For immediate release:
May 9, 2007

Success in Barrett’s campaign for MTO office in Caledonia
Government intends to open ‘interim’ MTO office until permanent arrangements can be made with Service Ontario

Caledonia—MPP Toby Barrett has been successful in pressuring the Ontario Government to move toward re-opening the license bureau in Caledonia.

“Over the past 15 months, Caledonia has suffered an unprecedented burden from the direct and indirect impacts of the occupation,” Barrett said.  “When a community is in crisis, it’s no time for government to pack up and leave town, and that’s exactly what they tried to do when they chose not to re-open the MTO office.

“When I got that first phone call complaining about the recently closed MTO office in Caledonia, I sprang into action.  I launched a petition, and took it door to door collecting signatures,” Barrett explained.  “I’m sure we got the Minister’s attention when I emailed her phone number to over 400 people, and encouraged them to phone in support of a new office.”

Recently an employee in the Ministry of Transportation phoned Barrett’s office to inform him of the government’s plan to open an interim office in Caledonia until a permanent arrangement can be made with Service Ontario.  The new office will be opened once the province finds a suitable location and partner.

“The bottom line is this is a start,” Barrett concluded.  “The office isn’t open yet, and we’re still working on pressuring government to back track on its decision to leave Delhi without its license bureau.”

Barrett spent the lunch hour serving customers at the Caledonia McDonalds as part of ‘McHappy Day.’  He then spent the afternoon knocking on doors in Caledonia with his newest petition urging the McGuinty government to permanently re-open the MTO office.

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For more information, please contact MPP Toby Barrett at (519) 428-0446 or
1-800-903-8629