Welcome to the Mayor’s Mailbag – July 2023 roundup.
The Mayor’s Monday Mailbag is a weekly initiative Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward and the Mayor’s Office has launched to share answers to questions from the public we’ve received through our main email inbox at mayor@burlington.ca or the Mayor’s social media platforms.
At the end of the month, we publish a roundup of those most pressing questions we’ve received in the weeks prior.
Mayor’s Mailbag – July 2023 Roundup
- “Why have we recently been seeing wildlife control officers collecting bird eggs at LaSalle Park?”
- “How does the City of Burlington help residents during extremely hot days?”
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QUESTION:
“Why have we recently been seeing wildlife control officers collecting bird eggs at LaSalle Park?”
ANSWER:
The City of Burlington resumed a Canada Goose and Mute Swan management program in spring 2023. The program formally ran from 2005-2019 and was paused for three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
While Canada Geese are migratory birds protected under Canadian law by the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, there are exceptions provided under the Migratory Birds Regulations. Mute Swans (those with an orange-coloured bill) are an non-native and invasive species in Canada — they pose a threat to native wildlife and wetland habitat.
Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Canadian Wildlife Service is the federal agency responsible for overseeing implementation of this legislation. Canadian Wildlife Service provides expert advice and issues permits to authorize otherwise prohibited activities if migratory birds are causing or are about to cause serious damage or danger.
The City of Burlington has legislative permission and holds a permit through Canadian Wildlife Services to collect and remove Canada Goose and Mute Swan eggs in our waterfront parks, and with permission from the City of Hamilton at LaSalle Park. The removal of eggs is aimed to:
- limit the growth of Canada Goose and Mute Swan populations to prevent damage and destruction to park assets;
- decrease nitrogen and E. Coli inputs to the lake and harbour; and
- reduce conflicts between the birds and park users.
Under the conditions of the legislated permit, the City hired Municipal Wildlife Control to inventory adult Canada Geese and Mute Swans, and to count, collect and remove eggs from both species in our waterfront parks and at Tyandaga Golf Club.
Municipal Wildlife Control will provide a report to the City of Burlington and Canada Wildlife Service as required by the legislated permit agreement.
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QUESTION:
“How does the City of Burlington help residents during extremely hot days?”
ANSWER:
To help keep our residents cool and safe when the weather gets too hot, the City of Burlington has cooling centres available during heat warnings.
Heat warnings are issued by Halton Region when temperatures are expected to be at least 31°C and overnight temperatures are above 20°C for at least 3 days or humidex is at least 40 for at least 2 days. You can learn more about the precautions you can take to stay cool when the temperatures and humidity are high and sign up to receive heat alerts from Halton Region at www.halton.ca.
Cooling Centres
When a heat warning is issued by Halton Region, residents can stay cool at all open Burlington Public Library branches:
- Central Branch — 2331 New St. — 905-639-3611;
- Aldershot Branch — 550 Plains Rd. E. — 905-333-9995;
- Alton Branch — 3040 Tim Dobbie Dr. — 905-634-3686;
- Brant Hills Branch — 2255 Brant St. — 905-335-2209;
- New Appleby Branch — 676 Appleby Line — 905-639-6373; and
- Tansley Woods Branch — 1996 Itabashi Way — 905-336-5583.
On extreme heat days, pets may come inside with their owners to cool off, too. You may be asked to stay in a designated area with your pet for the well-being of all library visitors.
Heat warnings are issued when very high temperature or humidity conditions could pose a serious risk of heat illnesses, such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion. Never ignore symptoms! Seek shade, drink water, and get medical help right away if you or someone you know has rapid breathing, weakness or fainting, a headache, or confusion.
You can learn more at bpl.on.ca/heat and burlington.ca
Extreme Weather Shelter Support
Notices of extreme weather alerts are posted on the City’s website here: www.burlington.ca/Modules/News/en/NewsNotices?page=2. You can subscribe to receive these notices directly in your email inbox when a new notice is posted.
After hours and overnight, Halton Region has agreements with local motels to provide emergency shelter until more permanent housing can be secured for any individual in need.
Halton Region also operates a shelter for women and children (located in Burlington) and a shelter for men (located in Oakville), that serve all Halton residents. We recently addressed the issue of supports and shelter for people who are experiencing homelessness in a previous Monday Mayor’s Mailbag here: mariannemeedward.ca/mayors-mailbag-january-2023-roundup-mental-health-resources-arts-culture-fund-homelessness-support/
This method of providing temporary accommodation for houseless individuals in need provides privacy, comfort and dignity for the individual in need, who will also be connected to all other wrap-around services Halton provides. This service is provided year-round, 24/7, 365 days, in hot weather and cold, and is a more comprehensive, specialized response to individuals in need than a temporary centre can provide.
If you know someone who is homeless and needs assistance, please direct them to 311 or accesshalton@halton.ca for assistance. After hours, you can contact the Halton Regional Police Services non-emergency line and they will dispatch their Community Outreach And Support Team (COAST) to contact the individual and offer available supports.
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RELATED LINKS:
- Mayor’s Mailbag – June 2023 Roundup – Mountainside Pool Reopening; Dissolution of Peel Region; & Bateman Redevelopment Project Updates
- Mayor’s Mailbag – May 2023 Roundup – Beachway Free Parking Pass; Twin-City Agreements; & ‘TellCityHall’ Automated Calls
- Mayor’s Mailbag – April 2023 Roundup – Parking Permit Program Update; Spring Cleanup; & Mayor’s Chamber Award Update
- Mayor’s Mailbag – March 2023 Roundup – Recognizing a Cause/Event, Burlington City Crest, & Windrows/Snow-Clearing
- Mayor’s Mailbag – February 2023 Roundup – City Winter Service Levels, Tax Support for Seniors on Fixed Incomes, & Support Accessing Recreation Programs
- Mayor’s Mailbag – January 2023 Roundup – Mental Health Resources, Arts & Culture Fund, & Homelessness Support
- Mayor’s Mailbag – December 2022 Roundup – Bill 23, Neighbourhood Community Matching Fund, & Winter Storm Updates
