For Immediate Release
February 14, 2008

Don’t remove the Lord’s Prayer - Barrett

Dunnville – Haldimand-Norfolk’s MPP is questioning the Premier’s priorities following reports of McGuinty’s plan to scrap the Lord’s Prayer at the Ontario Legislature.

“The economy continues to show signs of a downward spiral, rule of law issues persist unchecked in Haldimand, and our farmers are in crisis,” leveled Barrett. “And the only action we hear from the Premier is a move to scrap the Lord’s Prayer from the Ontario Legislature?? He needs to wake up to the real issues that are on his doorstep.”

Barrett commented following his speech to the Dunnville Rotary Club in which he touched on a number of issues that drag down the area economy as government turns a blind eye.

“We’ve just been through an election in which rule of law, energy, and agriculture dominated – throughout the campaign I never once had anyone approach me to get rid of the Lord’s Prayer.” Barrett stated. “Furthermore, we have medically underserviced areas, continued job losses, and climate change concerns – yet Mr. McGuinty has only allowed us into the Legislature for two weeks over the last 8 months to hold government to account!!”

The Lord’s Prayer has been an integral part of parliamentary tradition since it was first established in 1793 under Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe.

“As always, I am open to input from the community. As the elected representative for this area to the Ontario Legislature I am opposed to the removal of the Lord’s Prayer,” concluded Barrett. “In the meantime, I have made available a petition at my offices in Dunnville and Simcoe for anyone interested in supporting the tradition of the Lord’s Prayer at the Legislature.”

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