By MPP Toby Barrett The Phragmites invasion was identified as the number one concern facing the Long Point area at this summer’s Long Point Biosphere symposium on ecosystem stresses. In the pond adjacent to my house, a few Phragmites plants appeared about 20 years ago. Those few stalks then turned into a patch covering 15 … Continue reading “When are we going to get serious about Phragmites?”
Year: 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 21, 2015 SIMCOE – A new study by the Fraser Institute predicts there will be no gain in people’s life savings when the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan is implemented. The study looked at the savings of individual Canadians in the late 1990s when contributions to the Canada Pension Plan were increasing … Continue reading “Fraser Institute concludes ORPP pointless”
By MPP Toby Barrett When I was elected in 1995, the Long Point area was the only area identified as an endemic area for deer ticks in southern Ontario. Lyme disease wasn’t on most people’s radar. That has changed – and not for the better! Bill 27, the Provincial Framework and Action Plan concerning Emerging … Continue reading “Lyme/vector-borne disease bill passes into law”
By MPP Toby Barrett Despite all the advances in technology, farmers are still at the whim of Mother Nature. Crop insurance that has been available for something like 90 commercially-grown crops will now be available to livestock and additional agricultural products. New legislation titled the Agriculture Insurance Act passed in late May, amending the former … Continue reading “New law expands crop insurance to cover livestock”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 14, 2015 SIMCOE – Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett is concerned for the economic future of Ontario with yet another industrial leader criticizing the high cost of electricity in the province. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne has raised concerns about the cost of cap and trade increasing electricity prices and the … Continue reading “Another industrial leader calls for lower power prices”
Barrett responds to Ontario Chamber report on electricity prices
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 9, 2015 SIMCOE – The Ontario Chamber of Commerce is adding its voice to the growing clamour over skyrocketing electricity prices. Released July 8, the report, Empowering Ontario: Constraining Costs and Staying Competitive in the Electricity Market makes recommendations to curb rising energy costs and keep business in the province. The … Continue reading “Barrett responds to Ontario Chamber report on electricity prices”
By MPP Toby Barrett The Ontario government has allowed the illegal tobacco industry to flourish. It is believed contraband tobacco activity in Ontario sits somewhere around 33 per cent and in some areas the numbers are estimated to be closer to 50 per cent. Many argue the illegal industry in Ontario is the worst of … Continue reading “Stop turning a blind eye to illegal tobacco trade”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 3, 2015 CAYUGA – Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett has again questioned the government when will the Cayuga bridge be done. When he learned MTO officials estimated there were nine months of work remaining on the Cayuga bridge, Barrett again tackled the issue, asking both the Minister of Transportation and Minister of … Continue reading “Barrett pushes for better answer on Cayuga bridge”
By MPP Toby Barrett As of July 1, regulation is in place banning the use of neonicotinoid pesticide on 80 per cent of Ontario’s corn and soybean acreage – an action that has dominated farm meetings over the past year. Neonicotinoids are the most commonly used type insecticide in the United States, Europe and Australia … Continue reading “There can be a way forward on neonics after July 1”
By MPP Toby Barrett If the recent Dunnville Mudcat Parade was any indication, the coming summer and fall will be great for festivals. A record crowd lined the streets for over two hours of floats and bands. The honorary parade marshal was local boy and captain of industry Vic Powell. We in Haldimand or Norfolk … Continue reading “Here’s some summer events well worth attending”