By Pepper Parr

December 5^th, 2024

BURLINGTON, ON

The item was on the consent agenda, which meant it wasn’t supposed to get any attention.

No one asked the CAO to speak to his report.

And not a single member of Council asked a single question of CAO Hassaan Basit. It was, unfortunately, a missed opportunity

Burlington’s growing and evolving economic and tourism landscapes necessitate a critical examination of how the City delivers and governs these services. Currently managed by independent boards, as part of the City’s Agencies, Boards and Commissions (ABCs), Burlington Economic Development (BED) and Tourism Burlington have historically provided adequate flexibility and autonomy to respond to local business and tourism needs.

However, changes in legislation over the years, increased economic complexity, a growing and changing population, and evolving City priorities present an opportunity to assess whether the current model continues to serve the community optimally.

A recent announcement from Halton Region indicates a shift of its economic development services to local municipalities which means a reevaluation of Burlington’s current approach. This presents both challenges and opportunities.

A periodic review of this nature helps ensure the City remains competitive, accountable, and capable of meeting stakeholder expectations.

Staff will be undertaking a review to evaluate the current structure, effectiveness, and potential integration of BED and Tourism Burlington into the City’s governance framework. This review will consider alignment with City goals, operational efficiencies, stakeholder needs, and transparency. Three potential pathways are outlined:

maintaining the status quo,

conducting a third-party review,

or proceeding with integration.

 The ABC model was adopted historically to navigate restrictive legislation under the Municipal Act, which limited municipal involvement in economic development activities. These limitations included restricting the ability of municipalities to engage in certain activities that could be seen as business-related, including offering direct incentives or engaging directly in economic development activities that competed with the private sector.

These restrictions made it necessary for municipalities to operate their economic development arms externally through separate entities and, specifically to economic activities at the time, this structure offered several advantages:

• Operational Flexibility: ABCs could move more freely in responding to business needs and economic opportunities without being bound by the rigid constraints of municipal governance processes.
• Governance Autonomy: By being arm’s-length from the municipality, ABCs were seen as more able to work closely with private-sector partners and advocate for economic opportunities.
• Avoiding Legal Restrictions: The Municipal Act at the time limited municipalities from engaging in what was deemed “commercial enterprises” or providing certain types of financial incentives to businesses. ABCs provided a legal workaround by being separate entities, not directly bound by these restrictions.

Over time, legislative changes have allowed municipalities greater leeway in managing their own economic development. In particular, changes to the Municipal Act and the introduction of new regulations such as the Ontario Regulation 599/06 (Municipal Services Corporations) enabled municipalities to directly take on economic development activities.

In 2023, the City of Burlington initiated a comprehensive review to enhance its relationships with ABCs and Joint Ventures (JVs), with a focus on accountability, governance, and alignment with City objectives.

A sleepy little office with a collection of brochures.

A significant development during this period was the proposed merger of Tourism Burlington and BED into a single independent ABC. This merger, was guided by the Joint Board Governance Steering Committee formed in late 2023. Milestones included a September 2023 Letter of Intent between TB and EcDev to explore governance integration, Council’s November 2023 receipt of an updated strategy report, and February 2024 discussions on shared operations and marketing.

There was also a Council directive in March 2024 to expedite the merger by January 2025 in order to deliver the Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) program (Local Board Governance – Merger of Tourism ).

In January 2025, Halton Region will cease providing economic development services, except for its Small Business Centre, transferring responsibility for these programs to local municipalities. This decision stems from legislative changes, including Bill 23 and the Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act (Bill 185). These acts have reshaped the responsibilities of Halton Region, transitioning it to an upper-tier municipality without planning duties and emphasizing local governance for services connected to economic development and land use planning.

The transfer is part of a broader regional service transition plan developed collaboratively with local municipalities, ensuring local needs guide economic development efforts.

Population growth expected to take place in the Region.

Burlington is also experiencing steady population growth and is projected to see a continued rise in residents through 2051. As of 2021, the population was approximately 186,948, reflecting a 2% growth from 2016. This trend is expected to continue, driven by regional development plans and increased housing demands, and by 2051, Burlington’s population is expected to grow by over 40 percent.

These demographic shifts highlight the increasing demand for cohesive economic development and tourism strategies, making it essential to ensure the governance structure supporting these efforts remains agile and aligned with the city’s evolving needs. A review of Burlington’s Economic Development and Tourism framework would provide a critical opportunity to address these trends strategically and ensure that services are equipped to support long-term growth and community development.

Strategy, Process, and Risk:

The City recognizes the dedication and expertise of the current volunteer boards and their significant contributions to the objectives of Economic Development and Tourism. This review is not a reflection on the performance of the boards or staff but is intended to identify opportunities for improvement and future growth.

City staff will be commissioning a neutral, third-party review to analyze the following (this list is not exhaustive and can include additional areas of analysis):

1. 1. Historical and Legislative Context: Assessment of how legislative changes have created opportunities for in-house models.
   2. Service and Strategic Alignment: Evaluation of current services that BED and Tourism Burlington offer and their alignment with City priorities.
   3. Resource Allocation: Analysis of cost efficiencies, staffing optimization, and reduction of duplication.
   4. Comparative Analysis: Lessons learned from other municipalities transitioning to in- house models.
   5. Operational Feasibility: Examination of functions like procurement and TechPlace’s role in a restructured framework.
   6. Stakeholder Perspectives: Inclusion of feedback from businesses, tourism partners, and residents.
   7. Governance Options: Exploration of potential governance structures to support ongoing community involvement.

Options Considered:

Option 1: Maintain the Status Quo

Maintaining the current ABC model without initiating a review or pursuing integration retains the existing structure and operational practices.

Option 2: Conduct a Third-Party Revie

Commissioning a neutral, evidence-based review provides a balanced and informed approach to evaluating the current structure, understanding its strengths and gaps, and exploring the feasibility of alternatives, including integration.

Option 3: Proceed with Integration Directly

Moving forward with the immediate integration of BED and Tourism Burlington into the City’s governance framework without conducting a review.

Among these three options, maintaining the status quo provides stability but risks failing to address pressing issues of alignment, accountability, and efficiency. Proceeding directly with integration carries significant risks of missteps and operational disruption due to the lack of a thorough understanding of existing challenges and opportunities.

Conducting a third-party review stands out as the most prudent and strategic option. It allows the City to assess the current state comprehensively, consider stakeholder perspectives, and make data-driven decisions about the optimal structure for Burlington’s economic development and tourism efforts. This balanced approach ensures Burlington remains future-ready while upholding transparency and accountability to its residents, businesses, and stakeholders.

Staff have budgeted a maximum of $50,000 for a third-party review and report.  Funding is included in the 2025 Corporate Affairs budget.

Hassaan Basit: This evidence-based approach ensures decisions are aligned with Burlington’s goals of transparency, accountability, and sustainable growth.

Burlington has the ability to assess the most effective approach to its economic development and tourism functions. While the current economic development and tourism efforts seem to be generally effective, evolving legislative, operational, and strategic priorities warrant a thoughtful review. Conducting a third-party assessment offers the City an opportunity to identify strengths, address gaps, and explore the feasibility of integration without committing prematurely to structural changes. This evidence-based approach ensures decisions are aligned with Burlington’s goals of transparency, accountability, and sustainable growth. By proceeding carefully, Burlington can position itself to meet future economic and tourism challenges effectively while maintaining the trust of its stakeholders.

Freeman Station

What the report, written by CAO Hassaan Basit, doesn’t include is pulling the Cultural arms into the mix.

The Performing Arts Centre and the Museums of Burlington serve the community and draw tourists to the city.  What could also be included is the Freeman Station – if the city ever gets around to finding the keys to open the doors to the public.

Related news story:

Burlington doesn’t rank all that well on the culture scale.

By Eric Stern

December 4th, 2024

BURLINGTON, ON

Five precious minutes, that’s it, that’s all the time a taxpayer is allowed at a council meeting. I spoke to Council on November 25^th, 2024. Following the meeting, Counsellor Nisan posted this on the LinkedIn social media platform.

Ward 3 Councillor Rory Nisan

“A lot of frankly unacceptable comments were made today by a delegation, disrespecting our excellent City of Burlington staff. Not only were they unfair but also misinformed. At the time I was focused on the written submission and should have spoken up.”

During my time I raised three issues.

1 – What is the tax increase

I was disheartened when Hassan Basit presented the “overall” tax increase as 4.97% on November 4^th, when the police services budget had been released on October 30^th, and the “overall” tax increase was known to be at least 5.76%.  I wondered aloud if Mr. Basit had misrepresented the truth. If I had been talking to friends about Basit’s statement I would have used words other than misrepresent.

I did not misrepresent any of these numbers or dates.

The Burlington budget book states facts such as the “Net City Tax Levy” is increasing by 8.3% and Burlington taxes on existing homeowners will increase by 7.51%.

An honest presentation of the tax increase would say that Burlington is increasing its portion of your tax bill by 7.51% and total taxation by 8.3%. I maintain that the numbers the city shares, the 4.97% or 5.76% increase numbers, misrepresent the facts but I don’t work for the city and I’m not Councillor Nisan.

If someone wants to tell me that the 8.3% increase in tax revenue, shown on page 17 in the 2025 budget is wrong I am happy to listen

Eric Stern – BRAG spokesperson

After I delegated Councillor Nisan asked the CFO, Craig Millar, what the tax increase was and, using a word salad, Millar answered with something like 3.76%. Nisan accepted his answer without question. Delegates are not allowed to ask questions so that’s it. The culture at city hall has devolved to the point where if the “CFO said 3.76%” it must be true. Who cares what’s on page 17 of the budget book.

 2 – City of Burlington website statistics

On November 18^th Leah Bortolotti spoke, in council chambers and on video, about 6.7 million people visiting the website annually. The 2025 Burlington budget states, on page 48, “our website—with its 1.5 million annual users”.

I stated that only 200,000 people live in Burlington. I may have misrepresented the population of the city. The population is difficult to track, it’s not like a website where software keeps track of visitors, users, and IP addresses for you. I publicly apologize for any misrepresentation of the population number.

Using Ms. Bortolotti’s number, if 6.7 million people are visiting the website maybe we can collect $1 a year from those millions of people, who must live outside of the city, to offset costs.

Another idea is that staff tell city councillors and the public how many residents visit the website, and how often. The 6.7 million number is being used to justify a web marketing SEO position. In the context of hiring another full-time staff member at a cost of at least $148,000 a year, residents should be told how many people use the website to book recreation, pay parking tickets, or look for information. Council Bentivegna was the only council to question the 6.7 million number but staff did not provide any additional details.

Eric Stern at the lectern in Council Chambers

3 – I spoke about our mayor’s story of bus drivers quitting for higher pay and how this was not reflected in the turnover numbers that staff presented to the council and the public on November 18^th as being 5.3%, with over 3% of those people leaving due to retirements. I stated that this is lower than comparative private-sector numbers and “This indicates the city has the right mix of salary, benefits and working conditions. An average, across-the-board, salary increase of 4.58% when inflation is 2.5% sounds high.” Inflation is difficult to predict so I may have misrepresented the inflation number. I wanted to say a normal reaction to bus drivers leaving to work in other cities is to increase the wages or salaries of bus drivers. I did not say that because there was not enough time and I apologize if I misrepresented a common private sector approach to this problem.

Considering the somewhat glaring errors the BRAG team found in the budget, the 14 pages of issues we submitted for follow-up, and the confusing information from the city on tax increases, website users, and pay raises. Nisan’s comment that I was “disrespecting our excellent City of Burlington staff” rings hollow. It is time for Council and staff to start respecting residents and taxpayers.

Eric Stern is one of the founders of BRAG  – Burlington Ratepayers’ Action Group

By Pepper Parr

December 4^th, 2024

BURLINGTON, ON

Alexandra Petri, a Washington Post columnist didn’t think President-Elect Donald Trumps comment about annexing Canada and making it the American 51^st state was a joke

The headline on her December 4th, column read –  I’m not afraid to say it: Annexing Canada is not a good idea.

Petri explains: “This all started when Trump threatened to add 25 percent tariffs to all goods coming from Canada. Then, according to Fox News, Justin Trudeau objected on the grounds that this idea was stupid, so Trump said that if Canada didn’t like it, it could become our 51st state. And then there was “nervous laughter.”

In an attempt to put some spin on the issue, which the Trudeau government wants to get off the front page, Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc said the incoming president’s suggestion was said in jest.

“The president was telling jokes, the president was teasing us. It was of course on that issue in no way a serious comment,” LeBlanc told reporters on his way into a cabinet meeting.

Don’t you just love the way the politicians try to get your mind off an issue and onto something else?

It’s never going to happen – what the comment revealed is that Trump is totally out of control and we are going to have to put up with the man until at least November of 2026.

Burlington’s Steve Warner doesn’t share that view.  He maintains that: “Unfortunately, around 2050 or so, Canada will be annexed by the USA. It will be for the vast supply of fresh water which Canada has, and the land that will be needed to house the many US refugees, from rising sea levels. People will poo poo this but it is going to happen unless Putin blows the world up in the next few years.”

By Pepper Parr

December 4^th, 2024

BURLINGTON, ON

It shouldn’t happen but it could happen.

The Conservative Opposition in the House of Commons has blocked the government’s legislative agenda since the last week of September.

Pierre Poilievre wants an election – the sooner the better.

The Opposition has a serious responsibility to oppose a government – but freezing the normal day to day business of a government is as irresponsible as you can get.

The Conservatives plan to introduce a motion on Thursday and the debate and vote are set for Monday.

Singh has said he will not support a Non-confidence Motion

NDP leader Singh says he is not going to vote non-confidence and trigger an election. If that happens the Non-confidence Motion will fail.

The House is due to rise on December 17^th, and return on the 27^th of January, 2025

That means there will not be (but you never know with this current bunch of Members of Parliament) an election called until sometime in the New Year.

The next federal election will take place on or before October 20, 2025,

By the time the House of Commons returns President-Elect Donald Trump will have been sworn in as President – and no one knows what he will do.  Few see any rays of sunshine coming out of Washington during the first couple of months.

How bad can it get?  Wait and see.

The good news is – the federal government is going to lift the GST tax and send you all a check for $250 and the provincial government will send you a check for $200.00

By Tom Parkin

December 4^th, 2024

BURLINGTON, ON

Ontario’s current private electricity contracts and public generating capacity will be insufficient to meet growing demand starting in 2029, according to a recent report from the Independent Electricity System Operator, the crown agency that manages Ontario’s grid.

The IESO report cites new industrial demand from data centres and steel mills as key drivers of higher electricity demand. The federal and provincial governments have provided billions in public investment to switch steel mill furnaces off coked coal to electricity, an effort now underway.

According to the United Steelworkers Union’s Canadian director, cleaner production should become a competitive advantage for Canadian steel jobs.

Looming electricity gap poses a risk to jobs

But while Ontario jobs are increasingly demanding and dependant on electricity, supply isn’t forecast to keep up.

A long-known impact on Ontario’s generating capacity comes from scheduled refurbishments of major generating stations.

At the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station, which supplies about 30 per cent of Ontario’s power, one generator is currently being refurbished and will remain offline until 2027. Four more generators will be refurbished over the next five years.

The entire Pickering Nuclear Generating Station, which supplies about 14 percent of Ontario’s electricity, will be offline for scheduled refurbishment from the end of 2026 until the mid-2030s.

No supply or demand initiative ready to fill the looming gap

Although rising demand and scheduled refurbishments have been long-known, one of the PCs’ first priorities after election in 2018 was to scrap new power projects, including some already under construction, costing taxpayers $213 million. No major projects have been started since the PCs’ election six years ago.

Premier Ford has been talking about cleaning up the hydro mess for years – but hasn’t managed to get much done.

The Ford PCs have publicly mused about a Bruce station expansion, but that’s not a solution for 2029. Consultations, licensing and construction would take 10 to 15 years.

Strategies to cut demand are also lagging. Evaluations of the province’s Conservation and Demand Management Framework, which provides incentives to consumers to become more energy efficient, have shown its initiatives have been effective, but the current plan expires at the end of this month without a new plan of additional incentives approved and in place.

Keeping the flow of electricity going will become much harder when there isn’t enough electricity available to meet the coming demand.

And while a gap looms, filling it with imported power has become more difficult due to big reductions in hydroelectricity available from Quebec.

Todd Smith, who served as minister since 2021, was shuffled out of the energy portfolio this summer, and replaced by Stephen Lecce. The switch suggests Ontario’s electricity gap has moved past being a policy challenge and is now being considered a crisis communications issue.

Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Electrification announced a media event today at 9:00 am.  He will be joined by Sam Oosterhoff, Associate Minister of Energy-Intensive Industries, to provide remarks.

By Staff

December 3rd, 2024

BURLINGTON, ON

As the City prepares for more investments in its flood prevention and support efforts, they remind residents of flood program deadlines, and new grant options aimed at helping residents recover from flooding in July 2024.

Burlington’s Flood Relief Grant are there to help.

The deadline to initiate an application for the City of Burlington’s Flood Relief Grant and the Building Permit/Zoning Certificate Fee Flood Relief Program is Dec. 20, 2024 at 5 p.m.

In addition, the Province announced on Nov. 29 that some homeowners in Burlington may be eligible for financial support through the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO) program.  The City is encouraging residents to take advantage of these available resources if they have not done so already. Burlington and Halton Region home flood prevention programs will continue.

With climate change driving increasingly severe weather, Burlington is stepping up efforts to address the growing risks of flooding. In the 2025 budget, the City is dedicating substantial resources to enhance stormwater systems and bolster emergency preparedness. Homeowners are also encouraged to play an active role in reducing flood risks by taking advantage of available City and regional programs. While certain measures aimed at addressing this summer’s flood are nearing their final deadlines, other programs remain in place to help the community better protect homes and properties in the face of future challenges.

City of Burlington Flood Recovery Grant

City of Burlington’s Flood Relief Grant ($1,000) can help residents to either offset the cost of an insurance deductible or help with flooding-related costs that are not otherwise covered under their home insurance policy. For all eligibility criteria, visit: burlington.ca/flood.

The deadline to call 311 to arrange an inspection is 5 p.m. on Dec. 20, 2024.

City of Burlington Building Permit/Zoning Certificate Fee Flood Relief Program

The Building Permit/Zoning Certificate Fee Flood Relief Program is also coming to an end on Dec. 20, 2024. This program covers the cost of building permit and zoning certificate fees for homeowners completing interior renovations following flood damage from the severe weather event on July 15 and 16. For all eligibility criteria, visit: burlington.ca/flood.

Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO) program

Last week, the Ontario government announced that it would be activating the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO) program. This will provide much needed support for residents in designated areas of Burlington alongside creeks after flooding in July. The City welcomes this important financial support.

The DRAO program is not funded or run by the City. To find out if you are eligible to apply for assistance and for next steps, individuals should review activation areas and program guidelines available at:

•  ontario.ca/DisasterAssistance

If you have any questions relating to the Disaster Recovery Assistance Program, you can contact the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing as follows:

• call 1-877-822-0116 after speaking with your private insurance provider.

By Pepper Parr

December 3^rd, 2024

BURLINGTON, ON

More on how the conversation Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had with president-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago compound in Florida last week.  It has become the place everyone has to go to “kiss the ring”.

iPolitics reports that:

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with President-elect Donald Trump.

“U.S. President-elect Trump suggested to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last week that if a tariff for failing to address trade and immigration issues would kill the neighbour to the north’s economy, maybe it should become the 51st state, Fox News reports, citing sources.

“Last Friday, Trudeau flew to Mar-a-Lago unannounced after Trump threatened to impose sweeping tariffs on Canadian products.

“Sources say Trudeau told Trump over dinner that he cannot levy the tariff because it would kill the Canadian economy completely. Trump replied – asking, so your country can’t survive unless it’s ripping off the U.S. to the tune of $100 billion?

“Trump then suggested to Trudeau that Canada become the 51st state, which caused the prime minister and others to laugh nervously.”

Elsewhere it was reported that Trump played music from his cellphone while people were talking.

By Drew Allen

December 2nd, 2024

BURLINGTON, ON

In a post-pandemic world, more people are making strategic lifestyle choices. It’s a conscious approach to general wellness and includes creative solutions like installing home elevators, studying martial arts, and vacationing in remote places. Modern adults like the idea of improving emotional, physical, and emotional health at the same time. Doing so represents an efficient approach to enhancing not just health, but connections with other people and nature. Individuals who embrace these societal trends can look forward to happier, more fulfilling lives. Consider the following details about the three pivotal choices that have the power to transform anyone’s life.

Installing a Home Elevator

An in-home elevator: a practical solution for individuals who want an easier way to move between floors

As modern cities become more crowded, millions of working adults are buying multi-story homes. It’s not only a wise economic choice, but one that offers a stylish living space. However, not everyone likes the idea of traipsing up and down flights of steps dozens of times each day. That’s just one of the reasons behind the growing popularity of home elevators. The units come in a wide variety of sizes, styles, and price points.

No longer found exclusively in high-priced homes, the energy-efficient forms of vertical transport are showing up in homes all over the nation and Stiltz Home Elevators are in demand as a practical solution for individuals who have mobility challenges or just want an easier way to move between floors. In fact, there’s no better way to simplify daily tasks for families with young kids and for older residents. Plus, adding a personal elevator delivers a large dose of elegance to any room in the house. Today’s units are available in sleek, customized designs that work with any interior style. The decision to install one is a win-win for homeowners of all ages and income levels.

Studying Martial Arts

Martial arts training teaches focus, resilience, and personal discipline.

Making the decision to study martial arts is a wise way to enhance mental, emotional, and physical wellness. As the middle of the decade approaches, more adults are recognizing the multiple benefits, far beyond self-defense, that result from studying techniques like karate, taekwondo, judo, kung fu, and more. Anyone who spends a few months as a beginning martial arts student inevitably discovers that the training teaches focus, resilience, and personal discipline. All three qualities come in handy for working people in the modern world. Practitioners also learn how to set confidence building goals as they gain strength, cardiovascular health, and full-body flexibility.

Vacationing in Remote Places

No WiFi here; disconnect from technology and rejuvenate your mind and your body.

In the fast-paced digital world, there’s a growing demand for remote vacations. Traveling to secluded spots like the South Pacific Islands and the Australian Outback, gives people the chance to completely disconnect from technology and rejuvenate their minds and bodies. Even travel agencies are designing special packages for those who want to get away from it all for a few days, weeks, or months.

The adventure delivers huge benefits even when stays are short. Whether travelers choose a remote island, a cabin in the mountains, or a beach-side hut, it gets them away from all the distractions of modern society. That means more opportunities for self-reflection and deep relaxation. Some individuals decide to travel alone to make the experience even more isolated, while others prefer to travel in pairs or larger groups to snag discounts.

By Staff

December 2nd, 2024

BURLINGTON, ON

What will Burlington MP Karina Gould be doing this week?

Burlington MP Karina Gould

Government House Leader Karina Gould has put the legislation that will result in a two-month tax break and a payment of $250.00 on a fast track by preemptively limiting debate to just ten minutes per party — plus an additional five minutes for questions and comments — before putting it to a make-or-break second reading vote, after which — presuming, that is, that it gets the green light to proceed — it would be deemed to have been considered at all stages, read a third time and passed.

It’s worth noting that, while the motion could be called for debate as early as tomorrow, not only would it require the support of at least one other party to succeed, but as it stands, there’s no clear path for it to make it to the floor as long as the months-long standoff over a Conservative-initiated privilege debate is still preempting regular House programming.