Barrett continues to seek answers to ongoing steel questions

For Immediate Release: November 4, 2010 Queens Park – Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett’s questions in the Ontario Legislature yesterday and last night regarding ongoing steel disputes generated answers involving four government members – Acting Premier Dwight Duncan, Minister of Labour Peter Fonseca, and David Ramsay on behalf the Premier. Barrett began in the morning asking … Continue reading “Barrett continues to seek answers to ongoing steel questions”

More government double-talk as clock ticks on steel lockouts. I don’t think your government has done anything – Barrett

For Immediate Release: November 4, 2010 Queens Park – For the second time this week Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett was forced to file a notice of dissatisfaction following more non-answers from the Ontario Government. Barrett requested a “late-show” debate after asking for details of government action to stem the impact of the blast furnace shut-down … Continue reading “More government double-talk as clock ticks on steel lockouts. I don’t think your government has done anything – Barrett”

Will energy plans change our area forever?

By MPP Toby Barrett This year’s Jarvis Symposium on Energy and Our Environment pulled together companies, unions, engineers, activists and others to discuss everything from wind, solar and coal generation to natural gas and nuclear – just about everything except hydro dam turbines, something that was discussed the week before at Port Dover’s Save Silver … Continue reading “Will energy plans change our area forever?”

Still seeking answers on Smuckers/Bicks closures

By MPP Toby Barrett We are watching the further demise of food processing, and its contracts to area farmers, with the slated closure of Smucker’s Delhi tank farm and Dunnville processing plant. It is with some melancholy, as we recognize Remembrance Day, that we also recall seventy years ago, our area sent tons of locally … Continue reading “Still seeking answers on Smuckers/Bicks closures”

Fight fascism, fight communism, fight terrorism

By MPP Toby Barrett “Most of great literature is about the nobility of the warrior. We need people who will fight to the death for things. It’s important.” – Victoria Goddard, on Soldiering as quoted in Fifteen Days by Christie Blatchford. Over the centuries we have had tough, principled people willing to do whatever it … Continue reading “Fight fascism, fight communism, fight terrorism”

McGuinty won’t pick up the phone to save rural jobs No answers on Smucker’s tank farm and processing closures

For Immediate Release: November 1, 2010 Queens Park – Apparently the McGuinty government feels the loss of hundreds of jobs in Haldimand and Norfolk Counties is something to be proud of. That’s what MPP Toby Barrett was left to assume after a pair of questions directed to the Premier – but answered by Minister of … Continue reading “McGuinty won’t pick up the phone to save rural jobs No answers on Smucker’s tank farm and processing closures”

Hudak charges “failure of leadership” in Caledonia McGuinty still hiding behind the sofa: Barrett

For Immediate Release: October 28, 2010 Queens Park – “Why is Premier McGuinty making Caledonia families who work hard and play by the rules fend for themselves instead of holding lawbreakers accountable?” That was Opposition Leader Tim Hudak’s question in the Ontario legislature, following two days of non answers to similar questions from MPP Toby … Continue reading “Hudak charges “failure of leadership” in Caledonia McGuinty still hiding behind the sofa: Barrett”

McGuinty silent on charges of meddling in Caledonia policing, leadership vacuum highlighted in Blatchford’s ‘Helpless”

For Immediate Release: October 27, 2010 Queens Park – Dalton McGuinty and his Attorney General again did not answer for the lack of leadership on the four year Caledonia dispute. Both the Premier and Attorney General Chris Bentley danced around questions from area MPP Toby Barrett following the release of the book, “Helpless”. “Christie Blatchford’s … Continue reading “McGuinty silent on charges of meddling in Caledonia policing, leadership vacuum highlighted in Blatchford’s ‘Helpless””

Government refuses to slow McGuinty’s water bill No time for municipal representation on Committee presentations.

For Immediate Release: October 26, 2010 Queens Park – Government committee members refused to make time for municipal representatives who were on the election trail to comment on a water bill that will impact them – and their ratepayers – directly. Opposition Environment Critic, Toby Barrett requested a deferral of General Government Committee deliberations on … Continue reading “Government refuses to slow McGuinty’s water bill No time for municipal representation on Committee presentations.”

Is Blatchford’s ‘Helpless’ the final word on Caledonia? Minister shrugs call for public inquiry

For Immediate Release: October 26, 2010 Queen’s Park – On the launch of renowned journalist Christie Blatchford’s chronicle of the land occupation in Caledonia, Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett asked Premier McGuinty if this book represents the final chapter. “Her book is titled Helpless: Caledonia’s Nightmare of Fear and Anarchy, and How the Law Failed All … Continue reading “Is Blatchford’s ‘Helpless’ the final word on Caledonia? Minister shrugs call for public inquiry”