Search results for: “toby barrett”
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Barrett: Ontario Invasive Species Act Still Needs More Work
When sea lamprey became entrenched in the Great Lakes, the impact on native fish was tremendous. Decades later, we are still battling lamprey, but Asian carp are waiting at the door with ramifications that will make lamprey look tame. Fallout on ecosystems and native species is often severe, and sometimes irreversible. The damage Asian carp…
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Barrett: Ministry of Community and Social Services has not established acceptable standards of service
Lack of COMSOC oversight means more wasted tax dollars… …and less for program spending – MPP Barrett QUEEN’S PARK – Ministry of Community and Social Services Critic Toby Barrett is concerned with the Auditor General’s finding that the Ministry continues to allow supportive services agencies to operate without adequate oversight. “Many of the concerns…of this…
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Long Live Our Noble Queen
As the world mourns the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, we undoubtedly acknowledge the scope of her public service for over 70 years. She is one of the most recognized and famous people on the face of the earth. My parents travelled to England when I was young and could (hope to) catch glimpses of…
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North America’s Great Lakes Are A World Class Destination
During my recent tenure as Parliamentary Assistant to the Ontario Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, I researched the status of our Great Lakes building on work I was involved in 20 years ago when I was then also Parliamentary Assistant to the Ministry of Natural Resources. At that time, much of the ministry’s work…
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Ontario Farmers Markets will sell local craft beers
TORONTO — The Ontario government is supporting jobs in the province’s hospitality and agriculture sectors by allowing eligible local brewers to sell their beer at farmers’ markets. Expanding the farmers’ market program to include beer, announced in the 2021 Ontario Budget, is part of the government’s commitment to support brewers, winemakers and distillers working in the…
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How Covid Affects Ontario Legislature
The past week has been a whirlwind of activity in Ontario politics. Some have asked about my absence from the Legislature for the vote on May 31. With the advent of COVID-19, all political parties decided to divide the sitting members of the Legislature into two groups with equal representation from all parties. Separate groups in the Legislature are…
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Hope & Horror Of War Brought To Life At Canadian War Museum
Every Remembrance Day I try to tour the Canadian War Museum – a mammoth exhibition of battle since earliest times. Each year, “lest I forget”, the photos and exhibits tell a story of fear and courage, sacrifice and survival, humanity, brutality, violence, and hatred. Early combat was limited to the distance you could throw…
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Ontario Has Extended Declaration Of Covid Emergency To May 12
Throughout the world people and their governments are making a myriad of decisions that are risking lives, risking freedoms, and risking livelihoods. To continue to take on the challenges of coronavirus, Ontario has extended its Declaration of Emergency to May 12. First announced on March 17, these measures under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection…
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Ontario Enacts Declaration Of Emergency To Protect Public
Significantly enhanced measures will help contain spread of COVID-19 SIMCOE – The Government of Ontario has announced that it is taking decisive action by making an order declaring an emergency under s 7.0.1 (1) the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. In doing so, Ontario is using every power possible to continue to protect the…
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A Canadian Christmas Tradition: The Queen’s Message
Pre-Christmas debate in the Ontario Legislature provided me an opportunity to highlight upcoming changes in parliamentary protocol, and procedure with respect to the Crown. For example, a change to the Legislature’s Standing Orders will add a clause: “Following prayers on the first sitting Monday of each month, the Canadian national anthem and the Royal Anthem…
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Do Not Forget The Greatest Generation
The Greatest Generation is a term coined by journalist Tom Brokaw in reference to those who grew up during the Great Depression and went on to fight in World War II. Brokaw described them as, “the greatest generation any society has ever produced,” arguing that rather than fighting for fame and recognition, these men and…
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Ontario Modernizing Building Code Services
Ontario is modernizing services related to the province’s building code to help speed up the construction of new housing and building projects. Better services, up-to-date tools and new resources will help people better understand and meet building code requirements, while maintaining the same high standards for public safety. “This should be a good step forward…
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Working Toward Sustainable Health Care System For Ontarians
During meetings, doorknocking and attending community events, I find the provision of health care remains the number one issue for Ontario taxpayers. Access to publicly funded health care is fundamental to our shared understanding of what it means to be an Ontarian and a Canadian. However, there are threats to the long-term sustainability of our…
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How Canada Influenced American Civil War
This August we saw the fifth U.S. Civil War re-enactment at Circle G Ranch, east of Cayuga, Ontario. On Sept. 13, re-enactors of the ‘Blue and Grey’ will go to battle in Otterville. The American Civil War had a tremendous influence on the British North American colonies, and continues to be of mind. At onset…
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Ontario Can’t Afford To Not Win War On Phragmites
Phragmites is likely the largest invasive plant threat facing Ontario today. It has taken over our wetlands, invaded our ditches and can get a foothold just about anywhere. It’s the monster that keeps coming back – we can’t let our guard down. Phragmites was first found locally in the Long Point wetlands 20 years ago.…
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Evaluation Of Practices Is Key For Lyme Disease Strategy
Another year has ticked by and Lyme disease remains a problem across much of North America. Over the years I have met with so many people – farmers, outdoor activists, friends, neighbours – who have come down with Lyme – so many, often young people, afflicted in the prime of their life. Time and time…
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Chasing Ontario’s Tornados
Part One “I have seen many storms in my life. Most storms have caught me by surprise, so I had to learn very quickly to look further and understand that I am not capable of controlling the weather, to exercise the art of patience and to respect the fury of nature” My name is Spencer…
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Toronto Is Home To Proud History And Great Architecture
Well before the construction of Ontario’s present Queen’s Park Legislative Building, Ontario was governed as the British colony of Upper Canada. After its formation in 1791, Upper Canada’s elected Legislature first met on September 17th, 1792. As no permanent structure was built to house the Legislature in Newark, now Niagara-on-the Lake, meetings took place in…
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Proposed Ontario Police Law To Restore Trust And Respect
Every day our police do incredible work to keep our families safe. Often, this work is silent, preventative and unseen. Sometimes it requires police to put themselves in harm’s way and make difficult life-or-death decisions in the blink of an eye. But no matter what, we can count on our police for protection. I’d like…
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Ontario Gets Highest Grade Ever For Red Tape Reduction
SIMCOE — Ontario received the province’s highest grade ever in an annual report card that evaluates governments across Canada based on their progress in cutting red tape. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) gave Ontario an A- in its 2019 Red Tape Report Card. This was a dramatic increase from the C+ that the…
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Ontario PC’s Initiate Social Assistance Reforms
A comprehensive package of reforms to encourage employment, restore people’s dignity and empower the province’s most vulnerable to break free from poverty has been rolled out by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. Last year, more than 450,000 people – recipients and their dependents – received assistance through Ontario Works. Delivered through municipal…
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Winds Of Change Bring New Environmental Reality
The Ontario government is taking action to address issues of climate change. Once in office, we have been acting as quickly as possible to fulfill our commitment to Ontario families and businesses. For example, we revoked the cap-and-trade carbon tax and ended emissions trading and allowances. In addition, we have now released our Made-in-Ontario Environment…
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World War One Trenches Crisscrossed Western Front Over One Hundred Years Ago
About one hundred years ago, millions were involved in war – a war later to be known as the War to End All Wars. It was a global conflict of brutality, propaganda and technological advance — a war of survival and humanity and courage. Trench warfare forced soldiers to adapt to new technology and new…
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Better Colleges And Better Universities Equal Better Jobs
When I wrote this, Ontario was in the midst of an unprecedented jobs crisis and in need of sensible and affordable solutions. One avenue is to improve our colleges and universities. Ontario’s system of higher learning must reflect the requirements of jobs in the present and the future. And it must reflect today’s economic realities.…
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Why Toronto Will Have 25 City Councilors Instead Of 47
The Province of Ontario boasts 444 municipalities, including the City of Toronto, which provide critical services for people in Ontario. On August 14, as an elected representative, I voted in favor of Bill 5 – Better Local Government Act. Our goal as government was clear then, and we remain committed to that same goal today:…
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Regarding Money And Government In Business Positions
Dear Silo, I kept my Silo printed back issues and I just re-read the January-February 2013 issue of The Silo. I noticed that a few of the articles involve the issue of consent (biogas facility, mega-quarry, dads attending births) and choice (media publications, GMO foods, liquor sales). Freedom of choice and voluntary consent are basic…
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Tinkering Won’t Fix Crisis In Ontario Corrections And Jails
In December of 2015, I toured the aging Thunder Bay District Jail. The nearly century-old jail had recently been the scene of a riot that led to a correctional officer being taken hostage – 70 inmates took control of the upper floor for a period of 20 hours. In Ontario, assaults on correctional officers and…