Media Releases

Burlington's Canada Day features fireworks and drone display at Spencer Smith Park

Burlington, Ont. – June 18, 2025 – Canada Day celebrations at Spencer Smith Park (1400 Lakeshore Rd.) kick off on July 1 at noon with fun for all ages! Visitors can enjoy a lively Kids Zone, local vendors, delicious food, and live performances throughout the day. The official opening ceremony kicks off at 4 p.m., followed by a drone light show and a fireworks finale to cap off the night.

July 1 events at Spencer Smith Park

• 8:30 a.m. - Canada Day Run – Pre-registration required
• Noon - Free Yoga in the Park at the Compass by the West Lawn
• Noon - 4 p.m. – Kids Zone 
• Noon - 10 p.m. – Food & Marketplace vendors 
• 4 p.m. – Opening Ceremonies led by the Burlington Teen Tour Band
• 6:30 p.m. – Lucky Honey 
• 8 p.m. – My Son the Hurricane 
• 9:40 p.m. (approx.) – Drone show
• 10 p.m. (approx.) – Fireworks finale

This schedule may change. For the most up-to-date schedule, visit burlington.ca/canadaday.

Canada Day Shuttle and Burlington Transit

Downtown parking is in high demand during Canada Day festivities. Residents are...

National Indigenous Peoples Day 2025 celebration at Spencer Smith Park

The Urban Indigenous Community with support from the City of Burlington is honoured to welcome residents to the Solstice Ceremony in recognition of National Indigenous Peoples Day on Saturday, June 21, 2025, from 9 a.m. to noon at the west end of Spencer Smith Park. 

June 21 marks the summer solstice and is an opportunity for the community to gather in celebration of Indigenous culture, knowledge, and artistry. The ceremony serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring presence, strength, and contributions of Indigenous People in our region.    

Program Highlights: 

• Intentions and Fire Ceremony with WhiteEagle Stonefish; Opening remarks with Stephen Paquette; Emcee: Kate Dickson 

• Live performances by Indigenous artists: Kate Dickson, Shannon Thunderbird, Amber Kakiishiway, Matt Bergman, and Jaimie Lindsay 

• Interactive activities: Smudging with Stephen Paquette, drumming on two big drums with Shannon Thunderbird, Indigenous-led dance instruction with Jaimie Lindsay, and children’s activities with...

City launches flood resilience campaign ahead of summer rainy season

Burlington, Ont.—June 5, 2025— As the summer rainy season approaches, the City is sharing its latest investments to make Burlington more flood-resistant, along with tips to help residents prepare for potential flooding.

What the City is Doing

Climate change is a global problem with local consequences and solutions. Recognizing the severity of our changing climate, City Council declared a climate emergency in 2019. Since 2014, the City of Burlington has invested $20 million in stormwater infrastructure, which has made a positive difference in our ability to handle stormwater and reduce flooding.  

This year, the City is investing over $5 million in stormwater improvements to help protect homes, roads, and natural areas from flooding. Projects underway include replacing aging infrastructure to improve water flow, restoring eroded creek banks, and studying flood risks in the downtown area. Latest projects include:

• Tuck Creek Flood Mitigation & New Street Bridge Replacement
• Appleby Creek Erosion...

Get Involved in the creation of Burlington’s Arts & Culture future

Burlington, Ont.—May 26, 2025— The City of Burlington is developing a new Culture Plan to guide the next decade (2026–2036) of arts and culture growth. This plan will help shape the future of Burlington’s arts and culture programs, services and investments. The Culture Plan will contribute to a future that is vibrant, inclusive and rooted in Burlington’s community.

The City is inviting residents and artists to get involved in the creation of its new Culture Plan.

Public Engagement

The City will be offering many ways for residents and the Arts and Culture community to share their ideas for Burlington’s arts and culture future. Over the next six months, staff will be connecting with residents, artists, cultural professionals, organizations and communities across Burlington.

Opportunities to get involved

Online Survey

Residents are encouraged to fill out a short survey at getinvolvedburlington.ca/cultureplan. It will be open until Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025.

Culture Jam Workshops

Arts and Culture...

City Council passes bylaw to alter Burlington’s ward boundaries

Burlington, Ont. — May 22, 2025 — Burlington City Council has passed a bylaw to update the city’s ward structure. Bylaw 30-2025 allows for minor changes to Burlington’s current ward structure and will be in place for the 2026 Municipal Election, subject to any appeals. These changes align with recommendations from the City’s recent Ward Boundary Review and are designed to reflect Burlington’s growing population. 

New ward structure

Burlington will continue to have six wards with one Local Councillor representing each ward, plus one Mayor elected at large. All members of City Council will continue to sit on Halton Regional Council. 

Minor changes to Burlington’s ward boundaries include:

• The community in north Tyandaga will move from Ward 1 to Ward 3
• The Leighland community will move from Ward 2 to Ward 1
• The Palmer community will move from Ward 4 to Ward 3
• The Maple Beach community will move from Ward 1 to Ward 2

What happens next?

Under section 222(4) of the Municipal Act 2001, S.O. c. 25, any...