New Democrat Leader Andrea Horwath called on Ontarians to have their say on the provincial budget released yesterday, and members of the horse racing industry are encouraged to voice their opinions and tell their story
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“We have been clear that in order for this provincial budget to be acceptable, it needs to work for everyday people,” said Horwath. “Last October, Ontarians voted for positive change. In this minority government, New Democrats are taking this budget very seriously.”
Today, Horwath unveiled a website and toll-free number that Ontarians can use to tell New Democrats what they like and don’t like about yesterday’s budget. Ontarians can have their say online at www.ondpcaucus.com/yoursay/, ondpcaucus.com/exprimez-vous/ or by telephone at 1-855-ONT-BDGT (668-2348).
“This provincial budget will have real impacts on the lives of everyday Ontarians. That’s why it’s essential we ask them if this is the sort of budget that puts their interests first or if they want an election,” Horwath said, noting that a provincial election could hang in the balance. “We need to know if this is a budget that people can live with, and what kinds of changes they would need to see.”
The Ontario Legislature will vote on the budget motion and any amendments next week.
OHRIA is launching a phone in campaign to encourage the NDP to take up our cause as part of their negotiations with the government. Their release encourages for the horse racing industry to make three phone calls: one to the survey line, one to Horwath's office and one to the closest NDP MPP to your community. The release is as follows.
The Ontario NDP have a stark choice to make. Will they support the Liberals budget or force an election? As you can imagine they are under an incredible amount of pressure and it is important that as they negotiate with the Liberals on the budget that our concerns are included in those conversations.
The attached template will be made available by email to the thousands of email addresses we've collected and would like you to make it available to each of your members by email as well. It is important that employers in our industry reach out to their employees to have them share their story with the NDP as well. We need the NDP to understand the serious degree of impact here.
I have been impressed by the NDP's commitment to stand up and fight for our industry, and it is important in the coming days and weeks we solidify that by making our concerns part of their negotiation.
This presents an incredible opportunity, but one that will only be realized if we all stand together and have everyone pick up the phone and make three short calls.
In our time of need, we must all find the five minutes it will take to do this before April 5, 2012.
Horse Racing and Breeding Industry Ontario Budget Mobilization
1) Call your own NDP MPP or the closest NDP MPP to your community (see below).
Tell them your name, what city you live in, how horse racing impacts you. Urge them to support honouring the OLG Slots at Racetracks Program through 2015 and to have the government negotiate with OHRIA on the long term future of the industry.
e.g. ‘My name is XXXX XXXXX. I’m from XXXXXXX and work as a XXXXXXX. Can you please tell MPP XXXXX that it’s important to me and thousands of other Ontarians that the NDP demand the government honour the OLG Slots at Racetracks Program through 2015 to protect the 60,000 jobs Ontario’s horse racing and breeding industry support? That will give the government and OHRIA time to work together on a long term plan for our industry.
2) Call the NDP Budget hotline 1-855-ONT BDGT (1-855-668-2348).
Leave a voice message supporting Ontario’s horse racing and breeding industry. The NDP want to know what you like/dislike about the budget, whether you would support an election, your name, city and phone number. A sample message is ‘My name is XXXX XXXXX. I’m from XXXXXXX and work as a XXXXXXX. I dislike the government’s plan to cancel the OLG Slots at Racetrack Program because it will kill 60,000 jobs in Ontario and really hurt rural Ontario. If you’re going to support the budget, I want you to make your support conditional on the government honouring the OLG Slots at Racetracks Program through 2015 to protect the 60,000 jobs Ontario’s horse racing and breeding industry support. That will give the government and OHRIA time to work together on a long term plan for our industry. If the government won’t agree to that, then I would support an election and will vote for the party that supports Ontario’s horse racing and breeding industry.
3) Call Andrea Horwath’s Office: 416-325-2777:
Tell them your name, what city you live in, how horse racing impacts you. Urge them to support honouring the OLG Slots at Racetracks Program through 2015 and to have the government negotiate with OHRIA on the long term future of the industry.
e.g. ‘My name is XXXX XXXXX. I’m from XXXXXXX and work as a XXXXXXX. Can you please tell MPP Horwath that it’s important to me and thousands of other Ontarians that the NDP demand the government honour the OLG Slots at Racetracks Program through 2015 to protect the 60,000 jobs Ontario’s horse racing and breeding industry support? That will give the government and OHRIA time to work together on a long term plan for our industry.
List of NDP MPPs
- Teresa J. Armstrong (London--Fanshawe) - 519-668-1104
- Gilles Bisson (Timmins--James Bay) - 705-268-6400
- Sarah Campbell (Kenora--Rainy River) - 807-274-7619
- Cheri DiNovo (Parkdale--High Park) - 416-763-5630
- Cindy Forster (Welland) - 905-732-6884
- France Gélinas (Nickel Belt) - 705-969-3621
- Andrea Horwath (Hamilton Centre) - 905-544-9644
- Michael Mantha (Algoma--Manitoulin) - 705-461-9710
- Rosario Marchese (Trinity--Spadina) - 416-603-9664
- Paul Miller (Hamilton East-Stoney Creek) - 905-545-0114
- Taras Natyshak (Essex) - 519-776-6420
- Michael Prue (Beaches--East York) - 416-690-1032
- Jonah Schein (Davenport) - 416-535-3158
- Peter Tabuns (Toronto--Danforth) - 416-461-0223
- Monique Taylor (Hamilton Mountain) - 905-388-9734
- John Vanthof (Timiskaming--Cochrane) - 705-647-5995
I think its time to fight
I think its time to fight fire with fire. By all accounts both the PCs and the NDP are financially strapped and can ill afford an election. This is where us 60,000 horsepeople come in. Lets start a fundraising campaign to help bankroll whatever party will back us. Its simple math. I know that not all 60,000 horsepeople can afford to donate however, I am quite sure that a large number of us who can including yours truly. Let see....if 10,000 people donate $1,000 each that is $10 million right there. If another 10,000 people can contribute $500 each that is another $5 million and so on. Also I would assume that there has to be at least 500 people/organizations (top drivers/jockeys, top trainers, vets, breeding farms, feed companies, farming organizations, truck/trailer dealerships, etc) who can easily afford - better yet cannot afford not to - contribute lets say an average of $20,000 each for another $10 million to the cause. Lets circle the wagons and united so that we can win this battle. We would have to do this in an organized and unified manner. Since OHRIA is our voice in this war maybe all the contributions can be funnelled through them in some sort of a trust account. Just an idea. We have to do something!!!
A Liberal government is a
A Liberal government is a spending government, and gave Canada as a nation, its first ever deficit. Now, provincially, it is (has) given Ontario it's worst-ever outlook in history. This is the legacy of Liberals.
What I would like to see in a budget that can be both supported, and supportive, is as follows:
- continue to support slots, since this has proven to be an initiative that has benefitted all. Horses, including pleasure horses, are supported by numerous sub-trades, including, farmers, mechanics, vets, trailer manufacture, feed providers, blacksmiths, veterinarians, etc, to name just a few. These are all TAX PAYING INDIVIDUALS.
- there is no point in having all-day kindergarten if there are no full-time jobs for their parents to go to
- there should be only ONE PUBLICALLY SUPPORTED EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM. Tax payers cannot afford two boards, two sets of teachers, trustees, bussing systems, etc, etc. The business of teaching is EDUCATION, not religeon. The latter encourages segregation. Religion is the job of parents, not teachers.
- there needs to be caps on the salaries and benefits (including exit packages) of all CEOs of public utility companies, including gas providers. The public purse cannot continue being exploited by this segment any longer.
- 'Green' energy is costly and inefficient, and in terms of wind turbines, is harmful to both human and animal. The inception of this philosophy has been done by non-democratic means. Rather it has taken on a dictatorship-like mantra, and the concerns of rural Ontarians have been completely ignored. This is not the act of a responsible, elected representative of the voting public. We are still a democracy, but it appears our present provincial government is NOT.
- the role of policing should be re-visited. These costs are unacceptably high. Workers in industrail environments are more likely to be killed or maimed on the job, than a police officer is. I suggest that policing should focus on CRIMINAL ACTIVITY, and NOT on traffic violations. Municipal by-law officers should form a traffic division that takes over those duties from police forces. This should result in a much smaller police force that is required for policing duties. Given the grossly inflated salaries police officers earn, this should result in less taxes for property owners.
- MPPs elected on specific promises should not be eligible for re-election if they have not achieved the goals they were elected on, by the next election
- the above should be relevant for MPs as well
- politicians need to take a hit in the same way as tax payers do. That is, no pay increase to be more than the rate of inflation, And need to wait until 65 before receiving a pension for public service
- the above should also apply to all teachers
If even some of the above can be achieved, it would be a step in the right direction, and of benefit to the majority of the population.
In reply to A Liberal government is a by meadowcroft
Right Bang On! What party
Right Bang On! What party will you represent in the next election..... I say "ANN MURRAY FOR PREMIER OF ONTARIO!!!" All in Favour, say "I"!
Things seem to be pretty
Things seem to be pretty quiet, no updates whats going on out there. Times ticking. Apparently city of Miami just voted down a proposed Casino.
I Would Like To Challenge
I Would Like To Challenge or Sponser any Horse person To Challenge "MR Tough Guy Trudeau"(or any and ALL Other "Liberals") To A Lets call it A FUND Raiser Fighting match Like The One They Just Had....lol I Will Stand up for the Horsemen, I am sure there are a lot of horsemen.Horse people out there that will/Bring it on any Liberal...
There doing it in SASK, And Iam sure more will Follow, POLITICS
STAND UP AND MAKE THEM PAY NEXT ELECTION...
I would like to comment on
I would like to comment on the way the Liberals are trying to tear apart the only true job I have ever loved, and drawn such passion from. I was living in Quebec working several different jobs, trying to convince myself I didn't need horse racing in my life. As we all know the government there destroyed racing as well. Kudos and well done on them as well!!! After 7 long years of denying myself my own happiness I opted to move my son and myself here so I could fulfill my real life passion, grooming race horses. And now I see my new government doing the same thing to me and many others here as well, Of course it is not just myself suffering it is 60,000 people at least and I do mean at least!!!! My faith in any government is failing quickly as it seems all that matters to them is lining their pockets and taking away any prospect for me!!!! I love my horses like children.
if a finance minister is so
if a finance minister is so out of touch that he could make the comment that there is no way 60,000 jobs are not lost by ridding prov. of the racing industry, then maybe we should go to the expense of an election.
does he not realize feed services hire people , harness makers ,the farmers as well as all the groomsmen ,trailer makers, track maintenance, etc,etc.
some of these people it is only job they have ever known, what is his plan for all these people?
Well after talking to a
Well after talking to a couple of NDPs it became clear that although Andrea may understand our problem she can not afford to ask for an election. She may say yes to the budget to avoid one and that is what the Liberals are gambling on. So I emailed her and pledge my support of $ 1,000 if she can set an election in motion. I told all of rural Ontario is depending in her. Maybe we all could pledge something if she votes this budget down . We might have to do what other professions have done and that is buy our way in . The catholic teachers paid $ 50.00 per week each to put the Liberals where they are.
Tammy Aspden
Call the numbers and leave
Call the numbers and leave voice mail stating that the slots program should remain untouched and highlight the fact that you are in favour of an election. It takes 2 minutes.
Please make your comments as
Please make your comments as they are being read, Yesterday my comment about the budget was used during Question Period. Even thought the comment was not about horse racing directly it is good to know that they are being read. So everyone make your voice heard. Thanks Carlo
Yes lets go to the polls
Yes lets go to the polls with a new election. Time for a change.
Have contacted a number of
Have contacted a number of the NDP MPP offices on the list.
In every case the staff has indicated that their leader Andrea Horwath has a good grasp of the issue. Further, they suggest she fully intends on raising the issue when she meets with the Premier.
I would encourage everyone (and everyone you know) to call these NDP MPP's. They need to realize the OLG proposal in not popular, the changes as presently structured will cost Ontario 10's of thousands of jobs, and billions in spin-off revenue, and lastly that there is a groundswell of support behind this issue.
While she may intend to raise the issue with McGuinty, how much noise we/you make may well determine how high this issue is on her priority list.
I welcome a new election.
I welcome a new election. It is time that the regular hard working people of Ontario have a true voice. Cutting jobs and bleeding the work force to death is not going to increase revenues for Ontario. Keeping people employed is what will help keep the economy going. Rural areas of Ontario are suffering the worst, it seems like politicians in Ottawa think that everybody lives in big city centres (for example giving tax breaks to people who use public transit and closing OLG centres to open one up in Toronto). We need to stop paying out severance packages when someone messes up. In my world, when someone messes up, they are shown the door. No package. No chance of being re-employed because no good letter of reference will be forthcoming. Another area that burns my butt is how taxpayers SUBSIDISE 25 to 1 the MPP's pensions after only 6 years of service. Finally, why are the other provinces not helping us out the way that we did in THEIR time of need? Kill the budget and bring on an election!
if a provincial election is
if a provincial election is really the only way to save the day...then one potential attack point for both Horvath and Hudak to explore would be the 5 Scarborough Liberal MPP's who were very quiet during the Rob Ford Subway/LRT debate....with all 5 of them finally showing up with half ass support for the subways with a weak-kneed joint letter, once decison was already made by the half-baked Toronto council.
Id recommend to horvath and Hudak that if their hearts are in it to topple this woeful government to definitely bring in that strategy and use it against Mcguinty's Scarborough's Liberals which include ministers Brad Duguid and Margaret Best.
Its an in,,and its a fresh ofg mind in.
good luck
from Toronto, long time pony punter and lover jctoronto
Bring on election Paul
Bring on election Paul Godfrey was part of the committee that brought skydome to toronto was suppost to cost 150 million cost 570 million taxpayers picking up most of the cost. Rogers recently bought for 25 million. Google skydome history and google paul godfrey skydome then click on scott dogastino rants.
If the doctors are able to
If the doctors are able to make more money in the USA, they would be long gone. Frankly, we have not got the dollars to support healthy pay raises, or financial ventures like ORNGE. The Liberals have to go. The Liberal mismanagement of the public dollars is not right. We, the voters of Ontario, cannot afford the present Liberal government. This budget, and the hiring of outside advice, and then for the most part not following it, is like hiring a lawyer and then not following his advice or giving him the tools to get the job done for you. Bring on an election, and let the smart people of Ontario decide who is best to lead us through these financially restricted times. You just cannot spend money you do not have. We cannot afford to not have an election. Do not even think of keeping the people of Ontario in the dark about the issues. Tell the truth so the people, the voters can make a decision. Lets go to the polls as soon as possible. sincerely Bruce T. Winning I suggest a ten percent pay reduction for any government employee. If they don't like it, quit and find a job else where. Thankyou.
Not only does the budget
Not only does the budget send a message to all involved in the horse racing industry that we are on our own ....... but the message to the Health care professionals especially the ones on the Border with the United States. THE MESSAGE!!!! YOUR NOT GETTING A PAY RISE FOR YOUR WORK WITH LIFE AND DEATH FOR 3 YEARS ....So where do you think they are going ...across the border to work ....3,000 from Essex County and Windsor already work their more to follow for sure..... So we educate them then send them to the states..... ANDREA Never voted NDP in my life never thought I would continplate it either...... BRING THE GOVT DOWN AND WE WILL MAKE YOU PREMIER........ I DONT WANt MY HORSES TO FOLLOW MY DOCTOR ....... The crazy thing is children are the responsibilty of the family But Premier Dad Mcguinty has gone to great lengths to ensure the 1.5 billion child care program stays ....... What about the people with no kids .......
In reply to Not only does the budget by gretzkey
I have just contact MPP
I have just contact MPP Horvath's office and wanted to tell everyone that there is a toll free number to use to contact her office and leave your comments. 1-855-668-2348. We all need to get involved to stop the McGuinty government and the OLG from ruining the lives of thousands of people that are involved within the horse business. Please take a few of your time to call her office and express your views, it will make a difference!!!!