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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, April 4, 2014 | 6 Wednesday was World Autism Awareness Day. While many have heard of the development disorder, many aren't aware of what it really means for those affected by it and that is something we, as a local community, must change. We're pleased to see inroads to change being made -- both in our neighbourhoods and on the world stage. The Oakville Beaver took a small part in that change by producing a special series for our print and online properties in late 2011. On Wednesday, many, including Halton Regional Police, wore blue in what has become a symbol of support for the day. The United Nations General Assembly unanimously declared April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day to highlight the need to help improve the lives of children and adults who live with the disorder so they can lead full and meaningful lives. Locally, Project Autism is doing much more. Its mantra is Acceptance Equals Opportunity. In fact, in observing Autism Awareness Day, the grassroots group is celebrating by hosting a variety of events (see p.3 of today's Oakville Beaver). Oakville Mayor Rob Burton will proclaim April 6 Autism Awareness Day in Oakville. Project Autism's mission is to raise awareness, and create programs and community connections. The group is hosting the second annual Autism Awareness Variety Show Sunday at the OE Banquet & Conference Centre in Oakville. The musical extravaganza shines the spotlight on 10 talented volunteer musicians and artists, all of whom call Halton home. Burlington singer/songwriter Amber's (nee Stephanie Beatson) released a song titled Yes, I Can, which has a music video highlighting local families affected by autism. Project Autism said it believes music is the creative expression that unlocks the potential in each of us and for parents, there is the knowledge that no matter where someone is on the autism spectrum, music is the avenue of expression, emotion, and communication. All funds raised from the organization's local events will support Autism Dog Services (therapy/service dogs for those with Autism), as well as Rainbow of Joy -- a community project that helps local families, affected by autism spectrum disorder, afford autism summer camps, therapy and social groups. You can check out demonstrations of the skills of Autism service dogs as the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides hosts its annual spring open house and demonstration tomorrow (Saturday) at its Oakville training facility, at 152 Wilson St., from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. It costs approximately $25,000 to raise and train each Dog Guide and the training includes that of dogs for use by children who have autism spectrum disorder. For more information about the upcoming special events that aim to boost the much-needed awareness of the challenges and milestones affecting those living with autism, visit www. projectautism.ca. Shining a light on autism Editorial H A P P Y 1 0 0 T H B I R "Connected to your Community" T H D A Y 447 Speers Road, Oakville ON, L6K 3S4 General Inquiries: (905) 845-3824 Editorial Department: (905) 632-0588 Classi ed Advertising: (905) 632-4440 Circulation: 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington (905) 631-6095 Volume 52 | Number 41 Augusta Dominick Nicholson was joined by friends and family -- including her only daughter Maureen and her sister Winnifred -- as she celebrated her 100th birthday at North Ridge Long Term Care Centre last Sunday. Nicholson was born in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Her actual birthday was yesterday (Thursday). Nicholson drove until 1994 and read the newspaper every day -- with no glasses. She attributes 100 years of healthy living to good genes, her German heritage and growing up in Springhill, N.S. | photo by Michael Ivanin - special to the Beaver The Oakville Beaver is a division of Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Vice ­President and Group Publisher of Metroland West Regional General Manager Halton Region Editor in Chief Advertising Director NEIL OLIVER DAVID HARVEY JILL DAVIS DANIEL BAIRD Managing Editor ANGELA BLACKBURN RIZIERO VERTOLLI Photography Director Business Manager Director of Production SANDY PARE MARK DILLS Young responds to recent protest Terence Young Oakville MP My View MANUEL GARCIA Production Manager Director of Distribution CHARLENE HALL KIM MOSSMAN Circulation Manager Recently the Oakville Beaver published a photo of protesters outside my of ce, protesting against the Fair Elections Act. Their claim is that the Act proposed will make it harder for legitimate voters to vote. That is not true. In fact, the forms of identi cation that can verify eligibility to vote include 39 different documents; everything from a driver's licence or health card to a residential lease, a shing licence, an old age security card or a letter from a public trustee, an attestation from a soup kitchen, shelter or student residence, or a utility bill. Any two of the 39 are acceptable ID to vote. Unlike the Days of Action Protesters claim, photo ID is not required. Even Canadians in shelters, student residents, or long-term care facilities, who qualify, could easily vote. What the Fair Elections Act does is stop the practice known as vouching, where someone with ID simply claims at the polling station that someone else lives in the riding and is a Canadian citizen. Vouching can be an invitation to cheat in elections. An Elections Canada-commissioned report on the 2011 election showed there were 50,000 irregularities, 25 per cent of the cases where vouching was used. It would have been irresponsible for our government to allow vouching to continue with such a high rate of discrepancy. Who walks around without ID, or could not produce at least two of the 39 documents? The Act also eliminates Voter Information Cards as one of the 39 forms of ID that will be accepted. That is because we are a very mobile society and up to one in six electors may get a card with the wrong address. An error rate of 17 per cent is unacceptable, leading to potential fraud. Those cards are to advise people where to vote, not act as a licence to vote. In fact, 19 ridings across Canada were won or lost by less than 1,000 votes in the last federal election. Three were won or lost by less than 30 votes. see Act on p.9 Proud Official Media Sponsor For: Canadian Circulations Audit Board Member Recognized for Excellence by Ontario Community Newspapers Association Canadian Community Newspapers Association Proud Official Media Sponsor For: The Oakville Beaver welcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, length, legal considerations and grammar. In order to be published all letters must contain the name, address and phone number of the author. Letters should be addressed to: The Editor, Oakville Beaver, 5040 Mainway, Burlington ON L7L 7G5 or via e-mail to; ablackburn@oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. The Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone 416-340-1981. 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