March 25, 2009
For Immediate Release

Barrett gives Minister Watson a lesson on Grand River flooding
Municipal Affairs Minister took aim at local MPP

Queen’s Park – MPP Toby Barrett fired back at Ontario’s Minister of Municipal Affairs for an unprovoked attack on Haldimand-Norfolk’s representative.

During Question Period yesterday, a question was asked of Municipal Affairs Minister Jim Watson about the flooding in Dunnville and Cayuga on February 15th. Instead of answering the question, the Minister began maliciously attacking Barrett. Today, Barrett made it clear he would not stand for it.

“Where I come from, you don’t settle differences with attempts to embarrass,” Barrett told the House. “So, if the Minister has a problem with me personally, I invite him to come and see me afterwards. I would also be very happy to do another tour of the flooded areas so that this time, the minister could see for himself the damage that Grand River flooding has done throughout my riding.”

Barrett then went on to thank both Tim Hudak and Dave Levac for helping to set the Minister straight in the Ontario Legislature yesterday with regard to the actions taken to have Dunnville and Cayuga designated under the disaster program. He then went on to say that there was a spirit of cooperation between Mayor Marie Trainer, Councillor Lorne Boyko, Levac and himself. However, it’s no secret that government announcements are not made by an Opposition MPP and for that reason, the neighbouring government MPP made the announcement.

“I now look forward to the Minister providing adequate funding to both Cayuga and Dunnville,” Barrett said. “Next time though, the Minister should think twice before he drags my name through the mud. It’s clear he embarrassed himself and he embarrassed his colleagues more so than me when, in fact, a more professional, positive approach, I feel, would have been much more appropriate.”

- 30 -

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO
Wednesday 25 March 2009
Disaster relief

Mr. Toby Barrett: I was disheartened last night to read malicious remarks about myself in this House spoken by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Where I come from, you don’t settle differences with attempts to embarrass. If the minister has a problem with me personally, I invite him to see me afterwards.

I would also be very happy to do another tour of the flooded areas so that this time, the minister could see for himself the damage that Grand River flooding has done throughout my riding. I do thank both the member from Brant and the member from Niagara West–Glanbrook for setting the record straight yesterday in the House; I was not here. We do all work together on the Grand. We work with Mayor Trainer and Haldimand councillor Lorne Boyko. It’s no secret that government announcements are not made by an opposition MPP and therefore, the neighbouring government MPP made the disaster relief announcement. I now look forward to the minister providing adequate funding for both Cayuga and the Dunnville area. Next time, I feel that the minister should think twice before he drags my name through the mud. It’s clear he embarrassed himself and he embarrassed his colleagues more so than me when, in fact, a more professional, positive approach, I feel, would have been much more appropriate.