 By Pepper Parr
September 13th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
We wrote earlier today about the Crisis Management Team (CMT) that is going to handle the coyote problem and we asked the city Communications people where the mandate for the team comes from.
Turns out the city has a bylaw in place that allows for the creation of any number of CMT’s
We asked Communications where does the mandate to set up these Crisis Management Teams come from?
“For this the CMT gets its mandate from the fire-and-emergency-services/emergency-plan-and-preparedness bylaw.
 City Manager Tim Commisso: Is there any limit to the number of committees he can serve as Chair on and still be effective? The Team is chaired by the City Manager.
The members of the Team depends on the situation: for this issue it includes staff from Communications, Building & Bylaw, Customer Experience, HR, Finance, Corp. Strategy Team, Recreation, Community & Culture, Roads, Parks and Forestry, Finance, Legal and the Mayor.
At first glance it appears a little on the unwieldy side. Input from some of the city departments would be needed – but being able to pivot should there be a coyote bite that results in a fatality needs a small tightly focused group with strong leadership.
Can you imagine a situation that calls for three different CMT’s – and the City Manager chairing all of them ?
All this will come to the surface at the meeting on Wednesday – the 14th.
It will be interesting how the Council incumbents handle this. Will they waffle and mumble and place a new order for Foxcroft whistles?
So far there hasn’t been any real leadership on this issue. And it isn’t over yet.
 Stephen White: Prior to starting Competitive Edge Coach he worked for Scotiabank and was responsible for the design, development and implementation of the Bank’s Occupational Health and Safety Program. Stephen has taught t McMaster and Algoma Universities, and is currently teaching at Sheridan College. In addition to Masters degrees in Public Administration and Industrial Relations, Stephen holds the CHRL designation through the Human Resources Professionals Association of Ontario. In August 2021 he attained the Professional Certified Coaching designation (“PCC”). Stephen While, who along with Julie Martin from Oakville wrote the Burlington Oakville Coyote Management report that didn’t get distributed to council for months – City Manager admits now that he should have ensured that Council members were given the report.
White expects to be delegating to the Standing Committee on Wednesday. One of the question he asks is: Does anyone know just how many coyotes there are in the south eastern part of the city. There have been six bite incidents so far.
How many legal claims – No one is bringing that subject up.
 By Staff
September 13th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The the First Annual Pooch Plunge took place on September 10th at Nelson Pool in Burlington.
This amazing event was organized by Burlington Humane Society.
 Was the pool drained after the Pooch Plunge? The event started at 1:00 pm for small dogs, followed by the large boys and girls.
 Did that dog manage to get out of the pool on his own ? Tennis balls were provided for all participants and goodie bags from Rens.
Lots of vendors on site as well
This is an event that just has to grow larger every year.
Photos taken by Mozelle Cole
 By Pepper Parr
September 13th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Keith Demoe decided he wanted to sit on city council partly because he didn’t like the decisions they were making but more importantly to him was the way the decisions were being made.
Demoe come out of that part of the private sector that sees technology, particularly Information Technology, as the tool that is going to solve all our problems.
He spent 20 years with SAP – systems, applications, and products.
 Keith Demoe takes a clear eyed view on just what the issues are. He then, with a partner, went out on their own to market extensions to the SAP applications.
He prospered.
He first described himself as a progressive but didn’t expand on just what that meant.
Our meeting, which took up the best part of two hours started with Demoe telling me that he wanted to create a portal, an electronic address if you will, that ward 2 people could go to to find all the information they wanted.
Demoe was clearly not aware of the Service Burlington department in place to provide just that service.
Demoe believes people in Burlington have great ideas that are not being given the time and attention they deserve. Demoe isn’t going to get any argument for the significant number of people in the city who have given up on the idea of delegating – they don’t feel they are listened to.
In the 11 years the Gazette has been covering city council I cannot recall a single idea/project/initiative that was brought to council as a delegation that was then acted upon.
Demoe wants to be part of a city council that changes that.
He lives in the downtown core – in a condominium.
He has taken a leave of absence from his consulting/application development work and will phase himself out of that job should he be elected.
Once one gets past that first awkward stage with Keith Demoe he get animated.
Like anyone running for public office in Burlington he has views on the intensification that few are very happy about. The facts are what Demoe focuses on – “Burlington is going to have to grow up and not out because there is no more land for new traditional single family residential structures that have been built in the city since the end of WWII.
He looks at the farming sector and wants to know who owns the land and if it isn’t farmers who want to work the fields – then who is it and what do they want to do with the land longer term ?
What bothers Demoe is this: the public is not being given the facts.
 The issues as Demoe sets them out on his web site. Expanding the urban boundary which stops at Hwy 5 and the 407, is a huge concern for many. The moment you move that boundary as much as a foot north it will be very hard to stop it going further – the only immediate impediment is that the land is not serviced – which would result in more estate type housing.
 Keith Demoe: his thinking does focus on the real problems. At this point Demoe has no problem pointing to what he sees as the huge problem: the different interests between those who want affordable housing so they can actually live in Burlington and those who want to protect their equity.
Protecting their equity means having property values that are sky high that make it possible for people to sell and bank a considerable capital gain on the house they bought 20 years ago and those who at this point in time can’t get past the inability to come up with the required down payment.
While his views do not appear to be cast in stone his thinking does focus on the real problem. Demoe wants facts on the table so that voters can make informed decisions
Where is the Demoe campaign funding coming from? Keith is using his own money to cover his campaign costs – any money from outside the immediate family would be small donations from people he knows.
The Paletta interests have reached out to him – he hasn’t met with anyone yet
Demoe intends to make heavy use of video – I got the sense it would be along the lines of what Marianne Meed Ward did in her 2010 election.
Right now the campaign is a boots on the ground, knocking on doors operation where he is listening and taking notes.
Keith Demoe is at the least a contender.
 By Staff
September 12th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Throughout the United Kingdom citizens are signing a Book of Condolences.
 Premier signing the Book of Condolences at Queen’s Park In Canadian provinces a Book of Condolences are also being signed.
There is a Book of Condolences at Burlington City Hall that you can sign.
The City has not announced the existence of the Book of Condolences.
Many people think City Hall is closed.
It is open and the Book of Condolences is set out close to the Security Officer’s desk.
Candidate for Mayor Anne Marsden wrote the City Clerk pointing out that:
With the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the accession of King Charles III proclaimed in Canada should there not be a Special Council Meeting held before the 3:30 Audit Committee so that members of council can make their oath of allegiance to the new monarch before proceeding with any public decisions that involve elected members of Council. No decisions can be made after election day until such oath of allegiance is made. With the death of Her Majesty and our King proclaimed surely no public council member decisions can be made until that new oath of allegiance is made?
The City Clerk responded:
Please note that section 232 of the Municipal Act is what establishes the Oath of office. As highlighted below it states that the declaration is in the version of the form established by the Minister for that purpose. Minster of Municipal Affairs and Housing. I am not aware of any changes to that form, we do have a request into the Ministry for an update. However in the absence of a new form, the current oath would suffice.
By Staff
September 12th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
 The coyotes are now having an impact on the process of electing a new city Council in October.
In a statement received earlier today the The Lakeshore Public School Ratepayers Association advised that ” For the safety of our residents due to the recent coyote attacks, the Ward 2 Neighbourhood Information Meeting on Sunday September 18 from 3:30-5:30pm will be moved from the Centennial Multi-use path to Lakeshore Public School.
This will be an outdoor meeting.
 By Pepper Parr
September 12th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
If you offer free food – people will show up.
It was like that in the old days for media. If there was an open bar all those ink-stained wretches would arrive.
When the Mayor of the city gives the State of the City at the beginning of each year there is a table set up for media – it’s hard to find a seat at that table, media people you’ve never seen before are there for what is really a mediocre breakfast at best.
The city administration has found that people do show up, so they are having another Food for Feedback.
City of Burlington will be hosting Food for Feedback, a community engagement BBQ. Join us on Saturday September 17 from 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Brant Hills Park, 2300 Duncaster Dr, Burlington. Vegetarian and Halal options are available.
 The last time an event like this was held the turnout was pretty good. This time a BBQ has been added – last time it was just food trucks. Note: in case of inclement weather, the event will be held indoors at the Brant Hills Community Centre.
Attendees will receive a free lunch from a food truck, in exchange for providing feedback to the City on projects and initiatives. This is an opportunity to connect with city staff, become engaged in your community and provide your input.
 Candidates are limited as to what they can do during an election cam[campaign. Lisa Kearns, councillor for ward 2 said she isn’t going to attend – none of the candidates should be attending. To be discussed are topics such as:
2023 Budget
Climate Action
Get Involved Burlington
Customer Experience
Strategic Communications
Volunteering with the City
Burlington Transit
2022 Municipal Election
Urban Forestry
Major Transit Station Area project
Neighbourhood Development
Integrated Mobility Plan
City Advisory Committees
 By Pepper Parr
September 12th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
OPINION
There is a massive difference between the way the 2022 election is rolling out and the way things went in 2018
The people who were involved in the election were pumped – there was hope in the air – you could almost taste the expectations – things were going to be different.
And during the election things were different.
ECOB – the Engaged Citizens of Burlington arose and organized debates in every ward in the city.
Those debates filled the locations they were held in.
 The ward 2 debate in 2018 filled the Baptist Church on New Street – there wasn’t even standing room. Had the Fire Chief been around he would have shut down the meeting at the New Street Baptist Church.
There wasn’t even any standing room available.
This time around the Mayoralty race is a foregone conclusion. For a short period of time it looked as if the ward 5 incumbent was going to be acclaimed. Now there are three people running against Paul Sharman and he could be replaced.
There is a candidate in ward 2 who will give the incumbent there more than a good run for her money.
A rate payers group in ward 2 is holding what is a Meet and Greet. Questions to the candidate will be given to them in advance of the event and there won’t be a debate.
The Roseland Community Association has plans to hold an event – they too were reported to be planning on giving candidates the questions in advance.
What happened to the accountability the public is consistently asking for ?
What the public needs is an opportunity to see how well the candidates handle themselves when they are asked a question they don’t know is coming.
 The crowd at the ward 1 debate in Aldershot filled the space – 11 candidates took part. Candidates need to be challenged – learning that they aren’t all that swift after they have been sworn in isn’t what democratically elected councils are about.
Burlington is said to be polite – but this is just short of ridiculous.
There is one candidate who asked if he was allowed to attend a meeting at the Council Chamber – perhaps he was concerned about COVID19 issues?
We elect men and women to represent us and leave them to it. The public has a responsibility to do their homework, to look carefully at the candidates: that kind of thing takes place when there is a fair, honest open debate.
Meet and Greets and community sponsored events with candidates given the questions in advance is what happens in small rural communities where everyone already knows everyone.
The citizens of the city need to step up to the plate and do their job
Failing to require the candidates, incumbents and first timers, will get you more of this which is not what the city needs at this point in its growth.
Salt with Pepper is the musings, reflections and opinions of the publisher of the Burlington Gazette, an online newspaper that was formed in 2010 and is a member of the National Newsmedia Council.
By Pepper Parr
September 12th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The Lakeshore Public School Ratepayers Association is hosting a neighbourhood information meeting, and you are invited!
What is the purpose of the meeting?
The purpose of the meeting is to meet the Ward 2 candidates for the upcoming municipal election held on Monday October 24, 2022 AND to discuss issues that are important to you, your family and your neighbourhood.
 Jane Kelly Cook – energy behind the community meet and greet, When is the meeting?
Sunday September 18, 2022 from 3:30-5:30pm.
Where is the meeting?
This OUTDOOR, RAIN OR SHINE community event will be held on the grassy area adjacent to the Centennial Multi use path, between Smith Avenue and Seneca Avenue. Depending on numbers the location may be moved to Lakeshore Public School.
What are some of the issues?
You tell us, submit a question…pedestrian safety on the roads and multi-use bike paths, personal safety, in light of the recent coyote attacks, development…???
Please forward your questions by Sunday September 11 at midnight.
We will do our best to have all submitted questions, (time dependent) answered by the candidates.
Questions will be given to the candidates prior to the meeting.
There will be no time allotted for debate.
There will be time for an informal meet and greet, where more questions can be asked of the candidates one on one.
How can I learn more about the issues that impact my family, my community and my city?
There will be music, light snacks and refreshments offered. Donations can be made to the Jam Packed with Love XoXo Spread the J🍓y Foundation. Globally, supporting people living with Movement Disorders.
By Pepper Parr
September 12th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
People being bitten by coyotes.
This is not a problem that is going to go away.
There are a lot of unknowns and something has to be put in place to get a solid grip on this problem.
The City of Burlington has activated its Crisis Management Team due to six unprovoked coyote attacks on residents.
The latest was reported to the City from a retirement home employee regarding one of their residents.
 They howl at an early age. Today, Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward spoke to the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF), Graydon Smith, who expressed sincere concern for the health and safety of our residents and is working with us to help address this serious risk to our community from these unprecedented and unprovoked attacks.
One victim was a two-and-a-half-year-old boy who was on his backyard deck. The coyote grabbed him by the neck in an attempt to drag him away. City staff are in active discussions with coyote wildlife management experts at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) to collaborate on solutions for the Burlington community.
City of Burlington staff will present a report to council on coyote management recommendations at the Corporate Services, Strategy, Risk and Accountability Committee Meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 14 at 9:30 a.m. for approval at the City of Burlington Special Council Meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 14 at noon.
The most recent unprovoked coyote attack occurred this morning at 8:20 a.m. at a retirement home on New Street in the Roseland area. The victim was sitting out on their front patio in a chair. She was relaxing and awoke to the pain of the coyote biting her in the hip area. The coyote was startled when she woke up but tried to approach her again. She was able to scare it away. The retirement home employee saw what happened and ran out to check on the resident. The coyote ran across New Street into a neighbourhood. An ambulance was called for the victim and she was taken to hospital.
The coyote is described as a smaller sandy coloured coyote.
Please be vigilant in these areas and report coyote sightings using the form at burlington.ca/coyotes.
If you are attacked by a coyote, please seek immediate medical attention and report the attack to the Halton Region Health Department and to the City of Burlington Animal Services at animalservices@burlington.ca or 905-335-3030.
These attacks are uncharacteristic of coyotes and this cluster of attacks on humans are the first reported in Burlington.
City of Burlington Animal Services staff are patrolling the area to locate this coyote and its den.
They are also working with a Certified Wildlife Control Professional to eliminate the coyote.
While staff have been monitoring the area since the last attack on Aug. 24, they have found several neglected properties in the area that could be offering ideal denning areas for this pack of aggressive coyotes.
Bylaw Officers are being dispatched and prioritizing by bringing these properties to meet bylaw requirements and to remove the opportunity for coyotes to den on these sites.
Questions we will put to the city administration:
 Fire Chief Karen Roche will get at the root of the problem and put forward recommendations that make sense – if she is given the mandate she will need, What mandate does the Crisis management team have?
Who chairs that team?
Who are the members of that team?
There will be some comfort if we learn that Fire Chief Karen Roche is in constant an and instant communication with the city manager.
And lastly, has the city been sued by any of the families of the victims?
By Pepper Parr
September 12th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
This ADI Development Group is harming a lot of people.
Adam Reiterowski worked for the ADI Group for a period of four weeks – from from June 2nd, 2021 to July 5th, 2021,
He was named in an article we published as an officer of Adi. “This is false. Completely false”, he said
“I worked at Adi Developments from June 2nd, 2021 to July 5th, 2021, ~4 weeks and quit.
“I was NEVER an officer. NEVER. I had one login with HCRA, and it looks like no one updated the database after I left. And now my name is the one caught up in what seems like a serious legal matter.
“I have no affiliation with the Adi Development Group whatsoever, and I know you got this from Storeys, and from the HCRA who published it first. I do not blame you.
“The HCRA and Storeys got similar emails and phone calls from me, and I am asking them to take my name off it too.
“HCRA is beginning the process, but this is already gone to 3 news outlets and I need it to stop before it hits more.
 The letter of resignation. Former employee says the place was “not a good cultural fit”. The final confirmation of pay – dated July 12th, 2021 from Adi. I have also attached a copy of the resignation letter they got that day too. And I am happy to provide more if needed to set the record straight.
I have not worked there since July 5th 2021, and I have no affiliation with them. NONE.
The Gazette has revised the article.
By Staff
September 12th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington Public Library (BPL) is extending its hours. This change takes effect Monday September 12th.
Since 2018, BPL has been able to extend its open hours by nearly 20 per cent.
Some branches, including New Appleby and Aldershot, have seen a 60 per cent increase in open hours since 2018.
 Hours have increased – readership as well? Where and When You Can Visit Starting September 12
Central and Tansley Woods
Monday to Thursday: 9am to 9pm
Friday to Sunday: 9am to 5pm
New Appleby, Aldershot, Brant Hills, Alton
Monday to Thursday: 9am to 9pm
Friday & Saturday: 9am to 5pm
Sunday: Noon to 5pm
Kilbride
Tuesday & Thursday: 5pm to 8pm
Saturday: 9am to 2pm
 Burlington Librarian CEO, Lita Barrie. This change happened because of feedback from our customers. “After receiving customer feedback about a need for increased branch access, included this goal in our 2016-2020 Strategic Plan,” says CEO, Lita Barrie. “We have been gradually increasing service hours since then. Our 2020 and 2022 customer surveys reaffirmed this direction.”
These moderate increases to service hours have not increased the library’s staffing budget, but they have made the library accessible to more people with diverse needs and schedules, and expanded access to BPL’s collection, programs, and spaces.
Customer Feedback and Data Driven Decisions
“We have had great feedback so far about our expanded hours,” adds Barrie. “We are keeping a close eye on our community’s needs by analyzing usage data.”
Weeknight usage from Monday to Thursday significantly increased this spring—192 per cent—during the library’s closing hour from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Borrowing also went up during this period.
This data helped BPL decide how to adjust its open hours to best serve the community.
Library users also told BPL they would like 24/7 access to WiFi so they could use the internet outside branches or in their vehicles during closed hours. This change will also take effect September 12th.
Library Use is the Best Feedback
The library is always looking for feedback. You can share your opinion simply by using your local branch. “We monitor activity at all our locations to help guide decisions about many things, including open hours,” says Barrie. When you visit the library, you are helping us understand trends and needs in our community.
 By Staff
September 12th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The BBCC (Burlington Beach Catamaran Club) is hosting the 2022 North American A-Cat Catamaran Championships, Sept. 19 to 23, 2022, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with the support of the City of Burlington and the Hamilton Oshawa Port Authority.
 Burlingtonians may not see this kind of action – but what they do see will be exciting and daring. This is a major event for the BBCC as it represents the first time in 40 years that the North American Championships are held outside of the USA. The A-Cat is one of the fastest single handed dinghy catamarans in the world often exceeding speeds of 55 kilometres per hour (or 30 knots).
These fast light weight (75 kg) sailboats use new foiling technology that raises almost the entire boat right out of the water except for the foiling boards and rudders.
All racing to be visible from Burlington’s Spencer Smith Park and the Burlington Pier. Spectators will be encouraged to experience the event by walking along Burlington Beach Park, meeting the racers and checking out these modern high-tech fast catamarans.
We are expecting 50 to 70 sailors from across North America and Europe. The attached background document provides additional information about A-Cats and the event.
About the Burlington Beach Catamaran Club (https://www.burlingtoncatamaranclub.com/)
The Burlington Beach Catamaran Club (BBCC) is an enthusiastic Not-For-Profit sailing club that has been representing Burlington in sailing regattas across North America for over 40 years. The Club is located on the sandy shores of Burlington Beach and provides a colourful backdrop to the residents of Burlington when visiting the Lake. Club Members launch their boats off the beach for pleasure sailing throughout the sailing season and for Club Racing on Wednesday nights and Sunday afternoons. We are proud members of Ontario Sailing and represent one of the largest catamaran fleets in the Province of Ontario.
By Staff
September 10th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington is one of just three stops for Air Supply on their Canadian tour.
 Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock and their iconic soft rock – will be on stage in Burlington on September 15th The iconic soft rock duo of Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock, who formed the band Air Supply in 1975, are currently touring North America, celebrating 47 years of making and performing the hit songs they are known and revered for.
September 15th on the stage of the Performing Arts centre –curtain rises at 8:00pm.
Although the show is going to sell out there are some tickets left for fans who grew up listening to top-40 hits like “All Out of Love” and “Lost in Love”.
For many this will be a walk down memory lane.
“Lost in Love VIP Experience” tickets provide fans with an exclusive opportunity to get up close and personal with the band. Premium seating, an invitation to soundcheck and a private Meet & Greet with photo are included, along with a VIP Swag Bag.
“To be able to welcome audiences back to BPAC at full capacity, post-COVID, with a full line-up of programming, and having a seminal band like Air Supply kicking off our 2022/2023 ‘BPAC Presents’ Season is beyond thrilling”, says Executive Director, Tammy Fox.
 Air Supply has been around for a long time – the sound is even better today than it was when they started – it has deepened and is smoother than ever. “Our entire team is incredibly excited to offer our patrons this rare opportunity to see a major group like Air Supply perform in an intimate environment rather than in a huge arena-type venue. This will not only be the first time that Air Supply had graced our stage, but also the first time that they have performed in Burlington.”
Russell and Hitchcock met on the first day of Jesus Christ Superstar rehearsals in Sydney, Australia in May of 1975. The two became fast friends, discovering much in common, including a love for the Beatles and both having ‘Air’ zodiac signs, hence the naming of their band Air Supply.
After Jesus Christ Superstar performances, they would play coffee houses and local bars, until they were eventually picked up by CBS Records and signed their first record deal. In 1977 they opened for Rod Stewart on his North American tour, after first opening on his 1976 Australian tour. They took off from there, launching two of their greatest hits, with “Lost in Love” and “All Out of Love” topping the world charts in 1978 and 1980 respectively.
 Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock are clearly having fun. Even after 47 years, Russell Hitchcock’s soaring tenor voice and Graham Russell’s majestic compositions continue to astound audiences with the sound and the songs that music-lovers around the globe will forever know and love, thanks to enduring legacy of Air Supply.
BPAC’s September 15th performance of Air Supply is sponsored by The Pearle Hotel in downtown Burlington.
Tickets can be purchased online or by telephone:
905-681-6000 | https://burlingtonpac.ca/events/air-supply/ Tickets: Regular $145 / Members $140
VIP Regular $229 / VIP Members $224
By Pepper Parr
September 9th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Earlier today we published a short piece on the decision HRCA (Home Construction Regulatory Authority) made regarding the public filing made to the attention of Tariq Adi, Daniela Toma, and Adam Reiterowski, calling for the revocation of building licences of six of the umbrella group’s nine entities for violations under the New Home Construction Licencing Act (NHCLA).
The regulator is also proposing amendments to the licences for the remaining three Adi Developments (Lakeshore) Inc., Adi Developments (Thomas Alton) Inc., and 4880 Valera Road — to allow them to complete ongoing development projects to “avoid putting purchasers at further risk by cancelling these projects mid-construction.”
 Realm Condominiums at 4853 Thomas Altona Boulevard The ongoing projects in question are The Nautique Lakefront Residences located at 364 Martha Street, Realm Condominiums at 4853 Thomas Altona Boulevard, and The Valera, at 4880 Valera Road, all in Burlington.
“Adi Development Group has demonstrated, through the conduct of its related entities and interested persons, that its corporations should not be licenced builders or vendors under the NHCLA,” states the filing.
Bob Aaron, real estate lawyer at Aaron & Aaron Barristers and Solicitors, tells STOREYS that this is the first such act of enforcement made by the HCRA since its formation as a standalone regulator outside of Tarion in 2021. The inability of Adi to obtain an HCRA licence (formerly a Tarion Registration) essentially shuts them down, barring their ability to vend or build any new projects.
“Anybody who sells new construction without being licenced can be fined, and in fact, there have been cases where unlicensed builders have gone to jail for exactly that thing, selling unlicensed properties,” he says.
“If they try to sell new projects they will not have a Tarion licence and that will be disclosed in the agreements of purchase and sale, and nobody’s going to buy it if there’s no Tarion warranty.”
The HCRA specifically points to the Nautique development, which it opened an investigation into after receiving numerous consumer complaints.
The condo development, which sold units between 2010 – 2015, gained notoriety after Adi notified 174 purchasers on March 23, 2022, that their agreements would be terminated due to the builder’s “failure to obtain satisfactory construction financing.”
However, as the regulator notes, despite making this claim, Adi didn’t cancel all purchase agreements — just those without a high enough sale price. The developer then sought to resell the units at substantially higher prices, the HCRA states.
 The Nautique at Martha and Lakeshore in Burlington. Three months later, on June 20, 2022, the HCRA found Adi had only issued 27 purchasers their deposit refunds. The builder also confirmed at that time that they would only issue a refund to an original purchaser once a unit had been resold, and a new deposit received.
“Adi Morgan Developments (Lakeshore) Inc. has cancelled hundreds of purchase and sale agreements for condominium units in order to increase its profits. It expects purchasers under an existing agreement to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars more for their units. For those who are unwilling to do so, Adi Morgan Developments (Lakeshore) Inc. will only return deposits once a new purchaser comes along who is prepared to pay the increased price,” states the filing.
The HCRA adds that in response to a request for sale agreement documentation, Adi provided falsified versions, with altered dates and termination clauses.
“Not only is this unethical, and a violation of both the NHCLA and the Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act (ONHWPA) but it also raises concerns about Adi Morgan Developments (Lakeshore) Inc.’s financial responsibility and competency.”
An advisory distributed by the HCRA on August 19, outlines the code builders must adhere to in regards to price escalations and contract terminations, stating that licencees must honour their agreements.
“If the Addendum and Agreement do not include a specific additional charge, payment, or anticipated adjustment, or if such a clause is not clear or is potentially misleading, the HCRA expects licencees to honour the original purchase price and complete the Agreement unless the purchaser consents by amendment to the Agreement to price adjustments/additional charges,” states the advisory.
“Depending on the circumstances, the HCRA may consider a licencee’s attempt to amend the Agreement to increase the purchase price as an indicator that a licencee has not demonstrated the necessary competencies to possess a licence including financial competency.”
These factors can include the amount of the requested price increase, the reason, the stage of construction, and the number of impacted purchasers, as well as how soon the project is to its closing date.
Aaron says that while he commends the HCRA and the government for their “proactive stance”, he’s curious as to how much this enforcement pertains to the price increase hitting consumers, or the other unethical behaviour Adi has allegedly engaged in.
“I wonder how much of these proceeding relates to them not refunding deposits versus increasing the prices without justification. So we will have to see whether HCRA is going to pursue other builders who may be returning deposits, but have increased the prices without justification,” he says.
“If we find another builder who does not falsify documents, who has refunded the deposits, but who has just made enormous price increases, one wonders whether the HCRA will peruse those builders just for increasing the prices — that remains to be seen.”
Adi Development Group has the option to appeal and request a hearing before the License Appeal Tribunal, and must deliver notice of appeal within 15 calendar days. If no action is taken, their licence is to be revoked as of Friday, September 9.
The bulk of this article came from Storeys, a Newsletter targeting the real estate and development sectors.
 By Staff
September 9th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
In an earlier edition of the following story Adam Reiterowski, is named as an officer of the company. He was never an officer and worked for the ADI Development Group for just four weeks in 2021 after which he resigned.
Controversial when it was approved – more so when the ADI Development Group began trying to back out of sales agreements. Adi Development Group, a Burlington-based condo builder, is the first-ever recipient of a Notice of Proposal to revoke a licence from the The Home Construction Regulatory Authority (HCRA), the regulatory entity that oversees the new construction industry.
In a public filing made to the attention of Tariq Adi and Daniela Toma, the HCRA’s Registrar is calling for the revocation of building licences of six of the umbrella group’s nine entities for violations under the New Home Construction Licencing Act (NHCLA).
The regulator is also proposing amendments to the licences for the remaining three — Adi Developments (Lakeshore) Inc., Adi Developments (Thomas Alton) Inc., and 4880 Valera Road — to allow them to complete ongoing development projects to “avoid putting purchasers at further risk by cancelling these projects mid-construction.”
The ongoing projects in question are The Nautique Lakefront Residences located at 364 Martha Street, Realm Condominiums at 4853 Thomas Altona Boulevard, and The Valera, at 4880 Valera Road, all in Burlington.
“Adi Development Group has demonstrated, through the conduct of its related entities and interested persons, that its corporations should not be licenced builders or vendors under the NHCLA,” states the filing.
Bob Aaron, real estate lawyer at Aaron & Aaron Barristers and Solicitors, tells STOREYS that this is the first such act of enforcement made by the HCRA since its formation as a standalone regulator outside of Tarion in 2021. The inability of Adi to obtain an HCRA licence (formerly a Tarion Registration) essentially shuts them down, barring their ability to vend or build any new projects.
More background later in the day.
By Pepper Parr
September 8th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The following appeared on the Pinedale Community Association Facebook page.
It is a message from Paul Sharman, Councillor for ward 5 who is running for election.
Now that the race is on, I am looking forward to seeing many of you again. Many of you allowed me to place a sign on your lawn in the last three elections and it will be great if you let me do that again. To do so, please use this link to let me know https://paulsharman.ca/lawn-signs/.
Here is the Fun Challenge. Could you persuade some of your friends and neighbours to allow me to put a sign on their lawn also? Please ask willing homeowners to sign up here https://paulsharman.ca/lawn-signs/ and include in the comments that you recommended the sign and they accepted! After the election is over and I am returned as Ward 5 Councillor for another four years, the person with the most recommended/placed signs (more than 5) will be eligible for dinner at a nice restaurant hosted by me.
Neighbourhood Meetup
Along the same lines as the Fun Challenge, if you and you neighbours are interested in holding a get together to know me better for me to answer questions about my platform. I will be pleased to join you. It can be as simple as a gathering on someone’s driveway.
Finally, please check out my website www.PaulSharman.ca , and feel free to contact me by email Paul@PaulSharman.ca or by phone 905 320 7467.
Paul
 We don’t make this stuff up. Desperate people do desperate things. This one was just plain stupid.
 Paul Sharman talking to people at a community event during the 2018 election. Does this look like a worried man? What Sharman has done is joined the Pinedale Community Association and then exploited the members of that association.
The President or Administer of the association should expel him for the association.
The City Clerk might want to look into whether or not Sharman broke the rules of the Municipal Act.
Sharman would appear to be in trouble and looking for anything he can lay his hands on to boost his vote.
 By Staff
September 8th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
 Flags were at half staff throughout the world when news of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II was announced today He is one of the few people in Burlington who met her, had a conversation with her and remembers her fondly.
Ron Foxcroft was at the time the Honorary Colonel-in-Chief of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada, When Nathan Cirillo was killed while on duty at the Cenotaph in Ottawa it fell to Ron to preside at the parade held in Hamilton to commentate and honour the young man.
As a result of that event, Foxcroft was presented to Queen Elizabeth II, usually for formal stiff occasion. Ron’s time with the Queen not was stiff or formal.
At one point the Queen, who was the Colonel of the Regiment, made mention of what the Canadian Geese were doing to her garden and pulled back the drapes in the room and pointed to the garden which was the size of a couple of football fields.
There was a small John Deere mower on the property and the Queen told Foxcroft that she used to to shoo away the geese.
 Queen Elizabeth II, in her capacity as Colonel-in-Chief of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada, receives Colonel Ronald Foxcroft (Honorary Colonel) at Buckingham Palace in London. That’s when Foxcroft did what no one is ever permitted to do: h e reached into his pocket and pulled out a Fox40 whistle and told the Queen one blow on the whistle and the geese would be gone.
This afternoon, during a short conversation with Foxcroft who was in Calgary, he commented on the woman he had met who had passed away earlier in the day.
“She was one of the most remarkable women this world has seen, She loved Canada, she loved the military – she was probably the greatest monarch the world has experienced in some time.
“She will be missed – I will miss her.”
By Staff
September 8th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
At a time when hate crimes are on the rise in Halton Region, five local churches are cooperating to host Considering Matthew Shepard – a performance based on the life and diaries of a young gay man who suffered and was killed in a hate crime.
This moving event will contribute to the ongoing awareness around issues and concerns facing LGBTQ+ youth. It will provide an opportunity for healing and reconciliation between and among marginalized groups and the wider community.
 Port Nelson United Church This event is being offered to the public free of charge by the combined sponsorship of five welcoming, affirming and inclusive local churches who believe in an open community of faith, that welcome everyone. Together, these congregations strive to make Halton a community that embraces diversity – differences of age, mental and physical health and ability, religious background, marital status, family structure, sexual orientation, gender and its expression, racial and cultural identity, educational and socioeconomic status, and more. All are always welcome at Port Nelson United Church, Burlington Baptist Church, St. Christopher’s Anglican, Grace United Church and St. Paul’s United Church!
About Considering Matthew Shepard
Craig Hella Johnson’s three-part oratorio, Considering Matthew Shepard, will be performed in Burlington by the renowned Elora Singers, one of the finest chamber choirs in Canada. It is a fusion of musical styles, of poetry and prose, drawing from the events, the rural Wyoming setting, and from Matthew’s own notebooks.
• DATE: Friday September 23rd, 2022
• PLACE: Port Nelson United Church, 3132 South Drive, Burlington, ON
• TIME: 7:30 p.m.
• COST: Free admission. If you are able, donations are accepted in advance or at the event in support of the Pflag Canada.
• DETAILS: https://consideringmatthewshepard.my.canva.site/
 “…strung on a fence outside of town in Laramie, Wyoming,” About Matthew Shepard
On a cold night, October 6, 1998, in a hateful homophobic act, 21-year-old gay university student Matthew Shepard was kidnapped, beaten, and strung on a fence outside of town in Laramie, Wyoming, a place he had lived and loved. He was found by a cyclist the next morning and died of his injuries several days later. The public outpouring of grief for the tragic end to Matthew’s life was scarred by the sickening protests of hate group, Westboro Baptist Church. Years later, Matthew’s name would be associated with changes to U.S. laws concerning hate crimes associated with homophobia.
Some 20 years after the event, Matthew’s life, death, and the questions of humanity they evoke inspired composer Craig Hella Johnson to compose a three-part oratorio, Considering Matthew Shepard. It is a fusion of musical styles, of poetry and prose, drawing from the events, the rural Wyoming setting, and from Matthew’s own notebooks. It merges the personal with the universal, life with death, ugliness with beauty, and seeks hope from what was a tragedy without redemptive purpose.
 By Staff
September 8th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
About a month ago Lawson Hunter came up with an idea:
The Burlington Teen Tour Band (BTTB) was approaching its 75th Anniversary and he thought having a piece of music written to celebrate that occasion was a great idea.
The Burlington Teen Tour Band has represented the city of Burlington, and its residents, throughout the world over the years – Expo ‘67, Japan, D-Day ceremonies in France, Ireland, Belgium, the Netherlands, the 70th anniversary of Pearl Harbour, and even the Tournament of Roses (Rose Bowl Parade). Hunter feels it’s time to give something back to the Band.
 The Burlington Teen Tour Bank performing on the Naval Promenade in Spencer Smith Park. Lawson Hunter, a long time Burlington resident, is proud about a lot of things that make his city a great place to live, work, and enjoy life. One of the things that fosters that pride is the Burlington Teen Tour Band (BTTB), now celebrating its 75th Anniversary.
In discussions with BTTB Managing Director, Rob Bennett, Hunter learned that the Band had no official piece of music to commemorate the anniversary. Bennett explained that years ago, to celebrate an earlier anniversary, a special piece of band music was commissioned to mark the occasion. Why not have one for the 75th Hunter thought.
 Ryan Meeboer will be composing the music that will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Teen Tour Band As circumstance would have it, Hunter had a conversation with fellow Burlington resident Ryan Meeboer, a musical educator and a professional composer of music. Meeboer’s compositions are used by concert bands of all different levels of skill and band sizes (small jazz groups, ensembles, big bands). In fact, Meeboer has even worked with the Burlington Teen Tour Band.
The idea struck Hunter that Ryan Meeboer, who publishes his compositions through Eighth Note Publications, could write a piece to commemorate the BTTB’s 75th anniversary. The challenge is the cost of commissioning a complex score (with dozens of different instruments), royalties, fees, publishing and printing of charts.
 Lawson Hunter: Burlington Resident wants to give Burlington Teen Tour Band a Musical Gift He set out to raise funds – needed $3000.
“I thought the solution would be to initiate a Kickstarter campaign to raise the funds,” Hunter states. Kickstarter.com has raised money for thousands of campaigns to help ‘kickstart’ artistic projects. Potential donors register, post a donation, but only pay if the campaign reaches it’s target goal. “It’s an all-or-nothing style of raising funds for a good cause,” explains Hunter.
How good is it?
THANK YOU, THANK YOU. The campaign is a success. The Burlington Teen Tour Band will have a song composed for the group to celebrate its 75th Anniversary. The hope is that the music will be written and rehearsals will begin by the end of the year. BTTB will perform a beautiful piece of music for years to come – all thanks to you.
Lawson Hunter has no affiliation with the Burlington Teen Tour Band, his involvement is purely as a resident of Burlington.
By Staff
September 7th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
A citizen asked a city Councillor how many whistles the city had purchased.
The Councillor didn’t know but added that: “I couldn’t even begin to tell you. Our Animal Services Dept has been handing out Wildlife Whistles for YEARS. I know I’ve gone to pick up hundreds over the last four years giving them out at my Park pop Ups, Denningers, Ward Four Town Halls and delivering to people’s mailboxes. This latest round of distribution may seem like a new initiative but the city just hasn’t actively promoted like this before.”
The citizen: Would love to know the difference in price in buying them in bulk vs individual packages.
The people at Foxcroft 40 provided the following information.
 From the right: Ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns with Ron Foxcroft and Ronnie Foxcroft testing the whistles on a cold winter day. “We provide either bulk or packaged whistles at our cost or give them to the city as Complimentary, it is one of the ways we support Burlington. .
“The city gets the bulk product or packed whistles at the same price; in several cases we simply donated whistles and provided complimentary delivery, even on a weekend.
“The Fox 40 Eclipse was a discontinued model that we donated; the SPCA accepted them as is and not for resale.
“The whistles that are packaged have instructions on how to use and clean them. The company usually sells packaged products only which include instructions: Do not blow into a person’s ear; there are some product liability concerns. Packaging costs are minimal due to our automation and volume. The whistles are made in Canada from recycled materials and are fully recyclable.”
Ron Foxcroft once gave a whistle to the Queen. He thought at the time that he could do no less for his hometown. The Foxcroft organization gives back and supports their community – they’ve been doing that for decades.
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