Here is a quote from the Tuesday, September 9th, 2025, council meeting during a discussion on a high-rise development proposal on Plains Road. A city hall employee stated to our council: “There is a point where a road becomes overcapacity, like the IMP (Integrated Mobility Plan) suggests, let's get people onto transit and into cycle … Continue reading Road Capacity – “Let’s get people onto transit and into cycle lanes”
Opinion – Food For Feedback
Please complete the Focus Burlington Budget survey linked at the bottom of this post. The annual, City of Burlington, Food for Feedback event is back. Visit Central Park on September 13th, 2025 from 12 – 4 p.m. to participate. Through a Freedom of Information request, we learned that the city paid $47,657.37 for food at … Continue reading Opinion – Food For Feedback
Opinion – Is respect a two-way street?
Every year in August, the City of Burlington mails us a copy of the “City Talk” magazine. The magazine contains sixteen pages of “News from your municipal government”. Page 14 shows us the “Budget Projections as of July 15, 2025”. This paragraph accompanies the chart. When I read this statement, I walk away thinking that … Continue reading Opinion – Is respect a two-way street?
What is the Federation of Canadian Municipalities?
Many municipalities across Canada contribute to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), including Burlington and Hamilton. Our estimates indicate that Burlington contributed $41,416 in 2024. What services does FCM provide? Each member municipality pays an annual fee composed of a base fee and a per-person fee, based on Statistics Canada's population estimates.[1] Across Canada, municipalities … Continue reading What is the Federation of Canadian Municipalities?
Are property tax increases also rent increases?
In Ontario, rent controls are applied to buildings occupied before November 15, 2018. Ontario has capped rental increases at 2.1% for 2026. The cap is based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), a common measure of inflation. If the inflation rate is above 2.5% rent increases are capped at 2.5%. If a landlord requires an … Continue reading Are property tax increases also rent increases?
Opinion – CUT THE FLUFF !!
$35,000 a year to provide homeowners with funds to host neighbourhood parties through something called the “Love Your Neighbourhood” initiative. A now-shuttered program for $170,000 in loans to provide homeowners with loans to install heat pumps. Thousands of dollars spent by civic officials to provide participants with food vouchers as part of the “Food for … Continue reading Opinion – CUT THE FLUFF !!
Is there only one taxpayer?
Dedicated listeners to Burlington council meetings will often hear our mayor talk about the “Municipal Growth Framework.” The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) is taking an active role in promoting this new framework, and Burlington’s own, Rory Nisan, was recently re-elected to the FCM Board of Directors. This quote is from FCM’s website: “FCM is … Continue reading Is there only one taxpayer?
Opinion: Murky Waters surround Burlington Pools
This post discusses two RFPs RFP-25-202 and RFP-25-203. Copies of the RFP documents are linked at the bottom of this article for anyone interested in reading the them. In Burlington, the right to rent swimming pools is precious. Request for Proposals (RFPs) are typically used when the city is purchasing something. When the city needs … Continue reading Opinion: Murky Waters surround Burlington Pools
Opinion: From Pool Rental to Lawsuit?
When it comes to competitive swimming, Burlington swimmers have 2 outdoor and 4 indoor pools to choose from. The city’s recent and controversial decision to award an “RFP” to the Golden Horseshoe Aquatics Club (GHAC) over the Burlington Aquatic Devilrays (BAD) requires a closer look. First, the term “RFP” stands for Request For Proposal. This … Continue reading Opinion: From Pool Rental to Lawsuit?
Burlington’s Ward Boundary Review
In Ontario, municipalities are required to conduct ward boundary reviews. Reviews are undertaken every 12 to 16 years. In Burlington, a review was conducted in 2005 when the city's population was approximately 139,000. Recently, our council completed a new review, resulting in new ward boundaries for Burlington. Burlington has the smallest number of councillors in Halton … Continue reading Burlington’s Ward Boundary Review