Working to protect and promote our Great Lakes

By MPP Toby Barrett Recently I have been publicizing my Private Member’s Bill, the Great Lakes Protection and Promotion Act, 2019, which, as the title implies, is constructed to enhance the promotion and protection of our Great Lakes. As previously written, my goal is to develop a collaborative framework and action plan to serve as … Continue reading “Working to protect and promote our Great Lakes”

Barrett speaks up for Caledonia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 3, 2020 QUEEN’S PARK – Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett called on the blockades to come down in Caledonia during a statement in the Ontario Legislature today. “The illegal blockade of Highway 6 at Caledonia must come down. It’s a position I’ve consistently fought for over the past 14 years,” he said … Continue reading “Barrett speaks up for Caledonia”

Barrett touts improved job numbers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 28, 2020 QUEEN’S PARK – Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett paraded the improvement in provincial jobs numbers during a statement in the Ontario Legislature this week. “Since my party formed government in June 2018, employment in Ontario has increased by 307,000 jobs. In fact, we’re leading the nation, with 76% of our … Continue reading “Barrett touts improved job numbers”

Barrett raises awareness on phragmites

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 26, 2020 QUEEN’S PARK –  Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett used a statement in the Ontario Legislature to raise awareness about phrgamites and give kudos to local groups for their efforts in combating the invasive. “In my riding, phragmites has been a major threat over the years. This invasive plant infests our … Continue reading “Barrett raises awareness on phragmites”

Barrett highlights infrastructure investment in Haldimand and Norfolk

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 21, 2020 QUEEN’S PARK – Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett outlined the $5-million-plus the Ontario government is investing in the two counties during a statement in the Ontario Legislature. “The county of Haldimand will receive over $2.6 million, and the county of Norfolk will receive over $2.5 million,” Barrett said in the … Continue reading “Barrett highlights infrastructure investment in Haldimand and Norfolk”

Cutting unnecessary rules, regulations and red tape

By MPP Toby Barrett Bill 132, Better for People, Smarter for Business Act provides an opportunity to address some of the plethora of rules and regulations and red tape in Ontario. Our government has a plan to attract investment, encourage innovation, grow small business and create quality jobs. To achieve this, our government will support … Continue reading “Cutting unnecessary rules, regulations and red tape”

HN receives $5.1 million boost with Community Infrastructure Funding

For Immediate Release: January 17, 2020 SIMCOE – Both Haldimand and Norfolk Counties are getting a hand up totalling over $5 million to support work on bridges, roads, water and wastewater infrastructure. The latest investment is through the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) that will see small, rural and northern communities as the beneficiaries. This … Continue reading “HN receives $5.1 million boost with Community Infrastructure Funding”

Our mental health and addictions system is overwhelmed

 By MPP Toby Barrett I had a 20-year career with the Ontario Addiction Research Foundation (ARF) prior to becoming an MPP. ARF was a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre and one of the premier alcohol and drug research organizations in the world. We always knew there was no panacea, no silver bullet, for the misuse … Continue reading “Our mental health and addictions system is overwhelmed”

New rules for democratic discourse in the Legislature

By MPP Toby Barrett Many of us who have been elected to serve in Ontario’s provincial parliament feel we have a bit of an outdated set-up and we operate under somewhat obscure procedural protocol. That will all change next week as we head back to the Ontario Legislature. There’s nothing wrong with admitting that there … Continue reading “New rules for democratic discourse in the Legislature”

Bill to protect and promote North America’s Great Lakes

By MPP Toby Barrett Building on the work of so many over the years to help promote and protect our Great Lakes – on Dec. 11, 2019 – I introduced an Ontario Private Member’s Bill to enhance the promotion and protection of North America’s Great Lakes. As explained in the proposed legislation, “The Bill amends … Continue reading “Bill to protect and promote North America’s Great Lakes”