The Fourth and Final Instalment of the Series It Started with the Housing Pledge: On March 21, 2023, Burlington signed the province’s housing pledge, committing to facilitate the construction of 29,000 new homes by 2031. That target would require the city to average 3,625 housing units per year over eight years. At the time, Burlington … Continue reading Opinion – Strong Mayor Powers – A Burlington Case Study
Opinion – The Taxi Industry Missed the Boat – Will Burlington Miss the Bus?
Is Burlington missing the bus on transit? Burlington is at a transit crossroads, and Joe Gaetan’s latest article suggests we might be "missing the bus" if we don't adapt. Here is a quick breakdown of why this transit trial matters for the city's future.
OPINION – FIFA Caravan – Is Process the Real Story
Joe Gaetan digs into the controversial approval of $160,000 in taxpayer funds for the FIFA Canada Caravan. Following a Freedom of Information request, new details have emerged that challenge the "last-minute urgency" narrative presented to City Council. Thank you to the 238 people who responded to Focus Burlington's survey on this issue. The results are included in the article.
Historic Agreement: Feds-Ontario Dig $ 8.8 Billion Deeper into Taxpayer Wallets
This article was originally published in the Bay Observer. It’s being sold as a “historic housing breakthrough”, in reality, it’s a textbook case of shifting the cost of growth away from those who create it - and onto every taxpayer in the country. At the centre of the announcement are Mark Carney and Doug Ford, … Continue reading Historic Agreement: Feds-Ontario Dig $ 8.8 Billion Deeper into Taxpayer Wallets
Opinion – What on Earth Is Going On With Burlington’s Housing Strategy?
In January 2024, Burlington's council stood shoulder to shoulder with federal ministers to announce a “huge investment” in our city’s housing future: $21 million from Ottawa’s Housing Accelerator Fund. The message was clear. Burlington was cutting red tape. Zoning would be modernized. The city committed to streamlining approvals, implementing Major Transit Station Areas, introducing four … Continue reading Opinion – What on Earth Is Going On With Burlington’s Housing Strategy?
OPINION – Waterfront Music Festival / SOM: Questions Council Should Have Asked
The Standing Committee meeting of December 1st, 2025, raised far more questions than were answered - in part because our councillors did not ask them. While some members emphasized keeping the festival free, there was little examination of whether the selected provider, MRG Live, would derive revenue from the event, and if so, whether the … Continue reading OPINION – Waterfront Music Festival / SOM: Questions Council Should Have Asked