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www.independentfreepress.com Ted Brown............... 7 Calendar .................. 9 Sports .................... 15 Classifieds ... 17, 18 Directory ..RE16,17 50 Cents (+ GST) Circulation: 22,800 WHEELS.CA Look inside for the latest news and views from the auto world 8-PAGE SECTION SCOREBOARD Check out the latest results from the rinks 8-PAGE SECTION 56 Pages Halton Hills' award-winning newspaper THE INDEPENDENT & FREE PRESS By LISA TALLYN Staff Writer THURSDAY, March 24, 2011 Gas plant plume poses `no threat' The yellow plume that can be seen sometimes coming from the stacks at Halton Hills Generating Station on Steeles Ave. W. is nothing to worry about says the owner of the plant and the Ministry of the Environment (MOE). But since December at least four people have been worried enough about the colourful emission they contacted the MOE to complain about it. Terry Cunha, spokesperson for TransCanada, the plant owner, said the plume coming from the Hornby facility is caused by the presence of nitrogen oxides (NOx) that occur when the plant is starting up or shutting down. "There is no threat to the community or to the residents," said Cunha. "We are meeting all the regulations within the MOE." He said visibility of the yellow plume "varies depending on atmospheric conditions Yellow smoke billows from such as air temperature, the TransCanada plant on moisture levels and cloud Steeles Avenue. cover." Photo by Jon Borgstrom See YELLOW, pg. 5 Snake eyes Eight-year-old Lauren Luis didn't even flinch when it came to staring down a corn snake at the Sciensational Snakes display at Georgetown Market Place Friday. The March break display featured numerous snakes and amphibians, some of which kids could handle up close and personal. Photo by Ted Brown Federal budget likely to spark May election By LISA TALLYN Staff Writer Wellington-Halton Hills Conservative MP Michael Chong defends his government's budget that all three opposition parties say they will reject, triggering a spring election. "I feel the budget reflects the input we received from Canadians right across the country and takes into account the demands made by the opposition," said Chong. He said the budget focuses on jobs and economic growth and See SPRING, pg. 2 7e HANDLE ALL INSURANCE work. Georgetown Volkswagen 203 Guelph Street 9 0 5 . 8 7 7. 5 2 8 5 georgetownvw.com Thinking of buying or selling? sTruck Accessories s5PHOLSTEry s(Eavy %QUIPMENT 'LASS s7INDow 4INTING 354 Guelph Street, Georgetown (905) 873-1655 0.9% Financing up to 24 mo. & 2 year / 40,000 km warranty. Great selection & great value. Dir: 416-991-4247 EFFIEatDIMOU 905-456-1000 at Sales Representative www.georgetownrealty.ca edimou@georgetownrealty.ca at Call Effie Dimou for all your real atneeds. at 905-456-1000 905-456-10 905-456-1 at estate 905-456-1000 Realty Services Inc. Brokerage Independently Owned & Operated SO LD