By MPP Toby Barrett The public appetite to protect and promote our natural environment continues to grow. With the majority of southern Ontario’s land base under private ownership, it remains critical to engage those who own the land as conservation partners on the working landscape – a landscape where farmers and stakeholders can work collaboratively … Continue reading “ALUS program puts the farmer in the driver’s seat”
Category: Column Articles
By MPP Toby Barrett The province has brought in interim animal protection measures, which are a temporary solution until a better permanent system is in place by next January. Animal welfare legislation has been enforced by the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) since 1919, however, the OSPCA recently decided to … Continue reading “Steps to better animal welfare enforcement”
By MPP Toby Barrett Another year has ticked by and Lyme disease remains a problem across much of North America. Over the years I have met with so many people – farmers, outdoor activists, friends, neighbours – who have come down with Lyme – so many, often young people, afflicted in the prime of their … Continue reading “Evaluation of practices is key for Lyme disease”
By MPP Toby Barrett Formerly known as Dominion Day, Canada Day not only marks our nation’s birthday, but also marks the unofficial start of what is a busy summer full of events across our area. The two First of July parades in the riding are always a sight to see. Caledonia starts the day with … Continue reading “Much to celebrate this summer in Haldimand and Norfolk”
By MPP Toby Barrett Recently my colleague MPP Goldie Ghamari introduced a Private Member’s Bill titled Supporting Ontario’s Community, Rural, and Agricultural Newspapers Act. Community newspapers are a local businesses and this proposed legislation is a no-brainer. At one time, community newspapers and radio were the only options for small-town business to get their message … Continue reading “Our local newspapers are small town Ontario”
By Toby Barrett, MPP With the opening of bass season around the corner, hundreds of anglers will descend on the waters of Haldimand-Norfolk with bait offerings to entice fish to bite. With over 250,000 lakes and 1.2 million recreational anglers in Ontario, it’s no surprise the live bait industry is big business – at the … Continue reading “A new approach to live baitfish management”
By Toby Barrett, MPP Ontario remains committed to expand the sale of beer and wine to corner stores, big-box stores, and more grocery stores. Recently-introduced government legislation will protect taxpayers while ending the Beer Store’s stranglehold on consumers and businesses. Bill 115, The Bringing Choice and Fairness to the People Act will nullify the Master … Continue reading “One stop shop for fairness, choice and convenience”
By Toby Barrett, MPP On July 1, 1867, Ontarians from all walks of life celebrated the birth of their new nation and new province, ever bearing in mind, Ontario’s Legislature preceded Confederation by 75 years. In the provincial capital Toronto, a city with a population under 60,000, people marked the occasion by attending public bonfires, … Continue reading “Proud history and great architecture at Queen’s Park”
By MPP Toby Barrett New legislation will help municipalities get a lot tougher with drivers who blow by school buses. This spring, MPPs have been debating the Getting Ontario Moving Act—legislation proposed to amend the Highway Traffic Act. The plan is to introduce a new administrative monetary penalty framework for improperly passing a school bus. … Continue reading “Highway Traffic Act changes to get Ontario moving”
By MPP Toby Barrett Bill 108 is legislation that supports Ontario’s comprehensive Housing Supply Action Plan. The bill, titled More Homes, More Choice, is designed to transform Ontario’s housing development system—a broken system that we now need to fix. We need to turn things around. We need to bring in more housing, more quickly, to … Continue reading “Housing is a broken system we now need to fix”