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Winter 2015 Director and Publisher Leah Flippance leah@flipsidemediagroup.com Editor and Creative Director Louise Sherwood louise@bcitymagazine.com Associate Editor Camille Llosa camille@bcitymagazine.com Account Executive John Pase john@flipsidemediagroup.com Contributing Food and Drink Editor Alex Bielak Graphic Designer Ashley Giannice
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common complaint from many Burlington residents is the state of our public transportation system. On one hand people want increased bus routes and a more frequent schedule, but on the other, most residents do not want a bus barreling down their quiet neighbourhood streets at all hours of the day and night. How can we have a better transit system, without encroaching on quiet neighbourhoods? Currently Burlington has 15 main bus routes with additional routes for peak traffic times and special school routes. We also have connecting transit with Oakville Transit, Hamilton Street Railway and Go Transit. For times of day with lower ridership, Burlington Transit offers Dial-a-Ride on certain routes and Paratransit for citizens with disabilities. But the question remains, if we had more frequent service and more routes and stops, would the average Burlington resident take advantage of a healthy public transportation system? Local community organization, BFAST (Burlington for Accessible, Sustainable Transit) was established in 2012 with the goal of more convenient and reliable access to sustainable transit. BFAST proposes a restoration of 30-minute service, more buses in Burlington’s northeastern community, and guaranteed trip times. We want to know, how would you propose to fix Burlington’s public transit issues, and if Burlington’s transit system were improved, would you use it instead of your car? Tell us your opinion at: bcitymagazine.com 2 BCity Winter 2015
Contributors Amra Durakovic Mayor Rick Goldring Michael R. Marini Jamesin Rossborough Darren Sanger-Smith
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Contents
Builders Edition
B E I N G
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CITY
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FOOD 6 Publisher’s Letter 8 Editor’s Letter 10 On the Bookshelf Four great reads focused on building in the past, present and future, from varying perspectives: ancient settlers, a historian, a start-up legend and a serial killer 4 BCity Winter 2015
13 B City People Burlington’s builders share what they build and what inspires them to make contributions to our city 23 Burlington looks within for the answers to building out No need for fear, we get the facts regarding the process of how our city will continue to strategically grow
29 Hurray for Hamilton! What our neighbours are building and why it matters
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STATS
32 How do you build your dream home? A designer gives free advice regarding the process of design 36 B City 2015 Home Trends - Fashion meets home The latest, most luscious and down to earth materials that we love in home décor this year 41 Building the basics of feel good fashion We generally wear only 10 per cent of the clothing we purchase. This inspiring spring to summer fashion spread helps you choose this 10 per cent wisely while looking gorgeous and glam
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47 Sous vide supremo Local companies help to bring the world of molecular gastronomy to your kitchen countertop
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50 It’s graphic The state of the city in stats 52 The last word Mayor Goldring’s vision for building Burlington
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FASHION BCity Winter 2015 5
Publisher’s Letter I
’ve never thought of myself as a builder per se, but as the last several months have rolled by in the snap of a finger it would appear as though I have been mistaken. Upon reflection, it turns out that I am a builder of many things. I’ve built a family, a partnership, a business and a publication with the help of a team, and I have also built a dream. I am in the midst of building something that I am truly passionate about: food, nutrition, healthy kids, and healthy families. I am on a mission to help people nourish their bodies as well as their minds. My hope is to inspire and uplift people and to help to connect them with services and tools to build their best lives. My hope is, within these pages you will find the things to do just that. If your passion is aligned with that of B City and with mine, I hope you will continue to support this publication, this company, and allow us to assist in connecting you with your market. Wishing you only good, Leah Flippance Publisher
289.337.1657 www.treadwell.ca
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Editor’s Letter N
o matter what one builds the idea begins in the mind where inspiration takes hold and an idea is planted in the fertile soil of the brain. To build anything worthwhile a healthy psyche is the foundation required. Beginning in childhood, when a young brain is growing and seeking connections with the world at large it is essential to teach children that they have the power to build the world they dream of living in one day. I feel we as a society at large fail to teach children this most fundamental lesson and cultivate this in our at large education system. I believe that children’s mental health is essential to our future wellbeing. Our future is already being built in the fertile minds of children who are the builders of tomorrow’s communities, ten, twenty and thirty years from now. Because of this I am passionate about children’s mental health. The Province is prioritizing Ontario Children’s Mental Health Week, which runs from May 3 to 9, 2015, but one week is not enough. This needs to be a priority supported in every home and school 52 weeks per year. Children’s mental health is significantly enhanced through quality reading that inspires connection, relationship building and wisdom. If you are able to give an inspiring book to a child to support their mental health, do so. So many people say they don’t read books. There is so much joy in reading that it is likely they were not inspired to discover the joy of immersion in a good story or great biography. It is never too late as long as we have eyes to see and minds to absorb. I get excited like a kid at Christmas all over again when our Associate Editor, Camille Llosa sends her book reviews for our regular feature, “On the Bookshelf.” I know I will be picking up these books, opening the cover and delighting in the stories within. In our family books were treasures, which we would share. My bookshelf is full of memories of the fond friendships and conversations these books inspired. Books have been trustworthy companions and have changed my life in the most wonderful ways! A good book is like a mentor, sharing its wise wisdom and opening your eyes to the world around you. I sincerely hope that you enjoy this book you hold in your hands. Our team at B City Magazine does our very best to inspire and delight you, and do what we are able to build a better magazine and an even better Burlington! Wishing you well always, Louise Sherwood Editor
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On the bookshelf Building takes all forms. From a concrete edifice to an abstract idea the act of building, whatever the end product may be always shares the principles of vision, planning and execution. Here we look at four books whose subjects may seem diverse, but all share the overarching tenets of building. Camille Llosa
Zero to One By Peter Thiel Crown Business
A Short History of Progress By Ronald Wright Anansi Press
ake what you think you know about building a successful business venture and toss it. This modern masterpiece, written by PayPal co-founder and Silicon Valley startup legend Peter Thiel turns common, complacent business thinking on its head. Monopolies are bad, right? Not so, says Thiel who marks competition as the enemy of true growth and advancement. Throughout this 200 plus page book, Thiel draws on his experience as an entrepreneur and investor in some of the most successful and influential companies in recent history. He admittedly offers no formula for success, but rather points out the patterns associated with successful startups, like finding value in unexpected places, avoiding saturated markets where only minimal opportunity for progress can be made, the importance of planning, disregard for luck and working with people you actually like. Although ostensibly a business book, the principles Thiel puts forward can cross boundaries to creative and social endeavors. Think big and plan.
s a part of the CBC Massey Lecture Series, this lecture turned book traces civilization across centuries and continents to examine how progress has impacted both our history and our future. Citing examples from collapsed civilizations like those of Easter Island, the Fertile Crescent and ancient Rome, Wright uses the mistakes of history as a black box for understanding past mistakes in the hopes of preserving a sustainable future. Wright identifies what he calls, progress traps. For example, when the Chinese invented gunpowder, a relatively little bang, we made progress, but when we progressed to the atomic bomb, a significantly bigger bang, we were in danger, as he says, “When the bang we make can blow up our world, we have made rather too much progress.� In no way encouraging a Luddite revolution, Wright more simply points out that unquestioningly sticking to entrenched beliefs will rob us of our future. To build a secure future we must learn from the mistakes of the past a progress in step with nature, not against it.
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Check out www.bcitymagazine.com for more book reviews
1491 By Charles C. Mann Vintage Books
The Devil in the White City By Eric Larson Crown Publishers
his tome of history examines what the Americas looked like prior to Columbus’ infamous 1492 voyage. Unlike what many of us think we know about the Eden-like past of the Americas, Mann uses a succinct blend of archaeology, genetics, science and history to tease out an image of what these lands once looked like. He dispels the notion that before Columbus, the Americas were a inhabited by distant pockets of native peoples and in fact were vibrant flourishing communities with settled capitals, traditions and trade routes that spread from present day Canada to Chile. The original inhabitants of the Americas are responsible for many of the products used and cherished today globally by millions, like corn, potatoes, chilies, tomatoes and chocolate. What Columbus and his cohorts discovered upon landing was not a disorganized untamed landscape, but a populace made vulnerable by a fluke combination of faulty political alliances, disease and environmental catastrophes that enabled a rapid domination of the new world by the old. The original inhabitants of the new world built complex agrarian societies in sometimes hostile and infertile land, with enough surplus to establish empires large enough to rival their contemporaries an ocean away.
his book follows the story of two pioneering builders: Daniel Burnham, chief architect behind the 1893 Chicago’s World Fair and Dr. H.H. Holmes a serial killer who built the World’s Fair Hotel, a building of horrors of his own design where he could execute his grisly crimes. Burnham, a Chicago native and renowned architect was known for his many masterpieces, including the Flatiron Building in New York City and created the city master plans for Chicago and Washington D.C. This book traces Burnham’s challenges and struggles as he led the construction of what was then, the largest worlds fair to date, commemorating the 400-year anniversary of Columbus’s famous voyage. The parallel story traces the crimes of what was one of America’s first serial killers, Dr. H.H. Holmes, who constructed a massive hotel in the heart of Chicago to coincide with the opening of the fair. Complete with gas chamber, torture rooms and a crematorium for easy disposal, Holmes continually hired and fired contractors during the construction of his ‘Murder Castle’ to keep his ultimate intent covert. Holmes was eventually caught and confessed to 27 murders – however it is estimated that the body count could be as high as 200. The Chicago World’s Fair opened to great success, and featured the very first Ferris wheel constructed by George Washington Gale Ferris Jr.
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Devoted to improving the communities we work and live in
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Proudly supporting the following community initiatives
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Hamilton
HAMILTON PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS ASSISTANCE FUND
LAP
Leggat Athletic Program www.LeggatAP.ca
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uilding is a feat - an undertaking that requires thought, planning, vision and drive. Whether it is a high-rise, a home, a healthy community, a green space or an economic partnership, these grand master plans could not come to fruition without the dedication, inventiveness and effort of the builders of our city. Brick-by-brick, phone call by phone call, each seemingly incremental step pushes an idea from conception to reality. Builders turn thought into form.
In this edition we celebrate the creators of our community, featuring: Doug Leggat ~ Darren Sanger-Smith ~ The Molinaro Group ~ Chris Paterson ~ Keith Hoey ~ Leslie Bullock ~ Ken Jaques ~ Contributing Editor – Camille Llosa Original photos by Marcie Costello Photography BCity Winter 2015 13
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he Leggat name is synonymous with quality cars in Burlington, but this automotive family business has impacted Burlington in more ways than just the cars on our streets. Doug Leggat, Chairman of Leggat Chevrolet Cadillac has turned his success as a busi-
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Doug Leggat nessman into a vehicle for building a better community. Leggat calls his three-generation business a family tradition. “My father was an automobile dealer in Hamilton, with a dealership on the corner of Bay and King in 1922. Once I graduated from Ryerson, I came back
and worked in the family business,” he says. “Eventually I ended up in Burlington in 1968 and we have been here ever since. My son Brian has expanded our business from two dealerships to nine.” In 2011 Doug was named Philanthropist of the Year by the Burlington Community Association for his dedication to local charities like the Nelson Youth Centre, Joseph Brant Hospital, The YMCA, local food banks and many more. Doug notes that as Burlington grows, so too does its needs. “You may think that Burlington is the wealthiest place around. It’s the greatest place to live, the greatest place to have a business, but there are needs in any city that is growing like we are,” he says. For Doug, one of the biggest needs he sees is that of the youth in Burlington. “We have always supported youth sports like hockey and baseball, and places like the YMCA have been really good for kids here,” he says. “There is also a need for food for children in our communities. That’s why we support breakfast for kids who don’t get it and food drives in Burlington, because if kids don’t eat, they don’t study.” Encouraging others to give back is imperative for the growth and sustainability of our city, and for Doug, it starts at home. His children and wife are big supporters of local initiatives, with his son Brian (President of Leggat Auto Group) founding the Leggat Care Foundation, which collaborates with local partners to help address the challenges facing our community. For those who are looking to give back, but feel it may be financially out of reach, Doug suggest giving your time. “I think of the 600 volunteers at the Joseph Brant Hospital who give their time. I don’t think it could run the same way without all of that volunteer help,” he says. “There are a lot of people here in Burlington who are retired and are hard workers for the community. Maybe they can’t give their money, but they can give their time, and there is a lot of that in Burlington.” Despite being called a philanthropic superstar in the media, Doug is humble about how much he has contributed to building a better community in Burlington. “It’s great to be able to say that you have been able to help, but you don’t go broadcasting it,” he says. “My opinion is that you try to stay quiet. I think that you lead by what you do, not how much you give. The trick is to get out there in the community and try to see if you can make it happen.”
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Darren Sanger-Smith
arren Sanger-Smith, a born and raised Burlington native and Founder and President of Structured Creations says emphatically that he loves this city. Focusing on original home builds, renovations and additions, Structured Creations strives to bring a fresh face to the homes in Burlington, while maintaining the charm and integrity of the neighbourhoods that Darren loves so much. Darren began in the construction industry at age 14 where he was a self-described, “grunt boy.” From his early encounters in the building industry, Darren went on to graduate from the Carleton University School of Architecture and eventually to found his Burlington-based design firm. “I like to think I have contributed to our neighbourhoods by the designs we have done and the homes we have designed. I love working with our clients to create a more beautiful environment for them, which in turn creates more beautiful neighbourhoods,” he says. For Darren, when taking on a new project, his focus is on respecting his client’s wishes and the neighbourhood. “When I design something I always try to put myself in the clients shoes and I also try to put myself in my clients neighbours shoes,” he says. “I want to try to feel how everyone else will feel, to me a huge part of what we do is respecting the environment.” Over the years Darren has seen a shift if the technology of building. “There’s been a lot of emphasis on green build, or environmentally friendly materials, every client inquires about it,” he says. “In that regard we try to incorporate it as much as possible, without compromising our design or our clients budget.” The houses created by Structured Creations (examples of which can be seen on their website www.structuredcreations.com) have a distinct unique flair, a balanced combination of modern and classical design. Ultimately, Darren describes himself as a traditionalist. “I still do all of my design work on a drafting table with a pencil. It’s still the tried and true way of doing things and I am a big believer in that,” he says. “I know this is going to sound romantic – and it’s not supposed to – but there is still a lot of the old school in designing a house. You can’t just sit there and draw a box on a computer screen, you really need to step back and consider it, from the interior,
to the whole neighbourhood and environment around it.” Although Darren is working in a field he is passionate about, he concedes there are always challenges. “Everyday is a challenge and that is half the fun of it. For us we really strive to make sure we get the space right, making sure we really listen to our clients. The work we do is probably one of the biggest investments in our clients lives, so we listen to our clients really carefully and make sure we have accommodated everything they
wanted and that the project is on time and on budget,” he says. For the future of Burlington, Darren hopes that all of the builders and developers work together to preserve our city. “I love this city. I really want to make sure that we all respect what Burlington is about and respect that we live here. It’s got a lot of charm and character, and I hope it’s something all of us, the builders, the clients and the neighbourhoods will continue to take into consideration.”
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The Molin
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o doubt most people in Burlington are familiar with the Molinaro name. Having been in business since 1963 this family-run development company has built more than 10,000 residential units and more than one million square feet of commercial real estate in southern Ontario. The Molinaro Group was founded by Domenic Molinaro in 1963, who immigrated to Canada and commenced his first building project. Since then the second generation of Molinaro’s, (brothers Vince and Robert and brotherin-law Sam) have taken the skill and expertise taught by Domenic and expanded the business. Since their entrance into the Burlington building scene 10 years ago The Molinaro Group has built numerous condominiums (notably the Strata, and Paradigm) homes, residential rentals and commercial rental spaces. Vince Molinaro, President of The Molinaro Group and incumbent President of the Ontario Home Builder’s Association attributes their success to the lessons instilled in them by their father, Domenic. “I think that the fact that we are a family business, and we have kept it in the family is what has lead to our success,” he says. “We treat our trades, consultants and suppliers as partners, that’s what my dad really instilled in us. We have been dealing with many of these trades for decades, and we have multigenerational relationships with them, so we really pride ourselves on working as a team.” Another contributing factor to their success is their commitment to innovation. “We’re always striving to be ahead of the curve, ahead of building code and ahead of what is required by the cities,” he says. The Molinaro Group was
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the first to construct a LEED Certified Building in Burlington (a structure which adheres to Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design – think green buildings) and the first to use state of the art geothermal heating and cooling technologies in the Strata building in Downtown Burlington. Vince admits that staying ahead of the curve can sometimes be a challenge. “When you are innovative, you are probably the first to do something and you are taking a big risk with this new technology. You have to be able to deliver what you say you will. But, I think it’s a calculated risk, when you surround yourself with good consultants and good engineers,” he says. Aside from the construction of physical edifices, The Molinaro Group has contributed to building Burlington’s economy. “We don’t tend to market or advertise this, but in terms of jobs, for each unit we build we create approximately three and a half to four man-years of work, so when we’re building a 300-400 unit building, its quite a lot of work,” he says. The Molinaro’s plan to further contribute to the success of Burlington as a city by addressing the downtown core. As one of the first companies to build purpose built rental units in the downtown core, Vince says that he would still like to encourage more economic growth in our downtown by, “Building more smart developments that not only meet residential needs, but mixed use as well,” he says. “I know the city wants to see more parking and more offices which will bring more jobs downtown, which will also support all of the businesses downtown.”
aro Group
Profiles
Robert Molinaro Executive Vice President, Sam DiSanto Managing Director, Vince Molinaro President
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Chris Paterson
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hen Chris Paterson was a boy of around seven, he was fascinated by the construction of a house, adjacent to his childhood home in Oakville. “There was a crew of contractors working there and I would just go over there on weekends and after school and watch them work on the house,” he says. “Finally, after watching them work for weeks, they bought me a little tool belt, and a little hammer and they let me help them work.” Chris laughs at the dubious legality of the arrangement, but says, “I remember the bricklayer, Sylvester. He let me lay a couple of bricks and that started my whole fascination with renovation and construction.” From that time on, Chris dabbled in renovations for himself and friends, eventually founding his current company, Property Works Plus. Essentially a one-stop renovation shop, Property Works Plus is a full-service home maintenance company that connects homeowners in need of renovations or upkeep with qualified professionals able to complete the job in a timely, honest and fiscally responsible manner. Property works plus currently services Windsor, Essex County, Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Fort Erie, Niagara Falls, Woodstock and Oxford County with a staff of professionals. “When you’re buying or selling a house, it can be a really stressful time,” says Chris, “Everyone who owns a home needs things to be done. We want to be the people they can phone. They just need to phone one person, us, and we can look after and manage everything, instead of them having to source individual contractors.” In addition to servicing homeowners, Property Works Plus also connects newcomers to the construction industry to projects and mentors who can help them establish a career. “When we have a really good or interesting job, we will bring in some younger people in to help out and they can learn from the masters of framing, brickwork or electrical,” he says. “What were trying to do is to give a step up for younger people to help them get into the trades, because sometimes it’s not easy. Sometimes the only way is to go to school and get a placement. This is an opportunity for younger people to work. This way they are learning and they can get paid a the same time.” For Chris, “Honesty is number one in his business. Trust and honest are really big for me. I think that’s why our business is growing and our referrals multiplying. We do a good job, and we are here to help people and support people,” he says. “For me satisfaction is seeing the smile and joy on peoples faces when the project is done. I love seeing people at ease.”
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Keith Hoey
uilding a better Burlington means building a strong economy through connecting businesses. If you are a businessperson in Burlington, you are probably a part of, or at least have heard of the Burlington Chamber of Commerce, but some of us only know it by name and don’t know how they directly contribute to the prosperity of our city. Keith Hoey, current President of the Burlington Chamber of Commerce, describes the function of the chamber as an organization that, “Works to grow businesses in the community and make them more prosperous.” The Chamber does this through three major strategies: networking, education and advocacy. “We give businesses opportunities that would not exist otherwise,” he says. “We hold 24 networking events a year that give people an opportunity to connect with one another. We also do a lot of advocacy work, and that is us representing the views of businesses in Burlington to different levels of government, so that those governing bodies can change legislation to make it easier for businesses to do business.” The Burlington Chamber of Commerce in association with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce successfully lobbied the Federal Government to lower the corporate tax rate. “This is important because this way business are more profitable and they can reinvest in their businesses and grow their businesses,” he says. On a local level, The Burlington Chamber of Commerce has helped to remedy the doctor shortage in Burlington. “About five years ago our Health Committee looked at this issue and wondered what we could do to remedy the shortage. In looking into it we saw that the International Medical Graduate Program – which accredits internationally trained doctors – had a cap on it. It only allowed 100 qualified doctors to come in per year,” he says. “What we did was lobbied the Ontario Government to change that cap. Eighteen months later they changed the cap from 100 to 200 and a year after that they changed the program, resulting in no cap.” This work helped to reduce the doctor shortage in Burlington from a deficit of 20 down to two. As a member, there is a fee for being a part of the Chamber and Keith says providing a service to his members is of the utmost importance. “We survey our members annually and ask what issues are important to them. The first thing I keep in mind is, ‘Is this something our members want us to do? Will it give value?’ The way I describe my role as
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the President is to serve, protect and promote our members.” For the future, the biggest challenge Keith sees Burlington facing is proper economic growth. “Burlington is going to be built out, meaning all of the building that can be done, will be done in the next five to 10 years, and there is only so much land available for commercial development,” he says. “So the biggest challenge we have as a city is developing
that commercial land properly so that we’re bringing enough of the right kinds of businesses here, with more money flowing into the community.” Keith says the most rewarding part of his job as President is: “Connecting people. I love business and when I can connect people so commerce happens, that is what really turns me on.”
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Leslie Bullock
eslie Bullock, current Chair of the Board of Director’s of Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) has been a fixture in the Burlington community for years. Whether you know her name for her run in City Council in the ‘90s, as a RE/MAX Real Estate Agent, her many volunteer positions or her numerous roles as chair, co-chair and board member on many community organization, Leslie has had a front row seat to Burlington’s growth.
Originally attending post-secondary for landscape technology and arboriculture, Leslie laughs at the fact that she is: “Nowhere near that career choice now, but I am one of the few chairs (on RBG) that can understand the Latin names for plants.” Over her diverse career she has seen Burlington being built into a top-notch city. “I think cities like this don’t just happen, they happen because people have foresight and the ability to plan, and to plan big,” she says. “That’s a good philosophy for life, you have to plan otherwise stuff just happens. Years go by and nothing changes.” Being a part of RBG board for almost seven years Leslie is proud of the 2,700 acres of land she has helped to manage and promote, noting that RBG has an international appeal, but says that, “The surprising thing is, a lot of people in the city of Burlington don’t quite know we are here yet, we seem to be better known abroad than we are in our backyard.” To remedy this, Leslie and RBG plan and promote the year round attractions of RBG. “The gardens themselves are more international, but the exhibits we are doing are more for our local community, and they are getting a massive draw, and that’s what we want,” she says. “We want people to come into the exhibits in the off season, and to come back when the gardens are in bloom.” Recently, the blooming of the gardens was a challenge that RBG had to address. Leslie notes that the role of RBG is one of environmental stewardship. A number of years ago, the pesticide ban was something they had to seriously consider. “Basically we had to debate for quite a long time. Botanical gardens were exempt from this ban if they wanted to be, in order to keep their displays up,” she says. “We had to think, do we want to continue to spray our roses with toxic chemicals in order to have a beautiful rose show? Or, do we forgo the hybrid roses in favour of some hardier types? It would be easier to spray, but ultimately we decided to stop using those chemicals.” Leslie admits that once they stopped using the pesticides, the gardens didn’t look as they once did, but they have built them back up though adapting their practices and hiring more staff for upkeep. For the future of Burlington and RBG Leslie is positive saying, “Burlington is going in a great direction,” but sees our reliance on the car as an area for improvement. “My number one hope is really great transportation. I think it will help the city and I think it will help RBG a lot.”
L
ike many journeys, Ken Jaques journey towards creating a healthy community started with his feet, but not with a single step, but with a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. “I was diagnosed in 2008. I literally woke up and couldn’t walk to the washroom; the pain was there in both feet. From then I went on what I describe as a healing journey in and out of the medical system,” he says. The drugs he was put on eventually made his hair fall out. This shock was a catalyst for Ken to begin questioning what health means. “It was primarily a health journey first. People tend to fall into the status quo of what the healthcare system says. They don’t do the work because they don’t know how and they have never been told that they could,” he says. “Then I asked why don’t we solve this at the root? Every person is out there going down their path, we could do so much more if we tried to come together and solve these problems at the root as a community.” From then on Ken has been committed to building a healthy community and his ultimate goal is to create the world’s healthiest community. “Building a healthy community is all about getting a community to engage and address the issues that are in front of us,” he says. “We are at a tipping point where so many people are sick and tired of being sick and tired. All of us have the ability to come together for a common goal.” Some of the issues Ken wants to tackle to make a healthier community are: mental health, nutrition, food, physical health and identifying the root causes of diseases. His plan and message to the citizens of Burlington can be found on his website: www.kenjaques.com. For Ken it all starts with a dialogue. “I want to get someone in Burlington to stand up and say that we are doing it. The solutions come out of the woodwork. I don’t have a clue what they are going to be, but they are going to be better than what any one person can imagine for the simple reason that more people will be talking about it. The rallying cry is enough to get it going,” he says. Although it may seem like a lofty goal, a huge dream, Ken says that is exactly the point. “We’re always taught to think big and start small, but the biggest difficulty I find is everyone thinks they are too small to make a difference,” he says. “This is the dream, it has to be big. Let the small things happen and tie them in as pieces to the bigger dream. It’s all about starting that conversation. To me that is the whole point.” Ken cites what he calls an, “illusion of separation,” as one of the reasons coming together as a community is a challenge. “People are taught that we are separate. We are taught a fear of the unknown. People go into fear mode and think it takes courage to take that first step, but does it?” To start your first step towards building a healthy community Ken says, “Don’t sit back, tell your story. People want to hear from you. Find your voice and be a part of the conversation. Keep it going.”
PEOPLE
Ken Jaques
BCity Winter 2015 21
22 BCity Winter 2015
Burlington looks inward for answers to build-out Jamesin Rossborough
Burlington Waterfront
B
urlington as we know it is changing. We are reaching “build out,” which is a fancy way of saying that we can’t build any further without encroaching on the Greenbelt, swimming in Lake Ontario, or bumping into our neighbouring cities. So what happens now? After all, this growth is what makes Burlington such a successful city, bringing in new businesses and families to share in our taxes, and keeping our economy booming. With nowhere left to go, what will we do? This question will take you on a journey through history, when Lakeshore Blvd. was undesirable real estate, to today as we shift our focus to rebuilding and intensification, and finally will give you a glimpse of the future, which is being planned more than twenty-five years in advance. “We have deliberately chosen to maintain the north part of Burlington as rural and natural and agricultural. So that’s about 50 per cent of the city,” says Burlington Mayor Rick Goldring. He calls this area, “The lungs of the city,” with its fresh air, natural settings,
and Bruce trail. “[It] truly is an asset worth protecting and maintaining for generations to come,” he says. It is nice to know our green space is safe, but what does this mean for the rest of the city? In twenty years will Burlington be cramped and compacted like some areas of Toronto? Frank McKeown, Executive Director of the Burlington Economic Development Corporation, says no, and this is where our history lesson begins. “Look at Lakeshore. If you go back far enough, where the hotel and pier are, there was a fishery,” says McKeown. “In the old days nobody wanted to be at the waterfront.” That is a big change indeed, with house prices going well into the millions for Lakeshore properties in today’s market and new businesses like coffee shops, restaurants, stores and even offices snapping up space, as the foot traffic is steady along the new pier. McKeown explains that as industry changes, buildings change, and space can be used in more effective ways to meet the changing
times. For example, with engineering and manufacturing being much cleaner than it used to be, we no longer have big smoke stacks and noise, making it easier to have mixes of industrial and office space. Walking Home, The Life and Lessons of a City Builder, a book By Ken Greenberg, delves into these very issues. Greenberg is a former Director of Urban Design and Architecture for the City of Toronto, and has worked on many projects to restore and rejuvenate cities around the world. In his book he writes about how a major breakthrough in city planning came from, “The conceptual shift from an inert mechanical model of the city to an evolving biological one.” In other words, imagine Burlington as a big garden in various stages of growth, like watching one of those slow motion time-lapse videos. Picture the buildings and streets all growing together and changing with the movement of the sun and the seasons and other nearby cities. Now consider the changes that will be occurring in the next two decades that will BCity Winter 2015 23
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BEFORE
AFTER
Population growth compared to our neighbours: Burlington
Downtown Burlington impact our city; the baby boomers growing older, environmental crises and oil shortages are all things that may come to mind. As it turns out, all of those things are being considered in our city’s plan. “We have an opportunity to be much more efficient with our land use going forward,” says Goldring. He explains that when you build traditional new developments, they are very expensive because they need new schools, parks and community centres, and require additional costs for snow removal, road maintenance, garbage collection and more. This means that it’s not as expensive for us to grow within our city, as we would not have to invest in all new services. It also means that our municipal taxes should continue to be competitive, as we are below average compared to other GTA municipalities, coming in at a $3,642 on average in 2014. In Greenberg’s book he writes about how cars, and cheap gasoline (18 cents per gallon
Year
Pop.
±%
1911 1921 1931 1941 1951 1961 1971 1981 1991 1996 2001 2006 2011
1,831 +63.6% 2,709 +48.0% 3,046 +12.4% 3,815 +25.2% 6,017 +57.7% 47,008 +681.3% 87,023 +85.1% 114,853 +32.0% 129,575 +12.8% 136,976 +5.7% 150,836 +10.1% 164,415 +9.0% 175,779 +6.9%
Oakville in 1950), combined with the increasing desire for personal mobility, and the practice of zoning, created many of the problems we face today. Burlington was built on this model, which divides the city into four basic uses: dwelling, work, recreation, and transportation. As it turns out, Greenberg knows about Burlington’s situation, and even spoke at one of the Mayor’s “Inspire Burlington” events in 2013. So what does an expert think about our situation? And does he believe intensification will work for us? “It depends how it’s handled,” says Greenberg. “A lot of it has to do with overcoming an overdependence on the automobile.” This will potentially be our biggest challenge as we shift into the new plan, because according to Greenberg 26 per cent of people in North America between the ages of 16 and 34 don’t have a drivers’ licenses, which is a big increase from previous years. This is one of the reasons that our city plan involves more mixed-use development, in-
Year
Pop.
±%
1911 1921 1931 1941 1951 1961 1971 1981 1991 1996 2001 2006 2011
2,372 +44.4% 3,298 +39.0% 3,857 +16.9% 4,115 +6.7% 6,910 +67.9% 10,366 +50.0% 61,483 +493.1% 75,773 +23.2% 114,670 +51.3% 128,405 +12.0% 144,738 +12.7% 165,613 +14.4% 182,520 +10.2%
Milton Year
Pop.
1911 1921 1931 1941 1951 1961 1971 1981 1991 1996 2001 2006 2011
1,654 +20.6% 1,873 +13.2% 1,839 -1.8% 1,964 +6.8% 2,451 +24.8% 5,629 +129.7% 7,018 +24.7% 28,067 +299.9% 32,075 +14.3% 32,104 +0.1% 31,471 -2.0% 53,939 +71.4% 84,362 +56.4%
±%
Halton Hills
Burlington Waterfront
Year
Pop.
±%
1981 1991 1996 2001 2006 2011
35,190 36,816 42,390 48,184 55,289 59,008
— +4.6% +15.1% +13.7% +14.7% +6.7%
Burlington Nightscape cluding residential with retail, office space, and more. Hopefully it will bring more young people to the area, and provide a great place for our aging baby boomers to live without vehicles. “One of the great opportunities we have in Burlington is the opportunity to build around mobility hubs,” says Goldring. “So the Burlington GO station and the Aldershot GO station in particular, are great opportunities for us to build new, non-traditional subdivisions in close proximity to major transit.” He also says the city is working on a transportation master plan that will be done by the end of the year. So should we all get rid of our cars? Because there are people out there who would rebel against the idea, and many still hold onto the feeling that cars mean freedom. Greenberg has an answer for that as well, saying that more people are now looking for car shares and other types of services, where
they have access to a car, but don’t have the full expense of owning one. It costs around $10,000 per year to maintain an automobile, and the average Burlington household has 1.7 cars per household. “That is where the future lies,” says Greenberg, referring to car shares. He also says that many condo developers in downtown Toronto are putting car shares right in their buildings, so that residents have convenient access to them. Burlington has no plan for this yet. Maybe if we as consumers demand it, we could make that change. In terms of our future, Greenberg seemed to have a very positive outlook, saying that we have many things working in our favour including the waterfront, our historic core, and the QEW passing through. He also says that architecture matters, and for more reasons than just aesthetics. “The buildings have to work well, they have to fit well in their context, they have to
work with their neighbours, so it’s not just the styling of the buildings, it’s fundamentally how they work in your community,” says Greenberg. He adds, “I think Spencer’s Restaurant is one of the nicest places to eat on the Waterfront anywhere that I can think of on the northern shoreline of Lake Ontario, and a lot of it has to do with the architecture and the landscape around it.” The architects we have chosen in the past have done well in making Burlington flow naturally. A good example is the new Performing Arts Centre. Maybe the city will become more dense, but maybe it will also grow in character and curb appeal. So just how much are we growing, and why? “Why we grow is really initiated by the federal government,” says Goldring. He explains that the Federal Government allows a certain number of immigrants into the Canada each year, (a quarter of a million per year over the past several years) and two thirds of
Your tax dollar (Taken directly from The report “your 2014 municipal tax dollars at work” released by the Mayor’s office.) The City of Burlington gets $0.42 per $1.00 of residential property tax. The City of Burlington collects taxes for the city, Halton Region and the Halton District School Boards. For each 2014 residential dollar collected approximately 42 per cent goes to the city, 36 per cent goes to Halton Region and 22 per cent goes to the Halton District School Boards. How we arrived at a monthly figure based on a Burlington home (Average house value: $400,000) Approved Tax Rate
Median House Value
Taxes
.00377824
X $400,000
= $1,511
Halton Region
.00329796
X $400,000
= $1,319
Education
.00203000
X $400,000
= $812
Burlington
2014 Annual Total Property Tax = $3,642 2014 Monthly Total Property Tax = $304 2014 Monthly City Property Tax = $126 26 BCity Winter 2015
those people want to come to the GTA. The Province of Ontario plans for an increase of 150,000 people, and wants to do so in a way that doesn’t result in the destruction of all of our farm land, or a complete continuation of urban sprawl. This is why we need a more responsible way to grow, and more density in urban areas. In 2006 the province decided that Halton Region should absorb about 390,000 of these people, doubling it’s population by 2031. Recently, the region has been handed the 2041 target of 220,000 more people. In the next few months the municipalities will be meeting to discuss how the 2041 projections will be divided. What is really impressive is not just the magnitude of these num-
bers, but that these plans are already rolling 25 years in advance. It almost makes you feel safe doesn’t it? To know that there are people out there planning for our future and thinking very, very long term. And it’s not just about housing, it’s also about services, the environment, and more. “Another important priority is our community energy plan,” says Goldring. The community energy plan identifies areas for improvement around energy consumption (…) to create a culture of conservation.” The plan will assess the potential for local generation of sustainable sources of electricity, the use of smart grid technology, green buildings, and how transportation is managed
with the objective of using less fossil fuel. So is Burlington sustainable? For now, yes. The next 25 years are already being planned. But will we ever have a highway running through our greenbelt? Maybe not in the next twenty to thirty years at least, but if you want to make an impact on those decisions the time for getting involved is now. It may be that not everyone is pleased, or maybe the changes will happen so gradually we won’t even realize we are adapting. It is good that we are moving toward more environmentally friendly endeavors, and reassuring to know we will be taking care of the aging population at the same time. Although change can be scary, you can’t have improvement without it.
Census Population (2001, 2006, 2011) and Population Growth for Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Halton Hills and for the Region of Halton.
BURLINGTON Population Growth %
OAKVILLE
MILTON
HALTON HILLS
HALTON REGION
Census Year
Population
2001
150836
2006
164415
9.0%
165615
14.4%
53940
71.4%
55290
14.7%
439255
17.1%
2011
175779
6.9%
182520
10.2%
84360
56.4%
59010
6.7%
501665
14.2%
Population
Population Growth %
144740
Population
Population Growth %
31470
Population
Population Growth %
48185
Population
Population Growth %
375230
Table comprised of Statistics Canada Census data from 2001, 2006 and 2011 for Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Halton Hills and Halton Region.
Get Involved! The public is always encouraged to get involved, and there are some easy ways to voice your opinion such as going online to www.insightburlington.com, where you can answer questions monthly about issues the city is dealing with. www.insightburlington.com The mayor also hosts “Inspire Burlington” events, where he brings in keynote speakers (interesting fact - Ken Greenberg was a keynote speaker during last term!) to engage in some of the issues we are dealing with.
Jamesin Rossborough is interested in politics, health, and animal welfare. She enjoys continuous learning, and in her spare time takes various educational courses, and volunteers at a wildlife hospital and rehabilitation centre.
BCity Winter 2015 27
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Why building up Hamilton builds up Burlington Michael R. Marini, MA, Cert. PR, APR Coordinator, Marketing for the Economic Development Department for the City of Hamilton Photos courtesy of City of Hamilton
Hamilton Artcrawl
Hamilton and Burlington share a common bay, a common lake, a common transportation system, a common regional economy, and a common sense of great community pride. Although two distinct municipalities, the histories of these two communities are well interwoven, and what is good for one, will undoubtedly have good results for the other.
O
ver the past several years, Hamilton has experienced a great renaissance that is generating positive results for the entire region. Over the past five years, Hamilton has averaged more than $1 billion in building permit values - with a good ratio of residential to non-residential. The community has welcomed two major investments from Maple Leaf Foods (with one now under the ownership of Groupo Bimbo of Mexico) that totaled more than $500 million, 1,000 new jobs, and approximately one million square feet of new
industrial space. In the west end of the city, McMaster Innovation Park continues to grow, with a focus on innovation and the commercialization of research coming out of McMaster University. Also this past year, Fraunhofer based in Germany - Europe’s largest applicationoriented research organization - and McMaster University created the McMaster-Fraunhofer Project Centre for Biomedical Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing (BEAM) adding immense prominence to Hamilton-based research on a global scale. BCity Winter 2015 29
Hamilton’s McMaster - Fraunhofer Health Sciences Facility Economic results such as these have boosted local employment, and are attracting more positive attention for Hamilton. Hamilton’s economy has been ranked the most diversified in Canada and the fastest growing in Ontario by the Conference Board of Canada, and has been ranked the best place to invest in Canada and Ontario by Site Selection Magazine of Atlanta and the Real Estate Investment Network of Calgary respectively. Just as Burlington has enjoyed years of positive growth in its downtown core, now
Hamilton Dempster’s Plant 30 BCity Winter 2015
Hamilton is starting to experience a revival of its own. In Hamilton’s downtown core, there are more than 2,000 condominium units either under construction or soon to be under construction with much of the market being comprised of young professionals and empty nesters. Glen Norton, Manager Urban Renewal for Hamilton’s Economic Development Office says, “It certainly is a great time to invest in Hamilton, and, more particularly, any of Hamilton’s community downtowns. There’s
a real surge of momentum. From the galleries, to the international and artisanal dining experiences, to the chic cafes popping up, our downtowns are becoming not only about working, but being a great place to live as well.” Vast improvements that have included four new animation studios from the GTA, two new university projects, major hotels being constructed, and a waterfront that is unrivaled in this region in terms of development opportunities. Coupled with this is the major attention for music and culture that keeps crowds coming to the city, events like the Festival of Friends, the Locke Street Festival, the Dundas Cactus Festival and the annual Supercrawl Music and Art Festival. Hamilton has experienced one of the lowest rates of unemployment in Ontario over the past several years, and with people working in the city, there has been a greater attraction to Hamilton as a place to live as well. Burlington’s average residential sale price in 2014 was $506,217, but various communities in Hamilton fared just as well or even better (Ancaster was $498,397, Flamborough was $529,048, and Glanbrook was $519,192). In short, Hamilton’s housing market is one of the hottest in Canada. What does a strengthening economy in Hamilton, mean for Burlington? It means a solid regional economy that provides new investment opportunities for Burlington firms in the areas of collaboration and supply chain management, and new employment opportunities for residents of Burlington. As major economies across the globe are competing
not as individual municipalities, but rather regional economies, the Hamilton-Burlington economy should be viewed as a loose partnership in order to compete with the world. Our two municipal borders share a talent pool, knowledge base, and industry that can provide a supply chain for investments from across the country and world. For those in Burlington, what is on the horizon for Hamilton that should be of note is the development of Hamilton’s waterfront. Not many Ontario municipalities have a waterfront, which is so development ready, close to major transportation accesses and a major urban centre. Over the next year, Hamilton will see the James Street North GO terminal open to the public offering more direct Toronto commuting options and increased infrastructure work around the waterfront to better water, wastewater capacity and break walls directly at the waterfront’s shores. All this work is in anticipation of the nearly $500 million in development value and 1,600 new residential units planned for Hamilton’s waterfront. With so much happening in Hamilton, there are some final points to keep in mind for those in Burlington. “If you haven’t visited in a while, take a look at any of our six community downtowns and 13 BIAs, walk along the waterfront, visit a great restaurant, perhaps find your next real estate investment, but most of all, look past the smoke stacks,” says Norton. “Steel is still a large part of our economic story, but it’s a chapter in a greater narrative. A narrative that focuses on rebirth, new points of interest, new opportunities, and the reclaiming of what we now call the, ‘Ambitious City’.” www.investinhamilton.ca
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Working with a Designer to Build your Dream Home Darren Sanger-Smith B.ARCH
Working with a Designer can save you money, stress and time managing your design and build projects. Trained designers are educated in classic design and building processes. Designers possess years of experience and are most often connected with quality building trades to make the process of taking your wish list and making it a reality, within your budget. The wish list and budget is entirely up to you!
T
he time has come for you to renovate your kitchen, put that small addition on or build that dream home that you have been thinking of. What is the first step you should take before you hire a designer? First, you need a wish list. A wish list is a line-by-line description of all of the needs and wants of your project not to mention a few really “nice to have’s” that you want to be included. The idea here is to not to design the house or renovation, but rather, outline what you want. How are you going to live in the house? Do you entertain a lot? How do you work in your kitchen? As you prepare this list, go through room by room and outline all of the key elements that you want and need. This list will help your designer understand how you want to use the space, how you will function in it. Next, you need to express to your designer the style of home or renovation that you are looking for. Often, in a renovation, the existing conditions will help dictate the design direction, but pictures of interiors and exteriors of houses help put the last pieces of the puzzle together. Keep in mind, you are never looking for the exact picture, you are looking for elements, colours and materials. Leave the exact picture to your designer to create for you.
32 BCity Winter 2015
The last and most important item that you need is your budget. It is critical that when you meet with your designer, you relay to them what your budget is for your project. At that time, before the design starts, you can work through the scope of work and your
wish list and ensure you are starting off with a realistic budget that matches with your detailed wish list. Be careful what you wish for, because it just might come true!
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FASHION MEETS HOME Start with a good base. Like classic wardrobe pieces, home interiors can combine practicality with colour palettes that will be loved for years to come Amra Durakovic
A
s we enter the new year, it’s exciting to look forward to the new trends that are shaping our homes. But even more inspiring is interpreting the colour, materials and items on offer, and discovering the distinct looks they create. I had the opportunity to speak with top interior designers at the GTA Home and Reno show this past February 13 - 16 at the International Mississauga Centre.
Mural Unique Concrete Textured Wallpaper
The consensus among designers is that we are seeing interiors moving towards looks that are as much about individuality and personality as is fashion. “It’s the idea of creating a space that’s just you,” say Toronto-based interior design duo Glen Peloso and Jamie Alexander. Buying only that which you really love will help ensure you hit the right notes by creating a look that’s uniquely you. Anderson’s Interiors
50 shades of grey “Using grey (successfully, artfully) is anything but dull, and when done correctly, a layered grey palette creates a sophisticated environment,” suggests Barbara Nyke, interior decorator and sustainable designer for Nikke Design. But as for which shades to choose, it’s a case of pretty much anything goes. Mix a deep charcoal for a moodier yet subtle feel. There’s also plenty of bound fabrics around; herringbone, tweed and menswear inspired wools are all gaining popularity.
Threadcount Textile & Design fabrics Top to bottom: Tessuti - Knox Powder, Urban Woolens 5110-11, Tessuto Tonal Sisal
Mural Unique Concrete Textured Wallpaper Do your walls look nondescript? Wallpaper - a growing trend - could be the answer. Canadian wallpaper experts, Mural Unique offer wall murals derived from Canadian artists - this concrete textured wallpaper is right under the influence of our image driven world.
Natural textures have been creeping back into our home decor; salvaged wood, stone and agate are all stealing the spotlight in 2015. Unusual pieces such as the reclaimed boat collection from Artemano add character and personality, shown through the beautifully unique materials.
Artemano Boat Series Collection
BCity Winter 2015 37
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Mixing old and new There will be an increase in home styling – reinterpreting rather than totally replacing – with old treasures displayed alongside modern buys; choosing carefully, valuing craftsmanship and buying direct from makers where we can, giving us a curated look. Want your room to look less sterile? Introduce warm metallics like bronze, copper and matte gold to add visual depth and warmth.
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Centro Gardens Workshop Cage Lights (small and large) If you’re thinking of redecorating this spring, don’t miss your chance to meet Canada’s favourite Scottish design duo: Colin and Justin from the famed “Home Heist” series along with 700 home related exhibitors at the National Home Show from 13 - 22 March in the Direct Energy Centre. Visit www.nationalhomeshow.com for detailed information.
Where to shop Centro Garden: www.centrogarden.com Artemano Modern and Solid Wood Furniture: www.artemano.ca Threadcount Textile & Design: www.threadcountinc.com Mural Unique wallpaper: www.muralunique.com GTA and surrounding area designers Anderson’s Interiors: www.andersoncarpetandhome.com Glen Peloso and Jamie Alexander: www.glenandjamie.com Barbara Nyke: www.nikkadesign.ca BCity Winter 2015 39
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40 BCity Winter 2015
Building the Basics of Feel Good Fashion On average a person only wears 10 per cent of the clothes we hang in our closet. We usually reach for the pieces that are the most comfortable to wear. To build a fabulous wardrobe you really only need a few key pieces to get you going, dressed and feeling fabulous. You can build and add from the base to have a wardrobe that can take you from the office to date night in a snap! We all know you can’t go wrong with black; it’s slimming, always looks great and is a go-to for most women. Adding a pop of colour will keep things fresh like the rich blueberry we have featured. This blue works great with black or white so this look is a year-round essential. Check out the next few pages and find the style that speaks to you - classic, comfortable and stylish as always at HeyHey & Co.
HeyHey & Co.’s personalized service will help you find the look that works best for you. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with evening and weekend appointments available. 480 Guelph Line Suite 3 Burlington, ON L7R 3M1 289-337-4333 www.heyheyandco.com Black Panel Lace Dress Show off your curves in this figure hugging dress, centre panel variations available. $190 VIP $160*
Model: Janey Reilly Makeup Artist: Mary Anne Figlionmeni
ALL PHOTOS: MARCIE COSTELLO PHOTOGRAPHY BCity Winter 2015 41
Swing Dress shown in black with black and white polka dot print Belt sold separately Print and colour variations available $150 VIP $120* Swing Coat in black with faux leather cuffs $220 VIP $180*
Black Racer Back Dress $130 VIP 95* Topped with our Faux Leather and Knit Crop Jacket $160 VIP 120*
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Swing Knit Top in blueberry $110 VIP $95* Pencil Skirt in blueberry $85 VIP $65* Swing Knit Cardigan shown in blueberry Also available in black, white and blush pink $125 VIP $110*
44 BCity Winter 2015
The “Shari� one shoulder black knit top $75 VIP $55* Works nicely with our Black Knit Leggings for a simple but striking look. Top this look with our Swing Cardigan for a casual look or with heels and a Swing Coat for an elegant feel
BCity Winter 2015 45
46 BCity Winter 2015
look
black tshirt
Oakville & Burlington
SOUS VIDE SUPREMOS
Selling the building blocks of molecular cuisine Alex Bielak, Contributing Food and Drink Editor Photos by Alex Bielak
W
Chef John Placko (left) with Dustin Skeotch (Cedarlane Culinary) with posters from Modernist Cooking
ould you cook with a colourless, odourless chemical called dihydrogen monoxide (DHMO)? What about sodium bicarbonate or a substance known as NaCl? You have almost certainly done so, using water, baking soda and salt which are the common names for the three compounds. Would you allow your kids to eat sodium alginate? Tick “yes” if they have ever had Cheez Whiz: it is but one in a long list of ingredients. Admittedly you might not (yet) have had agar agar, calcium lactate gluconate, methyl cellulose, sodium citrate or calcium chloride in your larder, but it’s a fair bet that you’ve consumed one or more of them, whether as part of fast or processed foods, or during a meal at a high-end restaurant that has used a molecular cooking technique to prepare their dishes. Burlington is home to two successful companies that distribute such products. One sells by the tonne, the other is forging a new market, providing molecular gastronauts with the small quantities of such in-
gredients, and the specialised modernist equipment they need to produce astonishing fare in restaurants or at home. As Toronto-bound commuters whiz along the QEW, they might peripherally register the name Cedarlane as they approach Appleby Line. The company – with more than 60 employees in Burlington, and more at their U.S. office – distributes life science products and reagents from a portfolio of more than two million items, made by more than one thousand global companies. From humble beginnings (yes, they actually started in a garage) they came to Burlington from Milton about eight years ago, growing revenue by 400 per cent over the past decade. Company owner John Course says, “Burlington is a wonderful place to live and raise a family. The talent pool is second to none and we also have great access to the highway.” About five years ago, Course, who says he loves to eat, saw the opportunity to expand into the health care and food markets. A dinner BCity Winter 2015 47
conversation with his brother’s close friend, noted chef and molecular cuisine specialist, John Placko, helped him solidify his thinking, leading to the formation of a small, but growing, culinary division. A young employee who had been with the company for less than two years, Dustin Skeotch, was tapped to build Cedarlane Culinary. He turned immediately to Placko for advice and mentorship, acknowledging the chef, “Was paramount in getting the whole thing going.” The goal, as Placko describes it, was to focus on modern cooking and to, “Bring ingredients and equipment to the everyday consumer.” A self-avowed, “grilled-cheese kind of a guy,” Skeotch spent his first months researching the field, guided by the book Modernist Cuisine (see sidebar) that Placko – who was at the tail end of his job as Director of Culinary Excellence at Maple Leaf Foods, and about to launch his own molecular gastronomy-focussed business – had recommended as a reference. Skeotch developed a selective list of equipment that would not be over the head of, or too expensive for, the home consumer. He said the no-brainer cornerstone of the project was the sous vide (cooking under vacuum) technique. He concluded cooking vacuumsealed foods in a water bath at constant temperature was easy, convenient, healthy, helped produce amazing food, and provided such potential benefits to the consumer that it was, as he put it, “Never going to go away.” On behalf of Cedarlane, he secured the Canadian distribution rights to the Sous Vide Supreme, a breadbox sized all-in-one sous vide system that would fit comfortably on a countertop. Think of it as a modern-day crockpot. Other products followed, including Gourmet Whips (think an improved soda siphon) and Placko’s Powder for Texture line of chemicals aimed at both chefs and adventur-
Powder for Texture products ous home cooks. “With a sous vide, a whip, and some of John’s ingredients, you can do half the recipes in Modernist Cuisine,” says Skeotch. His favourite dish to-date is deconstructed Buffalo chicken wings, which he rattled off how to prepare like a pro (The recipe is on the Cedarlane Culinary website). Skeotch who says he now cooks duck confit, “On a Tuesday just for the hell of it, and because it is pretty easy to do in the sous vide machine,” has come a long way from that grilled-cheese guy. While Quebec and Ontario are his biggest markets, culinary products
Dustin Skeotch of Cedarlane Culinary with modernist culinary equipment 48 BCity Winter 2015
distributed by Cedarlane are now in more than 70 retail stores across Canada including The Bay, with more signing up every month. The market is trending upwards, and now people are calling him to stock items rather than the other way around. His boss, John Course, told us he is pleased with how things are going, and, depending on the roll out of new products, sees the Culinary Division expanding in the next year or so, which can only be good news for those interested in modernist food. There’s another significant Burlingtonbased company playing a major role in the distribution of more-mainstream culinary ingredients, Quadra Chemicals Ltd. Longrecognised as one of the top 50 Best Managed Companies in Canada, not to mention one of the best employers, they’ve been flying under the radar as a significant local employer since 1991. (They declined to be interviewed for this piece, because they consider they are not a household name or brand, but are, rather, a distributor only, sending out minimum orders of 1000 kilograms to processors and manufacturers.) About a quarter of their 240 employees are from Burlington, with fifteen or so involved directly in the food side of the business that includes a seemingly never-ending list of products. They count colourings, flavourings, concentrates, preservatives, dried fruits, chocolate, nutritional supplements, wellness food ingredients among their offerings, and, of course, baking soda by the palette-load. When added to Cedarlane’s merchandise, it seems Burlington might be a not-entirelyaccidental epicentre of Canada’s food industry, whether traditional or modern.
Alex Bielak is a contributing food and drink editor to B City Magazine. A passionate cook, epicure and storyteller, his engaging writing and photos have appeared in various Canadian and international media, including a regular online column in The Hamiltonian. Follow him on Twitter: @AlexBielak
Cedarlane
What is molecular gastronomy, who is doing it in Burlington, and can you do it at home? for Texture” (available for $4.99 An amalgam of cuisine with via www.powderfortexture.com, or science, the term, “Molecular and from Cedarlane). Physical Gastronomy,” was coined I also made a good first attempt, in the late ‘80s by a Hungarianwith nothing but frozen peas, stock, born, British physicist and a French a bit of fresh mint and seasoning, my Chemist. Drs. Hervé This and Nihand-blender and two chemicals, at colas Kurti were both passionate Adrià’s near-magical, spherical, cooks whose research involved the liquid pea ravioli recipe. Difficult physical properties of food, and to describe adequately, the end rehow they could be transformed ussult is a bit like an egg yolk, but it’s ing avant-garde approaches, ingrepea soup encapsulated in a thin gel dients and equipment. membrane. The ravioli burst on the A decade later, after Kurti tongue in a spurt of flavour. passed away, the word physical For many recipes, however, you’d was dropped from the definition. require some of the more accessible, Latterly ‘Modernist Cuisine’ has but not inexpensive gadgets (e.g. become à la mode, driven substansous vide circulator or machine, tially by Nathan Myhrvold, former vacuum sealer, smoking gun, Whip Microsoft Chief Technology Offi– which is basically a soda siphon– cer, and author of the so-titled, influential multi-volume $625 tome. Liquid Pea Ravioli with truffle salt Photo by Hélène Dupuis blowtorch etc.) For instance a compact Sous Vide Supreme, ‘Demi’ A trimmed-down, but still massive, model is available at Costco.ca for ‘at home’ version is available from rant in Ottawa is highly acclaimed, including www.cedarlaneculinary.ca for $120. by Placko who calls him a, “Very, very tal- $350 and will soon appear in the stores themProgressive Cuisine (another term you ented chef.” Lepine was crowned Canadian selves, a sure-fire indicator the technique has might hear) approaches, involving and trans- Culinary Champion in 2012, and dinner at become mainstream. What else is on the horizon? Much furforming the very building blocks of dishes, his restaurant is an almost theatre-like experither out there, and a far harder sell, Dr. This have been adopted and pushed much fur- ence. ther by chefs who have consistently been In Burlington, Matteo Paonessa of Black- is championing what he has called “Note by acclaimed as the best in the world. Spain’s tree Restaurant produces inventive dishes that Note” cuisine. Pure molecular compounds, Ferran Adrià, of the now shuttered El Bulli, Placko calls, “Amazing,” from his tiny kitch- rather than conventional ingredients (like led the way, but preferred to call his style de- en. Two other chefs to watch are Chef Will meat and plants), are used to create edible constructivist. Thomas Keller of The French Edsall of the Queen’s Head Pub and Chef mixtures (dishes). He was quoted by the Laundry in California (and author of a key, Mitchell Lamb of Stone House Restaurant. As BBC as saying this is akin to, “A painter usearly cookbook on sous vide - Under Pres- evidenced by the inventive food they served ing primary colours or a musician composing sure: Cooking Sous Vide), Heston Blumen- up at the Winter Taste of Burlington launch, note by note.” Beyond any culinary applications, and thal of The Fat Duck in the UK, Grant Achatz they have been experimenting with modernist of Alinea in Chicago, and René Redzepi of approaches and we can expect their menus to putting aside visions of Soylent Green, the creation of nutritious “foods” from basic Noma in Copenhagen are also regarded as reflect that in the future. pioneers who have incorporated aspects of You too can try some of the techniques chemical building blocks, such as those sold molecular gastronomy into their menus and at home. For example I made the smoothest to individuals or in bulk by companies like cookbooks, whatever term is used. gluten-free cheese sauce ever, using nothing Cedarlane and Quadra, might eventually In Canada, John Placko is the go-to-guru more than my stovetop, a hand blender, milk, contribute to more sustainable and energyother chefs seek advice from on molecular good cheese, and a half-tablespoon of so- efficient food production. Alex Bielak cuisine, while Mark Lepine at Atelier restau- dium citrate from Placko’s line of “Powders BCity Winter 2015 49
BURLINGTON
By the Numbers
There is no doubt that Burlington is a growing, vibrant city. In 2014, Money Sense Magazine ranked Burlington the number one best medium-sized city in which to live. Over the years we have seen a population growth that outpaces the provincial average and that means we as a community are going to need to find creative ways to grow and service our expanding populace. Here we take a look at Burlington by the numbers. As of the
2011
census Burlington’s Population was
175,779 Burlington’s population grew
6.9% 2006-2011
between
growing faster than the provincial average during the same time, which was
5.7%
Burlington’s annual GDP is
$8.07 billion dollars This is driven by the finance, insurance, real estate, business, professional, scientific and technical service sectors, which make up
34% $2.7 billion dollars of the GDP, or,
The annual average income in Burlington is
$86,174
There are
69,813
Burlington’s land area is
185.66
square kilometres with a population density of
946.8
persons per square kilometer
Over the next
private houses in Burlington
25
years, Ontario’s population is expected to grow by
30% 16.5 million
to
people
The average age of Burlington residents is
The GTA which includes Halton and Burlington is expected to grow by
41.8
40% 25
over the next
years old
Today there are roughly
years which means Burlington will require between
11,000 25,000 to
new housing units including apartments, condos, townhouses and single houses
The Tansley area has grown by more than
62%
in the last ten years while Wellington area has grown the least with a growth rate of
1.4%
Over the next
25
800
long-term care beds in Burlington. An aging population will require new care facilities Burlington’s unemployment rate is
4.6% 6.4%
while Ontario’s unemployment rate is
80%
of Burlington residents drive to work, while only
8%
use public transit
years those aged
65 21.4%
and older
are expected to represent
of the total population of Ontario Photos Provided By Tourism Burlington
10 100
There are
universities within kilometres of Burlington BCity Winter 2015 51
Who gets the last word?
Mayor Rick Goldring We ask the Mayor about his future plans, building Burlington and what he would like his legacy to be as the Mayor of the best city in which to live. Photo by Marcie Costello Photography At the local level what influence do you have in the plans for what is built in Burlington in the next 10 years? Our Official Plan and Strategic Plan are two key documents that set the direction for development in Burlington. Based on these guiding documents, the future will be determined by a collaborative vision among my colleagues on council, staff and citizens. What future building initiatives are you particularly supportive of? As our city has almost reached build out, I believe we have to be innovative in our planning and building. I support mixed-use development at sites like mobility hubs (i.e. near our GO stations), growth corridors (i.e. Plains Rd. and Fairview St.), downtown and our aging retail plazas. What is your primary focus to encourage and support as Mayor in building the future of Burlington? My view throughout the past eight years and moving forward this term is responsible development that fosters a healthy mix of live and work opportunities. This will help enhance our quality of life. What “green” initiatives are integrated into the building of the future Burlington? Burlington’s development plans will continue to focus on development within our urban boundaries to ensure we preserve our natural lands, like the Niagara Escarpment and the Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System. You and your council have sought to improve community communication to work together collaboratively and reach a consensus for present and future planning. What processes do you believe in that will improve communication and consensus building?
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Based on considerable resident feedback, it is clear we need to do a better job as elected officials, city staff, developers and builders explaining the policies that are driving our growth, and how we are responsibly managing it. Early and frequent engagement between all parties is essential. Do you recognize value in conflict when consensus cannot be reached? If so what is the value? If not why? Development, especially intensification, can be a controversial issue in any community. Healthy dialogue is always encouraged to ensure we are hearing and considering a variety of viewpoints. Consensus is not always possible, but we always strive for a fair and balanced process. What best practices do you lead with to encourage consensus building? It is important for the City of Burlington to create understanding and dialogue around the context of intensification. We have tools for community engagement, such as Insight Burlington and Inspire Burlington, and we need to maximize those to their full potential. When citizens are in conflict with a building project what process to you recommend to best voice positions and opinions and have an influence? An ideal time for resident feedback is during the Official Plan review and the development of a Strategic Plan – both of which are currently underway. In regards to specific applications, resident input through communication with council and staff, as well as delegating at meetings is also important.
There is an Official Plan that states the future building plans for Burlington. Where can people read the Official Plan? Prepared with input from the public, an Official Plan is a statutory document required by the province that describes a city’s land use strategy over the next 20 years. The City of Burlington’s Official Plan can be found on its website www.burlington.ca. Anyone interested can also visit city hall in person to access a copy of the Official Plan. Last but not least: having successfully been elected for a second term and perhaps for future term, as Mayor what is the legacy you are building in the next term? My goal throughout my time in office is to make City Hall approachable to residents. Only with significant community dialogue can we can nurture a Burlington that is prosperous, sustainable and vibrant. We are stronger when we work together.
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BCity Winter 2015 53
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