Prime Minister Carney: 'You fought with heart and gave Canadians memories to last a lifetime.'

Gazette Staff

November 2nd, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Prime Minister Mark Carney put the feelings into words:

You fought with heart and gave Canadians memories to last a lifetime.

Thank you and congratulations on an incredible run.

11 innings on a Saturday night — one of the wildest Game 7s in World Series history.

Despite the Toronto loss – it was great baseball

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GIRLS HOCKEY CLUB: Built by Women, For Girls

By Gazette Staff

November 2nd, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

Alpha-Era Girls Hockey is a movement redefining what it means to play, coach, and lead in girls’ hockey. Based in Burlington, Ontario, Alpha Era provides elite training, mentorship, and development programs built by women, for girls.

Founded on the belief that female athletes deserve equal access to high-level coaching, performance training, and dedicated facilities, AGHC is committed to giving every girl the confidence, skills, and community she needs to thrive — on and off the ice.

The programs emphasize Empowerment, Resilience, and Action (ERA) — helping athletes become not only stronger hockey players, but stronger leaders and young women.

Samantha Burton

Samantha Burton (known as Coach Sam) is the founder of Alpha-Era Girls Hockey Company. A former NCAA player, fully certified NCCP Development 1 coach, and NASM Performance Coach, Samantha blends elite athletic experience with modern sports science and leadership development.

Her journey spans across three provinces, from her roots in British Columbia to Ontario’s competitive hockey scene, where she has coached rep teams, mentored young players, and continued to compete at the senior level.

Alpha Era was born from Samantha’s realization that girls still face barriers in hockey — fewer ice times, fewer female coaches, and limited pathways for growth. She decided to change that narrative, building a platform where young female athletes can train in a space designed for them, surrounded by women who lead by example.

Today, Samantha continues to coach, play, and inspire — shaping the next generation of confident, capable, and fearless athletes.

What Makes AGHC Unique

  • Specialized for Female Athletes: Every session is designed specifically for girls — addressing physical, developmental, and emotional needs that are often overlooked in co-ed settings.
  • Elite, Female-Led Coaching: Our instructors are experienced women in hockey who have played, coached, and paved the way at every level.
  • Holistic Development: Beyond skills — we teach confidence, teamwork, leadership, and resilience.
  • Community Impact: Alpha Era isn’t just about hockey; it’s about belonging. We’re creating a culture where girls lift each other up and lead with purpose.

Programs & Offerings

Power Skating: Stride mechanics, edge control, and dynamic balance (ages 7–16)

Learn to Compete: Hockey IQ, small-area games, and tactical play (ages 7–12)

Passing & Shooting Clinics: Puck control, shooting under pressure, and release mechanics (ages 10+)

Specialty Clinics: High-intensity, focused sessions designed for specific skill gaps

P.A. Day, Winter & Spring Break Camps: Skill-building, dryland, and confidence workshops Tournament Teams: High-performance national and international teams competing in Canada, the U.S., Austria, Italy, and Germany

Leadership & Wellness Clinics: A program for girls on growth mindset, finding her voice, goal- setting, sport identity, and her inner beauty.

Upcoming Kickstarter Campaign

Alpha-Era Girls Hockey is preparing to launch a Kickstarter campaign to fund and produce a groundbreaking docuseries — showcasing what it truly takes to build a women’s hockey company from the ground up.

The campaign will help fund:

  • Production of the series: Behind the Scenes: Business on Both Sides of the Bench – A Girl’s Story
  • Community outreach & mentorship programs to expand access for underrepresented athletes
  • Leadership and scholarship initiatives to help more girls stay in sport longer
  • Travel and international exposure for young female players through tournaments and camps abroad

More about the organization: Click HERE   

coachsam@aghc.ca

@aghc_alphacats

 

 

 

 

 

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Ontario business closures up: stay-in-Canada vacations may be keeping some doors open

By Tom Parkin

November 26th, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

Business closures are outpacing openings in Ontario construction and retailing. But in some perhaps unexpected sectors, more businesses are opening.

Parkin: “…but it hasn’t worked out that way.”

Making Ontario open for business was the promise, but it hasn’t worked out that way.

While more businesses are opening than closing in the rest of Canada, Ontario business closings are significantly outpacing business openings, according to Statistics Canada data released Tuesday.

From February 2024 to the most recent data, August 2025, there has been a net 3,519 businesses closures in Ontario. For Canada excepting Ontario, there was a net 2,777 businesses openings during the same period.

Statistics Canada categorizes a business as “continuing” if it operated in the month surveyed and the month previous. The data presented is all seasonally adjusted.

Closures hit construction, retailing, northern businesses

There have been significant business closings in Ontario’s large construction and retailing sectors, which both started downturns in February 2024. Since then, a net 1,388 construction businesses and a net 887 retailing business have shut their doors.

While it’s much smaller than retailing or construction, the forestry, fishing and hunting sector has shrunk very dramatically, losing a net 13 per percent of the businesses it had in September 2022. The industry is concentrated in central and northern Ontario, unlike construction and retailing, which is spread across the province.

The closure of Ontario businesses in retailing and construction echoes employment, sales and building permit data for Ontario, all of which have recently pointed down for the sectors.

Continuing businesses monthly, select sectors, Aug 2022-Aug 2025

More businesses opening in accommodation and food, arts, tourism

 

But the news for Ontario is not all negative.

Business openings in the accommodations and food services sector and the arts, entertainment and recreation sector are up. Those sectors might have been expected to move down with the retail sector’s decline, and consumers squeezed by the province’s continuing affordability problems. But they haven’t.

Business openings in those two sectors have significantly outpaced business closings for most of the past three years, though with some pullback in late 2024 and early 2025.

The data from Statistics Canada isn’t highly granular, but the timing of trends may suggest a boost in Canadian stay-home tourism is encouraging more businesses openings in these sectors, which have more tourism exposure.

In February 2025, all three sectors began a rebound from a 2024 downward trend, since adding a net 965 new businesses.

February was also when the United States president started his campaign of “economic force” against Canada, causing many Canadians to forego vacations in the United States and explore their own country, culture and hospitality. The data isn’t conclusive, but it’s a hypothesis to explore and perhaps an economic opportunity deserving more attention.

 

 

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On Carney: Will ambition be enough to carry us through the next decade?

By Aria Wilson

October 31st, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Smooth talking and buzzwords just won’t cut it for the upcoming Canadian generation. Until action is taken, we all know the truth—talk is a whole lot cheaper than rent.

Prime Minister Mark Carney speaking to students at the University of Ottawa.

Prime Minister, Mark Carney, delivered a speech at the University of Ottawa last Wednesday detailing the Liberal government’s plan looking to the budget drop on November 4.

As a second-year journalism student living in Canada’s capital, I wanted to feel hopeful about the November 4 budget drop, but these glossed-over promises seemed more like fancy marketing to soothe my generation’s fears than any proof that it’s really possible to conquer them.

At a time more disconnected than ever, it’s important that young Canadians and the Canadian government are on the same page.

“My generation was connected by wires, your’s is connected by code, and yet our society today is becoming ever more disconnected,” Carney said.

This is not a partisan issue, it’s a generational problem that will shape the future of our nation.

This is not a partisan issue, it’s a generational problem that will shape the future of our nation.

Carney spoke at length about the fantastical plans he has for the nation—affordable housing, job opportunities, immigration standards and legislation to make Canada safe, but is he biting off more than he can chew?

Students and young adults are tired of hearing the same promises jumbled around a rephrase machine and spat back out; they’re nothing but a campaign poster slogan until we see real action.

The Trudeau government launched the National Housing Strategy in 2017, a plan that pledged $82 billion to build affordable housing, but between 2015 and 2024 the average house price doubled, making housing feel more like a privilege than a fundamental right.

But housing isn’t supposed to be a privilege. It’s a fundamental right under the National Housing Strategy Act and affirmed by international law.

While former strategies mapped out the building of more homes, it’s clear that the government was not on the same page as young Canadians when it comes to affordability.

The government built homes, just not ones that we young adults could dream of affording any time soon.

Now Carney says he will double construction in half the time, which seems almost too good to be true.

To restore hope in young Canadians is going to take a lot more than just affordability, but efficacy and efficiency. We want to see economic, societal, and environmental change.

Canadians wondering whether their future careers are secured or being used as a gambling chip.

We no longer dream of buying our first house, but of being able to rent an apartment using less than half of our paychecks every month.

It’s difficult to rely on promises of affordability when you’re nineteen and coughing up $1000 a month for a room barely big enough to fall asleep in, let alone dream of a better future.

Carney didn’t neglect environmental concerns in his plans. Investing in cleaner construction done for and by Canadians gives hope to young people like me looking for opportunities in the workforce.

“We will be our own best customer, so the welder who’s working on a contract in St. John’s can get a full-time job,” Carney said.

Unfortunately, it just feels as though students have been asking for more job opportunities for years with very little to show for it. In fact, a 2025 CBC survey found that 40% of newcomer students would consider leaving Canada if given the opportunity.

With the job market being so sparse, this isn’t a question of why people want to leave, but why can’t we seem to generate innovation in Canada?

Luckily, it seems like Carney has some ideas for this as well.

“We used to build things in this country,” he said. “We can build again.”

If this is the case, maybe it’s possible to rebuild the trust and hope young people once had in the Canadian government. With this will come the stronger economy, a larger job market, and new opportunities for Canadians.

Carney says it’s time to take big, bold risks, which leaves young Canadians wondering whether their future careers are secured or being used as a gambling chip.

There’s no doubt that we need change. Maybe big risks are the only way forward, but it’s difficult to feel enthusiastic about these drastic changes being taken on our behalf.

These are huge promises from the Prime Minister, and young Canadians will be watching closely to see if Carney can stay true to his word.

Carney says, “Canada has what the world wants” and if by that he means young Canadians sitting in wait for change he’s absolutely right.

Aria Wilson is a second year journalism student at Carleton University specializing in Health Sciences and minoring in Neuroscience and Mental Health.   She graduated from Nelson High School in 2024, after serving as Student Council President.   

At University, she has been a part of the Carleton Journalism Society as the VP of Communications and writes for The Charlatan frequently. She is also an Associate Editor for the Carleton branch of Her Campus. 

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Public School Board now accepting applications to the I-STEM program for students starting Grade 9 in the 2026-2027 school year.

By Gazette Staff

October 31st, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The Halton District School Board (HDSB) is now accepting applications to the I-STEM (Innovation, Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) program for students starting Grade 9 in the 2026-2027 school year. The regional program is open to all students within Halton and Ontario, and students can apply on the I-STEM webpage of the HDSB website (hdsb.ca).

I-STEM is a four-year program that supports students to develop innovation skills related to engineering design and design thinking, entrepreneurial thinking skills and global competencies. Students learn to be prepared for technological change and disruption, globalization and shifting demographics.

The I-STEM program offers students opportunities to engage in hands-on learning and gain practical experiences that prepare them for lifelong learning and future success.

Graduates of the I-STEM program at the HDSB have been recognized for their excellence at a national level, having been finalists and winning top national prizes in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow STEM competition.

The HDSB I-STEM Program is offered at:

2025-2026 I-STEM Key Dates

  • Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025 – Online Application Closes at 11:59 p.m.
  • Friday, Dec. 5, 2025 – Date by which schools will inform candidates as to the status of their application
  • Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 – Last date for students to accept spot in program

Background resources

I-STEM Program

High School lunchroom was filled to capacity with parents looking for information on what was then a possible I-STEM program at Aldershot.

There was a time when I-STEM wasn’t well known, and few school boards offered the program.  The Halton District School Board added the program to Aldershot High School in order to keep the school open.   This took place during the period of time when the Board was closing two of the system’s seven high schools.

During the early part of that process, Central High School and Lester B. Pearson were to be closed.  The Central High parents put up quite a fight – that resulted in the closing of Bateman High School instead of Central.

With Central remaining open, there wasn’t much in the way of a student population at Aldershot.

The Board went looking for new reasons to keep Aldershot open – I-Stem was the choice.

Superintendent Blackwell and Director of Education Miller expressing their surprise at the turnout for I-Stem registration at Aldershot High School in November 2018

The evening the opportunity was taken to the public, there was some doubt in the minds of school board officials on just how receptive parents would be to the idea.

It snowed  that evening.  Despite the poor weather, parents filled the auditorium, then the large lunch room, then the library.

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The World Series pennant: If not today – then tomorrow.

By Pepper Parr

October 31st, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Will he have another temper tantrum?

Is this the day Canadians show the Americans what the country is about?

We have a public health system that is world-class – Americans often end up declaring personal bankruptcy when they are hit with huge medical expenses.

Canada has a banking system that works incredibly well – when there are serious economic strains, the banks are required to add to their reserves to cover loan losses.

We have a system of provincially led Ministries of Education that few have..

We have police services that “Serve and Protect”. Police wearing masks is not something you will see in this country.

The population of Canada is now very diverse.  We don’t have governments that work hard at deporting their citizens.

Everyone wants to see the Blue Jays win the World Series baseball pennant at the game tonight.

Trey Yesavage: A truly remarkable baseball pitcher.

We probably won’t see a repeat of game 5 when the first batter up smacked the ball into the stands for a home run.   Then the second batter did the same thing – this before many of the spectators were in their seats.

It could happen.  Should it happen?  Of course.

The President of the United States is behaving like the predator he is; doing anything to destroy the Canadian automotive industry – telling us that we are going to have to get used to a second-place automotive industry –  get used to it.

Will it be a different pennant statement this time?

Then the American Ambassador to Canada has the temerity to use foul language, addressing business leaders.  Several weeks earlier, he said he didn’t understand why Canadians didn’t like Americans all that much.  Talk about dense!

Winning the pennant tonight won’t make any difference to our tariff problems but most of us will go to bed feeling a lot better.  We did it!

If not today – then tomorrow.

 

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The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra on the BPAC stage November 9th in the afternoon.

By Gazette Staff

October 31st, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

In big band history, the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra is recognized as one of the best all-around dance bands.

Popular almost from the moment it signed with RCA Victor in 1935, it could swing with the best of them. No other band could come close to Tommy’s when it came to playing ballads, especially with the addition of Frank Sinatra as male vocalist. “Opus One,” “Song Of India,” “I’ll Never Smile Again,” “Marie” and “Boogie Woogie” are part of a string of hit records that continue to be performed by The TDO still today.

The One and Only Tommy Dorsey Orchestra under the direction of Jeff Bush continues this exciting big-band tradition for audiences worldwide, and fans of all ages.

Tommy Dorsey Orchestra:

The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra was a leading force in Big Band history. Tommy Dorsey, the “Sentimental Gentleman of Swing,” crafted warm, melodic moods that captivated audiences. The band gained popularity in 1935 with its first major hit and later shifted from hot jazz to popular songs, showcasing standout vocalists like Jack Leonard and Frank Sinatra. Sy Oliver brought a fresh musical spirit, and the group thrived in the 1940s. Despite the decline of big bands in 1946, Dorsey kept the tradition alive, and his orchestra continued under various leaders, including Buddy Morrow, Jeff Bush, and others.

Jeff Bush:

In 2000, Apollo, Pennsylvania native Jeff joined The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra conducted by trombone legend Buddy Morrow, and toured with the TDO on and off over the next few years, playing many of the great Tommy Dorsey solos and fronting the band on occasion in Buddy’s absence. During this same time, Jeff moved to New York City to begin graduate work at The Manhattan School of Music, and to build a music career that continues to flourish today. He has been privileged to perform with numerous master jazz artists including Benny Golson, Jon Hendricks, Ahmad Jamal, to name a few.

Additionally, he has performed with some of the best big bands in jazz including The Count Basie Orchestra, The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra and others.

TICKETS

Reg: $69.50 – $89.50
Mem: $64.50 – $84.50

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Farmers' Market brings an end to the 2025 season - distributes $40,000 to community groups & service organizations.

By Perry Bowker

October 31st, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The Burlington Centre Lions Farmers Market completed its 67th year of operation, and declared this year a success despite unusually variable weather.

Approximately 50 vendors, some of whom have attended at the Market for over 50 years, offered fresh local farm produce as well as bakery, wine, cheese, flowers, and specialty drinks.

A typical offering at the Lion’s Farmers’ Market.

Special events such as Canada Day and Ice-Cream Wednesdays were very popular with vendors and patrons alike, as were the regular buskers.

‘Community stalls’ were also made available at no charge to selected not-for-profit organizations to communicate their activities.

Funds raised by the Market this year enabled approximately $40,000 of donations to various community groups and service organizations.

The Market is operated by the Burlington Lions Club, (which is currently celebrating its 100th Anniversary of service to Burlington).

The market is located at Burlington Centre in the Prospect Street parking lot.

It will reopen for 2026 on Wednesday May 20 and every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. until October 24, of 2026

Special events are being planned for Canada Day – Be there!

 

 

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Canada Pension Plan part of the majority ownership of 407 Toll Road

By Gazette Staff

October 30th, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

 

In a media release, we were told that: “As a majority Canadian-owned company, Highway 407 ETR is more than a toll road — it’s a vital economic corridor for Ontario.

“Majority owned” caught our eye.  Our understanding was that the toll road was owned by foreign interests.  Turns out that is not the case.

Ownership is split three ways:

407 International Inc. is the sole shareholder of 407 ETR and is owned by:

  • Cintra Global S.E. which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ferrovial S.A. (48.29%);
  • Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments) and other institutional investors (44.20%); and
  • Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments) (7.51%)

A new report by global infrastructure consultancy Steer finds that Highway 407 ETR delivers up to $1.2 billion in annual socioeconomic benefits, including time savings, enhanced safety and greater productivity.

The report quantifies the time savings as $990 million in value for the region. For a five-day-a-week commuter, a round trip on Highway 407 ETR can save up to two hours which adds up to as much as 480 hours annually. That’s the equivalent of 20 days’ worth of time.

“Transportation infrastructure is often justified by its promise to drive economic growth and improve quality of life — but too rarely do we measure whether those benefits are truly realized,” says Patrick Miller, Vice President, Steer. “Our independent analysis identified nearly $2 in economic value across the Greater Toronto Area’s economy for every  1 spent on Highway 407 ETR. The report highlights a clear ongoing benefit to commuters, businesses and communities in the region.”

The report, commissioned by 407 ETR, also highlights the highway’s $490 million annual economic output, driven by spending on operations, maintenance and infrastructure. This supports 1,800 jobs and generates $140 million in wages across Ontario and Canada.

“We’ve always known Highway 407 ETR makes life easier for drivers — but this report shows just how far that impact goes,” says Jose Espinosa, President & CEO, 407 ETR. “As a majority Canadian-owned company, we’re proud to support 1,800 jobs in Canada — including our workforce of 550 employees right here in the GTA. 407 ETR contributes nearly half a billion dollars in economic output each year.”

A five-day-a-week commuter making a round trip on Highway 407 ETR saves up to two hours a day or as much as 480 hours a year.

A smarter, safer and very expensive way to travel

 

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3-Week Loose-Leaf Collection Program Begins Monday, November 10th

By Gazette Staff

October 30th, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The City loose-leaf collection program starts on Monday, Nov. 10. Residents are encouraged to check the leaf collection schedule and zone map. Each collection zone will have one pick-up week. Loose leaves placed after the zone’s start date are not guaranteed to be collected.

To ensure the safety of collection crews and prevent damage to equipment, please keep the loose-leaf piles free of debris and branches. Leaves mixed with debris and branches will not be collected. In addition, please help prevent flooding by keeping catch basins and ditches clear of leaves.

Rake them to the sidewalk.

Reminders to ensure a successful pick-up:

  • Rake leaves to the edge of the curb or roadway in a loose pile no more than two days before your pick-up date.
  • Do not place leaves in bike lanes, sidewalks, or pathways.
  • Do not place leaves over storm drains. This helps prevent flooding.
  • Remove basketball nets, cars, and other obstructions from the road during pick-up dates.
  • Avoid placing garbage bags, bins, blue boxes, or green carts on top of loose-leaf piles.

Keep the drains clear.

Blocked bike lanes, sidewalks or drainage areas may result in fines

New this year, the City has updated its Lot Maintenance By-law to include fines for leaves placed in a way that blocks sidewalks, bike lanes, or creates flooding hazards. When placing leaves at the curb, please make sure walkways and bike lanes stay clear and accessible for all users. Fines may apply for significant obstructions that block access or visibility.

Collection Tracking Map

The City has an interactive Collection Tracking Map to keep residents informed of progress made by collection crews as they make their way through each zone. The map will be updated regularly throughout the day to show collection progress.

Delays or Cancellations

Residents planning on using the service are reminded that this program is weather-dependent. Freezing rain or snow can cause delays or even cancel the program. Always be prepared to bag your leaves for Halton Region’s Yard Waste Pick-up or mulch them to help your lawns and gardens grow.

If the collection is delayed or cancelled due to weather or other circumstances, residents can call 905-335-7777 for updated information. Updates will also be posted on burlington.ca/leafcollection 

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Re-aligning the Canadian Economy: East to West - less North to South

By Gazette Staff

October 30th, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

 

As part of its plan to protect Ontario and Canada by building a more competitive, resilient and self-reliant economy, the Ontario government has awarded a contract to complete a feasibility study to establish a new Canadian East-West pipeline and energy corridor.

Building a new, realigned economy with Canadian steal

The study will explore the benefits of building new pipelines with Canadian steel to carry Western Canadian oil and gas from Alberta and Saskatchewan to new and established refineries in southern Ontario and new ports on James Bay, Hudson Bay and the Great Lakes.

“We’re delivering on our plan to build a more competitive, resilient and self-reliant economy for Ontario and Canada and creating jobs for workers in the face of tariffs from the United States,” said Premier Doug Ford. “This nation-building pipeline and energy corridor will unite our country and help unlock new markets for Canada’s energy resources that will reduce our dependence on the United States, all while creating new jobs and opportunities for Canadian workers from coast to coast to coast.”

Doug Ford – loves this cap.

A new East-West energy corridor will help to protect Ontario’s energy security by ensuring a reliable and uninterrupted supply of oil and gas for Canadian homes. The pipelines would be built entirely within Canada using Canadian steel, supporting Canadian manufacturing, supply chains and creating good-paying jobs across the country.

“We’re taking bold action to grow our economy, build real infrastructure and get major projects moving again,” said Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. “Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan are proving what’s possible when provinces lead and stand together to advance a shared vision of responsible development, economic freedom and common sense. That means standing up for our energy sector and ensuring our world-class resources reach the markets that need them, so Canadians can prosper from the opportunities we create here at home.”

The feasibility study will be completed next year, delivering corridor and site options and cost analysis. It will also evaluate for complementary development opportunities across Ontario, such as Ring of Fire all-season roads, mineral exports, grid upgrades and a strategic petroleum reserve.

“Access to domestic and international markets is critical for Saskatchewan’s export-oriented economy. An East-West energy corridor is important for our province and for all Canadians, driving economic growth and delivering responsibly produced Canadian energy products to new markets,” said Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe. “Saskatchewan is proud of our oil and gas sector and plans to aggressively grow production. New pipeline infrastructure will strengthen Canada’s energy security and help us become a global energy superpower.”

As this project moves forward, Ontario will honour its duty to consult with Indigenous communities and will continue to advance economic reconciliation, including pathways to Indigenous equity participation.

“We are seizing a generational opportunity to bring nation-building infrastructure projects, like the East-West energy corridor, to the forefront of our plan to build Ontario,” said Todd McCarthy, Acting Minister of Infrastructure. “This transformative project would connect provinces, unlock new export markets and ensure Ontario’s homes and businesses are powered by secure, Canadian-made energy, strengthening our economy for generations to come.”

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Hotel California: Tribute band to perform on stage at Performing Arts - Nov 1, 2025 at 7:30pm

By Gazette Staff

October 30th, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

 

When The Eagles stopped to catch their breath a few decades ago, having sold over 100 million records, collected six Grammy’s, and enjoyed six #1 albums, Hotel California began a pioneering journey through their history-making music that has taken them around the globe and thrilled hundreds of thousands of Eagles fans.

It’s been a journey they could never have imagined back in 1986, but their dedication, unique musical gifts, and an obsessive commitment to doing this legendary music true justice in performance, set them apart from the many Eagles bands that came after them.

Hotel California toured relentlessly from the 80’s straight through to today, setting the standard for world-class tribute productions as they went, and sharing stages with the likes of The Doobie Bros., Lynyrd Skynyrd, Gretchen Wilson, REO Speedwagon, and many more. From Japan to Dubai, Toronto to Texas, Hotel California has boldly taken the tribute band where none had gone before them, and changed an industry’s collective mind about how good a “tribute” band could really be.

Sat Nov 1, 2025 at 7:30pm

Single Ticket Prices

Regular: $67 (All-in)

Group (10 or more): Save 10%
Phone or In-person only

BPAC Member: $5 off regular price

Show Length

Act 1: 50 mins.
Intermission: 20 min.
Act 2: 50 mins.

Tickets 

 

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Gould in the House: reports on an act respecting certain affordability measures - tax deductions

By Gazette Staff

October 30th, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Burlington MP Karina Gould may not be a Cabinet Minister but that doesn’t mean she is sitting in the House of Commons as a Back Bencher with nothing to do.

Yesterday, she rose in the House saying:

Burlington MP Karina Gould speaking in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the first report of the Standing Committee on Finance, in relation to Bill C-4, an act respecting certain affordability measures for Canadians and another measures.

The committee has studied the bill and has decided to report the bill back to the House with amendments.

Bill C-4 (2025) – Affordability Measures 

  • Income Tax:

    Reduces the lowest marginal tax rate from 

    15% to 14.5% for the 2025 tax year and to 14% for subsequent years.
  • First-time Home Buyers:
    Introduces a new GST/HST rebate for first-time home buyers on new or substantially renovated homes.
  • Carbon Pricing:
    Amends the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act and Fuel Charge Regulations, which could include legislative repeal of the consumer “carbon tax”.
  • Elections Act:
    Updates the regime for how federal political parties handle personal information, aiming for a national, uniform, and exclusive system that would preempt provincial privacy laws. 

This is not a small potatoes task.

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Taxpayers just didn't show up

By Gazette Staff

October 30th, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The budget does matter.

Kearns at the Seniors’ Centre: Councillor did her part – citizens just didn’t show up

The amount of money the city will require you to pay in taxes determines to a considerable degree how much money you will have to spend on yourself.

Some Council members go the extra mile to inform their constituents.

Ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns held a “pop-up” meeting at the Seniors’ Centre last night.

Attendance was disappointing.

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City and Police websites back online

By Gazette Staff

October 29yj, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Both the City website and the website for the Regional Police are now operational.

No details yet on what the problem was.

 

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Police and City Hall websites are not operational.

By Gazette Staff

October 29th, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

 

City website was the first to go down, Police website was down soon after.

That is not a coincidence.

Staff at both locations are scrambling to figure out why the sies are not operational.

Burlington Fire Department web site is working, and the Library can be accessed electronically.

 

 

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No doubt about it - Stiles puts up a great fight: did she land a punch? Nope

By Pepper Parr

October 29th, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles continues to press Doug Ford on his jobs disaster, hoping that he can do as well with provincial issues as he thinks he has done with creating a buzz about how uninformed President Trump is about tariffs.

She never laid a glove on the Premier

The Leader of Ontario’s Official Opposition demanded a plan to tackle ongoing job losses during today’s Question Period:

Stellantis plant in Brampton. No workers – what does one do with a site like this?

“In Brampton, Stellantis is packing up and taking 3,000 jobs to Illinois,” said Stiles.

“Layoffs at the GM Plant in Ingersoll mean 1,200 workers and their families are losing their stable income. In Hamilton, I heard from Mike, who is out of work after 31 years in the steel sector, when Hamilton Wire closed its doors after 70 years.

“How much money do workers like Mike have to fork up to get this government to pay any attention to them?

“People are worried about losing their jobs, their homes, their health care. For seven days, I have asked this Premier for his jobs plan, but it’s becoming increasingly clear that the only plan is to take advantage of this jobs disaster by allowing his friends and donors to cash in. Every member of the government will have to wear this.”

The Ontario NDP continues to demand accountability from the Ford government, while fighting to protect jobs and uplift workers.

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Council has ignored the swimming pool issue for more than six months; will now debate a Motion to investigate what went wrong

By Pepper Parr

October 29th,2025

BURLINGTON, ON

 

On November 4th – six days away,  City Council will consider a Motion put forward by Ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns,  asking that Council send the matter of swimming pool allocation to the Audit Committee. for a thorough review of how the decision was made to use an Procurement process to decide how much time the BAD club would be given.

The YMCA swimming pool – ground zero for the BAD swimmers

The issue is that the City chose the wrong process to decide how many hours of pool time the Burlington Aquatic Devilrays would get to run their program.  In the past they were allocated 50 hours a week – they now have 17 hours and that it as the YMCA pool – not a city pool.

Kimberly Callderbank was the volunteer president of the Club until August – she hung on until very recently when she left entirely.

The BAD board members nominated eight people and later added these people to the 12-member board.

To date, we are not aware of what, if anything, the new Board has done.

We are not aware if they are planning to delegate at the Council meeting that takes place during the day.

The club is facing a sad end if it cannot get the pool time they need to run programs.

Everyone appreciates that the board members are volunteers and there are limits on their time.

Ward 3 Councillor Rory Nisan happens to live in Ward 2.

One of the first things they might want to do is ask Council to defer the Motion that is to be heard on the 4th to a date that would permit an evening meeting when parents could take part in the proceedings.

The current Council does not favour evening meetings unless they can result in at least two photo ops that often have more Council members showing their curated smiles for the camera than citizens.

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Ford certainly bloodied Trumps nose: now what - does he get even more vengeful or does he look at his poll numbers ?

By Pepper Parr

October 29th, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Those advertisements that Ontario Premier Doug Ford ran in the United States, one appeared during a World Series game, are going to reverberate for some time.

They were created by the provincial government.  The Prime Minister was aware of the advertisements.

Premier Ford being interviewed by an American TV network.

Ford can’t get over how successful they were.  He has them reaching more people than any other advertisement – ever.

The immediate response to the advertisements was a reaction from the petulant American President, who said two things:  He was slapping a 10% tariff on everything coming out of Canada, and he wasn’t going to talk to the Prime Minister “for a long time”.

There are some who think Trump was looking for a way to completely stop the negotiations with Canada.

What impact is this having on the relationships between American citizens and Canadian citizens?

And what impact is it having on the way Americans are beginning to look at the economic pain the tariffs are having on American consumers?

Last November, Enten, an American polling organization said, a slight majority of Americans — 52 per cent — were in favour of tariffs. Now, 60 per cent are telling the pollsters they oppose new tariffs.

“The bottom line is this,” Enten said. “If I were advising President Donald John Trump when it comes to his policies, I’d say step off the tariffs, at least from a political point of view, because the bottom line is, it doesn’t sell with the American people. It’s one of the largest shifts that we have seen during Trump’s second term in office.”

Enten then went on to compare how Americans feel about Trump to how they feel about Canada. The president is definitely in a popularity slump, Enten said, while Canada is not.

“The net popularity rating of Canada is plus 49 percentage points,” Enten said. “Look at the net popularity rating of Donald Trump here in the United States. It’s minus 10. We’re talking about Canada coming out nearly 60 points ahead on the net popularity rating.”

Susan Delacourt, writing in the Toronto Star said “Clearly that was Doug Ford’s purpose in running the ad that sent Trump into a vengeful frenzy. An unrepentant premier was boasting in the legislature on Monday that the ad had netted “earned media” valued between $300 million to $400 million. Ford’s office told the Star that by their estimates, the ad had netted 11.4 billion “impressions” across the airwaves, media coverage, and social media platforms.

“Much of those impressions likely came from the U.S., where Ford has also been doing the rounds on American news networks.

No longer BFF.

“In the aftermath of the Trump tantrum and his vague threat to punish this country with a 10 per cent increase in tariffs, there’s been a lot of reflection on whether Ford should have run the ad. The pointed question is: was it worth what it might cost Canada?”

Delacourt says: “My anecdotal evidence is that a lot of people didn’t mind the idea of getting under Trump’s thin skin. As that Environics Institute survey showed, this is a country largely fed up with the president and his threats.  In that way, the ad found its populist mark, giving people in this country a vent for their frustration.

“In reality, the effectiveness of this ad has to be measured, like all advertising, on its reach with the target audience. If it was intended to administer a push to Trump and his trade team, directly, then it had the opposite effect. That’s a simple fact. The trade talks are off for now.

Pals for life – life turned out not to be forever.

“If it was intended to be more of an indirect push, to influence public opinion that could then in turn be an influence on Trump, then it’s going to take some time to see whether the ad met its objective.”

Many Canadians are coming to the conclusion that Trump has no intention of entering into a trade deal with Canada and that Prime Minister Carney is doing the right thing in realigning who Canada’s trade partners are going to be.

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Savings of up to $80,000 for those in a position to buy a new home priced under $1 million

By Pepper Parr

October29th, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

 

There are savings coming for those who want to and are able to buy a home that is priced at less than $1million

Can you get a house for $1 million? Not likely in the GTA market. A two bedroom condo is possible.

Ontario is expected to move forward with waiving its portion of the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) on new homes priced at $1 million or less purchased by first-time buyers, a measure expected to cost the province roughly $470 million and save purchasers up to $80,000 on a new build.

The initiative mirrors a similar federal proposal and will only take effect once the federal government formally implements its own HST waiver.

The federal one still hasn’t become law yet, though when it does it will be retroactive as of May. If the province is truly matching, they would use the same criteria.

The details are always in the fine print.  Everyone is going to want a piece of this business – make sure you are fully informed – ask questions

 

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