In an apparent contradiction to open and transparent decision making, Trans Canada has invited select members of various resident's associations to attend a private meeting, including a light dinner, at Othelo's this evening, Tuesday November 24th.
TransCanada has provided each resident association with a series of ground rules to abide. We understand C4CA on learning of the closed nature of the meeting had requested an alternate forum of a public meeting. This public meeting may take place in the New Year, but they are proceeding with this closed door meeting this evening.
A protest rally has been organized for 6:00pm at Othelo's, 2273 Royal Windsor Drive (Northwest corner of Royal Windsor and Ford Dr.), where the private closed-door meeting will take place.
Wayne Joudrie, announces he will be retiring at the completion of his 5 year term in August 2010.
Director Joudrie, oversaw the implementation of the Province's new school closure policy referred to as PARC (Program Accommodation Review Committee) within the Halton District School Board. This was a new Provincial process and one full of controversy in Ward 3 Oakville.
Wayne oversaw a number of positive changes at the Board, as noted in the Board's press release:
setting common goals as outlined in the Board’s Strategic Plan;
improved student achievement, indicated by substantial growth at both the elementary and secondary levels;
construction and opening of nine new schools, as well as multiple renovations as Halton experienced unprecedented growth;
improved staff compliance and alignment to standardized processes, policies and procedures; and
the promise of new corporate systems in Human Resources, Finance and Facility Services under the Project UPDATE initiative
Thursday November 12th the Town of Oakville issued a press release requesting a stronger environmental assessment. The Town's request to the Minister of Environment was sent on the Town's behalf by Toronto environmental lawyer Rodney Northey of Fogler, Rubinoff LLP. A copy of the press release and legal letter can be found here. Press release and Town's Legal letter to Ministry of Environment (1.95 MB)
Earlier in the month, MPP Kevin Flynn called for a moratorium on power plant construction until both the government and OPA (Ontario Power Authority) have the opportunity to examine and consider a draft regulation increasing setback limits. Press Release
This week also saw, C4CA (Citizens for Clean Air) issue a 2 page open letter advertisement in the Oakville Beaver as a rebutal to the Ford Canada full page letter to the community. An Open Letter from Citizens For Clean Air (C4CA)
On Monday November 2nd between 400 and 500 students braved the rain to protest against the Power Plant to be built less than 200 meters away.
The rally was organized by the environment club at Oakville-Trafalgar High School.
Students demanded to know why a power plant is being built so close to a residential area. We also learned this Power Plant is the largest of its kind in Canada and the closest to a residential community.
Student Power Plant Protest Rally Wednesday November 4th 5:30pm Oakville Trafalgar High School parking lot (1460 Devon Road)
A protest march and rally against the proposed power plant has been organized by the Environment Club at OTHS. It is a rare and wonderful opportunity for the students in this community to get engaged in an issue that is relevant to them. It is even rarer to be able to have all the schools, public/Catholic/private, work together in this collaborative way.
Students will gather in the High School parking lot, and then walk along Devon Road, left on Maple Grove Drive and again left on Cornwall Road, ending at Chisholm Education Centre, 1484 Cornwall Road.
A short Rally will be held in the Chisholm parking lot. The OTHS School President and a few others will speak and a DJ has been hired.
Students are encouraged to wear school spirit wear, team uniforms, bring school banners/signs etc.
The entire March will last 15 to 20 minutes, with the entire event to be complete by 6:45pm.
This is an event for the students but adults/parents are welcome to accompany young children. Any and all support is welcome and encouragement from the side of the road or at the Rally at the end. We hope that there will be lots of spectators!
This event will go – rain or shine – please join in ! !
Reports are slowly trickling in from Town Hall for Day 1 of the OMB hearing on the Town's by-law to prevent a power plant greater than 10MW in Oakville. Opposing the by-law is Ford Motors of Canada and TransCanada. TransCanada has been awarded the contract from the OPA (Ontario Power Authority) to build a 900MW power plant on Royal Windsor Drive just at the dead-end of Maple Grove.
Standing room only crowd results in the meeting being moved to council chambers to accomodate the crowd.
Members of the public demonstrate during the hearing with placards opposed to the Power Plant
Ford's lawyer request the media (Global and others) be removed from the hearing room.
The hearing is expected to last 4 days.
If you were at the hearing, please email us at editor@myoakville.org with additional details or post directly on the discussion board.
Feed Entries 
Town's Legal letter to Ministry of Environment (
in Schools by I_heart_oakville, 14-04-10 06:43