 By Staff
January 20th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
What has it meant to be a woman in Canada throughout its 150-year history?
A nationally travelling exhibit, created and toured by the Waterloo Region Museum, explores how women have transformed Canadian politics, work, and everyday life. Trailblazing highlights the experiences of women – mothers, sisters, daughters, partners, and friends – from all walks of Canadian life.
 The Trailblazing: Women in Canada since 1867 exhibit will be on view at Joseph Brant Museum February 7 – May 27, 2023.
Hopefully the Boards of Education will do what they can to have grade 10 students visit the Museum.
Parents will be doing the children a favour if they make it a family event.
 By Pepper Parr
January 20th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Ontario has an Office of the Integrity Commissioner, it’s located in Toronto and run by the Honourable J. David Wake
 Integrity Commissioner: Honourable J. David Wake The leader of the New Democrats wrote him a letter early in December pointing out that Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing proposed to remove 7,400 acres of land from Ontario’s Greenbelt plan, encouraging housing development on what is, at present, protected land.
“I am requesting an opinion on whether this government acted improperly with respect to these proposals.
“I am alarmed by the ongoing media reports that outline curious timing of recent purchases of Greenbelt land by powerful landowners with donor and political ties to the Ontario PC Party.
 Luca Bucci, CEO of the Ontario Homebuilders Association. Mr. Bucci was the Chief of Staff to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing “I am additionally concerned with reports of improper lobbying on the part of Luca Bucci, CEO of the Ontario Homebuilders Association. Mr. Bucci was the Chief of Staff to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing from January 2021 to April 2022. In June of 2022, Mr. Bucci became the CEO of the Ontario Homebuilders Association, an organization with strong ties to developers across the province.
“I would request that your office investigate improper lobbying and whether sections 2 and 3 of the Members’ Integrity Act have been breached by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
“I would be happy to discuss the matter with you in greater detail and look forward to your response.”
The Integrity commissioner was not the only person Marit Stiles wrote to. She also wrote to Bonnie Lysyk, the Auditor General of Ontario who responded
 Bonnie Lysyk, the Auditor General of Ontario “I am writing in response to your joint letter dated January 11, 2023 requesting my Office conduct a value-for-money audit of the financial and environmental implications relating to the government’s recent decisions affecting the Greenbelt.
“This issue has garnered significant public attention over the past few months and has been repeatedly raised during question periods in the Legislature. We have received considerable correspondence on this issue. While there are a number of factors we take into consideration in determining our audit work each year, we do pay attention to matters of interest to the public and issues discussed in the Legislature.
“While requests from individual members of the Legislature and the public are assessed and factor into our audit work, a letter requesting us to conduct work in a specific area jointly signed by the leaders of all Opposition parties of the Ontario Legislative Assembly is a request of high significance.
“I have subsequently been in communication with the government and we will have their, and the relevant ministries, full cooperation during our audit.
“Accordingly given all of these factors, I would like to confirm that my Office will be conducting certain audit work on this issue commencing within the next few weeks.”
So let’s add all this up:
 Leader of the Position at Queen’s Park: Marit Stiles Integrity Commissioner has said he will be looking into the issues Maria Stiles brought to his attention. The Auditor General has said she will have staff looking into the financial and environmental implications relating to the government’s recent decisions affecting the Greenbelt.
 Premier Doug Ford on a difficult day. There are more of those coming his way. And – don’t forget the telephone calls the OPP Racket Squad is making to the people who made complaints.
This is not looking good for Doug Ford. One has to wonder who is whispering in his ear and what are his advisers doing for him.
Unions from across the country gathered in Toronto a number of months ago to press the government to give 55,000 educational workers a decent salary deal – the government was able to read the writing on the wall with that issue.
There is a lot of private money on the table with the land transactions. Several developers thought they had finally found a way to develop land they had purchased.
Those dreams may have been dashed.
 By Staff
January 20th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
The Ontario Trillium Fund has given Bandology a $39,400 grant to purchase additional music instruments that they loan to people who can’t afford the somewhat expensive instruments.
In their announcement Bandology explained that they have until May of 2023 to purchase instruments for a new musical instrument lending library.
 “Bandology has been looking to build a lending library of instruments for a while now,” says Peter VanDuzer, President and co-founder of Bandology. “So many kids are interested in music but are unable to practice due to a lack of resources. Our hope is to bridge that gap by lending instruments out to those who need them most.”
Bandology’s lending library will comprise a variety of instruments, largely those relating to concert band, including woodwinds, brass and percussion instruments.
Bandology has gathered some instruments through donations, but this capital grant will make a huge difference and allow the non-profit to further their mandate of more music for more kids.
 This is a really happy picture – kids along with their parents at a Bandology Camp “Something like a guitar is relatively easy to find,” says Lisa Michaels, Executive Director and co-founder of Bandology. “A tuba on the other hand – or a bari saxophone – is expensive and logistically difficult to transport. With the lending library, Bandology will be able to bring all sorts of instruments to those who are interested in music.”
Bandology is a Canadian non-profit dedicated to more music for more kids via education, collaboration and community. Based in Oakville, Ontario, it provides young musicians with more opportunities to play, learn and be inspired. Learn more about Bandology’s programs and services at bandology.ca.
By Staff
January 16th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
 These wet lands are a critical part of the way storm water is handled and how wild animals find the habitat they need. So the bureaucracy is taking a closer look at just what the provincial government did when they opened up some of the wetlands in the Greenbelt.
That action added to the sniffing around the OPP Rackets Squad is doing just might get the Premier to walk back the decisions that were made.
Marit Stiles, Incoming Leader of the Official Opposition, released the following statement in response to the Office of the Integrity Commissioner of Ontario and Office of the Auditor General of Ontario opening an inquiry:
“I am relieved to see that this matter is being treated with the seriousness that it deserves and pleased to see this response from the Integrity Commissioner and the Auditor General.
“Ontarians are owed answers about the Greenbelt, and I am confident that today is a step in the right direction to understanding what happened.
“I am hopeful that Ontarians will be able to get answers in a thorough, timely manner because of these investigations.”
 By Staff
January 18th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Gas prices came down, food prices didn’t – and rents went crazy.
Average monthly rents have surpassed $2,000 in Canada with no signs of slowing down, according to the Rentals.ca and Urbanation latest National Rent Report.
 Average rents rose 12.4 per cent year over year in November to $2,024, increasing 2.5 per cent from October and up 4.9 per cent in the last three months.
Burlington finished fifth on the list of 35 cities for average monthly rent in November for a one-bedroom at $2,155 and 10th for average monthly rent for a two-bedroom at $2,541.
Year over year, average monthly rent in November for a one-bedroom in Burlington was up 17.9 per cent and up 11.7 per cent for a two-bedroom.
Toronto finished second on the list of 35 cities for average monthly rent in November for a one-bedroom at $2,532 and second for average monthly rent for a two-bedroom at $3,347.
Year over year, average monthly rent in November for a one-bedroom in Toronto was up 23 per cent and up 20.7 per cent for a two-bedroom.
Among major markets in Canada with populations over 1 million, average rents for purpose-built and condominium apartments increased fastest in November for the most expensive cities. Toronto finished second on the list with average rents up 23.7 per cent to $2,864. One-bedroom rents averaged $2,551 in Toronto, while two-bedroom rents averaged $3,363.
Among medium-sized markets, purpose-built and condominium rents rose the highest over the past year in several Greater Toronto Area (GTA) cities and areas, including Brampton (up 28 per cent to $2,430), North York (up 25.8 per cent to $2,470), Etobicoke (up 24.5 per cent to $2,568), Scarborough (up 22.9 per cent to $2,301) and Mississauga (up 19.2 per cent to $2,452).
Ontario finished third in the provincial category for average rents for purpose-built and condominium rents in November with rents rising 15.3 per cent annually. One-bedroom rents averaged $2,156 in Ontario in November, while two-bedroom rents averaged $2,638.
The data collected is now being analyzed and the report written by Urbanation. Urbanation is a Toronto-based real estate research firm providing in-depth market analysis and consulting services since 1981.
Second, all the data from the digital rental platform Rentfaster.ca has been incorporated into this report. Comparisons and analyses are based on the new and bigger dataset.
The National Rent Report charts and analyzes monthly, quarterly and annual rates and trends in the rental market on a national, provincial, and municipal level.
With immigration expected to bring more than 400,000 people into the country rents will continue to rise while the province struggles to get housing built.
We are probably looking at a decade of very troubled housing markets.
By Staff
January 18th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON’
No matter what city service you are looking for during the construction to revitalize City Hall, the City of Burlington is ready to help with a variety of service options, including in-person, online, email, or phone. Now, in addition to in-person service at Service Burlington, members of the public can visit the Development Services counter in its temporary location on the second floor of City Hall, at 426 Brant St., Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
 Choose the in-person option that works best for you.
Service Burlington
Visit Service Burlington at its temporary location on the third floor of 390 Brant St., beside City Hall, for services related to:
• tax payments
• commissioning
• marriage licenses
• parking permits
• parking tickets
• registration for City programs
• general information
Development Services counter
Visit the Development Services counter at its temporary location on the second floor of City Hall for services related to:
• pre-building permits
• building permits
• zoning clearance
• the Committee of Adjustment
• business, personal, lottery and liquor licenses
• pool permits
• sign permits
 Other ways to connect with us
Phone
Call Service Burlington at 905-335-7777 Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Email
Send us an email at city@burlington.ca.
In-Person
Visit Service Burlington in its temporary location on the third floor of 390 Brant St, beside City Hall, or visit the Development Services counter in its temporary location on the second floor of City Hall. The bus terminal at 430 John St. and recreation facilities are also open and ready to serve you.
Some in-person Service Burlington services such as marriage licences and commissioning require an appointment. Visit burlington.ca or call 905-335-7777 to arrange a time.
Virtual
You can connect with us virtually via Microsoft Teams. Call 905-335-7777 to set up a time.
If you are coming in to City Hall, please be aware of the following:
 During construction, please access City Hall through the entrances on Brant Street or Elgin Street. The Locust Street entrance is closed.- The drop box located at the Locust Street entrance has been moved to 390 Brant St. The box is located on the side entrance to this building on Elgin Street, between Coffee Culture and SB Prime restaurant.
- The spiral staircase in the atrium, between the first and second floor, is closed. Please use the elevator in the lobby to reach the second floor.
- As with most construction projects, there will be some periodic noise, dust and dirt in the building.
This is all very useful information Buy why has it taken so long to publish it – the refurbishing of city hall has been taking place since before the October election.
 By Staff
January 18th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
This is one of those advanced notice pieces the people who are going to be on stage are exceptional enough to be given advance billing.
Acclaimed pianist, composer and multi-instrumentalist with Barenaked Ladies, Kevin Hearn, and JUNO award nominated violinist, Hugh Marsh look back fondly on the decade of decadence with their latest work, Dreaming of the 80s, Saturday, March 4th, 2023 7:30pm at The Burlington Performing Arts Centre.
The new collection unites a diverse group of the decade’s classics hits and deep cuts in the duo’s uniquely atmospheric and ethereal sonic environment. This will be the opportunity to be one of the very first to enjoy this album live. Tickets are now on sale.
 The location is fantastic; the prices out of this world: Sunrise Suite $ 5575 CAD a day. Dreaming of the 80s was conceived on the spectacular Fogo Island Inn off the eastern coast of Newfoundland, Hearn and Marsh were invited to play for New Year’s Eve 2018, and decided to pepper their set with a few covers. Among them were “Heaven” by The Psychedelic Furs, Lou Reed’s “Rooftop Garden,” and “Cemetery Polka” by Tom Waits – all written and recorded in the 1980’s.
“We decided to keep going down the road of exploring songs and artists from the ‘80s,” he explains “Once a week or so, we would convene at my place and work on two songs at a time. For the most part, they were performed live as a duo in my living room, and later embellished to varying degrees.” Joy Division’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart,” Kraftwerk’s “Computer Love,” and Alphaville’s “Forever Young” all benefit from a subdued and aptly dream-like treatment that keeps their respective hooks and charms intact, whereas others adopt an added dimension thanks to some gifted guests and friends.
On the album, which will be released in Toronto on February 17th, esteemed opera singer Michael Colvin elevates the aforementioned “Cemetery Polka” while new wave icon Carole Pope adds complementing vocals to a fresh take of Billy Idol’s “Eyes Without a Face.” Hearn’s fellow Lou Reed accompanist Fernando Saunders seemingly warps time on Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin’” and Sun Ra Arkestra trumpeter Michael Ray lends his touch to a medley of tunes from his former bandleader.
The colourful album cover features Kevin’s Dad who is now in his 80’s. “In 1981, with my portable Kodak camera, I snapped a photo of my dad ‘dreaming’ in the ‘80s, wrapped in a quilt that was hand-made by my mother. A quest began to find the quilt so that we could re-stage the photo, and my friend, artist Don Porcella, hand-crafted the cube with pipe cleaners so that it could float above Dad’s head. My dad was quite chuffed by the whole thing. He also recites the Sun Ra poem “New Horizons,” which opens that medley.
We hope this little collection offers a glimpse of how thrilling and diverse the musical landscape was throughout the decade,” Hearn shares in closing. “There were so many amazing artists creating, innovating, and shaping the musical future. This record was a joy to make for all of us, and I trust that’s apparent in the result. Like, totally.”
 Kevin Hearn About Kevin Hearn
A gifted composer, in-demand collaborator, and ever-active musical force with zero interest in creative stagnancy, Hearn cut his teeth collaborating with the likes of Look People, Corky and the Juice Pigs, and revered art-rock outfit Rheostatics before formally joining Barenaked Ladies in 1995. As the group’s profile swelled in the ensuing years, he explored new sonic ground with a series of innovative and imaginative solo albums. One of the most respected and sought-after Toronto musicians of the past 30 years, Hearn’s projects always attract brilliant collaborators including Ron Sexsmith, Dan Hill, Michael Ray of the Sun Ra Arkestra, Carole Pope, Mary Margaret O’Hara, Alan Doyle, The Persuasions, Violent Femmes, Colin Hay and drummer Rob Kloet (the Nits).
 One of the great bands. Expect the March event with Kevin Hearn and Hugh Marsh to be sold out. Reserve your tickets now. One of his most rewarding creative and personal relationships of all was with the legendary Lou Reed, for whom Hearn acted as musical director and keyboardist from 2007 until his passing in 2013. Hearn was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2018 as part of Barenaked Ladies. He released his ninth album, the captivating and compelling Calm and Cents, which was nominated for Instrumental Album of the Year at the 2020 JUNO Awards. Hearn also re-released his entire solo catalogue, which dates back to 1997’s debut Mothball Mint, and included a first time digital release of the sold-out 2019 Record Store Day Canada project Kevin Hearn & Friends Present: The Superhero Suite, nominated by the JUNO Awards for Album Artwork of the Year.
About Hugh Marsh
You may not know the name but you have likely heard the sound of master violinist, Hugh Marsh on various albums and in many film scores alike. Having been referred to as ‘a sound poet’ and a ‘sound bender’ Hugh refers to himself as ‘a musical conversationalist’. Juno Nominee, four-time winner of the Jazz Report Award, three-time winner of the Canadian Jazz Awards for Fiddle /Violin Player of the Year and Canadian Screen Award Nominee for Film Scoring. Marsh has released six of his own albums, has played on over 250 albums and has performed with some of the biggest names in the music industry. Marsh toured for years with Bruce Cockburn, and has performed with greats such as Bonnie Rait, Robert Palmer, Iggy Pop, Barenaked Ladies and more. Since 2015 Marsh has been a member of the Toronto based band the Rheostatics.
By Staff
January 18th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Zellers is going to return to Burlington. It will be one of 25 Zellers store experiences within Hudson’s Bay.
The brick-and-mortar locations will complement the first-ever Zellers.ca ecommerce site, ultimately bringing Zellers to nearly every community in Canada.
 The Zellers sign comes off the store in the Burlington Mall. They are returning and will be part of The Bay and located inside those stores, Customers will be greeted with a thoughtful selection of design-led products across home decor, toys, baby, apparel and pets, housed within Zellers’ signature red and white that will guide customers along in their retail journey.
To stay in the loop, beginning today shoppers can sign up for updates on Zellers.ca – the future home of Zellers’ fully integrated e-commerce platform.
At launch, the Zellers experience within Hudson’s Bay will be between 8,000 – 10,000 sq ft., depending on location. The Zellers in-store experience and Zellers.ca are planned to launch simultaneously.
A lot has changed since the Zellers sign was seen on a building in a Burlington Mall – the place has been named and is now the Burlington Centre.
By Staff
January 18th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
 In a book about social media and the way it has changed how politics is done Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, former US President Donald Trump and the word Truth appear on the cover. That seemed like something worth taking a look at. A kind of gotta read for the political junkies.
The author, is a senior fellow at Massey College at the University of Toronto, is a former Ottawa and Washington bureau chief of the Toronto Star and served as director of communications for Prime Minister Brian Mulroney.
Christopher Dornan in a review of the book writes: “But the prospect of a world without Twitter had been broached, prompting us to consider anew what the platform has become to us, and what it has meant for civic discourse and the project of liberal democracy.
“Because unlike Instagram or Pinterest or Medium, Twitter has assumed a centrality of place in the political theatre, becoming over the span of a few short years, the main stage on which the cut and thrust of partisan duelling plays out. What Etsy is to people who make jewelry at home, Twitter is to the political flame wars waged between worked-up citizens bunkered in their basements.
“Which begs the question of how Twitter has managed to entwine itself so fixedly in the political nervous system. If a magazine dies, there are other magazines to take its place. If an airline goes bankrupt, people still fly on airplanes. If a telecom company goes out of business, it does not shut down telecommunications. But if Twitter were to disappear, politics as we know it would undergo a seizure. There would be a rupture in the supply chain.
“There is a reason it’s Twitter and not Facebook that is mentioned so prominently right in the title of Trump, Trudeau, Tweets, Truth, despite the fact that Facebook is by far the larger platform. Worldwide, Twitter has 206 million daily users. Facebook has 1.98 billion. Twitter doesn’t even make money. On $5-billion in revenue in 2021, it lost $221-million (albeit an improvement over 2020, when it lost $1.1-billion).”
Interesting read.
Trump, Trudeau, Tweets, Truth: A Conversation, by Bill Fox, McGill-Queen’s Press, 616 pp. $39.95. Image courtesy of McGill-Queen’s University Press
 By Pepper Parr
January 17th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Is there a link between voter turnout and the how well constituents in a ward are informed?
 A map produced by the city gives a graphical view of voter turnout in each of the six wards.
Turn out is high for those wards south of the QEW – except for ward 1 where residents have for some time complained that they don’t see enough of their ward Councillor.
One resident was told by the ward Councillor that he would not be getting any more information from the Councillor’s office.
When the constituent complained to the Mayor he was told there was nothing she could do.
That is what happens when discourse, conversation, engagement that includes transparency and accountability are part of social fabric.
The turnout in ward 1 was very poor.
The community has a service that provides information intended for seniors; the person responsible for the content will not include anything that is political; but does promote the need for supplies at the Food Bank. She then expects the Gazette to publish her posters. She was recognized in the Queen’s 70th Jubilee.
Informed people can make informed choices, but they do have to be informed.
The best Burlington seems to be able to do is be led by a city council that talks about being transparent and accountable and prepared to leave it at that.
The people of ward 1 didn’t know that the Integrity Commissioner hired by the city had advised the Councillor how to handle his conflicts of interest. The ward Councillor chose not to inform people in the ward – but was forced to do so by a diligent and persistent resident.
That was the resident who was told he would not be getting any information from the office of the Councillor.
And there wasn’t a peep from a single member of Council on the ethics of what the ward Councillor had done.
By Staff
January 17th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
This article has been revised. Survey is now available
The City is seeking input from the public on the future of a City lobbyist registry. Feedback can be shared through an online survey, available at getinvolvedburlington.ca until Feb. 6, 2023.
In January 2022, the City launched a trial online lobbyist registry designed to document interactions between individuals who lobby members of City Council. Data from this trial online registry, along with the community’s input, will help determine how to improve the registry. The input will also be used to help shape City Council accountability measures over the next four-year Council term (2022 – 2026).
A report to Council about the future of the lobbyist registry is scheduled for early Spring 2023.
There are three types of lobbyists that exist in Burlington:
Consultant Lobbyist – an individual who lobbies for payment on behalf of a client (another individual, a business or other entity).
In-house Lobbyist – means an individual who is an employee, partner or sole proprietor, and who lobbies on behalf of his or her own employer, business or other entity.
Voluntary Unpaid Lobbyist – means an individual who lobbies without payment on behalf of an individual, business or other entity for the benefit of the interests of the individual, business or other entity.
 By Pepper Parr
January 17th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
The buzz among those who follow world class multi sport games is that Hamilton – Burlington is seen as the likely choice for the 2030 Commonwealth Games. An event hosting over 70 countries that will be watched by over 1 billion people internationally.
 Originally known as the British Empire Games when they were held in Hamilton in 1930 Part of the reason for the choice is because the original games in 1930 took place in Hamilton – at that time they were called the British Empire Games – that was when the United Kingdom was an Empire – and 2030 will mark the centenary of the only multi sport Games event founded in Canada
The people leading the BID for the Games have support from several regional chambers’ of commerce, indigenous groups, a number of post secondary institutions and a large number of domestic sports associations who are all excited about the impact and legacy of this event were it to be held in Ontario in 2030.
 The venues are spread over a large part of GTA West through to the Niagara Region There is going to be a meeting of leaders from involved municipalities later this week. Included are: Waterloo, Kitchener, Cambridge Ancaster, St. Catharines, Mississauga, Milton and Welland.
The 2030 Games are being described as an event that will have a positive impact for the entire GTA West through to Niagara area. Based on data from previous Games in the past impact is not minimal – it tends to be huge.
The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) prefers a host city to be between three quarters to one and a half million in size and reasonably close to a major city. That’s almost a perfect description of the Hamilton Burlington community.
 Interested citizens tour part of the property where some of the Games infrastructure could be located. Alinea , a private sector land owner, is interested in part of their 50 hectare site that runs west from King Road up to the eastern edge of the Aldershot GO station being used for some of the games events – at no cost to the city, as a way of accelerating the positive impact associated with the Games in advance of 2030.
Funding is being sought from both the federal and provincial governments. Neil Lumsden, Minister of Tourism and Sport was handling the file but Ontario’s participation will be decided by . the Office of the Premier of Ontario which is where the file is now.
What many people are unaware of is the structure of the Commonwealth Games. First – they are squeaky clean – not something one has been able to say about FIFA or the Olympics.
While sports is a focal point the Commonwealth Games Federation puts a big emphasis on the Games making a lasting positive mark on the host community.
 The Bid Committee is now pulling together the local support that is a part of bringing the international events to a community. More information about how they hope to do that can be found here: Hamilton2030.ca
By Staff
January 17th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington announced the appointment of Jacqueline Johnson as the new Executive Director of Community Relations & Engagement.
 Jacqueline Johnson: new Executive Director of Community Relations & Engagement. Jacqueline has been a leader in municipal government for over 14 years leading, supporting, and advocating for impactful changes in Human Services. Through her experience working with some of the most vulnerable people in the community, she continues to influence and drive change to the delivery of human services programs by expanding participation at strategic tables.
Jacqueline was most recently the Director of Community Access at the Region of Peel, which includes services for clients on Ontario Works, where she led the implementation of the Province’s new Vision for Social Assistance in Peel including what the transformation means for Ontario Works clients and the community.
As a key member of Peel’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee, she championed the launch of Peel’s first workforce census and the development of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategy.
She is committed to ensuring that the voices of clients, residents, and staff continues to be heard and accounted for in the design of programs and services. Jacqueline has also obtained a number of professional certifications including Human Centered Process Design, Change Management and Project Management Professional (PMP).
Jacqueline also serves on the board of directors for the Ontario Municipal Social Services Association and Crime Stoppers of Halton.
The new position of Executive Director of Community Relations & Engagement has been part of the City’s efforts to support the development of an even stronger and deeper relationship with our customers, the community, and community groups such as the Indigenous and LGBTQ2+ communities.
The role will provide strategic leadership and oversight for:
• Corporate Communications and Engagement
• Customer Experience; and
• Office of the City Clerk
Jacqueline will start in her new role on February 13.
Tim Commisso, City Manager said “Jacqueline will play a key role as a member of both the Burlington Leadership Team and the Strategy and Risk Team in the development and implementation of Council’s strategic priorities including our commitment to human centered service delivery.” The position is a new one on the city’s org chart. In an earlier statement from the city reference was made to the new role being filled internally.
By Pepper Parr
January 17th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
When you are the Leader of the opposition of a provincial government there is a role to play – you are there to oppose what the government has done and to suggest and advocate for different levels of change.
And it works – governments understand that public pressure is a bit of a compass point out the direction you might want to go in – in some situations you go in whatever direction that is being suggested if you want to continue being the government.
 Andrea Horwath in the provincial legislature: She fought the good fight. Andrea Horwath did a decent job of opposing – some thought that was all she was ever going to be able to do. She had come to realize that she was not going to form the government and while she won her seat in the Legislature she decided to resign.
Shortly after Horwath announced she was going to run for Mayor of Hamilton. She did and she won. Then a new set of problems came her way.
The “crazies on the left” were furious – their new Mayor was not putting the boots to the Premier the way they thought she should. She was being “torched” by her own people who clearly didn’t understand what a Mayor has to do – which is to build relationships and encourage the provincial government to support the things her city needs.
To her credit Horwath has picked up on what the job is and is reported to be doing quite well.
There are going to be some major announcements soon on a number of issues that will surprise many people. Horwath has a number of very well placed people advising her; they do not appear to be “special interest” types who are lobbying more than they are advising.
 Andrea Horwath: Good leaders find good advisors. Good leaders learn to find and trust the people who can advise; then takes that advice and uses her judgment, experience and wisdom to make the necessary decisions and begin to bring around the rest of her council members. And in Hamilton that is not a slam dunk. We suspect Andrea Horwath is fully enjoying this new role she gets to play.
It will take some time for Andrea Horwath to be fully comfortable with the Chain of Office she now wears which is more than Burlington can say about its Mayor.
Some time ago when an event took place at the Eva Rothwell Centre in North Hamilton, Andrea used the occasion to tell the small crowd that “this was the kind of event where the real Hamilton; people caring about people” came out. That is the kind of city Horwath is going to work at creating. The crazies on the left will figure that out eventually.
The Eva Rothwell event was close to a love in as people got to talk about the things they had done to make the city a better place.
By Pepper Parr
January 17th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
It is sometimes referred to as the City Council piggy bank – a fund that can be dipped into when things get tight.
The taking of $400,000 out of the Hydro Reserve fund was a classic example.
Set out below is the status of the reserve accounts as of September 2022.
At the end of each fiscal year Council takes whatever there might be in the way of a surplus – meaning money that was not spent, is sprinkled on various reserve funds.
 Some of the reserve funds can be accessed -others can’t be touched until they are needed
By Pepper Parr
January 17th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Try this one on for size.
Statements of Claim (they were being sued) were served on three former senior executives of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/SEFPO) executive board for accessing money from the union Strike Fund
 OPSEU picket in front of government office. One amount of $500,000 was taken as damages “for injuries to his feelings, dignity and self-respect” and the transfer of an OPSEU/SEFPO vehicle; outlined in the statement of claim.
This hasn’t got to court yet and the three defendants have yet to file a defence.
The allegations against longtime president Warren (Smokey) Thomas former first vice-president/treasurer Eduardo Almeida and Maurice Gabay, former administrator of the union’s financial services division, are detailed in a statement of claim filed in Ontario’s Superior Court on Monday morning and follow a forensic audit ordered by the union.
The claims were for “$1.75 million from Thomas, $3 million from Almeida and $1 million from Gabay, as well as damages of $6 million for “breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, conspiracy, conversion and/or unjust enrichment”
By Pepper Parr
January 17th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Don’t think we have ever seen anything like this before.
 Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward. The Chamber of Commerce advises people that:
Due to popular demand we have opened up a SECOND room at the Burlington Convention Centre for the Mayor’s State of the City.
Tickets are selling quickly – purchase yours now before it is too late!
Join us to learn what Mayor Marianne Meed Ward and Council hope to accomplish over the coming year. This annual event, emceed by Tim Caddigan, highlights important issues facing our municipality and how they will be addressed in 2023. It will be an engaging and informative session for the Burlington business community with an opportunity to submit questions during registration.
Is this rise in public interest due to a budget that will require a tax increase of just above 7% over last year?
 A July budget projection is set out below. The tax increase for 2023-24 got shaved to 7.08% in the Budget books delivered to Council
By Staff
January 16th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Robert Burns, also known familiarly as Rabbie Burns, was a Scottish poet and lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland and is celebrated worldwide.
On Sunday, Jan. 22 a number of road closures and lane restrictions will be in effect for the Robbie Burns race.
 Robert Burns, also known familiarly as Rabbie Burns Race Start Time
8:30 a.m. from Elgin Street, travelling in a clockwise direction.
 Road Closures
6 to 10 a.m. – Elgin Street from Burlington Avenue to Locust Street.
8 to 9 a.m. – Baldwin Street from Hurd Avenue to Brant Street.
8:30 to 9 a.m. – Brant Street from Baldwin to Fairview.
Lane Closures
7:30 to 10 a.m. – Locust Street northbound.
All remaining streets on race route will have one lane coned-off for runners. Expect delays.
Traffic Supervision
Halton Region Police Services will supervise all closures.
Road Closures or Traffic Control Information
Event liaison, City of Burlington, 905-335-7777, ext. 7201
Downtown Municipal Parking
Enjoy free parking every Sunday in Burlington’s downtown municipal lots: There are a few EV charging stations in the Locust street parking garage.
 By Pepper Parr
January 16th, 2023
BURLINGTON, on
In a number of recent news reports on people who were arrested for drug or human trafficking offences Gazette readers expressed alarm and concern over some of the people whowere released on bail.
There is a gap between what people think bail should be and what it actually is. The John Howard Society produced a short video on how the bail system, referred to as “conditional release” works.
The view the John Howard Society has and the views of the criminal community are some distance apart.
 Bail conditions vary. They are reviewed regularly. Many of the criminals have no intention of showing up – they keep failing to appear until a Judge decides to not agree to bail.
One of the problems is that the provincial government doesn’t want to cover the cost of keeping people who have been arrested in a jail – it is very expensive.
View the video and then think about what you would like to do. Should the process be changed – if that’s what you think – tell your MP and press the government to make sure you are safe on the streets of you community.
About the John Howard Society
 Provides for the effective integration into the community of those in conflict with the law and provides, or encourages others to provide, services to those in contact with, or affected by the criminal justice system;
Promotes changes in the law and the administration of justice which will lead to the more humane and effective treatment of individuals;
Promotes citizen awareness of the problems of crime and its causes, acceptance of responsibility to respond to these problems and involvement in the delivery and management of justice related programs;
Promotes the fair and humane treatment of all incarcerated persons and seeks to ensure that all forms of detention and imprisonment comply with relevant legal and human rights standard
By Staff
January 16th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Enbridge Gas, the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council and Burlington Fire Department announced they are working together to improve home safety and bring fire and carbon monoxide-related deaths down to zero in Burlington.
The Safe Community Project Zero is a public education campaign that is providing alarms to residents in 50 municipalities across Ontario. Through this project, the Burlington Fire Department has received 438 combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
 It is indeed the law – yet we still have terrible loss of life . In 2022, Enbridge Gas invested $250,000 in Safe Community Project Zero, and over the past 14 years, the program has provided more than 76,000 alarms to Ontario fire departments.
The alarms provided to Burlington will be distributed through a combination of public events, the Alarm Assistance Program and response calls when needed.
When properly installed and maintained, combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms help provide the early warning to safely escape from a house fire or carbon monoxide exposure. Carbon monoxide is a toxic, odourless gas that is a by-product of incomplete combustion of many types of common fuels.
|
|
