By Pepper Parr
April 15th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Despite the statements being made by a Halton District School Board candidate for trustee Covid19 is real and we are still seeing outbreaks.
Close friends who had travelled abroad and returned to Canada found that they tested positive a few days after their return. Theirs is a nasty case; both are seniors who were exceptionally careful – he wouldn’t shake hands – fist bump was all he would do.
It is out there, it is air borne and masks are one of the ways people can protect themselves.
For people with existing medical issues Covid19 can lead to death.
The Halton Region Medical Health Officer publishes regular reports on what is happening in our community.
Here is some of the data being made public. A fuller picture can be found HERE. The data is updated daily
 The number of hospital admissions is lower – but it is still a significant number.
 The number of positive results from testing tells us that the virus is still being passed around – it is airborne – a mask is one way to prevent the virus from spreading.
 Long term care facilities are major locations. The residents are trapped (too strong a word) where they live. The virus is brought into the buildings. These are older people with nowhere else to go.
By Staff
April 15th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
The average asking rent for all property types in Canada rose 10.8 per cent annually in March to $2,004, according to the Rentals.ca and Urbanation latest National Rent Report.
Average rents were up 1 per cent month over month – the first monthly increase since November – pushing the year-over-year percentage growth back into double digits.
Over the past year, average asking rents have grown by $196, indicating how rental housing demand is outstripping supply in Canada.
Toronto finished second on the list of 35 cities for average monthly rent in March for a one-bedroom at $2,506 and second for average monthly rent for a two-bedroom at $3,286.
Year over year, average monthly rent in March for a one-bedroom in Toronto was up 22.2 per cent and up 19.7 per cent for a two-bedroom.
 Welcome to Burlington – you won’t be here for long if you are low income person.
Burlington came in sixth on the list for average monthly rent in March for a one-bedroom at $2,178 and eighth for average monthly rent for a two-bedroom at $2,565.
Year over year,
average monthly rent in March
for a one-bedroom in Burlington
was up 8 per cent and up
14.9 per cent for a two-bedroom.
Although not on the list, Oakville average monthly rent in March for a one-bedroom home was $2,313, and average rent for a two-bedroom was $2,$2,885.
Year over year, average monthly rent in March for a one-bedroom in Oakville was up 17.5 per cent and up 23.7 per cent for a two-bedroom.
Private room and shared-accommodation rentals have gained popularity as rents have soared over the past year. The average rent for single-room rentals in Toronto in March was $1,309, and the average rent for a single room in Ontario in March was $934.
Shaun Hildebrand, president of Urbanation puts it in context: “Spring arrived with a highly competitive rental market in Canada, driven by a record population increase of over 1 million people in the past year and low home ownership affordability after last year’s spike in interest rates. With supply unable to keep up with current levels of demand, expect further upward pressure on rents in the coming months.”
That sounds like it is going to get worse before it gets better.
The rent increases are not mandated – this is what a market economy does. Supply is low which allows property owners to increase their prices.
By Staff
April 14th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
A total of eight robotics teams from the Halton District School Board competed at the FIRST Ontario Provincial Championship in Hamilton April 6-8, resulting in four of them qualifying for the World FIRST Robotic Championship in Texas.
Schools participating included Aldershot School, Burlington Central School, Craig Kielburger SS, Garth Webb SS, Georgetown District HS, M.M. Robinson HS and Oakville Trafalgar HS (with two teams).
 This robotic devise is programmed to drop that ball in a basketball hoop. They did it – just not the first time.
Each HDSB team qualified for the provincial competition based on their results from taking part in regional competitions including those held at Humber College, Waterloo and York universities. This provincial competition is a qualifier for the World FIRST Robotic Championship to be held April 19-22 in Houston, Texas.
MM Robinson, Craig Kielburger, Garth Webb and Georgetown teams qualified for the world championship; Garth Webb and Georgetown District High School will attend and represent the HDSB.
“Many thanks are extended to all of the coaches, mentors, volunteers and sponsors that provide students with this extremely valuable opportunity that supports the development of critical STEM and technological skills such as manufacturing, electronics, programming, CAD/CAM, pneumatics, design and transferable skills such as teamwork, problem solving and communication,” says Donna Norrie, Specialist High Skills Major Lead at the Halton District School Board. “This has been a truly amazing experience for our students.”
Established in 2001, FIRST Robotics inspires young people to be leaders and innovators in science and technology by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills to inspire innovation and foster self-confidence, communication and leadership.
Other achievements at the Ontario competition included:
• MMR winning the Innovation in Control Award
• GWSS winning the Excellence in Engineering Award
• Aldershot Lions winning Highest Rookie Seed Award and the Rookie All Star Award
By Pepper Parr
April 14th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
We published a piece on the 19 different public art assignments that were given and wondered – how much does the city spend on public art – and where does the money come from.
 The Orange Crosswalk was both public art and a public statement – that the Indigenous community was real, that it mattered and had to be included.
Bimose Agaming, the project that included the Spencer Smith vinyl wraps and the Orange Crosswalk. This came in at $65,000 – the funding came from a federal government grant
Conversations and Stories – $150,000 – funding provided by Dan Lawrie, FedDev and CoB (City portion approx. $40,000) This project was carried over from previous years due to COVID so wasn’t drawn from 2022 budget allocation.
Celebrating Diversity through Public Art $35,000
Local Artist Programs (vinyl wraps & Culture Days): $25,000
2023 Planned Projects
Approximately $55,000 towards various local artist programs
 The Skyway Arena is under construction. The public art will be installed once the bulk of the construction work is complete and ready for a photo op.
Pine Cove Bridge $10,000 (design only – fabrication part of bridge construction)
Mountainside Pool Mural: $44,000
Skyway Community Centre $150,000; this project spans 2023-2024 with bulk of spending in 2024
By Pepper Parr
April 13th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
We published a piece earlier today about rent increases that are now at double digit level
We also published a piece on the terribly insensitive remarks made by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing on funding made available to the Landlord and Tenant tribunals.
This time the story is about a small family run Vietnamese restaurant on the west side of Brant south of Caroline that decided to close when a rent increase was more than they could manage.
These are tough times indeed.
 The smaller, family owned independent commercial locations are taking the hard hits as well. The larger corporate chains that are part of the hospitality sector are raising prices.
Related news stories:
Residential rents up more than 10%
Minister makes insensitive remarks about those facing possible eviction

By Amy Smith
April 13th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
There’s no denying the fact that mobile gaming has surged in popularity over recent years. No matter where you go, you’ll see someone tapping away on their smartphone, trying to defeat an enemy or solve a puzzle. From casual games to complex titles, for many, their phone is their primary source of entertainment.
Game developers have taken note and prioritized releasing games for mobile devices. The titles deliver immersive experiences that were once only possible on a PC or console. Still, that doesn’t explain why mobile gaming is so popular. Keep reading to learn some of the reasons behind the growing trend.
Huge Catalog of Games
One of the biggest reasons why mobile games are so popular is the wide variety of titles available. For example, casino games are some of the most frequently played in the world. People no longer have to organize friends for games nights or travel long distances to play at a brick-and-mortar facility. Instead, technological advances have made it possible for websites like PokerStars Casino to offer all sorts of fun titles that can be played from home. 3 Secret Cities, Ashoka, and Book of Captain Silver, for example, are just a few of the slots titles players can choose from to keep themselves entertained.
Similarly, if battle royale games are more their style, then they only a few taps away from playing games like Fortnite and Apex Legends on their mobile devices. Every video game genre is available for mobile devices, and technological advances have made many of the top games just as fun to play on smartphones and tablets as on consoles and PCs. From puzzles to platformers, there’s something for everyone.
On the Go Gaming
Once upon a time, if you wanted to play a video game with decent graphics and sound, you had to do it at home with a console plugged into your TV or PC. Saying a lot has changed over the past couple of decades would be an understatement.
Today, you can take your games with you wherever you go, which is one of the biggest drivers behind mobile gaming’s popularity. If you’re planning a trip, your cellphone is one of the technological devices you won’t leave home without.
There’s no need to make room in your suitcase for your PlayStation 5 or carry your laptop when you can play great games on your phone. Mobile gaming gives people access to entertainment wherever they go, 24/7, and that’s one of its biggest draws.
Cost
When you compare mobile games to PC and console games, the price of entry is extremely low. Thanks to the freemium model, you may not have to pay anything to play. If you have a cellphone, you can download one of the top titles for Android from the Google Play Store or browse Apple’s App Store for iPhone games. Once downloaded, you start playing immediately.
Even if you decide to pay for a top-quality mobile game, you probably won’t spend more than a few dollars on it. On the other hand, the latest titles for consoles and PCs could set you back more than $60.
Moreover, mobile gaming doesn’t require players to invest in expensive hardware, saving you even more money. Technology is constantly improving, and we’re getting to the point where almost any game can be played on a smartphone.
Multiplayer Gaming
Gaming was a solitary hobby in its early days. The only way to experience multiplayer fun was to invite friends or family over to your home to play with your extra joysticks. The internet made massively online multiplayer games popular, with many gamers preferring to play in groups instead of completing a campaign on their own.
Mobile gaming has taken this to the next level, allowing people to connect with others from around the world on their phones. Many look for games with a social factor, preferring to compete against others and climb leaderboards. Whether you play Candy Crush Saga or Fortnite on your mobile device, you’re in for a social experience.
By Pepper Parr
April 13th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
There is a level of cruelty that actually takes place in a setting that is not really public but an event at which the room had more than a dozen reporters on hand.
 Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clarke
Speaking to reporters at a media event when the province introduced new legislation: Helping Homebuyers, Protecting Tenants Act, 2023. His stated objective was to get more homes built faster.
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clarke said:
“As part of the plan we have more than doubled the amount of full time adjudicators at the Landlord and Tenant Board with an amazing $6.5 million investment that will improve service standards, reduce active applications and decision time frames.
“This is great news for both landlords and tenants.”
He actually said that.
Rents increases are now at the double digit level; far too many people cannot afford the rent increases their landlord are asking and the Ministry and the Minister says: This is great news.
For who?
Related news story
Rent increase at double digit
By Staff
April 13th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Saturday, April 29th from 8:30am-1pm at Tyrsa Ukrainian Dance School, 2077 Pine Street
Tyrsa’s fundraising garage sale is back better than ever!
Join our friends for this annual favourite shopping EXTRAVAGANZA! Looking to sell your items?
Email spichocki@yahoo.com to rent a table. Come out to support Ukrainian Refugees and Tyrsa Ukrainian Dance School!
 The support is vital.

By Staff
April 13th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
The successful Burlington Comedy Festival is BACK for its 8th year! And what a great lineup there is this year! The seven-comic line-up is anchored by Dave Hemstad (three-time Canadian Comedy Award nominee who began performing on national television in 2002) and Ottawa-born comedian, host, and actor Jon Dore, one of “10 comics to watch” and a favourite on the comedy club and festival circuit in Canada and the United States.
The four-day Festival will feature five performances at: The Pearle Hotel & Spa, The Block Co., Paradiso Restaurant, and the Art Gallery of Burlington.
CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS AND FOR THE HILARIOUS DETAILS!
By Pepper
April 13th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Kilbride, Lowville, Mt Nemo are at risk and, when – not if – Bill 97 is passed the Burlington you know will have begun to unravel.
That does sound somewhat alarmist – but it is real.
Last Thursday afternoon, just before Easter, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing stood up in the Legislature and tabled a piece of legislation – An Act to amend various statutes with respect to housing and development.
This Act impacts seven different pieces of existing legislation.
 Could small residential developments get built within Lowville ? Who owns the property in the community ?
Building Code Act, 1992
City of Toronto Act, 2006
Development Charges Act, 1997
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Act
Municipal Act, 2001
Planning Act
Residential Tenancies Act, 2006
The parts that will impact Burlington are:
Building Code Act 1992
Development Charges Act 1997
Ministry of Municipal Affairs Act 2001
Planning Act
A very reliable source with significant expertise told the Gazette that rarely does the provincial government introduce an Act that changes several other pieces of legislation.
The changes are being made to let the province pass the Helping Homebuyers, Protecting Tenants Act, 2023.
An example of a change from the current Municipal Act::
“… providing the Minister with authority to make regulations with respect to a variety of matters including governing the powers of local municipalities under section 99.1 and authorizing certain local municipalities to require certain owners of land to make payments and provide compensation. New subsection
99.1 (8) provides that in the event of a conflict, the provisions of the regulations made under section 99.1 prevail over the provisions of the Act or any other Act or regulation.
And what does this mean? Doesn’t sound good.
 Is this property in Kilbride the kind of place low rise apartments could be built?
Or this from the Municipal Affairs and Housing Act
1. A new subsection 47 (4.0.1) is added to provide that the Minister may, in an order made under clause 47 (1) (a), provide that policy statements, provincial plans and official plans do not apply in respect of a license, permit, approval, permission or other matter required before a use permitted by the order may be established.
2. A new section 49.2 is added to give the Minister the power to make an order requiring an owner of land to enter into an agreement with the Minister or a municipality in matters where the Provincial Land and Development Facilitator or the Deputy Facilitator has been directed by the Minister to advise, make recommendations or perform any other functions with respect to the land.
And what does this mean? That they can do whatever they want. Remember, municipalities are the creatures of the province – the province creates them and can make whatever change they wish.
More from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Act
 Minister of Municipal AffairsSteve Clarke displaying the documents that he will change in order to pass the Helping Homebuyers, Protecting Tenants Act. He introduced the legislation in the mid-afternoon the day before the Easter holidays began.
The Minister may make regulations,
(a) governing the powers of a local municipality under this section, including regulations,
(i) imposing restrictions, limits and conditions on the powers of local municipalities to prohibit and regulate the demolition and conversion of residential rental properties,
(ii) prescribing requirements to be contained in by-laws made under this section,
(iii) prescribing conditions that local municipalities must include as a requirement for obtaining a permit, and
(iv) prescribing requirements that the local municipality must impose on owners of land to which a by-law passed under this section applies;
(b) authorizing local municipalities that pass a by-law under this section to require an owner of land to which a by-law passed under this section applies to make payments and to provide compensation;
(c) for the purposes of clause (b), prescribing the amounts to be paid, the compensation to be provided, the persons to whom payments and compensation shall be made and the circumstances in which payments and compensation shall be made, and otherwise governing the payments and compensation;
(d) prescribing steps local municipalities must take or conditions that must be met before passing a by-law under this section and governing any transitional matters with respect to the implementation of such conditions;
From the Planning Act:
This part is mind numbing – don’t expect to understand much of it – we include it to give you a sense of what is going to happen – if the legislation passes.
(e) defining, for the purposes of this section and any regulations under this section, any word or expression not defined in subsection 1 (1) of this Act.
The definition of “area of employment” in subsection 1 (1) of the Planning Act is repealed and the following substituted:
“area of employment” means an area of land designated in an official plan for clusters of business and economic uses, those being uses that meet the following criteria:
1. The uses consist of business and economic uses, other than uses referred to in paragraph 2, including any of the following:
 Gerrie Electric has a large distribution centre in Burlington.
i. Manufacturing uses.
ii. Uses related to research and development in connection with manufacturing anything.
iii. Warehousing uses, including uses related to the movement of goods.
iv. Retail uses and office uses that are associated with uses mentioned in subparagraphs i to iii.
v. Facilities that are ancillary to the uses mentioned in subparagraphs i to iv.
vi. Any other prescribed business and economic uses.
2. The uses are not any of the following uses:
i. Institutional uses.
ii. Commercial uses, including retail and office uses not referred to in subparagraph 1 iv; (“zone d’emploi”)
(2) Section 1 of the Act is amended by adding the following subsection:
 Doug Ford had plans for the kind of Ontario he wanted well before he was elected Premier. Should he be returned to office in 2026 – it will be the same.
Area of employment
(1.1) An area of land designated in an official plan for clusters of business and economic uses is an “area of employment” for the purposes of this Act even if the area of land includes one or more parcels of land whose use is excluded from being a business and economic use under paragraph 2 of the definition of “area of employment” in subsection (1) provided that the following conditions are satisfied:
 Bronte Meadows was once considered as part of a package of properties that Amazon would use had they decided to locate more of their operations in Canada
It doesn’t get any easier.
There are members of Council who will not understand what all this means.
City Staff will be pulled of assignments to study the Act, discuss the complexities and how it is all going to impact the development work that is ongoing now.
Meanwhile the government will move the legislation through the process where it goes to committees for detailed review.
Some changes may get made – but the government has a strong majority and the NDP opposition does not have the depth that is needed to get into the details and come up with changes they might want to put forward.
The Liberals don’t have a leader and very few members who can adequately represent the public.
Does that mean there is no hope for public input?
 Burlington MPP Natalie Pierre
Some group of interest and concerned citizens might invite Burlington MPP Natalie Pierre to an Open House to explain the Act, something we expect she would be challenged to do – development issues are not her strength. She is a Parliament Assistant to the Ministry of Education where her experience can be put to good use.
The developers will have their lawyers and the planning consultants going over this with a fine tooth comb.
The owners of stretches of property along some of the side roads have been waiting for this day.
Lowville has the local talent that can put up a good fight, Mt Nemo doesn’t. Kilbride could put up a battle.
Most informed people know what is taking place; the Premier has made his position very clear to the development community – he has consistently hood winked the public.
By Staff
April 12th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
The City of Burlington’s annual Burlington Arts and Culture Fund (BACF) grant program has awarded funding support to 19 projects this year.
Local artists, event and project organizers submitted 27 grant applications between Jan. 3 and Feb. 3 and a jury of peers and City staff reviewed the applications. The jury selected the 19 fund recipients based on:
artistic merit,
program merit and strategic initiative,
citywide and community impact, and
economic impact.
Approved by Council in 2017, the Burlington Arts and Culture Fund provides grants to local artists, multicultural groups, and arts and culture organizations to foster creativity and enrich how Burlington residents are able to experience and engage with arts and culture across the city.
The BACF seeks to nurture the arts and culture sector in Burlington, while fostering creativity, encouraging social cohesion, enhancing quality of life, and stimulating cultural and economic development through direct investment.
The program recognizes and supports diverse identities, perspectives, languages, cultures and artistic practices.
Here are the people and the project we will get to see in the months ahead:
Burlington Arts and Culture Fund Approved Projects for 2023/2024
 Members of the Fine Arts Association.
Project: The Artist’s Mark Juried Exhibit
Applicant: Burlington Fine Arts Association
The Burlington Fine Arts Association (BFAA) is a high achieving artist collective of approximately 170 local artists. It is the largest of the seven guilds of Arts Burlington. The Artist’s Mark will provide a ten-day juried art exhibit at the Hub in Burlington Centre. The exhibition brings original art out of the gallery and into a more accessible community venue to provide a unique celebration of local, contemporary art. Throughout the exhibition, participating BFAA artists will interact with visitors by giving live demonstrations while talking about their work and artistic process. The Artist’s Mark will also feature focused artist presentations and discussions. The project provides a continued celebration of creativity and supports local artists from the Burlington community.
Project: Authors in Your Neighbourhood
Applicant: Sylvia McNicoll
Authors in Your Neighbourhood will encourage children to have fun interactions with local writers and illustrators to foster a love of reading and writing. This year, Authors in Your Neighbourhood has expanded to include four renowned Burlington writers: Lana Button; Jennifer Maruno; Sylvia McNicoll; Jennifer Mook-Sang and illustrator Jennifer Faria. They will each demonstrate and teach their craft in five two-hour workshops. Children will have the chance to learn about writing dialogue, describing settings and characters, structuring plots and illustrating their emotions. These workshops will be hosted by the Burlington Public Library at three branches: Central, Alton and Tansley Woods. The goal is to reach over 250 children.
Project: Community Large-Scale Pour Painting Workshop
Applicant: Samantha Le Grand
The mission of visual artist Samantha Le Grand is to challenge perceptions about the artmaking process. With persistence and creativity, almost any skill can be repurposed and applied to the creation of art. For this activity, groups of three to five people will work together to create a unique large-scale abstract painting. The groups will use a technique called pour painting, which includes dripping, tipping, splashing, flicking and dropping of paint and involves collaboration between groups. While the project is taking place, musician Luc Dupuis will play calming instrumental music to inspire the creative process. Making art is meant to comfort those who feel disconnected, unheard or unwelcome. All voices, levels of ability, skill, perspectives and backgrounds are necessary to create a meaningful art.
Project: Elizabeth Gardens Art Walk
Applicant: Elizabeth Gardens Creative Collective
The Elizabeth Gardens Art Walk is a free one-day event that features twenty to thirty local, multi-disciplinary artists, artisans, makers, designers, musicians, performance and arts facilitators. The event is accessible to all ages and has tents and booths showcasing various artists’ work. Twenty interactive and collaborative Art Experience Stations will be hosted by local artists and arts facilitators.
A goal of the project is to help the community learn about the many talented artists and craftspeople that live in Burlington. Through Art Experience Stations, participants can immerse themselves into new artistic practices in a safe, supportive environment. The project allows artists to develop relationships with the community and to network with other artisans to spark future collaborations.
Project: Enhanced Memories of the Brant Inn
Applicant: One Burlington
Based on the success of its 2023 workshop Memories of Brant Inn, the Enhanced Memories of Brant Inn will take place at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre. The Brant Inn presented the best performers of the day, as solo acts performing with the support of the Brant Inn House Band and as ensembles. Renown Black performers including Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Lean Horn, Fats Waller, Sarah Vaughn and more were featured at the famous venue. The event will celebrate the music of these artists by creating new arrangements of their most iconic hits. These new arrangements will be performed by four singers and a band of three musicians. The project will also explore racial inequities of the time as outlined in Stewart Brown’s book Memories of the Brant Inn.
Project: Halton Freedom Celebration Festival
Applicant: Halton Black History Awareness Society
The Halton Black History Awareness Society (HBHAS) is dedicated to implementing cultural education into the public mindset towards appreciating the values of equity and inclusivity. HBHAS develops programs to erode racism, prejudice and stereotyping, while increasing knowledge of Canadian history and its cultural landscape. The free one-day Halton Freedom Celebration Festival brings together musical acts, children’s and youth activities, cultural art, food, crafts, heritage, historical and genealogical vendors, while promoting inclusivity and community. The multicultural ambience is infused with cultural crafts, art in the park, cultural fashions and accessories, food and music including the best in Canadian R&B, Reggae, Soul, Funk, African, Cuban, Jazz Fusion, Soca and Pop.
Project: Hansel and Gretel Touring School Production
Applicant: Southern Ontario Lyric Opera
Southern Ontario Lyric Opera’s vision is to provide high-calibre accessible opera, while maintaining a commitment to community outreach. SOLO’s Hansel and Gretel, a touring production, includes a cast of five professional opera singers, a music director/pianist, costumes and props. The project will be presented at Burlington schools. A teacher resource guide will be provided in advance of the performance, suitable for students in grades four through eight. The touring production provides an opportunity for Burlington students to learn about the inspiring world of opera and its many facets. There will be an introduction before the performance and a question and answer session following the opera to educate children and to foster an affinity for this oft-overlooked art form.
Project: Home Is Where the Art Is
Applicant: Lara Kirschner
Local artist Lara Kirschner has partnered with Shifra Homes to offer paint classes to pregnant at-risk women and new moms. The classes will be offered throughout 2023 and each class will involve creating a personal interpretation of a pre-planned acrylic painting on stretched canvas. Epoxy resin pour painting techniques will also be used at some classes and each class will present a new theme to help foster a sense of accomplishment. Learning opportunities for the project include developing a new skillset to boost self-confidence, working outside of one’s comfort zone to promote mental and emotional growth, the development of interpersonal skills in a group learning environment and exposure to a variety of painting techniques. The project provides a vulnerable population with access to creative teaching and skill development.
Project: Hope For Home Workshop and Play
Applicant: Theatre Burlington
Theatre Burlington was created in 1952 with the mission to provide opportunities for Burlington residents to learn about the direction, production and staging of plays. Live theatre is an example of how art can be inclusive, entertaining and healing. The play Hope for Home promotes understanding and empathy for homeless individuals and their need for community. The workshop will cover fundamentals of theatrical production and participants will learn the basics of live theatre during these interactive sessions. The workshop will be provided to adults from culturally and economically diverse backgrounds, including individuals with no previous experience in theatre. Participants will learn and spend time practicing these new skills as they prepare to take part in the final production of the play.
Project: Images of Our Past, Present and Future
Applicant: Erick Nettel
Images of our Past, Present and Future is a series of free workshops to teach the basics of still photography to new immigrants who have no technical knowledge or background and want to learn a new skill. At the end of the workshops, applying what they have learned, participants will capture four pictures: a picture that represents something important, relevant or symbolic about their past, something about their present, something about their future, and a self-portrait. The pictures will be showcased in a public exhibition and the entire process will be filmed to create a short documentary. It will highlight the newcomers reflecting on the process of learning photography and the meaning of their pictures as it relates to their new life in Burlington.
Project: Indigenous Collaborations – Free Concerts for Burlington Schools
Applicant: Chris McKhool
Three-time JUNO Award nominees and Billboard charting band Sultans of String will present a series of livestream concerts for Burlington schools throughout the city’s six wards. The concerts will be based on the group’s Walking Through the Fire project, a collaboration with First Nations, Metis and Inuit artists across Turtle Island. The concert lineup will consist of the core Sultans of String members: Chris McKhool on violin, Kevin Laliberté on guitar and Drew Birston on bass, as along with Indigenous collaborators: Marc Meriläinen (Nadjiwan) – Ojibwe Singer/Songwriter, Alyssa Delbaere-Sawchuk (Métis Fiddler Quartet) – Métis Violist, Shannon Thunderbird – Tsm’syen Elder Singer/Songwriter, Dr. Duke Redbird – Chippewa/Anishinaabe Elder and Poet, Northern Cree Pow Wow group, Don Ross – Mi’kmaw Guitarist, Kendra Tagoona and Tracy Sarazin – Inuit Throat Singers. The project offers a unique concert experience for elementary and high school students and provides access to performing arts experiences that inspire, empower and spark imaginations.
Project: The Inspiration Initiative
Applicant: Briar Emond
The Inspiration Initiative encourages creativity in individuals that might not consider themselves artistic. By exhibiting local artists of various backgrounds and media, and providing interactive opportunities for everyone to be creative, artists gain exposure and participants gain a further appreciation for Burlington’s local arts and culture. The project brings art to the community and features a week of demonstrations by award winning local artists, interactive painting activities, spoken word readings and a performance by the Garden City Orchestra. The project showcases a free art exhibition that focuses on Lake Ontario from three artists’ perspectives. Combining visual art with other forms of artistic expression will promote an environment that stimulates and encourages community creativity.
 Lowville now has an established summer program – watch for it.
Project: The Journey Around the Sun
Applicant: Lowville Festival
The Lowville Festival was founded in 2015 with the vision that arts and nature were perfect partners in creating unique cultural events in the natural beauty of the Niagara Escarpment. In 2023, the festival will pivot to create outdoor events that celebrate the natural change of the seasons – Equinox and Solstice. The focus of this project is to create performance events for a diverse audience, including people of all ages from different cultures, religions, pronouns and perspectives. The cohesion is the celebration of the journey of the sun and its celestial partners, including the earth and moon. The project will take place on four specific dates: June 21, Sept. 23, Dec. 21 and March 19 which coincide with the dates for Summer Solstitium, Autumnal Equinox, Winter Hibernal and the Vernal Equinox.
Project: Lunar New Year Celebration Gala
Applicant: Redleaf Cultural Integration
The Lunar New Year Celebration Gala is an event to celebrate the beginning of the new Lunar Year, one of the most important festivals in Asian countries. The event connects people, shares diverse cultures, and celebrates the Lunar New Year. The celebration includes a half-day, free culture exhibition showcasing multicultural displays of Chinese watercolour painting, calligraphy, traditional sugar painting, a tea ceremony, Indian Henna painting, a Korean culture display and more. The main event includes performances showcasing a variety of songs and dances from various cultures and a magic show on the BPAC’s main stage. Redleaf Cultural Integration is a non-profit cultural organization that works with people of diverse cultures, backgrounds and ages to enhance the quality of life in Burlington.
Project: The Melting Pot – Building Community Connections through Culinary Arts
Applicant: Creative Community Collective
Nothing brings people more together than cooking and sharing a meal. The Creative Community Hive has been hosting a variety of creative activities at various locations in Halton Region since 2017. This project aims to share multicultural recipes through live demonstrations by chefs from within our community who have origins in Congo, South Korea and Spain, share cultural cuisine/recipe-based anecdotes led by an expert storyteller and hear from expert guests in the food industry that share their knowledge around food literacy. The event will allow participants to learn about nutrition and expose them to new cuisines from different cultures, while introducing them to music, art, crafts and images from the various cultures represented.
 Charles Cozens
Project: Metamorphosis Concert
Applicant: Charles Cozens
The Metamorphosis concert will feature composer/arranger and pianist Charles Cozens in concert with his trio. The music embraces new compositions by Cozens and fresh, invigorating arrangements of other contemporary jazz and classical themes. The project will explore the art of improvisation and musical metamorphosis and the development of musical themes and motifs. The concert will be scripted with some speaking by Cozens about the nature of the music and each particular piece. The audience will be encouraged to participate through question and answer periods during the performance which will allow for engagement and outreach. The concert demonstrates that music is a universal language that affects culturally diverse people in a different way than spoken word, as music is all encompassing.
Project: Telling Tales Festival
Applicant: Telling Tales
The 15th Annual Telling Tales Festival returns to the Royal Botanical Gardens’ Hendrie Park. The event is free and visitors can participate in a number of educational activities led by a diverse group of authors, illustrators, musicians and storytellers. The program is culturally diverse and committed to showcasing fresh, local talent alongside internationally renowned luminaries. Guests can listen to stories behind a book’s creation, learn writing tips and meet local authors. Participants can also explore interactive workshops, express their creativity in the craft tent with story-based art and explore the park’s sculpture collection. Telling Tales fosters the family literacy skills that will support mental health and a sense of well-being, by promoting a love of reading and an appreciation for the natural world.
Project: The Women Composers Project
Applicant: Effusion and Friends Collective
Effusion was formed in 2016 when five classically-trained musicians joined forces to present concerts to educate the Burlington community. For this project, Effusion aims to bring awareness to the amazing depth and range of women composers in music from classical, rock and pop, to musical theatre and film. The concert will curate music from these genres and composers will come from various cultures and ethnicities. As we introduce these women composers to the public, we will give brief descriptions of the music, the impact that it had at the time, and share important facts about each composer. The project will feature music by Black, Indigenous and Japanese women in addition to works by women from Europe, Canada and the US and will provide a new way of looking at women composers.
 Burlington Symphony Orchestra
Project: Burlington Symphony Orchestra Young Artists Engagement Project
Applicant: Burlington Symphony Orchestra
The Burlington Symphony Orchestra (BSO) produces orchestral and small ensemble performances that engage and inspire large, diverse audiences. The BSO Young Artists Engagement Project is a deliberate attempt to offer a number of experiences for youth at various stages of their musical growth. By connecting these experiences, young people can form goals for their artistic future by visualizing their musical growth and potential. The engagement project includes a Young Artist Competition, Youth Learning Day and a concert at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre. The winner of the Young Artist Competition will perform as a soloist during the concert. The project provides youth with the opportunity for long term support and real-life experience working within the structure of an orchestral setting.
The Gazette will do what it can to promote these events and tell the story about how they came to be.
By Staff
April 12th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Thousands of families will be able to reduce their energy use and save money is as the result programs now available.
 That energy bill is often a shock that comes your way several times a year. Some savings programs are now in place.
The Energy Affordability Program provides free home-efficiency upgrades for Ontarians who are looking for support with their energy bills.
To ensure families have access to these critical supports and help keep costs down, the income eligibility threshold is being raised by $11,715 for a four-person household, and by $8,285 for a couple.
“As the home heating season continues, our government is helping families reduce their energy use and save money on their bills”, said Todd Smith, Minister of Energy. “With this update to the Energy Affordability Program, Ontario is ensuring access to free home energy-efficiency upgrades like insulation, smart thermostats, and energy-efficient refrigerators and air conditioners.”
The Energy Affordability Program offers energy saving measures that can help participating households manage their energy use and lower electricity costs by up to $750 per year depending on eligibility, at no cost to the customer. The energy-efficiency upgrades and types of support available are tailored based on various factors including home heating system, location and an assessment of energy needs.
Under the increased income eligibility threshold, a four-person household with a before-tax income of $84,872, or a couple with a before-tax income of $60,014, is now eligible for support through the Energy Affordability Program. That represents an increase of 16 per cent compared to the previous income threshold.
Like everything the government does for you – there are hoops you have to jump through. A link to the process is HERE
The government is also continuing to invest in other critical programs to support Ontarians who are looking for support with their electricity or natural gas bills.
The Ontario Electricity Support Program provides an on-bill credit of up to $75 per month to provide support for low-income households when paying their electricity bills. Customers can also access the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program and receive up to $600 in emergency assistance if they are behind on their electricity or natural gas bill and face having their service disconnected.
The application procedure is HERE:
“Updates to the Energy Affordability Program will provide greater comfort and lower bills for income-eligible Ontarians,” said Chuck Farmer, Vice-President, Planning, Conservation and Resource Adequacy at the IESO. “Energy efficiency programs like this reduce electricity demand and contribute to the overall reliability of Ontario’s power system.”

The Energy Affordability Program and Enbridge’s Home Winterproofing Program, which provides home energy upgrades to income-eligible natural gas customers, are now coordinated though a one-window approach. That means an improved customer experience and making it easier than ever for families to receive energy-efficient upgrades that will help them reduce energy costs and improve comfort at home.
To follow up on what the Enbridge could do for you click HERE
“Energy affordability and climate change are among the most pressing issues we face today, and energy efficiency is one of the most effective solutions that addresses both,” said Michele Harradence, President, Enbridge Gas. .
Background:
In October 2022 the government announced it was increasing funding for the province’s energy-efficiency programs by $342 million, bringing the total investment to more than $1 billion over the current four-year electricity conservation framework.
• The Energy Affordability Program, which is funded by the province’s current four-year electricity conservation framework, has provided free energy-efficiency upgrades to more than 47,000 Ontario households since 2018.
• Free energy upgrades may include insulation, draft proofing, smart thermostats, shower heads, aerators, pipe wrap, energy-efficient refrigerator, air conditioner and health and safety measures where needed such as carbon monoxide detectors and attic dampers.
By Staff
April 12, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
 The game has become incredibly popular – squeezing tennis off some of the courts.
As part of a one-year pilot project, the outdoor courts at Ireland Park will have dedicated times for pickleball play.
Outside of the dedicated pickleball times, the outdoor courts will be available for both pickleball and tennis on a first come, first served basis for 30-minutes at a time.
Ireland Park has four lined pickleball courts within tennis courts.
After the 2023 outdoor court season ends in the fall, City staff will review the project and make a decision whether to cancel, modify or continue the schedule next year.
Dedicated pickleball times
Monday, Wednesday, Friday – 8 a.m. to noon
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday – 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Sunday – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
No matter who is using the courts, we ask everyone to follow the rules of etiquette including keeping the area clean and follow all fair play and sportsmanship rules.
Additional outdoor courts
The City’s outdoor courts will begin to open the week of April 11 and are expected to all be open by mid-April.
• Bolus Garden Parkette: two lined pickleball courts within the ball hockey area. You must bring your own pickleball nets.
• Optimist Park: two lined pickleball courts within tennis courts.
• Sycamore Park: two lined pickleball courts within tennis courts.
• Tansley Woods Park: three dedicated pickleball courts with fixed official height pickleball nets.
• Leighland Park: two dedicated tennis courts (currently closed for construction)
• Brant Hills Park: two dedicated tennis courts
Emilie Cote, Director of Recreation, Community and Culture commented that ““Pickleball’s popularity is now spreading to the younger generations and the demand for courts is high. It’s a great social sport for all ages and abilities. After the 2023 outdoor court season is over this fall, staff will review the pilot to determine what will happen next year.”
By Staff
April 12th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
 Much needed facility will go to City Council for final approval later this month
A five (5) storey Long Term Care Facility building containing 256 beds and a six (6) storey Retirement Home building containing 115 units to be developed as well as associated ancillary commercial uses in the ground floor.
The proposed gross floor area for the Long Term Care Facility building is approximately 17,346 m² and for the Retirement Home building is approximately 9,510 m² resulting in a Floor Area Ratio of 1.8.
Additionally, the development proposes 238 vehicle parking spaces including 6 accessible parking spaces, 8 bicycle parking spaces and 2 loading spaces.
The development was recommended by Planning department and goes to Council later this month where a vote to approve the development will be taken.
By Staff
April 12th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
The City’s summer swimming lessons and aquatic leadership programs will be opening for registration on April 22 at 9 a.m. The programs are viewable online now.
Adult 19+ and Adult 55+ summer programs will be opening for registration on May 27 at 9 a.m. with programs viewable online on May 17.
View registration information at burlington.ca/recreation.
 Learning a life long skill
Saturday, April 22 9 a.m. • Swimming lessons for all ages and skill levels are available in group and private lesson formats
• Aquatic leadership courses
• Log in and register at liveandplay.burlington.ca.
 Waiting for the ball to come their way.
Saturday, May 27 9 a.m. • Variety of in-person indoor and outdoor opportunities
• Sports, games, fitness, creative activities, music programs, social events, discussion and learning programs
• Log in and register at liveandplay.burlington.ca.
Non-resident registration opens April 28 for swimming lessons and Aquatic leadership programs, and June 2 for Adult programs.
Summer youth and camps programs went on sale in Spring. Some spaces are still available for select summer youth and camp programs; registration is open now.
Assisted Registration
Residents who need extra support or do not have online access to register for programs can call 905-335-7738 for staff-assisted telephone registrations starting April 22 and May 27 at 9 a.m. The Recreation customer service team is also available through email at liveandplay@burlington.ca. Phone and email support is available Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and weekends 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
In-person registration is available starting Monday following the launch at Tansley Woods Community Centre, Burlington Seniors’ Centre and other recreation customer service counters during program times.
Recreation Fee Assistance
Recreation is for all, regardless of financial situation. Recreation Fee Assistance is funding made available to resident individuals or families who need help to pay for City of Burlington recreation programs. For more information or to apply, visit burlington.ca/feeassistance.
 Emilie Cote, Director of Recreation, Community and Culture
“No matter your age, our programs are a great opportunity to get out, meet friends, make new ones and get active in your community. Our catalogue has programs for arts, athletics, education and more.”
By Staff
April 12th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Spring has finally sprung, which means planting season is just around the corner!
Whether you have a green thumb or are just starting out, Community Living has you covered and they are ready to help your garden grow!
They have teamed up with BigYellowBag and Plantables. Both companies deliver high quality garden products straight to your door.
Give and Grow with Big Yellow Bag- Garden Soil
When you use promo code CLBURL23 at www.bigyellowbag.com
You will receive $5.00 off your purchase
BONUS – SAVE an additional $10 when you order by April 30th
CLB earns $10 for each bag order
 There is value for money here.
Plant and Grow with Plantables- Organically Grown Plants
Choose from 25+ varieties of organically grown plants, that are tasty and as easy-to-grow. All plants are just $4.50 and shipping right to your door is only $14.99 (Free after $75). Use promo code CLBURL23 at https://plantables.ca/for/clburl23
Your plants arrive on your doorstep
CLB earns 10% of every order
Your garden helps us grow. It’s easier, than ever to support Community Living Burlington!
If you have any questions regarding either fundraiser, please email fundraising@clburlington.ca
You can only imagine what your support will do for Community Living
By Staff
April 6th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
The Bruce Trail Conservancy (BTC) will be conducting a controlled burn at the site of Fisher’s Pond located off Cedar Springs Road in Burlington the week of April 10-14, 2023. The aim of the controlled burn will be to continue the work of transforming the surrounding meadowlands into a tallgrass prairie, one of the rarest habitats in Ontario, while reducing the amount of invasive vegetative species gaining control in the area.
 A wide area can be burned off to permit new growth. Always tightly supervised with very close attention paid to wind conditions.
The controlled burn will take place on a single day between April 10 and 14, 2023. The timing of the burn must be carefully chosen based on weather and climate conditions as well as mindfulness of ecological concerns, such as reptile movements and the nesting activities of birds. As such, the exact date of the burn will be determined swiftly when conditions are appropriate. The BTC will post a notice on our website and social media channels once the date is confirmed. On the day of the burn there will be no access to the Fisher’s Pond Side Trail or the main Bruce Trail between Springer Crescent and Guelph Line. BTC Staff will be positioned at entrance points to advise trail users.
A controlled burn, also called a “prescribed burn”, is a widely used method that allows for the growth and regeneration of native grasslands. This deliberately set, carefully planned and controlled fire will be conducted by specialists from Lands & Forests Consulting, a company with extensive experience ensuring that burns are controlled, safe, and occur in such a way that minimizes smoke in the surrounding areas. Local fire services have approved the burn plan and the site will be monitored by Lands & Forests Consulting continuously until the burn is declared out.
 Smoke will exist while the burn is taking place and for approximately 48 hours after the fires have been extinguished.
Residents near Guelph Line and Dundas Street in Burlington and the surrounding areas may see smoke while the burn is taking place and for approximately 48 hours after the fires have been extinguished, however, smoke issues will be minimized by burning under specific wind directions and atmospheric conditions. Please be advised that visible smoke in the area is not cause for concern and firefighting services will be on standby in the highly unlikely event that emergency action is necessary.
Regular controlled burns are an important natural component in establishing and maintaining endangered plant communities restricted to prairie habitats in Ontario, which have been in
By Corinne Galvan
April 11th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Were you aware that there are nearly three billion online games in existence? In fact, the chances are high that this number is actually under reported. While virtual games can be a great deal of fun, it is important to remember that they can also be used to hone specific skill sets. Let us take a look at four game categories and how each may positively impact your mental “fitness” over time.
Strategy-Based Platforms
Games such as chess and checkers have existed in one form or another for thousands of years. In the same respect, it is known that the Romans incorporated dice as a form of entertainment.
These bundles are unique in the fact that they teach basic forms of strategy. This is why they are even taught to military cadets. The good news is that you do not have to enlist in the army to enjoy all that such platforms have to offer. There are plenty of online versions to choose from.
Making Decisions Under Pressure
Do you enjoy visiting an Ontario casino from time to time? If so, why not translate this form of entertainment into the digital domain? We are all aware that many individuals register with virtual casinos as a means to earn an additional side income. However, many of the games themselves represent excellent ways to become comfortable when thinking under pressure. Poker, backgammon, roulette, and blackjack are all associated with time limits and therefore, being able to make on-the-spot decisions is a talent that should never be taken lightly. Casinos can help to improve and augment this skill set.
Visual Acuity
There are still other types of online games which can help to improve your visual acuity if played on a regular basis. In fact, medical professionals have employed such methods for quite some time. The good news is that the casual nature of these platforms is sure to provide you with hours of entertainment. Point-and-click games are a perfect example, as they are rather lighthearted and still challenging. Many can be downloaded as a smartphone application that plays offline; an additional benefit while out and about.
Critical Thinking
Possessing sharp and flexible critical thinking skills is crucial during countless real-world situations. While this is an inherent trait of all human beings, the approaches themselves can be improved by playing online games. Strategy-based platforms and decision-driven variants are two common examples. As the story is partially based on the choices that players make, they will be required to think outside of the proverbial box if they hope to succeed. There are even times when collaborative efforts are supported (such as when accessing a multiplayer game).
While we are all aware that online games are a great deal of fun, they can also offer a wide spectrum of additional benefits that are not always apparent at first glance. Feel free to explore the virtual community in order to further determine which genre is the most appropriate for your unique tastes!
By Pepper Parr
April 11th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Is there anyone who speaks for and about transit issues in Burlington?
The six members of Council are now all Deputy Mayors with what Mayor Meed Ward called a “portfolio” which portfolio looks into and after the transit service – the word doesn’t event appear in the list of portfolios.
 Imagine seeing one of these scooting up and down Brant Street or along Fairview. They are called Autonomous Vehicles that drive along a pre-determind route, can carry up to eight passengers along with a driver who could take over the wheel if needed.
Transit sucks up a significant portion of the budget. This council is tightly focused on getting both affordable and attainable housing in place for the thousands of people who are expected to call Burlington home by 2031
They are going arrive – how will they get around the city – there is already a considerable amount of grid lock.
 Sue Connor, former Director of Transit for Burlington.
There was a time when the city had one of the best transit operators in the province serving is as Director of Burlington Transit. For reasons that were never explained Sue Connors moved on and now spends a lot of her time with CUTRIC, Canadian Urban Transit Research & Innovation Consortium where her experience is being put to good use.
While with Burlington Connors shepherded Council through the challenge the city faced is as it began thinking how it would move away from diesel powered buses to battery or hydrogen fuel cells systems. There are significant differences between the two.
Battery powered buses have been around for some time; hydrogen is more recent. Much of the thinking about which works best is being done at CUTRIC.
Burlington doesn’t have a single member of Council with any depth of understanding about the challenges the city faces.
The current Council doesn’t seem to have much in the way of appetite for both understanding and resolving the issue.
This failure, and it is a failure not an oversight is something the city will pay for dearly in the not too distant future.
The city did declare a Climate Emergency – it sort of got left at that. Councillor Nisan has the Environment portfolio but don’t expect him to take up the torch for buses that don’t pollute – unless there is an advantage in it for him – polishing up the profile wouldn’t be excuse enough.
 There is little interest in transit in Burlington. It would be safe to say that not one member of council has been on a bus so far in this term of office. People in Burlington want to drive in their car and complain about grid lock. There is nothing exciting about transit – but if the city went after an opportunity to be a pilot site for one of these autonomous vehicles thousands of people would at least want to try one out.
Ward 1 – Councillor Kelvin Galbraith; Deputy Mayor for Business & Red Tape Reduction:
Ward 2 – Councillor Lisa Kearns; Deputy Mayor for Community Engagement & Partnerships.
Ward 3 – Councillor Rory Nisan; Deputy Mayor for the Environment
Ward 4 – Councillor Shawna Stolte; Deputy Mayor for Housing
Ward 5 – Councillor Paul Sharman; Deputy Mayor for Strategy & Budgets
Ward 6 – Councillor Angelo Bentivegna; Deputy Mayor for Recreation and Community Services
Do you see the word “transit” in the portfolios the members of Council have as Deputy Mayors ?
Transit is getting a lot of attention in other municipalities. Whitby was the location for a pilot of the Autonomous buses driven by batteries.
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
April 11, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Chris Goff lives in ward 3 and drives school buses that get children who live in Aldershot to school.
While a student at Mohawk College he served as the student representative on the Board of the Community College.
 Chris Goff, candidate for the wards 1&2 trustee seat on the Halton District School Board.
He also served on the Board of the Association of Community Colleges.
He describes his strength as someone who understands and has experience in governance issues; something he feels can be improved at the Halton District School Board.
His view is that the trustees are elected to oversee the running of the school board – not to get into the weeds of daily operations.
Goff would like to see better communications between the Board of Education and the parents. His view is that the “messaging is poor”.
His concern with the Oakville High School teacher, who is no longer in the classroom, was from a safety perspective. Dressed as he was Goff felt student safety was at risk.
Goff has attended school board trustee meetings prior to the pandemic lock downs and is familiar with how they do their work.
Goff said he has seen and reviewed past budgets but was not aware the Board of Education currently has a survey out asking people for feedback before they deliberate the budget for 2023-24
The two top issues for Goff are problems with the school bussing and the mental health of students. The operation of the school buses is handled by the Halton Student Transportation Services; they sign contracts with the bus operators on behalf of both the public and Catholic school boards – not something the trustees handle other than oversight.
Goff’s long term hope for education in Ontario is better communication and more attention paid to the processes that are relied upon. The system is Ok said Goff; it is the processes that need improvement.
Goff ran in the election that took place last October. The by-election was necessary due to the resignation of a newly elected trustee.
Goff had a very positive opinion on the STEM program at Aldershot High School but added that “the last two years have been rough – the students couldn’t be in class due to the Covid19 pandemic.”
Goff’s web site can be found HERE
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