By MPP Toby Barrett Ontario’s massive hike in the aviation fuel tax will largely be passed on to passenger ticket prices. The plan announced in the recent budget is to double the current aviation fuel tax from 2.7 cents per liter to 6.7 cents per liter in stages by 2017. The increased tax is set … Continue reading “Aviation fuel tax will cause ticket prices to soar”
Category: Column Articles
By MPP Toby Barrett “Never, never, never, never give up – Winston Churchill That early morning as we waited on the Port Dover pier for Annaleise Carr’s flotilla to arrive, I had a conversation with two commercial boat captains. Their opinion was, drawing on decades of Lake Erie experience, given the wind, waves, and the … Continue reading “A tale of courage, compassion and hard work”
By MPP Toby Barrett Debate about Ontario’s economy, and specifically the fiscal health of its government, have dominated the past few weeks at Queen’s Park. It looks like we’re in trouble on both counts. As I did in the spring, I voted against this year’s budget – a budget I continue to find both unrealistic … Continue reading “Why I voted against the budget – again”
By MPP Toby Barrett A few days before we commenced this July’s legislature debate on the budget, I rose in Question Period with the following to Premier Wynne: “So you say in three years it’s zero deficit. However your hand-picked economist, Don Drummond, projects in three years a $30.2-billion deficit. Premier how do you square … Continue reading “Budget 2014 – A program for taxing and spending”
By MPP Toby Barrett Each additional point increase in Ontario’s interest rate will add another $3 billion in interest cost on gross debt. – Economist Jack Mintz Ontario’s 41st Parliament commenced this July with the Speech from the Throne – delivered by outgoing Lieutenant-Governor David C. Onley, but written by the office of Premier Wynne. … Continue reading “Throne Speech overshadowed by credit downgrade”
By MPP Toby Barrett “I do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth the Second. So help me God.” The wording of the Oath of Allegiance has not changed since 1792, except for the name of the Monarch, and reinforces the province’s official motto: “Loyal she began, … Continue reading “An unusual July sitting of the Ontario Legislature”
By MPP Toby Barrett “When I say we need to stay on government’s fiscal plan of balancing the budget by 2017-18, I mean it.” – Kathleen Wynne, 2012 Just before she became Liberal leader in 2012, Kathleen Wynne made a commitment to eliminate Ontario’s deficit by fiscal year 2017-18 – a promise she continues to … Continue reading “How would you assist Ontario balance the books?”
By MPP Toby Barrett “Summer is here and the time is right for dancing in the streets”. That line from the 1965 hit by Martha and the Vandellas comes to life in the many happenings across Haldimand and Norfolk this summer. In addition to being a lot of fun for those of us who are … Continue reading “See you at these summer parades and festivals”
By MPP Toby Barrett Famine, war, pestilence and death – the four horsemen of the apocalypse – although occurring in various degrees during our 9,000 year history in this part of the world are presently of little public concern, although that could change. With respect to today’s economic and fiscal status in Ontario as reflected … Continue reading “The four horsemen of Ontario’s economic demise”
By MPP Toby Barrett Across Haldimand-Norfolk a group of hard-working people cut our hair, install and repair our electrical, plumbing, heating and air conditioning systems. They build our houses, replace our roofs and keep our vehicles in good running order. These local tradespeople keep everything working for us – they are there when needed most … Continue reading “Scrap the job-killing College of Trades tax”