Thursday, May 22, 2025

Gaslighting is Alive and Well at City Hall

Introduction The consultations have ended, the delegations have finished, the decisions have been reached, and the verdict is: a 7.51% tax increase to existing Burlington...

Why are property taxes in Burlington so complicated?

Let’s start with the bill from the city. The tax bill has four components, each managed by a separate level of government or board. Code...

The Bay Observer questions how council handled the Bateman community centre.

Here's a quick history of this project. 2017 - the Board of Education considers closing two high schools in Burlington. 2020 - June 30 -...

Tax Petition is presented to council “oh well”   

Good morning and thank you for your time today. The “Stop the 7​.​5% Burlington Property Tax Increase” petition has been presented to council. Twelve hundred...

Lynn Crosby Delegates on Civic Engagement.

November 18, 2024 - Budget Committee Meeting, Item 8.1 During the budget process and elsewhere, we keep hearing the word “engagement” from staff, the mayor...

The most per-capita EV chargers in the GTA – but …

Burlington has spent approximately $1,400,000 to install 29 EV charging stations, and the 2025 budget provides for this to increase. How effective are these EV...

Heat Pump Survey Results

Heat Pump Survey Results Heat pumps are a great way for homeowners to reduce their carbon footprint. The BRAG group believes that climate change is...

Caren Burcher 2025 Budget Delegation

DELEGATION TO BURLINGTON COUNCIL – NOVEMBER 4 TH, 2024 Hello, my name is Caren Burcher and I am a member of the Burlington Residents' Action...

Jim Barnett 2025 Budget Delegation

DELEGATION TO BURLINGTON COUNCIL – NOVEMBER 4 TH , 2024 Good morning.  My name is Jim Barnett,  I have lived in Ward 4 for 55...

Stephen White 2025 Budget Delegation

DELEGATION TO BURLINGTON COUNCIL – NOVEMBER 4 TH, 2024 Good morning. My name is Stephen White, and in addition to being a Ward 5 resident,...

Open letter to council on errors in the 2025 budget.

To: Mayor Meed Ward, Councillor Galbraith, Councillor Kearns, Councillor Nisan, Councillor Stolte, Councillor Sharman, Councillor Bentivegna, Mr. Hassaan Basit, CAO, Mr. Craig Millar, CFO From:...

Is average income a justification for higher taxes?

Carefully explained services, efficiently delivered, services that people want and / or need are justifications for higher taxes. Is a higher average income a...

BUDGET CONSULTATION: LOTS OF QUESTIONS, BUT NOT MANY GOOD ANSWERS

For the first time in my years in Burlington, I participated in the city’s budget consultation process. Actually, it wasn’t just once, but four...

Petition on tax increases.

The city is asking for resident input for the 2025 budget without presenting an actual budget for our review. If you go to the city...

2025 Budget Process: Burlington vs Oakville

Here are some of the key dates from the Burlington GetInvolved website (https://www.getinvolvedburlington.ca/2025budget) Mid-September - Draft budget summary will be presented by Sept 13. This document...

How to calculate tax increases.

Renters, homeowners, and businesses located in Burlington pay property taxes. If you rent your landlord pays property taxes by giving part of your rent...