As the province's new Premier and Minister of Agriculture, Kathleen Wynne has made it clear she and the Liberal Party need to reconnect with rural Ontario in order to stay in power. According to an award-winning writer with a PhD in economics, it can be done by stopping the OLG modernization strategy and maintaining the slots-at-racetracks program.
In his Wednesday column for the Toronto Star, national affairs columnist Thomas Walkom says Wynne needs to tackle two forces to make inroads with the rural segment: windmills and Paul Godfrey.
"Paul Godfrey’s Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. places a close second in the toxicity sweepstakes," states Walkom. "Under Godfrey’s chairmanship, the OLG is putting in place a new privatization strategy designed to favour big (and usually American-run) casinos. But along the way, huge chunks of the horse-racing industry in rural Ontario — from race tracks to horse farms — are being wiped out."
Walkom continues by pointing out that while the slots-at-racetracks program churned billions of dollars for the province, the OLG resort casinos operated at a loss.
"In 2010, Ontario’s four marquee resort casinos lost a total of $45-million. In 2011, those losses more than doubled, to $93 million."
Even those without a PhD in economics can understand how the slots-at-racetracks program was a financial success for the province, and the resort casinos have failed.
Now that two of the main figures behind the OLG's modernization - former Premier Dalton McGuinty and former Finance Minister Dwight Duncan - have removed themselves from the political picture, Walkom states that Wynne and the Liberals are "being given a second chance" to make this decision right and in turn win back the confidence of an alienated rural population that received but a token mention in Premier Wynne's Throne Speech.
"If Wynne wants to reconnect with rural southern Ontario, she will have to go further," says Walkom. "She will also find it politic to rethink Godfrey’s grand gambling plans. Reversing the racetrack slots decision might irritate casino operators. But it would be viewed by many in the countryside as a friendly gesture."
Paul Godfrey was responsible
Paul Godfrey was responsible for one of the biggest and earliest boondoggles in Ontario--the Skydome!! Remember he said at the time, it wouldn't cost the taxpayer's much? Well $500 million plus it did cost us, and then it sold not so long ago for $25 million. And this man is now pushing big casinos?
And you'll see little cricitism of him in some media outlets, particularly the National Post where he is the President and CEO.
Just because some track
Just because some track owners have signed lease agreement, don't give any credit to Liberals. The only way any horseperson could conceivably vote liberal is if they re-instate the slots at racetrack program completely and for the remainder of the contract (10 yrs.?) And the second saving grace would be to fire Godfrey, with his slicked back hair and pinstripe suit.
The Liberals have had nine
The Liberals have had nine yrs. to address the issues of rural Ontario. Instead they chose to ignore the rural communities and their concerns, have flaunted the countryside with ugly wind turbines, closed schools in the small towns and now with the termination of the SAR program, have decimated an entire horse racing industry putting 55,000 jobs at risk which will in turn, adversely effect the rural economy. And if she thinks by appointing herself as Minister Of Agriculture that she is going to be embraced by rural Ontario, she needs to think again. What does she know about agriculture and the complex issues facing rural citizens.... NOTHING. Ontario might be better served with someone who resides in a rural community and who is involved in the day to day issues of farming. All one needs to do is look at the electoral map that indicates that the Liberals are not popular with rural Ontarians. She has already reneged on her promise to put Godfrey and his cronies "on hold" pending a review of the OLG gambling modernization plans. My advice to Ms. Wynne..... don't step on any cow patties.
If anybody in the harness
If anybody in the harness racing industry falls for this lie about reconnecting with rural Ontario, I've got a bridge to sell you. The Liberals have become so transparent that it's hard to believe a thing they say.
Regretably, Kathleen Wynne
Regretably, Kathleen Wynne has already shown her hand. After comments inferring that perhaps the OLG Gaming expansion should be put on pause to allow a full review of the whole process (comments made before the Liberal convention) ... she has now made it clear that she is following in the footsteps of Dalton McGuinty. There will be no pause and no review - just a statement that City Councils should have more control ... when in fact the mandatory referendum policy should be reinstated. The residents of those cities that are being coerced to accept down town Casinos should have their say. The issue cannot be left to self serving politicians.
The Liberals and Godfrey know
The Liberals and Godfrey know full well that the slots at racetracks program is a huge success. They also know that they have over spent and want more money to keep doing the same old things. They have not now and never planned to close the slots at racetracks .Their plan was to get the horsemens share and if that kills 60,000 jobs and thousands of horses in rural Ontario, then SO BE IT. It is only Rural Ontario. If Toronto will allow a casino in theie city core then Woodbine is done. But in 2 years we will be subsidized by the people of Ontario and then they have the excuse they need to do in the entire Industry.
Nothing is going to change,
Nothing is going to change, unless we get the Liberals out of Queen's Park. We really do need an election in the Province Of Ontario. We need to get better regulation on the lap sitters aka the lobbyists that are working at Queen's park. Mr. Paul Godfrey has to be given his walking papers. We need to shake things up. Sincerely Bruce T. Winning.
As a person that grew up in
As a person that grew up in east end Toronto it is no secret the Toronto Daily Star is primarily a Liberal leaning organization. When their own friends through this type of column tell them they*ve been guilty of some serious blunders as written above perhaps they*ll reconsider and make the necessary changes! As a horse owner I won*t hold my breath but this free advice should wake them up! Are you listening Premier Wynne?
Horsemen have known all along
Horsemen have known all along that the real bad guy is and continues to be Paul Godrey.He is so far out in left field that you need binoculars to find him.And for reasons we will never understand he had the ear of the former Premier and Minister of Finance and he convinced them to make some very bad (and sad) decisions with his ill conceived gambling 'moderization' program.He might as well have poisoned all the provinces water supply.It is hard to believe how one man could be so wrong about something that is so important to so many people.Thank you Mr. Walkom for writing this article.Hopefully someone in Queen's Park will bring it to the Premier's attention.