“Mr. Putin runs an entirely different system … he runs an economy that is dominated by oligarchs and criminal syndicates. It is not at all like our economy, it doesn’t share our interests, it doesn’t share our values, and so I think we need to have discussions where we can really rally the shared interests of the Western democratic world.” (CBC).
This was one of Canadian PM Stephen Harper’s clearest foreign policy statements.
Cynics might say that he is just catering to the Ukrainian diaspora in Canada – playing politics from abroad in an election year. But he has been consistent on this issue from the get-go, and as such, brings a constructive voice into the mix of confusion over how to solve a problem like Putin.
Prime Minister laying a wreath at a memorial in Kiev.
Notwithstanding his refusal to back up his aggressive stand by supplying defensive weapons, Ukrainian leaders have no greater friend than Canada’s Prime Minister. And his voice has apparently influenced decision-making at the latest G7 meeting in Bavaria, where unanimous consent was obtained to keep economic sanctions on Russia.
The G7, established in 1975 as the Group of 6 (G6) is comprised of the chief financial officers and heads of government of the USA, UK, France, Germany, Italy and, as of 1976, Canada. The G7 can claim to be global power brokers since they represent the majority of the planet’s economic power and wealth.
Canada was an after-thought addition to the original club. We represent the smallest population and economy of the group, though we can boast the second highest per capita GDP and human development index rating. This G7 group is not to be confused with the G20, which includes the G7 as well as other big nations, and collectively controls about 80 percent of global wealth. And as if it were not confusing enough, the European Union established another G5 (now G6) in the nineties.
Russia became a member of the G7 sometime after the disintegration of the USSR, making it the G8, but was kicked out last year after it invaded the Ukraine. Although it’s economy is slightly greater than that of Canada, it’s GDP per capita is only a third of ours – a developing-nation standard of living. That and the other arguments Mr. Harper’s raised are good reasons for its expulsion.
Would returning to the Gold standard make a difference?
The G7 was originally constituted to deal with the aftermath of the US leaving the gold standard. But the Group of Seven have evolved into a forum to discuss economic and trade issues, such as the pending credit default by Greece. Still, when you get a bunch of chief executives from the world’s most powerful nations together, they’ll talk about whatever they want.
So in addition to Greece, the Islamic State (IS), Ukraine and Climate Change were on the agenda. German Chancellor Merkel was passionate about making climate change a priority. France hosts the next global climate change conference at the end of this year, and was hoping the G7 would support something like zero emissions by mid-century.
Japan and Canada, for different reasons, were not ready to sign onto a resolution to stop burning fossil fuels by 2050. So they picked a date, out of thin air, and the rest of the members compromised with 2100 – the lowest common denominator. Well, at least, I won’t be around to criticize the PM, should he miss that target, But neither will he – and that is the point. He might just as well have chosen 2200 or 2300 – it means nothing.
The Ukraine and IS conflicts are serious business. Almost 7,000 people have been killed over the last year in Ukraine, and there are unfounded claims of 10,000 deaths from the US-led bombing alone. There is lots of wrong doing, illegality and immorality to go around, and two sides to every story, but we are the good guys, right?
So what about climate change? The World Health Organization estimates a quarter million deaths annually between 2030 and 2050 and economic costs of up to $4 B a year as a result of this phenomenon. As fixated as we are on Ukraine and IS, isn’t this a bigger picture? Or is there something amiss with our values and interests? I mean, how moral is inter-generational inequality?
Mr. Harper’s European vacation included a ten minute meeting with the Pope, whose office claims to be the pinnacle of morality. Our PM has been asked, by our first nations to give the Pope a message, to apologize for what his church, among others, did to Canada’s aboriginal residential students.
But Harper didn’t ask, choosing to continue his tirade on Russia instead. Pope Francis is a bit of a rock star, and who knows, he might have apologized. No doubt he had already lectured Mr. Putin about the morality of the Ukraine conflict when they met a day earlier.
Pope checking on the heavens – just how polluted are they?
The next big campaign for the Pontiff is fighting climate change. So it is likely this topic came up in his discussions with our PM, but he’s not saying. The Pope has many allies in this battle to save the planet as we know it, including the US and Chinese leaders, and the Europeans.
Mr. Harper would do well to ponder the words he used to describe the Russian leader – the ones about interests and values and belonging to a club that shares values. Should he be re-elected PM later this year, those very words may come back to haunt him, as he finds himself lonely if not alone, in Paris, at the climate change conference.
Ray Rivers writes weekly on both federal and provincial politics, applying his more than 25 years as a federal bureaucrat to his thinking. Rivers was a candidate for provincial office in Burlington where he ran as a Liberal against Cam Jackson in 1995, the year Mike Harris and the Common Sense Revolution swept the province.
The Art Gallery of Burlington auction pulled in $60,000 during its recent Art Auction – the Bateman went for $6,000 and Reid Flock’s piece “Basking Denim Noise Paint” went for $1,000.
Newly minted AGB President Robert Steven has had a good first month – $60,000 ahead of the game. Hopefully it is still uphill from here.
Art collectors are known for the attention they pay to the Burlington auction because they know there is usually a Bateman included – and they make a point of taking a look and then usually bidding by telephone.
Robert Bateman’s piece “Kestral and Balsam Poplar” went for $6,000 which is a little on the low side for Bateman’s work.
The 200 different pieces of art that sold for $200 each was a popular choice for many that were just getting into art collecting.
The 200 for $200 seemed to be a very popular event – it was limited to local artists who had a chance to get there work in front of a wide, informed audience. The proof in that pudding will be next year – let’s see if the event makes the cut – it should.
Burlington has a number of high priced, high end galas – the AGB appears to have an opportunity to hold an event that could focus on the arts – no one else occupies that space. Creating a theme for the evening seemed to please most people – what will the creative minds of Johnathan Smith and Denis Longchamps come up with for next year?
Even though the city isn’t taking any official part in the Pan Am Games the residents of the city are being given an opportunity to ignite their Pan Am spirit and celebrate the Pan Am Games on Pan Am/Parapan Am Day in Canada on June 13 in LaSalle Park.
Competitors are showered with colour powders as they participate in the Color Run. There will be different locations where coloured powders are thrown over the runners.
Burlington is going to do its best to get into the Pan Am Games spirit by hosting a fun-filled day for families to experience Pan Am inspired sports from local partners and take place in a Pan Am inspired Colour Run.”
The free event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and features:
• Kids Pan/Parapan Am inspired sports • Inflatables • Colour Run at noon • A 52-foot (16-metre) long Slip and Slide • Food vendors • Free admission to LaSalle Wading Pool
The Colour Run is an accessible one-kilometre route in LaSalle Park. Participants are encouraged to wear a white T-shirt they would like ‘coloured’ with the safe, non-toxic powder that participants will be coated in as they complete the course.
Those wishing to visit the LaSalle Wading Pool after the Colour Run will be required to rinse off in the Slip and Slide before entering the pool enclosure.
Will Torch bearer Ashley Worobec take part in the colour run at LaSalle |Park on Saturday the 13th?
The question the Gazette has is – will Torch carrier Ashley Worobec be doing the colour run the week before she runs through Spencer Smith Park with the Torch?
Limited parking is available at LaSalle Park with additional parking available at Aldershot Pool, 50 Fairwood Place W.
A Burlington elementary school is one of three finalists in the contest to name the newest recruit into the Halton Regional Police K9 unit.
Clarksdale Public School, Burlington has decided the dog should be named Marshall.
T he students at Clarksdale Public School want this little pooch to be called Marshall – and if enough people vote for that name – that is what the dog will be called.
The other two finalists are P.L.Robertson Public School, Milton who chose the name Ranger and Brookville Public School, Campbellville who chose the name Arrow
The Regional police received emails from teachers and school officials and report being very impressed with the efforts that were put into choosing the right name. One school in Milton, as they were working on graphing units in math, chose two names, and conducted a survey of several classrooms to give every student a voice. They tallied up the votes and are completing graphs to show the results.
Several name suggestions were sent in via Twitter and from parents wanting to share their children’s creative ideas.
Now, it’s time for the community to vote! Follow our @HaltonPolice or @HRPSK9 Twitter accounts and vote for your new K9 name by Tweeting or Retweeting your favorite hashtag.
#HaltonPSDArrow
#HaltonPSDMarshall
#HaltonPSDRanger
Non-Tweeters can also vote online at https://www.haltonpolice.ca/SpecializedUnits/ESU/Canine/Pages/K9name.aspx
The name with the most hashtags and online votes will be the winner!
The winning name and school will be announced on Monday June 22, 2015
Cst Mitchell with police dog Juno being trained. Juno has since been retired.
The new Police Service Dog will join PSD Tracker, PSD Storm, PSD Parker, PSD Bishop and PSD Nero in their efforts to protect and serve the communities in Halton.
The retired Police Service Dogs are: Chase, Kingston, Sniper, Justice, Honour, Gage, Kruz, Baron, Titan, Juno and Valour.
On Sunday, June 14, 2015 from 12:30 – 3 p.m. during the SOUND OF MUSIC PARADE, the following route detours will be in effect:
10 East Regular routing to New and Dynes Left at Dynes Right at Woodward Right at Cumberland Left at Rexway Left at Walkers Right at Flemish Left at Longmoor Right at Tiperary Left at New Resume regular routing.
10 West Regular routing to New and Tiperary Right at Tiperary Left at Longmoor Right at Flemish Left at Walkers Right at Rexway Right at Cumberland Left at Woodward Left at Dynes Right at New Resume regular routing.
4 East Regular routing to Rexway and Walkers Line. Left at Walkers Line Right at Flemish Left at Longmoor Resume regular routing.
4 West Regular routing to Longmoor and Flemish Right at Flemish Left at Walkers Line Right at Rexway Dr. Resume regular routing.
Detours in effect on Sunday, June 14, 2015 from 12:30-3 p.m.
There were not many items on the June 3rd agenda, but two of them had the potential to make for a long meeting. The increase in Education Development Charges were approved by the Halton District School Board without so much as a peep from any of the developers who have to come up with the cash.
There was a report from an economic consulting group that confirmed what everyone knew – land pieces had increased. Jack Ammendolia of Watson and Associates Economists confirmed that land costs have jumped again in Halton and the increase was necessary to cover the costs of new schools in Halton.
Since last year the per acre cost is as follows
Oakville from $1,250,000 to $1,440,000 Milton from $950,000 to $1,050,000 Halton Hills from $625,000 to $950,000
There was no number given for Burlington – there won’t be any new schools built here.
The residential development charge was increased from $3,380 to $3,969 per residence and from 87 cents to $1.02 per square foot in non residential development. This represents a 17% increase for both residential and non residential.
The land increases were 15% for Oakville, 11% for Milton and 52% for Halton Hills.
The 2015-16 Capital and Operating Budget were two issuers that could easily lead to long and laborious session of questions and answers. That was not the case. The trustees took the board of education staff at their word and passed the $685.7 million operating budget for 2015-2016 as well as the $62.6 million capital budget faster than you could say Bob’s your uncle”. Burlington’s city council wishes it could get off as easily.
Along with two budgets the Operational Plan Goals for 2015-16 and Special Education Plan were also quickly passed – unanimously.
As the meeting was nearing conclusion, Director Euale announced that the School Board will be supportive of the revised Health and Physical Education Curriculum. In his remarks he pointed out that the HDSB website now has a Q & A section on the new curriculum.
The site is:
www.hdsb.ca/Programs/Pages/FAQUpdatedHealthPhysicalEdCurriculum.aspx
The Conservation Authority sent out water level warnings for the creeks that run into the city from the Escarpment.
The city decided that all clay diamonds and select soccer fields are to be closed to due water Tuesday, June 9, 2015
All clay diamonds are closed the evening of Tuesday, June 9:
Ireland Park: D1, D2, D3, D4 Millcroft Park: D1 and D2 Nelson Park: D1 Other diamonds are “as is” condition as there may be some puddles on the infields
The following rectangular fields are closed the evening of Tuesday, June 9: Maple Park Tansley Woods Park Sherwood Forest Park: F5 Central Park: F1
Less laundry for the parents if the playing fields are closed – what to do with the kids? The parents will figure that out.
We know it happens and we are surprised when it happens in families we knew. Nearly one in 10 Ontario seniors will experience some form of elder abuse, this is believed to be just a fraction of the cases reported.
The elderly are at times completely at risk; there are signs that indicate an elderly person is at risk. There are people who can help.
To help bring this important issue to light, Halton Region Police, registered nurses, and community organizations are hosting an event for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 18.
The event will be held at the Halton Region Auditorium 1151 Bronte Road in Oakville – starts at 5:30 pm
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is recognized around the globe every June to raise the visibility of elder abuse and related issues. This local event is being jointly presented by Halton Regional Police Service, the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario’s (RNAO) Halton chapter, Elder Abuse Ontario, and the Elder Abuse Prevention Committee of Halton.
“Elder abuse is like a big elephant in the room, and not many people want to talk about it,” says Karimah Alidina, president of RNAO’s Halton chapter, adding that elder abuse can have a major impact on the health and wellbeing of seniors. “We need to hold an open and honest dialogue so that we can better address elder abuse, and protect Halton Region’s older population.”
Between 2010 and 2014, Halton police received more than 400 reports of elder abuse. About 60 per cent of these reports were related to assault, but older adults are vulnerable to many forms of abuse – including physical, emotional, financial, sexual, and neglect.
“Our elders deserve our respect, love and appreciation. They are our parents, grandparents and cornerstones of our community,” says Stephen Tanner, Chief of Halton Regional Police Service.
“Our police force works closely with our community partners to educate the public, prevent abuse and neglect and provide support to our elders.”
Four out of five instances of elder abuse go undetected. Often, seniors are reluctant to report incidents because of fear or shame. That’s why raising awareness of elder abuse is so important, says Rochella Vassell of Elder Abuse Ontario.
Sometimes the abuse is physical, sometimes it is financial – at other times it is emotional – all take their tole.
“This local event will heighten awareness that elder abuse is a local issue that must be addressed and taken seriously,” Vassell says. “Every person in our community is encouraged to promote seniors’ rights and ensure they are treated with respect and dignity.”
More than 13 community organizations are participating in the event, as well as Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn. Burlington MPP Eleanor McMahon had a conflict and was not able to take part in what for her is a core constituency.
The agenda for the event is as follows:
5:30 p.m.: Registration and networking (refreshments provided) 6:00 p.m.: Welcome 6:10 p.m.: Remarks from MPP Kevin Flynn 6:25 p.m.: Presentation from Dr. Veronique Boscart 6:50 p.m.: Panel discussion • Nadine Clarke, Halton Regional Police Service • Keith Jim, Behavioural Supports Ontario Community Outreach Team • Paul Proteau, Crime Stoppers • Rochella Vassell, Elder Abuse Ontario 7:20 p.m.: Question and answer period 7:30 p.m.: Poster viewing
To register CLICK HERE or call the Halton Seniors Helpline at 1-866-457-8252.
The objective was to put the citizens, developers and the planners all in the same room and see what could be done.
It was an initiative that came out of Marianne Meed Ward’s imagination and it caught a spark.
The first of the four planned sessions was a hit – the Lion’s Hall room was close to capacity and there were a more than respectable number of developers in the room. The less than critically acclaimed ADI Group didn’t show for that first meeting and while invited no one really expected Paletta International to show either.
Meeting number two was held at the Performing Arts Centre where the audience was smaller but not by that much. What was quite different was the developers that did show up. The ADI Group had four people in their entourage who took part in some of the discussion.
Robert Molinaro was there for the second meeting and Jeff Paikin of New Horizons, the company that will build the Bridgewater project on Lakeshore made an appearance – selling the units is going to be the challenge there. Paikin didn’t take part in any of the table discussions.
The developers’ appear to have come to the conclusion that this was perhaps a safe place for them.
The focus for the second session was on specific properties that had been assembled and where plans were not yet firm.
The Molinaro’s have two pieces of property on the west side of Brant either side of Ghent and they worked at a table with a group of people listening to what they thought could be done with the property. The conversation was certainly animated with ideas being tossed around and, for the most part, the developers listening. The Molinaro’s appear to have learned that it is better to work with the city than to try and buck the rules. Their Paradigm project on Fairview south of the GO station and east of Walmart has proceeded smoothly because early in the game Meed Ward convinced them to meet with the community and hear their concerns.
Meed Ward did the same thing with the renovation to Burlington Square Plaza on the west side of Brant at Ghent, where a major change is to be made with the way the existing Brant Square relates to the street and replacing the existing two storey structure with a four storey structure and adding units into what is now an outdoor parking lot.
If the plans the developer talked about do make it to the construction stage Brant Street could have a significant commercial anchor where outdoor patios would fit in very well – the Downtown Destination could end up being quite a bit bigger.
The Wellwyn Interests had two land assemblies that they appear to want to add to; the largest is on Burlington Street – the location of a lot of history in this city. They have assembled three properties on Lakeshore Road that are contiguous and four on Burlington Avenue that are not all contiguous.
Townhouses and a condominium on Lakeshore with something between 12 and 16 storey’s got mentioned – but there were few specifics coming from the architects who were at the table.
Any change to the look and feel of Burlington Street would be significant no matter what was done. The development is in the St. Luke Precinct; a part of the city that is close to ferocious when it comes to protecting their community.
The land assembly on Maple Avenue, while outside the downtown boundary, was on the table for the public to comment. It would appear to amount to some intensification in a part of the city where it would fit quite well.
The Welwyn Interests have in the past focused on rental accommodation and are reported to have significant holdings. Townhouses would add to what they already rent and manage.
The next Downtown Destination meeting takes place at the Lion’s Hall on Wednesday the 10th of June. This meeting will be to put forward recommendations for the best use of the properties. The public listened to the plans the developers had or came up with ideas of their own – now they get to formalize what they think.
This approach is something very new to practice in Burlington however it is not a new idea. During his first term of office Mayor Goldring brought in a number of speakers to talk about different ways to look a problems. Ken Greenberg, one of the best planning thinkers in the country, told a Burlington audience that there was a better way to build a city and he urged city council to work with the developers and for the developers to work with the community right at the very beginning of a project.
Mayor Rick Goldring explains an idea to a resident during the first Downtown Destination workshop put on by Ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward.
Has Meed Ward picked up on what Ken Greenberg suggested the city do three years ago? Or has she gone in a new direction and wants to give the citizen’s a sense of the kind of Mayor she would be when she runs for that office in 2018?
Make no mistake here – Marianne Meed Ward will run for the job of Mayor in 2018 – every move she makes is part of the election plan.
Councillor Meed Ward has always been good at listening – is her Downtown Destination series of Workshops the kind of thing the city needs more of – will they be seen in the other five wards?
Meed Ward has shown that she is a considerably different political animal than the rest of council. She asks questions and she isn’t afraid to step outside the box – and she certainly riles those members of Council with a significant Conservative bent to their thinking.
When Rick Goldring ran for the office of Mayor in 2010 the city didn’t know what it was getting – it had decided it didn’t want then Mayor Cam Jackson any longer and chose Goldring as the best alternative. It took a first term in office to see what Goldring can do and what he can’t do; where his strengths are and what his weaknesses prevent him from doing.
The next civic election will have a candidate that we have had a good look at – we will at least know what we are getting.
It takes place in two cities – Burlington is one of them,
The site covers several thousand acres – 2700 to be exact.
The event will take place on three different days
It has the rather pedestrian name of Panorama – however it can turn out to be quite an experience.
Called the Panorama Adventure Challenge Sport it is a run that cover either a 3 km or 5 km distance designed to teach team building and problem solving.
It is intended for any age and can be done at any pace.
ATV’s will join Mennonite buggy;s on public roads July 1st.
You are going to be able to take your ATV up walker;s Line and into Mt Nemo or along any of those nice windy rural roads come July 1st.
The province is enhancing on-road access for more types of off-road vehicles (ORVs) and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) while increasing safety requirements for riders.
Beginning July 1, 2015, the province is implementing the following changes to ensure that ORV and ATV riders safely reach their destination:
More types of ORVs and ATVs, including two-up ATVs, side-by-side ATVs and utility-terrain vehicles (UTVs), will be allowed to use the shoulder of public roads
All riders — including drivers and passengers of all ages — will have to wear a helmet and use a seatbelt or foot rests, where applicable
Drivers operating a permitted ORV along a road or highway must hold at least a G2 or M2 driver’s licence, and their vehicle must be registered and insured.
Previous to July 1, 2015, only single-rider ATV’s could operate along certain provincial and municipal highways.
A whole new meaning is being given to “sharing the road” ATV’s will join the traffic flow
This month, the province is promoting the new rules before they come in force July 1, 2015, to ensure municipalities have enough time to make necessary bylaw amendments and to remind riders and drivers about the change.
The province is also allowing an education period to take place between July 1 to Sept. 1, 2015, before violation tickets are issued. However, during this time police officers may still lay a charge through a summons.
Opera and the Sound of Music? It’s going to happen – not out in Spencer Smith Park but inside the Knox Presbyterian Church, 461 Elizabeth St.
The Magic Flute was performed by the Canadian Children Opera Company. Burlington will hear a cabaret of their work June 13th
The performance is being put on by the Canadian Children’s Opera Company, (CCOC) an opera company for young people, unique in North America, dedicated to the training of young singers with an annual commissioned opera for young people from ages 5 – 20.
The CCOC’s youth chorus will present Opera Cabaret at Knox Presbyterian on June 13th conducted by two of Canada’s most treasured music educators, Ann Cooper Gay and composer, Errol Gay. CCOC members are regularly seen on stage at COC productions and is supported by various organizations including the Ontario Arts Council.
The 30 voice strong, Youth Chorus performs Opera Cabaret which marks the first performance of the CCOC in Burlington and will feature excerpts from Alice in Wonderland.
WHY IS THIS SO SPECIAL?
The CCOC is a major training ground for Canada’s future opera singers. And one of them is year is Burlington’s Lori Lewis, currently a student at Aldershot High School, a brilliant young talent whose musical roots are right here in our city and who will join an opera training programme this summer in Italy before he returns to this final year with the CCOC.
The Hobbit – a Canadian Children’s Opera Company production.
Having spent over 30 years as a singer and conductor, it was a rare treat to hear and see this young man in Alice. The voice is a tenor’s treat, warm and rich with high notes beyond what one might expect for a tenor this young. But today’s opera and music theatre world demands more than a voice and Lori Lewis has the timing of a comic, the awareness of an actor and the gift of moving his audiences. As the Mad Hatter in Alice, Lori’s performance still lingers in my memory.
This year’s sell-out event was a Canadian composed, written and staged opera, Alice in Wonderland that premiered at the Enwave Theatre at Harbour Front in Toronto to 12, sold-out, standing ovation audiences.
More details at www.canadianchildrensopera.com
Please forward this email to anyone you think would enjoy a taste of tomorrow’s Canadian musical stars.
Ward 6 will continue to have Blair Lancaster representing them for the next couple of years – she lost her nomination bid for the new federal seat Oakville Burlington north to Effie Triantafilipoulos who will run against Pam Damoff running for the Liberals and Adnan Shahbaz running for the greens and David Clement running as a Libertarian.
(Left to right: Mike Wallace, MP, Burlington, The Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport, MP Halton, Effie Triantafilipoulos, Candidate, Oakville North-Burlington, Terence Young, MP, Oakville) Photo credit: Ron Finnigan, President, Burlington Conservative EDA
Damoff is the only candidate with any constituency experience. Triantafilipoulos has very significant executive experience in Ottawa where she served as Chief of Staff to a number of Cabinet Ministers.
Oakville Burlington North – a new federal riding with a bit of candidate selection history.
The Oakville North Burlington race may, to a considerable degree depend on how long the coattails of the Conservative and Liberal leaders. While the federal election isn’t until mid October – the three strong federal parties are already battling it out.
The city has a memorandum of settlement with the outside workers.
A conciliator worked with the city and the unions and reached an agreement June 4th – the agreement will go to the union membership June 9th.
That should keep the unionized outside workers, arena/pool operators on the job.
Mayor looks at a transit schedule on a Smart phone – his hope is that transit will keep on working so that phones are needed to call a cab.
Things are not going nearly as well with the transit workers who are reported to be some distance apart from where the city sees a wage settlement going.
Both unions have gone very quiet, not returning phone call or answering requests for information.
Local 44, representing outside workers and arena/pool operators, and Local 2723, representing Burlington Transit, each recently held strike mandate votes and both voted in favour of a strike mandate. Both continue to negotiate with the city.
Why are fire fighters allowed to even think of striking?
The city is also negotiating with Burlington Professional Fire Fighters Association, Local 1552; that issue will get very sticky – the fire fighters have demands based on a municipality’s ability to pay which is giving municipalities across the province considerable grief.
“We are currently in negotiations with the two CUPE locals,” said Scott Stewart, general manager of Development and Infrastructure with the city. “Although each has held a strike mandate vote, this is not an actual action to start a strike. We are hopeful that we can reach a negotiated collective agreement with all of our CUPE bargaining units.”
If you had a ticket to this Live Auction – you were at the right place; the Art Gallery of Burlington was all a ‘buzz’.
Paris and the Belle Epoch was the theme for the 2015 Art Gallery of Burlington Live Auction. The Eiffel Tower seemed d appropriate
The guests eagerly arrived at this much anticipated event held by The Art Gallery of Burlington. The reception was advertised to begin at 6:30 p.m. but that did not keep the eager AGB supporters and art lovers from showing up at 6:00 p.m. Upon my arrival I quickly felt the high energy of the evening. The theme was La Belle Epoc or ‘Moulin Rouge’- the party days of Paris in the 1800s. The Burlington Student Performers were dressed in their Paris costumes and entertained the crowd.
I chatted with Robert Steven, President & CEO with The Art Gallery of Burlington. Robert was the first person to greet the art enthusiasts who poured into The Art Gallery of Burlington to take part in the festivities. Robert was proud to let me know; they had reached record ticket sales this year. He also mentioned the Live Auction raises funds for Exhibitions and Programs held at The Art Gallery of Burlington.
I spoke with Cheryl Goldring, Chair of the Live Auction at the Art Gallery of Burlington. She was very attentive to everyone as they approached to congratulate her on the success of the event. Cheryl was very excited that this year the sponsorships doubled and they also added new Sponsors to their roster. Cheryl started a new program called ‘Friends of AGB’. Each member pays $1,000 to join which supports the Art Gallery of Burlington. Cheryl was super excited and thrilled with the outcome and support from the community.
AGB volunteer Dee Goodings hands out bidding numbers while CEO Robert Steven watches the count.
This year the Live Auction took on a fresh new look and it was a success! I heard someone say “They sure outdid themselves this year.” That is when I sought out the Event Coordinator, Cheryl Soderlund, who was instrumental in adding a ‘fresh face’ to the 37th Annual Live Auction. This was after all the 1st Annual Live Auction under the new name the Art Gallery of Burlington.
I spoke with Cheryl who was very humble. According to Cheryl, the Live Auction would not have been successful without the commitment of her ‘35 Volunteer Force’. Volunteers consisted of; Greeters, Art Carriers, Live Auction Clerks and Packing Room Attendants – who all wore white gloves; how classy. Her goal was for everyone to enjoy the art, walk about and participate in the ‘Party in Paris’ theme. The event was set up as follows; in one room there was the Silent Auction and in the larger room the Live Auction, and down the hall, the 200 for $200 room.
The Live Auction bidding is about to begin – the room has a bit of a buzz to it.
It was evident Cheryl’s vision became a success. As I congratulated Cheryl for a job well done; she suggested I speak with Kim Varian, who was instrumental in pulling together the logistics for the Live Auction event. I spoke briefly with Kim, who together with the Art Committee worked tirelessly to broaden the event.
There is no question the Art Gallery of Burlington ‘pulled out all the stops’ this year. I spoke with Catherine Brady who has been with the Art Gallery since 1998 as part of their Committee. She too was very proud at how the Live Auction event transpired this year.
First decision they made was to move the event from February to June. Second decision was to add the 200 for $200 Art Sale. In this room there were 200 pieces of art for sale for $200 each. The Art pieces were comprised by local artists including; Victoria Pearce, Deborah Pearce and Claudette Losier, to name a few.
By 7:30 pm the smooth shift took place as the crowd transitioned from the small Silent Auction room to the large Live Auction. The crowd began their seating preference. The seriousness came through as everyone held onto their bidding numbers. By 7:45 p.m. there was not an empty chair in the room in anticipation of the Live Auction.
Denis Longchamp, Chief Curator with The Art Gallery of Burlington looks over some of the 200 pieces that were on sale for $200 each – a new part of the AGB’s fundraising program this year.
At 8:00 p.m. Robert Steven opened up the Live Auction. He thanked everyone for being a part of the Live Auction and explained to them how the funds raised were being distributed. I had a chance to chat with Denis Longchamp, Chief Curator with the Art Gallery of Burlington. He was very excited and proud of the Live Auction. Denis was quick to point out that the success of the event was made possible by the attendance at this event and the support from the community. He was looking forward to the results of the Live Auction.
The use of Tasers by police forces across Canada has been an issue for many – whacking someone with a massive jolt of electricity is better than shooting them – but a number of people die from the electrical shock from a Taser.
Taser’s are not cheap and a police force needs time and money to train its staff.
Why does all this matter – because the Halton Regional Police Force is now arming some of its officers with Taser’s.
There hasn’t been any public discussion about the need for the weapon. Burlington’s representative on the Police Services Board hasn’t said a word and we have not seen a media release on the introduction of Tasers.
The Gazette was given a heads up a number of months ago that the Halton Regional Police had placed an order for 400 units.
That yellow object just above the police officers right hand is the pistol grip of a Taser. Burlington is reported to have ordered several hundred of the devices.
We realized the order had been placed and that officers were now armed with the deadly weapon device when we saw one of the devices on the hip of asn officer investigating a disturbance complaint in front of a local pub.
A Taser isn’t meant to kill but the piece that follows – which came from the CBC – makes it pretty clear that they do and that many police forces are not properly trained.
Tasers are hand-held weapons that deliver a jolt of electricity through a pair of wires propelled by compressed air from up to 10.6 metres away.
The jolt stuns the target by causing an uncontrollable contraction of the muscle tissue. The target is immobilized and falls to the ground — regardless of pain tolerance or mental focus.
Taser stands for “Thomas A. Swift Electric Rifle.” It is named after a series of children’s science-fiction novels written in the early 20th century featuring the young genius inventor Tom Swift.
Who makes them?
Arizona-based Taser International makes virtually all of the stun guns being used today. The technical term for a stun gun is a “conducted energy device” (CED) or “conducted energy weapon” (CEW). Taser International says more than 16,200 law enforcement agencies in more than 40 countries use its devices. Since early 1998, more than 543,000 Taser brand immobilizers have been sold to law enforcement agencies.
There are five main types of stun guns made by Taser used by law enforcement agencies:
M26: A high-powered weapon marketed to police forces to stop “highly combative individuals.” A burst of compressed nitrogen launches two small probes attached to the device by conductive wires. From as far as 10.6 metres, the device transmits electrical pulses through the wires to immobilize a person. Also has a laser sight for aiming. X26: A smaller model introduced in 2003. Launches two small probes as far as 10.6 metres. X3: A triple-shot semi-automatic introduced in 2009. Capable of deploying three separate sets of two small probes as far as 10.6 metres as a backup shot in the event of a miss or to stop up to three separate targets. X2: A double-shot semi-automatic introduced in 2011. Capable of deploying two separate sets of two small probes as far as 10.6 metres as a backup shot in the event of a miss or to stop up to two separate targets. XREP: A CED projectile deployed by a pump action 12-guage shotgun round capable of hitting targets as far away as 30 metres.
What is ‘excited delirium?’
Excited delirium has been cited as a factor in the deaths of several people who were shocked by stun guns.
According to some psychologists, a person with excited delirium acts agitated, violent, sweats profusely and is unusually strong and insensitive to pain. Then, the victim’s heart races and eventually stops beating.
In the United States, Tasers are not considered firearms and are legal for civilian use in most states. Some cities, counties and states do restrict — or ban — their use by people who are not police officers. The company will not ship its product outside the United States unless the person placing the order holds a valid import/export permit.
In Canada, however, Tasers are a prohibited weapon. Only one company can import them into Canada under a special permit, and they can only sell the devices to law enforcement agencies, said RCMP Cpl. Greg Gillis, who trains police officers in how to use Tasers. Each Taser sale is registered and tracked, much like a handgun, he said.
Tasers are supposed to allow police officers to subdue violent individuals without killing them. A police officer can “take down” a threatening suspect without worrying that a stray bullet might kill or injure an innocent bystander.
“There’s no question that there are certainly lots of documented examples in Canada where had we not had the Taser and had to respond with more traditional options, that it could have resulted in a higher level of force,” said Gillis. “For example, the firearm: … with a firearm, there are only two outcomes … it’s going to be a permanent injury or a loss of life.”
“We don’t speak often enough about the number of lives that have been saved, the number of people that are up and walking around today that might not have been had it not been for a Taser,” says Steve Palmer, executive director of the Canadian Police Research Centre. The CPRC is a partnership among the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, the RCMP and the National Research Council of Canada.
Amnesty International says that between 2001 and August 2008, 334 Americans died after Taser shocks. The stun gun was deemed to have caused or contributed to at least 50 of those deaths, Amnesty says, citing medical examiners and coroners. Most suspects were unarmed, and many were subjected to repeated or prolonged shocks, according to Amnesty.
On Oct. 14, 2007, Robert Dziekanski, 40, of Pieszyce, Poland, died at Vancouver International Airport after being shocked five times with a Taser by RCMP officers. Airport security called the RCMP for help after Dziekanski allegedly was pounding on windows and throwing chairs and computer equipment.
Initially, the Mounties speculated that he died from a rare condition called excited delirium. Excited delirium is described as an agitated state in which a person experiences an irregular heartbeat and suddenly dies. It can happen to psychiatric patients and people using drugs such as cocaine. But critics charge that excited delirium is not a valid medical term.
A coroner concluded Dziekanski died as a result of the stress from both the Taser stuns and the struggle with police as they pinned him to the ground and handcuffed him.
How much electricity does a Taser use? News reports will often quote the voltage delivered by a Taser — up to 50,000 volts. That sounds like a lot of electricity, but it’s a misleading way of expressing the power a Taser uses.
Voltage and current: Electricity is the flow of electrons through a wire or other conductor. Voltage and current are two separate ways of measuring electricity. Voltage is the amount of force that is driving a flow of electrons. If you imagine electricity as water flowing through a pipe, the voltage is the water pressure in the pipe. Current, measured in amperes or amps, is the rate of flow of electrons through a wire, similar to the rate of water flow in a pipe, measured in litres per second. It’s possible for an electrical circuit to have high voltage, but low current. It would be analogous to a dentist’s water jet used to remove plaque: high pressure, but low flow. A low-voltage, high-current circuit would be analogous to a storm sewer. A great deal of water passes through but at low pressure.
Tasers work by passing electricity through a pair of wires. Weighted barbed hooks at the ends of the wires are propelled toward the target by compressed air. Tasers are designed to incapacitate a person through up to five centimetres of clothing. Taser International says the electrical pulse is delivered at a high voltage because the electric current has to pass through clothing and air — neither of which is a good conductor of electricity — to make a complete circuit with the target’s skin.
Taser International also says that while its device can deliver up to 50,000 volts in an open air arc only, it does not deliver that much voltage to a person’s body. The company says its Taser X26 delivers an average of 1,200 volts. As well, the high-voltage pulse of a Taser is said to carry only a small current, typically 0.002 to 0.03 amps.
By comparison, electrical outlets in Canada deliver 120 volts of electricity, and the current they carry depends on the appliance that’s plugged into them. A 60-watt light bulb, for example, pulls 0.5 amps, while a toaster pulls about five amps. It’s possible to suffer a fatal shock from a household electrical socket, at just 120 volts with 15 amps, if enough current passes through the body.
The procedures, conducted by U.S.-based lab National Technical Systems, found that 10 per cent of the X26 model Tasers produced more electrical current than the weapon’s specifications.
In some cases, the current was up to 50 per cent stronger than specified. The X26 Tasers were manufactured before 2005 and are one of the most commonly used models.
Taser International said CBC made scientific errors by failing to spark-test the weapons before firing them, a process the company recommends police officers do on a regular basis. But engineers who reviewed the testing protocol for CBC said the tests were based on solid practices.
What’s the Canadian perspective?
Since Dziekanski’s death,Taser use in Canada has come under intense scrutiny.
The RCMP in May 2010, released new stun gun restrictions, indicating officers are only permitted to use the weapons in cases where a person is causing bodily harm or an officer has “reasonable grounds” to believe a person will “imminently” harm someone.
RCMP officers must also give a verbal warning “where tactically feasible” before using their stun guns, according to the new policy.
In December 2009, Paul Kennedy, head of the Commission for Complaints Against the RCMP, the RCMP watchdog agency, had released a damning report on the conduct of RCMP involved in the Dziekanski’s death. Specifically, Kennedy criticized the RCMP’s training practices and use of force guidelines, saying the force appears to have dropped historic guidelines directing officers to minimize intervention and use the least amount of force required to get the best results.
A provincial public inquiry into the use of Tasers and the death of Dziekanski began on May 5, 2008, in Vancouver under commissioner Thomas Braidwood, a retired B.C. Appeal Court justice. In a preliminary report made public July 23, 2009, he concluded that stun guns can be deadly and that the B.C. provincial government had abdicated its responsibility to establish province-wide standards for their use.
After the release of the first report, the B.C. provincial government said it would act immediately to adopt Braidwood’s recommendations.
The Braidwood Inquiry in its final report, released in June 2010, concluded the RCMP was not justified in using a Taser against Dziekanski.
“This tragic case is, at its heart, a story of shameful conduct by a few officers,” Braidwood said.
The report called for an independent provincial body to investigate police actions and warned that public confidence in the RCMP was flagging.
How many police forces use stun guns?
Across Canada, 129 law enforcement agencies were using CEWs by the end of 2010.
In 2008, the RCMP, which introduced Tasers into its arsenal in 2001, had 2,800 Tasers and 9,100 officers who were trained to use them.
Figures compiled by the Canadian Police Research Centre suggest that most mid-size police forces use stun guns between 50 to 60 times a year on average. They were used 51 times in 2006 by police officers in Quebec.
Statistics prepared by RCMP officers show that Mounties drew or threatened to draw their Tasers more than 1,400 times in 2007, up from 597 in 2005.
Public concern is growing over the increasing use of Tasers in light of mixed reports on their safety and the lack of details surrounding incidents of Taser deployment by law enforcement agencies. Many of the incident reports released publicly by the RCMP are incomplete, with several key areas left blank.
That was probably more information than you wanted or needed – given what we now know does Halton really need Tasers?
Just two weeks away from PRIDE week in Toronto, the Halton Regional Police are jumping the gun and declared they are proud to celebrate our diverse LGBTQ+ community and are excited to support and participate in the Pride Parade with a newly decorated police SUV.
The Halton Regional Police Service has built strong partnerships with our LGBTQ+ communities within Halton and in particular, with Marcus Logan, Supervisor, LGBTQ+ Education and Support Services for the Positive Space Network in Halton as well as the Reach Out Centre for Kids (R.O.C.K.)
On Sunday June 28, 2015, a significant number of service members will be attending the PRIDE parade to march alongside our decorated cruiser. We look forward to joining many other police and emergency services, coming together to support, encourage and promote inclusivity for our LGBTQ+ community.
In addition, our PRIDE cruiser will also be featured at the Halton pride event that is scheduled to take place on Saturday August 15, 2015 at Central Park in the City of Burlington.
“My long standing partnership and collaborative relationship with the Halton Regional Police Service is one that I am sincerely proud of. The PRIDE cruiser is more than a gesture of inclusion; this is a visible commitment to the ongoing diversity and inclusion work both our agencies are doing together in Halton.” says Logan. “I remember the first time we saw the pride flags flying across Halton, it was such a hopeful and moving sight. The PRIDE cruiser has evoked those feelings in me once again and I am sure that our LGBTQ+ youth and families and allies will experience the same when they see the PRIDE cruiser in their community.” – Logan
I always thought Burlington didn’t want to be like Toronto. At least now we know where some of our tax dollars go,
On Thursday June 4th 2015 at about 8:00 PM, a citizen observed a male concealing a knife in the front of his waistband in the area of Hurd Street and Caroline Street in Burlington.
Police responded to the area, located and arrested the male a short distance away. The male was found to be in possession of a small quantity of marihuana as well as two knifes concealed in his waistband.
After further investigation, it was learned the two knives had just been stolen from an unlocked vehicle on Hurd Street.
Police also located a pair of sunglasses and an iPod on the ground in an area where the male had been observed hopping a fence on Hurd Street. The owner of this property has not been located. Anyone missing such items are encouraged to call the investigating officer.
Arrested and held for bail is:
Wayne Gordon PUNTER (38 yrs) of Maple Crossing Boulevard in Burlington
Charges:
Theft under $5000 Breach Probation X 3 Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose Possession of a controlled substance (marihuana)
The Gazette gets a news feed from the police regularly. We are amazed at the number of arrests made by the police based on a call they got from an observant citizen. It would be interesting to note what the conviction rate was.
Anyone with information on this or any other crime is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1 800 222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).
Andrew Coyne sums up Peter MacKay pretty well – “a politician of many titles but little achievement.” Considering his personal use of a military helicopter, his ongoing war against the Supreme Court and Canada’s constitution, his is an unenviable record.
Federal Justice Minister Peter MacKay announces his resignation in Stellarton, N.S on Friday, May 29, 2015. MacKay, the MP from the riding of Central Nova, was first elected in 1997.
And now MacKay joins a pack of up to 30 Conservative MPs who are planning to jettison the good ship Tory, just to cash in on their early retirement bonus before the plan expires. MacKay’s desertion is particularly significant for Mr. Harper since his seat, Central Nova, is considered the last safe harbour for the Tories in Atlantic Canada. His father, Elmer, had once held this riding, giving it up to newly nominated PC leader Brian Mulroney in 1983 in exchange for a plumb patronage job with the Atlantic Development Agency.
Peter MacKay will be best remembered as the man who buried the federal Progressive Conservative Party, selling out to the more extreme right-wing Alliance/Reform/CRAP. In doing so, he broke his promise to ‘red Tories’, like Joe Clark and Scott Brison, who would sooner leave than come on board a vessel they no longer could recognize.
But MacKay, who is closer politically to Stephen Harper than to what his old party actually stood for, was given plum postings by Harper as payment for his treachery.
Today, Harper’s Tories are falling like a lead anchor on the east coast. The Liberals seem poised to clean up come the next election. And interestingly, the NDP are the second choice. But that might change as we see the NDP topping-out the Liberals nationally, according to the latest EKOS poll.
Boosted by the NDP’s sweep in last month’s Alberta election, Mr. Mulcair is trending to outpace Mr. Trudeau’s party. Were that trend to continue, strategic voting – whereby voters hold their noses and vote Liberal to block the Tory candidate – may be in for some re-definition.
Liberalism in Canada, and the US (Democrats), has its roots in the once powerful Whig political movement in Great Britain, going back centuries. It was the Liberals who abolished slavery and created the modern welfare state. Liberal socio-economic policies, developed by great thinkers like Adam Smith, JM Keynes and John Stuart Mills helped shape our modern economies – at least until the neo-conservatives, like Lady Thatcher and Ronald Reagan, stuck their fingers in.
Liberals hold, somewhat immodestly, that they are the party of ideas. But they are also the party of nuance and complexity, making them more challenging to appreciate. For many people Liberals represent the middle ground in political theatre, though some say standing for so many things means they stand for nothing. And unlike the Tories who draw their support from the wealthy, and the NDP which represents labour, Liberals generally lack a loyal socio-economic constituency to call their own.
McKay often struggled to make his point.
Perhaps for this reason, by the early 1920’s, the British Liberal party had been delegated third party status. Maybe this was a result of the Conservative and Labour party constituencies just following the voting prerogatives of their parties. Or, it might have been an inevitable result of the ‘first past the post’ (FPP) system of electing parliamentarians, a system which works well in a two party system but fails to represent the public in a more diverse multi-party political climate.
Stephan Harper and Jean Chretien each were elected to majority governments with the support of little more than a third of the voting public. In the case of Harper, who has re-united the right, it means that the two-thirds of Canadians, who favour more centrist policies, have and would again vote against him – but he might still win a majority through vote splitting among the other parties.
One option for our political system to better reflect voters wishes might be for the Liberals and NDP to unite as a centre-left coalition, and bring Canada back to a workable two party system. However, that is an unlikely to happen for a number of reasons, including the influence of trade unions in the NDP and the NDP Quebec sovereignty policy. Thus, those wanting to see the end of Mr. Harper will need to vote strategically or accept the consequences.
Alternatively, we could change our electoral system. One option would be to adopt some configuration of the thing called proportional representation, a rather complicated combination of traditional FPP with parliamentary seats also awarded for the popular vote. Most European governments have adopted this approach. B.C. and Ontario held referenda to implement provincial proportional systems a few years back, but the vote failed to pass in each case.
The Green Party has been a big supporter of proportional representation, and there had been much discussion of proportional representation at the last NDP nomination conference, including a potential deal for cooperative voting with the Liberals to pave the way for its adoption.
Another, and less radical approach, would be to offer a preferential, or ranked ballot, for voters in the next election. The voters would rank their choices and the winning candidate would be the first or second choice of at least 51% of the voters. This approach received approval at a Liberal biennial policy conference a few years back. It is also a plan the Ontario government will soon be offering municipalities.
Just going to have to get by on $1 million
But Peter MacKaty won’t have to worry about any of this. More than likely his old riding will go to the Liberals in the upcoming election. His early retirement package is worth more than a million dollars so nobody can blame him for running to the bank rather than running in the election. And given his performance as a parliamentarian, nobody will notice his absence.
Ray Rivers writes weekly on both federal and provincial politics, applying his more than 25 years as a federal bureaucrat to his thinking. Rivers was a candidate for provincial office in Burlington where he ran as a Liberal against Cam Jackson in 1995, the year Mike Harris and the Common Sense Revolution swept the province.
By Ray Rivers
Ray Rivers writes weekly on both federal and provincial politics, applying his more than 25 years as a federal bureaucrat to his thinking. Rivers was a candidate for provincial office in Burlington where he ran as a Liberal against Cam Jackson in 1995, the year Mike Harris and the Common Sense Revolution swept the province. 
On Sunday, June 14, 2015 from 12:30 – 3 p.m. during the SOUND OF MUSIC PARADE, the following route detours will be in effect:
what they thought could be done with the property. The conversation was certainly animated with ideas being tossed around and, for the most part, the developers listening. The Molinaro’s appear to have learned that it is better to work with the city than to try and buck the rules. Their Paradigm project on Fairview south of the GO station and east of Walmart has proceeded smoothly because early in the game Meed Ward convinced them to meet with the community and hear their concerns.
The Wellwyn Interests had two land assemblies that they appear to want to add to; the largest is on Burlington Street – the location of a lot of history in this city. They have assembled three properties on Lakeshore Road that are contiguous and four on Burlington Avenue that are not all contiguous.
comes to protecting their community.
On Sunday June 28, 2015, a significant number of service members will be attending the PRIDE parade to march alongside our decorated cruiser. We look forward to joining many other police and emergency services, coming together to support, encourage and promote inclusivity for our LGBTQ+ community.
Ray Rivers writes weekly on both federal and provincial politics, applying his more than 25 years as a federal bureaucrat to his thinking. Rivers was a candidate for provincial office in Burlington where he ran as a Liberal against Cam Jackson in 1995, the year Mike Harris and the Common Sense Revolution swept the province. 
