 By Staff
November 1st, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
The provincial government shovels out about ten, sometimes more, announcements each day telling the public about a long term care home that is going to be built in Pefferlaw or about money being spent to improve internet service in rural Oxford County.
 The removal of HST will apply to new purpose-built rental housing, such as apartment buildings, student housing and senior residences built specifically for long-term rental accommodation. The legislative reform is part of the federal and provincial government’s response to the ever-rising cost of residential housing in Canada and the corresponding lack of available affordable housing. An announcement today on the plans to remove the full eight per cent provincial portion of the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) on qualifying new purpose-built rental housing in order to get more rental homes built across the province is significant.
The removal of the provincial portion of the HST would apply to new purpose-built rental housing such as apartment buildings, student housing and senior residences built specifically for long-term rental accommodation, that meet the criteria. The enhanced rebate would apply to qualifying projects that begin construction between September 14, 2023 and December 31, 2030, and complete construction by December 31, 2035.
Together, the provincial and federal actions would remove the full 13 per cent HST on qualifying new purpose-built rental housing in Ontario.
Currently, the Ontario HST New Residential Rental Property Rebate is equal to 75 per cent of the provincial portion of the HST paid, up to a maximum rebate of $24,000. The enhanced rebate would be equal to 100 per cent of the provincial portion of the HST, with no maximum rebate amount.
In the example of a two-bedroom rental unit valued at $500,000, the enhanced Ontario HST New Residential Rental Property Rebate would deliver $40,000 in provincial tax relief. When combined with the enhanced federal GST New Residential Rental Property Rebate, this would amount to $65,000 in tax relief.
 To qualify for the enhanced HST New Residential Rental Property Rebate, new residential units must be in buildings with at least four private apartment units or 10 private rooms or suites, and have at least 90 per cent of residential units designated for long-term rental.
Some questions do come to mind.
Where will the savings be realized? At the developer level or at the tenant level.
And if at the developer level is there any oversight to ensure that the benefit is actually realized by the tenant.
We will do what we can to follow up on this.
 By Staff
November 1st, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Any student from about grade 5 on with even a little curiosity should be given an opportunity to attend the Sound, Just Sound event at the Joseph Brant Museum.
Joseph Brant Museum is pleased to announce a new special exhibition opening. Sound, Just Sound, is a production of the Sherbrooke Museum of Nature and Science with the contribution of Heritage Canada and the Quebec Ministry of Culture and Communications.
 Joseph Brant Museum  The exhibition will be on view from November 14, 2023 to March 30, 2024.
Any impact creates vibrations in the air that translates into sound. The impact of the wind on leaves, the air flowing from our lungs on our vocal cords, a door closing, the shuffle of ants moving, the electronic impulses of a bell. Sound waves are everywhere. This exhibition is an immersive experience. Visitors will experience sounds with all their senses.
See them, through high speed cameras and measuring devices; touch them, by playing with musical instruments and specialized acoustic materials; feel them, through the science of psychoacoustics.
“The exhibition is broken down into themes that examine the science of sound. There are interactive games and experiments that are fun for people of all ages” says Curator, Jessica Benjak-Waterous.
Visitors can also add a film screening to their Museum visit on select Saturday afternoons. “Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound” reveals the hidden power of sound in cinema, introduces us to the unsung heroes who create it, and features insights from legendary directors with whom they collaborate. The film will be showing on December 2, January 13, February 10, and March 2. The film begins at 1pm and is 1h 34min long. Learn more about this award winning film at makingwavesmovie.com.
Joseph Brant Museum is open Tuesdays – Saturdays, 10:00am to 4:00pm, Sound, Just Sound is included with the price of regular admission.
Museum admission prices:
Adult | $10
Child | $6
Senior/Student | $8
Family (up to to 2 adults and 4 children) | $30
Movies and the Museum prices:
Adult | $12
Child (age 3-12) | $10
To purchase a seat for the film screening and for more information on the special exhibition, please visit: museumsofburlington.ca.
 By Staff
November 1st, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Friday, November 17, 2023, the Art Gallery of Burlington (AGB) presents REVEL: The Ultimate Art Bash! This “extraordinary” night of contemporary art, thrilling entertainment, and a unique culinary experience, set to captivate all of your senses.
Event Details
Date: Friday, November 17, 2023
Time: 7 pm – 12 am
Location: Art Gallery of Burlington
 REVEL is set to redefine the boundaries of art and entertainment, offering an unforgettable experience that combines electrifying digital performances, mesmerizing DJ sets, and enchanting mystical encounters.
The event is hosted by Kimberly Calderbank, host of Community Cultures YourTV Halton, and partner of Burlington’s Yellow Robot Media & Design firm.
To elevate the revelry, REVEL will showcase immersive installations created by a stellar lineup of artists, including Omar Badrin, ORXSTRA (Alex McLeod and Tala Kamea), Tyler Matheson, Christopher Reid Flock, Diana Lynn VanderMuelen, and Stefana Fratila. These talented artists will bring their unique visions to life through sound, light, projections, and captivating live performances.
DJs and Musical Guests
DJ Cindy AO will set the mood with a selection of chill tracks, while Luckystickz will breathe life into the Sybil Atteck exhibition, adding to the magic of the evening. The Shoreline Room will also become a dancefloor with music by DJ Grandmother Sago and DJ Sahra Suda.
Artist and Tarot Reader
 Kiera (Kiki) Boult, local artist and Tarot reader. Kiera (Kiki) Boult, local artist and Tarot reader will be reading futures for a select number of people in a rare and mystical experience.
Live Auction
Professional auctioneer Don Stewart will be auctioning off fabulous, priceless, and curated experiences for all to enjoy the best arts, culture and entertainment in the region.
Culinary Art with Local Star Chefs, Restaurants, Wineries and More
REV up those taste buds because both food and drinks are included with the cost of admission. The ticket includes a top-notch evening of exclusive dishes created by local chefs, including Chef Matteo from Spencer’s on the Waterfront, the Wandering Locavore, Vic Caterers & Bakery, Jonny Blonde, and Christy’s Gourmet Gifts. Mixed drinks, wine, beer and non-alcoholic cocktails will be provided by Arterra Wines Canada, Maverick Distillery, and Nickel Brook Brewing.
Tickets- $200 per person. Click HERE to order
 By Pepper Parr
November 1st, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
It was during a discussion about a new approach to issuing development permits that Ward 4 Councillor Shawna Stolte said to Michelle Diplock, Manager of Planning and Government Relations for the West End Home Builders’ Association: “I think you’re the right person for me to ask this question.
 Ward 4 Councillor Shawna Stolte “Given the fact you represent the building industry, so you’re not speaking for any developer in particular, but I tasked you to consider going back to have a conversation with the members of your association (WEHBA ) – now this is going to be a little bit inflammatory but I’m going to say anyway, – when you use the terms economic viability, or that this new bylaw may impact the ability for developers to provide housing and the way the city wants. I think each of those terms needs to be followed with the extension of that sentence by saying economic viability based on the development industry’s present business model, or impact the ability to provide housing based on the development industry’s present business model.”
“My question is, do you think there is an appetite within the development community to work with the city within this bylaw, to collaborate so that if the development industry is looking to accommodate their business model, that they’d also be willing to look to amend their business model to make sure that Burlington is getting the housing it needs?”
 Michelle Diplock is a Registered Professional Planner and the Manager of Planning and Government Relations for the West End Home Builders’ Association. Diplock responded: “I think there’s two parts to your question. I think in terms of the baseline in terms of what a developer needs to build, and the profit margins that they are required to demonstrate to the banks and the financial institutions to proceed is a 15% requirement. So if a developer can’t prove they’re going to meet that 15% profit margin, they are not able to proceed with that development.
“And so they will consider kind of doing a different type of development or doing something somewhere else where they can meet that because if they cannot get the financing from the banks, and I think this is an increasingly important piece, as interest rates are going up, and as banks are kind of calling and saying like, how are you leveraged on what does your entire kind of company’s portfolio look like? That’s a really important piece.
“And so just acknowledging the fact that like, if the, if you’re going for private sector, new development, you need to be able to meet that 15% threshold on your pro forma or the numbers, like don’t work and nothing gets built. I think there is an appetite on behalf of the industry to work with the city to see how we might do kind of the piece of our business that is really to deliver market housing supply in a way that also supports a number of the city’s other objectives, as well.
“But I think right now, and in today’s current context, one of the primary objectives needs to be new housing supply to address our current kind of backlog of shortage and take the pressure off of the entire kind of housing continuum spectrum.”
Stolte replies – “Good, thank you. I appreciate that. I don’t know the building industry well enough to understand is there.
“Is it present practice or do you think there could be some room for a property owner were to own two properties, one of which was geographically located to accommodate luxury units therefore the potential for profit margin could be much higher than 15% and approach that as a package where on another property they may own that may be more suited more suitable on say a public transit route for more affordable or attainable housing.
“Do you see there being the possibility of approaching banks with a package arrangement where one property subsidizes the other so that everybody in Burlington gets access to housing that they can afford?
 Michelle Diplock promoting Arbitrary Lines, a book that highlights the alarming problems with municipal zoning. Ms Diplock did not write the book. Diplock: “So I’m going go off script – we were hosting a meeting this morning with a variety of nonprofits and for profit builders to discuss these challenges in Hamilton. And I think one of the biggest kind of barriers for the nonprofit and delivering the affordable housing side is they don’t have the money to do the initial kind of pieces to push forward projects like that.
“So they can’t approach a bank and ask for a loan if they don’t have that kind of collateral within their portfolio which nonprofits typically do not. I think there have been some examples of builders collaborating with nonprofit organizations, but I think it’s very difficult to do across different properties. So that is one, I guess, answer, I think.”
Stolte. Thank you for that. Really helpful.
By Pepper Parr
November 1st, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Back to that drip, drip, drip stuff.
Environmental Defence published a statement earlier today setting out a major concern. The first paragraph below sets out the context – what caused them to make Freedom of Information requests. The meat begins in the second paragraph. The reports that the RCMP have begun to make phone calls inviting people in for a conversation adds a little spice to what is taking place.
Drip, drip, drip – do read on.
In November 2022, the Ontario government announced that it would force through massive expansions of urban boundaries in municipalities across the province, despite those municipalities having determined those expansions would be unhelpful and even counterproductive in boosting housing supply. This includes expanding Halton’s settlement boundary by more than 3,000 hectares, and expanding Hamilton’s city boundary by 2,200 hectares.. These expansions were done in addition to the land removals from the Greenbelt and similarly lacked a fact-based rationale as more than ample lands were already available for development to meet the province’s home building targets. In Hamilton, forced boundary expansions were even accompanied by a forced reduction in the minimum share of housing Hamilton’s Official Plan committed to add within existing settlement boundaries.
 Ecojustice – on behalf of Environmental Defence – made four freedom of information requests for documents dealing with urban boundary and Greenbelt changes In response, Ecojustice – on behalf of Environmental Defence – made four freedom of information requests for documents dealing with urban boundary and Greenbelt changes that occurred in late 2022. The groups have obtained four orders from the Information and Privacy Commissioner in relation to these requests as a result of appeals when the Ministry failed to respond. Of the four requests, two have now resulted in partial releases.
Last week, just days before the release of official plan documents, the Ontario government announced that it was reversing its proposed changes to urban boundaries, and legislation was tabled to reverse the Greenbelt changes. These u-turns are necessary and welcome, but both the absence of any credible good faith reason for these boundary expansions and lack of transparency regarding how they were made raises serious and lingering concerns as to what influence real estate investors and sprawl developers have at the highest levels of government over our keystone land use planning policies.
 Staff Ryan Amato, Chief of Staff to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark. The partial release reveals the chaotic, developer-led process that did an end-run around the normal planning approval process and was driven by political staff in the Minister’s office. The documents show that Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing’s Chief of Staff Ryan Amato directed senior ministry staff to keep their mouths shut about the changes and made clear that maps showing how some of the preferred developer properties had been moved forward needed to be provided to the Premier’s Office. All of these changes, which favoured particular developers, were rushed through without proper consideration of the impact on existing planned land uses, sensitive natural features, water or agriculture.
Many of the documents, including ones from September and early October, are redacted on the basis that they are Cabinet privileged, even though the Minister and the Premier have claimed under oath that they did not know about the changes until late October 2022.
These redaction’s call that timeline into question.
 By Staff
October 31st, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
This is different.
The Burlington Performing Arts Centre has launched a new monthly after-work series of networking events, where we bring together the local business community to mingle and learn more about local charitable organizations.
Hosted by
COGECO in Support of United Way Halton & Hamilton
Wed Nov 15, 2023 at 5-7pm
BPAC Family Lobby
Click > Registration is FREE!
Catering, Door Prizes and Cash Bar.
By Pepper Parr
October 31st, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Relentless describes the manner NDP Leader of the Opposition Marit Stiles is taking to the Greenbelt scandal and the Doug Ford government.
In the most recent NDP media rlease they open with the line: Come for the Ford Wedding and Stay for the MZOs and then add that Ford’s Conservatives issued as many Minister’s Zoning Orders (MZOs) to benefit just the guests at a single Ford family wedding reception as the previous government issued during its entire 15 years in power
“From the Greenbelt grab to forced urban boundary expansions to MZOs, Ford has a deeply troubling pattern of putting his friends ahead of everyone else,” said Stiles. “The Ford Conservatives are already under RCMP criminal investigation for the Greenbelt.
 That does not look like a friendly glance from the Premier to Minister Calandra. Is the Premier feeling challenged? “This is yet more evidence of sketchy land deals that show just how deep this corruption goes. ”
“The former Liberal government issued 18 MZOs between 2003 and 2018.
The Ford government issued 18 MZOs benefiting just the guests at Ford’s daughter’s wedding reception, which took place on September 25, 2022.
“How many times does this government have to get caught before Ontarians see some accountability?” asked Jeff Burch, NDP critic for Municipal Affairs. “With rumours of a further MZO review on the table, we have to wonder – what is Ford afraid of? What else is he trying to get ahead of?”
MZOs are a favourite tool in Ford’s preferential treatment system. They can dramatically increase the value of land with the stroke of a pen, and they often seem to be given out to Conservative Party donors, Ford friends…and Ford family wedding guests.
Who invites wealthy business people to a wedding reception for their daughter?
Apparently these developers got invited – they certainly didn’t crash the event.
They did show up with detailed information packages setting out which of their properties they would like to see being taken out of the Greenbelt where they were protected.
Financial donations to the couple are reported to have been part of their being invited to a Stag and Doe event; something to help them cover the cost of the wedding. What – Dad didn’t have the wherewithal to pick up the tab?.
Mobsters do stuff like that
 Premier Doug Ford with his daughter on her wedding day. There is a photograph of the Premier dancing with his daughter who had just married a police office.
The scene of the crime happened to be the Pearle Spa that is located in the Bridgewater development in Burlington.
Very swish, very well run and very expensive.
The location is superb – you walk out into the court yard area and you have a great view of the Pier, the Skyway and everything in between. Sunsets at this location are beautiful.
A bit of background for those who haven’t been following the hottest news story of the year
On Oct. 6, the Auditor General confirmed it is investigating the government’s use of MZOs, which have disproportionately benefited developers with personal, political or donor ties to Doug Ford and the Conservative Party.
The Provincial Integrity Commissioner and the Auditor General, at the request of the Ontario NDP launched investigations that have have already forced the Ford government to backtrack on its Greenbelt and Urban Boundary plans. Housing Minister Paul Calandra has hinted that a review of MZOs might be next.
By Pepper Parr
October 30th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Here is how she did it.
The Mayor submitted a budget that would reduce the city portion of the tax levy by more than 3 points.
In the three charts set out below the Mayor sets out what was part of the Financial Needs report in one column and shows what her budget amount would be and in a third column she shows the variance.
The numbers deserve some comment, however we are going to wait until the Mayor formally presents her budget to City Council – that will take place in Thursday November 2nd.
Roll your cursor over the image to get an enlarged version
Mayor Meed Ward was very fulsome when she commented on her budget which will be formally presented to Council on Thursday.”I do want to thank staff for all of the work and the thinking that has gone into this. This is not easy. These are not easy times and they are not easy decisions and I do appreciate that. What has been presented is a clearer picture of the city’s needs. And it is now up to council to determine how quickly we are able to address those. I also want to thank the Deputy Mayor of strategy, budgets, performance and process (Paul Sharman) who has been enormously helpful to me and and to the staff and to the team who has been sitting around the table with all of our deep discussions to try to understand and ask questions about this budget presented in a way that is clear to the community.
 Mayor Marianne Ward There are different ways to receive it – if you want to read all 700 and change pages it is online.
There are summary reports. The the presentation that we got today even is more summarized in terms of some of the challenges that we face and we will continue the collective way.
I know I’ve gotten many emails, I’m sure other members of council have. There has been a mix of we want more services.
We want you to you know things like snow clearing of paths to school so kids can walk which is in line with climate change. It’s in line with our mobility goals and so many other things. So, as noted, the legislation requires me to present a budget so from here on out all amendments will be to that budget, we will not be amending the staff financial needs.
The budget is on the agenda for the November 2 council meeting which is this Thursday. It will be formally presenting it at that time. I believe that it’s really important to maintain as much collaboration on the budget as we can possibly get recognizing the legislation has changed things a bit. This will allow us as a council to come to ground on what we think our priorities are going forward how quickly we want to address certain things.
 Councillor Paul Sharman At the end of the day, this budget will not be the mayor’s budget. This budget will be the mayor and Council’s budget informed by what staff have shared with us. truly collaborative as all our budgets have been and informed by the detailed responses that we’ve seen from the public to date.
There will be opportunities for public comment on the online telephone town hall November 7, plus two more committee meetings that residents can delegate to and of course you can reach out to any one of us at any time. So with that I look forward to continued discussion and collaborating to come up with the best budget that we can in the circumstances that we are in.
 By Pepper Parr
October 30th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Another senior staff member rides into a Retirement Sunset.
Laura Boyd who has been with the city for decades has retired. The Communications staff didn’t release any notice – City Manager Tim Commisso just mentioned that there was an Acting Executive Director.
 Laura Boyd Boyd was not everyone’s cup of tea. She bought into the Notices of Trespass that former City Manager James Ridge issued without the authority to do so.
Several years ago Boyd issued a strongly worded report on just how poorly the different departments were not working together all that well.
As news people the Gazette applauded that report.
Boyd did see the city into a staffing growth plan that was a challenge to manage.
There was a culture problem that we don’t think was all that well understood. Some very good people left Burlington to work is municipalities that were very close by.
Hamilton got two that were doing fine work – they just found that the environment wasn’t what they were comfortable with.
There was an assistant city clerk that found future growth didn’t offer much promise.
City Manager Tim Commisso has made some superb staff selections – most are female and young.
Tim will be vacating the City Manager office early in January – Will the Mayor talk him into serving the city is as a consultant?
Every City Manager has a style of their own. With the city in the midst of a rapid population growth for the next eight years – whoever Council chooses will have ideas of their own – unless Council chooses one of the Executive Directors to take on the job. There is at least one that has the skill set – the chemistry with Council might not be what Council, especially the Mayor, is looking for.
Related news stories:
Boyd sticks to her numbers – keeps the staff compliment
HR Executive Director comments on culture at City Hall
By Pepper Parr
October 30th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
The residential tax bill is made up of three components: City of Burlington (51%), Region of Halton (32%) and School Board (17%). Council’s deliberations will focus on the city portion, as school board tax rates are established by the province, and Halton Region tax rates are decided by Halton Regional Council (where Burlington City Council makes up 7 of the 24 members).
 The 2024 Financial Needs and Multi-year Forecast overview prepared by staff would require an increase of 6.28% to the city’s portion of the tax bill. Including the Region of Halton at 1.33% and no change to education. The total potential tax impact to residents would have been 7.61%.
The Mayor’s budget proposes a 4.99% tax increase to the city’s portion of the residential tax bill. Including the Region of Halton and education portions the total proposed 2024 Mayor’s budget results in a total tax impact to residents of 6.33%.
The Mayor’s document was just 10 pages long.
We will go through it in detail later in the day – at this point she did manage to reduce what the public is going to be expected to pay in city taxes. If that holds true – give her credit for pulling it off.
By Pepper Parr
October 30th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington is a City that now has well over 175,000 people with another 50,000 that will be here by 2031 if the high rise towers get built.
The City signed a pledge to do its part in getting 29,000 people into new housing by 2031.
It is now up to the developers to get shovels into the ground.
Running a city today is a lot different when the current City council was elected back in 2018.
Two graphics set out the size of the City and the services it provides.
 Administering a city the size of Burlington is no small matter.
 The City uses the word “investment” to describe the cost of providing a service. Communications does its best to put the best possible spin on how money is spent. It was an expense.
Where does the money come from? Some of it is funded by debt. Burlington’s Finance department has done a superb job of using debt responsibility – there are a few exceptions.
 There is a story behind that jump above the12.5% level that is policy: a good story. The data and the comments we are working with come from the Financial Needs report that goes to Council today.
 The Financial Needs report is more than 750 pages in length. The data is certainly available to Council members – whether they actually read it all – it a question some people. Mayor Meed Ward claims she will have read every line before she submits how own budget.
By Pepper Parr
October 30th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Tax increase on the table – 7.61 % – down a wee bit from a 7.8% number that had been floated.
Council now asking questions based on the Financial Needs report.
There was one delegation – wasn’t pleasant – Chair Lisa Kearns shut down Wendy Fletcher who question many of the numbers that were in the report presented.
We would love to talk to Ms Fletcher – we can be reached at publisher@bgzt.ca
We will expand on just what these numbers mean – Council Standing Committee is still asking questions of Staff.
By Pepper Parr
October 30th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
 An opportunity to confess was offered – I took a pass. The salad they served was good. Halloween – an opportunity for the kids to play Dress Up.
Turns out that adults are now playing Dress Up is as well.
Several of the bars and restaurants in the Downtown core have their staff dressed up
The surprise for us was when Sister Something said she would hear my confession before she handed me a menu.
Saucy for sure.
By Pepper Parr
October 30th 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Where does the money come from
Property Taxes
The single largest portion of City funding comes from property taxes.
Senior Government Grants
These grants are provided by provincial and federal governments and are tied directly to legislated cost sharing arrangements. It should be noted that these revenues “flow through” the operating budget and are directly transferred into reserve funds until such time as they may be used for their designated purpose. As such these grants contribute to higher gross revenues and gross expenditures but have no impact on the City’s net operating budget.
User Fees
In accordance with the Municipal Act, 2001, the City of Burlington has by-laws which impose fees and charges for services or activities provided. Examples include: transit fares, permit fees, registration fees and rental revenue for the use of City facilities.
Internal Revenues/Charges
Internal Revenues are related to Internal Charges in that they are the revenues for work done for other services that are internal to the organization. The largest driver of these revenues is the revenue that Fleet Services receives for the work it performs for the other services within the City of Burlington. Other large drivers are the revenue that the City receives from Halton Court Services for a share of the revenue generated as well as the work of some City Services such as Information Technology, Finance and Human Resources perform for the functioning of the Halton Courts.
Other Corporate Revenues
These revenues include returns from the investment portfolio, managed by the Finance department, as well as the dividend and interest the City receives from Burlington Hydro. Other large items include Payments in Lieu of Taxation, Penalty and Interest on Taxes and Supplementary Taxes.
External Recoveries
External Recoveries are the revenues associated with doing work for other agencies such as other levels of government and the school boards. The largest of the recoveries are work the City performs for Halton Region followed by services performed for other municipalities.
The city receives funding from other area municipalities, school boards, other levels of government and agencies.
Recoveries from the Region of Halton and Other Municipalities
The City receives funding to recover the costs of expenditures incurred on jointly procured projects with other municipalities or for work performed on their assets.
The largest of these recoveries are received from the Region of Halton for water and wastewater works and our neighbouring municipalities of Oakville and Hamilton for work performed on boundary roads.
This will be followed by an article on where the money that comes in is spent.
By Laura Hanrahan
October 29th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
A new mortgage renewal survey from Royal LePage released on Thursday found that a sizable 68% of borrowers with a mortgage that will renew are concerned about that upcoming renewal. For borrowers whose mortgage will renew in the next 18 months, that number gets even larger, jumping to 74%.
 Nearly a third of mortgages across Canada are headed for renewal in the next 18 months, and the vast majority of borrowers are worried about their time coming.
A new mortgage renewal survey from Royal LePage found that a sizable 68% of borrowers with a renewing mortgage are concerned about that upcoming renewal. For borrowers whose mortgage will renew in the next 18 months, that number gets even larger, jumping to 74%.
Those concerned about renewing say they’ve considered extending the amortization periods (24%), switching to another lender (23%), extending their next mortgage term (18%), and selling their home to buy a smaller property to reduce their mortgage (17%).
 Karen Yolevski, Chief Operating Officer of Royal LePage Although these numbers are concerning, Karen Yolevski, Chief Operating Officer of Royal LePage, notes that, historically, “Canadians by and large prioritize paying their mortgages.”
“When we look at mortgage default rates, they are so low in Canada — less than half a percent of mortgages end up in default — so people renewing their mortgage now or perhaps in the next six months, they’re going to be paying a higher rate likely than they were paying before but we know that Canadians are going to prioritize spending on items that are needs versus wants, and housing being the highest in terms of that need in people’s everyday life,” Yolevski tells STOREYS.
Even still, the full impact of renewals is hard to measure at this point, with a vast majority of mortgages — 75% — being fixed rate.
“When we talk about rising interest rates, it’s really interesting that […] those that are still within their term of a fixed rate mortgage, they haven’t been impacted by the rate hikes we’ve been seeing whatsoever,” Yolevski said.
Borrowers who bought a home during the first few years of the pandemic were able to lock in historically low interest rates, often below 2%. Now, they’re facing rates around 6%.
Interestingly, the survey found that mortgage holders in what are typically more affordable provinces were more concerned about renewals than mortgage holders in the most expensive provinces. In Alberta, 82% of borrowers with a renewing mortgage reported being concerned, meanwhile in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, that number was 72%. In Ontario and BC, it was a bit lower, at 66% and 68%, respectively. Although the survey didn’t address why this is, Yolevski says the reason can be speculated.
“We know that people that work in major urban centers typically will have a higher salary than those that are working in secondary markets that are driven by the cost of living in those bigger communities versus those smaller communities,” she said. “So potentially one of those reasons is the fact that from a salary perspective, people may have concerns that they’re just not making enough money to pay at a higher interest rate.”
Yolevski also points to a psychological aspect that’s at play.
“I think not to be discounted is the idea that people are hearing a lot about interest rates and the affordability of homes because of interest rates in the market right now,” she said. “It’s certainly a hot topic. We talk about it a lot, and in cases like that, we encourage people to reach out to their financial institution if they have concerns, reach out to a mortgage professional, and really understand the impact of that.”
 Amongst those concerned about renewing, 32% have considered selling their home Amongst those concerned about renewing, 32% have considered selling their home, either to buy a smaller property (17%), rent instead (8%), or move in with family or friends (7%). But as for what’s playing out in real time, Yolevski says she has yet to see a meaningful influx of sellers listing their homes because they can’t afford the mortgage.
“It’s a question that has been asked a number of times in the last few weeks and we are not seeing an increase in forced sales,” Yolevski notes. “There are certainly outlier stories, and we’ve seen that in the media and heard personal accounts of that, so that is something that is out there on a case-by-case basis.”
Republished from: Storeys Canada’s leading real estate news site, providing the most accurate and up-to-date coverage of the Canadian market.
By Pepper Parr
October 28th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
On Monday, City Treasurer Joan Ford will take Council through what in normal times would have been a draft budget for 2024.
These are not normal times – the era of Strong Mayors is upon and we now have a Mayor who can hire and fire at will gets to put forward a budget – and, due to the City Council the City has she will challenge then to make changes. They are unlikely to change very little if anything.
There is a reason the current Mayor is referred to as The Red Queen.
The document Joan Ford will present is named Financial Needs and Multi Year Forecast.
 The red outline is not part of the design – we added that graphic to emphasize that the document is not a budget – it is a responsible person behaving responsibly. During the next few days the Gazette will dip into the 780+ page document and pass along what a very experienced, frugal and cautious treasurer thinks the city should be doing given the Strategic Plan it is expected to work within, the level of debt the city can handle and at the same time deliver the service levels tax payers expect – and suggest a tax rate the public will learn to live with.
 City Treasurer Joan Ford There are two different philosophies at play – those who spend what they know the city will have and those that will spend what they hope the city will haul in in tax receipts due to the increased assessment from the huge increase in residential dwellings that will be in place by 2031 – a date that is not likely to be met.
More to follow.
We expect to see what the Mayor puts forward next week.
Stand By.
By Staff
October 27th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
 Starting today, October 27 at 10PM until end of service on Sunday, October 29, Lakeshore West rail service will be modified as follows:
- Lakeshore West train service will run on an hourly schedule only between West Harbour and Oakville GO stations.
- Customers at Oakville GO, Clarkson GO and Union Station will be serviced by GO bus service only. There will be no GO Bus or Train services provided to customers at Port Credit GO, Long Branch GO, Mimico GO or Exhibition GO.
- Customers who would use these stations are encouraged to use MiWay or the TTC during this time. Port Credit GO customers can use MiWay Route 23 to connect to the GO replacement bus at Clarkson GO. Long Branch, Mimico and Exhibition GO customers can use the TTC to travel during this time.
Regular service will resume on Monday, October 30.
 By Staff
October 27th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
The following was released by the City’s Communications department.
 Mayor Marianne Meed Ward One section of the document is seriously mis-leading – we highlight that section.
On Oct. 30, Mayor Meed Ward will be publicly releasing her proposed budget that will be presented on Thursday, Nov. 2 at the Burlington City Council meeting. This proposed budget will be broken down into three categories:
- Essentials – This area will cover projects and items the City of Burlington must address and/or have already committed to, such as cost of inflation, necessary capital projects and infrastructure renewal.
- Frontline Service – This area will cover enhanced services that directly improves the quality of life of Burlington residents.
- Planning for Growth – This area will plan for and prepare for the expected increase in population, our Community Investment Plan, and allow us to catch up and prepare for the future.
In service to that, staff will be preparing its 2024 Financial Needs and Multi-Year Forecast Reference Document as part of the 2024 budget process. The Mayor will use this document to create the 2024 Proposed Budget – this is now a new provincially-legislated responsibility that cannot be delegated.
Burlington City Council could have decided to take a pass on the Strong Mayor powers the province gave the municipalities on Canada Day. They chose not to and as a result the Mayor puts forward a budget that Council can debate and if they wish defeat. Now that the budget is in the hands of the Mayor the following is the process that will be followed.
It is a complex process.
Council will have the opportunity to bring motions to modify the budget and there will still be multiple opportunities for the public to engage in the budget process and provide their input.
Budget process and key dates
Oct. 30, 2023 – Corporate Services, Strategy, Risk and Accountability (CSSRA) meeting –
Staff will be presenting a 2024 Financial Needs and Multi-Year Forecast Reference Document to CSSRA Committee. The Mayor will refer to this document as she develops her budget.
Nov. 2 – Burlington City Council meeting
The Mayor, under the new provincial legislation, will present the 2024 proposed budget to Burlington City Council.
City Council and the public will be given time to review the proposed budget and give the Mayor feedback.
 They are not waving at you. They are voting during a Council session. Nov. 6 and 7, 2023 – Council workshops
City staff will provide more details on the additional investments in the 2024 Financial Needs and Multi-Year Forecast Reference Document.
Nov. 7, 2023 –Budget Telephone Town Hall
Residents can join the call starting at 7 p.m. to ask questions about the 2024 proposed budget. The telephone town will be hosted by Mayor Meed Ward and run until 8:30 p.m.
Nov. 21 and 23, 2023 – Review of proposed Mayor’s 2024 budget at meeting of Corporate Services, Strategy, Risk and Accountability (CSSRA) committee, with Special Council meeting to follow
A review of the Mayor’s 2024 proposed budget will take place, including any proposed amendments from Burlington City Council.
Participation opportunities
Residents can register to delegate for an upcoming meeting. Here’s how:
Register to speak at a meeting by completing a delegation registration form or by emailing the request to clerks@burlington.ca. Register by noon the day before the meeting. If the meeting is on a Monday, register by noon on the Friday before.
Standing committee and Council meetings are held using a hybrid format, providing the option of speaking in-person at City Hall, 426 Brant St., or virtually via Zoom.
Related news story:
Mayor Meed Ward did not have to accept Strong Mayor powers
By Staff
October 27th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward will host a telephone town hall to talk about the budget she has put forward using her Strong Mayor powers. She will be joined by Finance and other Senior staff.
The public will not get to see the proposed budget until October 30; it will be debated at City Council on November 2nd.
The Strong Mayor process for putting a budget on the table is complex.
 The City has released the 2024 Financial Needs and Multi-Year Forecast document which is understood to be the report the Mayor will use as she crafts her own budget that goes before Council early in November.
The Gazette will report on that document at length once we have a printed copy. It is a long document.
How to Participate in the telephone Town Hall
Burlington residential phone numbers will be randomly selected to be part of the telephone town hall. If you would like your number to be added to the call out list or the do not call list, please email getinvolved@burlington.ca If you have asked to be on these lists for any previous town halls, we still have your selection and you do not need to email.
Join by telephone: If you happen to miss the call, you can call 1-800-785-1654 during the event time to join the town hall. For those individuals calling in, please be advised more than one attempt may be required due to the high volume of traffic on the phone lines. If the first call does not connect, please hang up and dial the 1-800 number again. You will be able to ask questions live via this method.
By Pepper Parr
October 27th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
What do the people of the city want to retain in the way of their cultural heritage?
The City is spending a significant amount of money to decide what can be retained and working out ways to actually retain properties.
Set out below are 25 properties that are to be studies.
There are a reported 200 properties on a Registry – these are those that the City wants to study.
Are they worth studying?
We aren’t experts – the issue as the Gazette sees it is – is the public fully informed and are they “involved” in this process.
And should the public be involved – why not just leave it to the “experts”.
The properties are identified by address, the ward they are located in and when they are believed to have been built.
Something to keep in mind is this is all private property.
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