearly 7,500 people were reported missing in Ontario in 2018.
Most of the media in the western GTA are quick to publish and broadcast information on a missing person. Most of the time they are found before the end of the day or the day after.
Some are never found – and we mourn, terrified that something like this could happen to our loved ones.
Joseph Barr, the Detective that handled the Helen Robertson case knows that he will wonder for the rest of his career what happened and what was that missing piece of information he didn’t have.
 Emits a signal every second 24/7 Since the disappearance of Helen Robertson the Regional Police came up with a service that, if used properly, can be critical in finding someone missing. Project Life Saver was taken to the Regional Police by a parent who has an autistic child. That service is now available to parents in Halton Region. Details in the story linked below.
Related news stories:
Helen Robertson reported missing.
Wallet belonging to missing woman found – nothing else.
Project Life Saver.
By Pepper Parr
August 8th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
The best tool any police service has is vigilant residents.
This was the case when a resident let police know they had captured a license plate on their video. With that information the police were able to investigate and arrest six suspects for a series of break and enters that occurred at homes in Oakville and Burlington.
Beginning in July 2019, the HRPS identified an increase in daytime residential break and enters and investigators began compiling evidence in an effort to identify the persons responsible. A Burlington resident assisted police by providing a licence plate which was captured on their home surveillance system. This information helped to identify six suspects.
In most instances, the suspects would knock at the front door of targeted residences to determine whether or not anyone was home. Should there be no answer at the door, suspects attended the rear of the home and gained entry by smashing patio doors. The suspects quickly ransacked the residences and fled in awaiting vehicles.
The entries occurred in the areas of Upper Middle Road and Eighth Line in Oakville, in addition to the area of Guelph Line and South Drive in Burlington.
On August 2, 2019, the HRPS initiated surveillance on the group of suspects who were staying at an Airbnb residence in Mississauga. Officers stopped the suspects and placed them under arrest. A search of the vehicles resulted in the recovery of approximately $250,000 in stolen property.
CHARGED:
1) TAN, Chan (29) of Montreal
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
2) BRITO ROSALES, Kenny (30) of Montreal
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
3) MEJIA GARCIA, Denis Rufino (28) of Montreal
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
• Break and Enter (3 counts)
4) BARQUERO MORALES, Alex Narcesso (27) of Montreal
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
• Break and Enter (3 counts)
5) HORTA ZAMORA, Luis Felipe (29) of Montreal
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
• Break and Enter (3 counts)
• Breach of Recognizance
6) MEJIA OLMOS, Carlos Mauricio (32) of Montreal
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
• Break and Enter (3 counts)
All six accused were held for bail.
This group is believed to have conducted similar entries in other jurisdictions across the GTA. The Halton Regional Police Service is now liaising with policing partners in efforts to determine what other crimes this group may have committed.
Investigators will be proactively contacting victims in an effort to return recovered property to rightful owners. Any persons who have had a reported break and enter between July 1, 2019, and August 2, 2019, are encouraged to contact police and make arrangements for recovery.
Victims looking to recover lost property and anyone with information regarding these occurrences is asked to contact Detective Constable John McMullan of the 2 District Criminal Investigation Bureau at 905-825-4747, ext. 2217.
Tips can also be submitted 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.
People charged with a criminal offence are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
 By Ray Rivers
August 8th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
OPINION
This is an election year and politicians show up at every chance they get.
 From the left: Oakville North Burlington MP, Pam Damoff, Burlington MP Karina Gould who is also the Minister of Democratic Institutions and Minister of the Environment Catherine McKenna, They were at the Canada Centre for Inland Waters – there is a freighter sailing past them in the background. So Liberal MP’s from Burlington, Oakville and Hamilton East-Stoney Creek were along for the ride when Canada’s Environment Minister Catherine McKenna did a presser at the Canada Centre for Inland Waters (CCIW). It was Karina Gould’s home turf so she moderated.
And fiscal conservatives might have been relieved that it was only a little over a million dollars being awarded for essentially low-level environmental clean up projects stretching over the next three years. It’s chump change, though the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, which had scored two projects under the federal Great Lakes protection initiative, was out in force to thank the minister for her/our largesse.
 Catherine McKenna – Minister of the Environment. The announcement took place upon the broken pavement out the back of CCIW, which houses the world renowned National Water Research Institute (NWRI). I had spent a lot of time working in that building and it seemed little has changed over the two decades since I’d left. It was great to see so many of my former colleagues still slaving over a hot test tube.
One of the primary purposes of NWRI at its inception back in the ‘70s was to rid the Great Lakes of those nasty algal blooms which choke all the life out of the waters. And there had been progress, and for a while it looked like we had won that battle. But climate change has opened up a whole new challenge. Rain storms bringing nutrient-rich soil from well-fertilized farms and sloppy urban development have combined with warmer water to facilitate renewed algal growth.
Seriously, a million dollars is a pretty modest amount of money, given the three billion dollars the federal and other governments are giving the fossil fuel industry to continue generating greenhouse gas emissions. But every action helps and these projects, restoring habitat and cleaning up the shoreline certainly will help.
And, of course, the feds have more arrows in their quiver. So Minister McKenna wasted no time chastising the Conservative provincial premiers who are wasting tax payer money on court challenges over the carbon tax.
But as I said it was a pre-campaign election event.
 Ray Rivers writes regularly on both federal and provincial politics, applying his more than 25 years as a federal bureaucrat to his thinking. Rivers was once a candidate for provincial office in Burlington. He was the founder of the Burlington citizen committee on sustainability at a time when climate warming was a hotly debated subject. Ray has a post graduate degree in economics that he earned at the University of Ottawa. Tweet @rayzrivers
Background links:
Canada Centre for Inland Waters
By Staff
August 7th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
On Sept. 1, 2019, Burlington Transit will make significant changes to the transit system, including the introduction of new routes, schedules and frequencies.
As the city’s population grows over the next 20 years, these changes will help Burlington move toward a transit system that operates on a grid network, with bus service along the city’s most-travelled roads in an east-west and north-south direction. Establishing a grid network will create a transit network with more frequent and better-connected service to help meet the mobility needs of the community.
As a result of the input received from transit users during a series of open house events in April this year several revisions were made to the draft routes and schedules, including:
• Extending the Route 4 bus further into Aldershot
• The addition of weekend service to the 407 carpool parking lot on Routes 2 and 3
• Introduction of improved service and more buses on holidays
In addition to moving towards a grid network, the Sept. 1, 2019 changes will also:
• Move bus service to the south side of the Burlington GO Station – Buses will operate along, and enter the GO Station, from Fairview Street
• Reduce route duplication – Remove routes that cover the same road segments as other routes and routes that operate in only one direction
• Improve frequency of routes – Increase frequency on routes that travel along major roads.
By Pepper Parr
August 6th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
Not sure if this should be a crime story or a health story. It was a crime story for me – Identity theft.
My friend James Burchill is quick to tell anyone who will listen that if you produce the right email you will get the attention you were looking for.
He just might be right – we got the following earlier today and needed to share it right away.
 It is clearly a scam – how can you tell? Well, you should know where you’ve been and what you’ve been doing – but that aside – check the address the email came from.
That ain’t Health Canada.
By Staff
August 6th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
 The rendering – the real thing will be opened to the public on September 15th. The re-opening of the Joseph Brant Museum will take place with a community celebration and free admission on September 15, 12 noon to 4 pm.
Joseph Brant Museum is Burlington’s community museum. With the replica of the original homestead of Joseph Brant ‘Thayendanegea’ (1742-1807), serving as a beacon, the transformed facility features three galleries, space for travelling exhibitions and a dedicated programming area for school groups and education programs. The Museum presents Burlington’s history as well as providing interactive experiences for visitors of all ages.
The Museum has been made possible due to many like-minded partners and donors who have contributed to the project. Funds raised to date include $2.5 million from the Joseph Brant Museum Foundation, $2.9 million from the City of Burlington and $6 million from provincial and federal government sources.
For over 30 years, the need to improve the museum facilities has been a well-documented priority. Designed by Chamberlain Architectural Services Limited, the ‘new’ Joseph Brant Museum will open to the public beginning Sunday, September 15.
There are three permanent galleries that explore Burlington’s rich history and heritage. The Burlington Gallery showcases the City’s first citizen, Joseph Brant, Thayendanegea and the growth of a village to a thriving city through immigration, shipping and industrial development.
 Aerial of the Brant Inn. The Costume Gallery contextualizes social history during the ‘40s, ‘50s and ‘60s, focusing on the famous Brant Inn and the Big Band Era. Often described as putting Burlington “on the map”, the Brant Inn featured many legendary entertainers such as Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman and Ella Fitzgerald. The Discovery Gallery is a hands-on, interactive space constructed for our future engineers, mathematicians and scientists, designed for the young and young at heart.
“We are immensely grateful to our federal, provincial and city partners, as well as many private and corporate donors, staff, board members and volunteers who have worked tirelessly to see this project through to completion,” says Director of Museums of Burlington, Barbara Teatero. “The facility opening is the culmination of a multi-year, visionary process for everyone involved. We’re beyond excited to reveal this unique, distinctive space and the foundational exhibitions to the public and visitors to Burlington.”
 Will Museum patrons have to put coins in the pin ball machines?  Larry Waldron, Chair of the Burlington Museums Board, Joseph Brant Museum’s inaugural travelling exhibit will be on display from October 6, 2019 to January 12, 2020. Offering widespread appeal, visitors can look forward to “Part of the Machine: Rock and Pinball”, from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. This playable, interactive exhibit will feature rock-themed, pinball machines combined with historic merchandise and artifacts to explore the portrayal of artists and bands.
In the words of Larry Waldron, Chair of the Burlington Museums Board, “The new Joseph Brant Museum, gateway to Burlington’s waterfront and downtown has been thoughtfully transformed over the last three years and is now ready to welcome visitors, inspire connections and share its originality and potential.”
 This is an architect’s rendering – it will be wonderful if this is the way the museum looks like at night.
By Ray Rivers
August 6th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
Ever since I can remember environmentalists have been demanding an end to government subsidies for the oil and gas sectors. And ever since I can remember governments have been ignoring the issue, or have been in denial. And those not in denial keep making promises to end the flow of cash to the energy giants, but never actually do.
 Sustainable for who? Canada by everyone’s calculations leads the G7 when it comes to doling out cash to the fossil fuel industry. And while the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) puts the direct value of Canadian generosity to big fossil at $3.3 billion per year, the International Monetary Fund calls it more like $50 billion after all the externalities are included.
Mr. Trudeau, recognizing the inappropriateness of these subsidies, and echoing long standing Liberal policy, promised during the last federal election that he would eliminate this gravy train. Then he made a similar promise when his government purchased the TransMountain (TMX) pipeline. The NDP, like the Liberals, utter wishful thoughts on the matter, but the national reality just won’t let that happen – at least not yet.
Canada’s is a diverse economy, and three or four provinces rely heavily on the oil and gas sector for their standard of living. And demand for petroleum is still strong. So ending the subsidies would appear as an attack on those provinces and the national economy. Besides there is still some small chance that the Liberals or NDP might win some seats in the prairies.
The Greens are probably the only party which could be counted on to end the freeload, though the probability of them becoming government in the near future is pretty slim – so it’s an easy promise to make. Maxime Bernier’s fledgling People’s Party shuns all subsidies and has criticized the most recent federal gift to the oil execs. But then given current polling he has even a lesser chance of forming government than the Greens, let alone keeping his own seat.
 The sign says it all. Andrew Scheer’s Conservatives are the outliers. Despite criticism of Trudeau on the latest handout to the industry, nobody should doubt where Scheer stands. He represents oil producing Saskatchewan, after all, and like his former boss, Alberta’s Harper, can be counted on to do the bidding of the oil giants.
In fact his recent policy paper on climate change and the environment would see even more subsidies go out to fossil fuel firms presumably looking for cleaner ways of burning even more fossil fuels. He stands shoulder to shoulder with big oil, regurgitating their positions on the new fuel standard and environmental assessment. And his opposition to the carbon tax is all about protecting the oil producers.
But if climate change is the most important issue facing humanity this century, then fossil fuels will have to go, and fossil fuel companies will have to shut down eventually. And alternatives need to be available and put on an even footing financially. According to the IISD, globally, the fossil fuel fellows get four times as much in handouts ($400 billon) as does the worldwide renewable energy sector.
Bernier is dead wrong. Subsidies are an essential part of modern government. They are as essential as fair taxation. If government’s role in society is to provide leadership then it must use all of its tools to tip the scales and nudge us in the right direction. For example, the recently announced federal electric vehicle rebate program helps to level the costs of purchasing a non-polluting vehicle.
 The Hamilton skyline on a difficult day. Subsidies to the oil industry are wrong headed and must and will end. Otherwise how do we move society off oil and gas and onto cleaner electric or hydrogen. The federal carbon tax is expected to raise $2.3 billion this year, all of which will be returned to the public. And that is still at least a billion shy of what the Canadian taxpayers are giving to the oil companies, so they can compensate their oil exec’s with fat salaries, bonuses and stock options. And their product is the poison changing our climate.
Ray Rivers writes regularly on both federal and provincial politics, applying his more than 25 years as a federal bureaucrat to his thinking. Rivers was once a candidate for provincial office in Burlington. He was the founder of the Burlington citizen committee on sustainability at a time when climate warming was a hotly debated subject. Ray has a post graduate degree in economics that he earned at the University of Ottawa. Tweet @rayzrivers
Background links:
Subsidies for Fossil Fuels – More Subsidies – Canadian Subsidies – Highest Subsidizes in G7 –
By Pepper Parr
August 6th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
Revisions were made to this story correcting the length of time Barb Teatero served with the Museum – 35 years.
 Barb Teatero, Museums of Burlington Director at her last Brant Festival event. It was not Barb Teatero’s last day on the job but it was her last Brant Day event at LaSalle Park.
She is reported to ave been a every Brant day for the past 36 years.
Barb retires on September 9th – turning the reigns over to Kimberly Anne Watson.
“I told my Board in January that I was ready to retire. I just don’t have the level of enthusiasm and energy I used to have – it was time for new blood and different ideas.
“I loved the job and the new Museum that will be open to the public in the very near future is something the public is going to just love.
“It isn’t going to be an ‘indigenous Museum’. It is going to be a very modern place and there will be the appropriate exhibit of Joseph Brant material – this city was built on the land grant he was given by the British.
 Barb Teatero with her husband during the ground breaking ceremonies Barb’s husband retired 13 years ago and he wants to do some traveling and she feels she has done everything she could do to get the museum she has worked with for more than 35 years to the point where it will become a major provincial destination.
Getting to the point where the transformed Brant Museum is close to ready for its public debut has been a long haul for Teatero. She applauds city council for keeping “a critical” $2.5 million in the capital reserve budget for as long as they did.
Several members of city council were always concerned that a bigger museum would become another financial bleeder
Teatero is both grateful and proud for the $4.5 million the federal government came through with. “The grant we got was the biggest grant ever given to a cultural group in the country.”
The support for the museum has not been universal across the city. Of the two venues – Ireland House has the best reputation – and a well-deserved one at that.
The Brant operation has been spotty.
 The gorget, a piece of armour worn around the neck was presented to Captain Joseph Brant by King George III Teatero bent every ear she could find, twisted every arm there was and was indefatigable in her efforts to get the funding place. She once dragged Mayor Rick Goldring to a venue that was an example of where she wanted the Brant transformation to be.
Making the transformed site an operational success is in the hands of the new Director who will bring her own signature to the task.
Barb has worked with the volunteers at Freeman Station – advising the group of volunteers who have made the impossible real. She is quick to point out that volunteers are the life blood of the place; she cannot say enough about the role volunteers have played in getting the Museum to where it is today.
On August 13th there will be a special event to recognize the role those donours have played.
With the short interview with Barb done we watched as she did what she always does – tidies things up and tucks things away.
On the day that the formal announcement was made on the funding and on the day that the ground breaking ceremonies were performed one could see Barb putting something away or closing a cabinet door.
She “mothered” the place for years – she will miss it and the building will miss her.
It is reported that the stairs in the Brant replica came from the original structure – one thinks of Barb Teatero and Joseph Brant using the same set of stairs and the same hand rail – centuries apart.
Related news story:
New Director for Museums of Burlington
 By Staff
August 6th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
A Community Lens report from Community Development Halton sets out just what homelessness is.
What is homelessness? According to the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness, homelessness is “the situation of an individual, family, or community, without stable, safe, permanent, appropriate housing, or the immediate prospect means and ability of acquiring it.” The homeless population is hard to count because of their mobility and the cyclical nature of homelessness.
Homelessness isn’t a huge problem in Halton; 271 individuals/head of household experiencing homelessness were identified in 2018 compared to 264 in 2016.
The first coordinated Point-in-Time (PiT) Count of homelessness in Canada took place in 2016 covering 32 communities. The second count that took place in 2018 included 62 communities. Halton Region participated in both Point-in-Time counts.
 Within the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA), Halton ranks third after the City of Toronto and Peel Region in terms of the homeless rate (per 100,000 residents).
 In Halton, over half of the homeless individuals stayed in transitional housing (38%) and shelters (27%). Oakville has the highest rate of homelessness (65.5 persons/100,000 residents) followed by Burlington at 40.9 persons/100,000 residents, in terms of rate of homelessness (per 100,000 residents) in 2018.
Many factors are at play that result in an individual or head of a household to experience homelessness. Homelessness is usually the result of the cumulative effects of a number of factors such as family conflict, job loss, or unaffordable housing. Based on the two Point-in-Time surveys (2016 and 2018), family conflict ranks as the top reason(s) for homelessness.
Family conflict includes conflict or poor relationship between parents and children, physical violence, or sexual abuse. Lack of affordable housing is another top reason for homelessness. Job loss and precarious employment can easily lead to homelessness. Less than one-quarter (24%) of the homeless individuals are employed. Another reason for homelessness is those fleeing domestic violence which includes physical, sexual, or psychological harm by a current/former partner or spouse as well as by other family members, or by a partner’s family member.
 Whatever the reason for the homelessness, adequate support needs to be in place ensure that dignity, well-being and a road out of homelessness are in place for anyone who needs the help.
The oft heard phrase “Get a job” is not the answer to the homelessness problem.
Community Lens is prepared by Community Development Halton to disseminate and interpret important community data as it becomes available. For more information please contact CDH at data@cdhalton.ca or 905-632-1975
 By Pepper Parr
August 6th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
This is a seven part series on transit and how Burlington plans to get to the point where the public will take public transit to get to where they want to go in the city because it is cheaper, faster, more convenient and seen as the smart thing to do.
Part 6
Partnerships is going to have to be a large part of what the transit people do going forward. All the stakeholders have to be at the table which includes people who don’t see themselves as transit stakeholders.
Transit in Burlington has been trying for some time to create partnerships with the larger employers – looking for ways to create transit services that meet the needs of employees working shifts that were outside traditional working hours.
Nothing seemed to get any traction.
Strategy 4E: Employer Partnerships
 Fearmans was an excellent prospect for a partnership with transit. No one was able to make it work. Targeting employees that regularly commute represents a good opportunity to increase ridership on Burlington Transit. Employers that have standard office hours are typically located along key arterial corridors that have direct service, with start and end times that typically coincide with peak transit frequencies. Since service levels are high, the strategy for office employees is typically to target communications and marketing of the service and work with employers to offer an emergency ride home program if midday or evening service levels are not attractive.
 Mapleview parking lots are the size of a couple of football fields. The sales staff might consider public transit if they knew it was going to be reliable. Expect the Director of Transit to begin looking into that opportunity. Large industrial-warehousing employers, retail service employers and other employers located in areas not well serviced by Burlington Transit provide another employer partnership opportunity. These types of opportunities typically involve some degree of employer funding to provide more tailored service to meet employee requirements. This could include free or discounted transit passes, emergency ride home programs, and/or shuttle or on-demand services from transit hubs to work locations.
Burlington Transit staff time would be required to develop these programs and establish partnership with key employers. It is recommended that Burlington Transit staff first target a key employment area (e.g. the industrial area along Harvester Road) prior to developing a city-wide employer strategy.
This initiative aligns with Burlington Transit’s Strategic Direction #3 (Be Business-Minded and aligned with municipal directions), particularly Objective 3.2 (Partnerships), by working with employers to generate mutually beneficial outcomes.
Recommendations:
• Explore opportunities for partnerships with employers and evaluate alternative service delivery models to provide service to employees (Strategy 2A). Target one employment area first for a year to assess level of effort relative to uptake and ridership growth.
• Look at whether regular service can be supplemented by on-demand alternatives during off-peak travel times and/or emergency ride home programs (see Strategy 2A and 2B).
• In the longer term, explore an Employee Pass Program that offers discounts on transit passes based on enrollment in the program.
Strategy 4G: Improve Coordination with Other City Departments
Transit’s biggest asset is the land use and community design it operates in. Transit services that operate along mixed-use high density corridors with good connectivity to the places where people live, work and play offer the highest potential to grow ridership. In this way, transit and land use development are inexorably linked and therefore land use planning should always give strong consideration to transit needs, and vice versa. Ensuring the alignment of land use and transit will help create sustainable, mixed-use communities and also drive ridership by placing transit where residents and employees are located.
The City of Burlington has a number of plans to intensify around key transit corridors and mobility hubs. This is primarily focussed around the Burlington and Appleby GO Stations and the downtown terminal. In addition, the City of Burlington Official Plan (2018) identifies several corridors for mixed-use development and increased intensification. These include Brant Street south of Highway 407, the Plains Road and Fairview Street corridor and Appleby Line. The City is also currently conducting an Interim Control Bylaw review to assess the appropriate density and land use around downtown Burlington, the Burlington GO Station and the section of Brant Street connecting these two nodes.
 When you have a service pattern with routes that under perform the way several do – change is in the wind. Burlington Transit’s growth should largely be focussed on these corridors, which aligns with the arterial focus of Strategy 1A. As recognized in Strategy 1A, access between transit stops and this increased development will be key to ensuring that the potential transit ridership growth is achieved.
While improved planning integration between land use, roadway planning and transit is unlikely to result in measurable ridership growth in the short-term, it will pay dividends as development patterns evolve over time.
Improved integration with land use planning is the core of Burlington Transit’s Strategic Direction #2 (Be Forward-Thinking in how services are planned and delivered), particularly Objective 2.6 (Transit Oriented Development), as it facilitates better planning and delivery of transit services.
 Sue Connor should be at every table when transportation and land use is being discussed. Recommendations:
• Play an active role in strategic land-use planning decisions, highlighting the need for high levels of pedestrian amenity and access to the arterial grid network.
• Continue to work with City of Burlington staff on the alignment of development, growth and employment areas with transit investment and service by reviewing development applications and secondary plans.
• Develop and formalize a Service Development Plan for Burlington Transit that outlines where service investment is expected in the future. This should be a living document that can help inform land use planning decisions to support transit.
• Develop a proximity service standard with the City of Burlington’s Planning and Development Department. This standard should define a five-year target from proximity to transit once the grid-network has been established and place to bonus on the Planning and Development Department to achieve the target based on growth.
• Continue to work with Transportation Services Department to coordinate transit interests in roadway capital improvement programs (e.g. new stops, shelters, accessibility improvements, transit priority features).
• Work with Transportation Services Department as a key stakeholder in the Integrated Mobility Master Plan and identify strategies to help meet the transit mode share target.
Burlington Transit has the best leadership it has had in a decade. Its leadership is far superior to that of the departments it has to work with to pull all the parts together.
The city manager appears to have gotten the message – assuming he has – there should be some heads banged together if that is what it takes them to work together – or let some of those heads roll.
Part 1: Transits five year plan has what some might call an over abundance-of wishful thinking
Part 2: Strategies and recommendations to create the needed structure and delivery model.
Part 3: Making all the parts fit.
Part 4: Can the public afford the new ideas?
Part 5 – Managing and influencing demand
BY Pepper Parr
August 5th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
 Community Development Halton has been in the news frequently this last month.
Joey Edwards, the Executive Director for the past two decades, announced that she will retire in the fall. The Board has been actively developing the direction the organization will take in the years ahead.
A Gazette reader set out what he thought CDH needed to focus on as they revive an organization that has lost its focus.
Go onto Community Development Halton’s website and the one obvious thing that is lacking is a current statement of their Mission, Vision and Values. Virtually every organization today has this prominently displayed on their home page. CDH lists a lot of activities, but there is no easily accessible statement attesting to what they stand for, how they do it and their unique value proposition. I eventually found something called “Independent Community Based Planning in the Voluntary Sector”, but it was buried well into their website.
The second item that needs to be addressed is their name. Sorry, but “Community Development Halton” is amorphous and ill-defined. Develop what, and for whom? Looking at their website most of what they purportedly provide is social planning. Interesting research, but frankly not hugely impactful for a lot of residents, and most don’t connect with how this betters or improves their personal situation.
Another issue that needs to be addressed is their mandate. CDH’s website is laden with words like “facilitate”, “coordinate”, “partner”, etc. That does not describe an action oriented mandate or agenda. If you want broad-based community support, funding and engagement you need to be leading, directing and implementing. The not-for-profit community is strewn with all sorts of think tanks and research based agencies. Interesting from strictly an academic point of view, but not hugely impactful.
CDH operates with a 1990’s mindset, but that isn’t going to carry them very far into the future. The purpose statement on their website from the Social Planning Network of Ontario was written in 1994. The organization needs to re-position itself for changing times or else it will quickly fade into obscurity.
Recently CDH produced a profile of each of the six wards in the city – they sent the information to the ward Councillors but neglected to send the material to media – there is some solid data in those profiles.
The Gazette will be doing series on each ward and including that data. To give you a sense as to just how rich that data set is – look at what they have produced for ward 1.
 By Pepper Parr
August 5th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
It is close to the best entertainment offering during the summer – the Performing Arts Centre Downtown Jazz Festival outdoor on the plaza August 10th and 11th – rain or shine.
When it does rain – and it has in the past – they just move everything inside to the grand Family Room.
 Jazz on thee Performing Arts Centre Plaza. The free event will feature an exciting line-up of Canadian jazz performers, as well as local talent, BBQ by Wendel Clark’s, and a beer tent by Shawn & Ed Brewing Company.
The weekend features free afternoon and early evening performances by the Shirantha Beddage Quartet, Thomas Carbou, Christine Tassan et les Imposteures, Steven Taetz, and Heather Bambrick & Jodi Proznick: East Meets West.
On Saturday, August 10th at 2pm Burlington’s own two-time JUNO nominee, baritone saxophonist Shirantha Beddage brings his brand of high-octane jazz back to BPAC. His original music combines hard bop and modern jazz to create a sound that is both accessible and sophisticated.
 les Imposteures One of Montreal’s best jazz guitarists, Thomas Carbou is scheduled to perform at 4pm. A renowned guitarist, composer, arranger, improviser, percussionist and sampler, he describes his unique style as electro-jazz. Christine Tassan et les Imposteures bring their special blend of Gypsy jazz and revisited cover songs to the Plaza at 6pm.
These four exquisitely talented musicians bring together some of the best works by Django Reinhardt, Félix Leclerc and American swing composers.
On Sunday, August 11th Steven Taetz, a Toronto-based vintage pop, swing, jazz singer and composer, will perform at 4pm. Steven has worked all around the world, from NYC’s Carnegie Hall to The Rogers Centre in Toronto and House of Jazz in Montreal.
 Heather Bambrick Heather Bambrick & Jodi Proznick: ‘East Meets West’ takes the stage at 6pm. Not only are Heather and Jodi considered two of Canada’s finest musicians, they are also JUNO nominees, full of brilliant music, and full-on entertainment. Heather Bambrick is a BPAC crowd favourite and audiences will be delighted by her most recent collaboration.
Beat the summer heat with a weekend of cool jazz entertainment at the 2019 Burlington Downtown Jazz Festival! There will be a beer tent on the Cogeco Garden Terrace operated by Shawn & Ed Brewing Company and barbeque offerings for sale by Wendel Clark’s Classic Grill and Bar. In addition to the headliners noted above, local musicians Tim Park and Karen Thornton will entertain audiences in between the scheduled performances.
The Burlington Downtown Jazz Festival happens rain or shine! In the event of inclement weather, the festival will move indoors to the BPAC Family Lobby. This is a truly inclusive event, as all entertainment is presented to the community free of charge. Some tables and chairs will be provided, but due to expected capacity crowds, it is recommended that participants bring their own seating.
 Shirantha Beddage The Burlington Downtown Jazz Festival
August 10 & 11, 2019
Shirantha Beddage Quartet, August 10, 2:00pm
Thomas Carbou, August 10, 4:00pm
Christine Tassan et les Imposteures, August 10, 6:00pm
Steven Taetz, August 11, 4:00pm
Heather Bambrick & Jodi Proznick: East Meets West, August 11, 6:00pm
By Pepper Parr
August 5th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
This is a seven part series on transit and how Burlington plans to get to the point where the public will take public transit to get to where they want to go in the city because it is cheaper, faster, more convenient and seen as the smart thing to do.
Part 5. Travel Demand Management
Travel demand management are the tools that transit agencies can employ to encourage and influence demand, through affordability, incentivisation and holistic land use planning.
The tools can be used to move demand or encourage growth during non-peak times, such as the midday, evenings and weekends. This frees up peak capacity and increases resource utilization during those less busy periods. In this way, growth can be accommodated at a lower cost and overall efficiency improved.
Strategy 4A: Free Midday Travel for Seniors
In March 2019 the City of Burlington Council directed Burlington Transit to implement a pilot program of offering seniors free travel between 9:00am and 2:30pm on weekdays. This pilot has became effective in June 2019 and runs until 31 December 2020.
It should be noted that free transit also applies to seniors who use specialized transit. The AODA requires fare parity between conventional and specialized services, which will see an increase in demand on the specialized transit system. Unlike conventional transit, specialized transit peaks during the midday period and has less capacity to accommodate an increase in demand (due to the small vehicle size and on-demand door-to-door service delivery model).
 Seniors taking part in a Bfast conference – elected officials hover over the table listening carefully. Therefore, the introduction of this policy is expected to see an increase in specialized transit service hours and vehicle requirements, including an increased operating and capital cost. The extent of this increase is currently unknown, but should be monitored over the course of the pilot, with a plan in place to increase operations during the midday period to maintain an acceptable trip accommodation rate.
This fare change aligns with Burlington Transit’s Strategic Direction #1 (Be Customer-Focused in every aspect of how service is delivered), particularly Objective 1.8 (Affordability), in promoting access to transit for all residents of Burlington.
Recommendations:
• Monitor the impacts of the free midday travel for senior’s pilot project on ridership, technology, customer service, revenue and operating costs for the course of the pilot before implementing further changes or mitigation measures.
• Budget to increase specialized transit service levels during the pilot project to maintain an acceptable trip accommodation rate.
Strategy 4B: Affordability
In conjunction with the City’s decision on senior’s fares, Council also agreed to change the Subsidized Passes for Low-Income Transit (SPLIT) subsidized pass program from a 50 percent fare reduction to a free monthly pass, effective May 1, 2019.
The existing SPLIT pass has been in place for almost nine years and has provided a 50 percent fare subsidy to residents of Burlington that are low income. The program is administered and initially funded by Halton Region Social Services. The change in the program to a free pass will see the City of Burlington cover the remaining 50 percent difference in the pass. Since the number of pass holders are relatively small, this change is not expected to have a significant impact on Burlington Transit’s operations or revenue. However, Burlington Transit should report to Council how this has affected their budget and seek additional funding to cover lost revenue.
This fare change aligns with Burlington Transit’s Strategic Direction #1 (Be Customer-Focused in every aspect of how service is delivered), particularly Objective 1.8 (Affordability), in ensuring access to transit for all residents of Burlington.
Recommendation:
• Monitor the usage of the new SPLIT pass and report the amount of lost revenue to Council.
Strategy 4C: Free Transit for Children
As of March 9, 2019, kids 12 and under were permitted to ride for free on GO Transit. The program has an estimated cost of $8 million dollars of lost revenue. This does not take into account an increase in ridership and revenue from adults that use the service more often as it is more affordable to travel as a family unit. Much of this additional ridership occurs during the off-peak periods such as weekend family travel or school trips during the day.
Currently in Burlington, children under 5 ride for free whereas children between 6 and 12 pay $3.50 cash or $1.90 with Presto. Currently, children 6 to 12 represents 0.05 percent of total ridership on Burlington Transit. Using Presto data, it is estimated that 16,723 children under 12 are current Burlington Transit customers, with an estimated revenue of $30,938.
 Tight integration between the Transit schedules and the GO schedules are critical. Having a similar fare structure is important to improve the eligibility of the system of passengers travelling with children using both GO Transit and Burlington Transit, as the same fare rules would apply between the two systems. This will become increasingly important with the introduction of RER, when the GO Rail network is further integrated with Burlington Transit routes and services (see Strategy 3D). In the short-term passengers travelling with children connecting between the two systems still receive a reduced fare through the co-fare agreement between Metrolinx and Burlington Transit (70 cents), allowing Burlington Transit to maintain an important revenue source. The challenge will be to integrate the service with Presto and to identify which passengers boarding a Burlington Transit bus as a GO Rail station are eligible for the co-fare payment between Burlington Transit and GO Transit.
This fare change aligns with Burlington Transit’s Strategic Direction #1 (Be Customer-Focused in every aspect of how service is delivered), particularly Objective 1.8 (Affordability), in ensuring access to transit for all residents of Burlington.
Recommendations:
• Continue to maintain same child fare policy in the short-term to maintain revenue stream from the co-fare agreement.
• Monitor ridership and revenue changes that have occurred on other GTHA systems that have implemented a similar child fare policy (e.g. Durham Region Transit).
• Implement the child fare policy in the medium-term, with the introduction of RER and subject to Strategy 1D, or prior, depending on the results of the review of the impact from other GTHA systems noted above.
Strategy 4D: Discount Student Pass
Secondary school students offer a significant opportunity to encourage transit familiarity, increase ridership and establish travel patterns that may continue into post-secondary student and adult life. To maximize this opportunity, Burlington Transit, Council and the school boards within the City of Burlington are in the process of investigating a secondary student strategy. This strategy should include transit familiarization outreach for grade 7, 8 and/or 9 students and a discount secondary student pass. If the ‘free child fare’ program is extended to age 12, this student pass program should begin at age 13 (grade 7 students) for ease of administration and to ensure a continuous fare program during middle school years.
The current transit route map. Ridership growth that occurs with these types of programs may also result in service improvements required to accommodate an increase in demand, particularly around school bell times. The ridership growth plan does account for increases in service frequency over the five year business plan (Strategy 1B), which should provide enough capacity to meet increased peak demands. If demand does exceed the planned increase in service, some strategies to off-set potential operating and capital cost increases include:
a. Only allow free or discounted travel on weekends, holidays or after 4:00pm on weekdays (so that students do not use the service to go to/from school);
b. Partner with school boards to receive partial funding for lost revenue;
c. Work with the school board to ensure there is no reduction in yellow-school bus services without a corresponding increase in funding to support the student pass program; and/or
d. Develop a formal booking process for formal school group excursions to ensure Burlington Transit is aware of these trips and that it occurs during periods or on routes where there is sufficient capacity to accommodate the trip.
This program will help to achieve Burlington Transit’s Strategic Direction #3 (Be Business-Minded and aligned with municipal directions), particularly Objective 3.8 (Demand Management), by promoting long term behaviour change with younger transit users.
Recommendations:
• Implement a grade 9 transit outreach program in the short term to ensure transit literacy. If the free child fare program is extended to age 12, consideration should be made to extend this to grade 7 or 8.
• Further investigate a discounted or free middle and secondary student program, involving financial contributions from local school boards to cover a portion of predicted lost revenue. If the ‘free child pass’ program is extended to age 12, this program should be started for grade 7 students (13 years of age and older).
• Monitor program for a year-long period and extend to other grades for subsequent years.
• Partner with school boards to receive partial funding for lost revenue.
Proposed routes Sept 2019 Part 1: Transits five year plan has what some might call an over abundance-of wishful thinking
Part 2: Strategies and recommendations to create the needed structure and delivery model.
Part 3: Making all the parts fit.
Part 4: Can the public afford the new ideas?
 By Pepper Parr
August 5th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
The City wants to engage residents on the development of a citywide Private Tree Bylaw. The pilot project, which is currently underway within the Roseland community, will be reviewed.
Public sessions will be held throughout the city with the goal of informing and gathering feedback on the potential implementation of a Private Tree Bylaw citywide.
Earlier in the year, two information sessions were held to discuss the Pilot Private Tree Bylaw within the Roseland community.
An online survey is available at getinvolvedburlington.ca/privatetree until August 26, 2019 for those unable to come to one of the information sessions.
 Roseland – where the value of high end homes are threatened by ageing trees. Citizen Action Lab – Citywide Private Tree Bylaw Engagement
Citizen Action Labs are where people work together in small, welcoming groups to engage, discuss, share and explore new ideas.
 Gorgeous trees – cut down because geese were eating the apples and the church next door didn’t like the Canada geese fouling the parking lot. Residents are encouraged to come to any one of the three sessions planned:
• Saturday, August 24, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Mountainside Recreation Centre Rm 2, 2205 Mt Forest Dr.
• Monday, August 26, 1 to 4 p.m. at Royal Botanical Gardens, Auditorium Rm B.
• Thursday, August 29, 7 to 9 p.m. at Tansley Woods Community Centre Rm 1&2, 1996 Itabashi Way
Businesses such as landscapers, pool companies, homebuilders, general contractors and tree companies are also encouraged to come and learn and provide feedback about the bylaw.
About the Private Tree Bylaw
No person can injure, destroy, cause or permit the injury or destruction of a tree with a diameter of 30cm or greater or of a tree of significance (historic or rare).
To read the full Pilot Private Tree bylaw currently in effect in the Roseland community, including information on permits, exemptions and fines, visit Burlington.ca/PrivateTree.
 Belvenia – probably the most beautifully treed street in the city. Examples of exemptions include:
Trees with a diameter of less than 30cm
For the purpose of pruning in accordance with Good Arboricultural Practices
For emergency work
If the tree has a high or extreme likelihood of failure and impact as verified or confirmed by an Arborist or the Manager
If the tree is dead, as confirmed by the Manager of Urban Forestry, or designate
If the tree is an ash tree (due to the Emerald Ash Borer), as confirmed by the Manager of Urban Forestry, or designate
If a tree is within two metres of an occupied building
For more exemptions, visit Burlington.ca/privatetree
Permits
A person wanting to remove a tree with a diameter larger than 30 cm or of significance can apply for a permit online by visiting Burlington.ca/privatetree.
Fines
Minimum fine is $500. Maximum fine is $100,000.
Burlington is one of Canada’s best and most livable cities, a place where people, nature and business thrive. Sign up to learn more about Burlington at burlington.ca/enews and download the free City of Burlington app.
 Mayor Meed Ward “…completely supportive of extending the Private Tree Bylaw.” The Goldring city councils just could not get their heads around the need for a private tree by-law – it took them forever to get a by law in place on a pilot basis in the Roseland community. Mayor Meed Ward elected in October made it very clear where she stood.
“I am completely supportive of extending the Private Tree Bylaw, currently underway as a pilot program in Roseland, across our City. I have repeatedly said protecting Burlington’s tree canopy is one of my goals as Mayor because they’re a valuable resource we need to preserve.
“We’re at a crucial point in our City and the time to act is now. Making sure we examine things through a climate emergency-lens, this bylaw makes sense and is needed. It is a realistic and achievable action that we, as a City and as citizens, can do to protect our environment, health and well-being, and help minimize the effects of climate change.”
When city staff went along with a resident’s request to take down a tree so that a drive could be built on a property that was getting a new house built there were just two people who opposed the idea: the ward Councillor and the Mayor – suggesting that this council may not be as supportive of a city wide private tree by law as the Mayor.
Steve Robinson, Manager of Urban Forestry explains that: “Ninety per cent of the City’s urban forest is located on private property. By creating legislation like the Private Tree Bylaw, these assets can be protected as valued parts of our green infrastructure, while they continue to help reduce the effects of climate change. As a community, we must evaluate the feasibility of a bylaw of this magnitude as it has implications to individual residents, but has the potential to yield tremendous results to benefit the community.”
 By Ashley Worobec
August 5th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
Had a great week again this week, the pinnacle of which happened on my Sunday long run.
 Just for the record This week’s long run was 22km, and my training group did what we call the “Pier run”: this means our route included four piers- the Brant Street pier, both lift bridge piers (one on either side of the canal), and the LaSalle Park marina pier.
It was a gorgeous morning and we started at 7am while most of the City was still asleep on this sunny long weekend. Nutrition is a huge part of a long run like that, and I took in a lot of water, a bit of Gatorade, and a couple of gels while on my run.
My favourite gel is a natural product called Endurance Tap, and it’s only got three ingredients- maple syrup, sea salt, and ginger. They are a Canadian company and I love them so much that I’m a brand ambassador for them. They sit well in my stomach and don’t give me any GI upset that can be common in long-distance running.
When running for so long, your body shunts blood away from your digestive system and prioritizes it into your muscles, so sometimes it’s tough to take in needed nutrition while on the run.
 Solid breakfast I’ve included a picture of the breakfast I ate after this particular run, a variation of which I eat many days each week- eggs for protein, spinach for iron, strawberries for antioxidants, sweet potatoes for carbs, peanut butter for fat, and coffee for coffee!
One other thing to note this week is that I changed my running shoes. I keep track of my mileage, and most recommendations advise changing shoes after 500-800km. I hit 800km on my current pair, and while they still look good on the outside, I know that’s enough mileage that they’ve done their work and taken a beating.
 The running shoe that has never let her down. Since a big focus for me right now is injury prevention, I don’t want to make a silly training error like that that’s so preventable. I always have a couple of pairs of running shoes sitting in my closet, as I buy them when I find them on sale throughout the year, and then they’re there for me when I need them. When I find a shoe that I like, I’ll often buy a few pairs at a time, as running shoe manufacturers often make changes to their shoes with each new yearly edition.
I run in Mizuno shoes; they are narrow and fit my foot well.
Now, to sleep and recover!
 By Pepper Parr
April 4th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
ECoB – the Engaged Citizens of Burlington have been watching how the city has decided to engage and consult on the re-assessment and review of the Official Plan.
To complete the work being done ECoB believes the city will have to allow more time and money to get the job done right.
 In a letter sent to their membership ECoB set out their concerns and asked for feedback from the membership.
It is essential to note that ECoB was treated with shabby disdain by two of the 2014-2018 council members; one of the two lost her seat, the other, Paul Sharman who held the ward 5 seat because the vote was badly split, has yet to find the decency to admit that he was wrong and support the organization going forward.
ECoB has grown from the outstanding success they had with the Mayoralty debates followed by the “conversation” on the Performing Arts Centre at which people got a close look at how their Mayor did when she went up against Oakville Mayor Rob Burton.
 The Aldershot All Candidate debate filled a church hall to standing room only. The event was sponsored by ECob. The organization is now focusing on how and to what degree citizens will have input on the Official Plan that is being re-assesed and revised.
What is clear now is that ECoB has earned a seat at the table; a situation the city has recognized. It is now up to the ECoB members pay attention, keep informed and grow the membership of the organization.
ECoB’s Update on Burlington’s Official Plan Review
“ECoB’s executive and ward committees have been busy in recent months. We will be sending you the first of what will become a monthly newsletter in the next few days.
“But first we wanted to update you on one of the most important things happening at City Hall right now. The Review of Burlington’s Official Plan, which is being reassessed by the City Planning Department following the Region of Halton’s request for certain changes, is now underway. The entire process of review has a very short timeline, and needs to be approved by Council by March 2020.
 “Citizen engagement is the term commonly used for public consultations which offer citizens the opportunity to participate in meaningful ways in the decisions, actions and processes which shape their community.
“Pre-Engagement is the consultation undertaken by the Planning Department to seek input from various groups on the best form for Citizen Engagement on the Official Plan Review.
ECoB’s Role in ‘Pre-Engagement’
“The Planning Department has been undertaking a ‘pre-engagement’ exercise in recent weeks in preparation for a new round of Citizen Engagement on the Official Plan. This engagement will relate solely to downtown Burlington.
“The intention of the pre-engagement was to consult with various groups to make sure that the citizen engagement that is carried out for the OP Review is done right.
“Those consulted at this stage included Citizen Advisory Committees, the City ‘Charter Action Team’ (an advisory group tasked with overseeing implementation of the City’s Engagement Charter), ECoB and Hamilton-Halton Home Builders Assoc.
- The Planning Department has provided us with a summary of pre-engagement. Download it here.
- The Planning Department’s Draft Engagement Plan. Download it here.
- Download ECoB’s Response to the Pre-Engagement summary and draft plan.
“ECoB welcomed the opportunity to meet with the Planning Department and provide its ideas regarding a good engagement process. It also welcomes the desire by the City to carry out more rigorous engagement processes than have been seen in the past.
ECoB’s Concerns About Weaknesses In Engagement Plan.
“Nevertheless, there remain concerns about the Draft Engagement Plan and the results of the Pre-Engagement exercise. These are set out in detail in the links above.
“These weaknesses are caused by two constraints – time and money.
“While ECoB acknowledges the urgent need to complete the review and for Burlington to have a new Official Plan, we also believe that it is essential that the most rigorous engagement process possible is undertaken. For the City to provide the Planning Department with a budget too limited to carry out adequate engagement is a fundamental mistake, and risks repeating the mistakes which have made the OP Review necessary. Likewise, if an additional month of engagement would guarantee substantially more rigorous results, that month would be a worthwhile delay. As it stands now the primary citizen engagement that will take place will be in a period of approximately 6 weeks: late August and October..
“Above all, the engagement must reach out beyond traditional public meetings and website questionnaires, which are limited by the self-selecting nature of participation. Many groups – commuters, young families, teenagers, new immigrants – will never participate in traditional engagement exercises. The most important part of the process is to form a representative snapshot of public opinion which ensures the results reflect potential differences in age, gender, ethnic background and more. This requires attempts to reach citizens at home and in ways which don’t require them to ‘opt in’ to participation.
“We therefore urge the City Manager and Council to do all they can to provide more resources, and if possible more time, to the Planning Department to complete as rigorous and representative an engagement exercise as possible.
“From both a symbolic and practical perspective, it is essential the city demonstrates the extent of its commitment to rigorous engagement as part of the Official Plan Review.”
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