By MPP Toby Barrett Autumn – our ‘season of mists and mellow fruitfulness’ – is upon us. As we look to the brilliant colours and some relief from the drought and humidity that has plagued southern Ontario, we can attend some great events locally. Delhi’s Fallfest is one of the first–even if it does hit … Continue reading “Fall events to catch up with friends and neighbours”
Year: 2016
By MPP Toby Barrett A recent report by my colleague, MPP Vic Fedeli, who is Opposition Finance Critic, reveals the vast majority of people feel they are becoming worse off. Statistics Canada has found that the median family income growth in Ontario is only 0.4 per cent annually, substantially lower than the national average of … Continue reading “Spending is the problem – not lack of revenue”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 30, 2016 SIMCOE- In conjunction with the Ontario Lyme Alliance, MPP Toby Barrett is helping to host a local screening of “Emergence” – a film documentary on the challenges facing those with Lyme disease. “Emergence” will be presented on Saturday, Sept. 10 at the Strand Theatre in Simcoe, from 4 … Continue reading “Documentary on Lyme disease to be screened Sept. 10”
By MPP Toby Barrett As of this summer, Ontario’s debt has now topped $300 billion – a debt that has more than doubled in the 13 years the present government have been in office. We pay over $10 billion every year in interest charges – spending that is only surpassed by the budgets for health … Continue reading “We can ill-afford Ontario’s waste and mismanagement”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 18, 2016 SIMCOE – Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett, Opposition Agriculture Critic, welcomed a directive from government that provides more time for consultation on proposed changes to the marketing of processing vegetables. The Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission raised the ire of farmers when it proposed changes to the regulations allowing … Continue reading “Processing vegetable farmers given more time for input”
By MPP Toby Barrett This July I had an opportunity to take a break from worrying about invasive phragmites and common buckthorn upon the discovery of what looks like a second-year stand of toxic wild parsnip on my farm. What was a small sun-lit sheep pasture originally seeded by my grandfather had become overrun with a … Continue reading “Is toxic wild parsnip our latest invader?”
PORT DOVER – It’s now official Ontario’s energy prices are the highest in North America. Energy blogger Parker Gallant released an updated analysis of North American energy prices on Aug. 10. Previously, Hawaii did have the highest prices at 22.6 cents/kilowatt-hour, including distribution. Ontario’s distribution charges vary dependent on the housing density. Ontario low density … Continue reading “Ontario electricity prices now highest in North America”
By MPP Toby Barrett Government has long encouraged farmers to be organized and to be progressive. As of late it seems the current government wants to turn back the hands of time and return our processing vegetable market to the early days of farm-by-farm contract buying. The Ontario Government recently announced changes to Regulation 440, … Continue reading “A step backwards for our processing vegetable market”
By MPP Toby Barrett Last week I made it clear in my column that I am not convinced an expanded Canada Pension Plan is the answer to helping us all save adequately for retirement. I relayed the suspicion that one goal of the program is to garner more money to bail out public service pension … Continue reading “Can we trust government to save for our retirement?”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 25, 2016 SIMCOE- Ontario’s debt continues to spiral out of control according to the latest report from the province’s Financial Accountability Officer. Last week, The Financial Accountability Office (FAO) predicted Ontario’s debt will continue to rise, hitting $350 billion in 2020-21. The office also reiterated Ontario has the most debt … Continue reading “Ontario debt continues to skyrocket”