Innisfil Mayor Barb Baguley has gone on the record as saying that she has been ensured by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. that the slots parlour at Georgian Downs will not be closed
.
According to a report on simcoe.com, Baguley made the comments this morning (Tuesday) during the Chamber of Commerce’s Mayor’s Breakfast, which, coincidentally enough, took place at Georgian Downs.
The article has quoted Mayor Baguley as saying, “I have to address the elephant in room. I received a call from OLG this morning. They assured me that all the (announced) closures of slots facilities are complete. There may still be some revamping or moving of some facilities but I’m confident that Innisfil’s relationship with OLG and Great Canadian Gaming Corp. will continue. At the end of the day, we will be very pleased with our new relationship with OLG.”
The slot machines may be remaining at Georgian Downs, but just last week, the McGuinty Government gave the green light to a publicly-panned and highly controversial strategy which will see the province step away from the bilateral, commercial contract with the Ontario horse-racing industry know as the slots-at-racetracks program, which has ultimately been the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp.'s most lucrative venture since the late 1990s.
The highly-successful slots-at-racetracks program ultimately employs 60,000 Ontarians related to the provincial horse-racing industry; results in $2-billion in annual economic impact; and annually sees $1.1-billion flow directly to government coffers with minimal overhead assumed by the province of Ontario. In addition, the Ontario horse-racing industry also pays the Ontario Government $261-million in direct taxes every year.
It was just a few months ago when OLG officials were praising the slots at Georgian and made absolutely no mention of there being an apparent issue with the current agreement which has allowed the relationship to blossom into a cash cow for the Ontario Government and the local municipality.
For Trot Insider's complete coverage regarding the fallout and uproar in response to the OLG and Ontario Liberals' treatment of the provincial horse-racing industry, click here.
Unfortunately it's not the
Unfortunately it's not the first time, and won't be the last time the press does not report all of an interview. It really is the responsibility of the individual interviewed to ensure they are being correctly represented. I am truly sorry for the inappropriate comments directed to the mayor - that is extremely juvenile and uncalled for - please take that from where it comes. The vast majority of us just want answers and to know we are being fairly represented.
Thanks Mayor Baguley for the
Thanks Mayor Baguley for the clarification. I think it is important to realize that the press doesnt always report the whole story and we must be respectful of the fact that it is easy to offend other parties if we dont respond in a respectful professional manner. I say this because a personal friend and constituent of Mayor Baguleys and who is also prominent in the horse industry talked to Mayor Baguley this morning and found out that she had received a number of emails regading her statement but was disturbed by the personal attacks and vulgarity that was contained in a couple of them. The more we allow Ohria to represent us and keep this discussion going forward at a professional level with governments the less likely we will be to offend the people who will hopefully be our partners in the future.
In reply to Thanks Mayor Baguley for the by glenn bechtel
Perhaps Mayor Baguley should
Perhaps Mayor Baguley should respond herself on this website and clarify her position and not have others defend her remarks. I'm afraid the horse people are on there own and wouldn't count on much support from the politicians or track owners. Too much talking from both sides of there mouths and telling people what they want to hear. Horse racing is fighting to stay alive and make no mistake, municipalities like Innisfil are more concerned with there slots revenue continuing than they are with the future of horse racing in Ontario.
In August 2006, Great
In August 2006, Great Canadian purchased 70.35 acres of land adjacent to Georgian Downs in anticipation of future growth
OLG extended the term of Great Canadian’s contract and guaranteed the operator 10 per cent of slot machine revenue to Nov. 30, 2021. There was also a provision to extend the agreement until 2026.
So if you read this cut and paste correctly we have been sold out. SLOTS will stay, racing will not...
The Mayors respose after I
The Mayors respose after I sent her an email on why she did not say anything regarding saving the Horse Industry especially the fact it will affect so many people in her town:
Steve: I have been interviewed a number of times since the original announcements and each and every time I express concern with the impact on the horse industry. I give the interviews I do not write the article nor control the content. If you wish to discuss this further I encourage you to give me a call to discuss it.
I refer you to the attached a coupled of the many news items:
http://www.thebarrieexaminer.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3501517
“A lot of people benefit from racing in our community. From supplying the feed to the horses, the drivers, the trainers, the vets, it’s really quite a (big) thing here,” she said. “And, we enjoy the social value of the entertainment. There’s a ripple effect on our community.”
This was a 20 minute interview.
http://www.rock95.com/news/news/localnews/12-03-13/Innisfil_Could_Feel_…
Local News
All news
Innisfil Could Feel The Downside Of A Casino In Toronto
March 13, 2012
Some concern at Innisfil Town Hall with Ontario Lottery and Gaming looking to build a casino in the Toronto-area. While it’s unclear what impact that would have on The Slots at Georgian Downs, Mayor Barb Baguley says there’s no doubt many of Georgian’s patrons, who drive up from the GTA, might opt to stay closer to home. That, she says, could make a dent in the $4-million a year the town receives from OLG, money she says has allowed Innisfil to move up some major projects such as a new library and fire hall, as well as help pay the debenture on the rec centre, which is ongoing. In addition, there's the prospect of losing the horse-racing at Georgian with OLG stepping back from an agreement with the harness racing community. It has a ripple effect, she says, on everyone connected with the racing industry, employment at the Slots and improvements within the town. Baguley will be meeting with OLG officials in April to discuss the potential impact. She says the town has always had a good corporate relationship with OLG and she expects that to continue.
This was a 15 minute interview and this is all they used.
Barb Baguley
Mayor Town of Innisfil
[email protected]
Not to get involved on the
Not to get involved on the "Mayor said this, or believes in that" side of the comments.
I will say that Mayor Baguley is the Mayor of my municipality. She is also a neighbour who overlooks my farm, which provides her the pleasant view this time of year of 40 broodmares and foals.
Her husband works in the agriculture industry at a local Case / Kubota tractor dealership who services my tractor and equipment.
I have had a few conversations with her recently about the current fears and the plight of our valuable industry.
Our local Mayor is one that understands the value of 60,000.00 plus jobs in the agriculture industry and has committed to moving forward with the 3 parties who share in the current 25% agreement.
When I contacted her this evening on her comments at the Mayors breakfast meeting this morning, her reply to me was, "leave it to the press, those were not my entire words. I grew up milking cows".
I truly believe that we as an industry must get beyond just reading and responding on these local forums and unite under a common voice including all breeds and those indirectly affected.
A professional, yet strong approach is the only approach that will be respected at the government level.
Jeff Ruch
Pinestine Farms
Park Insurance
Savings cut in half? Earlier
Savings cut in half?
Earlier today Premier McGuinty committed to municipal referendums for all expanded gaming. Slots can remain where they are, but any new gaming facilities could only happen after a municipal referendum.
Given referendums will be the order of the day, the government likely hopes that is can enter into a new contract with the host racetracks asap (since they have publicly canceled the old agreement)
The old agreement saw the host racetracks get $168.5 m for rent/expenses/upgrades, and horse-people get $168.5m for purses. Combined this adds up to the $337 million the Finance Minister talked about.
Racetracks seem to have newfound leverage (if the government wants to avoid municipal referendums).
Don't be surprised if the new contracts will be somewhere in the $168m range.
Doesn't this now mean the government is putting racing 60,000 jobs, $1.5 billion payroll and $261 million in direct taxes at risk ---- so it can pocket $168 million? (not the $337m total the have promoted).
May I suggest if you are a
May I suggest if you are a constituent of Mayor Baguley that you call her or perhaps pay a visit to her office to let her know that you have concerns as a horse person and that she failed to mention what impact these changes are having on the horse industry. So it is safe to say that the OLG has an "understanding" with GCG as well. Is anyone surprised that a company who's mandate it has been to drastically cut race dates has now rolled out the red carpet to the OLG... divide and conquer my friends. Ask the horse people in BC how the GCG vision of horse racing is working out...wait you don't need to ask, just pull up a seat here in Ontario as act two is about to begin!
Darryl MacArthur
Goes to show you that the
Goes to show you that the people who make these comments like the mayor don't have a clue about what is about to happen.
i guess we will all find out soon enough. We need to reverse this in anyway we can. We have had enough people now is the time to act before its to late.
an employee of the industry we all love
How could someone so naive
How could someone so naive get elected to public office?
Don't you read!The
Don't you read!The government is STOPPING the slots revenue with the horsepeople.
If the track wants to use some of their "cut" to support the horsepeople,i am sure that is going to be allowed.
Could someone tell the Mayor
Could someone tell the Mayor I think alot of people knew that they were not going to close the slots in fact I am sure that the Olg to make this more palatable might even offer the municipalities and possibly the racetracks more money than the present arrangement. It is the horse industry that is under attack and it is not about the billions of dollars the government takes, it is about the 20 percent the race industry gets or even worse the 10 percent the horsemen and breeders get. I believe we have to stop presenting the idea that the government is walking away from billions in this program but instead that they are attempting to increase their take from 1 billion up to as much as 350 million more by renegotiating with the other parties. I absolutely expect the Olg to pit Municipalities against the horse industry and it will be up to the horse industry to stick together and let the municipalities and the Olg know that its not ok for them to split the 250 million presently going to the race industry and continue to use the racetrack facilities for their benefit. If they then conclude that they might have to bring in the racetracks to complete the ambush we will know once and for all whether this industry has the quality of individuals at the positions of power who know the difference between right and wrong.
Mitchell Nault I do not
Mitchell Nault
I do not understand why the mayor is so happy with the new relationship with OLG. In her statement she clairifies nothing about the new plan that makes her 'happy at the end of the day'! What does she know but is unwilling to discuss about this new relationship? She states that slots will remain at Georgian Downs. Does this mean Innisfil will get a percentage and Georgian Downs along with the horsepeople are left out all together from the new OLG plan? Why would Georgian Downs keep the slots unless they got a percentage from OLG? Is the racetrack going to be a landlord to OLG and collect rent each month? As a standardbred breeder and horseperson I see no reason to be happy from her comments. We have a crop of yearlings to sell in the fall, a crop of babies hitting the ground (bred last year) and now we should bred back to the Ontario program. All breeders work on a three year plan-how much money do they want us to loose? Currently, OLG's plan to cancel the slots-at-racetracks parternship will put our farm out of business. I just want to know what OLG's plan is for the horsepeople starting on April 1, 2013! Our business and livelihood depends on this information.
I'm not sure that this is
I'm not sure that this is the time to be making an announcement that our future will be "rosy". This seems to be a very vague statement and certainly contains no information or assurance that the horse racing industry will survive the OLG's remodelling of gaming. I'm very disappointed that mayor Baguley would not have been more sensitive to the plight of the racing industry.
Well of course the OLG is
Well of course the OLG is going to keep slots at most of the tracks.They (the provincial government) are making bundles without much investment.It's pulling the plug on racing that we want recinded.
Mayor Baguley is out to
Mayor Baguley is out to lunch! She can't see the forest for the trees. It's obvious she doesn't care which partner helped her city and district recieve millions years ago to this day with a contract.
Of course she is pleased,
Of course she is pleased, who wouldn't be? Where in the report does it mention that she supports the continuation of live racing? I am sure that the town of Innisfil would be more then willing to give the horsemen 2.5% of the towns 5% her pals at the OLG will be giving her while the track turns to weeds.
Its nice to see that someone knows there future and has a great relationship with the OLG, who wants to kill this industry. Give me a break!!
Gary Blackburn
That's all very well and
That's all very well and nice for the OLG employees but what about the horse industry who has had the rug pulled out from under them!!
The mayor is pleased with
The mayor is pleased with the new relationship with OLG. With no revenue from the slots to the horsemen, is she at all concerned on the impact to the horsepeople?