 By Staff
August 9th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Regional Police Service is investigating a sexual assault that occurred on Claridge Road, in the City of Burlington on July 27th 2018 at approximately 7:00 PM.
A male suspect attended the adult female victim’s apartment complex and made contact with her. The two parties had spoken on one occasion prior to the incident, so the male was invited into the victim’s residence, at which point she was sexually assaulted.
Suspect description:
Male, white
Age, in his early 70’s
6’0″, stocky build
Grey hair
Wearing a purple shirt and shorts
The male initially introduced himself as “Bernie”, and then stated that his name was actually “Martin”. He stated that that he lived in the area.
If you know this male, have seen him before or in the area, or have information regarding this incident, you are asked to contact the Child Abuse and Sexual Assault Unit; Detective Sergeant Chris Newcombe at 905-465-8965 or Detective Constable Mark Werner at 905-465-8947.
Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers “See Something? Hear Something? Know Something? Contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca
 By Pepper Parr
August 9th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
It was the second public information session on the proposal to upgrade the plaza in the east end of the city.
This one had even better attendance than the first.
The event was put on by MBHC Planning, the planners hired by the developer Glanelm Property Management.
 A total of eleven structures are proposed for the site to be built in five phases. The issue was – there is just too much – those attending didn’t want the level of intensification that was being proposed.
 Wendy M in an exchange of views during the public presentation of architecural renderings. The space that was used for people to look at the data and architectural renderings the planners for the developer had prepared was small. It was seldom empty.
Adding to the interest was the October election. The four candidates seeking the ward 5 city council seat and Paul Sharman the incumbent seeking to keep his seat made for some interesting dynamics.
Two very strong minded women are making life difficult for Sharman. The scope and scale of the development aren’t helping him
 Ward 5 candidate Mary Alice St James stationed herself outside the office the presentations were on display. She was greeting people, getting contact information and telling her story. Mary Alice St. James, a retired elementary school teacher and Wendy Moraghan, a retired police officer are not easily brushed aside.
The are in Paul Sharman’s face and he is struggling. There are those that say Sharman cannot be beaten – time will tell.
 Wendy Moraghan smiles and beguiles during a conversation wit ward 5 incumbent Paul Sharman  Wendy Moraghan appears to be taken aback by a comment from ward 5 incumbent Paul Sharman For the immediate future there is an opportunity for the candidates to make political hay while the incumbent looks for every opportunity to show that he is worth keeping for a third term. With four new faces for the voters to get to know an incumbent can often slip up the middle.
The winner is going to have to come up with 2500 votes: where they come from is what the election will be about. October 22nd is going to be a long day for Paul Sharman and an exciting evening for at least two of the four new candidates.
The development is the front issue in ward 5 at this point. Once the presentations are over the development application moves forward and into the hands of the city planners.
The candidates will find new ground to work over.
 The high rise towers already in place to the south west of the plaza. The sheer size of the development and the length of time the community will experience considerable disruption is an issue – it always is when something is changed.
The number of housing units that are proposed is more than many in the community want to see.
“Sockeye salmon in the Fraser River are dying from exhaustion and…cardiac collapse as they struggle to deal with water temperatures that are steadily rising because of climate change.” (Death on the Frazer)
 By Ray Rivers
August 9th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
We first learned of global warming back when we believed it could still be mostly avoided, well over a quarter century ago. Today the emerging consensus is that we waited too long. It is too late to stop global climate change and the best we can do is try to slow it down, even as global emissions continue their upwards spiral.
Canada is a relatively small contributor of greenhouse gas emissions in the big scheme of things given our relatively small population, though we are one of the greatest contributors on a per capita basis. The truth is that even if we stopped driving our pickup trucks and SUVs and phased out all fossil fuel energy production, the effect would be almost inconsequential.
 It was a great idea – but not very many country’s signed on. But we share this planet with the big league polluters like China and the USA. So Canadians also share responsibility for its stewardship even if we tend to lead more by words than action. For example, we were one of the early subscribers to the failed Kyoto protocol, the first global initiative bent on curbing rising emissions. But when it appeared that we couldn’t meet our Kyoto targets and simultaneously continue with oil sands development, Mr. Harper took us out.
 Stop the tax – what do you replace it with? And it probably wouldn’t have mattered much anyway as far as Kyoto went. GW Bush took the largest greenhouse gas emitter at the time out of Kyoto right at the starting gate. And now, as if in a deja vu moment, Trump has ended US involvement in Kyoto’s successor, the Paris climate agreement. That gives the US the distinct honour of being the only nation of any size not in the agreement.
And Paris, with the goal of holding the earth’s thermometer at 1.5 degrees C above pre-industrial levels is also destined to fail. It is estimated that this 1.5 degrees will be history before Trump finishes his term in office in 2020. And the next challenge is avoiding two degrees, the so-called tipping point.
The emerging consensus, however, among climate scientists is that we’re heading for three or even four degrees, which will result in a so-called hothouse state. And that means that, short of a nuclear winter or the sun running out of its own energy, nothing we do will get us back to anything even closely resembling today’s climate.
Polar ice caps will be history as will the cooling ocean currents that moderate the planet. Floods and forest fires will be never ending and we’ll finally get real population control, through higher mortality rates.
So is that the scenario which Ontario voters were seeking when they elected Doug Ford? Ford has cancelled virtually every single initiative the Liberals had initiated to help mitigate Ontario’s contribution to global warming.
 Ford claims, in his own defence, that he is not a climate denier and is coming up with his own climate change plan. Seriously? What could a Ford plan possibly look like anyway? Having rejected market tools – pricing, subsidies and taxes, that just leaves regulations. Is he planning to restrict our use of automobiles, home heating/cooling or industrial activity?
Mr. Ford is cancelling over seven hundred renewable energy contracts, making Ontario dependent on purchased power from the US or more fossil fuel burning just to avoid the inevitable brown-outs, especially when one of the nukes shut down – which they will. That will give us a stark reminder of how well the Tories mis-managed the electricity file under Harris and Eves.
 Doug Ford made Caroline Mulroney his Attorney General. Now the daughter of a Prime Minister who was a strong environmentalist is suing the federal government to kill a tax that was designed to help fund environmental solutions. Ford’s attorney general is taking the federal government to court over the carbon taxes we’ll be getting after Ford cancelled the carbon cap and trade system. If Ms. Mulroney wins that might limit, or could even end the federal government’s historical role in pan-national environmental regulation. Given that Brian Mulroney is generally considered one of Canada’s most environmental PMs, what would that make his daughter?
In last June’s election Ford was unequivocal about his intent to reverse everything the Liberals did on climate change. And over 40% of voters supposed Mr. Ford. So does that mean they all support what he is doing on this file? Do they look at the environment, climate change, as just another partisan issue? If the liberals did it – it had to be so bad that it required white-out – erasing.
What could be more conservative than conserving the life support systems on this planet? And what is the climate but perhaps the most critical of those? And what about that perennial core Tory support group, the religious right – the near puritanical movement which likes to parade as God’s army? Didn’t the bible say something about stewardship?
 Rising water temperatures in the Fraser River are killing the salmon. Those Frazer salmon are dying because somebody has turned up the temperature on the river where they have spawned ever since creation? And if they don’t spawn, what happens to the species?
We may not be the only ones controlling the global thermometer, but if we’re not part of the solution we own the problem. We should understand that, and that once the fishes are gone the loaves will not be far behind.
 Ray Rivers writes regularly on both federal and provincial politics, 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. Tweet @rayzrivers
Background links:
Dying Fish – More Salmon Stories – Two Degrees –
Emissions Data – Hothouse State – Ford Cancels Renewable Contracts –
 By Staff
August 8th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Beginning today, the Mike Wallace for Mayor of Burlington campaign is offering residents a unique way to review Wallace’s complete policy platform as well as comment, share ideas, and ask questions of the candidate.
Wallace has released his entire policy platform on https://haveyoursay.mindmixer.com/
This first-ever online conversation with voters focuses on six key policy areas:
Planning, Growth & the Official Plan;
Congestion & Traffic;
Parks, Recreation & Culture;
Property Taxes;
Embracing Opportunity;
and, Fostering an Engaged City.
The program and policy platform is also embedded in the Mike Wallace for Mayor campaign website www.mikewallaceformayor.ca and will operate through to election day on October 22, 2018.
 Mike Wallace beside his campaign car. “This is like a virtual door-knocking tool,” said Mike Wallace, former 3-term MP for Burlington and 5-term city Councillor. “It will allow voters to get to know me and where I stand. More importantly, it will let me hear what voters really care about and share their own ideas. Not only with me, but each other. Together, we will be able to make better choices for Burlington.”
Residents can sign-up to participate through their Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Google accounts. They can also sign-up with their email addresses and create their own password. Participation will be promoted through a series of online advertisements and social media. The site will operate, receive comments, and share ideas and provide policy updates based on voter input throughout the entire election period.
Wallace said, “Too often, it’s only the loudest or most agitated voices that get heard. My team and I want to get everyone involved. We want to make it easy and effective.”
The online public engagement tool, called MindMixer, has helped hundreds of municipalities across North America develop connections that cross neighbourhood lines, generate enthusiasm among more locals, and capture feedback that brings resident priorities into focus. The City of Guelph uses a MindMixer site as the official public discussion tool of the municipality cityofguelph.mindmixer.com. It has generated many new ideas and policies.
 Mike Wallace in conversation with Marty Staz, a candidate for the ward 1 city council seat. The Wallace campaign will also be expanding its online engagement of voters through a series of online townhall meetings, called Mondays with Mike where issues, policies, and community concerns will be discussed on Facebook Live. The one-hour townhall meetings will begin on August 13 at 7:00pm and continue weekly through election day. Voters will be able to ask questions and provide their comments directly to the candidate.
Wallace said, “As municipal leaders, we can never engage enough with the taxpayers of Burlington. It needs to be done early, often, and sustainably. My core campaign promise is to create a more engaged city. Today, we begin this process. Better policies come from collaboration, not confrontation.”
 Mike Wallace boning up on his briefing notes. About Mike Wallace:
Mike Wallace is running for Mayor of Burlington after serving the residents of the city for 3 terms as its Member of Parliament and 5 terms as a city Councillor. He was responsible for leading the development of such Burlington landmarks as the Performing Arts Centre and the Paletta Mansion and Park, as well as convincing the Government of Canada to fund the clean-up efforts of the largest toxic waste site on the Canadian side of the Great Lakes, Randle Reef in Burlington Bay. He is now a professional realtor. His campaign office will open on August 18.
MindMixer’s online engagement tools connect organizations with community members who might not otherwise get involved.
By Staff
August 8th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
He did say he would do it.
And he has done it.
Unfortunately he did it at a craft brewery in Picton.
 Premier celebrates an announcement that didn’t go over all that well. Said he was keeping a promise. Craft beer brewers aim for distinct taste and quality as they develop their niche markets.
In its heyday farmers in Prince Edward County shipped thousands of tonnes of barley across Lake Ontario to beer makers in upstate New York. Those barley shipments created several fortunes in Picton.
The county’s economic boom started in the 1800s, when local barley was shipped across to the eastern U.S. to supply breweries. The barley days came to an end in 1890, when the McKinley Tariff was introduced to the U.S.A.
It was proposed by Congressman (future president) William McKinley in order to protect American industry from the competition of foreign imports. New York breweries could not afford to pay the 48.4% tax on Prince Edward County grain entering the U.S. and many were forced to close down.
The closure of a number of New York breweries and relocation of others to the American Midwest lessened the demand for Prince Edward County grains, eventually ending Barley Days prosperity.
The Premier chose to make his announcement at a craft brewery in Picton, Prince Edward County. It was the start of a countdown to the return of ‘Buck-a-Beer’, the popular $1-per-beer price floor that delighted people across Ontario until it was cancelled when the previous government abruptly introduced new beer price regulations.
“We were elected on a promise to reduce red tape and put the people first,” said Premier Doug Ford, who made the announcement while visiting the Barley Days Brewery. “This included a promise to bring ‘Buck-a-Beer’ back to Ontario. Today I am proud to say: Promise made, promise kept.”
Ontario has a craft beer industry that is doing rather well. It has taken those brewers years to get to the point where they have a premium product that they sell at a Premium price and it is sold in LCBO outlets.
 Protesters block Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s car after the buck-a-beer plan announcement at Barley Days brewery in Picton, Ont. The Premier has confused low priced beer with little in the way of flavour with premium beers. He embarrasses the quality beer makers with his political promise to let people get low quality beer that is cheap and can be purchased in volume. Those volume purchases are what result in excess drinking – the Yahoos just might feel that the “buck a beer” is a license to let loose.
There is that line from the French Revolution that went – Let them eat cake. You know where that got them.
The buck a beer promotion is pandering to a segment of Ford’s core vote which is fine. Just don’t do it on the backs of a market the province has every reason to be proud of.
Ford, who was joined by Minister of Finance, Vic Fedeli, and Minister of Government and Consumer Services, Todd Smith, announced that, effective August 27, Ontario’s Government for the People will lower the minimum price floor to $1.00 for any beer with an alcohol volume below 5.6 per cent.
“We’re going to do this smartly and responsibly,” said Ford. “We trust Ontario beer drinkers and other consumers to make their own smart, mature and responsible choices.”
 It wasn’t the reception the Premier thought he was going to get for delivering on one of his promises. To encourage brewers to lower their prices, the Premier formally launched the ‘Buck-a-Beer Challenge.’ Any brewer who agrees to lower their prices on or after August 27 will, for a limited time throughout the year, receive LCBO promotional considerations such as limited-time discounts, in-store displays on end aisles and shelf extenders, or advertising in LCBO flyers and newspaper inserts.
“The days of the government putting its hand in your pocket each time you buy a two-four or six-pack is over,” said Ford. “Instead we’re going to do what we said we would do and put Ontario consumers first.”
QUICK FACTS
• The minimum retail price for beer was $1.00 in Ontario from 2005 to 2008.
• In 2008 the previous government decided to ban Buck-a-Beer by setting a higher minimum price and today the retail price floor sits at $1.25.
• Annual indexing for all packaged beer will be suspended to maintain the $1.00 minimum floor price over time.
• ‘Buck-a-Beer’ will not apply to draft beer sold in restaurants and bars or ciders, spirits and wine.
 By Pepper Parr
August 8th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Macbeth, that classic Shakespearean play, will be performed at the Royal Botanical Gardens Rock Garden on Plains Road between August 13th to 17th; August 20th to 24th and August 27th to 31st. There are no Saturday or Sunday performances.
Director Trevor Copp explains that Macbeth is the shortest in the Shakespeare canon and that his interpretation of the play will run about an hour and 45 minutes with an intermission.
 The Rock Garden setting is superb, the seating is comfortable and the sight lines are great. When the weather works, and it does work much of the time, the Rock Garden is about as nice a location you are going to get for an outdoor performance.
Copp has brought back several of his regulars. Mike Hannigan, Alma Sarai, Claudia Spadafora, Zack Parsons are part of the eight member cast.
Copp re-imagines the classic story of fate and vengeance as a conspiracy story thriller. Macbeth’s pact with unseen forces to become a tyrant King unfolds with consequences beyond his darkest imaginings. This highly physical interpretation is performed outdoors.
 Kaylyn Valdez-Scott in rehearsal as Lady Macbeth It dramatizes the damaging physical and psychological effects of political ambition on those who seek power for its own sake. Of all the plays that Shakespeare wrote during the reign of James I, who was patron of Shakespeare’s acting company, Macbeth most clearly reflects the playwright’s relationship with his sovereign; it is Shakespeare’s shortest tragedy.
 Mike Hannigan A brave Scottish general named Macbeth receives a prophecy from a trio of witches that one day he will become King of Scotland.
Consumed by ambition and spurred to action by his wife, Macbeth murders King Duncan and takes the Scottish throne for himself. He is then wracked with guilt and paranoia. Forced to commit more and more murders to protect himself from enmity and suspicion, he soon becomes a tyrannical ruler.
The bloodbath and consequent civil war swiftly take Macbeth and Lady Macbeth into the realms of madness and death.
Don’t expect to see any of the cast in 17th century costumes. This is a modern setting that at one point includes the use of a drone – perfectly safe.
 Stage manager Jessica Keenan Stage Manager Jessica Keenan, gets the cast through each rehearsal with her hands on a well worked copy of the script that is covered with coloured Post-It notes.
Copp has taken a brave approach to summer theatre. The cast is in week 17 of their rehearsals on the McMaster campus where the cast works with Director Copp to make changes in the way the play is performed.
The cast members teach each other and suggest different ways to block a scene.
This, the third Shakespeare production Copp has done at the Rock Garden. The events have given the Rock Garden a new focus during August of each year.
Tickets are available online at: www.rbg.ca/shakespeare
 Trevor Copp takes Alma Sarai through a scene of Macbeth during rehearsals. Copp is also a former Latin/Ballroom Dance competitor and current coach to Canada’s 2 sets of World Amateur Salsa Champions. He co-invented a gender neutral form of partner dancing whose TED.com talk has garnered 500,000 views/international speaking engagements. He went from streetbuskering to professional Mime, creating/touring his solo physical show ‘Searching for Marceau’. He has taught/coached physical Theatre for The Shaw Festival, CanStage/Studio 180, Theatre Beyond Words, Pat the Dog Playwright Centre, Zacada Circus, The Iberoamerican Festival in Bogota, and the University Theatre Departments of Guelph, Waterloo, Niagara, Brock and McMaster.
 Copp has been recognized with the Burlington Artist of the Year, the Ontario Presenters Artist of the Year, and a Chalmer’s Fellowship Awards. His work has been featured in the Canadian Theatre Review, TED.com, CBC Television, and the Dance Current.
 By Staff
August 8th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The Performing Arts Centre has been putting on this program for at least three years. One of the better programs they offer and the price is right – FREE.
The event starts early in the evening with chairs set out on the patio and people sitting at the edges of the Performing Arts Centre taking in the music.
At some point the people who run the Performing Arts Centre will wonder why the part of Locust south of Elgin can’t be shut down to traffic and set chairs out on the street.
This years the Jazz on the Patio runs on two different dates: August 11th and 12th with performances in the afternoons and the evenings.
 The show moves indoors when it rains – still great performances.  There is usually a cash bar. The show goes on no matter what the weather – if it rains the event moves inside.
Great music and a great setting.
If you attend, take a few moment to look at the Spiral Stella – there is a lot of Burlington history in that sculpture.
 By Staff
August 8, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Three batches of trapped mosquitoes have tested positive for West Nile virus;two in Burlington and one in Oakville—for a total of four WNV positive mosquito batches in Halton to date.
“Halton is committed to being safe and healthy and reducing West Nile virus in our communities through both education and preventative programs like larviciding,” said Dr. Daniela Kempkens, Halton Region’s Associate Medical Officer of Health. “Until the hard frosts of fall set in, people should continue to protect themselves against mosquito bites and remove mosquito breeding sites.”
 Urban areas are more likely to have mosquitoes that carry WNV. The types of mosquitoes that transmit WNV to humans most commonly breed in urban areas in places that hold water such as bird baths, plant pots, old toys, and tires.
 The following are steps that residents can take to protect themselves and their families from mosquitoes:
• Cover up. Wear light-coloured, long-sleeved shirts and pants with tightly-woven fabric.
• Avoid being outdoors from early evening to morning when mosquitoes are most active and likely to bite, as well as at any time in shady, wooded areas.
• Reduce mosquito breeding sites around your home by getting rid of all water-filled containers and objects, where possible. Change the water in bird baths at least once per week.
• Use an approved insect repellent, such as one containing DEET or Icaridin.
• Make sure your window and door screens are tight and without holes, cuts or other openings.
To report standing water at public facilities or for more information about West Nile virus, please visit halton.ca, call 311or email wnv@halton.ca.
By Staff
August 7th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
They are like mosquitoes, pesky, annoying and if you don’t swat them away they can hurt you, and if they are carriers of West Nile disease – they could be life threatening.
That’s what email scams are like – they pop up regularly and they can really hurt you.
We received this one earlier today:
The registration codes for publisher@bgzt.ca were successfully re-issued.
A PDF document is attached containing instructions for the Digital Certificate registration.
You must open the PDF document to view the Authorization Code for the Digital Certificate registration. The authorization code will be added to the client user details screen for later reference.
Registration codes expire in 2 days. Please ensure the user registers within this period.
TD Canada Trust / Web Busines Banking
For anyone who happens to be a TD Canada Trust customer – they might click on the document. That would probably infect their computer and do significant damage to their bank balance.
If in doubt about anything that arrives in your email – don’t touch it. Delete it and move on.
Spelling mistakes are always an indication that the email is phony.
By Staff
August 7th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Those lazy easy going days of August are upon us.
Let the serious stuff slide for a while. Get out and enjoy the summer – yes it is hot; if you want to complain about the heat, can we first talk about just why it is so hot?
But that would be getting away from enjoying the summer.
There are people doing the work that needs to be done to make a civil society work. Dozens of candidates are walking the streets of the city looking for support.
In the fall the pace will quicken and larger questions as to the kind of city you want will have to be answered.
There are going to be changes; two of the seven members of council have retired and two other members are running against each other for the job of Mayor. Three of the seven will not be there come the end of the year.
Deciding who should be sitting in those council seats is a large part of what being a tax payer is all about – and we are all tax payers.
 ECoB –Engaged Citizen of Burlington (ECoB) are organizing debates for every ward in the city and a debate for those who want to be Mayor.
ECoB has worked with the city and the Halton District School Board and have the following locations and dates in place. The city locations (they are indicated with an asterisk *) are not fully confirmed.
Ward 1: Thursday October 4th – at East Plains United Church
Ward 2: Monday October 1st, Burlington Baptist Church
Ward 3: Wednesday September 26th, Brant Hills Community Centre *
Ward 4: Thursday September 27th, Tansley Community Centre *
Ward 5: September 19th, Robert Bateman High School *
Ward 6: Haber Recreation Centre – Date has yet to be confirmed
Mayoralty debate: October 9th, Burlington Central High School.
The debates start at 7:00 pm with doors opening at 6:30 pm.
 Mark Carr, on the left will moderate the debates at the ward level. Diane Leblovic and Peter Thoem, a former ward 2 council member are with Mark at an ECoB event. Mark Carr, the Cogeco moderator of their The Issue, will moderate the ward level debates. ECoB is asking for questions people would like to see put to the candidates. You can send those questions to ecob47@gmail.com
The format will be to have each candidate answer the same question and then to have short debate between the candidates.
The debates in wards 1 and 2 will be interesting given the number of candidates, The only clear one–on–one debate will be in ward 4 where Shawna Stolte is running against incumbent Jack Dennison.
 Dorothy Borovitch ECoB is in the process of partnering with the Canadian Federation of University Women to run the Mayor debates. The plan is to have Dorothy Borovitch moderate. Ms Borovitch was a recent Burlington Best Award recipient and moderated the debates between the candidates running for the Burlington seat at Queen’s Park.The debate for those who want to be Mayor
ECoB, a citizens organization that has made a difference in the city has put a lot of work into making the debates, which are critical, to a successful election.
By Pepper Parr
August 4th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
It is both a quiet time and a very hectic time for those who are running for public office.
Many of those running for the first time are out on the streets, knocking on doors and asking for support.
Most have their web sites in place and are developing their election teams.
There will be a lot more use of social media this time around.
 Mike Wallace was part of the Harper government. Former Prime Minister checks out the product at Ecosynthetix. Company CEO John van Leeuwen is on the left Mike Wallace has decided to hold “Let’s talk” sessions that he broadcast over the internet on how own YouTube channel.
He has done three so far and can be expected to do more.
 Burlington’s MP Mike Wallace takes questions during the Chamber of Commerce BBQ.
The use of videos is a one way conversation but it at least gives the public a chance to learn what the candidate stands for and plans to do.
Wallace makes it very clear that as Mayor he is going to lead and not sit behind a desk.
Part of his focus is on the young people who he calls millennial’s. He wants them to be able to live in homes they can afford in Burlington and work at jobs that exist in Burlington.
One really interesting idea that he put forward was to have those millennials working with the planners. Interesting idea – it will be equally interesting to see how the planners take to that idea.
Wallace is clear on the current phase of building condominiums on every corner that can be found: “Expensive condos are not the answer.”
Wallace also tackles transit. He points out that the city has a $10 million transit system that isn’t working.
He wants to give the Director of Transit the tools she needs to get the job done.
 Don’t expect to see a lot of those 40 foot buses joining the fleet. Wallace wants the buses to be more attractive and cost efficient. He thinks that those 40 foot busses may be a thing of the past.
Wallace feels that the city missed the boat on transit and points to the major changes taking place in getting people from one location to another. Uber and driver less vehicles are in the future adds Wallace.
Wallace is quick to tell people that he doesn’t have the answers but he is committed to the idea of looking for the answers and coming up with a reasonable priced and perhaps an on demand transit service.
Why is he running for Mayor?
The answer to that question has several layers of complexity.
 The night he lost his seat as a Member of Parliament – he conceded to Karina Gould with dignity and respect. One – he wants the job. Wallace has been a political creature for most of his adult life. He has served as a member of council and the Member of Parliament for Burlington.
While an MP Mike delivered. It wasn’t something he talked about all that much but the list of things he delivered is impressive.
The Gazette had to ask Wallace for that list several times.
He has a soft spot for history – if you have a project that has an historical angle – Mike Wallace is the guy you want to talk to
He lists the issues that need attention.
Intensification – and not just in the downtown core.
Traffic congestion. He will tell you that private cars are not going to be going away anytime soon.
The demographics of the city bother Wallace – the city cannot be sustainable with just senior citizens –
 Mike Wallace running as part of a team in the hospital bed race. Wallace wants those young people living in the city and working in the city.
Development concerns him. We need it – but where and in what form?
Is Mike Wallace a friend of the developers?
Hard to tell.
His biggest idea so far, the creation of a Liberty Village in Burlington is going to need a large piece of land and there are just a few in the city and they are owned by a developer.
Can Mike Wallace work with developers and not be co-opted by them?
Is he tough enough to set a direction for the city and create a city council that works in unison?
He realizes now that the city needs a bigger city council and suggests that having 8 wards and a Mayor for a city council of nine might be what will serve the city best.
 Wallace was at the Rib Fest holding a bucket collecting cash for flood victims in 2014 Wallace isn’t telling the people he wants to vote for him that he has all the answers and this is the direction the city has to go in.
But he is quick to tell you that the direction it is going now isn’t working.
We are still in the early days.
 Part of the Wallace campaign – a car with a wrap – Like Mike. There will be more for Mike Wallace to say.
Pay attention: he wants the job and he has assembled a team that has the capacity to pull it off.
The people that matter are the people who live in this city.
Wallace will officially open his campaign office on August 18th. It will be on Fairview close to Appleby Line.
 By Staff
August 4th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Something seems to happen to some people when they are out on the water un a boat and some alcohol to get them through the day.
We get to see recklessness run amuck. It keeps the Halton Regional Police Marine Unit busy.
Some boaters feel that the laws of sensibility don’t apply when you are in a boat and on the water.
Drinking and boating accounts for approximately 40% of boating-related fatalities on Canadian waterways.
 Running at high speed with a pointed bow a boat can do a tremendous amount of damage in a collision. In 2018, the Canadian Safe Boating Council along with the Halton Regional Police Service are also concerned about the potential impact of legalization of recreational marijuana and the increase in use and abuse of prescription narcotics on boating incidents and fatalities.
To raise awareness and reduce impairment-related deaths, the Canadian Safe Boating Council (CSBC) and the Halton Regional Police Service are launching year 6 of an initiative called “Operation Dry Water” It’s goal is to stress the importance of Boating Sober.
 The Halton Regional police cover the waterfront in Oakville and Burlington and work with the Hamilton police who also have a marine unit. With the summer boating season in high gear, the August long weekend is the perfect time to remind Canadian boaters about the risks of impaired boating. Combined with sun, wind, waves and the rocking motion of the boat, the effects of alcohol and drugs on the water can be greatly increased.
“The CSBC, its partners and sponsors would like, through this and our other initiatives, to raise attention to the problem of boating under the influence and to remind boaters to boat sober,” stated John Gullick, Chair of the Canadian Safe Boating Council“. Operation Dry Water will focus on the potential risks of impaired boating, and remedies that are currently in place to discourage it.
Federal statutes dictate that boaters can be charged with Impaired Operation of a Vessel under the Criminal Code of Canada if they are found to be impaired. Under current and proposed legislation, human-powered craft are not excluded from the definition of a vessel and, so, are subject to the same penalties.
 Boating accidents are not uncommon. Far to many are alcohol related – the legalization of marijuana is expected to increase the level of reckless behaviour. A number of provinces have enacted legislation where impaired boating can affect your automobile driving privileges.
Operation Dry Water is aimed at reducing the number of impairment-related accidents and fatalities on the water while fostering a stronger and more visible deterrent to alcohol and drug use while boating.
 By Staff
August 3rd, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
 Data from radar tells the story of where the rain fell and how extensive it was. It was this weekend four years ago that the rain began in the early mid-afternoon – and just didn’t stop.
Mayoralty candidate Marianne Meed Ward sums up her view of one of the most expensive natural disasters to hit the city.
As we approach the four-year anniversary of the Burlington flood on August 4, 2014, it’s an appropriate time to take stock of what’s been done, and how far we still need to go.
What’s happened so far:
The city increased spending on Stormwater infrastructure by $20 million over 10 years to reduce water flow blockages, for example larger creek culverts and creek channel improvements. That only slightly accelerates what we would have been doing, and primarily addresses flood effects, not root causes.
The post-flood report released in phases in 2015 and 2017 contained fifteen key recommendations, most of which are ongoing or just started.
 Hundreds of basements were flooding – damage was in the millions. A grant program was established to assist homeowners with disconnection of foundation drains from the sewer system, and installation of back flow valves and sump pumps. While helpful, this addresses leaves flood mitigation to the individual homeowner.
The home inspection program to identify flood entry areas offered in partnership with University of Waterloo and the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation has seen only 92 participants. This also leaves responsibility for flooding on the homeowner.
 Extensive rain is going to be part of the new climate. These are not one offs. We must do better. We can’t assume severe weather is a “one-off.”
According to a Globe and Mail editorial in May 2017, “Flooding is the most costly hazard in terms of urban property damage, and has surpassed fire and theft as the principle source of property insurance claims.”
Insured damages associated with the Burlington flood alone are estimated to be in excess of $90 million with many people under- or un-insured.
A plan that addresses root causes
We need a plan to be prepared for flooding that deals with root causes, more than effects. We also need to treat our trees, greenspace, creeks and waterfront as valuable resources that have a role to play in Stormwater management and reducing flood risk.
We must take a more integrated, city-wide (not individual homeowner) approach to managing storm water and reducing flood risk. The current approach that’s largely focused on increasing the capacity of Stormwater systems is limited – and this runoff goes directly into our creeks and lake, a prime source of drinking water. We need to adopt new tools and approaches.
Responsible growth, retaining water at source, restoring a citizen’s voice on the waterfront:
There are two key actions we can take: approve responsible growth, not over-development; and retain water at source through low-impact development.
We also need to restore a citizen’s voice on waterfront issues, and expand the mandate to include Stormwater runoff into our lake.
 Meed Ward out doing her bit for those hammered by the storm Here she talks with Peter Hodgeson, the retired police officer who headed up the Red Cross work in the community. As your mayor I will support measures to reduce flooding causes, and effects at the city level by:
Advocating responsible growth, not over-development.
The 2018 Conservation Halton Watershed Report Card grades Burlington an F for “poor” or “very poor” for its surface water quality, forest conditions (our tree canopy) and the amount of our paved and hard surfaces.
Hard surfaces increase the amount of water run-off and flooding. These ratings are exactly the same as the Watershed Report Card published in 2013.
We can reduce runoff by reducing hard surfaces and adding greespace through measures to:
Create more building setbacks, ending lot-line to lot-line hard surface coverage
Set minimum parkland access standards, which don’t currently exist
Set tree canopy targets, which don’t currently exist
Trees, parkland and greenspace around buildings provide natural ways to absorb stormwater before it ends up in creeks and Stormwater pipes.
Keeping water at source through low-impact development
 A strip mall parking lot on Fairview. The city’s Sustainable Development guidelines on low impact development are voluntary, with the incentive of an award. We need stronger incentives, in partnership with grant programs at other levels of government. And we need to lead in terms of our own infrastructure. Leading low-impact development includes measures like:
Naturalized area in parking lots
Water absorbing sidewalks and traffic medians
Larger courtyards in new developments
Effectively treating run-off that goes into our lakes to reduce pollution entering our waterfront
Reasonable incentives for the private sector to reconfigure the paved footprint of developments to allow more water to either be stored or go directly into the ground
Restore Waterfront Advisory Committee
Finally, we need to restore a citizen’s voice on issues that affect our waterfront and watershed. Stormwater not contained at source through low-impact development currently flows with all its potential pollutants into our waterfront, including beside public areas such as Spencer Smith Park’s sand beach.
 Gary Scobie, far right, was a member of the Waterfront Access and Protection Advisory Committee which was sunset by the city. Nick Leblovic, chair of the committee is on the left. This mayor and council promised the Waterfront Access and Protection Advisory Committee in the 2010 election, then quietly axed the committee in a 6-1 vote two years later.
That isn’t entirely true. The Waterfront Advisory Committer was a Cam Jackson committee. The chair of the committee was quite ineffective and the city decided to bring it to an end,
I will reinstate the citizen’s Waterfront Advisory Committee, and expand the mandate to include water quality, creeks and Stormwater runoff into lakes. I will also restore the city’s relationship with the Waterfront Trail organization and oppose any sale of city-owned waterfront property (this mayor and council voted 6-1 to sell waterfront property between Market and St. Paul St to private homeowners).
 False modesty and a flooded car Action on flood risk
As your mayor, I will ensure that we prepare for the future with a comprehensive plan for storm water management, in partnership with residents, other levels of government, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the McMaster Centre for Climate Change and the development industry. We’ll develop a city-wide approach that addresses causes, not just effects at the home-owner level.
We need to treat our trees, parks, greenspaces, creeks and Lake Ontario as invaluable green infrastructure, and protect and increase these resources. We need to restore a citizen’s voice on our waterfront.
 By Staff
August 3rd, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
And so the season ends for the Burlington Herd; The Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Herd in their final game of the season in extra innings
Justin Marra’s two-run blast in the top of the 11th broke a 2-2 tie and helped the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Burlington Herd 6-3 Thursday night at Nelson Park.
 Marra’s blast, his 10th of the season, came after Dan Marra walked to start the inning. Damon Topolie’s RBI singled scored Garret Takamatsu later in the inning. Topolie, Takamatsu and Zac Orchard all finished with two hits and a run.
Andrew Simonetti (1-1) picked up the win, giving up a run on three hits over two innings. He was the Leafs’ third reliever after starter Justin Cicatello allowed a pair of runs on four hits with five strikeouts over seven innings.
Toronto (15-19) is tied with Guelph for fourth place.
Burlington (12-24) placed last in the standings before the playoffs begin.
Reese O’Farrell drove in two runs and had a stolen base for the last-place Herd, which dropped to 12-24. Vaughn Bryan went 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run, while Justin Gideon and Mattingly Romanin each had a hit and a run.
Casey Bouillere-Howard (4-4) took the loss, giving up three runs on four hits in two innings. He walked two and struck out two.
Trent Lunsford started and allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits with two walks and five strikeouts over five innings.
By Staff
August 3rd, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Halton Police have arrested a male party after a residence was broken into in Aldershot and two high end vehicles were stolen.
The party is alleged to have forced entry into the garage of an unoccupied house and subsequently stole two unlocked vehicles that also contained the keys. One of the vehicles was subsequently located by police in the City of Hamilton being operated by the accused party, Leon Robert BLAIS.
BLAIS, age 38, of the City of Hamilton, is charged with the following offences;
Break and Enter, two counts of Theft of a Motor Vehicle, two counts of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime and Possession of a Controlled Substance.
Unoccupied home; cars with keys in the ignition – someone knew something.
Anyone with information relating to this incident is encouraged to contact the Halton Regional Police Service Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4747 extension 2316.
Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers “See Something? Hear Something? Know Something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 or throught the internet at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.
“Taxpayer money should never be used for partisan purposes….If politicians want to self-promote, go out and raise money. Don’t use money that could otherwise be spent improving hospitals or fixing bridges to tell voters how awesome you are.”
Christine Van Geyn, Canadian Taxpayers Foundation.
By Ray Rivers
August 3rd, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Just this week Ontario’s new Conservative government kicked off its own news channel hidden in the tax-payer funded Caucus Services mine-field of bureaucracy. That allows the Ford crowd to skirt disclosure and advertising rules introduced by the McGuinty government, a decade and a half ago, specifically to prevent government from engaging in this kind of partisan advertising.
McGuinty’s regulation had been an election promise at the time to prohibit whatever political party was in power from using tax-payer money to produce, what is for them essentially, free political advertising – something the previous Harris/Eves government had been doing with gay abandon.
 They probably thought it was a good idea at the time. Ontario News Now is a page out of former Conservative PM Harper’s attempt to control the sound bites which ultimately end up on social media, including Google, where so many people now get their information of what is going on. Except Harper, who apparently dreaded showing up before reporters, didn’t actually bill his 24/Seven YouTube show as news, but rather just another vehicle to get his political message out.
Still it was prepared by Harper’s staff at public expense and its purpose was to avoid Harper having to attend regular media briefings and answer reporters’ questions. The entire program was scrapped soon after Justin Trudeau took over as PM.
This latest attempt by Ford to control the message is, for him, a natural follow-through after the apparent success of Ford Nation Live. That election gimmick enabled him to get his message out to social mediawithout having to defend his positions.
Critical questioning is the time honoured procedure of holding politicians’ feet to the fire when they make claims and brag about their accomplishments, and especially when they are avoiding any mention of the downsides of their efforts.
And Ford used his North Korea styled broadcast to brag about a number of events he had attended in his brief time as premier, and the promises he has met. But he should have lost us all when he bragged about having already reduced gasoline pump prices by ten cents. We all know that is a baseless fib at best, easily verified by a quick glance at the pixel boards of any service station. So it may be a new news channel but it’s also got fake news content – those alternate facts.
His first audience was estimated to be in the thousands and delivered to all kinds of social media including twitter, the outlet of choice for the US president. Still @OntarioNewsNow had a following of over two thousand early into its first week of operations.
As expected much of the traditional media have panned this effort. They don’t like somebody else doing their jobs for them – or at least the easy part. And so references to Ford as our ‘Dear Leader’ are just starting to appear in the legitimate news media, and one Globe and Mail writer boldly summed it up as…” Hiding behind home videos and canned applause this early in his mandate suggests insecurity and fear, as if the Premier doesn’t actually have the courage of his convictions.”
 Sadly, not all of our traditional media have yet woken up to what’s happening. Mr. Ford’s cheerleading journals, the Toronto Sun and the National Post must have hidden and/or buried the news of the unveiling of this Ford government initiative. But perhaps it’s just that these are early days. And besides, Ontario News Now isn’t really news, is it? It’s just another blatant attempt at political propaganda.
But taking the production of news away from our traditional news outlets, socializing and nationalizing the business of news is a dangerous step for a society committed to openness and democracy. After all, once we lose our independent media outlets can our other freedoms be far behind? And at what price do we take these freedoms for granted.
As a friend of mine once remarked… “It is amazing, in looking at the sweep of history, how much effort, blood and money has been devoted to liberating states from autocratic rule to democracies and how easily some of us who have enjoyed the benefits that our ancestors struggled to achieve are so willing to throw it away.”
 Doug Ford with an admirer – his wife. Said to be a Hamilton girl. Perhaps Ford was not actually trying to undercut and further diminish the role of our traditional media as honest brokers of the news. And perhaps he genuinely wanted his own TV show so Ontario taxpayers would see where their money is being spent.
But given Ontario’s massive debt load and Ford’s promise to cut waste and unnecessary spending, the creation of a provincially operated so-called news channel is an insult to all of the public and those folks who voted for him in particular. Or do they really believe this is how the new government for all the people puts your hard earned tax-dollars to work for you?
Ray Rivers writes regularly on both federal and provincial politics, 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. Tweet @rayzrivers
Background links: Korea Comes to Queens Park – Ford Undermines Democracy –
Ford’s Insecurity – Tweet Away –
 By Pepper Parr
August 3rd, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
This story is beginning to look like the New Street Road Diet – that one just went on and on. The massive drop in Burlington’s ranking in the annual Best Place to Live report was really small potatoes as issues go. But the public is reacting in a less than positive way.
Earlier this week Colin Gribbons, and advocate for better transit service said he “looks forward to the hemming and hawing as most of the current members of Council try to explain this one away.”
 Burlington didn’t make the top ten – the city was ranked # 31 after years of being at the top.  Roland Tanner Yesterday Roland Tanner, a candidate for the ward 2 city council seat asked: What does that MoneySense Best City ranking for Burlington actually mean for citizens? And then answered the question: “ Almost nothing. A delve into the statistics shows we shouldn’t have trusted the ranking before, and shouldn’t trust it now.”
Lynne Crosby, one of the very active parent participants in the high school closing debates chimed with this insight:
“The interesting part here isn’t so much the drop in the standings but the Mayor’s and City’s response to the drop in the standings. The current mayor tweeted: “New methodology means we lost points this year due to our modest growth compared to other cities growing at a faster rate.”
 Lynne Crosby “Well, actually no. The MoneySense report said: “While it’s true fast-growing cities can face challenges, we believe those difficulties can be absorbed and addressed if local leaders are effective….If the municipality is doing a bad job of handling that growth, it’s likely to be reflected in other areas of the ranking.”
Crosby points out that “Growth is also ranked 8th out of 10 in order of importance. And that is growth with the caveat that it is managed well. The criteria that is 8th out of 10 would not cause us to plummet down to #31.
The high-ranked cities were touted for various reasons by MoneySense, but growth wasn’t one of them.
“There are lots of intangible qualities that make a city a great place to live that can’t be measured. But we believe there are plenty of important characteristics that can be captured by hard data. A liveable city should be prosperous, but affordable. Safe, yet easy to get around. And it should have the type of weather that draws you outdoors.”
Crosby goes on to say: “Then we have our neighbouring community on the lake, Oakville. The City that told the Province: No, we won’t have an urban growth centre in the downtown. The City with the downtown that Councillor Lancaster called “desolate” at a recent council meeting. The #1 ranked city.
“Oakville Mayor Rob Burton has as the header on his Facebook page a graphic touting the fact that in his terms he has controlled growth, and slowed it down as compared to the previous mayor. From MoneySense:
 Small town feel and no urban growth in their downtown core. “Burton says the key to Oakville’s success is maintaining a small-town sense of community, even as the city’s population breaks 200,000. In fact, the municipality’s official name stubbornly remains “the Town of Oakville,” something Burton doesn’t see any reason to change.
“Oakville is a city that calls itself a town and acts like a village,” he says. “Oakville as a community is determined to maintain that town vibe.”
Greg Woodruff, a candidate for Burlington’s Mayor hopped on this one saying:
“First off the whole Money Sense idea is somewhat silly. No “best” place to live exists. People are different and with different tastes, it means everyone’s “best” place is different. However, the fall in rankings can be used to shed light on our current problems. We don’t have any clear agreement of what “best” even is.
“The basic problem is that what the majority of residents think is “best” and what the planning staff and Council thinks is “best” are in direct opposition. If you rely on the “expert” opinion of the day Burlington has too little modern art, hi-density apartment buildings and has far too many lanes of traffic, parking spots and well kept single family houses.
 The city has a “portal” in what used to be a parking lot. “Now I realize to the average person in Burlington going about their lives this comes as quite a shock. However, that’s what the New Street road diet is – an attempt to remove some of those “burdensome” lanes of traffic. That’s why we removed downtown parking for modern art. Because in the minds of some; “best” is modern art and if people don’t come downtown and businesses close – who cares – we got the “Portal” to stare into. That’s why all the hi-rises, because they are the “best” way to hold the most people. And the most people is “best”.
“What made Burlington “best” to local residents was the feeling of a smaller green place with all the amenities, shops and stores we wanted just a couple of minutes away. You could trade a longer commute for a nicer house here with a lawn for your kids to run on. It’s a great place to raise a family. It’s safe, it’s clean, it’s on the water, it’s got low taxes, nice parks – it’s an easy living city. Previous councils implemented a great version of suburban living and the people who settled here agreed.
 Candidate for Mayor Greg Woodruff “The fault for all this is entirely ours. We took the entire thing for granted. We didn’t form community groups. We didn’t demand concrete plans from elected officials. We didn’t comprehend that the government was capable of planning against our wishes. We didn’t give our local candidates $50 at election time. And we didn’t even vote.
“We need a clear plan to break from the over-development – my plan is a 6-floor residential limit. We need a clear plan to control over spending – my plan is tax increases no greater than inflation. We need a clear plan to reduce our traffic congestion – my plan is light synchronization and some extra region supplied HOV lanes.
“Whoever you are going to vote for – challenge them – what their idea of “best” is? What are the specific plans to bring it about on earth. If we don’t the yearly in Money Sense rankings are going to be the least of our problems. Though maybe we can all walk 60 minutes in the shadow of hi-rises beside gridlock traffic and stare at the latest art project.”
 Burlington didn’t make the top ten in the 2018 MoneySense rankings – the city placed #31 Mike Wallace chose to be less verbose saying: “Burlington has dropped 21 places nationally in Money Sense Magazine’s annual ranking of the best places to live in Canada. We now are ranked behind all the other communities in our Region of Halton.
 Mike Wallace: Is he hitch hiking or is he going to drive the car – and will it get him to city hall? “If the current Council can take credit for the past rankings they must take responsibility for the current results. October 22nd is your time to make better choices for the city.”
It will take master politicians at city hall to find a way to back out of this one. Councillor Craven and Taylor aren’t running again. They Mayor has said what he has to say. Councillors Sharman, Dennison and Lancaster may add some comment. It could well become a burning tire that members of the current city council have to wear around their necks.
 By Staff
August 2nd, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The new wing of the Joseph Brant Hospital has been open for almost a year – the renovation of the old part of the hospital is still underway.
The emergency entrance to the hospital has been moved – it is now on Lakeshore Road.
Knowing where the entrance to the hospital emergency isn’t something you need to know until you NEED to know where it is.
The graphic below is something you want to stick into that “back of your head” memory. It might become vital information for you.
By Staff
August 2nd, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Little by little the transformed Joseph Brant Museum begins to take shape.
Scheduled to open in July of 2019 the replica of the original Brant house will sit on top of the museum and serve as office and administration space. The public will never get into that space unless they are there on some kind of business matter.
 Rendering of what the Museum site will look like when completed. The lower level that is being built now will consist of three galleries.
 Some of the early drawings setting out what will be where when the transformation of the museum is complete. The “new” Joseph Brant Museum will feature three new galleries. The Burlington Gallery will feature Joseph Brant, Thayendanegea, and will look at the development of Burlington from immigration and early industry to modern development. The Costume Gallery will evoke a “fashion show” experience. Costumes on the runway will contextualize social history focusing on the time of the famous Brant Inn and the big band era.
The Discovery Gallery will be a place dedicated to children where they can touch, play and learn.
Construction is on time and said to be on budget as well.
 The entrance area to the galleries will be at the street level.
 The Brant house replica can be seen in the background where is rests on wooden block several feet off the ground waiting to be positioned on the site when the gallery area below is completed.
 By Staff
August 2nd, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
We thought we had ended the commenting on the drop in Burlington’s MoneySense magazine ranking.
Mayoralty candidate Marianne Meed Ward put out a stinging statement on her community web site and managed to turn the remarks into a campaign statement. She is running for Mayor.
The following is from Meed Ward:
Insight & Analysis — MoneySense magazine has just released their list of Canada’s Best Places to Live for 2018, and Burlington has dropped again for the third year in a row, down to #31 overall out of a list of 415 cities across Canada.
Last year we came in at #9 overall, and in 2016 we ranked in the #2 spot.
Looking only at mid-size cities, Burlington is the sixth best “mid-sized city” in which to live in Canada, down from the number one spot.
So why the big drop?
Here’s a summary of the rankings, what’s different, and some thoughts on what we need to improve to make our community better for all residents.
What’s different:
The number of cities ranked for comparison fluctuates. The survey in 2016 had 219 cities in their ranking. That year we ranked second overall. Last year, 417 cities were ranked, and we dropped to ninth overall. A similar number of cities are ranked this year (415), but we dropped to #31.
There have also been some changes to the category components and weightings versus previous years, making it hard to do a pure “apples to apples” comparison with our previous years’ results.
Median wait times for medical procedures is now in the mix, for example.
The method for tracking population growth has changed, so cities earn more points the faster they are growing, versus the former method of counting a city’s growth rate related to the national average. However growth is ranked 8 out of 10 in importance and weighting, with other factors like wealth, affordability, health care and weather still considered more important.
MoneySense considers population growth an advantage, as it assumes that if more people want to live in a city, it’s a positive reflection on that location overall.
However, they included an important caveat that growth must be properly managed.
Stated MoneySense: “While it’s true fast-growing cities can face challenges, we believe those difficulties can be absorbed and addressed if local leaders are effective….If the municipality is doing a bad job of handling that growth, it’s likely to be reflected in other areas of the ranking.”
Criteria and weighting
There are 10 categories the rankings consider. They are listed below in the order that they have the most weight and therefore importance (according to MoneySense):
Wealth & Economy (including employment rate & average household income)
Affordability (of housing/rental units)
Access to health care (# of doctors, specialists, and procedure wait-times)
Weather (less rain = better)
Commute (more points for the % of people who walk, bike or take transit to work)
Crime (the lower the crime rate, the better)
Taxes (including provincial sales tax and property tax)
Population growth (growth is good – if managed properly)
Culture (% of people working in arts, culture & recreation + engagement in community)
Amenities (restaurants, bars, and reasonable access to theatres, airports & universities)
We need to do better
Changes to the criteria aside, it’s hard to argue that we have taken a big hit in our ranking. Our city, including our current mayor, has often referred to this ranking as a source of pride over the years, whether to attract new businesses or encourage new residents and festivals to come here.
While we are all still very proud of the wonderful city we live in, it’s worth taking stock of what pushed us out of the top 10 all the way to #31 this year, and think about what we could do better. We want to move in a direction that gets us back where we belong.
My Take and My Plan to make Burlington better
Ranking lists are limited in value by what they measure and the weight given to each. However, when we trumpet that we’re Canada’s best mid-sized city, it can create complacency where we rest on our laurels and take things for granted, instead of driving to improve the quality of life for all our residents.
We’re clearly at a tipping point with this sudden drop, and instead of making excuses, we need to take positive action to ensure we’re focused on the things that are important to making our city thrive.
With the recent decisions by the current mayor and council approving overdevelopment, we’re headed for congestion, lack of housing affordability and lost greenspace.
We’re at a crossroads, and we now have to work harder to protect the city we love.
 There are over-developments proposed or approved across the city. Meed Ward believes the Lakeshore Road development in the east end is one of them. Our top priority must be managing our growth better, avoiding the over-intensification of recent decisions by this mayor and council, for example the 18 storey building across from City Hall, and up to 30 more high-rises downtown in the new Official Plan. There are over-developments proposed or approved across the city, from townhouses at 2100 Brant St., Dynes Road, and Georgina Court, to high-rises in Alton, at Appleby Mall, Lakeside Plaza and Plains Road. Residents support scaled back projects, but we’re getting over-development.
You want a voice in shaping development in our city, but residents have been tuned out and ignored as NIMBYs (Not In My Back Yard) who just don’t understand planning.
We have to get growth right, which includes amending the new Official Plan to scale back over intensification, and sticking closely to the existing Official Plan with new applications.
We also must ensure that as we grow and change, we retain our small-town feel, community character and quality of life, not detract from it. That means we protect and enhance our community amenities, like parks, community centres, and seniors programming; protect and add trees, trails and green space; improve traffic flow and light synchronization with emerging technologies; protect and add to rental housing; use planning tools to add affordable housing, and make job attraction a priority to reduce commute times and allow more of our residents to work in Burlington.
 Meed Wards wants to keep the small town open space feel the city has going for it. Read more about my plans for managing Burlington’s growth in a responsible way, for protecting the character of our neighborhoods and downtown, for making it easier to do business here, for improving the effectiveness of City Hall, for restoring respect for residents, and for ensuring we have the amenities and greenspace we need for our young people, seniors and families to thrive and live healthy lives.
Visit my website and explore my vision, my plan, and how you can get involved: mariannemeedward.ca.
We know Burlington is one of Canada’s Best Places to Live. Let’s get the leadership we need to put us back on top where we belong. Vote for change on October 22nd, for the mayor who will put residents first.
No word from Mike Wallace, Rick Goldring or Greg Woodruff on the change in the MoneySense magazine ranking.
The Gazette has always seen the ranking as a readership promotion campaign on behalf of the magazine that has a circulation in excess of 110,000
Former Mayor Cam Jackson took the things seriously. He didn’t like the way Burlington was lumped in with Hamilton, talked to the magazine’s editors and out of that came a Burlington specific ranking that city hall fell in love with.
That romance seems to have come to an end.
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