BOB Edition 1

the best of
burlington
Celebrating the people and
organizations who have
contributed to Burlington
being named the best place
to live and work
THE BAY OBSERVER

Photo by Al Pettman, Just A Click Photography

contents
06 Welcome to the Best of
Burlington!
08 Burlington offers a lifestyle that
is second to none
10 More festivals
14 Burlington Arts
18 Experiences that inspire
20 Countless outdoor venues with
spectacular views
24 Royal Botanical Gardens
26 Outstanding food scene
28 Burlington Downtown:
It’s all here!
30 Burlington is the place to grow
32 Burlington city plan
GROW BOLD
36 TechPlace
39 Burlington Technology Campus
& QEW Corridor
40 Burlingtonians who made
a difference
46 Joseph Brant Hospital
The transformation continues
one step at a time
48 Paletta International
Providing for a strong
community
50 The Molinaro Group
Creating a New Skyline
for Burlington
52 New Horizon Development
Group: Building quality
communities in Burlington for
over two decades
54 Branthaven Homes
Live the Life style
56 Anderson’s: Creating beautiful
home environments for nearly
60 years
58 Inspired by Burlington, Cogeco
gets involved in the community
60 Terrapure: Committed to our
community
61 Burlington Hydro: helping to
shape the energy needs of a
growing city
62 Cedarlane: helping Canadian
researchers and clinicians
for over 60 years
63 Hunter Amenities: number one
in the world’s hotels
63
56
50
28
24
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18
32
46
Published by The Bay Observer
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Cover Photo by John Strung
The Best of Burlington © 2017
Editor:
Sales Representatives:
Art Director:
Office Manager:
Printer:
John Best
Hilary White,
Rosanne La Scala
Catalin Ciolca
Kaye Best
Transcontinental
Printing
THE BAY OBSERVER
140 King Street East Hamilton ON L8N 1B2
905-522-6000 www.bayobserver.ca
Original photography for this publication by
Dave Gruggen Photography
85
68
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the best of burlington
64 Cogent Power: helping power a
continent
66 Laurel Steel: Celebrating 50
years
68 BI Innovates: How Boehringer
Ingelheim Canada stands apart
from the rest
70 Chamberlain
72 ABB: Together, we drive
progress
73 Nucor Grating
74 The Waterfront Group of CIBC
Wood Gundy: The health of
your wealth ...and more
75 Colliers: Commercial real
estate solutions to accelerate
your success
76 Leggat Care Foundation: Our
family, our community
78 Capo: 125 years of quality
products
78 Pink Elephant: Celebrating 40
years of training excellence
80 Royal LePage Burloak: Helping
you is what we do!
82 United Way: Planting the seed
84 Carstar Burlington goes the
extra mile for customers
85 The Lord Nelson: Steak and
seafood restaurant
86 Burlingtonians who made
a difference in sports
92 Lori Mancini: Your Home. Your
Future. Her Passion
93 Structured Creations:
Innovative custom home design
94 Brant Inn: Put Burlington on
the map for decades
96 Burlington flashbacks
5

Mayor Rick
Goldring
I’m often asked why Burlington is the best
city to live and work. To me, it’s very simple.
A beautiful city, surrounded by all
the necessities to build a successful business
and an environment fit for a family.
I’m Rick Goldring, the Mayor of
Burlington. I was first elected as Mayor
back in 2010, and I’m proud and honoured
to be able to serve one of the very best cities
in Canada. Before being elected, I was an
entrepreneur in the financial services business
in Burlington. I have been fortunate
to be able to work, live, play and raise my
family in the city that I grew up in. I hope
this publication of Best of Burlington will
inspire you to join us for your next venture.
Burlington has been named best midsized
city to live in Canada five years in a
row by MoneySense Magazine. There are
many reasons why we consistently beat out
other municipalities in the GTHA.
Location, Location, Location. Burlington
is in the centre of it all.
You can be standing anywhere in our city
and you’re minutes from major highways .
QEW, Hwy 403 and the 407 ETR connect
Burlington to the rest of the GTHA. Drive
east, and within 30 minutes you’ll reach
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the best of burlington
Toronto. Drive south and you will arrive in
Niagara Falls and the US/Canada border
crossing in less than an hour. Burlington is
home to three GO transit stations providing
trips to Toronto with great frequency and a
VIA Rail station that connects you to the rest
of the province.
Our city is located between two of
Canada’s busiest airports: Toronto Pearson
International Airport and Hamilton’s John C.
Munro International Airport. While the largest
port in Ontario, Hamilton Port Authority,
which handles over 12 million tons of cargo
each year, is less than 15 minutes away.
Burlington has access to a diverse pool
of educated labour force. We are surrounded
by nationally recognized post-secondary
institutions that produce over 100,000
graduates annually, concentrating specifically
in the areas of engineering, business,
health sciences, digital media and
technology. Seventy two percent of adults
in Burlington have a post-secondary education.
Not to mention, the access to a highly
qualified labour force available in Halton
and Niagara Regions, Hamilton, Toronto,
Mississauga and many other centres.
Burlington is focused on fostering innovation
that results in economic growth
and job creation. This year we opened
TechPlace that has 8,600 square feet of
space that provides access to programming,
mentorship, networking and resources for
new and growing technology companies.
By bringing new talent, fresh ideas and
experienced partners together, we’re opening
doors for opportunities that benefit the
entire community.
With the majestic Niagara Escarpment to
the north and a beautiful shoreline of Lake
Ontario and Burlington Bay to the south,
we are a picturesque city where families
can enjoy a choice of urban, suburban or
rural living options.
Burlington is more prepared than ever
for future growth. Our new Official Plan
‘Grow Bold’ focuses on where new development
will go and what it will look like. A
well planned and beautiful city will capture
the pride of our citizens.
We are planning a walkable city where
everyday amenities are accessible without
the use of a car. A city where residents can
walk or bike to their favourite restaurants or
shops, creating foot traffic that will benefit
businesses while boosting a sense of community.
When you work and live in Burlington,
it means you’re in for a superior quality
of life. Be part of one of the safest cities
in all of Canada where housing options fit
all income brackets and nature is at your
fingertips.
I encourage you to visit Burlington and be
stimulated by the possibilities it can provide
for your future. •
7

w h y b u r l i n g t o n
burlington offers
a lifestyle that is
second to none
Embrace nature at the Royal
Botanical Gardens
Experience the
many annual
waterfront festivals
People in Burlington already know
what MoneySense has been
saying, namely that Burlington is
one of Canada’s best places to live. This
year, MoneySense magazine has named
Burlington the best medium-sized city in
which to live in Canada, the best place for
new immigrants, and the fourth best place
to retire in Canada. The magazine gave
Burlington top marks for “mild weather,
low unemployment, high incomes, low
crime, and a thriving arts community.”
Maclean’s magazine ranked Halton region,
Burlington’s home, as the safest regional
municipality in Canada.
Let’s talk about lifestyle. With a blend of
vibrant neighbourhoods, Burlington offers
a mix of opportunities for people to work,
do business here and live; which translates
into less time commuting and more time
for family and recreation.
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the best of burlington
Explore the Niagara Escarpment
parks and trails and the Lake Ontario
promenade
Experience our vibrant
downtown through
dining and shopping
outings
There are hockey
leagues in Burlington
for boys and girls of
all ages
Burlington has long
been a football hotbed
9

w h y b u r l i n g t o n
more
festivals
10

the best of burlington
Named the Municipality of
the Year in 2016 by Festivals
and Events Ontario there is
always something happening
in this city.
Many of our annual free
festivals take place in Spencer
Smith Park, including Canada’s
Largest Ribfest and the Sound of Music
Festival, Canada Day, Children’s Festival,
and in winter Festival of Lights. And give
your taste buds a treat at our annual
winter prix fixe Taste of Burlington dining
events. See more, do more in Burlington.
Canada Day in Burlington is always a
special time. The day starts with the annual
Canada Day 5k and 1k run. Spencer
Smith Park will be the focal point for the
annual Canada Day performance which
as always will feature Burlington’s own
Teen Tour Band. A great way to celebrate
Canada’s history is to visit one of the city’s
fine museums, Joseph Brant (currently
closed for renovations), Ireland House or
Freeman Station.
Canada’s Largest Ribfest is proudly organized
by the Rotary Club of Burlington
Lakeshore. It is the club’s largest and most
11

w h y b u r l i n g t o n
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the best of burlington
successful community event and has been
around since 1996. All proceeds collected
have gone to charity.
Sound of Music has exploded in size since
it’s modest beginnings in 1980 as a marching
band parade to a nine-day event that has
become a major tourist attraction. Operating
as a not-for-profit corporation, the organization
stages Canada’s largest free music festival
every year in June. Due to the passion,
love and commitment of hundreds of volunteers,
a small staff, and a roster of generous
sponsors and suppliers, music takes over
Burlington Downtown and Waterfront. As
the region’s largest music event The Sound
of Music Festival supports an eclectic combination
of new and emerging artists, past
favourites and some of today’s most popular
performers.
Come celebrate the City of Burlington’s
annual Children’s Festival and join in the
celebration of being a kid. The event which
is among the Top 100 Festivals and Events
in Ontario features live entertainment, play
zones and inflatables, crafts and a kids’
marketplace.
The Burlington Festival of Lights is
Burlington’s longest running festival, lighting
up the waterfront from dusk to dawn
over the holiday season. 2017 marked the
22nd year for this special seasonal festival.
Over 60 festive displays light up Burlington’s
Spencer Smith Park through the holiday season.
Wander through the park with family
and friends, or get a full view of the themed
displays while driving along Lakeshore Road
at the city’s waterfront. It’s a magical sight
for the whole family, especially the young
at heart.•
13

w h y b u r l i n g t o n
burlington
Enjoy a cultural
performance at
The Burlington
Performing Arts
Centre
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the best of burlington
arts
Burlington is a thriving cultural
hub--home to numerous
theatre groups, orchestras and
public art places.
The Art Gallery of Burlington
The Art Gallery of Burlington is the seventh
largest public art gallery in Ontario. The
Gallery collects and maintains Canada’s
largest collection of contemporary Canadian
ceramics. It is located on the City of
Burlington waterfront in close proximity
to Spencer Smith Park. The Gallery is a
non-profit registered charitable organization
that provides free admission to over
100,000 visitors each year to exhibitions,
educational programs, studios and other
activities. It was formed by several active
visual arts co-operatives and guilds in the
Burlington region. It was opened in 1978 as
a facility for art groups to develop dedicated
studios, photography, hand weaving, spinning,
sculpture, woodcarving, ceramics, fine
arts, and hooking craft known today as Arts
Burlington.
Burlington Performing
Arts Centre
Opened in 2011, the Burlington
Performing Arts Centre has become
Burlington’s social and cultural hub for live
performance. The 718–seat Main Theatre
is a multi-purpose performance venue.
This theatre includes a six-storey
fly tower and an orchestra pit to
accommodate more elaborate
theatrical and musical productions.
The Community Studio
Tottering Biped
Theatre
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w h y b u r l i n g t o n
Putnam County Spelling Bee
Art Gallery of Burlington
Theatre Burlington
Theatre hosts smaller-scale theatre performances
for audiences up to 225 people or
dinner theatre up to 150. The Community
Studio Theatre was designed as a flexible
“black box” space with 2,500 square feet
of floor space to accommodate rehearsals,
small receptions, meetings, recitals
and rotating exhibits and can be used as
a holding area for large stage productions.
The Family Lobby is a unique venue for
receptions, exhibitions, corporate functions
and civic events. The 5000 square
foot lobby is open with a glass roof and is
encircled by a balcony level lobby above,
creating a unique social setting.
Drury Lane Theatrical
Productions
Now in its 44th year, Drury Lane patrons
enjoy Broadway musicals and hilarious variety
shows in an intimate cabaret style theatre
with a fully licenced bar.
Symphony on the Bay
Symphony on the Bay is a full-size community
orchestra serving Burlington, Hamilton,
and the surrounding areas. It performs in
the magnificent Burlington Performing Arts
Centre in downtown Burlington. The orchestra
demystifies classical music and makes
Symphony
on the Bay
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the best of burlington
Aldershot Players
Drury Lane Theatre
this great art form accessible. Its musicians—
highly skilled amateurs, students, and professional
players—feel privileged to share
this great music with the communities in
which they live and work. The Symphony
began in 1973 as the McMaster Symphony
Orchestra, left the university to become
Symphony Hamilton in 1988, and rebranded
as Symphony on the Bay in 2011 to reflect
its role in the wider Hamilton-Burlington
community.
Burlington Teen Tour Band
Since its humble beginnings in 1947, the
Burlington Teen Tour Band has grown into
Canada’s oldest and largest youth marching
band. They have had the honour and
privilege to represent Burlington, Ontario
and Canada around the world in such
countries as: England, Republic of Ireland,
France, Japan, The Netherlands, Belgium
and Germany. In addition, the band has
performed for Heads of State and Royalty as
well as televison and movies and at prestigious
events such as: the Rosebowl Parade,
The 50th & 60th Anniversary of D-Day,
the Orange Bowl Parade, and the 70th
Anniversary of Pearl Harbour to just name
a few. 2017, marked the band’s 70th year of
representing Burlington around the world.
Tottering Biped Theatre
Artistic Director Trevor Copp founded
Burlington’s Tottering Biped Theatre (TBT) in
2009, a professional company that emphasizes
highly physical and social issue oriented
work He completed Theatre Studies
at Waterloo, a MA at Guelph, and Mime at
the Marcel Marceau School in Paris. TBT’s
mandate is to promote conscious evolution
through Theatre, emphasizing themes of
social justice. TBT is a social justice-inspired
theatre company. TBT devises contemporary
pieces through a workshop process spanning
several years to create highly physical
works of artistic excellence during the Fall/
Winter. During the summer it creates contemporary,
highly physical interpretations
of Shakespeare. TBT works have addressed
poverty, Israeli-Palestinian relations, same
sex marriage, violence against women, and
mental health.
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w h y b u r l i n g t o n
Natalie
MacMaster
and
Donnell
Leahy
(2017)
experiences that
inspire
The Burlington Performing Arts Centre entertains, engages, and
inspires. As an organization, they believe that every community
deserves meaningful cultural and artistic experiences, that
creativity is essential to people’s lives, and that everyone has the
capacity for artistic expression and appreciation.
Prior to construction, the City of
Burlington undertook a very rigorous
planning and evaluation process for
The Burlington Performing Arts Centre and
numerous technical and feasibility studies
were completed between 2003 and 2008.
The results of these studies indicated that
Burlington has a substantial performing
arts community that is reaching its creative
and productive capacity in terms of scope,
quality and volume of programs and performances
it can deliver to the community.
Today there are more than 60 commercial
and community groups that provide arts
experiences to thousands of participants
and tens of thousands of patrons.
In March of 2007, the City of Burlington
purchased the site of a former Halton
Region Police Station at the corner of
Locust and Elgin Streets. In September
2007, the City of Burlington retained
Diamond and Schmitt Architects Inc.
to design The Centre. March 2009 saw
the official groundbreaking, and The
Burlington Performing Arts Centre opened
its doors in the autumn of 2011.
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the best of burlington
National Ballet of Cuba
Photo @justaclick Photography
Alan Doyle
Photo by Al Pettman @justaclick Photography
The Centre received LEED® (Leadership
in Energy and Environmental Design)
Gold certification for New Construction
from the Canada Green Building Council,
CaGBC. The Burlington Performing Arts
Centre project is the first city project to
achieve LEED certification of any level and
the only performing arts centre in Ontario
to achieve LEED Gold certification and
second in the country.
Today, The Centre has a team of 150
dedicated volunteers and boasts attendance
that has reached over 100,000 people
annually. In addition to bringing the
best in performing arts to Burlington, The
Centre offers the community impactful arts
learning experiences through Community
Engagement initiatives. The Centre also
provides arts experiences for elementary
and secondary students through the
Education Outreach Program. Year after
year, the Education Outreach Program
continues to reach a growing number of
young minds, supplying the inspiration for
a life-long appreciation for the arts.
The 2017/2018 Season is The Centre’s
seventh season and showcases celebrated
Canadian icons such as Natalie
MacMaster, Jann Arden, Gordon Lightfoot,
Buffy Sainte-Marie, Tom Cochrane, and
Kim Mitchell, in addition to a long list of
world-class dancers, comedians, and international
musicians, including Compagnie
Marie Chouinard, Che Malambo, Louie
Anderson, Roseanne Barr, Tower of Power,
Graham Nash, and Rosanne Cash.
For information on The Burlington
Performing Arts Centre and a full performance
listing visit www.burlingtonpac.ca.
Get social with The Burlington Performing
Arts Centre on Twitter and Facebook
(@BurlingtonPAC), and on Instagram
(@Burlington_PAC). •
440 Locust Street in Burlington
Box Office: 905-681-6000
www.burlingtonpac.ca
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w h y b u r l i n g t o n
countless outdoor
venues with
spectacular views
Crawford Lake Morning Sunrise
Mapletown at Mountsberg
Trails at Mountsberg
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the best of burlington
Burlington is cycling friendly
For the outdoor adventurers, you can
hike the Bruce Trail, scale the limestone
cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment,
or cycle through our scenic rural or city
routes. The fall colours are spectacular on
the Niagara Escarpment.
In winter, families can come out for a day
of downhill skiing and snowboarding on
the slopes at Glen Eden Ski Centre. Hike,
trek or stroll the Bruce Trail, Canada’s oldest
footpath with over 890 km of nature waiting
to be explored. Or they can lace-up a pair
of skates at one of our indoor or outdoor
skating rinks.
Spring in Burlington brings the Maple
Syrup Festival at Bronte Creek Provincial
Park and Mountsberg Conservation Area.
Visitors can engage their sense of smell and
sight with the effervescent lilacs, daffodils
and thousands of tulip blooms, all bursting
into colour at the Royal Botanical Gardens.
The beautifully restored RBG Rock Garden
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w h y b u r l i n g t o n
The Niagara Escarpment
is the best place to take
in nature’s colours
Joseph Brant
Museum (currently
undergoing
renovations)
In summer the waterfront and downtown
come to life. People enjoy strolling the
downtown streets, lakeside boardwalk or
Waterfront Trail. They are treated to an invigorating
mix of acclaimed Canadian and
international performers, and emerging performers
on bistro patios and waterfront stages
during summer festival season. There are
many more festivals, watersports, boating,
golf and outdoor activities to enjoy at our
local parks and beaches.
Year round, visitors can learn about the
region’s history with visits to museums like
Ireland House and the Crawford Lake longhouse.
Joseph Brant House is undergoing
a massive $11 Million renovation. When
it reopens in 2019 the 17,000 square foot
facility will provide barrier-free space for
gallery displays, interactive programming,
the storage of collections and community
outreach. •
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the best of burlington
Ireland House Museum
Rattlesnake Point.
Crawford Lake
Longhouse
The water feature at the
RBG Rock Garden
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w h y b u r l i n g t o n
RBG nature trail
The RBG Centre seen from Hendrie Gardens
Hendrie
Rose
Gardens
royal botanical
For over 80 years Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) has been an
ecological jewel at the western tip of Lake Ontario.
Conceived and founded through the
tireless efforts of early conservationist
Thomas Baker McQuesten,
RBG lands were set aside to create the
region’s first botanical garden. Patterned
after Kew Gardens in England, RBG was
created to serve as both a regional botanical
tourism site and an environmental
agency.
At 2,700 acres (1100 hectares), Royal
Botanical Gardens is the largest botanical
garden in Canada and one of the largest
in the world. Within its 60 documented
collections approximately 40,000 plants
are displayed in five major garden exhibition
areas; the Arboretum, Hendrie Park,
Laking Garden, RBG Centre and the Rock
Garden.
RBG’s Arboretum is more like an English
landscape park than a garden. As its name
implies, this is the place where you can see
a wide variety of trees and other woody
plants up close. It is especially beautiful in
spring and fall. Two Arboretum landmarks
are Rasberry House, named for the family
that operated a market garden and dairy
farm on this site for nearly 100 years, and
its adjacent silo. The handsome old house,
which sits up on the hill to the north, now
serves as headquarters for the Bruce Trail
Association. The Arboretum is large, and
with the exception of the lilac walk and
the shrub collection areas, has few formal
paths. It is also a great place for watching
and experiencing other animal plant
interactions.
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the best of burlington
gardens
Famous Hendry Gates offer
a welcome to the RBG
Photo by Mark Zelinski.com
Hendrie Park has something for everyone.
Meandering through its collections, displays
and interesting landscape features, the
visitor can smell a rose or be challenged by
the thought provoking stories in the medicinal
garden. This garden truly illustrates the
diversity of both plants and garden design.
Discover native plants in a cultivated setting,
a new look at vegetable gardening and
the see the sky reflected on dark water.
Set on a fertile terraced plain, formerly a
market garden, Laking Garden is home to
RBG’s herbaceous perennial collections.
The belvedere at the end of the path offers
a panoramic view over the entire garden.
This garden, overlooked by a small cottage
offers the visitor an insight into the depth
and breadth of perennial plants. Visitors in
June should watch their step, as turtles will
likely be nesting in the fertile soil of the
lower terrace.
The year round focal point of Royal
Botanical Gardens is RBG Centre. Here
you will find both indoor and outdoor displays
along with the administrative offices
of the institution. Orient yourself to the
property in Stedman Exploration Hall,
stop by the Mediterranean Garden and
explore a living wall in the Camilla and
Peter Dalglish Atrium. Access Hendrie Park
through an underground tunnel to continue
your exploration of the plant world.
Built in 1930-31 on the site of an abandoned
gravel pit, the 2.43-hectare (6-acre)
Rock Garden was RBG’s first major display
garden. Before its transformation, the surrounding
area was littered with billboards
and old shacks. This garden amphitheatre
which underwent a $20 Million renovation
in 2016 is a magical place, exuding an
atmosphere of both tranquility and mystery.
The RBG now has The International
Sculpture Collection, which is a permanent
collection located in Hendrie Park.
The collection was created by founding
donor Dan Lawrie with RBG. It is an addition
of new works over 10 years.
RBG Centre, the Arboretum and Hendrie
Park remain open during the winter season
(outdoor gardens are open - weather permitting.)
•
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w h y b u r l i n g t o n
outstanding
food scene
The Block Co.
The Lord Nelson
Fine Dining
Kelly’s Bake Shoppe
Burlington’s food and dining
experience is among the best in
Ontario. And our local residents love
to dine out as much as visitors.
Wendel Clark’s
Paradiso
A Taste of
Burlington
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the best of burlington
Molly
Cake
The chefs of our many cafés and
trendy chic eateries will conjure up
whatever your taste buds are craving.
From nouveau cuisine and fine dining to
more traditional family-style home-cooked
meals. For some tantalizing international
flavours, try one of our Thai, Japanese, Indian,
Greek, Italian, Persian or Mediterranean
restaurants.
Lakeside À La Carte
For one wonderful summer afternoon,
Spencer Smith Park transforms into the best
wine, spirits, craft beer and dining venue
in Burlington. Sponsored by Rottary Club
Burlington Central, this event supports community
programs such as Reach Out Center
for Kids, Our Community Cares, Joseph
Brant Hospital Foundation and many other
Rotary charities. More than forty restaurants,
wineries and breweries, bring out their best
temptations. White, marquis style tents,
the shimmering back drop of the lake,
a huge silent auction, easy listening live
entertainment, raffles for travel tickets, wine
and more…it’s Burlington’s ultimate summer
garden party!
A Taste of Burlington
A Taste of Burlington encourages residents
and visitors to dine in one or more of our
many dining establishments and enjoy new
culinary experiences. The program began in
2008 with 12 restaurants participating. It has
grown with each successive program with
35 restaurants participating in 2017. The
Taste of Burlington launch is an outstanding
culinary event that showcases food offerings
and service excellence while providing an
exceptional experience for participants.
Ribfest
What has become Canada’s Largest Ribfest,
proudly organized by the Rotary Club of
Burlington Lakeshore, has been operating
since 1996. Despite only raising $800 in the
first year, the Club was ahead of their goal
to break even. By the second year, the three
year fundraising goal had been met, and
22 years later Canada’s Largest Ribfest has
raised $3 million dollars for local charities
and is still a giant barbeque party. •
Lakeside À La Carte
Canada’s largest Ribfest
Salvatore’s
Photo by
Melinda
Paletta
Spencer’s at
the Waterfront
27

w h y b u r l i n g t o n
burlington
downtown:
It’s all here
Burlington’s Downtown location—on the
Lakefront – one of its great natural assets
Strolling along leafy Lakeshore Road
on a summer day in Burlington
Emma’s
Back Porch
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the best of burlington
Photo by Kris Gelder
Centro Garden
Farmer’s Market
So when we speak with the people who
live here, who work here - they speak
to us about their memories. That’s made
for some pretty great conversations.
Memories of Downtown Burlington is still
the place to go for great food, live music -
great experiences.
“I still find it hard to believe that my kids
head to my favourite restaurant on a Friday
night. They see it as their watering hole.
That was our hang out as kids. Best view of
the water - so much fun.” Jonathan Lambert,
Burlington.
“For a long time, I went to bed early.
Then I moved to Downtown Burlington.”
Kelsey Zeardo, “it’s crazy how your life can
change when experiences are within walking
distance.”
All of Burlington’s best assets converge in
our Downtown. There are over 435 unique
businesses that populate our commercial
ecosystem, a thriving arts and culture district
and a climate that attracts a diverse and
energetic base of knowledge workers.
“Living and owning a business in the
downtown has been truly amazing! All I
need is within walking distance. I love paying
it forward to support other independent
stores.” New businesses share this sentiment
with us all the time.
Whether you are reacquainting yourself
with the discerning experience that is
Burlington’s downtown or discovering us
for the very first time you will be warmly
welcomed wherever you wander. We’re the
place you bring your friends from out of
town when you want to show off the very
best of your city.
So come join us. Make some Downtown
Burlington memories to call your own and
discover why we say “It’s All Here”!
Fit in the Core is a series of free open air fitness
classes offered on Sundays throughout the summer.
Just one of hundreds of events that keep bringing
people back to Downtown Burlington
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w h y b u r l i n g t o n
burlington
is the place
to grow
Voted one of the best places
to do business by Foreign and
Direct Investment Magazine,
Burlington is a top destination for businesses
looking to relocate, expand or
startup. Centrally located to Ontario’s
busiest public transportation hubs,
Toronto and Northeastern US, Burlington
provides optimal access to top markets.
This widespread connectivity places
Burlington in close proximity to some
of Canada’s top post secondary institutions
and a talent pool of over 2 million
diverse high skilled professionals.
The Burlington Economic Development
Corporation (BEDC) works with companies
looking to locate, start-up, or
expand in Burlington. BEDC does this by
providing services in site selection and
development facilitation support, as well
as direction to other local resources and
services that are available to support them
in their growth. In June of 2017 BEDC
opened the doors to TechPlace, a one stop
destination for new growing technology
companies developed in line with the
City of Burlington’s Strategic Vision of a
City that Grows. To get in touch with the
BEDC team and to learn more about how
they can assist you please visit bedc.ca •
30

the best of burlington
“The City of Burlington
Strategic Plan positions
Burlington as a City that
Grows. BEDC continues
to focus on growing the
Burlington economy through
job growth, redevelopment
and a focus on innovation
and entrepreneurship.”
Frank McKeown
BEDC’s Executive Director
31

w h y b u r l i n g t o n
burlington city plan
32

the best of burlington
Burlington is ranked as one of the top
cities in Canada to call home and
that’s how the city plans to keep it. As
more people call Burlington home over the
next 20 years, planning is underway now to
help shape the growing city and ensure it
continues to be a place where people and
businesses thrive.
Released earlier in 2017, the city’s new
draft Official Plan, Grow Bold, is designed
to recognize that how Burlington grows
will change. Burlington no longer has the
room to build traditional, suburban-type
neighbourhoods. Instead of growing out,
the city will grow up and intensify to build
new neighbourhoods in targeted urban areas
like the downtown and around Burlington’s
GO stations at Aldershot, Appleby and
Burlington. These new neighbourhoods are
called Mobility Hubs.
What does this mean?
As the city grows, many of the things that
are valued about Burlington today will not
change. Fifty per cent of the city will continue
to be protected rural land, 34 per cent
will remain neighbourhoods and 11 per cent
will be land for employment. This means that
only five per cent of the city will experience
growth, primarily around the Mobility Hubs.
An important aspect of Grow Bold is easy
connectivity between all transit modes.
33

w h y b u r l i n g t o n
Great new neighbourhoods
The Mobility Hubs will be designed as
complete, compact, walkable neighbourhoods
that feature:
• Easy and convenient access to public
transit, GO rail transportation and active
transportation infrastructure like bike
lanes.
• Improved GO rail transportation
connections with locations that take
advantage of the like GO train service.
• A great selection of services like
shopping, restaurants, healthcare and
recreation centres.
• Parks and public spaces that enable
residents and visitors opportunities to
enjoy the city. In the proposed concept
for Burlington’s downtown Mobility
Hub, 49 per cent, almost half of the
downtown would be dedicated to green
space and public use.
• A variety of low, medium and highrise
buildings, providing housing that
is affordable for the vast majority of
people, from millennials to seniors, and
everybody in between.
• A focus on high-quality building architecture
and design and a commitment
34

the best of burlington
to public art that contributes to a beautiful,
comfortable, and enjoyable place
to live.
• Easy-to-navigate city streets that are
pleasant to walk along, with wide sidewalks,
street trees and places to sit and
enjoy the city.
• A vibrant downtown complete with a
strong performing economy and walking
and cycling networks that connect
people to the major green parks, the
waterfront, and major shopping areas.
Burlington was one of the first communities
in Ontario to make a commitment to
stop the sprawl of development and protect
green space that makes up 50 percent of the
land area. •
35

w h y b u r l i n g t o n
TechPlace
TechPlace is a one stop
destination for new and growing
technology companies. It
is dedicated to connecting,
developing, and advancing
entrepreneurs at all stages,
through providing space,
programming and access to
resources. Led by the Burlington
Economic Development
Corporation, TechPlace exists
to help technology, talent and
ideas come together under one
roof to create and promote
opportunities for economic
growth.
TechPlace
5500 North Service Road,
Suite 801
Burlington, Ontario
L7L 6W6
Phone: 289 337 5505
Email: info@techplace.ca
www.techplace.ca
36

the best of burlington
“When we were developing the
strategy behind TechPlace, we
saw the incredible things that can
happen when you bring these
pieces together under one roof.
So that is what we are doing, and
we will reach beyond the borders
of Burlington to build momentum,
and work towards attracting great
companies to start and grow in
Burlington.”
Claire Green
Manager at TechPlace
37

w h y b u r l i n g t o n
The 8,600 square foot
space is anchored by
two co-location partners;
Haltech, Halton’s Regional
Innovation Centre, and
Angel One Investor
Network, one of Canada’s
most active Angel groups.
Angel One Network Inc. is one
of Canada’s most active angel
investor networks comprised of
high net worth investors. Since
incorporating in September 2011,
Angel One members have invested
over $24 million. Please visit
angelonenetwork.ca to learn more.
LaunchPads at TechPlace
TechPlace has a limited number of LaunchPads. These private
offices are equipped for three to four people and are available
on an application basis to eligible companies that are gearing
for growth. So far TechPlace has welcomed servicePath and
3terra into its LaunchPad program. For more information
please visit techplace.ca/launchpads.
Haltech is Halton’s Regional
innovation Centre, working
with technology companies to
accelerate innovation for business
growth. Haltech contributes
vital resources, mentors and
programming to TechPlace. Visit
www.haltech.ca to learn more.
“The Toronto Hamilton corridor offers a great skill and talent
pool to grow a high tech company. We selected the region for
great educational institutions and its centralized North American
location that allows us to service both coasts and our US and
Canadian customers. TechPlace is close to GO transit and
30 minutes to the airport, making it attractive for employees,
customers and stakeholders to get to.” - Daniel Kube CEO of
servicePath, TechPlace’s inaugural LaunchPad resident.
38

the best of burlington
burlington technology
campus & qew corridor
Tech Campus locations:
• 5500 North Service Road • 1100 Burloak Drive • 5515 North Service Road • 5420 North Service Road • 5575 North Service Road
• BEDC is proud to introduce Burlington’s
Technology Campus. Burlington’s
Technology Campus is one of the GTA’s
best leasing opportunities for growing
technology businesses.
• Centrally located on the QEW and
Burloak Drive, the buildings offer a vast
array of amenities, free parking, and
convenient access to the QEW and 407.
• Co-locate with other growing businesses
in the Burlington Technology Campus
including Pink Elephant, Chemsynergy
Inc., TechPlace, H2O Innovation, and
Aerotek.
• Over 885 start-ups in Burlington including
– WayPay a member of 500 Startups,
Prodigy Game who was named in the
Top 10 of Canada’s Fastest Growing Start-
Ups and Profit Magazine’s PROFIT 500
ranking, Host Papa and Secure Sense.
• Burlington is conveniently located
between Waterloo, Toronto and Hamilton
with central access to Ontario’s busiest
highway interchanges, public transportation
hubs (including three GO train stations),
airports, and the American border.
• Two million diverse and highly skilled
workforce professionals are within commuting
distance.
• Burlington is home to thriving established
companies -- Cogeco Cable Canada,
Bluesun, MEMEX Inc, Eco Waste
Solutions, Ecosynthetix, Contest Systems
and Boehringer Ingelheim Canada
• http://bedc.ca/burlingtontechnology-campus
•
39

u r l i nwgh ty o nb ui ar nl s i n wg ht o nm a d e a
Leslie Laking
Horticulturalist
Leslie Laking was an
eminent horticulturalist
who joined the staff
of the Royal Botanical
Gardens in 1946, rising
to its directorship in
1954. Throughout his life, he
consistently promoted the idea
of botanical gardens as educational
museums. Upon retirement in 1996, he was
appointed Director Emeritus of the RBG. He
was made an Officer of the Order of Canada
in 1979. He received an honorary doctorate
from McMaster, where he had taught botany
part time for 30 years, and also from
the University of Guelph. In 1998, he
was inducted into the Hamilton
Gallery of Distinction. Dr.
Laking passed away in
April 2011.
Robert
Bateman Artist
Robert Bateman
was born in Toronto,
Canada in 1930. He
lived in Burlington and taught at Nelson and
Lord Elgin High Schools from 1958-1963,
1965-1969 and 1970-76. He is a celebrated
artist and environmentalist, whose
artistic technique encapsulates the natural
world and wildlife. Bateman’s work has
generated sell-out exhibitions in Canada,
the U.S. and Great Britain and has received
numerous honours and awards including a
succession of doctorates from Canadian and
American universities. In addition, Bateman
has authored several books on painting
and conservation. In 2004 Lord Elgin High
School was renamed Robert Bateman High
School. Bateman has also received numerous
awards including the Officer of the Order
of Canada, the Queen’s Jubilee Medal, and
the Amnesty International’s Human Rights
Defender Award. His work continues to be
displayed and exhibited worldwide.
Josh Brown
Musician
Raised in Burlington by
his music teacher mother
and jazz loving father,
Brown grew up playing
in school and played in
the Burlington Teen Tour
40

d i f f e r e n c e
the best of burlington
and other local bands, eventually winning
local and national competitions including
an award from the Royal Conservatory of
Music for the highest mark in Canada. Josh
is one of the leading trombonists in New
York City, having performed with some of
jazz’s leading figures. He has toured the
world with Michael Bublé and as a result he
has appeared on Oprah Winfrey, the Today
Show, the Late Show with David Letterman
and many other television shows.
Jim Carrey Actor
James Eugene Carrey
was born in 1962 in
Aurora, Ontario and
lived in Burlington for
eight years where he
attended Aldershot
High School. Carey
would often perform
comedy sketches for
classmates in middle
school which fortified
his outrageous stage talent.
He relocated to Scarborough,
Ontario in his teens, where he later
dropped out of high school to pursue a career
in comedy. He received critical acclaim at
Yuk Yuk’s and The Comedy Store where he
was hired by comedian Rodney Dangerfield
to headline his comedic tour. Carrey found
television success in the 80’s on Saturday
Night Live and In Living Color. He went on
to star in numerous films, receiving a total of
two Golden Globe awards and six Golden
Globe nominations for such films as the The
Truman Show and Man on the Moon. He
was nominated for a British Academy Film
Award for Best Performance by an Actor
in a Leading Role for Eternal Sunshine of
the Spotless Mind and also has a star on
Canada’s Walk of Fame.
Mychael Danna Composer
Mychael Danna is an Academy Awardwinning
film composer recognized for his
evocative blending of non-western traditions
with orchestral and electronic music.
Danna was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba,
but his family moved to Burlington when
he was an 3 weeks old. He
is the brother of fellow
composer Jeff Danna. He
composed the transculturally
inspired 2013
Oscar and Golden
Globe-winning score
for Ang Lee’s Life of
Pi, as well as many
award-winning scores for
his longtime collaborator,
Atom Egoyan. Other noted
credits include Oscar-winning
and Oscar-nominated films such as
Moneyball, Capote, The Imaginarium of
Doctor Parnassus, Monsoon Wedding,
Shattered Glass, Little Miss Sunshine, (500)
Days of Summer, Surf’s Up, Water, Antwone
Fisher, Being Julia and Girl, Interrupted.
Jeff Danna Composer
Born in Burlington, Jeff was a reluctant
piano student at age eight,
he found solace in the guitar
at age eleven and began
playing professionally
at fifteen until a hand
injury at age 21 curtailed
his performance
career. He subsequently
began composing
for films and moved
to Los Angeles. Jeff has
created scores for a long
and varied list of films. His
credits include “Resident Evil:
Apocalypse,” “Silent Hill” and “Silent Hill
2”; the Ryan Gosling-Anthony Hopkins
legal drama “Fracture”; “The Imaginarium of
Dr. Parnassus” and “Tideland,”; “Lakeview
Terrace; a series of films for director Brett
Morgen, including “The Kid Stays in The
Picture,” “Chicago 10,” “Closing the Ring”
for director Richard Attenborough; and
the cult classic “The Boondock Saints,”
among others. Additionally, his collaborative
Orchestral Celtic albums with his brother,
composer Mychael Danna, have enjoyed
worldwide success and placed in the Top
Ten on the Billboard chart in the United
States.
41

u r l i nwgh ty o nb ui ar nl s i n wg ht o nm a d e a
Ryan Gosling Actor
Ryan Gosling was born in London and
lived in Cornwall before he moved to
Burlington where he attended Lester B.
Pearson High School. He starred in
the Mickey Mouse Club and
hit T.V. show Breaker High.
He has been nominated
for an Academy Award
and a Screen Actors
Guild Award for his
performance in the
2006 drama Half
Nelson, as well as a
Golden Globe award
and Screen Actors
Guild Award for his role
in 2008’s Lars and the Real
Girl. Gosling has also starred in
numerous films including Remember
the Titans, The Notebook, Fracture, Blue
Valentine, Gangster Squad, The Big Short,
The Nice Guys and La La Land In 2011,
Ryan appeared in his first comedic role
in Crazy, Stupid, Love and his first action
role in Drive and the Ides of March and
received two Golden Globe nominations.
In 2017 he won a Golden Globe for best
actor in a comedy or musical for La La
Land.
Sarah Harmer Musician
Sarah Harmer grew up on a small
farm in northern Burlington.
She has become an
accomplished singer,
songwriter and
activist, co-founding
the organization
PERL (Protecting
Escarpment Rural
Land). Harmer earned
a degree in Philosophy
and Women’s Studies
from Queen’s University
and has received numerous
Juno award nominations,
including Songwriter of the Year. To
date, she has released five albums, her latest
being Oh Little Fire in 2010 which was
nominated for 3 Juno awards.
Lawrence Hill
Author
Lawrence Hill is a
novelist best known
for his 2013 Massey
Lectures Blood: The
Stuff of Life, his 2007
novel The Book of
Negroes and his 2001
memoir Black Berry,
Sweet Juice: On Being
Black and White in Canada.
His newest novel, The Illegal, was
published in 2015 and has been optioned
for film by Conquering Lion Pictures, the
producers of the Book of Negroes miniseries.
The Illegal won the 2016 edition of
Canada Reads, making Hill the first writer
ever to win the competition twice. He was
named a Member of the Order of Canada in
2015. Hill was born in Newmarket, lived in
Burlington from 2004-2008 and now lives in
Hamilton and Newfoundland.
John Lawrence
Reynolds Author
John Lawrence
Reynolds has written
over twenty fiction
and non-fiction
books, winning two
Arthur Ellis Awards
in the process. His
first novel, The Man
who Murdered God, was
optioned for a motion picture.
He has won several other
awards including National Business
Book Award, Best Mystery Novel and
National Magazine Award. Reynolds has
lived in Burlington since 1964. His book
Beach Strip was based in the Hamilton/
Burlington beach area and was selected for
One Book Burlington reading program by
the Burlington Public Library in 2013 and it
won the CBC Bookie Award.
Adrienne Pieczonka Opera
Adrianne grew up in Burlington, graduating
from the Opera School of the University of
42

d i f f e r e n c e
the best of burlington
Toronto. Internationally celebrated for her
interpretations of Wagner, Strauss, Verdi
and Puccini, on leading opera and concert
stages in Europe, North America and
Asia. Performances have taken her to New
York’s Metropolitan Opera, the Vienna
Staatsoper, ROH Covent Garden, Paris,
Berlin, Madrid, Munich Frankfurt,
Los Angeles, and La Scala.
Her album Adrianne
Pieczonka Sings
Wagner and Strauss
was nominated for
Classical Album of
the Year – Vocal or
Choral Performance
at the 2007 Juno
Awards. In 2007, she
was made an Officer
of the Order of Canada.
In 2012, Pieczonka was
awarded a Queen Elizabeth
II Diamond Jubilee Medal. She was
named an Honourary Fellow of The Royal
Conservatory of Music in 2013 and in
2014 she received the Paul de Hueck
and Norman Walford Career Achievement
Award
Walk off the Earth Music
Walk Off The Earth is an unconventional,
multi-talented five-piece band
based in Burlington. Their 5-people-playing-one-guitar
interpretation of Gotye’s
Somebody That I Used To Know video
released in 2012 garnered over 35 million
views in under two weeks. They
were nominated for two Junos
in 2013, three Junos in
2014, and won a Juno
for Group of the
Year in 2016. Their
most recent album,
Sing It All Away,
was released in
2015. Members
include Sarah
Blackwood, Gianni
Luminati, Mike Taylor,
Ryan Marshall and Joel
Cassidy.
Gordie Tapp
Entertainer
Tapp was host of
CHML’s Main Street
Jamboree during the
1950’s in Hamilton
and later hosted
Country Hoedown
on CBC. He was
also one of the
announcers of the live
big band shows staged
at the Brant Inn and broadcast
nationally on CBC radio.He
went on to perform and write for the CBS
show Hee Haw. Tapp was inducted into
the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame
in 1990. He received the Order of Canada
in 1998 and the Order of Ontario in 1999.
Additionally, Tapp was inducted into The
Burlington Performing Arts Centre’s Hall of
Fame in 2013. Tapp passed away in 2016.
Doug Wright
Cartoonist
Wright was a cartoonist
best known for his
comic strip Doug
Wright’s Family
which debuted in
1946 and was published
for over 30
years. In 2005, the
Doug Wright Awards,
named in Wright’s honour,
recognizing Canadian
cartoonists and graphic novelists,
were founded. Wright himself
was amongst the inaugural inductees into
the Canadian Cartoonist Hall of Fame. He
moved to Burlington in 1966 and created
the cartoon characters in the Burlington Teen
Tour Band logo. He passed away in 1983.
Dr Gavin Armstron Scientist,
Entrepreneur
Gavin Armstrong is the Founder and
President of Lucky Iron Fish, a social enterprise
attempting to alleviate iron deficiency
around the world using a simple health inno-
43

u r l i nwgh ty o nb ui ar nl s i n wg ht o nm a d e a
vation. Armstrong was named
one of the recipients of
the Muhammad Ali
Humanitarian Award,
given annually to
six humanitarians
under the age of 30.
Armstrong was also
named one of Forbes’
Top 30 Under 30 in
the social entrepreneur
category, and won the
EOY Social Entrepreneur
special citation award, the
William J. Clinton Hunger Leadership
Award and the Michaelle Jean Emergency
Hunger Relief Award. Armstrong attended
Notre Dame High School in Burlington and
Guelph University where he received a PhD
in Biomedical Science..
John T Mayberry Executive
John T. Mayberry worked as the
head of Dofasco, positioning
the company as a leader
in its field while also
promoting environmentally
sound initiatives.
He stressed
the importance of
good stewardship,
sustainable growth
and community
involvement. He was
the first Canadian chair
of the American Iron and
Steel Institute. Mayberry also
has given much of his time to a number
of fundraising campaigns and organizations
in Hamilton. He and his wife Sue created
the Mayberry Family Fund at the Hamilton
Community Foundation. For his work, he
was made an Officer of the Order of Canada
in 2006.
Ron Joyce Businessman/
Philanthropist
Ronald V. Joyce is best known as the
entrepreneur who, in 1964, invested in the
first Tim Hortons in Hamilton and grew
the business into one of the most successful
food service chains in the
world. Co-founder of the TDL
Group Ltd. which licenses
Tim Hortons, Joyce
sold the business to
Wendy’s International
Inc. in 1996. Joyce
has won numerous
awards and honors
for his entrepreneurial
successes, corporate
citizenship and
philanthropic work: The
Order of Canada, induction
into the Canadian Business
Hall of Fame; Entrepreneur of the Year
for Ontario and Canada; the Gary Wright
Humanitarian Award and the Red Cross
Humanitarian of the Year Award. Joyce
remains actively involved in The Joyce
Family Foundation located in Burlington.
Joseph Brant Founder
Joseph Brant, otherwise known as
Thayendanegea, was a Mohawk, loyalist
and statesman. He is best
known for keeping his ties
to the Mohawk people
while still being able
to relate to and work
successfully with the
white settlers. Brant
worked as an interpreter
for Sir. William
Johnson, his successor
in the British Indian
Dept. Johnson aided
missionaries in teaching
Christianity to the Aboriginal
people and also helped to translate
religious materials into the Mohawk
language. In the later years of his life Brant
lived on Burlington Bay in an English style
home and translated parts of the Bible into
Mohawk.
Norm Marshall Broadcaster
Norm Marshall began his career in radio
broadcasting, and spent many years work-
44

d i f f e r e n c e
the best of burlington
ing at stations in the Hamilton,
Montreal, Windsor/Detroit
and Buffalo areas. Norm
moved into television
in 1952 becoming a
celebrity in this new
medium. He joined
CHCH TV 11 in
1950 working as
a news and sports
commentator until
1988. Throughout his
career, Norm brought a
large amount of innovation
to the industry including
being the first sportscaster to give
a fully reconstructed dramatization of an
NHL hockey game using teletyped reports.
Norm worked as the President of Norm
Marshall Associates, a Public Relations and
Promotion organization. Marshall passed
away in 2008.
J.Lyman Potts Broadcaster
J. Lyman Potts is a broadcaster who worked
for numerous radio stations throughout
his lengthy career. Potts was responsible
for the creation of the Canadian
Talent Library, a non-profit
trust that produced
a major series of
Canadian recordings
by Canadian artists
and Canadian
compositions. For
his work, Potts was
inducted into the
Canadian Music
Hall of Fame and the
CAB Broadcast Hall
of Fame. He was made
an Officer of the Order of
Canada in 1978, and also received
the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002
and her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee Medal
in 2012.
Connie Smith News Anchor
Connie Smith grew up in Burlington where
she attended Nelson High School. She is
best known for being a broadcast journalist
at CHCH News where she worked from
1976 to 2008. A graduate of
Mohawk College, Smith
started out at CKOC
Radio in Hamilton
and then she
worked as a goodnews
reporter for
CFRB, Toronto.
In 1976, Smith
moved to CHCH
where she became
the first female
weather presenter followed
by being the first
female anchor for weekday
news. Throughout the years, Smith
has received many awards for her work
in the community and for her journalism.
She received the Queen’s Jubilee Medal
in 2002, and was awarded the Order of
Ontario in 2011. Smith is a keynote speaker
and part-time broadcasting instructor at
Mohawk College. She currently operates
her own communications business. •
45

joseph brant hospital
the transformation
continues one step at a time
In August 2017, Joseph Brant Hospital celebrated
a milestone in healthcare with the opening of
the Michael Lee-Chin & Family Patient Tower.
But the work to bring a new hospital that
will meet the needs of our community
now, and for generations to come is
not over. With programs and services moving
to the new South Tower, renovations in the
original North Tower began.
Among the areas receiving significant
renovations are the Ambulatory Care
Centre and the Diagnostic Imaging Unit.
The new Ambulatory Care Centre has been
planned with standardized room layouts to
support maximum flexibility of use.
Existing clinics, which are currently located
across the hospital will be co-located in the
new space including:
• General Internal Medicine and Rapid
Assessment Clinic (GIMRAC)
The GIMRAC provides more appropriate
care for individuals who require timely assessment,
but not necessarily emergency care.
The GIMRAC team includes a physician,
nurse practitioner, registered nurse, occupational
therapist, physiotherapist, social worker,
dietician and pharmacist.
• Fracture Clinic
Patients are seen by an Orthopedic
Surgeon for care of acute orthopedic injury
and follow up.
46
• Pre-Operative Planning:
Patients are either seen in the clinic by
a Registered Nurse or have a telephone
interview for assessment prior to their
upcoming Surgery. Patients may have additional
testing or be seen by an Anesthetist
if required. Pre-operative Interviews also
allow for patients to ask questions and
receive educational information related to
their Surgery.
• Vascular Clinic:
Patients are seen by Vascular Surgeons for
Pre and Post op assessments.
The mobile
unit allows
for imaging to
travel to the
patient, rather
than having to
transport the
patient.
Joseph Brant
Hospital
performs
breast
screening on
our state-ofthe-art
Digital
Mammography
System. It
offers stunning
attention
to detail
and image
quality, with
a low dose of
radiation.
Dr. John
Rawlinson,
Chief of
Radiology at
Joseph Brant
Hospital
explain the
benefits of
the new CT
Scanner.

Rendering of the renovated North
Tower at Joseph Brant Hospital
the best of burlington
In Diagnostic Imaging, the renovations will
increase the unit’s physical size by 2.5 times,
as well as providing additional and updated
technology, improved patient flow and
increased capacity.
Said Dr John Rawlinson, Chief of Radiology.
“Diagnostic imaging services for our outpatients
will be on one level, to maximize
efficiency and patient centred care.”
The renovations will allow for increased
patient privacy, to include a dedicated
Women’s Imaging Centre complete with
a separate registration, waiting room and
entrance.
With the renovations, Joseph Brant Hospital
is equipping these spaces with state-of-the-art
technology and capacity to provide better
quality care sooner.
“With the equipment we are using we will
have the tools to provide the best care possible,”
said John Heikoop, Manager, Diagnostic
Imaging & Medical Diagnostic Unit. “We are
offering the care typical of larger regional
hospitals closer to home.”
The new technology is attracting the best
physicians and staff, who are at the heart
of the department. “We have incredible
staff, who are dedicated to care,” said Dr
Rawlinson. “The strength of what we do is
related to these individuals, and the support
of our community.”
The Joseph Brant Foundation needs your
help continue to build a better hospital for
Burlington. Your donation will dramatically
improve the care available in our community.
Give generously today, and you can double
your impact. All gifts will be matched by
the Pasquale and Anita Paletta Family Match
Challenge.
Donations can be made online at
www.jbhfoundation.ca or by calling Tracy at
905-632-3737 ext. 6500. •
One of the nine
operating rooms
in the new patient
tower.
47

paletta internat
providing for a strong community
The Paletta
family
L-R: Remi,
Michael,
Paul,
Angelo and
founder
Pasquale
Paletta
Angelo Paletta sums up the more than six decades of family
business success with the saying “Paletta provides.”
Whether it’s providing jobs and
food, – Paletta’s Tender Choice
Foods provided more than 225
jobs in the recently sold meat packing business,
while feeding generations of consumers
– the Paletta family has been providing
for their communities for more than 50
years. More jobs are being provided in the
retail and commercial developments the
company has built and has underway in
Ontario. Paletta International has provided
housing for thousands of families, in one
of the many residential subdivisions the
company has developed over the years. In
terms of charitable giving—most notably to
the Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital building
fund and the Carpenter hospice, the Paletta
family has been providing essentials to the
growth of Burlington since 1964. They have
also provided wonderful lifetime memories
to many a bride and their families when it
rescued the magnificent lakefront mansion
from the wrecking ball that now bears the
family name, to become the premier banquet
and wedding setting in the area. More
recently, memories of a different kind—
film and television productions—have been
produced by the family’s Princess Gates
Entertainment group, headed by Angelo.
It was a modest beginning when family
patriarch Pasquale (Pat) Paletta came to
Canada in 1949 with his parents and 7 siblings—originally
settling in Port Arthur (now
Thunder Bay) where Pat’s first jobs were digging
holes for hydro poles and working at the
local grain elevators. Pat came to Hamilton
in 1951 and soon was in the meat business.
By 1968 he had begun the first of the
property acquisitions that would eventually
grow into the largest assembly of residential,
industrial and commercial property in the
Hamilton-Halton-Burlington area. Property
development and meat processing would be
the twin pillars of the family business for the
next several decades.
In 1964 the meat business moved to
Burlington, initially operating in a 10,000
square foot facility that by 1983 had grown
to 100,000 square feet with 150 employees
before it was sold to Canada Packers. Two
years later, Pat was back in the meat business
in Stoney Creek, and once again grew the
operation from a closed down 10,000 sq. ft.
chicken plant to a modern processing plant of
100,000 square feet before again selling it in
1994 and relocating to Burlington at its origi-
48

ional
Paletta
International:
providing jobs,
homes and
entertainment
for more than
50 years
nal location. Again, that business, at the present
site at Appleby Line and QEW, grew to a
200,000 square foot facility with 225 workers
before its recent sale. Meanwhile the property
development side of the business continued
to expand. The company has built more than
1,000,000 square feet of retail, industrial
and, commercial space and has developed
thousands of acres of residential properties.
“We are building complete communities
with multiple types of housing,” says Angelo,
“they will have parks, parkettes, and retail
space.” Paletta developments are underway
in Hamilton, Burlington, Brampton, Caledon
and Niagara Falls.
Countless charities have benefitted from
the Paletta family’s philanthropy. In addition
to the donation of the Paletta Mansion and
support for the Carpenter Hospice, and
cultural organizations; the family recently
put up a $5 Million match dollar challenge
donation to the Joseph Brant Hospital
Foundation, promising to match community
donations dollar-for- dollar up to $5 Million
in the foundations $60 Million fundraising
drive. The community has recognized
the family’s many contributions-- Pat Paletta
was honoured as Burlington’s Entrepreneur
of the year by the Burlington Economic
Development Corporation and Angelo was
recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee
medal.
The most recent venture for Angelo on
behalf of the family, along with his brothers,
Remi, Paul, and Michael —a complete
departure from the family businesses-- is
Princess Gates Entertainment Inc. which
has provided equity and financing for film
and television projects—most notably the
Night at the Museum, Live Free Die Hard
and Casino Jack starring Kevin Spacey who
was nominated for a Golden Globe for his
performance. Roger Ebert gave the film three
out of four stars, stating that “Casino Jack is
so forthright, it is stunning.” Princess Gates
also backed the 2017 Shirley MacLaine film
The Last Word and Drone with Sean Bean.
Looking back on the success of the Paletta
family businesses Angelo puts it down to the
hard work ethic, persistence and drive, of his
father Pasquale and mother Anita. The Paletta
family name goes back 250 years and the
family looks to keep it alive and expanding
for another 250 years.
As can be read here, the phrase “Paletta
Provides” represents the family’s ethic, and
will be the Hallmark of their efforts for generations
to come. •
Rescued from
the wrecking
ball, the Paletta
mansion, a
gift to the
city, is home
to countless
receptions and
events
49

It started when Domenic talked his way into
a major building project in Guelph with no
crew, no tools and no money. But, once he
got the job, Domenic assembled a team and
as he promised, finished the project ahead
of schedule and under budget. That would
be the hallmark of the Molinaro approach to
construction—one that persists today.
Over the years the company built countless
high rises and commercial properties
in Hamilton and Burlington. One of the
early developments that really started the
transformation of Downtown Burlington
was Spencer’s Landing condominium project
on Maple Ave. Soon came other major
projects—Bunton’s Wharf, The Baxter, 360
on Pearl, Strata & The Brock—all projects
marked by highest quality construction and
superior craftsmanship. Combined, these
residential projects have transformed downtown
Burlington, giving it a trendy, sophisthe
molinaro
creating a new skyline
for burlington
Molinaro Group
projects have
distinguished the
Burlington skyline
The indoor
pool at
Paradigm
Giving back to the community
It’s hard to imagine a community whose
very look can be attributed to the work
of one construction and development
company; but that is exactly what is happening
in Burlington thanks to the vision of the
Molinaro Group. In its 50 years of operation
the Molinaro Group has provided homes
for 10,000 families—enough for a small
city-- and developed more than one million
square feet of commercial property.
It all started with the hard work, vision and
tenacity of Domenic Molinaro who, seeking
opportunity, immigrated from his birthplace
in Calabria Italy, first to Switzerland, where
among other things he developed a love
for skiing and later would name his first
company Matterhorn Construction after the
famed Swiss Alp. From there it was off to
New York, where Domenic toiled in building
trades; and ultimately to Canada where the
success story began more than 50 years ago.
Paradigm
will define
the skyline
of midtown
Burlington
50

group
Bunton’s
wharf
the best of burlington
Domenic
Molinaro
hard at
work
Paradigm’s
impressive Porte
Cochère entrance
ticated ambiance that is one of the reasons
why Burlington repeatedly makes the list of
Best Places to Live in Canada.
Now, Molinaro Group has begun the latest
and largest expression of excellence in real
estate development—Paradigm—a five-tower
residential project that will transform midtown
Burlington the same way the downtown
projects have done. Paradigm aims to create
a complete community lifestyle experience
with luxury amenities such as a sky lounge
with panoramic views, rooftop terrace, fitness
centre, basketball court, pool and hot water
spa, theatre and multiple party rooms. Its
location, adjacent to the new Burlington GO
station, will make it an ideal residence for
those who commute to work in busy Toronto
but who can return each evening to the relaxation
of Canada’s best mid-sized city.
In addition to its contribution to the
Burlington landscape through development
of iconic properties, the Molinaro
Group has been a major contributor to the
social, health and cultural needs of the city.
Initiatives supported by the Molinaro Group
include the Joseph Brant Capital Campaign,
Carpenter Hospice, Ribfest, the Burlington
Performing Arts Capital Campaign, Central
Library Capital Campaign, the Burlington
Community Foundation and Fit in the Core.
Now operated by a second generation
of the family, the Molinaro Group remains
committed to the qualities of hard work,
high quality and a level of craftsmanship
that is second to none—all principles passed
down from founder Domenic Molinaro who
was honored for his entrepreneurship and
Philanthropy by the Burlington Chamber of
Commerce who named him the Distinguished
Entrepreneur for 2016 and by the Hamilton
Halton Home Builders Association as inductee
into their 2016 Hall of Fame. •
360 on
Pearl
The elegant
rooftop
terrace at
Paradigm
51

BUILDING QUALITY
COMMUNITIES IN
BURLINGTON FOR
OVER TWO DECADES.
From Dundas Street to Plains Road to Upper Middle
and down to the water’s edge, New Horizon is proud to
have helped shape and mold the City of Burlington one
development at a time. We have created communities
in picturesque settings, where savvy design and high
quality craftsmanship meet the ultimate in convenience
and comfort. Through creative foresight and superior
construction, New Horizon has been able to build new
developments that benefit the community and provide
home buyers with the quality spaces and amenities to
meet their current and evolving needs.
Bridgewater Residences Suite - Burlington
Since 1994, when founders and principals Jeff Paikin and
Joe Giacomodonato started New Horizon Developments,
the company has been able to build a respected
reputation brick by brick, enjoying great success along
the way as a result of their expertise, hard work, and
attention to detail. The New Horizon Development
Group has a passion for dynamic design combined with
construction expertise to deliver the quality today’s
new home buyers are looking for.
Bridgewater Residences Lobby - Burlington
NHDG.CA

THE MOST RECENT NEW HORIZON
COMMUNITIES IN BURLINGTON
BRIDGEWATER RESIDENCES ON THE LAKE
2042 Lakeshore Road, Burlington at Elizabeth Street
True Luxury Condo Connected to 4-star Hotel
HAVEN
5317 Upper Middle Road, Burlington
4-Storey Building, 138 Units
NOUVEAU
5054-5058 New Street, Burlington
25 Townhomes
TIMES SQUARE
5327 Upper Middle Road, Burlington
106 Condo Units + Commercial Spaces
VIBE
5010-5030 Corporate Dr., Burlington
Two 4-Storey Buildings, 232 Units;
14 Townhomes
WESTWOOD
396 Plains Road East, Burlington
Intimate 45-Unit Building
SHINE
4070 Dundas Street, Burlington
23 Townhomes

anderson’s:
creating beautiful home
environments for nearly 60 years
In today’s fast-paced world of e-commerce we sometimes
forget that quality, service and trust are still the most
appreciated elements in a customer relationship.
At Anderson’s they haven’t lost sight of
those values as they have helped discriminating
households make beautiful
and lasting choices in home furnishings
and décor for more than six decades.
Perhaps it is a downsizing couple who are
looking at making a statement in furnishing
their new condominium. Saying goodbye
to a long time residence is an emotional
decision without the stress of choosing
from a myriad the many home furnishing
choices that are available. More and more
householders value working with a trusted
advisor like Jim Anderson and his team, who
will come to their home and put their minds
at ease by guiding the process towards an
elegant solution that nonetheless gives full
expression to the individual taste of the
56

the best of burlington
customer. At Anderson’s the skilled team can
take over every step of furnishing and décor
process.
Now approaching its sixth decade in
business Anderson’s is the leader in providing
fine furnishings and creating beautiful
living spaces for households throughout
Southern Ontario. For Jim Anderson his
passion is providing service to a loyal clientele.
The showroom at 686 Guelph line is
meticulously laid out with fine furnishings
and decor to stimulate the imagination of
clients. Says Jim, “I wanted to create an
environment where people know they can
just come in and have a very calm environment—a
very relaxing environment – that
will take away the fear of selecting furnishings
and interiors. People are spending a
lot of money and they don’t want to make
a mistake.” Marguerite Harrison started out
her design career decorating her mother’s
home for dinner parties and it just grew
from there. Of her chosen profession Says
Marguerite, “I really feel it’s a gift we are
given, and what I do for a living—it’s my
hobby, my passion, my life.”
Marguerite explains the Anderson process.
“Usually Jim and myself or Tina Pharand as
a team go into our clients’ homes and visit
them have a talk with them and take some
measurements. Then we invite them back
to the showroom where we put together a
presentation of what we think would suit
their lifestyles and their beautiful home.”
Adds Jim, “Most clients don’t know how to
get there but they do know the end result that
they want to see in their personal sanctuary;
so we listen to them and then slowly start
picking out product to help them get to their
personal look—not our look—their look.”
At Anderson’s it is all about making the
customer comfortable. As Jim Anderson says,
“This is my second home. My personality
comes out and it’s easy going. Whether it
is furniture, carpeting or area rugs we make
people feel very relaxed in a casual, happy
atmosphere.” Jim uses a BMW analogy to
describe what Anderson’s offer clients. “We
have a 3 Series, a 5 series and a 7 series,
but whatever you buy at Anderson’s you are
going to get quality. If you put value in quality
furnishings, we are your design team.” •
The Anderson
design team l-r
Marguerite Harrison,
Jim Anderson and
Tina Pharand
57

Inspired by
Burlington,
Cogeco gets
involved in the
community.
Since 1989, the relationship between Cogeco and the community of Burlington has matured
into an outstanding partnership, built on a mutual commitment to a sustainable and prosperous
future. This commitment is achieved through a combined effort of providing jobs and services,
and by supporting local community groups.
Employing over 1,000 people at the Burlington head office alone, the award-winning
telecommunications company acts as a leading employer in the area, striving to ensure security
and growth for the city it loves.

Continuously inspired by the community,
Cogeco aims to create partnerships with local
businesses—something they’ve demonstrated
with their Amazing Partnerships Program.
Through this initiative, Cogeco showcases the
innovative and impactful work local businesses
produce in their communities by putting a
spotlight on them in their own advertising
campaigns. Cogeco has established one of
these partnerships with the Halton Industry
Education Council. HIEC is an organization
geared towards youth, helping countless
students receive training and mentorship for
their future careers. Using their services and
products, Cogeco facilitates the operations
of their business partner HIEC, ensuring their
operational needs are both met and exceeded
on a continual basis.
Continuously inspired
by the community,
Cogeco strives to
create partnerships
with local businesses.
through charitable donations and company
participation in events. With involvement
in programs like the Burlington community
Clean Up and Green Up Day, the City of
Burlington Community Awards, and the
redevelopment of the Joseph Brant Hospital,
Cogeco is always seeking ways to support
the community they care about.
And their commitment to Burlington doesn’t
end there. As a noted member of the
community, Cogeco is intensely active in
the city’s events. They not only provide local
content like Inspiring Youth and Halton News
through their community channel YourTV,
they also aim to give back to the community
For almost 30 years, Cogeco has enjoyed
being an active citizen of Burlington, and
looks forward to continuing their support
and participation in the future of this
outstanding community.

60

the best of burlington
Raising the
bucket on
downtown
development
- supporting
infrastructure
expansion in
Burlington’s
downtown
core.
helping to shape the energy
needs of a growing city
The ‘power of community’ is an
important part of Burlington Hydro’s
(BHI) business philosophy. It’s a philosophy
that supports and is aimed at assisting
the City in achieving its prosperity goals,
while complementing key strategic themes: a
City that grows; a City that moves; a healthy
and greener City; and, an engaging City.
The ‘Community Energy Plan’ (CEP) showcases
the City of Burlington as one of only a
handful of communities who have successfully
undertaken an energy planning process.
For its part, Burlington Hydro is ensuring a
reliable and safe power distribution network,
while providing sustainable energy options
to accommodate the City’s planned growth
and economic development.
Whether it’s providing energy mapping,
conservation program choices, or undertaking
key demonstration projects, BHI is
engaged on a number of fronts to help
drive innovation and remain a progressive
force in the community:
• The Micro-Turbine Cogeneration
Plant at the south end of its head office is
the centrepiece of a demonstration project
undertaken by BHI’s unregulated
sister company, Burlington Electricity
Services (BESI). The plant is
demonstrating cogeneration
technology and evaluating its
effectiveness as a local district
energy option.
• BESI’s Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging
Station program is helping to pave the
way for the wider adoption of EVs in the
community - supporting the charging
needs of residential and condominium
EV owners, as well as in the workplace
and in public spaces.
• Under its 5-year conservation first framework
(2015-2020), Burlington Hydro is
on track to achieving kilowatt (kW) savings
equivalent to taking 12,380 residential
households off the grid - delivering a
spectrum of saveONenergy OM programs
to help businesses and residents reduce
their power consumption.
• The ongoing conversion of the City’s
street lights to LED bulb technology is
an initiative that will positively impact
energy efficiencies and cost savings for
the City, while providing the environmental
benefit of lower carbon emissions.
Whether its behind-the-meter opportunities
that are being advanced by smart technologies
or the integration of a state-of-theart
outage management system, Burlington
Hydro remains on the cutting edge of utility
advancements. With a consistent record of
superior safety performance, ongoing reinvestment
in assets, and strong system reliability,
Burlington Hydro is well placed to
support the power needs of the community
into the future. •
(From left to right)
Burlington Mayor
Rick Goldring ;
Ontario Minister
of Energy, Glenn
Thiebault;
Burlington
MPP Eleanor
McMahon; and
Burlington Hydro
President and
CEO, Gerry
Smallegange tour
the Micro-Turbine
Co-generation
plant and check
out the Electric
Vehicle charging
station.
61

helping canadian
researchers and clinicians
for over 60 years
We want to thank all of the life science
researchers and clinicians
throughout Canada who have
become our loyal customers and members
of what we call our Cedarlane family. We
treasure all of the wonderful relationships
that have developed between us throughout
these many years. Thanks to our customers,
Cedarlane has evolved from a manufacturer
of immunology reagents into a major
supplier of life science products. It’s been a
fabulous journey.
The story of Cedarlane starts with Canada.
It’s where we were founded. It’s also full of
hard working researchers that made Canada
the 4th ranked world leader for scientific
research in 2017. These researchers and clinicians
need access to an ever-changing catalog
of products. Products
that will provide them
with the tools they need to
conduct some of the most
important research in the
world, including cancer
research. Unfortunately
importation, permits,
purchasing, shipping and
duty fees can all inhibit
customers from gaining
access to these items
affordably and efficiently.
Our mission is to provide these researchers
with the greatest value in the industry from
the minute they place the order to when it
arrives at their lab.
Cedarlane offers a myriad of biologicals
and biochemicals to life science researchers
and clinicians providing products from
virtually all of the World’s most renowned
international manufacturers. Delivery is
timely and all products are stored, received,
and shipped at required temperatures. Our
team works closely with both customers
and suppliers offering a personalized and
comprehensive experience. The core value
is that our customers are of the utmost
importance. By providing a gateway to over
two million global reagents, customers have
the advantage of freight consolidation and
the convenience and cost
savings inherent within.
It’s been a remarkable
60 years at Cedarlane,
starting from a small
operation and growing
into a Canadian brand
that life science researchers
and clinicians trust.
We look forward to the
next 60 years with you,
but first, we want to
thank you! •
62

the best of burlington
hunter amenities:
number 1 in the world’s hotels
Whether it’s in Shanghai, or Europe
or Las Vegas, the millions of
travellers around the world who
check into hotel rooms every day, are almost
certainly unaware that those little bottles
of shampoo, conditioner, lotion and soap
that they take for granted may very well
come from Hunter Amenities in Burlington
Ontario. Ask John Hunter how it all got started
and he will describe a young business
student at Western University with an idea of
selling pocket-sized vials of mouthwash from
vending machines in bars and restaurants.
That led to John getting the idea of bottling
and selling other amenities like lotions and
shampoo at a time when the large hotel
chains were just starting to provide such
products for guests.
John’s philosophy has always been that if
there is an opportunity to provide a product—seize
the chance and worry about
details later. So in the early days John got into
providing shoe mitts for a hotel chain—even
corkscrews. And so Hunter Amenities started
its phenomenal growth—picking up large
contracts with international hotel chains one
by one. It was the international scope of most
hotel chains that enabled Hunter Amenities
to penetrate markets around the world to the
point where today, Hunter Amenities is
one of the largest companies in the
sector in the world.
Although Hunter Amenities now
has manufacturing
centres in Asia,
Australia and soon,
South America: it is from the Burlington
operation that the company does all of its
research, product development and packaging
design. The company licenses more than
30 retail brands to clients and now has a
retail arm providing brands to major retailers
like Urban Outfitters, TJX and Costco.
By investing heavily in the latest technology
Hunter Amenities’ Burlington plant is
able to generate products at lower labour
costs than its Asian plants. Still the company
employs over 200 in Burlington and another
50 in a plant soon to move to Cambridge,
that manufactures bar soap. Despite its
offshore manufacturing facilities it is still
the Burlington plant that ships higher end
product even into China.
For John Hunter who is on the road at least
100 days a year, logging more than 250,000
miles of flight annually what makes him
happiest? “The fact that we continue to
grow and become a better company
every day… I think anything is possible
no matter where you are because
you’d never think a small Burlington
company could be number one in an
industry that is as global as the one we
are in.” •
63

cogent power
helping power a continent
What started out 45 years ago in
somebody’s garage has now grown
to become an integral part of the
North American supply chain for
electrical steels for power generation
equipment, motors, power and
distribution transformers, and
specialized magnetic components.
These specialty steels are sourced
around the world and are turned
into essential components for the
North American electrical generation
and distribution industry by a skilled
and motivated production force at the
Cogent facility in Burlington.
When major hurricanes devastated
the power grids in Texas and Florida in
2017, the Cogent team went to work
to supply components to rebuild the
system and were shipping product
for transformers within 48 hours. In
64
Cogent
President
Ron Harper
(L) received
the Exporter
of the Year
award on
behalf of the
Cogent team,
from BEDC
Director Frank
McKenna.

the best of burlington
The Cogent Power team
celebrating the Supplier
of the Year Award from
Power Partners.
the end Cogent accounted for 20 percent of
the electrical products used in the Florida
recovery operation. “We were called upon
to provide a lot of parts for the transformers
to help with the recovery in both Houston
and Florida,” said Cogent President Ron
Harper. “That was a big challenge for our
company”.
But the Cogent team successfully met the
challenge in part because of the company’s
progressive human resource strategy that
empowers front-line staff. “Our business philosophy
is to have a people-centric leadership
culture. We give our team a fair amount
of responsibility to meet our customers’
needs, it’s an empowering culture where we
help people realize their potential. We give
them challenges and support them,” said Mr.
Harper.
At the 2015 Burlington Business Awards
Gala, Cogent Power Inc. received the
Exporter of the Year Award. This award recognises
the local company that has demonstrated
strong growth in exports, and significant
contributions to the local community
through employment, community contributions
and economic development. Cogent
Power has increased exports by almost 150%
in the past two years, and have successfully
become the largest supplier of transformer
components in North America. The business
has also become one of Burlington’s largest
employers, taking an active role in community
and economic development with local
government and NGO agencies.
Over the past 18 months, Cogent Power
successfully concluded a supply transformation
with one of its key clients, Power
Partners (PPI) in the US, and are now producing
100% of all PPI’s transformer cores.
PPI have traditionally produced their own
transformer cores for more than 50 years,
until identifying Cogent as the right partner
for their outsourcing strategy. The work done
with PPI has now created a strong model of
an integrated supply chain in our industry.
Cammie Bell-Garrison, Power Partners VP
of Supply Chain, stated “Cogent’s team has
been an integral part of our company’s
success, has demonstrated a model supply
partnership, and we are a better company in
working with them”. •
65

laurel steel
celebrating 50 years
50 years in business is quite an accomplishment for any
company and Laurel Steel has a great story that tells of their
longevity and success. The dedication of employees, suppliers
and customers has contributed to the story of how they are
celebrating their 50th year in the steel industry.
To 165 teammates at Laurel Steel,
1967 represents something more than
just the last time the Toronto Maple
Leafs won the Cup - it’s also the year it all
began for Laurel Steel. Milton Harris and his
company, “J. Harris and Sons,” were already
in the steel business when they bought a small
shop in Orangeville, a shop that was making
small parts for the construction industry. Milt
decided to move the shop to Stoney Creek
so that they could work side by side with the
Harris rebar business. Within a few years,
under the leadership of Glenn Riddell, the
company expanded into other products. Wire
products were first, followed by mesh and
eventually Cold- Finished Bar products. It was
no longer a construction- only business; J.
Harris and Sons moved into a variety of other
markets, including the demanding automotive
markets.
The company was growing quickly and
by 1979 they had outgrown the Stoney
Creek location. They moved to Burlington
where they had a 90,000 sq ft. building and
20+ acres of land to expand. During the
first decade it was obvious that Laurel was
not going to wait for great things to happen;
they were going to make great things happen
and demonstrated their success. Forty
years later, Laurel Steel was purchased by
Nucor as part of the Harris Rebar acquisition
and the company’s success escalated
again. Fifty successful years are due to
hard work, continuous improvements and
taking chances. Today, Laurel boasts that
66

the best of burlington
they have forty teammates with more than
thirty years of service with the company,
and incredibly, they have five teammates
that have more than forty years of service.
These teammates have helped build the
business and have actively worked to help
the business evolve through change. These
teammates are proud of Laurel, and Laurel
is proud to have them on the team. Laurel
has built something lasting and sustainable
that they feel confident to hand over
to the next generation of teammates. The
company’s pride is evident to the newer
teammates and the pride is contagious.
Well-paying manufacturing jobs are not
easy to come by, but Laurel Steel makes
their company one of the best to work for
and be a part of. “Having the right people
on the team in the right positions is the most
important concept in creating a successful
business,” says Laurel’s General Manager
John Supple. “A team of people that care,
that are courageous, who are willing to
challenge the norm and demonstrate an
enthusiastic, team-centered spirit is critical
to our success.”
There are many achievements to be proud
of at Laurel and the team’s commitment to
safety is by far their greatest achievement.
A determination to be accident free and
a belief that having even one injury is too
many is shared throughout the entire team.
Teammates take the time to remind each
other to be safe while working with equipment
and machinery that could pose hazards
if safety guidelines are not followed.
The company takes great pride in the fact
that they went more than six years, from
mid-2007 through 2013, without a lost time
accident – that is equal to more than 2 million
man hours! Since 2013 the team has
had better safety results than the industry
average, but their goal remains to strive for
zero injuries.
Customers have come to know Laurel
Steel as a company that they can rely on for
quality and great service. To be a leader in
these areas requires a shared belief system
across the team. Having the right suppliers,
the right processes, the right equipment
and, most importantly, the right people
with the right attitude is necessary to ensure
that this happens. Laurel Steel believes that
the company’s success comes from helping
their customers to be successful. They strive
to take care of the details that are important
to the customer. They have earned a reputation
for excellence and work hard to keep
that reputation in the forefront.
October 27, 2017, was the date that
Laurel Steel celebrated their 50 year anniversary.
Today, they are a world-class operation
with over 300,000 square feet of manufacturing
space and a dedicated team who
are committed to working safe and looking
after their customers. They are proud to
be part of the community in Burlington; a
community that has allowed them to grow
their business and continue to be successful.
Laurel Steel is a company where every
teammate makes a difference. •
67

Value Through Innovation. That’s the vision that guides
everything they do at Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd./
Ltée (BI Canada) and is the reason this Burlington-based
pharmaceutical company brings more to the table than just
life-saving medicines.
bi innovates
How Boehringer Ingelheim Canada stands apart from the rest
Although Boehringer Ingelheim (BI)
has been a major player in the global
pharmaceutical industry for over
130 years, it continues to be family-owned.
That means operating units like BI Canada
have greater freedom to invest in innovative
solutions that not only help improve
the health of Canadians, but enhance the
healthcare experience and improve the
communities they call home.
Across the country, BI Canada has run
over 150 global clinical trials. These studies
have led to groundbreaking drug discoveries
in the areas of cardiovascular disease,
diabetes, respiratory health, oncology and
idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Such breakthroughs
have helped alleviate suffering for
many Canadians – whether they are on two
legs or four – and provided them a renewed
ability to do the things that matter most to
them.
The story of Nuke, a universal blood
donor dog who spent time giving blood to
save the lives of fellow canines, is just one
example of a patient who has benefitted
from a Boehringer Ingelheim innovation.
During a routine health check-up, veterinarians
discovered Nuke had cancer in his
spleen and removed his spleen immediately.
Nuke then developed an extremely painful
infection of the spine that kept him from
doing the things he loved. Fortunately, with
surgery, antibiotics and Metacam®, Nuke
is now cancer, infection and pain-free, and
can go back to doing the things he loves
most – running, jumping and performing
tricks with his owner.
But beyond developing new therapies, BI
Canada has a commitment to improving the
lives of all Canadians in many other ways.
“We’re about more than just research and
development,” said Richard Mole, President
and CEO of BI Canada. “Through our BI
Innovates program, we aim to make significant
and lasting changes to the way we care
for patients and to the country’s healthcare
system as a whole.”
Part of the BI Innovates program involves
the development of non-traditional partnerships
with various health stakeholders,
68

the best of burlington
including government bodies, policy makers,
healthcare professionals and patient groups.
These collaborations allow BI Canada and
its partners to pioneer solutions that support
a sustainable health system, increase access
to care and enhance the overall patient
experience.
Just one example is in the field of chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD,
a lung disease that often involves difficulty
breathing, fatigue and impaired quality of
life. BI Canada partnered with the Canadian
Foundation for Healthcare Improvement to
expand an existing program that resulted
in an 80 per cent drop in hospital admissions
for COPD patients across the country.
Given people with advanced COPD are
among the highest users of Canada’s hospitals
resources, the results of the program are
a win for the healthcare system. But more
importantly, COPD patients are the biggest
winners as a result of the partnership,
reporting greater self-confidence, improved
symptom management and gaining back
the ability to return to their daily activities.
Another aspect of the BI Innovates program
is the company’s support of local
research activities. For instance, the company
established a research alliance with the
University of Toronto, the University Health
Network and Mount Sinai Hospital to identify
new therapeutic targets that have been
linked to many common diseases such as
cancer and diabetes.
BI Canada also supports and recognizes
significant contributions by Canada’s
healthcare professionals. One way this is
done is through the Metacam® 20 Bovine
Welfare Award, which honours a notable
veterinarian or animal scientist for their
achievements in advancing the welfare of
animals through leadership, public service,
education, research, product development
or advocacy.
“Our founder, Albert Boehringer, set the
tone for a company culture that prides
itself in supporting our own people, our
local communities and those who work
tirelessly to ensure patients receive the best
care,” said Mole. “Guided by our values
of trust, respect, empathy and passion, we
always strive to be more than just another
pharmaceutical company.”
BI Canada has always been a different
kind of company and walked a path quite
different from others in its industry. It has
been innovating in Canada since 1972 and
shows no signs of slowing down. •
From left: Richard Mole, President and CEO, Dr. Walt Ingwersen, Technical
Services Veterinarian, Pet Business Unit, Mark Lemieux, Territory Manager, Bovine
Business Unit, Hollie Milligan, Pharmacovigilance/Technical Services Associate,
Stephanie Crisp, Territory Manager, Pet Business Unit.
69

chamberlain
Berkeley
Towers.
Marriott Courtyard
Burlington
Convention Centre
Chamberlain celebrates 40 years in business in 2018. What
began in a small architectural practice on Pearl Street in
Burlington has evolved into a progressive organization that
successfully competes and wins projects across North America.
From the beginning, Brian Chamberlain
and his associate, Adrian Mauro, realized
that to be the best they could be,
they needed to more fully understand construction
best practices and how to design
a building so that it had a long lifecycle
and was efficient to operate. Working on
building sites, they learned first-hand the
challenges that owners and contractors face
every day. This deeper understanding led to
the desire to develop a smoother, better process
– one that afforded better control over
the building site, provided the flexibility
to react to and quickly resolve issues, and
ultimately removed most of the risks during
construction.
To this end, Brian bought a construction
firm. He saw that these two processes –
design and construction - usually divided
and sequential would enhance each other
and provide much better value to the client
if they were integrated from the planning
stages of a project.
And there, in a nutshell, is the basis
of what differentiates Chamberlain and
makes it an ongoing success story. National
building programs across Canada for major
restaurant chains, created a portfolio of
over 2,000 restaurants. Planned diversification
added many municipal projects such
as recreation and operation centres, town
halls, marinas, and over 25 public libraries
to Chamberlain’s experience.
Brian Chamberlain’s past service as a
pilot in the Canadian Armed Forces led
him to pursue the design of aviation facilities
and this resulted in projects such
as the current Air Traffic Control Tower
Complex at Toronto Pearson International
Airport, and the world famous Canadian
70

the best of burlington
Heritage Warplane Museum at Hamilton
International Airport.
Chamberlain is particularly honored to
have been chosen to design the wonderful
Juno Beach Centre at Courseulles-sur-Mer
in Normandy, commemorating the participation
of Canadians in the D-Day landings
in France and other engagements in WWII.
15 years ago, anticipating the hotel building
boom, Chamberlain decided to round
out its hospitality experience by adding
hotels to its considerable restaurant portfolio.
This was a wildly successful move and
today, they have designed and managed
the construction of over 150 hotels across
Canada and into the US, for all of the
major hotel brands – more than any other
Canadian firm.
The explosion of the housing market
resulted in many new residential projects
- condominium buildings, and townhouse
and apartment developments across
Canada. Chamberlain is currently working
with municipal housing associations and
not-for profit organizations to create affordable
housing developments working within
the principles of universal design and agingin-place.
Projects at home in Burlington date back
to the well-known Village Square in the
80’s to currently, the Joseph Brant Museum
Revitalization, expansion of the Carpenter
Hospice, and the Berkeley Condominiums.
The reins of the business are gradually
being transferred from one generation
to the next. Brian’s daughter, Linnea, is
now the Executive Vice President of the
firm. Adrian’s son, Stephen, is the Director
of Design. Two new Vice Presidents, Jon
McGinn and Kyle Nichols work alongside
the Vice President of Finance, Bill Burgoyne,
and Vice President of Construction, Ersilio
Serafini.
The management team and staff members
continue to serve by being actively engaged
in their clients’ industries - understanding
their business environments and challenges.
Architecture is the art and science of
putting all the pieces together – technical,
financial, operational, and emotional.
Chamberlain’s strategy is to continually
evolve so that they create exceptional
buildings and provide high quality services
that contribute to their clients’ success.
Juno Beach
Centre,
Normandy
Joseph Brant
Museum
Star of the
Sea Condos,
Newfoundland
71

—
Together, we drive progress
ABB is a global technology pioneer that has been serving Canada in utilities, industry,
transport and infrastructure for over 100 years. We are proud to be serving our customers
delivering sustainable value through long-lasting partnerships with suppliers, customers,
business partners, our employees and the community of Burlington and beyond.
ABB is at the heart of the Energy and Fourth Industrial Revolution with a leading market position
in power transmission, industrial control systems, robotics, marine and electric vehicle (EV)
charging: We are Canada’s climate change technology champions helping our customers take
advantage of the efficiency and performance improvements that digitalization delivers.
Our people and our technology are here to serve the Burlington business community with
sustainable and energy efficient solutions. Let’s write the future. Together.
Nathalie Pilon
President
ABB Inc.
3450 Harvester Road, Burlington, ON Canada L7N 3W5
Phone: 905-639-8840
72

the best of burlington
nucor grating
From our humble beginnings in Hamilton
in 1954, to becoming the dedicated
grating division of Nucor, North
America’s largest steelmaker, Nucor Grating
continues to grow into new markets and find
ways to better serve our customers. Today, we
are proudly headquartered in Burlington.
Originally branded as Fisher and Ludlow,
the company was acquired by Harris Steel
Group in 1975, and then purchased by
Nucor Corporation in 2007. The company
was rebranded as Nucor Grating in the
spring of 2017.
We believe a strong customer-focused
culture is key to our success. Our five core
values drive every decision we make. At
Nucor Grating, we:
• Work Safe;
• Are Customer-Focused;
• Treat People with Respect;
• Do the Right Thing;
• Are Honest and Act with Integrity.
As North America’s leading grating manufacturer,
we pride ourselves on keeping
our teammates safe while offering superior
quality and service to our customers. Our
products can be found locally in buildings
big and small, like the Oakville GO
Station and the Queenston Place Mall in
East Hamilton, where our grating is used in
Transportation & Architectural applications.
Farther away, our products have been used
in projects like the Vancouver Convention
Centre and the Tower at PNC Plaza in
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, one of the most
energy efficient high-rises in the world.
Grating products are used throughout the
construction industry, as well as numerous
industrial sectors, including oil and gas
production, mining, water and wastewater
treatment, and power generation. In addition,
grating has a wide variety of architectural
applications, such as fencing and
pedestrian bridges.
Not only do we value our teammates’
and customers’ well-being, we also value
the communities in which we live. Nucor
Corporation is North America’s largest recycler,
and an environmental leader in our
industry. In fact, our steel grating products
count towards credits under the Leadership
in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
green building program.
With over 60 years behind us, we are
excited for the next 60 years and what that
future holds. As we continue to grow, we
will continue to innovate and build sustainable
products that not only provide value to
our customers, but enrich the communities
in which we live and work.
To learn more about Nucor Grating and
what we do, please visit nucorgrating.com. •
73

the health
of your
wealth
...and much more
The Waterfront Group of CIBC Wood
Gundy is a unique wealth management
team. It is founded on the philosophy
of its principal Investment Advisor,
Dan Wynnyk, who believes in managing all
aspects of your health: mind, community
and wealth. It is no coincidence that wealth
is the final piece of this health sequence,
although it may seem counterintuitive for a
wealth management team. Without the first
two key principles as the foundation, wealth
becomes less important.
Dan not only champions these ideas,
he lives them. Dan personifies health and
encourages others to eat nutritionally, enjoy
life and be physically active; not with a note
of condescension, but out of true caring.
That same passion for life and well-being
is evident when walking with Dan in his
hometown of Burlington. Some say it is
like strolling with the Mayor—it seems as
though he knows everyone and everyone
knows him. This is understandable. Dan is
a hard guy not to like and his enthusiasm is
infectious. There are numerous stories of his
kindness and unsolicited generosity. In recognition
of his daily acts of giving and many
other charitable contributions, Dan was
recently honored with a Sesquicentennial
Citizenship Award for Burlington. This award
is bestowed on outstanding members of the
community.
Dan is a caretaker, which translates seamlessly
to a philosophy for The Waterfront
Group, one of the most successful private
wealth teams in South Western Ontario.
The team is dedicated to helping successful
Canadian business owners, individuals and
celebrities protect and grow their financial
assets. With far fewer clients than most
investment teams (about 100), the group is
an exclusive community. This is a point of
pride for team members and a necessity for
great stewardship.
With a nod to the institutional technique of
investing, the team not only uses traditional
stocks and bonds, but also incorporates
alternative investments such as; commercial
real-estate, hedge funds and private equity,
with the objective of increasing both stability
and potential returns. It is a strategy the
team considers under-utilized , yet one that
benefits the team’s high-net-worth clientele.
Passion, innovation, dedication and caring
are the hallmarks of The Waterfront
Group. •
Dan Wynnyk
Disclaimer: Dan Wynnyk is an Investment Advisor with CIBC Wood Gundy in Burlington, Ontario. The
views of Dan Wynnyk do not necessarily reflect those of CIBC World Markets Inc. CIBC Wood Gundy
is a division of CIBC World Markets Inc., a subsidiary of CIBC and a Member of the Canadian Investor
Protection Fund and Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada. If you are currently a CIBC
Wood Gundy client, please contact your Investment Advisor.

COLLIERS INTERNATIONAL
1122 International Blvd., Suite 102
Burlington, ON L7L 6Z8
+1 416 777 2200
www.collierscanada.com
commercial
real estate
solutions to
accelerate
your success
When you choose Colliers
International, you are working
with a Canadian-owned global
leader in real estate services that is defined
by its spirit of enterprise. That means you
have the backing of more than 1,400
professionals in Canada alone, who have
concluded more than 5,300 sale and lease
transactions on behalf of investors and
occupiers, totaling approximately US$6.7
billion. Colliers Canada currently manages
47.8 million square feet of space.
As the only global real estate brokerage
with an office in the Hamilton/Burlington
region, Colliers can provide you with a
wide variety of commercial real estate services
including:
• Brokerage sales and leasing
• Corporate solutions
• Investment services
• Project management
• Real estate management services
• Valuation and advisory services
Additionally, Colliers has in-house marketing
and research services.
Colliers consistently leads the market in
market share of listing, providing expertise
in all asset classes.
A 2018 Aon-recognized Platinum
Level Best Employer in Canada, Colliers
International is dedicated to delivering
the best workplace environment for its
employees as it continues to expand into
the Hamilton-Burlington region. Colliers
has made a long-term commitment to
this growing market, and is developing
a robust team to serve its real estate
needs.
The
Burlington
Team
Shawn
Bailey
Sales
Representative
Jennifer
Byers
Client
Project
Coordinator
Cyril Crasto
Sales
Representative
Bryan
Faldowski
Vice
President,
Sales
Representative
Simon
Henderson
Sales
Representative
Doug
Murray
Vice
President,
Sales
Representative
Bob
Robertson
Associate Vice
President
Deborah
Solaryk
Senior Sales
Representative
Cari
Taylor
Client Project
Specialist,
Sales
Representative
Justin
Venancio
Sales
Representative
David
Woodiwiss
Vice President,
Sales
Representative,
Branch Manager

Our family,
our community
The Leggat Automotive Group (LAG) was
founded in 1922 and has grown to provide
a family of dealerships to service Southern
Ontario. LAG is committed to providing
exceptional customer service and supporting
community initiatives that help strengthen
our region. The Leggat Care Foundation is
teaming up with community partners to take
on some of the toughest challenges that
face our society; where we live, work and
raise our families.
We have put an emphasis on health
care, poverty reduction and education
opportunities. We believe focusing on these
categories is the best way to have a positive
impact in our community and remove
barriers that may stand in the way of people
achieving their true potential. The Leggat
Auto Group is very supportive of “random
acts of kindness” but we do believe in
adopting a long term collaborative strategy
that builds a healthy, vibrant community.

CAPO
125 years of
quality products
Since 1893, Capo Industries Ltd. has been
involved in the formulation, manufacturing,
packaging and distribution of specialty
chemicals throughout Canada, the United
States and Europe.
In the early years the company was known
as Canadian Polishes Ltd. and the primary
focus was on a variety of products for
shoes, floors, silverware, stoves and leather
goods. Over the ensuing decades as the
demands of society evolved so too did the
company. They began introducing new
product lines such as household and industrial
cleaners, inks and dyes, automotive
additives, lawn and garden treatments and
of course pool and spa chemicals. With the
expansion and redefining of the business it
was time for a name change and so Capo
Industries Limited was born.
Capo has become a leading provider in
the North American chemical packaging
market, introducing innovative products to
meet the changing demands of consumers.
In addition to their own lines of products
they also offer contract packaging and have
provided their services to many national
and international brands as well as hundreds
of businesses from coast to coast.
Their customer base is loyal due to their
quality products, commitment to customer
service and competitive pricing. The finished
goods are strategically warehoused
in Vancouver, Burlington and Philadelphia
servicing all areas across Canada and the
USA.
Today the company operates in the 4th
generation of the same family ownership.
From their humble beginnings in downtown
Hamilton, they have continued to grow
over the last century. In the early 1960’s
they relocated to Burlington’s Fairview
Street back when it was a dirt road that
ended at Drury Lane. By the mid-1980’s,
with Burlington’s population on the rise,
they soon outgrew the Fairview plant and
started scouting for a new location. Thus
began the planning stages for the construction
of a brand new, 85 000 square foot,
custom manufacturing and packaging facility
located on Corporate Drive where they
continue to base their operations today.
Giving back to the community has always
been an important aspect of Capo’s business
philosophy. Whether supporting local
teams, donating to local causes such as the
Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation, Halton
Youth Services or Sick Kid’s Hospital, working
extensively with the Rotary Clubs of
Burlington or raising funds for the United
Way and Salvation Army, all of Capo’s
employees share the same outlook: Giving
back to the community not only boosts
company and personal well-being but is
an excellent way to stay connected to their
local roots.
2018 will be the company’s
125th year of operations.
With their dedication
to providing quality
products and quality service
at competitive prices
the future is looking bright
for this local family owned
business for generations to
come.
From its beginnings
more than a century
ago CAPO’s product
line has continuously
evolved to anticipate
consumer needs.
78

Celebrating 40 Years
Of Training Excellence
From humble beginnings in a small basement
apartment, founders Fatima Cabral (CEO) and David
Ratcliffe (President) have grown Pink Elephant to
become a world leader in training, consulting and
special events. We have an undisputed reputation
for leading the way, which has enabled us to
introduce and spearhead many revolutionary
concepts and programs since our inception, all from
our global headquarters in Burlington.
We have a 96% approval rating and more than
350,000 professionals who have taken our courses
presented by our consultants and trainers, who
have an average of more than 20 years of real-world
industry experience and expertise.
Our varied course offerings range from Organizational
Change Management, Business Relationship
Management, ITIL ® , Lean, Agile, DevOps, Integrated
Service Management TM and Project Management, to
name just a few.
Every February, our Annual International IT Service
Management Conference & Exhibition, now in its
22 nd year, attracts over 1,500 attendees, and is known
as the industry’s largest and most respected event.
In addition, we also host special events across the
Americas and Asia, as well as online.
“Pinkers” have the benefits of a large organization,
but with the advantages of a small company
culture, including approachable leadership, open
communication, and frequent social activities. Our
Pinkers take great pride in the organization, its
mission and products, and the following awards
speak to their dedication and commitment to
excellence:
• Stevie Awards for Women in Business: Grand Stevie
Award winner
• Best Employer In Burlington: Finalist
• PROFIT Magazine: Top 100 Woman Entrepreneurs &
Top 100 Fastest Growing Companies in Canada
• Branham300: Top 300 Canadian IT Companies
Canada | USA | Mexico | Trinidad & Tobago | The Netherlands | United Kingdom | South Africa
Hong Kong | Malaysia | Singapore | Australia | New Zealand
Follow Us
pinkelephant.com 1-888-273-PINK
ITIL® is a registered trade mark of AXELOS Limited, used under permission of AXELOS Limited. All rights reserved.

helping you is what we do!
Royal LePage Burloak Real Estate Services is a leading provider
of residential and commercial real estate services offering the
highest caliber of real estate professionals with two locations
and a team of over 160 REALTORS® serving Burlington and
surrounding areas.
Royal LePage, a wholly owned
Canadian Company since 1913, has
been serving the Burlington community
for over five decades. In 2002,
the Burlington offices were acquired by
David Landry, a then 30-year corporate
executive of Royal LePage, and his daughter,
JoAnn Landry. A few years later, as the
business grew and expanded, a key member
of the management team, Rebecca Ryder,
was appointed to the position of Broker
of Record/Vice-President and Rob Landry
(son/brother) joined the family business as
Broker/Chief Financial Officer. Today, with
David and Rebecca’s combined 75 years of
real estate experience and JoAnn’s corporate
operations and Rob’s finance backgrounds,
Royal LePage Burloak offers a diverse and
well-rounded management team focused
on delivering constantly evolving tools and
resources to their team of REALTORS ® ”,
including ongoing training, development
and continuing education.
“The long-standing success of our Brokerage
can be directly attributed to the excellent service
our REALTORS ® provide to their clients
and the ensuing referrals”, explains JoAnn
Landry, Broker/President. “Well-informed,
Nobody knows Burlington Real Estate
like Royal LePage Burloak REALTORS ® .

the best of burlington
satisfied, happy clients are the cornerstone
of our business. Helping homebuyers and
sellers every step of the way is what we do.”
Royal LePage Burloak is proud of the company’s
culture built on passionate, caring, and
professional salespeople and administrative
support team who go above and beyond to
exceed clients’ expectations.
“Despite modern technologies, industry
ups and downs and changes to the way
real estate sales professionals work, our
REALTORS ® know that what matters most
is the value they provide to their clients or
potential clients at the time when they need
it most”, explains Rebecca Ryder. Whether
you are a first-time homebuyer, relocating
from across the world, investing in residential
or commercial properties, retiring and
downsizing, or looking for a larger home for
your growing family, Royal LePage Burloak
has the right REALTOR ® to help you. They
also specialize in luxury real estate.
“In addition to taking great care of our
clients, salespeople and employees, we are
also committed to strengthening the community
where we live and work”, says JoAnn.
Royal LePage is the only Canadian real estate
company with its own charitable foundation.
The Royal LePage Shelter Foundation is
Canada’s largest public foundation dedicated
exclusively to funding women’s shelters
and violence prevention programs. Every
dollar raised from Royal LePage Burloak’s
fundraising events and Sales Representatives
who donate a portion of their commissions
in support of the Royal LePage Shelter
Foundation, goes directly to more than 400
women and children each year in our community
who are served by Burlington’s local
shelter ~ Halton Women’s Place.
Proud to be a part of Canada’s
Real Estate Company
“At Royal LePage Burloak we truly believe
that we are living and working in one of the
best cities in Canada and we are grateful for
the opportunity to have helped so many families
find their perfect home and settle here
in Burlington,” explains Rob Landry. “Thank
you to everyone for the privilege. We look
forward to many more decades of serving the
Burlington community.” •
81

planting the seed
When you give to United Way, you improve lives locally. United
Way Halton & Hamilton works with nearly 100 local agencies
and thousands of donors, to change lives in Burlington, Halton
Hills, Hamilton, Milton and Oakville.
Our goal is to make measurable
and important progress towards
solving our community’s most
pressing problems. We are focused now,
more than ever, on ensuring that we remain
connected to the issues that face each of
the communities we serve, ensuring that all
dollars raised local will stay local. That means
that whatever is raised in your community
will go directly to support programs and
services for your neighbours, family, and
friends.
We are here to support
those in our community
who need us the most.
We are here for
people like Cheryl
and Drew.
When children and adults with intellectual
disabilities have an opportunity to participate
in programs, “its almost like there’s a seed
that’s planted, and it gets nourished by
the interactions with their peers, program
facilitators, and community as a whole”.
Cheryl uses this analogy to describe one
of the reasons that she chooses to give to
United Way.
Thirty-two years ago, Cheryl gave birth
her son Drew, and to her surprise, two

the best of burlington
weeks later he was diagnosed with Down
syndrome. At that moment Cheryl could
not even begin to process what that meant
for her son’s life, and her life as his mother.
Thankfully, Cheryl quickly learned that she
would not have to tackle this alone.
As a parent of a child with a disability,
Cheryl knew that her life as a parent would
be a hard road, and she would be have to
advocate for him to help make sure he lived
a productive life. She wanted to ensure he
lived a fulfilling life, one where he is able to
contribute to the community “the way any
parent would hope their child would”.
Drew, who accesses a range of United
Way supported programs, now has an
interest in being part of the community,
and now has a reason to get up in
the morning. He is more outgoing and
interactive, has more friends, contributes to
the community, and in turn the community
knows him as well.
“I would like to thank United Way for
their continued support in making sure that
so many others who are dependent on the
programs can wake up every day knowing
that they have a place to go and that they
are supported by the community...thanks
to the generosity of the people in our
community and United Way”.
Cheryl wants to help plant the seed for
others in the community who are in need,
and she needs your help to nourish it.
That’s the strength of leadership, and the
power behind our uprising of care. Your
investment has the power to change lives
locally. Think what can happen when we
stand together. •
To view more stories like Cheryl and Drew’s, please visit our website uwhh.ca
83

CARSTAR BURLINGTON GOES THE
EXTRA MILE FOR CUSTOMERS
When CARSTAR Burlington says it goes the extra mile for customers, it means that—literally—
delivering service to stranded customers, returning repaired vehicles back to customers across
the border and helping customers get to their destination on time—even after an accident.
Adam Biskup, Owner, CARSTAR
Burlington Mainway & Fairview
(Aro Motors)
CARSTAR’s motto is “Where
Accidents Unhappen” and
CARSTAR Burlington owner
Adam Biskup brings that to life.
“We strive to go the extra
mile to help our customers
get back on the road safely
and quickly,” said Biskup.
“We’ve been serving this
community for nearly 60
years and are committed to
delivering the best customer experience possible during
a stressful time.”
CARSTAR Burlington offers a welcoming atmosphere when
you walk in, they have an open door policy during repairs
and encourage people to visit their cars throughout the
repair process. This allows clients see how the car is being
repaired and makes them more comfortable. They let them
talk to the tech and see the progress and tell people to
come back with any questions after the repair.
“We try to form a relationship with all clients,” said Biskup.
“We believe you come in as clients and stay as friends. We
have multiple generations of the same families coming in
and that makes us feel good, as we have been in this
location fixing cars since 1958 and this business has been
in my family since 1961.”
Biskup offers a few examples of
“above-and-beyond” service they
have provided recently.
“A couple from Ohio were travelling
to Toronto for a weekend when
traffic backups forced them off the
highway in Burlington,” he said.
“There, they were involved in a
motor vehicle accident and they
called their insurance company in the States. They sent the
claim to an adjusting firm in Canada with whom we work.
We sent a tow truck to the scene, had the car towed here
and put them into a rental (all after hours). They were still
able to make the show they were going to in Toronto! We
repaired the car and we delivered it back to Ohio for them.”
There was a similar story with a couple coming into
Toronto for Wrestlemania, he noted.
“We were able to get them there and delivered their
repaired car back to Painted Post, New York. Our after hours
service has also been able to get local customers back on
the road to attend events, get to work and get back to life
after accidents without missing a beat,” Biskup said.
We believe you come
in as clients and stay
as friends.
– Adam Biskup
Biskup added that their core business is collision repair,
however, they do cosmetic touch up, lease return repairs,
glass replacement, towing and car rentals. They also help
with total loss settlements.
“If we don’t do it we always try to help our clients to find
someone who does,” he said.
For more information on CARSTAR Collision and Glass
Service visit carstar.ca.

Lord Nelson owner Nick
Vamvakas (L) and General
Manager Val Gallo
the
lord
nelson:
steak and
seafood
restaurant
Nick Vamvakas came to Canada
from Nafplio Greece in 1969 with
the dream of working hard and
achieving prosperity. Arriving in Toronto on
a Sunday, by Monday morning he had
landed his first job in the restaurant business,
washing dishes in the basement of the
famous George’s Spaghetti House. Soon,
Nick had worked his way through the ranks
of dish boy, busboy and waiter to eventually
become first part owner, and later sole
owner of the Lord Nelson Seafood and Steak
House in Burlington.
More than four decades later Nick is still
at the helm of the Lord Nelson and he says
he wouldn’t change one day of it. The secret
to Nick’s success in the restaurant business
is his genuine passion for the food industry.
He considers himself fortunate to have
assembled a great team headed by General
Manager Valentino “Val” Gallo who has
been with Nick for sixteen years.
The Lord Nelson is a five star steak house,
and Nick really enjoys enticing a customer
with a 34 –ounce tomahawk steak or a delicious
cut of Wagyu beef paired with a nice
bottle of red wine carefully selected from the
extensive wine list by Valentino to satisfy the
guest’s palate. There are over 3,000 bottles
in the Lord Nelson cellar—something for
every taste.
The Lord Nelson is most popular for its
tableside Caesar salad, Dover sole, Cherries
Jubilee, Special coffees and often as not it
will be Nick himself who is preparing these
dishes at your tableside. The Lord Nelson
sticks with the basics such as Portsmouth
chowder and Lobster bisque, fresh fish, oysters
Rockefeller and its famous shrimp cocktail.
Chef Keith Hall offers a prix fixe menu
and daily fish specials such as Arctic char,
sea bass and halibut with grilled shrimp. A
house favorite of Nick’s is Chicken Parmesan
with a side order of fettuccine Alfredo.
Over the years the restaurant has become
a destination where friends can socialize
over drinks and appetizers. At the bar guest
can snack on popcorn shrimp, spring rolls,
smoked salmon and a nice variety of half
bottles of champagne or white and red wines
for guests’ enjoyment.
Valentino and Nick are always happy to
book large parties in one of their private
rooms or even the whole restaurant for very
special occasions. Whatever the occasion
call 905-639-7950 to make a reservation. •
The Lord Nelson dining room is a
warm and comfortable atmosphere
for any special occasion.
85

u r l i nwgh ty o nb ui ar nl s i n wg ht o nm a d e a
In sports
John Beeden
John Beeden is the
first person ever
to row the Pacific
solo,non stop, continent
to continent (North
America to Australia). In
2015, Beeden rowed daily for
almost seven months (209 days),
spending 15 hours a day propelling his
six-metre boat named Socks. He lost 17
lbs. and covered more than 7,500 nautical
miles while being tossed about in high seas
and pushed back over 400nm by punishing
winds. In 2011 he rowed solo and uninterrupted
across the Atlantic, from the Canary
Islands to Barbados which took 53 days. He
completed this adventure after having heart
surgery only 16 months prior to this trip.
Beeden is originally from Britain and lives
with his Canadian wife and two daughters
in Burlington.
Adam Creighton
Born in Burlington where he lived until
he was 11 years old, Adam Creighton is a
retired professional ice hockey player. As a
member of the Ottawa 67’s his team won
the Memorial Cup in 1984 and he was
awarded the Stafford Smythe Memorial
Trophy as the tournament’s
MVP and was also named
the Memorial Cup All-Star
Centre. Creighton played
for Canada at the 1985
IIHF World Juniors
in Finland where he
scored eight and assisted
on four over seven
games and Canada won
86

d i f f e r e n c e
the best of burlington
gold. He played 708 career National
Hockey League games with the Buffalo
Sabres, Chicago Blackhawks, New York
Islanders, Tampa Bay Lightning and St.
Louis Blues. Creighton now serves as a
scout for the Boston Bruins organization in
Ontario.
Barb Bunkowski
Bunkowsky family moved from Toronto
when the family bought two farms on
Cedar Springs Road and built Burlington
Springs Golf and Country Club.
She began playing at age
10 and began entering
tournaments at age 15.
She received a scholarship
to Palm Beach
Junior College in
Florida and twice
earned all-American
status there
and also at Florida
State. She won
the 1984 Chrysler-
Plymouth Charity Classic
LPGA Tour event, came
second in the Ontario Amateur
Championship and won the Ontario
Match Play Championship. She played in
4 Canadian Amateur Championships, finishing
4th twice, 7th once and 10th once.
Bunkowsky joined the Legends Women’s
Senior Tour in 2004. She teaches The First
Tee golf program in Florida. Bunkowsky was
inducted into the Florida State University
Hall of Fame in 1994 and the Burlington
Sport Hall of Fame in 2017.
Becky Kellar
Becky Kellar Duke is a retired women’s ice
hockey player and Olympian and is one
of the most decorated hockey players in
the world. She began playing ringette and
transitioned into hockey and was recruited
by Brown University in Providence
Rhode Island where she played hockey and
baseball winniing numerous awards. She
played defense for the Canadian women’s
team at the 1998 Olympics in Nagano,
the 2002 Olympics in
Salt Lake City, the
2006 Olympics
in Turin, and the
2010 Olympics in
Vancouver. Kellar
won four Olympic
medals, three
golds and a silver,
with Team Canada.
She also won four
gold medals and three
silver medals at the World
Championships and 5 golf medals
in the Nation Cup Tournament. Kellar
retired in September 2010 and has lived
in Burlington for over 20 years, where she
runs a girls hockey school, has been an
award winning coach for numerous local
teams and is a motivational speaker. Kellar
was inducted into the Brown University
Sport Hall of Fame in 2005 and Burlington
Sport Hall of Fame in 2017.
Bernie Custis
Bernie Custis joined the Hamilton Tiger-
Cats in 1951 and became the first black
quarterback in the history of the Canadian
Football League. Custis played for the Ticats
and the Ottawa Rough Riders
and was an all-star quarterback
in 1951 and all-star
running back in 1954.
He retired in 1959,
Custis coached
for 31 years, with
the Oakville Black
Knights, the East
York Argonauts,
Burlington Braves,
Sheridan College
Bruins and McMaster
University from 1981-
1988. During his time with
the Marauders, Custis was named OUAA
Coach of the Year in 1982 and 1984 and
CIAU Coach of the Year in 1982. Custis is a
member of the McMaster Hall of Fame and
was inducted into the Canadian Football
Hall of Fame in 1998, the Burlington Sports
87

u r l i nwgh ty o nb ui ar nl s i n wg ht o nm a d e a
In sports
Hall of Fame in 2008 and the Hamilton
Sports Hall of Fame in 2013. Custic passed
away in 2017.
David Braley
David Braley is the owner
of the B.C. Lions and
formerly owned the
Toronto Argonauts and
Hamilton Ti-Cats of
the Canadian Football
League. Braley
owned the Hamilton
Tiger-Cats from 1987
until 1990 when the
team returned to community
ownership. Braley
has served as the chair of the
CFL’s Board of Governors and was
the CFL’s interim commissioner from March
to November 2002 and was named to the
Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2012.
Braley was chairman of the 2003 World
Cycling Championships in Hamilton. He
was a director of Ontario’s successful bid
to host the 2015 Pan Am Games and was
subsequently a member of the board overseeing
preparations for the games. Braley
was appointed to the Canadian Senate in
2010 and resigned in 2013. Braley lives in
Burlington.
Don Koharski
Don is a retired professional
ice hockey referee
in the National
Hockey League. He
started his officiating
career as a linesman
in the World Hockey
Association in 1975
at the age of nineteen.
In 1976, he was signed
by the American Hockey
League. He moved to the
National Hockey League in
1977 and received referee status in
1980. Koharski has officiated over 2,100
games, including All-Star games, Stanley
cup finals, Canada Cups and the 2004
World Cup. In 2009 he retired as an
NHL referee, but continues as an officiating
Manager. He is the owner of Don
Koharski’s Referee Camp. After living in
Burlington for many years, he currently
resides in Dade City, Florida.
Gord Dixon
Dickson was the Canadian
marathon champion six
times, setting a record
in 1958 with a time of
2:21:50. He represented
Canada at the 1960
Olympics in Rome.
He ran twice in the
Commonwealth/British
Empire Games: 1958 in
Cardiff, Wales, where he
was fifth and 1962 in Perth,
Australia, where he was the flag-bearer
for the Canadian team and came 12th.
At the 1959 Pan Am Games in Chicago,
Dickson won a bronze medal and is a fourtime
winner of the Canadian Cross Country
Championships. Dickson is a three-time
winner of the Hamilton Around the Bay
Race. He finished in the top seven three
times in the Boston Marathon. Dickson
lived in Burlington and was a coach and
mentor of young runners. In 2008, he was
inducted into the Burlington Sports Hall
of Fame. Dickson passed away in January
2015.
Jake Gaudaur
Gaudar is best known for his time in the
CFL, which spans more than 40 years.
Through the years he was a player for
the Toronto Argonauts and the Hamilton
Ti-Cats, winning Grey Cups with Toronto
as well as in his final season with
the Ti-Cats in 1953. He also
worked in the front office of
the Hamilton Ti-Cats and
eventually became the
Commissioner for the
Canadian Football
League. Gaudar was
inducted into the
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d i f f e r e n c e
the best of burlington
Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1984
and was named an Officer to the Order of
Canada in 1985. He passed away in 2007
and was inducted into the Burlington Sports
Hall of Fame in 2009.
Marianne Leeson
Born in Burlington,
Marianne was a member
of Snowboard Canada
national team and participated
in the 2014
Sochi Olympics where
she placed 5th. She won
gold in giant parallel slolam
at the 2007 Canada
Winter Games and was a
regular on the world cup
tour. Leeson retired in 2015.
Mark Oldershaw
Born in Burlington, Mark Oldershaw is an
international canoeist who learned to canoe at
the Burloak Canoe Club. Mark’s grandfather
Bert helped build the sport in this area and his
father Scott is still coaching. Oldershaw competes
at the international level and has
achieved many successes both at
the Olympics and at the World
Championships. After winning
both the 500-metre
and 1000-metre races at
the 2001 World Junior
Championships, he was
named Canada’s Junior
Male Athlete of the Year.
Oldershaw participates in
many different events, both
individual and team, with
varying distances. He competed
in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
In 2009, he placed second overall at the
World Cup. He competed in 2012 Olympics
and won bronze in 1 x 1,000 canoe sprint.
Oldershaw was a Pan Am Games flag-bearer
in 2015 and competed in the 2016 Olympics
in Rio.
Melanie Booth
Born in Burlington where she played with
the Burlington Youth Soccer Club, Melanie
was a long standing member
of the Canadian women’s
national soccer team. She
represented Canada at
the 2007 and 2011 Pan
Am Games, winning
bronze and gold medals,
as well as the 2007
FIFA Women’s World
Cup. She was also a
member of the team that
won a bronze medal at
the 2012 London Olympic
Games. Prior to this, she was
recruited by the University of Florida
where she was a team captain and All-
American athlete on the soccer team. She
retired from soccer in 2013 and is currently
working with Umbro Canada as well as
travelling the world with Canada Soccer’s
youth program as their performance
analyst. Booth was inducted
into the Burlington Sport
Hall of Fame in 2017.
Melville Marks
Robinson
Melville Marks
Robinson was born
on April 8, 1888.
He founded the
Commonwealth Games
and worked as a reporter
for the Hamilton Spectator. He
was later appointed to Burlington
High School’s Board of Directors, serving
actively until 1963. Upon his retirement,
M.M. Robinson high school was named
in his honour. He passed away in 1974.
In 2008, Robinson was inducted into the
Burlington Sports Hall of Fame.
Jesse Lumsden
Jesse Lumsden grew up in
Burlington and had a successful
football career at
Nelson High School.
After completing his
studies as a geography
major at McMaster
University where he had
89

u r l i nwgh ty o nb ui ar nl s i n wg ht o nm a d e a
In sports
a standout football career, he was signed
with the Hamilton Ti-Cats, following in the
footsteps of his father Neil Lumsden who
had a successful 10-year CFL career. Jesse
finished his CFL career with the Edmonton
Eskimos as a running back in 2009 and in
2010 with Calgary Stampeders. Lumsden
participated in the 2010 Winter Olympics
in the two-man and four-man bobsleigh
events, placing 5th in both, won a silver
medal in 2012 at the World Championships
and won the World Cup two-man team title
in 2013. In the 2014 Winter Olympics in
Sochi, Lumsden placed 7th in the two-man
bobsleigh. Lumsden was inducted into the
Burlington Sport Hall of Fame in
2014.
Paula Schnurr
Paula Schnurr won
28 Ontario Women’s
Interuniversity Athletic
Association (OWIAA)
indoor/outdoor championship
medals, 18
of them gold. In addition,
she set 2 Canadian
Interuniversity Athletics
Union (CIAU) indoor records
in 1988 and was that year’s top
athlete at the CIAU Track & Field championships.
She holds 2 OWIAA records
plus she won a 1987 OWIAA silver medal
in cross country en route to being a CIAU
All-Canadian. Schnurr was a CIAU All-
Canadian 5 times and McMaster’s Female
Athlete of the Year 4 times. Her international
career includes a 1994 Commonwealth
Games silver medal and 2 performances at
the Olympics (1992, 1996). She currently
coaches track and field
at McMaster University.
Schnurr was inducted into
the Burlington Sports
Hall of Fame in 2010
Ralph Sazio
Ralph Sazio has held
a number of different
positions in the CFL
but is best known as the most successful
coach for the Hamilton Tiger Cats. He was
a player, assistant coach, head coach, general
manager and team president with the
Cats. During his time with the team as their
head coach he won three championships
and holds the highest winning percentage.
Sazio also spent nine years as the team
president for the Toronto Argonauts beginning
in 1981. In 1998, Ralph was elected to
the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in the
builder category. He passed away
in 2008.
Ron Foxcroft
Ron Foxcroft is best
known for his work
as a basketball referee
and for his invention,
the pea-less Fox
40 whistle. He was
the first Canadian to
serve as a referee in the
NCAA Men’s Division 1,
highlighted by officiating
Michael Jordan’s first college
game and the Sweet 16. He also refereed
at the national and international level
including the 1976 Olympic Gold Medal
Basketball Game. Foxcroft is the Founder
and CEO of Fox 40 International which
manufacture Fox 40 whistles sold in 140
countries and used worldwide by search
and rescue professionals and major league
sports officials. He was inducted into the
Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame
in 1999, the Burlington Sports
Hall of Fame in 2009 and
the Hamilton Sports Hall
of Fame in 2011.
Russ Jackson
Russ Jackson is a
former CFL quarterback,
coach and
sport commentator.
After graduating from
McMaster, he spent his
entire 12-year career with
the Ottawa Rough Riders. He
90

d i f f e r e n c e
the best of burlington
is a member of the Canadian Football Hall
of Fame, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame and
Ontario Sport Hall of Fame. Jackson was
voted one of the CFL’s top 50 players of the
league’s modern era by TSN in 2006. He
has also done sports commentary for CBC
and the Hamilton Ti-Cats with radio station
CHML-AM. Jackson was made an Officer of
the Order of Canada in 1970 and earned a
place on Canada’s Walk of Fame in 2012.
Jackson is a retired teacher who lives in
Burlington.
Thomas
Dimitroff, Jr
Thomas Dimitroff, Jr.
was born in Ohio
and grew up in
Canada, where
his father Thomas
Dimitroff Sr. was a
football coach with
the Ottawa Rough
Riders, Hamilton Tiger-
Cats, and the University of
Guelph. The family lived in
Ottawa, Burlington and Hamilton.
Dimitroff attended M.M. Robinson High
School where he played football. He
also played defensive back for the Guelph
Gryphons. He is the general manager for
the NFL Atlanta Falcons. Before joining
the Falcons, Dimitroff was with the New
England Patriots as a scout and
director of college scouting.
Tim Bothwell
Tim Bothwell is
a retired professional
ice hockey
defenceman who
played 502 games
in the National
Hockey League
for the New York
Rangers, St. Louis Blues
and Hartford Whalers.
He grew up in Burlington
attending Aldershot high school and
played for the Burlington Minor Hockey
League and the Burlington Mohawk Junior
B team. Following his retirement in 1990,
he coached at many different levels before
making the shift to female hockey. He
became an assistant coach with Hockey
Canada serving on the Canadian Women’s
Olympic Team that won the gold medal at
the 2006 Winter Olympics. He coached
the University of Vermont women’s ice
hockey team from 2006-12, ushering that
program from Division 3 to Division 1.
In 2013, Bothwell became coach for the
CWHL’s Calgary Inferno and is currently
the assistant coach with the University of
Calgary women’s program. Bothwell was
inducted into the Burlington Sport Hall of
Fame in 2017.
Tony Gabriel
Born in Burlington,
Gabriel attended
Central High
School. He played
in the CFL for 10
years with both
the Tiger Cats
and Roughriders,
winning the Grey
Cup in 1976. In 1978
Gabriel was awarded the
Schenley Award for the Most
Valuable Player in the CFL. The CFL
inducted him into the Football Hall of Fame
in 1984 and he was voted one of the CFL’s
Top 50 players by the Sports Network in
2006. In 2008, Tony was inducted into the
Burlington Sports Hall of Fame. In 2014, he
was inducted into the Ontario Sports Hall
of Fame. Gabriel has retired as an investment
advisor and lives in Burlington and
Newport, Rhode Island. •
91

lori mancini
Your Home. Your Future. Her Passion
When you entrust your home sale or purchase to Lori Mancini,
not only do you access a committed representative whose goal
is to make you a client for life; but you also get to take advantage
of Lori’s extensive background in the home renovation business,
and her unique marketing skills.
In today’s ever changing hyper-competitive
real estate market, these
desired attributes are essential in setting
the bar high. Lori’s dedicated nature
coupled with many years of experience
as a forward thinking business woman
set her apart. She is continuously striving
to make your real estate experience the
best one possible, believing in her philosophy
that she is only as good as her last
client’s happiness.
Lori prides herself in an efficient
approach and her unique
personalized customer service.
Whether it’s moving boxes,
community business discounts,
or making your life easier with
industry leading technology,
she goes above and beyond.
The genuine joy she gets
from facilitating effective,
fun transactions are woven
into every detail during
your real estate journey.
This provides
a worry-free
mindset where
client’s needs
and wants are
always her first and
only priority.
Knowing how to market a
property is essential, whether
it is a large showcase-ready
home or one that needs some
updating to make the property
more appealing, Lori can look at
a home and visualize its potential, and how
the space will be used to create those special
memories we all desire. This is a great value-add
for a purchaser or a seller. When Lori
walks into a prospective client’s home she
is already thinking about how to attractively
stage the property, a service she provides at
no additional cost. When working with buyers
she is able to look past the cosmetics and
concentrate on guiding them in deciding if
the space fits their needs and desires not only
for today but for their future.
But for Lori, the real testament comes
from her love of helping people realize their
dreams. “Selling or purchasing a home is an
emotional process” says Lori, “I truly want
to build a relationship with my client that
last a lifetime”. It is a philosophy rooted in
an ethical approach. “When we conclude
a transaction, I am most satisfied when both
parties walk away happy” Lori says.
That focus on trust, extraordinary service
and family values, is shared by Keller
William Edge Realty – an international company
bolstered by the belief that “training
fuels all of our success.” North America’s
largest real estate franchise holds the the
top spot on the Training Top 125, industry
publication. This commitment to training is
clear and has resulted in Lori being twice
awarded; Top 25 in monthy sales with Keller
Williams Canada.
“My clients are family,” Lori says, “what
I strive to do is create memories for them.”
If you want to ensure your transaction
is done to perfection Contact Lori at
905-308-6224 •

With over 20 years experience
in custom design, Darren
Sanger- Smith and his team at
Structured Creations have established a
reputation for providing innovative and
sensible design solutions. Their designs
reflect the unique sites upon which they are
placed and the people who use them. With
a diverse staff of professionally trained and
creative individuals, Structured Creations
has experience in a broad spectrum of
residential, custom designs. Whether new
home and cottage construction, renovations
and additions, landscape design or interior
remodeling, they can create what you are
looking for. Every project is looked upon as
a unique challenge and an opportunity to
create something special, regardless of the
scale or budget.
Structured Creations believes in the
uniqueness of every client and that every
project should be looked at in its entirety to
help create a design that exceeds expectations.
Their ability to listen allows for designs
specific to their client’s wishes, needs and
budgets. The full residential design team,
includes mechanical and structural engineering,
offering the most thorough design
and working drawings for their projects
regardless of the size. Structured Creations
will arrange a free initial consultation to
discuss your new home, renovation, addition
or interior remodeling. 389 Pearl Street
Burlington, ON 416.204.0351 •
innovative custom home design

ant inn
put burlington on
the map for decades
The Brant inn in the 1960’s. John
Murray Anderson’s lavish penthouse
occupied the modern structure in
the centre of the building
It is nearly half a century since the Brant Inn was demolished.
The iconic nightclub is commemorated by a plaque at the west
end of Spencer Smith Park in Burlington, and the number of
people with personal memories of the entertainment hot spot
are dwindling.
Still, in its heyday—the 1930’s through
the 1950’s, the Brant Inn was known
far and wide as one of Canada’s premier
venues for big bands and top North
American performers. The incredible lineup
of stars who performed at the Brant
Inn included, Benny Goodman, Louis
Armstrong, Lawrence Welk, Jimmy and
Tommy Dorsey, Duke Ellington, Glenn
Miller, Guy Lombardo, Xavier Cugat, Count
Basie, Les Brown and Woody Herman. Some
of the Canadian and local orchestras that
played there included Ellis McKlintock, Glen
Gray, Mart Kenny and Bobby Gimby and
locally Darkie Wicken, Gav Morton and
Harry Waller. Major solo acts included big
names such as Andy Williams, Victor Borge,
Ella Fitzgerald, Johnny Rae, Martha Raye,
Frankie Laine, Liberace, Jayne Mansfield,
Lena Horne and Sophie Tucker. When
Sophie Tucker played the Brant Inn she
stayed in the luxurious penthouse owned by
Brant Inn impresario John Murray Anderson.
John Murray Anderson, born in Hamilton,
had the entertainment bug from his youth.
He started out his career renting halls and
staging dances. By the 1930’s he had begun
staging shows at the Brant Inn, and by 1940
94

the best of burlington
Brant Inn owner, showman John Murray Anderson (L) greeting
bandleader Xavier Cougat and singer Abbe Lane
A typical crowded dance floor at the Brant
Inn in the 1940’s
Anderson and his partners were in a position
to purchase the Brant Inn from the Coleman
family. Anderson became sole owner
in 1954. A frequent visitor to New York
Anderson forged relationships with many
entertainers and agents, which allowed him
to attract major stars to his venue in a sleepy
town of 4,000. In its heyday the Brant Inn
patrons came from Toronto and all over
Southern Ontario and upstate New York.
Some would arrive by trains which stopped
at the door of the Inn, and many would
arrive by boat, mooring the craft s just opposite
the 1,700 seat outdoor Sky Deck.
The Brant Inn was known across the
continent thanks to live CBC Saturday night
broadcasts that beamed the dance music
across Canada and into US Border States.
CHML was a CBC affiliate at the time and
the broadcasts allowed home grown personalities
like Paul Hanover, Gordie Tapp, Norm
Marshall and Alex Reynolds to gain international
exposure as they emceed the shows.
With the 1960’s came changing music
tastes and the cost of big name stars became
prohibitive for Anderson. He sold the business
in 1964 and retired to Florida where
he died in 1967. The Brant Inn was demolished
in 1969. Its memory has been kept
alive by the Burlington Historical Society
who commissioned a television documentary
on the Inn which has been aired twice
on PBS Buffalo, and a book “Brant Inn
Memories,” by Stewart Brown—both available
at Different Drummer Bookstore. •
Louis Armstrong being interviewed by
CHML’s R.O. Horning
Jazz superstar Ella Fitzgerald who played
the Brant Inn several times
95

urlington
Highway 5 construction
through escarpment ca 1920
RBG Children’s Garden 1955
In WWII Royal Canadian Naval Vessels
were named for Canadian cities.
HMCS Burlington was a minesweeper
commissioned in 1941 and celebrated by a
parade and ceremony on Lakeshore Rd.
Authors Peter
Gzowski and
Lynda McQuaig
launching
new books at
the Different
Drummer
Bookstore in 1987
The 1957 Federal election brought
to an end 22 years of Liberal rule
in Canada. Here candidate John
Diefenbaker signs the guestbook
at the Estaminet Hotel.
War Bond drive in Burlington featuring a
captured German V1 rockey
96
Lieutenant Governor
John Gibson
dedicating Edward
VII memorial
fountain in
Burlington 1912

flashbacks
the best of burlington
Kids having fun at the old
Canal Amusement Park 1950
Before computers --- so much of our
work was labour intensive. Here a
group of Bell Telephone operators
celebrate Christmas in 1947
Burlington Teen
Tour Band at the
Rose Bowl parade in
Pasadena 1980
In 1951 Burlington was still a sleepy
farm village of 6,000. Its growth in the
next decade was spectacular as the
population increased nearly sevenfold to
47,000 in 1961.By 1971the population
doubled to 87,000 and Burlington was
now a full-fledged city. The photos on
these pages, courtesy of the Burlington
Historical Society provide glimpses of life
in Burlington through the years.
Much of the Burlington
economy in its early days
was related to timber and
farming. Here a worker
collects maple sap ca. 1910
97
The Freeman CNR station with a steam
passenger train. The restored freeman
station is located not far from the site in
this picture.

The new Michael Lee-Chin & Family
Patient Tower at the Joseph Brant Hospital
Price: $12. 95