By Pepper Parr
 BURLINGTON, ON August 16, 2011 The federal government announced today that the ships at sea, which have been until now known as the Maritime Command, will now again be referred to as the Royal Canadian Navy and the air force would be known as the Royal Canadian Air Force.
 They were always the Royal Canadian Navy. The government just forgot to use the words for the last 45 years. In 1968 then Minister of Defense Paul Hellyer, took away the Royal reference as part of his drive to integrate the three armed forces.
Now perhaps they will fly the white ensign and get things back to where they were before the politicians got silly.
Finally, some common sense and a respect for tradition and history has returned to the country. Hopefully they will serve us a double ration of rum today.
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By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON August 15, 2011 – The Queensway community, that collection of neat, smallish houses on really large lots south of the QEW and west of Guelph Line has decided they don’t think they have to accept the decision of city council to let a developer put up 54 units on land that had just six dwellings and they have taken their complaint to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) where they will argue their case for a reduction in the number of units.
Until there is a decision, the develop has to sit on his hands and wait. Richard Szymczyk, the very able community spokesperson is leading the effort even though he no longer lives in the community. His view is that he doesn’t want to abandon his neighbours even though he doesn’t live amongst them.
 Sign selling homes that may not get built for some time.. Szymczyk put forward a pretty sound argument at the committee level where his neighbours were also heard. When the matter got to Council, Szymczyk got cut short and wasn’t given time to complete his delegation. He had gone past the five minutes allotted but others had been given a little extra time in the past. Queensway didn’t get that courtesy.
Burlington knows that it has to intensify and the Queensway community looked like a good place to add additional housing – most felt that going from 6 to 54 was just a bit too much. Let’s see what the OMB thinks.
When the community took their argument to city council they failed to convince a majority that the development was far too big. Szymczyk had a number of very capable communicators with him – it will be interesting to see how the OMB reacts to their concerns.
We will try to keep you posted.
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By Pepper Parr
 BURLINGTON, ON August 15th, 2011 – Elections are fascinating events. People talk about who is going to run for public office and who is ahead and why this person should hold office and why this person shouldn’t.
We organize our elections around political parties whose members decide who their candidate will be. The political party that wins the most seats forms the government. We’ve been doing it that was since Confederation. However, one does not have to belong to a political party to run for public office. A person can deice to run as an independent and not be attached to a political party. There is an honourable tradition of independents in this country – and Burlington just might produce the next independent to sit in the provincial legislature.
 Casey Cosgrove – running as an independent? It all seemed to start with some chatter on the internet between Casey Cosgrove, Lawrence Winterburn and Brian Heagle. Here is the way the Facebook chatter went.
Casey Cosgrove had made a comment about the way the provincial election was going and Brian Heagle, 2009 Citizen of the Year, candidate for Ward 4 in the last municipal election and a candidate for the Progressive Conservative nomination before he withdrew replied:
Heagle wrote: “Casey, I didn’t realize you spoke Daltonese – and in several languages!. The decision to “green light” redevelopment is opportunistic, but not just for Liberals with their vote-getting timing. It’s the chance for Burlington voters to elect an MPP who understands and will support the community for such a vitally important concern – regardless of political orientation, or who may want to “kill the deal”. Voters need to look closely at the individual, not so much their Party, in this case. We will need a true local champion with integrity, smarts and tenacity to keep the “green light” on after October 6.”
Cosgrove, who was a candidate in Ward 5 in the 2006 election and came a very respectable second (480 votes behind Rick Goldring who won and went on to challenge Mayor Cam Jackson in 2010 and won at that level as well.) Cosgrove is the director of the Canadian Centre for Financial Literacy (CCFL), which is a division of the national charitable organization and also teaches at Guelph University, Casey responded: “..now you’ve got me thinking of running as an independent in October. gosh, just when things were quieting down around here..”
Lawrence Winterburn then jumped in with:
“Paying wealthy people to put up solar panels, increasing taxes in the middle of a recession-(no Ontario isn’t even close to back where we were-regardless of propaganda-), Trading good paying jobs for part time retail sounds like a progressive plan. Ontario has great leadership presently…. of course I have a 60 IQ and I am blind from starvation…but yes, re-elect Dalton. Casey–you will notice this is a non- partisan comment, any party is fine with me too, I just want somebody with benevolence, intellect and honorable intent.”
Heagle came back with:
“Casey, I believe Lawrence may have just provided your campaign for MPP with a great slogan: “Cosgrove – The Benevolent Independent”.”
Cosgrove wasn’t going to let that stand and came back with:
“I don’t use words I can’t define. I don’t like independent, I prefer interdependent. Brian, I have a couple hundred ‘engage, listen, lead’ signs that have been rotting behind the shed for 6 years – I may just use those. I also have 2 old Heagle signs back there if you want them :)”
The dialogue then took a surprising twist when Casey wrote:
“Brian, I will credit you and one other friend-Chris K, for getting me worked up enough that I may just do this. so tired of all three leaders…just cleared it with Bryna.. Looks like one more kick at the can for me :). Larry – I know you will join my team!”
Later in the day Cosgrove goes public – sort of ands says:
Musing today about a run in the fall election as an independent (interdependent). Not sure I could sit under a banner of any of the three party leaders at this point, so why not just run under my own ‘Burlington ‘ banner? Am I joking? Not really. Bryna just smiled, gave me that ‘uh,oh, I see that look in your eyes’ glance….hmmm, decisions, decisions.. 🙂
In a message sent to us from Cosgrove he said: “I clearly don’t mind people knowing I’m frustrated enough to be thinking about this, but I wanted you to know I will spend the next couple weeks at the cottage with the family before even considering jumping in. Just wanted to be up front with you.
Cosgrove seems to have said he could be an independent candidate and go after the Burlington seat at Queen’s Park. Wow, this social media does make things happen. We may not use the media the way the thugs in London use it and we may not use it to take to the streets the way they did in Cairo – but seeing it used to bring another candidate to the surface. Amazing, truly amazing.
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By Pepper Parr
 BURLINGTON, ON August 11, 2010 The announcement to expand Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital is a reason to celebrate,” said Karmel Sakran, Liberal candidate in Burlington.
Hamilton Mountain MPP Sophia Aggelonitis and Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale MPP Ted McMeekin, on behalf of Health and Long-Term Care Minister Deb Matthews, announced funding for the long awaited expansion of the hospital.
“As a kid, I lived two blocks from Joseph Brant and I determined some day I would be part of that great hospital. Like you, I have seen Joseph Brant neglected by one government after another and not receive needed expansion funding. As a member of the Hospital Board that put the strategic plan together over the last two years, I am proud to see the McGuinty government respond to our plan and approve the expansion,” Sakran said.
 Anyone who was anybody was there – but not a dollar to be seen from the provincial government Sakran said one of the reasons he’s running is the McGuinty Government’s commitment to healthcare. “Dalton McGuinty expands and builds new hospitals. Unlike the previous PC government which shut the doors on 28 hospitals during the Harris/Hudak years” said Sakran
“I congratulate our community and the government for working together in a co-operative spirit that is moving us forward. Now we must carefully engage in the planning process to ensure that we get the expansion right for the people of Burlington,” said Sakran.
That was Karmel Sakran’s take on the announce made Wednesday afternoon at an elaborately event that included a large white tent for the assembled dignitaries who made speech after speech – but the odd part was that no one said exactly how much money the government was going to spend or what kind of a partnership there would be or when construction would start. The audience was told that the hospital was going to be expanded – that is WAS going to happen.
It would help if the financing of the upgrade were a little clearer. Burlington citizens have had a small levy for the hospital improvement added to their tax bills – $4 for every $100,000 of assessment. And the city has $4.8 million sitting in a bank account that the hospital would like to see sent their way yesterday, but that money isn’t going to move until there is a Memorandum of Agreement in place.
The hospital foundation has said it will raise $60 million – so we have $120 million coming from the community.
 Ted McMeekin announcing that the government will put up some of the money for a major upgrade to the hospital. Didn’t say how much or when the check might be in the mail. Burlington has committed $60 million. I thought health was a provincial responsibility. McMeekin, who was once a patient at the hospital, didn’t put out any numbers but the hospital has been working with a figure of $312 million. The understanding is that the province will use its Alternative Funding Plan (AFP) to get the hospital upgraded. The AFP is a plan that has private contractors building the hospital and then maintaining it for a period of time, in this case reportedly through to 2043, during which time the contractors will see something in the order of $1 billion flow their way. Sort of like the 407 – forever and ever kind of thing.
Hospitals are very complex structures and it will take some time to get the plans drawn up. Eric Vanderwall, President and Chief Executive Officer of the hospital corporation, is said to have put out a date of 2017 before new patients get treated at the hospital.
Later on Burlington Mayor Rick Goldring put out a press release saying the announcement is good news for the people of Burlington. He called it “an awesome day, an historic day,” for the city. “No one wants to end up in hospital, but when you do, you want the best care possible as close to home as possible. Thanks to the hard work of the previous mayor and council, the current council and our provincial funding partners, the dream of a redeveloped hospital can become a reality.”
In December 2009, city council approved not more than $60 million as a municipal contribution for the proposed hospital redevelopment plan. The city is working on a memorandum of understanding and contribution agreement with the hospital that will outline when and how Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital will receive the city funding.
The city began collecting $1.2 million in 2010 and 2011 through a special tax levy. City Council earmarked $2.4 million from previous years’ surpluses, and now has $4.8 million committed in a reserve fund earning interest. The tax levy amounts to $4 for each $100,000 of residential assessment.
“The city has shown leadership in committing $60 million for the hospital redevelopment, and taxpayers have confirmed they think this money should be spent on improving our community hospital,” said Steve Zorbas, acting city manager. “We now need to look at next steps, working with the hospital and our community to raise the money needed to complete the redevelopment project.”
“The estimated cost for Phase 1 of the Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital redevelopment is more than $300 million. The planned local share is $120 million. The Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation has committed to raising $60 million through a fundraising campaign in addition to the city’s contribution of $60 million”, said Goldring.
 So far all Burlington has is this nice drawing. No financial commitment from the province and no start date for the project. We are told it will be six storeys high. The Pier will open before they start digging any holes in the ground. A much needed upgrade is now a certainty, according to provincial government Ministers and every one of them will tell you there is no link between the announcement and the forthcoming provincial election. Right.
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By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON August 12, 2011 — It was a unique idea – why not put a school, a library and a community sports complex all in one place and attached to each other ? And why not do it in a brand new community. Do you think it would work?
Burlington is in the process of finding out if three organizations that are in place to serve the public can adjust their operating procedures enough to be able to work together. Cindy Mercanti, Manager Recreation Services for the city of Burlington speaks glowing of the process and how well it has worked so far.
Getting this project to the point where shovels will begin to dig into the ground had to work its way through reams of paper – and you know what that means: lawyers. There were so many lawyers on this file that they had to hire a law firm to write the definitive agreement to ensure that no one party favoured themselves. Nancy Shea Nicol advised a city council committee that herding the lawyers was not quite as difficult as herding cats and that except for some concerns with the drafting of the operating agreement – it went pretty well.
Organizationally it was quite a challenge but fair minded people with willing hearts put together a collection of committees and got on with the job of making it happen.
 The last major housing development in Burlington is well underway. Occupancy should begin late in the year. At this point, August of 2011, construction on the skate board park is well underway and should be opening sometime in the fall. Off in the background of where the skate board rink is being built one can see the frames of new houses going up and construction vehicles running up and down Tim Dobbie Drive, the street that dissects the location which is immediately north of Dundas and west of Walkers line.
The Skate Board park and playing fields will be to the east of Tim Dobbie Drive with the combined library, community sports centre and the school will be on the west side along with additional playing fields. The North Burlington Skate Park is being built as part of the Norton Park development. It is targeted to be complete mid-October, 2011.
 Manager Recreational Services for the city of Burlington, stands in front of the transit being used by engineers as they work on the construction of the skate board rink that is part of the Norton development across the street from the high school, library, community centre complex. The only thing not on the site (yet?) is a Tim Hortons. The Alton community was the last large greenfield residential construction project for Burlington on land that had been zoned for housing. At some point in the not too distant future some of the lands that are designated employment lands may get re-designated and become available for housing but at the moment Alton is the last big one – and big it is.
The city of Burlington, who are not the lead on this project, insisted that all the agreements be in place, signed and approved by the various boards involved before any tenders were awarded.
 The community site is on the eastern side of Tim Dobbie Drive north of Dundas. A sports fields and a skate board rink are on the east side. Rink is expected to open in September.
The lead on the construction side of the project is the Halton District School Board. The project was tendered and the best bid came in from Bondfield Construction at a cost of just over $40 million. Burlington’s piece of that cost is $13.9 million. The bid is good until August 17th – the same day that the city will open bids from construction companies for the completion of the Brant Street Pier. If all these project get completed on time 2013 is going to be a ‘gang busters’ year for Burlington. We may not be able to live with all that success. Shovels are expected to go into the ground for the community centre part in September. The project has yet to be given a name. Please not another politician, there is a veteran who got passed over just awhile ago – maybe time to remember him?
At a July Council committee meeting council members were brought up to date and advised how well the project was going. The only hiccup was mention of a budget shortfall. There no panic, but at the time the HDSB was still shy close to $1.7 million for their part of the project.
The Burlington Library, The Halton District School Board and the City of Burlington are all part of this unique arrangement with Burlington Hydro in the mix as well. They are installing the solar panels that will be on the roofs collecting sunshine and pumping that energy back into the electricity grid.
 Architects rendering of what the three part complex will look like. A high school, a community centre and a library are all linked together into a single complex. Construction is scheduled to start in September.
So – what’s the big deal about this project. To most people it would make sense to have a library, a school and a community sports complex all in one place. The students could use the library, which would be part of the complex and evening sports events could use the gymnasium facilities that are part of the school. Common sense was written all over the idea. The stumbling blocks were at the organization level, where the operating cultures are quite different.
A high school principal runs one kind of organization and has obligations that must be met under the Education Act while the Chief Librarian runs a significantly different origination which is, yet again, quite a bit different that a community centre. Parks and recreation has a totally different culture and operating procedures. Each had to be identified and understood by all the parties involved and then adjusted enough to be able to work together seamlessly. Getting them all pulling together at the same time and in the same direction was much easier said than done. But in Burlington – it looks as if it is going to get done.
The people behind this are thinking well outside the box are not just linking up a couple of buildings. Heating and air-conditioning – vital – but did there have to be three separate systems? Why not just the one – sure but then how do you figure out how much each participant pays when the hydro bill comes in and who gets the benefit of those solar panels on the roof ?
Are you getting the sense that there were a lot of committee meetings going on. You betcha there were. And the lawyers were in their big time. First there was an all party Joint Development Agreement that set out the sharing of the design ands construction costs. Care to guess how many drafts that went through?
The project came together when Leo DeLoyde, GM Development and Infrastructure, asked then newcomer Scott Stewart if he would talk to the people at Parks and Recreation to see if anything could be done
This project however is planned as much more than a collection of organizations coming together to benefit from synergies and scale and the cost savings that come from a larger project. The group involved the Burlington Tourism office which was the first signal that something quite a bit bigger is planned.
 Once the building is open and operational the layout above give you a sense of what will exist and how all the parts are linked together. One wonders where the hallway monitors at the high school will end their rounds. Maybe no monitors?
The city wants to create a centre where provincial level sports events can take place and Burlington is being positioned as the community that has it all. The focus is going to be on floor sports: basketball, badminton and volleyball are the original focus. Meetings have already been held with the provincial sports organizations and while there are no events scheduled for the facility yet – those 32 foot ceilings and four courts all in one large space with up to date change rooms and a large venue – will certainly put Burlington on the map for the provincial level sports community. Burlington Tourism will finally have something to sell – I mean Spencer smith Park can only take you so far.
While having a flashy new facility with all the whistles and bells will certainly draw flies, it has to work as a single entity – and that is where the magic in this initiative exists.
There was a Steering Committee, a Construction Team as well as an Operational Team, and various sub-teams. The Steering Committee has representatives from all three organizations and is overseeing the project and the development of the various agreements. The Construction Team deals with all aspects of construction and has representatives from all organizations as well as the architect.
 Cindy Mercanti stands before the bill board that shows what is about to be built on the site north of Dundas and West of Walkers Line. Major change for that part of Burlington. The Operational Team assisted the Construction Team with detailed design and has led in the development of the operating model and operations and maintenance agreement. Similar to the Construction Team, representatives from all three organizations participate. And there are sub-teams all over the place from the three organizations. As Cindy Mercanti explained it: “This was a very collaborative process” The city team included Parks and Recreation, Roads and Parks Maintenance and Community Strategic Initiatives
The three groups of people from three significantly different organizations made this happen. Let us return and tell you who they are and how they managed to make it all come together and work – so far.
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By Staff
 BURLINGTON, ON August 12, 2011 Halton Regional Police Service is investigating a break and enter to a Greening Lane residence in Burlington.
Shortly after 3 a.m. on August 5th, a homeowner was awoken by a noise inside the house. The homeowner saw a shadow near the top of his stairs and called out. The suspect was startled and fled the house.
Investigation revealed the suspect had gained entry to the house by cutting a screen on a window at the rear of the residence. While inside the house the suspect had removed the homeowner’s wallet, a cell phone and camera from downstairs.
The suspect is believed to be a male party approximately 5’9″-5’10” with an average build.
Halton Regional Police remind homeowners to lock their backyard gates and to be mindful of not leaving windows unlocked especially during the hot summer months.
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).
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By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON August 12, 2010 – The following beaches have high levels of bacteria and are unsafe for swimming:
Oakville
Coronation Park East,
Coronation Park West,
Bronte Beach Park
The Halton Region Health Department tests recreational water throughout Halton. Beach water samples taken on August 9 and 10 revealed the following beaches have acceptable levels of bacteria and are safe for swimming:
• Burlington – Beachway Park North, Beachway Park South
• Halton Hills – Prospect Park Old Beach
• Milton – Kelso Conservation Area
Residents can also call Halton Region to find out which beaches have acceptable levels of bacteria or which have been posted as unsafe for swimming due to poor water quality. Beach water quality information is available 24 hours a day by dialing 311 or calling 905-825-6000, toll free 1-866-442-5866 or TTY 905-827-9983. During regular business hours ask for beach information, and after regular business hours press 0 for health information.
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By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON August 12, 2010 – She is certainly banging out the press releases and based on her words every announcement the government makes has a “crass political” purposes behind it. Peggy Russell is one tough lady – don’t mess with her.
 NDP candidate Peggy Russell supports the need for a hospital upgrade – she just doesn’t like the way the government apparently wants to pay for it. She says: “After 8 years of silence”, and an in less than 60 days “the McGuinty Liberal government finally found their way to Burlington’s waterfront to announce infrastructure support for Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital. Ancaster Dundas Flamborough Westdale MPP Ted McMeekin was in town to make the announcement, surrounded by Liberal Party candidates.” Russell says she “was not surprised by this crass political move in the run up to an election. and says, “I have been an elected official during both the Harris and McGuinty governments and what has been clear in both cases is that between elections Burlington issues tend to get ignored and then come election time the promises begin. I have seen this story before.” She said exactly the same thing in the last press release. Someone get Peggy a dictionary.
“Also unsurprising” says Russell “is the Liberal Plan to finance the hospital expansion and modernization through a private financing scheme. While the full details of what is planned have not been released, the Liberal government has indicated that it will continue with the P3 model of funding that they have renamed AFP (Alternative Financing Plan). Given the significant cost overruns and service reductions that have happened under this model, first adopted by Mike Harris”, Russell says the community has good reason to be concerned.
 NDP candidate Peggy Russell says Ted McMeekin, Liberal Cabinet Minister, invited all his Liberal friends to the hospital upgrade announcement. He didn’t invite Russell and he apparently didn’t invite the sitting member Joyce Savoline either. “In Brampton this model meant an increased cost to taxpayers of over $200 million dollars. In Ottawa it has meant a reduction of 96 beds at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre. McGuinty used to dismiss these private financing schemes as opposition leader but as Premier he has turned a Mike Harris pilot into an Ontario-wide private health plan.”
Them’s fightin words folks!
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By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON August 11, 2011 — The dance cards are beginning to fill up with the Chamber of Commerce announcing they will put on their traditional all candidate event to help businesses make an informed decision about their vote for Burlington’s next Member of Provincial Parliament.
The event is to take place September 27 at what is now the Burlington Hotel & Conference Centre. Used to be the Holiday Inn on South Service Road just east of Guelph Line.
Registration desk opens at 7:30 a.m. with a continental breakfast. The question and answer session runs from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. The meeting is free to Chamber members and costs $10.00 (including HST) for non-members. You must sign up in advance.
All candidates have confirmed their attendance at what will be a moderated question and answer session where attendees can ask questions of each of the candidates. We don’t do debates in Burlington, which is unfortunate for debate brings out the strengths and weaknesses in candidates. Can you imagine the national TV networks doing a moderated Question and Answer session. Debate allowed Brian Mulroney to show a side of John Turner we had never seen before. Imagine too – John Diefenbaker in a moderated session. But this is Burlington.
The event is sponsored by the Realtors Association of Hamilton-Burlington.
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By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON August 6, 2011 – It was a brief ceremony, I mean we were doing a photo-op for the opening of a splash pad at a 40 year old public swimming pool that was badly in need of an upgrade, so it had to be mercifully brief, and it was..
 Those yellow shorts belong to one of the city’s General Manager’s – and it isn’t Kim Phillips. It was a “casual” event. Ward 3 Councillor John Taylor has been fighting at council committee meetings for some of the federal gravy to spill into his ward and today he was there to see the reward on the table. The governments of Canada and Ontario have each committed $825,000 to the project, while the City of Burlington will contribute the balance of the total project cost of $2.475 million that upgraded forest trails, paved paths, put in a seating area; added a playground, a multi-use court with basketball and skate elements, in addition to an enhanced entrance and screened parking. The project also brought enhancements to the outdoor pool area, which includes a new splash pad that features a large water play structure and water play elements.
Taylor also let his community know that there was even more gravy coming their way. He proudly announced that City Council had approved funds in the 2012 budget to add an upper level and a small community centre with meeting rooms. Architects have been hired with an opening scheduled for sometime in 2013. The pool is set in what is a 30 acre park.
Mike Wallace, MP for Burlington; Ted McMeekin, MPP for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale; and John Taylor, Ward 3 Councillor and Deputy Mayor of Burlington, participated in the celebration of this important community recreational infrastructure project. Acting Director of Parks and Recreation and some of his staff were also on hand.
 It took a lot of stick handling for Councillor John Taylor to get to this point. Next for the community – an expanded community centre in the 30m acre park. “Stimulating the economy and creating new opportunities for healthier, more active living in our communities supports Building Together, Ontario’s long-term infrastructure plan. In Burlington, Building Together is helping to repair, rebuild and renew our sport and recreational facilities, providing spaces for families to enjoy for years to come,” said MPP McMeekin, who was apparently filling in for MPP Joyce Savoline who appears to be missing in action.
“One of the most significant things about this project for me, was that while enhancing the pool and park we were still able to meet the community’s objectives of preserving the remarkable forest and natural area,” said Ward 3 Councillor and Deputy Mayor John Taylor who was subbing for the mayor who is on vacation. This was a project Taylor really wanted for his community.
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By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON August 10th, 2010 – When you get nominated just 71 days before the election and the President of the political party association doesn’t show up and nor does the sitting member, you know one thing – there is trouble in paradise.
We are in the process of interviewing every candidate and have given Progressive Conservative Jane McKenna a little more time to pull her team together. She may be looking for someone to decorate her office.
 Peggy Russell Burlington’s NDP candidate Meanwhile, NDP candidate Peggy Russell says she is suspicious of Liberal promises. She said in a press release that “after 8 years of silence, the Liberal government recently indicated that we might soon see an announcement in regards to our hospital. Now, the McGuinty Liberals also appear to have suspended their plans to push a new highway through sensitive Niagara Escarpment lands in Burlington.” Russell says she was not surprised by these crass political moves in the run up to an election.”
“I have been an elected official during both the Harris and McGuinty governments and what has been clear in both cases is that between elections Burlington issues tend to get ignored and then come election time the promises begin. I have seen this story before.” And Peggy is surprised at this? The New Democrats did much the same thing when they formed a government – except they didn’t last long enough to form a second government. Few have forgotten the Rae Days
“Liberal Transportation Minister Kathleen Wynne has only made a vague promise (it really wasn’t a vague promise – she just didn’t follow up or through on her words) at a local Liberal Party organized event. But, what does it mean? The Government of Ontario website has no record of the Minister’s local promise or a changed government position on the mid-peninsula highway, at least yet, and the Minister did not cancel the ongoing study for the proposed highway. No announcement has been made about how the Liberals will deal with the congestion and transportation needs of this area.”
Feisty isn’t she?
 Liberal candidate Karmel Sakran stands proudly before the sign being installed outside his campaign office on Guelph Line Karmel Sakran, the Liberal candidate made a strategic decision not to have a campaign office on Fairview Avenue, the traditional location for campaign offices in Burlington but instead opened his in a small plaza on Guelph Line, south of Upper Middle Road and North of the QEW. Karmel thought he might open a small sand that people could drop by for a chat outside the campaign office.
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By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON August 10, 2011 Taken the bus in Burlington recently? Not that many people do take the bus. Students use public transit because they have to; seniors sometimes have to because they don’t drive and people on limited incomes just can’t afford a car – so it’s public transit for them.
 New bus cuts through a ribbon at the opening of the new Transit Operations Centre. Lot of city hall talent on hand to cut a ribbon. How much did it cost to have them all there to get their picture taken? Did they take the bus or did they drive individual cars? Burlington is a car city – most houses have two cars in the garage or driveway. If you want to get around Burlington quickly – you drive. The city gives its employees the choice of a transit pass or free parking. Guess which most choose ?
The city spends a lot of money on its transit system and many feel the busses we have on the road aren’t effectively used. Council member Paul Sharman got himself electe4d on a transit issue and he is the most forceful member when it comes to talking about transit at Council and committee meetings.
Burlington decided a number of months ago that a detailed study of what we have in the way of transit service and brought in a consulting form to finds out who uses the transit service and what the public feels they should have in the way of transit services.
Mayor Rick Goldring is a big advocate for greater use of public transit but he drives a car provided by the city and says that he uses his bicycle but I’ve never seen even a picture of him on his bicycle. If asked when they last used public transit very few, if any, members of Council would tell you they use the public transit system.
The city wants to develop a Transit Master Plan. The consulting that will precede the development of a Plan is being called The Road ahead. When the proposals for the consulting contract came in Council members later said they knew almost instantly which firm they were going to go with. The details and ideas in the proposal from Dillon Consulting were so far superior to all the others that it was a pretty simple exercise to choose who to go with.
 The John Street terminal can get really busy at rush hours – yes there are actually rush hours at this location. Advertising pulls in some revenue for the city. There will be significant public input – and that means the public gets to make comments. Think about what we need in the way of transit; what would it take to get you to use transit ? Do you know what the bus routes are in your community? Does public transit even matter to you?
Burlington as a city is now much more attuned to public engagement – city hall staff (not all of them yet) are learning to listen and to go out to the community for comment and ideas. The public needs to get better at responding to these opportunities to participate in the decision making process.
The purpose of the Transit Master Plan is to attempt to get a sense as to what the public will want in the way of public transit – and with gas well above $1.25 a litre transit has to get at least a look. The purpose of the plan is to conduct a comprehensive review of Burlington’s conventional transit services and to develop a Transit Master Plan covering the period 2012 – 2021.
The main objectives of study is to provide recommendations that will significantly increase the use of transit, improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of transit service in Burlington, develop technology and marketing plans and review options for the downtown terminal.
The Route Ahead will include an implementation plan that will lead Burlington Transit to the next level of ridership growth. A key component of this study will involve consultation with transit customers, community groups/organizations, and the public at large to determine their views of the Burlington Transit system and obtain input on strategic directions.
The first of the several methods of getting involved in this study and providing input will be the Let’s Talk Transit” Drop in Centre that will hold two sessions on August 24th. One at the Burlington Seniors Centre from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. Deputations will begin at 2:30 pm. The second session will take place at City Hall in the evening from 6:00 to 9:00 pm Room 247
Dillon Consulting will be hold a series of Focus Groups in September and October with residents and stakeholders that have an interest in transit services. These two sessions will be facilitated discussions focused on the overall vision for Burlington Transit, key markets for increasing ridership and strategic directions for moving forward. Participants are not required to be transit users; only to have an interest in the future of Burlington Transit.
If you would like to participate, send an e-mail under the subject of “Focus Group” to TheRouteAhead@burlington.ca and provide a brief description of your interest in this study. Participation is voluntary and numbers will be limited.
In mid September, there will be an Onboard Transit User Survey. Passengers will be able to complete a survey that will probe key information on demographics, trip making characteristics and attitudes concerning transit.
A Public Information Session will be held in the late fall to present consultation results, study findings and potential directions and obtain feedback from the public prior to finalizing study recommendations.
The Study is expected to take approximately six months to complete. The presentation of the study recommendations to council is scheduled to occur in mid December 2011.
Comments from the public are both welcomed and encouraged. I would add they are expected.
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By Staff
BURLINGTON, OM August 10, 2011 – Standard and Poor’s Ratings Services affirmed Halton Region’s AAA credit rating. The same organization recently downgraded the credit rating of the United States to a AA- with negative implications.
This is the twenty-second consecutive year that the Region’s credit rating has been affirmed the Standard and Poor’s. The published review that is part of the affirmation is attached.
“Reaffirmation of Halton Region’s high credit rating is extremely important and excellent news for our residents because it ensures the Region and our Local Municipalities are able to borrow money at the lowest possible financing rates in the capital markets, minimizing the longer term costs of infrastructure capital. The Region’s lower costs can then be passed on to our taxpayers in the form of lower tax increases, said Regional Chair Gary Carr – and we are pretty sure his tongue wasn’t in his cheek when he said that.
When any of the municipalities within the Region need to borrow funds for long term development or operational purposes they go to the markets and float a bond that is offered by the Region. The Region’s credit rating is thus the credit rating for Burlington, Oakville, Milton and Halton Hills – so we all have a better credit rating than the United States.
Over the last five years, the average annual tax increase for Regional programs and services has been approximately half a per cent – one of the lowest among municipalities in Canada.
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By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON August 10, 2011 – The media people at the Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital will be making an historic announcement Wednesday afternoon.
And you know what that means. The Liberal government will announce that oodles of money will flow to Burlington to begin the long needed upgrade and improvements to the hospital that has had the same foot print for more than 40 years.
That wouldn’t be because there is an election taking placed in just over 60 days would it? Burlington has been represented in the Legislature by the Progressive Conservatives for more than 43 years but the Liberals seem to sense there is an opportunity to take the seat this time around and they also seem prepared to finally come up with the funding they have been talking about for years.
The Liberals must be dancing in the streets.
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By Pepper Parr with excerpts from Brian Heagle’s Facebook page.
BURLINGTON, ON August 9, 2010 – Interest in the provincial election has begun to heat up. The candidates have opened up their campaign offices and before long you will see them at your door. All three political parties are holding BBQ events and fund raisers and we can expect to see lawns on signs in the near future.
My colleague, and frequent subject of news stories, Brian Heagle, has asked: “Do you think social media will really make a difference in the upcoming Provincial election? In Burlington’s case, none of the candidates have much of a presence, commitment or following – so far.”
As you may know, Liberal’s Karmel Sakran’s website has been up and running for awhile, but I haven’t found a specific one yet for NDP’s Peggy Russell.
 Peggy Russell wants to bring her ten years of political experience at a school board trustee to the provincial legislature. If she manages to win the seat she will be a voice to be reckoned with – if she wins. At present, Burlington voters will find little in terms of local issues being highlighted (although Liberal’s News section does include some items/links, including “hospitals, not highways” messaging). In terms of local candidates, voters may also have to dig deeper than websites if they really want to know and compare them (Liberal’s Biography offers a few brief details but PC’s Bio is somewhat vague, including references to “community leader” and “self-educated entrepreneur” but without providing leadership or business positions held).
In other words, it seems media types will be heavily reliant on Our Burlington to be informed and engaged. Of course, it’s also up to us citizens to step forward, get engaged and then vote. Too often we seem to neglect that part of the civic engagement formula for elections.
However, social media may not be at a stage yet where it will have much influence, at least not in Burlington. Lots of thoughtful comments on my Facebook page when I posted this week about the role of social media in politics.
Cory Judson, campaign manger for Peggy Russell the NDP candidate tends to not let a day go by without sending out half a dozen notes to his friends. It can get a little much at times but he is an NDP trooper and nothing is going to stop him.
 Sakran has all kinds of community experience that should serve him well and he has made inroads with the Conservative crowd in the city. Will that be enough to deliver a seat to the Liberals that the Conservatives have held for more than 43 years? A recent research report said Small Business people are not all that keen on Social Media and that 47% don’t make any use of it. Suggesting that political campaigns are similar to a small business operation isn’t that much of a stretch
It isn’t clear yet what the over riding issue is going to be for the Burlington and Halton ridings –although the Niagara to Greater Toronto Area highway (NGTA) is certainly going to be front and center.
Some elections turn out to be a battle between the leaders; others are about clear cut issues province wide. That doesn’t seem to be the case yet – we probably won’t know until Labour Day. Burlington’s Strategic Plan is going to have NGTA stamped all over the thing.
 McKenna said at her nomination that she had 71 days to win the provincial election – that’s certainly a challenge for an untested candidate but she has Ron Foxcroft and Keith Strong in her corner – and those two are certainly not political lightweights. So Heagle asks: Okay, Burlington, is this single local issue (the proposed NGTA highway) enough to sway your vote on October 6? Jane McKenna, the Burlington Progressive Conservative candidate supports her Leader’s position – build a highway through the Escarpment because it will create jobs. The Liberals have promised not the build a highway through the Escarpment. The NDP doesn’t want the high built.
www.votesakran.ca/Biography
www.votesakran.ca
Full disclosure: Brian Heagle has run as a municipal candidate and put himself forward as a candidate for the Progressive Conservative nomination but withdrew before the nomination meeting was held. Heagle was at one point being groomed as a Liberal candidate by the late John Boich.
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By Pepper Parr
 BURLINGTON, ON August 8, 2011 – You heard it here first. The receiving and opening of the bids for the construction of the Brant Street Pier has been moved from Wednesday August the 10th to Wednesday August 17th – and that is good news.
Seven companies picked up the data package from the city. Recall those were:
- ConCrete USL Limited
- Toronto Zenith Contracting Limited
- Belor Construction Ltd
- Rankin Construction Inc.
- Bot Construction
- PCL Construction Canada Inc.
- Graham Infrastructure
The city would have liked to have seen the bids in by the 10th of August but the rules of the game allow the city to extend the deadline if it is felt the contractors need more time. Another rule in the public tender approach allows any contractor to ask questions but the questions asked and the answers given by the city’s engineering department get sent to every contractor who picked up the tender package with all the data in it.
And the contractors have been asking questions. The asking of questions is usually a good sign and senior people within city hall are very confident they will have very solid bids coming in from top rank firms.
The Engineering Department built in time to allow for additional questions from the pre-qualified vendors. Some of the questions will have been simple and some of the questions take time to respond to and of course the answer to one question sometimes generates follow up questions. Both the questions and answers get given to all the contractors.
 The city has extended the delivery date for bids on the completion of the Brant Street Pier. This is good news. Engineering department staff are making sure they exhaust all questions and give the contractors ample time to put together an attractive bid in terms of construction and cost. The project continues to be on schedule for reporting to Committee this fall where the Engineering department will give their recommendation to a Council Committee and then it goes to a Council meeting where the final decision is made.
Mayor Rick Goldring said the Pier will get built – and yes it is going to cost quite a bit more than originally planned. Taking it down will apparently cost just as much to complete the thing. And, as Councillor Jack Dennison pointed out, we cannot expect to recover anything from the civil suit unless we build the Pier – not sure why that’s the case – must look into that for you.
Let’s see what the bids are on the 17th.
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By Pepper Parr
 BURLINGTON, ON August 5, 2011 – Why, one might ask. Would you do a piece on someone who was given an award several months ago ? Good question. Couple of reasons; during the presentations we don’t hear very much about the “real work” the Civic Recognition award winners do. The speakers are limited to three minutes and with every one of these award winners there is a really interesting and significant story.
One of the first academic papers Dr. James Henry, who is quick to point out that he is not an MD, but an academic who teaches and does research, was to one of the Nobel Committees. That is not to say that he is a Nobel Laureate, but that he presented a paper to one of the Nobel Committees that keeps abreast of all the scientific research taking place around the world. The type of recognition early in a career is quite unusual.
 James Henry, PhD Professor Emeritus, McMaster University We found that trying to set up ,meetings with the people who were recognized by the city of Burlington took time and when we finally got through to them – their schedules were packed. Today we want to tell you more about Dr. James Henry, a North Shore Road resident who was recognized as the Senior of the Year. Don’t think wheelchair when you read the word Senior. Dr Henry is as active now as he was when supervising doctoral students at McMaster University where he is a Professor Emeritus, which he explains is a professor who has an office, a lab, a work load, some grant money that he sources, but no salary. I neglected to ask if he got a free indoor parking space.
He served as Professor, Scientific Director, Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Pain Research and Care, Professor, Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, and Anesthesia at McMaster University. Dr. Henry started out at McGill University, one of the, if not the Premier universities in the Country.
Dr Henry holds an endowed chair in central pain at McMaster University. He received his PhD in physiology from the University of Western Ontario in 1972 and, appointed as professor of physiology and a professor of psychiatry at McGill University from 1977 to 2002. In 2000, he was awarded the Millennium Distinguished Career Award of the Canadian Pain Society. While at McGill he founded the Quebec Pain Research Initiative. He also founded the Canadian Consortium on Pain Mechanisms, Diagnosis and Management, which is comprised of 40 top pain researchers in a multidisciplinary Canadian think-tank to promote pain research, improve pain management and to disseminate information on pain to patients, practitioners and policymakers. He is also president and chairman of the board of the Canadian Pain Foundation, and is a past-president of the Canadian Pain Society. He is the associate editor of Pain Research and Management. In 2002, he moved to the University of Western Ontario, to create and chair the new Department of Physiology and Pharmacology and in 2005 took up his current position at McMaster.
Being recognized by your community seems like small potatoes when measured against that impressive list of accomplishments. All the titles and the awards don’t quite give you the full measure of the man. He speaks of a “social contract” by which he means the understanding he has that he has been richly rewarded and is now expected to return something to the society within which he lives. “I am in a poison now to do that and it disappoints me that no one else seems to be doing this.”
He is now retired from the faculty of McMaster University but is in their telephone directory as a Professor Emeritus, “which means I get an office, a lab and can spend the grant money that I source” but I’m not on the payroll.”
“I supervise a group of doctoral students, read papers and attend conferences sometimes and I sail my little boat on the bay” he explains if you ask him what he is doing these days.
His views on the academic atmosphere at McMaster are not all that kind. Dr. Henry found that the prevailing social structure was one of “cliques” and that one was expected to fall in line. The peer pressure was significant and some of the expectations unrealistic. So he retired and got involved in pain management and did some research on what pain really is.
 “I ran an advertisement in the newspaper and was just a little stunned with the response. I thought there might be 200 responses max – we got 350 responses”. Out of the advertisement came two groups; one in Burlington and another in Guelph that each held monthly meetings to talk about pain and how it can best be managed.
People who have to live with chronic pain don’t know what personal dignity is all about – the pain they experience is so debilitating and constant. Many in society think pain is something that one can adjust too – “not true” according to Dr. Henry.
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 BURLINGTON, ON August 4, 2011 – Chrissy writes in response to the piece we did on the Joseph Brant Day event at LaSalle Pavilion last holiday weekend. We had suggested there was precious little to see or hear about Joseph Brant at the event and Chrissy had this to say.
“I personally thought the event displayed the history of Burlington phenomenally! I do not necessarily think that the event is held to solely focus on Joseph Brant’s entire life, but rather Joseph Brant as one of Burlington’s first settlers. The event is meant to be a day filled with family fun and to celebrate Burlington’s heritage! I personally loved the event, and as did my family and friends! I think the citizens of Burlington also really enjoyed the event from what I gathered!”
“In addition, you have a spelling error in your article. I believe you mean to say heard, rather than hard. A funny spelling error, I must add.”
Oh dear, another spelling error – thanks for bringing it to our attention Chrissy. Spell checkers just aren’t what they used to be.
Readers are invited to make comments and express their opinions on anything we publish. If there is a degree of controversy in your remarks (and we certainly know what controversy is) we need to be able to actually speak to you before publishing your remarks. Use the Comments tab just under the masthead.
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By Staff
 BURLINGTON, ON August 4, 2011 The Halton Region Health Department tests recreational water throughout Halton. Beaches are selected based on use for swimming and other water sports.
Beach water samples taken on August 2 revealed the following beaches have acceptable levels of bacteria and are
safe for swimming:
- Burlington – Beachway Park North, Beachway Park South
- Halton Hills – Prospect Park Old Beach
The following beaches have high levels of bacteria and are unsafe for swimming:
- Milton – Kelso Conservation Area
- Oakville – Coronation Park East, Coronation Park West, Bronte Beach Park
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By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON August 4, 2011 Is it really going to be THE defining issue during the provincial election that has now begun to gain some momentum? There is certainly going to be a lot of chatter with everyone looking for a way to get their two cents worth in.
 The arrow tells the story in the clearest possible language – that is where the province has said in the past it wants to build a highway. Transportation Minister Kathleen Wynne said recently that there wouldn’t be a highway built through the Escarpment – but not everyone believe her and the Progressive Conservatives have been very clear – they will build a highway through the Escarpment.
What got his ball rolling – and it was just waiting for a bit of a push – was the visit to the city by Kathleen Wynne, Minister of Transportation for the province. She was brought into town by Liberal candidate Karmel Sakran to take part in a closed door Round Table that included Mayor Goldring, Regional Chair Gary Carr, Ward 3 Councillor John Taylor who has been a tireless fighter for the preservation of the Escarpment, and the Liberal Candidate for Halton Indira Naidoo-Harris. Geoff Brock and Susan McMaster of the Stop Escarpment Highway Coalition (SEHC) were also on hand.
Wynne told the media after the Round Table session that Ontario’s Liberal government has no plans to pave over the escarpment, according to Transportation Minister Kathleen Wynne, who was in Burlington yesterday to discuss the controversial Niagara to GTA corridor.
Wynne assured local politicians and citizens’ groups gathered that the provincial Liberals aren’t moving forward with a 33-km highway that connects Hwy. 403 in Ancaster to north Burlington.
“People need to move around. There is congestion on the roads and we need to address that. But we don’t need to destroy environmentally-sensitive land in order to do that,”
“The fundamental thing I hear is that people in this community are very concerned about a road that will disrupt a sensitive environmental area that really is the basis of the quality of life in the area. That’s why our government stepped back from this.”
The event, which took place in Burlington was organized by Liberal candidates Karmel Sakran (Burlington), Indira Naidoo-Harris (Halton) and Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale MPP Ted McMeekin. Given who the sponsors were – what did you think the Minster was going to say – add to that, if they play their cards right, the Liberals have a decent chance of taking both the Burlington and Halton seats.
During the session Minister Wynne made the comment that while she is the Minister of Transportation the people she directs tend to see themselves as employees of the old Department of Highways – and as the Minister pointed out, highways are one mode of transportation, but she directs a ministry made up of people who are deeply ingrained and committed to the construction of highways – and indeed Ontario has some magnificent roads.
 Burlington Councillor John Taylor, probably the most vocal and persisitent person on Council when it comes to the Escarpment and how to defines the city makews a point at the Roundtable held in Burlington recently.
Taylor said in an interview that he has met with the Minister on previous occasions and believes what she has to say. “She gets it” said Taylor but he added that to the best of his knowledge the Minister has never actually driven through the area.
One of the ideas the SEHC people had was to arrange for bus tours through the Escarpment for people who live in Burlington but don’t fully realize how magnificent a piece of geography we have and the damage that a highway would do to that part of the city.
Taylor, who has been fighting to ensure that urban development doesn’t take place north of Highway 5 (Dundas) had to give in a bit when the 407 was put through in 2000 and live with development between Highway 5 (Dundas) and the 407. He believes fervently that if there is an NGTA highway, development will go up so fast between the existing 407 and wherever a new highway is built that the Burlington we know will disappear before our eyes. NGTA is the acronym for Niagara Greater Toronto Area highway that has in the past been called the Mid Peninsula highway.
Developers salivate when they think about the opportunities to build homes should a road cut through the Escarpment. Local farmers would think they were on their way to heaven and able to think of retiring to the sunny south with nary a winter driveway to be cleared. Ward 1 Councilor Rick Craven argues that much of the land north of the 407 is already in the hand of patient developers.
 Looks do tell and it doesn’t look at if Mayor Goldring on the left is buying what Minister Kathleen Wynne is selling. Karmel Sakran, in the middle, is just delighted that the Minister is in the riding mentioning his name. Burlington Mayor Rick Goldring liked what the Minister had to say but if the photograph is any indication of what Goldring really thinks – well you can almost see the grains of salt he is taking with the words he is hearing. Goldring makes the comment that the announcement is nice but adds that there was nothing in the way of an announcement from the Ministry of Transportation about the highway. What we got was a politician rolling through town handing out promises. And keep in mind that this will be the last election for Premier Dalton McGuinty – which means a leadership contest when he decides to resign – and Kathleen Wynne is being talked up as a potential for the Office of the Premier
SEHC has chosen to celebrate what Transportation Minister Kathleen Wynne had to say – that Ontario’s Liberal government will not move forward with a highway that would cut across the Niagara Escarpment and Halton Region’s Natural Heritage System to connect Highway 403 in Ancaster to North Burlington.
“Ontario needs a modern, multi-modal transportation system if we want to stay economically competitive and decrease commuting times,” says SEHC spokesman Geoff Brock. “We are pleased the Province recognizes this and is willing to take another look at its transportation plans.”
 These signs popped all over North Burlington in February – Do they represent the feelings of the people south of the QEW? The 11-member SEHC, composed of citizens’ groups from Niagara to Oakville, worked with the City of Burlington, the Region of Halton and MPP Ted McMeekin, to oppose to the highway. The SEHC also commissioned a Natural Capital Study to highlight the $912 million value of green infrastructure services that would be lost if the highway were to be built.
“The quality of the Natural Capital Study and the value of its analysis certainly deserved the attention it received from the Minister,” said Susan McMaster of Citizens Opposed to Paving the Escarpment, a Member of the SEHC.
“We are pleased that Minister Wynne saw the logic in our group’s position: a highway isn’t needed now and, with gas prices rising rapidly, certainly won’t meet Ontario’s needs in years to come,” said McMaster.
SEHC – the Stop the Escarpment Highway Coalition is made up of 12 groups with a combined membership of 7,000 people. Citizens Opposed to Paving the Escarpment (COPE), Oakvillegreen Conservation Association, Lowville Area Residents Association (LARA), BurlingtonGreen, Coalition of the Niagara Escarpment (CONE), Protecting Escarpment Rural Land (PERL), Milton Green Citizens Group, Environment Hamilton, Preservation of Agricultural Lands Society, Sidrabene Latvian Camp, Cedar Springs Community.
The organization came together during an early February meeting when the city and a mixed group of local activists met to talk about a joint response to the surprising announcement from the province that it wanted certain data inserted into both the Regional Official Plan and Burlington’s Official Plan. Councilor Taylor spear-headed a public meeting that brought some 800 + people out to a local arena and more than a couple of dozen to their feet to protest against the idea of a road cutting through the Escarpment. That public meeting saw both the MPP from Burlington, Joyce Savoline and the MPP from Halton, Ted Chudleigh, troop to the front of the room and mumble a few words about listening to the community.
 View from Mt Nemo - If there is ever a highway cut through Escarpment land it will open up land like this to housing developments – and tear the heart out of what Burlington is as a city Flash fast forward to Mayor Goldring’s office last week, a day before he left for vacation and hear him say that “this issue is a hill he could die on”. The Mayor has a fine print of the Escarpment on the wall of his office.
In sharp contrast to the Liberal’s position, Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak promises to build the highway if elected. The Niagara to GTA (NGTA) highway is expected to cost up to $6 billion. SEHC says the price is too high, not only in terms of destruction to valuable agricultural land and natural areas, but also because it will impair the Province’s ability to invest in the sustainable, multi-modal transportation system that citizens and businesses really need.
 For the SEHC people this as a pivotal issue in this fall’s Provincial election. The group is working to understand, and publicize, the position of all local provincial candidates on the highway as part of this year’s election so voters can make an informed decision on this issue.
The group is also looking to the Federal government to step up to the plate on transportation planning. Rail plays a major role in sustainable transportation planning and the Province can’t do it alone. So far the Federal government has been absent from the conversation. SEHC thinks this is unacceptable since rail is their responsibility. “Putting rail and a National Transport Policy on Ottawa’s agenda is a high priority for us,” said Brock.
 - Mayor Goldring and John Taylor at the Roundtable on the Escarpment. The Minister of Transportation certainly heard their words – did she feel the passion?
A number of people point out that the NGTA corridor has three parts to it and while the province might stall and hold back with the portion that was being planned for the Escarpment, if the other portions get built – they would then say they “have” to build the final portion. Thus Geoff Brock of COPE says “we have to be ever vigilant” and make sure that the Environmental Assessment never gets completed. Mayor Goldring is of the same mind. He says he will feel much better when he hears that the Environmental Assessment has been cancelled. At this point – it is still a task being done.
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BURLINGTON, ON August 16, 2011 The federal government announced today that the ships at sea, which have been until now known as the Maritime Command, will now again be referred to as the Royal Canadian Navy and the air force would be known as the Royal Canadian Air Force.
