"Our government understands the horse racing industry and the vital role it plays in Ontario. It's a $2-billion industry which is generating 65,000 jobs."
More Liberal support for the employment figures disputed by Finance Minister Dwight Duncan has surfaced. Duncan continues to downplay the significance of the horse racing and breeding industry in Ontario, along with the number of jobs that would be impacted by ending the Slots at Racetracks Program. In defence of his position, Duncan claims 'nobody believes' 60,000 Ontarians are employed by the horse racing and breeding industry.
During a legislative debate on March 27, 2007, Liberal MPP Vic Dhillon rose in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario and noted the following:
"Our government understands the horse racing industry and the vital role it plays in Ontario. It's a $2-billion industry which is generating 65,000 jobs. Horse racing is an important part of our agricultural sector. The industry supports significant employment and economic benefits to our province." The MPP for Brampton West continued by assuring the Legislature, "The McGuinty government will continue to work with the ORC and all industry stakeholders to ensure continued strength, growth and long-term prosperity of the horse racing industry in Ontario."
Just last week Finance Minister Dwight Duncan claimed 'nobody' believes there are approximately 60,000 Ontarians employed because of horse racing and breeding in Ontario, despite four independent reports validating the 60,000 job number and the 2004 Liberal Budget stating the OLG Slots at Racetracks Program supports more than 60,000 jobs.
A poll conducted by Forum Research on behalf of the Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association found considerable support for horse racing and the OLG Slots at Racetracks Program:
- 74% of Ontarians approve of the OLG Slots at Racetracks Program.
- 70% approve of 20% of slot revenue being re-invested in horse racing.
- 84% of Ontarians believe it is important that the 60,000 horse racing and breeding jobs stay in Ontario.
- 43% of Ontarians felt the 20% of slot revenue was about the right amount to re-invest in horse racing.
- 30% felt that horse racing deserved more than 20%.
- 13% of Ontarians agreed with Dwight Duncan that 20% is too much.
- 58% of Ontarians opposed new casinos.
- 57% opposed a new casino being built in their municipality.
This poll was conducted by Forum Research (available here) for OHRIA between March 17 and March 22, 2012, on a sample of 1,006 randomly selected respondents. Interviews were conducted by telephone using an RDD sample. The margin of error for a sample this size is plus or minus 3%, 19 times out of 20. The Forum Research Poll Report can be viewed as a PDF at this link: Forum Research Poll Report.
(OHRIA)
Finance Minister Duncan just
Finance Minister Duncan just does not get it. The ship has sailed on casino gambling. That is why the Province's own casino's have lost so much money. Look at the casino built in Halifax that was going to make a fortune for the Province. Within a short period of time budgets were being lowered and new deals were being hammered out. This casino has never came close to its initial projections. Look at the new casino in Moncton? the same thing has happened. The one in Sydney N.S. encountered the same results as well. All over Canada Province's who had hoped that the casino industry would bail them out have seen otherwise.
Today gambling is everywhere on the internet. That combined with the huge bingo's and lotteries eat up most of the publics discretionary income. Mr. Duncan does not understand that. With your combination of horse racing and casino type gaming you have the best of both worlds. Afterall, why is that unfair. No one hit horse racing any harder than the Lottery did when it came into play. This was a prime example of discretionary income being maxed out.
To spend a fortune of taxpayers money on new casinos is insane. The results will be completely negative and Ontario will suffer tremendously.
Eliminating over 60,000 jobs to gain a few thousand jobs in the casino industry will not be a benefit to Ontario. It will be for downtown Toronto but not for rural Ontario. Where does Mr. Duncan think the feed and hay comes from to look after thousands and thousands of horses every day? Where does he think the steel comes from for making horse shoes? Who takes the steel and turns it into horse shoes? Who takes the steel and turns it into shoeing nails? How much tax is collected each and every year from the breeding industry alone? There are hundreds of questions Duncan needs to read the answer to. First though he needs to not be attached to an outcome. Than he will have the opportunity to learn everything that needs to be known about the Horse Racing Industry in Ontario.
Hopefully the media will tell us shortly who is driving this idea of Casino gaming turning around Ontario's massive deficits. Killing the best Race Track/Gaming program in the world is not the answer.
Misinformation is the
Misinformation is the governments stongest allie, been doing it for 200 years to us natives, if the government says it is so and the media reports it it must be true right? No support from NDP coming our way apparently, at a queens park press conference yesterday when asked what concessions it would take for the NDP to vote to pass the budget, Horwath's list did not include any mention of the racetrack slot agreement. I guess there are only 60,000 fans of the racing industry
I think more of these
I think more of these liberals who want to stay in politics better start standing up for the horse racing industry, despite what there leaders are saying. The numbers don,t lie and the truth is getting into the media stream. HORSES will have there day next election you can bet on that.
Cheryl Bloomfield I don't
Cheryl Bloomfield
I don't think it really matters to Mr Duncan or the liberal government what the actual numbers are. They have their agenda and are going to stick to it no matter what.
All these politicians
All these politicians disputing Duncans numbers is all fine and good. What are they doing to help the racing industry is the question. Talk is cheap. It takes money to but whiskey.
Why is it that one
Why is it that one misinformed man is allowed to make a decision that will affect so many peoples way of life? Come on people this sort of thing happens in Iraq and North Korea, but we live in Canada, I don't understand.
In reply to Why is it that one by elmgrovebobby
Go to this site and ask them
Go to this site and ask them how shutting down the Horse racing biz is going to create jobs
http://www.fin.gov.on.ca/en/consultations/prebud/index.html