 By Gazette Staff
February 25th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
TV Ontario weighs in on the current Burlington crisis.
If Burlington city council keeps this up the issue will become national: Mayor Meed Ward will love it
Burlington mayor Marianne Meed Ward was, until recently, skeptical of claims made by everyone from the provincial government to the development industry that cutting development charges on new homes would spur much in the way of affordable new construction. My colleague Steve Paikin reported last October that Meed Ward argued cutting development charges — the levies Ontario municipalities charge on new homes that help fund infrastructure — wouldn’t, on its own, do much to help solve the housing crisis.
 High rise towers like this that have been approved and have building permits are not being built. The market just isn’t there. The facts have changed, and Meed Ward has changed her mind.
Fuel TVO Storytelling
“According to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Data, Burlington might be lucky to get 300 homes built this year, maybe if we’re really lucky as high as 500. Our target under the Building Faster Fund is 2,900,” Meed Ward says. “Development charges alone are not going to do it all, that’s a position I’ve always held and continue to hold… but there is something we can do.”
To that end, Meed Ward and her colleagues on Burlington city council are looking to eliminate development charges altogether for a period of two years, following on a previous decision to lower fees. Other municipalities like Mississauga and Vaughan have also voted to lower fees, but Burlington’s motion would be among the farthest-reaching, even if it’s time-limited.
Simply having the debate has already been a bit rocky: the idea was approved at a committee meeting earlier this month, was initially put before council on February 17, but deferred to a special meeting of council scheduled for March 2. That meeting may, in turn, be deferred for a month while city staff do a more thorough analysis of the potential fiscal impact of a development charge moratorium.
 Councillor Rory Nisan Councillor Rory Nisan says he’s not opposed to reducing development charges, but wants assurances that Burlington residents aren’t going to take a hit in the wallet for the change in policy.
“I want us to be made whole,” Nisan says. “I want to know if there’s some fund that we apply to. We get the money, then perfect. We’ll go dollar-for-dollar, we’ll reduce our [development charges] for every dollar of funding we get towards them. But there’s no funding coming at this point.”
Nisan worries that the development charge moratorium will be funded by raiding the city’s reserve funds, which are earmarked for community projects — in effect, he worries the stimulus for the local housing sector might come at the expense of a local park, community centre, or firehouse. Another possibility would be increasing the city’s debt, which would eventually need to be repaid by taxpayers.
 Housing Minister Rob Flack stopped short of an unambiguous promise to keep municipalities whole for any reductions. Both Premier Doug Ford and his housing minister, Rob Flack, have urged municipalities to reduce development charges to help spur more home building, but have stopped short of an unambiguous promise to keep municipalities whole for any reductions. Flack’s office declined an interview with TVO Today, but provided an emailed statement from spokesperson Michael Minzak.
“We applaud Burlington for taking steps to pause development charges, following in the footsteps of Vaughan, Mississauga, and Peel,” Minzak’s statement says. “We know development charges can be an obstacle to getting shovels in the ground for new homes, and Burlington’s move builds on the action our government has taken to reduce development charges across Ontario.”
The province is looking at other measures to lower the government-imposed costs of new housing, including broadening the HST cut for new homes and moving the costs of water and sewer service onto dedicated municipal service corporations instead of the property tax bill. Those measures aren’t mutually exclusive — an HST rebate on the sale of new homes could work with a development charge cut to lower the cost of housing further.
The home building industry is, predictably, enthusiastic about the possible move in Burlington, even as they warn that, given the current bleak economics of home sales in Ontario, even the elimination of development charges will not unleash a housing utopia in the western GTA.
 Mike Collins-Williams, head of the West End Home Builders Association said: “Every little bit helps, and our view is that all three levels of government need to be part of the solution.” “On its own, it’s not going to be enough to drastically change the economic environment,” said Mike Collins-Williams, head of the West End Home Builders Association, even as he praised Meed Ward and Burlington council for showing leadership on the issue. “Every little bit helps, and our view is that all three levels of government need to be part of the solution.”
“I hope this is a moment in time where municipalities sober up; the party’s over, so to speak, when it comes to development charges,” Collins-Williams added. “We all know infrastructure needs to be paid for and development charges can be an important tool, but they’ve been a runaway train for the last decade and a half.”
The decision council makes will hinge on the possible fiscal harms to Burlington, but both Collins-Williams and Meed Ward emphasize that the city can’t collect development charges if homes aren’t built — “nothing from nothing is still nothing,” as Premier Ford put it last year. Collins-Williams also noted that Burlington voters don’t need to believe in the generosity of developers to think that any new homes built because of the cut to development charges will be at a lower price.
“The froth has all gone out of the market,” Collins-Williams said. “I’ll be completely honest, if the market was booming the market price would be what dictates whether a cut to DCs flows through to homebuyers or not.”
“In the current environment, any reduction in taxes or fees will 100 per cent flow through to consumers because, for builders, that’s the only way they’ll be able to move product.”
 Meed Ward: “Let’s focus on policy, not personal attacks, but let’s also make sure that we respect people enough to give them good and accurate information.” Meed Ward is, like all Ontario municipal politicians, up for re-election in October if she chooses to run again. She could, in theory, invoke her strong-mayor powers to pass this measure even in the face of council opposition. She says she won’t do that. (She did use her mayoral powers to direct staff to conduct a financial analysis of the measure.) She says that she isn’t concerned about the measure blowing back in her face come election season.
“My biggest concern is that there will be mischaracterization and misinformation in the community about this. Development charges aren’t well understood,” Meed Ward says. “Let’s focus on policy, not personal attacks, but let’s also make sure that we respect people enough to give them good and accurate information.”
By Pepper Parr
February 25th, 2026
BURLINGTON,ON
OPINION
Moving into pontificating mode Councillor Paul Sharman said earlier today that “the the housing affordability crisis demands thoughtful debate and action.
 Nothing but facts for me please. “We need a fact-based discussion about the option to lift development charges paid for by homebuyers, while protecting tax payers and prompting other levels of government to honour their commitments to keep us whole.
“We do our best work when we have accurate information, hear each other out, and look for common ground.
“To that end we need to pause, get the facts, and take time to digest the new information we received from staff that we haven’t yet had a chance to discuss, as the matter was understandably referred to the March 2 council.
Pretty good spin for Sharman.
As a Council member, he has a responsibility to serve the people of Burlington and deferring isn’t serving interests other than his own.
The developers do have a problem and it is a serious one that needs to be seriously addressed. Setting up a situation that has the taxpayers taking the hit is not a reasonable or fair solution.
In a different article I want to take you through the timeline this mess has gone through.
Zero public notice, zero public engagement. A lobbyist for the development community gets 45 minutes at the podium to explain just how tough things are for the organization he represents.
And they are tough – no one disagrees with the developers on that.
 Mike Collins-Williams delegating to City Council. Vince Molinaro sits in. Perhaps developers could think in terms of creating reserve funds for their organization rather than have the city raid its reserve funds to bail out the developers.
The source of the help the developers need is at the provincial level.
At the close of the WestEnd Home Builders Association delegation, Mayor Meed Ward apologized to Mike Collins-Williams for not making a glass of water available to the speaker.
That might be as much as they are going to get from the city.
By Pepper Parr
February 25th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
City Council members are elected to make decisions.
When tough decisions have to be made, it is not acceptable to send a serious matter that is up for a vote back to Staff
Mayor Meed Ward, Councillor Sharman and Councillor Gallbraith have issued a joint statement which is set out below. Interesting to note that Councillor Bentivegna is not part of the statement. Without Bentivegna, Meed Ward doesn’t have the majority she thought she had.
In the joint statement, the three want Council to look at “next steps to address the housing affordability crisis, including a proposed motion to refer this matter back to staff to explore a Community Improvement Plan funded through the federal Housing Accelerator Fund, with zero impact on taxpayers. All this can be done at a Council meeting.
What is behind all this: Mayor Meed Ward and Councillors Sharman and Galbraith do not want to disappoint (there is a better word, but it isn’t used in polite company) the development community. An election is coming up soon and campaign dollars will be needed. and dollars are needed. In the past much of it comes from the development community.
On Monday, the responsible Council members (Kearns, Nisan and Stolte) – who knows where Bentivegna is- should move a motion to vote against the request from the development community to waive development charges for a two-year period.
THEN consider other options.
This matter is a terrible example of how poorly this Council has served the people of Burlington.
By Gazette Staff
February 25th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
Across Ontario, councils are making financial decisions that will shape property taxes for years — not just this year’s levy.
✅ In Niagara, a $6 million reserve draw was rejected, leaving a 6.3% levy increase in place.
✅ In Waterloo, a $15.1 million emergency water project moved forward with no confirmed outside funding.
✅ In Burlington, up to $42 million in development charges remain in limbo as council weighs whether growth should continue paying for growth.
✅ In Tiny Township, reserves were committed to new spending and multi-year contracts before next year’s tax debate begins.
✅ In Mississauga, $40 million in capital work was deferred to reduce this year’s levy while long-term labour costs continue to compound.Some decisions reduce immediate tax pressure. Others shift financial exposure into future budgets. In several cases, reserves (municipal savings accounts) are being asked to absorb risk.If you care about where property taxes are headed, and how much flexibility your council will retain in the years ahead, these meetings matter.
Burlington Weighs Two Year Development Charge Elimination as Housing Sales Collapse
Burlington councillors spent hours confronting a housing market industry leaders described as “essentially dead.” New home sales have fallen more than 90 percent since 2022, with just 17 homes sold in 2025. Committee debated whether to temporarily eliminate residential development charges for two years. No final decision was made at this stage. If nothing is built, the city collects no development charges but also avoids growth costs. If projects restart under an exemption, infrastructure funding would need to come from other sources unless future tax growth offsets it. Council now must decide how much risk to take to revive construction.
YOUR ROLE IN MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTThree Questions Every Taxpayer Should Ask After These Meetings
You don’t need to be a municipal finance expert to influence a discussion. What matters is asking disciplined, repeatable questions that focus on risk, reserves, and long-term cost.Across the meetings above, councils balanced short-term relief against long-term exposure. The most effective residents bring the discussion back to sustainability. When one resident raises a concern, it can be dismissed. When multiple residents ask the same focused question, it signals a community issue. That often prompts clearer answers and follow-up reports.Here are the financial questions that deserve direct responses:
| What does this decision look like three to five years from now?Many budget debates focus on this year’s levy. That is only part of the picture.Instead of focusing only on the immediate tax impact, ask councillors to explain:
· What is the projected impact over the next three to five years?
· What assumptions are being used about growth, inflation, and interest rates?
· What is the backup plan if those assumptions don’t hold?
What kind of answer you’re looking for:
A clear explanation of the long-term cost curve, not just this year’s savings. If the answer relies heavily on optimistic growth projections or “future review,” that is important to note. A strong answer connects today’s decision to a documented future plan.
Where do reserves stand compared to policy targets?
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Reserves are municipal savings accounts meant to stabilize taxes and manage risk. The question is not whether they should ever be used — its whether they are being used within established financial guidelines.Ask:
· What is the official reserve policy target?
· Where is the reserve balance today relative to that target?
· What risk level does this decision create?
What kind of answer you’re looking for:
Specific percentages or dollar comparisons to policy benchmarks. If reserves are below target, ask how council plans to rebuild them and over what timeline. If reserves are being drawn down, councillors should be able to explain a replenishment strategy. If they cannot describe how and when reserves will be restored, that signals risk.
If development charges are reduced or waived, how will the city fund the infrastructure those charges were meant to pay for?
Development charges and growth-related revenue fund infrastructure for new housing. When those revenues shrink — or are reduced — infrastructure still needs funding.Ask:
· If development charge revenue drops, what replaces it?
· Will projects be delayed, debt increased, or costs shifted to existing taxpayers?
· What is the downside scenario if construction does not rebound?
What you are looking for:
A clear funding source. If the answer is uncertain or dependent on outside funding that is not yet secured, that risk should be acknowledged openly.
A satisfying answer will identify a defined plan: re-prioritizing projects, adjusting capital timing, accessing a specific reserve, or revisiting the policy within a set time frame. If the response assumes that growth “will return” without explaining what happens if it does not, that is not a complete answer.A useful follow-up is: “What happens if building volumes remain at current levels for two more years?” or “Is there a written contingency scenario in the capital forecast?”
How to Raise These Questions Effectively
Although speaking at council is one of the best forms of action, you don’t need to speak at council to be heard. Effective engagement can include:
· Emailing your councillor and copying the mayor or regional chair
· Submitting a written delegation that becomes part of the official record
· Attending ward meetings or community town halls
· Requesting written clarification through the Clerk’s Office
· Coordinating joint letters with neighbours to demonstrate shared concern
What matters most is clarity.Reference the exact report or motion. Ask for numbers and timelines. Request written responses where possible. Focus on sustainability, policy targets, and long-term impact.Avoid personal attacks and stick to the financial substance of the issue.Decision-makers respond more constructively when residents show they understand the trade-offs involved. Clear, disciplined questions are harder to dismiss than emotional reactions.Residents are far more effective together than alone.
Consider joining your local taxpayer or residents’ group.
Organized voices amplify shared concerns, track follow-up commitments, and maintain steady pressure between meetings.Are you a part of your local region property tax group?Visit our Alliance Member page to see whether your municipality has an alliance member organization within the PTA network. If your region is not yet represented, contact us — we may be able to help connect you or support the formation of a local group. Consider joining your local taxpayer or residents’ association. When local groups coordinate their research and raise consistent concerns, they strengthen their influence and create measurable change.
Informed engagement is not opposition. Its accountability.
If you found this helpful, forward it to a neighbour or friend who might benefit from it too?
The more residents who understand what’s happening, the stronger our communities become. |
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By Gazette Staff
February 25th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
Doug Ford’s government announced a plan to lift the tuition freeze, allow tuition increases, and make major changes to OSAP.
 Doug Ford urges students to educate themselves for careers that will result in a job. While the sector needs more support, these changes aren’t fiscal responsibility; they’re restricting access to post-secondary education. As students struggle, Doug Ford is making it more expensive to go to College or University, leaving students behind yet again.
 The Ontario New Leaf Liberals have created a petition asking the provincial government to to reverse course and return OSAP to its previous state.
To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:
WHEREAS
The Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security and the Minister of Finance announced major changes to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP), changing the loan minimum to 75% and lowering the grant maximum to 25%.
WHEREAS
This change will negatively affect Ontario post-secondary students who are receiving or may need to receive OSAP. At a time when young people across the province are struggling with rising unemployment, cost of living, and housing challenges, this change hurts young Ontarians by burdening them with more debt.
BE IT RESOLVED
That the government will reverse course and return OSAP to its previous state of 85% maximum grants and 15% minimum loans.
8891 people have signed the petition in the first few days.
Sign our petition and join our fight against these cuts.
Click HERE to sign the petition
By Gazette Staff
February 25th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
When Councillor Shawna Stolte released details of the Bateman project, Councillors Galbraith and Nisan filed a complaint with the Integrity Commissioner.
Stolte was docked five days pay for releasing information discussed in a closed session of Council.
Jim Thomson asks: “Will anyone on Council file a complaint about Mayor Meed Ward and Ward 6 Councillor Angelo Bentivegna releasing details of the negotiation with ARGO to purchase what is left of the golf course property?
“We are always told real estate is confidential.”
Mayor Meed Ward knew the risk she faced when she promptly removed the information she had posted on her Facebook page.
For his part Councillor Bentivegna admits that he had jumped the gun – meaning that he didn’t think it was wrong to release the information – just that he did it too soon.
Related news stories:
Integrity Commissioner and the Mayor
Stolte gets docked pay by the Integrity Commissioner
Two Council members report Stolte to the Integrity Commissioner
By Gazette Staff
February 25th, 2026
BURLINGTON. ON
Burlington MP Karina Gould presented a petition in the House of Commons earlier this week.
 Karina Gould speaking in the House of Commons The first was started in Burlington. It is an e-petition that is calling on the government to increase the lifetime contribution for the registered disability savings plan.
My constituents and petitioners note that only 35% of eligible Canadians contribute to an RDSP, and they are calling on the government to increase the lifetime contribution from $200,000 to $300,000.
This would ensure that folks would be able to take care of themselves and that families could provide for their children and dependents for the long run.
By Sylvester Alton
February 25th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
When searching for value on underdogs in the NHL, don’t select the weaker team, rather, look for the team that has been mispriced. The Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators rivalry is one in which mispricing can show up, because perception swings faster than the underlying realities: injuries, goalies, scheduling, and small matchup edges.
 Possession of the puck is what the game is all about. The context surrounding consideration of the 2025-26 season around February of 2026 a standings snapshot or two and generally in the mainstream betting markets, Ottawa has still been priced as the underdog in this pairing. Ottawa has been closer to the playoff picture than many may have expected, sitting above Montreal in the Atlantic standings as of February 2026. As the teams at the top of the table trade blows, the one above generally gets shorter odds even when the head-to-head matchups show a tighter contest than the positions suggest.
Why Ottawa is the natural underdog bet
Ottawa’s strongest case as an underdog is structural. If you’re comparing prices across multiple sportsbooks, a list of the best bookies reviewed by trusted analysts can help you spot market drifts.
Close game potential
 Ottawa may occasionally be the inferior squad on paper, but they generally have enough defending savvy to stay within one. That’s all there is to it in underdog betting. When it comes down to one-goal games, a bounce, a post, a power-play call and a goalie standing on his head can either make the difference.
Competitive variance
Games between rivals don’t always respect averages. The tempo of games will increase. There will be a lot of mistakes and special teams can win a game very quickly.
Price influence
Sportsbooks often alter the odds of a specific team because the public views them as the default underdog. Value shows up when the underlying play from Ottawa is better than their actual record.
Markets favouring Ottawa
Moneyline is a favourable bet when the odds are generous and the matchup tight.
Puck line of +1.5 when you expect a close finish.
Regulation vs overtime options if you reckon it will be a tie game late.
Why Montreal can be the better underdog when they are one
 It does happen. The sneaky angle is Montreal won’t be the underdog often. However, when they do emerge, there is typically a specific reason that causes the market to react aggressively.
Two examples: travel fatigue, a goaltender announcement, or an injury headline for a short duration.
That is when “underdog” is a misnomer. Montreal might be a plus-price team and might also be the better team. If the market overcorrects, it may react to news that does not adjust true win probability to the degree the odds suggest.
If you want the best underdog potential, those are the golden spots, you’re not just betting an underdog, you’re betting misperception.
What type of game is likely to emerge from this matchup
Underdogs do well in two settings:
Low-event hockey
Fewer goals lead to tighter finishes. When the total is low or the game is projected to be a tight one, underdogs get leverage as each goal is worth more.
High-event chaos
It may seem contradictory but it is true. When both sides get chances and the game becomes a track meet, the better side still has an edge. But randomness increases and plus-money prices become viable options.
It’s your job to pick your side.
 Does he make the save? When looking for structure and goaltending, Ottawa +1.5 often becomes an appealing option. If you’re expecting chaos and Ottawa’s offence is live, the moneyline may be worth a look, especially at true underdog numbers. When situational factors create an exceptionally rare underdog, Montreal moneyline can become a sharper play.
What “best betting potential” means for 2026
Over the course of a season, the “best underdog” is usually the team that;
- Often gets priced like a dog
- but takes part and excels in numerous close contests
This is Ottawa’s role here. You have a greater chance of getting offered underdog odds, and rivalry conditions may boost upsets.
However, the most valuable underdog bet, the one that professionals appreciate, is the market overreaction on Montreal.
Conclusion
The Ottawa Senators have been the most regular underdog value in 2026 matchups as they are often priced as the dog and they can keep the games close enough for these odds to come into play.
The best “one-off” opportunity: Montreal Canadiens, if a situational narrative turns them into an underdog despite a stronger overall profile.
If you want to wager on this rivalry, choose the underdog. But also choose the reason for the price. And whether that reason is real or not.
By Pepper Parr
February 22, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
Mayor Meed Ward issues a joint statement. Released Sunday afternoon.
Is this how you curry the Millcroft vote?
 
 11,002 people live in Millcroft, where the median age is 46 and the average individual income is $207,638. Previously published:
Bentivegna gets his statement out.
By Pepper Parr
February 24th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
Ward 6 Councillor Angelo Bentivegna jumped the gun and told media that the city offered ARGO, the owners of the Millcroft golf course, $15 million for the property.
Argo took a pass on that.
Residents of the Millcroft community think the city should pay $25 million, $50 million, $100 million, whatever it takes.
The 10,000 plus residents of the community fear that theirhomes will suffer a devaluation of AS MUCH AS 30%. What is absolutely stunning about this is – where did the Mayor get the authority to offer $15 million of your tax money?
It hasn’t come before Council – unless it was done in a closed session.
In a posting on her Facebook page, which has since been deleted the Mayor said:
“Recently, our staff followed up those discussions with a letter expressing the city’s interest to acquire the lands for $15 million – representing roughly three times what they purchased the land for in 2020.
“We have now received information confirming that Argo are not willing to sell its land to the City. Additional information on this matter will be shared through future updates to Council, but we wanted the community to have this information as soon as possible.
“While we were hoping for a different outcome, we will continue to advocate for saving Millcroft. Our best hope continues to be provincial intervention through a Ministers Zoning Order that preserves the land as parks and open space.”
 Mayor Meed Ward: Choosing to mislead rather than be honest with the Millcroft community. As you can see Mayor Meed Ward goes on to suggest that a provincial intervention through a Ministers Zoning Order is possible.
A snowball has a better chance in hell than an MZO ever being issued.
Why the Mayor continues to mislead the Millcroft community is disgraceful.
The community took their argument about the use of the golf course’s property to the Land Tribunal, where they did not prevail.
By Gazette Staff
February 24th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
In a Letter to the Editor of the Hamilton Spectator Ward 3 Councillor Rory Nisan came out swinging when he said:
Lobbyists are in the driver’s seat in Burlington, and it could cost us as much as $41 million, equal to an additional 7.8 per cent tax increase or $391 for the average property.
All because of the mayor’s motion to subsidize developers.
 Ward 3 Councillor Rory Nisan asks: How did we get here? How did we get here?
The mayor came to power in 2018 on a platform to stop unwanted development in downtown Burlington. The agenda saw some success on paper, but downtown developments continued to be approved by the provincial tribunal with almost no exception.
Then, something changed. Premier Doug Ford criticized Burlington for its lack of housing starts in August 2023, calling our numbers “totally unacceptable.”
He was half-right. Our lack of new housing was a function of several factors: the temporary freeze put on development in the downtown, but also market conditions.
The city became defensive. Suddenly, we were measuring every metric other than housing starts to prove we were doing our job.
A city committee was created, making recommendations directly to city council, to figure out how to improve city processes. The Pipeline to Permit committee was touted by the mayor as an innovative concept where members of council, developer representatives and the community sat around the table.
A committee that was supposed to improve processes soon began to widen its scope. As a council member with no vote on the committee, I raised alarm bells. The community voice was all but absent — no resident delegations were permitted.
We fought at council and pushed the issue to where it belongs, Committee of the Whole, where all councillors are present. The mayor took up the charge in support of the lobbyist motion, eventually calling for the complete removal of development charges for two years.
WestEnd Home Builders Association, Chief Executive Officer. Mike Collins-Williams addressing City Council. Developer Vince Molinaro listens in. But the pressure from the development industry, with the support of the mayor, hasn’t stopped and continues to this day. A one-vote majority on the Committee of the Whole recommended to remove development charges, a subsidy of $16 million to $41 million. That money will have to be made up by you.
The battle now goes to council on March 2.
The industry is struggling, the mayor asserts. True, but other industries and our taxpayers are hurting also, and Burlington taxpayers shouldn’t subsidize developers who must turn profits to build. The mayor’s proposal amounts to a cheque written by council to developers out of Burlington bank accounts.
Development charges are not the best way to pay for new roads, community centres and fire stations. But asking Burlington taxpayers to foot the bill is unacceptable.
Instead, the provincial government, which is responsible for the provincial economy, can fund the growth through income taxes received from the expansion of our population, or the sales tax collected on new homes.
 Nisan maintains Mayor came to power in 2018 on a platform to stop unwanted development in downtown Burlington. This is what I mean when I call on the province to “make us whole” and why three council members have not budged from this position. We do not support gambling recklessly with your taxes. But if funding is allocated to Burlington, the development charges can be removed immediately.
This was also the mayor’s exact position in the fall. Now she wants to go ahead without any guarantees, which, if no funding is given, would leave taxpayers holding the bag. What changed?
The unelected lobbyists of our city are running the show right now. The mayor is standing by.
Now is the time to stop this developer subsidy from taxpayers and put the people back at the centre of our decision-making in Burlington. That’s what we’re fighting for.
By Gazette Staff
February 24th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
DEBORAH SERRAVALLE is launching her new novel Mockingbird Diary of St. Helena Island
Sunday March 1, 1 pm at A Different Drummer Books 513 Locust Street Burlington
Admission is Free
Meet novelist Deborah Serravalle, sharing her new work of historical fiction, a vivid chronicle of courage and altruism amid the upheaval of the American Civil War, Mockingbird Diary of St. Helena Island.
By Gazette Staff
February 24th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
The Fraser Institute, a right-of-centre think tank released the following this morning:
 Not the kind of report card the Premier wanted from the Fraser Institute Despite Premier Doug Ford’s explicit commitment to fiscal policy reforms in the province, Ontario has failed to constrain the growth in overall spending, achieve balanced budgets consistently, or reduce provincial debt and lower tax rates.
While the provincial debt relative to the size of the economy (i.e. GDP) has declined slightly (3.5%), the decline is a result of modest economic growth rather than the elimination of government deficits and borrowing. Moreover, most of this limited progress is forecast to be undone over the next three years.
Premier Ford made many early campaign promises of structural policy reform, but the government’s actual fiscal outcomes have included increased spending, persistent deficits, and an absence of any meaningful tax reductions.
By Ray Rivers
February 24th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
 The fifth year of the War begins tomorrow. The Russian Federation following the breakup of the Soviet Union had celebrated the new found freedom of the former Ukrainian Soviet republic. Yet it was only a quarter century later when it undertook to invade and ethnically cleanse its sovereign neighbour. That was lesson one: Constant love among nations is a myth. Alliances and partnership can disappear as quickly as they form.
Russia, along with the USA and UK guaranteed the territorial sovereignty of Ukraine in exchange for the new country giving up its nuclear weapons, the third largest arsenal in the world. The weapons were delivered to Russia leaving the new nation defenceless, naively believing in eternal peace. That was lesson two: Good fences make better neighbours.
Putin may have invaded but the leaders of the so-called free world – Obama, Biden and Trump – were his enablers. And the Europeans still can’t come to grips with the seriousness of this moment, squabbling over a unified military or not. Canada too had let its military capabilities erode. After all, the only nation which had invaded Canada was America and they were our friends – until they weren’t. That was lesson three: History has a way of repeating itself.
The good news is that Ukraine will survive, despite threats from both Putin and Trump to just surrender. The bad news is that Putin’s invasion was the prelude to the end of the international rules based order. And now his protege, Mr. Trump, has come along to bury the bones. That was lesson four: The international order for peaceful co-existence is over.
Ukraine has learned a valuable lesson. In a recent BBC interview President Zelenskyy, an awesome hero in this sad saga, claimed that Russia had started WWIII – and he is right. And it’s worth noting the other heroes in this conflict; those brave ordinary Ukrainians who have put their lives on the line to defend what is just and rightfully theirs. That was lesson five: In the end we have to believe that good will triumph over evil.
 Ray Rivers, a Gazette Contributing Editor, writes regularly applying his more than 25 years as a federal bureaucrat to his thinking. Rivers was once a candidate for provincial office in Burlington. He was the founder of the Burlington citizen committee on sustainability at a time when climate warming was a hotly debated subject. Ray has a post graduate degree in economics that he earned at the University of Ottawa. Tweet @rayzrivers
By Gazette Staff
February 24th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
On March 2nd, a Special Meeting of Council will take place.
Among the several items on the agenda is the vote on whether or not to implement a two year lifting of the development charges developers are required to pay for the housing they build.
It is a complex question with numbers and percentages that boggle the mind.
Council is deeply split on the issue.
Ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns has gone on the offensive and is very much against going forward with the proposal that is being promoted by the West End Home Builders Association.
She has a Call to Action posted on her Facebook page.
 Kearns is addressing Council. Councillor Galbraith, on the left, listens patiently. This is a major issue. Inform yourself.
By Gazette Staff
February 23, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
Each Council member puts out a newsletter to update their constituents on what’s taking place.
This week Ward 6 Councillor Paul Sharman sent out his material.
Is there anything missing?
 Never at a loss for words, Ward 6 Councillor neglect to mention a major Council event in his newsletter.  Sharman in fill vocal mode. Not a word, not a single word about the meetings taking place on the development industry ask that Development Charges be eliminated for two years. We are talking about millions in revenue that the city will not receive for a period of time.
Sharman was quite vocal when this issue was discussed at Council earlier in the week.
Hard to see this one as an oversight or another one of those learning opportunities.
By Pepper Parr
February 24th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
The war in Ukraine started four years ago.
Six million people have been displaced inside the country, and some four million have left Ukraine.
More than 100,000 are estimated to have been killed
Millions live under occupation in areas that Russia controls.
 Each day at 11, soldiers killed in action are buried in the Saints Peter and Paul Garrison Church. Lviv, which has been subjected to only intermittent assault, has transformed itself into a city that visibly lives and breathes the war.
A large stand in Market Square, updated every morning at 9, displays the photos and biographies of soldiers who will be buried that day.
This was the war Donald Trump was going to end the day after he was inaugurated.
Underground schools have become part of Ukraine’s unbreakability.
Lviv has become the world capital of amputations and prosthetics. More than 100,000 men and women are believed to have lost limbs.
And this war is far from over.
Keep the Ukrainian people in your thoughts and prayers.
By Gazette Staff
February 23, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
There is always a public fascination with how much we pay the elected and appointed officials.
When the public isn’t happy with what is taking place, we hear people asking: Are these people really worth what we are paying then?
For the record, the following is what members of City Council earn.
Burlington is a two tier form of government. Council members are both city council members and Region Council members and are paid by both. The members of City Council are also Deputy mayors appointed by the Mayor: no money but a spiffy business cards.
Member of city Council also have an individual sum of money they can spend. Set out below is how each member of council used the $10,400 they are given. The Mayor is allocated $32,240.
Members of the Committee of Adjustment are paid based on the Committees they actually attend.
You get to decide if they are worth what they are being paid. In October, you will vote on which members of Council should be re-elected.
By Gazette Staff
February 23, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
 United Way Halton & Hamilton’s Sleepless For Our Community raised over $337,000 for Local Support providing critical support for local programs that help people experiencing poverty and housing insecurity across Halton and Hamilton.
Held overnight on February 20, 2026, Sleepless For Our Community brought together individuals, families, workplace teams, and community leaders who spent the night sleeping in their vehicles as an act of solidarity. Participants raised vital funds to strengthen a network of local supports that help community members facing financial hardship, housing instability, and food insecurity.
Funds raised through Sleepless For Our Community will help United Way–supported programs that provide housing stabilization, food security, employment readiness, financial literacy, and wraparound supports for individuals and families navigating poverty. These investments help ensure people have access to stability, dignity, and pathways toward a more secure future.
 Brad Park, President & CEO of United Way Halton & Hamilton. “This is about now.” “The need in our community continues to grow, and it’s showing up in every corner of Halton and Hamilton,” said Brad Park, President & CEO of United Way Halton & Hamilton. “The funds raised through Sleepless For Our Community will help strengthen the social supports that our most vulnerable neighbours rely on. Supports that can mean the difference between crisis and stability.”
Park added, “This event is about acting now. When people are struggling to afford rent, put food on the table, or keep their families housed, timely support matters. Thanks to the generosity of this community, we’re able to invest in programs that respond to immediate needs while also addressing the root causes of poverty.”
United Way Halton & Hamilton also extends sincere gratitude to a very generous local philanthropic family who graciously matched all funds raised over $150,000, significantly amplifying the impact of the community’s generosity and helping ensure even more people can access critical supports when they need them most.
Beyond fundraising, Sleepless For Our Community plays an important role in raising awareness about the realities of poverty in the region. Rising costs, housing pressures, and food insecurity continue to push more individuals and families into difficult situations, underscoring the importance of community-driven solutions.
“Events like Sleepless For Our Community remind us that poverty is not an abstract issue. It affects real people, right here at home,” said Park. “This community showed up with compassion and action, and the impact of that generosity will be felt across our network of local agencies and programs.”
Fundraising continues through to March 2, 2026.
By Pepper Parr
February 23, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
Based on a comment from a former Canadian diplomat, people are thinking seriously about putting for effort in recruiting young people into the armed forces.
Some see this as something that should be mandatory for people between the ages of 19 to 25.
Two years in the army would give young people some work experience, learn just what discipline means.
Some would choose to make the armed forces a career choice.
Every Israeli is required to serve in the Defence Forces of that country.
The diplomat said: “We should also establish a meaningful reserve force to bolster our military presence across the North and relieve the active armed forces of their current responsibility for civil emergencies.
 These were the ships that fought the Battle of the Atlantic, the longest naval battle in history. Shown here is HMCS Haida, currently tied up in Hamilton. “Using educational and training inducements to recruit would double the value of this investment in national security, making it also an investment in human capital.”
Having to serve in the armed forces would come as a jolt to the first cohort; in time, young people would see the benefit.
I would not have been able to sail to the Mediterranean or to the United Kingdom, or to visit Scotland and Ireland. Training missions to Italy and Belgium certainly broadened my horizons. It helped me decide as well what I wanted to do and didn’t want to do. An opportunity to attend an Officer Training program was something I took a pass on. On of my postings was to serve on HMCS Haida which I can now visit given that she is tied up on Hamilton
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By Gazette Staff
By Pepper Parr
By Gazette Staff
By Gazette Staff
The Ontario New Leaf Liberals have created a petition asking the provincial government to to reverse course and return OSAP to its previous state.
By Gazette Staff
By Gazette Staff
By Sylvester Alton
Ottawa may occasionally be the inferior squad on paper, but they generally have enough defending savvy to stay within one. That’s all there is to it in underdog betting. When it comes down to one-goal games, a bounce, a post, a power-play call and a goalie standing on his head can either make the difference.
By Gazette Staff
By Ray Rivers
Ray Rivers, a Gazette Contributing Editor, writes regularly applying his more than 25 years as a federal bureaucrat to his thinking. Rivers was once a candidate for provincial office in Burlington. He was the founder of the Burlington citizen committee on sustainability at a time when climate warming was a hotly debated subject. Ray has a post graduate degree in economics that he earned at the University of Ottawa. Tweet @rayzrivers
United Way Halton & Hamilton’s Sleepless For Our Community raised over $337,000 for Local Support providing critical support for local programs that help people experiencing poverty and housing insecurity across Halton and Hamilton.
