Where are our hydro debt retirement payments going? Barrett joins call for forensic audit to solve $7.8 billion McGuinty mystery

For Immediate Release: January 26, 2011 Thunder Bay – MPP Toby Barrett is joining Opposition Leader Tim Hudak in calling for a forensic audit to explain why Ontario families continue to be charged for a debt that should be paid next year. “We need an explanation as to why McGuinty plans to charge Ontario ratepayers … Continue reading “Where are our hydro debt retirement payments going? Barrett joins call for forensic audit to solve $7.8 billion McGuinty mystery”

Beware new enviro-taxes in McGuinty budget Pre-budget silence belies new taxes on the way – Barrett

For Immediate Release: January 25, 2011 Windsor – Opposition Environment Critic Toby Barrett is taking time during Finance Committee pre-budget hearings to warn Ontario residents to brace for a slew of possible new environmental taxes in the upcoming McGuinty budget. “We’ve seen this premier’s M.O., he’s quite simply hardwired to tax,” Barrett affirmed . “The … Continue reading “Beware new enviro-taxes in McGuinty budget Pre-budget silence belies new taxes on the way – Barrett”

The bureaucratic death by a thousand paper cuts

By MPP Toby Barrett “Do we need more common sense and fairness in our regulations? You bet we do.” – President Clinton, January 24, 1995 Unnecessary rules and r ed tape kill jobs. It’s that simple. The original ‘red tape’ – used to tie bundles of legal papers in 17th century England – at least … Continue reading “The bureaucratic death by a thousand paper cuts”

Mid-Pen Corridor will take pressure off Niagara Escarpment from Hamilton to US border: Barrett

For Immediate Release: January 18, 2011 Simcoe –A decade after helping to announce the creation of a Mid-Peninsula corridor, Haldimand-Norfolk’s MPP maintains it’s still the way to go for jobs and to reduce population pressure on the Niagara Escarpment from Hamilton to the Niagara Gorge. “I helped announce this project in 2001 – with any … Continue reading “Mid-Pen Corridor will take pressure off Niagara Escarpment from Hamilton to US border: Barrett”

Shovel-ready or not, where are the stimulus jobs?

By MPP Toby Barrett As I prepare to travel on another round of pre-budget deliberations with the Finance Committee, it is important to evaluate the stimulus, or ‘shovel-ready’, spending that has recently flowed. The most important measure of success, in my view, is job creation. It was the 2009 budget that saw McGuinty announce more … Continue reading “Shovel-ready or not, where are the stimulus jobs?”

Barrett reaffirms commitment to Business Risk Management

For Immediate Release: January 14, 2011 Simcoe – Farmers across Ontario deserve the backing of government through risk management programming. That according to Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett following the annual meeting of the Haldimand Cattlemen’s Association where area farmers stressed the need to widen the range of crops and livestock covered in the province’s risk … Continue reading “Barrett reaffirms commitment to Business Risk Management”

A lot of us can’t afford our electricity bills anymore

By MPP Toby Barrett There is a growing concern locally and across Ontario. People are finding they just don’t have the extra money to pay for electricity. I hear it at my offices and I’ve heard it door to door as I canvassed hamlets across Norfolk and Haldimand. And the dawning of a new year … Continue reading “A lot of us can’t afford our electricity bills anymore”

Stay on time – and fraud free – in 2011

For Immediate Release: January 4, 2011 Simcoe – MPP Toby Barrett is asking residents to stop by his office and pick up a Smart ConsumerCalendar to ensure that 2011 doesn’t get off on the wrong foot. Barrett says the calendars from the Ministry of Consumer Services provide a handful of useful tips and information on … Continue reading “Stay on time – and fraud free – in 2011”

Do you wish to thank a volunteer?

For Immediate Release: January 3, 2011 Do you know a person in the community who is worthy of recognition for their volunteer efforts? The Ontario Volunteer Service Award program is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2011. Since it was launched in 1986, more than 150,000 volunteers were recognized through Volunteer Service Awards. The program honours … Continue reading “Do you wish to thank a volunteer?”