By MPP Toby Barrett ‘Tastes like pork’ was the report of Lady Simcoe, wife of John Graves, on first having raccoon, or ‘Canadian monkey’, as she described it at the time. So many stories of well over two centuries ago were relayed this past Sept. 17 at Niagara-on-the-Lake. Several events were held to commemorate … Continue reading “Lady Simcoe and her taste for ‘Canadian monkey’”
Year: 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 25, 2017 QUEEN’S PARK – Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett sent an open invitation to attend “some of the best fairs in the province” in the Legislature today. He mentioned Dunnville’s Mudcat Festival, Port Rowan Bayfest, Charlotteville’s Donnybook, Delhi’s Fall Fest and Pumpkinfest. “The week leading up to Thanksgiving presents two … Continue reading “Local MPP touts area festivals, fairs and fun”
By MPP Toby Barrett Sunday September 17th is the 225th anniversary of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario – an inaugural sitting presided over by John Graves Simcoe, our first Lieutenant Governor. During my research, I have developed an appreciation and admiration for John Graves Simcoe – his leadership of the Queens Rangers against George Washington’s … Continue reading “Why we should recognize Simcoe Day in Ontario”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 15, 2017 QUEEN’S PARK – Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett has reiterated his call for compensation to businesses and homeowners in the wake of the Argyle Street blockade. During Question Period this week, Barrett explained to the Ontario Legislature that the month-long blockade put “businesses and homeowners through psychological and … Continue reading “Barrett reiterates demand for Caledonia compensation”
By MPP Toby Barrett Saturday, Sept. 16 is National Hunting Trapping and Fishing Heritage Day to recognize the importance of these activities to our economy, our identity and culture. This year, Heritage Day coincides with Waterfowler Heritage Day – set aside for young hunters under the age of 18 to hunt ducks for a day … Continue reading “Hunting, fishing and trapping is a way of life”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 13, 2017 QUEEN’S PARK – Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett has introduced legislation The Simcoe Day Act, 2017 to proclaim the first Monday in August in each year as Simcoe Day. Simcoe was the first Lieutenant-Governor of what is now Ontario, being appointed as the first vice-regal representative of Upper Canada … Continue reading “Barrett bill to proclaim Simcoe Day”
By MPP Toby Barrett This year’s AMO Conference (the Association of Municipalities of Ontario) reiterated an ongoing theme – local government is getting squeezed. Whether it is the cost of electricity, lack of access to natural gas, proposed labour laws, municipal liability or unfulfilled infrastructure promises, people in rural and small town Ontario are struggling. … Continue reading “Municipalities are getting squeezed and shortchanged”
By MPP Toby Barrett Kathleen Wynne’s proposed Bill 148 Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act will create countless intended and unintended consequences. The intended consequences have much to do with votes in the upcoming provincial election. The unintended consequences have all to do with the fact businesses — from the service industry to agriculture and everything … Continue reading “Minimum wage hike will hurt Ontario’s most vulnerable”
By MPP Toby Barrett The United States and Canada boast one of the largest trading relationships in the world. No other country buys more goods and services that are “Made in the USA” than Canada – to the tune of $322 billion a year. And as a result, Canada supports close to nine million U.S. … Continue reading “Here’s to open, reciprocal trade in North America”
By MPP Toby Barrett Much of this summer’s discussion on proposed labour legislation has focused on the $15 minimum wage and its impact on labour-intensive agriculture, student jobs and the restaurant trade. Previously, all three political parties had agreed to take the minimum wage out of the political arena and set it according to the … Continue reading “Worries beyond $15 minimum wage in labour bill”