 By Pepper Parr
April 29th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
 Emily Brown speaking to her supporters at the Hilton hotel. It was a campaign Emily Brown had to win and a campaign she was certain she would win.
It didn’t work out that way.
What we are seeing in Burlington is being replicated across the country.
 Losing is never easy. A lot of people who believed in Emily Brown will look for the reasons why the Conservatives lost. There are already people putting together their plans to win the nomination for the next federal election. The biggest problem for the Conservatives was their leader, who lost his own seat and may well lose the leadership of the Conservative party.
It will take some time for the disappointment to work itself out.
While it wasn’t an evening to celebrate, the Conservatives did gather at the Hilton hotel to make the best of the occasion.
The Liberals were confident going into the race; it was never an event where they felt it was going to get away from them.
 The Gould team had every reason to celebrate, and celebrate they did. 
By Pepper Parr
April 28th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Another one of those a picture worth 1000 words.
 Gould was leading in every polling station when counting stopped at 1:30 in the morning.
 By Staff
April 28th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Members of the official Burlington delegation visiting Apeldoorn are:
- Mayor Marianne Meed Ward
- Rory Nisan, Ward 3 Councillor and Council Liaison on the Mundialization Committee
- Hassaan Basit, Chief Administrative Officer
- Samantha Yew, City Clerk/Director of Legislative Services
- Hasan Raza, Chair, Mundialization Committee (volunteer)
- Anne Koopman, Chair, Apeldoorn Sub-committee (volunteer)
 Mayor Marianne Meed Ward  Hassaan Basit, Chief Administrative Officer  Rory Nisan, Ward 3 Councillor and Council Liaison on the Mundialization Committee
By Staff
April 28th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Kady O’Malley at iPolitics had this to say this morning.
It’s election day in Canada.
Polls will open for 12 hours on Monday, staggered based on time zone. Most voters in Ontario and Quebec that live in the Eastern Time zone can vote from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Those living in B.C. and the Yukon will be able to vote from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Pacific Time.
What’s at stake? A lot, to put it lightly.
 Whoever emerges as PM after the vote will lead negotiations on a new economic and security partnership with the U.S., for starters. They will also need to chart a new course for the country amid a global order upended by the Trump administration.
And then, you know, deal with an affordability crisis, headlined by sky-high home prices, as well wrestle with meaty issues like how many people should we admit to this country, how best to stem the numbers of people dying from opioid overdoses, whether we need to build nation-spanning oil pipelines – just to name a few.
It’s a tall order… That’s why at the onset of the campaign, we asked whether Canada itself was the ballot box issue in this year’s race.
It’s unclear if that’s what’s driving voters, but polls have shown that dealing with Trump occupied a lot of space earlier on in the race, only to fade in the final stages, which may help to explain how the Liberal lead narrowed near the end of the campaign.
Speaking of polls, final polls from Abacus, Leger, Ipsos, Mainstreet and Nanos all show the Liberals leading the Conservatives by single-digit margins, though it’s unclear if it would be enough for a majority government.
It could mean a long night of ballot watching.
By Pepper Parr
April 28th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The ballots are being cast.
The get out the vote teams in every riding across the country are working hard – very hard.
The questions in the minds of everyone are:
 Does the dog have a vote? How big will the Liberal plurality be?
Will Pierre Poilievre manage to hold his seat?
Will the NDP lose their party status?
Could the country face a situation where the current leaders of the NDP and the Conservatives find themselves without a seat in the House of Commons?
Canadians are making history today!
 By Shireen T. Singh
April 28th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The world of fintech has gained a lot of attention since 2018, and for good reason. Simply looking at the numbers, you can just tell that the industry is growing rapidly. At the end of 2023, the F-Prime Fintech Index, which tracks the industry’s growth, estimated the market cap of the industry to be $573 billion. And that’s double what it was in 2019!
 Trade with a firm’s money for profit from the comfort of their home. Today, financial services are becoming more efficient and user-friendly than ever, making fintech a mainstay in today’s economic climate. One area where fintech’s relevance is growing significantly is proprietary trading. So, let’s examine how fintech is transforming prop trading and what its future is shaping up to be.
Understanding Prop Trading
When a financial institution, like a bank or hedge fund, trades with its own money in the forex market, stock market, or other financial markets, that’s called proprietary trading. These financial companies typically make trades on behalf of their clients and earn a commission, but prop trading is a little different. Instead of using a client’s money to invest, they use their own capital, which means they can take on more risk and have a shot at higher rewards.
Thanks to advancements in fintech, this form of trading has become more accessible and advanced, opening up new opportunities to companies and traders globally. CFD brokers and prop trading firms now provide retail traders with access to institutional-grade trading environments, allowing them to leverage cutting-edge trading tools. For example, platforms like OANDA now allow traders (with no capital) to trade with a firm’s money for profit from the comfort of their home.
It is also important to note that financial corporations involved in prop trading do this for one major reason, and that is to make more profit. In order to keep things fair and focused, they have special sections of the company dedicated to these kinds of trades — referred to as the prop trading desk. This desk operates separately from client-focused areas and sometimes even acts as “market makers,” meaning they step in to buy or sell large amounts of security when there isn’t enough movement in the market. This keeps things flowing and adds increased stability to the market, even when things get rocky.
Evolution of Prop Trading
In the 1980s, before the internet, prop trading started as a way for retail traders who weren’t wealthy investors or big institutions to get a chance to join in on the stock market action. This was possible when financial corporations created “pool accounts” that allowed these smaller traders to access real-time data and trading tools they couldn’t get on their own.
 These people were skilled traders who worked directly from these firms’ offices to help grow the company’s capital. These people were skilled traders who worked directly from these firms’ offices to help grow the company’s capital. They then earned part of the profits they garnered for these financial institutions. This is the foundational setup that structures today’s prop trading model, where firms still partner with individual traders.
Thanks to the internet, the world of prop trading has become so advanced that it is somewhat unrecognizable. However, the concept remains the same: traders pay a fee to be evaluated, and if they pass, they get access to the firm’s capital, sharing any profits that they make. Technological advancements have made prop trading easily accessible to every trader willing to fulfill requirements stipulated by prop trading firms.
Currently, well over 100 online prop trading firms offer evaluation programs for anyone who wants to try trading. While most traders might not make it past the evaluation, the few who succeed stand to earn significantly by trading with more funds than they would have had on their own.
Three Key Fintech Innovations Transforming Prop Trading
The trading methods and tools used to carry out innovative and competitive trades have changed significantly owing to the advancement in the fintech industry. With the advantage of fintech, prop trading has become faster, smarter, and more adaptable to market changes. Here are three key fintech innovations that are transforming the world of prop trading that are available through these solutions.
High-Frequency Trading (HFT)
Today, it is much easier to use high-frequency trading in prop trading. HFT is a technological advancement that allows thousands of trades to be carried out in fractions of a second. When used together with algorithmic trading, it can boost trade volume and speed, helping traders react instantly to market changes and increase profits. This advancement has given traders and firms an upper hand in the markets but also poses a risk of increased market volatility, especially when trades are executed at high speeds in sensitive conditions.
By Pepper Parr
April 27th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
When you see polls like this, which do have a margin of error, you can understand how desperate and disappointed the Conservative party members feel.
 To go from a lead of 20 points to being behind by 10 points is something rarely seen. This polling was not done by the Gazette; it was done by a reliable source. At one point, they had it – circumstances changed, and they were unable to pivot.
Now in the final day of active campaigning, when things don’t look very good – expect accusations to be made.
Emotions will be running high.
Despite the feelings – this election is one of the most important in several decades. Polls are an event about an event that has yet to take place.
Vote and work hard to get the people who support the party you believe in to the polls. Every vote counts.
The results will be known late Monday night.
By Pepper Parr
April 27th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
While it is a nationwide election, the battles take place in the constituency trenches.
Karina Gould is fighting her fourth election; Emily Brown her second.
Political parties aside, they are both decent, accomplished women.
Gould has more to show politically; including that terrible gaff when she asked that what was said in the House about the former Nazi in the House of Commons while Ukraine president Zelensky was being recognized be struck from the record.
Gould has delivered the bacon, that’s what she was elected to do.
Brown has worked very hard at the constituency level to keep the Conservatives in the public eye.
Should she lose this election it would be very hard to come back a third time.
Should Gould lose the election, there is little doubt that she will be a candidate in the next federal election.
Her decision to run for the leadership of the Liberal party was a brave move – at some point, she could well become the Prime Minister.
Voters across the country will be voting for the political party they would like to see win – this is a race between Pierre Poileivre and Mark Carney being decided in the 383 constituencies coast to coast to coast.
It is an existential election; Canada is going to go through a massive change in which countries it trades with; on how much it spends on defense and how the federal government that takes office decides to spend the tax dollars it will raise.
Our economy and our borders are at risk.
The new Prime Minister will have to deal with a President who is both reckless, unstable and unprepared to adhere to the Constitution he swore to protect.
Every Canadian will have determined their choice when they vote on Monday.
The 7.3 million voters who cast ballots during the Easter holiday, a record two million on Good Friday, is evidence enough that citizens are engaged.
If you haven’t voted – do so.
Thousands will vote for a political party they have not voted for in the past. That is democracy at its best.
 Karina Gould  Emily Brown The choice is: Emily Brown or Karina Gould.
Yes, there are other candidates, and the political parties they represent matter. They
Michael Bator, People’s Party of Canada
Michael Beauchemin, New Democratic Party
Emily Brown, Conservative Party of Canada
Karina Gould, Liberal Party of Canada
Paul Harper Parti Rhinocéros Party
Kyle Hutton Green Party
Ocean Marshall Libertarian Party of Canada
 By Pepper Parr
April 26th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
On Friday there was a noisy demonstration outside the Burlington Centre, the location of the Gould offices.
Gould was hosting former Prime Minister Jean Chretien
Foul language, foul signs and a bullhorn blaring away were reported to us by an individual who was at the site.
We reported what we learned.
Several hours later, we received a phone call from a trusted individual who was working as a volunteer on the Emily Brown campaign, saying that the demonstrators were not from the Brown campaign.
The Brown campaign was in the area doing their typical campaign work at the intersection of Guelph Line and Fairview at 5:30 pm
The Chretien event took place earlier in the day.
We reached out to the Brown campaign and did not get a response until much later in the day. The news cycle is a 24/7 operation.
 Emily Brown, Conservative candidate for the Burlington seat in the House of Commons. We are delighted to learn that the Brown campaign was not involved, and would have liked to have seen a statement from the Brown campaign expressing their concern that there are people abusing the election campaign process.
Emily Brown has worked hard as a candidate in two elections. Were she to be elected she would represent the interests of the city very well.
By Pepper Parr
April 26th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Ripper: The Making of Pierre Poilievre is the title of a book written by Mark Bourrie and reviewed by Charlotte Gray for the Globe and Mail who points out that Ripper has one message: The Pierre Poilievre we see today is the same person as the teenager he was in Calgary’s Reform Party backrooms. Mark Bourrie describes that 1990s teenager as “the political equivalent of a hockey goon,” and argues that he hasn’t adjusted his behaviour or outlook since then.
 “However, to understand Canada’s “Trump-lite,” Bourrie argues, we need to acknowledge the global socioeconomic changes that have spawned a crop of right-wing dictators, and caused the deterioration of traditional journalism and public discourse. To borrow terms coined by New York Times columnist David Brooks, the public sphere is inhabited by “weavers,” who strive for social consensus, and “rippers,” who see politics as a war that gives their life meaning.
“Poilievre’s adolescent views and tactics, typical of a ripper, didn’t need to evolve as he clambered up the greasy pole. He had the good fortune to be in tune with the times – times that have produced anxious, angry voters likely to embrace a right-wing ripper. Doors kept opening for him, and he scrambled straight through them until the Conservative Leader could almost taste victory in the coming federal election.
“Bourrie’s portrait of Poilievre could hardly be more critical, describing him as the angriest person on Canada’s political stage and the nastiest leader of a major party in this country’s history.
“I’ve got nothing against him as a person,” Bourrie insists, but adds that “he’s an angry teenager in the body of a grown man. That makes him a stellar opposition politician. It’s a bad combination in a prime minister.”
“For 375 pages (plus a further 50 pages of eccentric end notes), Bourrie makes his case. He relied for evidence on a mountain of press clippings, a raft of political books and deep dives into the explosive growths of social media and fake news, which he explored in two previous books. He synthesized an enormous amount of information, wrote at an astonishing pace (150,000 words in nine months) and produced a narrative that mixes careful analysis, punchy prose, ironic quips and outrage at Poilievre’s success.
“The result, although uneven, is a gripping read. But does Bourrie prove his point?
“Much of the biographical material in Ripper is familiar, chronicled (with a positive spin) most recently in Andrew Lawton’s biography of Poilievre. Bourrie quickly provides the basic facts. Marlene Poilievre, a passionate Tory and devout Catholic, began taking her son to Conservative riding association meetings and anti-abortion rallies when he was only 14.
“Poilievre was soon absorbing economic views shaped by Milton Friedman and attending seminars conducted by the right-wing Fraser Institute.
“Enrolling at the University of Calgary in 1997, Poilievre polished his political skills as a debater who was soon giving short, pithy quotes to Calgary Herald reporters at Reform events. Lawton enthused about the sharp-elbowed rookie’s commitment, but Bourrie deplores Poilievre’s aggressive tone. The politician, he writes, was making “dire, overthe-top claims of a debilitating national problem” and using “harsh and cruel” language as he blamed opponents.
“Bourrie embeds these glimpses of the young politician in the larger story of Alberta’s postwar history, and the way that Western Canadian alienation was disrupting the Progressive Conservative Party.
“Similarly, when Bourrie tracks Poilievre’s shift to Ottawa in 1999, and his 2004 election (at 25, the youngest MP in the Commons) in the riding of Nepean-Carleton, the author enriches the Poilievre chronology with context, including the capital’s social culture and the Reform Party’s conquest of the Conservative Party.
 Poilievre showed little interest in the intellectual challenge of policy development. “Poilievre pulled ahead of his peers – “strange, nerdy, socially isolated young conservatives” in Bourrie’s words – because he knew what the media wanted: “good quote and great footage.” While Jean Chrétien and Paul Martin led the country, Poilievre was one of the opposition’s most effective critics of Liberal corruption.
“Increased media exposure fed on itself, as he went after daycare programs, gay marriage and bilingualism, and found catchy nicknames for his opponents (Martin was “the king of cronyism.”).
“When the Conservatives formed the government in 2006, Poilievre became prime minister Steven Harper’s attack dog in Question Period. His strategy, Bourrie writes, was to “smear the person trying to do the embarrassing.”
“Occasionally, he strayed from the Harper playbook. On the day that the prime minister issued an apology to Indigenous people for the residential-school system, Poilievre stole the headlines by publicly questioning whether Canadians were getting value for money from the $2-billion compensation paid to survivors. Harper made him apologize in the House.
“During these years, Conservatives raced ahead of other parties in new political techniques of data gathering and analysis, which exponentially improved their voter identification and fundraising capacities. Poilievre’s quick hits and nifty slogans were tailormade, in our rushed digital age, to appeal to voters pinpointed by technology as open to his message.
“He was finally rewarded with a cabinet role in 2013, as Canada’s first minister of democratic reform. His real job, according to Bourrie, was to “whack Elections Canada.” He introduced a Fair Elections Act that editorial writers at both the National Post and The Globe and Mail deplored as destructive.
“During the nine years of Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government, Poilievre (now Conservative finance critic) was relentlessly on the attack. Trudeau’s Liberals provided him with plenty of targets. Poilievre labelled the prime minister “a corrupt tin-pot dictator” and accused finance minister Bill Morneau of losing the “moral authority to hold your office.”
“When he finally ran for the leadership of his party, in 2022, his victory was decisive. Tellingly, Erin O’Toole, the man he replaced, warned, “This country needs a Conservative Party that is both an intellectual force and a governing force. … Seeking power without ideology is hubris.”
“But Poilievre showed little interest in the intellectual challenge of policy development. Instead, he stayed in the headlines with slogans and sneers, bashing the “radical, woke coalition” of Liberals and NDP and reserving special venom for Trudeau.
“His mastery of social media (he has one million followers on X), YouTube (more than half a million followers) and partisan Tory outlets has allowed him to create his own media environment. Instead of answering questions from the dwindling legacy media about his solutions to all the problems bedevilling this country.
 Poilievre: a viciously brilliant critic who has shown no potential, as yet, to become a weaver who could bring the country together. “Bourrie demonstrates how deftly Poilievre ensured that his manipulation of facts and his insistence that “Canada is broken” never received much scrutiny. His standing in opinion polls rose and rose.
“The author acknowledges that Poilievre has a more agreeable side, as an excellent constituency member and family man who has spoken up for children with autism. But Bourrie conclusively proves his point that the politician is an Olympic-class ripper, a viciously brilliant critic who has shown no potential, as yet, to become a weaver who could bring the country together.
“Ripper does more than paint a dark picture of the Conservative Leader. The author gives serious attention to the question: How did we get here? How did Canada – a country once celebrated for civility and compromise – elevate a politician who has surfed on division and disrespect?
“This past January, Poilievre’s expectations of an easy victory at the polls were shattered by the Liberal leadership race and Trump’s tariff threat. The skills that Poilievre has burnished over the past 30 years no longer seem to fit the moment. He is finally out of step with his times.
“Bourrie has produced a searing but convincing critique of the Conservative Leader’s shortcomings that will give pause to anyone outside the diehard Poilievre base. The politician’s insistence that “Canada is broken” has been cast aside in a wave of nationalism. Voters may decide that an angry ripper may not be what Canada needs right now.”
 By Pepper Parr
April 26th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
OPINION
We were advised that the group disrupting the Chretien visit to the Gould office at Burlington Centre was not people from the Emily Brown campaign
Our politics have gotten very ugly.
When a group demonstrated outside the Burlington Centre where Karian Gould was hosting for Prime Minister Jean Chretien, who was there to support her campaign, things got noisy.
Foul language, flag with equally foul language and the use of a bullhorn made it noisy.
Demonstrating is a noble thing to do – opposing something you disagree with is not only acceptable, but necessary in a democracy.
Who made the decision to gather the supporters and have them make fools of themselves? Emily Brown is the Conservative candidate seeking to replace Karina Gould as the Member of Parliament for Burlington.
I’ve talked to Emily more than half a dozen times. I thought she had the potential to become a member of Parliament who would serve the interests of the city. I didn’t see her as the kind of person who would approve of the kind of demonstration seen on Friday.
Who organized the demonstration? Was it the Conservative candidate?
If Emily Brown did not organize or approve of the demonstration, should she have issued a statement regretting that it took place and making it clear that this is not the kind of thing she stands for?
We reached out to the Brown campaign asking for some clarification.
If the leadership or the potential political leadership does not stand up and demand respectful behaviour, we are indeed in serious trouble.
 By Pepper Parr
April 26th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
 There aren’t that many of them around any more. But, Burlington happens to have one of the best independent bookstores in the country
A Different Drummer has a very proud history and has been known for doing things differently from the day it first opened in 1970.
The store was founded in 1970 by Al Cummings and John Richardson. The name was inspired by the Henry David Thoreau quote, “If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer.” It follows, then, that independent thinking became a guiding principle of the store, which stocks small press and university press titles alongside bestsellers. “We hear from customers that they are finding books here that they are not finding elsewhere,” said Ian Elliot the current owner.
 The Different Drummer as it exists today.
By Staff
April 26th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
There he was, 91 year old former Prime Minister Jean Chretien, stopping by the Karina Gould office at Burlington Centre for a photo op and chit chat with some 200 of her volunteers.
 Jean Chretien with Karina Gould  Chretien greeting a Gould supporter. A typical election campaign event explained Carol Victor except for the noisy group gathered outside with huge flags and a bullhorn blasting F…Carney ..disgusting behaviour similar to something we might witness in the US. This was reminiscent of the deplorable Ottawa Convoy mob during the pandemic.
We could hardly believe that this was happening in Burlington, let alone Canada, where the real enemy is South of the border and not within our own country. Never in an election, have I ever witnessed such poor behavior….definitely unCanadian to say the least.
Chretien displayed incredible wit and energy.
 By Anthony Lucas”
April 25th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
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By Staff
April 25th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
At a Special Council Meeting earlier this year, the City’s new Short-Term Accommodation By-law which takes effect on May 1, 2025 was approved.
The key change introduced by this by-law is that operators of short-term accommodations are now required to obtain a licence to operate.
 Properties rented out for large parties frequently get out of control. City looks for a way to clamp down by requiring a license. If you own a property and rent it out for up to 28 consecutive days (for a total of up to 183 days per year) for a fee – such as through Airbnb or VRBO – the new by-law applies to you, and you must get a licence to operate.
The by-law is designed to address housing availability, safety and common nuisances such as noise, parking issues and garbage. Owners will be required to submit certificates showing that the HVAC and electrical systems meet requirements prior to a licence being issued.
Owners will also have to sign a declaration to comply with the maintenance and parking plans, Building Code and Fire Code.
While these conditions may seem onerous to some, they became necessary when a number, not just a few, found that the peace and quiet they used to enjoy was no longer possible due to the reckless behaviour of people who rented houses for weekend parties.
For further details about licence requirements, and to submit an application, visit:www.burlington.ca/STA
 By Staff
April 25th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Chronic lateness can often feel like an inescapable habit because showing up late to meetings, keeping friends waiting, or missing deadlines can lead you to constantly apologise for being late. People all over the world struggle with punctuality, and while being late might seem like a small flaw, it can have dire consequences.
If you are looking to overcome the habit of chronic lateness, then you are in the right place, as we have discussed several strategies and tips that can help you overcome chronic lateness and help you build a habit of being punctual and on time.
Understand the Cause of Chronic Lateness
Before you can fix any problem, you need to understand its root cause. Chronic lateness stems from a multitude of reasons, including :
 Poor Time Management Skills- Overcommitment
- Perfectionism
- Procrastination
- Lack of Prioritization
- Psychological Factors
- Poor Habits
- Mindset Issues
Understanding what causes you to be late is the first step towards overcoming chronic lateness, and you should start by identifying the causes so that you can address them effectively to overcome chronic lateness.
After you have identified the root cause of chronic lateness, here are some actionable tips and strategies that will help you overcome chronic lateness and be more punctual.
Improve Time Management
The foundation of punctuality is deeply rooted in time management. If you are not good with time management, then you cannot overcome chronic lateness because you won’t be able to take control of your time. Improving your time management skills is very important, and this can be done by using digital tools to procure the Salah Timing Calendar and help plan your day, breaking down large tasks, making a routine and following it, and adding extra time to your schedule for unexpected delays or last-minute changes.
Change Your Mindset
Your mindset plays a very important role when it comes to punctuality, and you need to change your mindset and shift your perspective to overcome the issue of chronic lateness. To do so:
Aim for arriving early rather than being exactly on time. Leaving early for a meeting or event will cushion you against unexpected delays.
- Rethink the importance of punctuality in your mind and think of time as a form of respect for yourself, as well as for others.
- Visualize the benefits of arriving early, such as less stress, more confidence, and a better reputation, which can encourage you to be more punctual.
Address Procrastination and Perfectionism
Procrastination and perfectionism are two completely opposite things, yet both of these often hold people back and lead to them being chronically late. If procrastination or perfectionism is holding you back, then it is time to address these issues by tackling tasks early, setting deadlines, embracing imperfections, and focusing on completing tasks the right way instead of making them flawless.
Develop a Pre-Event Routine
 Developing a pre-event and consistent routine can help you stay on track and organized, and avoid last-minute rushes. You can create a pre-event routine by creating a checklist for the steps that you need to take before leaving for an event, setting alarms and reminders to remind you when it is time to get ready, and prepare the night before by laying out your clothes, packing your bag, and gathering any material that you will need ahead of time, including the Montreal Prayer Calendar, to reduce stress and save time.
Avoid Overcommitment
One of the major contributors to chronic lateness is overcommitment. People who overcommit are the ones who constantly have a habit of being late because committing to multiple things can make you overwhelmed, leading to chronic lateness and impunctuality. This can be overcome by setting boundaries, prioritizing tasks that align with your goals and values, and politely declining requests that don’t fit into your schedule or priority list.
 By Staff
April 25th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
On March 4, 2025, staff presented proposed Official Plan Amendment (OPA) No.4 to a Committee of the Whole Statutory Public Meeting through staff report DGM-13-25 Bronte Creek Meadows Proposed Official Plan Amendment No.4,in order to hear comments and questions from members of Council and the public. Staff continued to accept questions, comments and recommendations until March 18, 2025.
 City staff have reviewed and considered the feedback received, and are targeting bringing forward a Recommendation Report to Council for adoption of the OPA in May 2025.
Staff continue to be available to answer any questions about the project. Email newop@burlington.ca if you have any questions or would like to Talk to a Planner.
 By Staff
April 24th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
As people age, maintaining an active lifestyle becomes increasingly important. Seniors often face numerous challenges that can hinder their ability to stay active, such as mobility issues and social isolation. Long term care facilities offer specialized programs that support wellness and independence.
Aging is a natural part of life, yet it brings with it a set of challenges that can make staying active difficult for many seniors. Physical limitations, health issues, and the emotional toll of isolation are common obstacles. However, there are ways to overcome these challenges, particularly through specialized care settings that focus on holistic wellness, such as long term care facilities.
Understanding the Challenges of Aging
The journey into senior years often comes with a variety of hurdles that can impede an active lifestyle. Mobility issues are prevalent, making it hard for seniors to engage in physical activities they once enjoyed. Arthritis, joint pain, and decreased muscle strength can further contribute to a sedentary lifestyle.
 Long term care facilities offer specialized programs that support wellness and independence.
Social isolation is another significant barrier many seniors encounter. With age, social circles may shrink due to retirement, relocation, or the loss of friends and family. This isolation affects mental health and diminishes the motivation to participate in community activities or exercise programs.
Health concerns compound these challenges, with chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease being common among older adults. These health issues require careful management and can limit seniors’ ability to partake in physical activities without specialized support or supervision.
The Benefits of Specialized Care
Specialized care facilities play a crucial role in promoting senior wellness by offering tailored programs designed to enhance physical fitness and social engagement. These facilities understand the unique needs of seniors and provide access to personalized exercise routines that accommodate varying levels of mobility and health conditions.
Nutrition is another vital component addressed by long term care settings. Balanced meal plans are crafted to meet the dietary requirements of older adults, ensuring they receive essential nutrients necessary for maintaining energy levels and supporting overall health.
Beyond physical health, these facilities emphasize social interaction by organizing group activities and events that encourage participation and community bonding. This helps combat loneliness and fosters a sense of belonging and purpose among residents.
Promoting Community Engagement
Community engagement is a powerful tool in enhancing the quality of life for seniors. Participation in group activities offers mental stimulation and fosters emotional well-being by reducing feelings of isolation. It provides a platform for building new friendships and rekindling interests in hobbies or crafts.
Engaging in community events also promotes physical health by motivating seniors to remain active. Whether it’s participating in group exercises or walking clubs, these activities offer gentle yet effective ways to maintain fitness levels suitable for varying abilities.
Moreover, community involvement encourages continuous learning and skill development through workshops or classes tailored specifically for seniors. This ongoing education keeps minds sharp and promotes lifelong learning, contributing positively to mental acuity and self-esteem.
Empowering Independence in Seniors
Specialized care environments empower seniors to retain their independence by providing individualized support catered to their specific needs. With access to resources like transportation services, medical assistance, and daily living aids, seniors are better equipped to manage their routines autonomously.
This empowerment extends beyond physical independence; it also encompasses decision-making regarding personal care preferences and lifestyle choices. By involving residents in planning their daily activities or meal options, these facilities foster a sense of control over one’s own life.
The supportive environment within specialized care facilities enables seniors to pursue hobbies or volunteer opportunities that might otherwise be inaccessible due to logistical constraints. This autonomy enhances their sense of purpose and fulfillment during retirement years.
By Pepper Parr
April 25th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
If you thought Mark Carney became very interested in becoming the Prime Minister when it was evident that Justin Trudeau was in his way out the door – you have not be keeping up on the man and what he has been up to.
 Carney was talking to associates about becoming Prime Minister when he was being considered as the Governor of the Bank of England. At the time he was concerned that being the Governor of the British bank might not look all that good to Canadian electors.
Those who talk openly about Carney will say: “You probably couldn’t sit down and design a person who has a better set of tools to deal with economic anxiety,’ Liberal powerbroker Frank McKenna says of party leader Mark Carney.
 Hurricane Trump is an untamable force, but sensing where the wind is blowing and planning meticulously is the way Mr. Carney functions. Mr. Carney is so strategic in his approach to the world that for years he’s been a dedicated runner and careful eater, in part because he believes he needs to be in good physical shape to work at a certain level, with long hours and punishing travel. He has to be truly wrung out to abandon that and lay into some French fries or a bag of Doritos.
Hurricane Trump is an untamable force, but sensing where the wind is blowing and planning meticulously is the way Mr. Carney functions.
“If this were an ordinary election with ordinary issues, he would never be able to distinguish himself,” Liberal powerbroker Frank McKenna says. “But this is not an ordinary election. There really is one issue and one issue only, and it’s around economic anxiety.
Pretty much everyone who’s crossed paths with him comes away impressed by his intelligence, which has a distinct sifting quality: distilling, making connections, putting things in order.
He’s often charming and very funny. He can also be impatient, caustic or condescending when he feels like someone isn’t keeping up their end of the bargain; the phrase “doesn’t suffer fools” comes up a lot. When he was governor of the Bank of England, the Financial Times reported that staff called encountering this side of him “getting tasered.”
Some people see this as a function of how he absorbs information: asking question after question to peel an idea down to its foundations and figure out how it fits with what else he knows. It can read as a dominance move, leaving the person he’s questioning to feel like they’ve been stripped for parts, too.
And virtually everyone makes the same point about his career path: He gave up boatloads of cash when he left investment banking for the public sector.
It’s influence rather than money that drives him. Not power for power’s sake, but a seat at a table where he can make big calls that matter, because he believes he’s equipped to do so. Public policy offers that like nothing else can.
 Carney absorbs information: asking question after question to peel an idea down to its foundations and figure out how it fits with what else he knows. Mark Carney is one of four children: Mark, the third child, Brian, Brenda and Sean
Two to the boys went to Harvard, one to Notre Dame. Brenda went to the University of Alberta and then on to Vancouver where she earned a Masters degree in education.
The parents were educators, They saw education as a gift that opens doors.
At the age of 14 Mark wrote a Letter to the Editor of the local newspaper saying “While your paper does have the right of freedom of the press your personal views should be kept on the editorial pages.” In another letter. “Although your position may be the more popular one, that does not excuse your lack of responsible journalism.”
When Mr. Carney started at Harvard, he and Peter Chiarelli, another freshman from Ottawa, were assigned rooms on the same corridor. They had hockey, their home country and their middle-class upbringings in common, so they became fast friends.
Chiarelli, now an NHL executive with the St. Louis Blues, is a close friend who calls Carney cheap.
“His study notes were three different levels above everyone else’s study notes,” Mr. Chiarelli says. “It wasn’t a summary, it was substantive questions about what he was learning. So it was almost like he was answering the exam in his study notes.”
Chiarella describes Carney as disciplined and compartmentalized, a system for everything, and a bone-dry wit that snuck up on you.
After graduating from Harvard with an economics degree in 1988, Carney got a job with Goldman Sachs. He worked for the investment firm in London and Tokyo as an analyst in the credit risk department.
In 1991, he left for the University of Oxford to get his master’s and PhD, figuring that would be useful for the public policy career he eventually wanted.
 Mark Carney and his wife Diana Fox: She was a better hockey player than he was. He was co-captain of the Oxford Blues hockey team. Diana Fox, a player on the women’s team, caught his attention when she scored a hat trick over Cambridge. He and the British-born economist married in 1994, and would go on to have four children.
Margaret Meyer, official fellow in economics at Oxford’s Nuffield College, supervised Mr. Carney’s doctoral thesis, which examined how domestic competition might improve the national competitiveness of companies.
His was the longest thesis she ever supervised, and also one of the most quickly completed.
After Oxford, Goldman offered Mr. Carney a job in London, and he stayed at the investment bank for the next decade.
He returned to Canada to work at the Bank of Canada and was loaned to the Finance department to work on the G8 conference. He stayed at Finance until the spring of 2007, when Mr. Dodge the then Governor of the Bank of Canada, announced that he wouldn’t accept a second term as governor. Carney returned to the bank, then took over as Governor in early 2008.
In the fall of 2008, when the bottom fell out with the financial crisis, Carney’s arrival at the bank looked prescient. He had a wide network of financial market contacts, and they viewed him as someone who spoke their language when “the world was falling apart pretty fast,” as Dodge put it.
Carney uses the phrase: “Plan beats no plan.”
This means both that someone needs to take charge, and that picking a plan and running with it is better than dithering forever in search of the perfect plan while the crisis overtakes you. It’s something Mr. Carney learned at Goldman.
“At some point you have to make a decision – you’re never going to have perfect information,” he told The Globe and Mail when he was governor of the Bank of Canada. “People will make mistakes – that’s natural. The issue is not that things turn out wrong. The issue is you’ve made the effort and done the right preparation before you make the call.”
That has been the approach Mark Carney has taken to winning the current federal election.
His French language skills needed a lot of polishing. He polished.
 He learned how to politick on the job. He had little in the way of politicking skills – he got out on the stump and politicked.
The way he did his job while at Brookfield Assets has been a concern to many. The job was to get the best deal he could for the shareholders, and he did that quite well.
The Prime Minister chooses the members of his Cabinet – they serve at his pleasure. He will be a tough task master.
He will make mistakes, but based on what we have seen this man do so far in his career, he will serve the public well if he is elected.
Much of the content in this article was picked up from the Globe and Mail.
By Pepper Parr
April 25th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The Toronto Star has a polling tool they call the Signal.
The dig into the data and produce information that will satisfy any political junkie.
You can place the cursor over any date and see what the seat projection would be for that date.
Set out below is the political party positions as of early this morning, April 25th.
What does that data translate to in terms of House of Commons seats?
Link to the site is:
https://www.voxpoplabs.com/thesignalcom/thesignal
Have fun! The Gazette has a long time reader who said he predicts a landslide Conservative win
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