It seems of late that whenever an election looms, auto insurance becomes one of the big issues. Last year, to try and prevent an election we saw a promise of a 15 per cent premium reduction, permitting the government to stay in power for another year. There’s no question, Ontario has the most expensive insurance … Continue reading “Have your say on the high cost of insurance”
Category: Column Articles
I’ve been attending farm meetings for as long as I can remember – with my father, my grandfather. Our farms, as T.B Barrett and Son, signed up for the Federation of Agriculture in the 1950s and had joined the Norfolk Co-op in 1918. Some local farm groups go back much further – the Norfolk Fruit … Continue reading “Notes and jottings from this winter’s farm meetings”
After doubling the cost of electricity over the past ten years, the present government will see prices increase 40 per cent by 2018 – and independent analysts have presented even more pessimistic outlooks. While Ontario’s power sector has strong fundamentals, we see prices continue to increase far in excess of inflation, while rates are falling … Continue reading “Why has electricity become so expensive?”
By MPP Toby Barrett Ontario’s debt has doubled over the past ten years. We spend nine cents of every dollar in revenue just to cover the interest. As a result, interest payments on the debt have become this government’s fastest-growing expenditure -much more than the spending growth in health care and education. And, according to … Continue reading “Another ten years older and double the debt”
By MPP Toby Barrett Mention invasive species and we envision zebra mussels, or Asian carp jumping out of a river. But, invasive species have a much longer history – something I am aware of when I look out my front door. As I look to the west, to my pond, I see phragmites forcing out … Continue reading “There ought to be a law against invasive species”
“All my pension goes to pay my electricity” – constituent By MPP Toby Barrett With Ontario boasting the highest energy prices in North America, quite honestly I don’t know how some people get by. When people bring their electricity bills into my office, it provides a line-by-line window on just how difficult it has become … Continue reading “People are having trouble paying for energy”
By MPP Toby Barrett This January I toured Sarnia, Thunder Bay, North Bay and Kingston in a series of pre-budget consultations with Opposition Finance Critic Vic Fedeli and other members of the Ontario Legislature. Testimony had a theme: expensive energy and high taxes. It’s been a tough ten years. Often times future government behaviour can … Continue reading “Past tax policy a predictor of future tax policy”
By MPP Toby Barrett Mayors, reeves and councillors across Ontario will be under the electorate’s microscope as we approach municipal elections on Oct. 27. A number of issues surfaced at last week’s AGM of ROMA – the Rural Ontario Municipal Association. The Ontario Provincial Police is comprised of great men and women who put their … Continue reading “Municipal elections put issues under microscope”
By MPP Toby Barrett Canada was not built by people who were afraid to take on challenges. Imagine our country without the TransCanada Highway or Canadian Pacific Railway or pipelines, or infrastructure for water and sewer. And today continued upgrades to rail, sea and road links remain vital to our agri-business, manufacturing and primary industries. … Continue reading “Planes, trains and automobiles need infrastucture”
By MPP Toby Barrett Something I enjoy in the winter, apart from feeding the wood stove, is attending farm meetings. In good times and bad, Ontario’s agricultural organizations – serving 50,000 farms and over 200 commodities – provide a valuable forum for all involved to advocate, and kick around ideas and information. Like the rest of … Continue reading “The stage can be set for an agricultural comeback”