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
Sign, Sign, Everywhere a Sign
If you are older than sixty-five, you may remember a popular song from the 1970s called “Signs”. It was recorded by a group out of Ottawa called the Five Man Electrical Band, who experienced some popular success here in Canada and, to a lesser extent, in the U.S. The chorus to the song goes something … Continue reading Sign, Sign, Everywhere a Sign
Opinion – Budget 2026 – Do Burlington residents deserve transparency, accountability, and real engagement? (Part 2)
The City of Burlington posts “Council Information” packages to the city’s website. These packages are available to the public on the city’s meeting calendar. (Council and Committees Calendar - City of Burlington) The November 14th, 2025, package contains a list of questions and responses on the 2026 Budget. One of the questions was: “How does … Continue reading Opinion – Budget 2026 – Do Burlington residents deserve transparency, accountability, and real engagement? (Part 2)
Opinion – Budget 2026 – Do Burlington residents deserve transparency, accountability, and real engagement? (Part 1)
First, we’d like to thank the city for the responses to our questions. What is happening in Burlington with Salaries and Wages As one of many questions on the 2026 budget, Focus Burlington asked the city, “What is the reasoning behind the average salary increase being in the range of 5% when CPI is in … Continue reading Opinion – Budget 2026 – Do Burlington residents deserve transparency, accountability, and real engagement? (Part 1)
Opinion – Bus Shelters or Technology?
Burlington’s 2026 Budget includes $4.2 million for three new 40-foot buses, $95,000 a year, every year, for bus stop improvements and a one-time expense of $299,000 for technology improvements. The technology improvements are for buses with Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) systems. There are also major improvements planned for specialized (accessible) transit. As Burlington moves towards … Continue reading Opinion – Bus Shelters or Technology?
Opinion – The Increasing Cost of Bad Advice
What’s the cost of bad advice? I’ve been pondering this question a lot lately. It’s November, and in Burlington that invariably means it’s budget time. Currently, inflation in Canada is running at a rate of 2%. However, that didn’t stop our municipal public servants from developing a 2026 budget that is nearly three times the rate of … Continue reading Opinion – The Increasing Cost of Bad Advice
Opinion – Insights from La Belle Province
I recently returned from vacationing in the Eastern Townships of Quebec. During my travels, there were several things I noticed that both impressed me and contrasted with my experience living in Burlington. Here are three things that really resonated during my recent trip: The Police are Everywhere A good portion of my time was spent … Continue reading Opinion – Insights from La Belle Province
Opinion – Burlington’s 2026 Budget: Where is the money going?
Increases to salaries & benefits will use over 57% of the tax increase. We took a look at Burlington's 2026 budget. The average salary increase for full-time employees is 5.17%. The average salary, before benefits, will be $106,556.35.
OPINION – DOUG FORD: MAN OF THE PEOPLE OR PAST HIS PRIME?
Another week, and another litany of verbal ramblings and bumptious bleatings from Ontario Premier Doug Ford. The latest crisis involved a $75 million ad campaign the Ontario government launched in support of removing tariffs from Canadian imports to the United States. U.S. President Donald Trump was so enraged by this commercial, which featured former President … Continue reading OPINION – DOUG FORD: MAN OF THE PEOPLE OR PAST HIS PRIME?
Opinion – Horizon 2050 – A must-have $100,000 expense.
Introduction The city recently announced with great fanfare the launch of “Horizon 2050 – Shaping Burlington’s Future”. The purpose of this initiative was explained in the official launch announcement: “We are creating our next long-term vision and strategic plan – Horizon 2050 and we want to hear from you! Horizon 2050 will guide the choices … Continue reading Opinion – Horizon 2050 – A must-have $100,000 expense.