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I AMetroland Community Newspaper Vol. 139 No. 98 Tuesday, February 16, 1999 32 Pages 750 (GsTmicuded) SSweet SOUnds Milton Chorlaters members pertorm a selection of love songe fram Lupcomlng concert'Glory of Romance' Saturday at Loblaws. Their medley wae ads In celebraition of St. Valentines Day. The group Mill commemo- rate 3Othi annlveraary wlth 'Glory of Romance' this Saturday evenlng at Milton Alliance Church. a WoingHarder Community Page 8 ~" '~' Sports 18 -20 Classified 21 -23 Teachers to settie few details released By STEVE LéBLANO The Champion Students will be back in class this morning after the Halton Catholic District Scbool Board and its 365 high school teachers hamn- mered out a tentative settie- ment yesterday. The three-year agreement - which must stili te ratifled by both sides - brings an end to rnonths of labour dissension and a recent lockout of instnictors. l'ie deal was flnalizcd at 9 a.m. Monday afler more than 75 hours; of intense negotiations. While unable to give details of the settiernent, union leader Joe Pece said te was "fairly confident the teachers will te happy with the agreernent. "We're recommending that they accept the deal," said the president of the Halton Secondary Unit of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association (OECTA). "Some teacters were locked out tefore they had wrapped up semes- ter one. Many of themn were back at. school as early as this morning (Monday> getting up todate."1 Teachers had recenitiy rejected a settlement offer that included one per cent raises in Septemter, 1999, Febwuary, 2000 and February 2001. Board members are expected to put Uieir rubber stamp on Uic deal at tonight's meeting. Teacters wili vote on it later in thc week. If ail goes well, work-to-rule sanctions - still officially in place - could te lifted, which wili mean a retum of extra-curricular activi- tics like after school sports. Halton Catholic District School Board Chair Jirn Sherlock described Uic marathon negotiation sessions as a reiler-coaster ride. -We met for over 20 hours at one stretch. You think you're getting close and then things change. Ail 1 can say is thit it's a mnulti-year deal which should stabilize our system. "I'd like to profoundly apologize to our parents for ail the inconve- niences caused over the last few months."1 Neither the board chair nor thc union leader would offer an opin- ion on whether the settlement was wortb ail the months of anxiety, aggravation and uncertainty. Parent Action Group spokesper- son Ken Graves said hie was thrilled to learn of the seulement yesterday, describing it as "absolutely awesomie." He congratulated both sides for bringing a quick end to Uic lockout and was confident things would return to normal. Mr. Graves added, "I think our group had a lot to do witi dic reso- lution, through our marches and voice in Uic media." The organization of 400 parents had been a vocal presence in encouraging both aides to seule. i.vstmnentfirm cuts tdes! with local ,n.financial dealer By IRENE GENTLE The Champion Longtime Milton financial advisor Michael Bourgon bas left a veil of secrecy and rumnours in bis wake after being at Jeast temporarily turfed from the company he started less than a year ago. His departure followed an announicernent by the Investment Centre Financial Corporation (ICFC> that it has severed its relationship with Mr. Bourgon, of Bourgon Fnancial Services. Mr. Bourgon is no longer authorized to conduct any business on tehaif of ie London, Ontario âncr poration*,esiTîCfC senior vice-president Harry Quigley. "We have terminated our agency agreernent with Mr. Bourgon," hie conflnned. "We did have some con- cerns about client service." The firm has also launched a third-party internai audit into Mr. Bourgon'a on thc job affairs. The investigation is teing conducted by Lindquist, Avery, Kroll and Associates, a Toronto-based forensic and investigative accounting agency. A report on Uic investigation is expected as early as Febniary 19. Mr. Quigley said hie could not expand upon Uic nature of his company's concerna. Nor would lie dis- cuas what kind of irregularity could prompt the agency to cut its ties to an advisor, or initiate an inter- niai investigation. Mr. Qugley ssid te could not comment on whether any client money is at risIk, or speculate on Uic possi- Sses BOURGON on page 4