By Staff
June 25th, 2021
BURLINGTON.
The announcement says it all.
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June 24, 2021 BURLINGTON, ON
There is an organization that uses the acronym HEN – Halton Environmental Network. Earlier this week they put on a webinar that we will report on when we have finished our formatting of the visuals that were used in the webinar. We became aware of the event when we saw this promotional piece:  It was a rainstorm that came out of nowhere. We can expect more like this. Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot??? Did you know, that by mid-to-late century: 1. The average summer temperature is expected to reach 30 degrees C (without humidex); 2. That days over 34 degrees C (without humidex) are projected to increase 10-fold; and 3. The hottest day of the year is projected to reach 39 degrees C (without humidex) Are you interested in how your communities climate is projected to change toward the end of this century? Join the “Warmer, Wetter, Windier & Wilder” webinar to learn about how your communities climate is projected to change throughout this century, how these changes can impact the environment, people and properties and what you can do to better prepare yourself. While driving home, working my way through the traffic I was struck by the number of newer SUV’s and the number of vehicles with those green lettered license plates. There were more of the big cars than there were of the electric cars – and that is a large part of the rising temperatures problem. This is much like the pandemic we are still enveloped by – we need to get everyone vaccinated – that is what will put an end to the life of Covid19. We need to get rid of the big gas guzzling SUV’s and convert to the electric cars to cut down the Co2 emmissions Most people seem to know that the internal combustion engine will eventually be phased out and electric cars will be the only option and that they will prove to be very efficient. If you’ve not been in one for a drive – try it – they are a really good car. But right now they are expensive. That’s the problem.
June 25th, 2021 BURLINGTON, ON
There’s been some debate in Burlington about what this move could end up meaning if Ford is able to get these changes through. This article will explore the considerations in more detail. An increased range of choice If Ontario’s government presses ahead with the liberalization of online casino laws, the main benefit will be a significant increase in range of personal choice when it comes to how Burlington’s residents might wish to spend their time. Casinos based on the web tend to offer many online slots, for example, and they may also offer more table games. However, at present, those who want to play online casino games have to do so using a province-run lottery version – meaning that the range of choice is particularly restricted. This is already somewhat more liberal than in some other jurisdictions around the world, where governments continue to restrict access to all online casino games. But it’s not as liberal as in some other parts of the world, where there is a thriving and competitive gambling sector. Premier Doug Ford’s commitment to, in essence, privatize the gambling sector in Ontario is a way of helping people access the gambling services they want – rather than what services the province thinks is right for them. As well as the simple right to choose what sort of game to play and which provider to use, a more competitive gambling sector is also likely to offer people the chance to pick the themes and aesthetics they prefer in their games. If a game or a theme is not available in the province-run version, it most likely will be in the private sector. More revenue for the area
Some have sounded a note of caution about whether or not the revenue earned by the Ontario provincial government as a result of taxes raised on any potential private sector online casino would be spent on Burlington in particular, or whether it’s possible that other areas of the province might receive the bulk of the money. Of course, there is no guarantee that Burlington in particular will receive guaranteed funding for capital works or any major projects, but if the spending is assigned to the province generally, then it is likely that schools and other public services in the Burlington area will eventually benefit. Impact on main street? In some localities, question marks might be raised about whether or not in-person casinos will be harmed by the emergence of more appealing online alternatives – and whether this will have an impact on jobs, footfall and more. As it stands, however, there is currently no in-person casino in Burlington directly. There are some in the wider area, such as in Dundas, but Burlington itself is not served by such a venue – meaning that liberalization of online casinos is unlikely to have a direct negative effect on the city’s economy. Overall, it remains to be seen exactly how Doug Ford’s plans will pan out in the long run. The level of detail around how this liberalization programme will be implemented is scant, and there’s still no firm guarantees about what any potential tax revenue may be spent on. What’s clear, however, is that there are certainly some advantages for residents of in-person casino-free Burlington. A much greater array of gambling choice is on the cards, for example, while a more padded bank account for the whole province can only be a good thing. Background links:
June 24th, 2021 BURLINGTON, ON
The province will move into Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen as of 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, June 30, 2021. This stage includes, but is not limited to: ·  No crowds like this – not for awhile. But there is progress being made. Outdoor social gatherings and organized public events with up to 25 people · Indoor social gatherings and organized public events with up to 5 people · Essential and other select retail permitted at 50% capacity  Are city council meetings essential ? Will they be opened up soon? · Non-essential retail permitted at 25% capacity · Personal care services where face coverings can be worn at all times, and at 25 per cent capacity and other restrictions · Outdoor dining with up to 6 people per table, with exceptions for larger households and other restrictions At this time, the province will remain in Step Two for a period of approximately 21 days to continue monitoring key public health and health care indicators.
HDSB Trustees seem to have not done their homework when they decided to rename Ryerson Public School
June 24th, 2021 BURLINGTON, ON
The focus on the issue of a statue of Egerton Ryerson started in Toronto when the city proposed to create 34 neighbourhoods for administrative reasons, labeling one of them as “Ryerson” to capture the downtown area mainly occupied by the University campus that bears his name. The initiative rebooted the demand to remove Ryerson’s statue on Gould Street and to change the name of the university dedicated to his memory. At about the same time members of the Halton District School Board (HDSB) began to take an interest in how the Ryerson name was used. The HDSB has a Superintendent Etough who pays attention to matters of equity and diversity. His view was that the public did not fully understand how traumatic the issue is for the Indigenous community.  An elementary school in a quiet neighbourhood with fully matured trees and a city park next door. This is a community where children can safely walk to school. Through a process that could have been a little clearer, the trustees made the decision that the name on a school on Woodview, Ryerson PS, was no longer acceptable and decided to remove the name and go through a Board process in place to name schools. At a Board meeting on June 16th, there were trustees who wanted the name removed immediately. Director of Education Stuart Miller explained that the name could not be removed until there was a new name in place that had the necessary input from the community. Given that the community is going into summer and schools are closed the Director advised the trustees to wait until the fall and begin the process then when parents are around and not on vacation. That led to the trustees agreeing that the re-naming process was to be completed no later than November 30th.  Fallon Melander, the Indigenous mother was formally asked the HDSB to change he name of Ryerson PS During the webcast of the Board meeting we heard Fallon Melander, a parent with children who attend Ryerson, explained why she wanted to see the name removed from the school. As I listened to the debate, staff comments and what the trustees had to say I began to wonder who had done the research that led to the trustees deciding that the Ryerson name should be removed from the school.  Trustee Margo Shuttleworth I was told by Trustee Margo Shuttleworth that she had done the research. Ms Shuttleworth has been trained in jurisprudence at a University on Scotland – she is not an historian nor does she have any known expertise on the history of education in Ontario. I asked where that research was deposited and could we have access to it. We made this request because what we were hearing during the meeting differed significantly from what had been published else where by Ron Stagg and Patrice Dutil. We also asked Trustee Shuttleworth for a copy of her remarks, which were worth putting on the public record, and for the delegation made by Fallon Melander,the parent who asked formally that the name be changed. Shuttle offered both documents. They have yet to arrive – we did send a second request. The Gazette has had problems with Shuttleworth in the past; notably in the 2014 election when she came up with the idea of putting out a pledge that she would do her job if she was elected as the trustee for ward 4. She didn’t get elected in 2014 but she did get elected in 2018. There is a link to that story below. Egerton Ryerson (1803-1882), the Methodist minister who has long been celebrated as the founder of the Ontario public school system, stands accused of creating a residential school system designed to stamp out Indigenous culture. Nothing could be further from the truth. In an article in another national newspaper Ron Stagg, professor of history and Patrice Dutil professor of Politics and Public Administration at Ryerson University set out a very factual story which we set out below. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission investigated the the history of the role Ryerson played in the formation of schools for Indigenous youth, its final report made no such claim. It did not seem to matter: a small but nameless constituency still argues that Ryerson was the predecessor to federal politicians who launched new residential schools in 1883, and should therefore be erased from public memory. Note that Ryerson died in 1882 Ryerson is being misjudged. He was not a racist and he did not discriminate against Indigenous people. It was the exact opposite! As a young man he was appointed to the Credit mission, home of the Mississaugas. He learned their language, worked in the fields with the people of the settlement and became a life-long friend of future chief Kahkewaquonaby (Sacred Feathers), known in English as Peter Jones. In fact, it was in recognition of his services to the Mississauga, that Ryerson was adopted and given the name of a recently deceased chief, “Cheechock” or “Chechalk.” After he left the Credit mission, Ryerson kept in touch with Peter Jones. In the 1830s he assisted the Mississaugas, whose land was confiscated by colonial authorities, by approaching Queen Victoria personally through back channels. He also advanced the careers of a number of talented Indigenous individuals. When Peter Jones was gravely ill at the end of his life, he stayed in the comfortable home of his old friend Ryerson in Toronto. Ryerson was a friend of Indigenous people. It is also wrong to blame Egerton Ryerson for creating residential schools. It was Peter Jones, working with another prominent Methodist, who argued that the government should fund schools to educate Indigenous men in the new techniques in agriculture, so that they might survive in a colony where land to hunt and fish freely was rapidly disappearing. By 1842, the authorities accepted the concept, as a way to put First Nations on farms and to eliminate the expense of annual treaty payments, not as a way to assimilate them. In 1846, government agents met with thirty chiefs, representing most of the First Nations in what is now southern Ontario. After some discussion, almost all the leaders agreed that such schools were necessary, and many even agreed to use part of their treaty payments to help support the schools. A year later, the government approached Ryerson, an acknowledged expert on education, and asked him to provide a curriculum for schools that would train Indigenous people for a settled life.  Egerton Ryerson did not do what many think he did do. Given the social values that prevailed when he was alive he was one of the best friends the the Indigenous community had. Ryerson was fully in agreement with the plan because he worried that Indigenous communities would be destroyed unless they changed their economic life. He delivered general suggestions for a curriculum — nothing else — that were typical of his day. It was patronizing, as it was based on Euro-Canadian models, but it had the support of most of the Indigenous leaders.  The Ryerson statue was covered in paint before it was toppled and destroyed. Ryerson participated precisely because he saw education as the best instrument to protect First Nations from advancing settlement. Two schools were established. They would be supervised by the government, and run by the Methodists, just like most of the on-reserve schools. They differed markedly from later residential schools, however. Teaching was done by teachers trained for the regular school system, not by the clergy, and children could speak their own language. Attendance was voluntary. Religion was a subject in the curriculum, not a tool of forced conversion and assimilation. As a devout Christian, Ryerson would have been horrified by the abuses and cruelties later perpetrated on Indigenous children by residential schools. The schools were failures, mainly because of government refusal to adequately fund the project. But in this small aspect of his career Egerton Ryerson demonstrated his uniquely humane instincts of generosity and recognition of minorities. This was the same man who boldly championed schools for Catholics and for French-Canadians. The HDSB has not fully informed itself and appears to have let emotions get in the way of the facts. What this country has done to the Indigenous community is shameful and it is vital that we make amends. The people who want to focus on a name change can better serve the members of the First Nation by ensuring that every child buried in unmarked graves is disinterred and buried properly with dignity and grace. While we are at it can we ensure that these people have potable water running into their homes and that the housing they have is not sub-standard. The Halton District School Board has two members who hold doctorates – for them to allow such a shoddy approach to the collection of the facts is disappointing and disturbing. If this is the best a Board that sets out educational policy for the children in the Region can do we are indeed a society in serious decline. We can do better – hopefully during the public consultations on a name change the public will point out where the Board has fallen short. Related news story Salt with Pepper is the musings, reflections and opinions of the publisher of the Burlington Gazette, an online newspaper that was formed in 2010 and is a member of the National Newsmedia Council.
June 24th, 2021 BURLINGTON, ON
The personal lives of Members of the House of Commons are best left alone. However, we make an exception this morning for Pam Damoff, the MP for Oakville North Burlington. She rose in the House recently to make the following statement:  Pam Damoff with her son Fraser to her left. “Mr. Speaker, on Friday, June 18, Cameron Fraser Damoff made his much-anticipated entry to the world. Loved to the moon and back by his mom Taylor and dad Fraser, my first grandchild could not have been born to better parents. “His Auntie Jill, Uncle Rob and cousin Bayley cannot wait to meet him, and his great-grandmother Betty is excited to hold the wee bairn in her arms. “Taylor’s strength and huge heart will make her an incredible mom. “I am so proud of the man Fraser has become and the father he will be. “Cameron will always be surrounded by so much love and affection. As John Lennon said: Before you cross the street Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful It is evident that Ms Damoff will be a great baby sitter
June 24th, 2021 BURLINGTON, ON
The bubble burst yesterday. The anger and resentment that has been building up for more than a year is finally very very public. Three members of Council released a Joint statement on Wednesday setting out their displeasure with Mayor Meed Ward. A copy of that document (page 1) is set out below. Page two of the Joint Statement While the specific issue was the way the Mayor was over-riding the process and procedure she wanted to use to allow the painting of six Rainbow Cross walks across the city, it was also the straw that broke the camel’s back.  Has the Mayor made the Rainbow Crosswalks the hill she is prepared to die on? The Mayor chose to send out a tweet early on Wednesday thanking three Councillors for their support and being less than collegial to the other three. Councillors Bentivegna, Nisan and Galbraith were thanked for their support while Councillors Kearns, Stolte and Sharman were ignored leaving the impression that they were not true supporters of the LGBTQQIP2S+ community. Support for the LGBTQQIP2S+ community is divided in Burlington. The Halton District Catholic School Board decided not to permit the flying of the Pride flag outside their schools while the public school board permitted the flying of the flag. While the issue of support for the LGBTQQIP2S+ is important, very important, the Joint Statement isn’t really about the flags or Rainbow Crosswalks – it is some Councillors saying they have had enough of the mayor’s antics. On the surface the Mayor is all kissy kissy, nice nice. Referred to as the Red Queen by her detractors Mayor Meed Ward has yet to find a way to build community without body checking the other members of Council. For the most part she doesn’t treat the five new Council members as equals – they haven’t earned their spurs yet in the Mayor’s eyes; they haven’t gone through the eight hard years Marianne went through as she battled to bring about changes in the kind of growth that was taking place. Many felt the small village feel that many loved about the downtown core was being lost. Meed Ward positioned herself at the person who could change that; the voters believed her and elected her as Mayor. The five newer council members see things differently, while Councillor Sharman, who once filed nomination papers to run for Mayor, sits on the sidelines waiting for Meed Ward to slip to take a run for the Chain of Office. Feelings are running high, ambitions are coming to the surface. There are at least two of the five newcomers who are harbouring and nurturing plans to seek the office of Mayor. However it is not just political ambition behind the very public squabble. The newcomers have found their footing and no longer want to be treated as people going through a process of on-the-job training. They resent the way the Mayor feels she can dip into the reserve funds at will; they are troubled with the need the Mayor seems to have to hog all the limelight. They are fiscally conservative and realize they are staring at a possible 5% tax increase in an election year. Many of those who follow local politics closely are beginning to realize that the Red Queen is not a team player, that there is a streak of revenge within the woman and a tendency to alienate people for all the wrong reasons.  Was the way the Mayor treated three members of her council a political misstep? Is there a reckoning awaiting the Mayor? Time will tell; the summer is a lighter period of time for city hall. Much more to think about on this matter. Stay tuned. Salt with Pepper is the musings, reflections and opinions of the publisher of the Burlington Gazette, an online newspaper that was formed in 2010 and is a member of the National Newsmedia Council.
June 23, 2021 BURLINGTON, ON
Robin is with Tiffany Page – owner of the Skyway Diner on Plains Road – who have been operating a nice sunny patio while they wait for the next signs from our government.  Robin Bailey with Tiffany Page at the Skyway Diner in Aldershot. Great food and excellent service here – and they are also running a promotion to help us out. For the month of June bring a food item to the Skyway Diner and they will donate to the Burlington Food Bank when you pick up take-out or (fingers crossed) dine-in and enter to win one of three $50 gift cards! Food Drive contest runs June 1 to June 30 and winners will be announced on Canada Day, July 1. We appreciate that even though Skyway was struggling through the pandemic closures and restrictions, they still managed to add on a thoughtful food drive for families in Burlington. Everything helps us. Check out the Skyway Diner – Thank you https://www.facebook.com/SkywayDinerBurlington If you are in need or know of someone who could use our help, PLEASE have them email us at info@burlingtonfoodbank.ca or call 905-637-2273 to make arrangements to have food dropped at their door or make arrangements to pick it up through our curb-side pickup option. If you are a resident in Burlington, we are all here to help. Don’t struggle – give us a call.
June 23, 2021 BURLINGTON,, ON
The provincial government is going to spend $3.7 million to cover the costs of providing transportation to vaccination centres for the disabled. The program is a partnership with the Ontario Community Support Association to help people with disabilities, including seniors with mobility issues, get to and from vaccination sites so they can get their shot and help stop the spread of COVID-19.  Transportation can be arranged for disabled and seniors with mobility issues. To date, over three-quarters of all adults in Ontario have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, with nearly 26 per cent fully immunized. The Accessible Drive To Vaccines program will ensure that anyone who wants a vaccine is able to by connecting eligible individuals with staff and volunteers who will drive them to and from local vaccination sites across the province. This includes individuals who have not yet received their first shot, or anyone who may require additional support to access their second. “Our government understands that some Ontario residents may face barriers in traveling to a vaccination site,” said Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility. “This program will ensure that transportation is not a barrier to vaccination. It will help many Ontarians with mobility issues get vaccinated.” This initiative will focus on helping people who do not have access to accessible transportation through family, neighbours or community organizations. “In many communities across Ontario, the dedicated staff and volunteers who work in the community support sector have been providing safe rides to vaccination sites for several months,” said Deborah Simon, OCSA’s Chief Executive Officer. “As demand continues to grow, we’re pleased to be involved in coordinating this project, which recognizes, supports, and extends the capacity of these hard-working organizations to help vulnerable people protect themselves against COVID-19.” Getting as many Ontarians as possible vaccinated is a critical part of the government’s strategy to fight COVID-19.
June 22nd, 2021 BURLINGTON, ON
 A graphic representation of what a single virus particle looks like. The COVID19 virus emerging in the human species globally is what is known scientifically as an “extinction level event”. It emerged in one place and spread around the world in three months hitching a ride in traveling humans. The virus then shut down the world more or less. The virus is microscopic in size: 5um. One um is equal to 0.001 mm, or about 0.000039 inch. Tom Muir is a resident of Aldershot and a retired federal civil servant who has worked at scientific analysis most of his career.
June 22nd, 2021 BURLINGTON, ON
The plan to rename Ryerson public school started when the Halton District School Board trustees were looking at the progress they had made in their Multi-Year Strategic Plan (2020-2024) , in which they committed to champion supportive and inclusive practices, and to promote knowledge and understanding of Indigenous perspectives and realities.  Halton District school Board Chair Andrea Grebenc wants to name of the school changed and would like to see the evidence based approach to making decisions continued. Problem is some of the evidence is more emotional than factual. One of the first steps was to “to assess how we as a school board can raise awareness”. The trustees wanted to build their understanding of the truth and take action, which included addressing common misperceptions about Canadian history. “We must start this critical and necessary conversation and truth.”  The statue of Egerton Ryerson was vandalized, then toppled with the head of the man mounted on a pole on the reservation in Western Ontario “Ryerson Public School was named for Egerton Ryerson’s contributions to the education system. E. Ryerson was pivotal in the design of Canada’s residential school system arguing that “Indians should be schooled in separate, denominational, boarding, English-only and agriculturally-oriented (industrial) institutions. “In 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission concluded that this assimilation amounted to the genocide of Indigenous people. “People and organizations are being challenged to confront all forms of bias, discrimination and harm, including in the colonial context which is still very real today. We have also heard from the local school community which includes Indigenous voices.”  Fallon Melander, an Indigenous mother with children attending the school formally asked that the name of the school be changed. Fallon Melander, an Indigenous parent, formally requested an examination of the use of the Ryerson name. As Trustees, they felt there was a “need to lead by example and have the courage to approach these difficult conversations. “We recognize that when we know better, we do better. “As years have gone by and truths have been uncovered, we have a responsibility, in collaboration with our staff and communities, to re-evaluate past decisions and address accordingly. The perspectives of the diverse communities of Halton must be valued and honoured. Indigenous students, staff and the broader community should be able to enter a school without being harmed by the HDSB upholding the name of a person that has contributed to genocide.  Trustee Margo Shuttleworth – believes the sign has to be replaced. “Today, many institutions are re-evaluating their use of the name Ryerson — we must do the same.” The original motion was to be immediately remove the name “Ryerson” from the school located at 565 Woodview Road, Burlington, Ontario and to initiate the renaming process for a public school. It turned out to be quite a bit more complex than that. The renaming process must take place, including public consultation, before a new name can be decided upon. It is going to cost between $15,000 and $20,000 to remove the signs – there are three of them. The Staff recommendation was that two be removed immediately and that the third be covered until the school has been renamed. Report cards for the school year that is ending will state that the student graduated from Ryerson Public School. The school that students report to in September will still be known as Ryerson Public school. Athletic wear and forms will still have the word Ryerson on them. The Board of Education has a procedure for renaming a school. In order to ensure full public consultation the Board decided to have the committee that will be handling any re-naming report back no later than November 3oth, 2021.  The trustees want the school name sigh to be replaced with a new name. Not much public input on that decision. The research that was done to support the decision to re-name the school was done by Trustee Shuttleworth. The Gazette has asked for access to the source documents. We have yet to receive that research. Trustee Shuttleworth is not an historian nor is she known to be highly versed in this publicly contentious issue.  Trustee Amy Collard – remove the sign immediately. The vote on the motion was unanimous. Trustee Oliver said there was an “urgent nature” to this decision. Trustee Danielli said she felt this was the right thing to do and Trustee Collard wanted the sign taken down immediately. Director Miller explained that there had to be a sign on the building for safety purposes. He didn’t comment on the purpose a sign would serve if it was to be covered up. There will apparently be signage explain the cover-up. There is another chapter to this story. Stay tuned.
June 21st, 2021 BURLINGTON, ON
The Burlington Provincial Liberal Association announces two candidates seeking the nomination for the next provincial election scheduled for June 2022 There are two candidates.  Andréa Grebenc https://trustandrea.com  Mariam Manaa https://www.mariammanaa.ca A live webcast will be held allowing the public to hear speeches/presentations by the candidates for the nomination. Everyone can register to view these presentations. A video of the webcast will be posted and available for viewing later. Date: June 23, 2021 Voting will take place on Saturday June 26, 2021 between 11am to 8pm. Members that are registered to vote in the nomination contest will receive an email with instructions on how to vote, and your personal PIN number that authenticates you for voting. Voting can be done online or by phone. If you are a Member of the Burlington Provincial Liberal Association and you do not receive an email with instruction by Thursday, June 24 at 5PM, please contact vote@ontarioliberal.ca
June 21st, 2021 BURLINGTON, ON
The boxcar is believed to have been in service when Burlington farmers would take their produce down to the station to be loaded on to trains and delivered to Toronto and Montreal. First to arrive was the Boxcar – Canadian Pacific #404109. Weighing in at LT WT 43,000, it is green in colour with white lettering.  Boxcar – Canadian Pacific # 404109. The wooden walls are in excellent shape as is the steel roof. Then CN caboose #78188 arrived. Built in October 1929, records indicate it is AAR class NE Caboose type M930 built of wood by CN Transcona. Until recently both railcars were on display at Memory Junction in Brighton Ontario, a railway park for visitors at the site of the old Brighton Railway Station.  CN caboose # 78188 Brighton is located between Cobourg and Trenton and sits on the CN and CP lines originally laid in the 1850s and are still used daily. Memory Junction had to close in 2020 due to various reasons and all the displays were removed at auction in October 2020. Prior to Brighton – these cars were on display in Trenton Ontario. Before that, the caboose was displayed at Doon Pioneer Village in Kitchener in the 1990s. The cars will be placed on the new track that has been laid immediately to the north/west side of the Freeman Station building.  Brought into the Freeman Station by a team of horses pulling a wagon to be loaded onto boxcars for delivery to Toronto and Montreal. Some of the better produce was transported to Europe. After some work is done inside and out the cars will be open to the public to visit. These cars give the charity more much needed room to display the artifacts and stories they have accumulated. Once the COVID restrictions are lifted visitors can see the city’s newest tourist attraction joining the Joseph Brant Museum, Ireland House and the Pier – must see Burlington locations. Funding for the acquisition, transport and set up of the cars was provided by member donations as well as a large donation from one of their sponsors.
June 21st, 2021 BURLINGTON, ON
For a period of time Covid19 had us all staying indoors. Then we were allowed to go out and boy did we ever go out. In some locations it looked as if we took all our garbage with us. As a result popular destinations along the Bruce Trail have become trail use “hotspots” which is not quite what the Bruce Trail Conservancy (BTC) had in mind when it came to promoting responsible use of the trails. The more well-known conservation areas tend to be hotspots because of the facilities and parking . At Mount Nemo and Crawford Lake are now being managed via reservation systems to control visitation.
However, as a conservation organization facilitating public access to natural spaces in a UNESCO World Biosphere, the Bruce Trail Conservancy has an important role to play in addressing hotspot issues and minimizing their impacts. The Bruce Trail people recently hired six Trail Ambassadors to perform visitor outreach and litter clean-ups and to patrol and chat with people asking them to respect the trail and take their garbage with them. The people you will bump into will have badges on their shirt or jacket. Related news story: Ambassadors take up station on Bruce Trail
June 19th, 2021 BURLINGTON, ON
Previously McKenna was the Associate Minister for Labour.
June 19th, 2021 BURLINGTON, ON
As of Friday, June 18, 2021, 453,614 doses have been administered in Halton, which includes 376,399 first doses and 77,215 second doses.
Yesterday, the MoH announced that individuals who received their first dose on or before May 30 can reschedule their second dose appointment at a shortened interval through Halton’s online booking system starting today.
June 18th, 2021 BURLINGTON, ON
I recently received correspondence from the Chair of the Board of the Halton District School Board (HDSB) notifying me that the Trustees, at their June 16, 2021 meeting, approved a motion to rename Ryerson Public School on Woodview Road in Burlington in accordance with the Board’s Naming and Renaming Schools Policy and Governance Procedure. A city-owned park adjacent to the school also bears the Ryerson name.  The Mayor is now ashamed of the man who created the public education system that has served everyone very well. The statue to commemorate the man who created the public school system in Ontario was first defaced and then toppled Ryerson Public School and adjacent Ryerson Park are named after Egerton Ryerson for his contributions to the Ontario education system, however, Ryerson was also instrumental in the design of Canada’s Residential School system. In 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada concluded this assimilation amounted to the genocide of Indigenous peoples. The City of Burlington is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion, and the names we choose for our municipal properties must reflect that commitment – both going forward, and in retrospect. As part of that commitment, Burlington City Council recently unanimously endorsed the Halton Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Charter produced by the Halton Equity and Diversity Roundtable. We have also recently updated our naming policies to ensure equity, diversity and inclusion is integrated in all our asset naming. There have been growing calls to remove Ryerson’s name from public buildings and institutions, including Ryerson University in Toronto, where a report on the matter is expected to come before their president and board of directors this fall. I support the change the HDSB is making and the reasons behind it.  Mayor Marianne Meed Ward As part of our continued commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, I am working with City of Burlington staff to bring forward a report to Committee and City Council in July 2021 recommending removing the Ryerson name from our park and embarking on the council-approved naming process. We expect this process to be complete by November 2021. We will keep you updated on this process and opportunities for members of the public, including the HDSB, to provide input. Our Indigenous community needs to enjoy our parks and public spaces without a reminder of one of the architects of the Residential School system and the legacy of harm it created for their people. Renaming our city park is one step we can take toward reconciliation with our Indigenous residents.
June 18th, 2021 BURLINGTON, ON
The worldwide sports betting industry is huge, to say the least. To countries such as the UK, it is worth an estimated £14 billion a year to their economy. The explosion of online betting, as well as gambling in online casinos over the last decade or so, has only led to an increase in the popularity of sports betting. That is unless you are a resident in Canada.  Betting on individual games is not possible at this point in time. Where sports betting is concerned, Canada seemed to be left in somewhat of a time warp: lawmakers refusing to allow the country to follow where the rest of the world was heading. The criminal code of Canada meant that it was illegal to bet on single events in the country. This left Canadians unable to bet on their favorite sports unless they turned to unregulated markets. As we are half way through 2021, is this something that is about to change? It’s been a long road Those in Canada have long sought changes to the law surrounding sports betting. For sports fans, the appeal was obvious, but for politicians and those in power, there were also clear indications of how such a change could benefit the economy. The last major change to betting laws in Canada came way back in 1985 and have long needed an overhaul.  The federal government level changes the Criminal Code. There have been regular attempts to have gambling laws reviewed and to open the world of sports betting to residents in Canada with some already on the lookout for a bet365 bonus code. Each time there has been an insurmountable hurdle. With no specific laws against match-fixing, betting on single events remained a concern for lawmakers and posed issues when reviewing the current betting laws. Where Canada is now November 2020 saw the introduction of Bill C-13 by the Liberal government. This bill sought to bring Canada into the present and open the future of sports betting. With the bill having had its first reading back in December 2020, Canada had hoped that the law would have seen a change before Christmas was upon us all. The hope is that the bill will be revisited and passed, early in the new year. This would see new laws surrounding sports betting coming into effect in the spring of 2021. Sports betting in Canada, 2021 and beyond For sports and betting enthusiasts, the upcoming law change can only be a positive. The opportunity to participate in betting in a regulated market has long been sought by those in Canada.  The data shows the impact gambling has on an economy. The legalization of sports betting is also sure to draw a new crowd: rather than those who had risked a grey market for years, others are now sure to enter the world of betting. Preparing for, and harnessing, the growth in demand can only lead to a positive ripple effect through the Canadian economy. With the deal being already done, 2021 will be a year that defines change and one that will be looked back on as truly groundbreaking.
June 18th, 2021 BURLINGTON, ON OPINION It was a solid exchange of views between the Chief Executive Officer of the West End Home Builders Association and members of Burlington’s city council.  Mayor Meed Ward  Ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns Mike Collins–Williams was opposed to the shifting of the Urban Growth Centre boundaries to well north of the downtown core up to the Burlington GO station where there are plans for significant development. Mayor Marianne Meed Ward had gotten what she wanted and took exception to Collins–Williams suggesting that downtown had been sterilized when the boundary was moved. Councillor Nisan termed the use of the word sterilize as disgusting, inappropriate and “inflammatory”.  The construction cranes are in place – the building will rise floor by floor in the months ahead.  Construction is underway. It didn’t get any better for Collins-Williams when Councillor Kearns asked him to explain what it was that the home builders association wanted that city policies were not giving them. She followed this up by asking: “What might we be missing that the policies in place do not address?” The debate was part of a Statutory meeting taking place at Regional Council last Wednesday. The debate at the Region was never the kind of debate that took place at Burlington city hall between 2010 and 2018. The stark differences between the interests of the developers and the intentions of the current council was laid bare. It was the driving issue in the 2018 election and the voters liked what Meed Ward was offering better than what either Rick Goldring or Mike Wallace had put on the table. Someone paid a third party advertiser to do what they could to influence the views of the voters – it didn’t work. The debate heard on Wednesday was never heard in Burlington’s Council chambers in previous Statutory meeting occasions. When the then Golding council approved the Carriage Gate development that would put a 26 storey tower opposite city hall the then city manager is reported to have gotten up to shake hands with the developer.  If the developers get their way there won’t be much park space for the public in that football shaped property. There are three developments working their way through the planning process. The development opportunities on Brant Street south of Caroline are exceptional, as are those in the football between Lakeshore and Old Lakeshore Road where there are a number of developments working their way through the planning process (clogged up at LPAT hearings at the moment) that will result in a significantly different Burlington if they get built. Development in Burlington is focused on profit, not on the creation of community. The building of high rise condominiums changes the scale, scope and streetscape, which determines how people relate to the community. There is little in the way of input from the people who are going to live with the buildings. The condominium going up opposite city hall is built right out to the property line and soars straight up for 26 floors. Some developers do create designs that embrace the street. The Molinaro group has a development that puts two towers on either side of Brant Street at Ghent, that have slight curves, which leave the impression the buildings are communicating with each other. If built they will become the gateway out of the downtown core to a different Burlington that will rise beside the Go station. Appreciation for architecture rests in the eye of the beholder and what the public is seeing now is quite different than what was built along Lakeshore decades ago. During the required Statutory meetings the developers set out what they want to do and explain that they are meeting all the required rules.  Mike Collins-Williams represented the interests of the developers during the required Statutory meeting on the changes being made to the Regional Official Plan. What doesn’t take place is a dialogue between the architect and the public on what the public would like to see built on the streets they will live, work and play on. Usually the first time a citizen sees a building is when they look at a glossy brochure. Architects are hired by developers to create a pleasing looking building that meets the aspirations (and at times the egos) of the developer and doesn’t cost a fortune to build. Developers are not in the housing business, they are in the profit-making business – and in a capitalistic society that is the way the game is played and accepted. Selling housing isn’t the same as selling soap. The homes that are built determine to a large degree the kind of society we have. Human beings need space; the developers refer to that space as amenities. This isn’t a Burlington problem – it is one that plagues the country. However there is no reason a change cannot at least begin in Ontario. And if Mayor Meed Ward can pull that off – good on her.
Related news story Lobbyist states the case for sticking with old Urban Growth plan Salt with Pepper is the musings, reflections and opinions of the publisher of the Burlington Gazette, an online newspaper that was formed in 2010 and is a member of the National Newsmedia Council.
June 17th, 2021 BURLINGTON, ON
Regional Council met Wednesday morning and on their agenda was a Statutory meeting required under the Municipal Act to permit the public to respond to changes in the Regional Official Plan. There were a number of delegations. The one from the West End Home Builders Association (WEHBA) formerly the Hamilton Halton Home Builders’ Association) which represents approximately 300 member companies across Hamilton and Halton Region with the industry employing over 22,700 people, paying $1.4 billion in wages, and contributed over $2.6 billion in investment value within the local economy in 2019, was delivered by Michael Collin-Williams. As a key partner to Halton Region in the delivery of new housing supply and the building of complete communities, WE HBA wishes to ensure we can effectively work together towards a range of housing choices at prices and rents people can afford in Halton Region. ROPA 48 and the Future of Halton Region’s Growth Halton Region is forecast to take on its fair share and to grow by 485,000 residents and 220,000 jobs by 2051. In its current form, ROPA 48 presents risks to Halton Region’s ability to effectively and efficiently promote housing development and construction in accordance with the Housing Supply Action Plan. Through consultation on Halton’s IGMS, City of Burlington staff recommended Growth Concept 3A/B as being most closely aligned to the City’s goals.  Development lobby wants to squash the permitted change to the Urban Growth Centre. Therefore, Halton Region should not approve ROPA 48 without modification to the proposed relocation of Burlington’s Urban Growth Centre given the change to the Downtown Burlington UGC runs contrary to this very ambitious growth scenario through higher levels of intensification. Downtown Burlington & ROPA 48: Each review of the Growth Plan through both Liberal and Conservative governments maintained the Downtown Burlington UGC to establish long-term planning certainty. Currently, ROPA 48 proposes to change the boundary of the Downtown Urban Growth Centre to exclude almost all of Downtown Burlington, including the existing regional public service facilities, commercial, recreational, cultural and entertainment facilities.  The first downtown condo to have shovels in the ground is opposite City Hall. The WE HBA is disappointed by the announcement yesterday that the provincial government will permit the removal and relocation of the Downtown Urban Growth Centre. While we absolutely support intensification and growth of the Burlington GO Lands that are designated as MTSAs – we believe that the downtown and the GO station areas represent different markets and should both have planning frameworks that support growth and intensification. Complete Communities and the Flip of the Downtown Urban Growth Centre With Halton Region proposing aggressive intensification targets, WE HBA believes the Region should be capitalizing on significant investments that have been made in Downtown Burlington by both the public and private sectors. The WE HBA believes that redirecting growth away from downtown Burlington loses sight of the progress that has been made in revitalizing downtown Burlington. Further to this, WE HBA notes that the land by the Burlington GO Station serves a different purpose in the City than downtown Burlington. The WE HBA recognizes BOTH populations and locations are important components of the Burlington community, and supports a greater focus on planning towards creating a complete community for residents surrounding the GO Station. For this reason, WE HBA recommends ROPA 48 be amended to either: not relocate the Downtown Burlington Urban Growth Centre OR as a compromise to expand the boundary of the existing Downtown Urban Growth Centre to include BOTH Downtown Burlington and the Burlington GO Station lands. Our association respects that this is a long and multi-layered process and is strongly supportive of the Region of Halton continuing to work with stakeholders to advance ROPA 48 through the process to achieve conformity with the Growth Plan by July 1, 2022. Lastly – we support the conformity deadline of July 1, 2022. There were questions of the delegate – you can just imagine how his comments went over with Burlington Mayor Meed Ward who pointed out that there would still be growth in the downtown core but that it would not be the kind of over development the city has seen in the past five years. Meed Ward added that there is never any affordable housing in the developments in the downtown core and that the provincial policy focuses on new growth at the MTSA’s. The Mayor pointed out that the relocation of the UGC was community inspired and that its focus is on where development should take place in each of the precincts.  Mayor Meed Ward in front of city hall Meed Ward said the existing UGC was misused to justify over development; going forward downtown growth will be managed more reasonably in keeping with the vision determined by the public. It was back and forth between Collins-Williams who countered that “long term plans should not sterilize opportunities on where people want to live, work and play”. Meed Ward had pointed out that Burlington is very close now to reaching the required 200 home/jobs target for 2031 (which is the minimum target) and that development beyond that point will be determined by good planning principles, adding that Provincial Policy calls for development to be directed toward the MTSA’s. Collins-Williams said the city should not be jamming development growth into a couple of areas and that political changes which have impacted how some of the changes have been brought about. He added the need to lower political temperature and build complete communities. Mike Collins-Williams, Chief Executive Officer, West End Home Builders Association. Meed Ward responded that if Collins-Williams meant by being political meant listening to community input in a democratic fashion then democracy is alive and well in Burlington. The Mayor is scheduled to meet with the builders association in a few weeks where this conversation will no doubt be continued. In responding to the Burlington Mayor Colin Williams said moving the Urban Growth centre would “limit and sterilize” grow in the downtown core. Ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns asked Collins-Williams to help her to understand his definition of the downtown core. “What might we be missing that the policies in place do not address?” Collins-Williams remarked that the province had never before changed an UGC boundary to which Kearns responded “we have had the history lesson before – my question to you was more forward looking and asked again “what did we miss that your association members are looking for in the way of complete communities”. Collins-Williams said seniors wanted to be able to downsize and still remain in the community – the downtown condo market met that need but if the UGC was moved north there would be an imbalance.  Ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns puts Chief Executive of Builder Association through an impressive jujitsu exercise. More back and forth before Kearns said “I don’t see anything compelling in your responses – the supply and demand claim being out of balance does not hold water.” And with that Kearns dismissed Collins – Williams bringing to a close the Kearns Collins -Williams verbal jujitsu exercise. He wasn’t out of the hit set yet. His sterilized downtown remark had Councillor Nisan speak on a Point of Order saying the words were “disgusting”, “inappropriate” and “inflammatory”
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When Premier Doug Ford won a majority in the Ontario legislature it was widely noted that one of his manifesto commitments was to legalize a wider range of online casino providers in the province. This significant move would likely spell the end of the effective monopoly that Ontario Lottery and Gaming currently has – and offer a much wider variety of choice when it comes to providers, games, themes and more.
However, Ford’s commitment also has another motive. Allowing online casino operators to work in the province means that they can be taxed – and this in turn can create a new stream of revenue for the local government. This can in turn, or at least in theory, be spent on services and provisions which benefit Burlington. Political decisions about what will be spent where do not yet appear to have been made for good, but a richer province often translates to better services and better provisions.
Friends of Freeman Station, the not-for-profit charity in Burlington (Ontario) run by volunteers working together to preserve a 1906 Grand Trunk Railway Station, have added a caboose and a box car to their rolling stock.
The BTC is responsible for a continuous footpath (~900 km) that travels through private and public lands. With over 300 access points the BTC cannot issue day use permits, create reservation systems, regulate timed entries, or other visitor management techniques being done by other land-management agencies.
Burlington MPP Jane McKenna gets a shuffle – she is now the Associate Minister of Children and Women’s Issues.
This represents 75 per cent of Halton’s population aged 12 and up who have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and 15 per cent who have received both doses.
