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OAKVILLE'S BEST REAL ESTATE SECTION INSIDE! Beaver THE OAKVILLE A member of Metroland Media Group Ltd. Vol. 47 No. 151 Santa surprise GUESS WHO CAME TO BREAKFAST?: Blayre Wright gets surprised by Santa Claus during the fifth annual Breakfast with Santa at the Niblick Pub at the Upper Oakville Shopping Centre on Saturday morning. VISIT OUR ALL NEW WEBSITE www.oakvillebeaver.com Siblings star in Nutcracker ARTSCENE 321 Cornwall Rd. 321 Cornwall Rd. 321 CornwallRd. Old O k ill M k Olde Oakville Market Olde OakvilleMarket 905.815.8777 905.815.8777 PAUL FOLEY AMP MORTGAGE AGENT Purchases Renewals Refinances Rental Properties Credit Lines 40+ Lenders HO: 100-480 University Ave. Toronto, ON M5G 1V2 *OAC, E&OE M08005472 4 YR 4.85% 5 YR 4.99% 7 YR 5.8% 905-827-8009 "Using Communication To Build Better Communities" WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2008 72 Pages $1.00 (plus GST) Grim future at Ford Plant Plant will be closed for six weeks during first three months of new year By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF As potential stimulus packages hang in the balance for North America's auto manufacturers, the Oakville Ford plant is entering a period of shutdowns that will continue off and on until mid-March. Currently, the plant is scheduled to close for the remainder of this week, as well as Dec. 22 and 23. The plant's regular holiday will last from Dec. 24 to Jan. 2, after which the plant will be closed for the weeks of Jan. 5, Jan. 12, Feb. 2, Feb. 9, Feb. 16 and Mar. 16. The downtime schedule is subject to change depending on the behaviour of the market. Ford officials have previously blamed these shutdowns, which affect all of the plant's 3,500 workers, on spiraling sales in the U.S. For Canadian Auto Workers Local 707 President Gary Beck, the closures represent a disturbing turn of events, which he hopes is not a sign of things to come. "It's devastating to the families," he said. "To have this amount of downtime, this time of year. I guess the biggest concern is how long this is going to last." To make ends meet, Beck noted, many workers are applying for unemployment, which Beck said is not a bad idea as he is not expecting a reversal of the situation. "It's devastating to the families, to have this amount of downtime, this time of year. I guess the biggest concern is how long this is going to last." Gary Beck, president Local 707, Canadian Auto Workers Inside Living..........................................................10 Tis the Season............................................19 Automotive.................................................23 Artscene......................................................30 Sports..........................................................34 Classified....................................................36 Partial Delivery: Sport Chek, Best Buy, Sport Mart, JYSK Bed and Bath, The Bay, Coast Mountain, Ho-Lee-Chow, L'Atelier Grigorian, National Sports, Mark's Work Warehouse, Zellers, RMP Athletics, Oakville Arts, Party packagers, Subway, Topper's Pizza, Staples Business, Sears, Home Depot, Peoples Jewellers For home delivery & customer service call (905) 845-9742 Mon., Tues. and Thurs. 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Wed. 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Fri. 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Sat 10 a.m.-3 p.m. NEW SUBSCRIPTIONS call (905) 845-9742 or subscribe online @ www.oakvillebeaver.com See inside today's paper for special subscription offer. CLAUDIO CUGLIARI / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER See Ford page 4 SERVING OAKVILLE FOR 25 YEARS! 1 YEAR NO PAY or NO GST! PLUS ­ We guarantee your valuable Manufacturer and Government Rebates and take care of the Paperwork for you. from For Deadlines and Complete Details call 905-844-2949 Ask about our excellent Financing and Great Terms. 175 Wyecroft Rd. Oakville 905.845.6653 Between Kerr & Dorval Happy Holidays 905-844-2949 A1 Air Conditioning & Heating! YOUR FRIEND IN THE BUSINESS! www.lockwoodchrysler.com