 By Staff
January 28th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Planned road closures in downtown Burlington on Feb. 1 for relocation of heritage home
 On Monday, Feb. 1, starting at 10 a.m., downtown Burlington will experience road closures and parking restrictions as a heritage home at 1437 Elgin St. is moved to its new location at 470 Maple Ave.
Sections of Elgin Street, between Locust Street and Maple Avenue, will have periodic road closures starting at 10 a.m. Access to businesses and homes on Elgin Street will be maintained at all times although there may be small delays. Halton Regional Police Service will direct traffic.
On-street parking along Elgin Street between Blathwayte Lane and Maple Avenue will not be allowed starting at 6 a.m. and into the evening.
The house will travel to its new destination on a custom-made trailer pulled by a tractor.
People who want to watch the progress of the house move are asked to stay a safe distance back from the work taking place.
Safe viewing areas include in front of the Burlington Performing Arts Centre and, as the house begin to make its trip along Elgin Street, Apeldoorn Park and Brock Park.
The house was once the location of the Blair Lancaster Spa – a spin off from her days as Miss Canada.
By Pepper Parr
January 28th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Do all the good ideas have to come from the high priced consultants?
Are the big shot business people the only ones who have the answers to the issues we face?
Certainly not – but it isn’t often the average person gets a chance to make a contribution.
 They say they want your ideas. The province is seeking public input to help develop the 2016 Ontario Budget. Pre-Budget consultations taking place in communities across Ontario
Today, Associate Minister of Finance Mitzie Hunter was in Hamilton as part of a province wide tour of pre-budget consultations, which include in-person sessions, telephone town halls and online idea-sharing.
Pre-budget consultations are an important way for Ontarians to have their say on how to grow the economy, create jobs and plan for the province’s future. Ideas gathered through these consultations will be considered as part of the budget development process.
Ontarians can get involved in the conversation by:
• Visiting Ontario.ca/budgettalks to share, discuss and vote for ideas online
• Calling the Ministry of Finance at 1-866-989-9002 to participate in an in-person consultation
• Emailing ideas to submissions@ontario.ca
• Mailing in your ideas
• Faxing in your ideas to 416-325-0969
• Tweeting ideas using #BudgetTalks
It is always hard to tell if the politicians really want input from the average person – maybe its just a public relations trick to make u all feel good. Give them the benefit of the doubt. When you learn on the 28th that written submissions are due by January 31, 2016, you begin to wonder – don’t you.
The government does say that in 2015, they heard from more than 300,000 Ontarians through pre-budget consultations.
 By Staff
January 28th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
In recognition of February’s Black History Month, schools in the Halton District School Board have planned events and initiatives to celebrate and honour the contributions of black Canadians, past and present.
Burlington events include:
• Frontenac Public School (Burlington): The school will be making daily announcements about the contributions of key composers, musicians, and artists who have not only impacted the country’s musical landscape but who have been contributors to supporting the movement toward equality and equity.~
 PK Subban – not only a great Black personality – but he plays for the Habs as well  Michael Lee Chin – Local Black man made good. Some schools held Black History Month events just prior to the month of February, including Aldershot High School. The Burlington school hosted Bobbi Taffe, a volunteer speaker with Passages Canada. She shared her perspective on black/African heritage, stories of refugee experiences, immigration to Canada, racism and discrimination, and social justice and human rights issues.
Every year, Canadians are invited to participate in Black History Month festivities and events that honour the legacy of black Canadians, past and present. Canadians take this time to celebrate the many achievements and contributions of black Canadians who, throughout history, have done much to make Canada the culturally diverse, compassionate and prosperous nation it is today.Michael Lee Chin
 If you haven’t read anything Toni wrote – head for the Library.  Donovan Bailey – he made everyone of us proud when he crossed that finish line first. A great athlete and a very funny guy as well. “The Halton District School Board is proud to celebrate February as~Black History Month~with numerous events and activities throughout our schools. This month, however, is more than events and showcases. It reflects how learning can be transformed as a result of culturally relevant and responsive teaching,” said Rob Eatough, Superintendent of Education with the Halton District School Board. “There are numerous events and learning experiences occurring throughout the month of February and over the entire year to embed Black history and inclusive education in schools across the Halton District School Board.”
By Staff
January 28th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
Residential speeding and failure to comply with stop signs continues to be a high priority for the residents of Burlington.
A large number of traffic complaints received by both the Halton Regional Police Service and the City of Burlington relate to drivers exceeding the posted speed limits and/or drivers failing to comply with stop signs on residential streets.
 Residential streets pose a higher risk to both pedestrian and vehicular traffic when these violations occur on them.
During a city council meeting a senior officer from the Regional police reported that when they did tight patrols on speeding and failure to stop properly they found that many of the people they were stopping actually lived on the street they were patrolling.
The Halton Regional Police Service will be initiating the Residential Traffic/Stop Sign/Speeding (RTSSS) Initiative in order to deliver a clear message to drivers that our residential roads are not raceways. This traffic safety initiative is also designed to increase compliance of stop signs. Police will utilize education and enforcement strategies in order to reduce the speeds of vehicles travelling on residential roadways and to promote safer driving habits.
The Halton Regional Police Service is committed to reducing dangerous and aggressive driving behaviours that put all road users at risk.
If any citizen would like to report a traffic concern they can do so by visiting our website and submitting an online traffic complaint,
 By Pepper Parr
January 27th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The beginning of the new Beachway community will show its head when the city begins upgrading Lakeshore Road from Maple Avenue to the Waste Water Treatment plant.
 Work on a road that will have two lanes, curbs, bike lanes and come in at a cost of $4,170,000 is expected t begin in July – the Regional government will pick up $1 million of the expense.
The rebuilding of the road is tied into the re-build/redevelopment of the Joseph Brant Hospital that is coming along very well – they expect to have poured the slab for the top floor by the end of the month – or very soon after. There will be a rolling closure of the road, expected to begin in July through to November.
The Region is installing a 300 mm water main replacement.
 Laura Gillespie points out the part of the Beachway that affects her the most – the spot where her house is located. The upgrading of Lakeshore Road will not go as far as her house. Her hope is that the house stays. Lakeshore Road will be raised as much as three feet in that area directly in front of the Road where the hospital construction is taking place.
And there will be a traffic signal at the hospital parking garage – a sign that the Beachway is going through a real change
None of the homes the Region is very anxious to purchase will see the new road running in front of their door – the work on that part of Lakeshore Road is dependent on the recommendations of the Burlington Beach Regional Waterfront Master Plan.
 By Pepper Parr
January 28th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The Burlington Chamber of Commerce is hosting Mayor Rick Goldring’s State of the City address Thursday morning at the Burlington Convention Centre – 7:30 a.m. Registration and Breakfast; Presentations 8:15 a.m., Closing Remarks 9:15 a.m.; you will be able to get to the office just a tad on the late side.
 The original design of the Strategic Plan cover had the document covering a four year council term. The Mayor is going to explain the theme of the City of Burlington’s 25-year strategic plan – hopefully he will justify all the time and expense in creating a 25 year plan when traditionally a city council sets out its Strategic Plan for its term of office.
Whatever this council wants to spend time and money on developing a plan – it will have no legitimacy for future Council’s who will want to create a plan of their own.
Were Jack Dennison to every become Mayor he would not want to adopt the plan that is currently at the draft stage level; both – Dennison as Mayor and this draft plan being adopted in the future are stretches of the most elastic imagination.
 The current working document of the strategic Plan covers a 25 year time frame. During the several occasions when city council met as a Committee of the Whole there was never a statement made saying that this council had decided it was going to produce a 25 year plan and there was nothing said or set out for the record at a city council meeting. Meeting a Committee of the Whole, one council member said what they were really doing was creating a “25 year plan” – the idea took hold and they all went charging of in this new direction.
The city does get credit for taking the plan to the public – there were at last four public meetings and a lengthy on line questionnaire. But there was never a statement from the Mayor or any member of council explaining that they were creating a document with a longer time frame.
They just went ahead and did it – maybe that’s what they mean by leadership?
There does not appear to be much in the way of public enthusiasm for the document – it is quite long with a lot of declarative statements and promises of delivering on some of the objectives within a specific deadline.
The new Strategic Plan and has four directions: A City that Grows, a City that Moves, a Healthy and Greener City and an Engaging City.
 By Pepper Parr
January 27th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Having a spitting match with a constituent isn’t smart politics.
Larry Good wrote his Council member and got a response he wasn’t too pleased with.
But let’s let the record speak for itself.
Thank you for responding so quickly to my email. I apologize for my tardy reply but I decided to do some research given your strident response.
This is the response Larry Good got from ward 1 Councillor Rick Craven.
 Councillor Rick Craven – ward 1 Do you honestly expect me to completely ignore the expert advice from our Director of Transit………..
“Oakville transit has reported increased ridership on Mondays, but that has not equated into additional ridership increases for the other days of the week. Staff do not recommend this to be implemented in Burlington and would recommend the Reduce Fare Option – –a reduced fare during off-peak and weekend hours would provide opportunity to utilize the service in the off peak times. Staff are recommending the “TWO for a TOONIE” seniors program be created. This would allow two seniors to ride Burlington Transit conventional services between 10 am and 3 pm Monday to Friday as well as all day Saturday and Sundays.”
I support some version of the TWO FOR A TOONIE program and am willing to discuss it further.
Good wasn’t going to let remarks like that stand on their own.
“I assume” he said “ the question you asked me in the opening remarks of your response to me was rhetorical hyperbole and not intended to seek clarity. I wonder if you asked Mayor Goldring or Councillors Meed Ward and Lancaster if they completely ignored the expert advice of our Director of Transit. Indeed, the Director’s advice is important but it is not the only informational input available to you and Council to arrive at a decision on Free Mondays for Seniors. I would hope you agree.”
“In addition to the Director’s input you could look to the success achieved by Oakville Transit with this program they introduced in 2012. According to a transit survey done in Oakville during their pilot program that transit ridership did increase and continues to increase, especially among seniors through out the week. It would seem Seniors in Oakville have been enjoying this service ever since their pilot project was completed close to four years ago. I am sure when a senior takes transit on Monday’s in Oakville they feel acknowledged and appreciated for their contribution to the community.
 Robert Lovell delegating at city council on the Monday Free transit for seniors proposal in the budget. “Another source of information comes form the Burlington Seniors Advisory Committee. This committee conducted their own research including direct conversations with the Oakville Director of Transit who fully supports this program. Mr. Lovell speaking on behalf of the Advisory Committee made a cogent and compelling argument to Council and the Budget Committee. In addition to the goal of increased ridership there are many other benefits which spring from this transit fare reduction proposal. This program could have an impact on Traffic Congestion, Road Safety and the Environment.
“Councillor Marianne Meed Wade’s website also has a wealth of information on this subject which you should take a look at.
“It was reported in the Burlington Gazette that you said very little during debate, Councillor Taylor felt this was a low income or a social welfare issue better dealt with by the Region, that Councillor Dennison has never been in favour of “support” programs. However, this same council supported spending $16,000 for the Car Free Event which only directly benefits approximately 3 wards in the City. The article went on to suggest it is the “old boy’s club” that did not want to see this trial take place. Although you have been a Councillor for quite some time I don’t think that alone qualifies you as part of an old boys club but perception can be a problem.
 Seniors gather at a table to talk about the state pf transit – a meeting sponsored by a Burlington advocacy group – there was no one from transit at the well attended meeting. “As has been pointed out Senior’s represent roughly 17% of the City’s population (even higher percentage in Ward 1) and all estimates point to this demographic growing. The next large demographic are the children of the seniors we are speaking about. As a demographic senior’s are more likely to vote than other groups. This demographic has greatly contributed to our community in many ways including raising our children, contributing to municipal life via volunteerism, charity and I dare say defence of our Country. Why would you not support this demographic? I visited China a few years back with the Burlington Chamber of Commerce and we were taken for a tour of a “Seniors Park” where there were hundreds of seniors dancing in groups, exercising on equipment provided, playing local games and generally just having a great time in the fresh air. I think we could benefit a lot from the Chinese culture in their strong admiration and unfailing support for Seniors. We don’t need to look that far to find inspiration, we need only to look to our neighbours to the east, Oakville.
 The ceremonies over the Naval Promenade becomes the focus with the Seniors’ out in force listening to the All Male Welsh Choir. “I hope you will not completely ignore the advice of the Burlington Seniors Advisory Committee, or ignore the apparent success of the Oakville’s Transit program or ignore the recommendation of Councillor Meed Ward. I continue to believe our seniors deserve all the backing they can be given and if it were up to me alone transit would be free all the time for those 65 and older. This pilot project and Oakville’s permanent program for free Monday’s for Seniors is not a social welfare issue it is a matter of respect and giving back to a segment of our community for their selfless sacrifice for us.
“Your willingness to discuss is belied by your rhetorical hyperbole, it would seem your mind is made up. Again Shame on you!”
There is a vote that shouldn’t be counted on.
 By Staff
January 27, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Cogeco Cable’s parent presented their views on a Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (“CRTC”) policy review. This review was initiated by the CRTC and builds on certain conclusions made during the “Let’s Talk TV” proceeding. Cogeco Connexion’s community television service, CogecoTV, is proposing to provide professional local news and information services in markets where there is no local television news service.
“We are pleased to see that the Commission has decided to put forward for discussion an initiative that dovetails on a proposal that we made at the time of the previous review of community television policy, with a view to having terrestrial BDUs step up to the plate for local news and information in those communities where broadcasters don’t have any local studio presence,” said Johanne Hinse, Vice President, Residential Market, CogecoTV and Community Relations of Cogeco Connexion.
 Cogeco brought heir star interviewer Mark Carr to city hall to do a call in show with Mayor Goldring. It didn’t turn out to be a top ten program – but they did make the effort. Since the proceeding was announced in September, nearly 1,000 interveners filed interventions in support of CogecoTV, demonstrating its importance and relevance and highlighting its sterling reputation in ensuring this type of service is available in the local communities it serves in both Québec and Ontario. “The Commission should recognize that CogecoTV provides an essential outlet to support the activities of over thirteen hundred community groups, for which there is simply no alternative available in the public and private sectors of the Canadian broadcasting system,” stated Mrs. Hinse. “Our position upholds the importance we have always placed on being involved and present in the heart of communities, ensuring their voices can continue to be heard.”
Below is an overview of Cogeco’s submission and position:
 Residents lined the streets to watch the floats pass by and use the time to chat with their neighbours. Cogeco covered the parade and broadcast live to the community. • CogecoTV proposed to provide local news and information programming service on CogecoTV to seven small markets in Québec and seven small markets in Ontario, where no local over-the-air (OTA) television service is available.
• The local news and information programming would be a mix of news, analysis, interpretation, reporting and actualities, adapted to the needs of each market served.
• CogecoTV’s funding model is premised on the following sources:
• Reinstate the full 2% of terrestrial Broadcasting Distribution Undertakings’ (BDU) revenues from broadcasting activities from the mandated contribution of licensed cable systems to community television.
• Allow terrestrial BDUs that choose to offer professional news and information on their community television to re-allocate their video-on-demand contribution and the 0.6% of their broadcasting revenues from all systems, which can currently be provided to independent funds, to their professional news and information programming. This is commensurate with the importance of local news and information to the communities CogecoTV serves, the fact that it is 100% Canadian programming and the fact that neither independent funds nor the Canada Media Fund have the means to fund local news and information programs.
 Cogeco Cable was all over the Burlington Performing Arts Centre Red Carpet opening. They rebroadcast for those who missed the live event. • Similar to pay, specialty and OTA licensees, establish a flexible envelope regime where contributions from all systems owned by the same BDU ownership group can be distributed within the BDU’s systems, according to the specific needs of each of the markets served.
CogecoTV’s proposal is an alternative to a second initiative proposed for discussion by the CRTC which could see its mandatory Canadian program funding contribution diverted away from its community channels. “We don’t believe this is a sound public policy option, particularly in the face of a growing unregulated segment of the Canadian broadcasting system over the Internet that is not required to invest anything in supporting production and exhibition of Canadian programs, including local news and information,” added Mrs. Hinse. “It is critical for the community television sector to retain its available funding and to continue offering local television to communities ignored or abandoned by Canadian broadcasters.”
 By Pepper Parr
January 27th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Is it a good budget?
There are few taxpayers who are happy about the rate of increase over last year – and the 20 year projection calls for more of the same.
While the increase year over year is above the rate of inflation – the numbers have to be looked at carefully – they aren’t going to get much better. The biggest thing that appears to have come out of the budget exercise is a realization on the part of council members that they don’t have a tight enough grip on what they need staff to do.
Council seems to be continually blinded sided by one catastrophe after another.
 Repaired at a cost of $380,000 in 2012 – the bridge is going to have to be replaced in the near future. The Drury Lane Bridge had to be repaired at a cost of $380,000 – that was for a five year patch – the estimated cost of replacing the bridge was something in excess of $2 million – which comes due any day now.
The Nelson Pool had to be closed because of problems with the steel structure and is now not going to be re-built and repaired until sometime in 2018.
The families with children that make use of the Nelson Stadium took matters into their own hands and began working with the school board to upgrade the facilities. The Stadium is on property owned by the city and the school board – two organizations who are not known for how well they get along with each other. They don’t even have a structure that has them meeting regularly to resolve shared concerns.
When a citizen’s delegation spoke at city hall they knew more about what was happening than members of council. That was not a pretty picture.
Council members expect staff to do the ongoing analysis that tells when an asset is due for an upgrade.
How did the city not know that the Drury Lane bridge needed work and how did staff did not know that the Nelson Pool was due for a major upgrade. There is asset management software out there that works all this out – and Burlington spends a fortune on software.
Do we have the right people managing this software and the way it is utilized?
 The one thing we know about the 2014 flood is that it has cost us a small fortune – think in terms of $40 million so far. We also know that climate change is likely to cost us even more in the years ahead. Managing the financial cost of the 2014 flood and coming to terms with what has to be done in the way of storm water management had $20 million thrown at it. Council has realized that it is going to take an additional $20 million to make the changes that were recommended by the consultants the city hired.
 The scary word in this graph is “initially” It will probably take an additional tax levy to handle storm water. The Mayor commented that the city was going to have to take a serious look at a special tax levy for managing storm water. The realization that climate change is upon us and we no longer know what our weather is going to be – here we are at the end of January and you could be wearing shorts on some days.
As for city hall and the media people over there – they are doing it again. Messing with the numbers – and totally trashing there commitment to transparency and accountability.
The city’s media release said:
“The City of Burlington has approved the 2016 operating budget with a 3.14 per cent increase in the city’s portion of property taxes, which will result in an overall property tax increase of two per cent when combined with Halton Region and the boards of education, or $17.10 per $100,000 of home assessment value.
Highlights of the approved budget include:
• The base budget increase of 1.28 per cent is aligned with inflation (Toronto CPI 1.86 per cent) which is consistent with the Long Term Financial Plan objective of competitive property taxes.
• The base budget maintains the $4.8 million contribution towards the Joseph Brant Hospital reserve fund to meet the city’s $60 million commitment to the redevelopment project.
A 1.44 per cent increase dedicated to the renewal of the city’s infrastructure.
An additional $20 million in funding has been provided to accelerate roadway renewal needs over the next four years.
An additional $20 million of funding has been provided over the next 10 years for surface water drainage projects.
$613K in funding (0.43 per cent) to increase service levels in areas such as winter maintenance and stormwater management.
For those that qualify, the Senior’s Property Tax Rebate has increased from $450 to $525 in this budget.
“There are many competing demands for city tax dollars as well as an urgency to find inefficiencies and minimize tax rate increases,” said Mayor Rick Goldring. “We have tried to balance all the city’s needs, prioritize them and forecast with great thought and care to deliver a responsible budget that serves everyone.”
“This budget continues to provide funding to priority areas of infrastructure renewal, the city’s contribution to the hospital redevelopment and maintaining existing services,” said Joan Ford, director of finance. “In key areas, service levels have been increased.”
That’s their story and they are probably going to stick to it.
You won’t get another viewpoint on the budget – the print newspaper distributed in this city didn’t have a reporter at the meeting. My colleague Joan Little who writes a column for the Spectator will undoubtedly make a comment.
 Is this an acceptable rate of tax increases? Does this Council think it can get re-elected in 2018 with these numbers? Take a look at that 20 year projection again. Did our city Councillors deliver a good budget?
The Mayor has asked the city manager to look for new revenue sources. Until he has a much better handle on how to manage the problems he has on his table now there isn’t much James Ridge is going to be able to do in the immediate future.\
He needs to get his strategic plan passed – it is close to a year overdue.
Can the current Council provide him with the advice and direction he needs? Two of the seven members have been on Council for more than 20 years. Will they run again in 2018? Will their constituents re-elect them?
2017 is going to be an uncomfortable year for this council.
 By Pepper Parr
January 27th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON.
The meeting started with a close to mammoth photo op – players from the Barracudas and the Eagles were on hand to receive certificates of appreciation for the very impressive work they did on the Giving Back project that brought in close to 300,000 lbs of food that was distributed to community organizations.
The Giving Back initiative has proven to be so successful that Brampton and Oakville are taking a look at it and there is talk about developing it as a national program
 The students who were given Certificates of Appreciation by the Mayor in turn gave the city a painting that noted the 10th year of the Giving Back program. It was perhaps fitting that the young people getting the certificates of appreciation were the opening act for a city council meeting at which a budget was approved that runs quite a bit ahead of inflation. The long term projection is for budgets that are usually above 3.5% for the next twenty years.
The city finance department set out what they expected tax increases to be through to 2035. It is those energetic hockey players who are going to have to pay taxes that increase 3.5% year over year.
In 2011 when this council put out its first budget in their first term (they were all re-elected) the budget had a 0% increase.
The budget was not unanimously approved – Councillor Dennison did not vote for it and Councillors Meed Ward and Taylor were lukewarm – they wanted a different budget but couldn’t seem to pull the strings that would give them what they wanted.
The Free Monday transit for seniors was the issue that divided this council but it was not the structural issue that made this budget different.
Both Councillors Sharman and Dennison had detailed comments which they made once the budget was approved.
In his comments Councillor Dennison said he was not supporting the 2016 City Budget for the following reasons:
“I am not happy with a Burlington Tax increase of 3.19%” he said and “I had a number of recommended reductions including saving a possible $337,000 on the Transit Community Connection. He wanted the service to be paid for by users and the benefiting businesses. He pointed out that it costs $10 million to subsidize our current level of transit.
He also wanted to eliminate additional expense and staff for promotion of Canada 150 and save a potential $100,000.
Dennison wanted to reduce the amount that was being put into the Strategic Land Acquisition fund from $750,000 to $550,000 and save $200,000
Dennison wanted the provision for insurance claims reduced by $150,000. He pointed out that $500,000 from retained savings had already been put into the account and that was enough.
Dennison identified a total of $1,337,000 that could have been saved. His fellow Councillors didn’t agree with him. These changes would have brought our city of Burlington Tax increase down by 1% to 2.19%.
 The city collects taxes for the Board of education and the Regional government. City council is fully responsible for setting the city tax rate; it has no impact or input on the school board taxes. Burlington has significant input on the Regional tax rate but Burlington doesn’t have all that much clout at the Regional level.  Dennison said he continues to have concerns with service-based budgeting. “There are benefits to the approach but it does not replace the need to know how individual operations are performing.
Burlington moved to a service based approach to budgeting which groups different operations making it very difficult to drill down to a line by line look at costs. He pointed to the problem comparing single-pad arenas to multi-pad arenas with respect to cost of operation and concerns with the Paletta Mansion and the Ella Foote Hall in Kilbride.
Dennison doesn’t feel that serviced based budgeting lets Councillors see all the costs and wants both service-based and individual results in 2017 so he can properly review the budget.
 Councillor Jack Dennison has the best grip on where the budget dollars go – he does tend to drill down a little too deeply at times but he consistently wants to see the city spending less money. Dennison points out that “If we over-budgeted in 2015 that means that we over-taxed our assessed properties and the gross tax should be reduced by something closer to that amount and not just be put into reserves.
Just before the vote was taken, Councillor Sharman – ward 5 – said he wanted to on the record with respect to a few items:
“I fully respect and admire the work of community members who promote what they believe is a good idea. I deeply appreciate the time and effort and sometimes emotional strain undertaken by community members in delegating to Council. However, I often believe that delegations represent less than all of the opinions held by all members of the community.
“I have been and continue to be fully supportive of providing, timely, effective and affordable transportation to our community and especially those who have real needs. Perhaps as much as 37% of seniors need or desire to have use convenient transit at an affordable price, according to more thorough analysis of the Oakville free Monday Seniors Bus pilot program. That represents about 11,500 Burlington Senior residents. 63% of Oakville Seniors did not need or want free transit.
 Intense to the point of making delegations uncomfortable ward 5 Councillor Paul Sharman does know how to drill down into the data and look for results. “I wonder why we should provide only one day a week free to those who need services when there is a high probability that they need it all the time. Research suggests that it should be all the time.
“I wonder about why we would not include other groups such as students. I don’t know how many people that would help, but I would like to know.
“We know that 9.5% or about 18,000 Burlington Community members live on less than the low income cut off threshold. Other people who have insufficient income to live on could push this figure up to 36,000 people who need or desire help.
“Without setting aside the legitimate desire and needs of seniors I wish to point out that we have in total perhaps in the order of 50,000 people who might legitimately be helped by Council. Split Pass provides us the way but it needs to be changed.
“Meanwhile, Burlington Transit has struggled to redesign itself to provide a viable business model that will meet the needs of all Burlington community members.
“I am not opposed to change for Transit. However, I am opposed to knee jerk inadequately thought out change. We have a chance to accomplish a properly thought out and real change when we discuss the transit service business case which we are committed to do as a result of my staff direction for Council to have a workshop to review each and every city business case.”
Other members of council had comments but they were not as extensive as those made by Councillors Sharman and Dennison.
Ciné-Starz Upper Canada Place,
Burlington, ON L7R 4B6
Week of Friday, January 29, 2016 through Thursday, February 04, 2016
The Forest (14A)
Fri – Sun: 9:40 PM
Mon – Thu: 3:15, 9:40
Concussion (14A)
Fri – Sun: 1:00, 3:00, 5:10, 7:30, 9:40
Mon – Thu: 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:30, 9:40
Joy (PG)
Fri – Sun: 12:45, 3:00, 5:15, 7:20
Mon – Thu: 12:45, 3:00, 5:15, 7:20, 9:40
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip (G)
Fri – Sun: 1:00, 3:15
Mon – Thu: 12:50, 5:45
Sisters (14A)
Fri – Sun: 5:00, 7:15, 9:30
Mon – Thu: 3:00, 5:00, 7:30, 9:40
The Good Dinosaur (G)
Fri – Sun: 12:50, 2:50, 5:10
Mon – Thu: 5:10 PM
Spotlight (—)
Fri – Sun: 1:00, 2:45, 5:00, 7:20, 9:40
Mon – Thu: 12:40, 2:40, 5:00, 7:20, 9:40
The Peanuts Movie (G)
Fri – Sun: 1:10, 3:20
Spectre ()
Fri – Sun: 7:00, 9:40
Mon – Thu: 12:45, 7:00
The Martian (PG)
Fri – Sun: 4:45, 7:10, 9:40
Mon – Thu: 12:45, 3:20, 7:10, 9:35
 By Pepper Parr
January 26th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
It was his first serious delegation, one at which he had a concern he wanted to put before city council.
Vince Fiorito, a candidate in the last federal election and a committed environmentalist who spends some of his weekends clearing out rubbish from the city’s creeks, had announced to friends that he was planning on running for city council in his home ward in 2018.
His intention was to spend the next couple of years attending meetings and networking like crazy.
 Vince Fiorito was named the Watershed Steward for Sheldon creek. He now wants to become the member of city council for the ward he lives in – Sheldon Creek runs right through the middle of it. Fiorito is the Steward of Sheldon Creek, a title given him by the Conservation Authority, something he takes very seriously.
His delegation to city council was to focus on what he felt was very poor citizen engagement and he launched into his presentation. Less than 18% of the people in this city know about the ways they can be engaged in the civic process he said.
The city treasurer said she was going to inform citizens about the budget but would not be engaging them, advised Fiorito.
He explained that while he as new to the ways of city hall he expected more public participation.
It was at that point that Mayor Goldring interrupted Fiorito and explained that while he could talk about civic engagement he had to confine his remarks to how civic engagement related to the budget that council was considering.
We recall the Mayor interrupting delegations in the past but never on such a fine point,
Fiorito thought he was going to be able to talk about his concerns over the poor level of citizen engagement – the Mayor advised him that he could talk about his citizen engagement but only as it pertained to the budget – which was limiting what Fiorito had planned – but he recovered and went on to make his point – which was that the public really wasn’t in the room when the budget was being discussed
Fiorito was taken aback at first. His first comment was “Gee whiz” as he fumbled a bit to figure out how he was going to get back on track.
He did pretty well – pointing out to council that Seattle had held 38 neighbourhood meetings and involved 30,000 citizens.
This was the kind of thing he wanted to see happen in Burlington.
He also pointed out that there were no evening sessions in the committee meetings that went through the budget in detail.
The Clerk informed Fiorito that there was a planned evening session but no one asked to be a delegate.
 Most of the council members hold meetings in their wards to get local input. A couple of Ward 4 residents discuss a previous budget. Councillor Dennison told Fiorito that he held a budget meeting for ward 4 residents and it attracted more people than the city meeting held at Tansley Woods. Dennison serves water and popcorn – that must be the attraction.
Councillor Meed Ward explained to Fiorito that many people send email to council members directly and questions are answered.
She and the Mayor asked for a link to the Seattle procedures.
There was to be a second delegation from Robert Lovell who had planned on talking about the need for the Free Monday transit for seniors – but he decided not to speak.
Was Lovell spooked by the way Fiorito was cut off by the Mayor?
Was it necessary for the Mayor to interrupt Fiorito? We have heard others go much further off track than Fiorito did without being interrupted.
What was most disappointing was while Fiorito had strayed – this was his first delegation and the Mayor could have cut him some slack. Mayor Goldring did approach Fiorito after the meeting and apologized for having to interrupt and did invite him to meet with the Mayor and discuss his concerns.
What was disappointing as well was that the Mayor could have said that Burlington had some distance to go to pull in stronger citizen participation.
Those that might have watched the live broadcast will probably have concluded that delegating and getting shot down was not something they needed to experience.
 Vince Fiorito, delegating for the first time at a city council meeting brought back visions of the days when Councillor Meed Ward used to delegate and press council on better transparency and more accountability. Fiorito is cut from a different cloth. We saw traces of the original Marianne Meed Ward who delegated several dozen times pressing council to be more transparent and accountable before she was elected to office. And she began her climb to those august chambers several years before the 2010 election.
Fiorito seems to have decided to use the same approach. He will be worth watching. And don’t expect him to get tripped up again by the Mayor.
By Staff
January 25th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The residential tax rate for 2016 is going to be $17.10 per $100,000 of home assessment value.
City council approved the 2016 budget this evening which came in at an increase of 3.19% more than 2015.
Additional details will be published early Tuesday.
By Staff
January 25, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Halton Court Services is committed to providing our customers with the best service possible. Please take a few minutes to complete our customer service survey.
 Your comments will help us to see how we’re doing overall and where we can make improvements.
The response to this service will depend on whether one is a plaintiff or a defendant.
They are asking what you think – if you want to respond CLICK here.
 By Staff
January 25th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Ontario is taking action to combat contraband tobacco and keep our communities safe by creating a new Contraband Tobacco Enforcement Team within the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).
Located within the OPP’s Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau, the new team will be dedicated to investigating the smuggling and trafficking of contraband tobacco and will work closely with local, provincial, national and international enforcement agencies to combat and eliminate sophisticated contraband tobacco networks across Ontario.
 There are very few young men in high school who cannot tell you where to buy illegal cigarettes. The team will also work with the Ministry of Finance’s tobacco tax enforcement staff by sharing information and collaborating on contraband tobacco enforcement investigations. The Ministry of Finance will continue to provide tobacco enforcement through audits, inspections, and investigations.
Tobacco consumers should be aware that:
All legal cigarettes sold in cartons or packages have a legal yellow ‘ON Duty Paid Canada’ Ontario tobacco stamp, with only certain limited exceptions.
It is illegal to buy, possess or distribute untaxed cigarettes without proper authorization.
Punishment includes civil penalties, fines, and in some cases, jail time, depending on the quantity of contraband tobacco and conviction history.
Addressing contraband tobacco continues to be a priority for Ontario. Low-cost, contraband tobacco undermines provincial health objectives under the Smoke-Free Ontario Strategy, results in less tobacco tax revenues for critical public services our communities and families rely on, and compromises public safety through links with organized crime.
 Gary Grant is the national spokesperson for the National Coalition Against Contraband Tobacco. He is also a decorated retired police officer with the Toronto Police Service and current director and founder of Toronto Crime Stoppers. Since 2008 more than 252 million contraband cigarettes, 4.1 million untaxed cigars, and 169 million grams of untaxed fine-cut or other tobacco products have been seized by the Ministry of Finance.
The RCMP estimates that 175 criminal organizations are involved in contraband tobacco in Canada, and it is believed that many use it to finance more serious illegal activity, like drug and weapon trafficking.
Being caught in possession of a single pack of 20 contraband cigarettes will cost the purchaser $108.The fine for 50 cartons or baggies is $4,693 and possession of any more could send you to jail.
Anyone can anonymously report cigarettes being sold illegally, to Ontario Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, or online at TipSoft.
The provincial government seems to be more interested in stopping the sale of cigarettes on which they cannot collect taxes.
 If doctors said they were OK – then they had to be – right? Those same doctors then earned fees for trying to cure the lung cancer. After years of allowing the sale of a product that has had a devastating impact on the health of people who decided to smoke the province increased the taxes which created an opportunity for the criminal community to move in and sell cheap cigarettes.
 This dashing young man went on to become the President of the United state – don’t recall him every saying his promoting tobacco was something he regretted. The advertising and marketing community earned very fat fees for coming up with advertisements that convinced us smoking was cool, hip and the thing to do – and we still have tens of thousands of people who are still smoking. Those same advertising people have not managed to come up with advertisements that change the behaviour.
There are a whole bunch of conflicting purposes and agendas here – and I think the young people see it for what it is – hypocritical.
Related article:
Top cop rolls into town in a limo to tell media about the ills of illegal tobacco.
 By Pepper Parr
January 25th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
It is recognized as one of the most important dance productions ever mounted by Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the highly-acclaimed Going Home Star – Truth and Reconciliation.
It will be on the stage of the Performing Arts Centre for one show on February 4, 2016. Book tickets here.
 Royal Winnipeg Ballet dancers Sophie Lee and Liang Xing perform a Pas de Deux in Going Home Star “This is an amazing opportunity for our patrons to see this production,” said Suzanne Haines, Executive Director of The Burlington Performing Arts Centre, “we look forward to welcoming the Royal Winnipeg Ballet to Burlington.”
Described as “searing and sensitive,” this ” emotional classical ballet” was first envisioned by the late Cree elder-activist Mary Richard and RWB’s Artistic Director Andre Lewis. “We aim to boldly continue our mission to teach, create and perform outstanding dance with intent to entertain, inspire and move audiences and present works that resonate beyond the walls of the ballet,” adds Lewis.
Going Home Star – Truth and Reconciliation was created with the guidance of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and members of the Aboriginal community. Through stunning storytelling and captivating dance, this deeply moving ballet explores the powerful stories, both told and untold, of survivors of the Indian residential school system. The ballet explores the world of Annie, a young, urban First Nations woman adrift in a contemporary life of youthful excess. Annie feels strangely disconnected within her superficial loop. But when she meets Gordon, a long-haired trickster disguised as a homeless man, she’s propelled into a world she’s always sensed but never seen.
 Royal Winnipeg Ballet dancers Sophie Lee in Going Home Star Together, Annie and Gordon travel the streets of this world as well as the roads of their ancestors, learning that without truth, there is no reconciliation.
Going Home Star – Truth and Reconciliation is a representation of the many stories, both told and untold, by Indian Residential School Survivors and their families. The creative team that brought this story to life includes renowned choreographer Mark Godden, Canadian novelist and TRC Honorary Witness Joseph Boyden, Cree actress, former Member of Parliament, and TRC Honorary Witness Tina Keeper, Canadian multimedia artist KC Adams, accomplished costume designer Paul Daigle, and Juno Award-winning composer Christos Hatzis with Polaris Prize-winning Inuk throat singer Tanya Tagaq and Steve Wood and the Northern Cree Singers.
“Going Home Star – Truth and Reconciliation may be the most important work mounted by the Royal Winnipeg Ballet in its illustrious 75-year history,” boasts Robert Enright, of CBC News.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) was established in 2008 to tell Canadians about the history of Indian Residential Schools and the impacts it has had on Aboriginal children who were sent to the school by the Canadian government and to guide a process of reconciliation between and within Aboriginal families, communities, churches, governments and Canadians.
The TRC has a five-year mandate under the direction of the Chair, The Honourable Justice Murray Sinclair and Commissioners Chief Wilton Littlechild and Dr Marie Wilson.
The creation of the Residential Schools is one of the blackest marks on Canadian history. It is something for which we are all responsible -and it is up to all of us to repair as best we can the damage we did and make way for the aboriginal First Nation’s people to become what they have always been meant to be.
 It happened – we did this to these people – a process of Truth and Reconciliation can heal some of the wounds and repair some of the damage. Going Home Star was commissioned by Artistic Director André Lewis; the production explores the world of Annie, a young, urban First Nations woman adrift in a contemporary life of youthful excess. But when she meets Gordon, a longhaired trickster disguised as a homeless man, she’s propelled into a world she’s always sensed but never seen. Not only do they travel the streets of this place but also the roads of their ancestors, learning to accept the other’s burdens as the two walk through the past and toward the future.
Together, both Annie and Gordon learn that without truth, there is no reconciliation. Based on a story by award winning Canadian author, Joseph Boyden. The Royal Winnipeg Ballet is one of the world’s premier dance companies, founded in 1939.
Prior to all Dance Series performances join us in the lobby for pre-show chats by
Gary Smith, Hamilton Spectator – Ballet Review – Dance International.
Post-show talk backs will also take place, with various Artistic Directors and/or Company Members.
Ticket prices:
Regular Price: $59 + $2.50 Fee and HST (You Pay $69.50)
Senior Price: $47.20 + $2.50 Fee and HST (You Pay $56.17)
Youth/Child Price: $25 + $2.50 Fee and HST (You Pay $31.08)
Series Price: $53.10 + $2.50 Fee and HST (You Pay $62.83)
 By Staff
January 25, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington’s Will Finch, the record-setting, fourth-year quarterback of the University of Western Ontario Mustangs is calling it a career.
 Will Finch – A Nelson High graduate who went on to Western where he broke most of the existing records. Finch was one of the Canada’s most highly sought after recruits when he graduated from Nelson High School in 2012. He led the Lords to an undefeated 12-0 season, and the Golden Horseshoe Bowl title in 2011.
One of London’s best known athletes, one whose concussions have sidelined him before, is retiring to avoid risking further injury. Each of his last three seasons has been interrupted by injury. He missed the end of the 2014 and 2015 Ontario University Association seasons because of concussions.
 A remarkable football player who had a remarkable career. The awareness of the impact of brain injuries on athletes at all levels has grown dramatically in recent years, underscored by the 2015 Hollywood movie “Concussion.” The film is about Dr. Bennet Omalu, a pathologist, who uncovered the truth about brain injuries among players in the National Football League.
In Canada, Leo Ezerins, Executive Director of the Canadian Football League Alumni Association, and Toronto Rehab and Toronto Western Hospital have been at the forefront of research into brain injuries for the past seven years.
Caused by blows to the head or violent hits to the upper body, common in contact sports, the effects of concussions are usually temporary, but can range from headaches and problems concentrating, to memory and balance problems.
In London, medical professionals have been on the cutting edge of concussion research and treatment. The Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic, founded in 1974, has had more than 2,000 visits by hockey, soccer, basketball and football players with sports concussions.
Dr. Henry Svec, a psychologist who operates the Dr. Svec Institute and Rehabilitation Clinics in several cities in Southwestern Ontario, and a former Mustang football player who deals with traumatic brain injuries, called Finch’s decision, speaking as a fan and alumni, a “courageous one.”
But Svec said too often not enough is done to diagnose the severity of a concussion and not enough recovery time is allocated for the brain to heal and rehabilitate after an injury.
 Will Finch – he had a great arm and an even better eye – always knew where the ball had to go. In his four years at Western, Finch played 30 regular-season games — completing 533 of 790 passes for 8,243 yards, 57 touchdowns and 24 interceptions. He also had more than 1,200 yards rushing. In six playoff games, he had 1,372 yards passing.
His best season was 2013-14 when he played in all eight regular-season games and three playoff games. In the regular season, he completed 191 of 274 passes for 3,047 yards and 21 touchdowns, with six interceptions.
 Will Finch In the playoffs he completed 48 of 78 passes for 576 yards and three touchdowns. He set an Ontario University Athletics record with 3,047 passing yards, and a 69.7 completion percentage. He was the 2013 OUA most valuable player and Hec Crighton Trophy nominee.
By Pepper Parr
January 22, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
It’s called being between a rock and a hard place, The rules will ‘get ya’ every time.
Your city council and the staff at city hall will say, whenever they get the chance, that they are always transparent and always accountable and that they are there to serve the people of the city.
The words “citizen engagement” are sprinkled throughout the Strategic Plan that is working its way through the bureaucracy.
Look at this situation and see if you can find the transparency or the accountability or even a smidgen of citizen engagement.
 Director of Finance Joan Ford does a great job of providing the data. Burlington has a very good finance department; some of the most diligent people on the city payroll work in that department. They usually always have their fingers on whatever number a member of council might want. Whenever Treasurer Joan Ford doesn’t have a number at her finger tips or makes a small mistake she actually blushes with embarrassment and correct the error very quickly.
Our only beef is that the finance people are not particularly interested in engaging the citizens of the city – they are interested, and are very good at informing the public. These are two different approaches to civic government.
But that is not the current issue. The finance people set an aggressive agenda to get the 2016 budget completed. Debates on the budget take place within a Standing Committee.
Staff set out several days for the process of budget delegations and debate to take place.
Tuesday, January 19th: 10:30 to 6:30 – the meeting ended just after 4:30 pm
Wednesday January 20th: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Thursday January 21st: 3:00 pm to 5:30 pm. This meeting did not take place; the Standing Committee was able to adjourn at 4:00 on the Wednesday when they set they recommended a tax increase of 3.16%
Delegations were held on the Tuesday during the day. For some reason they saw no reason to hold evening sessions- why not?
Why wasn’t there more in the way of public notices – the Gazette would have cheerfully run an advertisement for the city had they chosen to use our medium – which gives better value than any other media in the city – but I digress.
The delegations were strong, factual and well delivered and members of council certainly engaged those who were on hand to speak.
The Council debate took place the following day – the Gazette and the Spectator were the only media present.
It was a good debate – we saw some staff behave in a very disrespectful manner when a member of council put forward some data that was supplied by Oakville on their Free Monday for seniors program. A city Director came very close to saying he didn’t believe the numbers read out to him from the Oakville Director of transit. Our city manager, a former Canadian Armed Forces Captain, knows what insubordination is, quite why he didn’t intercede is a question he might want to answer.
When it came to a vote – those wanting the Free Monday transit for seniors lost on a 4 against – 3 for vote.
Councillor Craven is reported to have told an Aldershot resident that he liked the program – but he did not vote for it – that may have been because almost anything Councillor Meed Ward puts forward, Craven opposes. He didn’t speak at any length on the matter during the debate.
 Councillor Paul Sharman voted no – he wanted more data. Councillor Sharman always wants more data before he makes a decision – there does come a point when a decision has to be made based on experience and wisdom. There was the sense that the asking for additional data was punting the ball off the field.
 Councillor John Taylor – he voted no – saw free transit as social welfare which most people didn’t need. Councillor Taylor couldn’t help but see Free transit as some form of social welfare; his mind is still stuck in that old style thinking.
One wonders why Taylor does not label the $225,000 that is forgone in terms of parking fees for the free parking members of staff get every year. With that kind of money the city could make the transit service free to everyone.
Votes can be changed at city council; members can change their mind when they have new information.
But here is the rub. If council votes a second time on the budget matter of free transit for seniors on Monday’s and the vote is lost a second time – it cannot be brought back to council again for the balance of the term of office of this council – two and half years, unless the motion is brought by one of the people who originally voted against the motion – and that vote must pass with a 5-2 for vote just to get it on the table.
That is a high hill to have to climb and would make anyone who wanted to attempt to have the vote over turned at council think twice. Forcing the vote kills the opportunity for the balance of this term of office – which we suspect is exactly what some of the Councillors wanted.
A wiser mind would get into discussions with any member of Council they thought could be swayed – and if the votes were not there – then go to ground and wait for the right opportunity.
There is nothing to prevent council from asking the transit people to prepare the document that would set out what the metrics would be to measure a successful pilot program.
At one point Director of Transit said he could have the document done in a day – when pressed a bit he said he would need a couple of weeks.
 Transit Director Mike Spicer, in the yellow shirt, shows Mayor Goldring what he wants in the way of new buses. The pilot program wasn’t due to start until April – so Mike Spicer, the Director of Transit has all kind of time to prepare a report – he might use some of that time to meet with his peer in Oakville and learn just how they made their program work.
There is a sliver of hope for the program. Mayor Goldring suggested that the transit people might want to use the pilot project as a marketing initiative – their response to that was they already had a number of marketing programs.
And how well are they working ? is a question the Mayor might have reasonably asked.
Rick Goldring doesn’t yet fully understand what it is to be a Mayor – as the Chief Magistrate he has a “bully pulpit” which he hasn’t learned to use. He could have and should have asked the Director of Transit to re-think his response and then invite the City Manager and the Director in for a cup of coffee and a chat.
 Mayor Rick Goldring on one of the few occasions that he wore his chain of office during an interview. During the debate James Ridge, City Manager, wouldn’t touch the question. He said – and he right – “this is a political decision.”
That chain of Office the Mayor wears isn’t just a piece of bling. It is a symbol of the office he holds and the authority given him.
There was an opportunity to do something bold, something visionary and, in the words of Jim Young, a chance to show Burlington as a caring, conscientious community.
By Pepper Parr
January 22, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
A funeral at a Performing Arts Centre? Well first it wasn’t a funeral – it was a celebration of the life of Thomas Sutherland – everyone in the theatre knew him as Tom.
It wasn’t a sold out event but it was better than many of the events for which tickets are sold.
A good 450+ were in their seats to listen to people who loved Tom dearly and wanted to talk about him before his passing in a very sudden death that no one was ready for begins to be forgotten.
His children Kirsten, Derrick and Matthew were there as were his grandchildren: Noel, Gavin, Oland and Jamie.
Walter Mulkewich asked the audience to “grieve the loss of a good man”.
 The arts were a big part of Tom’s life – he was an active supporter of the Performing Arts Centre and what was the Burlington Cultural Centre when he first got involved. I didn’t know Tom all that well – we would cross paths – we were both big L liberals and believed in the cause.
I last saw Tom at the Liberal Christmas Party at the Polish Hall. He was his usual loquacious self. I sort of knew he sang but wasn’t fully aware of the roll music played in his life.
That evening he sang and had MPP Eleanor McMahon joining her voice with his. I thought at the time – we are going to hear more of these two. McMahon likes to ham it up and, if one was to believe all that was said at the celebration of Tom’s life this afternoon – Tom was a born arm twister, could sell ice cubes to Eskimos and encyclopedia’s to people who didn’t know they really needed a set of the books until Tom got in front of them.
He sold the Spectator on the corner of King and James in Hamilton when he was a couple of sizes above a sprout – and as his sister told that story you could almost hear him calling out: Extra, Extra – real all about it in the Spectator. There was a time when that was the way newspapers were sold.
Tom did it all –and he did it his way. He loved to take the Frank Sinatra songs and sing his heart out. During the video that was played on Tom with all kinds of pictures there was his voice. I found myself asking if that was Tom or Frank himself.
 Was he singing or was he giving a speech? For Tom Sutherland they were one in the same – he did prefer the singing. The remarks made by the several people who spoke were more political than I expected and were, I suspect, a significant change for Burlington. The Liberals have only held the two seats for just over a year.
Tom ran federally again Bill Kempling in 1978 and again in 1980; he was the kind of guy who couldn’t pass up on an election campaign. Both MPP McMahon and MP Gould spoke entertainingly about their door to door experiences with the man.
One of the highlights of Tom’s personal political career was the occasion he got to introduce then Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau
He was clearly loved and treasured – he was a one of 11 children – with five of his brothers passing before him.
His sister Loretta spoke of the occasions when the family would be at the pier on the Beach in Burlington – no not the one we paid $14 million for – one of the wooden structures that were a part of the city we have forgotten about. But the Sutherland family hasn’t forgotten those days.
For a family of 11 – it was as if they were a small tribe – they cared for each other; the love was the glue that kept them all together; it was so evident in the pictures that were shown on the screen at the Performing Arts Centre on a Friday afternoon when several hundred people paused in their busy day to Thomas Sutherland.
 Minor transit delays Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016 during Robbie Burns Road Race
Minor delays can be expected this Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016 on routes 2, 3, 21 and 25 from approximately 9 to 11 a.m. in downtown Burlington during the Robbie Burns Road Race.
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By Staff
On Monday, Feb. 1, starting at 10 a.m., downtown Burlington will experience road closures and parking restrictions as a heritage home at 1437 Elgin St. is moved to its new location at 470 Maple Ave.
