 By Gazette Staff
October 2nd, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
 Bowling lanes at Splitsville no longer have that hardwood floor look – they glow blue. Not sure that results in better bowling scores – but it sure is different. Splitsville Bowl has been an integral part of Burlington’s community for over 20 years, providing non-stop fun for family, friends, and businesses throughout the area.
After months of anticipation, changes, and renovations, Splitsville Bowl Burlington’s glow-up is complete.
Brands new lanes and pinsetters – guests can enjoy seamless bowling and our state-of-the-art scoring systems.
The have upgraded the arcade area, with new games and new prizes for everyone to enjoy!
Reserve your fun time online – click HERE
 By Gazette Staff
October 1st, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
On Wednesday, October 8, 2025, from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Chick-fil-A restaurants across Ontario will be offering a complimentary Original Chick-fil-A® Chicken Sandwich or Spicy Chicken Sandwich to guests, while supplies last.
 The Burlington location is at 2331 Appleby Line
This offer is a way for Chick-fil-A to express gratitude to the citizens of Burlington and connect with both long-time fans and new customers. It’s the perfect opportunity for Canadians to enjoy a taste of Chick-fil-A’s signature offerings completely free of charge.
How Guests can Claim Offer
- Guests can claim their complimentary sandwich by visiting any participating Chick-fil-A restaurant in Ontario or Alberta, either inside the restaurant or via the drive-thru.
- This offer is limited to one per person, per day, while supplies last, and no purchase is necessary.
- The offer is not available through the App, personal web ordering or third-party delivery.
The fine print? While suppliers last.
 By Ray Rivers
October 2nd, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The timing couldn’t be worse. Canada’s economy is struggling, showing signs of stagnation, rising unemployment and a decline in per-capita GDP (productivity). This was Mr. Trump’s plan after all – destroy Canada’s economy and we will beg to become the 51st state. The last thing we needed was another postal strike.
 Postal workers – waving goodbye to the decent jobs they had? We shouldn’t be blaming Mr. Trump for the mess in our postal service. Mr. Trudeau won his 2018 election promising to preserve the money-losing door-to-door delivery service. And then, perhaps because of all the strike threats, the post office corporate management lost much of their lucrative parcel business. They went from holding over 60% to less than 25% of the parcel market in just the last five years. That’s no way to run a business unless you want to bankrupt it.
Email has made snail mail delivery something of an anachronism. I had been hired by the post office in the mid-1970s as their senior economist and stayed long enough to help ease in the new crown corporation of the 80’s. That allowed enough political leverage to end the stream of deficits back then by jacking up the price of postage – something which wouldn’t work today.
The post office has played a crucial role in this country’s development since its beginning. It is vital for remote communities where alternate means of communication are limited. Perhaps that is where the post office’s real future lies? After all, it’s been really lousy competing with the private sector. Still there are all those group mail boxes, the street mail drop-off boxes and all those postal stations.
Canada Post currently delivers mail over the largest geographic area in the world, including Russia. So it is not going to disappear. It’s not the pony express – where riders relayed, swapping horses along the way, as they carried mail between Missouri and California to honour their 10 day delivery guarantee. That early private sector mail experiment lasted fewer than two years.
 Every country road has scenes like this. They could all be gone in less than three years. There are about 70,000 full and part time employees in the corporation which serves over 3 million rural customers with residential mail delivery. Regardless of the current strike’s outcome, thousands of existing employees will end up on the jobless rolls.
Even if those lay-offs are phased-in, the pain of finding oneself jobless in a growing jobless market today is problematic. We should have seen this coming.
Mr. Carney has his work cut out for him.
 Ray Rivers, a Gazette Contributing Editor, writes regularly applying his more than 25 years as a federal bureaucrat to his thinking. Rivers was once a candidate for provincial office in Burlington. He was the founder of the Burlington citizen committee on sustainability at a time when climate warming was a hotly debated subject. Ray has a post graduate degree in economics that he earned at the University of Ottawa. Tweet @rayzrivers
 By Gazette Staff
October 2nd, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Fall is the season of change, the perfect time to share some of the new and exciting initiatives we’ve been working on in response to community feedback. Earlier this year, we received valuable input from more than 4,600 people through our Customer Satisfaction Survey—thank you again to everyone who took the time to share their input to help shape the future of the library!
Responding to Your Needs
 In the survey, we heard feedback on three key areas: in-person spaces, demand for books in all formats, and programs and events. Here are some highlights of your feedback and how we’re responding:
More private space for collaboration and quiet work
In our surveys from last year and this year, we heard from many customers that they wanted more private space for quiet work or group collaborations. In response, we recently introduced online booking for BPL’s free meeting rooms and workspaces!
With the opening of our relocated New Appleby Branch earlier this month, we’re also able to offer expanded seating and three additional free bookable meeting rooms.
More to borrow
Burlington loves to read! Similar to last year, your survey comments show a demand for print, digital, and audiobooks, as well as concerns about longer wait times. We hear you and are refining our processes and borrowing parameters to manage demand for popular items. We’re continually adding more titles to borrow—last year, we added 700,000 eBooks on Hoopla and this year, Milton Public Library was added to our More to Borrow partnership, meaning customers can now access over 350,000 digital titles through OverDrive/Libby.
Over the past year, the cost of licensing eBooks and eAudiobooks and purchasing print material has continued to increase due to global economic factors, and we have to spend more to get the same amount. This is a long-term challenge that we will continue to address through advocacy, partnerships, and promotion strategies.
More programs and maker spaces
We heard that customers are seeking more frequent and diverse programs for a variety of ages and interests. This year, we expanded our maker offerings to include a MakerStation at Alton Branch and MakerStudio focused on video and audio at New Appleby Branch. We’ve also added new programs such as Tech Connect for older adults, family board game drop-ins, and a new drop-in program for teens.
Looking Ahead
We were thrilled to see that 96% of survey respondents believe the library improves the well-being of the community as a whole. Connecting the community with one another and the information and resources they need is at the core of what we do, and the foundation for our work ahead on our upcoming 2026-27 Strategic Plan. Thank you again to everyone who provided their input. We look forward to sharing our plan with you later this fall!
 By Gazette Staff
October 1st, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The Art Gallery of Burlington has partnered with Chartwell Retirement Residences to offer free Seniors to deliver Seniors’ Programming at the AGB this October.
October 1 is National Seniors Day an occasion for all Canadians to join in celebrating older adults across Canada—whether a parent, a co-worker, a neighbour, or a friend.
 Exploring creativity at the AGB clay studio through a new series of hands-on workshops. The AGB is inviting seniors in the community to explore their creativity in the AGB clay studio through a new series of hands-on workshops. Each two-part session invites you to hand-build a clay vessel with guidance from AGB artist educators Dawn Hackett Burns and Heather Kuzyk, then return the following week to personalize your creation with glazes inspired by the freedom of expression found in Russna Kaur’s exhibition
Chartwell Retirement Residences’ sponsorship of this program supports free registration for participants 55+ years old, all materials and kiln firings, and a tour of the AGB’s fall exhibitions. The program will conclude with a special reception for participants of both sessions in the Gallery’s lounge Thursday, October 30, 2–4 pm. Coffee and tea will be served.
Registration is free for participants ages 55+.
Participants can register on a first come, first served basis– space is limited to 12 participants per session.
Photo Credit: Jing Marchant and Mina Dragojevic from Sheridan College’s Bachelor of Photography.
Expressive Clay for Seniors
Session One
Tuesdays, October 14 & 21, 2025: 1:30–4 pm with Dawn Hackett Burns
Session Two
Thursdays, October 16 & 23, 2025 10 am–12:30 pm with Heather Kuzyk
REGISTER HERE
Chartwell Reception: Thursday, October 30, 2025 – 2–4 pm. AGB Lounge
About the Instructors
Dawn Hackett Burns is an acclaimed ceramic artist and Sheridan graduate who lives in Greensville, Ontario and has been teaching clay classes for over ten years. Her own clay practice often references place and culture and utilizes pattern and repetition. Nature is also a recurring subject. She has a gift for designing lessons and projects that fuel imagination and get artists of all ages excited about building with clay.
Heather Kuzyk is a versatile and creative visual artist. She is a graduate of Sheridan College in both the Craft and Design and Art Fundamentals Programs.
She is the recipient of the Gardiner Museum Award for Ceramic Excellence. Following graduation, Heather has built a passionate career spanning 24 years as a dedicated arts educator. Her varied skill set includes ceramics, sculpture, mixed media, drawing, and design. When she is not sharing her love of the arts, she can be found dabbling with new media and looking for unique and interesting ways to express herself creatively.
 By Gazette Staff
October 1st, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington Public Library is excited to be part of the Telling Tales Festival in October— they can’t wait to see you there.
Telling Tales is a huge children’s literary event held every year in Hamilton. This year, Hendrie Park in Royal Botanical Gardens is where all the action happens on Saturday, October 4 and Sunday, October 5.
The weekend festival features over 70 presentations by Canadian authors, illustrators, and storytellers, offering storytimes, music, theatrical performances, and workshops for book lovers of all ages, from babies to teens.
Now in its 17th year, Telling Tales always draws a big crowd, so be sure to register in advance to attend this FREE event to be part of the magic.
BPL’s Tales Under the Tent Puppet Shows
Step right up and join the fun at BPL’s Big Tent in The Creativity Zone at Telling Tales. Our talented troupe of tale spinners is ready to whisk you away with puppet shows that’ll tickle your funny bone and send shivers down your spine. Join us for parachute play and silly songs—and try your skills playing one of the big games under the tent. Fun for the whole family awaits!
With puppet shows happening all weekend, there’s always a reason to stop by and say “hi”!
Our Puppet Shows run for 25 minutes:
- Saturday, October 4: Show starts at 10:30am, 1:30pm, and 2:30pm
- Sunday, October 5: Show starts at 10:30am, 1:30pm, and 2:30pm
And More Puppet Time Ahead!
Fun with puppets lives on at Burlington Public Library even after Telling Tales 2025 wraps up! Join them at 2pm for an hour of puppetry fun for the whole family. Create a puppet craft, explore the library’s puppet family, and put on your own mini puppet show. Kids also have a chance to win a puppet! Children ages 5 and under must have an adult with them. No need to register. Please note: this is a hands-on discovery session, not a puppet performance.
Puppet Time @Central Branch – Saturday, October 18, 2-3pm
Puppet Time @New Appleby Branch – Saturday, October 25, 2-3pm
Telling Tales Books to Read
Check out books from our collection by some of the authors and illustrators you can meet in person at Telling Tales this year.
By Pepper Parr
October 1st, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
September 17th, 2012 was a boffo week for the BurlingtonGreen crowd.
Dr. Jane Goodall was in Canada and the BG’s were thrilled to have her first event presentation taking place right here in Burlington.
 Jane Goodall Goodall shared fascinating stories from the field, her reflections on global conservation and hope for the future of the planet to both a daytime audience of 700 Halton youth attending our annual “Imprints” Youth event followed by a sold out evening event also taking place at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre.
Dr Goodall passed away at the age of 91.
The students hung on every word she said when she spoke. During a short interview after her presentation, I was asked by her media assistant to wait a few minutes: “Dr. Goodall wants to refresh herself”. The aid took a medium-sized flask from her purse and slipped into the room Dr. Goodall was relaxing in.
She was a charm to interview; the world is a lesser place with her passing.
Related news story:
Goodall in Burlington
By Pepper Parr
October 1st, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Raising funds for a community initiative is never easy. It takes an innovative approach and then some hard work to make the idea effective.
Eagles Nest is an organization that provides affordable mental health services in the community. The tag line for them is: HOPE RESTORED, LIVES CHANGED.
They recently held a raffle that is one of the best I’ve seen in some time.
They sold 9,630 tickets and raised over $5,000. The funds will be used to cover some of the operating costs.
There were two prizes: the Culinary Experience Bundle, which was won by N. McCarthy of Brantford and the Upscale Flavours Gift Pack, which was won by R. Armstrong of Burlington.
The Culinary Experience bundle included: Quatrefoil Restaurant ($300), The Good Earth Food & Wine Co, ($200), 400 Brant Kitchen & Bar ($400), Rapscallion & Co. ($200), Spencer’s at the Waterfront ($300), Edgewater Manor ($200) and The Standard ($200).
The Upscale Flavours winner got to choose from a hand-picked selection of gift cards from two favourites: Shy’s Place ($200) and Bench Brewing ($200)
Not a bad return for tickets that went at Single Ticket for $10, 3-Ticket Pack for $20 and a 100-Ticket Pack for $50.
Amanda DevriesWeeks before the raffle took place the Eagles Nest staff and many of their supporters met at their location on Dundas to talk about the programs underway.
 Amanda deVries on the left with a staff member working the cell phones.  It was a soft summer evening; people catching up with one another – many wearing T-shirts that spelled out what the organization is about.
By Pepper Parr
October 1st, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
There will soon be more older people than young people in the city.
And many of those older people are going to need levels of care that are not normally provided.
 University Professor Tim O’Connell, Chair of Recreation and Leisure Studies at Brock University explains that: “As society increasingly embraces a holistic approach to health, recreation has emerged at the critical intersection of personal wellness and community well-being.
To meet the growing demand for skilled professionals in recreation fields, Brock University and Mohawk College have signed two transfer pathway agreements to deliver flexible options for students to pursue either a Bachelor of Therapeutic Recreation or Bachelor of Recreation and Leisure Studies.
The articulation agreements set students on a direct track from Mohawk College’s two-year Recreation Therapy and 16-month Accelerated stream programs to either Brock program. Eligible students will receive a block of seven transfer credits, fast-tracking them toward their 20-credit degree.
By embedding courses such as Leisure Education in Therapeutic Recreation in a broader recreation and leisure studies framework, Brock’s programs equip graduates with in-demand skills, professional experience and industry-recognized credentials. Career paths range from clinical practice in hospitals and long-term care facilities to community-based roles where recreation and leisure contribute to physical, social and emotional well-being.
 The Therapeutic Recreation program also qualifies students to participate in the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification. “The pathways are a game-changer for students,” says Connell. “They not only gain advanced standing in their degree but increase their career readiness by graduating with an essential credential employers are looking for in hospitals, long-term care facilities and treatment centres.”
In addition to clinical practice, students complete a 560-hour supervised internship, benefit from access to an extensive alumni network and have options to pursue an honours thesis.
The Therapeutic Recreation program also qualifies students to participate in the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) exam, a credential increasingly sought by employers across Canada and the United States.
By Pepper Parr
October 1st, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
City Hall was shut down for Truth and Reconciliation Day, but the schools were open.
 Amy Collard: Chair, Board of Trustees, Halton District School Board The Halton District School Board had a solid program that helped create a better understanding of what took place at the hundreds of residential schools that existed across the country.
The Indigenous Rights and Education Department had First Nations, Métis and Inuit students gather and work at build community with their fellow students in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Students were engaged in activities and learning in ways that allow for their gifts and authentic selves to be valued and respected. Students are engaged in learning about the diversity of nations through story and sharing with each other.
 Curtis Enns: Director of Education Halton District School Board HDSB students and staff were invited to wear orange shirts to acknowledge the shared responsibility to learn and understand the history and legacy of Residential Schools. When sourcing orange shirts, HDSB schools have been encouraged to use resource providers who are committing proceeds to the benefit of Residential School Survivors.
 The site was a school that was first built in 1831. It was burned down twice by the students. It was taken over by the federal government and used as a Residential school until 1970, when it was closed.
By Gazette Staff
October 1st, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
If you don’t get downtown that often, you may not be aware of the change taking place directly across the street from City Hall.
The block that was home to Kelly’s Bakery and Elizabeth Interiors is being demolished. It will become a 17-storey tower that is reported to have 25% of the units marketed as Affordable Units.
 Brant from James south to the mini park on the east side of the street is being demolished The developer intends to have shovels in the ground by the end of the year.
The demolition is underway, and it won’t be long before everything has been flattened.
 Upper floors of City Hall can be seen from the demolition of the block on the east side.
 Back how bites into the roof of what used to be Elizabeth Interiors on the east side of Brant Street, opposite City Hall.
 By Smantha Serle
September 30th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
In online poker, choosing a reliable source of information, deals, and traffic data matters. Two well-known names are WorldPokerDeals (WPD) and PokerScout. Each aims to help poker players make better choices, but they do so in different ways.
WorldPokerDeals, founded in 2013 and led by Rodion Longa, is a portal built by poker fans and experts. It emphasizes deals, promotions, poker room options, multilingual support, and direct contact with real staff. WPD aims for personalization, value, and trust, while also guiding players on key issues such as the legality of online poker in different regions.
 PokerScout is a traffic and site information platform that offers live traffic stats for poker sites, site reviews, guides, and news. Its strength is data, comparisons, and helping you see where the action is happening.
This article compares them across important dimensions: portfolio, traffic and metrics, customer service, promotions, reliability and recognition, and localization, and then helps you decide which one might better suit your priorities.
Portfolio & Metrics
WorldPokerDeals offers one of the most comprehensive portfolios in the industry, covering more than 40 poker rooms across every category — from fully regulated sites to offshore rooms, crypto-friendly platforms, and even private poker apps and clubs. This variety makes it easy for players to find what fits their goals, whether they want maximum rakeback, softer fields, or innovative payment options like crypto. On top of that, WPD provides clear guidance on safety and availability, ensuring that the sites shown are genuinely accessible in your region.
PokerScout has built its reputation around traffic statistics, tracking player numbers across 70+ rooms with updates every few minutes. While this data is useful, it represents just one dimension of players’ needs. Unlike WPD, PokerScout doesn’t offer the same level of choice in deals, promotions, and tailored options that can directly impact a player’s bottom line.
In other words, if your priority is value and variety, WorldPokerDeals delivers far more than raw traffic numbers. It shows where you can play and ensures you get the most out of your volume through better deals, promotions, and personalized options.
Traffic Data & Real-Time Monitoring
PokerScout is well known for its live traffic updates, showing cash-game activity and peak times across many sites. This gives players a snapshot of where games are currently running.
 WorldPokerDeals, however, goes beyond just displaying numbers. While it may not offer a standalone dashboard, the team provides context and guidance on what those numbers mean for your bankroll. They combine traffic insights with practical advice on game softness, regional availability, and the real value of joining a site. This player-oriented approach ensures that you’re not just chasing the busiest tables but also choosing the rooms where you can earn more through better deals, rakeback, and promotions.
In practice, PokerScout delivers statistics, while WPD turns information into actionable value, making it the stronger option for players who want results, not just raw data.
Customer Service & Human Interaction
WorldPokerDeals sets itself apart with its hands-on, human-centered support. Players can reach the team through live chat, email, Telegram, WhatsApp, and other messengers — and every interaction is handled by real poker players who understand the game, not automated bots.
Beyond answering questions, WPD staff provide personalized recommendations, helping you choose the best option among 50+ poker rooms and 30+ clubs based on your goals, region, and playing style.
PokerScout, by comparison, is designed primarily as an informational portal. While it offers reviews, guides, and traffic data, it does not focus on one-on-one guidance or personalized support. Players can use the site’s resources to research, but they won’t get the same direct interaction or tailored advice.
For anyone who values real conversations and expert input from people who play the game, WorldPokerDeals is the stronger choice. It transforms poker guidance from static information into a collaborative experience, ensuring players get more than just data — they get solutions that truly fit their needs.
Promotions, Deals, & Value Offers
WPD is built around offering deals: rakeback, promotions, special offers, and access to poker rooms and clubs. They offer a wide selection of poker rooms and apps, often including options for crypto, and a good variety in promotions. Their positioning is “help you earn” by pairing you with advantageous promotions.
PokerScout does list site reviews, bonuses, and promotional info, but its primary focus is not on being an affiliate offering exclusive deals. Its strength is more in reporting/promoting transparently rather than campaigning or negotiating special deals. Thus, if deal value is your priority, WPD is more likely to offer specialized promotions, especially from affiliate partnerships.
Reliability & Recognition
 WPD has been recognized publicly. According to Trustpilot, they have a strong rating among their users. They’ve won the iGB Affiliate Awards (Best Poker Affiliate) in 2019 and 2025, among others. Their presence in multiple languages and direct support help build trust.
PokerScout, meanwhile, has established its reputation over many years as a reliable traffic tracker. It is well known in the poker community. It is also part of Catena Media (since the acquisition in 2017), which gives it infrastructure and resources.
So both are reliable in their domains: WPD is reliable for deals, WPD is recognized, and PokerScout is reliable for data and comparisons, with an established reputation.
Localization & Languages
WPD supports multiple languages (English, Spanish, Russian, Brazilian Portuguese) and offers support through real people in different regions. This allows localized deals, communication, and context.
PokerScout also provides content in many languages (menus and articles). Still, while its global reach is large, some parts of its service (especially data tools) may be less regionally personalized (i.e., deals specific to your country) than a local affiliate could do.
Summary: Which One Should You Choose?
WorldPokerDeals and PokerScout are respected platforms, but fill different roles in the poker ecosystem.
- If you aim to access exclusive deals, rakeback, crypto payments, and direct support from real people, WorldPokerDeals is the right fit.
- If you’re more interested in objective traffic numbers, site rankings, and seeing where the action is in real time, PokerScout has the advantage.
- For localization and human guidance, WPD is stronger, while for broad, data-driven insights, PokerScout delivers.
 Helping poker players make better choices. Final Thoughts
WorldPokerDeals is ideal for players who want to maximize value through deals and personal support, whether in legal rooms, offshore sites, or poker apps. PokerScout is the go-to resource for those who care most about accurate traffic data and impartial comparisons across the industry.
For many players, the best approach is to use both together: start with PokerScout to see which sites are busiest, then turn to WorldPokerDeals to secure the best promotion and personalized assistance before jumping in.
By Pepper Parr
October 1st, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
In an article published in the Gazette the day before Truth and Reconciliation Day, Sheila Cote-Meek, a member of the Temagami First Nation said: “Reconciliation is a journey. It’s an ongoing commitment to move forward together and build institutions that are more inclusive of Indigenous People. ”
 Mayor Meed Ward with Indigenous Elder White Eagle during Truth and Reconciliation Day That was certainly the case in Burlington on Tuesday when hundreds of people walked from the Pier, where the tower was lit up in orange, to the Canal.
There were ceremonies before the walk.
 Hundreds walked from the Pier to the Canal. If one walked about the city, orange T-shirts prevailed.
Will this event take place ten years from now? Will more of the 94 Calls to Action have been achieved?
That could happen.
By Pepper Parr
September 30th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
It didn’t take Ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns to move back into her photo op mode.
She did a photo op with a really pathetic sign nailed to the northern wall of Spencer Smith Park. Many, perhaps most people, don’t know that the Park was named after Spencer Smith who came to Canada as a xxx in xxx
He ran a grocery store on Brant Street and was Chair of the Horticulture Society, which at the time was the most influential group of citizens in the city.
That was at a time when Burlington grew produce that was shipped around the world.
 148,000 plus of these benches have been sold. Burlington installed its first yesterday. Later the same day, Kearns slipped over to the Pier to celebrate the installation of a yellow bench. It’s supposed to make you feel better when you are depressed.
Kearns has been out of the country, serving as one of the Canadian team of people visiting Africa on behalf of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, part of a program funded by the federal government and delivered by FCM.
If we can catch Kearns between photo ops, we will ask her how the trip went. She did tell us that the story about her trip is on her Facebook page.
For the person who is the Deputy Mayor on Engagement issues – referring to a Facebook page isn’t really up to par. Was there a pun in there somewhere?
 By Tom Parkin
September 30th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Ontarians are paying the price in money, emissions and uncertainty about where Ontario’s future electricity will come from.
Kilowatt hours of electricity generated by fossil fuels, by month, May 2018-Jul 2025
 Premier Doug Ford is emptying a bottle of Crown Royal whiskey during a photo op. While he eats ice cream, pours out Crown Royal and works hard to distract people, Ontarians are paying a price for Doug Ford’s electricity muddle.
After the PCs’ June 2018 election, their first major energy move was to cancel contracted generation projects, some mid-construction.
The cost paid by Ontarians was $231 million to get nothing.
Then his government lost more than four years in a muddle over how to contract new power supplies, not releasing a framework until December 2022. And all the while their muddle was costing time and money, long-scheduled maintenance and a couple turbine retirements were reducing generation capacity. The cost has been a stopgap return to fossil-fuel generation, a lot of hype about four small modular reactors with very large price tags, and uncertainty.
Fossil-fuel generation up 273% since PCs elected.
This July, almost 4.1 million kilowatt hours of power was generated by burning fossil fuels, according to a Statistics Canada report released Monday morning. That’s the highest level since at least 2007.In the twelve months before the PCs were first elected, a monthly average of about 0.9 million kilowatt hours was generated from fossil fuels, according to the Statistics Canada report. But during that period, Ontario’s nuclear power stations were generating a monthly average of 7.5 million kWh.
Now, in the most recent reported twelve months, because of long-planned maintenance, nuclear generation is down to a monthly average of 6.9 million kWh. While Ontario grew. And factories electrified.
The result is, in the most recent reported twelve months, average monthly fossil fuel generation is up 273 per cent at 2.4 million kWh, according to today’s report.
And the Independent Electricity System Operator’s 2025 Annual Planning Outlook shows no substantial reduction in fossil fuel use until 2034.|
 Percentage of Ontario electricity generated from nuclear, May 2018-Jul 2025PCs’
SMR plan: inadequate and over-hyped.
Now the Ford PCs are hyping a plan for four small modular reactors (SMR) as a noisy distraction from the problem they created.
The SMRs come at the extraordinary price of $21 billion to produce just 1,200 MW. In contrast, refurbishing Darlington’s four reactors will cost $12.8 billion to produce 3,512 MW. And that 1,200 MW is like a raindrop in the desert for a province of Ontario’s size, not some salvation.
The IESO’s 2025 Annual Planning Outlook shows even with the SMRs Ontario faces uncertainty about where future power will come from.
 Source: Annual Planning Outlook, April 2025, IESO  GE Vernova is aiming to deploy small nuclear reactors across the developed world over the next decade, staking out a leadership position in a budding technology that could play a central role in meeting surging electricity demand and reducing carbon dioxide emissions. The SMR, is designed to reduce the cost of building new nuclear plants. And there are energy security concerns. All existing Canadian nuclear generation uses CANDU technology, intellectual property owned by federal crown corporation AECL and licensed to CANDU Energy, with head office in Montreal. CANDU uses uranium mined in Saskatchewan and processed at plants in Blind River, Port Hope and Peterborough, forming a nationally secure energy supply chain. But the SMRs come from a company majority owned by GE Verona with its head office is in Wilmington, South Carolina. And its technology creates a dependence on a foreign supply chain for uranium enrichment.
Only six countries have uranium enrichment facilities, and Canada isn’t one of them. An estimated cost to build such a facility is $100 billion over a 20 year timeline.GE Verona plans to enrich uranium at Urenco USA’s plant in Eunice, New Mexico and ship it across the boarder to Ontario, raising the risk of an increasingly authoritarian United States gaining more leverage to wield “economic force” to gain control of our resources and preferential trade and security arrangements.
This is a very expensive government in many ways. Ontarians need to start asking themselves how much of Doug Ford’s distraction tactics they can afford as jobs tank, housing stalls, ERs overflow — and an electricity muddle costs money, emissions and uncertainty.
 By Gazette Staff
September 30th, 2025,
BURLINGTON, ON
 Amy Schnurr, Executive Director of BurlingtonGreen has kept the organization effective by getting grants and now support from the city for doing work the city used to do.
Thanks to Eco Canada funding support, BurlingtonGreen has a 6-month employment contract, with an opportunity for extension!
They are seeking a passionate, organized, flexible, self-motivated, experienced professional to join our team serving as our Marketing Coordinator, responsible for the planning, implementation and evaluation of all promotions of our environmental programs, events, and services and various environmental topics.
Applicants must be pre-approved by Eco Canada’s Digital Skills For Youth program in order to apply for this opportunity.
This is an opportunity to help advance BurlingtonGreen’s strategic priorities while making a meaningful community and environmental impact.
Link to job application
By Pepper Parr
September 30th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Isn’t this sweet.
 The trucking sector is said to have been one of the groups buying tickets to the last fundraiser. The lobbyists will be writing their cheques – just a cost of doing business. The Provincial Progressive Conservatives are reminding people to: “Save the date: The Premier’s big-ticket Leader’s Dinner is back on.”
DOUG FORD and the PCs scrapped the lucrative event — which brought in a record $6 million for party coffers — amid the Greenbelt scandal, but they’re bringing it back on November 19, the night before Ford’s birthday.
Perhaps the RCMP can add their forthcoming report (at least we hope so – it has been more than a year in the making) to the list of gifts that will be lavished upon Dougie.
By Sheila Cote-Meek
September 30th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
With ten years of Truth and Reconciliation behind us Brock University researcher Sheila Cote-Meek writes on the impact of Calls to Action in post-secondary education.
It certainly could be better.
 Sheila Cote-Meek As many people across the country don orange shirts to observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30, Sheila Cote-Meek finds herself encouraged by the support.
“But responding to those calls shouldn’t be confined to a moment in time”, says the Professor and Director of Indigenous Educational Studies at Brock University.
Cote-Meek, a member of the Temagami First Nation, is looking back on the 10 years since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) first published its 94 Calls to Action.
Reconciliation, she says, is a journey. “It’s an ongoing commitment to move forward together and build institutions that are more inclusive of Indigenous Peoples and knowledges,” she says.
Cote-Meek says the TRC report was “a wake-up call” to all Canadian institutions — especially in education.
“Universities and colleges began — and continue — to respond to the calls, which were established as part of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, but we need to keep the conversation going 12 months of the year,” she says.
 Nationally recognized for her work to advance change in higher education through Indigeneity, decolonization and equity, Cote-Meek is working on a second edition of her publication, Colonized Classrooms – Racism, Trauma and Resistance in Post-Secondary Education, which was first published in 2014.
By gathering perspectives of Indigenous faculty members and students across the Ontario post- secondary landscape, Cote-Meek is exploring how Canadian universities and colleges are making structural changes towards reconciliation through decolonization.
“I am interested in how the sector is making deeper, systemic changes in ways that are not performative; in ways that are truly changing how Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples interact on campuses,” she says.
Among those, Cote-Meek says, are curriculum changes, a rising number of Indigenous faculty, staff and students, and the creation of dedicated spaces and buildings on campuses to support them.
“This increase in Indigenous presence on campuses is positive and encouraging; as a sector, we are moving forward and enacting curriculum changes to incorporate Indigenous content,” she says.
Even with this momentum, Cote-Meek says it is critical to acknowledge that forms of racism in post-secondary education systems still exist and operate in different ways.
Across the sector, support needs to be built in for Indigenous faculty whose course material often includes challenging and difficult subject matter, including the history and impact of the residential school system, she says.
“The emotional labour and responsibility Indigenous faculty members bear can be a heavy weight to carry,” she says. “We need to work together to mitigate feelings of isolation and minimize potential classroom tensions for Indigenous students and educators.”
While true reconciliation is not going to happen overnight, Cote-Meek says “we are beginning to see deeper shifts in attitudes about Indigenous Peoples and their beliefs. It starts with education.”
By Ivan Puzachov
September 30th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
 They come in several sizes and numerous brands. Know what you’re buying and get it right the first time. Snooozzz. It might be challenging to choose the correct mattress since there are so many different kinds available. Different kinds of mattresses may help you sleep better, feel more supported, and last longer. Each kind is intended for a certain way of sleeping and a certain taste. The more you know about different sorts of mattresses and how comfortable they are, the better you’ll sleep and the more you’ll be doing for your health and well-being over time.
Why Mattress Type Matters
A mattress is more than just a place to sleep; it may change how your body heals and relaxes while you sleep. You can feel bad, have difficulties sleeping, or even have back or joint discomfort if you choose the incorrect variety. Picking the proper size and shape is important for obtaining a good night’s sleep and having a lot of energy throughout the day.
For those looking for compact yet supportive options, a twin mattress is often ideal. It provides the right balance of comfort and practicality for single sleepers, children, or smaller spaces, while still offering a variety of materials and firmness levels to match individual needs.
Overview of Mattress Types
varying kinds of mattresses are made, feel, and last for varying periods of time. Here are the most common options, along with their benefits and downsides.
Innerspring Mattresses
 The innerspring mattress is the most prevalent: the quality of the spring is what matters most. The innerspring mattress is the most prevalent variety. It has steel coils within that provide the cushion strength and bounce. They let air circulate well, which makes them a better alternative for those who sleep overheated. It’s simple to locate and inexpensive to buy innerspring beds, but if the coils aren’t good, they could wear out quicker than other varieties.
 Memory foam is shapes itself to the body. Memory Foam Mattresses
Memory foam is well-known for being able to shape itself to the body and relieve pressure spots. It does an excellent job of blocking off movements, which is perfect for couples. On the other side, traditional memory foam tends to trap heat in. However, many modern varieties feature cooling technology that fix this issue.
Latex Mattresses
Latex mattresses are made from natural or synthetic latex. They provide a buoyant, responsive feel and are often praised for durability and breathability. Natural latex is hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites, making it a healthy choice. The main drawback is cost, as latex mattresses are often more expensive.
Hybrid Mattresses
There are layers of foam or rubber and coils within hybrid beds. This design has both the stability of mattress systems and the softness of foam or rubber. A lot of individuals may use hybrid mattresses, although they are usually larger and more expensive than pillows made of just one material.
Adjustable and Specialty Mattresses
Some mattresses may be made harder or softer, or they are created in a manner that makes them appropriate for particular purposes. For instance, adjustable airbeds allow people modify how firm each side is. Some specialty pillows may employ innovative materials to aid with back discomfort or fit the spine better.
Comfort Levels Explained
Even though everyone has a distinct sense of what is comfortable, mattress producers normally create them in several levels of hardness to assist you pick. These data assist users choose the optimal option for their body type and how they sleep.
Soft Mattresses
Soft pillows are usually preferable for those who sleep on their sides because they maintain the spine straight and relieve pressure on the hips and shoulders. You may need extra assistance if you sleep on your stomach or back.
Medium Mattresses
A lot of various kinds of individuals appreciate medium-firm mattresses because they can be adjusted. They are great for folks who move about a lot at night since they provide the correct amount of support and cushioning.
Firm Mattresses
People who sleep on their backs or stomachs are generally urged to purchase firm mattresses since they are useful for support. They maintain the spine straight and stop the center from lowering too much, which might injure the back.
Matching Mattress Type to Sleeping Style
Another important factor in choosing the correct mattress is how you sleep. Depending on how you sleep, your body has to operate in various ways. Getting the appropriate mattress might help you relax and sleep better.
 Side sleepers that snuggle. Side Sleepers
If you sleep on your side, you need support to keep your shoulders and hips from aching. A lot of the time, memory foam and softer combination beds work well, especially ones that are medium to soft.
Back Sleepers
Back sleepers need support that is evenly distributed to keep their spine’s natural curve. Some of the best beds for this type of person are medium-firm to firm mattresses, especially blends or high-quality innerspring models.
Stomach Sleepers
People who sleep on their stomachs need strong support so they don’t sink into the mattress, which can hurt their back or neck. Most of the time, latex and hard innerspring beds are stable enough.
Combination Sleepers
If you move around a lot, a medium-firm combination mattress can give you the right amount of warmth and support in all situations.
Other Factors That Influence Comfort
The kind of mattress and how hard it is are significant, but there are additional elements that determine how pleasant and long-lasting your sleep surface is.
Temperature Regulation
Latex and mattress coils are two examples of materials that allow air flow and keep people cool. If you favor memory foam, versions with cooling gels or open-cell designs may help keep you cool.
Motion Isolation
If you share a bed, motion separation may be quite helpful. Memory foam is perfect for this since it makes less noise when one person moves about at night.
Durability and Longevity
The materials selected are typically related to how long something will survive. More expensive mixes and latex beds tend to last longer, whereas inexpensive innerspring mattresses may droop more quickly. You may enjoy things for years if you spend more on superior ones.
Conclusion
Mattresses come in a wide variety of types, each designed to meet different needs in terms of support, comfort, and durability. From classic innerspring models to advanced hybrids and natural latex, understanding these options helps you make a confident choice. Comfort levels — soft, medium, or firm — further refine the selection process based on your sleeping position and personal preferences.
 There are retail locations in every city of a decent size. Test them – and be sure you are comfortable before you purchase. Your sleep quality depends on choosing a mattress that suits your body and lifestyle. Taking the time to evaluate materials, construction, and firmness levels will ensure restful nights and healthier mornings. For those ready to explore high-quality options, check out the latest mattress deals to find the right balance of comfort and value.
By Gazette Staff
October 1st, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The annual Canadian Cancer Society CIBC Run for the Cure will be taking place on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025. To meet the needs of the festival and to ensure public safety, road closures are noted below.
Run route streets will re-open as soon as possible after the event. Vehicles parked illegally in the event area will be tagged or towed for emergency access.
 Road Closures – 10 a.m. to noon
Seneca Avenue from Lakeshore Road to New
Pine Cove Road from Lakeshore Road to New Street
New Street from Drury Lane to Guelph Line
Lane Closures – 10 a.m. to noon
Lakeshore Road from Seneca Avenue to Pine Cove Road westbound and centre lane closed. The eastbound lane will be kept open for traffic with no left turns along the event route.
New Street from Guelph Line to Pine Cove Road, eastbound lane closed. The westbound lane will be kept open for traffic with no left turns along the event route.
Access to and from roads intersecting the event route will be unavailable.
Residents located within the road closure needing to exit the area during the race need to be cautious of pedestrians and follow Police instructions, and follow these routes:
Between the hours of 10 to 11 a.m., please exit via Guelph Line at Lakeshore Road.
Between the hours or 11 a.m. and noon, please use Guelph Line at New Street, and Rossmore Boulevard at New Street.
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