Spring is here and usually that is a great time to rejoice and get outside for social activities, but we unfortunately still have the ongoing pandemic looming over us. We can still get outside but need to be selective with our activities and with whom we do them. This would be a great year to start that vegetable garden or do the backyard project that you have been putting off for a few years. There is hope on the horizon as the vaccination program is moving forward. More and more people, vulnerable and essential workers are being vaccinated which is getting us closer to herd immunity and a new level of normal.

As many of you know, I am a fitness club owner and fitness enthusiast myself. Since we are all limited in our activity options at the moment (no gyms, sports and recreation activities are permitted at this time) I have noticed the increase in walkers amongst the community. If you are competitive and like numbers like me, try downloading a health app and tracking your steps. Most iPhones do come equipped with a health app that does this for you as long as the phone is on you when you are walking or running. Try to compete with yourself or family members on who can complete the most steps in a week or month. In the end, everyone will benefit from a healthier lifestyle and a little friendly competition amongst friends and family members. The benefits from engaging in any physical activity are as much mental as they are physical. With all the stresses that people have been going through during this long pandemic, fitness can certainly be a benefit for all.

See you out there on the streets!

Masks or face coverings are mandatory in enclosed public spaces. Wearing a mask or face covering is now recommended outdoors when you can't physically distance more than two metres. For information about masks and face coverings please visit burlington.ca/coronavirusfaq.

A complete list of the public health and workplace safety measures for each zone under the colour-coded response framework is available at the Province of Ontario’s website.

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 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 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.

Outdoor recreation amenities will close, effective April 17 at 12:01 a.m., including: playgrounds, sports fields, outdoor courts, skate parks, 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.

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.

Burlington is a City where people, nature and businesses thrive. City services may look different as we work to stop the spread of COVID-19. The City’s commitment to providing the community with essential services remains a priority. Sign up to learn more about Burlington at Burlington.ca/Enews and download the free City of Burlington app.

Visit Burlington's COVID-19 page for more information.

City of Burlington Council, Senior Management and Communications are updating the city's COVID-19 webpage daily. Many answers can be found regarding city services and outside resources. Residents are highly encouraged to visit and subscribe to this page to receive updates: https://www.burlington.ca/en/your-city/corona-virus.asp

Residents may visit the Community resource page which provides links to many resources from volunteering, donations, where to get support, applying for grants, mental health supports, and community resource mapping. Rather than repeat all of this information here, we encourage you to visit the page to find links to organizations that can help you:

To access this page and discover these many resource links, please visit https://www.burlington.ca/en/your-city/covid-19-community-resources.asp

If your issues are not addressed on the above page, please visit the City's COVID-19 FAQ page https://www.burlington.ca/en/your-city/coronavirus-covid-19-faqs.asp

Due to the daily updates from the provincial and federal government, information is constantly changing - if you cannot find the answers you are seeking, please contact City Hall at city@burlington.ca and staff will endeavour to get information for you.

On April 16, 2021 the Province announced strengthened enforcement of the Stay-at-Home Order(external link) and additional travel restrictions and public health measures to stop the rapid growth in COVID-19 case rates and mounting pressures on the healthcare system. New province-wide measures took effect on Saturday, April 17, 2021 at 12:01 a.m.

Both the provincial declaration of emergency and the Stay-at-Home order (O.Reg 265/21(external link)) have been extended for an additional two weeks to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Emergency orders currently in force(external link) under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act have been extended until at least May 20, 2021.

Please note: Halton Region Public Health has no authority to provide exemptions to provincial regulations.

All indoor and outdoor social gatherings and organized public events are prohibited unless limited to those living in the same household and one other person from outside that household who lives alone.

Amendments to Ontario Regulation 82/20 took effect 12:01 a.m. Saturday, April 17, 2021 (Ontario Regulation 295/21).

Weddings, Funerals and Religious Ceremonies:

Reduced capacity of weddings, funerals, and religious services, rites or ceremonies to 10 people indoors or outdoors. Social gatherings associated with these services such as receptions are prohibited, unless limited to those living in same household and one other person from outside that household who lives alone. Drive-in services are permitted.

Amendments to Ontario Regulation 82/20 took effect12:01 a.m. Monday, April 19, 2021 (Ontario Regulation 297/21).

Outdoor Recreation:

All outdoor recreational amenities, such as golf courses, basketball courts, and soccer fields, tennis and pickleball courts, skate parks, BMX parks, baseball diamonds, and Frisbee golf are closed.

Outdoor recreational amenities that are parks or recreational areas may be open to permit persons to walk through.

People cannot use outdoor picnic sites and tables or outdoor fitness equipment in park and recreational areas.

An outdoor recreational amenity that is an off-leash dog area, park bench, outdoor playground, outdoor play structure or outdoor play equipment may be open.

Physical distancing of two metres (six feet) must be maintained from those outside your household for all outdoor recreational areas permitted to be open.

Amendments to Ontario Regulation 82/20 took effect Saturday, April 17, 2021 (Ontario Regulation 297/21 and 299/21).

Retail:

Reduced capacity limit to 25 per cent in all retail settings where in-store shopping is permitted. This includes supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, indoor farmers' markets, other stores that primarily sell food, and pharmacies.

All other public health and workplace safety measures for non-essential retail under the Province-wide emergency brake(external link) (i.e., curbside pick-up and delivery only), continue to apply.

Amendments to Ontario Regulation 82/20, took effect 12:01 a.m. Saturday, April 17, 2021.

Construction:

All non-essential workplaces in the construction sector are closed.

Specific permitted activities are set out in the regulation.

Amendments to the Ontario Regulation 82/20 took effect 12:01 a.m. Saturday, April 17, 2021(Ontario Regulation 297/21).

Travel:

Travel into Ontario from the provinces of Manitoba and Quebec is restricted, with limited exceptions such as work, health care services, transportation and delivery of goods and services, exercising Indigenous treaty rights, a primary residence in Ontario, moving to Ontario, or humanitarian or compassionate reasons.

New Ontario Regulation 293/21 under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act – “Persons Entering Ontario From Manitoba or Quebec”, took effect 12:01 a.m. Monday, April 19, 2021.

Strengthened Enforcement Powers:

Police Officers and Provincial Offences Officers (i.e. By-law Enforcement Officers) who have reason to believe an individual may be participating in an outdoor public event or social gathering as prohibited under the Shutdown rules, and who believe it is in the public interest to determine if the individual is in compliance with those rules, can require the individual to provide information for the purpose of determining if they are in compliance

This additional enforcement tool will only be in effect during the Stay-at-Home Order and only to enforce the Stay-at-Home Order.

Please refer to the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) for further information about enforcement in Halton region.

Amendments to Ontario Regulation 8/21 took effect Saturday, April 17, 2021 (Ontario Regulation 298/21).

For the latest information on what is open, what is closed and restrictions, please refer to the Province’s website https://covid-19.ontario.ca/zones-and-restrictions

Halton Region continues to follow Provincial direction on prioritization and Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccination plan. Halton Region does not have the authority to grant exceptions and Halton’s ability to vaccinate residents is dependent on supply for the Provincial and Federal governments.

At this time, the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are being provided at Halton community COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics. Please note that vaccine availability is based on federal and provincial allocation, and it is not possible to guarantee which vaccine will be provided at community clinics. The AstraZeneca vaccine is available at participating pharmacies for residents aged 40 years or older. All COVID-19 vaccines being provided have been approved by Health Canada, and are safe and effective in preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death.

Please visit https://www.halton.ca/For-Residents/Immunizations-Preventable-Disease/Diseases-Infections/New-Coronavirus/COVID-19-Vaccines/Who-is-currently-eligible-in-Halton for more information on eligibility

Book an appointment online to be vaccinated at a Halton Region COVID-19 Vaccination Centre or call 311 if booking support is required. Please do not call if you are not currently eligible. 

Several pharmacies in Halton are now are offering the AstraZeneca vaccine to individuals aged 40+. The AstraZeneca vaccine is safe and effective in preventing severe illness and complications from COVID-19. Booking through a pharmacy is another option for eligible residents to get their vaccine and gain protection from COVID-19 as soon as possible. Earlier appointments may also be available through this program. Find a location and book now

Please visit this page to sign up for COVID-19 vaccine updates sent to your inbox: https://www.halton.ca/For-Residents/Immunizations-Preventable-Disease/Diseases-Infections/New-Coronavirus/COVID-19-Vaccines

If you are looking for links to the federal benefits and services that are available to Canadians, please visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/notices/coronavirus.html

more info: https://investburlington.ca/covid19/

Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP) Guarantee -

Businesses heavily impacted by COVID-19 can access guaranteed, low-interest loans of $25,000 to $1 million to cover operational cash flow needs. Learn more here. 

On April 29, legislation was approved that requires employers to provide employees with up to $200 of pay for up to three days if they are missing work because of COVID-19 as part of the Ontario COVID-19 Worker Income Protection Benefit. This program will be retroactive to April 19, 2021 and effective until September 25, 2021.

By providing time-limited access to three paid leave days, the province is ensuring employees can pay their bills as they help stop the spread of the virus, including by getting tested, waiting for their results in isolation or going to get their vaccine. The province will partner with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board to deliver the program and reimburse employers up to $200 per day for each employee.

The Ontario government continues to work with the federal government to further support vulnerable workers by doubling payments made through the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) program. 

More details on the program are coming soon, please visit the Ontario COVID-19 Worker Income Protection Benefit webpage here to learn more.

To read the press release, please visit HERE

Helping small businesses create and enhance their online presence to reach more customers through the $57 million Digital Main Street program. More information can be found here: https://digitalmainstreet.ca/

Burlington Economic Development is also leading a Digital Service Squad (DSS) in Burlington to help get more businesses online. Information on Burlington DSS can be found here: https://investburlington.ca/covid19/

As of March 22^nd 2021, we are happy to announce that the Digital Service Squad program has been extended and will continue to service Burlington businesses for the coming months. However, no new grant applications will be accepted at this time. 

Services will be available until June on a first come first serve basis. Get more information online here or connect with the team to get started digitalmainstreet@burlington.ca.

The Province is providing $8 million to help small business and registered charity customers with energy bills. Learn more about this program here: https://www.oeb.ca/rates-and-your-bill/covid-19-energy-assistance-programs/covid-19-energy-assistance-program-small

•   The POST Promise is a training & education platform which results in a voluntary declaration from a business to help consumers feel confident that a business is doing their part to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Burlington businesses are encouraged to join Team Burlington and the City of Burlington by adopting this promise.

•   Main Street Relief Grant for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) providing up to $1,000 for PPE costs to eligible small businesses across Ontario with 2 to 9 employees operating in the following sectors: retail, accommodation and food services, repair and maintenance or personal and laundry services.

•   Property Tax and Energy Cost Rebate Grants for businesses that were required to shut down or significantly restrict services due to provincial public health measures. This provincial application-based grant provides a rebate to eligible businesses for property taxes and energy bills. Learn more and apply to one or both of these grants by clicking here.

•   Online Training to Promote Safe Workplaces - Free online workplace health & safety training. Contact Employment Ontario

•   COVID-19 Workplace Safety Plan Guidebook

•   Ontario Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance Program Portal (OCECRA) Property owners click to apply & review eligibility.

•   Resources to Prevent spread of COVID-19 - guidelines and posters for various business sectors including food services and agriculture

•   Destination Ontario Research - information on forecasted economic outcomes, a micro-economic outlook, a travel outlook and media consumption information. Click here.

 As provinces across the country continue to battle the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the introduction of more contagious variants of concern, the Ontario legislature has passed Bill 269, Protecting the People of Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2021 and enacted into law the next phase of the province’s ongoing response.

 The 2021 Budget provides tax relief that will help families with the cost of childcare, help workers with the cost of training and encourage regional investment and job growth.

 The new Ontario Jobs Training Tax Credit is a temporary, refundable Personal Income Tax credit for 2021, helping workers get the training they may need for a career shift, to re-train or to sharpen their skills. The credit will provide up to $2,000 in relief for 50 per cent of eligible expenses, for a total of an estimated $260 million in support to about 230,000 people in 2021.

 To support parents with the cost of child care and help them get back into the workforce, the government is providing a 20 per cent enhancement of the CARE tax credit for 2021. This will increase support from $1,250 to $1,500 per family, on average, providing about $75 million in additional support for the child care expenses of over 300,000 families.

 To encourage business investment in certain regions of the province that have lagged in employment growth in the past, Ontario is temporarily doubling the Regional Opportunities Investment Tax Credit rate to 20 per cent from 10 per cent, resulting in total tax credit support of about $155 million by 2022–23.

To read the press release in full, please visit: https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1000002/ontario-legislature-passes-budget-bill-to-protect-health-and-jobs

Under the City’s Zero Tolerance Policy and as part of the City’s social media commenting guidelines, unacceptable, abusive behavior will not be tolerated. Words hurt: Using abusive language can have a direct and harmful impact on the people who are doing their best to help you. 

In an effort to reach those residents who do not subscribe to my monthly newsletters, my office will be sending out a Ward 1 Update brochure - watch your mailbox!

Within you will find information on COVID links, neighbourhood groups, your input on ward 1 issues, an upcoming Virtual Ward meeting, and much more.

If you do not receive yours, I am more than happy to send you a PDF copy via email. Please reach out to my office at ward1@burlington.ca

We welcome you to join our upcoming Virtual Ward meeting. We will be discussing Burlington's Housing Strategy, Waterdown Road Updates, and other ward-specific news.

Meeting details:

ZOOM LINK: https://bit.ly/2R7oMTe, or email ward1@burlington.ca to register

The North Aldershot Policy Area is special policy area located within the City of Burlington which is currently primarily non-urban and accommodates unique environmental features including the Niagara Escarpment.

The review and update of land use permissions and policies in the North Aldershot through the Halton Region Official Plan Review includes consideration of growth potential and associated potential servicing requirements.

The Growth Concepts Discussion Paper includes an assessment to consider the merits of North Aldershot as a potential settlement boundary expansion area. An assessment was also undertaken to review opportunities and constraints for servicing in North Aldershot.

A virtual Public Information Centre will be held May 17th to discuss the North Aldershot Policy Area as part of ongoing consultation on the Growth Concepts component of the Halton Region Official Plan Review (visit Halton.ca for more information).

To read more, visit https://www.halton.ca/The-Region/Regional-Planning/Regional-Official-Plan-(ROP)-(1)/Halton-s-Regional-Official-Plan-Review-(ROPR) and to join, please click here

While meeting login details have not yet been confirmed, we will share them on social media as well as on the City of Burlington website. If you would like to attend, please email the ward 1 office at ward1@burlington.ca

In the meantime, stay safe and enjoy local nature responsibly.

City of Burlington staff are thankful for those who continue to participate in private cleanups throughout the city. However, it is unfeasible for the City to provide ongoing waste pick-up requests beyond Earth Day-related cleanups organized through Burlington Green in the spring. Garbage collected by residents voluntarily should be put out for their regular garbage day for Halton Region to pick-up. Alternatively, residents can drop off their garbage at the Halton Waste Management Site.

During the pandemic, the City has received an increase in the number of requests for assistance in disposing of waste collected by residents in their neighbourhood. The City is not resourced in such a way as to supplement residential garbage pickup where individuals have taken it upon themselves to collect garbage. If you are interested in organizing a neighbourhood spring cleanup, please visit the following site for more information: https://www.burlington.ca/en/services-for-you/litter-and-clean-ups.asp.

For further information about BurlingtonGreen’s Clean Up, please visit: burlingtongreen.org.

As many will recall, construction of the City View pavilion started in September 2020 and is anticipated to be completed this summer. The park remains open for use during the construction period, including the sport fields, playground and trails.

For more information on this project, please visit https://www.burlington.ca/en/services-for-you/City-View-Park.asp

Great news for residents who visit the Beachway - the boardwalk is scheduled to be completed very soon (see pictures below). There will be two entrances from the beach to the boardwalk/washrooms/Snack Shack; one will be an accessible ramp (South side) and the other will be stairs (North side), and one entrance from the parking lot. Once the construction is completed, Roads, Parks and Forestry will work to clean the washrooms and the Snack Shack as they have been closed for some time now (paint, power wash, deep clean, remove vandalism). The two washrooms on the North side were renovated during this project.

Fencing will remain up until everything is completed and staff are aiming to open in early summer. There are currently portable washrooms in the parking lot.

A Request for Proposal (RFP) came out this spring for Summer Concession Operations at the Beachway (for the Snack Shack) and closed on April 20^th. More info on this to follow

At the Beachway Pumphouse (North of the Boardwalk), Burlington Beach Rentals will be back and operational from approximately June 1^st to September 30^th.

Out office will continue to share updates on this project as they become available.

Please note that Bell Canada’s contractor Avertex has now started work at Plains Road and Waterdown as of Monday March 8^th. Below you will see the project timeline that was provided to our office. if you have any questions regarding this work, please contact Robert Stuart, Project Manager at robert.stuart@burlington.ca

No development applications have been submitted to the City of Burlington at this time, and the City has not made any decisions on this proposal.

Residents can subscribe to this proposed development’s webpage at www.burlington.ca/284plains to receive any updates about this proposal.

www.burlington.ca/284plains. At that stage residents can provide comments and questions to City staff.

Please note that our office has been advised that the application for 1600 Kerns Road has been received and deemed complete by the City. This application is for a Zoning By-law Amendment to permit a four-storey retirement home on the subject lands.

Staff are preparing the webpage which will be posted in the coming days. Notice to the public will be coming soon.

As a reminder, Fieldgate Retirement Living hosted a public pre-application meeting on in 2019 to share their plans to propose an amendment to the Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw for the property at the above-noted address. The Proposal originally included a 5 storey retirement home with ground floor retail.

Due in large part to community feedback at and following the meeting, a small working group was been formed which included the developer, their consultant, City of Burlington Staff, Councillor and residents.

Our office will continue to provide updates on this application. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our office at ward1@burlington.ca

Area residents received notification that the owners of the property located at 2100 Brant Street have begun the process to remove trees and install siltation control fences on the property beginning April 12, 2021.

Email: pthavarajah@nationalhomes.com

For more information on this development, please visit https://www.burlington.ca/en/services-for-you/national-homes-inc--2100-brant-street.asp

To review all current Ward 1 development projects, including an option to subscribe to the page for updates, please visit https://www.burlington.ca/en/services-for-you/ward-one.asp

Summer is approaching, and the City of Burlington is hopeful that Summer Camps and a new Park Play program will be able to run, with registration for both opening May 1, 2021 at 9 a.m. As always, any City-run program will be subject to the Provincial and public health regulations and could be cancelled as we continue to respond to this pandemic.

more info: https://www.burlington.ca/en/Modules/News/index.aspx?feedId=0b11ae3a-b049-4262-8ca4-762062555538&newsId=5054f500-aa94-47c3-8fb2-4a7602c105ff

more info: https://www.burlington.ca/en/Modules/News/index.aspx?feedId=0b11ae3a-b049-4262-8ca4-762062555538&newsId=e0b50e9a-0349-4cdd-8c45-a5ed680af323

more info: https://www.burlington.ca/en/Modules/News/index.aspx?feedId=0b11ae3a-b049-4262-8ca4-762062555538&newsId=32c05f0f-01ee-424e-9ceb-83ad64ad6442

more info: https://www.burlington.ca/en/Modules/News/index.aspx?feedId=0b11ae3a-b049-4262-8ca4-762062555538&page=2&newsId=ccab1b30-715d-44eb-9175-f7bd0fe9f026

more info: https://www.burlington.ca/en/Modules/News/index.aspx?feedId=0b11ae3a-b049-4262-8ca4-762062555538&page=2&newsId=f25ed411-75ee-43a1-b953-ff044aee37c8

The City of Burlington is asking residents to share stories at getinvolvedburlington.ca/together of what makes you proud to be Canadian and a Burlington resident, and how we come together as a city. Tell us about how you or someone you know has made a difference or has brought people together through random acts of community; moments of kindness or through small acts that may have made a bigger impact in your life or those around you.

Starting March 29, share your story on getinvolvedburlington.ca/together by uploading your short video from YouTube or Vimeo (1 minute or less) or writing your story in 500 words or less. Registration to Get Involved Burlington is needed but only requires a postal code and email. Stories posted will be visible to anyone on the page and open to messages of kindness, inspiration and support. Check the site frequently to see new stories and be inspired.

You can register for updates on city projects, participate in surveys, provide feedback, get engaged and have your say. The platform has tools including surveys, polls, mapping, discussion forums, storytelling and more. We look forward to hearing from you.

The Lighthouse for Grieving Children has been supporting grieving children and their families in our community for over 20 years.  Throughout Covid 19, we have continued to support our Lighthouse families remotely, connecting them with one another through virtual grief support groups and offering activities to do together at home. 

Help support Lighthouse by registering today at www.run4LH.com. Until March 20th, Adults are $40, children $20. Any questions, please email info@run4LH.com 

We have received word of the growing number of Free Little Libraries in Ward 1 including ones on streets such as Shadeland Avenue, Botanical Drive, Fairview Place East, Enfield Road, Marley Road, Bayshore Boulevard, Spring Gardens Road, Eagle Drive and Finch Avenue.

This is a great resource, especially with its inherent social distancing. To find more Free Little Libraries, or to register your own, please visit https://littlefreelibrary.org/ourmap/ or https://llwc.wordpress.com/maps/

Happy Reading!

As a member of the Board of Directors for Ward 1's own Royal Botanical Gardens, I meet with a team of dedicated individuals, aimed at serving Burlington and beyond.

We meet roughly every 3 months, with the Annual General Meeting occurring in June.

For more information on the Royal Botanical Gardens, please visit www.rbg.ca

Tourism Burlington is overseen by a volunteer Board of Directors who represent various sectors of the Tourism, Industry and Business sectors in the City of Burlington. The Board meets September to November and February to May on the 3rd Thursday of the month, with the Annual General Meeting held in May of each year.

For more information on Tourism Burlington, please visit www.tourismburlington.com

The Aldershot Business Improvement Area (ABIA) acts as a voice for Aldershot business while providing a professional approach to improving business opportunities for its members, enhancing its commercial profile and relationships with the community and the City of Burlington while building a strong local economic engine for Aldershot.

The ABIA identifies Aldershot as a distinct community for shopping, dining and doing business. Established in December 2004, we continue to partner with other Aldershot groups - The Aldershot Community Honour Roll, Partnering Aldershot, Alderfest Community Festival and others to build support for approximately 250 retailers and service professionals.

For more information on Aldershot Village BIA, please visit www.aldershotbia.com

I have committed to sharing frequent updates via social media channels. I would love to connect with you there to be able to share day to day information. If there are specific items you would like me to address, send me a note!

You can find me at the links below.