By MPP Toby Barrett “We can’t manage the deficit without addressing what is the single biggest line in our budget – public sector compensation.” – Finance Minister Dwight Duncan. Sadly, Ontario is facing a projected $30.2 billion deficit and a $411.4 billion debt by 2017-18 – over half that shortfall represents civil servant labour costs. … Continue reading “Ontario at a crossroads as bills come due”
Author: Toby Barrett
Liberals and NDP vote against alternatives to public sector layoffs and program cuts
For immediate release: June 7, 2012 QUEEN’S PARK — A union of NDP and McGuinty government members blocked Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett’s attempts to provide alternatives to public sector layoffs and program cuts in the Ontario Legislature this afternoon. Barrett’s Bill 94 was shot down by the joint Liberal – NDP voting bloc, outnumbering MPP … Continue reading “Liberals and NDP vote against alternatives to public sector layoffs and program cuts”
For Immediate Release June 6, 2012 Queen’s Park – Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett is challenging a comment made by Premier Dalton McGuinty yesterday with regard to the on-going land dispute in Caledonia. In response to a question from Opposition Leader Tim Hudak regarding the energy deal between Six Nations and Samsung, the Premier digressed and … Continue reading “Premier refers to DCE as “alleged occupation””
By MPP Toby Barrett “One recommendation that crosses all sectors is the need for prolonged moderation of growth in public-sector total compensation” – Don Drummond While people are having trouble paying the bills, government continues to increase the tax burden. At the same time, Ontario is facing credit downgrades and a projected $411.4 billion debt … Continue reading “Long term action required to address public pay”
For immediate release: June 5, 2012 QUEEN’S PARK — Just as a Minister’s representative began to address the questions of Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett with regard to government involvement in the recent Samsung/Ontario/ Six Nations land lease agreement, the clock coincidently ran out. And while the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Energy stopped short … Continue reading “Barrett uses late show to seek answers on “unprecedented” land lease agreement with Six Nations Parliamentary Assistant response: “no final decisions have been made””
For immediate release: June 5, 2012 QUEEN’S PARK — Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett will be back at it again to attempt to get answers to government’s involvement with a land lease deal that will see crown land lease payments in Haldimand County diverted to Six Nations. Barrett demanded a late show debate following his questions … Continue reading “Barrett registers dissatisfaction with Samsung/Ontario/Six Nations land lease deal MPP secures late show debate on “precedent” setting agreement”
No paramedics on duty at London Ornge Feb. 28 spot inspection reveals no one on duty at flight base
For immediate release: June 4, 2012 QUEEN’S PARK — Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett questioned the Minister of Health today why an Ornge flight base would be operating without paramedics following a spot inspection revealing none on duty February 28th in London. “This is right in the heart of your riding and Minister Bentley’s riding. Minister, … Continue reading “No paramedics on duty at London Ornge Feb. 28 spot inspection reveals no one on duty at flight base”
For immediate release: June 1, 2012 QUEEN’S PARK — Both Ontario’s Premier and the Finance Minister have waded into public sector compensation legislation introduced by Haldimand Norfolk’s Toby Barrett. During Question Period, both McGuinty and Duncan challenged the limiting of compensation to GDP economic growth described in Barrett’s Bill 94 – Addressing Ontario’s Debt Through … Continue reading “Barrett Bill tweaks interest of McGuinty/Duncan”
By MPP Toby Barrett Recently, I introduced legislation to open up debate on public sector compensation. Bill 94 stresses the requirement for meaningful consultation and negotiation among all parties, while moving forward on proposals to: limit public servants’ compensation to economic growth; limit collective agreements to one year; and introduce the concept of a wage … Continue reading “Consultation is key to public sector reform”
Barrett Private Members Bill puts a cap on public sector increases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 25, 2012 QUEEN’S PARK — People getting paid by the taxpayers shouldn’t get a better deal than the taxpayers themselves. That according to Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett following introduction of his private members bill last week, Bill 94 – Addressing Ontario’s Debt Through Alternatives to Public Sector Layoffs and Program Cuts … Continue reading “Barrett Private Members Bill puts a cap on public sector increases”