For immediate release:
November 4, 2008

Government shuts down debate
to ram through unwanted WSIB legislation

Queens Park - Soon after advocating that government kill bill 119 - the Workplace Safety and Insurance Amendment Act, 2008, - MPP Toby Barrett watched the McGuinty government prevent any further dissenting debate by shutting down discussion.

Barrett was speaking this morning to the McGuinty Liberal legislation that would force small construction businesses in Ontario to pay on average an additional $11,000 per year in WSIB premiums. 

"We're in the middle of an economic crisis. We have no business bringing in a job-killing policy right now, when small business needs all the help it can get," Barrett stated before reading into the record e-mails he has received from area businesses.

"... the Liberal government is yet again at its little games to bankrupt this province by trying to take more from the small business. You must on our behalf"-referring to me-"insist that this legislation concerning WSIB ... must be put through due process with the people of this province. It seems that this notorious Liberal government has no regard for the very people who keep this province moving at the moment."

Barrett was able to read one more piece of correspondence to the Legislature before time allocation was invoked by the government - essentially ending and subsequent debate.

"I received an e-mail from a large manufacturer up Princeton/Burford way: 'This is a terribly flawed piece of legislation. Small business owners all over the country, but in Ontario in particular, are being hammered by all kinds of additional expense and we absolutely cannot afford to be mandated another cost such as this. There must be hearings held to bring some common sense to the process.'"

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) whose 43,000 members supply over 50 per cent of the province's jobs have said that Bill 119 will force many of their members out of business and do nothing to stop the underground economy.

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For more information please contact MPP Barrett at 1-800-903-8629