Update on City Services and Program Shut-Downs

Hello. You are receiving this email because you have expressed an interest in the City of Burlington, Ward 6 or contacted Councillor Angelo Bentivegna. Please add angelo.bentivegna@burlington.ca to your address book so our correspondence will be sure to land in your inbox.

You may unsubscribe if you no longer wish to receive our emails.

UPDATE ON CITY SERVICES AND PROGRAM

SHUT-DOWNS

On Friday, April 16, after my April Newsletter was released, the Province announced further restrictions to help control the spread of COVID-19. As a result of this announcement, I am sharing an updated list of the impacts to City services and programs as of Saturday, April 17, 2021.

City Hall

City Hall, located at 426 Brant St., will remain closed.

Please visit burlington.ca/onlineservices to access a variety of City services online.

For more information, contact Service Burlington during regular business hours at 905-335-7777 or city@burlington.ca.

Burlington Transit

Burlington Transit is an essential service and will continue to run as scheduled including specialized transit and trips to vaccination clinics. The transit terminal at 430 John St. will remain open to provide PRESTO services including SPLIT passes. Presto services are available at Shoppers Drug Mart or online at prestocard.ca. Transit schedules are available online at myride.burlingtontransit.ca.

Parking

Parking enforcement is limited to safety-related issues such as fire routes, accessible parking, no parking/stopping areas and blocked parked areas. City parking time-limit restrictions have been relaxed to help those working from home or self-isolating. Parking permits and exemptions are not required until further notice. For more information on parking, visit www.burlington.ca/parking.

Recreation Services, Parks, all Amenities and Facilities

City of Burlington facilities and recreation programming remain closed, and all indoor programs have been cancelled.

Outdoor gatherings in all City parks, such as Spencer Smith Park, Lowville Park and Beachway Park, are limited to members of the same household. Those living alone may join one exclusive household.

Outdoor recreation amenities will close, effective April 17 at 12:01 a.m., including:

sports fields, outdoor courts (tennis, pickleball & basketball), skate parks (Kilbride, Norton, Nelson, Mountainside and DesJardine), dog off-leash areas and Tyandaga Golf Course. If you need some fresh air and activity, it’s okay to walk, cycle or jog through your neighbourhood park, but please do not linger. Please stay 2 metres (6 feet) away from everyone else in the park or on a trail and take your waste home with you to dispose of it. Options to stay active at home are available online at burlington.ca/activeathome.

Roads, Parks and Forestry

Essential services provided by the Roads, Parks and Forestry Department will continue as needed. Residents with questions or issues can email RPF@burlington.ca or call 905-333-6166.

Construction

Non-essential construction sites as defined under the Provincial emergency order will be put on hold and closed off for public safety until restrictions are lifted.

Please stay home and only go out for exercise in your own neighbourhood and essentials such as groceries. Let’s continue to work together to keep each other safe from new COVID-19 variants. More than ever, we need to support our local healthcare heroes who continue to care for those who need it and preserve hospital capacity.

As the situation evolves I will keep you informed on available essential services and what must be closed to keep City of Burlington staff and residents safe.

HRPS Response to New Provincial COVID-19 Regulations

On April 16, 2021, the Government of Ontario announced new restrictions, including a two-week extension of the current province-wide shutdown, in order to curb the concerning transmission rates of COVID-19. The Stay-at-Home order requires everyone to remain home except for essential travel such as grocery and pharmacy needs, health care services, outdoor exercise, and work.

The Government of Ontario also announced enhanced enforcement measures for provincial offences officers, including police officers, under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA).

The Halton Regional Police Service is reviewing the new regulations. At this time, our current enforcement response will remain the same, with a focus on the 4 Es:

Engage
Explain
Educate
Enforce

We will continue to work with our Municipal By-law partners and Public Health officials to respond to complaints and support proactive efforts to raise awareness. Our focus will remain on education and using enforcement only as a last resort.

We would like to reassure our community that our officers will not be conducting random stops of vehicles or individuals.

With the healthcare system at critical capacity, the Halton Regional Police Service continues to urge residents to take personal responsibility to follow all restrictions to limit the spread of the deadly COVID-19 virus.

Let’s do this, Halton. Continue to be kind to one another. Many people are struggling with the duration of these restrictions and are very isolated. Ask people how they are doing. Then, ask them how they are really doing. A list of mental health supports and resources is available here.

Let's Keep in Touch

In compliance with Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation, recipients of this newsletter may unsubscribe at any time. Many residents have contacted me or provided me with their email addresses during the campaign period and I thank you for signing up to receive updates. Please feel free to forward my newsletter to your friends, family, neighbours and colleagues so they can sign up as well.

Please add angelo.bentivegna@burlington.ca to your address book so my correspondence will be sure to land in your inbox. You may unsubscribe at any time.

As always, you may contact me through email, phone, social media or by attending Ward 6 public open house meetings or drop-in sessions.