 By Pepper Parr
February 17th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The province moves into a new part of the Roadmap to Recovery with many restrictions being lifted.
Halton Regional Medical Officer of Health Hamida Meghani told Regional Council yesterday that while things are certainly a lot better than they were in January it is still important that people be vigilant – “wear your mask when you are with people who are not part of your bubble”.
Dr. Meghani displayed some graphics that show the stages this pandemic has gone through adding that the virus is still very much with us.
 The degree to which the Omicron variant impacted the province. The concern is that there could be another variant working its way towards us. The defence is ensuring that everyone is fully vaccinated. Provinc- level testing has been cut back but the Region has been testing the effluents at the waste water treatment plants in the Region and reported that the level of the virus in the community is stable with none of the waste water treatment plants showing increases.
 Testing results from waste water treatment plants Dr. Meghani stresses again and again that this virus is passed from person to person and that the most effective way to prevent that from happening is to wear a properly fitted mask.
She produced a graphic that explains it all – adding that being fully vaccinated lessens the chances of an infection taking hold.
Look at the graphic carefully – it shows the path the virus takes.
 The virus on the left and the route it takes getting to you. Related news stories:
Province eases up on restrictions February 17th and again on March 1st.
 By Pepper Parr
February 17th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Three more days to Share the Love and share the food you purchase with the Burlington Food Bank.
The drive that started last Sunday has collected 350 lbs of Food and $1400 in cash and gift card donations.
.
Merrilee and Don Fraser have worked tirelessly making telephone calls and picking up food donations.
The food donations are still needed; the local economy is not yet back to normal.
Related news story.
A unique group of people making a difference.
 By Pepper Parr
February 16th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The headline tells part of the story – so here it is.
 Halton Regional Council rejected a draft preferred Growth Plan for the Region and voted 15-9 to go with a motion brought forward by Mayor Burton of Oakville and Meed Ward of Burlington to put forward a modified Growth Plan that will see nothing in the way of urban boundary changes until 2041 and a review every five years to closely monitor where the growth actually took place.
In a sentence: no farmland will be used for residential or employment lands.
It was a long, long meeting that heard 58 delegations, including one from former Toronto Mayor David Crombie.
The number of delegations is believed to be a record for the Region.
There was merit on both sides of what was a very passionate argument.
Give us a day to go through our notes and look for the really important points that were made and the recognition that the issue was not so much farmland use – but climate change.
It was a great day for the Region – but there are a lot of feathers that were ruffled – some fence mending will be needed and the interests of Milton and Halton Hills will have to be given special attention.
By Staff
February 16th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
City of Burlington administrative services will be closed for Family Day, on Monday, Feb. 21. For a list of which City services and facilities are available on the Family Day holiday weekend, please see the summary below or visit burlington.ca.
*Important information regarding COVID-19: The information provided below is accurate as of Feb. 14, 2022. In the event of any changes made by the Province of Ontario to current COVID-19 public health measures, please visit burlington.ca/coronavirus for potential impacts to City services and programs.
Residents can also stay informed about city news on our social media channels: @cityburlington on Twitter and facebook.com/cityburlington.
| City Service |
Holiday Closure Information |
| Animal Services
|
To report an animal related emergency on a statutory holiday, please call 1-888-264-3135.
The Animal Shelter at 2424 Industrial St. remains closed to the public due to COVID-19, however services are ongoing. For more information, call 905-335-3030 or visit www.burlington.ca/animal. |
| Burlington Transit |
Burlington Transit will operate a Sunday schedule on Family Day. For real-time bus information and schedules visit myride.burlingtontransit.ca.
The downtown terminal at 430 John St. and Specialized Dispatch will be closed. |
| City Hall |
The Service Burlington counter, temporarily located on the second floor at City Hall (426 Brant St.), will be closed to all appointments on Monday, Feb. 21.
Many service payments are available online at burlington.ca/onlineservices. |
| Halton Court Services – Provincial Offences Office |
Court administration counter services at 4085 Palladium Way will be closed on Monday Feb. 21.
With the exception of the Family Day closure, telephone payments are available at 905-637-1274, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. All in-person services are available from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. Many services are also available by email at burlingtoncourt@burlington.ca or online at Halton Court Services. |
| Parking |
Free parking is available downtown, on the street, in municipal lots and in the parking garage (414 Locust St) on weekends and holidays.
NOTE: The Waterfront parking lots (east and west) do not provide free parking on statutory holidays.
No on-street parking is permitted during a snow event and parking exemptions are cancelled during this time. On-street parking can resume after the snow event has been declared over by Roads, Parks and Forestry. Follow burlington.ca/snow. |
| Recreation Programs and Facilities |
Indoor drop-in activities such as swimming, skating, and drop-in gym times are offered on a reduced schedule over the Family Day weekend, please visit burlington.ca/dropinandplay for program times and online registration.
Looking to plan a private skating or shinny time for your family group? There are still limited hourly ice rink rental times available at Appleby Ice Centre. For booking requests, please email rentals@burlington.ca.
Burlington has a wide variety of outdoor activities to enjoy with your family during the winter season including:
- disc golf at Tyandaga Golf Course, 1265 Tyandaga Park Dr.
- skating
- tobogganing
- trails and multi-use paths
- parks and playgrounds.
Find out more at burlington.ca/outdoorplay.
Our Lending Library has winter outdoor equipment available to borrow at no charge. Visit burlington.ca/playlending for details.
Burlington Rotary Centennial Pond will be open daily for outdoor skating, weather conditions permitting. Pre-registration is not required. For more information, visit burlington.ca/pond and remember to check ice conditions before leaving home by calling 905-335-7738, ext. 8587. |
| Roads, Parks and Forestry |
The administrative office will be closed on Monday, Feb. 21.
Essential services, including winter control, will be provided as required. |
Burlington is a City where people, nature and businesses thrive. As residents continue to rediscover many of their favourite spaces and activities in the city, City services may look different as we work to stop the spread of COVID-19. The City’s commitment to providing the community with essential services remains a priority. Sign up to learn more about Burlington at Burlington.ca/Enews and follow @CityBurlington on social media.
By Staff
February 15th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
With key public health and health system indicators continuing to improve, the Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, is cautiously and gradually easing public health measures sooner, with the next phase of measures being eased on February 17, 2022 at 12:01 a.m.
“Given how well Ontario has done in the Omicron wave we are able to fast track our reopening plan,” said Premier Doug Ford. “This is great news and a sign of just how far we’ve come together in our fight against the virus. While we aren’t out of the woods just yet we are moving in the right direction.”
Effective February 17, 2022
Ontario will further ease public health measures, including, but not limited to:
Increasing social gathering limits to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors
Increasing organized public event limits to 50 people indoors, with no limit outdoors
Removing capacity limits in the following indoor public settings where proof of vaccination is required, including but not limited to:
Restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments without dance facilities
Non-spectator areas of sports and recreational fitness facilities, including gyms
Cinemas
Meeting and event spaces, including conference centres or convention centres
Casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments
Indoor areas of settings that choose to opt-in to proof of vaccination requirements. Allowing 50 per cent of the usual seating capacity at sports arenas
Allowing 50 percent of the usual seating capacity for concert venues and theatres
Increasing indoor capacity limits to 25 per cent in the remaining higher-risk settings where proof of vaccination is required, including nightclubs, restaurants where there is dancing, as well as bathhouses and sex clubs Increasing capacity limits for indoor weddings, funerals or religious services, rites, or ceremonies to the number of people who can maintain two metres physical distance. Capacity limits are removed if the location opts-in to use proof of vaccination or if the service, rite, or ceremony is occurring outdoors.
Capacity limits in other indoor public settings, such as grocery stores, pharmacies, retail and shopping malls, will be maintained at, or increased to, the number of people who can maintain two metres physical distance.
In addition, as of 8:00 a.m. on Friday, February 18, 2022, Ontario is expanding booster dose eligibility to youth aged 12 to 17. Appointments can be booked through the provincial booking system and the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre, as well as at select pharmacies administering the Pfizer vaccine. Appointments will be booked for approximately six months (168 days) after a second dose. To book an appointment online, individuals must be 12 years old at the time of appointment.
Effective March 1, 2022
Ontario intends to take additional steps to ease public health measures if public health and health system indicators continue to improve. This includes lifting capacity limits in all remaining indoor public settings.
Ontario will also lift proof of vaccination requirements for all settings at this time. Businesses and other settings may choose to continue to require proof of vaccination. Masking requirements will remain in place at this time, with a specific timeline to lift this measure to be communicated at a later date.
To manage COVID-19 over the long-term, public health units can deploy local and regional responses based on local context and conditions.
“Thanks to the efforts of Ontarians to help blunt the transmission of Omicron, our health care indicators suggest a general improvement in the COVID-19 situation in the province,” said Dr. Kieran Moore, Chief Medical Officer of Health.
“We are now in a position to lift more public health measures, but it is important to stay vigilant, as we don’t want to cause any further disruption to people’s everyday lives. We must continue to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 in our communities by following the measures in place and by vaccinating those who have not yet received their doses.”
Quick Facts
- Due to a steady decline in COVID-19 related hospitalizations and ICU admissions, on February 10, 2022, the government lifted Directive 2 to begin a gradual and cautious resumption of non-urgent and non-emergent surgeries and procedures across the province.
- Since Ontario entered modified Step Two, over 202,000 Ontarians have received a first dose and more than 2,575,000 Ontarians have received their booster.
- To further support the province’s cautious easing of public health measures, Ontario is expanding access to free rapid tests, with 5.5 million rapid tests to be distributed each week for eight weeks through pharmacies, grocery stores, and community partners in vulnerable communities.
- Effective January 4, 2022, the use of the enhanced vaccine certificate with QR code and the Verify Ontario app must be used in settings where proof of vaccination is required.
- Download your vaccine certificate by visiting https://covid-19.ontario.ca/get-proof/.
- To have your vaccine certificate mailed to you, call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900.
- On January 17, 2022, Health Canada approved the antiviral Paxlovid. Ontario received approximately 10,000 courses of treatment from the federal government in January, with additional allocations of more than 10,000 courses for February and 33,000 courses for March. Eligibility is currently focused on adults with the highest risk of severe outcomes.
- In response to the highly transmissible Omicron variant, Ontario updated its COVID-19 testing and isolation guidelines. Learn more about what to do if you have symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19.
 By Pepper Parr
February 16th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
A vendor call has been put out by a group using the name: For the Love of Markets setting out selling opportunities in local short term markets.
 One is a repeat of the Holiday Market held in Burlington last December.
Hastily put together with disappointingly slim sponsor ship dollars they literally has the wind taken out of them with a winter windstorm that shut things down for a full day.
A tough break.
The events are being “curated” by Megan Madill, the woman Burlington’s Mayor called a “Rock Star”
“As we roll into 2022, we are starting with a bang! Here are not one, not two but four exciting vendor opportunities.
“Take a look at each event, see which ones suit your brand, and get your applications in early! Hint: some of our events are running early bird pricing right now. Stay tuned for more to come this year!”
Good marketing What the Gazette would like to see is some transparency and accountability on what the results were for the 2021 event as well as an explanation on just what the relationship is between the Sound of Music and the Burlington Downtown Business Association and this market.
During the Council debate on this event, it got a little boisterous at times, there was mention of a report that would be filed but then some mention of there not being any funding to prepare a report.
Funding was put in place for two years but that doesn’t mean there should not be a public report at the end of the first year.
Our reporters found that support from the vendors last year was decent – the public didn’t seem to be able to make up its mind.
Related news stories:
Market idea gets a rough ride
 By Pepper Parr
February 16th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Something like this is probably coming your way.
It is labelled the 2022 Preferred Concept for the Waterfront Hotel site that was put before about 110 people that took part in a virtual presentation Wednesday evening,
 Proposed 2022 Preferred Concept – half the height of what the developer is asking for and a lot more park space. It is considerably different than the plan the developer has before the city Community Planning department; basically half the height and much more park space..
There are two towers in the concept but they are between 15 and 17 stories each rather than the 30 and 35 storeys the developer has before the Community Planning department.
The two towers rest on a 3 storey podium instead of the five storey podium the developer is asking for.
The biggest difference is a 20 metre wide piece of land on the west side of the site that runs from Lakeshore Road to the southern end of the property. It was described as a needed addition to Spencer Smith Park which was described as closes to full capacity on many occasions.
There was some additional park space to the lower right of the 2022 Preferred concept.
Evan Sugden, the Bousfields Inc., planning consultant hired by the developer was taken aback when he saw the concept and asked where the justification was for taking land to be used as park space. He wanted to know where the report was that set out the need for additional park space.
All developments are required to provide park space, either in land or cash in lieu.
 The developer wanted two soaring towers that would be 40 storeys including the podium. While well attended the virtual meeting ran out of steam at the one hour point of a meeting that was scheduled for an hour and a half.
All members of council were reported to be in attendance but other than the Mayor none had anything to say.
The Mayor did take a shot at having a straw poll done on the spot – that didn’t work out – the consultants running the event said i would not be appropriate at this point to hold a straw poll.
Next step? The city wants opinions and feed back from the public. They are fully aware that this development is going to go to the Ontario Land Tribunal for a decision and they want to build the strongest case possible.
The city wants feedback from the public no later than March 1st. For those who did not take part in the virtual meeting – the presentation was recorded and will be available on the GetInvolved section of the city web site.
By Pepper Parr
February 16th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Transparency is a word that gets used by every member of the current city council – frequently.
They pride themselves on being transparent, but saying you are transparent doesn’t mean you are.
In the past several months many have asked why there are so any Closed Sessions of Council- and why next to nothing gets said by Council when they come out of a Closed Session. At least two council members want the address of the property made public when they go into Closed to discuss property matters.
 Ward 4 Councillor Shawna Stolte has been consistent in her efforts to bring more transparency to the business of city Council. Ward 4 Councillor Shawna Stolte has sort of led this effort for more in the way of transparency. She has said that she would oppose going into Closed Session when it was proposed and indeed today she did just that.
While the matter they were going into wasn’t crystal clear – it may have had to do with the possible purchase of the Bateman High School from the Board of Education.
Elsewhere in the meeting there was a bylaw passed to authorize a request for the issuing of a debenture by the Regional Municipality of Halton for a Confidential Land Acquisition.
There was no mention in the bylaw what the land acquisition was nor what the amount of the debenture was; the Region handles all the raising of loans for the municipalities.
There is no evidence that the two matters are related. Many feel the public has a right to know what the money is being borrowed for and how much is being borrowed.
Outside legal Counsel was involved in this Closed Session that lasted about 25 minutes and when they voted to implement the decision that was made Stolte voted for it, which suggests Stolte was Ok with the decision that was made.
Stolte has been a strong advocate for more information in the hands of the public.
But when there was an opportunity to comment in Open Session – not a word from Stolte.
 Councillor Nisan wanted the city manager to immediately contract with a law firm for advice on going into Closed Session procedures. Ward 3 Councillor Rory Nisan, who doesn’t have much in the way of a getting along well with Stolte relationship (they differ on many procedural issues), put forward a motion that directed the City Manager to immediately contract with the law firm Aird and Berlis to guide the city on its procedures and policies on the matter of Closed Meetings.
There is a procedure for a citizen to complain about Closed Sessions of Council. Mayor Meed Ward said it was all set out on the city web site.
The sticking point would be appear to be with the city legal department. They appear to be asking that a Session be Closed and the Clerk goes along with it.
I don’t recall this Council or any other for that matter, being opposed to going into a Closed Session
Mayor Meed Ward then made this comment. “There are times when I work quietly behind the scene”.
THAT by any stretch of the imagination is not a definition of transparency.
Much more to this story.
 By Pepper Parr
February 15th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Monday afternoon City Council held an Indigenous education workshop. It was, unfortunately not widely promoted by members of Council or the city’s communications department. Unfortunate.
The name Joseph Brant is well recognized; his role in the development of the land that was territory the Indigenous people lived on is not that well understood.
They own precious little of that land today. The workshop is about how that came to be.
 The Mississauga of the Credit First Nation lay claim to a large area; the part known as the Haldimand Tract is tightly tied to Joseph Brant.  Over time land was taken from the Indigenous community through different treaties. There were two main speakers who had a lot to say. You might want to listen to:
Darin Wybenga, Acting Director and Traditional Knowledge and Land Use Coordinator, Mississauga of the Credit First Nation, who spoke on; “Mississauga of the Credit First Nation – We are Still Here.”
Indeed they are
 There was a time when the majority of people living in what is Canada today believed what the Indian Act said. Following Darin Wybenga is Bryant Peters, College Instructor at Fleming College and Executive Consultant from the Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation, who spoke about the: Indian Act – What Can We Do?
It looked at one point if Peters was going to read every section of the Indian Act – a very repressive piece of legislation that is still in place.
Both speakers made extensive use of visuals and maps.
It should be well worth your time to spend some time listening to what was said. We will have more to tell you about this Workshop later in the week.
Burlington, like most local governments, now reads a land acknowledgement before each meeting.
If Darin Wybenga is correct, and he probably is, our reference to the Bowl with one spoon wampum is incorrect. Look for Council to correct that error.
 Wampum belts were used as signatories to commemorate and, to some degree, legitimize an event. The biggest lesson this writer learned was the significant difference between what the Indigenous people thought when they were signing a land treaty and the view the British had.
The British believed they were acquiring land which they described and defined in the treaties; the Indigenous people believed they were agreeing to share the land.
They were either not able to or didn’t know how to get that language into the treaties.
As a result they are left with bits and pieces of the land they inhabited. The 4 million acres they started with was whittled down to 200 acres.
And we wonder why they are angry.
 By Staff
February 15th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Editorial production will be lower today – food poisoning has slowed things down.
A take-out order is suspected.
Comments section approvals will also take a little longer
 By Staff
February 11th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Earlier this week Regional Council spent the best part of a day working their way through a 2000 page document on the Growth Concepts before Council.
The purpose of the meeting was to Review the Draft Preferred Growth Concept that will be part of the Regional Official Plan.
The Gazette will need another day or two (there goes the weekend) to distill the document and set out what it means to the people who live in the four municipalities that make up the Region of Halton.
The issue of population growth…
The Region has to grow – that isn’t something that can be debated – where the politicians can have an impact is on where the growth will take place.
Colin Best, a Milton Town Coucillor, has a firm grip on the numbers- his professional work is related to property assessment.
There is one document (above) that sets out what the politicians are dealing with.
That is the direction in which we are going, like it or not.
 By Staff
February 11th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington has hundreds, maybe even thousands of people who took early retirement or put in their 25 years and stopped punching a clock – and are looking for something to do that appeals to their better selves.
Some serve on committees, others join service clubs and others come up with an idea of their own and look for ways to make it happen.
 Typical set up at a Repair Cafe. Lawson Hunter has served on a number of committees – including Community Development Halton, served on a committee that wanted to hear what the public had to say about the Tansley Woods Centre that was to be developed. He worked with the Burlington Food Bank for a period of time.
He was former Program Manager at Cable 14 Hamilton; former Executive Director at Jamesville Business Improvement Area (Hamilton); former Communications Assistant to Lily Oddie Munro, Minister of Culture & Communications; former Administrator at Burlington Art Centre (now Art Gallery of Burlington); retired Letter Carrier at Canada Post.
At 21 years of age, Hunter was the youngest Board member of the Sarnia Public Library & Art Gallery.
He has clearly earned his stripes.
With time on his hands Hunter heard about the Repair Café; an organization with 1500 volunteer units around the world and about eight in Canada. Toronto has a Repair Café that has been operational for five years.
Hunter set up an outdoor Repair Café with the Aldershot BIA to learn what the interest might be. “One lady came in with a knock off Tiffany Lamp and wanted the cord replaced. While we were working on the lamp another lamp walked by, saw the lamp and said – I have one of those and the cord is worn out – can you fix it?. We could and we did.
“Before the day was over a third person said she too had a lamp that needed a new cord. I knew we were filling a need.”
Hunter adds just how immediate a repair need can be. “A woman came in asking if we could repair the cord on her electric mowing machine – and get it done before her husband came home.
 Lawson Hunter delegating to city council With a couple of trial runs in different parts of the city Hunter knew he had identified a need and rounded up some of his friends and applied to the city for a Community grant.
His application was accepted – the next repair Café will be in Tansley Woods Centre on March 12th – runs from 10 am to 1:00 pm
Show up and they will do what they can for you.
There is no charge for the labour – you are expected to pay for any parts that are needed.
Then he came up with an idea – why not help people fix things? He wasn’t thinking of helping people fix their relationships – that’s not quite where Lawson excels.
He wanted to help people fix a toaster or a blending machine or a CD player.
He applied for and got a grant from the city (cheque hasn’t arrived yet) to set up the Repair Café. “We’re just a bunch of guys that want to fix things and keep them out of the landfill site” said Hunter. To use the moniker of a ‘Repair Cafe’,  means to agree to the policy of not charging for repairs (parts yes, labour no) which he adds – “ it’s a terrible business model but a great community service.”
“Getting in touch with the Repair Cafe is easy: All residents are invited to contact us to let us know what items they need to get fixed to keep them out of the global garbage heap. Email us at burlingtonrepaircafe@cogeco.ca or visit our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Burlington.Canada.Repair.Cafe
By Staff
February 10th
BURLINGTON.ON
 And it doesn’t hurt. Ontario is distributing FREE COVID RAPID TESTS to the general population as supply increases.
Starting today, over 2,300 participating grocery and pharmacy locations — including 32 locations in Burlington — will provide free rapid tests, with a limit of one box of five tests per household per visit.
A list of participating retailers as well as information on how retail locations are distributing rapid test kits can be found at Ontario.ca/rapidtest
By Staff
February 10th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
In Burlington someone somewhere is doing a food drive or a bottle collection. This city has seen some very impressive events that has people pulling together to to meet the needs of those who need help.
 People just drive over with bins of food. They know the need and they know where to go. The Burlington Food Bank has been the landing location for the tonnes of food that have been collected.
A week or so ago we were sent a brightly coloured flyer announcing a week long drive that is to begin on Sunday the 13th and run through to Saturday the 19th.
The One Burlington (the group that has organized this event) asks people to drop food off at any of the fire halls or to those supermarkets that have Burlington Food Bank bins,
For people who can’t get to a fire hall easily and don’t get to a supermarket because they can’t afford to buy much of the food they need Dan Hall will pick it up.
Let us tell you more about One Burlington and Dan Fraser and his wife Merrilee
They are part of One Burlington which was formed when Rory Nisan held a candle lit vigil in Civic Square the day after Muslims were murdered at the mosque in Quebec city in 2017 and out of that came a group named One Burlington that wanted to work towards bridging the gap between different cultural groups in the city.
In the past they have held events that pull people together to share common values and just plain get to know one another.
People that know each other have difficulty hating each other. Burlington has had a few situations that called for the police to investigate hate motivated behaviour.
 One Burlington Something clicked and people felt there was a need for something that would and could pull people together.
The One Burlington Community Festival held in 2018 was an incredible success – One Burlington was now a part of the community.
When the One Burlington leadership held a regular meeting to plan for the months ahead Dan Fraser suggested that a week-long food drive was necessary. His wife, Merrilee, explained that the person who suggests ends up leading the initiative.
The Share the Love food drive has gotten off to a wonderful start. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints donated $15,000 and supermarkets across the city are donating gift cards.
The need at the Food Bank is close to critical.
By Staff
February 10th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
ECO Earth Sciences Inc., a Burlington based firm, alongside their production partners, Reversomatic Manufacturing Limited, today unveiled a new source mitigation and indoor air quality solution.
The new Auroris™ and PlasmaSphere™ devices dramatically improve indoor air quality while significantly lowering the risk of COVID-19 spread.
Despite the many challenges that the global pandemic has created, it has also given rise to incredible innovation. This was also true a century ago during the Spanish Influenza pandemic when the invention of the steam radiator allowed windows to open regardless of the weather, increasing direct ventilation, improving indoor air quality, and contributing to the end of the pandemic.
 Improving indoor air quality said to be possible with new product Today, ECO Earth Sciences Inc. announced a breakthrough development that will significantly reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread indoors while also dramatically improving indoor air quality.
“Air quality has never been more important. With 90% of our time spent indoors, research by the EPA has found that the air we breathe can be up to five times more contaminated compared to outside air. While there are many mitigation and purification measures available, most are reactive, requiring the contaminant or pathogen to find a pathway to the device. Auroris™ and Plasmasphere™ target viruses and other airborne contaminants at their source, explains Patrick Kehoe, CEO of Earth Sciences
He adds “we were guided by nature, and we essentially turned the inside out. While the preoccupation has been on attempting to purify or resuscitate stale, contaminated indoor air, we turned our attention to creating the best possible indoor air quality experience while continuously targeting and removing the threat.”
Auroris™ effectively acts as the room’s lungs, allowing indoor spaces to breathe; continuously delivering fresh air directly into a room while continuously removing stale, contaminated air. To further improve the quality of the air, advanced three-stage purification ensures the freshest indoor air experience possible.
 In nature, the air has a natural disinfection mechanism that has existed since the beginning of time. Energy from the sun, the waves, and the wind extract electrons from water vapour in the air creating non-thermal plasma. PlasmaSphere™ by Auroris™ emulates this same natural process by first purifying the incoming air, then enriching the plasma energy levels of the fresh incoming air. This combination of purification and energy enrichment targets aerosol contaminants and boosts indoor air quality levels to match those found only in the most pristine natural environments.
 This revolutionary new technology can be used across any interior, providing schools, businesses, and homeowners with the ability to dramatically improve indoor air quality and mitigate airborne pathogens. Auroris™ and PlasmaSphere™ also operate independently, complementing and enhancing the performance of ALL existing systems and can be used regardless of HVAC system type or age.
 By Pepper Parr
February 10th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
My friend Joan Krygsman is once of these terribly creative people.
She has a web site – stripedardvark – (https://www.stripedaardvark.com/) which is the first hint that this one is different.
Energetic, plays the guitar, sings, shows up in the darnedest places with her partner.
Completes tax returns for people who need help and sells rain water barrels.
Are you getting a sense as to what you are about to be told.
 The art is – well you decide. She has invented a game.
I’m not a games person – but later this week I’ll do my best to tell you more about it. If you want to get a head start follow the link.
The game will consist of a kit of coloured cards and will be on line as well in the very near future.
Joan is using a novel way of raising the money needed to get this game into production. She has been working on it for a couple of years – when Wordle took the world by storm Joan knew she had to get into production and has chosen to use the Kickstarter model.
To order the game and learn more about Kickstarter click HERE
By Staff
February 10th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
“Puppies are still coming into our service dog in training program for 2022,” says Vicky Spadoni, Executive Director with Autism Dog Services.
 Honda and Harley – homes needed for them while they are trained. Photo Credit: Mirjam Lagro, Volunteer Puppy Starter/Sitter “Puppies are being added on a regular basis,” adds Dianne Nyeboer, Puppy Program Manager. “We are in need of individuals or families that will house the pups, socialize them by taking them everywhere and attend ADS run training classes every two weeks in the Guelph/Cambridge/Hamilton areas.”
Janine Brubacher, Volunteer Manager adds, “all dog food, equipment, training support and vet care is provided by Autism Dog Services.” Foster families or otherwise known as puppy raisers generally have the service dogs in training for 12 to 18 months before they are recalled into advanced training.
“Yes, you need to give the dog back to ADS but, it is such a rewarding volunteer experience, especially when you attend graduation and see your once pup now grown and supporting a child with autism and their family,” says Vicky Spadoni. “These service dogs provide Quality of Life and so much more,” says Vicky.
Please consider this amazing opportunity to be a foster family or puppy raiser if you are retired/semi retired, stay at home parent, young active family, work from home employees, individuals with flexible schedules or can take the dog to work or school.
More details can be found on the website (www.autismdogservices.ca) or by emailing janine@autismdogs.ca
To see first-hand how Autism Service Dogs are impacting lives watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6rZofLeWHo&authuser=1
 By Pepper Parr
February 9th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
The City of Burlington Planning department is working feverishly on an application development to build two towers – one 35 and the other 30 storeys that will sit atop a five story podium.
This application has to be presented to council not later than April 15th or it can be taken to the Ontario Land Tribunal for a non-decision appeal.
Municipalities have 120 days to respond with a decision on a development application.
At the same time the City of Burlington is resuming work on the Waterfront Hotel Planning Study. When the study is completed, it will provide guidance in the redevelopment of this site.
Located next to two of Burlington’s most significant landmarks, Spencer Smith Park and the Brant Street Pier, the City is asking for input to make sure the new development reflects a high quality of urban design that enhances the community’s access to the waterfront and the downtown.
The fact that there is a development application for land in the centre of that waterfront study area would suggest that the die has already been cast.
Within the same general time frame, February 22nd, there is a Statutory Public meeting on the development application which will have the Planning department setting out the issues and the developer explaining what they plan to do.
Virtual Public Open House – Feb. 15
Residents are invited to join a virtual public open house to talk about the study process and hear from City staff and the consultant team, The Planning Partnership, who will present the preferred concept plan for the site. There will be a Q & A period following the presentation. The open house is on:
Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022
7 to 8:30 p.m.
Zoom or dial +1 647 374 4685 by telephone and enter meeting ID 813 0521 1078
Residents also have the opportunity to learn more about the planning study on the City’s online engagement platform, Get Involved Burlington.
The Waterfront Hotel Planning Study is separate from the development application process. This sentence fails to add that there is an application for development approval before the Planning department now.
2020 Lakeshore Rd. Statutory Public Meeting – Feb. 22
The City will hold a Statutory Public Meeting under the Planning Act to consider the City staff report concerning the development application for 2020 Lakeshore Rd. City staff will be recommending that Council direct staff to continue to review and process the application. Due to COVID-19, this Statutory Public Meeting will be held virtually.
This meeting will take place on:
Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022
6:30 p.m.
Virtual Meeting that will be on the city web site
To view the meeting details, the Meeting Notice [PDF] or to register to delegate, visit burlington.ca/2020lakeshore.
 This is the developers architectural rendering of what they would like to build. Planning Study Background
In 2017 and 2018, the City began the planning study to guide the redevelopment of the waterfront site at Lakeshore Road and the foot of Brant Street, including the Waterfront Hotel at 2020 Lakeshore Rd. City staff gathered feedback through visioning workshops, public and stakeholder engagement.
In mid-2018, the Waterfront Hotel Planning Study was placed on hold due to other Council directed priorities such as the New Official Plan process.
On Jan. 11, 2022, City staff presented Council with a study update through staff report.
Why the study can resume
The City is able to resume the Waterfront Hotel Planning Study at this time because:
• the re-examination of the New Official Plan Project, including Taking a Closer Look at the Downtown, has been completed,
• approval of the new Official Plan (under appeal), as well as
• the Minster of Municipal Affairs and Housing’s approval, with modifications, of the Regional Official Plan Amendment 48.
City staff, with support from the project consultant, will pick up the work where it left off in 2018, and complete the study. The work is estimated to take four months and will use community input to-date to help develop a final preferred concept.
The City has this work remaining:
• Phase 4: Report and Recommendation of Preferred Land Use Concept, Q1 2022
This phase of the study involves the selection of a preferred concept and the preparation of a Planning Justification Report.
• Phase 5: Official Plan Policies, Zoning and Urban Design Guidelines, Q2 2022
The fifth phase of the study includes the development of draft site-specific official plan policies, zoning regulations and urban design and implementation guidelines. This phase will also include a public open house, presentation to Committee and final delivery of the implementing Official Plan Amendment and
 Determining what should be built on the waterfront hotel property has gone through a number of concepts. The Waterfront study restart will pick up where things were back in 2019 when it was paused.  Marianne Meed Ward – moments before she was sworn in as Mayor. Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward made the following comments:
“We know the Waterfront Hotel is a key site in our city, right next to our cherished downtown waterfront park. We know we have to get it right, and the time is now, with the Waterfront Hotel study starting up again, and an active application for redevelopment filed. We also need to ensure the public has every opportunity to share their feedback. That’s why Councillor Kearns and I worked together on a motion to direct staff to complete the study and the application review within the required statutory time frames — so we can record a decision as a community on this site, and not risk an appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal for non-decision within the deadline. The best way you can shape the future of what happens here is to participate in both the study, as well as the development application review. ”
Ward 2 City Councillor Lisa Kearns spoke a little more forcefully: “We have heard loud and clear that residents place an extraordinary value on Burlington’s Waterfront. Development concerning the Waterfront Hotel site is extremely important to Ward 2 residents and to residents across our city. The outcome of an active development proposal is paramount to the future of our Waterfront and Spencer Smith Park, not to mention our downtown businesses and residents alike.
 Lisa Kearns – ward 2 Councillor “I encourage everyone to get engaged with the study information, subscribe to the Get Involved page for updates and attend the meetings on the Hotel Study on Feb. 15. and the Statutory Public Meeting on Feb. 22. The City will make a decision on this planning file to ensure that the decision is made at the local level. Let’s come together to give our feedback and make sure the new development results in a property that supports the community’s waterfront and downtown experience.”
Related news stories:
Is there a better way to develop this critical part of the city?
If you haven’t heard of Plan B – check them out.
The Plan B web site:
By Pepper Parr
February 9th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Remember the group that wanted your opinion on what the “official” bird for the city should be.
It took them a bit but they now have a list of ten birds and would like you to weigh in on which bird that should be.
Nominations received from the public have been short-listed to the 10 finalists below:
-
 Burlington has the well earned reputation as being a city that went to some length to give the Trumpeter |Swan a safe refuge. Bald Eagle
- Black-capped Chickadee
- Carolina Wren
- Chimney Swift
- Eastern Bluebird
- Great Blue Heron
- Mourning Dove
- Northern Cardinal
- Trumpeter Swan
- Turkey Vulture
If you live, work, or go to school in Burlington, you can vote here:
Voting closes at midnight on Sunday, March 6, 2022, after which poll results will be announced on Bird Friendly Hamilton Burlington’s social media.
Bird Friendly Hamilton Burlington is working to get both Burlington and Hamilton certified as Bird Friendly Cities in 2022, under the new Nature Canada program. Selecting a “City Bird” is part of the certification process. Toronto, London, Calgary and Vancouver are certified as Bird Friendly cities.
The challenge for this group is going to get this past city council. The Turkey Vulture isn’t going to cut it – the Trumpeter Swan should be the hands down choice.
Let’s see what the citizens think.
Links to learn more:
Facebook: Bird Friendly Hamilton Burlington
Twitter: @BFCHamBurl
Instagram: birdfriendly.hamburl
Website: birdfriendlyhamiltonburlington.wordpress.com
Toronto, London, Calgary and Vancouver are certified as Bird Friendly cities.
By Pepper Parr
February 9th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
An update:
Councillor Kearns said the following after reading our article. “Safety of our community members is always a top priority, we were grateful to have the assistance by Halton Regional Police Services to briefly assist in the safe crossing at Martha St. and Lakeshore Road.
“This route proved safer than redirecting the group back to the controlled crosswalk at Pearl St. and Lakeshore Rd.
“This was proactively arranged given the unpredictability in group size due to the unrestricted invitation for interested community members to learn more about what is happening in relation to growth and development.”
The question now is: Who paid for the police officer.
Why would a ward Councillor need or want police protection while showing a small group of residents last Saturday.
In the lower right hand corner of the picture below there is a police officer. The jacket is not something you can buy at the Bay.
 Lower left – looks like a police officer to me. Why would a city Councillor ask for a police presence? Police do not attend events like this unless they are asked.
So – our question to Councillor |Kearns is – why did you feel you needed a police presence at your downtown tour last Saturday ?.
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