 By Pepper Parr
November 10th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The agenda for the Special meeting of a Committee of the Whole (COW), scheduled for 2:00 pm this afternoon might end up being closed.
Here is what the city has posted on the meeting agenda:
This item was referred from the Committee of the Whole meeting of November 4, 2025
-
Endorse, in principle, the integration of all economic development and tourism services and operations into the City’s organizational structure, consistent with chief administrative officer report CAO-06-25. That Council endorse the staff recommendation, informed by an independent third-party review, to internalize Burlington Economic Development and Tourism (BEDT) functions into City’s structure to optimize existing resources, minimize duplication, enhance operational effectiveness, and align economic development and tourism with the City’s broader strategic priorities; and
 Curt Benson was the Commissioner of Development, then got upgraded to Chief Administrative Officer for a one-year term. He might not be around to manage the changes expected. Direct staff to work closely with BEDT’s Board of Directors to approve BEDT’s 2026 budget and to ensure continuity of operations and support during the transition recommended above. That Council direct Staff to engage and collaborate with key representatives of BEDT’s Board of Directors and members of its Finance & Risk subcommittee to facilitate the agency’s 2026 budget approval to support the integration of all economic development and tourism services and operations under the Chief Administrative Officer’s (CAO) Office by 2027. Concurrently, the annual funding designated for BEDT’s 2026 Service Agreement (SA) would need to be retained within the City‘s 2026 budget; and
Direct staff to develop a transition plan with a report back by April 2026 to outline deliverables for integrating economic development and tourism functions within the municipal organizational structure. That the Chief Transformation Officer (CTO) will lead the development and implementation of this plan, which should include key milestones, timelines, resource implications, and the proposed model to ensure effective oversight of the economic development function by Council; and
Direct the CAO to establish a strategic advisory group to provide strategic industry advice and guidance to the City that will inform the transition plan. That this group or committee, chaired by the CAO or designate, be established to leverage private-sector expertise without duplicating a formal board role. Key representatives from BEDT and its Board of Directors should also be invited to inform the transition plan, including efforts to minimize any disruption to ongoing economic development and tourism initiatives and to stakeholder relations during the changeover.
Confidential reports may require a closed meeting in accordance with the Municipal Act, 2001. Meeting attendees may be required to leave during the discussion.
Confidential Appendix B to chief administrative officer report CAO-06-25 regarding findings from third party review of Burlington Economic Development and Tourism (CAO-06-25)
Pursuant to Section 239(2)(a) the security of the property of the municipality or local board; and
Pursuant to Section 239(2)(b) personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees; and
Pursuant to Section 239(2)(f) advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose
 By Gazette Staff
November 5th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The Burlington Community Foundation (BCF) announced the launch of a community campaign with the formation of a Housing Support Fund The goal is to raise $50,000 for two local housing initiatives and create a long-term investment in housing support for the Burlington community.
 The campaign, which will run from Nov. 5 to Dec. 31, has two giving goals:
1) Provide $25,000 each to housing initiatives from charitable organizations Wesley and Shifra Homes and
2) Establish a permanent Housing Support Fund at BCF that provides grants to charitable organizations annually. The Housing Support Fund has received a generous opening lead donation of $25,000 from Burlington residents and BCF fundholders Doug and Maryella Leggat.
 Megan Tregunno, CEO of the Burlington Community Foundation. “Housing is a complex issue, and there’s an urgent and growing need for housing assistance in Burlington,” said Megan Tregunno, CEO of the Burlington Community Foundation. “Our Housing Support Fund is a response to that.”
“Last year, Halton’s shelter system operated at 40% over capacity. Housing affordability was also identified as top issue in Burlington in the recent BCF Vital Signs research report. We know that through the generosity of collective action, we will be able to make a meaningful impact to help our neighbours in need.”
The fund will support Wesley’s Emergency Supportive Housing program in Burlington, which serves Halton residents and is the only emergency shelter for unhoused families and single women facing homelessness in the region.
“We are grateful for the support of the Burlington Community Foundation and the generosity of community members who understand the urgent and complex requirements around providing emergency housing support,” said Kristyn Bruce, Senior Director, Housing and Outreach Services at Wesley. “Unfortunately, the need continues to grow. One way these funds will help Wesley is to add bunk beds to rooms at our shelter so that we can keep larger families together during an already traumatic time.”
Shifra Homes is Halton’s only maternity residence. Mothers and babies are supported with wraparound services through pregnancy and the transition to independent living. The organization operates without funding from any level of government and is supported through the generosity of community members.
“Each year, the number of mothers and babies needing our support increases and it is through community generosity and partnership that we are able to meet those needs,” said Nancy Romic, executive director of Shifra Homes. “These funds will help us provide housing, mental health, and nutritional support, as well as contribute to the continued support of mothers and babies as they move on from Shifra to their own residences.”
Through the Housing Support Fund, community members can make a bigger impact, working together. Donations to the fund can be made through personal and holiday giving, employee campaigns, local fundraisers, and in honour of loved ones.
Businesses, community groups and individuals are welcome to contact the Foundation for more information on how they can support the fund at Info@BurlingtonFoundation.org or 905-639-0744.
HOW TO DONATE:
Online at
- Through Gifts of Securities (there is no capital gains tax on charitable securities gifts)
- Through a donor advised fund
- Credit card donation by phone – 905-639-0744 1
- By cheque payable to: Burlington Community Please contact BCF to arrange pick up or drop off due to mail disruptions.
ABOUT BURLINGTON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Established in 1999, the Burlington Community Foundation is this city’s trusted philanthropic partner, and one of more than 200 community foundations across Canada. We manage charitable gifts from donors whose generosity allows us to create permanent, income-earning funds. Funds are then distributed as grants for charitable or educational purposes. To date, the Burlington Community Foundation has invested $12.7 million in people, projects, and non-profit organizations that strengthen Burlington and communities throughout Canada.
 ABOUT WESLEY: Wesley is a long-standing local non-profit, offering support for people experiencing poverty, homelessness, and barriers in the community. We provide programs and services to meet diverse community needs in Hamilton, Halton and Brantford. As a multi-service organization, we offer Children, Youth & Family Services, Housing & Homelessness Services and Newcomer, Employment & Community Services. Wesley’s services are possible through a broad base of funding support from government, business, foundations, groups and individuals.
 ABOUT SHIFRA HOMES: Shifra Homes is Halton’s only maternity residence. Mothers and babies are supported through pregnancy and the transition to independent living. The organization operates without funding from any level of government and is supported through the generosity of community members. In 2024, Shifra opened an additional residence, increasing its capacity to support 17 mothers and babies.
 By Gazette Staff
November 3rd, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Festival of Lights returns to Spencer Smith Park from Nov. 28, 2025 to Jan. 8, 2026, transforming the waterfront into a glowing winter walkway with illuminated displays along the lake.
 The Red Coats have guarded the waterfront every Holiday Season for decades This will be the 30th anniversary of the event.
New this milestone year, the Burlington Lions Club Hall (471 Pearl St.) will host a slate of indoor community events steps from the park.
“For three decades, the Festival of Lights has brought neighbours together on our waterfront,” said John Fanjoy, President, Burlington Lions Club. “Marking 30 years with accessible, family-friendly programming at the Lions Hall means more ways for everyone to warm up, connect and celebrate between strolls through the park.”
 Hundreds of families take their children on a walk around the dozens of light sculptures that were assembled by teams of volunteers. 
Indoor events at Burlington Lions Club Hall (short walk from the park)
 Burlington Lions Club – short walk from Spencer Smith Park Jingle Market + Holiday Gift Wrapping — Sat., Dec. 6, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Browse local makers, sip something warm, and let us handle the bows. Free admission and complimentary gift wrapping on-site (donations to the Burlington Lions Club appreciated).
Parade Day Pop-Up — Sun., Dec. 7, noon–6 p.m. – Make parade day your winter highlight: free photos with Santa (12:30–1:45 p.m.), Meet the Grinch (12–3 p.m.), and watch live ice carving (3–6 p.m.). Plus cocoa, crafts, games, and festive photo ops just steps from the route.
Holly Jolly Tea — Seniors’ Holiday Social — Sat., Dec. 20, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. – Slow the season down with a cozy, accessible seated tea. Seasonal treats, warm conversation, and a welcoming space. $15 tickets.
Holiday Hoedown — Sat., Dec. 20, 7–10 p.m. Boots or sneakers—your call. Learn easy line-dance steps, laugh a lot, and two-step into the holidays. $15 at the door.
Jingle Beats Silent Disco (Christmas Hits) — Sun., Dec. 21, 6–10 p.m.- Dance under the lights with glowing headsets with classic Christmas jams. IG-worthy fun for all. $10 tickets.
Full event details, schedules and any registration or ticket information: burlingtonfestivaloflights.com/events
Plan your visit & accessibility
The waterfront pathway is accessible; Lions Hall offers indoor seating and washrooms. Parking is available near the Hall and in Downtown Burlington. Transit access via Burlington Transit and the Lakeshore/GO corridor. Visitor info: burlingtonfestivaloflights.com
The Festival of Lights is community-powered. To volunteer, visit burlingtonfestivaloflights.com/volunteer To explore partnerships, visit burlingtonfestivaloflights.com/sponsor
About the Burlington Festival of Lights
The Burlington Festival of Lights is an annual, volunteer-powered celebration that lights up Spencer Smith Park with illuminated displays and seasonal programming from late November to early January. Now celebrating 30 years, the event draws residents and visitors to Burlington’s waterfront to experience the magic of winter along the lake.
 By Gazette Staff
October 27th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Joseph Brant Hospital (JBH) and St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton (SJHH) are celebrating the official launch of Project Harmony, a milestone initiative that will see JBH adopt SJHH’s proven version of Epic’s digital health information system, Dovetale.
 On the left: Leslie Motz, Executive Vice-President Clinical and Chief Nursing Executive at Joseph Brant Hospital, Erin Doherty, Clinical Director of Critical Care, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, at the launch of Project Harmony on October 27, 2025. This large-scale transformation will transition JBH from a primarily paper-based system to a fully digital platform, improving patient experiences, strengthening collaboration, and enhancing care delivery across the region.
“This brings JBH closer to a future where technology and compassion work hand-in-hand to deliver exceptional care for every person we serve,” said Leslie Motz, Executive Vice-President Clinical and Chief Nursing Executive at Joseph Brant Hospital.
The name Project Harmony, chosen by JBH staff, reflects the blending of tradition with innovation – bringing together JBH’s long history of compassionate patient care in the Burlington community with the power of modern technology, and aligning the expertise and culture of JBH with the established success at SJHH.
Just as individual instruments combine to create a unified sound, this initiative symbolizes our two hospitals working in harmony – connecting clinical experts, standardizing best practices, and advancing quality care for patients across Ontario.
“Through our partnership with Joseph Brant Hospital, we’re transforming how patients experience and engage with their care, “said Brooke Cowell, Executive Vice-President Clinical Services and Chief Nursing Executive at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. “We will be expanding a digital foundation that puts patients at the centre, supports our clinicians and connects expertise across our region.”
 By Gazette Staff
October 27th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
George Will, a respected opinion writr with the Washington Post said recently that: “The waning of newsprint is about cultural changes more momentous than digital publishing’s arrival.’ He was commenting on the death of yet another major newspaper, giving up on print and becoming an online newspaper.
 New York Times getting a final check before the presses role. “Turning trees into paper, marking it with ink, trucking it to people who deliver it to readers — soon this laboriousness might be as forgotten as men with tongs lugging large slabs of ice for home iceboxes. The waning of the 400-year era of newspapers is, however, about cultural changes more momentous than the efficiency and convenience of written words presented digitally.
“The Economist reports that the share of American adults who read for pleasure has fallen 40 percent in 20 years, and students’ ability to read in quantity, with comprehension, is in parallel decline. An Oxford professor of English says students “struggle to get through one novel in three weeks.” Students lack, another professor says, “habits of application and concentration.”
“The sentences that are being read are shorter and simpler. The Economist says an analysis of hundreds of New York Times bestsellers “found that sentences in popular books have contracted by almost a third since the 1930s.” Readers, if they can be called such, who are mentally wired for driblets of 280 characters cannot cope with Charles Dickens’s “Bleak House” (1.9 million characters). Can people unable to decipher sophisticated prose manage sophisticated political ideas?
“But sophistication is not in the repertoire of journalism devoted to what Andrey Mir, a Canadian, calls the retribalizing of society. In his epigrammatic 2020 book “Postjournalism and the death of newspapers,” Mir, a self-described “media ecologist,” says the media lost agenda-setting power when the internet enabled crowdsourced agenda-setting.
“As advertising dollars migrated to the internet, newspapers, which hitherto were funded from above by selling readers to advertisers, became funded from below by selling themselves to readers. Newspapers encouraged readers to think of subscriptions as donations to political causes. Subscribers enjoy their “slactivism,” outsourcing their activism through “donscriptions” — subscriptions thought of as donations.
 There are still millions of people reading newspapers – the content however, is a lot different. “Mir says “the last newspaper generation” was born in the early 1980s. It came of age as the internet did. Soon journalism stopped being about informing people to make them citizens, and began to be about making them agitated.
The new business model depends on polarization, amplifying readers’ irritations and frustrations. “A newspaper,” wrote Vladimir Lenin, “is not only a collective propagandist and a collective agitator, but also a collective organiser.”
“Americans,” Mir says, “consume media 12 hours per day. Counting weekends, this is twice as much as a full-time job.” Because there is insufficient news to fill the time, emphasis has shifted to “expertise, commentaries, and opinions.”
“Prestige newspapers’ membership models make them function, Mir says, as validators. Readers value the newspapers’ attitudes toward events, not the news that readers already know about events. Readers must be financially able and emotionally inclined to make donscriptions. The work of reader-driven newspapers is to justify the readers’ agenda and inculcate it in others, who will become donors.
What Mir calls the “commodification of the Trump scare” has completed journalism’s transition from “making happy customers” for department stores and other advertisers, to “making angry citizens.” For what Mir calls postjournalism, the next challenge is to find a successor scare.
“The shift from rationality to emotionality and peddling intensities” has, Mir says, made negativity mandatory. Hence this from the New York Times website on May 14, 2020:
“Almost 3 million U.S. workers filed for unemployment last week. Although the weekly tally has been declining since late March, experts are warning of a long struggle ahead.”
“There should be a key on the contemporary journalist’s computer that prints the phrase “experts are warning of.” Mir writes, “The trendsetting emotional tone is easy to read even on the faces of TV hosts”:
“In the 1970s, TV anchors had to wear smiles; now, they are obliged to wear an anxious grimace. Today’s news anchors make a kind of ‘basset face’ that would have looked unprofessional on 1970s TV. In return, an anchor with a ‘corgi face’ from the 1970s would look like an idiot on today’s news show.”
 Fewer and fewer. “Time flies. Until the 1840s, information could move at about 35 miles per hour — as a fast as a train. Today, information matters less relative to opinions, and opinions are distilled to attitudes. These are performative, and they compete for attention with upwardly spiralling shrillness.
Hence this distinctively 21st-century achievement: the velocity of stupidity.
 By Sara Farro
October r25th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The story so far
Canada’s regulated online gambling market is no longer a pilot project. Ontario’s open model—launched in 2022—now sets the pace, and its data offers a window into how digital wagering is reshaping jobs, tax receipts, and neighborhood life in the GTA. In the first quarter of fiscal 2024–25, Ontarians placed $18.4 billion in wagers and operators generated $726 million in gaming revenue across iCasino, online sports betting, and online poker. The market counted about 1.29 million active player accounts and 50 regulated operators during that period, according to iGaming Ontario’s official report.
For readers sorting the fast-moving product landscape, see this Canada-facing market guide from Gambling Nerd (the site’s explainer provides consumer context on regulation and site types), which helps separate licensed offerings from the gray market while detailing standard deposit and withdrawal rails. comprehensive Canada wagering explainer.
Why the numbers matter for Toronto
Ontario’s regulator has also tallied the broader economic footprint. In its latest annual review, iGaming Ontario estimates the regulated market supports nearly 15,000 full-time jobs and adds roughly $2.7 billion to provincial GDP—figures that encompass tech, marketing, compliance, payments, and customer support roles that cluster in major urban centers. Toronto, as the province’s media and fintech hub, captures a meaningful share of that employment and vendor spend. (iGaming Ontario)
 Local spillovers show up in small ways as well: downtown agencies staffing peak sports calendars; payments and fraud-prevention teams scaling up to meet anti-money-laundering controls; and customer-service vendors hiring multilingual talent to cover late-night live chat. For commercial real estate, the sector’s headcount has helped backfill Class-A office absorption near Union Station and along the King–Front corridor, according to brokers who cite iGaming among several growth verticals alongside AI and film.
Consumer behavior—and where risk shows
The Q1 data also hints at changing consumer habits. With more than a million active accounts in Ontario’s regulated system, average bet sizes have stabilized while revenue climbed year over year, suggesting repeat engagement rather than one-off spikes. For public-health planners, that’s a two-sided coin: regulated channels create clearer tools for age verification, self-exclusion, and deposit limits; at the same time, persistent engagement requires continued funding for education and treatment.
On that front, Toronto’s community organizations note two watch points:
- Advertising saturation. Sports and transit inventory see seasonal surges; regulators and lawmakers are debating national guardrails on ad tone and placement, with youth exposure a central concern.
- Payments friction. Credit-card cash-advance coding for some sportsbook deposits can trigger high fees and immediate interest; consumer groups encourage debit/ACH rails and clearer upfront disclosures by operators and banks.
Winners in the local economy
 Three Toronto-centric clusters appear to benefit as the market matures:
- Tech and data. Odds modeling, risk management, and real-time personalization need analysts and engineers. Several firms with GTA footprints supply trading algorithms, geolocation services, and anti-fraud tooling to multiple operators.
- Creative and media. Live-odds graphics, streaming integrations, and multilingual campaigns have become a reliable pipeline for boutique studios and post-production houses—especially during the NHL and NBA seasons.
- Compliance services. As rules evolve, legal, AML, cybersecurity, and responsible-gambling consultancies are busier, spinning up audits and incident-response playbooks for licensed sites.
The economic question for 2026 is not whether online gambling persists, but where its secondary spending lands—downtown agencies and tech corridors versus lower-rent nodes in North York, Etobicoke, and Scarborough.
Community concerns—and a policy path
 Residents and advocates point to three pressure points that city hall and Queen’s Park can tackle without stalling the sector:
- Targeted ad standards. Toronto’s media market is dense; clearer ad codes for broadcast, out-of-home, and social placements—especially around schools and youth programming—would align industry practice with public expectations.
- Data transparency. Quarterly reporting already discloses headline wagers and revenue. Extending that to anonymized loss-distribution bands and time-on-site could sharpen prevention programs, directing resources to the narrow share of accounts that drive most losses. (Ontario’s public reports offer a starting model for consistent statistics.)
- Harm-reduction funding. A stable formula—indexed to revenue—would give Toronto Public Health and community partners predictable budgets for education, screening, and treatment, with evaluation baked in.
What to watch next
For news readers tracking the sector’s trajectory, three signals will tell us where Toronto’s local impact is heading:
- Operator consolidation. Mergers tend to centralize tech stacks and marketing. If head offices move, Toronto could either gain regional mandates—or lose creative and engineering roles to global hubs.
- Live-betting growth. As micro-markets expand, real-time risk systems (and associated hiring) will likely scale with them.
- Regulatory tweaks. Any changes to advertising rules, inducement language, or affordability checks will flow directly into how operators spend on local media and compliance.
Ontario’s regulated model has turned online gambling into a measurable part of the provincial economy—billions in wagers each quarter, hundreds of millions in revenue, thousands of jobs, and a multi-billion-dollar GDP contribution—with Toronto absorbing much of the sector’s day-to-day work in tech, media, and compliance. The opportunity is to keep that growth anchored in responsible play and transparent data, so the economic upside shows up on Bay Street and at the neighborhood level. For consumers, the best advice remains simple: stay in the regulated channel, set limits, and treat wagering like entertainment, not income.
Sources: iGaming Ontario FY 2024–25 Q1 market performance update; iGaming Ontario 2023–24 Annual Report.
By Gazette Staff
October 24th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
To help fans cheer on the Blue Jays during their World Series home games, Metrolinx is deferring planned Lakeshore West track work that was scheduled for this weekend.
 Additional service to get excited fans to and from the city. Metrolinx is also thrilled to announce the following additional GO train trips to help Jays fans GO home safely after the games this Friday and Saturday:
- Kitchener Line: A NEW trip will depart Union Station at 12:35 a.m., making all station stops and arriving at Kitchener GO at 2:27 a.m.
- Barrie Line: A NEW trip will depart Union Station at 12:30 a.m., making all station stops and arriving at Allandale Waterfront GO at 2:13 a.m.
- Stouffville Line: A NEW trip will depart Union Station at 12:30 a.m., making all station stops and arriving at Old Elm GO at 1:42 a.m.
- Milton Line: On Saturday, October 25 only, a NEW trip will depart Union Station at 12:30 a.m., making all station stops and arriving at Milton GO at 1:30 a.m.
We’re also adding an extra Milton Line trip to help fans get to the game on Saturday, October 25: A NEW trip will depart Milton GO at 5:44 p.m., making all station stops and arriving at Union Station at 6:47 p.m.
 Total mayhem for the hundreds that will congregate outside the Dome tonight. Yesavage will be starting pitcher for Blue Jays Frequent GO train service on Lakeshore West and Lakeshore East lines will still be running as normal to get customers to and from the games on Friday and Saturday.
Please note, on Sunday, October 26 only, Lakeshore West and Lakeshore East service will run on an hourly schedule. Note: There is no Jays game that day.
We expect a large number of fans attending the games and encourage everyone to travel safely. If customers need any assistance, they are encouraged to call Transit Safety Dispatch at 1-877-297-0642 or text ‘HELP’ to 77777.
By Gazette Staff
October 24th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Today, the Ontario government introduced the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025 that would, if passed, protect Ontario’s economy and keep workers on the job by cutting red tape, getting shovels in the ground faster and supporting the construction of homes, roads and infrastructure. The proposed legislation also includes measures that would reduce gridlock, relieve backlog at the Landlord and Tenant Board and promote increased supply of rental housing.
“Our government is building a more prosperous, resilient and competitive economy by fighting costly delays and regulatory burdens that slow the delivery of homes, roads and infrastructure that communities need,” said Rob Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “With tariffs and economic uncertainty taking aim at our economy, we’re working with municipal leaders and homebuilders to get shovels in the ground faster so we can build more homes and keep workers on the job.”
The Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025, if passed, and related actions would:
- Reduce barriers to building homes and infrastructure by streamlining approvals and site plan control in time for the spring building season. Site plan control is a planning tool that municipalities use to evaluate certain site elements such as parking areas and landscaping, which the province is streamlining to create consistent standards and lower costs for building.
- Undertake a section-by-section review of the Ontario Building Code to reduce regulatory burdens and costs while maintaining safety.
- Address delays and support backlog reduction efforts at the Landlord and Tenant Board by improving the speed and fairness of processes, limiting bad actors from abusing the system and including new measures to help balance the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants to encourage landlords to bring more rental housing online.
- Help cut red tape that is slowing down road construction by moving forward with a common set of road construction standards across all municipalities.
- Speed up decision-making and get shovels in the ground faster for water and wastewater in Peel Region by enabling a new public corporation model for Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon to deliver these services.
- Keep people and goods moving by prohibiting the reduction of vehicle lanes when municipalities install new bicycle lanes.
- Crack down on fraud in Ontario’s licensing system by strengthening eligibility requirements to get an Ontario driver’s licence.
- Help build housing for seasonal farm workers faster by making it easier to put septic systems in place on farm properties.
The Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025 builds on the government’s ongoing work with municipal partners to cut red tape and accelerate housing and transportation infrastructure for the province’s long-term stability, resiliency and prosperity.
- The Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025 builds on the actions in the Protect Ontario by Building Smarter and Faster Act, 2025.
- A report from the Canadian Centre for Economic Analysis found that gridlock in Ontario is significantly impacting commuters’ quality of life and costing the province $56 billion a year.
- Ontario invested $6.5 million in 2023-24 to appoint an additional 40 adjudicators and hire five additional staff – more than doubling the number of full-time adjudicators at the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) – to help address the backlog, improve timeliness and strengthen client services at the Landlord and Tenant Board. The LTB has since reduced its caseload by 33 per cent since its peak in December 2023.
- Consistent with the rules in place across the rest of the province, Ontario is also removing the City of Toronto’s ability to require so-called green roofs to help lower the cost of construction.
- Ontario farms employ 30,000 agricultural workers who help grow and harvest the food that supports the province’s agricultural sector and food-supply chain.
- Peel Region’s water and wastewater infrastructure is the second largest in Ontario, with assets over $40 billion and serving 1.6 million residents.
Quotes
 Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation “Our government is cutting through red tape to support standardizing the construction of municipal roads so we can keep traffic flowing across the province and drive economic growth as we continue our work to protect Ontario. The legislation we’re tabling today will also enhance road safety by introducing more stringent requirements for driver licensing to crack down on fraud, increase public confidence in our licensing system and ensure Ontario’s roads remain among the safest in North America.”
 Doug Downey, Attorney General of Ontario “Our government is taking action to strengthen Ontario’s rental housing system by delivering faster, fairer and more accessible services. As part of the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025, we’re proposing new measures to boost ongoing efforts to address delays and reduce backlogs at the Landlord and Tenant Board—it’s just the latest step in our plan to protect Ontario and help balance the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants.”
 Todd McCarthy, Minister of the Environment “In the face of economic uncertainties, we are speeding up approvals for housing and infrastructure projects, ensuring construction moves forward quickly while safeguarding public health and the environment. These changes will enable the creation of thousands of new homes and jobs near transit through transit-oriented communities. The measures also support Ontario’s farmers by speeding up the development of housing for seasonal workers, protecting our food supply chain and strengthening our economy.”
“The Ontario Home Builders’ Association (OHBA) appreciates the continued action the Ontario government is taking to reduce delays, modernize approvals, and align housing delivery with critical infrastructure. This legislation reflects a growing partnership between government and industry — one rooted in the shared goal of building more homes, faster. Builders, municipalities, and government are most effective when we move in the same direction, and OHBA looks forward to working with Minister Flack and his colleagues to ensure these measures deliver real, on-the-ground results for Ontario’s builders and homebuyers alike.”
Scott Andison, CEO, Ontario Home Builders’ Association
“FRPO applauds the Ontario government for introducing measures that support timely and effective outcomes at the Landlord & Tenant Board and reduce barriers to purpose-built rental development. Together, these actions will help strengthen Ontario’s housing sector, support fairness for rental-housing providers and residents, and make it easier to bring much-needed rental homes to market. FRPO looks forward to working with the government to advance the successful implementation of these important initiatives.”
Tony Irwin, President & CEO, Federation of Rental-housing Providers of Ontario (FRPO) and President & CEO, Rental Housing Canada
“The Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) welcomes this legislation as yet another step by the Ontario government to speed up the provision of new housing, accelerate housing-supportive infrastructure, lower costs and enable more efficient approvals. This bill acknowledges and addresses the importance of producing housing supply faster, at a scale and cost to meet the needs of Ontario families. BILD and the industry look forward to working collaboratively with the province, municipalities and other stakeholders on the implementation of these measures to the benefit of housing supply and affordability.”
Dave Wilkes, President and CEO, Building Industry and Land Development Association
“As builders, we see firsthand how different road specifications from one municipality to the next can slow down critical infrastructure projects and drive-up costs. Standardizing roadbuilding specs is another example of the Ontario government cutting red tape, supporting local jobs and businesses, enhancing infrastructure quality, and ensuring better value for taxpayers.”
– Raly Chakarova, Executive Director, Toronto and Area Road Builders Association
“This legislation represents a transformative step forward for Ontario’s infrastructure delivery. By enabling the harmonization of road construction materials and design standards, the government is addressing long-standing inefficiencies that have driven up costs and slowed project delivery. Greater consistency across jurisdictions will give contractors the certainty they need to plan and invest with confidence — ultimately allowing Ontario to build more, for less.”
Steven Crombie, Senior Director of Public Affairs, Ontario Road Builders Association.
The above was sent to media by provincial communications people. There are informed views that don’t see the situation the government does:
Parkin: ‘Ontario housing market woes came before higher immigration, not because of it’
Housing price collapse in GTA deepens in September
 By Gazette Staff
October 17th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Starting on Saturday, October 18, until 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 19, Lakeshore West Line rail service will be temporarily modified to accommodate critical track work that will bring faster, more frequent service across the network.
 Bat meets ball. Sends ball over the wall – again. During this time, regularly scheduled Lakeshore West trains will only run between Niagara Falls and Oakville GO. Please note that regular weekend service will resume at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday before Game 6 of the Blue Jays playoff series.
GO Bus Route 56 will depart at Oakville and Clarkson GO every half hour and run to Bramalea GO, where customers can connect to eastbound train service on the Kitchener Line to Union Station.
 On Saturday, October 18, there will be no GO Transit service at Port Credit, Long Branch or Mimico GO. From 2:47 p.m. to 6:07 p.m. and 8:09 p.m. to 10:39 p.m., special trains will run between Union Station and Exhibition GO.
- On Sunday, October 19 until 11:00 a.m., there will be no GO Transit service at Port Credit, Long Branch, Mimico or Exhibition GO.
Later this evening on October 17, there will also be some late-night service adjustments.
More information about Lakeshore West Line service adjustments and alternate route options is available HERE.
 By Sadie Smith
October 17th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Paying for things in Burlington has changed fast. Tapping your phone, transferring money online, and paying bills in a few clicks; it has become normal. People like the fact that it is quick and easy. But with all this speed comes the question: Is it still safe? With the shift towards digital payments, securing individual data has never been more important.
 Just about everything is bought online and paid for electronically. When was the last time you paid cash for something? Faster Payments Are Part of Daily Life Now
Cash is quickly fading. The vast majority of people today tap their phone or swipe their card without giving it a second thought. Whether they’re buying lunch, groceries, or a coffee on the way to work, nobody wants to fumble with change anymore.
Online shopping is a good example of that. Instead of typing in card numbers every time, more people now use e-wallets that save their info. Buying something takes seconds, and it is easy to track where money’s going.
This shift shows up in entertainment, too. A lot of casino players now choose online casinos with instant withdrawal options. These sites mostly use digital wallets and crypto to speed things up, so players do not have to wait days to get their money. It makes the whole experience smoother and lets people stay focused on the games they play.
This is also the case with ride-sharing apps. Payments are made immediately following the trip, no questions asked. Drivers receive their tips quickly, and riders do not need to worry about carrying cash.
Local Shops Are Moving Faster Than Ever
The number of businesses in Burlington using real-time payments has grown. You enter a shop, swipe your card or phone, and you’re done. In the background, the money flows just as quickly. That is a big change from how things worked a few years ago.
 Interac is a uniquely Canadian product. The Americans have nothing like it. Local businesses today issue invoices that are paid immediately via Interac or direct transfers. It helps them stay on top of cash flow and avoid the delays that come with paper checks or old-school processing. In Canada, this sort of instant transfer is now a major component of the way businesses operate.
You can find it in public transport, as well. With Burlington Transit, people just tap and go. It speeds things up, especially during busy hours, and encourages more people to leave their car at home.
Of course, not every business can do it easily. Large stores have the budget to adopt the latest payment technology, but smaller ones sometimes struggle with setup costs or training.
Faster Payments, Bigger Security Risks
And as we make more use of fast payments digitally, the more we need to consider what can go wrong. In Burlington, as everywhere else, people are sending and receiving cash on the push of a screen. And when things are going this fast, scams and technology glitches can slip in equally quickly.
One big problem is fraud. Scammers know how to move quickly, too; they pretend to be someone you trust and then they ask for money via email or text message.
There is also the risk of weak or outdated devices. If your phone or payment machine is not updated regularly, it becomes an easier target. Hackers look for those gaps. And while the government is developing better safety guidelines, users still have to do their part by updating their apps and staying on secure networks.
How to Stay Safe While Paying Fast
If you are using digital payments daily in Burlington, there are a few small habits that can be helpful. Start by doing the basics: use strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and do not share your login information with anyone.
Add alerts to your banking or payment applications to receive notifications for each transaction. So, even if something weird appears, you will know it instantly and be able to take action quickly.
Is the City Prepared for These Payment Changes?
 No reaching for a wallet. Everything is on a cell phone. Burlington seems ready for the shift; most of the services are already online, and businesses throughout the city have kept pace with recent payment technology. You pay for permits, for transit, for a coffee by just tapping, and it all just works quite seamlessly.
However, there is still room for improvement. Smaller vendors may need more help for their systems’ upgrade, while the city may need to invest in improving digital literacy programs to help people (especially older ones) feel more comfortable using these tools.
By Gazette Staff
September 29th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
 City of Burlington administrative offices will be closed on Tuesday, Sept. 30 to observe National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. For a list of which City services and facilities are available on Sept. 30, please see the summary below or visit burlington.ca.
Orange Shirt Day
Sept. 30 is also recognized as Orange Shirt Day, an Indigenous-led grassroots day inspired by the story of Indian Residential School Survivor Phyllis Webstad. As part of Orange Shirt Day, residents can come to Spencer Smith Park (1400 Lakeshore Rd.) to reflect and take part in a Walk for Reconciliation and Peace, hosted by local Indigenous people.
Opening remarks will begin at 5 p.m., from the pavilion at the east end of the park, with a walk to follow along the Waterfront Trail ending at Beachway Park for a tobacco ceremony. Additional details can be found on the city’s online events calendar at burlington.ca/calendar. Participants are encouraged to wear orange shirts and moccasins if they have them.
We encourage residents to visit the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation website for educational materials and resources.
| City Service |
Holiday Closure Information |
| Animal Services |
The Animal Shelter at 2424 Industrial St. will be closed to appointments on Tuesday, Sept. 30. To report an animal control related emergency on a holiday, please call 905-335-7777. |
| Burlington Transit |
Burlington Transit will operate on a regular weekday schedule on Tuesday, Sept. 30.
Find real-time arrival information and plan your trip using Google Maps. From a mobile phone, access Google Maps and click on your bus stop to see arrival times. From a computer, select your bus stop, then click on ‘See Departure Board’ to view arrival times.
Customer Service and Specialized Dispatch will be closed on Tuesday, Sept. 30. |
| City Hall |
Service Burlington and the Building, Renovating and Licensing counter on the main floor of City Hall at 426 Brant St., will be closed to all appointments and walk-in service on Tuesday, Sept. 30.
Many service payments are available online at burlington.ca/onlineservices. If your request is urgent, call 905-335-7777 to connect with the City’s live answering service.
For online development services, MyFiles can be used by residents who have applied for Pre-Building Approval. Check the status of Pre Building Approval applications at burlington.ca/MyFiles. |
| Halton Court Services – Provincial Offences Office |
Court administration counter services at 4085 Palladium Way will be closed on Tuesday, Sept. 30.
Except for the Sept. 30 closure, telephone payments are available at 905-637-1274, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. All in-person services are available from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. Many services are also available by email at burlingtoncourt@burlington.ca or online at Halton Court Services. Payment of Provincial Offences fines is available 24/7 at paytickets.ca. |
| Parking |
Paid parking will be in effect on Tuesday, Sept. 30.
NOTE:
- The Waterfront parking lots (east and west at 1286 Lakeshore Rd.) do not provide free parking on Sept. 30.
- Parking exemptions or City-Wide Parking Permits are required to park overnight on city streets and for longer than five hours. Visit bylaw.burlington.ca for parking exemptions.
- Parking Lot 4 at 421 John St. is closed for construction on Tuesday, Sept. 30.
|
| Recreation Programs and Facilities |
Recreation facilities are open for rentals and registered/drop-in programs on Tuesday, Sept. 30. Drop-in recreation program schedules are available at burlington.ca/dropinandplay.
Customer Service
Recreation, Community and Culture customer service is available to assist you in person at recreation facility counters during program times. Customer service is also available:
- By email at liveandplay@burlington.ca
- By phone at 905-335-7738, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday (including Sept. 30) and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
|
| Roads, Parks and Forestry |
The administrative office will be closed on Tuesday, Sept. 30. Essential services will be provided as required. |
Burlington is a city where people, nature and business thrive. Sign up to learn more about Burlington at burlington.ca/subscribe and follow @CityBurlington on social media.
Links and Resources
 By Joseph Gaetan, Bsc
September 28th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
By any fair measure, the Burlington Aquatic Devilrays (BAD) saga has left our community shaken. Parents, athletes, and residents have watched a respected club—one that has served Burlington for decades—pushed aside in a process that raises more questions than answers.
Until now, it was right that Council respected procurement protocols and did not wade in. Rules exist to prevent elected officials from interfering with active bidding processes. But the procurement phase is over, and with it, the firewall that shielded staff decisions from political scrutiny. What remains is not just a contract, but a matter of public trust.
A Timeline That Demands Scrutiny
The Gazette has laid out a troubling timeline. From March to June, BAD followed the rules, submitted documents in good faith, and even provided a legal opinion to support its standing. Yet on June 25, after 5:00 p.m., the club was told it was rejected on a technicality over a document that does not exist in Ontario law. Hours later, GHAC was elevated to the status of “successful bidder.” Days later, the City had to quietly change its press release to account for GHAC’s failure to meet the 85% Burlington residency threshold.
These are not trivial details. They are red flags.
The Stakes for the Community
The most painful part of this story is not buried in policy—it is visible in the faces of the young swimmers who came to Council chambers. BAD has 400 members and 100 more on a waiting list. GHAC, by contrast, is still building its Burlington base. This is not a transition of equals. It is, as one councillor bluntly put it, a zero-sum game. Children will lose opportunities. Families will face higher fees. Burlington risks losing a legacy program that has carried our city’s name across the country.
Why an Audit is the Right Next Step
 The allocation of swimming pool time touches on governance, fairness, and whether Burlington families can trust the City to act in their best interests. Councillor Lisa Kearns’ per the Gazette, has expressed an intention to request an independent audit of the procurement process. This is not interference—it is accountability. An audit would examine whether staff applied the rules in good faith, whether the process aligned with best practices.
This above all is a matter of public interest because it touches on more than pool time. It touches on governance, fairness, and whether Burlington families can trust the City to act in their best interests.
Council’s Duty
No one is suggesting that procurement staff acted with malice. But the appearance of inconsistency, combined with shifting explanations, is enough to warrant a thorough and independent review. Council owes it to the public to ensure that this decision—and any future ones—are beyond reproach.
In the end, this is about restoring trust. Council was right not to interfere while the process was live. After many months BAD and the public is still asking questions. An audit is the only way to answer that.
By Gazette Staff
September 26th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Starting on Saturday, September 27, until end of service on Sunday, September 28, Lakeshore West Line rail service will be temporarily modified to accommodate critical track work that will bring faster, more frequent service across the network.
 During this time, there will be no GO Train service between Oakville and Exhibition GO.
GO Train service will continue to run between Niagara Falls and Oakville GO stations, as well as between Exhibition GO and Union Station, but replacement buses will serve Oakville and Clarkson GO and then run direct between Clarkson GO and Union Station.
There will be no GO Transit services at Port Credit, Long Branch or Mimico GO.
Starting later this evening on September 26, there will also be some late-night service adjustments, and we have arranged two extra westbound trains trips from Union Station to Exhibition GO.
 If you’re travelling from the Mississauga area, on Saturday, September 27 only, we’re adding four Milton line trains:
- 2:27 p.m. and 4:27 p.m. trains departing Milton GO, making all stops to Union Station, arriving at 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
- 7:04 p.m. and 7:34 p.m. trains departing Union Station, making all stops to Milton GO, arriving at 8:04 p.m. and 8:34 p.m.
- Customers can use Lisgar, Meadowvale, Streetsville, Erindale, Cooksville or Dixie GO stations to connect to Union Station.
More information about Lakeshore West Line service adjustments and alternate route options is available HERE.
Please check schedules before travelling as trip times could depart earlier or later than usual. GO bus connection times may be adjusted, and customers should expect longer than usual wait times.
By Gazette Staff
September 26th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Parents of swimmers and people who feel the Burlington Aquatic Devilrays got a bum deal from the city want the whole mess looked into. WArd 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns is looking for a way to have the city Audtor review just how the decision that was made was arrived at.
The parents want to be sure that Kearns understands the issue and ensures that the right questions get asked.
So – they sent her the following::
It is essential that the Burlington Aquatic Devilrays (BAD) have their community club status and pool allocations restored and be afforded precedence as a Burlington-based community club. The City’s audit/review of pool and swim meet allocation decisions affecting BAD and the Golden Horseshoe Aquatic Club (GHAC), a regional club, is an imperative. Burlington-based clubs must be treated fairly and City policies on allocation, residency, and community support applied consistently. Accountability and transparency must guide all decisions impacting local athletes and taxpayers.
As a Burlington taxpayer with deep concerns about the City’s decisions to date, and the consequences, I have developed a series of questions that I believe should be addressed as part of a review/audit. While not exhaustive, they reflect issues of particular concern to myself, BAD members, BAD alumni and many taxpayers
Questions for Council / Administration
-
-
-
- Club Integrity & Compliance
* If a regional club (GHAC) signs/recruits Burlington swimmers and encroaches on a community club’s (BAD) area without following proper Swim Ontario protocols, does this not call into question the integrity of GHAC in the eyes of City decision-makers given “Club in good standing” is an RFP requirement?
* Does the City intend to deal strictly with clubs of the highest integrity in its allocation decisions?
-
-
-
- Value of Community Clubs
* Does the City see the extraordinary value of a long-standing, 40+ year Burlington-based community club (BAD) — which focuses 100% on Burlington?
* BAD participates in multiple community events and carries the Burlington name with pride wherever they compete or train — compared to a regional club (GHAC) dividing attention across multiple communities. The swim community recognizes BAD as Burlington’s club. How does the City weigh this community contribution in allocation decisions?
-
-
-
- Revenue Disparities and Financial Impact
* Does the City understand that BAD’s sole revenue source is from operating in the Burlington community while regional clubs (GHAC) generate revenue in multiple communities, giving them an inherent advantage?
* Does the City realize that BAD has traditionally charged lower fees than all clubs in the Golden Horseshoe geography, including GHAC? While BAD’s pricing advantage for Burlington swimmers and their families has been diminished, we remain the most accessible and inclusive club.
* Since this matter arose, many BAD swimmers left the program due to the uncertainty and underlying feelings of City abandonment and distrust. The impact on BAD includes: lower fee revenue; reduced support from parent volunteers (including those volunteers with officiating certificates, thereby forcing BAD to hire costly officiants for swim meets); scrambling for more expensive, less attractive non-City pool time. — collectively forcing the remaining BAD swimmers and their families into more expensive, less convenient options. It has eroded BAD’s pricing advantage to the detriment of Burlington swimmers and their families. Did City officials fully understand the negative result their decision would have on Burlington families?
-
-
-
- Community Support and Legacy
* Given BAD’s longstanding legacy, decades of alumni, and thousands of taxpayers invested in Burlington, does the City agree that community-based clubs like BAD should receive priority for Burlington pool and Swim meet allocations?
-
-
-
- Athlete Development & Future Impact
* Swim clubs cluster athletes by capability; as swimmers approach senior levels, programs intensify and top coaches and facilities are required (e.g., Centennial Pool).
* For every GHAC swimmer that comes from other communities to train in Burlington pools (clustered at the same level as Burlington swimmers), a Burlington swimmer is displaced. BAD swimmers are clearly at risk of being displaced. How will the City police or prevent this scenario over time to protect local athletes?
-
-
-
- Pool Allocation Decisions
* Why did a regional club (GHAC) receive the majority of pool hours while the community club (BAD) received fewer hours? Shouldn’t the allocation have been the other way around, prioritizing community-based Burlington swimmers (BAD)?
* BAD has never wanted to displace any swimmer. It simply wants its rightful place restored and preserved. With this in mind, BAD has recommended that the city Council utilize the Shared-Use Framework which appears on the City’s website and is based on Tiered Access (a best practice):
* Tier 1: Local, not-for-profit, volunteer-led community clubs (BAD);
* Tier 2: Regional or private, fee-based clubs (GHAC);
* Tier 3: Short-term rentals, camps, or revenue-driven events.
* Is the Tiering approach no longer being embraced by the City?
-
-
-
- Swim Meet Criticality
* Swim meets are a major source of revenue for clubs and the Nelson Swim Meet is existential for BAD as its largest fund raising activity. For GHAC, which operates in multiple municipalities with broader revenue streams, the Nelson meet is optional. Does the City appreciate swim meets are key to any community club’s (BAD’s) survival?
-
-
-
- Council Oversight & Policy Consistency
* The City’s Procurement By-law (04-2022) states: “All Procurement shall be conducted in accordance with … honest, open, fair and transparent behaviour … The City will not extend preferential treatment to any Bidder or Proponent.”
Given this, and the fact that Council is elected to represent Burlington residents, does the City Council agree it is incumbent upon them to intervene when evidence suggests a City process has not upheld transparency, fairness, or the community’s best interest?
-
-
-
- Technical Requirements and Equity Concerns
* BAD was disadvantaged in the RFP process. While the City required a “current and valid certificate of incorporation,” it was unclear how this applied to a club incorporated over 40 years ago and in good standing. BAD consulted authorities, who advised on the documentation that would satisfy the requirement — status easily verifiable through corporate registries and Swim Ontario. The City’s subsequent guidance on what was acceptable was issued in response to an enquiry regarding the Adult RFP — GHAC, having bid on both Youth and Adult RFPs, benefited from this guidance, while BAD, having submitted only to the Youth RFP, became aware too late to remedy the issue, creating an unintended but unfair disadvantage.
* Given BAD’s decades-long compliance and integrity, shouldn’t a reasonable, common-sense approach have been applied to confirm this requirement? The City could have recognized BAD’s historical good standing, exercised practical flexibility, and ensured both parties were simultaneously advised of its subsequent guidance.
* GHAC was allowed leniency upfront regarding minimum residency requirements—why, then, was BAD held to a strict technicality for the certificate? Beyond any minor technical issue, the deeper concern is fairness, equity, and the protection of a long-standing community club.
-
-
-
- Residency Requirement (85% Burlington Swimmers)
* The City’s public statement says: “Bidders were required to demonstrate how their organizations will ensure 85% of participants are Burlington residents … The successful bidder – GHAC – indicated it would fulfill this requirement in time for service commencement in September 2025.”
* If GHAC, a regional club with many non-Burlington members, was allowed to defer compliance with the upfront minimum residency requirement, doesn’t this represent an unfair break relative to the 85% Burlington residency limitation that applies to community clubs like BAD?
* Will the City be transparent and disclose any differences in the respective contracts of GHAC and BAD that relate to residency enforcement and calculations?
-
-
-
- Long-Term Athlete Development
* Does Council understand and acknowledge that pulling pool allocation out from BAD swimmers destabilizes their long-term athletic and community development?
-
-
-
- Governance and Accountability of Clubs
* Why does the RFP process apply to swim clubs/pools and not other sports?
-
-
-
- Equity of Contract Terms
* Can you confirm whether the contract terms with GHAC are identical to those that BAD previously held?
* If terms were altered (e.g., residency enforcement, financial commitments, contract duration), please explain why and how such changes serve Burlington taxpayers.
* Are both contracts cancelable by either party, subject to notice? While, in hindsight, it appears the City agrees that a commercial RFP administrative procedure is not appropriate for sports/community club-decisions, nevertheless there is a provision in City documents that can help solve matters. The Termination clause reads: “The City may terminate the Contract in whole, or in part, whenever the City determines that such termination is in the best interest of the City without showing cause, upon providing written notice to the Vendor.” The important clause here is: “in the best interest of the City without showing cause.”
* Would this not be the provision that allows course correction in the best interest of the City and the taxpayers — in this case the swimmers and families of the community club, BAD?
Closing Statement.
Council must ensure that Burlington’s own residents and community clubs, including BAD, are not disadvantaged within their OWN city. Policies on allocation, fairness, and residency exist to protect local clubs, their members, and taxpayers. It is Council’s responsibility to uphold these principles consistently, without exceptions that favour external organizations such as GHAC.
We respectfully request that you seek clear answers to the above questions as part of your review/audit. Undoubtedly, additional questions will arise, and we would appreciate timely and thorough responses to all inquiries to ensure transparency and accountability.
Starting September 2026, the City needs to reverse course — giving GHAC ample time to transition (a luxury BAD was not afforded) while restoring BAD’s rightful place at the heart of Burlington. BAD members and concerned taxpayers will remain engaged until this is done because it is the fair and just course of action.
By Gazette Staff
September 25th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
TradePort International Corporation (TradePort), a wholly owned subsidiary of Vantage Group and operator of John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport (Hamilton International, the Airport), today announced that long-time Board Chair Col. R. Foxcroft, O.C. has been appointed Chair Emeritus, recognizing more than three decades of leadership and commitment to the Airport.
TradePort Board of Directors also appointed Stewart Steeves as Chair and Ron McKerlie as a Director.
Foxcroft provided a leadership role at TradePort for 30 years, including 21 years as Chair, during which time Hamilton International reached major milestones that have shaped its role as a key economic driver for the region. During his tenure, the Airport transformed into Canada’s largest overnight express cargo hub, saw remarkable growth in passenger traffic and, most recently, marked a new chapter with a new 49-year lease, completing a multi-million-dollar terminal enhancement and introducing Porter Airlines service.
 Hamilton Airport, Chair Emeritus, Ron Foxcroft In his new role as Chair Emeritus, Foxcroft will continue to serve as an ambassador, advisor and champion for Hamilton International – maintaining his strong connection to the Airport’s future while celebrating the foundation he helped build. To recognize his decades of dedication, TradePort is establishing the TradePort Ron Foxcroft Leadership in Aviation Scholarship at Mohawk College for students pursuing aviation studies. This scholarship honours his legacy of guiding Hamilton International with vision, integrity and a commitment to community impact, while inspiring the next generation of aviation leaders to carry forward those same values.
To support this next chapter, Stewart Steeves, Chief Operating Officer at Vantage Group and long-time TradePort Board member, has been appointed Board Chair. Steeves brings deep experience in airport planning and development, including previously serving as Chief Financial Officer at Hamilton International. Steeves has overseen nearly $10 billion in redevelopment projects across North America and the Caribbean and was instrumental in Hamilton International’s recent terminal improvements and expansion of passenger service through Porter Airlines.
The Board also welcomes Ron McKerlie, the former President of Mohawk College and the Mohawk College Foundation. During his decade of leadership at the College, McKerlie advanced many transformational initiatives, including creating the Centre for Aviation Technology at KF Aerospace. Through this collaborative partnership with industry partners, Mohawk College brought all its aviation programs into a purpose-built, state-of-the-art airside facility located on Hamilton International property. McKerlie also has 35 years in senior roles in the public and private sectors, including the Bank of Montreal, Rogers Communications and the Ontario Government.
“Serving as TradePort’s Board Chair has been one of the greatest privileges of my career, and I look forward to continuing to support the Airport in my new role,” said Foxcroft. “This transition marks an exciting time for TradePort and Hamilton International, as we champion growth of passenger service, alongside our strong cargo operations and continued land development. I am beyond confident in the talent of our expanded Board to carry our mission forward.”
 Hamilton International Airport has become an economic engine for the community and the region. Ron Foxcroft drove much of that growth. “Ron Foxcroft’s legacy at Hamilton International cannot be overstated,” said Steeves. “His vision and leadership have helped position the Airport as a leader in cargo, a growing player in passenger service, and an economic engine for our community. I am honoured to build on this foundation and to have Ron McKerlie bring his expertise as we carry forward with the important work ahead.”
“I am proud to join this dedicated Board,” said McKerlie, Director. “Hamilton International is an economic driver and invaluable community asset, and I look forward to helping advance its growth and continue telling the story of the impact it has on the entire Southern Ontario region.”
.
By Samanthat Serle
September 23rd, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
University life is often romanticized as a period of independence, exploration, and academic achievement. Yet, for many students, it also comes with overwhelming challenges that can affect academic performance, mental health, and overall well-being. The transition from high school to university requires students to adapt to new environments, academic rigor, and personal responsibilities, often all at once. Understanding these challenges – and more importantly, how to overcome them – can help students make the most of their university experience.
This article explores the top challenges university students face today and provides practical strategies to overcome them.
1. Academic Pressure and Workload
The Challenge
One of the most significant struggles students encounter is adjusting to the intense academic demands of university. Unlike high school, where assignments are spread out and teachers often provide reminders, university coursework is more self-directed. Students juggle multiple subjects, extensive reading lists, research papers, projects, and exams – all while meeting strict deadlines. This pressure to succeed can be overwhelming for many, leading them to seek support. It’s not uncommon for students to turn to services when they need to get quality paper writing help to ensure their work meets academic standards.
Many students feel overwhelmed by the volume of work and the high expectations placed on them. This pressure can lead to stress, burnout, or even academic failure if not managed effectively.
How to Overcome It
- Time Management: Use planners, digital calendars, or task management apps to prioritize tasks and avoid last-minute cramming.
- Break Work Into Smaller Tasks: Dividing big projects into smaller steps reduces anxiety and makes progress more visible.
- Seek Academic Support: Most universities offer writing centers, tutoring, and study workshops. Taking advantage of these resources can ease the burden.
- Study Smart, Not Just Hard: Techniques like active recall, spaced repetition, and summarizing notes can improve retention and reduce study hours.
2. Financial Stress
The Challenge
For many students, university represents their first real encounter with financial independence. Tuition fees, textbooks, housing, food, and transportation can add up quickly, leaving students stressed about money. Many resort to part-time jobs, which, while helpful financially, can interfere with academic focus. International students, in particular, face additional expenses like higher tuition and visa costs.
How to Overcome It
- Budget Wisely: Track expenses and set spending limits for non-essential items. Free budgeting apps can simplify this process.
- Apply for Scholarships and Grants: Universities, governments, and private organizations often provide financial aid opportunities.
- Work Strategically: If part-time work is necessary, choose flexible jobs on or near campus that won’t heavily interfere with studies.
- Learn Basic Financial Literacy: Understanding credit, debt, and savings can help students avoid common financial pitfalls.
3. Mental Health and Stress
The Challenge
University students often face high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Pressure to succeed academically, maintain social relationships, and plan for the future can feel overwhelming. According to numerous studies, mental health issues among students have increased in recent years, partly due to academic pressures and the lingering effects of the pandemic.
How to Overcome It
- Prioritize Self-Care: Regular exercise, adequate sleep, and balanced nutrition are essential for mental well-being.
- Seek Counseling Services: Most universities provide free or low-cost counseling. Talking to a professional can help students navigate stress and anxiety.
- Build a Support Network: Having friends, mentors, or family members to talk to reduces feelings of isolation.
- Practice Mindfulness: Techniques like meditation, journaling, or deep breathing exercises can help regulate stress.
4. Adapting to Independence and Responsibility
The Challenge
For many students, university is the first time they live away from home. Suddenly, they must manage their own meals, laundry, finances, and schedules – on top of academic obligations. The sudden independence can feel liberating but also daunting, especially when poor organization leads to missed deadlines or unhealthy routines.
How to Overcome It
- Create Routines: Establishing consistent habits around studying, eating, and sleeping helps maintain balance.
- Set Realistic Goals: Break large responsibilities into smaller, manageable ones. For example, start with meal prepping one or two times per week.
- Ask for Guidance: Universities often provide workshops on adulting skills like budgeting, cooking, and time management.
- Learn from Mistakes: Struggles are part of growing into independence – view them as lessons rather than failures.
5. Social Adjustment and Loneliness
The Challenge
Moving to a new environment often means leaving behind established social circles. For many students, especially those studying abroad, building new friendships can be intimidating. Cultural differences, language barriers, and social anxiety can make it harder to connect, and students may feel isolated or lonely as a result.
How to Overcome It
- Join Clubs and Societies: Universities offer a wide range of student organizations, from sports teams to cultural groups, which provide opportunities to meet like-minded people.
- Attend Social Events: Freshers’ week, campus fairs, and academic seminars are excellent ways to build connections.
- Use Peer Support Programs: Some universities assign mentors or peer buddies to help new students adapt.
- Stay Connected With Home: Maintaining communication with family and old friends can provide comfort during tough times.
6. Balancing Work, Study, and Personal Life
The Challenge
Many students take on part-time jobs to support themselves financially. Others engage in extracurricular activities, internships, or volunteer work to boost their resumes. While these commitments are valuable, they can lead to exhaustion when combined with coursework and personal obligations.
How to Overcome It
- Set Priorities: Decide what’s most important at any given time – sometimes academics may need to come first, while other times personal well-being takes priority.
- Use Scheduling Tools: Color-coded calendars can visually separate work, study, and personal activities.
- Learn to Say No: Overcommitting can lead to burnout. Choose activities that align with your goals and values.
- Build Downtime Into Your Schedule: Rest and leisure are just as important as productivity.
7. Career Uncertainty and Pressure About the Future
The Challenge
University is not just about academics – it’s also about preparing for the future. Many students feel anxious about career prospects, especially with competitive job markets and rising expectations for internships and experience. Uncertainty about whether their chosen field will lead to stable employment can add extra stress.
How to Overcome It
- Use Career Services: Universities often provide resume reviews, career counseling, and networking events.
- Pursue Internships: Practical experience not only builds resumes but also gives students insights into potential careers.
- Stay Flexible: Career paths are rarely linear. Keeping an open mind helps students adapt to changing opportunities.
- Network Early: Building professional connections through alumni, professors, and LinkedIn can open doors to opportunities later.
8. Cultural and Language Barriers (For International Students)
The Challenge
International students often face additional hurdles, including adapting to new cultures, learning in a second language, and managing homesickness. These challenges can impact both academic performance and social integration.
How to Overcome It
- Participate in Orientation Programs: These are designed to help international students adapt to local customs and campus life.
- Improve Language Skills: Enroll in language workshops or use language-learning apps.
- Seek Community: Joining cultural clubs or international student groups can create a sense of belonging.
- Stay Connected Globally: Regular calls with family and friends can ease homesickness while fostering cross-cultural resilience.
Conclusion
University is a transformative stage of life, filled with opportunities for growth, learning, and self-discovery. However, it also presents real challenges – academic pressure, financial stress, mental health struggles, independence, social adjustment, and career uncertainty. By acknowledging these obstacles and adopting proactive strategies, students can not only survive but thrive during their time at university.
The key lies in balance: balancing work with rest, independence with support, and ambition with self-compassion. University is not just about achieving a degree – it’s about building resilience, acquiring life skills, and preparing for a fulfilling future.
By Pepper Parr
September 20th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
 There was an item in the news feed we get from BurlingtonGreen that was much different than what we usually get.
An organization that goes under the name: Drawing the Line. It is international in scope. The opening line goes like this:
Most of us can’t make ends meet – wages are low, rent is sky-high, groceries are unaffordable. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Carney has ordered a 15% cut to our public services while billionaires and corporations get richer off our suffering. Corporate elites attack the working class, particularly Black, Indigenous and racialized people, women, migrants, disabled, queer and trans people, and the unemployed. This isn’t an accident – it’s corporate rule designed to extract wealth from working people. We refuse to accept poverty while the wealthy hoard billions. We call on the federal government to tax the ultra-rich, end corporate subsidies, and invest in the affordable housing, food, healthcare, transit, education, arts and culture, public services and good jobs that our communities need to thrive.
Our future is on the line, and people everywhere are rising up to demand climate justice, peace, and real democracy. In Hamilton, we’re drawing the line for a better world: with clean energy for all, protection for people and nature, and accountability. The Hamilton event will take place in Gore Park. There isn’t going to be an event in Burlington
This is more than a single mobilization. It is an invitation to community groups and social movements across the country to unite, to learn from each other, and to form and strengthen coalitions that will continue to build beyond September 20th.
Congratulations to Burlington Green for making this available. It will be some time before Burlington holds events like this – the city sees itself as just too polite to raise its voice.
For those who are interested, you can sign up for updates HERE
By Burlington Gazette
September 17th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
What can women who aspire to become chief executive officers (CEOs) in America’s “Bible Belt” expect from their careers?
“Traditional theories suggest religion reinforces patriarchal norms, potentially limiting women’s rise to the top,” says Brock University Professor of Accounting Samir Trabelsi.
 But Trabelsi and his team turned that stereotype on its head in their study, “Religiosity and Gender Dynamics in Executive Leadership: Impact on CEO Appointments and Pay Disparities,” published June 1 in the Journal of Business Ethics.
Trabelsi and then-master’s student Maryam Vashahi (MSc ’23), the study’s co-author, found no significant relationship between local religiosity and the appointment of female CEOs.
Even more surprising, the researchers say, is that women who become CEOs in highly religious states earned more than their male peers.
“Women continue to be significantly underrepresented in CEO positions, making it essential to understand the factors that either create barriers or open pathways for their advancement,” says Vashahi.
The team analyzed 2,936 CEO transitions in U.S.-listed firms between 1998 and 2021 along with religiosity measures from the Pew Research Center.
Religiosity is defined as being the expression of beliefs and practices in institutionalized religion and their influence on social behaviours and cultural norms in local settings.
The researchers expected that firms in states with stronger religious cultures would be less likely to appoint women CEOs, and that if women did attain the role, they would earn less than men.
 Instead, the findings revealed an “exceptionalism premium,” says Trabelsi.
“Because female CEOs are rare in these environments, they’re seen as extraordinary and are compensated accordingly,” he says.
The study also revealed a paradox: women CEOs continued to be paid less than their male counterparts in more secular states.
“We suggest some firms may promote women to signal diversity but fail to back that up with equitable pay, a practice sometimes described as performative diversity,” says Trabelsi.
He also points out that both male and female CEOs in religious states earned less overall than their peers in secular states.
“So even though a woman CEO might out-earn a man in Alabama or Mississippi, she’s still likely earning less than a woman CEO in California or New York,” he says.
Another key finding was that companies with more women on their boards were significantly more likely to appoint a woman CEO, underscoring governance as a powerful lever for equity, he says.
 There was a time when shares of public companies were traded in this building.. There was never a single woman on the trading floor. Changes do take place – even in the American Bible Belt. In Canada, Trabelsi says only about five per cent of TSX-listed companies had a woman CEO as of 2024, and Canadian women executives still earn about 40 per cent less in total compensation than their male counterparts on average.
“From a governance perspective, Canadian regulators and boards could strengthen diversity and pay equity initiatives — for example, through enhanced transparency and leadership diversity targets — to help more women reach CEO roles and ensure they are compensated fairly once there,” he says.
Trabelsi says the research team, which also included Professor of Organizational Behaviour and Human Resource Management Dave Bouckenooghe and Professor of Accounting Kareen Brown, hopes the study will spark broader conversations about governance and gender equity.
“Breaking the glass ceiling is only the first step,” he says. “The real challenge is ensuring women are supported, compensated fairly and empowered once they get there.”
By Nicolai Ryan Klausen
September 9th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Visitors are drawn to Peru because it offers the perfect base for an epic adventure that blends history, adrenaline, and breathtaking scenery. The main attraction is Machu Picchu, the site of the ancient Inca ruins perched high in the Andes mountains. Long regarded as the cultural stop in South America, Machu Picchu’s popularity is overwhelming, so limits have been set on the number of visitors who can explore the ruins to preserve the UNESCO World Heritage site. The most favorable time to experience Peru is between April and December, with the highest visitor numbers seen from May to August, when temperatures typically go beyond 30°C.
 Peru offers excellent value for money compared to many international destinations, which means it’s accessible for budget-conscious travelers while still providing meaningful experiences. No matter where you go, Peruvian cuisine is on the map. Many dishes contain meat and potatoes, but Peruvians don’t consider a meal complete without plenty of rice because it balances the strong spices. Lima boasts an incredible restaurant scene that introduces you to classics such as adobo, anticuchos, or pachamanca. English isn’t widely spoken outside tourist areas, but the Peruvian Spanish accent isn’t hard for Spanish language beginners to understand. Peru offers excellent value for money compared to many international destinations, which means it’s accessible for budget-conscious travelers while still providing meaningful experiences.
Packing for the Andean mosaic isn’t just about tossing a couple of shirts and socks into a bag. You must prepare for icy mountain mornings, tropical downpours, and everything in between, for a smooth, enjoyable, and safe experience. Preparing for a trip to Peru is about understanding the unique challenges and opportunities this incredible country presents. Please continue reading to discover how to build the perfect travel kit.
A SIM Card
You should pack a SIM card, either your home SIM or a local/international SIM card, to have data access as soon as you land in Peru, which allows you to use navigation, book transport, and stay connected without using Wi-Fi. You can make calls or send messages in emergency situations, contact your accommodation if plans change, or reach out to your friends and family to provide peace of mind. You won’t have Wi-Fi when you’re out exploring, navigating or in transit. If your phone supports dual SIM, you can use both a physical SIM and an eSIM for larger data allowances.
 The ancient Inca ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru. By equipping your device with the best eSIM for Peru prior to departure, you can traverse ancient ruins, navigate winding Andean roads, and livestream vibrant local festivals without resorting to a physical SIM swap. The carrier securely transfers the profile to the eSIM on the device, and this profile contains all the information needed for the phone to connect to the carrier’s network, including authentication and access credentials. eSIM technology improves connectivity by allowing you to switch between network providers, ensuring optimal service based on location, price, or network quality.
Sunscreen
If you’re visiting Peru in the summer, you can expect hot, dry heat, with temperatures ranging between 25°C-35°C or even higher. Peru is situated in the Southern Hemisphere, where extreme heat waves can occur since the Earth is closer to the sun, and this translates into high levels of UV radiation. It’s easy to get sunburns. The most important thing to pack, and the one that should never be forgotten, is sunscreen, which protects your skin from the sun’s damaging rays. It’s recommended to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30, especially if you’re spending time outdoors, to prevent sunburn, premature aging, and the risk of developing skin cancer.
A Portable Charger
 The brand of phone charger is something you can decide on – having charger with you is important – don’t leave home without one. An eSIM offers much cheaper data rates than international roaming charges from your home carrier, and the plan activates within minutes of purchase, giving you immediate connectivity upon arrival. Many providers offer unlimited data in Peru, but the data allowance depends on the specific plan you purchase from a mobile carrier or eSIM provider. That being said, a portable charge is highly recommended, and often essential, when traveling because it ensures your phone stays powered in situations where access to traditional outlets is limited or unavoidable. Your device is your camera, memory keeper, and social media hub, and running out of battery means running out of special moments.
A Spanish Phrasebook
English isn’t an official language in Peru, but estimates suggest that around 11% of the population can communicate in English to some degree, especially in urban and tourist-focused areas. Peruvians overwhelmingly speak Spanish, plus one or more indigenous languages (e.g., Quechua), and learning even just a few phrases makes navigating daily life easier and enhances your travel experience. A compact Spanish phrasebook allows you to bridge the local culture, so ask questions, listen attentively, and be respectful of local customs and etiquette. Having essential phrases at your fingertips is useful when asking for directions, ordering food and drinks, booking transportation, and shopping/bargaining.
If you need more versatile and comprehensive translation capabilities, consider using a translation app, which can be a dictionary app with a built-in automatic translator or something more sophisticated like an AI-powered chatbot. If you’re visiting Quechua- or Aymara-speaking regions, see if the app offers those packs, or if it mostly covers major languages. You can point your phone at menus, signs, and maps for instant text overlaps, or tap the microphone for both you and the local speaker. Some translation apps, such as Microsoft Translator and iTranslate, have pre-translated common expressions, meaning you can access common sentences without typing.
Bug Spray
Peru is rich with biodiversity, including insects, especially in jungle regions like the Amazon, which is home to beetles, moths, dragonflies, bees, grasshoppers, and more. Even if you encounter some bugs in Lima, the greatest diversity of insects is found in the jungle, so you should be prepared for biting insects by packing bug spray. Mosquitos, sandflies, ticks, and triatomine bugs are vectors for diseases like Zika virus, dengue fever, and others. Bug repellents are designed with a simple pump that is easy to use, but it’s necessary to rub it in; otherwise, the repellent stays in isolated areas.
Wrapping It Up
Having a packing list helps ensure a smoother, more organized, and stress-free trip to Peru. Being well-prepared helps you be more in control and confident, which can improve your overall travel experience.
By Pepper Parr
September 1st, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Whenever the ADI Development Group is in the news, it usually isn’t a pretty story.
 Early rendering of Nautique, an ADI development. This time, it was a court case that they won. They are permitted to buy out their partner, Morgan Investments Group Inc. (MIG)
MIG partnered with ADI to get the Nautique, a development through the final stages of development at Lakeshore Road and Martha.
That development was a pivotal item that resulted in high rise towers being developed south of Fairview in the city.
Denise Baker, a lawyer with one of the best law firms in the development business convinced the then OMB that a transit station on John Street was part of a transit system that was needed to justify a high rise tower. The transit station was not much more than a transfer point where passengers could transfer from one bus line to another and purchase bus tickets. The city has since closed the station and will, at some point in the near probably, tear it down.
Baker did a superb job – my only regret was that I wasn’t in the room to hear her plead the case.
The Nautique decision was one of the events that brought an end to Rick Goldring serving as Mayor.
 The development ran into every possible problem: the pandemic didn’t help. A Superior Court Judge recently ruled that Adi Development Group can buy out its business partner on Burlington’s Nautique waterfront condo, for about $18.4 million. It was a bitter battle for control of the site.
The Morgan Investments Group Inc., an investment firm led by Nigel Morgan, and Adi Development Group, led by Tariq Adi, came together in 2014 to build the 25-storey, 254-unit project.
Unit sales did not go particularly well.
The project also made headlines in late 2022.
 The early marketing included prices that will not, if ever, be seen again. After complaints from buyers that they were asked to pay more than they originally agreed for units, and told they would have their purchase agreements cancelled if they refused, Adi Morgan Development Group (Lakeshore) Inc. paid a $60,000 penalty and $2.6 million to purchasers as part of a settlement with the Home Construction Regulatory Authority (HCRA).
The dispute landed in civil court earlier this month, with the two parties disagreeing even on whether the project was completely finished, and each one looking to buy out the other and end the relationship.
The parties were deadlocked and unable to make decisions on, among other things, the price of the remaining 54 unsold units. The building faced COVID delays and then the collapse of the condo market. Morgan’s camp thought the units were overpriced, Adi’s said they had responded to the market with a good pricing strategy.
 The ADI brothers. They were new to Burlington in 2000. Their first development on Guelph Line was a low-rise structure that proved to be popular. Morgan’s legal team had asked for a “shotgun” sale, a mechanism where one or more of the shareholders buys out the shares of another. Morgan had also wanted to see Adi replaced as the exclusive listing agent, and to add a third board member.
In the August 27th decision, Justice William Black ruled that Adi could buy out Morgan, for about $18.4 million.
The justice found there was oppression on both sides, a legal term that basically means they were unfair to each other — Adi said Morgan bought out a loan without his knowledge to gain the upper hand, and Morgan said Adi did not share enough financial information and decision-making with him.
“This was a just outcome and a spectacular victory for us,” said Justin Nasseri, one of Adi’s lawyers. “ADI has steered the ship to safety. Its focus will be on homeowners and customers and delivering value to them while we sell the balance of the units,” he added.
Morgan Investment Group declined to provide a comment on the decision.
On the justice’s finding of oppression, Nasseri said Adi “acted in good faith and ethically at all times.”
The unravelling of the relationship in court offered a glimpse behind the scenes into the tough conversations developers are having across the GTA, as the condo market falters.
The Toronto-area average condo price dropped to $615,000 in July, the lowest in four years.
|
|
