 By Pepper Parr
January 22, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Jimmy Sissons was part of the city staff for 42 years.
He worked in transit for 12 years and 30 years in public works tending to the streets of the city.
He was hired by Mayor Harrington on a part time basis and later brought on full time by Mayor Roly Bird. He is now retired – when he was out on the streets he didn’t miss much. He still doesn’t miss much.
 John Street Transit Terminal washrooms are now for Staff only. Why? He reported today that the washrooms that used to be available in the Transit terminal on John Street now have Staff Only signs on the washroom doors and bright No Entry tape to keep people out -– and Jimmy wanted to know why.
He tried calling the ward Councillors office – got nowhere with the Councillors new Admin Assistant (is that a surprise) but caught up with Lisa Kearns at an event and asked her to follow up.
Lisa doesn’t use public washrooms and didn’t put the problem on her priority list.
But it was on Jimmy’s priority list.
There was a time he said when there was one male washroom and one female washroom.
When Covid took over our world the set up was changed to a Unisex washroom and a Staff only washroom.
 A plastic door with barrier tape keeps the public out of the area where the washrooms are located. Now there are two Staff Only washrooms. People can’t even get into the area where the entrance to the washrooms are located
Not a big deal – until you have to go.
I recall an occasion when City Council spent more than an hour determining how many public washroom locations they could open during the Covid lockdowns.
Then went so far as to create a map locating the public washrooms.
Related news story:
During Covid the city opened up every washroom it could find
By Pepper Parr
December 29th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
They are back at it on the 8th of January.
City Council will be sitting for the most part as a Committee of the Whole with the Mayor in the Chair.
It isn’t all that clear as to how the Committee will handle what used to be done by the three Standing Committees that were in place.
 Not a smile on the faces of any of them Council as they adjourned at the last meeting of 2023. Several of them didn’t say a word during the comments part of the meeting; their opportunity to wish their constituents well as they went into the holidays. It looks as if the Committee of the Whole will hear from the Chairs of the former Standing Committees – and sort of morph into a Standing Committee that is rolling Staff reports up to the Committee of the Whole.
Question then is – what will a City Council meeting do?
 Mayor Marianne Meed Ward Will the mayor use her Strong Mayor powers and approve what was done at Committee of the Whole?
This new process will do nothing to encourage people to delegate – who will they be appearing before.
Again – something from the Mayor or an individual Council member would be useful.
Sound confusing? It is – and there hasn’t been a word, not a single word from any of the former chairs of those Standing Committees is as to how this is going to work out.
What we do know is that the Committee of the Whole will meet for two days – January 8th and 9th. They have cut the meetings down to two days each cycle. I suspect they will have difficulty with that but I think we are going to have to wait and see how it works out is as we get into the New Year.
 Oanh Kasperski: Director of Corporate Communications and Engagement. Not a word from the Mayor – so far she hasn’t made a year end statement, which is unusual for her.
There hasn’t been anything from the City Communications department – also unusual given that they recently appointed Oanh Kasperski as the new Director of Corporate Communications and Engagement. She started her job on December 11th. No word yet from her.
This Council did not cover itself with is as much is as a fig leaf in 2023. The last meeting of Council early in December dismal – I’ve never seen such a glum looking group of people in the 12 years I have been cover Burlington’s City Council.
Under the new legislation, O. Reg 180/23 as of July 1, 2023, the Mayor’s powers include:
- Appoint and dismiss the City Manager as well as the head of any division or the head of any other part of the organizational structure (except statutory municipal officers i.e. City Clerk or Deputy, Treasurer or Deputy, Chief Building Officer and Fire Chief); *
- Determining the organization structure of the City; *
- Create committees of Council, assign their functions, and appoint the Chairs and Vice Chairs of committees of Council; *
- Propose the City’s budget subject to Council amendments, a Mayoral veto, and a Council override process;
- Submit matters for Council’s consideration, or veto by-laws, if the Mayor believes it will advance a prescribed Provincial Priority; and
- Direct City staff in writing.
Decision # 7 made on 31st day of October 2023.
Under Bill 3, the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022, which amended the
Municipal Act, 2001,
Effective January 1, 2024, in accordance with subsection 226.6 of the Act, I Marianne
Meed Ward, Mayor of the City of Burlington, herby dissolve the following standing
committees as prescribed in the City’s Procedure By-law no. 31 -2021, as amended:
• Committee of the Whole
• Community Planning , Regulation & Mobility Committee
• Environment, Infrastructure & Community Services Committee
• Corporate Services, Strategy, Risk & Accountability Committee; and
Effective January 1, 2024, in accordance with subsection 226.6 of the Act, I Marianne
Meed Ward, Mayor of the City of Burlington, hereby establish a Committee of the Whole
and Budget Committee with functions assigned as follows:
Committee of the Whole
I. Responsibilities
The Committee of the Whole shall be responsible for considering all matters that
do not properly fall under the jurisdiction of any other existing Standing
Committees. The Committee of the Whole agendas are divided into the following
sections, with a Chair and Vice Chair assigned to each section:
Community Planning, Regulation & Mobility
The Community Planning, Regulation & Mobility section will include matters
relating to:
a) Matters under the jurisdiction of Community Planning, Regulation and
Mobility including; Community Planning, Building, By-law Compliance,
Transit, and Transportation departments;
b) Public hearings pursuant to the Planning Act, RSO 1990, c. P.13, as
amended;
c) Matters arising from the following boards and advisory committees:
• Aldershot BIA
• Burlington Chamber of Commerce
• Burlington Downtown Business Association
• Burlington Economic Development Corporation (BEDC)
• Committee of Adjustment
• Heritage Burlington Advisory Committee
• Integrated Transportation Advisory Committee (ITAC)
• Burlington Cycling Advisory Committee
• Burlington Agricultural and Rural Affairs Advisory Committee (BARAAC)
• Downtown Parking Advisory Committee
• Property Standards Committee
Environment, Infrastructure & Community Services
The Environment, Infrastructure & Community Services section will include
matters relating to:
a) Matters under the jurisdiction of the Environment, Infrastructure and
Community Services including; Engineering Services, Recreation,
Community and Culture, Roads, Parks & Forestry, and Fire, Assets and
Sustainability departments;
b) Matters arising from the following boards, committees and advisory
committees:
• Burlington Accessibility Advisory Committee (BMC)
• Burlington Sustainable Development Committee (SOC)
• Art Gallery of Burlington Board (AGB)
• Burlington Mundialization Committee
• Burlington Museums Board
• Burlington Performing Arts Centre
• Burlington Public Library Board (BPL)
• Burlington Seniors’ Advisory Committee {BSAC)
• Tourism Burlington
Corporate Services, Strategy, Risk & Accountability
The Corporate Services, Strategy, Risk & Accountability section will include
matters relating to:
a) Matters under the jurisdiction of the City Manager’s Office, Office of the
City Clerk, Corporate Communications and Engagement, Strategy, Risk
and Accountability, Customer Experience, Finance, Human Resources,
Burlington Digital Services, and Corporate Legal Services departments;
b) All public meetings under the Development Charges Act, 1997, S.O. 1997,
c. 27;
c) Burlington Strategic Plan and Vision to Focus workplan;
d) Matters arising from the following board and advisory committee:
• Burlington Hydro Electric Inc. (SHEi)
• Burlington lnclusivity Advisory Committee (BIAC)
II. Composition
The Committee of the Whole shall be comprised of all members of Council.
Ill. Reporting
The Committee of the Whole reports directly to Council.
Budget Committee
I. Responsibilities
The Budget Committee is responsible for hearing public presentations, receiving
financial reports from staff, and providing advice to the Mayor on the operating
and capital budgets; and making recommendations to Council on any operating
or capital budgets in which the Mayor has a pecuniary interest.
II. Composition
The Budget Committee shall be comprised of all members of Council.
Ill. Reporting
The Budget Committee reports directly to Council.
Dated at Burlington, this 31st day of October 2023.
Original Signed by
Mayor Meed Ward
Decision # 8 , 31st day of October 2023.
References: MO-03-22 – Appointments to standing committees, boards , committees, agencies and Deputy Mayors , December 13, 2022 *with changes
CL–18–23 – Standing Committee Structure Options, October 17, 2023
Mayoral Decision 07-23 – To establish a Committee of the Whole and Budget Committee
Under Bill 3, the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022, which amended the
Municipal Act, 2001 (the Act); and
Effective January 1, 2024, in accordance with subsection 226.6 of the Act, I Marianne Meed Ward, Mayor of the City of Burlington, hereby appoint the following Councillors as rotating chairs of Committee of the Whole and Budget Committee for remainder of the 2022-2026 Term of Council as established by report MO-03-22: ** Chair changes are bolded, they align the Deputy Mayor of Strategy and Budgets portfolio to the Chair of Budget, with subsequent position changes to ensure equity.
Committee of the Whole
The Mayor shall preside as the Chair for Committee of the Whole for all agenda sections, with rotating Councillors appointed as section chairs and section vice chairs for Community Planning, Regulation & Mobility Environment, Infrastructure & Community Services and Corporate Services, Strategy , Risk & Accountability regular items.
| Committee of the Whole – Community Planning Regulation & Mobility
Regular Agenda |
| Year |
Chair |
Vice Chair |
| 2024 |
Shawna Stolte |
Lisa Kearns |
| 2025 |
Lisa Kearns |
Kelvin Galbraith |
| 2026 |
Kelvin Galbraith |
Rory Nisan |
| Committee of the Whole – Environment Infrastructure & Community Services Regular Agenda |
| Year |
Chair |
Vice Chair |
| 2024 |
Lisa Kearns |
Kelvin Galbraith |
| 2025 |
Kelvin Galbraith |
Shawna Stolte |
| 2026 |
Shawna Stolte |
Kelvin Galbraith |
| Committee of the Whole – Corporate Services Strategy Risk &
Accountability Regular Agenda |
| Year |
Chair |
Vice Chair |
| 2024 |
Rory Nisan |
Kelvin Galbraith |
| 2025 |
Kelvin Galbraith |
Paul Sharman |
| 2026 |
Rory Nisan |
Lisa Kearns |
| Budget Committee |
| Year |
Chair |
Vice Chair |
| 2024 |
Paul Sharman |
Kelvin Galbraith |
| 2025 |
Paul Sharman |
Rory Nisan |
| 2026 |
Paul Sharman |
Shawna Stolte |
Dated at Burlington, this 31st day of October 2023.
Original Signed by
Mayor Meed Ward
 By Staff
December 15th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
The Greater Toronto Area isn’t exactly known for being an affordable place to buy a home, and Burlington is no exception. But an upcoming condo development is looking to bring more affordability to the area.
Planned for 490 Plains Road East, NORTHSHORE is a mid-size condo development from National Homes, rising eight storeys in height and bringing 153 new residential units to the Aldershot area. Plains Road has seen a revitalization of sorts in recent years, thanks in large part to its proximity to the GO train and its accessibility to both the waterfront and downtown. But with the average home in Burlington selling for over $1M — and the average condo going for roughly $725K — prices aren’t exactly affordable for many would-be buyers.
Enter: National Homes, who are hopeful that the upcoming NORTHSHORE project can help bridge the gap by offerings one-bedroom units starting at $499,990.
 “The demographic research that we did showed, obviously, a lack of supply in the market for more affordable product,” said Jason Pantalone, President and CEO of National Homes. “Over the last 10 years, we’ve been focusing on transit-oriented development at affordable price points, so when we saw this opportunity become available, we were intrigued.”
As is to be expected, prices will vary from unit to unit, depending on size, number of bedrooms, features, and the like, but Pantalone says about 70% of the condos at NORTHSHORE will be less than $700K — markedly below the average Burlington condo price.
Although there’s certainly demand for it, units at this price point are often difficult to pull off, due to high land costs all across the GTA.
“Unless someone has owned the land for a long time and is sitting on land holdings, then yes, I could see it, but to come into the market today and to buy land, and be able to come out of that price point, I think will be challenging,” Pantalone added.
National Homes acquired the Plains Road East property — currently occupied by a one-storey commercial plaza — more than five years ago, when prices were significantly lower than in today’s market. Now with the plans complete for their sleek, modern build, they’re ready to get the ball rolling with pre-construction sales launching in the spring.
Those who do buy at NORTHSHORE will have access to a slew of amenities, including a large fitness room, a party room, a kids’ play area, and a co-working space, to accommodate those who work remotely. Outside, there will be a parkette, and up on the roof, a large terrace overlooking the Burlington Golf Course and Lake Ontario.
“We have unobstructed views to the south, which is going to be beautiful,” Pantalone said.
On the ground floor of the development will be some retail space, which Pantalone says they plan to lease to services that will benefit the building’s residents, like a coffee shop.
With its more accessible prices, Pantalone hopes that NORTHSHORE will be able to provide housing to older homeowners looking to downsize and first-time buyers alike.
“We’re looking at the first-time homebuyer that has lived in Burlington their whole life and doesn’t want to commute or doesn’t want to leave the community that they grew up in, and now has an opportunity to buy at an affordable price.”
By Pepper Parr
December 14th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
The City has released the 2024 city meeting calendar. New in 2024, is the Committee of the Whole standing committee, that considers items from every department, and the introduction of the Pipeline to Permit standing committee.
 Mayor Meed Ward has issued 13 decisions using her Strong Mayor Powers This new committee will focus on tracking growth, issues, and continuous improvement opportunities for the development approval process within the City of Burlington.
The Committee of the Whole was established through Mayoral Decision 07-2023. This was the Mayor using the Strong Mayor powers she was given July 1st. To date she has made 13 decisions.
It will replace the existing Standing Committees
Corporate Services, Strategy, Risk and Accountability (CSSRA),
Community Planning, Regulation and Mobility (CPRM) and
Environment, Infrastructure and Community Services (EICS).
This new structure will make meetings more flexible and efficient by allowing the standing committee to transition directly to the next item of city business. It also creates a shorter committee week with fewer meetings.
City Manager Tim Commisso didn’t quite see it that way
Schedule highlights
During committee weeks each month:
Committee of the Whole committee meetings will take place on Mondays from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Any remaining items will be considered on Tuesdays, beginning at 9:30 a.m.
Pipeline to Permit committee meetings will take place on Thursdays, starting at 9:30 a.m.
City Council meetings will take place on Tuesdays, the week following the committee meetings, starting at 9:30 a.m.
None of the meetings are scheduled for the evening when it is more convenient for the public.
The city meeting calendar is available online at burlington.ca/meetings.
The agendas for all committee meetings will continue to be published on the City’s website 10 days before the meeting date. Council agendas are published online the Friday before the meeting.
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward puts her own spin on why the change. “Our new, more predictable schedule not only provides clarity and consistency for those following City Council and committee meetings, but also actively encourages public participation in our local government. By streamlining access to crucial information through our new committee structure, we are making it easier for residents to stay informed about the decisions shaping our community.
“The addition of the Committee of the Whole and the Pipeline to Permit standing committees underscores our commitment to continuous improvement, and ensures the development approval process aligns with the needs and aspirations of our growing community.”
Samantha Yew, Deputy City Clerk (who seems to be carrying the Clerk’s work load – no one seems to know just where the Kevin Arjoon, City Clerk is. Communications tells us that he is still on the payroll.)
“Having a fixed, predictable meeting schedule provides clarity and consistency for everyone who is interested in following the business of City Council. Understanding when Council will convene and when decision making is taking place also helps remove some barriers for the public to participate in their local government.”
No word on who will Chair the meetings, in the past Councillor Bentivegna served as Chair. Will that train wreck be avoided?
By Staff
December 13th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
GO Transit will offer free all-night New Year’s Eve service for customers, courtesy of Forty Creek Whisky and Metrolinx.
Both train and bus services will be free to all customers on New Year’s Eve from 7 p.m. until 8 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2024.
 In addition, GO Transit will run extra late evening trips into Union Station to help customers travelling downtown as well as a variety of special trains from Union Station after midnight to help them get home safely:
-
-
- On the Lakeshore East and West GO Lines, trains will depart regularly from Union Station from 12:30 a.m. until 7:30 a.m.
- On the Kitchener Line, trains will depart Union Station regularly from 12:35 a.m. until 5:35 a.m.
- The Milton Line will have two additional trips heading westbound to Milton GO at 1:25 a.m. and 3:55 a.m.
- On the Barrie Line, three special trains will depart between 12:55 a.m. and 4:10 a.m.
- On the Stouffville Line, three special trains will depart between 12:40 a.m. and 4:25 a.m.
- On the Richmond Hill Line, one special train will head northbound at 1:10 a.m.
Extra GO Bus service is also planned for New Year’s Eve, giving customers even more options to travel safely into 2024. UP Express service will be free after 7.p.m. with the last UP Express train departing Union at 11 p.m. and 11:27 p.m. at Pearson.
Customers are encouraged to continue tapping on and off their train or bus, but they will not be charged and will see $0 on the display.
Learn more HERE and please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
By Pepper
November 18th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
 The following motions were submitted by Ward 4 Councillor Shawna Stolte as amendments to the Mayor’s Budget.
Motion for Council to Consider:
Add the Data Engineer and Solicitor positions under the Burlington Digital Services (2024-030) with a total value of $329,196 to the 2024 Budget.
Reason:
These positions are the most critical for the Burlington Digital Services team at this time.
Approved as per form by the City Clerk,
Reviewed by the City Manager – In accordance with the Code of Good Governance, Council-Staff Relations Policy and an assessment of the internal capacity within the City to complete the work based on a specific target date (quarter/year).
Comments:
City Clerk: none
City Manager: none
Motion for Council to Consider:
Add 2 additional Firefighter positions (for a total of 4) for Station #8 (2024-014) with a total additional cost of $301,419 to the 2024 Budget.
Reason:
These positions are the critical for the Burlington Fire Department at this time.
Approved as per form by the City Clerk,
Reviewed by the City Manager – In accordance with the Code of Good Governance, Council-Staff Relations Policy and an assessment of the internal capacity within the City to complete the work based on a specific target date (quarter/year).
Comments:
City Clerk: none
City Manager: none
Motion for Council to Consider:
Increase the provision to the Strategic Land Acquisition Reserve Fund by a further $4,500,000 in the 2024 Budget.
Reason:
Land is a strategic and valuable asset to the city that is leveraged and planned for based on existing and future Council and community expectations.
As the City continues to grow, and expand levels of service, land is the enabler to enhancing community benefit, expanding city operations and effectively managing community growth and development opportunities.
We are in a Housing Crisis in Burlington with residents unable to afford adequate housing.
An integral part of the success of the Attainable Housing Strategy is the commitment to make strategic land acquisitions and work with community partners to create more attainable housing options.
The Strategic Land Acquisition Reserve Fund relies on the operating budget to replenish the reserve fund.
The existing uncommitted June 30 balance in this reserve fund is $1,427,218.00 The provision to the reserve fund for 2024 is $370,000.
This funding is pivotal in contributing to future strategic land purchases as it is the city’s primary reserve fund to plan for strategic land acquisitions.
Land purchases require large upfront investment, and this reserve fund does not have the capacity to handle large one-time cash transactions. An increased annual provision will make a considerable difference in building the City’s only land acquisition (not related to parks) reserve fund.
The guiding principles of our long-term financial plan of, responsible debt management, and efficient use of reserve and reserve funds have always been maintained in developing creative, and effective financing strategies that have not put undue pressure on our capital or operating budget or our debt capacity.
This increased provision to the Strategic Land Acquisition Reserve Fund will match the existing commitment to the Asset Management Levy as well as allow for the funds allotted to the Multi-Year Community Investment Plan to be focused on delivering enhanced community benefits related to community, recreation and cultural facilities, site amenities to address projected community growth to year 2051 (including the provision of City services related to future development) as well as projects necessary to fulfill other vital Master Plans such as new fire halls and active transportation amenities.
Approved as per form by the City Clerk,
Reviewed by the City Manager – In accordance with the Code of Good Governance, Council-Staff Relations Policy and an assessment of the internal capacity within the City to complete the work based on a specific target date (quarter/year).
Comments:
City Clerk:none
City Manager: none
Motion for Council to Consider:
Add the Application Analyst and Training Coordinator positions under the Enterprise Business Service Support (2024-031) with a total cost of $245,611 to the 2024 Budget.
Reason:
These positions are the most critical from a staff support basis to the Enterprise Business Service.
Approved as per form by the City Clerk,
Reviewed by the City Manager – In accordance with the Code of Good Governance, Council-Staff Relations Policy and an assessment of the internal capacity within the City to complete the work based on a specific target date (quarter/year).
Comments:
City Clerk: none
City Manager: none
Motion for Council to Consider:
Add 5 positions (Transit Operations Supervisor, Transit Maintenance Supervisor, Urban Forestry Supervisor, Coordinator IT Contracts and one Traffic Operations Technician) under the Human Capital Investments initiative (2024-032) with a total cost of $604,184 to the 2024 Budget.
Reason:
These positions are the most critical regarding the Human Capital Investments Initiative.
Approved as per form by the City Clerk,
Reviewed by the City Manager – In accordance with the Code of Good Governance, Council-Staff Relations Policy and an assessment of the internal capacity within the City to complete the work based on a specific target date (quarter/year).
Comments:
City Clerk: none
City Manager: none
By Pepper Parr
October 30th 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Where does the money come from
Property Taxes
The single largest portion of City funding comes from property taxes.
Senior Government Grants
These grants are provided by provincial and federal governments and are tied directly to legislated cost sharing arrangements. It should be noted that these revenues “flow through” the operating budget and are directly transferred into reserve funds until such time as they may be used for their designated purpose. As such these grants contribute to higher gross revenues and gross expenditures but have no impact on the City’s net operating budget.
User Fees
In accordance with the Municipal Act, 2001, the City of Burlington has by-laws which impose fees and charges for services or activities provided. Examples include: transit fares, permit fees, registration fees and rental revenue for the use of City facilities.
Internal Revenues/Charges
Internal Revenues are related to Internal Charges in that they are the revenues for work done for other services that are internal to the organization. The largest driver of these revenues is the revenue that Fleet Services receives for the work it performs for the other services within the City of Burlington. Other large drivers are the revenue that the City receives from Halton Court Services for a share of the revenue generated as well as the work of some City Services such as Information Technology, Finance and Human Resources perform for the functioning of the Halton Courts.
Other Corporate Revenues
These revenues include returns from the investment portfolio, managed by the Finance department, as well as the dividend and interest the City receives from Burlington Hydro. Other large items include Payments in Lieu of Taxation, Penalty and Interest on Taxes and Supplementary Taxes.
External Recoveries
External Recoveries are the revenues associated with doing work for other agencies such as other levels of government and the school boards. The largest of the recoveries are work the City performs for Halton Region followed by services performed for other municipalities.
The city receives funding from other area municipalities, school boards, other levels of government and agencies.
Recoveries from the Region of Halton and Other Municipalities
The City receives funding to recover the costs of expenditures incurred on jointly procured projects with other municipalities or for work performed on their assets.
The largest of these recoveries are received from the Region of Halton for water and wastewater works and our neighbouring municipalities of Oakville and Hamilton for work performed on boundary roads.
This will be followed by an article on where the money that comes in is spent.
By Pepper Parr
October 25th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Remember those phenomenal transit number that came out just before Covid19 took over our world.
There were a lot of people who didn’t think the numbers were all that valid – my thinking is they didn’t want the numbers to be valid but that is another issue.
 Mayor Marianne Meed Ward celebrating the arrival of another new bus. She had people literally dancing around when she finished speaking. A report that will go to Council next week back more than suggests city council got this one right.
The report provides information/data on ridership regarding seniors, youth and SPLIT Pass as well as estimated costs and implementation matters that would need to be considered for future discussions around free transit for youth all day, every day.
The Community Planning, Regulation and Mobility Committee had a report on the feasibility on free transit for seniors (65+ years of age) all day, every day, and free transit for youth (13 – 19 years of age) during evenings after 6pm and all hours on weekends.
At the same meeting the Committee requested Transit staff to provide additional information and ridership data for seniors, youth and Subsidized Passes for Low Income Transit (SPLIT), as well as cost estimates and implementation considerations for fare free transit for youth all day, every day.
Staff reported that there are many variables to take into account when considering significant changes to transit fares. This includes resources, capacity, plans, along with future needs and any funding requirements. The following information is provided with this in mind.
In September 2019, Burlington Transit restructured bus routes across the city towards a grid network, providing more frequency along major arterial roads. During the six months after the network change, ridership increased by 14% from September 2019 to February 2020. In March 2020, the pandemic was declared, and ridership was negatively impacted. Due to these variables, 2019 is established as the comparator year to understand how ridership is changing.
Overall ridership in 2020 plummeted by 39%. 2021 ridership remained 36% below 2019 ridership. In 2022, as COVID-19 pandemic restrictions were lifted, overall ridership increased; however, remained 9% lower than 2019 ridership.
Table 1 outlines actual and projected total ridership, broken out by concession fare categories. 2019 – 2022 provides actual ridership and the average percentage of ridership by concession. Historically, adults make up approximately 80% of all ridership, with the remaining 20% made up from child, youth and senior demographics combined. 2023 and 2024 illustrate estimated ridership and projected ridership growth based on historic concession percentages.
 The dress code for Council members during the tough Covid19 days. Since the pandemic, Burlington Transit has returned to the ridership growth curve that was projected in the Transit Five-Year Strategic (“Plan”) (2020-2024). In 2023, overall ridership is estimated to reach 2.8 million or approximately 14% increase from 2019 (pre-pandemic) ridership. The 2.8 million is in keeping with the anticipated total ridership provided to Council in the Plan and is consistent with planned ridership target of 2.9 million in 2024. In Table 1 above, the 2024 total annual projected ridership is broken out by concession based on previous years’ ridership experience for estimated comparison.
Burlington Transit is currently experiencing ridership growth in line with planned and projected growth estimates. Any additional increase to ridership and boardings should be done in a strategic and planned approach.
The following sections provide Council with an update to existing free fare initiatives to date, including the planned SPLIT and Senior free fare, along with Youth free fare during weekdays after 6:00pm and all hours on weekends.
- Subsidized Passes for Low Income Transit (SPLIT) Program
SPLIT Pass usage accounts for approximately 5% of Burlington Transit’s total ridership, which is currently represented by 70% adults, 21% seniors and 9% youth.
Since August 1, 2023, seniors started to travel for free at all times and are no longer required to apply for any subsidy for public transit in the City of Burlington. It is also important to note that SPLIT usage changes from year to year and is guided by many community factors such as an individual’s circumstances, current economy, employment, etc.
- Free Transit for Seniors (65+ Years of Age)
Senior ridership demographic equates to 9% of total ridership for the City of Burlington. Starting May 2019, the Senior Free Midday fare pilot was introduced, and senior ridership initially increased by 41% during the first nine months (June 2019 to February 2020) of the pilot, until the pandemic.
As illustrated in Table 2 below, in 2020 overall senior ridership fell by 40% due to pandemic restrictions, and from 2020 to 2022, Burlington Transit did not see a return to pre-pandemic senior ridership levels. In 2023, based on the first nine months of ridership data, senior ridership is making a recovery to pre-pandemic levels with an estimated 3% increase from 2019.
The current trend for senior ridership is reporting 27% higher in August 2023 from August 2019, and 28% higher in September 2023 from September 2019.
Seniors continue to travel during off-peak demand time of the day, which has minimal impact to ridership capacity during peak demand in the early morning and late afternoon/early evening hours. This is represented in Graph 1 below.
Senior free fare was approved by Council (TR-04-23) and the estimated $160,000 in lost revenue has been incorporated into the 2024 Financial Needs and Multi-Year Forecast. The 2024 rates and fees for senior fare concession has been adjusted to reflect the $0 fare.
- Free Transit for Youth (13 – 19 Years of Age) Weekdays after 6pm and Weekends
Based on previous ridership data from 2019 – 2022, youth make up 10% of total Burlington Transit ridership. As shown in Table 3 below, again due to the pandemic, there was a reduction in youth ridership in 2020 and 2021. In 2022, youth ridership didn’t fully return to pre-pandemic levels; however, the data illustrates that when students returned to school and pandemic restrictions were lifted, this ridership demographic returned to using Burlington Transit to get around. Based on 2023 estimates, staff are anticipating a 1% increase in youth ridership from 2019.
Starting August 1, 2023, youth started to travel for free on Burlington Transit during weekdays after 6pm, and all hours on weekends. The free fare for youth was recommended to allow seniors to travel for free at all times, due to constraints of the PRESTO system, which can only support a single time of day concession. The youth free fare weekday and weekend hours were decided to ensure that weekday ridership capacity would not be negatively impacted.
Historically, data illustrates that youth ridership is lower during the months of July and August and increases in September to June of each year. This is consistent with ridership increasing during active school months.
Current trends are consistent with past experience showing that youth riders have returned to using Burlington Transit due to school starting in September. Table 4 below illustrates how youth use Burlington Transit during school months and less during the summer months. Staff are continuing to review ridership data to get a comprehensive understanding of how free ridership after 6pm on weekdays and all day on weekends is being used by this ridership demographic. At this time, there are only two months of reported free ridership data, which is not enough to get a full understanding of how free fare is influencing the use of transit. Staff will continue to monitor and share information with Council.
Implementing expansion to free transit for youth all day will require additional service during these peak periods, necessitating an expansion to Burlington Transit’s bus fleet. The estimated fiscal impact is included in the financial impact section below.
Prior to any additional or expansion of free fares, Burlington Transit would recommend that a phased approach be considered to establish the foundation to support transit service delivery. The first phase would be to complete the implementation of the Transit Five-Year Strategic Plan. The second phase would be to work with a consultant to conduct a comprehensive analysis to include budgetary impacts, transit service requirements, PRESTO contract obligations, environmental benefits, and more. This would establish a strategic plan and objectives for any potential changes to ensure quality of transit service. The third phase would be to further review the Operating Metrolinx Agreement and the City’s decision to renew the contract in 2027.
Implementation of Burlington Transit Five-Year Strategic Plan
Burlington Transit is currently working to fully implement the strategic objectives of the Transit Five-Year Strategic Plan (2020-2024). The strategies and initiatives defined in the Plan were established to allow for flexibility in timing and financials due to COVID-19 and the City’s recovery from the global pandemic. Full implementation of the Plan has been delayed due to various reasons; however, it is an important first phase to complete this Plan before additional expansion of free fare ridership is considered. Council endorsed this plan in December 2020, following discussions and adaptations of the Plan to ensure transit ridership growth and service was practical and sustainable.
This Plan is a living document and provides the strategic roadmap to encourage continued ridership growth and the investment to support this growth. 2023 is the first year since the pandemic that Burlington Transit has returned to full service and is able to shift focus from adapting to a pandemic to implementing the strategic initiatives of the Plan. While 2024 is the last year of the Plan, many of the strategic objectives will continue to be included in future years’ budgets and built on as part of the next Five- year Plan.
Preliminary Analysis, Strategic Approach and Financials to Provide Free Transit for Youth
Additional infrastructure and resources would be required to support youth free fare and the increase in ridership demand. Before any additional or expansion to free fares is considered, a full and comprehensive review and strategic approach is required to ensure continued quality of transit service. In order to provide Council with the requested information and cost estimates for youth free fare at all times, the following information is provided with two months of youth free ridership (weekdays after 6pm and weekends) experience.
Estimated Youth Ridership Increase and Risk
Based on the number of high school students who are currently not eligible or provided school bus transportation by the school boards in Burlington, free transit would result in a significant increase in annual youth ridership, which is estimated to be up to 1.1 million in boardings. This is based on 187 active school days within a school year. It is necessary to estimate the number of anticipated boardings to understand the potential demand in relation to capacity.
At this time, within existing resources, Burlington Transit does not have the capacity to add school specials or additional buses to routes that service high schools. Based on the expected increase in boardings and to accommodate this extra growth in ridership, it is estimated that additional infrastructure and staffing resources would be required to service this demand. It is important to note this would be in addition to the planned increase in staffing outlined in the Transit Five-Year Plan, illustrated in Table 6.
To sustain operations and provide free transit for youth at all times, the following additional resources and staff positions would be required to properly deploy this program:
- Four additional conventional buses
- Eight Operators
- One Rider Experience and Education Specialist
- One Operations Supervisor
- One Mechanic
Prior to any additional free fare programs being expanded or introduced, it is recommended that a comprehensive analysis be conducted. This would be part of the consultant review approved by Council through Staff Direction to report back in Q4 2024 (SD-31-23).
Operating Agreement for PRESTO By and Among Metrolinx (Nov. 2027)
Furthermore, the City of Burlington currently has contractual obligations through the Operating Agreement for PRESTO By and Among Metrolinx until November 2027. The contract binds the City to use only PRESTO as a fare payment system. A fare amount can be $0; however, a transit agency is required to achieve an adoption rate and aggregate fare revenue that is generated based on annual revenue ridership.
When staff consider the commitment to minimum revenue outlined in the Agreement, it will be necessary to better understand the financial impact to additional free fare and the PRESTO Agreement. This will be carefully reviewed with finance, corporate legal and PRESTO to ensure any additional fees required to be paid by the City of Burlington is considered as part of the financial impact provided in Q4 2024. The PRESTO contract and fare integration impacts are outlined in the work that will be undertaken by the consultant, as per Staff Direction SD-31-23.
Transit Five-Year Strategic Plan – Capital and Operating Budget Investment
As previously noted, the Five-Year Plan has not been fully implemented, which includes the planned expansion of conventional buses from 63 buses in 2019 to a total of 79 buses by 2024 to support planned service and ridership growth. The last remaining eight expansion conventional buses are currently included in the Financial Needs and Multi-Year forecast for funding of four buses in 2024 ($4,045,000) and four buses in 2025 ($4,329,000). Capital Project VE-VN-1503 provides the total financial impact of
$8,374,000. The planned expansion is partially funded through ICIP, with a total committed amount of $6,141,000 in approved funding.
It is important to note that a conventional bus takes one year to 18 months from procurement to delivery. Based on this timing, it will be 2026 to 2027 before the planned expansion for conventional buses is completed.
Lost Revenue
In addition to the expenses noted above, it is estimated that there would be a loss in revenue of $580,000. This is based on the youth ridership and 2024 planned budget for fare concession revenue. This has not been included in the 2024 Financial Needs and Multi-Year Forecast.
Total Financial Impact
The total financial impact to provide free fare transit for youth is summarized below. The total fiscal impact includes the capital investment, ongoing operating investment and anticipated revenue loss.
Table 9: Youth Free Fare Budget Estimates
| Description |
Operating $ |
Capital $ |
| Capital Infrastructure – 4 Additional Conventional Buses |
– |
$4,188,000 |
| 11 Additional FTE to Support Youth Free Ridership |
$1,680,000 |
|
| Lost Revenue |
$580,000 |
|
| Estimated Sub-total |
$2,260,000 |
$4,188,000 |
The total cost to implement free transit to youth demographics is estimated to be
$6,448,000. These costs are not currently included within the Financial Needs and Multi-year Forecast, and do not include associated operating costs, like fuel and maintenance. These costs are also in addition to full implementation of the Transit Five- Year Plan, which is still underway.
Source of Funding
The source of funding is unknown at this time, as all funding under the ICIP program has been allocated to the implementation of the Transit Five-Year Plan. Other transit funding sources such as Provincial and Federal Gas Taxes are currently dedicated to the renewal of the existing fleet.
Halton School Boards are provided provincial funding for student transportation. It would be beneficial to include this in the consultant’s work to better understand any potential funding opportunities if the City is going to provide transit service where dedicated school bus transportation is provided, or partially subsidize public transit as a service to the school boards.
Other Resource Impacts
As noted above, the human resource impacts of implementing a free fare program for students would require additional support staff. Specifically:
- Transit Operations Supervisors to support additional capacity on buses, provide assistance at schools and to troubleshoot potential concerns and issues that
- Rider Experience and Education Specialist is required to support travel training and student transit education program. This resource would plan and develop the travel training program and work with school boards to support travel
- Transit Operators to support the increase in service hours required for increased transit service.
- Transit Mechanics to support additional infrastructure and increase Other costs of the program may include:
- Increased maintenance costs due to expanded service hours, which would result in additional staffing.
- Fuel costs due to increased service
- Additional maintenance costs to buses due to increased service
Risks
Providing youth free fare transit at this time, without planned investment, has the potential to create the following risks:
 Doug Brown may soon wear an even bigger smile Overcrowded buses during peak periods and the potential of leaving people behind,Schedule delays from buses operating at crush loadsPoor customer service and increased complaints,
Unsafe conditions due to overcrowding,
Burlington Transit and the City’s reputation,
City’s obligation to the PRESTO Operating Agreement,
Reduced ridership due to poor customer service,
Increased problematic behaviour due to overcrowding, decline in service,
Public transit supports the City’s targets to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Every ride on Burlington Transit removes a car off the road and reduces CO2 emissions and traffic congestion.
Each 40-foot bus (12.2 metres) seats 40 riders comfortably; however, can hold up to 60 passengers with standing room. Considering annual ridership totals divided by 40 riders provides staff with an average estimate of personal vehicles removed from roadways. Based on 2023 anticipated ridership, it is estimated that Burlington Transit will remove 70,000 single trip vehicles from the roadways.
Staff have started conversations with the City’s finance department to better understand the full financial impact of free transit on the transit operating and capital budget.
To have a fulsome youth transit program, engagement with Halton School Boards at a political level is required to re-initiate the conversations that were started in 2019. The purpose would be to discuss funding opportunities to offset some of the costs to offer this program.
It is estimated that full implementation will not take place prior to 2027, based on the Financial Needs and Multi-year Forecast.
 Funding free transit – will he support it? Hasn’t been a transit fan in the past. Also, that any expansion of free fare programs be deferred until after the consultant study is completed. The consultant study will examine any associated costs, benefits and risks, impact to financial sustainability, service impacts, and potential funding sources, and will be provided to Council in Q4 2024, as per Staff Direction (SD-31-23).
Lastly, that the existing PRESTO Agreement be considered in regard to timing of any additional or expansion of free fare changes due to the City’s contractual obligation.
Mayor Meed Ward has wanted free transit for everyone at any time of day.
She gets full credit for this one and deserves full support from every member of Council
Councillor Sharman might choke on this one – do it for the Gipper Councillor.
By Staff
September 25th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Last Saturday Bfast held a Transit Users’ Forum with presentations on the state of transit in Burlington and the opportunity for riders and others to ask questions or voice concerns to officials from Burlington Transit.
 Burlington Transit Director Catherine Baldelli addressing the Bfast participants. With about 60 people in-person attending the event at the Burlington Central Public Library, and some watching via Zoom, the forum included a re-cap of Burlington Transit operations and plans by Transit Director, Catherine Baldelli; an address from Councillor Rory Nisan, Deputy Mayor for the Environment; and a keynote presentation by acclaimed economist from McMaster University, Dr. Atif Kubursi.
 Doug Brown – there isn’t a bus on the face of this earth that Doug Brown wants to see carrying people. “Burlington’s Transit Users’ Forum is unique in Canada,” said Doug Brown, chair of Burlington for Accessible Sustainable Transit (BFAST), the lead organizer of the forum. “There is no event like it anywhere else. It speaks to Burlington Transit’s commitment to engage with its riders that our transit agency supports and participates in this exercise, which is organized by citizen volunteers.”
Baldelli reminded the audience that Burlington Transit is in the midst of a 5-year strategic plan that points the way to the electrification of the fleet. But first, the system needed to be upgraded to accommodate the needs of the public. Reliability, connectivity, frequency and switching to more of a grid-like route system have all been addressed. Numerous outreach and public sessions have been instituted to keep the public informed.
“Pre-pandemic, things were looking great for the transit system, then Covid hit,” Baldelli said. “This year we are on target to match earlier ridership levels.”
 McMaster University, economist Dr. Atif Kubursi spoke to transit users during a weekend Bfast meeting. Professor Kubursi’s analysis focused on ‘The Total Benefits of Free Transit’. Benefits touch on economics, equality, addressing climate change, and social equity. Of particular note Kubursi zeroed in on free transit, something that Burlington has offered to seniors and at specific times to youth under 19.
Kubursi stated, “Free transit can be a powerful tool for promoting social equity. It eliminates transportation costs, making it more accessible to low-income individuals and families. This means that everyone, regardless of their economic status, has equal access to essential services, job opportunities, and educational institutions, ultimately reducing disparities in society.”
Free transit also invites riders to explore more of their city and the money saved on fares will, in most cases, be spent on local goods and amenities. The challenge is how to pay for free transit. “Cities must find alternative funding sources to cover the costs previously generated from ticket sales and fares.” Kubusi noted. “The success of free transit relies on changing the behaviour of commuters accustomed to using personal vehicles. Ultimately, free transit has the power to create more sustainable, equitable, and vibrant urban environments for residents and future generations.”
The forum concluded with a question and answer session featuring Baldelli, Nisan, Kubursi and Glenna Cranston, a member of BFAST.
 Transit advocates attended the live event; some took part virtually. Questions from the audience included concerns about frequency, connections, why do some buses get delayed or taken out of service suddenly and how can riders learn of the interruption, and the policy on dogs on buses (service and support dogs are allowed).
BFAST wishes to thank those organizations that supported the forum and the group looks forward to next year’s forum while it advocates for an even better transit system in Burlington.
By Staff
July 20th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
With all day free transit for seniors starting August 1st, people will need to get a Presto card.
Here is how you do that:
 Burlington Transit is giving Seniors 65+ and youth 13-19 free PRESTO cards while supplies last. The cards can be picked up and activated at the Downtown Transit Terminal, 430 John St.
The terminal is open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Adult and child PRESTO cards are available for $6. Customers should bring ID so staff can give them the correct PRESTO card with the right age category assigned to it.
PRESTO cards are available for children, youth, adults and seniors for $6 at:
• all Shopper’s Drug Mart locations in Burlington
• vending machines at the GO Stations: these are issued as adult cards. Anyone purchasing a PRESTO card at one of the PRESTO vending machines will need to stop by the Downtown Transit Terminal or a Shoppers Drug Mart location to have the correct age category put on their card, if not an adult.
 Tap the card – that’s all it takes To use the PRESTO card, tap the PRESTO card as you board the bus, the same way you would tap a credit or debit card. Burlington Transit bus drivers are able to help if passengers have any questions.
For new riders, Burlington Transit is partnering with the Burlington Public Library to offer Learn to Ride sessions at various library branches this fall. Watch for information about those sessions soon.
 By Pepper Parr
July 15th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
 Councillor Paul Sharman: His Staff Direction stunned many. During discussion of the free transit program that was before Counci,l Councillor Sharman stunned his colleagues when he put forward the following Staff Direction
Direct the Director of Transit to report back to the Sept. 12 CPRM meeting with information/data on ridership, as a result of:
• free transit for seniors;
• free transit for youth;
• SPLIT Pass ridership (all age groups); and
Provide cost estimates and implementation recommendations for free transit for youth — all day, every day; and
Direct the Director of Transit to investigate offering free transit for all. This would include a detailed analysis of:
• Budget impacts and 10-year forecast for both Operating Budget and Capital Budget;
• Impacts to transit service and service requirements for a successful rollout. To include resourcing, assets (conventional and specialized);
• PRESTO contract and fare integration impacts;
• Gas tax impacts;
• Regional Transit Operationalization impacts;
• Benefits for free transit including environmental, economic;
• Risks of free transit to City’s financial sustainability and service impacts and expansion;
• Impacts to specialized transit;
• Potential funding sources; and
Report back to Committee by Q4 2024; and
Authorize the Chief Financial Officer to transfer $50,000 from the Provincial Gas Tax Reserve Fund to retain a consultant to undertake this review.
 Councillor Sharman: Up to a bit of mischief? Councillor Sharman has always looked for data – the more the better. When he was putting forward his Staff Directions he gave no philosophical argument or a detailed rationale for his decision, which he has been want to do in the past.
Was it the realization that Climate Warming was a threat that has to be faced? Sharman was never a transit advocate – all he could see was big empty buses going by his house – and making too much noise to boot.
He will eventually have the data he needs – and the decision, for Sharman at least, will be revealed in that data.
What Sharman is really up against however is a population that just does not want to give up their cars and the freedom to go where they want when they want. Electrical vehicles is something those people might consider – but giving up their cars – that mind change hasn’t even begun in Burlington.
When the numbers are in – the city may find that it is something they just can’t afford.
There was once a meeting related to changing transit routes – mention was made of a change in the route in and around the Tansley Woods Community. There were several delegations from that community that tried to convince Council a change wasn’t needed – most of the people in the community had cars, many with two vehicles and they didn’t want the noise or the fumes that came with diesel buses.
If the City is going to go free transit – will it be in a position to afford an all electric fleet ?
Sharman should, and probably does know that data is a part of the solution – changing minds is a totally different matter.
The skills to pull something like that are not what we have seen from Sharman in the past.
 By Pepper Parr
July 11th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
It was a different City Council meeting.
 Deputy Mayor Shawna Stolte chaired the City Council meeting this day. The Mayor didn’t take part except for the several times she dropped in virtually. Deputy Mayor Shawna Stolte had the gavel (no chain of office) and ran a different kind of meeting.
It was softer in a nice way – she was more gracious than Meed Ward usually is. More empathetic and got through the event without a glitch.
She handled the delegations smoothly.
Council covered a very broad range of issues – we will cover is as much is as we can in the next few days.
Council basically agreed to work towards a transit service that will be free for everyone any time. To the surprise of many, Councillor Sharman put out a Staff Direction that called for the collection of data that will be used to determine just what the cost is likely to be should all day free transit come to pass.
 Councillor Sharman moved a Staff Direction that will pull together the data needed to determine just what free transit is going to cost. Council was told of a CMHC funds that has billions to spend on housing initiatives. We will report on that is as well.
On the negative side this Council went along with the passing of a bylaw that gives the city the power prevent a person from using city facilities. They did this without is as much is as a single word from any Staff person explaining how they would do this – and worse still – without a single word from any member of Council – other than when they voted.
We will need to review the web cast to ensure that we are correct in saying that Mayor Meed Ward was did not vote – for the brief moments it took to tally the vote we don’t believe the Mayor was online. But we do need to confirm that.
Anne Marsden gave a blistering delegation on why Council should not do what it chose to do.
This is a matter that should be taken to the City Ombudsman.
By Staff
June 15th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
The Mountainside Outdoor Pool (2205 Mount Forest Dr.) is set to make a splash and re-open this summer.
A grand opening event is planned for June 30 at 3:30 p.m. with Mayor Meed Ward and members of Council to officially cut the ribbon. The community is welcome to come into Mountainside Pool for the ribbon cutting celebration followed by a free swim. Swimming at the pool will be free all weekend.
To help celebrate, Mountainside Pool visitors on June 30 will be able to get a free hotdog or hamburger, beginning at 4 p.m., while supplies last. Residents are encouraged to bring a refillable water bottle.
 The pandemic and supply problems made the revitalization of the pool a challenge – Opens officially on June 30th. Former ward Councillor will be very pleased that all his early efforts made this possible. Hopefully he will be recognized. The pool’s revitalization has created an attractive, fun, active and welcoming multi-use outdoor swimming pool. We invite the community to experience swimming and water play here and take part in free swimming on June 30 and July 1-2. Walk-in only; no registrations needed.
The ward Councillor doesn’t get even a mention in the city medias release. Would that be because he doesn’t live in the ward anymore?
Revitalization highlights include:
• A new pool with a beach entry and three separate 50M lap lanes
• Accessibility ramps
• Water spray features
• Climbing wall
• Waterslide
• Shade structures
Grand opening events
Date Time Event
June 30 3:30 to 4 p.m. Ribbon cutting
4 to 7 p.m. Free fun swim and lap swim
4 p.m. Free BBQ, while supplies last
July 1 9 to 10 a.m. Free aquafit
10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free fun swim and lap swim
1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Free fun swim and lap swim
5 to 7:30 p.m. Free fun swim and lap swim
July 2 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free fun swim and lap swim
1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Free fun swim and lap swim
5 to 7:30 p.m. Free fun swim and lap swim
Swimmers and participants are encouraged to use active transportation, Burlington Transit or carpool as parking is limited because of the BBQ set-up.
 The pool is well used and serves on average 27,000 participants in a wide variety of activities including recreational swimming, lap swimming and learn to swim lessons each summer.
Public art
With input from public engagement, Clear Eyes Collective was chosen to create a large-scale mural as part of the Mountainside Pool Revitalization Project. The public art piece Clear Eyes Collective created is called Take a Step.
The final artwork will be unveiled in the coming weeks.
 By Pepper Parr
April 11th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Is there anyone who speaks for and about transit issues in Burlington?
The six members of Council are now all Deputy Mayors with what Mayor Meed Ward called a “portfolio” which portfolio looks into and after the transit service – the word doesn’t event appear in the list of portfolios.
 Imagine seeing one of these scooting up and down Brant Street or along Fairview. They are called Autonomous Vehicles that drive along a pre-determind route, can carry up to eight passengers along with a driver who could take over the wheel if needed. Transit sucks up a significant portion of the budget. This council is tightly focused on getting both affordable and attainable housing in place for the thousands of people who are expected to call Burlington home by 2031
They are going arrive – how will they get around the city – there is already a considerable amount of grid lock.
 Sue Connor, former Director of Transit for Burlington. There was a time when the city had one of the best transit operators in the province serving is as Director of Burlington Transit. For reasons that were never explained Sue Connors moved on and now spends a lot of her time with CUTRIC, Canadian Urban Transit Research & Innovation Consortium where her experience is being put to good use.
While with Burlington Connors shepherded Council through the challenge the city faced is as it began thinking how it would move away from diesel powered buses to battery or hydrogen fuel cells systems. There are significant differences between the two.
Battery powered buses have been around for some time; hydrogen is more recent. Much of the thinking about which works best is being done at CUTRIC.
Burlington doesn’t have a single member of Council with any depth of understanding about the challenges the city faces.
The current Council doesn’t seem to have much in the way of appetite for both understanding and resolving the issue.
This failure, and it is a failure not an oversight is something the city will pay for dearly in the not too distant future.
The city did declare a Climate Emergency – it sort of got left at that. Councillor Nisan has the Environment portfolio but don’t expect him to take up the torch for buses that don’t pollute – unless there is an advantage in it for him – polishing up the profile wouldn’t be excuse enough.
 There is little interest in transit in Burlington. It would be safe to say that not one member of council has been on a bus so far in this term of office. People in Burlington want to drive in their car and complain about grid lock. There is nothing exciting about transit – but if the city went after an opportunity to be a pilot site for one of these autonomous vehicles thousands of people would at least want to try one out.  Ward 1 – Councillor Kelvin Galbraith; Deputy Mayor for Business & Red Tape Reduction:
Ward 2 – Councillor Lisa Kearns; Deputy Mayor for Community Engagement & Partnerships.
Ward 3 – Councillor Rory Nisan; Deputy Mayor for the Environment
Ward 4 – Councillor Shawna Stolte; Deputy Mayor for Housing
Ward 5 – Councillor Paul Sharman; Deputy Mayor for Strategy & Budgets
Ward 6 – Councillor Angelo Bentivegna; Deputy Mayor for Recreation and Community Services
Do you see the word “transit” in the portfolios the members of Council have as Deputy Mayors ?
Transit is getting a lot of attention in other municipalities. Whitby was the location for a pilot of the Autonomous buses driven by batteries.
Salt with Pepper is the musings, reflections and opinions of the publisher of the Burlington Gazette, an online newspaper that was formed in 2010 and is a member of the National Newsmedia Council.
 By Pepper Parr
April 8th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Anthony Hoyes is one of five people running for the vacated Ward 1&2 Burlington seat on the Halton District School Board.
He is a ward 5 resident who works for Burlington Transit as a Supervisor where he feels his experience in dealing with people is the strength he brings to the table.
 Anthony Hoyes; running for the ward 1&2 Burlington seat on the Halton District School Board His two major issues are bullying and diversification in the Halton schools; student equity matters to Hoyes who saw the issue with the teacher at an Oakville High School in attire that many thought was very inappropriate.
Hoyes saw any decision the trustees made about the teacher as a double edged sword. The students had to be protected and the views of the parents listened to – and at the same time strong union support for the teacher was difficult to deal with when the union took the view that the rights of the teacher could not be forgotten.
He would like to see the school board he wants to sit on returning to the reason why children have to attend school – teach them the basics and do so in a safe environment and stop distracting them from issues that are not part of what they need to help them thrive.
Hoyes has never attended a school board meeting, wasn’t fully aware that the meetings are open to the public
He had no views on the Board of Education budget and has not done the public survey the board puts out. He wasn’t aware that it set out on the HDSB web site.
He was open and transparent on what he knew and didn’t know about board of education matters – believing that he would learn on the job
“This is my first time running for public office – “I’m still learning” he said.
Nominations for the by-election close on April 14th
By Staff
March 1st, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
The provincial government Financial Accountability Office of Ontario (FAO) released its Expenditure Monitor 2022-23: Q3 report. The report provides an update on the Province’s 2022-23 spending plan and reviews actual unaudited spending by the government over the first three quarters of the 2022-23 fiscal year (April 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022).
As of the end of the third quarter, December 31, 2022, the Province’s total spending plan was up $209 million, reaching $193.2 billion. By sector, in the third quarter, the ‘other programs’ spending plan increased by $1,137 million, followed by health ($183 million), children’s and social services ($146 million), justice ($42 million) and education ($3 million). These increases were partially offset by a $1,302 million transfer from the Contingency Fund.
 Does this mean the province will begin to spend the money it has collected in taxes? In order to manage and monitor its program spending during the fiscal year, the Province divides its spending plan into expected spending by quarter, which reflects historical spending patterns, seasonality and other factors. Over the first three quarters of 2022-23, the Province expected to spend $129.2 billion. However, actual unaudited spending was $122.8 billion. This was $6.4 billion (5.0 per cent) less than expected. All sectors spent less than expected, led by ‘other programs’ (-$3,534 million), health (-$1,251 million), education (-$844 million), children’s and social services (-$458 million), postsecondary education (-$175 million), justice (-$88 million) and interest on debt (-$87 million).
Compared to the previous year, spending over the first three quarters of 2022-23 was $2.9 billion (2.4 per cent) higher than during the same period in 2021-22. The largest year-over-year spending increase was in health ($1,119 million), followed by education ($852 million), interest on debt ($762 million), children’s and social services ($737 million), postsecondary education ($165 million) and justice ($51 million). Conversely, ‘other programs’ spending was $818 million less than during the same period in 2021-22.
Quick Facts:
 Metrolynx projects eat up hundreds of millions – some projects take longer than others. Key programs with lower-than-expected spending include Metrolinx and municipal infrastructure projects (-$1,197 million), electricity subsidy programs (-$665 million), Ministry of Infrastructure capital programs (-$644 million), public health (-$605 million), Metrolinx and municipal transit operating funding (-$462 million), social assistance programs (-$453 million), elementary and secondary education programs (-$432 million) and child care programs (-$396 million).
Programs with the largest year-over-year spending increases include child care ($762 million), payments to physicians ($518 million), drug programs ($422 million), the operation of hospitals ($353 million) and the operation of long-term care homes ($342 million).
The Province started the 2022-23 fiscal year with a total of $4.6 billion in unallocated funds in the Contingency Fund. In the second and third quarters, the Province transferred $373 million and $1,302 million, respectively, from the Contingency Fund to various programs. This results in a remaining balance in the Contingency Fund, as of December 31, of $2.9 billion.
About the FAO:
Established by the Financial Accountability Officer Act, 2013, the Financial Accountability Office (FAO) provides independent analysis on the state of the Province’s finances, trends in the provincial economy and related matters important to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.
By Pepper Parr
February 16th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
We are still here – find out why.
City Council was in session for a solid seven hours not including the breaks on Tuesday.
There were a lot of questions, more than enough posturing but not a word in the way of changing the budget that came as recommended from the Standing Committee.
 Mayor Marianne Meed Ward The tax rate that was voted on works out to $60.31 per $100,000 of Current Value Assessment (CVA)
There is a tax levy that will be applied to the repair and replacement of the infrastructure. There was no mention of just how much that is.
There is usually a surplus in spending from the previous year that gets placed in the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve – the amount of the surplus was not made public.
We will chase those down for you
The motion they were to vote on was split into three separate votes. The first is on the operating budget. The second is on the capital budget and the third is related to assessment growth and how they will deal with it if it is lower than expected.
The Mayor asked if there any outstanding questions; none they moved on to comments from the Councillors before the actual vote.
Councillor Sharman, who is also the Deputy Mayor of Strategy and Budgets. Go ahead and kick us off on comments.
 Ward 5 Councillor Paul Sharman “Thank you very much. I’ll be brief – I guess. I’ve been reflecting on what occurred in our budget discussions, and I realized that this is a step on the journey we’ve been on and we’ve got a long way to go yet. The sophistication that we’ve added to the budgeting system in the course of the last number of years, has led us to a point where we have a long term strategic plan or a vision as we call it.
“We have an operating plan, which we call vision to focus. And those pieces should fit together well and we need to improve that but then what we have to add to that as a costing of our official operating plan B to F and that means we are doing the budget every day of our lives from now on, because by the time we get to a budget discussion this time next year, that should not be any unknowns, we should not be having any random motions.
“They should already be dealt with. The only place where we just have a motion is where there’s clearly something missed in the budget. And I won’t get into the examples because that leads to a longer debate. But when there’s something that that has come up recently, more recently in the deliberation, then the deliberations of staff that allow that we have a reason good reason to address it. And we did that in this last budget. But we need to get discipline into this process. And we need to be alert to the fact that it is the long term that matters and that we constantly have to be thinking about financing of everything we do and we have to make our priority decisions based on the resources available to us.”
 Ward 6 Councillor Angelo Bentivegna Councillor Benevento
“My thought my thought process reviewing this budget had to do, we’re trying to balance.
“I guess from a personal standpoint, what I believed we needed now and massaging some of the rightful business cases that into the 2020 Ford budget which we know is coming later this year. Our city’s simulated budget over the next few years, we know it’s going to be challenging. That will remain to be seen when we all are aware that there are financial analysts out there who are predicting inflation to drop in 2023 to about 3% and 2% in 2024.
“So I thought that this might have been a great opportunity to balance some of the shortfall without kicking the can down the road.
“Unfortunately, for me, my motions did not pass and that’s okay. I am disappointed, but I respect the process and the discussions that we had. I would like to say that a 730 page budget book is not an easy document to review, which makes our decisions very difficult. It’s very short period of time.
“We’re not the operators, and we’re not accountants. And that’s what makes it very, very difficult for us. “We do live in a great city. We do have great services, and we have great staff. No one, including myself, wants to see any less services than we have. Having said that, I believe we need to look at our process a little bit when it comes to budgets.
“I mentioned, during the budget discussions, that I will be bringing forward a motion at an upcoming committee meeting that will direct the CFO to prepare a 2024 budget to limit the overall tax increase percentage without reducing any existing service levels. That’s how we do it at the region. And we’ll see why we can’t figure out a way to do it here in the city.”
 Ward 3 Councillor Rory Nisan Counsellor at Nissan
“It’s been a tough budget. Very tough; it’s been tough across the province.
“Burlington has added dollars to key elements: bylaw, human resources and other areas. There was a strong justification given for every single item. I tried to find places to cut and in the end, I could only find one spot where I thought maybe we could, and even then a pretty strong justification was made.
“And here’s the hard fact: we are already lean in Burlington. Our taxes are lower than other local jurisdictions. We have been very, very lean. We can’t reduce taxes without reducing service levels We are building the city of the future while trying to reduce tax increases.
“We are being very responsible through a tough budget and yeah, kudos we’ve been doing for several years now. Active Transportation, I really appreciate my colleagues support for that.
“And Safe Streets. These are things that we all agree on. And so there’s been some really smart amendments, very strategic focus, and there’s just there’s nothing there’s no excess here. There’s just nothing left. And so that’s because of the hard work of our staff. A lot of good work here.
Councillor Kearns: “Are we making all of our budget comments under the operation? Are we waiting to the end?
Mayor: “If you have separate comments on capital and the disposition of the assessment you would make those under those two but operating is kind of the big one. Feel free to make it now.
“I’m humbled also to share on the approval of our budget for the coming year. It has been a difficult and challenging process as the pressure to manage our expenses and prioritize services has been immense. I really emphasize that immense part. Incredible work has been done with diligence and scrutiny. At the heart of our community are our residents and it’s with their future in mind that we’ve crafted this budget. We’ve worked tirelessly to ensure that essential services such as public safety customer excellence, quality of life, infrastructure, maintenance and development management will remain in front and center of our fiscal outlook. We understand that this is a time of economic difficulty for many families. That is why we also are empathetic to those who need assistance during these trying times and also have relief programs subject to availability, eligibility available through a finance department.
 “There’s been tension with stakeholders and staff to drill down into further savings and cost avoidance initiatives. I’ve scrubbed this budget to little avail of further relief, and it has been significant underfunding, part of which we all have an accountability to and this budget strikes a commitment to do better and we will together Furthermore, we are focusing on environmental sustainability initiatives and livability. So we can ensure a healthy future not only for the Burlington residents of today, but for generations to come.
“It’s quite incredible to be part of a generational shift and to make these investments for generations to come. We plan on investing in energy projects over the next few years exploring creative opportunities through culture building, expanding public transit options, investing in green infrastructure improvements for the city and implementing new programs aimed at delivering transformational digital solutions. It’s our belief that by pursuing these initiatives, not only will the citizens of Burlington benefit now, but they’ll continue to reap the rewards well into the future.
“As always, it remains our priority to provide safe communities where people can flourish and take part in creating vibrant neighborhoods to reflect our collective values and objectives. With this budget in place, we believe that these goals can be achieved over time with consistent effort from local leaders and stakeholders like I want to thank everyone who has been involved in this process and for taking part in these important decisions along the way.”
 Councillor Galbraith
“This was a very challenging budget. You know, we’ve definitely heard some feedback from the residents about the number and it’s not easy to swallow. But, you know, I think we did a lot of work along the way in the past year towards this budget. Improving bylaw departments approving purchasing our largest community center at budget time, we need to fund those.
“We can’t pull the funding at budget time for things we’ve already approved and all agreed to support. It just doesn’t work. We need to fund our, our, the plans for you know, active transportation we need to fund those plans and I appreciate some of the motions brought forward by my colleagues.
“They were very good and and were supported and they need to be supported. You know, I am excited about some of the staff fixes that are this budget is supporting. We have a lot of processes that were just are backlogged. They’re just not working right now. So there’s really no way around it. We have to fix our internal staffing issues. The culture is not competitive anymore. Compensation is so looking forward to supporting this budget.”
Mayor Meed Ward: “So first of all, I would like to offer some some thanks. Starting with our city manager, our CFO and the entire team of staff. This wasn’t an easy budget for you to present to us.
We recognize that and we also know that we can’t fix what we don’t know. And if there are issues in the corporation we really do rely on having a collaborative and trusting relationship with our staff to bring forward what you believe the city needs and our community needs. And you did that in in a very difficult budget year and we know this is year one of two years of difficulty so next year’s budget is going to be difficult as well. Because we are building the foundation for the future. We are not just planning for all of the services that our community needs for this term of Council.
“We are planning for the next seven generations and this budget and the next one and the future ones that we will deal with on our watch are part of putting that strong foundation into place. It makes key investments in issues and projects and services that our community has told us are important this directly responds to community feedback that we’ve heard around the need for more community amenities. So Robert Bateman High School redevelopment adaptation is funded. The Skyway Community Centre is funded with a new NHL size ice rink.
“We have park improvements that are funded active transportation, including some additional motions brought forward during committee to make sure that people have the choice of cycling walking transit to get around our city. Residents have asked us for enhanced resources around bylaw enforcement and coyote response. This is directly relating to people’s quality of life living in our community. And so we responded to that as well, as well as automated speed cameras. This is year one of a two year implementation program to make sure that we have a better way of dealing with speeding on local streets and protective protecting public safety in that way.
“And we’ve reserved our free beach parking passes for Halton residents for the next year for the next two years, actually. So we this is a very responsive budget. It also addresses ongoing impacts from COVID inflation as well as the need to be competitive to the labour market and make sure that we have the best people here to deliver the best services to our community and catching up to growth. So a lot of we’re behind the eight ball community growth has far surpassed our planned expectations and we expect that to happen again even with the new numbers assigned to us by the province. And gross never fully pays for growth.
“And of course under Bill 23. We are going to continue to lobby that the impacts and the hole in our budget created by that bill be erased and that we’d be made whole so that we can collect what we need to build the community services, infrastructure and other amenities that a growing community needs. So we’re playing catch up with his budget and the next. And a reminder to folks that your overall budget includes three levels of government. It includes Halton Region services, you get paramedics, waste management, public health, social services, housing and so much more. And of course, also public education. We we are the collection agency for local investment in education.
“So you get all of that for about another $1.50 a day in this budget and even after all of that our tax rate will be lower than municipalities of our size. So I’m very excited about what this budget delivers by way of services and amenities to our community and setting a foundation for a very strong future in the short term as well as seven generations out. So with that I’m not seeing any other speakers to this item. So I will we will turn it to the clerk to call the vote. Go ahead.
Councillor Galbraith’? “support”. Councillor Kearns? “support”. Councillor Nissan ? “support”. Councillor Stolte? “support”. Councillor Sharman? “support” Councillor Bentivegna ? “do not support.” Mayor Mead Ward ? “support”.
The motion carries.
Now they get to do it all over again for the Capital budget.
Mayor: ” We now have the separate vote on the capital budget for the city If anyone wishes just to speak to capital now’s your chance. Okay, I will simply say that this This budget does include an infrastructure levy we are playing catch up on State of Good Repair for for our assets, roads, community centres, buildings and we are increasing that this year because we know that we need to close the gap between the required costs of making sure that our infrastructure is kept in a state of good repair and the actual the amount that is available. So we’re going to continue to close that gap.
“We have a 20 year asset management plan. And and that’s part of what you’re getting in this budget. All right, seeing no additional speakers. To that back to the clerk for the recorded vote on this one.”
They voted: All supported except for Councillor Bentivegna who was opposed to the Capital Budget
Thank you and our final vote is with respect to assessment growth: if it is higher than the estimated 6% any increase generated goes to the tax rate stabilization reserve which we know has been relied upon heavily during COVID.
Councillor Kearns: “Thank you very much. So this is exactly where it should be going. We absolutely do need to build up that tax stabilization reserve fund. And for that reason in the year ahead with the amount of work that we’ve already done on the budget. I will not be supporting anything that comes out of one time tax rate stabilization reserve fund through the balance of the year. So I hope that everything that needs to be done has been captured in this budget and any overages or returns go right back into this reserve fund.”
Councillor Sharman: “Thank you. I think this point underlines my earlier comment, so thank you for that Councillor Kearns. As I’ve said before, we have been on a long journey by prior councils to try to minimize tax increases to the community and they have been very successful. Of course, those kinds of steps have implications because you only have so much money and all of you at home, who are dealing with your own personal budgets and your own situations at home that caused you to have the budget that you have. Those kinds of factors apply also to this community in total. The cumulative impact of all prior years of costs is on our books today. And that would suggest to us that we have to be very conscious of the future of the organization, the future of the community, as much as on the impact on local community members today. There is no magic to this. It requires discipline, hard work and diligence. Part of it is that we have to rebuild our reserves. I’m not going to make any comments about the way we’ve used them in the past. My point is only about the future requires more and more discipline and care. And not that we haven’t cared enough. We just got to think about it differently.”
Mayor Meed Ward: “At the moment, I will simply conclude my statements with some thanks that I left out. I want to give a huge thanks to Councillor Charmin, who is also our Deputy Mayor of strategy and budgets for your deep review. And understanding of these matters and contributing to getting us to today. I’ve learned a lot sitting side by side with you through this process and look forward to next year in coming years.
“And I also want to thank our budget chair Councillor Kearns, who very capably led us through over seven hours of discussion in one day and we were in good hands. Our conversations as has been noted before, we’re very respectful, very thoughtful and and that is, I think, a huge testament to this council working together because it’s difficult any year in a budget year and we’ve had some tough ones. But especially when you’re looking at a significant increase like this. People focused on what we needed to do for the community and that is evident in our discussion. So thanks to all of you. The community is better for it.
 City Manager Tim Commisso made perhaps the truest comment saying “this budget could not have been done without Treasurer Joan For” Joan added that it was a team of five financial analysts, Meri Gjeka; Andrea Hagley; Gurpinder Grewal; and Lori Jivan who was the public face during the debates. She seemed to have every number that was needed at her finger tips.
The same day City Communications put out a statement,
Burlington City Council has approved the city’s 2023 budget, focused on planning ahead and protecting our city’s future.
As Burlington continues to grow, the 2023 budget will make key investments to ensure our City services, amenities and infrastructure keep pace with the changing needs of the community and address the continued impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key investment priorities include:
• Enhancing front line service delivery with additional transit operators, firefighters, and bylaw and animal services staff to respond to your concerns
• Funding for two new community centres – Skyway Community Centre located at 129 Kenwood Ave. and the former Robert Bateman High School at 5151 New St.
• $72.6 million of capital investment in 2023 to keep our infrastructure assets like buildings, roads and parks in a state of good repair.
• New funding dedicated to cycling infrastructure
• New automated speed reduction program to help address local traffic concerns
• Free transit for youth (ages 13-19) on evenings and weekends
Al this is going to come to $60.31 per $100,000 of Current Value Assessment (CVA)
The property tax bill is made up of three portions, the City of Burlington (48.9%), Halton Region (33.4%), and the Boards of Education (17.7%). The overall tax increase is 7.52 per cent.
 By Ray Rivers
February 5th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
The provincial Liberal party is Ontario’s green party. The last decade and a half of Liberal rule from 2003 to 2018 were the greenest years in Ontario’s history.
In 2014 Ontario became one of the first jurisdictions anywhere to phase out its reliance on coal fired dirty electricity generation – the number one historical cause of global warming. That was also the single biggest reduction of carbon emissions in Canada, ever!
 Ontario became Canada’s leading jurisdiction in implementing clean passive solar and wind renewable energy. In its place Ontario became Canada’s leading jurisdiction in implementing clean passive solar and wind renewable energy. By the time they had been replaced as government, more than 92% of all the electricity in the province was being generated without using fossil fuels. Ontario led the rest of the country in wind capacity adding 5,060 MW of wind capacity between 2005 and 2019. And with 2,670 MW installed, Ontario had about 97% of Canada’s solar capacity in 2019,
The Liberals established an emissions trading regime to efficiently facilitate industrial carbon emission reductions and avoid the requirement for a carbon tax. They brought in powerful incentives for the purchase of electric vehicles (EV) and created the framework for an extensive network for EV charging across the province, including in apartments and condos. And the Liberals created the Greenbelt in 2005, the most extensive protective barrier to urban sprawl anywhere in the world.
It is questionable that the Greens or NDP could have practically done more to transition the province towards energy sustainability and on the path to reducing Ontario’s carbon footprint. In fact the changes the Liberals introduced so threatened the dyed-in-the-wool conservatives, those with vested interests in oil and gas, and the climate change deniers, that they were booted out by the elect-Doug-Ford dinosaurs.
For those that read my columns leading up to the last provincial election you’d remember that Mike Schreiner won the debates hands down. He hit the points the Liberal and NDP leaders only slept through, and took Ford to task, not only on his environmental policies but health care failures as well. So he is not only a good leader for the Greens but, if debates mean anything, would probably be a great leader for Ontario as well.
 Change the colour of tat sign to red – and it will do just fine in the next provincial election. Hasn’t anyone in the Green Party woken up to reality and smelt the coffee. In last June’s election, that party scored only 6% of the vote, whereas the Libs and Dippers split the rest (about 25% each) of the non-Ford vote, allowing Ford a free pass to a four year virtual dictatorship. The Green Party is acting like the Ralph Nader of Ontario politics. Left of centre Nader stole enough votes from Gore to help Bush steal the presidency in 2000.
There was a letter from some 40 prominent Liberals inviting Schreiner to come over and lead their party. In response some 75 Greens penned a response saying that the Libs should join them Greens. It’s a brilliant idea. As someone famous once said, ‘a rose by another name would smell as sweet’.
So call it the Liberal Greens or the Green Libs or whatever, but get your collective act together and stop Doug Ford before he does even more damage to this province than he already has. If you love this province, that is.
 Ray Rivers, a Gazette Contributing Editor, writes regularly applying his more than 25 years as a federal bureaucrat to his thinking. Rivers was once a candidate for provincial office in Burlington. He was the founder of the Burlington citizen committee on sustainability at a time when climate warming was a hotly debated subject. Ray has a post graduate degree in economics that he earned at the University of Ottawa. Tweet @rayzrivers
Background links:
Family doctors
Those gas plants
Greens think Liberals are trying to steal their leader
National Post thinks pursuit of green party leader is a new low for Ontario Liberals
Eight reason why Schreiner is a good fit for the Liberals
Ford for got what he learned when he was a municipal councillor
By Pepper Parr
January 21st, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
There weren’t that many people on the Zoom presentation but the 65 people that did take part seemed to be enough for Mayor Meed Ward.
The presentation that was given was pretty basic.
 The Budget Book delivered to Council members is available on line – all 710 + pages. Ward 5 Councillor Paul Sharman admitted that everyone was surprised when the early draft of the budget was very close to 8%. It did get whittled down a little by the time the public got to see the document. The 7.08 isn’t final.
Ward 5 Councillor Paul Sharman There are a few Councillors who have some spending plans of their own. The procedure used has each Councillor filing a form suggesting where they would like to see cuts and where they would like to see some spending. It looked like there were just two members of Council taking part – there were 18 staff people taking part which included the City Manager
But if you listened carefully there was some good news.
Burlington Transit will be doing an On Demand pilot service in 2023
Youth using transit increased in 2022
MPAC, Municipal Property Assessment Corporation is the organization that determines the value of your home. The taxes you pay are based on what the assessment value you of the house.
We learned that MPAC did not do any assessments during the pandemic – so the assessed value of your home will be what it was in 2020. That number appears on the tax bill.
While no one likes the 2023 budget number 7% the public learned that it won’t be much different in 2024.
Cities rely on assessment growth to increase how much tax they can collect, in Burlington the growth of the assessment base has been in a slump.
With the thousands of new housing units in the pipeline – which can run from something on a planners desk or waiting for a hearing at the Ontario Land Tribunal, assessment will grow – but it will tax at least three and maybe as much as five for that assessment to grow.
This Council has decided that it needs to spend now to be certain that the things people expect – the new Skyway Arena and the re-development of the Bateman High School property are in place. A lot of debt has been taken on and today’s population has to service that debt
A number of people wanted to know why the Master Cycling Plan that was approved by Council has not been funded. No one really got much in the way of a clear answer.
People tuned into the call learned that some work was being done on parts of the Cycling Plan buy that what Council approved is not part of the budget being debated now. Ward 3
 Ward 3 Councillor Rory Nisan has indicated that he would like to see more spending on cycling. Councillor Rory Nisan has some ideas on what could be done; watch for those.
Mayor Meed Ward went to some lengths to polish the image of the Bateman property explain that the 200,000 square feet of space that will be available for public use is double the amount of space at Tansley Woods.
A plan in the budget is to add seven new bylaw officers over the next three years and to create a new department that will handle bylaw related matters.
There were some questions that were not answered – they just ran out of time – they will be answered in a follow up that should be ready early next week.
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By Pepper Parr
January 4th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
OPINION
When Mayor Meed Ward announced her Deputy Mayor initiative she assignef ward 5 Councillor Paul Sharman the Strategy & Budgets portfolio.
Smart move – he is the only Councillor who could deliver on budget matters and while we have reservations as to what he will do on the Strategic Plan side – he has been around long enough and done any number of Strategic Plans to be able to get that job done.
 Councillor Paul Sharman gets to wrap himself in a Strategic Plan document. what kind of a difference e might he make. He will bring the strength and experience needed on the budget side – how he manages to square the spending that has been decided upon (Bateman High school reuse; the real cost of the Skyway Arena and the purchase of the LaSalle Park land currently owned by the city of Hamilton) is something we will know before Easter.
How Sharman manages to bring around city Treasurer Joan Ford on whatever debt level get decided upon will make for interesting political gamesmanship. Ford has dedicated her career on being not just fiscally prudent but rock solid in keeping debt to that 12.5 % limit.
The bigger, long term concern is the Strategic Plan. Whatever mistakes get made with the budget will correct themselves, at the expense of the taxpayer, but what are taxpayers for if not to clean up after the politicians?
The right Strategic Plan is something else. It is very difficult to correct the mistakes. When they get it wrong the errors tend to define the city.
The Burlington Strategic Plan is a 25 year looking forward document that takes us to 2040. It is monitored, reviewed and evaluated on an ongoing basis.
It will be interesting to see how the Staff report that is presented to Council, which will be the starting point for the 2022-2026 review, has to say about how well council has done with its Strategic Plan so far.
 Strategic Plans were four year documents until then city manager James Ridge brought in outside consultants who came back with a bigger picture plan. The city took a four pillar approach as the guidelines that would be used to come up with a plan that creates a city that grows (population), a city that moves (transit), a city that is greener (private tree by law and a city that is engaging.
Population growth has been mandated by the province – we have to do what we are told to do; transit is going to be a challenge on several levels, something we will return to. On engagement council will point to a consultant’s report that struck the Gazette as spurious. The public didn’t get to see the details on the questions that were asked.
The Gazette has never seen Paul Sharman as a visionary person; his tendency is to be more comfortable with policy and an almost limitless need for data, more data.
It seems there is never enough data for Sharman to make a decision.
 The eleven half days spent producing the Strategic Plan in 2012 had ideas pouring out on to sheets of paper that were set out for review and comment. It was a group thinking at its best – the problems was that Staff and Council members didn’t see the outcomes in quite the same way. In order to come up with a vision there has to be an understanding of the population- demography you are dealing with; the geography you have to work within and the upper level of government pressures you have to deal with.
Each member of council has a personal vision of what they would like Burlington to be. There has never been much in the way of a consensus amongst the members of council on what Burlington should be or what it could be.
What we do know is that they don’t like tall buildings and especially not in the downtown core.
The members of this council keep taking complaints about each other to the Integrity Commissioner – like grade school students squealing on each other.
They don’t seem to have found a way to work with the development community – the best Burlington has been able to do is provide the legal community far too many opportunities to send invoices setting out the billable hours they spent defending the city at Ontario Land Tribunal hearings.
 Frank McKeown, on the left chats with Ward 5 Councillor Paul Sharman at a Strategic Planning session. The body language says it all in this picture When the Goldring council decided to take the creating of a Strategic Plan seriously – up until that point the document was a collection of photographs, they spent several days at McMaster University site on the South Service Road.
At the closing session staff and members of council were asked to set out their priorities. The result was not a pretty picture.
Frank McKeown, Chief of Staff to Goldring at the time, commented that there wasn’t much opportunity for positive change with Staff and Council so far apart.
Is anything different today?
Salt with Pepper is the musings, reflections and opinions of the publisher of the Burlington Gazette, an online newspaper that was formed in 2010 and is a member of the National Newsmedia Council.
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