The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

-n Controversv surrounds homophobia pilot project By KIM ARNOTT Special to The Champion Some of Halton's Catholir school board trustees are con- cerned that a pilot project on bomophobia may be sending its high sehool students the wrong message. The airru of the six-week long pilot project, runntisg ai Burlington 's Assumption high scbool and Georgetown*s Christ the King high school. is 10 increise îwareness around issues of homno phobia. But trtstees are afraid the pro- gram might offer studetsts a differ- cnt perspective on hotssosexuility than the Catholic church promotea. The program, being offered 10 students on a velunteer biais dur- ing lunch heurs; or afinr school, is mun by the Hilton Organization for Pride in Educition (H.OP.E.). "The orginization itself leaves me grratly concemed with wber thry're comning fromt in terms of their ideas on bomnosrxuality," suid Burligton Truster Joanne Mintera. Noting that she viaited the group's Web site, Ma Maltera T) added, "Clearly they are net identi- ftably i fine wtth the Catholic cburch's position on montls." But school board Director Lou Piovesan told trustees il a board meeting liai Tuesdîy nigbt thît he spoke directly te the area bishop about tbe program and received bis approx al. "It hals notbttsg te do with pro- moting a lifestvie that is incetnpît- ible and net endorsed by our sys- terr,- be said, adding that the pro- gramn is concerurd with creatitsg i sale envirennient for aIl students. Following a 1997 survey by the Ballon Regional Heîlth Department, whicb foutsd that gay students in the region frequently fer! isolatrd and vulnerîble, H.OP.E. wîs established. It wîs recrntly îwîrded a $14 4000 grant from the federîl govemmeisi te mun the youth peer educîtion prograru airurd il. pre- vrnting bomophobia and bite crimes in Hiton bigb achools. Mr. Piovesan notrd tbat Usere have bren difficultirs in somne Catholic bigb schools with tîunting and verbal abuse of students "wboae lifestyle ia net in kerping with the mijority of students." "I have tnet witb setne of those studrnts and thev have sbîred sonne of their concerets witb me thît are pretty serieus." Mr. Pievesan îdded. Burlington Trustee Bob Van de Vnînde said be bas receis'ed a raur- ber of phetne caIls fromn memnbers ef the public wbo ire cencemned witb the pregrain. "Peeple are frcaking out," be said. "They're expreasing very majer concem." He questioned whetber the pro- gram is appropriate in a Cîthelic school setting aîsd suggested a generie anti-bullyiîsg prograru, deliveed by teachers, could be more effective in countering harasament problerus. "This is a controversial issue pre- sented by a controversial group." said Mr. Van de Vraisde. Mr. Piovesan said the sessions beld with volunteer atudents arr monitored closely by board staff te enaure Use content is ipprepriate. "I'm, îware thît there are senst- tivities brr on both aides of this issue," be said. The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, Apil 27, 2004-7 OPP recruitin.p new officers The deadior is fast approacng fot Use Ontario Provincial Police's second OPPBound recmuitnsent prograin, which will be held this sommer in Orillia. Tlsi5 year, Use OPPBon recruiting venture is aimed at incressing tse awarr- ness of employment opporsanities for Aboriginal womnen and men in policing. 'The onr-week camp wili serve as a vehicîr 10 provide qualified Aboriginal women and men with ais opportunity to explore a caner with the OPP. The application deadliîsr for OPPBound2004 is this Sansrday. 'Me five-day mniù-OP> recruit camp will be held at Use Provincial Police Academny tretn July il te 15. Participants will leam about the histo- ry and traditions of tse OPP and the pro- grain will incluc'le a number of mentoring sessions with key Aboriginal officers who will share their experiences. Participants will also have Use opportu- nity to experience a week ini the life of an OPP recruit, taking part in firearms exer- ciscs, fitness drilla, police vehicle opera- fions and other practical exercises. Aboriginal men and women interested in this prograin cats fusd information and apply on-line at opp.ca or by callmng the OPP Uniforos Recruitmrent Unit ai I1- 866-393-3337. I)srniq Our A ,4 Bj irthday à --, Celebrafwon Join a Winnier!. <4Be a Winnier!. Over $1 Million in prizes! 4" You cald WIN 1 of 10 two-year teass os a Mercedes-Bensz C230 Kîmpressîr Spart Coupe. Plas Ihîuanda if Cther prizha, incladisg instant wina. (No purchase necesaary - aie club for details) à GoodLik'" FIT NES S CL UB S Makea .,s it easy C5I 1, n ,5 CICT erl Idm Ap,, 30 ?004 Rnas n goq,1dr vb,4 ai .3 a dLtevvv 1, 01151 . 1, olqr,55 409 Mais St. E. 855 Steties Ave. t. (905) 876-FIT3 (3483) (905) 876-FIUT (3488) Women Onty Co-Ed Brake Service e Tires Steering & Suspension e Auto Electric MOT Safety Inspection Charging Systems Computer diagnostics e General Repairs Conveniently located within walking distance to GO station e 25 years autornotive experîence IMPECC BLE (n?-peka-boi defintion:wïthitfu o er r Ifsu s-iin reord is peret e- ds WAL.-MART CORRECTION NOTICE Due te circumstances beyond eut control, the Siceveless Chambray Border-Print Dress (item #344007215) shown on Page 10 of out flyer (ending May Znd) is unavailable in both regular and Plus sizes. We apologize for any inconvenience thia may have caused.