Agriculture

Farm problems identified – we need solutions

As long as I can remember, winter has been the time for farm meetings – initially with my father and grandfather, and now as MPP and Agriculture Critic.[Read More]

November 23, 2006 - Ag Minister went to Calgary empty-handed
Provincial Minister passed the buck and blamed the federal government: Barrett

Queen’s Park—During today’s Question Period, MPP Toby Barrett – Opposition Agriculture Critic – asked the Minister of Agriculture why she refused to advocate on behalf of Ontario’s farmers at this month’s Federal/Provincial Ministers’ meeting. [Read More]

November 1, 2006 - Ag. Minister responds with angry words – and little action
it is a tale… full of sound and fury, signifying nothing – William Shakespeare

Queen’s Park— Opposition Agriculture Critic Toby Barrett’s questions on continued government lip service to farmers met with an angry response – but no action - from Minister Leona Dombrowsky in the Legislature yesterday. [Read More]

October 31, 2006 - CAIS Transformation
Mr. Toby Barrett (Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant): A question to the Minister of Agriculture: On October 18, 2005, during estimates you said, "The CAIS program has not met their needs." You were referring to grain and oilseed farmers. On November 23 last year, you said, "Their needs are not being met by the business risk management program that's in place at the present time." And on April 7, this spring, you said, "All provinces recognize that CAIS is not working ell.". [Read More]

October 27, 2006 - Barrett exposes Liberal divisions over agriculture
Deputy Premier, 31 Liberals oppose Supply Management

Queen’s Park—MPP Toby Barrett exposed divisions at the highest levels of the McGuinty Liberal government over supply management, yesterday in the Ontario Legislature. [Read More]

October 26, 2006 - Support for Supply Management
Mr. Toby Barrett (Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant): Liberals will say anything to get re-elected, as they've shown with their false rhetoric about the Ontario Landowners and supply management. But remember, one doesn't look behind the bedroomoor unless one has hidden there himself, and the Liberals have been hiding behind that bedroom door for quite some time.. [Read More]

October 18, 2006 - Chicken Farmers Salutation
Mr. Toby Barrett (Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant): The Chicken Farmers of Ontario are here today -- they've brought a broiler display -- to educate all of us on issues facing their industry. They're having a reception tonight, at 5 o'clock, in room 230. I invite all to come out and have some chicken, and learn a bit about Ontario's chicken farmers and the great product they produce.. [Read More]

October 11, 2006 - Source Water Protection fails litmus test – MPP Barrett
Queen’s Park— Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP Toby Barrett says the government’s source water protection bill penalizes property owners while failing to live up to its name.[Read More]

October 10, 2006 - Clean Water Act Speech
Mr. Barrett: I appreciate the opportunity to weigh in on Bill 43, the Clean Water Act. You would know, Speaker, that this Legislature is often marred by negativity and generally bad behaviour, primarily from the government side. So I'd like to start my remarks with a bit of a positive note. I issue a compliment to this government's spin doctors for a very clever name they have given Bill 43. They call it the Clean Water Act. They have disguised this bill as something that will somehow clean up our water supplies. Now, this is something that the stakeholders who attended the hearings indicated would be unlikely at best. [Read More]

September 18, 2006 - McGuinty broken promises breaking backs of farmers
Stall tactics and delays keep farmers far from promised money

Peterborough – PC Agriculture Critic Toby Barrett is joining Party Leader John Tory today in calling on Dalton McGuinty to end the waiting game for Ontario’s farmers.[Read More]

April 12, 2006 - Ag Minister has lost control of farm income crisis: Barrett
Says Dombrowsky needs to step aside for real leadership in agriculture

Queen’s Park—Ontario’s Agriculture critic, MPP Toby Barrett, lambasted the provincial government for its policy of blaming the federal government rather than taking responsibility for its own failure in agriculture, today in the Legislature.  [Read More]

April 12, 2006 - Will last Ontario farmer turn out the lights?
           
Springtime marks a new beginning for farmers looking forward to getting back on the land.  Rather than a fresh start, this year brings a dark cloud for Ontario’s farmers.  The farm income crisis reached its climax last week, as desperate farmers descended on Ottawa for the latest large tractor protest. [Read More]

April 8, 2006 - Where is the Ontario government as tractors roll?

Ontario farm protests are growing in frequency as this government continues to turn a blind eye.

In the past week alone, two more large farm rallies –one on the highways of Huron, and the other at Wallaceburg – emphasized the mounting frustration with a growing list of inequities and concerns. [Read More]

April 3, 2006 - Barrett questions salary hikes during farm income crisis
Says we are paying more and getting less for agriculture

Queen’s Park—MPP Toby Barrett today asked the Minister of Agriculture why her Ministry is rapidly increasing government salaries, while its budget has been slashed by 21 per cent.  [Read More]

March 28, 2006 - Barrett to Finance Minister: Why Ag Cuts?
 Dwight Duncan does a double-duck

Queen’s Park—MPP Toby Barrett questioned Finance Minister Dwight Duncan about the deep cuts to agriculture spending today at the Legislature.

“You were at the Whitby-Ajax by-election this morning trying to peddle your budget for a few votes,” Barrett accused the Minister of Finance.  “How did you explain your 21% cut to the farmers at the Whitby Curling club this morning?” [Read More]

March 23, 2006 - More blame game from the Minister of Agriculture

Queen’s Park—MPP Toby Barrett took the Minister of Agriculture to task over the farm income crisis during Question Period today at Queen’s Park.

“Thousands of farm families are anticipating good news at 4 o’clock in this year’s budget,” Barrett told the Minister.  “Will your budget meet their expectations, or have you again failed the farm families of Ontario?” [Read More]

March 23, 2006 - McGuinty misses opportunity to support farmers on his doorstep

Weary farmers met with $244 million slash in agriculture spending

Queen’s Park – A missed opportunity.

That’s how PC Agriculture Critic Toby Barrett summed up the lack of attention paid to the much-publicized farm crises in today’s budget – a budget that has cut Ministry of Agriculture spending by $244 million. [Read More]

March 16, 2006 - Come rally in support of Stephen Webster
Farmers, Tractors to converge on Queens Park

Simcoe— A Central Ontario farmer’s one-man vigil outside of Queens Park is about to get some company.

Farm and rural organizations from across the province are preparing plans to join Stephen Webster outside of the Legislature Buildings to bring awareness to the plight of farm and rural Ontario in advance of the delivery of the Liberal Government’s 2006 budget – Webster has parked himself at Queen’s Park since late last week. [Read More]

March 6, 2006 - Provincial Ag. funding falls short

Simcoe— Five months after first calling for provincial funding for struggling farmers, Agriculture Critic Toby Barrett says Ontario’s long-awaited response falls far short of the need in Rural Ontario. [Read More]

March 1, 2006 - Agriculture funding announcement too little, too late for struggling farmers
One time funding has Minister speaking from both sides of mouth

Queen’s Park— Five months after first calling for provincial funding for struggling farmers Agriculture Critic Toby Barrett says Ontario’s long-awaited response falls far short of the need in Rural Ontario. [Read More]

March 1, 2006 - Barrett corners Minister of Agriculture over funding
Asks why province is dragging its feet over cash crop support

Queen’s Park— “The Ontario farm protests are only growing in frequency as this government continues to turn a blind eye.”- Barrett

MPP Toby Barrett told the Legislature this afternoon that the provincial government is stalling on support for cash crops, even after the federal government accelerated payments to farmers. [Read More]

February 24 2006 - Minister finger-pointing and empty words for Grain and Oilseed farmers

Queen’s Park—MPP Toby Barrett’s continued to pressure on the provincial Minister of Agriculture for action on the Grain and Oilseed Risk Management Proposal was met with more empty words in the Legislature yesterday. [Read More]

February 24 2006 -Scott, Barrett to Dombrowsky: IS THE EXTENSION
OF DEADSTOCK FUNDING DEAD IN THE WATER??

Queens Park – “Minister, two dead colts were found on the side of the road west of me – Is this the future of deadstock under your government.” - Barrett

MPP Barrett joined MPP Laurie Scott today in the Legislature to question the government’s lack of action on a looming deadstock crisis in Ontario. [Read More]

February 15, 2006 - Barrett reports on Guelph rally in Legislature
Says government inaction is humiliating for Ontario’s farmers

Queen’s Park--Opposition Agriculture Critic Toby Barrett decried the Ontario government’s complete lack of action and attention, “to the crisis right outside their door.”

In a statement to the legislature today MPP Barrett reported the signs of government neglect highlighted by Tuesday’s farm rally in Guelph. [Read More]

February 14, 2006 - Cash Crop rally a success – but no government announcement: Barrett 

Guelph – Opposition Agriculture Critic Toby Barrett says with farm frustration growing across Ontario, it’s high time for the Ontario government to step up to the plate. [Read More]

January 11, 2006 - January’s here – the farm winter meetings begin!

While inclement weather may mean farmers accomplish little outdoors, inside community halls and meeting centres across the province decisions are being made – and discussions are taking place - that will shape farms both this year and years to come. [Read More]