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 13^th, 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 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 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 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

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 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 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.