I. je - C h is h o lm (9 0 5 ) 8 4 4 -3 2 4 0 SCHOOL SUCCESS Welcome back Spring in Style S ectio n b Second Cup co-founder fondly remembers mom A rtscene Mercedes-Benz O.E.W. X . Dorval Dr. w w w . o a k v ille b e a v e r . c o m www.chisholincentrr.com M O S T \ m BEAVER A W A R D E D C O M M U N IT Y N E W S P A P E R Canadian Open returns to Glen Abbey in 2004 O a k v ille g o l f c lu b w ill h o s t 1 0 0 th a n n iv e r s a r y o f n a tio n a l to u r n a m e n t The Bell Canadian Open golf tournament is returning to Glen Abbey G olf Club in Oakville next year. And it w ill mark the 100th anniversary of Canada's national champi onship. The tournament, last won in Oakville by Tiger Woods in 2000. w ill run September 6-12. 2004. This year's (2003) Bell Canadian Open is very close to home, and will be held September 1-7 at the Hamilton G olf and Country Club. The selection of Glen Abbey by the Royal Canadian G olf Association (R C G A ) to host the PGA Tour event will mark the 23rd time that Glen Abbey has played host to Canada's premier golf championship. " The Bell Canadian Open and Glen Abbey share a long and storied history in Canadian golf and we are just thrilled to celebrate that history together in 2004." said Stephen Ross, RCGA Executive Director. Glen Abbey, the first solo design by Jack Nicklaus, became one of Canada's best-known and respected courses as the permanent home of the Bell Canadian Open from 1977 to 2000. The RC G A built Glen Abbey to host the Bell (S e e Open' page A3) O ntario Health M inister Tony C lem ent at a press conference at llalto n Region h e a d q u arters S atu rd ay m orning announces his govern m ent's seven-point action plan to com bat the West Nile virus. Province unveils West Nile battle plan By Melanie Cummings S I ' l - i a . V . T O T l II . B K A V K R according to ^ gW B * ^ ;« The provincial government is putting Ontario residents on high alert for West Nile virus. During a press conference held Saturday al Ha/ton Region headquarters in Oakville, Ontario Health Minister Tony Clement unveiled a seven-point action plan to combat the mosquito-borne virus. While only one person in Ontario has died directly from the disease, at least 17 people across the province who tested positive for the virus have died and 387 others have become ill since last summer. West Nile virus is spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Due to this, the ministry is urging residents to cover up with long sleeved shirts and pants in the upcoming warmer months, stock up on mosquito repellent, and eliminate mosquitofriendly breeding grounds such as water that collects in bird baths and on pool covers. But while the government is lauding its new plan as "the most aggressive" in the country. Thomson it came one year too late. T li o m s o n 's husband Vern became inl'ccted m the backs aril of H lfe JH home last August. 1I Over the ensuing two weeks, he said he became lethar- ' gic and at the i -»- 2E2 --rSEa point of hospital- Vern Thom son, of MLssization. couldn't jssaUga, spent three even muster the m o n t h s in the hospital energy to get to the before lab tests contoilet. firmed he had the West He remained in [\j|t virus. Credit Valley Hospital for three months, until his diagnosis of West Nile virus was finally confirmed through lab tests done in Winnipeg. Future patients like Thomson won't have to wait as long for confirmation. Part of the money from the S I I-million plan announced Saturday is being directed at enhancing lab equipment and hiring additional staff for Ontario facilities, to enable faster test results. Thomson said, after more than six months, his energy is finally getting back to normal. But. the 75-year-old survivor and 10 other families infected have sought legal advice on a class action suit "not for m onetary gain, hut to bring attention to the public that it rightfully deserves." Thomson added. As an assurance Clement said that while money earmarked this year to 'fight the bite' is double what the province spent last year, "if more is needed, funding w ill be increased." The action plan also requires all physicians report any diagnosis of West Nile virus to the local medical officer of health, who in turn will report the case to the Reportable Disease Information System. According to the province's medical officer of health. Dr. Colin D'Cunha. West Nile is now on a high priority list of more than 60 reportable diseases. W hile only 42 cases in Halton were con firmed last year, and 18 were considered prob(See Province' page A3) Sheridan grad wins Oscar Sunday night was not Eric Armstrong's first visit to the Academy Awards, but it was the first time the Sheridan alumnus walked away with a coveted Oscar. Armstrong, a graduate of Sheridan's renowned Classical and Computer Animation programs, be came the second Sheridan alumnus to win the Oscar in the Best Animated Short Film category. Armstrong won for his work as animation director of Carr's lawyer says TV-budget unconstitutional By Jason Misner S P E C IA L T O Tl IK BKAVKH One of Canada,s top constitutional experts says Premier Ernie Eves' decision to present Ontario's budget outside of Queen's Park is unconstitutional, but not illegal. Respected lawyer Neil Finkelstein released a 24-page legal opinion late Monday saying the provincial government is. indeed, releasing a fullfledged budget for 2003, and is " not merely a pre Fashion.......... ...... B1 Focus............ ...... Cl Classifieds...... ...... C4 Business........ ...... C6 Update.......... ...... C7 ArtScene............... C8 1 Sports.......... ....... D Best Wheels D4 DELIVERY For home delivery <£ customer service call (905) 845-9742 Mon.. Tues.. & 77uirs. 9 a.m. - ft p.m . Wed & Fri. 9 am . - S p.m. or Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m For iww subscriptions, call (905) 845-9742 or subnrilx: online @ M/w\v.oakvillebeaver.com budget presentation." After reviewing "centuries" of legal precedent and related Supreme Court of Canada decisions. Finkelstein concluded: "There is a constitutional convention requiring the government to announce its budget in the legislative assembly. The govern ment's proposal to give its budget speech outside the House is. thus, unconstitutional." Finkelstein was hired by House Speaker and Oakville Tory M PPG ary Carr to look into the con(See Premier' page A2) The ChubbChubbs. " It feels pretty amazing," said Armstrong in a phone interview from Los Angeles. Although he is an Academy member and has attended the star-studded cer emony before, this was the first time that he went as a nominee. (See Second' page A5) Kevin Sullivan · Special to the Eric A rm strong holds up his O scar at the Academy Awards Sunday night. Partial IX'livm: Spoil Click, Pm Art Decor, National Defence. Kelan Kids Preschool, Aiexanian Carpets, Rona Horne and Garden Ginn's Pizui. Canadian Red Cross Homemakers, Sears. Guardian Drugs. Halton Honda, Home Depot. Hy & Zei s. Name Brand Closeouts. McMastcr University, Vic Bay. Fonder Youn\i a Can«d>jt< Putflcattoo* M um Product AgrwHnam M 3 S 2 0 1 R A M A D A ® IN N & CONVENTION CENTRE O A K V I L L E Barrie Erskine · Oakville Beaver Come See The Difference 905*845*7561 KIDS WILL BE KIDS! m em bers o f the O akville Vikings am use them selves as they w ait for the tyke red cham pionship gam e to end and for the MOM S C ham p io n sh ip and A w ards Week cerem ony to begin. See sp orts section fo r photos from the M O M S tyke red cham pionship game. N E W S E R V IC E H O U R S M o n d a y - T h u r s d a y 7 : 0 0 a .m '.- 9 : 0 0 p .m . F r id a y 7 : 0 0 a . m . - 6 : 0 0 p r n . SU a tu r d a y 8 : 0 0 a .m .- 4 : 0 0 p .m J A K - A K I T ) 570 Trafalgar Rd.; Oakville AT THE Q.E.W. · 1 2 S 3 *