By MPP Toby Barrett Over the past several months, I’ve developed legislation designed to better enable the Province of Ontario to deal with emerging infectious diseases – diseases such as West Nile, Lyme, Ebola – diseases that seem to catch all of us flat-footed when they emerge. We must also have plans and programs in … Continue reading “An action plan for West Nile, Lyme, Ebola, . . .”
Category: Column Articles
By MPP Toby Barrett There is now a proposal before your Ontario Parliament to subtract another 1.9 per cent from your paycheque and 1.9 per cent from your employer to pay for a new provincial pension. In the spring budget, Premier Wynne unveiled her government’s Ontario Retirement Pension Plan (ORPP) that would impose a … Continue reading “Do you favour another tax on your paycheque?”
By MPP Toby Barrett Over the past two millennia, there have been periods in history where disease outbreaks have wreaked havoc on human populations in various parts of the world. Advances in medicine have tamed some of these diseases, but eradication is still at bay. Those dealing death – like the present concern with Ebola … Continue reading “Are we up to speed on emerging infectious diseases?”
By MPP Toby Barrett When new or relatively unknown disease advances, public health and disease treatment systems are often unprepared. I think of SARS in Toronto 11 years ago and the Ebola virus in West Africa today. Over the past few years we have seen the arrival of two vector-borne diseases in southern Ontario – … Continue reading “Now’s the time to check for West Nile/Lyme disease”
By MPP Toby Barrett With Thanksgiving around the corner reflecting the bounty of harvest, it’s apparent the contribution Ontario farmers make to our lives. As MPP and the Opposition Critic for Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, I get to visit farms, farm shows and meet with farm organizations. Here are a few of the concerns … Continue reading “Farm tours, plowing matches and policy development”
By MPP Toby Barrett My day at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show last week, yet again, reaffirmed the tremendous mechanical and electronic changes in North American agriculture. Our area was well represented at the show by the likes of DeCloet Greenhouses, VandenBussche Irrigation, Cadman Power Equipment, Robert H. Laning, Titan Trailers, R.E. Eggar Truck and Machine, … Continue reading “A day to wander about Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show”
By MPP Toby Barrett As we drive the countryside this time of year and see the many crops coming off the fields, it’s apparent we are blessed. We live, work and play in Ontario’s Garden, the Golden Garden – the country’s most diverse agricultural area. Due to our diverse soil types and warmer-than-average climate, growers … Continue reading “Best parts of Local Food Act are still M.I.A.”
By MPP Toby Barrett Port Rowan’s Bayfest and Hagersville’s Summer End are an annual tradition in Haldimand and Norfolk. They are the start of a fall chock full of festivals and other events. The War of 1812 re-enactment at Backus Mill, on September 6 and 7, takes on special significance this year during the bi-centennial … Continue reading “A fall full of local fairs and weekend festivals”
By MPP Toby Barrett Last week’s annual conference of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario gave me an opportunity to sit down with elected officials from Pickle Lake to Pelee Island and points in between. As in Haldimand and Norfolk, challenges range from money and red tape, to ensuring an improved municipal provincial relationship. One … Continue reading “AMO sets the stage for coming municipal election”
By MPP Toby Barrett After seeing the cost of electricity double in 10 years, it is projected prices will increase by 40 per cent over the next four years. That’s what we knew prior to June. What we didn’t know, and what every ratepayer should have known, was the situation is bleaker. On the Friday … Continue reading “Generous energy pensions funded by hydro bills”