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March 3, 2025 BURLINGTON, ON
 This is the problem: the city will be considering solution options. A survey done by the city is one of the pieces of information that will be presented.
March 3rd, 2025 BURLINGTON, ON
On April 4, 2022, Ontario launched the first regulated online gambling market in Canada, iGaming Ontario. In many ways, the launch can be seen as the beginning of an online gambling revolution in the country. However, it has also been widely criticized for contributing to a growing concern in Canada: problem gambling. This has led many to wonder if iGaming Ontario is revolutionary or adding to the concerns surrounding problem gambling, a question we’ll explore here. How iGaming Ontario Has Revolutionized Online Gambling
First Regulated Open MarketAs Canada’s first regulated online gambling market, iGaming Ontario and its work have been closely watched by other provinces and countries to see how the market performs. It has the potential to set a precedent for future market operations, demonstrating what to do or not to do. Knowing that it would be closely scrutinized, iGaming Ontario placed great emphasis on developing a thriving competitive market that protects its players, contributes to the economy, and has clear policies and guidelines that are strongly enforced and governed. The quality of the regulations and systems implemented by iGaming Ontario earned it global recognition. Vixio’s Global Regulatory Awards named the organization the Regulatory Initiative of the Year. The awards recognize organizations that excel in developing and implementing gambling regulations, emphasizing responsible gambling measures and regulatory compliance. Job CreationIn its first year, the iGaming Ontario market created and supported over 12,000 full-time jobs. It has led to new employment opportunities and continues to do so. In its second year, it created even more jobs, almost reaching 15,000, including over 2,500 directly sustained jobs and over 9,000 indirect ones. These numbers surpass the five-year revenue and impact projections of Deloitte, an independent audit and assurance company. Provincial and Federal Revenue Stream
Industry GrowthSince the launch of iGaming Ontario, over 50 gambling operators have become available to the public, creating a wide range of online options for Ontario players. The second year of operation saw $2.4 billion in gaming revenue generated, a more than 70% increase from the first year. There are more than 1.2 million active player accounts, and the average monthly spending of active player accounts has increased significantly. The average player spent $70 monthly in the first year of iGaming Ontario’s operation. In Q2 of the 2024-2025 fiscal year, the average spending per account increased to $308. These numbers demonstrate the growth and interest in Ontario’s iGaming industry. Player ProtectionsBy creating a regulated market, Ontario can offer players gambling options that protect them more than the previously available unregulated options. These player protections include safeguards for preventing underage gambling, providing problem gambling tools and resources, and enforcing stricter anti-money laundering regulations. iGaming Ontario provides Ontarians with a gambling environment in which they can feel more secure and confident knowing there are regulations and safeguards in place. This confidence has translated into over 86% of online players opting for these regulated options over unregulated options. The Rise of Problem Gambling in OntarioiGaming Ontario has become a multibillion-dollar market in the few years it has been operating, something the organization and its operators celebrate. But financial success has also led to many wondering if all of this has come at too great a cost. During the same years that iGaming Ontario generated billions, the province also saw a marked increase in indicators of problem gambling.
It’s difficult to ignore the accessibility of gambling options in Ontario as a significant factor in the rising numbers, especially since just before the opening of iGaming Ontario, the number of individuals struggling was estimated to be around 9%. iGaming Ontario has made accessing gambling extremely easy and has also led to a massive increase in gambling ads, drawing more interest in the activity. This ease of access and growing interest increase the risk of problem gambling, which can have many negative impacts on the health and wellness of Ontarians. Problem gambling can lead to financial loss, impacting the financial health of individuals and families, and it is also connected to mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. It’s a serious problem, and despite the safeguards iGaming Ontario requires of its operators, many mental health experts, as well as those affected by problem gambling, do not feel it’s enough. iGaming Ontario Still Has Work to Do
March 3, 2025 BURLINGTON, ON
It started on Saturday – the Sweetest time of the year! Conservation Halton celebrates Maple Season at the 150-year-old sugarbush at Mountsberg’s Maple Town. The kids can get to see how sap tapped from the maple trees and transformed into maple syrup.  Pails collecting the sap from trees at Mountsberg’s Maple Town.  Syrup being boiled in cast iron kettles. Maple Season programs are offered on weekends, holidays, and March Break until Sunday, April 6, 2025.
Mountsberg’s Maple Town is a cherished family tradition. In the sugarbush, visitors can watch maple sap transform into syrup in the evaporator, warm up by a fireside lounge, or help their kids become ‘certified’ Sugar Rangers with the new and returning challenges for 2025! Satisfy sweet cravings with maple sugar and syrup samples, maple syrup drizzled pancakes at the Pancake Pavilion, and other maple products available to take home from the Country Store. Mountsberg visitors can add a horse-drawn wagon ride or a maple sugar making workshop to their visit for a truly unforgettable experience. Maple Town visitors will learn about the history of sugar making from its Indigenous origins, to iron kettles, to today’s technology, and all about how Conservation Halton staff care for our amazing trees. For tickets, pricing, and details about Maple Season, visit conservationhalton.ca/mapleseason. Crawford Lake Conservation Area, 3115 Conservation Road
March 3, 2025 BURLINGTON, ON
What members of City Council get paid is always of public interest – people just want to know.  All seven city Councillors at their desks. The figures for 2024 have been released and are set out below:  City Councillors are also Regional Councillors. They receive a salary and expenses from the Region. As soon as the Regional data is available we will add it to this article. The Regional salary is fairly close to what is paid by the city.
The difference in the benefits paid to Sharman and Bentivegna are the result of their age. OMERS (Ontario Municipal Employee Retirement Service) does not permit people who are drawing a Canada Pension to participate in the OMERS Plan City Councillors have a budget for expenses. The following is what was spent by each Councilor during 2024:
The balance in the Special Initiative REserve Fund is $72,336.
March 2nd, 2025 BURLINGTON, ON
Ontario’s unemployment is higher than the national rate. Healthcare is getting worse, schools are in neglect. Terrible housing starts have made life unaffordable. Retail sales are down and people are leaving. Ontario has become a have-not province receiving federal equalization payments. That’s Doug Ford’s legacy. He should have been defeated on it. But he saved himself by manoeuvring away from his record and encouraging anti-PC voters to use their ballot in the most inefficient way. Ford diverted voter focus from his record to Trump’s threat
His diversion was fuelled by trips to Washington, wall-to-wall Trump coverage and Canadians’ general disorientation from watching a long-term ally pivot into an attacker. And in federal politics Trump’s tariff threat is a top issue, according to surveys of Canadians. But Ontario election polls consistently showed affordability and healthcare were the top provincial election issues. Our EKOS/Impact Strategies poll released February 12 found 36 per cent said affordability was the top election issue while healthcare was the top for 28 per cent. Just 10 per cent of Ontarians agreed with Ford that Trump’s tariff threat was the top provincial election issue. Despite Ontarians’ actual priorities, Ford had good success in diverting the discussion onto Trump and away from his record on healthcare and affordability. Even his “hot mic” moment, when he admitted he favoured Trump as recently as the last U.S. election, helped draw discussion away from Ford’s poor record in government. Ford drew anti-PC voters into opposing him most inefficiently Ford also enjoyed good success in selecting as his primary opponent the party most inefficient in threatening PC seats.
Data Shows wrote about Ontario Liberal vote inefficiency months ago and predicted the Liberals were heading for exactly the electoral disaster that came. PC strategists knew this too. And they knew more PCs would win if anti-PC voters could be drawn to the Liberals and away from the NDP. The PCs never ran an online ad campaign against the NDP until just before the election, even though poll averages in the months before their ad campaign launch put the NDP ahead of the OLP. Within days of Crombie’s selection, the PCs rolled out anti-Liberal ads. These had a dual effect: they both drove up voters’ awareness of Crombie and their negative assessments of her. They both boosted the idea the third place Liberals were Ford’s primary threat and made its leader unelectable. The PCs’ advertising gave the Liberals and their leader the exposure they could not pay for themselves, helping persuade voters the PCs’ most inefficient opponent was their nearest threat. A strategy set and played against an opponent beset by eventsAfter months of anti-Liberal ads, Bonnie Crombie was well-known but unliked while NDP leader Marit Stiles was liked but unknown. Data Shows filed a couple reports on this. Due to a series of internal events, an NDP advertising campaign to boost Stiles’ exposure was delayed until last fall. Had such a campaign been able to boost NDP numbers above the Liberals’ the PC seat loss very certainly would have both been steeper.
The result was a PCs strategy generally successful in its two main goals: to divert attention from the PC record; to draw anti-PC voters to the inefficient Liberals. Marit Stiles’ performance, MPP incumbency, better finances and a stronger ground game have allowed the NDP to continue as official opposition for the next four years. Now Stiles has a second chance to create a story and a strategy that ensures in the next election they, not the PCs, pick their opponent and the campaign’s central issue.
March 1st, 2025 BURLINGTON, On
 Choosing to be Captain Canada was enough of a distraction – the electorate didn’t seem to care that as a Premier he really didn’t do a very good job – and he faces some serious issues if the RCMP report finds him culpable. Doug Ford wanted a strong mandate – he didn’t get it.  She thought she was so close to winning that she could taste it. Bonnie Crombie wanted a seat in the Legislature, she didn’t get it. Marit Stile wanted more seats coming out of the election than what she had going in – she didn’t get it. Mike Shreiner wanted a third candidate to win a seat in the Legislature – didn’t happen. It was a snap election, called by Ford more than a year before before a provincial election was due. Ford named himself Captain Canada and elected on a platform that he could take on Donald Trump. Doug didn’t appear to understand that the Prime Minister handles jobs like that. Ford had a mess of failures behind him – low retail sales number, failure to adequately find the schools and the hospitals. He will see the $200.00 cheques he sent out as returning money to the tax-payers – if that was really what he was doing – it would have been cheaper to email the funds to people – the province has email addresses – could have saved millions on the postage alone. But that isn’t what he did – he mailed the cheques to people – requiring them to open the envelop and actually see the cheque and know viscerally that it came from the Premier.
Ford’s snap election decision was a cynical move to distract an electorate that had very good reason to worry about job security. What Ford also had in minone cynically by Premier Doug Ford who was favoured by poor weather which kept the voters indoors. Despite asking Ontarians for a “stronger mandate,” Doug Ford and his party are headed back to Queen’s Park with 80 seats, barring a successful recount — close to the same number of MPPs that they went into the election with. PC incumbents Patrice Barns in Ajax and Christine Hogarth in Etobicoke—Lakeshore lost their seats. The legislature was to return March 3rd, word is that it might be as late as March 15 – elections have yet to be certified. Recounts are possible and could make a difference in the Progressive Conservative seat count. The PCs did not deliver a budget before the election; they will have to produce something in the Spring. The Trump tariff threat will dog everything for some time; latest word is that the hammer will hit on the 4th of March – don’t bet the farm on that. Bonnie Crombie hasn’t admitted it yet but her career as a Liberal has come to an end.  Explaining that you failed to win a seat in the Legislature is hard. Bonnie Crombie now has to decide if she can find a seat she can win and convince the 12 party members that she should be given the opportunity to do that. Crombie did manage to win 12 seats which gives the Liberals party status which comes with a considerable amount of public funding. Some of that money would be used to pay Crombie a salary were she to hang on to her Leadership position She lost the race for a seat in Mississauga East—Cooksville. The party is said to be divided on what should be done with a Leader who can’t sit in the Legislature. Crombie will have to face a Leadership review – the sooner the better to resolve the leadership issue. There is a lot of work to be done if the Liberals are to be effective.  Is Doug Ford ready for four more years of Marit Stiles nipping at his heels. The New Democrats see the election as a success – they will be the official Opposition party and that matters. Theit seat count was just under what they had going into the election. The 2018 seat count coming out of that election was 38. The troubling statistic is the vote share; NDP ran up 900,000; the Liberals 1.5 million. Those votes were not so much for the Liberals as they were against Doug Ford. The only people better off are the Liberals – they now have party status, we might – just might see a chastened Doug Ford who is said to be very disappointed in the results.
March 1st, 2025 BURLINGTON, ON
Classroom Mini Marsh Thus is a program teachers apply for – if you want you child to become more environmentally aware – bring this to their attention Teachers in schools across the Hamilton Harbour watershed, it’s that time of year! Registration for the Classroom Mini Marsh program will open on Friday, March 7, 2024 @ 9:00AM< What is the Classroom Mini Marsh program?  K to 8 students could get a chance to grow their own mini marsh in their classroom; its the kind of program that lets students see how the environment actually works. Bring a bit of Cootes Paradise Marsh into your classroom with our Classroom Mini Marsh kits! Since 1993, BARC has offered Mini Marsh kits free of charge to schools within the Hamilton Harbour watershed. The kits include native marsh plants, a bowl, gravel, and a snail. Students plant their shoots in the gravel, maintain the water level in the bowl, and watch their Mini Marshes grow! At the end of the school year the plants are returned to Royal Botanical Gardens for planting in Cootes Paradise Marsh, connecting students with the restoration of this Hamilton Harbour wetland. Teachers are provided with curriculum-linked activities to share with their students, including details about the restoration of Cootes Paradise Marsh. Approximately 10,000 students participate in this program each year! Age Range: 5 – 14; Grades: K – 8
Mark your calendars and share with your colleagues in education, the kits go fast! How Do you Register? Click HERE
March 1st, 2025 BURLINGTON, ON A Gazette reader questioned the original headline; he was right – The headline has been changed. Our apologies to anyone who was offended. In this business information gets to us in the weirdest of ways. Those two calls from a pay phone advising us more than a year ago that two very senior staff members had been shown the door turned out to be true. Most of the time stuff that gets sent is an effort on the part of someone to manage the news the public gets. The day before the election took place we received a link to a YouTube posting. I had the feeling that I had heard from this guy previously but wasn’t sure. He called me, saying he was an investigative reporter with proof that significant voter fraud had taken taken place. I decided not to publish what had been sent.
When we learned once the polls had closed on Thursday that there were problems with at least two polls I decided I would pass along what we were given. The piece runs for 25 minutes – is any of it true – originally I didn’t think so and I am not suggesting there is any truth to what was published on a YouTube chanel. Elections Ontario is responsible for doing any investigations. Readers will have to decide if there is any merit to what we have published. The link to what we were sent is HERE.
February 28th, 2025 BURLINGTON. ON
Well, this is a sticky wicket. The Elections Ontario people have said they are not in a position to issue a final count – no reason yet on why – seems to be a concern with two polling stations – that’s about all we can report at this stage. We are being told from one of the campaigns that it may be Wednesday of next week before any next steps can be taken.  Andrea Grebenc wants to see the final Official vote count before making any comment. If the Liberals feel that a recount is justified an application has to be made before a Superior Court Judge to order a recount. Andrea Grebenc has said through a spokes- person that she will have no comment until Elections Ontario issues a final vote count. Then experts are brought in to do the things that need to be done to make a case for a different result. Messy.  Natalie Pierre the night she won the election with a 40 vote lead. Natalie Pierre has never talked to the Gazette so we have no idea what she thinks or feels. The Liberals are taking the position that they will not comment until Elections Ontario issues a final vote count – it looks like that will happen on Wednesday of next week. The New Democrats have been difficult to communicate with during the campaign Kyle Huttondthe Green Party candidate is always available for a comment.  Kyle Hutton believes a ranked ballot would have produced a much different result. He is of the view that if Andrea Grebenc does lose when the Official count is in – she should consider running again. Hutton has never talked to Natalie Pierre “she was never very outspoken. If she really doesn’t want to do the job – maybe she will resign and Ford will have to call a by-election.’” Hutton is convinced that if ranked balloting had been used instead of first past the post this would have been a much different provincial election. His comment that “we could take 12 seats this time around” made during an earlier interview with Hutton election is now a pipe dream. Rest assured – when the next writ is dropped Kyle Hutton will be involved “even if it is in a background role.” Judidial reconts situations like this get pushed up the food chain to the provincial party level where the expertise and the legal talent needed to fight battles at this level exists. The really slim difference between the Progressive Conservatives and the Liberals doesn’t give Natalie Pierre much to boast about.  The grey bar – the number of people who did not vote is a disgraceful reflection on just what kind of city Burlington is. The 48,926 people that did not vote is disappointing – especially for a city that is populated by well educated, high income earners who should know that every vote counts. Hopefully they are not sitting at home with a smug look on their faces. You know who you are – you should be ashamed.
February 28th, 2025 BURLINGTON, ON
Here is how you feel when you win by 40 votes.  Natalie Pierre speaking to media.
February 27th, 2025 BURLINGTON, ON
We Canadians seem to have a problem recognizing talent and ability that is sitting there in front of us.  Karina Gould: A face Canadians might see a lot more of. During the race to determine who the next leader of the Liberal Party will be, and by default, become the Prime Minister. Karina Gould, Burlington’s MP was given little in the way of attention from media and precious little from many of the people in Burlington. Praise for Gould’s ‘masterclass.’ “Liberal leadership candidate Karina Gould displayed impressive communications skills during back-to-back debates this week, according to party insiders, but it’s unlikely to affect the race’s overall result. “Gould squared off with ex-Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney, former cabinet minister Chrystia Freeland, and one-time Liberal MP Frank Baylis in Montreal on Tuesday during the Liberal leadership race’s only English-language debate. “The four candidates also participated in a French debate on Monday. “In both cases, Gould, an MP and ex-government House leader, earned rave reviews for her ability to speak directly to Canadians with messaging that resonates with a variety of groups. “Alex Kohut, a former pollster in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office, called Gould’s performance a “masterclass in political communications” in a post on social media, particularly emphasizing her strong post-debate media scrum.” If Mark Carney does not win on the first count of a ranked ballot and Chrystia Freeland comes in third – Karina Gould could be the choice of members of the Liberal Party.
February 27th, 2025 BURLINGTON, ON
Interesting observation. In Burlington people turn out by the thousands to watch the Remembrance Day parade and take part in the services at the Cenotaph remembering and honouring those that paid the supreme sacrifice to defend the democracy we have – and yet less than 50% of the city’s population take the time to vote. Those poor buggers, dying on a muddy battlefield, realizing, in their final moments, that they will never see their loved ones again.
You have one thing that you must do today. Vote if you have not already voted.
It is vital that what YOU want in the way of a government is made clear by the vote you cast. Every vote counts.
Ontario has a disappointing voting record. Make this the year that that changes.
February 26th, 2025 BURLINGTON, ON OPINION Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles joined CUPE 7800 health care workers and OSSTF District 21 education workers at two campaign stops in Hamilton today. She made her final campaign pitch and spoke about protecting workers, defending jobs and fighting rising costs with an NDP government that is on your side. Stiles was joined by candidates from the Ontario NDP’s strong Hamilton team: Robin Lennox (Hamilton Centre), Kojo Damptey (Hamilton Mountain), Zaigham Butt (Hamilton East – Stoney Creek), and Sandy Shaw (Hamilton West–Ancaster–Dundas).  Sara Jama. once the NDP candidate, now sits as an Independent candidate is expected to hold her seat. If the official NDP candidate wins Stiles should remain the Leader of the Opposition. Stiles did her best in Hamilton Centre to promote Robin Lennox, the NDP candidate. Sara Jama (once the NDP candidate) stands a better than even chance to hold the seat. Shoule NDP Lennox take the seat Stiles could be well on her way to making life very difficult for Doug Foard.  The bus never did make it to Hamilton The campaign bus didn’t make it to Burlington. The New Democrats appear to have written of Burlington. A smart Liberal would be putting out the word to get as many eggs as possible in the Liberal basket and ensure that Natalie Pierre never has to take the GO train to Queen’s Park again. Salt with Pepper is an opinion column reflecting the observations and musings of the publisher of the Gazette, an on-line newspaper that is in its 12th year as a news source in Burlington and is a member of the National Newsmedia Council.
February 26th, 2025 BURLINGTON, ON
Hippity hop on down to Joseph Brant Museum for a Visit with the Easter Bunny!
Henry’s will be providing each family with one digital image and a “Free Instant 8×10 Print” voucher for use at an in-store kiosk. Parents are also welcome to use their own cameras. Children will have the opportunity to take part in an Easter egg scavenger hunt throughout the galleries and complete a Spring-themed craft. There will also be a mini-Makers market on site, and some hot chocolate to enjoy! Tickets are $50/family ($45/members) and include a pre-booked visit and photos with the Easter Bunny, admission to Joseph Brant Museum, an Easter egg scavenger hunt throughout the galleries, hot chocolate, a craft for each child registered, and access to a mini-Makers Market. The event takes place April 12-13. Call the Museum at (905) 634-3556 to reserve a spot. Please note that it takes approximately 1 week for the professional images taken by Henry’s to be edited and sent to your inbox. Would someone remind the people at the Brant Museum that Easter is more than bunnies, coloured eggs and scavenger hunts.
Application for 75, 3-storey, one and two bedroom stacked townhome to be located on western boundary
February 26th, 2025 BURLINGTON, ON
GSP Group has made an application to amend the Official Plan Designation and Zoning for the property located at 1497-1511 Old Plains Road.
The proposal will be completed as a phased development. Phase 1 consists of 51 units and Phase 2 will consist of 24 units. Vehicular access is proposed from Plains Road with an internal road network with 1 parking space per unit and 11 visitor parking spaces located throughout the site. It will be interesting to hear what the developer has to say when the Statutory meeting is held.
February 26th, 2025 BURLINGTON. ON
The Halton District School Board has announced that secondary school students Kaitlyn Hou and Jay Xu are to be the Board’s Student Trustees for the next school year (2025-2026).
Hou is returning as Student Trustee for a second term, while Xu will be entering the role for the first time. Hou is a Grade 11 student at Abbey Park High School and Xu is a Grade 10 student at White Oaks Secondary School. The new term of office officially begins on Aug. 1, 2025. In recognizing the results of the Student Trustee election, Trustees of the Halton District School Board welcomed Hou and Xu to their roles as Student Trustees for the 2025-2026 school year. Hou and Xu shared the following thoughts about their upcoming terms as Student Trustee.  Jayson Zu, is a Grade 10 student at White Oaks Secondary School. “I am incredibly grateful and honoured to have been selected as a Student Trustee from such a well-qualified group of candidates,” says Jason Xu. “To advocate for the student body that has supported and helped me so much throughout the election, I cannot thank you all enough. Now, I look forward to working alongside my peers, the Board and the community as a whole to fulfill the expectations for which I was elected, and to ensure that our beliefs and calls for meaningful changes resound across Halton!”  Kaitlyn Hou is a Grade 11 student at Abbey Park High School. “I am beyond humbled and honoured to have been elected for another term as one of the two HDSB Student Trustees representing Halton,” says Kaitlyn Hou. “My absolute favourite part of being a Student Trustee is the connections and relationships I was able to build. After learning the ropes, starting passion projects and connecting with so many incredible, inspiring students from across Halton over the past year, I feel nothing but excitement and anticipation for the continued growth, development and change that is to come!” Chair of the Board of Trustees Amy Collard said: “Student Trustees play a vital role in representing all HDSB students, amplifying their voices at the board table and collaborating with Trustees to make a positive impact in Halton schools. The Board values student perspectives as we work to equip our students with the resources and opportunities they need to achieve their goals. We look forward to working with Kaitlyn and Jay in support of student learning, achievement and well-being.” In that she is spot on. In the decade that I have been following the public school board I have seen some remarkable high school students who delivered on a level that some of the trustees could not match. An observation: I don’t ever recall seeing a student trustee from Burlington. The gender balance has always been good – realize that these trustees are chosen by their peers. That 19 students chose to run for the job has to be seen as a ray of hope for the future. The students from Oakville schools seem to be the most active – that activity is reflected in the number of community groups in Oakville compared to what we have in Burlington. There is a link between the two. The other interesting point is that many, if not most of these student trustees, are from diverse communities.
February 26th, 2025 BURLINGTON, ON
The Performing Arts Centre has put out a call for people to apply for a position on the Board of Directors. Again? The Burlington Performing Arts Centre Board of Directors named Peter W. Van Dyk their new Board Chair by acclamation at their meeting on November 28, 2024. Van Dyk replaces Ken Smithard, who has served on the Board since 2016 and whose term concluded at the end of November. Van Dyk was born and raised in Burlington. He was active as a musician locally and toured Ontario and Canada. The current Board has had a rough couple of years. The sudden departure of Executive Director Tammy Fox, and governence issues related to an unauthorized arrangement with the Sound of Music may have worn out some of the current Board members. The priority for the Board that is in place now was to find an Executive Director who would serve as the person who finds the talent to put on the two stages and then book that talent and at the same time keep the membership happy.  Sara Palmieri: new Performing Arts Executive Director. Sara Palmieri was chosen as the new Executive Director – she started work on the 19th. Palmieri was named the inaugural Director of Programming and Marketing at the newly established FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre (FOPAC) in downtown St. Catharines where she has led much of the FOPAC’s success in its first ten seasons.  A lovely building that has struggled more than one would expect to find and keep the leadership it needed at both the Staff and Board levels. The announcement seeking new Board members sets out what you have to bring to the table and what you will be doing if they give you a seat and some cutlery. Are you passionate about the performing arts? The Burlington Performing Arts Centre is seeking a broad range of skilled leaders to join our Board of Directors. As we enter our 14th season of bringing world-class performances to downtown Burlington, we’re looking for dynamic individuals with diverse skills and talents who can help shape the future of our performing arts centre and Burlington’s cultural community. Whether your expertise lies in fundraising, community leadership, strategic planning or Board governance, there’s an opportunity to contribute your talents while being part of something transformative. The Board completed a new Strategic Plan for 2024-2027, identifying four key strategic objectives which will define success for the Burlington Performing Arts Centre over the next four years: A successful Burlington Performing Arts Centre will be:
The Burlington Theatre Board Inc. is a governance board composed of volunteers responsible for the stewardship and general oversight of the organization. The Board provides strategic direction to the Executive Director and meets approximately ten times a year, with additional time expected for sub-committee work.  The Performing Arts Centre has built a loyal following during the past decade – much of the credit for that growth belongs to Brenda Heatherington, the first Executive Director – the patrons just loved her. Above, two patrons deciding which events they wanted to attend. The Burlington Theatre Board Inc. is currently seeking Board members with skills and experience in fundraising, community leadership, operations, risk management, Board governance, strategic planning, marketing and promotion, as well as a passion for the performing arts and deep ties in the Burlington community. Prior Board experience is not mandatory, particularly if candidates have strong relevant skills or insights. BPAC Board members serve for 4-year terms and may serve for up to two consecutive terms (8 years total). Board members are expected to:
HOW TO APPLY Please send your CV and letter of interest as one document in PDF format to bpacboard@gmail.com on or before March 26, 2025. If you have any questions about the application process, please send them to bpacboard@gmail.com and a member of the Governance, Ethics and HR Committee will respond. Background links: What Sara Palmieri bring to BPAC
February 26th, 2025 BURLINGTON, ON
It would be fair to say that most people, the MAGA types excepted, would say how could the Americans be so stupid to elect Donald Trump as President. One American Senator refers to the man as a “maniac”. I could fill this column with a list of the really dumb things Trump has done to Americans and the damage he has done to the rest of the world. Tomorrow, the people of Ontario have an opportunity to not make the same mistake and return the same person to the Premiership of the province. Let me list the really dumb things Doug Ford has done:  Doug Ford’s government signed a 95 year lease for parts of Ontario Place. Closed the Science Center Said he made a mistake with the Greenbelt fiasco Decided to build Hwy 413 when it isn’t needed. Finds himself the object of an RCMP investigation – says that they haven’t interviewed him – doesn’t realize that they Mounties interview the person they are after last. Allows the development of a theme park on Ontario Place property. The province signed a 95 – year lease for parts of Ontario Place where a $700 million theme park is to be built. Permits the sale of beer at gas stations. Comes up with a $40 BILLION plan to build a tunnel underneath the 401. Forgets that he is the Premier of Ontario and not the Prime Minister and spends time in the United States telling the American politicians DETAIL  Natalie Pierre, the Progressive Conservative candidate did not show up for the all-candidate meeting. The election outcome Thursday night will probably not be the end of Doug Ford – however, there is an opportunity to return the Ford crowd as a minority government. That will mean electing enough New Democrats and Liberals to the Legislature. In Burlington the sentiment seems to favour Andrea Grebenc; Natalie Pierre didn’t want to run for a second term, got talked into running – apparently the Conservatives couldn’t find a different candidate. Pierre insulted the people she represents by not showing up for the all candidate event. We have not managed to cover the election in Milton, which includes parts of the northern part of Burlington, nor did we manage to cover the Oakville North Burlington riding.
In Milton the candidates are
In Oakville North Burlington the candidates are:
Get out and vote – and think hard about what is best for the province and for your community. Salt with Pepper is an opinion column reflecting the observations and musings of the publisher of the Gazette, an on-line newspaper that is in its 12th year as a news source in Burlington and is a member of the National Newsmedia Council.
February 26th, 2025 BURLINGTON, ON
Sports betting involves predicting the outcome of a sporting event and placing a wager on it. Whether you’re betting on your favorite team or trying to make sense of complex odds, the world of sports betting offers a variety of opportunities to earn profits. It’s important to understand the basics, types of bets, and responsible betting practices before diving in – so, shall we dive in?  Did I make the right bet? What is Sports Betting?Sports betting is the act of wagering money on the outcome of a sports event, such as football, basketball, horse racing, or even esports. In a sportsbook, bettors can place wagers on individual games, tournaments, or long-term outcomes like season winners. Online sportsbooks have made it easier to access sports betting with a wide range of markets and convenient features such as live betting. The Different Sports You Can Bet OnOne of the great things about sports betting is the variety of sports you can bet on. From major global sports to niche events, there is something for every sports enthusiast. Popular sports to bet on include:
Each sport has its own unique dynamics, and understanding the rules and structure of the game can increase your chances of making a successful bet. How to Bet on EsportsEsports betting is gaining significant traction with the rise of professional gaming tournaments. If you’re interested in betting on esports, the process is similar to betting on traditional sports. Popular esports include games like:
 Make informed betting choices. To bet on esports, find a sportsbook that offers esports betting markets. You can place bets on match winners, tournament outcomes, and specific in-game events. Much like traditional sports, understanding the teams, players, and recent performances will help you make informed betting choices. Different Types of BetsSports betting offers a range of betting options, allowing you to tailor your wagers to your preferred strategy. Some common types of bets include:
The variety of bet types gives bettors flexibility and allows for different strategies depending on the situation. Understanding Odds Understand what odds are. Understanding odds is crucial when placing bets, as they represent the probability of an outcome and determine the potential payout. There are three common types of odds formats:
The key to understanding odds is recognizing their implied probability and using that information to place informed bets. Playing Responsibly
Many sportsbooks offer tools like deposit limits and self-exclusion options to help bettors play responsibly. Never bet more than you can afford to lose, and if you feel that betting is becoming a problem, seek professional help. ConclusionSports betting offers thrilling opportunities for fans to engage with their favorite sports, but it requires knowledge, strategy, and responsible management. Understanding the different types of bets, the sports you can bet on, and how to interpret odds will set you up for success. Whether you’re interested in traditional sports or emerging markets like esports, betting responsibly will ensure that sports betting remains a fun and exciting activity.
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