Beaver THE OAKVILLE Voted Ontario's Top Newspaper Four Years in a Row - 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 www.brantflorist.com/ob www.dentistoakville.com 905-842-6030 905.639.7001 www.carstaroakville.com Rallying around a good cause 11 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2009 905-8457579 905-847 -2595 2212 Wyecroft Rd. 547 Trafalgar Rd. A member of Metroland Media Group Ltd. Vol. 52 No. 119 "USING COMMUNICATION TO BUILD BETTER COMMUNITIES" 32 Pages $1.00 (plus GST) OPA picks Oakville power plant site By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Howling good time Oakville residents groups are vowing to fight on following a Wednesday announcement by the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) that TransCanada Corporation has been selected to build a 900-megawatt gas-fired power plant in Oakville. The decision to build the plant, which will be situated on the Ford-owned lands of 1500 Royal Windsor Dr., comes after a nearly six-month long competitive bidding process that saw TransCanada face off against three other companies, which were also hoping to design, build and operate the facility. Had any of the other companies been successful in their bids, the plant would have been established in the Clarkson area of Mississauga. In an interview with The Oakville Beaver, the OPA's Ben Chin would not explain why TransCanada was chosen. He simply said the proposed project had come out ahead in the OPA's four selection criteria, making it the best choice for the ratepayers of the southwest GTA and Ontario. Chin said the level of resistance encountered in the Oakville and Mississauga communities was not a factor in the decision-making process. "As a combined cycle plant it is highly efficient. You've got the firing of gas to create electricity at the front end, but then the steam is captured and the NIKKI WESLEY/OAKVILLE BEAVER WINNING WOOFERS: Wendy Gunn and Rex, a four-year-old miniature schnauzer, sing/howl during the trick competition at the Abbey Animal Hospital's barbecue fundraiser on Saturday to boost awareness for Animal Health Week. The event also raised $1,200 for the Farley Foundation. LeFrancois receives Governor General's Award By Angela Blackburn OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF See Residents page 3 Bev LeFrancois went to Ottawa nearly 30 years ago in a bid to protect the rights of women and children. Today, Ottawa will give her one of the country's highest honours for doing just that. "I feel very privileged and honoured... I don't like the attention," she confessed. LeFrancois is among five women who will receive the Governor General's Persons Award in Commemoration of the Persons Case at the Governor-General's residence, Rideau Hall. The awards have been presented, since they were established in 1979 by Edward Schreyer, in honour of the 50th Bev LeFrancois See One page 18