By MPP Toby Barrett As you read this, chances are I am sprucing up my red tractor preparing for First of July celebrations across the riding. I plan to be in the Canada Day parade in Caledonia in the morning, and Port Dover in the afternoon. Both are long-standing spectacles, and will be even bigger … Continue reading “There’s no shortage of things to do this summer”
Year: 2017
For Immediate Release: June 23, 2017 Simcoe – Premier Kathleen Wynne and Transportation Minister Steven DelDuca have been caught red-handed trying to slyly jack up drivers’ licence fees for first-time drivers. “The regulation says that it will cost more to write knowledge tests in Ontario as of July 1st,” Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett explained. … Continue reading “Wynne making test more costly for young drivers”
By MPP Toby Barrett It was just four months ago Premier Wynne rejected a $15 minimum wage hike, while re-affirming her support for the policy all three political parties agreed upon whereby increases would be based on the consumer price index. “We’ve got a really good process that actually de-politicizes the increases to the minimum … Continue reading “$15 minimum wage threat to students, local food”
By MPP Toby Barrett This coming Sept. 17th will mark the 225th anniversary of the opening of the First Session of the First Parliament of Upper Canada. Ontario pre-dates Canada by 75 years. The Constitutional Act of June 10, 1791 divided the British colony into two governments – west of the Ottawa River became Upper … Continue reading “This is the 225th anniversary of Ontario’s Parliament”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 15, 2017 Barrett urges farmers, small business to testify on minimum wage SIMCOE- Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett is urging farmers and small business owners impacted by the planned minimum wage increase to $15 to testify before public hearings on the bill. The Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs … Continue reading “Public hearings struck on labour legislation”
Barrett backs Brown’s call for not increasing electricity distribution rates
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 9, 2017 SIMCOE – Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett called for the government to put the brakes on a planned hike in electricity distribution rates. Hydro One recently filed an application with the Ontario Energy board to increase distribution rates, resulting in the average family paying another $141 annually. Opposition Leader … Continue reading “Barrett backs Brown’s call for not increasing electricity distribution rates”
By MPP Toby Barrett Given the change in administration south of the border, we in Ontario and across Canada must now up our game. On May 18, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer gave notice of intent to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with Canada and Mexico. Citing outdated standards and regulation, Lighthizer … Continue reading “Changes south of the border – we must up our game”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 6, 2017 SIMCOE – Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett is supporting his colleague Monte McNaughton’s bill that will require natural gas distributors to show the amount of the cap and trade tax on consumer bills. McNaughton brought forward the private member’s bill last week after he heard from stakeholders and ratepayers that … Continue reading “Barrett supports Transparency in Gas Pricing Act”
By MPP Toby Barrett With several sources predicting black-legged tick numbers – and by extension Lyme disease – on the rise, continued awareness and action are more important than ever. Farmers, hunters, hikers, anglers, bird watchers or anyone spending time in the outdoors need to know how to avoid tick bites. If you live in … Continue reading “Are we prepared for this year’s Lyme tick onslaught?”
For immediate release: May 25, 2017 SIMCOE – Ontario’s budget watchdog has confirmed that Kathleen Wynne’s ‘Unfair Hydro Plan’ will actually see hydro rates climb starting next year. Financial Accountability Officer Stephen LeClair’s analysis confirms Ontario electricity ratepayers will get a jolt of financial pain in the short and long term. Electricity rates … Continue reading “Kathleen Wynne’s unfair hydro plan a sham: FAO”