Toby Barrett, M.P.P.

December 19, 2005 - Government energy plans to be aired at Simcoe Committee Hearings

Simcoe – Before smart meters make their way into area homes MPP Toby Barrett is encouraging ratepayers to have their say. The Standing Committee on Justice Policy will hear testimony on the legislation and visit Simcoe in the New Year. [Read more]

December 15, 2005 - Barrett outlines provincial role for re-igniting rural Delhi, tobacco economy

Queen’s Park – During evening debate in the Legislature MPP Toby Barrett again issued his call for “more comprehensive and proactive solutions” to remedy the impacts of the “decline in the tobacco industry.” [Read more]

Queen’s Park- MPP Toby Barrett is aghast at the latest heavy handed government proposal to deny or suspend the licences of high school dropouts and to lay fines of up to $1000 on students who do not maintain an acceptable attendance record. [Read more]

Queen’s Park – MPP Toby Barrett stood in the Ontario Legislature yesterday to reiterate his request for the Agriculture Minister to meet with producers, and their representatives to discuss future direction for tobacco farmers. [Read more]

December 14, 2005 - Barrett to farmers: You can hang alone, or you can hang together

Highway 401 (Sweaburg exit) – MPP Toby Barrett today joined 200 tractors and 100 pick-up trucks for a one hour blockade of the 401 stretching from Ingersoll to the Sweaburg exit. [Read more]

Queens Park –MPP Toby Barrett spoke out this week against Bill 37, Respect for Municipalities Act 2005, citing it as just one more way for Dalton McGuinty to break the Taxpayer’s Protection Act. [Read more]

Queen’s Park – PC Agriculture Critic Toby Barrett says a recent Stats Canada report proves what he has been trying to make the Minister of Agriculture understand – farmers in Ontario are in a crisis.. [Read more]

Queens Park – PC Agriculture Critic says name-calling and finger-pointing by Government members in the Legislature is just part of , “the price I pay” for standing up on behalf of tobacco farmers, their communities and others impacted by the Liberal, “war on tobacco”. [Read more]

Queens Park – Less than a week after again claiming to be working with the federal government on agriculture funding proposals, Ontario’s Agriculture Minister was short on answers regarding provincial action in the wake of a lacklustre funding announcement from Ottawa. [Read more]

Queen’s Park - Assessment tax hikes are the last straw for farmers already struggling with weather, low commodity prices, loss of markets, and skyrocketing energy and input costs Ag Critic Toby Barrett reported to the Ontario Legislature today. [Read more]

November 24, 2005 - Barrett calls for provincial funding for beef, cash-crop, tobacco and horticulture

Queens Park - Ontario’s Minister of Agriculture again failed to provide a timeline for a provincial response to funding proposals from beef, cash-crop, tobacco and horticulture funding proposals following questioning by Ag. Critic Toby Barrett in the Legislature November 23rd..

In his first query to Minister Dombrowsky yesterday, Barrett reiterated a farmer’s question from the Ontario Federation of Agriculture convention. [Read more]

Queen’s Park – PC Agriculture Critic Toby Barrett says trying to figure out where the McGuinty Government stands on corn tariffs is like trying to nail jello to the wall.

Barrett commented after questioning Minister of Agriculture Leona Dombrowsky in the Legislature yesterday:

“The Canadian International Trade Tribunal has indicated that the subsidization and dumping of US corn has caused injury to our domestic industry,” Barrett began. “You knew a decision was coming - you know the possible impacts. I raised this with you five weeks ago. [Read more]

Queen’s Park – Natural mothers who were promised their privacy in adoption cases will now have to plead with a tribunal to have that privacy protected according to MPP Toby Barrett.

PC MPP’s joined Barrett this week as he voted a second time against Bill 183 – the Adoption Information Disclosure Act - in an effort to protect the privacy of natural mothers. [Read more]

November 04, 2005 - Barrett asks: Where’s the promised rural school funding?
Education Minister has few details on June funding announcement

Queen’s Park – Details regarding a May announcement on rural school funding remain a mystery despite MPP Barrett’s attempts to pry the information out of the Education Minister during Estimates Committee deliberations.

As the Committee examined Education Ministry spending plans this week, Barrett asked for information regarding the logistics surrounding a $20 million announcement for small schools. [Read more]

November 03, 2005 - More people, more cars, more garbage, more air pollution
Barrett joins Environmental Commissioner call for public discussion of land use plans

Queen’s Park – “A planning regime, based on the continuous expansion of population and the growth in consumption of resources, is ultimately not sustainable.”
– E.C.O 2005 Annual report

MPP Toby Barrett echoed the sentiments of Environmental Commissioner Gord Miller’s report in the Legislature yesterday, as he pointed to the impact of more people on an already highly stressed environment. [Read more]

November 02, 2005 - Fall Economic Statement more trick than treat
While we are optimistic about economic growth, it is important to remember that there are clouds on the horizon – Finance Minister Dwight Duncan

Queen’s Park – One day after ghosts and goblins went door to door for treats, the McGuinty Liberals were busy with tricks in yesterday’s economic statement.

While Finance Minister Dwight Duncan painted a rosy picture of Ontario’s financial health, the reality portends the “clouds on the horizon” he referred to later in his statement. [Read more]

October 21, 2005 - 635 jobs latest casualties in Government ‘war on tobacco’

Simcoe – The Ontario government ‘war on tobacco’ has forced the elimination of 635 jobs at Imperial Tobacco’s Guelph and Aylmer plants according to Opposition Agriculture Critic Toby Barrett.

Barrett commented following Imperial’s announcement to close the doors on 80 jobs at the threshing plant in Aylmer and 555 positions in Guelph. The company says it will continue to process Ontario tobacco at a manufacturing facility in Monterrey, Mexico. [Read more]

Queens Park —PC Agriculture Critic Toby Barrett took time during debate of a Liberal Private Members Motion to list the mounting issues facing Ontario’s fruit and vegetable growers.

The resolution introduced by MPP Kathleen Wynn asked that, “the government of Ontario should expand the Foodland Ontario program to explicitly state the standards Ontario foods meet before they are placed on the market and develop a campaign to educate the public on those food safety and quality standards.” [Read more]

Queens Park — More than a year after being accused by Ontario’s Agriculture Minister of “fearmongering”, PC Agriculture Critic Toby Barrett’s questions regarding preparedness for avian flu have met with a government “bird-dance”.

Barrett’s questions in the Legislature were directed to the Acting Premier. [Read more]

Queens Park – MPP Toby Barrett backs PC Party Leader John Tory in pushing Dalton McGuinty for answers on taking action on gun crime.

When asked about specific actions being taken by the Liberal government, McGuinty, like a broken record, falls back on his same old response. As the problem of gun crime escalates in Ontario, McGuinty continues to refer to his promise of 29 months ago - to put 1,000 new police officers in our communities.
“Saying he is putting 1000 new police officers in the streets is not enough. We want to see McGuinty do it” says Barrett. “All this talk and not one new police officer in Ontario - he has yet to act on this promise”. [Read more]

New session, same old story from urban-dominated Liberal regime

Queens Park — The more that things change the more they stay the same at the Ontario Legislature as the Government Throne Speech made clear McGuinty’s urban agenda will continue to disregard the needs of rural Ontario. [Read more]

Queen’s Park – MPP Toby Barrett joined PC Critic for Community Safety and Correctional Services, Garfield Dunlop, in asking the McGuinty Liberals to speak up about the plan to shirk the responsibilities of the Ontario Parole and Earned Release Board by passing them on to the National Parole Board in Ottawa. [Read more]

Ontario Government pays lip service - and little else - to Ontario farmers

Queens Park — Agriculture week came and went at the Ontario Legislature with little more than a whisper from the provincial government according to PC Agriculture Critic Toby Barrett.

The week previous to Thanksgiving was designated through a 1998 Private Members Bill introduced by former PC MPP Bert Johnson (Perth) to “provide special recognition for the contribution of Ontario’s farmers to our society by proclaiming the week commencing on the Monday immediately before Thanksgiving Day in each year as Ontario Agriculture Week.” [Read more]

Simcoe – An Energy Probe report ranking North American coal-fired generating stations adds fuel to arguments against closing down Ontario’s fossil fuel producers in the face of high natural gas prices and escalating demand.

The report by the well-known energy and environmental watchdog ranks 403 coal-fired generating stations by the pollution they produce per unit of power. Two of the Lambton units rank in the top ten clean facilities. None of the Lambton units nor three other remaining coal-fired stations in the province -- Thunder Bay, Atikokan, and our Nanticoke facility -- are low in the rankings of coal polluters. [Read more]

October 06, 2005 - PC Agriculture Critic tables call for Government leadership

Queens Park — As the Minister of Agriculture continued to play numbers games with OMAF budget numbers, MPP Toby Barrett took time in Estimates Committee today to expose the budget allocation for what it was – a spending cut of 23 per cent.

As PC Agriculture Critic, Barrett questioned how the government could cut spending at a time when farmers are in crisis and looking for leadership. . [Read more]

Barrett asks why Toronto wasn’t listed as a destination for Toronto’s garbage

Caledonia – A report that identifies Ontario communities with potential to receive 3.5 million tonnes of GTA garbage each year has left former PC Environment Critic Toby Barrett with a list of unanswered questions. [Read more]

September 28, 2005 - Look into clean-air technology at coal plants before it’s too late - Barrett

Caledonia – Following a tour of the Nanticoke OPG Selective Catalytic Reduction Units (SCR), MPP Toby Barrett said it’s essential that government begin the “financial analysis and environmental analysis” into clean-coal technology being called for by Ontario PC Leader John Tory. [Read more]

As the sticky summer gives way to the comfortable temperatures of an Ontario autumn, our calendar begins to reflect the festivities of the harvest season as well as the sacrifices of our heroes overseas.

2005 has been recognized as “The Year of the Veteran”, and takes on special meaning because it marks the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. [Read more]

Lindsay Fair, Lindsay – While waiting sixty cars deep to pay for gas in Lindsay, MPP Barrett called the provincial government to action.

“Obviously people in Lindsay are expecting to face more government looting at the pumps,” Barrett said. “This government must stand up and protect Ontarians and Canadians from the constant gouging - we’ve reached the breaking point.” [Read more]

September 21, 2005 - Barrett, Tory and Farm Leaders meet on short-term/ long term strategies

International Plowing Match, Listowel – Instead of getting much needed government support, farmers at the International Plowing Match received little more than the announcement of Foodland Ontario’s annual ad campaign.

Premier McGuinty announced the campaign titled, “the more you know, the fresher the taste,” as farmers awaited real action and plans to help divert the growing farm crises. [Read more]

Atomic McGuinty taking 25% of power off grid while musing about nuclear

Port Dover – Rumours of McGuinty’s nuclear power plan have placed a large question mark over Nanticoke OPG.

Yesterday Dalton McGuinty said he would be OK with new nuclear if a review approves it in December – this followed recent reports that the Energy Minister had mentioned the possibility of nukes at Nanticoke to the Mayor of Haldimand. [Read more]

Woodstock – Clad in a bright yellow t-shirt with the words “Farmers Feed Cities”, MPP Toby Barrett stood alongside farmers at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show waiting for Ontario’s Agriculture Minister to provide some leadership – at the end of the Minister’s speech they were still waiting. [Read more]

September 09, 2005 - FASday Bell Concordance rings out in Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant

Caledonia –MPP Toby Barrett thanked all those who once again participated in this year’s Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Bell Concordance following a bell ringing ceremony at the Caledonia Presbyterian Church. [Read more]

September 09, 2005 - Charity bingos, restaurants and others line up for their shot at Smoke Free Ontario

Sarnia -MPP Toby Barrett was heartened to see that while Bill 164 has been passed by the McGuinty Government, the Free Ontario initiative hasn't forced critics to give up the fight. [Read more]

Sarnia – Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP Toby Barrett says the provincial government must do more to reduce the cost of gas.

Today, MPP Barrett echoed the sentiments of Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader John Tory in calling on the McGuinty Liberals to do more to end the gas gouging of Ontario consumers. [Read more]

Simcoe – MPP Toby Barrett says the Ontario Liberal approach to gas prices has the government singing a completely different tune than they chanted in opposition. [Read more]

August 31, 2005 - Barrett joins Tory call for Dalton McGuinty to offer assistance in hurricane relief effort

Simcoe – MPP Toby Barrett joined Opposition Leader John Tory today in calling for Ontario government assistance in the relief effort for those affected by Hurricane Katrina in southern United States. [Read more]

August 30, 2005 - Barrett chimes in with renewed call to ring out against Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Simcoe – One year after first issuing a suggestion to area churches, fire departments, municipalities and others to join in an awareness initiative on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP Toby Barrett is ringing the bell again. [Read more]

Roles of Caucus members shifted to aggressively hold McGuinty Liberals to account

(Queen’s Park, ON) – Opposition Leader John Tory today announced several changes to critic portfolios to re-align Progressive Conservative Caucus members with the government’s new ministerial portfolios and focus on aggressively holding the McGuinty Liberals to account for their broken promises and mismanagement of Ontario. [Read more]

Port Dover – After two years of holding the government to account on the environment front MPP Toby Barrett is grabbing the reins as Official Opposition Critic for Agriculture and Food. [Read more]

Barrett asks if government will realize First Nations responsibility

Simcoe – MPP Toby Barrett echoed Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader John Tory’s hope that after the latest in a long line of promises for more police officers, the McGuinty Liberals might finally deliver on its’ responsibility to keep Ontarians safe. [Read more]

Dunnville – The violence in Toronto is a good example of how easily things can get out of hand when government does not make community safety a priority. [Read more]

That’s the message from Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP Toby Barrett as rural landowners gather in Courtland this evening for the inaugural meeting of the Norfolk-Oxford-Elgin Landowners Association. [Read more]

August 05, 2005 - Coal closure campaign continues to blur reality – MPP Barrett

Queen’s Park – As the people of Ontario become accustomed to ongoing concerns over electricity capacity in the province, the McGuinty government continues to blindly go where no government has gone before – with our energy future hanging in the balance. [Read more]

Queen’s Park - The day after the Toronto blackout, Premier McGuinty continues to put Ontario’s energy users at risk through his lack of real action in resolving the two-month strike between government-owned Hydro One and its engineers. [Read more]

U.S. Consulate -- MPP Toby Barrett joined Opposition Leader John Tory, the Ontario Cattlemen Association and several of his PC caucus colleagues in a meeting with US Ambassador David Wilkins this morning to discuss ongoing BSE concerns that have plagued both countries. Barrett also raised the issues of tobacco and clean coal technology with Ambassador Wilkins. [Read more]

Ontario’s residents and businesses have once again been kept in the dark after the McGuinty government failed to demonstrate leadership on daylight savings time this week.

“Our economy depends on streamlined cooperation with the United States,” said Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP Toby Barrett. “We need to continue to remain harmonized with our major trading partner in the world.” [Read more]

MPP Toby Barrett has called on the McGuinty government to use common sense in the wake of a report on the future of the LCBO.

The report suggests that there are creative ways in which the private sector could improve the way that alcohol is distributed throughout the province, while increasing revenue for the provincial government. [Read more]

(Queen’s Park) – The day after another all-time power usage record was broken in Ontario, Premier McGuinty continues to put Ontario’s energy supply at risk through his continuing inaction in resolving the strike between government-owned Hydro One and its engineers. [Read more]

Simcoe – Students and others looking to borrow books in Rural Ontario may be waiting longer than expected after the McGuinty government slashed funding according to Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP Toby Barrett. [Read more]

Once again, Dalton McGuinty fails to live up to his own words

Simcoe – Rural Ontario has been shut out again in the Liberal Cabinet shuffle according to Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP Toby Barrett. In his first, and likely last shuffle before the next election, Dalton McGuinty promoted two more Ministers’ from Toronto, bringing the total number of GTA Minister’s to ten and creating an even more urban-centric government. [Read more]

Queens Park – In the wake of test results of an American cow with BSE, four rural Ontario MPP’s and members of the Ontario Cattlemens Association stepped up their call to open the U.S. border to Canadian beef. [Read more]

Ottawa – When government members repeatedly fail to provide answers on questions of ethics it’s time to call in the Integrity Commissioner according to Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP Toby Barrett. [Read more]

Ottawa - In the wake of Friday’s Hydro One picket that shut six of eight units at OPG Nanticoke, MPP Toby Barrett joined Official Opposition Leader John Tory in expressing his dismay over the McGuinty government’s lack of action to resolve the strike. [Read more]

Delhi- MPP Toby Barrett stressed government support in his address to farmers at a Tobacco Farmers In Crisis meeting in Delhi last night.

“When farmers suffer, everyone is affected, said Barrett. “The Ontario government has declared war on tobacco. They are threatening our rural way of life.” [Read more]

Simcoe - Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP Toby Barrett is calling on the provincial Liberal government to show leadership on smog reduction in our common air-shed with the United States.

“This government has missed a real opportunity to show real leadership in North America,” Barrett stated. “Ontario could lead the way in cleaning the coal-fired generating plants across North America – it’s a shame they have missed out on this role.” [Read more]

June 15, 2005 - Nanticoke to remain open after 2007 Common sense has prevailed - Barrett

Queens Park - After two years of calling on Dalton McGuinty to admit Nanticoke OPG is too essential to shut down by 2007, Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP Toby Barrett is hopeful an announcement to break their promise and keep the power producer open will mean further investment in pollution abatement. [Read more]

Queens Park - Dalton McGuinty has a lot to answer for when it comes to integrity according to MPP Toby Barrett.

The Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant representative said despite the fact that the legislative session is has ended for the summer, McGuinty shouldn’t be let off the hook, as there are a number of questions he must answer. [Read more]

….Canadian Environment Week, the toll we are taking on our environment and the toll that it can take on us….

Queens Park - As much of Ontario suffers under a week of smog advisories, “government has fiddled while the problem grows,” according to MPP Toby Barrett. [Read more]

June 10, 2005 - Barrett backs tobacco farmers, corner stores, bingo halls, restaurants and Legions

Queen’s Park – Five PC MPP’s joined Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant representative Toby Barrett in voting against ‘smoke-free’ legislation that will have a devastating effect on farmers, corner stores, bingo halls, the hospitality sector, and legion halls across Ontario. [Read more]

June 09, 2005 - Barrett echoes Tory disgust with Liberal expense double-standard

Queens Park - MPP Toby Barrett joins John Tory’s sentiment of disgust over the double standard on spending habits of Ontario Liberals.

Yesterday, PC MPP Ted Chudleigh asked Premier McGuinty in the legislature about the double standard on expense practices of Minister for Economic Development and Trade, Joe Cordiano. The Minister has admitted he expensed approximately $12,000 on European hotels, meals, new suits and theatre tickets in London to his riding association. Ontario riding associations are subsidized by taxpayers (donors receive a tax credit of up to 75 percent). [Read more]

June 08, 2005 - Barrett calls for support to fight smoke-free spawned tobacco underground

Queens Park – In the Ontario Legislature today, Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP Toby Barrett asked for government to support First Nations in fighting the underground tobacco economy that has taken hold in the wake of the Liberal “Smoke-Free Ontario” initiative. [Read more]

Simcoe – Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett rose in the Legislature yesterday to speak in support of extending rights of the blind to all who rely on guide dogs in the province. [Read more]

Mr. Toby Barrett (Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant): I certainly rise in support of this bill brought by the member from Cambridge, An Act to amend the Blind Persons' Rights Act. The focus, as we all understand, is to extend rights to all persons with disabilities if they are dependent on a guide dog. [Read more]

Queens Park –MPP Toby Barrett looked back on a decade of debate marred by invective, silence and disrespect as he spoke to an opposition day motion calling for a return to respectful debate in the Legislature yesterday. [Read more]

June 02, 2005 - Barrett calls for work on the St. Williams ‘Signature Site’

Queens Park – Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP Toby Barrett honoured the history of Ontario’s first forestry Station in the Ontario Legislature yesterday.

Barrett spoke in the Legislature after participating in the opening ceremonies of the St. Williams Forestry Station Interpretive Centre last Friday. The Centre was initiated by the Port Rowan/South Walsingham Heritage Association and ForestCare Corporation to showcase the history of Ontario’s reforestation. [Read more]

June 01, 2005 - Barrett pitches pipeline, jump teams, Ag. Innovation Centre to Legislature
“… it is time for this government to stop ignoring the consequences of its own actions and do the right thing”

Queens Park – A Lake Erie pipeline, rural jump team, and agricultural innovation centre could rebuild a “tobacco country without tobacco” stated MPP Toby Barrett in a late night debate on Bill 164 – the Smoke Free Ontario Act. [Read more]

May 19, 2005 - Unionized meat inspectors could lead to another strike against beef farmers

Barrett joins Hardeman’s call for Agriculture Minister to take responsibility for his actions

Queen’s Park –Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP yesterday echoed comments in the legislature by PC Agriculture Critic Ernie Hardeman who asserted that allowing meat inspectors to join a union has put food safety in grave danger. [Read more]

Queen’s Park -- The McGuinty Liberals fourth fiscal plan in two years does little to help the hardworking taxpayers of Ontario, according to MPP Toby Barrett. [Read more]

Queen’s Park – Clause-by-clause reading of Bill 164 – The Smoke-Free Ontario Act, proved to be frustrating for local MPP Toby Barrett today.

Barrett attended clause-by-clause armed with a dozen motions set out by the PC caucus that called for amendments to the legislation. However, by the end of the day the Liberals and lone NDP member had struck down all 12 motions. [Read more]

May 4, 2005 - Barrett once again calls for additional hearings on Bill 164

Queen's Park - The Liberal government's anti-smoking bill gained more
attention in the Ontario Legislature today as local MPP Toby Barrett once
again called on the government to hold additional hearings. [Read more]

Queen's Park - This is a week of special celebration for those who are of
Polish descent.

Yesterday, Ontario PC MPP John Yakabuski rose in the Ontario Legislature on the occasion of the annual commemoration of Poland's May 3, 1791, constitution, which was the first in Europe and the second in the world. [Read more]

Queen's Park - PC Environment Critic, Toby Barrett, is encouraging those
concerned with the approach to industrial spills prevention inherent in Bill
133 - the Spills Bill, to make their voices heard as the Legislative
Assembly Committee holds public hearings next week. [Read more]

April 27, 2005 - Barrett encourages government to listen to alternate plans on tobacco compensation

Queen’s Park – Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP Toby Barrett had a tough time in the Ontario Legislature today as Ag Minister Steve Peters heckled him as he asked the current government to listen to the plan of Tobacco Farmers in Crisis. [Read more]

April 18, 2005 - Economic, Development and Trade Minister dodges question on DSR compensation

Queen’s Park – As Bill 164 (Smoke-Free Ontario Act) hearings are set to get underway, MPP Toby Barrett is interested in knowing what type of compensation the Liberal government is willing to provide to those in the hospitality industry who have sunk money into Designated Smoking Rooms. [Read more]

Queens Park – 35 years after recognizing his first Earth Day, PC Environment Critic Toby Barrett says the challenges to environmental protection have grown with the ever-increasing impact of human population growth. [Read more]

April 15, 2005 - Hearings on Smoke-Free Ontario on their way to tobacco country

Barrett encourages farm groups, businesses and farmers to make their voices heard

Simcoe – The impact of Smoke-Free Ontario legislation was the focus of MPP Toby Barrett as he joined in the debate of Bill 164 in advance of Committee hearings. [Read more]

Queen’s Park – Tobacco-growing communities are being short-changed according to Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP Toby Barrett.

Barrett has learned that, two weeks after the Ontario Liberals announced $15 million in transition funding for tobacco counties, Norfolk, Brant, Elgin and Oxford Counties and the Town of Tillsonburg will receive $16.1 million less under the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund than they did in 2004. [Read more]

Queens Park – Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP Toby Barrett has joined with MPP Bob Runciman and other caucus colleagues in calling for action not words on the issue of Karla Homolka’s imminent release. [Read more]

April 14, 2005 - Barrett points to Ontario health care double speak
Hospital boards told to “do as I say, not as I do”

Queens Park – During Opposition Day debate at Queens Park yesterday, Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP Toby Barrett was quick to point out the hypocritical nature of a government that continues to run a deficit while expecting hospital boards to balance the books. [Read more]

April 12, 2005 - What government giveth, government taketh away in in Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant

New Municipal Funding Program Will Cut $14 Million Out Of Local Municipal Budgets

Queens Park - Under a new funding mechanism for municipalities announced by the McGuinty Liberals on March 31, the Counties of Haldimand, Norfolk and Brant will lose over $14 million in provincial transfer payments for local services and social programs. [Read more]

April 01, 2005 - Tobacco funding announcement has created chaos: Barrett

Simcoe – Toby Barrett is frustrated by the lack of planning on behalf of both the provincial and federal governments with regard to tobacco transition funding. [Read more]

Queen’s Park – Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP Toby Barrett today announced that municipal fire departments in his riding will receive a total of $488,000 to help meet training needs and purchase new equipment. [Read more]

Queen’s Park – In his second day in the Ontario Legislature, PC Leader John Tory hit the mark in questioning a lack of communication between federal and provincial agriculture Ministers according to MPP Toby Barrett. [Read more]

March 29, 2005 - If you used a washroom today – thank the sewage industry: Barrett

Queen’s Park – Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP Toby Barrett stood in the legislature to demand action on behalf of sewage haulers who had traveled to Queens Park today. [Read more]

Conservative Leader demands deficit, health care answers from unresponsive Premier

Queens Park - While Conservative Leader - and newly elected MPP - John Tory worked to set a new respectful tone during his first day in the Legislative Chamber, Ontario's Premier worked to continue his old duck and cover strategy. [Read more]

Queen’s Park – Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP Toby Barrett hopes that today’s announcement of $35 million for Ontario’s tobacco growers, is a first step in establishing a long-term solution. [Read more]

March 23, 2005 - MOE Advisory Council suggests new way for regulating small water systems

Simcoe – Drinking water systems at community halls, churches, bed and breakfasts, camps and tourist outfitters may become the responsibility of the public health units. [Read more]

March 23, 2005 - Consultation on ‘Spills Bill’ to be held, April 7, 8
Barrett upset that the meetings are by invite only

Simcoe – PC Environment Critic Toby Barrett says that it is unfortunate consultation on the Environmental Enforcement Statute Law Amendment Act, 2004, is being handled by invitation only. [Read more]

Simcoe – It is again time for Ontario to pick up its share of the tab for BSE assistance according to MPP Toby Barrett, following contributions from the Federal and Alberta Governments to the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association Legacy Fund. [Read more]

March 11, 2005 - If you ate today, thank a farmer - and if you farm, thank a police officer

Simcoe – “Last night, at the Fisherville Lions Stag, I made a point of thanking a retired police chief for the cooperation of officers looking after this winter’s tractor rallies” reported MPP Toby Barrett [Read more]

March 09, 2005 - Ontario’s Agriculture Minister is pitting farm group against farm group: Barrett

Queen’s Park - Ontario’s Agriculture Minister is pitting farm group against farm group and crop against crop, according to Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP Toby Barrett. [Read more]

Queen’s Park – Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP Toby Barrett is asking government members to pay attention when the RURAL REVOLUTION pulls into Queens Park this Wednesday. [Read more]

March 02, 2005 - Barrett welcomes 7,000 farmers as Ag Minister leaves town

Queen’s Park – A short 24 hours after having his farm loyalties questioned by Ontario Agriculture Minister Steve Peters, MPP Toby Barrett let the evidence speak for itself as he welcomed 7,000 farmers to Queens Park. [Read more]

Queen’s Park – Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP Toby Barrett fired an opening volley in preparing for the Ontario Federation of Agriculture “One Voice March” to Queens Park. [Read more]

February 25, 2005 - Barrett reveals lack of government preparedness for bird flu concerns

Queen’s Park – Months after being accused of fearmongering by the Minister of Agriculture, Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP Toby Barrett again questioned the government’s preparedness to deal with international warnings of a potential bird flu pandemic.[Read more]

February 24, 2005 - Barrett’s Farm Implement bill resurrected in Ontario Legislature

Queen’s Park – A Private Members Bill, first introduced by Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP Toby Barrett in June 2001, was resurrected in the Ontario Legislature today. [Read more]

February 22, 2005 - Garbage plan? Government will make it up as they go along

Queen’s Park - “In terms of the responsibility of the Minister of the Environment to have an emergency plan. That, of course, depends what the emergency is, where the emergency is and how long we anticipate the emergency to be in effect. And so, when those events happen, this Ministry and this Minister will step up to the plate - we will accept our responsibility, we will come forward with our plan to meet the need of the emergency at that time.” - Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Environment [Read more]

February 21, 2005 - Haldimand/Brant targeted for ‘Greater Golden Horseshoe’ growth plan

Queen’s Park – MPP Toby Barrett expressed concern that government is predicting 4-million new residents to the “Greater Golden Horseshoe” (GGH)- an area that includes half of the Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant riding. [Read more]

Queen’s Park –Given community concerns regarding a 5000 per cent increase in the allowable daily fill rate at Edwards Landfill near Cayuga, PC Environment Critic Toby Barrett suggests the Minister of Environment pay a visit to discuss her ministry’s decision. [Read more]

February 17, 2005 - Barrett says Bill 164 is unfair, disrespectful, a tax grab and dictatorial

Queen’s Park – Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP Toby Barrett said that Health Minister George Smitherman launched yet another salvo in his war on tobacco this week during debate on Bill 164. [Read more]

Simcoe - Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP Toby Barrett says the Minister of Environment’s comments indicating Bill 133- the Spills Bill would not apply to the “vast majority” of Ontario companies is just one more reason why the legislation should be scrapped altogether. [Read more]

February 10, 2005 - Director’s decision to approve Edwards Landfill expansion opens door to appeal

Queen’s Park - Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP Toby Barrett says a Ministry of Environment decision to allow a 5000 per cent increase in the allowable daily fill rate at Edwards Landfill near Cayuga doesn’t have to be the final chapter in the area waste disposal saga. [Read more]

February 10, 2005 - Barrett asks: “Where’s the promised money to keep rural schools open?”

Simcoe – Dalton McGuinty and the Liberals are mistreating the people of rural Ontario in many ways, according to MPP Toby Barrett.

The Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP says that the Liberals have broken yet another campaign promise to rural Ontario by reneging on funding to small and rural schools. [Read more]

Simcoe— Arcady is in harmony to the tune of $32,900 thanks to an Ontario Trillium Foundation grant. [Read more]

Simcoe – Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP Toby Barrett is encouraging concerned dog owners to make their feelings known on the Liberal Pit-Bull ban. Ontario Legislature Committee hearings on Bill 132 will be held Wednesday, February 2nd in Brantford. [Read more]

January 28, 2005 - Trillium Fund ensures ‘all-hands-on-deck’ to promote Cottonwood Mansion

Selkirk— A $20,000 Ontario Trillium Grant will help ensure the long-term viability of a Victorian-era Haldimand treasure - the Cottonwood Mansion.

The funding was approved by the Grand River Grant Review Team December 10th, and will be used to provide staff support for partnership development and marketing. [Read more]

January 28, 2005 - Waterford Old Town Hall bolstered by ‘New’ Trillium dollars

Waterford – Restoration of the Waterford Old Town Hall has received a $75,000 boost from the Ontario Trillium Foundation. [Read more]

Delhi – Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP Toby Barrett encourages the current Ontario Liberals to reinstate the property tax benefits of the Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program (MFTIP). [Read more]

What: - John Tory, Leader of the PC Party and Official Opposition, will be in Norfolk County to meet with grain and oilseed producers as well as tour the tobacco warehouse in Delhi, along with Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP Toby Barrett. [Read more]

January 18, 2005 - Another tobacco tax hike sure to close some corner stores: Barrett

Those are Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP Toby Barrett’s feelings about the Ontario Liberal’s plan to increase tobacco taxes by $1.25 per carton as of midnight tonight. [Read more]

January 17, 2005 - Standing Room Only at Pre-Budget Consultations Tobacco farmers topic of discussion at London meeting

London – Tobacco farmers made their way to London this morning to attend pre-budget hearings as part of the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs. [Read more]

Simcoe – Farmers from many fields are tired of waiting for answers from the current provincial government and now, they are taking action. [Read more]

January 14, 2005 - Finance Committee Pre–Budget Consultations reveal hospital funding failures

Ottawa Hospital Planning Service Cuts and Layoff of 300 Nurses
– McGuinty Liberals Still Not Listening [Read more]

January 10, 2005 - Debt rising by $100 per second: Ontarians continue to pay more, get less

Pre-Budget Consultations Launched in Sault Ste. Marie, But McGuinty Liberals are Not Listening

Sault Ste. Marie – As the McGuinty Liberals begin 2005 provincial budget consultations, Ontarians are still reeling from last year’s $2.6 billion regressive health tax, delisted health care services and a provincial debt that is growing at $100 per second. [Read more]

January 6, 2005 - Barrett cautions against revisitation of Liberal tire-tax money-grab

Queen’s Park - Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP Toby Barrett is concerned that a recently posted plan to implement a tire stewardship fee will only recreate the conditions that saw taxpayers’ $108 million “diverted” from it’s intended purpose – diverting scrap tires from tire stock piles. [Read more]

January 4, 2005 - Don’t let up with disaster relief donations
Barrett calls on Feds to extend tax write-off date past Jan. 11

Queen’s Park – Over a week after we in Haldimand, Norfolk and Brant Counties first directed our efforts towards supporting the relief effort in South Asia, MPP Barrett says now is not the time to let up. [Read more]

New session, same old story from urban-dominated Liberal regime

Lindsay Fair, Lindsay – While waiting sixty cars deep to pay for gas in Lindsay, MPP Barrett called the provincial government to action.

Atomic McGuinty taking 25% of power off grid while musing about nuclear

Once again, Dalton McGuinty fails to live up to his own words