Over the past week, Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett has been travelling Eastern Ontario garnering views on the recently-released report on social assistance.

PHOTO CREDIT - OurHometown.ca

Cornwall - Nov. 1, 2012 - Over the past week, Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett has been travelling Eastern Ontario garnering views on the recently-released report on social assistance.

Barrett who is also the Community and Social Services Critic was in Cornwall this morning, in colleague MPP Jim McDonell’s riding, to hear from representatives who work with a variety of people in need of help.

“As with other meetings in Eastern Ontario, agency representatives in Cornwall provided us with practical common sense advice based on their hands-on experience working in this part of small-town and rural Ontario” - said MPP Toby Barrett.

MPP Jim McDonell stated: “Ontario's social services, and particularly services in our region, are feeling the strain of higher demand and budget constraints. As legislators, we must ensure changes to the system include consultation with recipients and those who administer the services of their agencies, in order to achieve real positive long-term outcomes for the residents of our community.”

Dr Paul Roumeliotis, Medical Officer of Health at the Eastern Ontario Health Unit, added: “Many people don't realize that poverty reduction is a form of health prevention and promotion.”

This afternoon, Barrett will be in Brockville meeting with representatives in that area.