Raise your voice on Ontario’s budget, MPP Barrett invites presenters to pre-budget consultation

For Immediate Release: December 22, 2010 (Simcoe) – Haldimand-Norfolk MPP and Finance Committee member Toby Barrett is encouraging organizations to have their say when the Ontario Legislature holds pre-budget consultations across Ontario next month. The Finance & Economic Affairs Committee will be holding pre-budget consultations in the new year as follows: January 24 – London … Continue reading “Raise your voice on Ontario’s budget, MPP Barrett invites presenters to pre-budget consultation”

Scrap the eco tax on electronics

For Immediate Release: December 21, 2010 Simcoe – “It’s time to put the province’s electronics tax out of its misery,” that from Opposition Critic Toby Barrett who in the past has advocated a management shakeup of the Ontario Electronics Stewardship program. In November The Ontario Electronic Stewardship’s annual report indicated it collected $44 million in … Continue reading “Scrap the eco tax on electronics”

Welfare numbers are an awakening

For Immediate Release: December 17, 2010 Simcoe – While Mr. McGuinty has been touting supposed gains in job creation, Statistics Canada’s Employment Insurance numbers and Ontario Works Social Assistance numbers prove otherwise. Since October 2009 there has been a steady growth – unfortunately that growth was in the welfare caseload and number of people whose … Continue reading “Welfare numbers are an awakening”

Barrett calls for Bartolucci to resign – again “First Caledonia – now G20,” Barrett

For Immediate Release: December 15, 2010 Queen’s Park – Two and a half years after first demanding the acquiescence of Ontario’s Solicitor General over injustices in Caledonia area land disputes, Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett is reiterating his call for Rick Bartolucci to step down. Barrett first insisted Bartolucci step down in May, 2008 following a … Continue reading “Barrett calls for Bartolucci to resign – again “First Caledonia – now G20,” Barrett”

Number of inquiries into G20 – 4 Number of inquiries into Caledonia – 0

For Immediate Release: December 10, 2010 Simcoe – Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett is joining those questioning why justice concerns in Toronto are put under government’s microscope, while Caledonia concerns are ignored. “The math just doesn’t add up,” charged Barrett. “It’s been five and a half months since G20 incidents led to calls for inquiries into … Continue reading “Number of inquiries into G20 – 4 Number of inquiries into Caledonia – 0”

Auditors report highlights more failures for waste diversion in Ontario, Only things being wasted are taxpayer dollars

For Immediate Release: December 6, 2010 Queens Park – The Auditor General’s report underlines the continued failure of the Ontario government when it comes to diverting waste in Ontario. “Just weeks after we learned McGuinty’s Electronics recycling program is meeting only 2 per cent of its diversion target, the Auditor General confirms that government is … Continue reading “Auditors report highlights more failures for waste diversion in Ontario, Only things being wasted are taxpayer dollars”

Last year commenced with concerns about jobs and taxation

As we begin, with apprehension and expectation, to ponder the year ahead, we may wish to reflect on the year just past. 2010 kicked off with 35,000 Ontario kids to be enrolled in all-day everyday kindergarten. The Grand Erie District School Board approved nine of its schools while the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School … Continue reading “Last year commenced with concerns about jobs and taxation”

Christmas will see an empty chair at many tables

“It’s Christmas time There’s no need to be afraid…” ~ Band Aid’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” By Toby Barrett MPP Like many in our area, I find myself meeting people who have just returned from Kandahar. Their stories are real and raw. I spent time in Afghanistan in 1969 and it was a bit … Continue reading “Christmas will see an empty chair at many tables”

Have you read Christie Blatchford’s book on Caledonia?

By MPP Toby Barrett The only inquiry into the mayhem that occurred in Caledonia has not come from government. It has come from journalist Christie Blatchford’s investigative piece: HELPLESS, Caledonia’s Nightmare of Fear and Anarchy, and How the Law Failed All of Us. Christie Blatchford is real – she’s tough – and as anyone who … Continue reading “Have you read Christie Blatchford’s book on Caledonia?”

Will biomass and/or natural gas save OPG Nanticoke?

By MPP Toby Barrett It’s no secret that Haldimand-Norfolk is home to the largest coal-fired generating station in North America. And it’s no secret that Premier McGuinty has promised – many times over – to shut down coal-fired generation at Nanticoke as well as at her sister plants in Lambton, Thunder Bay and Atikokan. The … Continue reading “Will biomass and/or natural gas save OPG Nanticoke?”