 By Pepper Parr
April 24th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
OPINION
The right to strike is fundamental.
Members of a union have the right to vote on a strike decision – tell their leadership that they will walk off the job, pick up picket signs and demonstrate.
 Union members demonstrating to support their wage demands. Negotiators meet but no solution in sight. Public might have to sweat this one out. And that they are prepared to forgo their wage and live on strike pay.
And that’s what happened last week.
It was late in the week when the public learned that something in the order of 35% of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) voted to strike and of that 35% – 80% voted to walk off the job.
That walk out shuts down public services across the country – the xx to the public is severe. Passport office stops functioning, revenue, the people who process your tax returns won’t be working and the tax deadline is May 1st.
Is it responsible of the union to pull everyone off the job with a 35% vote?
The signal it sends to the government is that the union support isn’t all that strong – so they too will wait it out.
The government doesn’t have to meet a payroll – we the public have to put up with zip in terms of service.
This strike will end, the government will decide to pass return to work legislation – a little awkward with the government needing the support of the New Democrats to get the legislation passed.
 People working for the public service deserve a fair wage and the federal government has the responsibility to take better care of their relationship with the unions.
The situation gets a little muddied when the federal labour relations board raised “significant concerns” about “major irregularities” in the strike vote by 120,000 federal public servants, but has ruled the issues would not have changed the results.
Salt with Pepper is the musings, reflections and opinions of the publisher of the Burlington Gazette, an online newspaper that was formed in 2010 and is a member of the National Newsmedia Council.
 By Pepper Parr
April 24th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
 Ward 3 Councillor Rory Nisan
Last June, Roderick (Rory) Steiner Nisan, together with his partner, purchased a home in Ward 2; one long block from the Lakeshore and close to the downtown. It’s a quiet little neighbourhood and the house would struggle to be even “unassuming”. So, why is this noteworthy and why should we care? Well, we should care for exactly the same reasons and in exactly the same measure that we care about open, honest and honourable behaviour on the part of our elected representatives.
 At the time of purchase, Mr. Nisan was the Councillor for Ward 3 and was running for re-election. He was living in a rental house on Ruth Dene Crescent in the Mountainside area of Ward 3.
The campaign period had barely started, election day being some four months away but things were definitely heating up. There is no requirement that a municipal Councillor must live in the constituency that he or she represents, but it is generally seen to be a very strong “should”.
 Rory Nisan at a City Council meeting before the pandemic. So strong, in fact, that campaigns have been fought and many heated criticisms levied over exactly this “domicile” issue. Indeed, Rory’s 2018 campaign was plagued with voter concern when it was reported that he didn’t reside in Ward 3 but in Ward 6. He assured voters then that he knew it was important to live in the Ward and promised, in a November 2018 Gazette article, that he would become a resident of Ward 3. So where does this lead us; to the second part of this article?
It is worth noting that the Gazette reached out to Mr. Nisan for comment but, at the time of publication, no response has been received.
You don’t have a home until you leave it and then, when you have left it, you never can go back.”
… James Baldwin, Giovanni’s Room
 By Staff
April 24th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Online casinos have become incredibly popular around the world. However, before players can start playing, they need to deposit funds into their online casino account. Likewise, when it’s time to cash out winnings, they need to know how to withdraw funds from their account.
 In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about depositing and withdrawing money at online casinos, as well as giving you a few tips and tricks to make the whole process go smoother.
Depositing Money at Online Casinos
The first step to depositing money at an online casino is to create an account. Once you have created an account, you can log in to and navigate to the cashier section of the casino’s website. There, you will find a list of available payment methods.
Online casinos offer a wide range of payment methods, each coming with their own pros and cons. This is why it is important to choose a payment method that works for you.
To deposit money, all you need to do is select your preferred payment method and enter the amount you want to deposit. You will then need to follow the instructions provided by the casino to complete the transaction. In most cases, your funds will be deposited immediately, and you will be able to start playing your favourite games right away.
Of course, proper money management is essential when making deposits at online casinos – it can be all too easy to get carried away and go over your budget.
This same process is going to be incredibly similar at virtually every establishment. It doesn’t matter if you play at the Casumo casino to cite one example, or indeed any other online casino, making deposits is simple and straightforward.
Withdrawing Money from Online Casinos
When it’s time to cash out winnings, You will need to navigate back to the cashier section of your chosen casino’s website. Simply select your preferred withdrawal method and enter the amount of money you wish to withdraw (assuming you do have funds that are eligible for withdrawal).
It’s important to note that online casinos generally require players to withdraw funds using the same method they used to deposit. For example, if you deposited funds using one of the most popular payment methods, like a credit card, you will need to withdraw funds to the same credit card.
 Once you have submitted a withdrawal request, the casino will review it and process the transaction. Withdrawal times vary depending on the payment method chosen, but it usually isn’t too long of a wait. After this, your funds will be transferred to your original payment method.
In conclusion, depositing and withdrawing money at online casinos is a simple process that can be completed in just a few steps. All you need to do is choose your preferred payment method, enter the amount you want to deposit or withdraw, and follow the instructions provided by the casino.
Once you have been through this process a few times, you will quickly become accustomed to the ordeal. In a little time, you will know the online casino withdrawal and deposit processes like the back of your hand. Have fun!
By Staff
April 23rd, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
There is an organization that caters to the development industry. They material they publish is about building.
We follow what they do; in the past we have found several views that we feel are worth passing along.
They recently put his information out:
Typically, construction isn’t associated with organic ecosystems or the preservation of nature. But change is on the horizon.
 The addition to the Joseph Brant Hospital under construction. The City of Toronto’s TransformTO Net Zero Strategy sees the city bringing its emissions to net zero by 2040. But even sooner than that, a mandated shift under the strategy requires the construction of all new buildings with near-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 – that’s a short seven years, in the world of construction.
The mandate is backed by receipts; recent data released about the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area (GTHA) showed buildings are responsible for more emissions than any other industry – including transportation and agriculture – at 44% of the area’s total.
In the development realm, emissions come from many angles: the materials used throughout construction, the building process itself, and the continued operation of buildings after completion. With so many elements at play, there’s no one way forward – rather, a series of industry-wide fixes will be required to bring forth long-term change.
Interesting – how would that be applied to the work being done by Burlington’s Planning department.
The words: “…strategy requires the construction of all new buildings with near-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 …” beg the question – is this being applied in Burlington?
The data comes from Storey – you can find them HERE.
 By Staff
April 23, 2023
BURLINGTON,ON
The scam game appears to be ramping up.
The scam scum are still using the Costco brand name is as a way to pull you in – it must be working for the people who want to steal your money – they keep using it.
Others are using the Microsoft brand and for those that are really gullible someone is now using the International Monetary Fund.
The rule is always the same – look at the email address the information came from – if it looks fishy – it probably is – ignore it and delete it.
The Microsoft message “might” be legit – not certain about that one but I’m not in the market for refurbished items.
When in doubt – DON’T
 Costco is such a trusted brand name – people feel comfortable and recognize the corporate name. Always look at the address the email came from – that’s where the clues are hidden in plain sight.
 Microsoft – another trusted corporate name. Much of what makes your computer work is made by Microsoft. This one looked very fishy to me – I didn’t touch it. Others will.
 Again – look at the email the message came from. Also the IMF works to achieve sustainable growth and prosperity for all of its 190 member countries. It does so by supporting economic policies that promote financial stability and monetary cooperation, which are essential to increase productivity, job creation, and economic well-being.
 BY Pepper Parr
April 22nd, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
We understand why the political set have the need to appear in photographs – they need all the help they can get when it comes time to be re-elected.
What is difficult to understand is why Brian Dean, the Executive Director of the Burlington Downtown Business Association.
 Ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns hamming it up with Brian Dean to promote the Burlington Comedy Festival that will be presenting at four different locations – tonight and on Sunday. . Burlington has a bit of a history with rubber chickens. A group had plans for a presentation to Jane McKenna after she spoke in the provincial legislator about the chicken problem.
 Jane McKenna and her problem with facts. The opportunity was lot when McKenna decided to end the commute into the Big Smoke and give the public access to her wisdom by accepting an appointment to the Halton Regional Police Services Board.
The hospitality sector has had it struggles – getting people out to events is still impacted by Covid19, which is still with us – probably will be for some time.
http://patreon.com/user?u=10935591
A significant number of people are just not comfortable being in public settings where air flow is limited and people are crowded.
The Regional Medical Officer of Heath is still reporting a number of active Covid19 cases – and the World Health Organization has not lowered the pandemic rating to an epidemic; we might feel safe in Burlington but this is a virus that travels far and wide.
Dean manages to keep his profile up to date with his own photo ops – a couple of which you may recall seeing in the past.
 Dean at his desk focused on a conversation. Don’t give up the day job Brian.
 Brian Dean, Executive Director of the BDBA promoting a downtown event. Related news stories:
McKenna in the Legislature
Comedy Festival – times and locations
 By Staff
April 22, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Local political associations have varying degrees of community involvement and reach out taking place.
The Conservative are the most active – they have set out a series of Town Hall events, the second of which will take place in a week at the Mainway Recreation Centre where the focus will be on Public Safety; an issue that is easy to get reaction on.
A complex subject with few simple answers. Halton has an enviable record when it comes to crime – there isn’t that much of it. With a well funded police service that responds well to public needs and has solid public support the community is seen as very safe – something the Regional Chair Gary CArr never fails to mention when he speaks publicly.
 The federal Liberals haven’t done much. The public seems satisfied with MP Karina Gould who is seen and appreciated. The provincial Liberals have been quiet on the surface as they head for their Leadership convention where the mood seems to be Crombie on 1 – a reference to Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie who is expected to in the race. Once the Liberals have a leader things will be quite different at Queen’s Park.
The New Democrats have a new leader who has been very visible across the province but has yet to appear locally.
The Greens have never been a force in Burlington
 By Staff
April 21st, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Here is how BurlingtonGreen put in their media release:
Wow! Thousands of people across BurlingtonGreen are participating in the annual city-wide litter clean up, with more registrations rolling in each day – thank you for being a part of making a positive difference!
 The Community Clean Up map shows the growing number of clean ups that are taking place. There is lots of time to participate. While many groups are choosing to clean up litter during Earth Day ( April 22nd), our communities need some TLC all year long so you can sign up to participate anytime through to October 31st.
FREE supplies are available so sign up, get your clean up event posted to our map, and enjoy the outdoors while you help to keep our shared community clean and green, and beautiful.
If you’ve already completed your clean up, thank you very much and please share your results with us.
And, if you’d like to send along a photo of your clean up team to cugu@burlingtongreen.org, we may share it on our social media to inspire others!
(Please include your group name and “Clean Up Photo” in the subject line of your email)
BONUS: to thank you for sharing your results with us or sending us a team photo, you will be automatically entered into a draw for a chance to win a fabulous eco-prize pack (reusable bags, stainless canteens, bamboo cutlery sets and more!)
Note: The Submission of photos provides permission to BurlingtonGreen to use your photos in print, or in digital materials including social media platforms with permission to edit, alter, copy, or distribute the photos for media advertising and marketing)
#LetsDoThis
 By Pepper Parr
April 12th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Saturday is Earth Day and media around the world will be emoting on what we are up against – and indeed we are up against it.
Burlington declared a Climate Change Emergency and is working its way into various projects that will lessen the amount of Co2 we pump into the environment.
The chart we have set out below set out what has happened and what the scientists think will happen in the decades ahead.
It is not a pretty picture – but it is a picture that we drew.
By Staff
April 20th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Mapleview Shopping Centre is going to make Mother’s Day (May 11 to 13, 2023) a little more colourful this year with the installation of a whimsical floral wall for photo-worthy opportunities, and chances to win mom-worthy gifts from Mapleview retailers to celebrate Mother’s Day this year.
It could be a perfect backdrop for Mother’s Day memories, guests can snap photos at Mapleview’s stunning flower wall or try their luck at the centre’s Prizing Cart featuring Spring must-have gifts up for grabs.
Guests that spend a minimum of $200 at Mapleview Centre, can take home a custom complimentary spring bouquet from the DIY Bloom Bar, sourced from local Burlington florist Euro Style Flower Market.
 An upscale location with huge parking lots In honour of Mother’s Day, Mapleview will be making a donation to Halton Women’s Place, a local organisation providing shelter and crisis services for women and their children.
A donation will also be made to the Burlington-Oakville chapter of Mamas for Mamas, supporting mothers and caregivers through community programming.
“We’re excited to partner with our retailers and local organisations to celebrate Mother’s Day with guests and the community,” said Rita Donnelly, General Manager, Mapleview. “From memorable photo opportunities with mom, to surprise giveaways, and custom DIY bouquets – it’s a fun way to show appreciation for mom.”
The activation will be located in the Food Court, on the Upper Level and will run from May 11 to 13, 2023 from 2pm – 7pm on Thursday and Friday and 11am – 5pm on Saturday.
 By Pepper Parr
April 20th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Earlier this week Staff did a work shop that included Council.
It was an interesting and refreshing approach that had staff setting out their issues and explaining to council just what they were up against.
The Workshop included 30 graphics, one of which is set out below, that took Council through a very detailed presentation with more depth than usual.
 Changing the setting proved to be a smart idea – there was much better communication once the administrative restrictions were removed. Two two blue boxes: Mindset of open to change and Pause in New Staff Directions are not the kind of thing that was seen in the past.
There is a refreshing change taking place. The leadership at the Executive Director level is much better.
During the half day event Brynn Nheiley, Executive Director of Community Planning, Regulation and Mobility, had Council doing some role playing followed by a very casual, almost family living room setting, where questions were asked and comments made without a Chair in place directing the conversation.
Nheiley went from being Manager of Development & Design in the Community Planning Department to becoming an Executive Director. As the Manager of Development & Design, she led a number of initiatives that has led to improvements in development planning that support better outcomes for Council, residents and staff; these include:
- Establishing a two-stage reporting strategy in order to provide Council with the opportunity to make a decision on an application within the legislated timeline, while also enabling the flexibility for staff to work with applicants to create the best planning outcome for development applications.
- Bringing together staff from key departments to collaboratively build a development review process that gives applicants a single point of contact, and single application to satisfy multiple pre-approvals, from multiple departments, which are required before a building permit can be applied for.
- Bringing together a management team that included staff from building, planning, forestry, site engineering and Information Technology Services departments in order to launch an entirely digital review process for all forms of development applications. The result was that the City’s development review process was delayed by less than two months from the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Prior to working at the City of Burlington, Brynn worked for the City of Hamilton as a Senior Planner and as the Acting Director of Planning and Building Services for the Town of Antigonish in Nova Scotia. Brynn has a Masters of Planning from Dalhousie University and a Bachelor of Architectural Science from Ryerson University.
 The Workshop ended with this slide.
 By Staff
April 20th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
The scam scum are at it again.
They find that using well know and trusted brand names will attract people.
Look carefully at the email address it came from – that is not Shoppers.
 By Staff
April 19th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
On January 16, 2023, Premier Doug Ford announced the first phases in his plan to privatize our public hospitals. His government is opening three new private for-profit clinics, expanding other for-profit clinics and shunting tens of millions in public funding to private clinics and hospitals.
 Photo by William Mewes from Oakville Ontario, Canada The premier said that 50% of the surgeries done in our public hospitals could be cut and privatized.
The Halton Ontario Health Coalition says “There is no question: the Ford government is planning to privatize the vital surgical and diagnostic services from our public community hospitals , unless Ontarians stop them.
They have been very active and plan to hold a Referendum Campaign in the coming weeks.
You might want to log into their web site if the changes taking place in health care matter to you.
Excerpts from their most recent media notice.
This is a reminder that our next meeting is tomorrow evening (Wednesday, April 19) at 7:00 pm.
This will be our permanent Wednesday 7:00 pm link for the duration of the Referendum Campaign so bookmark or save this link. (Though we’ll send it out each week!)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84339852955?pwd=elo2c0pnQmFRaHZKVmQzR0lYZkZMQT09
Meeting ID: 843 3985 2955
Passcode: 356417
Our agenda:
– Updates; Helen
– Organizing for polling stations and flyer distribution; Susan
– Social Media; Doreen/Trudi
Trudi has organized and created this very easy-to-use site to access all the referendum materials.
And, if you haven’t done so already, could you please fill out the volunteer survey in the above link?
Thank you all for your efforts to preserve our public health care system and see you tomorrow evening.
The Halton Health Coalition Team
Minutes: April 12
OHC and Halton HC Updates: Helen
- the OHC QR code that’s on the flyers is now working and attached to the website https://publichospitalvote.ca/ there is still more work to be done by OHC on their website
- Helen and Trudie will participate in the area leads meeting on Friday.
- The signs are still in development; it is hoped that an illustration will be available very soon.
Polling Stations:
- Helen – please focus on trying to secure polling locations once someone/a business, church, legion, condo etc has signed up please share that information with Judy (JudyRWorks@gmail.com) the information will also be shared with OHC so they can add it to their map so people can find our polling locations.
- Unifor Local 707 has agreed to host a workplace campaign and will allow Judy to set up a voting station at a couple of events they will be hosting over the next few weeks. The goal is to get over 500 votes. The option to host a public polling location on May 26 & 27 is still being explored as there could be a scheduling conflict.
- The Halton Local of The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) is considering a workplace campaign that could be hosted out of their office at Appleby & the QEW. They represent approximately 3200 area educators.
- We discussed ideas for polling stations including parks, independent businesses
- Shiam will reach out to her mosque
- Hayley will reach out to a high school contact, and a Sheridan contact
There focus is on everything wrong with Ontario’s health care privatization law as a result of Bill 60.
By Staff
April 19th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
 The Burlington Chamber of Commerce announces its 2023-24 Board of Directors.
Chair: Randall Smallbone, Smallbone Consulting
Vice-Chair: Shafiq Mohamed, Stratus Building Solutions – Fully Promoted Burlington
Second Vice-Chair: April-Dawn Blackwell, Brock University
Director of Finance: Ravi Dhaliwal, Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)
 Directors:
- Joseph Apps, Joe Apps Technology Support
- Lynn Beechey, Beechey Management Resources
- Peter Choma, RBC Royal Bank
- Shirlea Crook, Care for Life Support Services
- Daniela Fonseca, KMB Law
- Shaheryar Mian, LJM Developments Inc.
- Kristina Shea, BlueSkys Life + Beauty
 By Staff
April 19th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Janice Atwood, a partner with Principle Integrity explained what the firm did and why they did what they did when a complaint was brought to them about the behaviour of a member of the Committee of Adjustments.
The member is a knowledgeable and no doubt dedicated member of the Committee of Adjustment however, members are appointed to the city’s boards and are required to meet the standards regarding conduct. The parties that come before the committee of adjustment have a very reasonable expectation that they will be treated fairly the complainant reasonably raised her concern through this complaint process and sought to hold the member accountable for the standards set out in the code. And in our view, this is the result well a member of a committee of adjustment has broad jurisdiction under the legislation to consider the evidence and apply the law to the facts.
 Committee of Adjustments member Nick Leblovic  Janice Atwood, Burlington Integrity Commissioner reported on complaint that the member had made statements at the hearing that were unfounded and false. They do not have omnipotent powers to adduce their own evidence, nor to take judicial notice of facts that are heard third hand untested, unchallenged and without notice. If such were the case, the value of a public hearing would be largely defeated. It cannot be correct that there is no recourse regarding conduct of members of the Committee of Adjustment other than an appeal to a land tribunal. If that were the case, the member whose conduct disclosed for example, bias or undue influence or who even had a conflict of interest would be at liberty to engage in such conduct without consequence.
The complaint which we received on December 22, was that the member had made statements at the hearing that were unfounded and false. And that the member was engaging in what she perceived as malicious gossip, which risked influencing the outcome of the matter. And derailing the culmination of what was to her lengthy and costly process.
I won’t belabour the details of the report and drag you tooth and nail through them but suffice to say that this is, in essence a story of a longtime resident now living alone, seeking to turn her detached garage into a secondary suite in the back of the large home and the tribunal member trying to block her because according to an unidentified neighbour who is a friend of the members, she has been illegally renting out a basement apartment for years of fact, which she vehemently denies.
Taken aback by the misinformation, the homeowner wanted the member to resign his role. She discovered that both staff and Council were powerless to intervene in the conduct of members of a committee of adjustment. The tribunal member as a lawyer himself has criticized our investigation as lacking jurisdiction, because in his view, we are presuming to review the conduct of the adjudicator of bodies hearing. We are not. We agree that it is beyond the jurisdiction of an Integrity Commissioner to review the hearing process of the Committee of Adjustment.
However, it is well established that the conduct of members of local boards, including the Committee of Adjustment falls squarely within the jurisdiction of the Integrity Commissioner to review. In fact, it is only the Integrity Commissioner in this instance, who has authority to review and make findings on the conduct of individual members of a committee.
The there’s a lengthy chronology of correspondence back and forth, largely the respondent raising a number of preliminary objections and continuously resisting our investigation. And then our responses back and I will simply read you from one of the very earliest pieces of correspondence back January 5, where we had dealt with some of the preliminary objection objections and said concluded that January 5 letter with if you believe a conversation would be helpful. We would be pleased to arrange that although we would appreciate first receiving your written response to the allegations in the complaint. Never at any time have we declined or refused to have a conversation with a member never has he asked us.
 Janice Atwood: “The member was impugning the professional ethics of the Planning Consultant.”. The code of conduct for local boards sets out that members shall act with honesty and integrity serving in a diligent manner and performing their duties in a manner which promotes public confidence. adjudicate of boards are arm’s length and quasi-judicial and must the members must conduct themselves as such. Referring to what a neighbor has told him was not appropriate. It was nothing more than hearsay. It was not relevant. And even if relevant, it is not the role of the members to adduce their own evidence. A site visit, which often members of Committee of Adjustment are encouraged to make enables members to make observations firsthand. A members own firsthand observations are not hearsay. They are the members own firsthand observations. Hearsay is hearing something third hand from somebody who does not come forward to say it themselves. And this is what happened in this case.
I will read you very briefly from the members written response of January 20 to us.
“We also have some close friends who live in the immediate vicinity of the property and who are aware that I’m a member of the committee several years ago I learned from one of these friends that the complainant was planning to convert the garage on the property into a secondary dwelling unit. They asked me if this was coming to the committee for approval and I told them that I was not aware of an upcoming hearing on the project, but would let them know if and when the matter came forward.”
We have pointed out in the report notably the basement finishes do not even include a kitchen in questioning the integrity of the planning consultant during the hearing, the member was impugning her professional ethics.
He very clearly stated:
“I am questioning the integrity of the planning consultant. There is no video of the meeting. And as far as we are aware, no audio recording, at least none which was available when we sought it.
We don’t doubt that there isn’t an audio recording. However, we did conduct interviews so we are satisfied that our findings are well founded. This is not conduct which promotes public confidence as sometimes happens in our investigations and thankfully it’s very few some respondents take an extremely legalistic adversarial approach.
Our goal in investigating a complaint is aimed at upholding the expectations set by counsel for its appointees. The investigation was conducted following the tenants of procedural fairness, providing the respondent with an open ended opportunity to respond to the allegations and tour findings.
As you know, as part of our process, we provide our preliminary draft findings in complete except we don’t include the final recommendation but the entire report is provided to the respondent in confidence. Well before we finalize it and we seek any further submissions and comments significantly.
 Janice Atwood: We optimistically believe that the member will … conduct himself somewhat differently.” Nowhere does the member justify his discussing the case with others, by which he apparently heard of the gossip and members of adjudicate of tribunals, such as the Committee of Adjustment are not immune from review, for conduct for breaches of their code of conduct. That jurisdiction is well recognized. If no mechanism for complaints were available, there would be no recourse. Ultimately, we did not believe removal was necessary. Although certainly the complainants thought that we think the investigation may be sufficient to remind members to refrain from contributing to or giving credibility to gossip during an adjudication of a hearing and to treat those who appear before them with professionalism and respect. Notwithstanding the lack of awareness or lack of contrition from the member.
We optimistically believe that the member will if circumstances such as these were ever to arise again. We’ll conduct himself somewhat differently. We I’m the optimistic partner in the firm.
 We do also observe that there’s an opportunity for the Integrity Commissioner to provide some ethical training for members of local boards. And we think all of those members would serve would be well served with that. We don’t think that it’s necessarily a legalistic training session on the rules of evidence and hearsay. We really think that there are some very basic principles that members of adjudicate of boards for example ought to be reminded of and that is, you hear the evidence that’s provided you review the report that’s provided you may ask your questions, but you do so in a courteous manner. These are basic principles that they don’t require illustrious Bay Street lawyers to be reciting to your volunteers on your various committees.
These are very basic principles. Most of them fall under the golden rule, treat others as you would have them treat you. So with that said, I’m happy to answer whatever questions you may have.
 By Staff
April 19th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Each day the Globe and Mail publishes a short piece on the second page about an event that was historically significant,
The piece today is something that was certainly significant and something we should be ashamed of and work to change the terrible mistake that was made.
 Another tragic chapter in Canada’s mistreatment of Indigenous people began on this day in 1884 with an amendment to the Indian Act that created residential schools. The change cemented in law the existing boarding schools run by religious groups.
The residential schools’ intent was to end the “Indian problem” by separating children from their parents, and erasing native cultures to assimilate them into Canada. An estimated 150,000 First Nations, Métis and Inuit children were taken from their families and sent to the schools funded by the federal government and the churches.
Physical and sexual abuse, hunger, forced labour, neglect and illness were all parts of the system, victims told the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, which began in 2008. “We got taken away by a big truck.
I can still remember my mom and dad looking at us, and they were really, really sad looking,” said Alma Scott, taken to a school in Manitoba at the age of 5. “They were there to discipline you, teach you, beat you, rape you, molest you, but I never got an education,” Elaine Durocher said of the Roman Catholics who ran the school she was sent to in Saskatchewan.
The last residential school closed in 1996.
By Pepper Parr
April 19th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
OPINION
During a lengthy city council meeting on Tuesday, Burlington’s Integrity Commissioner found herself having to explain to the members of Council what they should be doing in handling the perception of a bias or a Conflict of Interest.
These seven people have been in office for more than five years; two have been in office for more than 12 years – and they don’t fully understand or comprehend what a Conflict of Interest is and what is involved when they accept election campaign donations?
 The 2022-2026 city Council being sworn in: Ward 4 Councillor Shawna Stolte participated virtually. These people are not stupid but there appears to be a wilful blindness on their part which damages significantly public trust in the administration of the city’s affairs.
 A development that will add significantly to the population growth the city is experiencing. Burlington is going through a form of population growth that it has never experienced before. In a decade it will be a much different city.
The public is having difficulty in adapting to the changes taking place and they look to the people they elected to office to be open, transparent, accountable and honest with them.
Instead what residents of the city get are statements that don’t ring true to many.
 Mayor Meed Ward: The job is not to be liked but to lead. Being elected to office means you are prepared to lead and to give the public not the answers to questions you think they want but answers to questions that reflect the reality the city faces.
City Councillors are not in place to be liked; they are in place to serve the public interest – not their own interests.
This Council is known for its internal bickering with complaints by some Councillors made to the Integrity Commissioner about other Council members.
The city has a Mayor who spent 14 minutes (you can listen to it HERE) doing her best to diminish a fellow Council member to the point where that individual has been pounded so much she has difficulty serving her constituents.
The people of Burlington have a right to expect better of their elected leadership and that leadership has the responsibility to deliver on the promise to serve and not see the photo op as their most effective form of communication.
Related news stories:
Just what is a Conflict of Interest?
Salt with Pepper is the musings, reflections and opinions of the publisher of the Burlington Gazette, an online newspaper that was formed in 2010 and is a member of the National Newsmedia Council.
By Pepper Parr
April 18th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Janice Atwood, one of the two partners of Principles Integrity moved the focus of her presentation to council on the matter of Conflicts of Interest saying:
 Janice Atwood Integrity Commissioner for city of Burlington. “I want to address an issue that I know has come up and it’s circulating; and that is where an individual such as the member in this case of the Committee of Adjustment has made campaign contributions under the municipal elections act to candidates who may now be sitting as Counsellors – does that not raise a conflict of interest for those members of council ?
“There is no obligation to recuse or step away and not to participate. So just to clear the air on that one. In order to publicly clear the air and in an effort to address the perception that there may be some conflict of interest, a perception that there may be some bias if you will, or a preconceived preference for a contributor, it is probably is helpful for the members of council to openly indicate that they embrace their responsibilities with an open mind notwithstanding any such contributions, their obligations to serve in the adjudicated capacity that Councillor Sherman mentioned earlier, and that is to hear and make a determination at the conclusion of receiving the integrity commissioners recommendation report.
“So that’s really on that particular subject. I think that’s that’s all that I need to say. If there’s any question on that particular issue. I’m certainly happy to address that and then I’ll launch into my comments on the report. Is there a question just on that ?
“Go ahead, Counsellor Kearns current.
 Councillor Kearns steps in to serve as Deputy Mayor when Meed Ward is found to have a Conflict of Interest. Thanks. So, I want to recognize, of course that I’ve had contributions to my campaign which are disclosed and public information now from the person identified in the report.
“Is there any other concerns that I should be aware of? That I would need to disclose whether they worked on a campaign, or had like gone to their house or anything like that, or is it just the only concern regarding potential or perceived conflict, just the campaign donation?
Atwood: Through the Mayor, that’s, an interesting wrinkle, Counsellor Kearns. Certainly, the perception of a bias or the perception of a, an apparent conflict of interests would arise based on a relationship and that is what we think of as a non pecuniary interest.
 Is there a perception of a bias in this photograph? The Mayor and her husband on the right are having dinner with the Leblovics; he is a member of the Committee of Adjustments “The common law concept would include those relationships which are so close that the public would the reasonable person and not just the objective test, would look at that and say, well, that that individual is unable to really deal impartially with that matter, because of the you know, the profound relationship or the long standing relationship, etc, that kind of thing.
“So we see that from time to time arising as well. It’s a non pecuniary it’s a common law, concept what would that look like?
 Meed Ward: Well, if if an individual were good friends with the member and they had, for example, been to each other’s houses or spent a great deal of time and one of the examples we use as if they’re over in your backyard, having a barbecue from time to time or you might go to their cottage from time to time those kinds of things definitely raise the perception of an inability to deal impartially with the matter and ought to be recognized publicly as giving rise to an apparent conflict of interest.
Atwood: Thank you, Your Worship. The advice of Principles Integrity is that a member say: I hereby state that I did receive a campaign donation from the respondent in this matter, to acknowledge that contribution and make a formal and public commitment to set aside any preconceptions in order to decide the matter with an open mind. I trust that will be sufficient and I would be I do not have any significant relationship above and beyond that with the respondent. Thank you. Would now be the time for anybody to declare that or should we wait until statements ?
Integrity Commissioner: I guess we’re kind of in it now so let’s just dispatch with this. There may be several folks that wish to comment on this. I think it’s a really important item to clarify for the public before we even get started.,
Councillor Galbraith, you are next.
 Councillor Galbraith Yeah, similar to Councillor Nisan and Councillor Kearns, I was also a recipient of a donation from the complainant. But I don’t have any other close relationship or any ties with him whatsoever.
 Councillor Bentivegna Counsellor Bentivegna Do you want to comment on this item only? Go ahead.
“Just a quick question to the Integrity Commissioner on this conflict of interest.
“In my experience, conflict of interest is self directed only I can feel whether I have a conflict of interest with someone and I’m assuming every one of us at this table feel the same way. You know whether it is or it isn’t. My question is if there is no conflict of interest declared can someone bring it forward to the Integrity Commissioner later requesting an investigation on not declaring through the Mayor.
Atwood: Yes. That’s a there’s sort of a blend of of things I would say but that one is the onus is on the individual member to identify a conflict of interest and to declare it and to take appropriate action.
Bentivegna: “Clearly, but anybody can look at a situation and say on those facts that looks to me like a conflict of interest, and then they can raise that as a complaint to the Integrity Commissioner. Now, certainly on the circumstances that has that we’ve just outlined or that I’ve just outlined to you with respect to a simply a contribution under an election campaign that’s properly disclosed under the municipal elections act that in and of itself does not give rise to a conflict of interest and if a complaint came in on that basis, it would get very short shrift. Thank you for that.”
Mayor Meed Ward then said: on this item “I have a relationship with both the complainant in this case and the respondent. So I will declare that the complainant is a friend and neighbour living around the corner from where I live, I’ve been to this person’s house and see them regularly and they also donated to my election campaign.
 Mayor Marianne Meed Ward sitting as Chair of the Council meeting is found to have a Conflict of Interest and turns the gavel over to the Deputy Mayor and sit in the Council Chamber Gallery “With regards to the respondent. I have a personal friendship with the respondent have been to their house and they also made a donation to my election campaign and I am, like my colleague, formally declaring my commitment to maintaining an open mind with respect to the matters before us and doing my best to receive all of the information that is before us, including from the delegations to make a decision ultimately about this matter.
“So I guess a point of clarity from you – does a personal friendship over and above a campaign donation since I have one with both the complainant and the respondent require me to recuse myself from this matter ?
Yes, Madam Mayor, it would.
Meed Ward: “So I will need someone to gavel; the deputy mayor is Counsellor Kearns; you are now in possession of the chair and I guess I will step away entirely from the desk and I will sit in chambers.”
Political power can be lost – just like that; something Council members need to keep in mind
Kearns then asked: “subject to there being any other questions should I proceed? No ?. So I need to say my piece:
 Principles Integrity serves as the Integrity Commissioner for 50 municipalities in Ontario. Kearns: “I want to say that I have donations in 2022 from from Nickolas Leblovic and in 2018. I had donations from the complainant. I have no relationship whatsoever besides anything cordial that I would have with anybody else and I can fully conduct myself without bias.
“So I can stay I guess as the gavel holder for the moment.”
Atwood: Our role as an Integrity Commissioner, as you know, is to independently and impartially, review complaints, make findings where necessary, and make recommendations were warranted and Council’s role is to publicly receive the integrity commissioners report and decide whether to impose sanctions if any are recommended. And in this case, there are no sanctions recommended and whether or not to approve the recommendation.
Principles Integrity serves as the Integrity Commissioner for about 50 municipalities across Ontario, including all of Halton
By Staff
April 19th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
As we pull away from winter and manage to get through spring to begin enjoying summer city council on Tuesday approved directions to the Director of Roads, Parks and Forestry to explore costs and options for enhanced city wide windrow removal program, including:
 Windrows: The bane of hundreds of residents who clear their driveway and sidewalk. – Revised cost and criteria in the existing Windrow Clearing Program
– Increase the program from the current maximum of 200 homes to minimum 500
 Report to Environment Infrastructure & Community Services Committee with costs, options (including those ruled out) and any recommendations by Q3 2023 in advance of 2024 budget deliberations.
If they can keep to the schedule residents might see better service when the snow falls next.
And given climate change we never know just when that will happen next/
By Shelley Green
April 19th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
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