 ByAlina Jovia
November 26th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Many consumers have considered gambling online because the activity is convenient, inexpensive, and fun.
 The online experience is different than at a casino. Gambling online provides consumers with quick and easy access to their favorite gambling titles, including slots, roulette, blackjack, and more. Furthermore, gambling online means the consumer can access these titles without leaving home. Nevertheless, consumers must understand that gambling online is far different than gambling in person.
It is vital to adjust to the switch. Otherwise, the gambler may run into a variety of issues, including lost money and a stolen identity. Just make sure that you consider the information at GamblingInformation before moving forward.
Why Online?
Online gambling is not suitable for all consumers. For instance, some consumers may prefer mingling with other gamblers. Online casinos offer some degree of social features, but it’ll never be enough for some. Furthermore, some gamers may prefer playing in person with friends and relatives. For these individuals, it is best to visit a local casino. However, online gambling provides numerous perks that aren’t available elsewhere.
Consumers can play from home so they’ll save money and they’ll be much safer. They also won’t have to adhere to the casino’s schedule. After all, online casinos are open around the clock. Online gambling in Canada has grown in popularity because online sites offer so many benefits.
New Risks
 Do your homework – know what you are getting into – there are shady operators out there. When gambling online, the risks are going to be significantly different. With in-person gambling, you have to worry about someone mugging you when you leave. You’ll also need to worry about theft and other issues. However, online gambling tends to be much safer since you don’t have to leave home. Still, there are risks involved. In particular, consumers must avoid signing up for shady sites.
Each player should carefully research the site in question to ensure that they’re making the right decision. Otherwise, they could lose everything. More about this will be explored below.
Research Each Site
Consumers have to be concerned about signing up for a bad website. Doing so could lead to issues, including a stolen identity. When choosing an online gambling site, the consumer must perform extensive research. Some sites pose as legitimate gambling sites even though they’re scams. You don’t want to fall for one of these traps. Instead, you should do your best to avoid such problems. Make sure that the site you choose is reliable and safe. The gambling site should use the latest safety protocols to protect your information.
Promotions
 Bonuses are a big part of the fun when you gamble online. Experts in the industry providing trustable information recommend taking advantage of bonuses, including free spins. However, some casinos may provide more generous bonuses. For instance, some will deliver a deposit bonus to new and existing customers. If you deposit a specific amount, you should receive a specific amount. Each casino establishment will have unique rules. Still, it is important to consider these things because bonuses are very beneficial.
Bonuses can keep you playing for longer without depositing more money.
Games Available
It is also pertinent to consider the selection of games. Some casinos are better about this than others. For instance, some online casinos only offer three or four games. Others provide access to conventional gambling titles as well as innovative ones. It is wise to consider your options. Make sure that you’ll have access to the hottest titles.
When it comes to online gambling in Canada, it is always best to pick a diverse platform.
Social Features
GamblingInformation.com provides consumers with access to gambling resources, reviews, and more. One thing to remember when digesting such information is that online gambling can also be social. It’s not as social as in-person gambling, but you can still interact with others. Usually, online gambling platforms provide players with chat features. You can use these features to interact with other players. Doing so will undoubtedly make the experience more exciting.
Player Protection
Online casinos offer player protection, such as secure checkouts. It is up to players to maintain a responsible gambling protocol. Temptations are the worst in the gambling industry. People addicted to gambling struggle to stop, even after they have depleted their bankroll.
Experts insist all consumers read the casino’s policies fully before an initial wager. Be sure to focus on the fine print because it is vital information about the casino operations.
 By Staff
November 25th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Determining who will be the federal Conservative Party candidate in the election that has to take place before June of 2025 will be known by the end of the day on November 27th,
The members of the Burlington Federal Conservative Party will convene at the Burlington Convention Centre, 1120 Burloak Drive.
Ballots to select the nominee are given to people who attend – In Person Voting only.
Speeches from the two candidates will take place at 6:30 – voting takes place between 6:30 and 9:30 pm
 Connor Fraser talking to citizen during the Appleby Line Festival.  Emily Brown chairing a Burlington Federal Conservative Party association meeting. Members in Good Standing require ID to vote! Details for approved ID were provided by the Party in the Nomination Meeting Notice was sent all current members.
If your membership expired within 90 days of October 18th – you can RENEW ahead of the Nomination Meeting & VOTE!
 By Pepper Parr
November 25th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Eric Stern, the spokesperson for BRAG (Burlington Residents Action Group, delegated to City Council this morning.
In most cases, not all, Council has very little to say in response to a delegation – this morning – it was different.
After saying: Good morning and thank you for your time today, Stern levelled a couple of concerns:
I have to say I was surprised to see Burlington get out early again this year with the fictional “4.97%” overall tax increase.
It was interesting to watch Mr. Basit present a 4.97% on November 4th when the Halton Police budget had been made public on October 30th. Did Mr. Basit knowingly misrepresent the truth?
On November 18th I listened to Leah Bortolotti talk about 6.7 million people visiting the website annually. I did another double-take. For a dose of reality, only 200,000 people live in Burlington. Are we expected to believe that every person in Burlington visits the website an average of 33 times a year? How many of these visits are to book the kids into a swim class? More confusing is that the budget document states on page 48 “our website—with its 1.5 million annual users”.
When he had completed his delegation there were questions and some animated responses:
 Councillor Nisan: We have a transit master plan that is currently inactive. Do you not want that transit plan? Or what’s the story? Councilor Nissan: Your last item in your, we’ll call it a report, or your submission, said that the transit master plan should be released before taxes are increased in relation to transit. We have a transit master plan that is currently inactive. Do you not want that transit plan? Or what’s the story?
Stern: Well, if you’re going to change it, which we would expect with a new master plan, then shouldn’t the budget, wait for the Master Plan, or shouldn’t the master plan be released before the budget? It’s not a necessity to have a budget in place until February 1. We have the flood plan coming out, what later today, and the transit master plan coming out in a few weeks. So you put the car before the horse?
Nisan: I’ll just clarify my question. So our transit master plan goes until 2025 this is the last year of that master plan. Are you suggesting that we finish a new master plan before we approve the budget for what we already approved in the last master plan?
Stern: That is the suggestion that you get the master plan out first and then do the budgeting around it. Y
Councilor Sherman: I want to thank you for your delegation, but also particularly for the correspondence with all the analysis that you and you have done, or I guess a few of you have done, yes, it was very thorough. It had a lot of good analysis in there.
Would you be interested in having some response from the city with respect to the analysis you did?
That offer is close to a first for this Council – a citizen asks for something and gets a positive response.
Stern: Yes, we’re interested. This is an ongoing process, so we’ll just raise the same issues again next year. If the city wants to provide clarity or an explanation, then maybe we won’t have to raise them, or maybe we’ll see it differently than you do.
Sharman: I will ask staff about that later, and I’m sure we’ll get you the answers.
Later in the meeting when questions are put to staff Sharman asked the Chief Financial Officer:
With respect to getting back to the to residents and their feedback – there are a lot of questions in there. Could you just confirm that you will respond to each question in line so that they have an answer to this community group for each of those questions.
So will you be able to do that for this, for the for this input, in particular through
Craig Millar: Through you to the Chair: Yes, that’s that’s our intent, to go through each one of the questions and provide answers.
Chair Bentivegna: We have a question from Councilor Kerns. So looking at this item that’s been provided in your correspondence, which is the list of the of the items that you’d like additional investigation on, and recognizing that this is, in fact, the mayor’s budget. What engagement have you had with the mayor’s office related to these items as they relate to the budget?
 There wasn’t really any time in this whole process to do a really deep dive into the data. Stern: Well, there wasn’t really any time in this whole process, because the budget action reviews were submitted two weeks after the budget was released. It takes a group of us to split it up to roughly 80 pages each. We went and identified things we could xxx
Kearns: You reviewed the budget action items you endorsed, I believe is the correct word, the budget.
Stern: No we haven’t. There’s just no time in this process for residents to meaningfully engage. And I’m really emphasizing the word meaningfully.
Kearns: A follow-up question. What you would like to see then? A draft budget released first, so we don’t have to challenge the clock of the statutory time to turn this around, which is more detailed, in order for people to have more meaningful engagement.
Stern: That’s right, that’s identical I’d like to see what Oakville does happen in Burlington?
Kearns: My second question is this, in the correspondence that you’ve provided, it doesn’t necessarily equate to $1 value in the final column on every single item, is the concern more with accountability, transparency and return on investment and alignment with business plans? Or is it pure hard savings or both?
Stern: The concern largely is with accountability, certainly. Speaking for myself, not for the group. I’ve said this before – the only reason I’m here is because 4.97 is meaningless. 4.99 last year was meaningless. It was 6.58 I think, at the end of the day in 2024 on our tax bills. So you guys come out with this obviously skewed lower number for your own benefit, and then we’re somehow supposed to engage, and then we get a dog and pony show with what a 10-page booklet with no details.
You know, transit is going to cost pulling numbers out of my hat, but it is going to cost $17 million do you agree? How are we supposed to engage with that?
 Eric Stern: It’s all about clarity, honesty, fairness. It’s all about clarity, honesty, fairness. We’re all adults. Nobody’s jumping up and down and screaming that everybody has to be fired at City Hall and things like that. We recognize that Burlington has great services, but we want to understand what’s happening with our money, and it’s becoming a lot of money over the years, right? $500 million.
Kearns: Thank you, Eric. Maybe our themes next year will be clarity, transparency and honesty.
Mayor Meed Ward did not attend the Council meeting – she attended the Premier’s event at Joseph Brant Hospital – where she didn’t get to say a word. Had she been at Council Stern may not have gotten away with some of his comments.
The Complete Stern Delegation
“Stop the 7.5% Burlington Property Tax Increase” petition has been presented to council. Twelve hundred and forty-seven people signed the petition asking for a zero percent tax increase. The multi-year forecast called for 8.9%, by asking for zero we were hoping to meet somewhere in the middle, at 4.4%, oh well.
I have to say I was surprised to see Burlington get out early again this year with the fictional “4.97%” overall tax increase.
It was interesting to watch Mr. Basit present a 4.97% on November 4th when the Halton Police budget had been made public on October 30th. Did Mr. Basit knowingly misrepresent the truth?
On November 18th I listened to Leah Bortolotti talk about 6.7 million people visiting the website annually. I did another double-take. For a dose of reality, only 200,000 people live in Burlington. Are we expected to believe that every person in Burlington visits the website an average of 33 times a year? How many of these visits are to book the kids into a swim class? More confusing is that the budget document states on page 48 “our website—with its 1.5 million annual users”.
You have approved $148,000 for an SEO Marketing position. What is the payback?
Will there be a staff reduction in Service Burlington because people can find information themselves? Will there be KPIs to monitor this or is this just another overhead cost?
What residents need is information, not marketing spin, Google can make that information searchable. Adding a web marketing SEO position will slow down the posting of information making that information less accessible to taxpayers. Do you remember the taxpayers? The people who pay for this.
The mayor talks about training bus drivers and then those drivers take jobs in other cities as a justification for higher pay. This statement is not supported by the 5.3% turnover number presented on November 4th. A rate of 5.3% is lower than any private sector group except for heads of organizations and executives at 3.8%. This indicates the city has the right mix of salary, benefits and working conditions. An average, across-the-board, salary increase of 4.58% when inflation is 2.5% sounds high.
My theme today is clarity. Residents deserve factual information, clearly presented on the city’s website, by staff and the council, without the deft hand of a communications department spinning that information for the benefit of our elected representatives and city staff. I resent being taxed to pay for information to be marketed to me.
 Eric Stern wants a draft budget well ahead of Mayor’s budget so the community has an opportunity to comment. BRAG earned the right to that kind of document next year. Looking ahead to 2026, what considerations are being made for a conservative Federal government and severe cuts to the housing accelerator fund? Much of the expected $21,000,000 may evaporate.
In terms of provincial funding, what happens if the city does not meet its housing targets and no provincial funds are available?
Burlington is building out community centers, transit, etc. for people who may or may not move into the community. What happens if the builders don’t build and the people don’t materialize? Is it time for more prudent cost controls?
The Burlington Residents’ Action Group submitted to this council, in writing, 14 pages of possible cost savings and economies of scale that the city could consider.
I’ve watched many council meetings, people who ask for money often receive money, and people who ask for cuts often receive nothing.
Why are lower tax increases important?
Lower increases leave people with more money for heat pumps and EVs.
Lower increases reduce renovictions by landlords who, through rent control, can only increase rents by 2.5%. This will reduce homelessness and help to “solve the crisis”.
Lower increases leave more money in people’s pockets, reducing food bank visits and crime, and lower the overall cost of policing.
I’ll conclude with, Your Worship, you win, for now, you hold all the cards, residents are not given enough time to review the budget, the budget does not include explanations for the programs, or what the return on the “investment” will be, and requests for details go unanswered.
Congratulations on passing another huge budget increase without the community understanding what the percentage is or what the dollars are for!
 By Staff
November 25th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The Ontario government is making it faster and easier for people in the Burlington region to connect to high quality, comprehensive mental health and addiction support services closer to home by building a new mental health unit at the Joseph Brant Hospital.
 Natalie Pierre, in what might be her last major public announcement spoke of the need for the services the new funding will make possible. Pierre has announced that she is retiring from politics. “This new mental health unit will complement the incredible work Joseph Brant’s hardworking doctors, nurses and other staff do every day to provide high-quality care to the people of Burlington and the surrounding area,” said Premier Doug Ford. “I’m pleased that our government’s investment will support this work as part of our $50 billion worth of investments in more than 50 hospital projects province-wide, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on the community.”
The province’s investment will build and create a larger, state-of-the-art space for inpatient and outpatient services at Joseph Brant Hospital to ensure the hospital is better equipped to deliver timely and high-quality mental health and addictions care for more patients and their families, in a safe and comfortable setting.
Once opened, the new mental health unit will include:
A new adult outpatient space better suited to improve clinical flow and patient care
Improved adult psychiatric intensive care space allowing for better patient-centred care and safety
Programs will include interdisciplinary teams of nurses, physicians, social workers, psychiatrists and recreation therapists to support complex patient care needs and provide crisis intervention, psychiatric assessment, treatment and stabilization
Enhanced child and youth programming
Improved infection prevention and control measures
“All Ontarians deserve to have convenient access to the care they need, when they need it, no matter where they live,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “By building a new mental health unit at Joseph Brant, our government is ensuring families in the Burlington region have faster access to mental health and addictions support services for years to come.”
 Michael and Laura Paletta spoke about the need for better mental health services in the community. As a next step, the ministry is working with Joseph Brant Hospital to complete early planning and design for this project. A construction schedule will be confirmed once future planning is complete and the project is tendered and awarded.
“Our government continues to address the critical need for timely, accessible, and comprehensive mental health and addiction services across Ontario,” said Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “By investing in a state-of-the-art mental health unit at Joseph Brant Hospital, we are reinforcing the continuum of care, ensuring patients in Burlington and surrounding areas receive the specialized treatment and supports necessary for long-term recovery and improved quality of life.”
Through Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, the Ontario government is making it easier and faster for people of all ages to connect to care. In 2020, the province introduced the Roadmap to Wellness, a plan to build a modern, world-class mental health and addictions care system.
It was a half-hour media event with the Premier and several Ministers speaking – all the politicians – except MAyor Meed Ward who skipped a City Council meeting to attend but didn’t get any air time.
 Mayor Meed Ward, far left, didn’t get to say a word during the hospital announcement.
 By Staff
November 25th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
On Monday the Premier was at Joseph Brant Hospital to announce significant funding for new Mental Health services. Millions is to be made available.
 Hospital rendering showing the original hospital with the additions. On Wednesday workers at Joseph Brant Hospital will be holding a rally at noon to protest the elimination of 10 positions they say will negatively impact patient care.
CUPE 1065, the union representing workers at the hospital, says the hospital can’t afford cuts to frontline positions amidst a staffing crisis, which is already impacting quality of patient care and workforce morale.
Michael Hurley, president of CUPE’s Ontario Council of Hospital Unions (OCHU-CUPE), which represents about 50,000 staff across the province, said the union is noticing an alarming pattern of staffing cuts at multiple hospitals in Ontario because of government underfunding – an unacceptable development considering the 2,000 patients waiting on stretchers in hospital hallways for beds and the 250,000 people waiting for surgeries in Ontario.
 By Ray Rivers
November 25th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
OPINION
The annual Climate Change Congress of the Parties (COP 29) held this year in Azerbaijan has concluded in uncertainty, discontent and pessimism. Pessimism is what every single one of those delegates should be feeling about the future of the planet we are leaving for our offspring. The global community has completely failed to halt the advance of global climate warming and with it the ravages of climate change.
 Climate Change Congress of the Parties (COP 29) It’s the fossil fuels and, like an addict on heroin, we are unable to put down the syringe. And the rush from this drug, fossil fuels, will continue for almost a millennium. The worlds largest producer of oil, the USA, emits just over 10% of global annual GHG emissions but accounts historically for the majority of all that stuff still up there. That unfortunate record is due to be broken one day soon by the world’s second largest economy and its most significant polluter.
 China is still using coal China, currently at 30% of global GHG annual emissions, is still building coal burning plants. In fact it had initiated 95% of all global coal plant construction in 2023. Ironically, it is also the leader in renewable technologies and electric vehicles. The country is claiming it’ll be carbon neutral by 2060. But only a blind optimist would buy that given its GHG emissions increased almost 5% last year, 15% faster than the rest of the world.
There is discontent among the smaller nations, including those island states which will eventually disappear into the ever rising oceans. Many of these less developed countries (LDC) are relatively small contributors to global emissions, certainly compared to China the US and Europe. But they are at the table, though it seems more like a trough. If money is for the taking, they want in – the only reason they used all those carbon credits getting there.
The COP process used to be about reducing emission reductions with a little cash on the side to help those LDCs in need. But it has morphed into an income redistribution exercise and a money grab. $100 billion was promised in 2009 and this year the ante was upped to $300 billion. Still the ask was for two or three trillion big ones. Delegates from less developed nations are calling it a paltry sum, but nobody is leaving money on the table. And how does India, with the fifth largest global economy and fourth largest military have the nerve to claim access to that COP money?
 COP has lost its way. The 1990’s Kyoto protocol was the best chance to get global cooperation and action on reductions. COP has lost its way. The 1990’s Kyoto protocol was the best chance to get global cooperation and action on reductions. But then GW Bush, the oil president, pulled the rug out and it was drill baby drill. Obama helped create the voluntary Paris Agreement in a faint hope to limit the earth’s temperature increase to below 1.5 degrees. But then the 2016 Donald took his baseball and went home. Though he is coming back and now threatening to take the ball diamond as well.
In any case it is probably too late for incremental emissions reductions, emission targets and all that bureaucratic stuff. Many have already decided we’re at the 10th stage of grief – acceptance. The oil companies may have lost the battle to discredit climate scientists since their predictions are ringing in close to home. But big oil appears to have won the war anyway. That 1.5 degree tipping point is now within sight – possibly as early as next year. And so the Paris Agreement will also have failed.
 The demographic that is going to have to live with the results of COP29 So the discussion at these annual mega-groupies has turned to something else – welfare for those less developed nations in their struggle to adapt. COP is not really about emissions reductions for LDCs since if they can afford fossil energy they can easily afford the less costly renewable energy option. And these less developed nations typically are not the heavy polluters anyway. Even Canada, which has the tenth largest global economy and is the fourth largest oil producer, still only contributes less than 2% to the problem.
Russia has decided to ignore the world and fall back to it’s nasty environmentally dirty old imperial ways. The holy land has become one big carbon emitting battlefield. And China, already the world’s dirtiest polluter will continue to pollute, as we in North America continue to buy their manufactured goods, thus making ourselves complicit. The USA will once again face a neoconservative ideological agenda promising “drill baby drill” and an end to new renewables. Canada is almost certainly to follow if the opinion polls are right – Ontario already has.
 Humble beggar 40% of India’s installed electrical power capacity came from non-fossil fuel sources in 2021. It already has among the lowest emissions per capita in the world. And perhaps that alone, reducing its carbon footprint when wealthier nations are floundering, is a good enough reason to reward India by letting it dine at the beggar’s banquet. And, no humble beggar, the Indian delegation was one of the loudest voices demanding more money at this COP.
It was symbolic that the last two annual COP meetings were hosted by nations heavily dependant on oil revenues for their GDP. This year the host was the autocratic and highly repressive former Soviet republic of Azerbaijan which obtains 90% of its foreign income from the black gold. That country’s president kicked off the COP by setting the tone. He lectured that oil was a gift from God.
The head of France’s delegation went home after the Azerbaijani president insulted France and Holland over their colonial policies. The Argentine president brought his entire delegation home after only three days, probably as a symbol to please his new pal the American president-elect. It was chaos and there were also reports of others leaving in droves like rats abandoning a sinking ship. And no one should wonder why.
Background links:
Climate Not Improving – Greenwash Conference –
UNFCCC – Poilievre and Paris –
Time to Rethink COP –
Stages of Grief –
 Ray Rivers has worked on the climate change challenge since 1992. In addition to private consulting and heading the international emissions trading company Clean Air Canada, Rivers also assisted the federal and provincial governments in developing emissions trading and reduction programs. He attended COP 4 in Buenos Aires and COP 9 in Milan.
 By Staff
November 24th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Finding land that is cheap, free if possible, to build needed housing on has everyone looking at what they might have in their inventory.
Burlington has yet to offer any of the land the city owns but the federal government got created and offered a 28 hectares property that once housed a federal prison in Laval, Que. into housing.
The St-Vincent-de-Paul Penitentiary operated from 1873 to 1989 has been largely empty for 35 years and has fallen into a state of decay.
 Stone walls and a guard turret could become features in a housing community on federally owned land. It was the second federal prison built in the country and the only francophone federal prison in Canada.
On Tuesday, Ottawa gave the prison a new lease on life by opening it up to development by adding it to the public lands bank, a list of 83 unused federally-owned properties that can be used to address
“Where appropriate, all of these federal lands will remain public through low cost leases to reduced construction costs and support the building of more affordable homes,” said federal Procurement Minister Jean-Yves Duclos.
Due to the site’s history, its imposing stone walls and proximity to the Rivière-des-Prairies, the prison was designated a national historic site in 1990.
Can we expect some creative ideas from City Hall?
 By Staff
November 24th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Safe Streets Halton, alongside BurlingtonGreen, Halton Hills Climate Action, Oakville Green, and Halton Environmental Network have released an open letter in response to the province’s upcoming restrictions on bike lanes.
“This legislation does not address the traffic safety issues that Halton residents face, with at least 10 deaths and over a thousand injuries occurring in the past year alone,” remarked Nick Morrison, President of Safe Streets Halton.
The letter comes as Bill 212 approaches its third reading in the legislature. Amendments were recently made restricting the public’s ability to sue the province for injury after removal of existing bicycle lanes.
 “It comes with a requirement [that data shows] the removal of a lane will not cause delays in traffic, how does one do that in advance of installing a bike lane?” Councillor Jane Fogal questioned at a recent Halton Hills council meeting where the town approved a motion opposing the legislation. She cited a pilot project in Ottawa, where bike lanes were installed temporarily and vehicle travel times improved, making way for making a permanent change.
The City of Burlington has also passed their own motion opposing Bill 212. “We would have a lot more people cycling if it were safer, and bike lanes are a big part of that.” Councillor Rory Nisan commented. “We can figure this out on our own.”
In the letter, the province is urged to reconsider these restrictions and focus on improving traffic safety for all road users in Halton Region. Safe Streets Halton calls on Halton Region residents and businesses to visit safestreetshalton.ca/SaferStreetsOntario, sign the petition and contact their MPP.
Contact points:
media@safestreetshalton.ca
https://safestreetshalton.ca/
About Safe Streets Halton
Safe Streets Halton is a grass-roots organization on a mission to eliminate all traffic-related deaths and serious injuries in Halton, Ontario.
 By Staff
November 24th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Andrea Grebenc, a candidate seeking the nomination for the Ontario Liberal Party in Burlington, is inviting residents to a casual drop-in event on Friday, November 29, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Fortinos café on Plains Road.
This drop-in offers community members an opportunity to meet Andrea, share their concerns, and discuss her vision for Burlington and Ontario’s future. Andrea is eager to engage directly with residents about the issues that matter most to them, from education and healthcare to housing and economic opportunities.
 Andrea Grebenc chairing a School Board Trustee meeting during the pandemic. About Andrea Grebenc
Andrea Grebenc is a long-time Burlington resident and a dedicated community leader with a proven track record of public service. She has been elected twice as a Halton District School Board Trustee, serving as Chair of the Board during a critical period when she successfully advocated for improved student-centered policies.
For more information about Andrea, visit Andrea4Burlington.ca.
Event Details:
What: Community Drop-In with Andrea Grebenc
When: Friday, November 29, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Where: Fortinos Café, Plains Road, Burlington
By Pepper Parr
November 23rd, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The Regional Police Services Board said in the budget presentation that the 2025 budget includes a relatively stable number of hires with just over 30 sworn and 16 civilians per year. We project that we can make do with that.
 Regional Chief of Police Steve Tanner “I believe our cost per capita certainly compared to what we call the big 12 police services in Ontario will always be the lowest” said Jeff Knowles, Chair of the Police Services Board who shared the presentation of the Police Services budget with Chief Steve Tanner who was on his feet for more than three hours.
“There’s a number of projects, essential projects, and some of you may have questions about what projects can we not go ahead with? We’re committed to a multi million dollar radio system, P 25 encrypted radio system that we have, there will be enhancements as well that are built in here.
“We have PSBN commitments so that we can transmit digital messages and information back and forth as we need to in today’s environment, we actually had multiple millions dollars of dollars in the capital project specifically for dark fiber, which we have removed from this budget. You’re not seeing the impact of that. We do need that at some point, but our understanding is between the region and their needs, paramedics and otherwise and some of the municipalities, we will be able to find a way forward.
“This is all for the greater good. These projects are ones that we are committed to, where contracts are signed by the board and the vendors. They’re not reversible contracts, and we could not do without them in today’s policing environment.
“There are risks and offsets; the impact of collective bargaining in 28, 29 and 30, along with the uncertainty of government funding. I’m hopeful that there may come a day in the not too distant future when our federal government may be providing some resources to policing. We have the impact of vacancies over time, part time, wages. I’ve said before, we always purposely under budget for overtime. We probably spend at least three times, maybe more but we know we can absorb that, because in policing, we cannot hire all of our staff on January 1 Those funds that are not used for new hires that are not on board yet gets used to cover the protests, to cover the wonderful fireworks nights that we have in Bronte.
 Jeff Knoll: Town of Oakville Councillor and Chair of the Police Services Board presented the Police Budget to Regional Council last week. “We have a training budget. We have a training unit. We have provincial and national training needs. We do not budget for all of those. We could the budget would be significantly higher, but it would consume dollars where we can pay for those things, year after year. We do that out of what would have been a greater surplus. I’m sure your municipal councils would prefer and expect as much surplus as possible, because then, in our case, as a police service and working with the region, we can put that back into the cost of some of our capital programs and lessen the impact on our operational side.
“The implications of the new Training Act is just one of them. The C8 is probably the best example of capital and software being put to use. The impact of fuel prices is an ongoing concern. There will not be any electric vehicles; we are not at the stage where we can run electric vehicles as front-line police officers and save on fuel. I would be fearful of lithium batteries in some instances.
“I just wanted to close off the presentation with just a review of the of the expectations that we expect our current investments, so to speak, for this 2025 budget. Of course, number one, first and foremost, is to continue to be the safest large municipality in all of Canada, which is a statistic that we’ve been proud to boast about for almost two decades now, and that’s as per task Canada.
 Current Police Services Board: “It’s not us generating our own laudatory statistics that actually comes from the federal government, and we want to, of course, achieve best ratings in our key measures, best in terms of crime Severity Index, weighted crime clearance rates, staff to population ratios and costs per capita ratios, and above all, to be the leader in community safety and policing excellence to ensure every resident of Halton is safer tomorrow than they are today.
“Our other overarching goal is to always ensure that we send out our officers every morning, afternoon, or evening, and that they return in the same shape when they come back to their families and districts at the end of their shifts.”
And with that, they moved into Q&A.
We will cover some of that in another article.
 By Pepper Parr
November 23rd, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Regional Council learned on Wednesday last week that the police funding request was not actually before Regional Council for approval today. Regional Clerk Graham Milne explained: “As you’re aware, the process is to receive the presentation, first ask questions. The decision point will come at the December 11 regular meeting of Council.
 Police Services Board Chair Jeff Knoll and Police Chief Tanner seated present their budget to Regional Council. “If Council chooses to take an action at that time, the process would be by either a notice of motion or an amendment to the regional report on the budget and business plan, which will be included in the forthcoming agenda.
“Under the new community safety and policing act, Council cannot amend specific line items in the funding request from the police upon reviewing the proposed police budget. Council’s role is to set the overall budget that provides the Police Board with sufficient funding to comply with CISPA its regulations and to pay the expenses of the board’s operation.”
The new police budget approval process is as follows.
First, the Police Board submits their operating capital estimates for the year.
Regional Council then reviews the estimates and either accepts the proposed budget or establishes their own budget.
If it is the latter, and the Police Board rejects this budget established by council, both parties must jointly apply to the chair of the Ontario Police Arbitration Adjudication Commission, (OPAC) to appoint a conciliation officer,
or the Police Board can move the matter straight to arbitration.
If the matter cannot be resolved by the conciliation officer, both parties can jointly appoint an arbitrator, or have one appointed by the Commission chair.
Any decision by the arbitrator that results in the budget being amended in accordance with same therefore, Council’s options at the December 11 meeting are approve the budget as presented, or set a new budget that it deems will fulfill the region’s obligations.
There’s no provision for Council, under the legislation, to appoint a third party independent reviewer for an alternate opinion on the funding request.
Further, neither party may make a unilateral request for a conciliation officer, as this must be a joint request.
However, the Police Board may skip this step and refer the matter directly to arbitration.
After receiving the region’s revised budget, Council could request a cost estimate from a third party agency such as the Ontario Provincial Polie or the Hamilton Police or the Peel Police as the justification for the revised budget. These estimates can take a significant amount of time to obtain.
If the Region and the Police Board pursue the conciliation option, a conciliation officer has 14 days to confer with the parties and attempt to resolve the dispute. An extension of time may be granted if both parties agree, or the commission chair extends it on the advice of the conciliation officer.
Should the attempt at conciliation fail, the matter automatically removes arbitration. The arbitration decision on the budget would be based on whether another service provider, such as the OPP or the RCMP or another municipal police service could provide the same services and meet the applicable standards for adequate and effective policing at a lower cost.
If the answer to that is no, the arbitration process would find in favor of the Police Board’s original funding request.
That is a brief outline of Council’s options and how it would work.
Five of the seven members of Burlington City Council were in the room. Councillor Stolte took part virtually. Councillor Galbraith did not participate. These Councillors knew it would be at least 15 days before there was a decision from the Region and yet they are going to meet on Monday as a Special Council meeting called by the Mayor to endorse the budget as it stands.
There is word that the Mayor may not get the endorsement she wants.
If you read the convoluted process involved in getting a Police Services budget approved – this could be stretched out for month – but in the end the police will get what they want.
The way these things play out is: the police push for as much as they can – when they realize they are approaching a limit that the councillors just can’t go beyond, compromises are made and the budget gets passed with an understanding that the items wanted will get included the next time around.
On a slightly different level, the Ontario Police offer policing services on a contract basis to communities that are too small to operate a police service.
The 2025 Police budget is 13% higher than the 2024 budget – which is what has everyone gulping.
It is even tougher for the smaller levels of municipal government where the policing is provided by the OPP on a contract basis.
The OPP has advised their clients that price hikes at the 30% increase level with one tiny community being told that their costs will increase 100%.
 There is a different level of policing taking place across the country; the work is far more dangerous and the costs increase at double-digit levels – annually. There is a change taking place in the level of policing service that is now being provided. Police are facing a different policing challenge.
Many people were stunned when they learned that a police sniper was on duty at the Burlington Remembrance Day ceremony beside city hall.
By Sophie Watson
November 23, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Discover top iGaming conferences near Burlington in 2025, offering career growth, networking, and insights into the latest trends in the industry.
 Home to some of the best gaming sites in markets that are well regulated and growing in size. Burlington residents and professionals are in a prime position to access some of the top iGaming conferences in the Toronto area, which serves as a central hub for gaming industry events. These conferences provide valuable networking opportunities, a platform to explore the latest industry trends, and the chance to engage with leaders in the iGaming and technology sectors. In 2025, major events like the Canadian Gaming Summit and Collision Conference will be particularly important for anyone looking to expand their careers within the fast-growing iGaming space.
Top iGaming Conferences in Toronto for 2025
Toronto, with its rapidly rising gaming ecosystem, is home to several of the most influential iGaming conferences, giving everyone an ideal opportunity to immerse themselves in the latest industry advancements. These events bring together experts from iGaming, technology, and digital innovation, creating excellent networking, learning, and career-building opportunities. Attending these conferences enables professionals to stay ahead of emerging trends and enhance their expertise in a rapidly changing field.
The Canadian Gaming Summit and Its Role in the Industry
The Canadian Gaming Summit, held annually in Toronto, is one of the most significant events for the iGaming sector in Canada. Scheduled for June 17–19, 2025, this premier event will bring together key players, including regulatory authorities, technology innovators, and business leaders, to discuss the latest developments, policy changes, and emerging technologies.
The 2025 summit promises to be an essential gathering for iGaming professionals, offering sessions on evolving industry trends, regulatory updates, and cutting-edge technological innovations. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with expert speakers, network with peers, and access valuable resources to drive their success in the expanding iGaming sector.
Tech and Gaming at Web Summit Vancouver
Previously known as the Collision Conference, Web Summit Vancouver is one of the tech industry’s most prominent events. Set to take place in Vancouver in May 2025, this marks a significant shift from its previous Toronto location. This highly anticipated conference covers a wide range of topics, including iGaming, and attracts innovators, entrepreneurs, and professionals from multiple sectors. It is a must-attend event for anyone exploring the intersection of technology and digital gaming, offering unparalleled opportunities to discover business prospects, explore gaming tech advancements, and witness how innovations are transforming the iGaming industry.
At Web Summit Vancouver, attendees will dive into cutting-edge topics like artificial intelligence, blockchain, and new gaming technologies. The event offers a platform for exploring the future of gaming and how digital tools are reshaping the industry. With dynamic speakers and multiple networking sessions, this conference offers unmatched opportunities for growth, making it an essential event for anyone invested in the future of digital gaming.
Networking Opportunities at Toronto’s iGaming Conferences
 These conferences are well attended. Toronto’s iGaming conferences are excellent platforms for networking and bringing together industry leaders, technology innovators, and regulatory experts. These events provide attendees with a chance to expand their networks, learn from peers, and engage with potential collaborators or employers. The dynamic environment fosters valuable connections that can lead to new partnerships, business opportunities, and career advancement. Whether attending the Canadian Gaming Summit or Web Summit Vancouver, Burlington residents will find ample opportunities to engage with influential figures and stay updated on the latest trends in the iGaming world.
How To Access These Conferences From Burlington
 For those from Burlington, attending Toronto’s iGaming conferences is both simple and convenient. The drive from Burlington to Toronto takes roughly 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic, making it a viable option for those who prefer driving. Alternatively, GO Transit offers reliable train and bus services that connect Burlington to Toronto in about an hour, providing a stress-free travel option. Once in Toronto, most conference venues are easily accessible by the city’s extensive public transit system, including the TTC subway and streetcars.
For those staying overnight, Toronto offers numerous hotels located close to conference venues. Many events also offer special accommodation rates, making it easier for attendees to book convenient lodging. With various transportation and accommodation options, attending iGaming conferences in Toronto is straightforward for Burlington professionals looking to advance their careers and expand their networks.
Why Burlington Professionals Should Attend Toronto’s Gaming Events
 Representatives from several sectors, including the provinces, take part in these meetings. Attending Toronto’s gaming events is an excellent opportunity for career growth and staying abreast of industry trends. These conferences are essential for anyone wanting to learn about the latest innovations in iGaming, such as the rise of platforms like BetMGM Canada Online Casino. Beyond gaining industry insights, these events provide the opportunity to connect with key figures in the iGaming, technology, and regulatory spaces.
By attending these events in 2025, Burlington residents can broaden their understanding of the sector, develop valuable connections, and gain the knowledge necessary to succeed in the rapidly evolving iGaming industry. Whether attendees are looking to expand business networks or explore new career opportunities, Toronto’s gaming events offer an unmatched platform to advance professionally.
By Harry Randall-Wooden
November 25, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Since iGaming Ontario took up the reins and the challenges of the new online gambling scene in Ontario, there has been a prominent spike in the sector’s popularity. In the first couple of years of operation, online gambling has seen plenty of positive growth in the province, but that of course is just one small drop in terms of what the country produces.
Unlike places such as the UK and Ireland, the Great White North as a whole is not governed by the same gambling framework. That’s because things are left to the provinces as to how they handle things, and therefore there are great variations between one and the next.
 Things for example are tighter in Quebec, whereas the modern online gambling scene in Ontario has delivered a fresh, well-regulated and yet open platform for those interested. Legalized gambling can be an important part of a province’s economy, and proof of that comes from financial reports posted by iGaming Ontario, which may make other provinces sit up and take notice. The demand is there, can it be tapped into?
What’s Going on in Ontario?
Starting in April 2022, iGaming Ontario (different from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation) delivered a new, secure and regulated online gambling system to the province. Working in conjunction with the Government of Ontario, the overseeing body is the one that hands out and maintains licensing for any online operators.
That was a big step towards a safer gaming experience for Ontarians, because picking from the list of regulated providers from iGaming Ontario, gives players peace of mind over things like the security of payments and fair gaming. That is a massive boost for igaming and as reported in the article Ontario iGaming Expected to Triple by 2032, Written by Anthony Odiase, Published by gambleontario.ca1, popularity is soaring.
With players having already previously found offshore sources at which to do their online gambling, Ontario took the fresh approach of standardising the market for willing providers in the province. That was designed to bring some advantages to the economy as well, and numbers from the first two years of iGaming Ontario show the value of their approach.
Growth In Ontario
The total gaming revenue from online gambling in Ontario in 2023 was $1.4 billion. That number had jumped significantly to $2.4 billion in the second year since iGaming Ontario started running the show2. The growth has been outstanding not only for the operators in the sector but for locals as well.
 There are now a reported 12,000 full-time equivalent jobs running in Ontario because of the online gambling scene, a number which is expected to add another 10,000 by 20323. So big things are still expected from this market, which contributed $1.6 billion to Ontario’s GDP during its first year of operation, and that’s a number expected to surpass $2 billion in revenue by 2032.
The overall projection is that the potential annual GDP contribution from online gambling is going to almost triple by 2032. Current figures report that more than $900 million has gone to employee compensation in Ontario’s iGaming sector with the average salary running at $103,000.
There have been clear signs that there is a big demand for online gambling and the numbers across the country are supporting that.
Year-on-Year Growth
It’s reported that there are over 19 million active online gamblers in Canada4 and across the country, the federal revenue garnered from it is around $3.1 billion. So there is a lot that is going back into the economy and the advances in Ontario in the last couple of years have certainly added to it, considering that it contributed $1.4 in revenue in 2023.
The average online gambler in Canada spends around $7 per month. But again, dialing in the focus to the progressive setup in Ontario, there have been noticeable increases in how much players gamble on average. In 2022 it was around $70 per month and that had jumped to $200 per month in 2023, significantly higher than the national average.
 This isn’t a surprise since Ontario has a more open, regulated industry, which means that access to provincially-backed sites is easy. Accessibility is a big factor in more money being gambled per person. Other people in the country may have to take risks at offshore platforms to do their gambling and are less likely to risk greater funds going to places like that.
The increase in betting averages comes with concerns that there will be a rise in problem gambling, due to the players more easily accessing platforms. As part of the ongoing campaigning for the safety of players, iGaming Ontario for example has a strong approach to responsible gambling, by providing knowledge and tools to make things safer for players. That includes a coordinated and centralized self-exclusion problem from all gambling websites operating in Ontario.
Demand And Supply or Supply And Demand?
Ontario has more than 50 licensed operators providing gambling platforms in the province. That number will likely grow as the industry is still fairly new and existing operators are likely to face competition not only between themselves but from newly licensed ones down the line.
The demand for legalized gambling in Ontario appears to be there because if it wasn’t popular then the growth would not have been as strong. Or has it been a case of “build it and they will come” within the province? Has the user-friendly, legalized gambling market thrown the doors wide to give people access to something that they may well have left alone had it never been there?
There’s no way to answer that speculation of course, but in 2022, after iGaming Ontario launched the new system, around 30% of people gambling in Ontario reported back in a survey by Ipsos5, as being registered to an online gambling site as the new market fired up.
But to think that gambling wasn’t in demand before iGaming Ontario regulated it, is folly. In 2022, it was reported that around 70% of all online gambling from Canada was done on offshore platforms. A large volume of people were already finding ways to gamble before things were regulated.
Why The Discrepancy?
Why, in the new age of being able to play at fully regulated sites, would players still take chances at offshore unregulated ones? The main answer to that will come down to knowledge, not even knowing that there is now a list of regulated online gambling sites provided by iGaming Canada which are safe to use.
 Ontario Lottery & Gaming – OLG.ca, which is the official Ontario Lottery website is tightly regulated and hugely popular, was even regulated To further press that home, another Ipsos report found that more than 70% of respondents were completely unaware that OLG.ca, which is the official Ontario Lottery website, was even regulated and were under the assumption that other major online gambling providers were also unregulated.
But biases also play into this, because players who have used or are still using an unregulated platform are likely unaware that it is not regulated, and even if they did know, they would be more prone to believing that it was a regulated one.
So perhaps the message from iGaming Ontario has not been quite as far-reaching as it could be and has some work to do. Still, from a previous 70% of Ontario gamblers using offshore platforms to around 85% now using province-regulated ones, that is a sizable shift and a positive for player safety.
The Rest Of Canada
Ontario gets a lot of attention thanks to its positive approach to getting its online gambling sector regulated within its border and remains the only province that is fully regulated for private operators. Because of that open and competitive market, it is why the province stands alone because of the pioneering approach to things. But what is going on within the rest of the provinces?
Legal and Regulated
British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec and New Brunswick offer legal and regulated online gambling. That is all done, however, through government-run platforms that provide a range of options including sports betting, casino games and lottery. BC, Manitoba and Saskatchewan are all linked together on BC’s prominent, government-run PlayNow.com platform.
Legal and Limited
Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador have far more limited options in terms of what online gambling is accessible, with most of them limiting sports betting. What is available in each of the territories is provided by the respective provincial government. Things are also fairly limited In the Territories where options are mostly for lottery products only.
What About Offshore?
Access to offshore gambling sites is still available across the country. It happens, and understandably so, when people’s options for legal and regulated gambling within their home province are limited. However, the danger with unregulated platforms is that they come with some extremely grey areas over things like providing any kind of customer protection and responsible gambling.
In Conclusion
With figures from online gambling expected to triple in Ontario alone within the next eight years, online gambling is going to continue to rise in popularity across the country. There may well be envious eyes being cast over to Ontario where things have shaped up nicely, and the industry there has grown competitively and strongly in the last couple of years.
 Ontario’s stance has been much lauded for offering approved platforms to play at because if gamblers are going to gamble, it’s better for it to be done somewhere that’s safe and regulated without being locked into just one government-controlled platform. It is also a proven model for providing jobs and a boost to overall GDP.
- Ontario iGaming Expected to Triple by 2032, Written by Anthony Odiase, Published by gambleontario.ca
- iGaming Ontario’s FY 2023-24 Full Year Market Performance Report, Written by iGaming Ontario, Published by igamingontario.ca
- Deloitte: Economic Contribution of Ontario’s Regulated iGaming Market, written by iGaming Ontario, Published by igamingontario.ca
- Gambling Statistics in Canada, Written by Olivia Bush, Published by madeinca.ca
- Thirty Percent of Canadians Report Being Registered on an Online Gambling Website, Written by Ipsos, Published by ipsos.com
By Staff
November 22nd, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
There are tough times all around – and the development industry is hurting like many others.
The number of developments that have been put on hold; facing foreclosure by their lenders or being sold to a group that can complete what someone else started is quite long.
These financial bumps impact people looking to buy property – there is still a lot of speculation in the small-unit condo market. Money to be made for sure – but the speculation isn’t helping people who need housing with two and three-bedroom homes – with a decent park reasonably close.
Storey, an online news source focused on the development industry provides the details.
 It’s been a hot minute since we heard anything about The One. But it turns out no news doesn’t mean good news, as the latest buzz is about a potential lawsuit that’s been brewing and could end up halting construction.
 Three years after the condo project was first placed under receivership, a buyer has been found for Central Park Ajax, bringing an end to a saga that included legal action involving the Town.
Meanwhile, Chacon Developments is facing a quadruple-whammy, including two receiverships and two powers of sale over properties in Brampton and Caledon.
On a brighter note, leading purpose-built rental developer Fitzrovia has dipped into a new $1.1-billion fund to acquire the rights to redevelop a 24-storey office building in midtown Toronto.
In a move that’s being applauded by industry stakeholders, the City of Vaughan has slashed their sky-high DCs. In particular, charges on low-rise residential have been decreased by over $44,000.
You’ve probably heard of office-to-residential conversions, but have you heard of prison-to-residential conversions? That’s a separate story.
By the numbers:
This week’s real estate news, according to the numbers.
240,761
—
The number of housing starts in October, marking an 8% annual rise. Even so, starts remain “well below” what is needed to restore affordability in Canada’s urban centres. |
2%
—
The year-over-year rise in the Consumer Price Index in October – a “minor setback” for the BoC and future rate cuts, but not enough to completely derail the chance of a 50-bps cut in December.
$1.8B
—
The investment sales volume of multi-suite rental properties in the third quarter, marking the highest quarterly total since the first quarter of 2022.
35%
—
The percentage of Canadian renters searching for more than two weeks for their rental as of November, down from 57% as of March.
60%
—
The year-over-year decline in GTA new home sales in October, with 765 transactions recorded.
624 Acres
—
The size of a Greenbelt property in Caledon that Ontario students are being invited to submit creative design concepts for as part of a $100,000 competition.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
CIBC Economist Katherine Judge had this to say about the economy: “Although this report will be a disappointment for the Bank of Canada, it follows a string of reports that showed more progress than expected. While that makes the December meeting a closer call in terms of a 25bp or 50bp cut, the slack in the Canadian economy that we expect to be confirmed in upcoming labour market and GDP reports has us retaining our call for a 50bp cut in December for now.”
 By Staff
November 22nd, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
A Special Meeting of Council has been called by the Mayor to Review the Mayor’s Proposed 2025 Budget.
And that is about all the city can do at this point.
The Regional Budget has been discussed and debated but not yet approved That won’t happen until December 4th at the earliest.
 How many of the 7 will seek re-election? Which of the six will choose to run for Mayor? And will Councillor Stolte stick to her two-term campaign promise? In the past the Regional Budget hasn’t had that big an impact – however this year, the Police Services Budget came in with an ask of an increase of more than 13% over last year.
A long three-hour meeting earlier in the week had Regional Police Chief Tanner taking the Regional Council through where that amount of money was needed.
 Regional Police Chief Steve Tanner was kept on his feet for three hours defending his budget. The changing times have created significant new demands on the Police Services. The Region prides itself on just how safe Halton is – that’s what draws people and jobs to Halton.
But a recent situation where a home was burst into a 2:00 am and the keys to a high end car were grabbed and the car stolen has damaged the perception that this is a safe place to live.
To maintain that image – more police and police cars are needed –and they all cost money.
It is not clear yet just how big an impact the police budget ask is going to have on the Regional budget.
That will become clearer as we get into December.
For Monday – expect delegations from residents that want to see tax cuts – which this Council has had dicciculty doing so far.
What Council has to do is talk a good story and prepare taxpayers for an increase that could be more than 8% over last year – possibly higher – depending on what comes out of the Region.
For the Burlington council members – the situation gets them to thinking about how they will get elected next time around.
 By Eden Grodzinski,
November 22nd, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Imagine a country where owning a home is a luxury, and the strength, stability, and independence of having a place to call your own is only a dream.
According to Habitat for Humanity Canada’s 2024 Affordable Housing Survey, this is the reality for 84 percent of Canadians who now see buying a home as unattainable.
Today, on National Housing Day—and every other day—Habitat for Humanity Halton-Mississauga-Dufferin believes that everyone deserves a place to call home. A place where children can thrive, parents can plan for the future, and communities can grow stronger.
 At Habitat for Humanity HMD, we witness firsthand the transformation that happens when Canadians become homeowners. Canada, and our local communities, are experiencing an unprecedented housing crisis; however, this crisis is no longer just about housing. Canadians believe the lack of affordable housing is having a ripple effect, taking a toll on society and quality of life, destabilizing financial and mental health, widening the wealth gap, shrinking the middle class, impacting family and life planning for young people, and fracturing communities.
The Affordable Housing Survey reveals Canadians’ attitudes toward the nation’s housing crisis and the importance of homeownership, highlighting the increasing sacrifices people are making to afford housing, along with the mounting toll on mental health. For younger generations, the inability to own a home affects family planning decisions—including delaying or having fewer children—career opportunities, and, for some, the decision to leave their community or even Canada.
This isn’t acceptable.
For the third consecutive year, lack of housing affordability ranks as a top concern for Canadians, alongside inflation and access to health care. Most Canadians believe that governments, particularly the federal government, have the greatest responsibility in addressing housing affordability, yet they also believe governments aren’t doing enough to work together to solve this crisis.
At Habitat for Humanity HMD, we witness firsthand the transformation that happens when Canadians become homeowners. We see the pride and joy in families when children have a place to study, when families have a kitchen in which to celebrate, and when parents no longer fear being renovicted. We know that Habitat families gain the strength, stability, and independence they need to build a better life.
As we reflect on National Housing Day, I can’t help but think about the 87 percent of Canadians who believe homeownership can create more stability in their lives, and the 59 percent of Ontarians who are spending 50 percent or more of their household income on housing costs.
Helping Canadians achieve affordable homeownership is crucial to tackling the housing crisis. Together, we can create a world where everyone has a decent place to live.
Click HERE to read the survey results.
 Eden Grodzinski is a skilled strategist, results-oriented, collaborative leader. She has spent her career trying hard to end homelessness and help solve Canada’s affordable housing crisis.
Eden currently holds the position of CEO of Habitat for Humanity Halton- Mississauga-Dufferin. Prior to that, she had the honour of working with several municipalities and charitable organizations in Canada, providing strategic guidance on issues related to affordable housing, homelessness and other social determinants of health.
Eden sees her work at Habitat HMD as a privilege. She is currently motivated by developing innovative, affordable housing solutions that will enable working families to build strength, stability and independence.
 By Pepper Parr
November 21st, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
OPINION
The graphic below is disturbing to me.
Nothing wrong with the six commitments that are going to be given attention – making them a commitment is important.
But I can’t see a word about reading, mathematics, history, science; all the subjects that are critical if today’s students are going to succeed, thrive and prosper.
The closest the list of commitments gets to an education is the one that says: Learning, Engagement and Achievement.
The hope is that we will teach enough science for them to understand what is causing the climate change that could make the planet we live on uninhabitable.
The need to teach them enough history so that they will be able to not make the mistakes made in the past again should be paramount.
No mention of critical thinking either.
A number of years ago the Halton District School Board introduced the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) program at Aldershot High School. Registration night the school was packed.
Has the focus at the Board of Education changed?
Salt with Pepper is an opinion column reflecting the observations and musings of the publisher of the Gazette, an on-line newspaper that is in its 12th year as a news source in Burlington and is a member of the National Newsmedia Council.
By Staff
November 21st, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
This year, more than 272 legal professionals from Hamilton and Halton came together to support their community at the 23rd Annual Sopinka United Way Legal Luncheon. This year, the Sopinka Committee raised over $375,000.
 Rob Hooper, Sopinka Committee Chair The event underscored the importance of collective action in addressing the most urgent social issues affecting the region. Since its inception, this luncheon has become a signature event for the legal community, helping raise millions to support those in need.
United Way’s 2024 campaign theme, “United in ACTION”, reflects the drive to make meaningful, lasting change by mobilizing the entire community, including the legal sector. The Sopinka Luncheon exemplifies this spirit, where members of the legal community come together to ensure that compassion is put into action to support vulnerable individuals and families.
The luncheon, held in honor of the late Justice John Sopinka, began over two decades ago with a modest goal, raising $13,000 in its first year. What started as a small initiative has grown into a major annual event, raising over $3.3 million to date. These funds have gone directly toward programs that help provide essential services, from housing support to mental health resources, for those most in need.
“It’s truly inspiring to see the legal community come together in such a powerful way to support those in need,” said Rob Hooper, Sopinka Committee Chair. “Witnessing both seasoned professionals and the next generation of legal leaders unite for this cause highlights the dedication and compassion that define our legal community.”
Brad Park, President and CEO of United Way Halton & Hamilton, praised the unwavering commitment of the legal community, “Our community’s legal leaders have been instrumental in driving change and support that’s improving the lives of individuals and families in need. What started as a small effort to give back has blossomed into a powerful force for good, demonstrating just how much of a difference we can make when we stand together.”
Justice Moreau, of the Supreme Court of Canada, delivered a powerful keynote at this year’s Sopinka Luncheon. A co-founder of the Association des juristes d’expression française de l’Alberta, Justice Moreau has championed linguistic representation and litigated landmark cases involving the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Luncheon attendees also heard from Kim Martin, Executive Director of the Social Planning and Research Council of Hamilton, who highlighted pressing issues of housing affordability and poverty, emphasizing the importance of partnership in tackling these challenges. Her message underscored the need for continued collaboration between community organizations, government, and legal leaders to drive meaningful change.
“United in ACTION isn’t just a theme. It’s a reflection of the work we do every day to support those who need it most,” added Park. “Thanks to the generosity and leadership of the legal community, we are able to expand our reach and make a deeper impact, ensuring that thousands of lives across Hamilton and Halton can be transformed for the better.”
The Sopinka United Way Legal Committee presented Mitch Bates, Bates Law, as this year’s recipient of the John F. Evans Award of Community Distinction. Over the last 15 years, Mitch has built a successful real estate and employment practice in the greater Hamilton area. He is well respected by his colleagues and is an avid supporter of United Way.
The Sopinka Luncheon is more than just a fundraising event. It serves as a one-of-a-kind, unique gathering where the legal community stands united in their commitment to social justice, equity, and support for the most vulnerable. The funds raised will directly support crucial programs that address poverty, mental health, housing, and food insecurity across the region.
 Sopinka Luncheon – the legal community stands united in their commitment to social justice, equity, and support for the most vulnerable.
 By Staff
November 21st, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The demand for electricity is scheduled to mushroom in the next decade.
The provincial government is looking at nuclear energy as a source.
There is an urgent need for transparency.
Likely Costs:Based on recent U.S. nuclear project costs, the new Darlington reactors could cost around $26 billion.
Renewables are cheaper – Nuclear is EXPENSIVE: Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) estimates that new nuclear power will cost Ontarians 2 – 3 times more than new wind & solar power.
Storage: Ontario has many options for storing wind & solar energy, including stationary batteries, EV batteries, & coordination with Quebec’s massive hydro reservoirs, which can act like a giant battery. This means renewables can meet our energy needs even when it isn’t windy or sunny.
Nuclear is TOO SLOW to address the climate crisis: The proposed new nuclear project for Darlington won’t be completed until 2036 – or later. New solar and wind projects can be completed in 12 months (or less).
Nuclear is not where the world is headed: No new commercial nuclear reactors are under construction in the U.S. Last year, 85% of the world’s new electricity supply was renewable. Ontario is falling behind.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Please sign our letter asking Minister Lecce to tell us how much Darlington’s new nuclear reactors will cost. Will they cost us $26 B?
Write your own letter – it has more impact!
 By Staff
November 21st, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton District School Board elected the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Board on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024 for the upcoming year.
This is an annual process with the 11 HDSB Trustees choosing from amongst their colleagues for these roles.
 Amy Collard, right was acclaimed as Chair. Joanna Oliver chosen as Vice-Chair for the 2024-2025 school year. Amy Collard was acclaimed as Chair and Joanna Oliver as Vice-Chair for the 2024-2025 school year.
“Everything I do as a Trustee, and especially as Chair, comes from my very deeply rooted belief that what we do matters,” Chair Collard told fellow Trustees last night. “We should always be striving to support our students, staff and communities. I look forward to many more productive meetings, where we bring our expertise to the forefront and discover new ways to enhance and strengthen the Board. Last year, I made a commitment that we would build a Multi-Year Strategic Plan that’s aspirational, flexible and firmly rooted in equity, collaboration, accountability, transparency, integrity and empathy. Each of you played an essential role in shaping a plan that reflects the high standards we hold ourselves to as a Board.
Together, let’s continue working toward a better and brighter future for all within the HDSB.”
“I am excited to continue working together to support HDSB students and staff as we remain dedicated to advancing student achievement and well-being,” Vice-Chair Oliver shared with fellow Trustees. “As we move forward with our new Multi-Year Strategic Plan, I look forward to elevating student engagement and ensuring that every decision we make supports their well-being and success. I am committed to supporting a culture of kindness, respect and trust. I stand by the belief that good working relationships are key to effectively working through issues and challenges while maintaining focus on students.”
 From left to right, top to bottom: (top row) Carole Baxter, Xin Yi Zhang, Robbie Brydon, Jeanne Gray, Director of Education Curtis Ennis; (middle row) Associate Director Tina Salmini, Kelly Amos, Margo Shuttleworth, Tanya Rocha, Donna Danielli, Naveed Ahmed; (front row) Student Trustee Kaitlyn Hou, Vice-Chair Joanna Oliver, Chair Amy Collard, Student Trustee Charlie Ochu
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