MAD Director Delegates
Good morning Mayor and Burlington Council. Thank you for allowing me to delegate this morning.
I am Kirk Robinson, Director of Millcroft Against Bad Development, known as MAD.
On behalf of MAD, we would like to thank Council for their continued support through our 5 ½ year journey to stop the development of the Millcroft Golf Course.
We have asked for the Mayor’s assistance many times throughout our journey and we always receive a timely response. Mayor Meed Ward gave a shout out last week, on CHCH Morning Live, for MAD’s spirit and for
MAD taking the fight straight to the Premier, asking the Premier to step in and save the green space.
We have Councillor Bentivegna on speed dial. We can always count on Angelo to answer our questions. Councillor Bentivegna obliged us most recently
by meeting with the representative of the Kanata residents’ group and speak on our behalf to the history of our fight.
We know the Mayor and Councillor Angelo have other projects and issues, but we always feel listened to and receive answers to our questions.
Thank you!
MAD now has over 18,000 supporters and growing each day.
We attribute our growing support to the success of our social media, broadcast and press coverage. We educate the public regarding the issues and update them with our progress. Our growing support reinforces the need to save the green space, respect the 40-year ecosystem and its wildlife, and not increase the risk of flooding by building on floodplains.
Our social media coverage has exploded in the last 10 weeks since our rally. We average over 1 million daily views. We have been broadcast 7 times in 10 weeks on CHCH News. The front-page coverage in the Hamilton Spectator on July 4 th , ran over a 2-day period because of its high interest.
Two of our representatives, my wife Sonia, and Cynthia Shanahan, are constantly recognized throughout Burlington. Burlington residents are upset how Council unanimously voted no, and yet the developer is able to appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal. Residents cannot understand how the elected municipal officials can be overruled by OLT’s unelected appointees.
The fight to save the green space in Millcroft has united Burlingtonian’s and have rallied behind MAD, but also behind City Council. We are told the fight to save green space makes Burlingtonians proud.
We commend Council for unanimously passing a request for a second MZO on the balance of the property.
As advocates for the protection of green space, MAD strongly encourages Council to express its willingness to participate in the facilitation process, proposed by the Minister of Municipal Affairs & Housing.
This resolution provides important clarity to all parties and reinforce the City’s clear and consistent position, that preserving all remaining green space is the priority.
This step demonstrates Council’s proactive leadership and commitment to environmental stewardship. MAD’S hope is that the facilitation process will ultimately support the protection of these lands, and early action by Council will help set the tone for meaningful and focused dialogue.
MAD has filmed two cameos, one with Burlington’s Citizen of the Year and Order of Canada, Ron Foxcroft, and one with Actor Ethan Peck, from Star Trek Strange New World.
We quote Ron Foxcroft “this development is a very serious, tragic development”. Ron “knows all about flooding” as Chair of the Flood Relief Campaign. “The City cannot afford to lose more green space”.
One of Spock’s famous sayings “The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few or the one” Our delegation this morning confirms the needs of the many, Burlington residents, outweigh the needs of the developer.
We hope the Premier will listen to the people because municipalities know best.
Thank you again for your support.
