 By Pepper Parr
March 16th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
When a Motion is filed with the Clerk as something the Motion movers want on the Agenda – the Clerk has to follow a strict procedure.
 Mayor Marianne Meed Ward in front of City Hall The Motion filed wants to strip the Mayor of some of the powers she acquired on July 1st. It has gone through the following steps:
Approved as per form by the City Clerk,
Reviewed by the City Manager – In accordance with the Code of Good Governance, Council-Staff Relations Policy and an assessment of the internal capacity within the City to complete the work based on a specific target date (quarter/year).
Reviewed by the Executive Director of Legal Services and Corporation Counsel to confirm references to legislation.
Comments:
City Clerk: none
City Manager: none
Clerk saw no problem with the Motion
City Manager saw the Motion as something Staff could handle.
City Solicitor saw no problems with the legislation referred to in the Motion.
It will be interesting to see how this gets handled Tuesday morning.
One of the serious public concerns is that notice that the Motion was on the Council Agenda wasn’t available to the public until Friday afternoon.
Related news story:
Three Councillors decide to take on a Mayor they think is out of control
 By Pepper Parr
March 16, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The Motion brought forward by Councillors Stolte,Nisan and Galbraith asks that:
 Shawna Stole, left, joined Councillors Galbraith (center) and Nisan to curb the power in the Mayor’s hands. Ironic – Galbraith and Nisan joined forces in filing a compliant against Stolte with the Integrity Commissioner.   That Council request the Mayor to delegate to Council the powers and duties assigned to the head of council under Section 284.5 of the Municipal Act, with respect to the City Manager; and
That Council request the Mayor to delegate to the City Manager the powers and duties assigned to the head of council under Section 284.6 of the Municipal Act, with respect to:
- determining the organizational structure of the municipality; and
- hiring, dismissing, or exercising any other prescribed employment powers with respect to any division or the head of any other part of the organizational structure;
That Council request the Mayor to delegate to Council the powers and duties assigned to the head of council under Section 284.7 of the Municipal Act, with respect to prescribed local boards or local boards within a prescribed class of local boards; and
That Council request the Mayor to delegate to Council the powers and duties assigned to the head of council under Section 284.8 of the Municipal Act, with respect to prescribed committees or committees within a prescribed class of committees; and
That the Executive Director of Legal Services and Corporation Counsel for the City of Burlington be directed to consult with external legal counsel on the current state of any legal challenges to strong mayor power in Ontario and whether a legal challenge would have any chance of success.
The Mayor has been clear that she does not intend to use the Strong Mayor powers, stating in an interview that what municipalities actually need are “strong city powers,” adding that those can then be exercised by the majority of one’s council, building consensus. The motion solidifies this commitment, enshrining our commitment to local democracy and the principle of majority rule. The delegation of these powers is consistent with best practices for corporate boards, where majority rule exists.
The co-movers are bringing this motion now because a recent article in a local newspaper has noted that numerous municipalities have already delegated many of these powers
 Marianne Meed Ward being sworn in during her first term of office. Specifically, the delegation of the same powers that the co-movers are requesting be delegated has evidently already occurred in Aurora, Chatham-Kent, Guelph, Innisfil, Kingston, Oshawa, Richmond Hill, Sault Ste. Mari, Stouffville and Kitchener.
Strong mayor powers introduced by the Province through amendments to the Municipal Act are dysfunctional and antidemocratic for several reasons:
1. They provide powers to mayors not elected in 2022 to enact those powers.
2. They create a scenario of minority rule for budgets and certain legislation (bylaws), which is antithetical to the democratic principle of majority rule with minority rights and for which there may not be any comparable power in western democracy.
3. The veto power erodes local decision-making authority by only allowing strong mayors to utilize a non-budgetary veto on provincial priorities; as a result, the legislative veto can only be used to enhance the province’s priorities but not those of the municipality unless they are the same as those of the province.
4. The budgetary veto concentrates power of the purse to the mayor, leading to widespread control over capital projects and staffing each year at budget time. The mayor can thus defund initiatives they do not support.
5. For further clarity, the powers noted in points 2-4 can be overruled by 2/3rds +1 of council, meaning the mayor can exercise this power with a minority of council members (two plus themselves in Burlington).
 Is Mayor Meed Ward still leading the parade? And is her City Manager (centre in white shirt) following her lead? 6. The power to hire and terminate the city manager, previously the jurisdiction of council, is now in the hands of only the mayor. As the chief administrative officer of the corporation, the city manager would be at risk of being influenced in their decision-making by the oversight of a single individual able to terminate them at any time without cause.
7. The rationale for point 6 above also applies to senior staff, previously the exclusive jurisdiction of the city manager. As a result, all senior staff are, generally, influenced to do what a mayor demands or fear the consequences. This significant latent power reduces democratic decision-making as decisions at the city or often binary and a majority of council may not agree with a strong mayor.
8. The ability to change the organizational structure of the municipality is another potential way to exercise power over staff.
9. The above rationale also applies to board and committee powers which are currently concentrated in the hands of the strong mayor.
The Government of Ontario has provided for some of the above powers to be delegated but not others. The present motion requests the delegation of those powers which can be delegated as per the Municipal Act. Should the motion pass and the mayor accepts the motion request and delegates the powers as requested, issues 6, 7, 8 and 9 and partially issue 1 would be addressed.
 By Leslie Gouin
March 15th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Toronto’s Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) team, now on a winning streak of nine games, beat Montreal in a hotly contested and physical game last Friday. The contest was marked by several scuffles, with six players sent to the penalty box for roughing. Toronto’s Rebecca Leslie scored a double, while Hannah Miller and Emma Maltais also scored to seal the win.
 At this point the six teams do not have names. The name of the city they represent is what appears on their jerseys. Toronto’s latest win was their third straight against their rivals; the physicality and intensity of their rivalry were on full display.
Toronto’s Rebecca Leslie was checked hard into the boards in front of Montreal’s bench by Sarah Lefort, which led to a series of skirmishes and punches being thrown by players from both teams at one point. Leslie later doubled Toronto’s lead in the third period with her first goal of the season. The physicality of the game was likened to playoff hockey by Leslie, who said she expected the “tough stuff.”.
 The Toronto team has been very strong – faces challenges from the Montreal team – creating a great rivalry. “It’s a hard-fought game, that’s a really good hockey team and so I think that’s playoff hockey,” Leslie was quoted as saying.
“There’s going to be some tough stuff going on and obviously it felt good for my line to contribute in that way (offensively).”
While it is a cause for concern, the physicality across the PWHL makes for more excitement and could see added interest, with sports betting already becoming an avenue through which fans can invest in the games.
Montreal’s star player, Marie-Philip Poulin, admitted that payback would be in mind when the two teams face off again on March 17. She was obviously disappointed with the loss and said that the team was looking to avenge the losses they’ve suffered against Toronto this season. Poulin also commented on the lack of discipline she reckons is evident throughout the league and not just in Friday’s game.
“Obviously it’s going to be in the back of our mind, no doubt about that,” she remarked. “It’s been three games that we lose against them.”
Toronto forward Natalie Spooner spoke about the rivalry between the two teams, saying that it dates back quite a while, stemming from the now-defunct Canadian Women’s Hockey League. She pointed out that both teams were physical and fast and that this was evident in their style of play. Spooner also suggested that Montreal was probably their biggest rival so far in the new season.
“We’re both pretty physical (and) fast teams and I think today you saw it out there, the little scrums and everything,” she said. “The Toronto, Montreal rivalry even in the CWHL (now-defunct Canadian Women’s Hockey League), I think dates back quite a while so I’m sure there’s still some of that blood kicking around a little bit, too.
“New league, new season, and I think it’s probably our biggest rival so far, for sure.”
Toronto’s Hannah Miller and Emma Maltais also scored in the game, with Maltais sealing the win with an empty-net goal with 1:06 left in the game. Montreal’s head coach, Kori Cheverie, conceded that Toronto had capitalized on their chances while Montreal had not. Cheverie also commented on a hit by Toronto’s Brittany Howard on Montreal’s Catherine Daoust, which caused her to stay down for a bit before going to the bench under her power. Cheverie was disappointed that the officials did not call the hit and said that she had asked for an explanation from them.
“They didn’t see it,” she said. “I just said, ‘when one of our players is coming back to the bench with a face full of blood with a cage in women’s hockey, something happened.’”
 Montreal’s Marie-Philip Poulin scores against Toronto goaltender Kristen Campbell (50) during second period PWHL hockey action in Montreal, Saturday, January 20, 2024. CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes Montreal’s Poulin said that the game was physical and that the teams were trying to find that balance of staying within the rules while playing a hard, fast game. Toronto’s assistant coach, Rachel Flanagan, agreed with Poulin, saying that the game was more physical, and that the teams were all trying to find that balance between playing hard and staying within the rules.
“The game is more physical and we know that,” she offered. “We’re all trying to find that balance of where do we stay within the lines of the rules and play a really hard, fast game.”
The rivalry between Toronto and Montreal is still alive and well, even in the Professional Women’s Hockey League. Toronto’s winning streak now stands at nine games, and Montreal will be looking for payback when they meet again on March 17.
When the Toronto – Montreal teams meet in April at the Bell Centre in Montreal the crowd could exceed that of one of the NHL games
 By Pepper Parr
March 15th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
It has been 13 years – yet I can still hear him bellow: “Ya think?”
Boich passed away on March 15, 2011.
The Gazette would not have been started were it not for John.
 John Boich dressed for Canada Day. I met him at an early campaign meeting when Marianne Meed Ward had decided to run for the ward 2 Council seat. He was sitting to my right; one of us said something about the Habs and that was it. From that point on we talked every couple of days.
John had a very tight relationship with then Mayor Cam Jackson.
At the time John was involved with David Auger and his efforts to get a radio station operating in Burlington. At one point the station was going to be located in the Freeman Station building that was still looking for a home. No one wanted the building – the city couldn’t even sell it for scrap wood.
John was having difficulty getting a business plan out of Auger. During our frequent walks; John and Arlene had three shiatsu’s that had to be walked a couple of times a day.
 John Boich with the little sweetheart who lived across the street. During one of those walks I had said to John that the business plan he wanted could be written on the back of an envelope. Saying that was a mistake. Boich said “then do it”.
When I began to think about a radio station, I knew that it wasn’t possible. You need a license from the CRTC and convincing them to issue a license was close to impossible. The CRTC does issue local permits, usually to universities: McMaster has one.
 At the time the Shape Burlington report was about to be released. It was a document that shook up city hall. Several of the General Managers (at the time that was the title for what are now Executive Directors) wanted the document withdrawn and changes made before it was made public.
The report was written by John Boich and Walter Mulkewich. They were given the task by Cam Jackson.
It was accepted and endorsed by Council unanimously. A link to the report is HERE. I doubt that the city has a copy of the document – even in their archives.
From the Shape Report:
Transforming the culture at City Hall – City Hall must reinvent itself.
As social, technological and demographic trends alter the face of every community, municipal governments are struggling to adapt their long-established practices to meet the challenges of an ever-evolving new world.
Burlington is experiencing a period of rapid growth and change. Citizens are more literate, more educated and more connected than ever before. They are also busier, more distracted and require more from those who represent them, develop the policies and provide the services in their community.
Engagement: Transform the City Hall culture to promote active citizenship and civic engagement
Promoting active citizen engagement and meaningful public dialogue requires a culture shift at City Hall. A crucial first step is the development an Engagement Charter – a plain language policy document developed with public involvement that incorporates benchmarks and accountabilities, and describes the value, purpose and opportunities for citizens to influence city policies.
The charter would explain how to navigate City Hall and its services. It should stipulate best practices for various kinds of public consultation and affirm the city’s commitment to inform citizens and respond to their ideas and contributions. It would address the question of reaching out to a diverse population.
The sorry story of the Engagement Charter is HERE
Plus ça change.
By Staff
March 15th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The City has introduced new parking fees in high-demand lots and all on-street metered parking spaces on Saturdays.
Users will need to pay for parking in three out of the 14 municipal parking lots and metered on-street spaces on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Parking is free after 6 p.m. (Users with a valid accessible parking permit or City issued Veteran Parking Permit may still park in any space for free if the accessible spaces are occupied.)
New Saturday Parking Fees Are As Follows:
The three lots are: 1, 4 and 5. Users will need to pay for parking in these lots and metered on-street parking from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Lot 1 – Pearl Street Lot, 431 Elizabeth St.
Lot 4 – Elizabeth Street Lot, 421 John St.
Lot 5 – Brant Street Lot, 391 Brant St.
Parking is free in most other Downtown Burlington lots, including the Waterfront Parking Garage at 414 Locust Street, on weekends and holidays.
For the first time in 10 years, all downtown metered on-street parking spaces, and lots will see a rate increase of $0.25 per hour. The rate increases will help fund lot maintenance, infrastructure and resurfacing and are:
- Hourly rate increase from $1.75 to $2 per hour
- Daily maximum parking fee increase from $14 to $18
- Monthly permits increase from $83 to $91 and from $132 to $151
- Hourly and daily users can pay their parking fees through the HONK mobile app.
Users do not have to download the app but can scan the QR code on parking lot signage to pay for parking. Monthly permit holders will receive a letter outlining their increases, renewal, and payment options.
Hourly and daily users can pay their parking fees through the HONK mobile app. The City also accepts coins and credit cards at all parking machines.
By Pepper Parr
March 14th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Barrie, Caledon and Guelph – they are getting visits from the Premier and Cabinet Ministers.
Why – because they are building homes.
 Premier with the Mayor at Joseph Brant Hospital. The Premier has been to Burlington – met with the Mayor while he was here.
Rob Flack, Associate Minister of Housing, will be joined by Annette Groves, Mayor of Caledon, to provide an update on Caledon’s progress toward its housing target.
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, announced Ontario is providing Guelph with $4,680,000 in funding through the Building Faster Fund after the city made substantial progress towards meeting its 2023 housing target, breaking ground on a total of 1,287 new housing units last year.
“I applaud the work being done by Guelph making substantial progress toward their 2031 housing targets,” said Paul Calandra, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “My message to mayors across this province is that we must continue to work together and build on our progress on making home ownership a reality for everyone. We will give you the tools you need to succeed in our shared goal.”
Premier Doug Ford will be joined by Paul Calandra, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and Alex Nuttall, Mayor of Barrie, to provide an update on Barrie’s progress toward its housing target.
Date:
Friday, March 15, 2024
Time:
Remarks at 10:30 a.m.
Photo opportunity only.
 Premier dances with his daughter at her wedding reception. The Planning department puts out all kinds of numbers showing some progress – but not the kind of numbers the province wants to see.
Maybe the Mayor doesn’t want the Premier in the city – the last time he was in town it was to marry off his daughter at the Pearle Hotel and Spa – and look what that led to! Packages with instructions that detailed properties that could be taken out of the Greenbelt and used for housing developments were passed along as the Premier danced with his daughters.
It was the kind of thing you used to see in the mobster movies.
 By Pepper Parr
March 13th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
There are places in the city where the LGBTQIA2-S Pride Flag is not welcome.
It has been a long journey; sometimes you have to look back to appreciate just how far you have come.
 The flag serves different parts of the community in different ways. Flags are sociopolitical symbols of community membership, unity, and visibility. Over the years, the Pride flag has evolved to promote greater inclusion and recognize the many communities that celebrate Pride.
The flag has been updated and expanded to represent the intersectional diversity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and Two-Spirit (LGBTQIA2-S) communities.
Before rainbow-striped Pride flag, many LGBTQIA2-S communities used a pink triangle as visual representation. This was adapted from badge that gay prisoners were forced to wear in Nazi concentration camps.
In the late 1970s, Harvey Milk –the first openly gay man elected to public office – asked his friend Gilbert Baker to design a symbol to represent (what was then referred to as) the gay community. Baker collaborated with his friend Lynn Segerblom (also known as Faerie Argyle Rainbow) to design the rainbow-striped flag with eight colors.
The flag was first seen at the Gay Freedom Day Parade in SF in 1978. Each of the original eight colors had their own unique symbolism. Hot pink: sex; Red: life; Orange: healing; Yellow: sunlight; Green: nature; Turquoise: magic and art; Indigo: serenity; and Violet: spirit. The original flag’s hot pink and turquoise stripes were soon removed because of difficulty manufacturing and/or dying the fabric, resulting in the six-color rainbow flag we are familiar with today.
 Mayor Meed Ward has always let people know where she stands on the flag issue. Many groups within the LGBTQIA2-S community have their own Pride flags. There are specific flags celebrating the identities of transgender, bisexual, lesbian, pansexual, asexual, and other communities. Still, the rainbow-striped flag has historically been the most used and recognized symbol representing Pride for the LGBTQIA2-S community overall.
There were other revisions – Burlington chose the six colour version and placed them at several crosswalks in the city.
Progress.
By Staff
March 13th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The Burlington Foundation announced $126,000 in grant funding to 17 Burlington-serving charitable organizations.
The grants will enable community organizations to foster connections among seniors, empower young people, provide access to arts and programming, add more nutrition programs in Halton schools, celebrate Burlington’s Black History Month, and more. Collectively, these grants will provide vital resources to community organizations working to advance the well-being of Burlington.
 Megan Tregunno, CEO of the Burlington Foundation: she has a story to tell behind those baking trays. “Megan Tregunno, CEO of the Burlington Foundation said “We are proud to provide funding to these extraordinary organizations and their teams. These 17 organizations are all contributing to creating a strong sense of belonging in our community. Grants from the Burlington Community Fund are particularly special because the Fund is made up of contributions from community donors.”
The Burlington Foundation’s annual granting program provides grants through its Burlington Community Fund – a dedicated unrestricted endowment Fund established to support the greatest needs of our community. Community organizations are eligible to apply for a grant up to $10,000. Over 70 applications were received, of which 17 received funding.
A private Grantee Celebration will be held at Burlington Public Library (Central Location) on April 10, 2024 at 10 AM. Media are invited to attend.
By Staff
March 13th. 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton District School Board is again hosting the Director’s Panel, as a virtual session on the issue: Building Bridges in a Polarizing World
 Curtis Ennis, Director of Education for the Halton District School Board.: “These sessions provide opportunities to engage in thought-provoking discussions on how we as a community can come together and work towards a collective goal”. Families, students, staff and community members are invited to attend an upcoming session as part of the Director’s Panel Series. Each session in the series explores issues and themes impacting students and education today.
Sessions are led by Director of Education Curtis Ennis and Human Rights & Equity Advisor Pardeep Nagra.
Panelists featured in the Director’s Panel Series may include HDSB students, parents/guardians and subject-matter experts.
The upcoming session in the series will be:
Building Bridges in a Polarizing World
Tuesday, March 19 from 6 – 7 p.m.
This will be a virtual event with the livestream linked on the HDSB website (hdsb.ca).
Registration is not required.
Building Bridges in a Polarizing World delves into the ways in which we can lead with respect and understanding as we navigate conversations around diverse perspectives.
Take this opportunity to explore how we can hold space for opposing ideas to develop mutual respect and understanding of each other as we forge a way forward together.
Joining the session as a panelist will be Dr. Steven Katz, Professor of Applied Psychology and Human Development at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto. Dr. Katz has extensive expertise in the areas of cognition and learning, evidence-informed decision-making for school improvements and leadership for system change.
Those interested in attending the event can submit a question to the panel before or during the session through this Google Form: https://bit.ly/49KsYeU
Future sessions will be announced at a later date.
 By James Portside
March 13, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
On December 4th, 2023 council met to discuss the “Phase 2 Multi Year Community Investment Plan”. This plan calls for $1.145 billion in future infrastructure spending. This spending is for new projects, not the maintenance of existing infrastructure.
The spending plan covers 25-years; that works out to about $50 million in spending a year. The largest item in the investment plan is called the Integrated Mobility Plan (IMP), coming in at $485 million: the plan is largely for bicycle lanes.
Council is all in on this plan. Mayor Meed Ward commented on how municipalities need a new taxation framework to support infrastructure spending. Meed Ward is chair of Ontario’s Big City Mayors (OCBM), a group of municipalities that lobby the federal and provincial governments for a larger share of our tax dollars. Here is a recent quote from Meed Ward “We shouldn’t have to beg the province and the federal government for these things; after all, there is only one taxpayer.” https://ottawacitizen.com/opinion/meed-ward-ontarios-municipal-taxpayers-need-a-better-deal-from-the-province-and-the-feds
 Maybe the electric cars will be small enough to use the bike lanes. Both the federal and provincial governments are currently spending far more than they take in. Providing more money for municipalities requires some combination of more debt, more taxes or less spending by higher levels of government. What are we willing to trade off for more bike lanes? Billions are being spent on battery plant subsides. Without roads to drive on maybe we don’t need electric cars. Maybe the electric cars will be small enough to use the bike lanes.
Here are some of the details from the Integrated Mobility Plan (IMP). Other master plan items will be covered in future articles.
The IMP was presented to council on October 31, 2023 by K. Edgcumbe, Manager of Transportation and Parking who said “The fundamental assumption that underpinned the philosophy of our IMP was the directive from council that there were to be no new road widenings for the sole purpose of adding additional auto capacity.”
Translation: The plan is to grow the population by about 65,000 people, over the next 25 years, without widening any roads. As we all know the growth is coming through the intensification of existing neighbourhoods. In Burlington’s schizophrenic world of roads, the region manages Brant St. from Dundas to Fairview and may well make that stretch of road three lanes in each direction with dedicated transit lanes. Meanwhile Burlington council won’t widen any roads.
Here are some key points from the IMP.
“Consider the future conversion of general-purpose traffic lanes, or, in limited circumstances, consider widening existing streets to create dedicated transit corridors. “
Translation: Add dedicated bus lanes to existing four lane roads, for example Plains Road, effectively reducing the lanes available for cars and trucks to one lane in each direction.
Shift how people move through the city by “Developing a spine network of high-quality cycling facilities designed to serve cyclists of all ages and abilities by building new and improving existing cycling infrastructure.”
 Translation: six people in 100 will be riding bikes to work, school maybe even Costco. Being realistic our climate does not really lend itself to relying on cycling for transportation. On hot days you need to shower when get to work, rain, ice, snow … are also problems. Another issue is that about 25% of Burlington residents are seniors and about 15% are under the age of 15.
This is a list of the “Budget planning estimates for the seven catalyst projects total a cost of $315 million including a 40% contingency.” There are many other bike lane projects but these are considered the critical projects to get us out on our bikes.
Councillor Galbraith asked if these costs were for road work and cycling lanes and staff answered “those are just costs related to the cycling facilities, they do not include the road renewal requirements”.
 Councillor Nisan: “Amazing” Councillor Nisan commented “pretty cool to see it coming through … amazing” and went on to request that the 19 new hires, the staff needed to implement this plan, be budgeted for 2024.
There are also significant annual costs associated with snow removal, cleaning and upkeep of bike lanes that are not included in the costs shown here.
On the positive side the plan does call for traffic light priority and queue-jumping lanes for buses. Queue jumping lanes will be added on streets like Lakeshore Road where road widening for dedicated transit lanes will be either too contentious or too expensive. Imagine Plains Road with dedicated bus lanes and one lane each direction for everyone else and the traffic lights turn green when the bus approaches instead of being timed to allow traffic to flow.
Queue jumping lanes graphic.
Edgcumbe did state that 25% of the car trips through the city are cut-throughs, commuters bypassing traffic on the QEW and 403. There is nothing in the IMP to address this issue, offering bicycles to commuters is unlikely to help.
Council and staff could lead by example and start riding their bikes to work.
Jim has lived in Burlington for much of his life and has watched the city change and grow over the years. With over 1,000 people working for the city there is a lot going on. As a now retired, successful business owner, Jim is interested in exploring and sharing some of what our local government is working on. You can reach Jim by emailing Jim.Portside@gmail.com
By Staff
March 13th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The City of Burlington has commissioned an artist to create a sculpture for the new Skyway Community Centre.
A citizen jury shortlisted three artists to submit design proposals.
 Rendering of the Skyway Community Centre Skyway Community Centre Public Art Projects Goals:
- Create a contemporary sculpture that is part of the new community centre.
- Act as a beacon to help guide visitors towards the main entrance of the building.
- Reflect on the theme of sustainability through the artwork materials and/or artwork subject matter.
- Complement the design of the community centre.
 Xiaojing Yan with some of her work The City has selected Xiaojing Yan’s proposal entitled ‘Ephemeral Reverie’ for the Skyway Community Centre Public Art Project.
Over 500 residents submitted comments which were used to help inform the jury’s final selection.
Artist Statement, Xiaojing Yan
 Crafted from different hues of coloured concrete.  “In the heart of Skyway Community Centre, ‘Ephemeral Reverie’ is an art installation that not only whispers of environmental urgency but also binds the community’s heartbeat. Crafted from different hues of coloured concrete, it paints a melancholic picture of melting icebergs, echoing the climate’s distress call.
Each shade woven into the concrete mirrors diverse facets of nature, aligning seamlessly with the community centre’s redesigned values of sustainability. This multicolored beacon not only ignites discussions on our planet’s environmental challenges but also emphasizes the shared responsibility of the community to act.
Guiding souls towards the Skyway Community Centre, this artwork stands tall, acting as a beacon to help guide visitors toward the main entrance. Furthermore, it acts as a testament to the community’s commitment to sustainability and innovation. Its vivid design complements the centre’s fresh architecture, serving as both a reminder of our bond with nature and our duty to protect it.
Crafted with an eco-friendly and recyclable type of concrete, ‘Ephemeral Reverie’ narratives the community centre’s ethos of reducing carbon footprints and embracing green initiatives. As its story unfolds, the installation can be reborn, its materials repurposed, emphasizing the continuous cycle of community renewal and rejuvenation.
Beyond its aesthetic charm, ‘Ephemeral Reverie’ stands as a community emblem, echoing the values of the reimagined Skyway Community Centre. It serves as a poignant reminder of our collective duty to tread lightly on Earth, fostering a legacy of care, unity, and sustainable vision.”
The artwork will be installed in Fall 2024.
By Pepper Parr
March 12th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
When the question was put to a senior person at city hall the answer was – that’s a “no-brainer”.
The situation Tammy Fox was considering was a tighter working relationship with Sound of Music (SoM). For the most part the Performing Arts Centre didn’t have all that much going when the SoM was taking place – why not make the two stages available to them?
 And why couldn’t Fox handle much of the talent that SoM attracts. She knows, better than a lot of people, who is who in the arts and entertainment world.
Before taking on the management of a performing arts centre she was an agent for a significant number of actors, singers, musicians – experience that was badly needed at SoM
The conversations with the SoM people went very well.
 The public won’t see much in the way of detail until SoM is closer to announcing their 2024 program.
There is a lot of upside and not much in the way of downside.
 By Jerome Blazer
March 12th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
In Burlington, Ontario, residents have embraced various methods of payment for their online purchases, which is quite normal considering we all have a diverse range of preferences and priorities. Among these options, cryptocurrency has emerged as a notable contender, capturing the interest of tech-savvy individuals and enthusiasts eager to explore alternative financial avenues.
 Despite its growing popularity, the use of cryptocurrency for online transactions remains relatively niche in Burlington, with traditional payment methods still reigning supreme for most residents.
According to recent data, while some Burlingtonians have dabbled in cryptocurrency for online purchases, its adoption rate for everyday transactions remains modest. However, for those intrigued by the decentralized nature of digital currencies and the potential for anonymity in online transactions, cryptocurrency presents an enticing option. Blockchain technology is offering convenience and security that many would like to explore, not to mention the appeal of innovation.
Notably, cryptocurrency’s popularity extends beyond mere online purchases. A segment of the community is expressing interest in its application to online gambling. With the allure of instantaneous transactions and potential anonymity, some residents have turned to cryptocurrency as a preferred method for engaging in online betting and gaming activities. While employing cryptocurrency for online gambling presents distinct advantages for Canadian players, such as expedited withdrawals and heightened privacy, it also entails specific considerations. Some of them are fluctuating exchange rates and regulatory ambiguities, which are particularly relevant to Canadian players.
 Anonymity in online transactions: cryptocurrency presents an enticing option. Despite the allure of cryptocurrency, Burlingtonians predominantly rely on conventional payment methods for their online purchases. Credit and debit cards remain the go-to choice for many residents since they offer familiarity, convenience, and widespread acceptance across online retailers. With established infrastructure and robust security measures in place, credit and debit cards provide a sense of trust and reliability to Burlington’s online shoppers.
Another popular payment method is e-wallets. E-wallets have gained traction among Burlington’s tech-savvy populace, offering a convenient and streamlined payment solution for online transactions. Services like PayPal and Apple Pay provide a seamless checkout experience. They are known to allow users to store payment information securely and make purchases with a single click. E-wallets are particularly popular among individuals seeking added convenience and efficiency in managing their online finances.
Traditional banking methods such as online bank transfers and electronic bill payments continue to serve as staple options for Burlington residents conducting online transactions. These methods have proven reliability and are accessible worldwide, so it’s no wonder that they are still the preferred choice for online shopping adventures.
As you can see, Burlington’s online payment landscape reflects a diverse array of preferences. Residents are utilizing a mix of traditional and innovative methods to conduct their online purchases. While cryptocurrency holds promise as a burgeoning payment option, its adoption remains gradual. For now, conventional methods like credit cards, e-wallets, and online banking continue to dominate the local online commerce scene. As technology evolves and consumer preferences evolve, Burlingtonians will undoubtedly continue to explore new avenues for making their online transactions both convenient and secure.
By Pepper Parr
March 12th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The occasion that is being described took place the day the city administration took steps to bar an individual from attending a Council meeting. It was more than a month ago.
The decision to prevent the individual from attending a Council meeting was justified. The person’s behaviour had over time become less than polite. On at least one occasion he shouted out while someone else was delegating. There is no record of how the person was advised that he could no longer take part in a live council meeting. He was told that he could take part virtually and has done so for the past month.
He was never a threat – he did need some help.
What people who were attending began to notice was the presence of police and a significant number of private security people in and around city hall.
 Stairway to Council Chamber. They were in the lobby, they were in the foyer outside the Council Chamber and they were outside the building.
One person who was travelling to city hall to attend the meeting told the Gazette that he is not certain but at one point as he was driving from his home in the eastern side of the city he noticed there were two police cruisers that he thought were following.
“They were behind me all the way to city hall and they stayed at City hall.”
The citizen walked up the stairway to the Council Chamber level and entered. As he was doing so he passed City Manager Tim Commisso.
“If looks could kill – I was dead” was the way the citizen described what took place. “The glare from Commisso was profound as well as unsettling.”
The person the city wanted to keep out of the Council Chamber, justifiably so we thought, based on what we saw on the web casts. What wasn’t justified was the way the city administration ramped up a reaction that was out of proportion to what needed to be done.
 Mayor Meed Ward with a graphic that she approved. Since that event the Council member Chairing a meeting now reads out statements that are far from welcoming. The Mayor has been doing this for some time.
 Councillor Shawna Stolte Councillor Stolte read out this Statement before the start of a Statutory meeting:
All public attendees must maintain order and not engage in any behavior that may be considered disruptive. No person will use indecent offensive or insulting language or speak disrespectfully to anyone in council chambers.
 By Pepper Parr
March 11th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The Performing Arts Centre building is owned by the City.
It is leased to the organization that puts on the events that take place at BPAC.
 BPAC Executive Director Tammy Fox; eight years on the job during which she got the organization through the pandemic and to the point where it shows a small profit each year. BPAC is run by Executive Director Tammy Fox who reports to a Board of Directors.
Late last year the wheels fell off and we saw Tammy Fox appearing before city Council explaining that she sort of didn’t really have a functioning Board of Directors.
 Rick Burgess, once a candidate for Mayor of Burlington being presented a recognition award by Burlington MP Karina Gould with support from Mayor Meed Ward. Rick Burgess, who has served as Chair of the Board on a number of occasions, appeared before Council at which all this was debated; it was difficult to get a direct answer from Burgess.
That resulted in the city single sourcing Dr. Richard Leblanc to conduct the independent governance review that was to a review of BPAC board documents, interviews with BPAC board members and BPAC management.
Things like this are always done in CLOSED sessions of Council
The BPAC Board of Directors has reviewed the governance report and accepted the recommendations. As a board, they are taking full responsibility for adopting the practices and protocols necessary to enhance the governance of BPAC; as can be expected, implementation of the recommendations will occur over a period of time.
A call for nominations to the BPAC Board went out – they closed February 16th.
 Ken Smithard is the current BPAC Board Chair Currently, Ken Smithard is Board Chair, Ed Rafih is Vice Chair, Peter W. Van Dyk – Interim Finance Chair, Deirdre A. Flynn – Secretary, Councillor Angelo Bentivegna represents the City on the Board, Kelly Gleeson, Cindy Palmer are Board members. Emilie Cote, Director of Recreation, Community and Culture is also on the Board representing Burlington’s City Manager.
Rick Burgess is not a member of the Board at this time.
Burlington Theatre Board Inc., commonly referred to as the Burlington Performing Arts Centre (“BPAC”), currently operates from the City owned facility located at 440 Locust Street The City has leased the site to the Theatre Board. There is also a Relationship Agreement between the parties.
Prior to the November Council meetings the City became aware of issues respecting the overall governance and oversight of BPAC generally and the ongoing stability of board of directors specifically inclusive of the turnover of volunteer board members.
Burlington Council representatives on the board was Councillor Bentivegna. It was the Bentivegna Notice of Motion that brought the BPAC issues th Council.
The city brought on an external consultant to establish a comprehensive accountability framework for agencies, boards and commissions. That report, paid for by BPAC, was accepted and is being implemented.
The City’s immediate focus and purpose was to stabilize and enhance the overall board governance capacity.
The BPAC provides a vitally important community service to the residents of the City of Burlington The City provides significant tax supported funding annually to BPAC which in the 2024 budget is proposed in the amounts of $1,102,006 – operating grant and $63,200 – capital contribution.
BPAC turned a profit of about $800,000.00 and are sitting on a surplus of almost $4 million at the end of 2022.
The 2023 numbers are not yet available.
 By Pepper Parr
March 10th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
It is an Ontario Land Tribunal hearing that could result in the destroying of a community – it has that much riding on it.
 The infrastructure that was put in place for the golf course could be damaged were 98 new houses added to the site argues the community. The OLT will decide if the development can take place. Scheduled as a 19 day event, there is not yet much in the way of a clear picture; opening statements from all the parties and a series of Millcroft Greens’ expert witnesses have been heard. The areas covered were non-opinion overview, Environmental Planning, Ecology, Landscape, and Geotech.
The hearings resume on Tuesday of this week
 Developer  Community Group  Community Group There are two community groups opposed to the application made by the developer, Millcroft Greens. The unfortunate part of this is that the two groups are indeed singing from the same hymn book but not reading the same music. The result is that they each have their own agenda and each is in the process of raising funds to pay for the experts that are called in as witnesses – by the time this is over they will have spent $150,000.
The City is onside but hasn’t delivered on several levels, Conservation Halton was at the table but pulled away on Wednesday when they said in a prepared statement that
Conservation Halton reviewed the Millcroft Greens applications based on our regulatory responsibilities under Ontario Regulation 162/06 (i.e., hazard and wetland related matters) and our provincially delegated responsibilities under Ontario Regulation 686/21 (e.g., review planning applications to ensure they do not conflict with the natural hazard policies of the Provincial Policy Statement).
As such, based on our review of the materials submitted, CH staff is satisfied that the submission addresses any fundamental natural hazard or wetland related comments and that any remaining comments can be addressed through Draft Plan Conditions. For this reason, CH did not submit Witness Statements nor reply statements.
 The Conservation Authority is in place partially to ensure that a close watch is maintained over the flow of water through the 13 creeks that feed into Lake Ontario.
The Regional government’s interests in this hearing include:Regional Natural Heritage System and demonstrating the ability to establish appropriate limits of development as it relates to Area A;
Ensuring impacts to the Regional Road network and access as it relates to Area E are able to be addressed;
Appropriate extensions to water and wastewater servicing to accommodate the proposed development can be achieved; and,
That appropriate approvals can be obtained as it relates to investigations regarding the potential for site contamination.
Through the review and OLT processes these matters have been reviewed and the Region is working towards having them addressed with the applicant through the implementation of appropriate conditions of approval or planning instruments (such as holding provisions). It should be noted that the Region has been working diligently throughout the OLT hearing with City staff and legal representatives to ensure they are fully aware of how the Region is managing these matters.
 Jennifer Lawrence left Conservation Halton as a planner in 2013 Some people have expressed concerns that Jennifer Lawrence, the environmental planner for Millcroft Greens, was a former employee of Conservation Halton. It is not unusual for a planner to move from the public sector to the private sector.
 The light yellow areas are where new development would take place. Lawrence, in her testimony said that there are no flooding concerns on areas B – E of the proposed development. When asked if there were any flooding what the impact would be on the ability to get any insurance coverage Lawrence said she was not an expert on insurance matters and could not respond to the question.
Concerns were expressed about some sponsorship support given to the Conservation Halton Foundation. Both Argo, the people behind the Millcroft Green organization and the Mattamy Group were financial sponsors for the 2023 Foundation Fundraising Gala.
 Sponsorship of Conservation Halton Foundation events is not a conflict. CH and the Foundation are seperate organizations. The Conservation Halton Foundation is in place to raise funds for Conservation Halton that are not possible with the budget CA has.
CH does have representation on the Foundation Board – it is not a majority and it does not set the agenda for the Foundation.
The OLT hearings are public.
Nothing exciting – sort of like watching paint dry.
The outcome could be anything but exciting – a way of life and 4000 people.
 By Pepper Parr
March 10th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
We learned earlier today of the passing of Russ Campbell. A wise voice that will not be heard again. A friend who will not be able to take a call.
 Photography came to Russ Campbell easily; a natural eye and an ability to time the taking of the picture. Russ was many things to many people – the comments on his Facebook page attest to that.
Russell Garth Campbell came to Canada at the age of 15 from Jamaica and literally married the girl next door, raised two children and lived a full life.
There wasn’t a day in the life he lived that he wasn’t learning something new. He was part of the world of information technology in the early days when punch cards were how data was fed into computer.
He learned that he needed to know more and studied to become an accountant earning a Certified General Accountant (CGA) designation and worked as a Vice President Finance for a company in the food sector.
Russ was troubled by the shift in the way we conversed with each other politically and how political life was becoming polarized
When those who read his political thinking wanted something more conservative Russ decided that wasn’t the kind of conservative he was and shut it down; civilized to the end.
His final years were punctuated with illness that he managed bravely.
Link to a previous story.
Do the things that are important now
 By Alexandre Dumas
March 9th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The Mulroney government (1984–1993) was a contemporary of the Reagan administration (1981–1989) in the United States and the Thatcher government (1979–1990) in the United Kingdom. All three were characterized by their neoliberal economic policies, which transformed the welfare state that their predecessors had taken decades to build.
So-called “Reagonomics” and Thatcherism were defined by a distrust of the planned economy, government corporations and universal welfare. Reagan made his mark with the famous quote: “Government is not the solution to our problems. Government IS the problem.”
Generally speaking, neoliberalism blames a sprawling, intrusive state for undermining the economy. The economic recessions of 1975 and 1982 seemed to confirm this. Both Reagan and Thatcher championed trickle-down economics: when companies prosper, workers get richer and all of society benefits.
Brian Mulroney showed the same colors from the start of his first mandate, creating the Ministry of State for Privatization and Regulatory Affairs in 1986, a portfolio entrusted to Barbara McDougall. Taking up the project from his predecessor, then prime minister Joe Clark, Mulroney began the withdrawal of the Canadian state as a producer of goods and provider of services.
When the Conservatives came to power, the federal government owned 67 Crown corporations, with a combined value of $50 billion. Nine companies were privatized under Mulroney, including Air Canada, Canadair, Canadian Arsenals and Teleglobe (now a subsidiary of India’s Tata Communications). Privatization of Petro-Canada and Canadian National began (and was completed under the Chrétien and Martin governments).
The “good” and the “bad” poor
From the third government of William Lyon Mackenzie King (1935–1948) to the second government of Pierre Elliott Trudeau (1980–1984), the welfare state had not been seriously challenged. On the contrary, social assistance, particularly universal health insurance, had become one of the features that set Canada apart from the United States in the eyes of Canadians. Today, it remains one of the cornerstones of Canadian identity.
Let’s recall some of the milestones in the construction of the Canadian welfare state: the Unemployment Insurance Act in 1940, the Family Allowance Program in 1944, the Old Age Security Act in 1952, the Hospital Insurance and Diagnostic Services Act in 1957, the Canada Pension Plan and Guaranteed Income Supplement in 1965, and the Medical Care Act in 1966.
The 1970s saw no further major initiatives, but programs were reformed to reach more Canadians, and to ensure that basic needs of the population were met.
One of the Mulroney government’s objectives was to improve the strained relations between Canada and the United States that had marked the Trudeau era. The 1987 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) required a semblance of economic uniformity. Competition between companies in the two countries would have been distorted if Canadian companies could afford to offer lower wages, thanks to the existence of social programs that would have offset the income of Canadians. Completely aligning Canada with the U.S. by weakening the welfare state to the American level would not have been a winning formula for the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada. Instead, the Mulroney government ended the universality of some welfare programs, reducing some of the differences between the two countries.
Like most of his Conservative contemporaries, Mulroney presented the failure of the welfare state to eliminate poverty as proof of the need for fundamental reform. A line was drawn between the “good poor,” those in real need of state assistance, and the “bad poor,” those who take advantage of the system. The problem was not that social programs were running out of money, but that layabouts, crooks and people who didn’t need the money were absorbing resources.
“Does the man who makes $500,000 a year as bank president need to collect family allowances?” asked Mulroney at a town hall meeting in Vancouver in 1984. The example was extreme, but the message was clear: Some Canadians were receiving government welfare without needing it.
Starting in 1944, all Canadian families had received the same family allowance, regardless of their financial situation. As of 1989, some families had to repay their family allowance, depending on their income. In 1993, the Conservative government abolished universal family allowances, replacing them with the Child Tax Benefit, a selective program available only to low-income households. This new program was presented at the time as an incentive for women to stay at home.
Other programs were slimmed down with the stated official objective to reduce the deficit. Eligibility rules for the employment insurance program were tightened to serve fewer workers; benefit rates were lowered and weeks of eligibility were cut. Old Age Security payments were reduced, based on income. Federal participation in provincial social assistance programs was reduced. Universal benefits were replaced by tax credits.
Their main beneficiaries were not low-income families. The Canadian tax has become increasingly complex, and only a minority of people are able to benefit from all the tax advantages to which they are entitled.
The government’s official objective was always to give more aid to the truly needy, while cutting off assistance to those who were not. There was also a desire to prevent state financial assistance from discouraging recipients from working. “Unemployment insurance was not designed to become a system of income support and supplementation,” states the report of the Commission of Inquiry on Unemployment Insurance, tabled in 1986.
Discreet, more modest dismantling
According to journalist Linda McQuaig, Mulroney was a quiet disciple of Reagan and Thatcher. While the American and British governments dismantled the welfare state with great fanfare in the name of the economy, Mulroney quietly attacked it, always insisting that the reforms were aimed at a more effective fight against poverty.
When it came to privatization, however, the government was so sure it was rowing in the direction of public opinion that the official discourse exaggerated the scale of the movement. Not only did the government privatize fewer companies than had been officially announced, but new Crown corporations were created under the Mulroney Conservatives without great fanfare.
The Mulroney years were only the beginning of the decline of the Canadian welfare state. Liberals Jean Chrétien and Paul Martin ended the Canada Assistance Plan and reformed the Employment Insurance program to make it even more restrictive. Between 1993 and 2002, the proportion of unemployed people eligible for EI fell from 57 per cent to 38 per cent. Stephen Harper’s Conservative government raised the minimum age for entitlement to Old Age Security to 67 (a measure since cancelled by the Trudeau government).
By transforming universal programs into selective ones, the Mulroney government changed the spirit of the Canadian welfare state. Liberals and Conservatives alike sought to provide the absolute minimum. They sought to reduce state financial assistance as much as possible, without placing more Canadians below the poverty line. The objective was to save the truly needy without risk of shrinking the labour pool, and to avoiding wasteful spending. Mulroney’s policies may have been less radical than Thatcher’s or Reagan’s, but they opened a door that future governments would walk through.
 Alexandre Dumas has a doctorate in history from McGill University. His book L’Église et la politique de Taschereau à Duplessis (MQUP, 2019) was a finalist for the political book prize of the National Assembly of Quebec. He is a lecturer for the Universités du Québec network.
By Staff
March 9th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Five-month investigation, paints a picture of a dangerous and disturbing “Wild West” of private clinics operating with little or no oversight.
 A report released by the Ottawa and Ontario Health Coalitions contains shocking revelations about the ownership and management behind private health clinics in Ottawa. Based on a five-month investigation, Freedom of Information requests, corporate filings, interviews and court records, the report paints a picture of a dangerous and disturbing “Wild West” of private clinics operating with little or no oversight.
The report centres on the South Keys clinic featured in a flurry of media reports last fall when its “Clinical Director” announced that patients would be required to pay a $400 annual fee to access primary care by a nurse practitioner.
The report is 85 pages long – we need some time to dig through the details.
 Health Minister Sylvia Jones has yet to deliver on a promised investigation. At the time, Health Minister Sylvia Jones promised an investigation, noted the Coalition. No update has been forthcoming and the Health Coalition reports it conducted its own inquiry into the clinic resulting in three major findings, as follows:
A review of the two key statutes establishing the legal rights of Ontarians to primary health care services confirms that the $400 per year fee recently introduced by the South Keys clinic is unlawful.
The Coalition called on the Ford government to stop stalling and enforce Ontario’s and Canada’s Public Medicare protection laws.
The Coalition called for an investigation into the charges levied on patients, and said that the scope of this investigation must be expanded to examine the ownership and management of the South Keys clinic and another Ottawa clinic co-owned by the same individual.
The owners of the South Keys clinic and a second related clinic – Neuromotion Therapy – appear to have been convicted of serious crimes including 64 counts of insurance fraud and sexual assault.
The Coalition also identified a troubling pattern of misleading practices in the marketing of these clinics. A number of individual practitioners who are now, or have been, listed on the roster of the clinics’ health professionals appear to live in communities far away from Ottawa, or were listed on the website long after they left, or never worked at the clinics.
The report’s authors concluded, “The details contained in this report reveal the consequences of the Ford government’s policies that have allowed more and more vital health care services to be owned by profit-driven business people and investors who lack a social commitment to the provision of health care.”
“We call upon the Ford government to take immediate action to enforce our public health care laws and stop the South Keys clinic from charging patients for primary care services, at bare minimum,” said Natalie Mehra, executive director of the Ontario Health Coalition.
“The extremely disturbing details about the apparent legal histories of the clinics’ owners illustrate the serious dangers to the public created by the privatization of our vital health care services,” added Kevin Skerrett, of the Ottawa Health Coalition. “Along with actually “shutting down bad actors”, as Minister of Health Sylvia Jones promised in October, this broader problem must be addressed through ending the for-profit privatization of primary care that has accelerated significantly under the Ford government and establishing public and not-for-profit community health teams with strong public oversight.”
 By Staff
March 9th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Meet Newrise, a new name for a development company that comes out of the joining together of New Horizon Development Group and Krpan Group. Combined, the two have more than 80 years of experience
 The two have joined forces ” to further advance the conversation and opportunities around sustainable building. These like minded individuals understand the importance of creating communities that benefit future generations.
Defined is as a strategic union brings together expertise in land development and construction, aimed at delivering visionary communities and buildings across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA).
With over 80 combined years of experience, this partnership brings new opportunities for innovative and groundbreaking development projects that will shape the landscape of the GTHA.
NEWRISE seeks to redefine industry standards, elevating the quality of living opportunities through the partnership’s commitment to lasting craftsmanship and forward-thinking design.
New Horizon Development Group and Krpan Group sought each other out when they realized a shared set of values; to creating enduring projects, embracing visionary ideals, and demonstrating the highest level of dedication to their craft. “We’re excited about the opportunity NEWRISE brings. It is a testament to the power of partnership – our alignment and shared vision accelerates our ability to bring much-needed new home communities to fruition” said Jeff Paikin, President of NHDG.
NEWRISE is committed to sustainability and environmental consciousness. Each partner recognizes the importance of creating developments that contribute to a resilient future. With a focus on green building practices and energy efficiency, NEWRISE will achieve high standards for sustainable development in the region. “With the new partnership that we are announcing today, it expands our ability to create lasting communities with a focus on attainability through rentals, and sustainable building technologies in the GTHA,” explained John Krpan Sr of Krpan Group.
Both New Horizon Development Group and Krpan Group have proven track records of delivering communities that exceed industry standards. NEWRISE will continue this tradition by upholding both partners’ project standards in all areas, including design, construction quality, and client experience.
 New Horizons got to build the Bridgewater development, the first high rise to sit on the edge of the lake. New Horizon Development Group (NHDG) has been active in building communities in Southern Ontario, spanning between Oakville, Beamsville, Brantford and Cambridge in their 30-year history. NHDG built Bridgewater in Burlington.
 Krpan built the new headquarters for L3 Harris when they moved from Burlington to Hamilton in the Waterdown community. Krpan Group is a diversified family-owned private real estate company with origins in land development and a history that stretches back to 1973. They and expanded into a vertically integrated real estate company with divisions in residential, industrial, office and commercial/retail.
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