FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 1, 2015 QUEEN’S PARK – It might have been April Fool’s Day when Opposition Finance Critic Vic Fedeli asked some hard questions of the finance minister about the province’s books, but it was anything but a joke. Despite the government crowing about the deficit coming in less than projected, Fedeli pointed … Continue reading “Liberals increase deficit for third straight year”
Year: 2015
Barrett to Ag Minister on neonics: “Why won’t you speak up for farmers?”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 26, 2015 QUEEN’S PARK – Ontario’s agriculture minister was short on answers when pressed on the 80 per cent neonic ban on corn and soybean acreage that was recently announced. “The evidence for your ban is at best circumstantial, and has not been proven in controlled scientific studies – certainly not … Continue reading “Barrett to Ag Minister on neonics: “Why won’t you speak up for farmers?””
By MPP Toby Barrett One of the highlights of my winter, besides farm meetings, is ROMA – the annual meeting of the Rural Ontario Municipal Association. There were many familiar faces at the convention, as well as new ones who were elected last fall. As usual there were a host of new and ongoing issues … Continue reading “The key to a good provincial-municipal relationship”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 25, 2015 QUEEN’S PARK – Toby Barrett, Haldimand-Norfolk MPP and Opposition Critic for Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, paid tribute to volunteers in the Norfolk Farm Safety Association in the Ontario Legislature on Tuesday. Canadian Agricultural Safety Week is the third week of March every year. This year’s theme is “Be … Continue reading “Barrett pays tribute to farmers during Farm Safety Week”
By MPP Toby Barrett While disturbing that Jian Ghomeshi is accused of abusive behaviour ranging from allegations of beating and choking without consent, to workplace sexual harassment, the accusations against the former CBC host has raised awareness of how this insidious behavior can be curbed. Building on previous legislation, Ontario has now unveiled additional measures … Continue reading “We can cut out workplace violence and harassment”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 16, 2015 QUEEN’S PARK – Haldimand-Norfolk MPP and Opposition Critic for Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Toby Barrett supports government legislation to allow crop insurance to be expanded to cover livestock. Bill 40, the Agriculture Insurance Act, will allow livestock producers to access insurance. “This is long overdue,” Barrett said. “Livestock … Continue reading “Adding livestock to crop insurance is good news: Barrett”
By MPP Toby Barrett Last week I waded into the Queen’s Park furor surrounding alleged bribery in the Sudbury by-election. During Question Period, I asked the Premier why she had not removed her deputy chief of staff Pat Sorbara, who is accused of bribery, and backroom operative Gerry Lougheed Jr., who was also involved in … Continue reading ““Premier . . . if charges are laid, will you step aside?””
Despite impressive gains, agricultural literacy remains a struggle
For Immediate Release March 5, 2015 QUEEN’S PARK – “We have to train people not only to be able to walk into a combine and know how to turn a wrench, but they also need to know how to calibrate that computer.” That was the message Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett delivered in the Ontario Legislature … Continue reading “Despite impressive gains, agricultural literacy remains a struggle”
On February 28, nine years ago, Janie Jamieson and Dawn Smith led a blockade shutting down construction of Caledonia’s Douglas Creek Estates. The subdivision has been occupied by native activists ever since. Over the ensuing nine years, protests and demands have had an impact on traffic, construction and plans for future transportation projects in the … Continue reading “The bypasses and bridges of Haldimand County”
Sudbury scandal: Premier asked to step aside if charges laid
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 4, 2015 QUEEN’S PARK – Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett has asked Premier Wynne to step aside if charges are laid in connection with the Sudbury by-election scandal. Following a barrage of questions related to the matter, Barrett asked the Premier why she hadn’t removed her deputy chief of staff Pat Sorbara … Continue reading “Sudbury scandal: Premier asked to step aside if charges laid”