By MPP Toby Barrett Nothing beats the flavour of farm-fresh strawberries – a long-time symbol of local food. Home-grown food has come full circle. Years ago, family farms grew produce to feed their families and then sold the excess. Now, local farmers are satisfying consumer demand for local fruit, vegetables and meat, as well as … Continue reading “Local food on offer from Ontario’s Golden Garden”
Category: Column Articles
By MPP Toby Barrett For close to a year now, we’ve been hearing of plans to convert the former Smucker’s cucumber tank farm into an organic waste processing and biogas cogeneration facility. The 75 acre tank farm has been purchased by Toronto-based Trade 360, the parent company of Erie Biogas Cogeneration and Organics Processing Inc. … Continue reading “Pickles to pampers – assessing biogas north of Delhi”
By MPP Toby Barrett Last month’s announced change to the Samsung agreement ushered in the latest government admission that its green energy program is a failure. It’s a failure that has doubled electricity costs, alienated rural communities and never come close to the unbelievable promise of new jobs. Instead of $9.7 billion for 2,500 megawatts … Continue reading “The legacy of wind will cost our economy billions”
By MPP Toby Barrett Haldimand-Norfolk is parade and festival country. Every weekend through the summer, and on through the fall, there is some sort of festival somewhere in the riding paying homage to our area’s cultural diversity, our agricultural roots and natural beauty. These festivals bring people into the riding’s towns and villages creating much-needed … Continue reading “Come out to this summer’s parades and festivals”
By MPP Toby Barrett A week ago Tuesday, we watched as Andrea Horwath cemented the Liberal/NDP budget deal to endorse new spending and breathe life into a minority government. The irony came later that day when the former captain of the scandal-plagued ship resigned his Ottawa South seat to further soften his landing in private … Continue reading “Legacy of Mr. McGuinty – gone, but not forgotten”
By MPP Toby Barrett In our homes, when money’s short, we reign in our spending. This current provincial government does not have a revenue problem, but rather a serious spending problem – especially, with respect to wasteful spending, and the scandalous spending of eHealth, Caledonia, Ornge and the gas plants. It is therefore particularly galling … Continue reading “Higher fees, taxes to bankroll spending addiction”
By MPP Toby Barrett The Province of Ontario – after five years of study – has launched a $50 billion plan to build subsidized subways and public transit in the Toronto area. Guess whose paying for it? Of the $16 billion spent so far on Toronto’s transit, $13 billion has come from the Ontario taxpayer. … Continue reading “Who will be paying the new Toronto transit taxes?”
By MPP Toby Barrett As a caring society, we have a moral obligation to help those who cannot help themselves. However, many with severe developmental disabilities are not getting the care or treatment they need. We are seeing the advent of a public health epidemic — young people with severe physical and mental disabilities now … Continue reading “We must find a path for the severely disabled”
By MPP Toby Barrett “This circular discussion cannot continue.” – Ron Keating We on this part of Lake Erie are blessed with significant wetlands including the marshes of Long Point and the Lower Grand, even upper Silver Lake in Port Dover. Over the years, they have been altered by man-made structures –Dunnville Dam, Long Point … Continue reading “Look at all options, imagine the possibilities”
By MPP Toby Barrett “It’s the economy, stupid” ~ James Carville, 1992 In Ontario we all have hopes of getting a good job, quality schools for our children, accessible health care and a climate where businesses and entrepreneurs can pursue their dreams and bring new products to market. This vision creates a first-class Ontario, complete … Continue reading “We need to budget for future jobs and economic growth”