City of Burlington

Applications to serve on a Burlington committee or board are open until Nov. 11. Expand your network, learn more about your local government, and build new skills. Individuals aged 18+ who represent our community's diverse backgrounds are encouraged to participate. Apply now at burlington.ca/committees.

Today, the proposed 2025 budget was released and is available online. This will be presented on Monday, Nov. 4, at the Burlington Committee of the Whole meeting. The 2025 proposed budget focuses on four main principles to help balance today’s needs while investing in our future: Affordability, livability, sustainability and transparency. The 2025 proposed budget considers feedback that residents shared with staff and council through various engagement opportunities. Engagement on the budget is still on-going. Council will have the opportunity to bring motions to modify the budget, and there will still be opportunities for the public to engage in the budget process and provide their input. Delegations are welcome. To review the 2025 proposed budget or to learn more, visit https://lnkd.in/gwFcnUmP.

Today (Oct. 24), we raised the flag at Burlington City Hall in celebration of United Nations Day. The United Nations represents humankind’s effort to save humanity from the scourge of war and to promote conditions of peace and well-being for all nations. 1985 was the 40th anniversary of the signing of the UN Charter, and the year Burlington officially acknowledged its larger responsibilities to humanity and the world by declaring Burlington a world community with the passing of By-law 26-1986. The United Nations subcommittee of the Burlington Mundialization Committee promotes global awareness and knowledge of the concept of nations working together in a global economy. It is also committed to coordinating elementary and secondary school programs that demonstrate Burlington’s support of the United Nations and creating a better public understanding of its aims, achievements, and problems. Marianne Meed Ward (C.Dir.)

Remembrance Day is approaching and with that comes the inaugural first poppy of the season. This year, Deputy Mayor Bentivegna received the first pinning from Barry Moore the Poppy Fund Chair for the Royal Canadian Legion in Burlington (Branch 60). Poppies will be available by donation starting Friday, Oct. 25. Details of the Remembrance Day ceremonies will be shared soon. Lest we forget.

On Nov. 7 from 7 – 8:30 p.m., Mayor Marianne Meed Ward (C.Dir.) will host a telephone townhall to talk about the 2025 budget and hear your questions about budget priorities for 2025. If you would like your phone number to be added to the call out list to automatically be called to join the town hall, please email getinvolved@burlington.ca. by 1 p.m. on Nov 7. If you have asked to be on these lists for any previous town halls, we still have your selection, and you do not need to email. Not to worry if you don't get added to this call out list. A phone number to call into the town hall will be shared ahead of the event on Get Involved Burlington. Learn more at bit.ly/2025BudgetTownHall.

On Oct. 18, the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) notified the City of their interim decision to uphold Burlington City Council’s decision to reject the development applications for 2020 Lakeshore Rd. The OLT will issue a final order that will include the reasons for their decision. The City remains committed to responsible growth for the Burlington community. In 2022, Burlington City Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation in staff report PL-24-22 and refuse the applications for Official Plan Amendment and Zoning Bylaw Amendment submitted by Burlington 2020 Lakeshore Inc. The applications proposed a mixed-use development at the site of the current Waterfront Hotel. Thank you to all who continue to support responsible development in our community. Read more at bit.ly/4eRKr7Q.

The Burlington delegation in Itabashi, Japan continued to recognize the close bond of the two twin cities during their visit. Earlier today, a maple tree was planted in a rooftop garden at Itabashi’s City Hall. The tree planting is one of many events planned during the visit to acknowledge the strong friendship and shared cultural connections between the cities.

An official delegation from Burlington, including Mayor Marianne Meed Ward (C.Dir.) and Councillor Rory Nisan, and members of the city’s Mundialization committee, arrived in Itabashi, Japan. The visit marks the 35th anniversary of the twinning between the two cities. The relationship, started in 1989, continues to be an opportunity to promote world peace, global understanding, friendship, and appreciation. A delegation from Burlington travels to Itabashi every five years to celebrate twinning anniversary milestones. Learn more about twin cities at https://bit.ly/4896PH7.

Flag at City Hall are at half-mast to honour our co-worker and friend, Mike Korobkin, who unexpectedly passed away. Mike was a colleague and friend to many at the City. He will be missed. Our condolences to the Korobkin family.

A letter from Burlington's Fire Chief Karen Roche: "Dear Burlington Community, As we observe Fire Prevention Week, I am sharing an important safety message. One easy action can help keep you, your family and our community safer. In 2022, we saw 133 fire fatalities in Ontario– the most in 20 years. Statistics like this are heartbreaking as we know many of these fatalities could have been prevented with working smoke alarms. The Burlington Fire Department has responded to incidents where working smoke alarms provided families with the vital early warning needed to escape safely—this is the best possible outcome. Unfortunately, we’ve also encountered alarms that are past their 10-year expiration date or have dead batteries. These seemingly small oversights can have life-altering consequences. I encourage you to take maintenance seriously: test your alarms regularly by pressing and holding the test button until you hear that lifesaving beep. And remember, smoke alarms expire after 10 years, so check the expiry date on the side or the date of manufacture on back and replace them as required. In my time as Fire Chief at the City of Burlington, I have witnessed firsthand the lifesaving impact of smoke alarms during emergencies. The Burlington Fire Department is here to serve and protect you, and we need your commitment to safety as well. I invite you to pledge to keep yourself and your loved ones safe by testing your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and ensuring they are in proper working order. Together, we can significantly reduce the risk of fire fatalities in our community. Small actions can have lifesaving impacts. This week, and every week, let’s work together to protect what matters most." Learn more at burlington.ca/alarms.