 By Staff
March 1th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
A small creature that few people have ever seen has had an impact far out of proportion to its size.
 Jefferson salamander There was a point in the history of the city when protecting the salamander was the reason for an application from a local quarry being refused.
Nelson Aggregates report that “Although no direct or indirect impacts will occur to Jefferson Salamander habitat, an off-site ecological enhancement plan on 4.0 hectares of land regulated as Jefferson Salamander habitat is proposed. These lands are located to the south of the South Extension, on lands owned by Nelson.
“The ecological enhancement plan is focused on improving Jefferson Salamander habitat; improving local landscape connectivity; improving buffering of existing features. The off-site ecological enhancement plan will result in an additional 4 ha of upland forest and vernal pools, which is the preferred habitat for Jefferson Salamanders.”
The communications people at city hall refer to the Jefferson salamander as a “local and beloved endangered species in Burlington.”
 Portions of King Road closed from March 12th to April 9th. On Wednesday, March 12, the City will close a section of King Road to allow for Jefferson salamanders’ breeding migration. King Road, from North Service Road to Mountain Brow Road, will be closed so the salamanders can cross the road safely in their search to find a mate.
Local traffic for all properties between North Service Road and the escarpment will be maintained. King Road will reopen for through traffic on Wednesday, April 9, when the salamanders are predicted to finish their annual crossing.
The City of Burlington has partnered with Conservation Halton since 2012 to protect the Jefferson salamanders by closing a section of road to allow the salamanders to safely cross. They are a nationally and provincially protected endangered species.
About the Jefferson salamander
The Jefferson salamander is found in Southern Ontario in select areas of deciduous forest, mostly along the Niagara Escarpment.
This endangered species spends most of its life underground. When the weather starts to warm up and spring rain begins, the salamanders surface and migrate to breed in temporary ponds formed by run-off. They lay their eggs in clumps attached to underwater vegetation. Adults leave the ponds after breeding. By late summer, the larvae lose their gills, become air-breathing juveniles and leave the pond to head into nearby forests.
Adult salamanders migrate to their breeding ponds during wet rainy nights. They are drawn to the pond where they hatched and can be very determined to reach it, sometimes crossing busy roads to get back to their birthplace.
Quick Facts
- The Jefferson salamander is protected at both the provincial and national levels. It was added to Ontario’s endangered species list in 2011.
- Jefferson salamanders have a grey or brown-coloured back, with lighter under-parts. Blue flecks may be present on the sides and limbs.
- Adult Jefferson salamanders are 12 to 20 cm long. The long tail makes up half this length.
- Females tend to be larger than males. The males have swollen vents during the breeding season.
- Unlike most small animals, Jefferson salamanders can live a very long time; up to 30 years of age.
Chandra Sharma, President and CEO, Conservation Halton explains: “Each spring, the Jefferson salamander’s journey reminds us of the importance of conservation and collaboration. Through our longstanding partnership with the City of Burlington, we continue to support the recovery of this remarkable species and maintain a healthy ecosystem in our watershed.”
Links and Resources
Learn more about the Jefferson salamander
 By Staff
March 11th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
 The day of the gold watch given at retirement seems to have come to an end.
Prime Minister Just Trudeau wanted the chair he sat on in the House of Commons and got to take it home with him.
He used the opportunity to ham it up a bit as he carried the chair out of the House of Commons.
 By Ray Rivers
March 10th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
My opponent, Pierre Poilievre, is a lifelong politician who worships at the altar of the free market, despite never having earned a paycheque or made a payroll. His reflex is always to cut and destroy. (Mark Carney)
It was an impressive victory for Canada’s new PM designate on Sunday. All four candidates were clearly qualified for the job but Liberals voted overwhelmingly (86%) for Carney. After all, these are troubled times. Canadians are feeling threatened and insecure because of the economic and political assault from south of the border.
In a crisis, the public generally prefers electoral stability and the status quo. And that tends to work for incumbents. It’s why Doug Ford, who has a miserable record in managing the province but cast himself as captain Canada, won his election so convincingly. And he has not disappointed in his defence of the province and country.
 Churchill became British PM as WWII was underway and Roosevelt was elected for an unprecedented third term when it became clear that the US was about to enter the war. What Canada needs now is competence and experience, not a political attack dog, as it navigates the path we’ve been forced onto. Globalization is dead, and so is USMCA/NAFTA. Canada needs to rebuild our national economy and that will require public as well as private investment as we strive to once again make and buy Canadian.
 Brian Mulroney Blame Brian Mulroney for selling out our industries in the hope that some kind of free trade deal with the US would make us better off. But that deal was made some forty years ago and most Canadians believe it had been working – until now. But that experiment in the economic theory of comparative advantage hollowed out our manufacturing sector, leaving us little choice but to become as reliant on trade in raw materials as were our forefathers – hewers of wood, and drawers of oil.
Surrendering our once robust manufacturing sector has made us vulnerable to the vagaries of international markets, as we saw with the supply issues and the ensuing inflation during the pandemic. The US and Europe have also realized this, perhaps one of the reasons all EU members have still not ratified the Canada/EU trade agreement.
And now Trump is completely overturning the gaming table and tearing up USMCA, all the while whistling America first. But this is not a game. Trump is determined to end non-tariff access to US markets, in the interest of returning manufacturing jobs to America and using tariff revenue to finance his promised income tax cuts.
The US president is not likely to change course now and has already warned the US public to expect inflation and a recession as they experience this transition. And Canada’s transition threatens to be even worse without proper guidance. Then there is all the other nonsense pouring out of the Donald’s mouth – the hostility and the expansionist threats that is unnerving Canadians and all of America’s one time friends and allies.
 It was a happy night for everyone – will we see a repeat in the next 60 to 90 days? So over 150,000 Liberals cast their votes for a new leader in response to the public’s demand for a change from Mr. Trudeau. And they put their fate in the hands of someone with impeccable credentials and very credible skills at a time when this country needs exactly that kind of leadership. As Carney said in his victory speech, Canada needs a strategic plan to deal with the inevitable fallout from the end of free trade, not political slogans.
Trudeau gave one of his best speeches as he stepped down. He was positive, gracious and passionate and sat emotionless as he watched the new leader designate promise to end Trudeau’s signature carbon tax. Still, Trudeau’s best moments came in his two recent addresses to Canadians outlining Canada’s immediate responses to Trump’s 25% tariffs. I have never been prouder to be a Canadian as I watched our prime minister stand up for Canada in no uncertain terms.
Canadians will likely be in an election in a matter of weeks. Some will complain about having an election in the midst of a crisis. But we survived a federal election in the midst of the pandemic and the recent Ontario election was held in one of the coldest and snowy winters in recent memory. And given the political temperature on Parliament Hill, we should expect the federal election closer to April than its October due date.
 Kim Campbell  John Turner Kim Campbell and John Turner provide a case study of the perils for a governing party changing horses at the last minute before a horse race. Hopefully Carney will learn from their mistakes. Canadians demanded turning the page on its PM and his priorities for the country – and the Liberal Party has responded.
 Ray Rivers, a Gazette Contributing Editor, writes regularly applying his more than 25 years as a federal bureaucrat to his thinking. Rivers was once a candidate for provincial office in Burlington. He was the founder of the Burlington citizen committee on sustainability at a time when climate warming was a hotly debated subject. Ray has a post graduate degree in economics that he earned at the University of Ottawa. Tweet @rayzrivers
Background links:
Tariff War – Trudeau on Tariffs
By Staff
March 10th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The province expects to raise an estimated $300,000 to $400,000 per day, through a “tariff response charge” that will be paid by utilities in New York, Michigan and Minnesota importing power from generators of electricity in Ontario.
 Ford: “We’ll stand strong, use every tool in our tool kit and do whatever it takes to protect Ontario.” And they will remain in place “Until the threats of tariffs are gone for good, Ontario won’t back down,” Ford said in a statement Monday. “We’ll stand strong, use every tool in our tool kit and do whatever it takes to protect Ontario.”
To implement the surcharge on an estimated 1.5 million homes and businesses in the three states, the Ontario government filed an “urgent” regulation under the Electricity Act of 1998. It amends the market rules used by the province’s Independent Electricity System Operator, which manages day-to-day energy needs.
Ford said his Progressive Conservative government can raise or lower the surcharge “at any time” in response to actions taken by the Trump administration.
That includes the possibility of shutting off electricity exports to the U.S. if the president escalates the trade war.
Ontario transmits electricity to the three states through 12 cross-border connections — seven with New York, four with Michigan and one with Minnesota.
By Staff
March 10th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
It’s an awkward compromise – squeezing a heritage structure in between two mid-rise buildings.
The creative thinking that exists wasn’t brought to bear on this project.
A less than fitting end to the contribution the Walker family made to the growth and evolution of the city.
 By Staff
March 10th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Donald Trump’s threat of a 250 per cent tariff on Canadian dairy products was walked back by his commerce secretary
 By Staff
March 10th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Doug Ford made the comment and opinion section of the Washington Post: Ontario’s Doug Ford is channeling a national backlash to the White House.
Noah Richler, writing in the comment and opinion section of the Post said:
Donald Trump knows the value of a good external enemy to unite his nationalist base, and — for reasons that might baffle even some of his staunchest supporters — Canada has taken on the role. With Parliament in abeyance following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s resignation, and with the country’s reputation for civility, Trump probably thought Canada would be an easy target to bully. What the U.S. president didn’t count on, however, is the nationalism he would prompt in Canadian politicians more than happy to use his playbook against him.
 Doug Ford, the right-populist Ontario premier who has captured the prevailing mood with an uncompromising resistance of his own. Enter Doug Ford, the right-populist Ontario premier who has captured the prevailing mood with an uncompromising resistance of his own, with steps ranging from pulling American-made liquor off shelves to threatening the United States’ power supply. “If they start hurting families anywhere in Canada, especially Ontario, well, the lights are going off,” warned Ford, who come Monday will be imposing a 25 percent surcharge on electricity exported from Ontario to some 1.5 million homes in Michigan, Minnesota and New York state. He’s been unrelenting even after Trump delayed many tariffs, demanding they go to “zero.”
From the very first moment of Trump’s Canadian excesses — the ridiculing of the prime minister as “Governor Trudeau,” the talk of Canada as a “51st state,” a covetous eye cast toward our wealth of minerals and water, threats to abrogate border agreements, and ultimately the yo-yo game of tariffs — Ontario’s resolute premier has been proactive about retaliating and the need for the country to act as one.
“Ford Nation,” the less-incensed predecessor of the MAGA movement that brought the premier to power for the first time in 2018, has lost the moniker but is now a much larger force. Even in my own household — I ran (unsuccessfully) for federal office back in 2015 for the left-wing New Democratic Party — we find ourselves buoyed and validated in this utterly discombobulating fight by Ford’s steadfast resolve, this very Canadian quality the great Nova Scotia poet Alden Nowlan once described as “stubborn disinclination.”
 Canada beats the American team. Hockey is a metaphor for just about anything in Canada, and Ford is our enforcer, the tough guy who’s not the best skater, who’s not on the ice to score, but is ready for a scrap and to protect those who can. You want him on your side, this guy in the corner with his elbows up. He might throw an errant punch now and then, but a good enforcer makes his presence felt, and Ford has done that. To wit: Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick personally urged him to back down in a phone call and failed — another point scored.
Noah Richler is a Canadian author based in Toronto.
 By Juliana Carmona
March 10th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
A UK-based high-end sports betting and casino operator is set to exit the Ontario online gambling market after two years of operations. The company will cease its operations by March 31st, citing challenges with a competitive market. Fitzdares Ontario released a statement to users on their company website last week, thanking their customers for their loyalty and their business over the previous years.
 In the UK, Fitzdares is well-known for its strong allegiance with horse racing. Despite the challenges that Fitzdares has had, the Ontario gambling market has seen huge success over the last few years. Online casinos are legal in Canada, and Ontario is Canada’s first and only province to operate regulated online casinos and sportsbooks. January alone saw a record-breaking month for sports betting in Ontario, with almost $1.2 billion in wagers, a 134% increase in wagers month on month.
There are dozens of gambling sites across Ontario and Canada, with platforms offering an array of benefits, bonuses, and top-tier entertainment to players. Many players in Canada now take to online platforms for their diverse range of games and the convenience the best platforms provide (source: https://www.techopedia.com/gambling/canada).
However, today, Canadians enjoy a range of gambling options, with many residents looking towards interactive and skill-based games. The most popular options are slots and table games, live dealer games, lottery, bingo, poker, and sports betting. Many across the country now take to online platforms for speedy transactions and fast payouts.
Fitzdares is a UK-based company that entered the Ontario market with high expectations. However, their expansion outside of the UK has not been hugely successful to date. On top of the announcement last week, Fitzdares has shared key dates for their customers to note. Bonuses were no longer given after March 3rd, account deposits ceased on March 10th, and from March 24th, no new bets will be accepted. Players’ final opportunity to withdraw funds will be on March 31st.
 Entry into the Canadian market did not live up to expectations for Fitzdares. Fitzdares’s ultimate goal was to bring a premium casino and sports betting experience to the Ontario market. A market that has seen $63 billion in wagers and $2.4 billion in revenue between April 2023 and March 2024. The company was founded in 1882 and has positioned itself as a high-end bookmaker for premium clients. It was hoped that Fitzdares could appeal to VIP customers, particularly within the Toronto Metropolitan area.
 Cricket is a sport that Fitzdares was able to penetrate – it didn’t have the depth needed to be financially viable in Canada. However, the result did not live up to expectations. Fitzdares’ Ontario market share only reached 0.2% over the two years. Despite the rapid growth of the Ontario online and sports betting market, Fitzdares believed that the lack of year-round sports offerings was a huge barrier to their growth and profit.
In the UK, Fitzdares is well-known for its strong allegiance with horse racing. The company faced significant barriers when it couldn’t establish itself in this market in Ontario unless it sought out partnerships with local operators.
Fitzdares, however, is not the only online operator to be leaving the Ontario market. Operators such as UniBet and CoolBet have left the sector in Ontario since the market launched in April 2022.
By Staff
March 10th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Article revised: The Statement used in an earlier version did not come from the bakery management.
Kelly’s Bake Shoppe, has recently been given 60 days’ notice to vacate their premises. The space, along with the entire block it occupies, is slated for demolition in the next 2-3 months.
Kelly and her daughter, Erinn Weatherbie, are the faces behind a bakery that attracts visitors from all over Canada and the US.
The sudden news has reportedly left them overwhelmed as they now scramble to find a new location within an incredibly tight timeframe to leave in 60 days.
 New is that the space has to be vacated within 60 days.
By Pepper Parr
March 10th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Well, Mark Carney did win, by a resounding number of votes from some 150,000+ members of the Liberal Party across Canada.
 Mark Carney: Will be the next Prime Minister – is he up to what is a monumental task? He will meet with his caucus today and talk through when he should be sworn in and when to call the next election.
The House of Commons is prorogued red until March 27th, the moment their members return, expect an election to follow soon after.
If Pierre Poilievre is to have any hope of becoming the next Prime Minister, he needs an election that he has at least a half of a chance of winning.
The last thing Canada needs is an election in the middle of a tariff war that the President of the United States is using to economically annex Canada and make it his 51st state.
The historians will, in the fullness of time, tell a fuller story of how Canada got to where it is today.
 Mark Carney: Does not suffer fools gladly. Right now, what everyone cares about is where it is going to be tomorrow.
One of the disappointments was the number of votes Karina Gould got. She was less than a full point above Frank Baylis who got 3% of the votes.
Mark Carney won 85.9 per cent of the more than 150,000 votes cast.
The likelihood of Gould winning was very small, but 3.2% hurts.
She is described as something of a light-weight. They don’t know there woman – a light weight she “aint”.
Carney can’t form a government until he is sworn in as Prime Minister. He then has to decide who he wants with him as a Cabinet to manage the tariff problem that isn’t going to get any easier.
Carney put it all too well when he said things are going to move far more quickly than they ever have in the past. The moment Justin Trudeau resigns, his Cabinet resigns with him.
Carney is expected to choose a small Cabinet – there isn’t much time to work out the kinks.
 Karina Gould sitting close to the pier: Can she hold her House of Commons seat? As for Karina, she isn’t a member of Cabinet and will go into the federal election, whenever it is called, as a Member of Parliament, unless Carney brings her into the Cabinet he forms.
Don’t expect the Liberals to call the House of Commons together only to lose office on a confidence motion. Gould was the Government House leader, where she did a superb job. That job isn’t needed right now.
Carney is going to want people who can think on their feet and bring a strong strategic bent to the advice they give.
Carney is said to not suffer fools gladly. It will be interesting to see whom he chooses.
Where does this leave Karina Gould and the Burlington House of Commons seats she holds? Natalie Pierre held her seat as an MPP without ever speaking to the people who voted for her.
By Andrea Grebenc
March 9th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
While the election ended last Thursday for most campaigns, for us, it wasn’t over yet. With the unofficial results showing we were just 39 votes away from victory, we felt it was important to ensure every vote was counted. That’s why we requested a recount. Although our request was unfortunately denied last night, we remain confident in the integrity of the election process.
 Andrea Grebenc doing the door to door with Liberal Party leader Bonnie Crombie. We know many of you have been waiting for an update, and we truly appreciate your patience. The delay in communication was due to our recount request. Now that the results are final, we can say with certainty: while we came up just short, we are proud of what we’ve achieved together.
We went from being almost 6,900 votes behind just over two and a half years ago to closing the gap to just 39 votes this time. This represents a nearly 47% increase in our vote share—a tremendous achievement that reflects the hard work, commitment, and generosity from each of you. You invested your time, talents, and efforts in support of my campaign and the Liberal values it promotes. I extend a special thank you to our volunteers and donors, whose dedication and support were crucial to making this campaign possible.
It has been such a privilege to connect with so many of you—whether at your doors, over the phone, or in the community—to hear your stories and understand your vision for the future. The energy and passion you’ve shown have been inspiring, and I’m thankful to everyone who supported this campaign in every way they could.
While this election may be over, my commitment to advocating for positive change remains as strong as ever. I’ve been fighting for the issues that matter most to our community long before this campaign, and I will continue to hold the government to account as we move forward.
While I share your disappointment in the result, now is not the time to retreat. Instead, I urge you to get involved, advocate, and use your voice to help shape our future. I encourage you to help spread our message by sharing it on social media, consider joining a BPLA committee or a community group, and contact our local MPP to share your views on government policies.
 Andrea Grebenc A special thank you goes to my campaign manager, Roble, whose leadership and tireless efforts were vital to our progress, and to the entire campaign team for their unwavering commitment. I’d also like to extend my deepest gratitude to my family for their unwavering support, love, and sacrifices throughout this journey. Their encouragement has meant the world to me.
Thank you for standing with us. Together we can build on this momentum to win next time!
By Pepper Parr
March 8th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The countdown that will determine who will be in line to become the next Prime Minister of Canada is in its final stages.
At 5:00 pm Friday afternoon, any member of the Liberal Party of Canada had to have verified their membership.
The voting procedure has three steps: First, become a member, second verify that they are members, and third cast their ballot.
The first step produced a membership count of a reported more than 400,000 people who took advantage of the opportunity of becoming members of the Liberal Party of Canada. There were some rules, but no membership fee.
The last date a person can become a member of the Liberal Party of Canada is January 27, 2025. To become a member of the Liberal Party of Canad,a a person had to:
- be at least fourteen (14) years of age;
- support the purposes of the party;
- be a Canadian citizen, have status under the Indian Act, or be a permanent resident of Canada.
- not be a member of any other federal political party in Canada; and
- while Registered as a Liberal, not have publicly declared an intention to be a candidate for election to the House of Commons other than as a candidate of the Party.
The Liberal Party reported there were more than 400,000 people who wanted to vote.
The public later learned that of the 400,000, 140,000 had been verified and would be eligible to vote for any of the four candidates. It was to be a ranked ballot, meaning that each voter ranked who their vote was to go to.
The four are: Mark Carney, Chrystia Freeland, Karina Gould, and Frank Baylis. Those four people debated twice: once in French and once in English.
 Mark Carney  Chrystia Freeland Many people had difficulty getting their membership verified. It was a complex process.
The Liberal Party said on Friday that 120,000 of the 140,000 verified people had cast their ballot.
 Karina Gould  Frank Baylis
Voting comes to an end on Saturday at 3:00 pm Eastern Standard time.
At that point, whatever software the Liberal Party is using takes over and distributes the ballots.
If one candidate does not get 50%+1 of the votes cast, then the person with the lowest number of votes is taken off the list and the second choice votes for that last candidate are distributed.
The count then is between the three candidates left.
If one of the three candidates does not get 50%+1 votes, the last person on the list is taken off the list and their second rank votes and distributed.
Many, if not most, believe that Mark Carney will get 50%+1 on the first count. If he doesn’t, the question is, how many votes did he get, and who was next to him?
Will it be Chrystia Freeland or Karina Gould. Remember, at this point, Frank Bayliss is no longer on the list.
If Gould comes in behind Carney, and Freeland is third, Canada could be on the verge of being a much different country.
Gould has been underestimated by almost everyone. People were stunned when the amount of money she raised was greater than that of Freeland. Carney raised $1.9 million and had the support of most of the Cabinet members.
Gould represents a demographic made up of the people who wonder if they are ever going to be able to own a home; will they ever earn enough to marry and raise families? Gould was speaking to these people in a way that Carney and Freeland didn’t seem to be able to reach.
The Liberal Party has yet to explain just how the vote results are to be announced on Sunday. All we know at this point is that it will be sometime after 3:00 pm
By Pepper Parr
March 8th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
With several days of trotting from photo op to photo op – what do we know about what impact, if any, the Canadian delegation to Washington had on the tarriff situation?
Did they move the needle? Not an inch, not even a fraction of an inch – but that is not why the trip was made.
 Had this group not gone to Washington the idea of Canada becoming a 51st state could have had some merit. They don’t care would have been the American response.
How many Canadian politicians were on the trip? And who picked up the tab? Don’t expect to learn much at that level.
What we do know is that Americans do photo ops just as well as we do.
 Bob Rae, standing to the left of Mayor Meed Ward in Washington Having Bob Rae, Canada’s Ambassador to the United Nations, tag along didn’t hurt.
No one got anywhere near the Oval Office – something about security clearances.
And no one embarrassed us.
BRAG will go on about it all being a waste of time and money – the bigger picture has always been a problem for many in that group.
Few will call the trip a smart move – had they not gone the question would have been – why weren’t you there fighting for us ?
There is no love lost between the Gazette and Doug Ford, but give the man credit for the job he is doing. Can’t wait to see what the reaction is going to be on Monday if he does cut off the power Ontario sells to New York, Michigan and Wisconsin.
 By Ralph Freed
March 8th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The idea of a “smart city” has been increasingly important in Burlington’s future vision as it develops into a progressive metropolis. A smart city uses technology to improve resident quality of living, boost efficiency, and advance environmentally friendly growth. Burlington is laying the groundwork for a vibrant, interconnected urban environment using modern technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), digital infrastructure, and community involvement apps.
Embracing Technology: The Core of Burlington’s Smart City Vision
 Colour of Pier lights change regularly to celebrate different events and occasions. Burlington’s dedication to incorporating technology into daily life fuels its goal toward smart city goals. To provide a more connected and responsive environment, the city has adopted the Internet of Things (IoT). IoT is the network of devices interacting with one another to exchange data thereby enhancing city services and resident quality of living. Burlington is putting smart streetlights, for instance, that adjust their brightness based on traffic conditions or the time of day. This not only saves energy but also guarantees enough lighting when it’s most needed, therefore enhancing safety.
The city is additionally looking into the use of smart sensors to track traffic flow and air quality, therefore providing real-time data available to maximize infrastructure and lower congestion. Burlington is opening the path for a more environmentally friendly and effective urban experience with these developments.
Digital Infrastructure: Building a Strong Foundation for Innovation
Strong digital infrastructure is what a smart city depends on, so Burlington is heavily funding this field. The city is expanding the availability of high-speed internet to guarantee consistent and rapid connections for every citizen. In a world where digital platforms are progressively shaping daily life, this is absolutely vital. High-speed internet is essential for a smart city’s success, whether it means using government services, working remotely, or just keeping in touch with friends.
Burlington’s dedication to digital infrastructure encompasses governmental services as well. Residents may pay bills, report problems like potholes or broken streetlights, and access a host of other municipal services using the city’s newly created online platform. This digital change guarantees that the administration is more reachable to everybody and helps inhabitants connect with their city.
Community Engagement and Smart Apps: Empowering Residents
Community involvement is a fundamental component of Burlington’s smart city project. The city has developed several apps and platforms meant to keep its citizens updated and active in the process of making decisions. These instruments enable flawless communication between the city and its people, therefore strengthening the sense of community and motivating involvement in public events.
 Engaging electronically Burlington’s city app, for instance, lets citizens get real-time notifications on anything from road closures to upcoming events. It also gives neighbors an opportunity to express concerns, document problems, and offer feedback on city projects. This strategy enables people to actively participate in determining the trajectory of their community, therefore guaranteeing that the development of the city fits the needs and aspirations of its people.
Integrating Digital Entertainment into Burlington’s Smart City Plan
Burlington is not only paying attention to fundamental services but also thinking about how digital entertainment might be included into its more general objectives as it works toward being a smart city. With many people using digital entertainment—including online gaming—for leisure and amusement, it has grown to be a more and more crucial part of metropolitan life.
Jackpot City Canada and other sites provide an excellent example of how digital entertainment could be incorporated into the fabric of a smart city. Burlington understands the growing need for online gaming and other digital entertainment choices even if it is not emphasizing casino-style entertainment. This kind of leisure activity can be a significant component of the smart city ecosystem since it gives inhabitants several digital choices for social interaction and leisure.
Furthermore, Burlington has to remain aware of responsible gaming and safety online even as the city adopts digital entertainment technologies. Although the integration of such technologies can bring financial gains, it is important to do it in line with the values of the city regarding community well-being and responsible use of technology.
The Path Ahead: Smart Cities as the Future of Urban Living
Burlington’s ambitious, forward-looking plan to become a smart city will help to define urban living moving forward. Burlington sets an example for other communities to follow by embracing IoT, funding digital infrastructure, and encouraging community involvement.
 Jackpot City Canada’s and other digital entertainment platforms’ integration emphasizes the city’s readiness to evolve with the needs and interests of its people. Burlington’s initiatives to build a smart city will guarantee that it stays a dynamic, sustainable, and connected destination for future generations as technology continues to transform cities. Though the path ahead may be difficult, Burlington is headed toward becoming an actual smart city where technology and community will coexist for the benefit of all by means of a clear vision and suitable investments.
By Staff
March 7th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The Bruce Trail Conservancy (BTC) announces the launch of the Bruce Trail GeoHikes Hub, a free virtual geology education program developed in collaboration with the APGO Education Foundation and the McMaster University School of Earth, Environment & Society.
Bruce Trail GeoHikes are interactive digital tools that offer Bruce Trail users an accessible and innovative way of learning more about the geology of the Niagara Escarpment. Each GeoHike is a one to three-hour non-intensive self-guided tour that highlights the significance of the local geology. GeoHikes can be used as guides while walking the Trail in person, or as a virtual alternative at home or in the classroom.
 Ball’s Falls. Photo by Brooke Kochan. (CNW Group/Bruce Trail Conservancy) Most GeoHikes include virtual 3D models that show the locations of fossils and other geological features, 360-degree photos or drone videos, slide bars with overlays of important features or geologic information, and written and audio descriptions of the geology.
“For over 60 years the Bruce Trail has brought people into greater connection with nature, and specifically the Niagara Escarpment. In addition to the incredible biodiversity that can be found here are geological features that tell the fascinating history of the landscape.
“Over the past 3 years the BTC has taken their goal of covering the Bruce Trail with interesting and informative GeoHikes from concept to realty.
There are currently nine Bruce Trail GeoHikes available, which include popular destinations such as Ball’s Falls in the Niagara Region, Tiffany Falls in Hamilton, and the Cheltenham Badlands in Caledon. An additional 12 Bruce Trail GeoHikes throughout the 1,300 km Bruce Trail system will go live this spring, including four on the Saugeen (Bruce) Peninsula.
“The GeoHikes contained within the Bruce Trail Hub are easily accessible guides that aim to inform the public about the fascinating geological features they can see at selected sites along the Bruce Trail. The GeoHikes have been researched and compiled largely by undergraduate students at McMaster University who have not only learned about the geology of the Niagara Escarpment but also have gained experience in communicating scientific information to the public.
For more information and to access Bruce Trail GeoHikes visit geoscienceinfo.com/bruce-trail-hub/.
About the Bruce Trail Conservancy
The Bruce Trail Conservancy is one of Ontario’s largest land trusts that secures, protects and restores the vulnerable habitat and biodiversity of the UNESCO Niagara Escarpment Biosphere. For more than 60 years we have responsibly connected people to nature through the Bruce Trail. We are a member-driven, volunteer-based, charitable organization governed by a 19-member Board of Directors. Working with each of the nine Bruce Trail Clubs, we are committed to caring for the Bruce Trail and to preserving land along its route. The Bruce Trail Conservancy is a leading Canadian environmental charity and has been named one of the Top 100 Charities in Canada by Charity Intelligence.
About the APGO Education Foundation
The APGO Education Foundation is a registered charitable organization under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act. The purpose of the charity is to advance the education of the public in the area of geoscience – see https://apgoef.ca. GeoscienceINFO.com, developed by the Foundation, is an innovative one-stop spot for the public to gather information about the earth beneath their feet. This website provides interesting information on all facets of geoscience. A particularly exciting feature of GeoscienceINFO.com is the highlighting of virtual field trips in different areas in Ontario. This enables viewers to experience and learn about the geology of an area while traversing it digitally in ESRI ArcGIS OnlineTM and StoryMapsTM.
 By Staff
March 17th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The mandatory requirement for high-school students to complete 40-hours of volunteering was implemented about 20 years ago. Since then, questions have arisen about how this requirement affects youth. Originally intended to promote volunteering in youth, concerns have arisen on whether this requirement has turned volunteering into a transaction (i.e. volunteering to get the minimum 40-hour requirement).
Further, some organizations have moved away from recruiting youth volunteers or may have shifts that don’t work well for youth. Community Development Halton is interested in exploring what it takes to empower youth to volunteer, and how organizations can change their practices to encourage youth volunteering.
 Community Development Halton (CDH) is offering a new year-long volunteer opportunity for youth in the City of Burlington! CDH is assembling a team of Youth Researcher Volunteers, currently residing in Burlington, to conduct research on volunteering in the City of Burlington. Youth will be trained to conduct research on the facilitators and barriers to volunteering faced by those 14 to 24 years of age.
Interested in learning more? Join the Youth Engagement Coordinator via ZOOM on March 13 at 7:00pm or March 20 at 7:00pm to learn more about this opportunity and the research project that recruited youth volunteers will conduct on the state of youth volunteering in Burlington.
Click here to Register
The target audience for this information session are youth residing in Burlington between the ages of 14 to 24, their families/guardians, as well as high school teachers and guidance counsellors, and nonprofit organizations focused on supporting youth in Burlington.
By Staff
March 7th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Following the results of the 2025 Ontario general election, Premier Doug Ford and the Executive Council will be sworn-in by the Honourable Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.
 The Legislature at Queen’s Park The Legislature will be called back on Monday, April 14, 2025, to begin the 44th session of Parliament.
 Andrea Grebenc  Natalie Pierre We will know at that time if Andrea Grebenc or Natalie Pierre will be seated as the Member of Provincial Parliament for Burlington. A Judicial Recount of the ballots has been requested.
The government’s plans and priorities for the new session will be outlined in the Speech from the Throne, to be delivered by the Lieutenant Governor on Tuesday, April 15, 2025.
Related news stories:
The ballot count.
Recount requested.
By Staff
March 5th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
 Starting this Friday in the late evening until end of service Sunday, March 9, Lakeshore West rail service will be temporarily modified to accommodate critical track work that will bring faster, more frequent service across the network.
During this time, there will be no train service between Oakville and West Harbour GO stations. Regular GO Train service will continue between Union Station and Oakville GO only.
On Saturday, March 8 and Sunday, March 9:
- There will be no GO Transit service at Appleby or Bronte GO stations; however, existing early morning and late-night route 18 GO buses will continue to serve Appleby and Bronte GO stations.
- Trips to Niagara will run between Aldershot GO and Niagara Falls GO only.
- The following replacement GO Buses will be in service:
- 18E will run between Oakville, Burlington, Aldershot, Hamilton and West Harbour GO.
- 18P will run between Oakville, Burlington and Aldershot GO.
- 18Y will run between Oakville and Burlington GO.
- 18Z will run between Oakville and Aldershot GO.
GO Bus Routes 12, 15 and 18 connection times will be modified. GO Bus connection times will also be adjusted and customers can expect longer than usual wait times. Please check schedules before travelling as trip times could depart earlier or later than usual.
More information about Lakeshore West service adjustments and alternate route options is available HERE.
Regular service will resume on Monday, March 10.
Riders can transfer for free with One Fare between GO Transit and most local agencies, including the TTC. Customers are encouraged to use gotransit.com to plan their trips. You can also check the GO Transit Service Updates page for real-time details.
By Staff
March 7th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Andrea Grebenc At 5:42 pm last night the Gazette was advised by an official of the Burlington Liberal Party that ” … that we have submitted an application for a recount but we have no further comment at this time.”
Andrea Grebenc, the Liberal candidate in the recent provincial election, came in 40 votes short of the Progressive Conservative candidate Natalie Pierre.
Related news story:
The ballot count.
 By Staff
March 6th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The Art Gallery of Burlington is Now Recruiting for Board Positions – Join them in Shaping Arts and Culture!
Are you passionate about the arts and eager to enhance your community’s cultural scene? Become a vital member of the Art Gallery of Burlington Board.
Connect with like-minded professionals and community leaders who share your dedication to arts and culture. The Art Gallery of Burlington (AGB) is currently seeking to fill Board positions for June 2025.
How to Apply:
Submit the following information by e-mail to the AGB Board Governance & Nominating Committee at board@agb.life on or before March 31, 2025:
- Cover letter expressing intent to apply;
- CV
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