Tag: Toby Barrett
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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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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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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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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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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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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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Lake Erie Fisheries At Risk Or Set For Bolstering From Invading Fish
No perch or pickerel in Lake Erie’s fisheries future? The tasty fish our Great Lakes are known for, and all other sport fish, could be decimated if the insidious Asian carp migrate from the Mississippi watershed. Combined, the four Asian carp species could decimate the Great Lakes fishery by out competing our native fish. Plankton,…
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Seven Years War Story Behind Our Civic Holiday
As the civic holiday some refer to as Simcoe Day approaches, I wish to shine light on Upper Canada’s first lieutenant-governor. Born Feb. 25, 1752, in England, John Graves Simcoe, although best known as lieutenant-governor, was also a member of British Parliament, colonial administrator, army officer, and commander of the Queen’s Rangers during the Revolutionary…
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Significant Gasoline Price Hikes At Ontario Pumps
January 1st kicked off 2017 with significant gasoline price hikes at the pumps courtesy the Ontario Liberal government’s cap and trade legislation. I obviously voted against that bill. Ontario’s cap and trade, Canada’s price on carbon Another reality is that Canada is putting a price on carbon, the nature of which is still being negotiated…
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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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Revamped auto e-testing in Ontario is “ineffective money grab”
It’s time to scrap Ontario’s Drive Clean program and the latest reboot of the decade old Drive Clean program should get the boot altogether. I make this claim following the Wynne government’s latest set of changes introducing…
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13% Of All Working Ontarians Are Public Sector Employees
Let’s find alternatives to layoffs and program cuts. On May 16th, I introduced my Private Members Bill titled: An Act to address Ontario’s debt through alternatives to public sector layoffs and government program cuts while reducing the fiscal pressure on the people of Ontario who are having trouble paying their bills. This legislation offers options…
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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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Things You Find Out After An Election
Two weeks after the last ballot was cast in the election, we in Ontario learned of approvals for more electricity increases. The same day we also heard we may soon be paying the highest price for electricity in the developed world. According to energy analyst Parker Gallant, and University of Guelph’s Glenn Fox, the McGuinty…
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A Need To Rethink Health Care
Amongst all the vital issues of provincial significance that get discussed at this time of year, there is no doubt that health care remains as the number one priority for people in Ontario. Unfortunately, while health sector spending accounts for about 46 cents of every tax dollar allocated, the size and scope of our health…
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Ontario’s Hunting, Fishing and Outdoors Heritage
Toby Barrett, MPP Column Available Ahead of Print Publication Support our hunting, fishing, outdoors heritage Gun owners and those concerned with the waste of money should be glad to see the end of the long gun registry – an issue that has long frustrated farmers, hunters and recreational shooters. Ending the registry was part of…