For Immediate Release
March 6, 2007

Farmers and Rural Landowners deserves some respect: Barrett

Napanee, ON—MPP Toby Barrett echoed PC Leader John Tory’s remarks to the Belleville Chamber of Commerce, saying people across Rural Ontario are not getting the respect they deserve from the McGuinty Liberals.

“It’s not a question of government having sufficient resources,” Barrett said. “It’s a question of government not having the will to spend taxpayer dollars wisely and not getting results for that money.”

Barrett made the comments after meeting with Eastern Ontario farmers in Napanee. Also in attendance were MPP Lisa MacLeod (Nepean-Carleton) and MPP Frank Klees (Oak Ridges). Barrett zeroed in on the McGuinty Liberals’ failure to show respect for farmers and Rural Ontario.

“Farmers – more than any other group – are feeling the heat of a government bent on handing down rules and regulations and red tape,” said Barrett. He pointed to three principles John Tory believes a government must have as a part of genuinely respecting people.

If the government brings in policies or regulations that change the use of someone’s property, they should be able to apply for compensation;
If government intends to change the existing or permitted use of a person’s property, they should receive advance notice, and the opportunity to make their opinion known before the new rules come into force; and
If a government decision dramatically hurts a person’s ability and their family’s ability to earn a living, there should be an opportunity to appeal. It is fundamental that in instances where government actions affect citizens, farmers or business people that they can go somewhere to be heard. We are all supposed to have our day in court.

“It all boils down to respect,” said Barrett. “It is this kind of respect and these kinds of principles that we see lacking from the current McGuinty government.”

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For more information, please contact MPP Toby Barrett at: 519 875-2838 or 1-800-903-8629