2013 Column Archives
Legacy of Mr. McGuinty – gone, but not forgotten
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 life.
Higher fees, taxes to bankroll spending addiction
By MPP Toby Barrett
In our homes, when money’s short, we reign in our spending.
Who will be paying the new Toronto transit taxes?
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?
We must find a path for the severely disabled
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.
Look at all options, imagine the possibilities
By MPP Toby Barrett
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 causeway, as well as Ivey’s and Misner’s Dams in Dover.
We need to budget for future jobs and economic growth
By MPP Toby Barrett
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 with needed infrastructure. Sadly, that’s not the Ontario we see today.
Who gets to pay off Ontario’s $281 billion debt?
By MPP Toby Barrett
We have inherited a great Ontario from the ‘World War II generation’ – an Ontario that is now in debt to the tune of $281 billion. If we in the ‘Baby Boom Generation’ can’t pay off this debt, how can we expect the next generation to do it? What right do we have to dump a $281 billion debt on our kids?.
How we got one power plant for the price of two
By MPP Toby Barrett
Hot on the heels of a damning Fraser its Institute report calling out government for costly Green Energy plan that finds us paying with lost jobs and higher rates, comes Auditor General Jim McCarter’s scathing review of the political decision to scrap the Mississauga Greenfield gas plant.
Turbines 10x more costly than coal retrofit
By MPP Toby Barrett
For much of the last decade, locally we have been saying what a recently released Fraser Institute report has concluded. Specifically, the Green Energy Act, and its industrial wind turbines, "is now 10 times more costly than installing pollution-control equipment on existing coal plants."
How would Margaret Thatcher address our economy?
By MPP Toby Barrett
Last week the world recognized the passing of the iron-willed Margaret Thatcher, the first female British Prime Minister and iconic figure once described as, “perhaps the most admired, hated, fascinating, boring, radical and conservative leader in the Western world.” While opinions vary on her politics, there is little argument she was one of the most influential politicians of the 20th century.
We can ignite a comeback for rural communities
By MPP Toby Barrett
The economy of Haldimand, Norfolk and much of Ontario is still struggling. The good news is there is hope. Rural Ontario has the unrivalled work ethic and the raw materials needed to forge a modern, dynamic economic recovery.
So what should we do when the money runs out?
By MPP Toby Barrett
Cyprus has been in the news of late – on the path to join other fiscal and economic basket-cases like Spain and Greece. The island nation has launched an ill-advised ‘tax-the-rich’ scheme potentially subtracting up to 30 per cent of the money in people’s bank accounts over $125,000.
Ontario benefits from a strong agri-food economy
By MPP Toby Barrett
Agriculture is a major component of our local and provincial economy as well as our social and cultural life. And we are all in need of a constant reminder of the importance of agriculture and food – a sector that rivals auto.
A possible Great Lakes Asian carp invasion?
By MPP Toby Barrett
Our Great Lakes are facing challenges – we see the impact of low water and high phosphorus levels, and, more recently, have become aware of the potential devastating impact stemming from the threat of an Asian carp invasion.
Ornge Air Ambulance – who is minding the store?
By MPP Toby Barrett
We have government for a number of reasons – one being to ensure taxpayers’ money going to government programs is being used appropriately. This has not been the case with the convoluted program known as Ornge.
A new fiscal reality requires a new approach
By MPP Toby Barrett
We face a new fiscal reality in Ontario and we have to be prepared to take a new approach.
Throne Speech–the song remains the same
By MPP Toby Barrett
As Lieutenant Governor David Onley closed the book on the Throne Speech, it was clear that while some faces may have changed, the song remains the same for a government bent on overspending and underdelivering to the people of Ontario.
February marks seventh anniversary of Caledonia
By MPP Toby Barrett
The day a handful of people blockaded the entrance to Douglas Creek Estates seven years ago, I crossed the floor of the Ontario Legislature to ask the Aboriginal Affairs Minister: “who is in charge?”
Integrate mental health and addictions into the system
By MPP Toby Barrett“
The brain is the most complex organ in the human body, and health conditions affecting the brain can by among the most debilitating and challenging. Yet mental health and addiction has for too long been treated as an afterthought in our health system.
Put students ahead of teacher union bosses
By MPP Toby Barrett“
“We’re going to build on the work that Dalton McGuinty has done over the last nine years. Absolutely.” ~ Kathleen Wynne.
Ontario is spending $8.5 billion more on education than in 2003, despite 250,000 fewer students. At the same time test scores are down in key areas like math and science. It’s obvious we cannot afford the “not bad is good enough” attitude when it comes to our children’s education.
The best social assistance program is a job
By MPP Toby Barrett“
It’s been said many times over, that the best social program is a job. Work provides self-worth, dignity and independence.
The case for integrating welfare and disability
By MPP Toby Barrett“
Last week Opposition Leader Tim Hudak and I launched Paths to Prosperity: Welfare to Work. This white paper proposes to transform a system that is failing both social assistance recipients and taxpayers.
Pride in 40 years of reliable, affordable energy
By MPP Toby Barrett“
A decade ago, as Mr. McGuinty and others launched their anti-coal crusade, I recall then Premier Ernie Eves cutting through the rhetoric and separating fact from fiction:
“If the leader of the official opposition is suggesting to the people of Ontario that doing what he suggests be done, even though he knows it would cost $6 billion, even though he knows it's not practical…he would know that even if he did all that, tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock, the majority of air pollution in the province of Ontario comes from our great neighbours to the south, the United States of America. It's a fact of life. There are over 200 coal-powered plants in the United States of America whose bad air ends up especially in southwestern Ontario, where over 90 per cent of the pollution is caused by US pollution, not by Ontario pollution.”
Let the debate begin on beer and wine sales
By MPP Toby Barrett
Last July, a petition bearing 112,500 names arrived at Queen’s Park calling for the sale of beer and wine in corner stores. Of interest locally, is the petition was instigated by Joanne McMurchy, owner of the Vanessa General Store.
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Deficit spending is like a dog chasing its tail
By MPP Toby Barrett
It is possible for all of us to once again have a vibrant and expanding private sector and a civil service that is a model for excellence. All we need is a government with vision, a clear plan and the willingness to make the tough decisions to get us there.
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