April showers bring May flowers, but June brings something less pleasant to Burlington mailboxes: the first property tax bill of 2026. Whether you own a home, rent an apartment, or simply shop at local businesses, you are paying property taxes. They are baked into our rent, our groceries, and the price of our morning coffee. … Continue reading Opinion: Tax Clarity or Clever Math?
Opinion – What’s $90 million between friends?
Every year, the City of Burlington releases a budget. We can expect to see the 2027 budget after the October 26, 2026, municipal elections. There is always a lot of debate about the percentage of the tax increase, but what does the increase mean in terms of total tax dollars? One of the more interesting … Continue reading Opinion – What’s $90 million between friends?
Opinion – Indwell – “Let’s open doors together.”
Burlington has a hidden homeless problem, with many people living in tents along the railway tracks. Social housing is the responsibility of Halton Region. While Halton Community Housing Corporation manages over 2,200 units, shelters are operating at 140% capacity, and the wait time for social housing is over 7 years. To help with this crisis, … Continue reading Opinion – Indwell – “Let’s open doors together.”
Opinion – Where are the drones?
Is there more that the Halton Regional Police should be doing about car theft?
Opinion – What does Community Housing mean?
What does Community Housing in Halton mean? Where does the Indwell Project on Waterdown Rd fit in?
Strong Mayor Powers: The Stratford Case for Democracy
Democracy is not a spectator sport, but in Ontario, it has increasingly become a target for executive overreach. While some municipalities like Burlington have spent their energy fiddling around the edges with non-binding policies to mitigate the impact of the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, the City of Stratford has chosen a more courageous, albeit … Continue reading Strong Mayor Powers: The Stratford Case for Democracy
Opinion – Strong Mayor Powers: If Council Doesn’t Understand Them – How Can They Govern Them?
At Burlington’s upcoming Committee of the Whole meeting on May 11, Council will consider Agenda Item 8.3 - adopting “Guidelines for the Use of Strong Mayor Powers.” On its face, this looks like a responsible step toward accountability. I have submitted a letter to the City Clerk for the public record, raising concerns about the … Continue reading Opinion – Strong Mayor Powers: If Council Doesn’t Understand Them – How Can They Govern Them?
Opinion – 5 Key Candidate Questions
5 questions to consider asking candidates in the upcoming municipal election.
Opinion – Burlington’s 2026 Mayoral Race: A Voter’s Guide to Cutting Through the Rhetoric
The political landscape in Burlington has shifted. The 2026 mayoral race, has been a field of speculation, suddenly ignited by the entry of Ward 3 Councillor Rory Nisan. Ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns announced earlier that she was running. The race is now no longer just about the incumbent; it is a battle over economic … Continue reading Opinion – Burlington’s 2026 Mayoral Race: A Voter’s Guide to Cutting Through the Rhetoric
Opinion – Too many cooks and not enough parking.
Do we need a Cadillac parking garage downtown? One ready to be converted to social housing once we don't drive cars? This is not a glitch in the matrix; just another city council meeting.