 By Pepper Parr
September 28th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Sometimes the photo op is an unfortunate mistake.
Burlington’s MP Karina Gould chose to take part in this photo op with the Speaker of the House of Commons, and a person identified as the son of Yaroslav Hunka who has been identified as a man who fought for the Germans in Ukraine during WWII.
 Burlington MP Karina Gould, Speaker Anthony Rota and Yaroslav Hunka with his son standing behind him. The Speaker of the House is being blamed for not vetting the man thoroughly. Some are saying that all it took to learn just who Yaroslav Hunka was is a quick Google search.
Yaroslav Hunka is a Ukrainian World War II veteran of the 14th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS, a Nazi Germany military formation. Hunka was born in Urman, then part of Poland, and volunteered for SS Galizien in 1943. He emigrated to Canada after the conclusion of World War II.
Division members are accused of killing Polish and Jewish civilians, although the unit has not been found guilty of any war crimes by a tribunal.
The unit was renamed the First Ukrainian Division before surrendering to the Western Allies in 1945.
The division was later known as the 1st Ukranian Division, the historian Olesya Khromeychuk wrote in a 2012 article for the Canadian Slavic Papers journal, and its legacy has been disputed for years. Khromeychuk wrote that the division’s veterans “are often portrayed as traitors, opportunists and war criminals,” while others see them as people who chose “the lesser of two evils” during the war by joining the Germans “to defend their motherland against the Soviet invasion and build a nucleus for the Ukrainian army.”
Dominique Arel, chair of Ukrainian studies at the University of Ottawa, told CBC News that the division Mr Hunka was part of had attracted thousands of Ukrainian volunteers, many joining with hopes they could achieve Ukrainian independence.
The Speaker, Anthony Rota, was very expansive when he was introducing Yaroslav Hunka.
At one point, Mr. Rota pointed to Mr. Hunka who sat in the gallery, saying the man was “a Ukrainian hero, a Canadian hero, and we thank him for all his service”.
 Crown in on the floor of the house of Commons recognizing Yaroslav Hunka standing in the gallery. The introduction resulted in two standing ovations with every Member of the House of Commons taking part along with the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
 Speaker Anthony leaving the Speaker’s Chair. Several days later, the Speaker apologized for the comments he made; that proved to be less than Members of the House of Commons. A day later Anthony Rota resigned as Speaker.
Liberal MP and House Leader Karina Gould called the situation “deeply embarrassing for Canada” and called on all parties in Parliament to agree to remove the recognition of Yaroslav Hunka from the official record of the House of Commons.
She also said the government would have vetted everyone who attended the speech for security concerns, but was not responsible for deciding to recognize Hunka.
The House of Commons protocol team — comprised of non-partisan bureaucratic staff — was responsible for collecting lists of invitees from various parties and the Speaker’s office, and sending them to the Parliamentary Protective Services (PPS), one government official explained.
The individual referenced was invited and recognized by the Speaker. The government and the Ukrainian delegation had no prior knowledge of this.”
The PPS did not respond to questions about the incident.
“Members did so because we took the Speaker’s word that this individual should indeed be granted this honour in good faith.”
 Yaroslav Hunka accepting the accolades from a Joint Session of the Commons In a statement, Rota said that on 22 September “in my remarks following the address of the president of Ukraine, I recognized an individual in the gallery.
“I have subsequently become aware of more information which causes me to regret my decision to do so.”
Mr. Rota said that “no one, including fellow parliamentarians and the Ukraine delegation, was aware of my intention or of my remarks before I delivered them. This initiative was entirely my own, the individual in question being from my riding and having been brought to my attention.”
Liberal MPs, including House Leader Karina Gould, accused the Conservatives of ignoring Rota’s acknowledgement of blame, and implored the opposition to refrain from making the situation “partisan.”
Gould called the situation “deeply embarrassing for Canada” and called on all parties in Parliament to agree to remove the recognition of Hunka from the official record of the House of Commons. Gould said she felt “personally hurt,” given that she is a Jewish Canadian whose family survived the Holocaust and lost loved ones in the Nazi death camp at Auschwitz.
She also said the government would have vetted everyone who attended the speech for security concerns, but was not responsible for deciding to recognize Hunka.
“There are many times when we recognize people in the gallery, and we do so on your good advice, on your good offices. And all of us here did that in the chamber on Friday because we trusted you on that,” Gould said, addressing Rota from the floor of the Commons.
“It is very important that we collectively work together to strike this recognition from the record, and I will work with my colleagues to do that.”
 A grim faced Speaker Anthony Rota In recognizing Hunka in the Commons, Rota referred to him as a 98-year-old from North Bay, Ont. He was later identified in an Associated Press photo caption as a member of what was known as the “Galicia” division of Nazi Germany’s Waffen SS.
In the 1980s, a public inquiry set up by Prime Minister Brian Mulroney examined allegations that war criminals from the Second World War had immigrated to Canada after the conflict. Although the broader German Waffen SS was determined to be a criminal organization during the Nuremberg war trials, the public inquiry concluded in 1986 that “mere membership” in the division was insufficient to justify prosecution for war crimes.
The inquiry also concluded that individual members of the division were screened before they emigrated to Canada, and that “charges of war crimes against members of the Galicia Division have never been substantiated.”
How did something like this happen?
And what was Karina Gould thinking when she went along with having her picture taken with Yaroslav Hunka. The man had no link with Burlington. While Gould did not know anything about Hunka when the picture was taken – there didn’t seem to be any reason for a picture to be taken. It had no relevance to her constituents.
What moved a graduate of Oxford University to suggest that everything that happened when and after Hunka was recognized be expunged from the public record. If anybody with a degree from world class university Gould knows and understands that civilized people don’t even think of trying to rewrite history. The Jewish community has been fighting that battle for decades.
Gould spoke at length in the House of Commons on September 25th. For the record we have set out what she said:
 Burlington MP Karina Gould September 25th, 2:20 p.m.
Guests in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, as a descendant of Jewish Holocaust survivors, I am personally very hurt by the fact that this chamber recognized this individual. I am sure that everyone feels the same way in this chamber.
September 25th, 2:20 p.m.
Guests in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, like all members of this chamber, I am incredibly disappointed in the fact that this individual was invited. As you yourself, Mr. Speaker, confirmed, this individual was recognized in the gallery. I found out just like every other member in the House at that time that this individual was present. This is deeply embarrassing for us as parliamentarians, as Canadians. It is something that I think all of us take extremely seriously, and I would ask my hon. colleagues not to politicize this moment.
September 25th, 2:20 p.m.
Guests in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, like every other member of the House, I was extremely disappointed by this situation. Personally, as a descendant of Jewish Holocaust survivors, I was very hurt, and I know everyone in the House was hurt too.
As the Leader of the Opposition knows, and as you mentioned, Mr. Speaker, it was your decision and yours alone. Neither the government nor the Ukrainian delegation was aware of the situation ahead of time.
We are all very disappointed by the situation.
September 25th, 2:25 p.m.
Guests in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned, everyone in the House is deeply hurt by what happened on Friday. We were all taken by surprise. This is something that is completely unacceptable. There are communities across Canada, including Jewish and Eastern European communities, for whom the Holocaust and the Second World War are particularly painful.
As a descendant of Jewish Holocaust survivors, I take this very seriously. I think this is an opportunity for us all to reflect—
September 25th, 2:25 p.m.
Guests in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for his question.
As I mentioned, it was a very painful incident for everyone in the House and, of course, for all Canadians, especially those who have family members who were affected by the Holocaust, namely, the Jewish and Eastern European communities. This really hurts. Personally, I was disappointed by what happened.
I would like to ask everyone to deal with this responsibly.
September 25th, 2:25 p.m.
Guests in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, I know the Leader of the Opposition does not want to rely on the facts, but the facts in this situation are that the government had no prior knowledge that this individual was being invited, nor that he would be recognized.
If members go back and recall what happened on Friday, they will see that it was indeed the Speaker of the House who recognized this individual. We were all caught off guard. It is deeply embarrassing to this Parliament and to Canada. I ask that we all deal with this responsibly.
September 25th, 2:30 p.m.
Guests in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, I would again ask my hon. colleague to stick to the facts. We know and he knows, because you stated publicly and in this chamber, that it was your decision to invite this individual, your decision alone to recognize him in the chamber. We were all caught off guard on Friday.
Everyone in this chamber stood, because we trusted the Speaker to know who this was. At the same time, we must all take this seriously, and we must not politicize this. Communities are hurting, and we need to be there to be united at this time.
September 25th, 2:30 p.m.
Guests in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, as a Canadian of Jewish origin, I have shared very clearly with the House on several occasions how disturbing this event is for me personally. I also know how disturbing it is for Canadians who are Jewish right across this country. Today, on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, the Day of Atonement as we prepare for the New Year, this is particularly disturbing.
However, I have to correct my hon. colleague in the sense that the government was not aware this individual was invited. It was completely the prerogative of the Speaker; it was his decision, and we need to make sure the facts remain on the table.
September 25th, 2:35 p.m.
Guests in the House of Commons
 Karina Gould getting ready to speak in the House of Commons. Mr. Speaker, as a Canadian of Jewish origin, I am extremely hurt by what happened last Friday. My grandfather is a survivor of Auschwitz. This is so very painful for me, and I know that it is also very painful for all members of the House. However, the facts are the facts. It was the Speaker of the House of Commons who invited this individual and decided to recognize his presence in the House. No one in government or in the Ukrainian delegation knew ahead of time that he was going to do that.
September 25th, 2:35 p.m.
Guests in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, I will repeat for my hon. colleague what I have already said because it is a matter of fact and the truth. Neither the government nor the Ukrainian delegation knew in advance that this individual was invited or that the Speaker of the House would draw attention to his presence during his speech. We have all been hurt by this incident and we are deeply disappointed by what happened. This has repercussions on parliamentarians, Canada, and of course Canada’s reputation in the world. Nonetheless, it is something that everyone must take seriously and—
September 25th, 2:35 p.m.
Guests in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, let me continue to lay out the facts for this chamber.
It is a fact that the individual was not granted access to either the President of Ukraine or the Prime Minister of this country. He was specifically invited by the Speaker of the House, who did not make either the Government of Canada or the Ukrainian delegation aware. We all found out at the same time, when he was recognized in the chamber.
We are all deeply embarrassed by this. It has embarrassed Canada. We must reiterate our strong allyship for Ukraine, Ukrainian Canadians, and Jewish—
September 25th, 2:35 p.m.
Guests in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, I have tremendous respect for my colleague opposite. He was the Speaker, and he is the House leader now. He knows how this chamber operates.
He knows that the Speaker has prerogative for whom they invite to the Speaker’s gallery. The Parliamentary Protective Service followed all screening protocols to ensure the security of the event on Friday.
Nevertheless, neither the government nor the Ukrainian delegation was aware of that individual’s presence until he was recognized by the Speaker. Those are the facts.
September 25th, 2:40 p.m.
Guests in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, as I have already stated, the Parliamentary Protective Service followed all screening protocols to ensure the security of last Friday’s event. I agree with the member opposite in that it was profoundly embarrassing for Parliament and for Canada that this individual was both invited and recognized. However, as the member knows, and as all members know, it was the Speaker of the chamber who decided to invite this individual and recognize him. We were all caught off guard, and we are all hurting because of it.
September 25th, 2:45 p.m.
Guests in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, as a descendant of a Jewish Holocaust survivor, this is something that is profoundly disturbing and upsetting to me, as it is to everyone in Canada whose family has been impacted by the Holocaust and, indeed, to everyone around the world.
It is not lost on me that the President of Ukraine is Jewish and has also suffered the same way my family did, but I will reiterate to the member opposite that this was not the government’s decision, and it had no prior knowledge of this. It was a decision made by the Speaker of the House. He has apologized. We were all owed that apology because it was profoundly embarrassing—
September 25th, 2:45 p.m.
Guests in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, as I have stated, I think the episode on Friday was one of profound embarrassment for parliamentarians and for all Canadians.
As has been stated clearly, the Parliamentary Protective Service did all of the required security protocols to ensure the security of the event.
However, neither the government nor the Ukrainian delegation was aware that this individual would be present in the gallery nor that he would be recognized, until such a time as the Speaker did that. The Speaker has made that public and clear, and we were owed and received an apology—
September 25th, 2:50 p.m.
Guests in the House of Commons
 Karina Gould doing damage control in the House of Commons. Mr. Speaker, the member opposite knows, because she heard it from you this morning and from me several times today, that it was not the Prime Minister who either invited this individual or recognized him. She acknowledged that he was recognized during the Speaker’s remarks, because the facts of the matter are that this individual was invited by the Speaker of the House and was recognized by the Speaker of the House, who did this without informing either the Government of Canada or the Ukrainian delegation. This is profoundly embarrassing to us all, and we all need to take this seriously.
September 25th, 2:55 p.m.
Guests in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, in fact, the Speaker has already clarified and expressed that this was his decision alone, that he did not inform the government or the Ukrainian delegation, that this was entirely his decision.
I cannot force Conservative members to believe what the facts are. I can only put them on the table as they are. They have been clearly outlined, and we will continue to stand by them, because that is the truth.
September 25th, 2:55 p.m.
Guests in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, I have clearly laid the facts on the table several times today.
In fact, the only person who invited this individual and decided to recognize him was the Speaker of the House. The Parliamentary Protective Service followed all security protocols to ensure the security of the event.
However, I agree with the member opposite that this should never have happened. It is profoundly embarrassing and disappointing to all members of the House and to all Canadians. To that end, we stand with all Canadian communities that are impacted, and of course with Ukraine.
September 25th, 3 p.m.
Guests in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, I can only share the facts and the truth. The truth and the facts are that, no, the government did not know that this individual was invited, nor that he was going to be recognized by the Speaker of the House.
As the member opposite heard the Speaker say earlier today, this individual was from his riding. He decided to recognize him. He did not inform either the government or the Ukrainian delegation. This has caused profound hurt and embarrassment to this chamber, to Canada and to Canadians from so many different backgrounds, Jewish Canadians, Canadians of Eastern European descent, Ukrainian Canadians and, of course, the President of Ukraine.
September 25th, 3 p.m.
Guests in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, my hon. colleague knows, because he listened to you this morning and he saw your message yesterday that you clarified that it was your personal initiative and that you had not notified the government that you were inviting this individual and drawing attention to his presence.
We are all deeply hurt. We are hurt as parliamentarians and as Canadians.
More importantly, communities across the country are hurt by this initiative of the Speaker of the House.
September 25th, 3 p.m.
Guests in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, the truth is that neither the Prime Minister nor anyone in his cabinet or in the Ukrainian delegation knew in advance that this individual was invited or that he would be recognized by the Speaker of the House of Commons.
As I said many times, the Speaker of the House of Commons invited this individual of his own accord and he made the decision himself to recognize him. It was very painful for all of us, as parliamentarians, who were there and who were surprised by this decision.
It is painful for every Canadian who was affected by the Holocaust and the wars—
September 25th, 3:05 p.m.
Guests in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, again, I would invite my colleagues on the Conservative benches to rely on the facts. You have laid out both in a statement as well as in an apology to the House that it was you who decided to invite this individual.
You decided to recognize him in this place without informing the government, the Ukrainian delegation or, indeed, any parliamentarian.
I think we are all profoundly hurt and embarrassed by this as are Canadians.
We need to take this seriously and not politicize it. We need to make sure that we are bringing Canadians together during this difficult time.
September 25th, 3:05 p.m.
Guests in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, again, that hon. colleague would have seen your statement yesterday and heard your apology in the House today. The Speaker confirmed that this was his decision, and his decision alone, to invite this individual from his riding and to acknowledge him in the gallery. We were all caught off guard by this. We all stood and applauded, but this was not the individual we were led to believe he was. That is something that hurts all of us and embarrasses all of us, but there was no prior knowledge from the government.
September 25th, 3:05 p.m.
Guests in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, my hon. colleague heard your statement this morning. He knows very well that this was your decision, and your decision alone, to invite this individual and to recognize him in the gallery, without informing the government, without informing the Ukrainian delegation.
We are profoundly hurt by this. We are profoundly embarrassed by this. I would ask that the Conservative colleagues pay attention to the facts, rely on the facts, and treat this matter with the seriousness that it deserves.
There are communities across the country that are hurting, and politicizing it helps no one.
September 25th, 3:10 p.m.
Rick O’Brien
Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order.
I would like to ask for unanimous consent to adopt the following motion.
I move that, notwithstanding any standing order, special order or usual practice of the House, the recognition made by the Speaker of the House of an individual present in the galleries during the joint address to Parliament by His Excellency Volodymyr Zelenskyy be struck from the appendix of the House of Commons Debates of Thursday, September 21, 2023, and from any House multimedia recording.
That motion did not pass.
The photo op is used as often as possible by politicians of every stripe. It gets them re-elected.
This photo op didn’t work out that way – something that might give the elected class a reason to pause before they step in front of a camera.
 By Staff
September 28th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
EQAO results show modest improvement in reading, writing and math scores across the province.
This morning, the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) released its annual student assessment results that demonstrate encouraging progress in student outcomes. These results demonstrate that Ontario’s plan to provide a stable school year without interruption with a renewed emphasis on getting back to basics and improving foundational skills is working. However, there is more work ahead to ensure continued positive outcomes for students.
 Minister of Education Stephen Lecce “EQAO data results show that Ontario’s historic investments in public education and unwavering focus on keeping kids in class with a back-to-basics education are leading to better student outcomes,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education. “Given Ontario’s increasing investments in literacy and math, and the improvements students are making in those skills, now is the time to work together to ensure students stay in class learning essential skills that will set them up for long-term success.”
Overall, the EQAO results are showing gains in reading, writing and math scores. Math achievement is trending upward across all grade levels in both English and French, including between 2 to 5 percentage point increases in Grade 6 and Grade 9 math. At the same time, literacy achievement is stable or increased across grade levels, including improved literacy success rates on the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) among first-time eligible Grade 10 students. Similar to testing in other Canadian jurisdictions, Ontario EQAO results show stability and moderate gains, which stem directly from kids being back in the classroom without disruption and targeted supports focused on lifting literacy and math competencies.
 Kids being back in the classroom without disruption Ontario students are benefiting from access to 2,000 more educators, including teachers with specialized expertise in literacy instruction, doubling math coaches in classrooms, a Math Lead in every school board and the creation and deployment of a Math Action Team to under-performing school boards to drive change and improve math achievement.
As EQAO results show, the government continues to make the case that stable in-person learning, with a renewed focus on literacy and STEM education will lead to positive mental, developmental, physical health and long-term academic success.
Quick Facts
- The 2022-23 EQAO math results generally align with what we are observing in other jurisdictions, both across Canada and internationally. With respect to reading and writing, Ontario’s 2022-23 results are strong and stable amidst fluctuating results found across other provinces and jurisdictions around the world.
- Last year, students experienced the first uninterrupted school year since 2018-19.
- Students in Year 2 of Kindergarten to Grade 2 can now benefit from early reading screening — the largest screening program in Canada.
- Students are now receiving new, up-to-date curriculum, including the revised Grades 1 to 8 Language and Français curriculum, new de-streamed Grade 9 English and Français courses, and an emphasis on foundational reading and writing skills throughout all grades.
- New learning materials for Grade 7 and 8 students have been released to help students build a mental health toolkit. This toolkit will help students learn how to manage stress, understand the relationship between mental health and mental illness, and, most importantly, know when and how to get help.
- Secondary students will learn how to create a budget, manage their money, protect themselves from financial scams, and plan for long-term purchases, such as buying a house or car with new financial literacy modules.
 By Staff
September 28th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
The final report for the Downtown Heritage Study and Engagement Program is now available for viewing: click HERE.
 Heritage study boundaries The consultant team recommends that people read the whole report to understand the complete scope of research and analysis that informed the final recommendations. However, if you have limited time, you could choose to focus on the “Key Findings” section at the beginning, the Recommendations section, and the part of the Appendices that concerns your particular property or area.
 The individual properties identified for study as part of the Downtown Burlington Heritage Study and Engagement Program project are located on Brant Street or Victoria Avenue between Caroline Street and Baldwin Street/Victoria Avenue. As such, these properties generally have a similar context, historical development, and range of architectural styles. To summarize the recommendations, the following individual properties are being recommended for heritage designation:
- 620 Brant Street
- 574 Brant Street
- 524 Brant Street
- 518 Brant Street
The following areas were found to meet the definition of a cultural heritage landscape and are being recommended for designation in the short or long term:
- Burlington Avenue & Lakeshore Road
- Luke’s Church & Cemetery
Although the other study areas were determined to not sufficiently meet the definitions of a significant “cultural heritage landscape” and are not being recommended for further study for heritage district designation, the report highlights individual properties in the study areas that have the potential to qualify for heritage designation under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act and could be protected individually. Please review the section of the report discussing your study area to find out if your property has been highlighted.
Staff and the consultant team will be available to discuss the report with you at an open house on Monday, October 2nd from 7:00PM-8:30PM at the Art Gallery of Burlington in the Shoreline Room. Please drop into the Shoreline Room where you will find refreshments, information about the City’s heritage incentives, a short audio/visual presentation about the project and a series of display boards.
You can then visit the adjacent “Rotary Room” and speak to staff and consultants at any of the following four stations with display panels summarizing results of the study:
- Brant Street Individual Properties & Village Square
- Foot of Brant Street & Downtown East
- Burlington Avenue and Lakeshore Road & St. Luke’s Church and Cemetery
- Locust Street
 By Staff
September 28th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
 Marit Stiles going after the government during debate in the Legislature Marit Stiles, Leader of the Opposition at Queen’s Park is not going to give up on hounding the Ford government.
In a media release this morning she said: “We are going to use every legislative tool available to us to get to the bottom of the Ford Conservatives’ corruption scandal and restore trust, transparency and accountability at Queen’s Park,”
Official Opposition NDP Leader, Marit Stiles, has tabled a motion to form a special Select Committee to investigate how the Conservatives rigged the Greenbelt process to benefit a few of their speculator friends.
.“People have lost trust in this government. Too many questions remain,” Stiles said. “Who in the government tipped off speculators to the Greenbelt changes?
Who made the decision to change policy direction? We’ll keep asking questions until we uncover the full extent of the government’s all-too cozy relationships with well-connected speculators.”
A prior Select Committee helped uncover misconduct in the former Liberal government’s gas plants scandal, which led to the former Premier’s chief of staff sentenced to four months in jail.
The creation of that Select Committee was supported by MPPs from all parties.“A Select Committee is yet another tool Ontario’s Official Opposition is using to resurrect trust and accountability in government,” Stiles said.
By Pepper Parr
September 27th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
We missed this one.
Ward 2 Councillor Rory Nisan found himself in a seat at the United Nations in New York during the summer.
We didn’t hear anything at Council. We don’t get all that much from Nisan in terms of newsletters. We are not on his list of people he keeps in touch with. It was quite a bit different when he was running for office. We worked with him to develop a few opinion pieces as he was creating a personal profile. Acouple of lunches and some conversations related to which ward he would run in.
A sharp eyed Gazette reader alerted us to news he posted on his Linked In page.
His report on the trip to New York – all on the public dime:
After spending an engaging week at the United Nations High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in New York representing the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), I wanted to share some of my key takeaways from what was a vitally important event.
 Name plate at United Nations says Burlington – sitting there was our very own Deputy Mayor Rory Nisan. Local and regional governments play a critical role in advancing Canada’s global development goals, particularly around climate, adequate housing and the myriad of solutions to sustainable cities and communities. As a member of the FCM Executive Committee and Deputy Mayor for the city of Burlington, Ontario, I know first-hand that no single order of government can tackle these issues alone.
I was therefore very pleased to work with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to present Canada’s update to the United Nations on our Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11, Sustainable Cities and Communities. ESDC recognizes the importance of collaboration across all orders of government and the partnership between FCM and ESDC to deliver this update exemplifies the value of cross-government collaboration.
At the UN, I participated in the Local and Regional Governments Forum organized by the UCLG’s Global Task Force of Local and Regional Governments and had the chance to talk about housing and equitable cities with my federal counterparts from Chile and Botswana. I detailed the innovative work that Canadian cities and communities are delivering on the ground.
We see a trend here. Nisan decided to move out of Ward 3 and into ward 2. After talking the move through with a number of ward 3 residents we came to the conclusion that Nisan will probably not run for a council seat – we suspected he might be angling for something to do with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.
The trip to New York suggests we just might have been right.
Rory has always aspired to much more than a Council seat
By Pepper Parr
September 27th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Municipalities are basically broke.
They tax the residents – and the residents threaten to vote them all out of office when they taxes are more than they are comfortable with
In a motion tabled by Mayor Meed Ward and Councillor Rory Nisan, and agreed upon by Council this week, made the following points:
 The city has to build the roads and do all the maintenance during the life cycle. municipalities are constrained in their ability to generate revenue to fund their capital and operating expenses, with property taxes being an unsuitable and unsustainable tool for Canadian municipalities to support essential services, maintain critical infrastructure, accommodate growing populations, and contribute to economic growth
municipalities own and operate around 60 per cent of Canada’s core public infrastructure and are responsible for the full life-cycle cost of operating, maintaining and replacing capital assets, while federal and provincial/territorial governments typically only contribute to the upfront capital costs; and
the role of local governments has evolved significantly in recent decades, with municipalities taking on new responsibilities with respect to health and social services, housing and economic development; and longstanding responsibilities like policing, waste management and water and wastewater services becoming more complex due to societal issues like mental health, homelessness and climate change; and
municipalities are critical to solving national policy challenges and political priorities like housing affordability, homelessness, mental health and the opioid and addiction crisis, adapting to climate change, reducing GHG emissions, economic development, and, ultimately, achieving a high quality of life for Canadians;
 The graph shows what tax rates have been historically.. Burlington City Council recognizes and affirm the advocacy of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) calling on the Federal, Provincial and Territorial governments to engage the Federation of Canadian Municipalities in the development of a Municipal Growth Framework through a process by which new sources of municipal revenue, including predictable intergovernmental transfers and new direct taxation powers, are proposed, evaluated and implemented; and further
City Council has taken the position that a new fiscal framework can explore alternative revenue sources or provide municipalities with a greater share of existing revenue streams and believes the FCM is best positioned to lead the development of a Municipal Growth Framework that links municipal financial capacity to factors such as national population growth and economic growth.
 Ward 3 Councillor Rory Nisan Ward 3 Councillor Rory Nisan (who now lives in ward 2) is the city representative on the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and spends a significant amount of his time on FCM matters.
There is the sense that any Nisan future is related to an organization somewhere other than City Council
 By Pepper Parr
September 27th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
OPINION
The gall; the astounding level of hypocrisy.
During the closing half hour of the City Council meeting yesterday Mayor Marianne Meed Ward said:
 Mayor Marianne Meed Ward chairing a meeting of City Council virtually while she attended the graduation of her daughter from Western University. I want to send that message to the community. We hear you, we hear the concerns and as noted, we will be dealing with this later this year. And we also I think, you know, and I do appreciate the comments from council with the you know, just huge empathy for what Mary Alice and others have gone through when they tried to ask people to just be good neighbours.
There is no place in our city for harassment, for abuse for, violating. You know, really all of the things that she has experienced violate our bylaws.
And they certainly violate the standards of civil society. So and maybe that’s, how we deal with this – we just call it out whenever we hear it and let our community know that we have higher expectations for their behaviour, and we expect them to behave within the rules of law that have, that we have all agreed as a community and as a society, are helpful to us to get along well together.
The Mayor was talking about comments made by some of the delegators who had neighbouring properties turned into AirB&B locations and rented out for weekend parties where the noise and abuse was terrible. The delegators were upset, which would be putting it mildly, and on occasion they were, according to the Mayor, picking on staff unfairly.
This kind of behaviour doesn’t advance a point of view – but it does let Council and Staff know that there are some very unhappy people who expect their city administration to help.
What the Gazette has difficulty with is a Mayor saying: “we just call it out whenever we hear it and let our community know that we have higher expectations for their behaviour”.
We so wish the Mayor had followed her own advice when she attempted to coerce a fellow Council member to issue an apology. It was one of the most disgraceful performances I have ever heard from an elected official – and I have been following local politics for more than 50 years.
Here is what Mayor Meed Ward said when she was doing some agenda management and trying to force a fellow member of city Council to issue an apology during a Council meeting.
We have published the Mayor’s comment on numerous occasions and will continue to publish them until the Mayor has the decency to say it wasn’t one of her best days and apologize to Councillor Stolte.
Salt with Pepper is the musings, reflections and opinions of the publisher of the Burlington Gazette, an online newspaper that was formed in 2010 and is a member of the National Newsmedia Council.
By Pepper Parr
September 27th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
In an announcement on Twitter (X) the city administration point out that they are still looking for people who want to use the Bateman space.
We’re looking to hear from anyone interested in providing community programming at the new community centre at the former Robert Bateman high school with an exclusive use of the space agreement. Tell us what services you want to provide at https://bit.ly/44tEt7m. #BurlON
 City is looking for groups that would like to have exclusive use to some of the space to provide “community programming”. City owns the property. They are spending a fortune getting the asbestos out of the place and another bundle renovating the space. Spending hours debating just how much parking space there is going to be – and deciding when they will pave over the playing field at the back of the property. (I thought we didn’t do things like that anymore.)
It was a good idea – still is – the administration of the initiative has been terrible – and it isn’t over year. We might end up calling the Pier2 – the city paid for the initiative twice.
 By Alan Harrington
September 26th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Just before Burlington Post’s last “print version” came off the presses last week, it ran an ad for an upcoming local musical performance. Burlingtonians LOVE musical performances – this one was different.
It was an ad for the RCMP Musical Ride.
 Front page of the last print edition of the Burlington Post One of those events usually held in some far-flung village nobody can get to across Canada’s vast expanse. Like South Moose Antler Ridge, Saskatchewan.
And it’s OLD. Thing’s has been around since Sir John A Macdonald was our prime minister.
I decided – why not? grabbed a $10 ticket and went. Location was right next door at Woodbine Mohawk Racetrack in Campbellville
Parking was free – the lot was packed. A horse race was running when I arrived (SPICY PASTA won) and then they closed the track to set up for the Musical Ride. I watched them measure and precisely place the pylons in a square on the track.
Before the Red-Coated Mounties trotted in on their black horses everyone stood for the singing of O Canada and listened to the Land Acknowledgement that had more meaning than usual, this being Mohawk raceway, and our RCMP who have a long relationship with First Nations.
 The RCMP Musical Ride pauses as the audience sings O Canada and listens to an Land Acknowledgement. RCMP Superintendent Fahey was the emcee, and his majestic horse was a beauty – the show was underway.
A symbol of tradition, honour, and pride, the Musical Ride is a Canadian icon recognized at home and abroad. The troop of 21 riders, who are all police officers, perform intricate formations and drills set to Canadian music, lasting about 30 minutes. These movements demand the utmost control, timing, and coordination.
The kids would like the way the horses moved about the field – but for me sitting front row, it was watching riders control their mounts. Some horses get persnickety and moody – and maybe don’t always want to be on their best behaviour.
 The reigns in one hand and the lance in the other – as the horses are put through very tight drills. The Mounties use one hand on the reins to maintain horse-choreography whilst holding their lance in the other. I understand these are professionals – but not an easy task and still fun to watch in action.
Some of the Mounties had never ridden a horse before joining the force.
The announcer called out the different movements the group made including a “Double Diamond” – made special for the late Queens 70th Jubilee. The Queen always had a fondness for our Canadian horses and the RCMP often leads the royal parade in London. Our RCMP paraded in Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee procession in 1897 and taken part in every coronation since King George V’s in 1911. The tradition continues as the RCMP gifted a seven-year-old black mare named Noble, to King Charles III earlier this year.
Some history about the equestrian showcase: It was formed in 1887 and has run intermittently since then. Women joined the crew in 1981 and they do about 45 shows a year May to October – raising money for local community charities.
 The $50 bill was in circulation from 1969 to 1979 Back to the show, the next display was the “Dome” (which is the image on the old fifty-dollar bill), and then they did “Charge…!!”
The show ended to great applause as the sun slipped down over the horizon.
 Image of a maple leaf is brushed into the rump of each horse Afterwards, the crowd were able to meet the horses and riders one-on-one in the parking lot. I asked if any other riders that night had participated in the Coronation parade and indeed an officer I spoke with was one of four in London that day in May.
I know the RCMP get some bad press – and they have a very difficult job to do in the field – but nothing is more Canadian than watching this show. A virtual soak-bath in maple syrup for the soul.
The Musical Ride supports front-line police operations by building positive relationships, supporting recruiting efforts and promoting the RCMP’s image in communities in Canada and around the world.
If you want to catch the show you’ll have to wait for North Moose Antler Ridge Saskatchewan in 2024.
By Pepper Parr
September 27th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Does Emily Brown know something the rest of us don’t know?
 Emily Brown: She has announced that she is seeking the Burlington nomination for the next federal election. Admittedly Karina Gould, the MP for Burlington is weathering some rough water – the next federal election is a scheduled for 2025 – but the Trudeau government is in trouble and they might decide to call an early election.
Brown has created a web site – emilybrown.ca and she wants to hear you.
She ran a decent campaign in 2021 – the mistake her campaign team made was they didn’t let the public hear from her – and because she is a sport shooter she got pegged at a gun enthusiast.
Rifles and trap shooting are hobby’s for Brown. She is a responsible gun owner.
In her announcement Brown says: Seeking the nomination to run as the Conservative Party of Canada Candidate for the Riding of Burlington – my home, your home, let’s BRING IT HOME!
The announcement adds: Emily brings a wealth of experience to the nomination race for the Burlington Conservative Riding Candidate.Emily Brown:
Known as someone who steps up to get things done, she does not back down to a challenge. In her professional and volunteer work, she has gained skills in transformational leadership, governance, strategic planning, external relations, stakeholder management and working across governments.
With the right campaign manager Emily Brown could be a threat.
 By John Gold
September 27, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
If you’re concerned about the legitimacy of instant withdrawal casinos, you’re on the right page. We’ve provided important details for all players.
Fast payout casinos stand out because of their speedy transaction processes. This translates to players getting their winnings within a shorter time frame. On the flip side, some players are concerned about the legality of these platforms’ offerings. As such, we’ve created this simple guide discussing the legitimacy of fast payout casinos and how to find reliable ones.
 Fast payout casinos eliminate such long wait times. An Overview of the Popularity of Fast Payout Casinos
Withdrawing is one of the most important activities players carry out when gambling online. After winning from gaming sessions, they aim to get their earnings using one of the payment methods the platform supports. The withdrawal process involves entering the desired amount and submitting the request to the site.
Many operators take a few days to go over such requests before approving them and sending funds to customers’ accounts. This means that players must wait several days to receive their earnings. Fast payout casinos eliminate such long wait times.
Unlike many standard platforms, these gambling sites, like Brite Kasinot, process cashout requests within a few hours or less. So instead of five to six days, it takes between 24 and 48 hours for players to get credited. The promise of early withdrawals is why many punters search for instant payout gaming platforms.
Exploring the Legitimacy of Fast Payout Casinos
When discussing whether such platforms are legit, one must explore the country’s gambling laws, as they vary from one jurisdiction to another. For instance, casino gaming is legal in the United Kingdom. The country boasts one of the top regulated gambling markets, which the UK Gambling Commission oversees. In other words, fast payout casinos are legal for British players.
It’s a whole different story in the United States of America. Currently, casino gambling is legal in only six states: Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Rhode Island is expected to join the list in 2024. In these states, casino operators must have a local license to operate.
Looking at the New Zealand market, one would see that the country shares similar gambling rules with most US states. According to the Gambling Act 2003, locally-based platforms are prohibited from offering such services to Kiwis. With this, many residents turn to offshore sites, as there are no federal laws banning these platforms from operating in the country.
 How to Find Legitimate Fast Payout Casinos
The differences in gambling laws create varying perspectives on the legality of fast payout casinos. Regardless of these distinctions, one thing is clear – there are legal fast payout casinos. Players only need to learn how to find them.
Licensing From A Reputable Authority
With the introduction of online casinos, many countries have seen an increase in the number of gamblers. In the UK for instance, a study by the UKGC revealed that 18% of British people gambled online. This led to the establishment of various regularity bodies, the most notable being the following:
United Kingdom Gambling Commission
Malta Gaming Association
Curacao E-gaming Authority
Kahnawake Gaming Commission
Gibraltar Regulatory Authority
The specifications for their licensee vary but revolve around ensuring players’ safety. These authorities ensure that gambling sites comply with certain standards to protect customers. Some of the requirements licensed casinos must meet include:
Implementing responsible gambling measures like deposit limits.
Timely dispute resolutions.
Games with random number generators.
Advertisements that aren’t misleading.
Reasonable Terms and Conditions
The terms and conditions specify the casino’s operations, making it important to read the fine print before registering. With this, you learn how the platform collects, stores, and uses the personal and financial details you enter on its platform. It also specifies your duty as a player, which could include keeping your confidential information safe and preventing unauthorized access to your account.
Such requirements also extend to bonuses. These offers have wagering requirements and other conditions, like bonus validity and maximum withdrawal limits. Without fulfilling them, it’s impossible to cash out your bonus promotional earnings. That said, a fast payout casino should have reasonable terms that players can easily meet in order to get their winnings.
 Top-Notch Security Features
Secure Socket Layer protocols are one of the most prevalent security features for online casinos. The technology encrypts data, preventing malicious parties from accessing it. SSL also establishes a secure connection between the site’s servers and your browsers to safeguard your details. You can tell if a casino is SSL-protected by looking for a padlock icon at the beginning of its web address.
Solid Reputation
It’s advisable to settle for instant withdrawal casinos with a proven track record. Pick platforms that have solidified their presence in the online gambling niche and are known for their reliable services. You can find the top ones by reading comprehensive expert and player reviews. These write-ups provide valuable insights into the casino’s games, payment methods, customer service, and more.
Red Flags to Watch out For When Choosing a Platform
Note that not all casinos that promise fast payouts are legit. Here are some red flags to watch for:
High bonus wagering requirements
Fake or no license
Web addresses start with http:// instead of https://
Misleading bonus advertisements
Unresponsive customer service
Unknown payment methods
Final Thoughts on Legal Fast Payout Casinos
With the number of casinos on the internet, it’s important to be careful when choosing a platform. For players who favor fast payout casinos, always ensure that the site is licensed and regulated. Also, be sure that online gambling is legal in your jurisdiction before signing up on such sites.
By Staff
September 26th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Have you ever dreamed about getting locked in the library after dark?
On a spooky Halloween night?
With all your friends?
Then get ready for the event of a lifetime! In one month, Burlington Public Library will open its doors after hours for an epic dance party in the stacks called Library After Dark.
 The event is all about flipping the dusty old image of a library on its head. Expect live music, drinks, and lots of delightful surprises. Party band, The 99s, will be playing throwback tunes to get everyone dancing.
“This is going to be a night to remember,” says Elise Copps, Burlington Public Library’s Manager of Marketing & Communications. “The whole library will be open to explore and there will be unique and exciting experiences around every corner.”
The event takes place the Friday before Halloween—October 27th—at BPL’s Central
Branch. Costumes are encouraged!
This is a 19+ event, and limited tickets are available. Tickets can be purchased online.
By Pepper Parr
September 25th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
She didn’t waste a second.
When NDP Leader of the Opposition Marit Stiles rose in her seat and said:”This summer people across the province of Ontario were feeling the strain of the rising affordability crisis, cost of living crisis, a housing affordability crisis. And meanwhile, they’ve watched their government lurch from scandal to scandal, crisis to crisis. Now we’ve seen the resignation of three cabinet ministers and two senior staffers so far.
 NDP Leader of the Opposition Marit Stiles going after the Premier. Speaker my question is to the Premier. How can people trust this Premier to work for them when he has spent the last five years putting his friends and insiders first
The Premier. Thank you, Mr. Speaker I want to welcome our friends from Arizona. Welcome. I look forward to speaking to you later. If you think politics are tough in the United States watch us for the next while.
 Premier Doug Ford: Has difficulty standing up to the Leader of the Opposition. “I want to thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question and I’ll answer – the reason why people should trust us when we came to office it was like walking into a bankrupt company. There was 300,000 jobs lost down to our friends down to the US. And now there’s 700,000 more people working today.
“We’re building $184 billion of infrastructure. We’re focusing on $70 billion of building roads and bridges and highways. We’re focusing on making sure the largest transit system largest transit system in North America, we’re building 50 new sites and hospitals are additions to hospitals spending over $50 billion.
Stiles: Talk about the past, not even at the height of the Liberals gas plant scandal has a government been in such disarray. The government said they were going to clean things up. That’s what this Premier ran on, and now he’s embroiled in a scandal that has seen ethics laws broken. Three cabinet ministers have resigned in disgrace or run for the exits. Conservatives are leaving under a cloud of suspicion and they’re lawyering up speaker. The Premier has said the buck stops with him. So let’s hear from him speaker – will the premier finally come clean and explain his personal involvement in the Green Belt scandal?
Premier: “I was very clear on my message to the people of Ontario on Thursday. That’s what you call leadership, admitting if there was a mistake and moving forward and making sure we get on with our agenda. But that’s not going to deter us from building 1.5 million homes. My friends from Arizona probably don’t realize that Ontario’s leading North America in economic development and trade and growth. We’re the fastest growing region right now in North America.
“We have over 800,000 people coming to Ontario every single year, and they’re coming to Ontario, because that’s where the prosperity is. That’s where the jobs are. That’s where economic development is. That’s where the quality of life is. You want a great life you come to Ontario, but I can assure the people out there the new Canadians that are coming here, the young people that have the need to afford to buy a home we’re gonna build homes you’re gonna build affordable attainable the final supplementary speaker, things are worse today for people in this province. than they were five years ago.”
Stiles: “This premier won’t share his phone records, emails have been deleted in the midst of this scandal.
“People out there thought something was wrong. And now we have two independent officers of the legislature who have confirmed it, the Conservatives rigged the system to benefit their friends. I mean, it’s so bad speaker. It’s so bad that it’s been turned over to the RCMP. So Speaker My question to the Premier is: Has he spoken to the RCMP about the circumstances of the Greenbelt?”
Premier “Mr. Speaker, is it better now than it was five years ago? It’s not a little better. It’s not 10% Better it’s 1000 times better on all fronts.
“Again, Mr. Speaker, we’re building the transit we’re building the 413 Bradford bypass we’re building highway seven, and highway three to get from point A to point B and people home a lot quicker. Mr. Speaker, as you see us report some of the health reports that I’m going to see, actually reduce the backlog surgeries are going down we’re pouring money into the new nurses that are coming here. There’s 30,000 nurses in our colleges and universities. We saw 15,000 come on board already 67,000 since we’ve been in office 8000 new doctors Mr. Speaker, I could spend another half an hour telling you why the province is 1000 times better now than it was.”
 NDP Leader of the Opposition Marit Stiles: If the Premier had spent more time listening to people Stiles: “If the Premier had spent more time listening to people this summer. People who’ve seen their emergency rooms closed. Kids who can’t get treatment for it with the Autism Program.
“People who were fighting forest fires all across this province, maybe maybe he’d have learned something and he wouldn’t have spent his summer divvying up the spoils to his friends.
“This afternoon. I’m going to be tabling the Greenbelt Restoration Act, the official opposition NDPs bill to restore and protect all of the lands this government removed from the Greenbelt a solution that the premier finally agrees is the right thing to do. We must restore integrity to government Premier. We’re going to be calling for unanimous consent of this house. So to the premier Ontarians will be watching Will he pass our legislation to restore and protect lands in the Greenbelt?”
 Paul Calandar – Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing responds to the question. Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing responds to the question: Calandar:
“No we will not be supporting the member’s legislation. Obviously we have not seen the legislation so we will never provide unanimous consent to something that we have not seen. But to be very clear. We will be voting against that legislation today.
“Mr. Speaker I will be bringing forward legislation very soon, which will not only return the lands but ensure that an additional 7000 acres of land are put into the Greenbelt. And we will go one step further. Mr. Speaker, we will codify and legislation, the boundaries of the Greenbelt Mr. Speaker so that it is protected through legislation and not through regulation. So no, we will not be supporting legislative piece today because we’re going to go further and we’re going to do what has never been done in this province before I respond protect the Greenbelt once and for all.”
Stiles: “Why would anyone trust this government to fix a disaster of their own making? There are still so many questions, so many questions speaker that this Premier and this government refused to answer in this $8.3 billion scandal. So back to the premier. How did these speculators know to give your office the details about the parcels of land to remove from the green belt before it was announced to the public who tipped them off?”
Calandar: “Mr. Speaker, the reality is that both the Auditor General and the Information Commissioner, the Integrity Commissioner have reported on that, Mr. Speaker, but the reality is, is that the NDP and the Liberals continue to double down on policies that have put Ontario into a housing crisis. We have been working for five years to untangle the mess. That was the opposition policy on housing. In fact, Mr. Speaker in the members own writing in the members own writing where average income is about $55,000 a year the average house price is about 1.1 million. It would take somebody $80,000 in mortgage payments just to afford that home and what does the member opposite do? She continues to support policies that would take all of the people in her riding out have the ability to own a home Mr. Speaker, we are going to double down on policies that help build houses for people across the province of Ontario. Make no mistake, we’ll get the job done.”
Stiles: “Not only did it take two scathing reports and unprecedented resignations, to force this premier to do the right thing. Not only did he allow the housing crisis to get worse, yes, worse while this scandal expanded,but he’s put our province in a position where we could be on the hook for billions. Speaker back to the premier. How much is this Government’s Greenbelt disaster going to cost Ontario’s taxpayers?”
 Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing doesn’t want to hear another word. Calandar – Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing “Thank you Speaker – nothing nothing. Mr. Speaker. We will be presenting a bill later on this week which will ensure that the people of the province of Ontario are focused on what matters to them building houses for the people of the province of Ontario. She talks about us adding on to the housing crisis.
“It’s unbelievable to me Mr. Speaker We have seen because of the policies of this government housing starts at the highest level in over 30 years. And it’s not just single family. It’s not the single family homes that the speaker in his purpose built rental that under their policies came to a halt for over 30 years.
“Mr. Speaker, this is a party with the liberals that double down on increasing taxes for the people of the province of Ontario, year after year after year. They think that increasing taxes somehow encourages in the Congress. We have shown that by reducing taxes cutting red tape and investing in priorities of people. 700,000 jobs come back and the economy boomed and now we’re gonna get it done”
The member for Niagara Center Speaker through you to the premier the same favorite insiders who received preferential treatment in the Greenbelt decision are also benefiting from Shady backroom deals for MZO’s, urban boundary expansions and highway 413. Will this government stop paving over protected farmland to enrich its friends?
Calandar: “Well, let’s let’s unpack that if we can. So MZOs were requested by municipal partners for the most part. Where we didn’t get requests from municipal partners is when I was the minister of long term care, we now have a great minister of long term care.
“When I was the minister of long term care, we actually had municipalities for at Hope for instance, that actually refused to give us long term care homes. So I went to the minister and I said, Give me an MZO (Ministerial Zoning Order) because I want to close down 30,40 and 50 year old long term care homes that aren’t sprinklered and build brand new ones. I won’t apologize for doing that. I’ll continue to do it, Mr. Speaker, whether it’s for long term care homes whether it’s for the Minister of colleges and university who wants to build dormitories for students, I’m gonna double down on it and make sure that we build that housing not only for seniors, not only for young families, but for students in his area and in all parts of this province.”
A supplementary question. Member for Hamilton Ancaster Dundas.
“Mr. Speaker, I can assure the minister that the City of Hamilton did not request that you meddle with our urban plan.
“I have been ringing the alarm about this government’s backroom deals for urban sprawl in Hamilton for months now.
“The integrity Commission’s report revealed that the same developers who successfully influenced the Ford government to remove their land from the Greenbelt also benefited from a provincial order to expand the city’s urban boundary. My question, Mr. Speaker, did this government give preferential treatment to developers with Shady MZOs and undemocratic changes to our official plan?”
Calandar: “And there you have it, Mr. Speaker, don’t ya? Right. It’s not about the Greenbelt colleagues. It’s never been about the Greenbelt for them, right. It’s about stopping people from having the same benefits that generations of Ontarians have always had.
 Premier Ford responded to the first to question (he never really answered the questions) and then turned it over to his Minister of Housing and sat looking glum and very uncomfortable. “On the Greenbelt, they don’t even want it built in their own area. In fact, after the decision was made to restore the lands to the Greenbelt, some of those members called me to say that they had already done their job in their area and that they didn’t want to see intensification. They didn’t want to see towers. Well, let me tell you this. We aren’t going to build it all across the province because you know what young Ontarians deserve to have that first home, the seniors who want to downsize deserve to have a place that they can downsize to Mr. Speaker, they deserve to have long term care homes. Our students deserve to have dormitories, Mr. Speaker, that is what is important to all of those people who are in their parents basement right now and want to have a home – we have your back.
“We’ll get the job done.”
By Staff
September 25th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Last Saturday Bfast held a Transit Users’ Forum with presentations on the state of transit in Burlington and the opportunity for riders and others to ask questions or voice concerns to officials from Burlington Transit.
 Burlington Transit Director Catherine Baldelli addressing the Bfast participants. With about 60 people in-person attending the event at the Burlington Central Public Library, and some watching via Zoom, the forum included a re-cap of Burlington Transit operations and plans by Transit Director, Catherine Baldelli; an address from Councillor Rory Nisan, Deputy Mayor for the Environment; and a keynote presentation by acclaimed economist from McMaster University, Dr. Atif Kubursi.
 Doug Brown – there isn’t a bus on the face of this earth that Doug Brown wants to see carrying people. “Burlington’s Transit Users’ Forum is unique in Canada,” said Doug Brown, chair of Burlington for Accessible Sustainable Transit (BFAST), the lead organizer of the forum. “There is no event like it anywhere else. It speaks to Burlington Transit’s commitment to engage with its riders that our transit agency supports and participates in this exercise, which is organized by citizen volunteers.”
Baldelli reminded the audience that Burlington Transit is in the midst of a 5-year strategic plan that points the way to the electrification of the fleet. But first, the system needed to be upgraded to accommodate the needs of the public. Reliability, connectivity, frequency and switching to more of a grid-like route system have all been addressed. Numerous outreach and public sessions have been instituted to keep the public informed.
“Pre-pandemic, things were looking great for the transit system, then Covid hit,” Baldelli said. “This year we are on target to match earlier ridership levels.”
 McMaster University, economist Dr. Atif Kubursi spoke to transit users during a weekend Bfast meeting. Professor Kubursi’s analysis focused on ‘The Total Benefits of Free Transit’. Benefits touch on economics, equality, addressing climate change, and social equity. Of particular note Kubursi zeroed in on free transit, something that Burlington has offered to seniors and at specific times to youth under 19.
Kubursi stated, “Free transit can be a powerful tool for promoting social equity. It eliminates transportation costs, making it more accessible to low-income individuals and families. This means that everyone, regardless of their economic status, has equal access to essential services, job opportunities, and educational institutions, ultimately reducing disparities in society.”
Free transit also invites riders to explore more of their city and the money saved on fares will, in most cases, be spent on local goods and amenities. The challenge is how to pay for free transit. “Cities must find alternative funding sources to cover the costs previously generated from ticket sales and fares.” Kubusi noted. “The success of free transit relies on changing the behaviour of commuters accustomed to using personal vehicles. Ultimately, free transit has the power to create more sustainable, equitable, and vibrant urban environments for residents and future generations.”
The forum concluded with a question and answer session featuring Baldelli, Nisan, Kubursi and Glenna Cranston, a member of BFAST.
 Transit advocates attended the live event; some took part virtually. Questions from the audience included concerns about frequency, connections, why do some buses get delayed or taken out of service suddenly and how can riders learn of the interruption, and the policy on dogs on buses (service and support dogs are allowed).
BFAST wishes to thank those organizations that supported the forum and the group looks forward to next year’s forum while it advocates for an even better transit system in Burlington.
 By Pepper Parr
September 25th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington’s Santa Claus Parade is Sunday, Dec. 3. This exciting and fun parade will feature bands, floats, entertainers and of course, Santa Claus. Volunteers are needed to help the event run smoothly; there is an exciting opportunity for local non-profit organizations to receive a Burlington 150 grant.
 Commemorative cap. Burlington 150 Santa Claus Parade Grant
Burlington not-for-profit organizations are invited to enter a draw for one of three $1,500 grants to be used towards a Burlington 150-themed float in this year’s Santa Claus Parade. Three community float entries will be randomly chosen to receive up to $1,500 towards their float design.
Draw entries will be accepted until Oct. 15, 2023. Winners will be chosen and notified on Oct. 20, 2023.
A flatbed trailer will be provided to the three winners courtesy of JKM Towing and space to decorate the floats will be provided by Attridge Transportation.
How to Enter:
Before entering, visit burlington.ca/parade for entry details and eligibility criteria.
Email festivalsandevents@burlington.ca with the following information:
- Name of the organization and contact information
- A sketch of your float design
- A descriptive paragraph outlining your design
- A descriptive paragraph outlining how your organization/group connects with/represents the history of the City of Burlington
Draw entrants must also complete the Parade Entry Application at burlington.ca/parade.
Volunteers
A number of volunteers are needed for various duties with the parade. This is a great opportunity for high school students and anyone who wants to help. Volunteer roles include banner carrier, parade route marshal and dismantle zone assistant.
To apply to become a volunteer, visit burlington.ca/volunteer or call 905-335-7777, ext.7978.
 The Santa Claus parade has taken place for more than 45 years in Burlington. Organized by a citizens group that works out of the city’s Festivals and Events office it is the premier holiday event in the city. About the Santa Claus Parade
The Santa Claus Parade will be held in downtown Burlington on Dec. 3, starting at 2 p.m.
The parade will feature the Burlington Teen Tour Band, floats, entertainers and Santa Claus.
 Then Mayor Rick Goldring out on the street as an Old Timer collecting coins in a sock. Letter carriers will be walking in the parade collecting kids’ letters to give to Santa.
Visitors can also support the community and bring a non-perishable food donation to the Parade. The Burlington Teen Tour Boosters will be collecting in support of the Burlington Food Bank.
Representatives of the Burlington Oldtimers Hockey Club will also be collecting money donations in support of the parade on behalf of the parade organizing committee.
 Denise Beard, Senior Manager of Community Development. Denise Beard, Senior Manager of Community Development adds:“Two things the parade can’t live without are community floats and volunteers. We hope to have another great Santa Claus Parade with many colourful parade entries. It is a wonderful, family tradition we hope to see for many generations to come. Community involvement is really what makes it so special.”
Links and Resources
www.burlington.ca/parade
www.burlington.ca/volunteer
 By Staff
September 25th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The City of Burlington will observe the September 30th National Day for Truth and Reconciliation holiday on Friday, Sept. 29. To mark the importance of the day, City administration buildings will be closed.
 Photograph taken at a Truth and Reconciliation event. September 30th is also recognized as Orange Shirt Day, an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day inspired by the story of Indian Residential School Survivor Phyllis Webstad.
As part of Orange Shirt Day, residents can come to Spencer Smith Park (1400 Lakeshore Rd) where local indigenous people will commemorate the day, starting at 12:45 p.m., from the pavilion at the east end of the park. Additional details can be found on the city’s online events calendar at burlington.ca/calendar. Participants are encouraged to wear orange shirts and moccasins if they have them.
We encourage residents to visit the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation website for educational materials and resources.
| City Service |
Holiday Closure Information |
| Animal Services |
The Animal Shelter at 2424 Industrial St. will be closed to appointments on Friday, Sept. 29. To report an animal control related emergency on a holiday, please call 905-335-7777. |
| Burlington Transit |
Burlington Transit will operate on a regular weekday schedule on Friday, Sept. 29. For real-time bus information and schedules, visit myride.burlingtontransit.ca.
The Downtown Transit Terminal, at 430 John St., and Specialized Dispatch will be open on Friday, Sept. 29. |
| City Hall |
Service Burlington and the Building, Renovating and Licensing counter on the main floor of City Hall at 426 Brant St., will be closed to all appointments and walk-in service on Friday, Sept. 29.
Many service payments are available online at burlington.ca/onlineservices
For online development services:
MyFiles can be used by residents who have applied for Pre-Building Approval after April 24, 2023. Once an account has been created, applicants can check the status of their files at burlington.ca/MyFiles. |
| Halton Court Services – Provincial Offences Office |
Court administration counter services at 4085 Palladium Way will be closed on Friday, Sept. 29.
Except for the holiday closure, telephone payments are available at 905-637-1274, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. All in-person services are available from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. Many services are also available by email at burlingtoncourt@burlington.ca or online at Halton Court Services. Payment of Provincial Offences fines is available 24/7 at www.paytickets.ca. |
| Parking |
Paid parking will be in effect on Friday, Sept. 29.
Free parking is available downtown, on the street, in municipal lots and in the parking garage (414 Locust St.) on weekends and after 6 p.m., Monday to Friday.
NOTE:
- The Waterfront parking lots (east and west at 1286 Lakeshore Rd.) do not provide free parking on holidays
- Parking exemptions are required to park overnight on city streets and for longer than five hours. Visit burlington.ca/parkingexemptions
- Please make an online reservation using Park Pass to visit Lowville Park on weekends. Reservations are free and available in three-hour time slots
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| Recreation Programs and Facilities |
Recreation facilities are open for registered and drop-in programs and rentals on Friday, Sept. 29, and on the holiday, Saturday, Sept. 30. Drop-in recreation program schedules are available at burlington.ca/dropinandplay.
Customer Service
Recreation, Community and Culture customer service is available to assist you in person at recreation facility counters during program times.
Customer service is also available:
- By email at liveandplay@burlington.ca
- By phone at 905-335-7738, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (including Sept. 29).
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| Roads, Parks and Forestry |
The administrative office will be closed on Friday, Sept. 29. Essential services will be provided as required. |
Why this holiday? In June 2021, the federal government passed legislation proclaiming Sept. 30 a public holiday. The holiday is one of 94 calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and is intended to honour and commemorate Indian Residential School survivors and those children that did not make it home.
 In September 2021, Burlington City Council unanimously supported Sept. 30 as a paid holiday for employees at the City of Burlington, including the closure of City Hall and other non-essential city services.
Links and Resources
By Staff
September 25th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON.
43rd PARLIAMENT, 1st SESSION
Orders and Notices
Paper
No. 89
Monday
September 25, 2023
Hon. Ted Arnott
Speaker
TODAY’S BUSINESS
10:15 A.M.
Prayers
O Canada
Royal Anthem
MORNING ROUTINE
Members’ Statements
Introduction of Visitors
Question Period
Deferred Votes
Recess
1:00 P.M.
AFTERNOON ROUTINE
It will be a typical mundane session of the provincial legislature until they get to Question Period. And then it will get noisy.
 Premier Ford has apologized and said he will roll back the decision made to open up the Greenbelt.  Marit Stiles: NDP Leader of the Opposition has said the apology isn’t enough – she wants a public inquiry and a resignation from Doug Ford. The Progressive Conservative Party holds a clear majority – don’t expect much from that side.
NDP Leader of the Opposition Marit Styles will have some stiff questions for Premier and the Liberal member of the Legislature will have something to say.
We will watch for the demeanour of the Conservative members – will the public see any contrition?
By Mia Gonzales
September, 26, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
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People who are looking for a decent way of playing games online should start with a local version of the Pin-Up brand. Such casinos are designed to cater to the specific needs of Canadian players. So, the next time people look for an online casino, they should consider choosing one that is built specifically for the country they are living in to enjoy a more personalized and enjoyable gaming experience.
 By Pepper Parr
September 25th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Supermarkets are continually changing the products they put on their shelves and other services that are part of managing the lives we live.
Recycling batteries – it’s easier to just throw them in with whatever we put in the Blue Box for far too many people.
 Look for it at Longos location – Call2Recycle, a battery recycling network in Ontario, with 2,600 collection sites is working with retail organizations that interact directly with the public.
Longo’s, a supermarket chain with 37 locations in Ontario is the first grocery store chain to join the battery recycling network to dispose of end-of-life batteries as part of their shopping routine, to lessen their impact on the environment and support Canada’s circular economy initiatives.
Call2Recycle and Longo’s are like-minded organizations with strong ties to their local communities and a commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability. Both organizations are focused on supporting the environment and reducing waste which is why they felt it was important to make battery recycling more accessible to Ontarians – by adding battery recycling services to 37 Longo’s stores in the Greater Toronto Area.
As part of this collaboration, battery sorting and recycling operations are operated by Call2Recycle a not-for-profit organization that works on behalf of battery manufacturers and retailers to provide its battery recycling program at no cost to consumers across Canada.
Once the individual Longo’s locations report that their boxes are full, Call2Recycle arranges for the transport of the batteries to sorting partners who organize them by chemistry.
While some specific batteries have rare metals such as lithium and nickel, which are used to make new batteries, the majority of the recycled components are steel.
These components can be used to manufacture new products such as kitchen appliances, bicycles, or golf clubs. This whole process is part of the circular economy – the overall environmental effort to reuse our materials and reduce the environmental footprint of battery use.
By Pepper Parr
September 25th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
And so here we are – into the Fall Season.
How does one celebrate the change?
Ray River, a Burlington Gazette Contributing Editor, is part of Back-of-the-Barn Jam Band.
 The players are Terry, Audrey, Steve, Peter, Jerrold, Doug, Bob, John, Brian, Stephen and Ray. Rivers describes the group as retired and semi-retired men “who play pop and pop rock; songs were all hits – the kind of music we heard as we were growing up.”
The players are Terry, Audrey, Steve, Peter, Jerrold, Doug, Bob, John, Brian, Stephen and Ray.
 Two musicians playing off each other while another band member sings Rock on Momma  River in the centre on a keyboard, Brian behind him with a guitar It is a band that doesn’t do concerts or performances. A bunch of guys who love their music and meet outdoors during the summer, inside the barn when the weather shifts and in the “man cave” part of the house where there is heat from a small stove and snow on the ground.
Some of the members go back to their high school days.
 It was fun music and socializing; kids running around, and a dog that had far too much energy.
 Catching up between sets – these are people who have made their contribution to society – now they enjoy their time with each other. There were a lot of guitars, Rivers on the keybaord, a bag piper wearing a kilt and a set of drums that got a very good workout.
There were no wind instruments.
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