Mayor’s State of the City Address: Burlington is safe, economically strong and ready for the future, says Mayor Goldring

Burlington, Ont. – Feb. 1, 2018—Burlington is a safe and healthy city with a high quality of life, a strong economy and a plan for the future, Burlington Mayor Rick Goldring told a crowd of more than 400 people this morning.

The mayor was speaking at his eighth annual Mayor’s State of the City Address held at the Burlington Convention Centre and hosted by the Burlington Chamber of Commerce. Mayor Goldring gave a 20-minute address, followed by a moderated question-and-answer session. The address and session are available on Facebook.

Here are some highlights of Mayor Goldring’s address:

Quality of Life

• MoneySense Magazine has recognized Burlington as the best mid-sized city in which to live in Canada for five years in a row.
• Halton Region, where Burlington is located, is the safest region in Canada. In Burlington alone, crime dropped by 31 per cent drop over the past five years.
• Burlington has a healthy and resilient economy. Last year, there were more than 1,200 jobs, an increase of 88 per cent over the previous year.
• Canada’s national unemployment rate is the lowest in 40 years at 5.7 per cent. Burlington’s unemployment rate, at 4.6 per cent, is lower than the national average.

Economic Development

• TechPlace opened in 2017 at Burloak and North Service Road to address the need to support small and relocating businesses and today is operating at full capacity. Innovative technology companies from Dubai, Finland, Kitchener-Waterloo, Mississauga and Burlington have been accepted into TechPlace’s Launch Pad program and are thriving in their new environment.
• Burlington welcomed Amec Foster Wheeler, an international energy and industrial company, A-Z-X sport, a promotional products manufacturer and distributor and Carbon Rehab, an innovator in the physical therapy equipment business.

Housing and Growth

• Burlington is committed to keeping the city 50 per cent rural and 34 percent established neighbourhoods. Another 11 per cent will be employment areas.
• Five per cent of the city will see most of the future residential growth. Much of that growth will take place in the mobility hubs, areas where transportation options are available, including public transit such as GO stations.
• Providing a mix of housing options is a priority for our city. The city is working with the BC Pension Fund to increase the number of rental units through redevelopment of Georgian Court in the Aldershot neighbourhood.
• A new urban design panel is being formed to ensure that in Burlington we “build beautiful.”

Community Connections

• The City of Burlington was named the Organization of the Year by the International Association for Public Participation for applying the Community Engagement Charter adopted in 2013.  
• Last year, Burlington received more than $11 million from the federal and provincial governments through funding applications for various city projects. The Joseph Brant Museum Expansion broke ground in 2017, with a contribution of $6 million.
• In celebration of Canada’s 150^th, the city set—and met—a goal of reaching 150 Love My Hood events in 2017. The program was designed to build a healthier Burlington by engaging and empowering residents to host neighbourhood events.
• In the summer of 2017, the city opened a new playground at Bolus Parkette in the Aldershot community. Children were involved in the planning of the park. Thanks to the Aldershot community volunteers, residents, organizations and businesses that supported the Foresters Financial ™ KaBOOM! playground build and to the McNally Foundation for its donation to buy an interactive water feature.

Health

• This past November, Burlington’s Carpenter Hospice broke ground on a significant capital redevelopment that will see the construction of  a new resident wing and wellness outreach centre extending Carpenter Hospice care into the community.
• The Michael Lee-Chin & Family Patient Tower of Joseph Brant Hospital opened in August 2017. The new state-of-the-art facility combines technology, open spaces, and a calming environment to encourage health and healing. 

Quote

Mayor Rick Goldring

“Burlington has a strong economy, is a safe community, and has stable and vibrant neighbourhoods and gathering places. Together, we are carefully planning our future, preserving what matters, including our green spaces and the waterfront, while creating housing and employment opportunities for our residents and their children and grandchildren.

It is a privilege to be mayor of one of Canada’s great cities, working with our community and government partners, members of City Council and existing and new businesses. We have achieved tremendous accomplishments together in the past year, and more great things are coming in the future.”  

Links and Resources
Complete speech
City of Burlington Facebook page
Burlington Chamber of Commerce

Photo
Mayor Rick Goldring

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