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OPINION & LETTERSTHE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR:The Oakville BeaverTHE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR:Canadian Circulation467 Speers Rd.,Audit Board Member Oakville Ont. L6K 3S4 Recognized for Excellence by(905) 845-3824 Fax: 337-5571ClassiOntario CommunityCanadian Communityfied Advertising: 632-4440 Newspapers AssociationNewspapers AssociationCirculation: 845-9742 Open 9-5 weekdays,ATHENASuburban NewspapersAward5-7 for calls only Wed. to Friday, Closed weekendsof AmericaEditorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. NEIL OLIVERVice President and Group ROD JERREDManaging EditorMARK DILLSDirector of ProductionUnauthorized use is prohibited.Publisher of Metroland WestDANIEL BAIRDAdvertising DirectorMANUEL GARCIAProduction ManagerThe Oakville Beaver is a division ofDAVID HARVEYRegional General ManagerRIZIERO VERTOLLIPhotography DirectorCHARLENE HALLDirector of DistributionJILL DAVISEditor in ChiefSANDY PAREBusiness ManagerSARAH MCSWEENEYCirc. ManagerLetter to the editorHere we go againOakville residents are being asked to join fellow Women needCanadians at the polls for the fourth time in seven years and fifth time in just over a decade to elect a new federal to have right government on Monday, May 2.Stephen Harpers minority Conservative government to a choicewas defeated 156-145 in a non-confidence vote last Friday Re:Sign of Opposition at 40-dayafternoon as Liberal, New Democrat and Bloc Qucois prayer vigil, Oakville Beaver, MarchMPs stood one by one to signal their opposition to the 23.ruling Conservatives. We found the photograph accom-Our nations last three federal elections have produced panying this article to be very dis-minority governments. turbing.Leaders of all three opposition parties said the $7.7 The two women were carryingbillion in new measures announced by Minister of anti abortion signs and claimed theyFinance Jim Flaherty early last week werent enough to were praying to save the lives of gain their support.unborn children and also to create aPolls indicate most Canadians have little appetite for dialogue on this issue.an election and with a provincial election already set forThis seems more like an attempt to harass, intimidate and generallyOctober, Ontarians are likely even less eager to cast ballots make miserable the lives of healththree times in 11 months when last falls municipal elec-care professionals who are providingtions are included.a range of reproductive healthcareEarly indications are little will change after May 2.options to women.This whole exercise smacks of political opportunism. These women who are picketingThe opposition parties should be forewarned of the axiom at Oakville-Trafalgar Memorialbe careful what you wish for.Hospital and other like-minded indi-Canadas previous general election, in October 2008, viduals should remember that accesscost taxpayers nearly $290 million yet resulted in the low-to a full range of reproductive health-TheOakville Beaverwelcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity,est voter turnout of the last century at 58.8 per cent. Letters care options including safe abortionslength, legal considerations and grammar. In order to be published all letters must contain Less than 31 months later, were at it again. Such are the name, address and phone number of the author. Letters should be addressed to are legal in Canada and women haveto theThe Editor, Oakville Beaver, 467 Speers Rd., Oakville, ON, L6K 3S4, or via e-mail to the right to access these servicesthe consequences of electing back-to-back-to-back minor-editor@oakvillebeaver.com. TheBeaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter.editorwithout fear, discrimination andity governments after six consecutive majorities.harassment. While the national mudslinging ad campaigns have This type of photograph andalready begun, were hoping local candidates will find the Jewelry stolen had sentimental value 'benign' prayer vigils are a commonstrength to dispense with trashing their opponents and occurrence in the U.S.A. and in someinstead tell us why they deserve our vote.Re: Police believe youthsjewellery were stolen.his passing. cases have led to violence and theThere just isnt enough time in this campaign to behind home break-in, OakvilleI am a young woman andThat being said, I would ask ability to obtain a safe abortion haswaste it on political rhetoric. Beaver, March 25, Crimewas napping in the basement,that if anyone notices someone been severely curtailed, even in thoseStoppers of Halton.the point of entry, while thethey have contact with has extra According to Elections Canada, advance voting for states where it is legal. I was surprised to find abreak-in took place. I nevercash, or if you see jewellery in the election will be Friday, April 22, Saturday, April 23 We hope that this practice doesstory on page 9 regarding thewoke up to the robber/s break-your home that you hadn't and Monday April 25.not gain traction in Canada.break-in that occurred on St.ing open the basement window,noticed before, please question Political parties have until Monday, April 11 to We believe that women must havePatrick's Day at our familyand have had much anxietythese acquisitions. decthe right to decide for themselveslare their candidates. A list of confirmed candidates home.sleeping since, as I keep run-I understand that whoever whether and when they will havewill be available on Wednesday, April 13.I had been thinking aboutning through the "what ifs."has done this could not have children.Oakville residents are represented by one of two writing to the publication inRegarding the jewellery thatknown how much these things Without this autonomy womenfederal ridings Oakville and Halton (see pages 3 and advance of this article to let thewas stolen, it all belonged to mymeant to us, but I am sharing are unable to participate and attain a4 of today's edition for maps).community know what hadmother. this information in hopes that full and equal role in society. For more information about the May 2 election, occurred in our neighbour-Of note, were the weddingsomeone will have some infor-We also want to say kudos tovisit www.elections.ca.hood, and ask that anyone withrings belonging to my mothermation that will lead to us find-Hanna Donnelly for her support andany information come forward.and father, as my father passeding at least some of the jewellery sign, which stated "pro choice andThe Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 To correct a couple of details,away a few years ago. Manythat was taken.Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone 416-340-1981. Advertising is accepted proud"....very well said.on the condition that,we live on Carlton Drive and noother pieces given to my motherThank you in advance for in the event of a typographical error, that portion of advertising space Helen Brownoccupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not liquor was stolen, nor was theby my father were taken, andyour help,Women of Halton Actionbe charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. house ransacked. However,this incident has brought backStephanie Hall,The publisher reserves the right to categorize advertisements or decline.Movement (W.H.A.M.)some very sentimental pieces of many emotions of sadness overOakvillewww.insideHALTON.com OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, March 30, 2011 6