What is your vision going forward to 2020?
By MPP Toby Barrett

This past month has given me an opportunity to do some ‘mainstreeting’ and host New Year Levees in both Dunnville and Port Rowan. Here’s what I’ve been hearing – in part prompted by asking people what they see, or would like to see, in the coming year or even the coming decade. I might add, we’ve launched a bit of an ongoing query – ‘What is your vision for 2020? Give me a call or email toby.barrett@pc.ola.org.

Issues topping the minds of local people are as varied as they are impactful. For example, what I heard over and over again was angst over the HST and the need to restore rule of law in Haldimand. This is not surprising. We have seen months of spirited protest against the 13 per cent tax on just about everything. And, February, marks four years of Haldimand County being held hostage over land disputes. Government’s refusal to take the blinders off to see those banging down the door, has further frustrated and bred cynicism.

During the levees, and while mainstreeting in Dunnville, I heard more on this theme. “One law for all” was the mantra. As one visitor to my Dunnville levee wrote, we must “work together in time of crisis – Be Brave! Stand up for your rights and our rights”. Others wrote about what they see as “catch and release”…., “all people should be equal before the law and police should enforce the laws/court injunctions”. There is little doubt that as one concerned citizen wrote, “Haldimand residents have a loss of faith in justice, policing and political system”.

In addition to law and order issues, as always, health care is top of mind for many as we commence the new decade. While some have told me that we simply need “better health care”, and, “more doctors”, others specified proper and adequate autism funding, and better out of country coverage. Increased funding for seniors, long-term care and recipients on disability were mentioned a number of times. Many also pointed to a lack of accountability regarding threats to emergency rooms – specifically the recent concerns at West Haldimand Hospital.
Additional feedback focussed on tax cuts. There was a

call for continued tax relief for renovations, and initiatives to reduce high property taxes to create a more business-friendly environment. Others cannot forget the largest personal income tax hike in the history of Ontario – the health tax is one residents are hoping to usher out the door.

We heard that higher provincial taxes, combined with higher energy costs, plus rules and red tape are making the cost of doing business in Ontario unaffordable – hence resulting plant closures, and job losses. Industry, small business, and agriculture are all feeling the pinch – it’s time to turn things around.

For many, agriculture and the environment will continue to be hot buttons in the coming years. Farmers from most sectors await a government safety net program more responsive to their needs. Others have advocated work on “green” agriculture programs, including alternative crop biomass, to create a win-win-win – environmentally, agriculturally and economically!

I’ve been given a list of items to work on - everything from downtown beautification, to help for US Steel workers, rural broadband, public transit and cracking down on welfare fraud. Contact me with further suggestions.