What we’ll do about Ontario’s have-not budget

By MPP Toby Barrett As the Ontario Legislature debates the latest have-not budget it’s increasingly clear that Premier McGuinty will not halt the high-spending, high-taxing and high-deficiting that has all of us paying for bigger government and smaller results. It’s also clear that it will take a real change of direction – and concrete action … Continue reading “What we’ll do about Ontario’s have-not budget”

Barrett holds Environment Minister to account on Edwards landfill

For Immediate Release: April 7, 201 Queens Park – After a year of government missteps on waste diversion and management in Ontario, Opposition Environment Critic Toby Barrett is trying to ensure local landfill concerns do not go ignored. During Question Period, Barrett asked Environment Minister John Wilkinson about oversight and government action at Edwards landfill … Continue reading “Barrett holds Environment Minister to account on Edwards landfill”

A have-not budget for a have-not province

By MPP Toby Barrett The man who turned Ontario into a have-not province has released a have-not budget. And what’s missing from Premier McGuinty ‘s 2011 provincial budget may very well cause grief for Ontario’s hard-working families as promises of new spending often bring new taxes to balance the equation – and in Mr. McGuinty’s … Continue reading “A have-not budget for a have-not province”

McGuinty government continues assault on Barrett over coal

For Immediate Release: March 31, 2011 McGuinty government continues assault on Barrett over coal Queen’s Park – How does a question about wind energy and eco tax turn into an assault on coal-fired generating stations? That’s the question that had local MPP and PC Environment Critic Toby Barrett scratching his head following Question Period today … Continue reading “McGuinty government continues assault on Barrett over coal”

It’s what’s missing from the Ontario Budget that will cause families grief

For Immediate Release: March 29, 2011 Queen’s Park – Although today’s Provincial Budget failed to mention any new taxes, Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett warned Ontario families shouldn’t breathe a sigh of relief quite yet. “Promises of new spending always bring new tax grabs when it comes to the McGuinty government,” Barrett said. “After eight years … Continue reading “It’s what’s missing from the Ontario Budget that will cause families grief”

Barrett says Business Risk Management changes overdue

For Immediate Release: March 29, 2011 Queen’s Park – Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett says Ontario’s farmers have faced uncertainty long enough and welcomed risk management program (RMP) changes for farmers introduced in the budget. He noted there is still room for improvement. Barrett has issued news releases and columns on the topic over the past … Continue reading “Barrett says Business Risk Management changes overdue”

Ontario environment concerns ignored in McGuinty budget, no plan to mend the damage of eco taxes and unkept promises

For Immediate Release: March 29, 2011 Ontario environment concerns ignored in McGuinty budget, no plan to mend the damage of eco taxes and unkept promises Queens Park – Despite a year that saw Mr. McGuinty render uncalculated damage to the concepts of environmentalism and stewardship, Ontario’s 2011 budget contains zero in the way of restoring … Continue reading “Ontario environment concerns ignored in McGuinty budget, no plan to mend the damage of eco taxes and unkept promises”

Will budget set a future of new taxes?

For Immediate Release: March 25, 2011 Queens Park – How often can government commit to, “no new taxes” before we stop believing? That was Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett’s question as we ponder a 2011 budget that government promised would contain no new taxes. “Does this mean Mr. McGuinty will hit us with new taxes following … Continue reading “Will budget set a future of new taxes?”

There’s potential for our forest industry to recover

By MPP Toby Barrett For generations, lumbering has been a primary driver of our economy. Although the forest industry is one of the major planks in Northern Ontario’s economy, that doesn’t mean it’s not important in Southern Ontario. Here in Haldimand-Norfolk, there are four major saw mills and many working in logging and value-added. The … Continue reading “There’s potential for our forest industry to recover”

Barrett supports Opposition push for Dutch Heritage Month Act

For Immediate Release: March 24, 2011 Queens Park – Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett today voiced his support for colleague Elizabeth Witmer’s Private Members Bill to declare May as Dutch Heritage Month. The Dutch Heritage Month Act, originally introduced by the Kitchener Waterloo MPP passed second reading debate earlier today. “The fact that the Netherlands was … Continue reading “Barrett supports Opposition push for Dutch Heritage Month Act”