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Burlington, Ontario

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Burlington, Ontario, Canada
Downtown Burlington at night.
Downtown Burlington at night.
Flag of Burlington, Ontario, Canada
Flag
Motto: 
Stand By
CountryCanada
ProvinceOntario
RegionHalton Regional Municipality
Established1874
Government
 • MayorCam Jackson
 • Governing BodyBurlington City Council
 • MPsMike Wallace (CPC), Garth Turner (Liberal)
 • MPPsJoyce Savoline (PC), Ted Chudleigh (PC)
Population
 (2006)
 • Total164,415 (Ranked 27th)
 From StatsCanada
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern)
Area code905
WebsiteCity of Burlington Official Website

Burlington (2006 population 164,415) is a city located in the Golden Horseshoe, across Lake Ontario and Burlington Bay harbour from Hamilton, in Halton Region, Ontario, Canada.

It is part of the Greater Toronto Area, although it is still part of the Hamilton Census Metropolitan Area. Transportation is served by the Queen Elizabeth Way, Highway 403, Highway 407, as well as Dundas Street, and by both GO Transit and VIA Rail. Burlington Transit is the public transport provider in the city. Rail Service is provided by both Canadian National Railway and Canadian Pacific.

In recent years Burlington has been one of the fastest growing areas of Canada with many new immigrants and young families building new homes here. The region by the lake has a number of expensive homes while the rest of the community is mostly upper-middle class suburbs.

Burlington is represented in the Canadian House of Commons by Mike Wallace (Conservative) as well as Garth Turner (Liberal). Burlington is also represented in the Ontario legislature by Joyce Savoline (Progressive Conservative) and Ted Chudleigh (Progressive Conservative).

In 1989, Burlington signed a twin city declaration with Itabashi, a ward of Tokyo, Japan. Since then, various exchanges and programs have been carried out between the two cities and relations between have flourished.

Some of the many attractions include: Canada's Largest Ribfest, Sound of Music Festival, Burlington Art Centre, and Spencer Smith Park. All are located downtown in close proximity to Spencer Smith Park.

History

The land which is now Burlington, was deeded to Chief Joseph Brant in 1798. Settlement on the "Brant Block" started soon afterward. In 1874 the communities of Wellington Square and Port Nelson were incorporated into the Village of Burlington, and later a town in 1915. In 1962, most of the township of Nelson was annexed including Aldershot. It became a city in 1974, upon the creation of the Regional Municipality of Halton. Some land in north and northeast Burlington became part of Milton.

Demographics

Burlington Transit New Flyer Invero 7009-03 on Route 2 operating into the Burlington GO Transit station.

According to the mid-2001 census, there were 150 836 people residing in the City of Burlington, located in the province of Ontario, of whom 48.4 % were male and 51.6 % were female. Children under five accounted for approximately 5.8 % of the resident population of Burlington. This compares with 5.8 % in Ontario, and almost 5.6 % for Canada overall.

In mid-2001, 14.0 % of the resident population in Burlington were of retirement age (65 and over for males and females) compared with 13.2 % in Canada, therefore, the average age is 38.5 years of age comparing to 37.6 years of age for all of Canada.

In the five years between 1996 and 2001, the population of Burlington grew by 10.1 %, compared with an increase of 6.1 % for Ontario as a whole. Population density of Burlington averaged 812.2 people per square kilometre (2,104/sq mi), compared with an average of 12.6, for Ontario altogether.

At the time of the census in May 2001, the resident population of the Burlington city authority had 150 836 people, compared with a resident population in the province of Ontario of 11,410,050 people.

Ethnic Origin Population Percent
English 53,815 35.93%
Canadian 47,615 31.79%
Scottish 34,405 22.97%
Irish 28,830 19.25%
German 13,055 8.71%
French 13,025 8.69%
Italian 9,520 6.35%
Dutch 7,635 5.06%

Religion

In the city of Burlington, almost 80.0% of the population declare themselves as Christian. Approx. 41% are Protestant and Anglican, while 32% are Roman Catholic, with the balance of Christians being Orthodox Christian and smaller denominations. The non-Christian population numbers less than 1.0%, mostly Islam, Sikh and Hindu.

Burlington sits in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Hamilton.

Media and journalism

Television stations

Radio

One radio station, FM 107.9 CJXY, is licensed to Burlington and another, FM 94.7 CIWV, to "Hamilton/Burlington." Both presently broadcast from studios in Hamilton; CJXY, indeed, brands itself "Hamilton's ONLY Rock Station." Burlington listeners are also served by stations licensed to Hamilton, Toronto, and other nearby radio markets.

Education

High schools

M. M. Robinson High School

Burlington's public elementary and secondary schools are part of the Halton District School Board. Burlington's Catholic elementary and secondary schools are part of the Halton Catholic District School Board

Public

Catholic

Private

Colleges and universities

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between former Burlington Mayor Rob MacIsaac and McMaster University President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Peter J. George on September 30, 2004 acknowledging to work together to bring a McMaster campus to Burlington.

There has been a link established with a New South Wales Australia institution Charles Sturt University.

Economy

Like most cities of its size in Ontario, manufacturing of various goods sustains Burlington's livelihood, but its proximity to Hamilton and Toronto means many residents commute to those cities.

There are also many stores and shops in Burlington. The Burlington Mall and Mapleview Centre are popular malls within the city. The many summer festivals in the city, including Canada's Largest Ribfest, also attract many visitors.

The city is also located in the "Golden Horseshoe".


Politics

File:Burlington riding map small.jpg
The riding map for Burlington. Author: Elections Ontario.

Burlington's mayor is Cam Jackson, former member of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario, and has MP Mike Wallace with the Conservative Party of Canada representing Burlington in the House of Commons. Currently, Burlington is a centre-right-wing city, however, from 1993-2006 the city was represented by Liberal MP Paddy Torsney.

The riding of Burlington has not had a Liberal MPP since 1943.[1]

2007 by-election

Following Cam Jackson's resignation to successfully run for mayor of Burlington, the riding was left with a vacant seat at Queen's Park. Consequently, a by-election was called by Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty on January 10, 2007, to be held on February 8, 2007.[1][2][3] Joan Lougheed, who was defeated by Jackson for the mayor's post, is the Ontario Liberal Party candidate as of January 4, 2007. [2] Former Halton Regional Chair Joyce Savoline is the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario candidate, narrowly defeating former Miss Canada Blair Lancaster for the nod.[3] On January 12, 2007, Brantford school teacher and community activist Cory Judson defeated former Halton District School Board trustee David Abbott for the Ontario New Democratic Party candidate spot.[4]

On January 25, 2007, Frank de Jong, the leader of the Green Party of Ontario began to campaign in the byelection.[4]

John C. Turmel, who according to Guinness Book of Records hold the records for the most elections contested and the most elections lost, ran as an Independent candidate.

Barry Spruce ran for the Freedom Party of Ontario.

Template:Wikinewshas

Template:Canadian politics/party colours/Progressive Conservatives/rowTemplate:Canadian politics/party colours/Liberal/rowTemplate:Canadian politics/party colours/NDP/rowTemplate:Canadian politics/party colours/Green/rowTemplate:Canadian politics/party colours/Freedom/rowTemplate:Canadian politics/party colours/Independents/row
By-election, February 8, 2007
Party Candidate Votes % +/-
Progressive Conservative Joyce Savoline 11,143 49.0% +2.8%
Liberal Joan Lougheed 9,365 41.2% -1.0%
New Democrat Cory Judson 1,310 5.8% -1.4%
Green Frank de Jong 734 3.2% +0.9%
Freedom Barry Spruce 106 0.5% *
Independent John C. Turmel 90 0.4% *

Sites of interest

Burlington is home to the Royal Botanical Gardens, Canada's largest botanical garden, which incorporates both untamed and cultivated landscapes. There are 75 parks and 325 ha (800 acres) of parkland within the city, the largest being Spencer Smith Park. The park is located on the shore of Lake Ontario, and is going through large scale renovations. Located in North Burlington is Mount Nemo Conservation Area, the only park in Burlington operated by the Halton Region Conservation Authority.

The Burlington Coastline on Lake Ontario

The Burlington Art Centre shows various exhibits throughout the year from local to national talent, including the renowned Canadian artist Robert Bateman. The Joseph Brant Museum and Ireland House are also popular attractions.

Not widely known to many residents is that one of the three naturally occurring magnetic hills in Ontario is found in Burlington, on King Road just north of Bayview Park.

Many annual lakefront activities take place in Spencer Smith Park including Canada's Largest Ribfest and the Sound of Music Festival.

  • Spencer Smith Park, downtown, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
    Spencer Smith Park, downtown, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
  • The WWII Navy Memorial in Spencer Smith Park
    The WWII Navy Memorial in Spencer Smith Park
  • Burlington Mall
    Burlington Mall
  • City Hall, on Brant Street
    City Hall, on Brant Street
  • Brant Street, downtown
    Brant Street, downtown

Malls

Main article: List of shopping malls in Canada § Ontario
  • Appleby Mall - a mall located at Appleby Line and New Street,
  • Burlington Mall - a two-story mall at Guelph Line and Fairview Street,
  • Mapleview Centre - a popular two-story mall with many high-end stores at Queen Elizabeth Way and Fairview Street,
  • Millcroft Shopping Centre - an out-door mall located at Appleby Line and Upper Middle Road.

Organizations

The Burlington Teen Tour Band (BTTB) has operated in the city since 1947, including members between the ages of 13 and 21. The marching band goes by the nickname The Redcoats due to the colour of its uniforms, and are regular participants in major international parades. They are also occasionally referred to as "Canada's Musical Ambassadors" and have represented Canada all over the world. 2007 will mark the 60th Anniversary of the BTTB. Celebrations, including a homecoming reunion, a concert and participation in the parade, are being planned to mark this anniversary during the 2007 Sound of Music Festival. More information is available at the BTTB Alumni Web page . The band is currently led by Rob Bennett, managing director, along with Sir William Hughes, musical director.

Since 1961, 715 "Mohawk" Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets has been a fixture in the city. The Royal Canadian Air Cadets is only one of the three branches of the Canadian Cadet Movement. The CCM is a partnership between the Department of National Defence, and each of the three cadet leagues: The Air Cadet League of Canada, The Army Cadet League of Canada, and the Navy League. The CCM is the largest federally funded youth program in Canada, and is open to youth ages 12-18 who are interested in leadership, citizenship, physical fitness, the Canadian Forces, and personal discipline.

Burlington Area Scouts traces its organization back to 1910 when the town's population was about 1,000. The first local Scoutmaster was Archie McGibbon, who remained in his position for more than a year, after which there was a succession of leaders including Hughes Cleaver and William Gilbert. The original enrolment of 25 boys was considered excellent for the small population of Burlington.

About 1918, Rev. George W. Tebbs took over the troop. It was in the 1920s when Scoutmaster Tebbs and the local troop met Baden-Powell in Burlington. The founder was motoring to Toronto and broke his trip for a short while when he saw the Scouts lined up at Gore Park on the waterfront. For many years, Rev. Tebbs led the boys as they marched out of town, hauling the trek cart to some distant camping place. It wasn't until 1958 that the Scouts' combined group committees were able to buy the 90 acre camping grounds in North Burlington at Camp Manitou.

The current Burlington Area Scouts came into existence in 1958 as "Burlington District" with amalgamation of several groups from Burlington and surrounding area. There are 17 active groups within the Area, providing Scouting to over 700 members. The Area stretches outside the city limits of Burlington and encompasses the additional communities of Waterdown, Kilbride, and Carlisle.[5]

Sports

Local Teams

The Burlington Cougars are an Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League Team.

The Following are the names associated with Burlington's rep-level sports teams:

The Burlington Youth Soccer Club (BYSC) is the organization behind all levels of youth soccer in Burlington. The Burlington Soccer League is the organization behind most mens league soccer in Burlington.

International Competition

Also, Burlington, Ontario founded and is still a participating city of the Burlington International Games (B.I.G.). The games were first held in 1969 " to offer an athletic and cultural exchange experience for the youth of Burlington." Up until recently, the games took place between Burlington, Ontario and Burlington, Vermont, U.S.A.. But, other cities from places such as Quebec, Japan, the Netherlands, and the U.S. have all had athletes compete since 1998.[6]

Notable natives

Artists

Authors/ writers

Music

Sports

TV/ film/ stage

See also

References

  1. ^ Burlington Liberals get some high-profile help, Hamilton Spectator, 27 January 2007
  2. ^ Burlington byelection called, Burlington Post, 10 January 2007
  3. ^ Ontario byelections called, Toronto Star, 10 January 2007
  4. ^ Ontario Green Party leader to run in Burlington byelection, Hamilton Spectator, 25 January 2007
  5. ^ Burlington Area Scouting Website
  6. ^ City of Burlington Website, Burlington International Games

Education

Local media

Photos and Attractions

Arts and Music

Sports

43°19′29.30″N 79°48′7.60″W / 43.3248056°N 79.8021111°W / 43.3248056; -79.8021111

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