 By Pepper Parr
June 7th, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
The weather could not have been better.
The lake was resplendent.
And there were three or four dozen of the elected and the movers and shakers in the city gathered at the Discovery pond
We had all been invited because were “friends” of the Burlington Community Foundation – the organization that stepped up and did the heavy lifting when we were hit with that disastrous flood in 2014.
 Colleen Mulholland, President and CEO of the foundation, took to the podium said we must have an idea about why we’re here. “But first”, she said “I’d like to ask you to turn to your right. The person next to you might trust us to manage their family’s endowment that funds much- needed health services.”
“ Now turn to your left, there might be a non-profit leader who helps ensure that at-risk Burlington youth get the counselling services they so desperately need.”
We were being taught the importance of helping each other. “You are all brand ambassadors because you trust us to make change happen.”
Mulholland went on to explain that “17 years ago, a small group of people took action. They saw a need for something greater than themselves. Rallying together, they created our city’s first-ever home for sustainable giving and gave us our name – Burlington Community Foundation.
Almost two decades later, said Mulholland, we’re now most commonly referred to as BCF. Each and every day, we still follow a path our founders would recognize, making vital connections between charitable giving and thousands of local community members.
Our sole purpose has been consistent from the start. We help Burlingtonians give with confidence. Whether it’s your first or 100th gift, we take the guesswork out of giving.
We were all brought together to see the new Burlington Community Foundation brand and to hear from the people who give and the people who receive
Our vision explained Mulholland, inspires us to inspire others. We thought about what the act of giving itself – why do people give? How does giving make people feel? What can we do to make giving easier?
At some point in life, leaving one’s mark becomes important for many people.
 The new logo has three waves represents the positive ripple effect that starts at the exact moment when someone decides to make ANY gift of ANY size. And as the center for giving in Burlington, we help strengthen the ripple effect of your giving.
Along with the logo is a new tag line: Give brilliantly!
Two simple words that speak to why we’re here and what we do. Every day, we help people give brilliantly – to make the most of their giving by building legacies, addressing vital community needs and supporting areas of personal interest.
At that point a large round version of the logo was floated on the Discovery pond.
In closing, we understand the difference we make is greater when people work together…and that’s why we are calling upon each and every one of you to help Burlington Foundation make some bigger waves starting today.
Tim Hogarth can tell you quite a bit about giving. It was his dad, the late Murray Hogarth who formed the Burlington Community Foundation. He was active in the Hamilton Community Foundation and flt that Burlington was ready for its own. He wrote the first cheque and has been writing cheques every since.
He passed that habit along to his sons. Tim expressed the habit when he said giving is part of my family’s DNA. Before Burlington had a community foundation, my father Murray saw the opportunity for one organization to take the guesswork out of local giving.
 Like many donors, he had a deep need to give and saw that a new community foundation could be the start of something big for Burlington. From day one, the Foundation provided our family with tangible and meaningful ways to leave our mark right here, in the city we are so proud to call home.
Two years ago at BCF’s annual gala, I had the pleasure of seeing my parents, Diana and Murray Hogarth, be honoured as the 2013 Philanthropists of the Year. My parents were honoured to be recognized for their outstanding community leadership, volunteerism and consistent financial gifts within Burlington.
For decades, my family has made giving a priority. It’s something that I grew up with…as well as something that every Hogarth family member proudly instills in every generation.
Burlington Community Foundation understands how important it is for every gift to make a real difference. We trust BCF to collaborate with community leaders, agencies and other organizations to ensure that our family’s gifts and grants directly impact people’s lives.
We also trust BCF to make gifts of any size that will amount to real change in the lives of Burlingtonians. I’ve seen first-hand how passionate and generous Burlington donors are – and I know that the Foundation is poised to make even more change in our great community.
The organization got to see the new branding – we also got to see how the Community Foundation works and the people who sit at the board room table and work to have the endowments grown and the funds put where they are most needed.
It was another milestone in the life of the community. Not something you see all that often.
 By Staff
June 7th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The sound of music will be in the air for much of the summer.
People will be able to enjoy concerts at the band shell beside the library from June 19 to August 14; performances start at 7:30 pm on Wednesday and Sunday.
Residents are invited to bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy a variety of music for all ages. The first concert of the summer will feature the Burlington Teen Tour Band and Junior Redcoats. A complete list of scheduled performances is available at www.burlington.ca/concerts
The season of summer music will begin with a joint performance by the Rich Harmony Choir and the United in Song Gospel Choir who will perform at the Burlington Seniors’ Centre Choir at 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 19.
The free community concert is in support of the Partnership West Food Bank. Attendees are kindly asked to bring a non-perishable food item. Space is limited and seating will be arranged on a first come first served basis.
The June lineup looks like this:
 Sunday, June 19 – Burlington Teen Tour Band & Burlington Junior Redcoats
Over 150 musicians on stage as the Burlington Junior Redcoats join the Burlington Teen Tour Band to open the 2016 Summer Concert Series.
Wednesday, June 22 – Swingline
A little big band of local based musicians playing the big band standards and more.
Sunday, June 26 – Sinatra Celebrations
Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birthday of the Chairman of the Board. A special Sinatra show by Jim Heaslip and the 12/4 Swing Orchestra.
Wednesday, June 29 – Burlington Top Hat Marching Orchestra
By Pepper Parr
June 6, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Talk about information overload.
Have you any idea how many opportunities there are for you to “inform” your government?
You really don’t want to know.
The list of things the government would like your opinion on is endless.
It goes on and on and on.
 Consulting with Canadians provides you with single-window access to a list of consultations from selected government departments and agencies. Look at some of the consultations in progress and get involved.
If you feel you have a need to give the federal government the benefit of your wisdom – click here to get to the place where you can tell them what you think.
June 3, 2016 – August 5, 2016
Consultation on manganese in drinking water
May 30, 2016 – July 24, 2016
Stakeholder and Partner Feedback on Regulatory Guidance and Services
May 27, 2016 – August 10, 2016
Consultation on Cyantraniliprole, Proposed Maximum Residue Limit PMRL2016-26
May 25, 2016 – August 8, 2016
Consultation on Fenhexamid, Proposed Maximum Residue Limit PMRL2016-24
May 25, 2016 – August 8, 2016
Consultation on Metaldehyde, Proposed Maximum Residue Limit PMRL2016-23
May 27, 2016 – August 10, 2016
Consultation on Pyraclostrobin, Proposed Maximum Residue Limit PMRL2016-27
May 27, 2016 – August 10, 2016
Consultation on Pyraflufen-ethyl, Proposed Maximum Residue Limit PMRL2016-25
May 30, 2016 – August 13, 2016
Consultation on Tebuconazole, Proposed Maximum Residue Limit PMRL2016-28
May 25, 2016 – August 8, 2016
Consultation on Trifloxystrobin, Proposed Maximum Residue Limit PMRL2016-22
May 31, 2016 – August 31, 2016
Consultation on potential measures to regulate tobacco packages and products
May 31, 2016 – August 2, 2016
Consultation on the Canadian Guidelines for Protective Actions during a Nuclear Emergency
May 31, 2016 – June 30, 2016
Public consultation on draft Guidelines for Tanning Equipment Owners, Operators, and Users
June 1, 2016 – June 30, 2016
Standards Council of Canada: Stakeholder response requested for new ISO standard proposal: DUE DATE:June 30, 2016)
May 27, 2016 – July 26, 2016
Code of Practice for the Management of Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) Emissions in the Potash Sector in Canada
May 30, 2016 – June 20, 2016
North American Polypropylene Rail Yard Project
May 27, 2016 – July 26, 2016
Proposed Code of Practice for the Management of Air Emissions from Pulp and Paper Mills
May 27, 2016 – July 26, 2016
Proposed Guidelines for the Reduction of Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) Emissions from Natural Gas-fuelled Stationary Combustion Turbines
May 27, 2016 – July 26, 2016
Publication of Final Decision After Screening Assessment of a Substance – Carbamic acid, ethyl ester (ethyl carbamate), CAS RN 51-79-6- Specified on the Domestic Substances List (paragraphs 68(b) and (c) of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999)
May 30, 2016 – June 29, 2016
Request for data: Partially hydrogenated oils in the Canadian food supply
May 24, 2016 – July 23, 2016
Action Plan for Multiple Species at Risk in Southwestern Saskatchewan: South of the Divide – 2016
May 24, 2016 – July 23, 2016
Action Plan for the Eastern Mountain Avens (Geum peckii) in Canada
April 21, 2016 – April 21, 2016
Aquaculture Consultations – Freshwater/Land-Based Aquaculture Industry Advisory Panel Meeting
November 23, 2015 – March 18, 2016
Consultations on the Proposed Listing of American Eel as “Threatened”, under the Species at Risk Act (SARA)
October 1, 2016 – October 31, 2016
Freshwater/Land-Based Aquaculture Industry Advisory Panel Meeting
May 5, 2016 – May 5, 2016
Shellfish Aquaculture Management Advisory Committee
May 18, 2016 – June 1, 2016
2016‑2017 Annual Plan: Strengthening Competition to Drive Innovation
May 24, 2016 – July 29, 2016
A Governance Framework for IP Agents
May 21, 2016 – July 20, 2016
Regulations Amending Certain Regulations Made Under Sections 140, 209 and 286.1 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999
May 20, 2016 – July 19, 2016
Consultation on Quinclorac, Proposed Re-evaluation Decision PRVD2016-15
June 8, 2016 – June 9, 2016
Science Advisory 2016 Schedule – Evaluation of Fraser River Decay Model to estimate Mortalities of Interior Fraser Coho
June 9, 2016 – June 10, 2016
Science Advisory 2016 Schedule – Evaluation of the Southern BC Marine Fishery Planning Model for Coho Salmon
May 18, 2016 – July 2, 2016
Consultation on Dyson Humidifier, Proposed Registration Decision PRD2016-15
October 1, 2016 – October 1, 2016
Freshwater/Land-Based Aquaculture Industry Advisory Panel Meeting
July 8, 2011 – July 8, 2011
Laurentian Channel Area of Interest (AOI) Advisory Committee Meeting
June 14, 2016 – June 15, 2016
Science Advisory 2016 Schedule – Updated Assessment Framework for Gooseneck Barnacle in British Columbia
May 14, 2016 – June 12, 2016
Canada Gazette Part 1 – Proposed Regulations Amending Certain Regulations Relating to Access to Diacetylmorphine for Emergency Treatment
May 18, 2016 – July 31, 2016
International Assistance Review
May 17, 2016 – June 7, 2016
Kitimat Clean Refinery Project – Public Comments Invited
May 14, 2016 – July 28, 2016
Order Amending Schedule 3 to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999
May 14, 2016 – July 28, 2016
Regulations Amending the Export of Substances on the Export Control List Regulations
May 14, 2016 – July 15, 2016
Tintamarre National Wildlife Area Management Plan [Proposed]
May 13, 2016 – July 27, 2016
Consultation on Fluopyram, Proposed Maximum Residue Limit PMRL2016-21
May 16, 2016 – June 30, 2016
Consulting Canadians on flexible work arrangements
May 13, 2016 – July 11, 2016
Development of a Regulatory Framework for Mandatory Reporting by Healthcare Institutions (Vanessa’s Law)
May 16, 2016 – June 16, 2016
Standards Council of Canada: Stakeholder response requested for new standard: Marine sensing (Due Date: June 16, 2016)
May 12, 2016 – June 30, 2016
Health Canada Request for Input and Scientific Data: Vibrio parahaemolyticus in oyster shellstock intended for raw consumption
May 9, 2016 – June 6, 2016
Record Suspension User Fee Consultation
May 12, 2016 – June 30, 2016
Consultation Notice: Measures Under Consideration For Inclusion In The Prescribed Conditions Regulations Related To Security Inadmissibility
April 23, 2016 – May 20, 2016
Consultation on Canadian content in a digital world – Pre-consultation phase
May 11, 2016 – June 10, 2016
Standards Council of Canada: Stakeholder response requested for new IEC standard: HMI (DUE DATE: June 10, 2016)
April 15, 2016 – July 15, 2016
Department of Finance Releases Legislative Proposals to Better Fight Tax Evasion and Secure Tax Compliance
April 29, 2016 – June 29, 2016
Government Consults on Measures to Strengthen Canada’s Trade Remedy System
May 10, 2016 – June 10, 2016
Project 4 – All-Season Road Connecting Berens River to Poplar River First Nation – Public Comments Invited
May 9, 2016 – May 30, 2016
Springbank Off-Stream Reservoir Project – Public Comments Invited
May 5, 2016 – July 6, 2016
Statement on the Release of a Revised Consultation Draft of the Capital Markets Stability Act
May 9, 2016 – July 31, 2016
Next Agricultural Policy Framework – Share Your Experience and Ideas
May 9, 2016 – July 8, 2016
Portobello Creek National Wildlife Area Management Plan – 2016 [Proposed]
May 6, 2016 – July 5, 2016
Recovery Strategy for the Wood Bison (Bison bison athabascae) in Canada
May 1, 2016 – June 30, 2016
Revitilizing access to information
By Pepper Parr
June 7th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
It was a decision that the public didn’t have much of an opportunity to say anything about.
The huge willow trees just a couple of yards to the west of the bottom of Brant Street in Spencer Smith Park were deemed to be unsafe.
 It was a small meeting – the weather kept most people away. The size didn’t detract from the significance. The massive willow tree in the foreground will come down and at some point in the future the gazebo will get rebuilt to make it fully accessible. The force driving that decision was the Sound of Music – they are apparently going to be holding events in that part of the park and the idea of a branch falling into a small crowd is something that sent shudders through the legal department.
The city has too many law suits on their hands as it is – so the branches of the tree had to come down. How many of them? All of them with the trunk of the tree left for someone to perhaps carve something out of at some future date.
 An aboriginal drummer took part in the celebration of the Spencer smith willow trees that were scheduled to be cut down today. There is an opportunity to do something interesting – look at the size of that tree trunk
Seventy cuttings are going to be taken and replanted immediately in some secret location and at some later date they will be replanted elsewhere in the city. So the planting of the willow trees some seventy years ago by a Burlington merchant named Spencer smith who had a shop on Brant street will live on.
Burlington is adding to its history.
Ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward invited people to gather at the base of the tree and hold a small celebration. Weather was a factor and as Meed Ward and her husband Pete and their dog walked to the park they glanced at the heavy grey rolling clouds Meed Ward decided they would continue with the event.
 Ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward gives the Spencer Smith willow a hug – later today the chain saws will dig into the bark and bring down all the branches leaving just the trunk that is expected to be available to someone to carve. Instead of gathering at the base of the tree everyone gathered in the gazebo – it was tight and it didn’t last all that long.
There was an aboriginal drummer to bring some dignity to the event.
The evening ended with Meed Ward giving the willow tree a last hug.
By Staff
June 6, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
What is eventually going to be a 19 story – five building complex is now rising above grade level. These buildings don’t inch their way up – they sort of suddenly appear from beneath the ground and then seem to grow quite swiftly
 Tower C on the right will go on sale early in 2017 The five tower Paradigm project being built by the Molinaro Group – they put up most of the condominiums along Lakeshore Road, will become a community of some 2000 people in a project that will have almost everything anyone would want in the way of amenities.
Snuggled right beside the railway line – residents will hear more from the wind than they will from the passing rail traffic, planners nevertheless required a two foot thick wall between the rail tracks and the buildings.
 North side of the project – amenities will be well above the wall. Nothing is going to get through that wall.
Safety and peace and quiet were thoroughly thought through when the building was designed.
 The crane operator and his rigger look at a model of the project they are helping to build. Sales have been brisk, tower A is sold out tower B sales have reached the 55% level. Tower C will go on sale in early 2017.
 By Pepper Parr
June 6, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
It was a pretty large community endeavour – plating hundreds of trees in a reasonably recent development.
 Ward 6 Councillor Blair Lancaster announced the community event and the weather worked for her; a load of people turned out to plans hundreds of trees – and it all happened without the member of council even making an appearance.
 It as hard work – but by the end of the day there was an outstanding little forest in the making in place. The kids doing he job will look back on those trees for years to come and take great satisfaction knowing they put them there. Her husband appeared to have been on hand digging holes to plant a tree – or at least the man in the picture looked like Lancaster’s husband.
As for the Councillor – she was at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities annual conference that took place in Winnipeg. Lancaster, Mayor Goldring, Councillors Sharman and Meed Ward represented Burlington at the three day event. Lancaster will surely tour the planting later this week and marvel at all the really good work that was done.
 The trick now is to ensure that these trees are watered regularly during the first year and properly supported while they find their own legs. Might she wonder as she walks amongst the planted trees – that maybe they don’t need her on hand at all. The citizens can do it all by themselves – frightening thought for any politician.
Credit does go to the Council member and her staff for getting it off the ground and making all the parts come together.
By Pepper Parr
June 6th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
It has been a busy couple of weeks for Robert Steven and his crew at the Art Gallery of Burlington.
They sponsored an event that took place at the Performing Arts Centre; held their AGM and then pulled off a reasonably successful art sale.
 Patrons reviewing the art that was up for sale. The prices were great for the buyers. The annual Art Sale is a critical part of the fund raising the gallery must do to remain viable and offer the full range of some impressive programming.
Art Sale chair Cheryl Miles Goldring mixed thing us up a little and had all the art in the one room and the bidding done in a separate room. There was a pleasant light jazz combo playing for much of the evening. The schmoozing, and the networking were going full tilt.
 John Duffy, designer of the Art Gallery of Burlington logo, and his wife chat up a friend The art gallery crowd brings a different level of sophistication to their events – the mix in a different way than the theatre crowd.
The Art sale had some surprises – they had an auctioneer, Rob Cowley, who had sold a Lauren Harris (Group of Seven) painting for just under a million dollars a few days before but he wasn’t able to pull very many impressive numbers from the Burlington crowd Friday evening.
 A possible buyer taking a close look at a piece of art. There were some very disappointing prices drawn from the audience that basically filled the bidding room. A number of pieces were withdrawn when they didn’t reach the reserve.
 “It’s Been a Long Day” by Helen Griffiths went for a disappointing $900. A Helen Griffiths went for a disappointing $900 and an E. Robert Ross was pulled when it didn’t come anywhere near the reserve.
The Bateman did ok – but the price wasn’t outstanding.
There appeared to be someone in the room who either has a lot of bare walls or was there as a dealer picking up some art work at very good prices.
One wondered if the event was an opportunity to get some very good art at close to bargain prices for those in the Burlington community or if it was an annual event where people paid close to top prices to raise funds for the work the gallery does.
It looked like the former last Friday at the AGB. One wonders what might have happened if some smart tour operator brought in a busload of people from say the Annex in Toronto or the Beach community or perhaps North Toronto – served them a private dinner at Spencers and then walked them across Lakeshore road to the AGB and an opportunity where some very very good art was available at hard to believe prices.
Auctioneer Rob Cowley, started every offering by mentioning a suggested price and then immediately dropped it a good 25% and then struggled at times to get to get that price. He didn’t succeed all that often. The auctioneer was skilled – it was the audience that had forgotten why it was there.
 “Cows in a row” by Janice Ykema The “Cows in a row” by Janice Ykema was shown at $800 with the bidding starting at $500fetched $600. Cowley sensed that the room wasn’t going to go much higher and quickly moved on to the next piece.
There were a few points at which the bidding got vigorous. A piece that started at $800 got worked up to $1100 – with the comment from the auctioneer “killing you isn’t he” bringing a chuckle from the audience – the eventual buyer wanted the piece badly enough.
The Anna Kutishchev “Warm evening” had a suggested price of $2200 with bidding started at $1200 – no takers so the auctioneer dropped it to $1000 and then managed to get the selling price up to $1400 – along the way he did have to remind one bidder that he “couldn’t read your mind”.
 Fibre Art done by the Burlington Fibre Arts Guild. The Rebeca out on the pier. A large piece of fibre art by that Guild placed the Rebecca sculpture outside the art gallery on the pier. It had a suggested price of $2500 – bidding started at $1000 – then skipped along rather briskly through $1200 – then $1400 – then $1500 – to $1600 – then to $1700 – $1750 – $1800 – $2000 – you could feel the tension – dare I ask for $2100 asked the auctioneer – and he got it – and it was sold – the audience burst into applause. It was the only sale that drew any applause.
That pier is solidly embedded in this city’s DNA.
The E. Robert Ross landscape didn’t get anywhere near the reserve and was withdrawn.
 Brian Darcy “Summer reflections” The Brian Darcy “Summer reflections” didn’t get any traction either and was withdrawn
The most brisk bidding was for a modern acrylic piece “Sentinel Falls” done by Joel Masewich was suggested at $6000 – bidding was started at $2000 – the auctioneer had no idea what this audience was going to pay for a piece of modern art. He soon caught the sense of the room and managed to get it up to $3200.
The Bateman piece – always the object of a lot of attention. Robert Bateman has been donating a piece of his art to the gallery for the past 38 years.
 Bateman’s Red Fox As I watched the bidding I had this feeling that the community was going to embarrass itself and let the work go for a pittance. It was suggested at $10,000 – bidding started at $500 and was sold for $7000. Barely acceptable.
The total take for the gallery wasn’t available – I wasn’t able to keep a running total.
 By Pepper Parr
June 6, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
UPDATE: Councillor Meed Ward has provided an update on the willow tree celebration taking place this evening. she will be the master of ceremonies and say a few words about the trees and some of the tributes from the public that have come in; the city arborist will explain why they need to be removed; a member of the horticultural society will provide some history about the trees and the legacy of Spencer Smith, a member of the society who planted the willows. There will be a drumming/smudging ceremony. If it is raining, this will take place inside the lobby/atrium of city hall.
This evening, Monday June 6, Councillor Marianne Meed Ward expects some people to gather near the base of the willow trees in Spencer Smith Park to celebrate the end of their lives.
The city arborist has come to the conclusion that the trees are not safe and they are going to be taken down to just their trunks where someone will be given the opportunity to carve something out of what is left.
 The trees will be gone a month from now – the gazebo will undergo a significant change. So many memories begun in that gazebo. No one knows how many people are going to show up. No one knows if some brave environmentalist will arrive and chain themselves to the tree to prevent their destruction.
The trees are magnificent and it will be a pity to see them go – many people have fond memories of the trees and the gazebo that is nested in between them.
The Gazette learned a number of weeks ago that the trees were going to have something done to them and that the gazebo was going to undergo a change so that it could be made accessible.
Kune Hua, a local videographer, took his camera to the park on the weekend and caressed the trees with the lens of his camera and created for all of us a tribute to the trees and, without realizing it, a tribute to the man who, 70 years ago, planted the willows that are in the park.
The video is very short – click here – enjoy it and share it with friends.
Within a year those magnificent waving limbs will be nothing but a memory – one that can be refreshed by reading the pages of the Gazette. We will, hopefully, be around for another 70 years.
Enjoys the trees – they will be gone forever by the end of the month.
Related editorial content:
Trees to be cut down.
First public mention that the willow trees were in peril – in the Gazette
By Jim Feilders
June 6, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
City council fully understands the impact climate change is having on us. The storm in August of 2014 brought that point home in a very vivid and expensive manner. More than three hundred residents suffered significant property loss. The city, the Conservation authority and the Regional government realized there were serious gaps in the level of preparedness.
The climate is changing due in part to the amount of carbon dioxide that is being allowed into the environment. Much of the CO2 is the result of the fossil fuels we burn to run our car engines and heat our homes.
The city has a number of plans in place to begin to cut back on the amount of carbon dioxide that is released into the environment.
Their task is to take specific actions and educate the public.
Burlington Carbon Plans Confusing You?
We have three plans affecting us regarding greenhouse gas emissions. Understanding what they mean can be a little difficult.
Strategic Plan
Council endorsed the Strategic Plan for the next 25 years to 2040 with one of many goals being to be net carbon neutral. It’s a tough call but the right thing to do in my opinion. But what does it mean? The definition in the Strategic Plan is “Having a net-zero carbon footprint refers to achieving net zero carbon emissions by balancing a measured amount of carbon released with an equivalent amount not used, or buying enough carbon credits to make up the difference”.
Talking to City officials, I learned that no one knows exactly how this will be achieved at the moment. Work will be done in the future.
But whatever is done must comply with the triple bottom line philosophy of sustainability. This means any plan must look at environmental and social impacts as well as economic. People have to be on board with the financial and environmental implications.
Province of Ontario
Last year the Province of Ontario announced its targets for carbon reduction to 2050.
 We know where we are and the targets for the future have been set – can we summon the discipline to achieve the targets? Our Premier says we have to reduce total carbon by 37% in 2030 and 80% in 2050 – from 1990 levels.
Community Energy Plan
We have started to address this in the Community Energy Plan (CEP) that Council endorsed in January 2014; a lot of progress has been made.
The focus of the plan is to reduce energy consumption and cost as well as reduce greenhouse gases and improve local energy security.
The timeframe is to 2030. A report on progress to date is available here
It didn’t relate to 1990 levels. We didn’t track them back then and the closest we have is 1994 of 1.4 Mtonnes – close enough. This shows we met the 2014 target (1.4 – 1.19 = 0.21 or 15%, see below) and probably will meet the 2020 targets (1.4 – 1.1 = 0.3 or 21%). But we’re looking a little shy for 2030, coming in at 27%.
The CEP has set a realistic target of 26% reduction in energy consumption per person over the 15 year period from 2014 to 2030.
Although mention is made of investigating heat pump technologies and electric vehicles, the plan does not rely on switching fuels but reducing the amount we use as well as generating new energy from renewable sources. As a result, the amount of greenhouse gas reduction is the same as the energy reduction. If you drive less and save a 65 litre tank of gasoline and you save 156 kg of pollution. If you switch to an alternate fuel, you can still travel almost the original distance.
The plan does not account for population growth which is predicted to rise from 175,000 by about 30,000 people over this period depending on whether you look at the City’s estimates or the Province’s Places to Grow. This is about a 17% population increase. This tells me that if 175,000 people reduce their carbon by 26% and 30,000 people are added to the mix at the same reduction, the net decrease for the City is 14% to 1.025 Mtonnes from 1.19 Mtonnes.
Putting it all together with the best data I could find, is shown in the chart below. It includes the “What if” we do nothing, called business as usual. You know, keep our heads in the sand and keep doing what we have always done. I’m not saying change is easy by any means.
 The obvious solution is to make the Community Energy Plan work – problem with that is we don’t know yet how to do that. Extrapolations for the CEP are less optimistic as most of the behavioural change will have occurred. With our CEP alone, we fall short.
 If we determine what the plan is and then stick to the plan – there is hope for us – but we have a long way to go – and it is not going to be easy. Enter fuel switching. We need to replace gasoline vehicles with electric and hybrid models and transition our residential space heating and water heating from natural gas to electric inverter heat pump technology – air, water and ground sources.
These technologies are actually less expensive on a life cycle basis than their fossil fuel alternatives. Approaches that use a “hybrid” system of gas furnace and heat pump are available. So we can save the planet and money at the same time.
This will bring us close enough that industry can make up the remaining gap.
 Halleluiah! We can do it and get our gold star from Kathleen living the life she depicts below.
To now go for carbon neutral may not seem impossible.
 Jim Feilders is an engineer by training and an environmentalist by choice. He drives a hybrid car, heat and air conditions his house at a cost of of approximately $375 a year. The views expressed here are solely his own and not necessarily those of the various organizations with which he is associated.
 By Staff
June 5, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
For those who enjoy a pleasant game of baseball as one of their ways to relax – it was a disappointing weekend.
There was a full slate of games scheduled for Sunday with all eight teams in action but rain, combined with an ominous forecast, scrubbed three-quarters of the scheduled action and rain caused havoc with the only game that was completed.
Guelph Royals at the London Majors was called early and the Brantford Red Sox didn’t go to Kitchener to play the first-place Panthers. The Burlington Bandits travelled to Toronto to take on the Maple Leafs at Christie Pits but that game was called after two innings with the Maple Leafs ahead 4-3.
 The ball got there first – but the Hamilton Cardinals embarrassed the Bandits with a massive win. The Barrie Baycats and Hamilton Cardinals toughed it out in Hamilton with a rain delay of over two hours and the end result was a 17-7 win for the Baycats.
Barrie scored once in the top of the first and added six more runs in the second inning. It was 8-4 after five innings then Barrie scored again in the sixth and added another six spot in the seventh inning to put things away.
The Baycats pounded out 24 hits in the five-hour marathon with leadoff batter Ryan Spataro leading the way. Spataro had four hits, scored four runs, drove in a run, walked, reached base five times and upped his batting average to .417.
Kyle DeGrace had two hits, including a double, and drove in three runs. Jeff Cowan had four hits and scored three times and Conner Morro had four hits and scored three times.
For the Cardinals, right fielder Dre Celestijn had a day, with a double and two singles, an RBI and he scored twice. Third baseman Callum Murphy had two doubles and TJ Baker had a single and a double.
Barrie improved to 8-4 with the win and Hamilton slipped to 3-11.
Standings:
Team
W L
Kitchener Panthers
9 1
London Majors
7 3
Barrie Baycats
7 4
Brantford Red Sox
6 4
Toronto Maple Leafs
5 4
Guelph Royals
3 7
Hamilton Cardinals
3 10
Burlington Bandits
1 8
Future games:
Tuesday
Barrie Baycats at Guelph Royals, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday
Burlington Bandits at Toronto Maple Leafs, 7:30 p.m.
London Majors at Brantford Red Sox, 8 p.m.
 By Staff
June 4, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The Burlington Bandits (1-8) dropped both games of a double-header to the Hamilton Cardinals (3-9) both by scores of 8-5 in front of 647 Bandits’ fans at Nelson Park.
Hamilton started the scoring early in the first game by bringing home Geoffrey Seto off two wild pitches by Jack Dennis (0-2).
 647 people at a Bandits ball game is some kind of a record. The Bandits would get on the board in the second bringing in five runs off a RBI single by Justin Gideon and walks by Shawn Mayhew and Julian Johnson.
The Cardinals would come alive in the following innings, putting up two runs in the 3rd, 4th and 5th to bring the lead to 7-5.
The Cardinals would add a run in the final inning to seal the win. Cardinals Jonathan Palumbo (2-0) would take the win.
Game two saw a much more even affair as the contest went to extra innings. The Cardinals would open up the scoring in the first driving in two runs off a Connor Bowie RBI single.
The Bandits would respond down 3-0 in the third with a four run inning. John Whaley would drive in a run with a single, followed by Canice Ejoh RBI single and a Carlos Villoria single that would drive in two runs to bring the score to 4-3.
The game would become tied in the 6th with a single by Jonathan Palumbo to score Marcus Dicenzo.
The game would remain tied through the 9th inning before the Cardinals exploded in the 10th with a four run inning to take the win once again 8-5.
Burlington’s Christian Hauck would take the loss going 4.1 innings while giving up five hits and four runs with two strikeouts and two walks. Hamilton’s Jonathan Palumbo would take the win going 4.0 innings allowing one unearned run and striking out one.
Burlington replaces Hamilron as the team in the league holding to the bottom rung.
Panthers Win 6-2 Saturday over Guelph
The Kitchener Panthers beat the Guelph Royals 6-2 Saturday to win their ninth of their last 10 games.
The game was tied 3-0 after the opening inning and remained the same until the fifth when the Royals got on the board with one run.
Kitchener would add more insurance in the 6th with three runs and would never look back as they kept the Royals to only one more run in the 7th to take the game 6-2.
Panther’s starter Noelvis Entenza (3-1) took the win going 6.0 winnings striking out seven batters and allowing two runs. Royal’s starter Adrian Yuen (0-1) took the loss allowing three earned runs in 0.2 innings pitched.
Red Sox Offence Explodes in 17-5 win over Baycats
The Brantford Red Sox bats were hot Saturday night as they recorded multiple runs in five innings.
The Sox would start early with a three run lead after a sacrifice fly by Brandon Dailey and an RBI double by Jeff Hunt.
The Red Sox would continue in the third with two runs before exploding with a five run inning in the fourth following four hits and two walks to score runs, a RBI single by Ben Bostick and a sacrifice fly by Brandon Dailey.
Brantford would follow the fourth with three runs in the fifth including a two run home run and four runs in the sixth to seal the win.
Barrie’s offensive highlights include home runs by Ryan Spataro and Jordan Castaldo but it wouldn’t be enough to stop the Red Sox.
Brantford’s starter Grant Tebbit (1-1) took the win going 7.0 innings allowing three earned runs while striking out three and walking two. Barrie’s Nate Arruda (0-3) took the loss putting 3.0 innings of work allowing four earned runs with three strikeouts and three walks.
UPCOMING GAMES
Sunday, June 5th
Guelph at London; 1:05 PM
Burlington at Toronto; 2:00 PM
Brantford at Kitchener; 2:00 PM
Barrie at Hamilton; 2:00 PM
By Pepper Parr
June 4, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
This story gets more and more tangled – it can now be ended
The accident took place in March.
Charges were not laid for 90 days. Names were not released.
The police eventually lay charges – still do not name the person charged.
They then release the name of the person charged.
Still no reason for the delay in the laying of charges.
The Gazette learns from a usually reliable source that the person who was eventually charged had been in a coma since the accident and that he had become conscious a few days ago. Charges were then laid.
Was there not a better way to manage the flow of news?
Confidence in the integrity of the police service is critical. We have to know we can believe them at all times.
This situation is truly tragic – driving while under the influence of alcohol, runs a stop sign, crashes through a metal road rail, is seriously injured and in a coma for several months. To then come out of the coma and then be charged by the police.
This young man has some serious problems ahead of him.
The police were in a position to be both sympathetic and at the same time carry out their duties and use the opportunity to drive home the message – you can’t drink and then drive.
The consequences are disastrous.
Young David Dren now has to rebuild his life – we wish him well.
The Halton Regional Police Service do strive to keep the public informed – they might use this situation as a case study on how to inform the public and at the same time keep driving home the message – you can’t drink and drive.
The full story line:
Original story.
Police release the name of the driver.
By Pepper Parr
June 4th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
In a media release the city said: “In order to add comfort and enhance customer service, Burlington Transit is adding benches to 57 bus stops around the city. Some bench installations will require a concrete slab to be poured first.”
Maybe service is going to become so sporadic and unreliable that they want customers to at least have a place to sit while they wait?
The locations were chosen based on areas that have busier pedestrian and vehicular traffic and public space available.
 The seats in this transit shelter are truly pathetic. Hopefully the new benches being placed are more usable. “Providing benches will provide a more comfortable place to rest while waiting for a bus,” said Mike Spicer, director, Burlington Transit. “Taking Burlington Transit should be a pleasant experience and it begins at the bus stop.”
The bench expansion is already underway and will continue as weather permits throughout the summer and into the fall, if needed.
Something you wanted to know – the locations of those benches. The number at the front identifies the bus stop,
433 – Lakeshore Boulevard at Burloak Drive
1003 – Lakeshore Boulevard at Kenwood Avenue
3 – Lakeshore Boulevard at Torrance Street
751 – Lakeshore Boulevard at Brock Avenue
755 – 1340 Lakeshore Blvd.
72 – New Street at Guelph Line
185 – New Street at Walker’s Line
184 New Street at Walker’s Line
495 New Street at Hampton Heath
557 – 5514 New St.
453 – Appleby Line at Fairview Street
388 – Fairview Street at Inverary Road
206 – Fairview Street at Woodview Street
95 – Fairview Street at Drury Lane
64 – 2065 Fairview St.
785 – Plains Road at Francis
767 – Plains Road at King Road
759 – Plains Road at Long Drive
832 – Plains Road at Downsview
833 – 127 Plains Rd.
162 – Harvester Road at Guelph Line
264 – 3450 Harvester Road
248 – Upper Middle at Mountain Grove
326 – Burlington Heights Centre
1030 – Upper Middle Road at Guelph Line
922 – Upper Middle Road at Country Club
628 – Upper Middle Road at Heron Way
269 – Brant Street at Hazelton Boulevard
200 – Brant Street at Havendale Boulevard
110 – Brant at North Service Road
102 – Brant at North Service Road
33 – Guelph at Lakeshore
77 – Guelph Line at New Street
83 – Guelph Line at Glencrest Road
114 – Guelph Line at Prospect Avenue
113 – Guelph Line at Prospect Avenue
156 – Guelph Line at Harvester Road
155 – Guelph Line at Harvester Road
220 Guelph Line at Mainway
245 Guelph Line at Centennial
299 Guelph Line at Upper Middle Road
302 Guelph Line at Upper Middle Road
622 Walker’s Line at Berton Avenue
619 Berton Avenue at Walker’s Line
611 Walker’s Line at Constable Hensaw
608 Walker’s Line at Darien
584 Walker’s Line at Country Club
368 Walker’s Line at North Service Road
296 Walker’s Line at Harvester Road
290 Walker’s Line at Harvester Road
355 Appleby Line at New Street
360 Appleby Line at New Street
395 Appleby Line at Pine Street
451 666 Appleby Line
899 Appleby Line at Harrison Court
522 Burloak at Spruce
89 2200 Fairview Street
By Pepper Parr
June 4, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Ciarán Downes, one of the six men that play under the band name Oh Geronimo, said that for an unrepresented band he felt they had done well in being named one of the top 25 bands in the region by CBC’s Searchlight for talent.
The group is made up of – Ciarán Downes- Vocals, Guitar Kyle Robertson- Vocals, Guitar, Banjo Andrew Donofrio- Guitar Drew Mattiacci- Drums Cole Mortillaro- Bass Stuart Mitchell- Vocals, Guitar, Keys, Percussion
 Ciarán Downes, Kyle Robertson, Andrew Donofrio, Drew Mattiacci, Cole Mortillaro and Stuart Mitchell. Burlington got bundled in with Hamilton (they always do that to us) in the creation of 23 regions – with one winner coming out of each region and two other bands chosen by popular vote.
As part of a process that stretched the search out for a longer period of time there was a top 25 in each region then a top ten and then a top five
 Ciarán Downes  Oh Geronimo didn’t make it beyond the top 25 level in their region but that didn’t seem to matter to the crowd at The Dickens last night.
This year’s CBC Searchlight competition was described as “incredible, with so much amazing talent across the country.” It was a tough decision for the industry panelists.
Oh Geronimo won with their “Arctic Shores”. Here is what the panelists had to say: “Oh Geronimo’s ‘Arctic Shores’ had me simply for the first bars of harmonies, then I started paying attention to the lyrics and then this solid, banging guitar riff hits. And then boom, the song was over! Didn’t feel like an almost 4 minute song, which blew me away. I’d see them live anytime.”
 The crowd at Dickens Friday night loved Oh Geronimo – pretty good band to move the beer a lot of beer.
There were more than 2,000 acts submitted with songs, ranging from hip-hop to rock to country to folk-indie, showcasing diverse talents from coast to coast to coast.
This year’s Searchlight competition had a big twist: the top four finalists vied for the grand prize on a prime-time televised broadcast on CBC-TV, competing in front of a live audience and our celebrity judging panel.
Musicians also had the chance to have their entries heard by a Searchlight industry panel, which included music programmers, journalists, label representatives, managers, radio/TV hosts, publicists and more.
But, in the end, one act was named Canada’s Searchlight winner. Desirée Dawson, from Surrey, B.C., was crowned Searchlight champion. She appeared at the CBC Music Festival in Toronto on Saturday, May 28, and will receive $25,000 from Yamaha Canada Music and a Career Booster Package from Canadian Musician magazine worth over $25,000.
 By Ray Rivers
June 3rd, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON.
Both the Liberals and Conservatives held national conventions recently and there was lots of news coming out of both. In Vancouver the Conservatives seemed to have taken a breath of fresh air as they brought the Harper-era to an end, and were even encouraged by their former leader to reflect on the future and not the past. Though this is the party which claims its historic past to include the title of Canada’s first government.
In fact, it was called the Liberal-Conservative party back then, and it became a little more liberal when a few members of the left-wing agrarian-based Progressive party forced the name change to Progressive Conservative in the 40’s. But then the PC party self-destructed in the 90’s and what was left of it later dissolved itself, and turned the corner sharply with a precipitated marriage to the right-wing Reform party. So it isn’t really the party of Sir John A or Diefenbaker or even Mulroney anymore.
 Prime Minister Justin Trudeau greets delegates at the 2016 Liberal Biennial Convention Winnipeg Saturday, May 28, 2016. Was it a political party convention or a meeting of a movement? Macleans/John Woods But at least it’s still a political party. The Liberals left their convention in Winnipeg with a new constitution that has put an end to membership fees and memberships. You can register as a Liberal but not as a member. It appears that Liberals don’t want to belong to any club that would accept them as members. But that doesn’t mean the new Liberal movement doesn’t want your money, as anyone who has ever received an email from them will attest.
It all has to so with research which shows that the latest generation of mainstream Canadian adults don’t go in for that old membership routine, but love the idea of being in a movement. Besides the $10 membership fees cost more to administer than they brought in, and then there are all those tiresome volunteer hours and membership drives. And if membership fees were really about making money the other parties would be thinking, as the Tories briefly did, about a more realistic $25 a year – similar to what the NDP charge in Ontario.
Mr. Trudeau has been extremely successful, at least so far, in challenging conventional wisdom. Imagine winning an election by campaigning on welcoming refugees, deficit spending and higher taxes for the rich. What about the decision to allow those 300,000 Liberal non-member supporters the right to participate in choosing the next leader – which happened to be Trudeau. And didn’t he shock the world with the free world’s first gender-balanced Cabinet, despite the critics.
One of the most applauded and condemned election promises we’ll see implemented this election term is changing how we elect our government. Of course this initiative is damned by the Conservatives, because the first-past-the-post system works best for a party which can only win when there are electoral splits among the other parties at the polls. And changing the system is applauded by all of the the other political parties for exactly the same reason – to keep the Tories out of office.
Mr. Trudeau’s right hand woman on the issue, Democratic Reform Minister Maryam Monsef, has struck a committee to examine the facts on the options. One of those options will be proportional representation (PR), the most common democratic system in the rest of the free world. Under proportional representation some MP are elected to represent their ridings (as they are now) and the rest are appointed based on the percentage of the popular vote their party obtained in the last election.
These latter MPs are often referred to as list MPs since they are appointed from a list of candidates developed by the party based on their qualifications and loyalty to the party. Should that option be implemented, and it’s currently not the favourite among the PM and his brain trust, a PM Trudeau may have difficulty convincing Canadians that his list of non-riding MPs are even Liberals, since they will not be members. Everyone is still waiting to see how the non-Liberal senators will perform in the Senate.
 This is a political party. It is a picture of the Chinese communist party. Orderly. Can there be a party without members? Even in China and Cuba the communist parties have members. Except that in China one can’t just buy your way into the party with a membership fee – you have to be accomplished and worthy. In fact only one in sixteen Chinese who apply get qualified to be party members. Nevertheless there are almost 88 million communist party faithful there, almost three times Canada’s entire population.
But since almost all top government positions in China are staffed with party members, it just makes sense to try and get in the club. Now I’d have to call 88 million members a movement, even in China with its over billion souls. So it begs the question, as we reflect on our changing political scene, is that where our new PM is heading? One has to recall his one-time remarks a couple years ago about admiring the government of China.
Ray Rivers is an economist and author who writes weekly on federal and provincial issues, applying his 25 years of involvement with federal and provincial ministries. Rivers’ involvement in city matters led to his appointment as founding chair of Burlington’s Sustainable Development Committee. He was also a candidate in the 1995 provincial election
Background links:
Conservative Party – Conservative Convention – NDP Membership Fees –
Proportional Representation – Liberal Membership – Trudeau Liberals –
Trudeau and China –
By Staff
June 3rd, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident early in March was not identified in two police reports.
Police appear to have had second thoughts – release the name of the up to now unidentified driver.
The driver David Dren (21 years) of Burlington was charged with one count of Impaired Operation of a motor vehicle and one count of Over 80 Contrary to the Criminal Code.
Original accident report
Report of charges being laid 90 days later
By Pepper Parr
June 3, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
You remember Jennifer don’t you? The lady with the Fish and Chip Shop on Guelph Line – the one who got busted for putting a sign out by the road side to attract traffic?
 The one who got a visit from the Mayor who dropped by asking how he could help and then never following up.
Jennifer Soukup told the Gazette earlier this week that she was told by someone in the bylaw office that she would get a chance to talk about the by law when it is next reviewed – in 18 months – that’s what she was told.
She wasn’t going to wait.
She had been fined $180 for putting the sign out – but she didn’t have to pay it – next time they would enforce the penalty.
She then did her homework and learned that she was allowed to put a sign out but only for a very specific amount of time – 45 days in each year and never for more than two weeks at a time.
It will cost her $250 to rent the sign – and no one is going to miss that sign.
There is a $90 fee to put the sign out – that’s included in the in the $250
What we are seeing is a young, energetic innovative entrepreneur who wants to run a successful and profitable business.
As I watched her serve her customers I notices that the price for the take out came in at around the $20 range. When I have lunch, which I do often, the bill comes in at around $12.
 $750 to keep this sign up for 45 days – is it worth it? Jennifer has to sell a lot of meals – assuming average price of $15 dollars – she is going to have to sell 50 meals and give every penny to the sign company to pay for the sign that she can put up for a total of 45 days.
Does this mean every retailer should be able to put out whatever they want in the way of signs? No, the public isn’t going to put up with that.
But there has to be an easier way to let merchants advertise and let their clients know where they are – for more than 45 days of the year.
Meanwhile Soukup is doing fine – she just wants to ensure that the money she spends promote her business and doesn’t line the city’s coffers.
By Staff
June 3, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The Member of Parliament for Burlington rose to speak on the House of Commons about the matter of electoral reform – changes to be made in the way Canadians elect their Members of Parliament.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to participate in this important and historic debate on the establishment of a special all-party committee on electoral reform. This is an issue that affects all Canadians, and I am glad to see such strong principles proposed in the amended motion to guide this committee’s study.
I wish to spend my time today discussing some of the changes to our electoral system that have been introduced over the past century; changes that at the time were seen as rather dramatic alterations to our system.
Many of these reforms, however, are now looked back upon by Canadians as moments of true progress in the history of our great democracy.
 Boundary for the constituency of Burlington The electoral system we have today is the product of almost 150 years of evolution. The election we saw in October was quite different from elections upon Confederation, when only a fraction of Canadians, namely land-owning men, had a say in our democratic institution.
Our government’s pledge to replace the first past the post system is just another step in this historical evolution to a more inclusive, efficient, and stronger electoral system for all Canadians.
Allow me to begin in 1920, over a half century after Confederation.
After 50 years of elections in this country, Parliament established the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer. It was not until 1927 that the Chief Electoral Officer was appointed by the House and not the government. These were seen as quite major changes at the time, but they are ones we can all look back on, knowing they have helped lead to nearly a century of trusted and independent electoral administration in this country.
It was not until 1964, nearly a full century after Confederation, that Parliament introduced independent electoral district boundary commissions to draw riding boundaries, bringing an end to gerrymandering. Prior to this, the government could simply decide who got to vote where, with little recourse for individuals, communities, or opposition parties. This is another instance of what was once proclaimed to be a fundamental change to our electoral system. In hindsight, we see that this reform has helped build trust among Canadians that our electoral system has integrity, that it is fair, and that all communities have a voice.
 Karina Gould accepting congratulations from former MP Mike Wallace the night of the last federal election. In our ever-evolving system, parties only began registering with Elections Canada in 1970, and they only became subject to election spending limits in 1974. After a century of elections, Parliament significantly altered our politics by removing the role of big money in our elections. I truly believe our democracy is stronger because of that, but once again, it was an area of contentious debate at the time. Today, the idea of unlimited spending in an election would be quickly dismissed by Canadians as a barrier to the level playing field we hold dear for free and fair elections. We are proud that our elections are based on ideas and debate, and not simply dollars.
I have spoken briefly of some reforms to the electoral system itself, but I would like to turn now to the increasing franchise over the years; a clear example of how far our electoral system has progressed since Confederation.
Allow me to return back to the 1920s, when elections in this country were decentralized and run under a hodgepodge of provincial statues.
In the 1920s, the federal legislation deferred to the provinces in allowing disqualifications on the right to vote for “reasons of race”. This provision worked to disqualify many Canadians, including those of Chinese, Japanese, and Ukrainian descent, among others. However, it was not until 1948 that Parliament deleted references to disqualification on the basis of race. It was not until 1950 that Parliament allowed the Inuit the right to vote, and it was not until 1960 that Parliament allowed first nation people the right to vote without forcing them to give up their status or home on a reserve.
Expanding the franchise was divisive at the time. Today, however, we look back and simply wonder what took Parliament so long to recognize the rights of all Canadians in exercising their vote.
 Karina Gould listening to a constituent. Women were not able to vote until legislative changes were enacted in 1918.
Those individuals living in poor houses or the homeless were not able to vote until 1929. War objectors were not able to vote between 1938 and 1955.
It was only in 1970 that the voting age was lowered to 18 from 21.
What I am trying to get at is that, when we reflect on these developments without the partisan frames in which they were originally debated, we see reforms that uphold and correspond to our values as Canadians; we see reforms that uphold the rights of all Canadians; and we see reforms that strengthen the bond between the people and the government and that instill trust that the government is formed by the true democratic will of all Canadians.
It is almost incomprehensible that we could ever exclude a full 50% of society from the franchise, that we could exclude indigenous peoples, ethnocultural minority groups, and those who dared to express different beliefs from those of the government of the day. While I am certainly not proud of the history of disenfranchisement in Canada’s electoral history, I am truly proud of how far our democracy has evolved into a more inclusive system for all Canadians.
Electoral reform is the next step in this evolution toward a more inclusive system. We can build a better system that provides a stronger link between the democratic will of Canadians and the election results, one that motivates Canadians to take part, one that reflects our collective values of fairness, inclusiveness, gender equity, openness, and mutual respect. To get there, the process leading to reform must also embody these values.
Parliamentarians will need to set aside partisan interests and engage in a thoughtful and substantive dialogue with each other and with citizens.
 Karina Gould during the federal election debates in Burlington. I strongly believe that stepping away from the first past the post system and embracing a new system that can reflect these values and the values articulated in this amended motion would be another milestone in the history of Canada’s elections. I suspect future generations will look back at the reforms proposed in this motion and reflect on them, as I have done today with past reforms. I suspect they will note this is yet another example of how our electoral system has evolved to further increase the inclusion of all peoples, to better reflect the will of voters and the representation of the House, and to work toward a system that produces a House that looks more and more like the faces of Canadians.
I hope all members will join me and support the creation of this committee.
By Staff
June 3, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The Burlington Bandits tried to shake off last week’s heartbreaking extra inning loss. At least, that was the hope. The reality was a 12-1 blowout delivered by Guelph, sending the Bandits (1-6) back to the drawing board on a three-game losing streak.
 Bandits owner Scott Robertson – in full array, wonders if taking a bat in his hands will help the team. The highlights were few and far between for the Bandits; the Royals dominated with a five run inning in the second that included a grand slam by Chandler McLaren.
Burlington starter Liam Munshi (0-1) struggled, giving up seven runs in 1.1 innings of work. The right hander gave up home runs to Guelph’s Keegan Marsden.
The Bandits collected just four hits in the game. The Guelph Royals pounded out 10 base knocks – five of them for extra bases.
Guelph’s starter Richard Gill took home the win for the Royals going 7.0 innings only allowing four hits and one earned run.
The Bandits are now 1-6
UPCOMING GAMES
Friday, June 3rd
London at Hamilton; 7:30 PM
Toronto at Brantford; 8:00 PM
Saturday, June 4th
Hamilton at Burlington; 1:05 PM (Double Header)
Kitchener at Guelph; 1:00 PM
Brantford at Barrie; 7:00 PM
 By Staff
June 3, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Doug Mays, award winning artist, will be demonstrating his watercolour techniques at Gallery [2] on June 8th from 7pm to 9pm.
 There will be a Q&A session.
Light refreshments will be served. Tickets: $15. Contact Gallery 2 on their website at www.gallery2burlington.com
 Doug Mays Gallery 2 is one of a couple of galleries that have taken space yards away from the Royal Botanical Gardens on Spring Garden Road. They are almost a bit of an outpost –away from the downtown core – not part of the Village Square that was once the home, the equicentre for local artists, in Burlington
They are part of the Art in Action crowd, a group that found and felt that the Art Gallery of Burlington, formerly the Burlington Art Centre, was not meeting their needs.
The Seaton Gallery – stained glass – is right next door.
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