By MPP Toby Barrett Public servant labour costs now account for about half of all Ontario government program spending. Today’s provincial budget sets government spending at $128 billion, which means roughly 64 billion taxpayer dollars are being spent this year just in public servant wages, pensions and other forms of compensation. There are over one … Continue reading “Half the spending is public servant compensation”
Year: 2013
For IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 8, 2013 SIMCOE – MPP Toby Barrett was shocked when he heard the cost of cancelling the Oakville and Mississauga gas-fired power plants is pegged at $1.1 billion by the provincial auditor general. “The cost of cancelling these power plants is such a huge number it boggles the mind,” Barrett said. … Continue reading “Gas plant cancellations cost in excess of $1 billion”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 7, 2013 QUEEN’S PARK – Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett extended congratulations to Norfolk farmers Bryan and Cathy Gilvesy for receiving the Premier’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence Leaders in Innovation Awards. “The Gilvesys have long been leaders in the farming community, and in particular in sustainable farming,” Barrett said. “Bryan has … Continue reading “YU Ranch an innovation leader: Barrett”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 7, 2013 QUEEN’S PARK – Tomorrow is the day Ontario residents will finally get answers on the real cost of the cancellation of the scrapped natural gas generating station in Oakville when the auditor general’s report is released. “While I look forward to knowing the truth, it will be a sad … Continue reading “Why won’t Wynne come clean on gas plant cancellation costs?”
Oct. 3, 2013 QUEEN’S PARK – Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett rose in the Ontario Legislature today to plug the Norfolk County Fair. The largest rural fair in Ontario, opens Tuesday and will feature a musical line-up Barrett was proud tohighlight. He mentioned headliners Carly Rae Jepsen, Big and Rich and the acts of Gary Wright, … Continue reading “Barrett promotes Norfolk County Fair in Legislature”
Barrett calls for minister to “step aside” over burger shack
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 3, 2013 QUEEN’S PARK – During question period today, MPP Toby Barrett asked that Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure step aside until issues around an illegal burger shack in Caledonia are resolved. The Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit originally issued a closure notice to the owners of the burger shack on July 12 due … Continue reading “Barrett calls for minister to “step aside” over burger shack”
By MPP Toby Barrett “I’d like a government job – nine to five, six weeks holiday, retire early with a nice pension,” is a refrain I hear often in my travels as an MPP. People have the perception that generally speaking, public servants make more money than private sector workers do, work shorter hours, and … Continue reading “There’s unfairness in public/private sector pay”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 30, 2013 QUEEN’S PARK – Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett was named the critic for the Minister of Consumer Services. The Ministry of Consumer Services’ goal is to promote a fair, safe and informed marketplace. It’s a diverse ministry, overseeing not only consumer transactions, but also several industry-specific laws such as the … Continue reading “Barrett named critic for Consumer Services”
By MPP Toby Barrett My caucus colleagues and I have always fought for an open and trustworthy consumer market. In fact it was Tim Hudak who tabled the Consumer Protection Act in 2002. Now that the Ontario Legislature has returned, it is important to continue the debate on Bill 55, an omnibus bill relating to … Continue reading “Turning up the heat on door-to-door water heater scams”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 25, 2013 QUEEN’S PARK – Another independent source has confirmed Opposition claims that Ontario’s electrical policy is on the wrong track. The C.D. Howe Institute released “A New Blueprint for Ontario’s Electricity Market” on Sept. 18. Some of the highlights are: * The Ontario power sector today has oversupply, a mismatch … Continue reading “C.D. Howe Institute slams electricity policy”