 By Staff
October 19th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Regional Police are now producing an Impaired Driving Offences Summary which they release to the media with this statement:
The operation of motor vehicles while drivers are impaired by alcohol and/or drugs remains a serious concern for Halton Region. In an effort to bring more attention to the risk of driving while impaired, assist in identifying witnesses and reduce continued offences, the Service is reporting the following incident:
Name: Jennifer Lahey (37) of Burlington
Date/Time: October 18, 2017 8:14 p.m.
Location: Burlington
Charges:
• Impaired operation of motor vehicle
• Impaired driving – over 80 mgs
Despite years of awareness campaigns illustrating why driving a vehicle while impaired by alcohol and/or drugs is dangerous, impaired driving remains the top criminal cause of death in Canada. The Halton Regional Police Service remains committed to road safety through prevention, education and enforcement initiatives.
The day before the Regional Police released the following:
Name: Harry Stecyszyn (63) of North York
Date/Time: October 17, 2017 4:00 p.m.
Location: Burlington
Charges:
• Impaired operation of motor vehicle
• Driving under suspension
Public shaming seems to be the route to go.
Call a cab or call a friend and get a ride home.
Online newspaper like the Gazette are public for a very long time. Everything we have ever published is still out there. If you drink – just don’t drive.
 By Pepper Parr
October 18th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
It wasn’t a great surprise – if he wasn’t employed as the Mayor what would he do?
Inside Halton published a report that had Burlington Mayor Rick Goldring announcing earlier today that he would be seeking a third term in the 2018 municipal election.
Inside Halton went on to say that the Mayors used “…the Niagara Escarpment as a backdrop where the Mayor was joined by his wife Cheryl and children Stephanie and Lisa.
When asked why he was making his intentions known almost a year away from next year’s municipal election, Goldring replied the main reason was because so many people were asking him if he was planning to run again.
 Mayor answering questions during a ward 4 debate. “And I thought this was the best way to let the community know what my intention is and that is to register in early May as a candidate,” he said.
Registration for candidates in the mayoral, Councillor or school board trustee races officially opens May 1, 2018.
Goldring said he specifically chose to make his announcement in north Burlington because the 100 per cent commitment by previous and current councils to maintain 50 per cent of the city (in the north) as rural.
“As we grow as a city, it is critical we maintain and enhance the 50 per cent of Burlington that’s in the greenbelt,” he noted.
 The rural-urban boundary – defined by Hwy 407and Dundas is not going to ever be changed by cit council. Burlington’s city council couldn’t change the regulation that has the land north of the Hwy 507 – Dundas Boundary and permit major residential development. The province and the Region would slap the city something silly if they even talked about such an idea.
The Mayor has created a straw dog.
If re-elected, Goldring said he would continue to bring what he has in the past to the office of the mayor.
“I think that’s the attitude of one of service, an attitude of collaboration, connecting with the community on a regular basis, as well as help provide direction to the city going forward, which I have done for the last seven years,” he explained, noting he didn’t see being mayor as a job, but rather a vocation.
“I’m fortunate to be the mayor, I take it very seriously. I’m honoured and privileged each and every day to do the role.”
They all say that – and Rick Goldring does take his job seriously.
During the release of the 2017 Vital Signs report by the Burlington Foundation, chair Ron Foxcroft, who likes to loosen up an audience with a little humour, told the story of Rick Goldring’s NHL career (there was of course no such things but when Ron Foxcroft is on a roll – there is no stopping him) he said there was just one thing missing – talent.
Ouch!
Goldring called the role of mayor a challenging one and currently facing a challenging time as the city is embarking on a path to adopt new municipal plans.
“I’m invigorated and inspired at the opportunity to continue to lead the city going forward,” he added.
“I look forward to the opportunity to continue to work with council, staff and the community in continuing to build and have a great city that is in fact the envy of the country and continues to be the best medium-sized city to live in Canada.”
That is part of the story – but only part. The reality is that Mike Wallace is out there beating the bushes and holding small events at various locations in the city where he meets with invited guests to re-introduce himself and measure what he might have in the way of support.
Mike Wallace wants to be Mayor so bad he can taste it.
Quite why Rick Goldring wants a third term is something one can only speculate about. He has not managed to do anything of any significance in his first two terms.
Still no Code of Conduct for city council members; Goldring sloughed that off to the city manager who is expected to come back with something – sometime.
Still no private tree bylaw – and for a committed environmentalist that is close to unconscionable.
 This graphic sets out the issue. The two pieces of land at each end are owned by the city and will be turned into Windows on the Lake. The piece in the centre is owned by the city and the province. The three property owners want to purchase that centre piece and make it private property. Other people want to see a pathway through the property running from Lakeshore, down Market Street along the waterfront and up St. Paul back to Lakeshore. City council voted t sell the land in the center. The land at the edge of the lake between Market Street and St, Paul is gone forever – thank your Mayor for that one. The city owned the land – but we sold it.
At some point there will be a decision on whether or not New Street should have dedicated bike lanes.
The decision to go ahead with the Joseph Brant Museum transformation is going to end up being as serious a mistake as The Pier. Goldring came in as Mayor the Mayor who had to deal with The Pier mess – he may well leave office having left the city with a project that is only going to such money out of reserve funds for years to come.
Later this evening – Thursday October 18, the Mayor is going to hold a Telephone Town Hall during which he will listen to what people would like to see in the budget. He is doing this because he said a survey told city hall that people didn’t want to go out to attend budget meetings.
The pictures below tell a different story.
 Burlingtonians will show up for public meetings and take an active part in any discussion This is a budge review meeting with the Director of Finance leading the discussion.  Citizens doing a solid review of a city budget. For the Mayor to suggest that people don;t want t attend is spurious at best. But the race is on. We now need to hear what Ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward plans to do. The last we heard – she is in – she has wanted to be Mayor since the day she ran for the ward 2 seat in 2010.
The 2014 election was a sleeper – that will not be the story for the next 12 months.
 By Pepper Parr
October 18th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
 Steve Armstrong Steve Armstrong, one of the leads on the request for an Administrative Review of the Halton District School Board decision to close two of Burlington’s seven high schools, thinks that the Ministry of Education decision to appoint Margaret Wilson as the Facilitator was an “excellent” move.
“I’m looking forward to working with her, and the Board, towards a healthy discussion about the process Burlington went through. There is considerable room for improvement in a number of key areas, and I know a good number of fellow PAR Committee members see similar opportunities.
Although the exact details of how Ms Wilson wants to proceed haven’t been shared, with her experience I trust it will be thorough, said Armstrong.
 Of the twelve requests for Administration Reviews filed the only two approved were from Halton – a positive sign for many. He added that he learned recently that the two Burlington requests for Administrative Reviews are the only ones that have been approved out of the 12 applications from across the province so far this year.
“Clearly the Ministry of Education also wants to understand more about the actual execution of the HDSB Burlington Secondary School PAR.”
The government of Ontario has put a hold on starting new accommodation reviews, and has already begun an improvement process.
Perhaps one of the outcomes of our specific review might include a recommendation to test a better process.
There is within people that are angry over the decision the Board made the sense that the Facilitator can reverse the decision – that is not the case.
The Facilitator can recommend to the Ministry that they direct the Board to hold a new PAR. The only people who can reverse the decision are the 11 trustees.
Each of the high schools Bateman and Pearson, have taken different approaches to the request for a Review.
Bateman is believed to be talking a “human right” approach while Pearson is questioning the procedure that was used and the way critical information was not available to the public.
 Margaret Wilson PAR Admin Review Facilitator Wilson started her job earlier this week – there is no word yet on when she might file her report.
Director of Education Stuart Miller has said that these reviews tend to be “paper heavy” and there are certainly a lot of documents to be gone through and a lot of questions for the staff on how they handled the PAR process.
The two parent groups, Pearson and Bateman, have not, at least not so far, chosen to work together. The Bateman crowd has chosen to keep to themselves.
Armstrong believes it is in the best interests of the community if the two at least communicate with each other.
Pearson Administrative Review Request
 By Pepper Parr
October 18th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
They get called shut-ins; people that just aren’t able to get out and mix with people.
Sometimes it is because they don’t have a car, sometimes it is because the public transit isn’t all that good and it takes forever to travel a small distance.
 Fred Hendriks, president of the Burlington Seniors Community – a group that is doing some much needed programing for seniors in the city. The Burlington Seniors Community, a private company that was created when some of the people who were active at the Seniors Centre were told they had to vacate the space they had in the building.
There were a lot of hard feelings but they did what they had to do and began creating programs for seniors they felt were needed.
That’s how Seniors Without Walls started as a pilot project that the BCSI people expect to grow.
Penny Hersh, one of the BSCI volunteers, explained how it got started. “The idea wasn’t ours – it was being done in other cities, Ottawa, Edmonton and Winnipeg are examples. The idea is to get people together by telephone on a conference call.
We keep the groups quite small – not more than 10 to 12 in a session.
People who want to take part just give us a call – 905-631-2524 – and we set them up. There is no cost.
BSCI has a contract with Mercury Teleconferencing who handle all the technical stuff.
Hersh explains that there are a lot of lonely people out there who can’t get out – and many of them don’t have a lot of friends or social contacts. They want to connect with people – and we make that possible.
The conferencing takes place twice a week – when the pilot has run for a number of months the BSCI will evaluate how things have gone and decide how they want to go forward.
“We got a lot of help from Heather Thomson at Community Development Halton” said Hersh and the Library is very interested in what we are doing.”
 Some equipment that is being considered for use by seniors. BSCI is in the process of re-defining themselves now that they are out on their own and not working with the city. They are looking into setting up some exercise equipment that will be outdoors that seniors can use. They held a Thanksgiving lunch and were a little overwhelmed with the turnout – but we didn’t turn anyone away” said Hersh.
By Staff
October 18th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The average police car is loaded with technology. A police officer is in constant touch with people that can give the officer vital information.
It is amazing just how much information a police officer has at their fingertips – and it is going to get even better.
 Police officers will begin to use a secure wireless network to access data from their cruisers. In a digital age, policing has become more complex with the need for both mission-critical voice communications and the ability to securely share data on a wireless network. For years, first responders have used voice radio to transmit messages to police officers and other public safety partners including neighboring police agencies in order to coordinate assistance to the public.
The Region has experienced unprecedented growth and modernization of technology, voice radio communication must be supplemented with data in order to provide detailed information to responders.
With the addition of a secure wireless network used by more than a 1,000 members, first responders will be able to access and share information vital for heightened situational awareness, preserving the radio system for crucial voice communications.
Recent changes in radio spectrum availability made by the Federal Government, in collaboration with the Chiefs of Police, Fire and Medical Services across the country have paved the way for wireless public safety data systems.
For a front line officer, their cruiser and computer is their platform for response to calls for service and major incidents. At present, officers relay data through commercial networks, which are designed for public use.
Obtaining priority and access on these networks in times of crisis concurrent to public use can result in the inability for officers to obtain vital information when needed the most.
 An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle – a drone is used by police to identify marijuana plants being grown illegally. Part of the technology arsenal. “Accessing this new technology gives Halton First Responders the dependable platform they need to respond efficiently to calls for service and major incidents. The Federal Government allocated this wireless spectrum for public safety agencies for good reason.
Every patrol officer in Halton will soon be operating on our own wireless LTE network,” said Deputy Chief Duraiappah, Halton Regional Police Service. “With the leadership and support of our Chief and Police Services Board, our team will be working with Motorola Solutions into 2018 to host the core of this network in Halton. It is our hope that other public safety agencies in our Region and across Canada will also benefit from it in time”.
 Deputy Chief Nishan Duraiappah, and IT Manager Bill Payne viewing an officer’s mobile workstation. The Motorola Solutions LTE network will be used by officers exclusively to instantly access data on their computers or mobile devices such as dispatch information, records information, GPS data, maps, pictures, videos and real-time analytics for day-to-day operations and during emergencies.
“Halton Police is known to be an innovator within public safety. This new public safety LTE system is a major step forward in ensuring that Halton first responders have access to critical information when it is needed the most,” said Bill Payne, manager of information technology, Halton Regional Police Service.
The Halton Police LTE network core will be available to other public safety agencies that are looking to use a public safety-dedicated broadband network.
The Regional police are now going to have to identify those other public safety agencies and convince them to sign up – because this system will not be cheap.
 By Pepper Parr
October 17, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
 The owners of Elizabeth Interiors, on he left,are reported to have an offer from a developer – and Kelly’s on the right is also closing. One of those usually reliable sources tells us that the Elizabeth Interiors retail location on Brant Street opposite city hall has an offer for the property that is to close on November 7th.
Our source was not able to say if it is a firm offer or just an option. The firm said to be prepared to put real money on the table is Reserve Properties, a very active residential developer who has been active in the Beach part of Toronto.
 421 Brant – opposite city hall is waiting for the Planning department report that will go to city council with a recommendation. Burlington’s Planning department is in the process of going through an application for both Official Plan amendments and a zoning change to put up a 26 story mixed use high-rise currently known as 421 Brant – just across John Street from Elizabeth’s.
The furniture operation moved out of the space a number of months ago and is now located on Fairview east of Guelph Line.
There probably isn’t a piece of property on Brant Street that doesn’t have a developer looking over what the possibilities are.
Let’s see what happens on the 7th of November.
In the meantime city council is getting ready to receive the first of the Grow Bold Mobility Hub recommendations – the first will be the Downtown Mobility hub – the boundaries of the hub include both properties.
And Kelly’s Cup Cake location is said to be closing – that property is also reported to have been sold.
And, let’s not forget the Elgin Promenade that is being built at the south end of the Cup Cake shop.
Downtown is going to become a construction site.
By Staff
October 17th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Earlier today an 18 year old Burlington man was riding a motorcycle on New Street when he is reported to have collided with a car driven by a 21 year old Burlington woman at the intersection with Shoreacres Road.
The motor cycle struck the car within the intersection and the driver was thrown. He suffered life threatening injuries and was taken to Hamilton General Hospital by Halton Regional Paramedic Services.
The incident remains under investigation, and any witnesses who have not yet spoken to police are asked to call Detective Constable Vu of the Collision Reconstruction Unit at 905-825-4747 ext. 5056.
 By Pepper Parr
October 17, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
 Burlington Mayor Rick Goldring – wearing the Chain of Office – something he rarely does outside the Council Chamber. No idea what this one is about but the Mayor has had media requests sent out for a Special Campaign Announcement at Indian Wells Golf Course Wednesday, October 18, 2017, beginning 10 AM.
A little early for an announcement that he plans to run for re-election next October.
The Mayor has been dropping hints that he is ready to run – did that in one of his blogs a while back.
But he also mentioned that he was keeping his financial planning accreditation current.
The chatter amongst those at city hall has Ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward and Mike Wallace are likely candidates for the office of Mayor.
The election is scheduled to take place in late October of 2018. Nominations cannot be filed until May 1st of 2018.
 By Staff
October 17th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Popular nutrition and lifestyle coach Mary Maciel Pearson will be speaking next week at a free parent evening titled, Living Healthy is a Family Affair.
Presented by Community & Parent Partners for Kids (C.A.P.P. for KIDS), the event is to take place at the New Street Education Centre (3250 New St., Burlington) on Tuesday, October 24, 2017 at 7 p.m
 Mary Maciel Pearson will talk to parents about high levels of stress family members can experience while touching on mental health issues on October 24th at the New Street Education Centre. As a well-known speaker and trainer within the Greater Toronto Area, Pearson is a regular contributor to Vitality Magazine, Tonic Toronto, Neighbours of Oakville Magazine and the Oakville Beaver. In her presentation, she will address the high levels of stress family members can experience while touching on mental health issues, fatigue and feeling overwhelmed.
The presentation will delve into the many ways parents and children can be healthy in body and mind including good nutrition, physical movement and unique ways to stay connected as a family.
Admission is free but donations toward future speakers will be gratefully accepted.
C.A.P.P. for Kids is a partnership between Halton Region, Halton District School Board, Halton Catholic District School Board, Reach Out Centre for Kids (ROCK), Our Kids Network, Halton Regional Police Service, Ontario Early Years Centres, Burlington Public Library, City of Burlington, and the Halton Multicultural Council.
By Staff
October 16th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Getting to the meeting is going to be a stretch.
A media release sent out in the afternoon arrived on our newsdesk at close to 3:00 pm.
The best we were able to do is get it turned around and out to you at 5:40 pm.
 Regional offices venue for an Open House that you are going to have a tough time getting to. The Region announced that a public Open House to give public an opportunity to have their say on Metrolinx’s Draft 2041 Regional Transportation Plan, which outlines how people and goods will move across the region in the future.
The Open House is to take place today betwen7:00 and 9:00 pm.
Metrolinx, an agency of the Provincial government which was created to coordinate and integrate all modes of transportation in the GTHA.
As a growing community, Halton Region needs reliable and frequent transit options to ensure the efficient movement of people and is vital for the Region’s economic prosperity. Halton Region has long been advocating for the implementation of committed Metrolinx programs and enhancements including:
 Regional Chair Gary Carr invited you to the meeting. the delivery of Regional Express Rail (RER) and 15-minute service on the Lakeshore West GO line;
all-day, two-way GO train service to Milton;
all-day, two-way GO train service to Georgetown; and
first and last mile improvements in access to GO stations.
“We have continued to advocate for enhanced GO service to Halton,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. “While we are pleased that RER is expected to be delivered by 2025, this date still remains too far into the future.”
 Regional chair wants to see all-day, two-way GO service for Milton – soon. Halton Region has been and continues to be one of the fastest growing communities in the country. The coordination of transit is an important element to building complete communities. “Milton continues to grow at a rapid pace, and the fact that they do not have all-day, two-way GO service is unacceptable to the community,” said Carr.
Residents are encouraged to learn more about Metrolinx’s Draft 2041 Regional Plan and join Halton in voicing their concerns about the transportation needs of the community.
While doing that – voice your concerns about being advised of a meeting literally hours before it is scheduled to take place.
The Gazette will pull up the Metrolinx Draft 2041 Regional Plan and report on what they had to say..
By Pepper Parr
October 16th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Today, the Ontario Ministry of Education announced the appointment of Margaret Wilson as facilitator of the administrative review for the Burlington Secondary School Program and Accommodation Review (PAR) undertaken by the Halton District School Board during the 2016-2017 school year.
 Margaret Wilson will lead the Administrative Review of the Program Accommodation Review of the decision to close two of Burlington’s seven high schools. “Margaret Wilson is a well-respected educational leader with significant experience examining complex education issues,” says Stuart Miller, Director of Education for the Halton District School Board. “We look forward to working with Ms. Wilson and welcome a thorough, independent and impartial review of the PAR process the Board conducted.”
 Parents at the first public meeting that addressed the school board’s wish to close two high schools. In September, the Halton District School Board received notification from the Ministry of Education, granting administrative reviews of the Burlington Secondary School PAR. Requests for these reviews were submitted to the Ministry of Education by the Lester B. Pearson High School and Robert Bateman High School communities.
According to Ministry Guidelines, an administrative review is a process by which an independent, impartial facilitator reviews that the Board has followed its Pupil Accommodation Review policy. An administrative review is not an assessment of the decisions made by the Board of Trustees.
During this review period, the Halton District School Board will continue to keep student needs at the forefront. As such, the Board will continue to collaboratively plan for and implement the decisions made in June 2017. The Board will, however, be cognizant of minimizing the expenditures of the implementation during the review process.
The Board of Education Media Release doesn’t say very much about Ms Wilson – but she has certainly has a profile.
The Toronto Star reported on the work Ms Wilson did on the Toronto Bard of Education where she turned in a scathing report and an invoice for billing the government at a rate of $1200 per hour.
Here is what the Star had to say:
“Margaret Wilson, appointed by the province to look into dysfunction at the Toronto school board, was paid $1,200 a day ($150. An hour) for her work, according to documents obtained by the Star through a Freedom of Information request.
“As part of her final $48,034 bill, Wilson listed 40 work days in November and December of 2014, and January 2015.
“Based on an eight-hour workday, that works out to $150 an hour; for a 12-hour workday, $100 an hour.
“Review of TDSB: 68 interviews, read board + ministry documents, correspondence, previous reviews + audits & copious emails. Wrote report,” she noted in the expense form submitted to the education ministry.
“Wilson, a veteran educator and former union leader, also billed for two taxi rides at $17 each to the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association in downtown Toronto.
“Her report on the Toronto District School Board, released in January of last year, was a scathing look at both management and elected trustees and had been ordered after a string of scandals and amid concerns about then-director Donna Quan’s management style and secrecy.
 Former Minister of Education Liz Sandals, left, and education consultant Margaret Wilson. “Wilson criticized trustees for meddling and exerting undue influence on staff, repeated concerns about a “culture of fear” identified in previous reports, as well as a revolving door in the top job, and noted an “acute level of distress” among staff. The report made 13 recommendations to improve the board, including looking at whether it is too big to manage.
Wilson, a former Registrar and CEO of the Ontario College of Teachers, will consult with local accommodation review committees, the school board and people who participated in the process. The mandate of an administrative review is to determine if the board followed its locally developed accommodation review process.
The Ministry of Education approved requests for an administrative review of the accommodation review process related to Robert Bateman High School and Lester B. Pearson High School, both in Burlington.
Wilson will begin work the week of October 16 and will provide the Minister of Education with a final report upon completion of her review. The report’s findings will be released to the school board and the public.
 This is what conservation is all about.  By Staff
October 16th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The Conservation Authorities have found that their Sharing Experiences workshop have worked well since their inception in 2009.
Local Conservation Authorities and environmental organizations are partnering to host the 6th biennial Sharing Experiences workshop that will provide an opportunity to hear about different local groups and their activities.
The goal is to link like-minded people so they can work together to effectively preserve and improve their local natural environment. In addition, this year will see the inclusion of a keynote speaker to set the tone for the event.
The workshop will be held on Saturday, March 3, 2018, at the Puslinch Community Centre at 23 Brock Road South, Guelph, ON N1H 6H9 and will include presentations and small breakout sessions from knowledgeable and experienced members of the environmental community.
The workshop organizing committee is currently seeking input from groups and individuals in the community to get a sense of topics of interest for the workshop agenda.
As in past years, the goal is for the agenda to be designed by those planning to attend the workshop and therefore relevant to local issues and activities. Some topics from previous years have included; social marketing and communications, engaging youth, habitat rehabilitation, volunteer management, liability and insurance, partnerships, grants and funding, working with local government and strategic planning. Ensuring that an innovative and varied set of topics are selected for this workshop is a priority.
The organizing team is comprised of Conservation Halton, Credit Valley Conservation, Friends of Mill Creek, Grand River Conservation Authority, Green Venture, Hamilton Conservation Authority, and the Iroquoia Bruce Trail Club.
 Working as a breakout group during the 2016 Shared Experience Workshop The 2016 Shared Experiences day was a great success with 94 people in attendance, 10 presentations, 58 organizations present along with our 2016 keynote speaker Gord Miller.
To assist the team in developing a comprehensive workshop program please submit your topic ideas by Wednesday October 25 to: Colleen Lavender at 905-854-9229 ext. 222, Fax 905-336-6684, or e-mail clavender@hrca.on.ca
For more information please visit the Sharing Experiences Workshop webpage, https://conservationhamilton.ca/sharing-experiences-workshops-2/.
 By Staff
October 16th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
When you have a show stopper of a production or an international celebrity – the tickets go fast.
When you have an amazing raffle – the tickets should go just as fast – except there is no limit to the raffle tickets.
Burlington Green has teamed up once again with their partner MEC to raffle off three very nice prizes.
 First prize – INNOVA Swing I Inflatable Kayak 1ST PRIZE:
The INNOVA Swing I Inflatable Kayak with foot pump, all accessories and paddle – $1,080 value
 Second prize – Women’s Cruiser Bike 2ND PRIZE:
NORCO Women’s Cruiser Bike – $480 value.
3RD PRIZE:
Matched Pair of Haliburton Hand-Crafted Wooden Paddles – $280 value.
TICKETS: $5 each / 5 for $20
Available up until the draw on November 21st at the MEC service counter on Brant Street and from BurlingtonGreen staff and volunteers.
I have chosen to take that “from any BG staff or volunteer and am going to send a chunk of change to Amy Schnurr via Interac and ask her to mail me the raffle ticket. Her email address is info@burlingtongreen.org – I would really like to fill her email box.
Winning tickets will be drawn on November 21st, 2017 at 9:00pm at the “Connect the Dots” event
at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre!
General Admission tickets for Connect the Dots with David Suzuki have SOLD OUT in their first week available!
Less than 15 VIP tickets remain, so hurry over to the Burlington Performing Arts Centre box office and get yours before they’re all gone!
For Official Raffle Rules, click here.
By Staff
October 16th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Your provincial government wants your ideas – and if they are any good they are going to reward you. It can’t get much better than that,
The province of Ontario is making $5 million available to bring these ideas to life.
 This is where the spending decisions get made – have you got an idea that you think will make a difference? Ontario launched Budget Talks, an online consultation, was launcged last week; its purpose is to allow the public to help shape policies and programs that will be part of Ontario’s future.
The government will provide up to $5 million to fund up to five proposals identified and voted on by the public as part of the 2018 Budget.
This is the fourth year in a row the government has engaged the public in the development of the Ontario budget through Budget Talks, and the second year that funding will be allocated directly to citizen-led proposals.
Through www.Ontario.ca/budgettalks, people are invited to share ideas on five focus areas: child care, seniors, small business, students and healthy living.
To be eligible, proposals must:
• Be submitted online by midnight on November 3, 2017
• Be for a new fund, pilot project, study, event or digital service
• Fall within the scope of the Ontario government to deliver
• Help support one of the five focus areas outlined on Budget Talks
• Require a one-time investment of no more than $1 million
• Show progress or completion by spring 2019
In January 2018, people will be able to comment and vote on ideas generated during the first phase of Budget Talks.
In 2017, people submitted 404 ideas, wrote 923 comments and casted 19,229 votes as part of Budget Talks.
Reducing and preventing food waste, improving digital services for libraries and accessing digitized health data were the three ideas that received the most public votes and were included in the 2017 Budget. View the project tracker to follow our progress, as we work to implement the ideas.
The next time you feel the need to complain about government not listening – remember – you were given a time to talk. Use it or lose it.
By Pepper Parr
October 16th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
She was in what she calls her “happy place” sitting quietly with her library card in her hand getting ready to speak.
 Eleanor McMahon, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport was kicking off Public Library Week and announcing improvements to digital services at 307 libraries and library organizations across the province.
She spoke too of the valuable role that libraries play in Ontario communities.
Shelagh Paterson, Executive Director, Ontario Library Association said that libraries serve as the greatest equalizer for access to information across our communities.
The Library Digital Services fund provides resources for people in the community to use at its Ideaworks Studio, including a new 3D printer, digital embroidery machine and new digital media software. People will be able to enjoy these specialized technologies for their own interests and to help with projects and schoolwork.
 McMahon told the small audience that Ontario is increasing access to technology, digital services and training opportunities at public libraries in towns, cities and Indigenous communities across the province. Funding is helping libraries offer more technology in their communities, such as wireless internet connections, new computers, and e-books, as well as classes on topics like social media and computer literacy.
 Ontario is investing $3 million through the Improving Library Digital Services fund to support up to 307 libraries and library organizations across the province. This includes $1 million for rural, remote and First Nation public libraries through 2017 Budget Talks. Burlington Public Library is receiving $25,000 from this fund.
This investment builds on a commitment in Ontario’s Culture Strategy to support Ontario’s public and First Nation libraries as essential spaces for people to access cultural experiences, technology and community life.
Library week runs from October 15-21; the first took place in 1985
By Staff
October 16th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The Burlington Foundation shared the 2017 Vital Signs report last week.
The document is issued every two years and is seen as an important road map for where we are as a community and where the community can work together to make change happen in the areas of youth and young adults, mental health and wellness, housing, the environment and seniors.
Highlights from Vital Signs® 2017 Report part one:
• Connecting young people with opportunities is at the heart of building a strong and sustainable social fabric within the community. In Burlington, 16.5 per cent of the population is aged 15 to 29 years.
• Vital Signs finds that Burlington’s workforce is more highly educated than the Ontario average. Of those aged 25 to 44, 72 per cent have a post-secondary college or university education. This is good news as trends indicate that two-thirds of Canadian job openings in the coming decade will typically require post-secondary education or be in management occupations.
• The number of reportable mental health-related occurrences was 1,656 in 2011 and rose to 3,102 as of 2016. This means Halton Regional Police have experienced a startling 87 per cent increase in mental health-related occurrences involving police.
• In 2016-2017, Joseph Brant Hospital’s Emergency Department had a total of 2,156 visits, an increase of 15% over 2011-2012, and 302 visits among those less than 18 years of age, which represent a 63 per cent increase over 2011-2012.
• Average housing prices rose from $454,627 in 2012 to $785,851 as of June 2017 – a staggering 73 per cent increase.
• 51.5 per cent of Burlingtonians live in single detached homes, 23.2 per cent in row houses or semis and 25.3 per cent live in apartments.
• Halton Region is excelling at waste diversion – in 2015 alone, almost 57 per cent of the region’s waste from landfills was diverted. Efforts to reduce, reuse and recycle have led Halton to be ranked tenth amongst 243 Ontario locations.
• Local waters are cleaner. Hamilton Harbour has benefited from aquatic health improvements as well as improved water bird habitats. Vegetation has returned to Cootes Paradise Marsh and a multi-year habitat restoration project is being led by BurlingtonGreen in Beachway Park.
• Burlington’s senior population is growing – so much so that seniors are now our single fastest growing demographic. In the past five years alone, Burlington has seen a 18.9 per cent growth in our senior population compared to just a 1.3 per cent increase among those younger than 65.
• The wait list for long-term care housing is on the rise. Since 2013, wait lists have increased by more than 20 per cent. This means that right now, 2,616 people are on the wait list for one of 1,279 spaces. On average, only 32 spaces become available each month.
 Ron Foxcroft, Chair of the Burlington Foundation. “Vital Signs serves two significant purposes,” says Ron Foxcroft, chair of the Burlington Foundation Board of Directors. “First, it enables Burlington Foundation to focus our leadership efforts and granting program on the most critical areas of need. Second, it’s a valuable reference tool for other local stakeholders to connect the dots between people, numbers and opportunity.”
“Vital Signs is about connecting people to numbers in ways that foster new understanding,” says Colleen Mulholland, President and CEO, Burlington Foundation. “As a community convener, the report helps guide us in our leadership role where we encourage conversation and support collaboration around pressing issues. Whether it’s championing access to mental wellness programs which continues to be a focus for us, helping seniors live more independently, or helping young people transition to the workplace ensuring a greater sense of belonging to community, we’re connecting opportunity to action.”
Due to the release schedule of the 2016 long form Census data, Vital Signs will be published in two parts. In early 2018 the Foundation will share the latest local information about Poverty, Transportation, Work, Newcomers and Inclusivity.
As part of its commitment to incorporate learnings from the Vital Signs Report, Burlington Foundation announced a one-year partnership with Royal Bank of Canada that focuses on supporting youth and young adults as they transition into the workforce. This one-year commitment will focus on bringing together leaders from diverse sectors, as well as young adults, to engage in dialogue and address the opportunities and obstacles youth face as they seek employment.
 Ron Foxcroft on the left with Francine Dyksterhuis, Regional President of Southwestern Ontario, RBC and retiring Royal Bank vice president John Lever. “As leaders within our communities, both RBC and the Burlington Foundation, have the ability to bring attention to issues impacting the Halton community through research, speaking and convening,” says Francine Dyksterhuis, Regional President of Southwestern Ontario, RBC. “Working together has never been more urgent. All sectors must join forces and mobilize efforts, energy and expertise to improve near-term employment outcomes as well as develop the evolving hard and soft skills of our young people that will be required across all sectors.”
The partnership will include an innovative educational event this winter.
By Staff
October 15th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
On Monday September 11th 2017 at approximately 8:00 PM, a male suspect attended the Sobeys located at 1250 Brant Street in Burlington.
 Walked out with a bike he didn’t walk in with. The suspect went through an employee’s only door which led to a hallway where he stole a silver Giant Escape bicycle valued at $500.00.
The suspect was dropped off and picked up by a silver Mazda 3 hatchback.
 The car police believe the bike was taken away in. Suspect is described as a white male, dark short hair, approximately 5’8″ tall wearing a black leather jacket, black shirt and dark jeans.
Anyone with information that would help identify the suspect are asked to contact Detective Constable Mark Urie of the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4747 Ext. 2338, Crime Stoppers “See something, Hear something, Say something” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca or by texting “Tip 201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).
By Staff
October 15th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
There are going to be a surprising number of very prominent speakers in Burlington during the month of November.
 Tomson Highway Tomson Highway is being brought to the city by the Arts Council, that’s a citizen led group – at more than an arm’s length from city hall.
Moses Znaimer is being brought to the city as one of the Mayor’s Inspire series of speakers.
And Burlington Green is bringing David Suzuki in for a day in November.
That is an impressive list of people – they will add much depth to the conversations that take place in this city.
Each of the sponsoring groups deserve credit for making this happen.
 Moses Znaimer Moses Znaimer was the founder of the City TV network and one of the better thinkers this country has produced. He is a member of the Order of Canada and one of the people behind Much Music radio.
Znaimer, who has never been short of ideas, owns a commercial classical music radio station and is the founder of the Zoomer concept that caters to the interests and needs of the boomers who have become the Zoomers.
Znaimer will speak on the New Vision of Aging.
 David Suzuki David Suzuki, who is perhaps the best known environmentalist in this country and known around the world for his tireless efforts to educate a public about an environment that might not last.
Tomson Highway is a playwright, a musician and at times a very funny man.
All three are well worth your time.
Related articles:
Tomson Highway to speak in Burlington
David Suzuki will be at the Performing Arts Centre
Moses Znaimer to speak on Aging
 By Ray Rivers
October 15th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
A couple of weeks ago Canada’s Heritage Minister, Mélanie Joly, announced the country’s new creative industries strategy. There was more money for Canada’s creative sector but for the most part she and her announcement have largely been ignored or panned.
 Heritage Minister, Mélanie Joly One reason could be how she has been dealing with Netflix and internet streaming more generally. With virtually unlimited global access through the internet, Netflix and Amazon can be broadcast right into anyone’s home and not be subject to the (HST) as are the TV and cable broadcasters. And by the same token these streaming companies can escape Canada’s outdated domestic content rules.
So the government wrangled some Canadian content into Netflix by getting the US based company to invest half a billion dollars over the next five years into Canadian productions. Details are scarce as hen’s teeth, leaving the impression that this is a deal still at the concept stage. But what about the taxation issue?
 And what was really missing from her announcement is an indication as to how the government plans to deal with the evolution taking place with the daily news. The dailies are a dying breed as advertising revenue, circulation and employment are all in a downward spiral. And once the papers go, so too will the press associations which they support, the ones which provide front-line reporting of events upon which we should all depend.
Some broadcasters like our own CBC utilize their own staff reporters for many stories, and don’t rely solely on the Canadian press service. But broadcast news is also facing challenges, especially in the US, where the president has called what the networks report as ‘Fake News” and has threatened to pull their broadcasting licenses.
Of course he can’t really do that, given the arms length relationship between him and them, and those in that country who do manage media policy. And besides there is that constitutional first amendment. But what he has done with his bluster is erode the public’s confidence in conventional news media and create confusion about what President Trump’s people have called alternate facts.
Those alternate facts have abounded on social media, particularly given the intrusion into the US domestic social networks by the Russians. Even if we disregard those kinds of malicious and fraudulent cyber postings as transitional, there is a plethora of blogs and opinion pieces which masquerade as facts, and serve only to distort the truth.
 American President’s used to hold “Fireside” chats and talk to the public. Donald Trump chooses to tweet and tweet and tweet. Trump, is reported to only watch the Fox News TV channel, a network many mock for its misnomer of a moniker – ‘fair and balanced’. And he prefers to release his own news reports via Twitter from the peace and comfort of his inner sanctum in the White House, rather than at a news conference where reporters can clarify and ask questions. After all, he is the president.
Democracy resides on a three legged platform. Universal suffrage is one leg, the freedom to run as a candidate another. And the free communication of accurate information makes up the final support. Facts are critical, and it is fair game for opinion writers to interpret to their hearts’ content, within the bounds of reasonableness. But there is no such animal as an alternate fact.
 Does Netflix dominate? Canada has been well served by our traditional mixed media, a government owned public broadcaster provides balance to the private paper giants – and they in turn provide a check that the GBG/Radio Canada sticks to the message and doesn’t get seduced by who is providing the pay cheques. Perhaps that is why consideration of this aspect of our communications sector escaped the Heritage minister’s attention.
But even the giants are hurting and there are things a government can do help slow down the bleeding, such as greater advertising purchases. And fair taxation is just as important among the internet and other media as it is for small incorporated business owners.
That is something our negotiators need to keep in mind as they plod their way through these difficult NAFTA negotiations. After all, as the old adage goes, news is what’s in the newspapers.
 Ray Rivers writes weekly on both federal and provincial politics, applying his more than 25 years as a federal bureaucrat to his thinking. Rivers was a candidate for provincial office in Burlington in 1995. 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:
Turkey Talk and Rookie Ministers – Canadian Content – Canadian Content Updating – Canadian Press – Periodical Fund – Newspaper Ask –
Media Funding – Faking News – State of US Media – Threat to First Amendment –
By Staff
October 15th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Over the past three months various businesses within Burlington and Oakville have been victimized by an unknown male suspect, targeting staff member’s personal belongings.
The suspect would casually attend businesses in busy plazas, such as hair salons, dental offices, and massage parlours. The suspect would interact with employees as though he was a client of the business. When the opportunity presented itself the male would enter the staff room where the employee’s purses and belongings were kept and steal cash and gift cards located.
On one occasion the suspect was seen getting into a newer model 4-door silver Jeep Wrangler with a black hard top, no licence plate obtained.
The male is described as male, black, 45 – 55 years old, 5’10, heavy build, bald with a distinctive dark mustache.
Anyone who may have any further information pertaining to this investigation is asked to contact Detective Constable Autumn Mills of the 2 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4747 ext: 2285, or Crime Stoppers “See something, Hear something, Say something” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca or by texting “Tip 201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).
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