Critics of Canada's housing strategy argue that the biggest problem is the lack of housing that appeals to middle-class Canadians. Too much attention, they say, has been devoted to entry-level housing, and not enough to homes suitable for young families with children. However, the housing mix may not be the only problem with Canada's housing … Continue reading Opinion – Between Sprawl and Skyscraper: The Case for the Single-Family Home
Opinion – Is It Time To Consider Term Limits?
Should there be a limit on the number of consecutive terms a mayor or council member can serve? Of the seven elected members of Council, five have served two consecutive terms, and two — Mayor Marianne Meed Ward and Councillor Paul Sharman — have served four. The mayor’s tenure includes two terms as a councillor … Continue reading Opinion – Is It Time To Consider Term Limits?
Opinion – Shattering Decorum: What Burlington Voters Should Know Before October
Sometimes the most important decisions made in a council chamber are not the ones that receive the headlines. They are the procedural decisions – like the ones that determine who will chair the meeting, how debate is managed, how votes are taken, and ultimately how the public record is created. While these matters may seem … Continue reading Opinion – Shattering Decorum: What Burlington Voters Should Know Before October
Opinion – AI Data Centres Are Becoming the New Challenge for Cities – What you Should Know or Do
Across Ontario, municipal councils are increasingly finding themselves on the front lines of the artificial intelligence boom. Hamilton City Council recently voted overwhelmingly to prepare an Interim Control By-law that would temporarily pause approvals for new data centres while staff study their long-term impacts. At the same time, Toronto is working to develop a planning … Continue reading Opinion – AI Data Centres Are Becoming the New Challenge for Cities – What you Should Know or Do
Opinion – The assessed value of homes for property tax purposes is coming down; will this affect the property taxes we pay?
On June 24, 2026, MPAC shared a press release titled “More Ontario homes valued under $500,000 as market eases from 2022 peak”. MPAC stands for "Municipal Property Assessment Corporation". How did Burlington Fare? The table below shows the percentage of properties assessed with a value less than $500,000. We can see that in 2016, 39% … Continue reading Opinion – The assessed value of homes for property tax purposes is coming down; will this affect the property taxes we pay?
Opinion – Are we headed for another dispute with CN Rail?
On Monday, July 6, 2026, our city council will be discussing Item 13.3 Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments for 1200 King Road (DGM-28-26) This is a "Committee of the Whole" meeting where votes are recommendations. When the council votes “yes,” they're voting to recommend that council approve the specific action during a future "Regular … Continue reading Opinion – Are we headed for another dispute with CN Rail?
Opinion – Why is Millcroft Greens calling for the release of all confidential documents?
On June 5th, 2026, Millcroft Greens, the developer planning to build homes on the Millcroft golf course, posted this on its website. “Burlington residents - specifically those in Millcroft - should call upon the Mayor and CAO to immediately release all correspondence and records relating to the Millcroft Greens property so that the decision-making process … Continue reading Opinion – Why is Millcroft Greens calling for the release of all confidential documents?
Opinion – The New “Corporate Welfare Bums”
For an industry that began the year in a financial funk, real estate developers should be ecstatic after some of the support measures announced by the federal government. Christmas has come early! First came the March 2026 GST rebate for first-time homebuyers, intended to spur an industry struggling with weak consumer demand. Then came the … Continue reading Opinion – The New “Corporate Welfare Bums”
Opinion – Election 2026 – Show your support!
Municipal elections will be held across Ontario on October 26, 2026. We'll be voting for a mayor, our ward councillor, and a school trustee. The most important way to support a candidate is to vote for them. In the 2022 election, of the 142,218 eligible voters in Burlington, only 39,217, or 27.6 percent, voted. Other … Continue reading Opinion – Election 2026 – Show your support!
Opinion – What Happens To All The Feedback?
Burlington recently released its new Community Engagement Charter. First released in 2013, the charter sets out how public servants, citizens and council work together to shape public policy. According to the website, the updated charter “sets clear expectations for how the city engages with residents, focusing on early communication, open dialogue and showing how feedback … Continue reading Opinion – What Happens To All The Feedback?