FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Feb. 14, 2014 QUEEN’S PARK – Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett is questioning government accounting after it was announced the Debt Retirement Charge on electricity bills will be extended another year. It’s estimated the extension will mean Ontarians are paying an extra $3 billion for electricity. Barrett maintained the debt was paid off … Continue reading “Why do we still have a Debt Retirement Charge: Barrett”
Category: Column Articles
By MPP Toby Barrett In 1995, Tim Hudak and I first ran for election on a promise from Mike Harris to create one million jobs – and subsequently that promise became reality. Fast-forward 18 years and we see one million of our friends and neighbours without jobs. It’s again time for a plan to put … Continue reading “Here’s a proposed law to create a million jobs”
“We want to work more.” ~ Michael, Community Living Tillsonburg By MPP Toby Barrett As Premier Kathleen Wynne was heading into her first caucus meeting as Premier last year at about this time, she told the media and thereby the people of Ontario one of her top priorities was to tackle social issues. One year … Continue reading “Government paralyzed by social service file”
“There’s a sucker born every minute” – attributed to P.T. Barnum By MPP Toby Barrett Each year too many people in Ontario feel the devastating impact of fraud. Criminals target and exploit people of all ages and all walks of life through false or misleading advertising, telemarketing, pyramid schemes and fake lotteries. Canadians lose millions … Continue reading “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is”
By MPP Toby Barrett As we contemplate the new year, it has been suggested to me the economic, fiscal and political models in Ontario cannot forever continue in their present form. Let’s hope, for the sake of coming generations, we can rebuild an Ontario we can once again be proud of. Our best course is … Continue reading “Rebuilding will be difficult, but necessary”
By MPP Toby Barrett Reflecting on the past six months, we’re reminded what a blessing our many summer festivals, parades and fall fairs contribute to our communities – small towns with big ideas. I can’t say the same for the shenanigans in the Ontario Legislature during the second half of 2013. As we recall, temperatures … Continue reading “Let’s work for jobs, economic growth in 2014!”
By MPP Toby Barrett New Year festivities trace their origins back 4,000 years to Mesopotamia. The tradition of a baby representing the coming year and an old man representing the past originated with the ancient Greeks. January 1 became New Year ’s Day by decree of Caesar to honour Janus, the god of all beginning. Representations … Continue reading “Last winter and spring had its ups and downs”
By MPP Toby Barrett As your Ontario Legislature wrapped up for Christmas, an important document landed on MPP’s desks – the Auditor General’s 2013 Annual Report. I sit on Public Accounts – a Standing Committee charged with reviewing and facilitating the Auditor General’s work. The report from recently-appointed AG Bonnie Lysyk describes value-for-money audits ranging … Continue reading “A pre-Christmas wake-up call from Ontario’s AG”
By MPP Toby Barrett In reviewing statements from the Ontario government recently, one might assume Christmas is only about electrical safety and holiday shopping – that Christmas is only about the cash register and the commercialization of our Christmas holidays. And, in truth, over the decades, we have seen a continued secularization of Christmas – … Continue reading “Christmas is about much more than just shopping”
By MPP Toby Barrett Often times when a government runs out of steam it attempts to spin old ideas into new ones. Ten years after the Smoke Free Ontario Act was implemented, government proposes to debate it once again. They also want to debate the coal ban all over again. Such repetition results in poor … Continue reading “Why a rehash of the Smoke Free Ontario Act?”