Costs of contempt and energy mismanagement

By MPP Toby Barrett Queens Park played host to long and raucous debate this past week as we learned taxpayers are stuck with a $640 million bill for government’s cancellation of the Oakville and Mississauga natural gas plants – saving the seats of two government members in the process. The cost of Mr. McGuinty’s politically-driven … Continue reading “Costs of contempt and energy mismanagement”

Fixing Ontario’s broken arbitration system

By MPP Toby Barrett Municipal representatives working to hold the line on spending and avoid deficit pitfalls are often held back by a broken provincial arbitration system. A Government of Ontario website defines “arbitration” as “a quasi-judicial process in which a disinterested third-party (an arbitrator or arbitration board) hears evidence presented by both the union … Continue reading “Fixing Ontario’s broken arbitration system”

A prescription for patient-centred health care

By MPP Toby Barrett Health care is the most vital service for all Ontarians, but also the most costly. The problems patients have in accessing health care today are not because of lack of money or shortfalls of our medical professionals. Rather, the problems stem from the way our health care system is organized. In … Continue reading “A prescription for patient-centred health care”

Teacher’s bill is half-loaf, half-baked restraint

By MPP Toby Barrett This past week while by-election fever was hitting the Kitchener-Waterloo area, I had the opportunity to share thoughts on Bill 115 – the so-called, Putting Students First Act. This is legislation that comes nine years late and $411.4 billion dollars short as a tentative step towards fiscal restraint. As Opposition Leader … Continue reading “Teacher’s bill is half-loaf, half-baked restraint”

Why pay $143 to screw in a pencil sharpener?

By MPP Toby Barrett In a tale of two realities, the private sector has lost 300,000 manufacturing jobs and wage growth has become virtually stagnant, while 300,000 bureaucratic government jobs have been added to a bloated public sector payroll. While Ontario’s unionized and non-unionized private sector workers have taken it on the chin, their public … Continue reading “Why pay $143 to screw in a pencil sharpener?”

Our Mighty Mite becomes Ontario’s Lady of the Lake

By MPP Toby Barrett “I think it’s so great we have a new Lady of the Lake.” ~ Marilyn Bell Over the years, I have met so many wonderful people who give tirelessly and believe in their community. But every once in a while I meet someone who stands head and shoulders — even at … Continue reading “Our Mighty Mite becomes Ontario’s Lady of the Lake”

It’s time to wake up job creation in Ontario

By MPP Toby Barrett With the loss of 300,000 manufacturing jobs since 2003, and an unemployment rate above the national average five years running, Ontario has regrettably become the ‘sick man’ of Canada. Once seen as a place of opportunity and hope – a province that attracted work and hardworking people — Ontario is now … Continue reading “It’s time to wake up job creation in Ontario”

Farmers can adapt, but can’t beat Mother Nature

By MPP Toby Barrett Summer farm events remind me of a few things about farming, including you can adapt, but when push comes to shove, you can’t beat Mother Nature. Farming is a challenge – something reiterated to me at recent meetings of the Soil and Crop Association, Haldimand-Norfolk Holstein Club and Haldimand Federation of … Continue reading “Farmers can adapt, but can’t beat Mother Nature”

Studies, appeals renew call for wind moratorium

By MPP Toby Barrett Two significant announcements mean an industrial wind-power moratorium is required now more than ever. Last week’s Health Canada decision to examine and report on health impacts from wind turbines coincided with the Environmental Review Tribunal’s (ERT) decision to schedule hearings for six separate appeals of the Haldimand-Samsung wind/solar project. Given the … Continue reading “Studies, appeals renew call for wind moratorium”