By MPP Toby Barrett As many are beginning to find out, Ontario’s government finances are in trouble and they won’t get better if the present government doesn’t change its ways. Over the past eight years an unprecedented explosion of spending using borrowed money has added billions to an already unaffordable provincial debt. No entity, large … Continue reading “It’s time for straight talk on finances”
Category: Column Articles
By MPP Toby Barrett …history teaches that recessions involving financial crises tend to be more severe and have recoveries that take twice as long… – Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney Last week’s Ontario Liberal Government report authored by economist Don Drummond has exposed a deficit spending crisis more severe than has been described to … Continue reading “Austerity – the chickens have come home to roost”
By MPP Toby Barrett On February 28, 2006, Dawn Smith and Janie Jamieson blocked the entrance to Douglas Creek Estates in Caledonia. Six years later, the scars of the resulting mayhem remain, continuing to seed division in the community and to block home building, commercial and industrial development. The subdivision – festooned with warrior flags, … Continue reading “Occupy Caledonia will be six years February 28”
By MPP Toby Barrett “We can’t manage the deficit without addressing what is the single biggest line in our budget – public sector compensation” – Finance Minister Dwight Duncan December through February has traditionally meant pre-budget public hearings across the province for me over the past eight years as a member of Ontario’s Finance Committee. … Continue reading “Wage freezes, outsourcing and arbitration reform”
By MPP Toby Barrett Last week I reported on some of the historical background and manoeuvring that eventually led to our local fight to restore Haldimand and Norfolk Counties – pulling us out of the arranged regional government marriage. Following local resolutions and petitions – and the Haldimand-Norfolk Regional Government’s decision to impose a 17.9 … Continue reading “Some history on how we got our two counties back”
By MPP Toby Barrett The interest in recent weeks on restoring historic township names in Norfolk echo some of the heritage principles that helped drive the re-establishment of our traditional two county system over a decade ago. By the time I arrived at Queens Park as a rookie in 1995, there had been 20 years … Continue reading “The clay/sand boundary – invisible but understood”
By MPP Toby Barrett I somewhat sheepishly confess I do not know my ward number – never did, and am sure I never will. I know who my municipal councillor is, I know my lot and concession number, my 911 number, my postal code, my rural route number – but not my ward number. Replacing … Continue reading “Should we take township titles back to the future?”
By MPP Toby Barrett “My name is Dalton McGuinty and I have a spending problem” – MPP Sylvia Jones The news that Moody’s Investor Services could downgrade Ontario’s credit rating unless it takes serious steps to deal with the mounting deficit is a wake-up call for Ontario’s reeling economy. While Ontario’s Opposition has been counselling … Continue reading “When will Ontario accept credit counselling?”
By MPP Toby Barrett Each year at this time my office receives a popular and informative calendar from the Ministry of Consumer Services. The “Smart Consumer Calendar” provides ‘buyer beware’ tips that last the year through. Feel free to pick one up, or order extras at Service Ontario, 1-800-668-9938. For example, the January page discusses senior’s … Continue reading “Pick up an informative consumer services calendar”
By MPP Toby Barrett Ring out the old, ring in the new Ring out the old, ring in the new,… Ring in the nobler modes of life, With sweeter manners, purer laws… – Alfred, Lord Tennyson As curtains close on 2011, there is much to reflect on that many will not soon forget. At the … Continue reading “Ring out the old, ring in the new”