Horwath To Liberals: Protect Jobs, Help Horse Racing

The Liberals have stated they want to switch ownership of casinos to the private sector, probably because of the need to spend hundreds of millions on upgrading their poor condition.They seem quite happy to enhance their sale value by eliminating all competition, They perhaps consider the harm to racing as collateral damage in this plan to rid themselves of any liability for the these crumbling enterprises.It is a cowardly and unjust solution to the problems the casinos themselves have created.As a former Liberal supporter, I do not hesitate to say that this disgusting crew must go. I am appalled at their lack of integrity.

What is a casino really anyway? 70% slots, 20% tables and 10% hotel and dining and if there is room golf and conference.
If the government thinks casinos will help the economic climate and the general public doesn't want them but support the slots at racetrack program I smell a wonderful long term "partnership"
The tracks already have 70% of the casino in place, just expand it, you can call it the "casino at racetrack partnership" and it will cost less to taxpayers to build and you have the potential for more casinos and more revenue for everyone.
Think about it, NA Cup day, Industry day, Legends day or Queens plate day, etc, people would have a a place to stay on site, expanded gaming, dining, and great horse racing.
Everyone wins

finally someone who cares for the people ty andrea horwath

Just do it Andrea ...... You have a golden opportunity to change the devistation about to happen to thousands of Ontarians. The rhetoric from Duncan and McGuinty is pitifull. "The sport cant survive with 3 horse races" the latest attack, I cant remember seeing a 3 horse race.
"We have supported horse racing to the tune of 360 million a year" these are the quotes being fed to local media. The other quote being banded around is "We dont want and cant afford another election" Yes we do and we cant afford not to have another election. Another election or lose your livelyhood ?
Over to you Andrea we will not forget you in our hour of need. Go to one of the slots slated for closing its shamefull the hard working honest people are doing their job knowing they only have 3 weeks till devistaion. The worst is the racetracks beside them are working under a cloud.........GOOD LUCK.

Thank you Andrea for your support. Horseracing needs your help and I hope the people continue to fight this, not only for the horsemen but for the horses as well. They are at risk too. I am really happy that you Andrea are standing up for us! Lets keep it up, keep calling, emailing and sending in your letters to your official's in your area. It seems like it is helping! Keep up the good work people!

Let's hope the NDP stick to their guns and cause an election or at least cause the Liberals to fix the budget to leave the racinos alone.

I think that we have to keep the pressure on Andrea i make a call to her hot line every day. I ALSO ask everyone to make the call and state how bad the budget is for the horse industry

My cheque book is out!!! Well it just maybe time to circle the wagons. If an election is called we must unite and be ready to put our money where our mouth(s) are. Right now the ball is in our court. We have to make sure that we do not spit the bit with this opportunity. Not to get too far ahead of ourselves but in going forward we must learn from our past mistakes. (i.e. Why did we not insist on a 25 year or even 50 year deal in 1998?. Maybe we can take a little less of a cut for a long-term deal - with no escape clauses, etc.) Once again just a few thoughts.

Wait a minute here. Andrea Horwath didnt really come in to save the day. She only calls for a review to stabilize jobs. One reporter even asks if she got input from the public or is she just rehashing her NDP platform that she used during the election (which is about the same).

Stabilization can mean a lot of things. It could mean that horse racing will see nothing but large barns and top trainers competing at the WEG and nowhere else. It could mean that she will save 10,000 jobs but not 60,000 jobs.

I sent Andrea Horwath an email that said, if she supports this budget and sides with the liberals that in the next election, I would work to create an alternative political party. This party would only run candidates in rural ridings. Getting a small number elected would be similar to the BLOC QUEBECOIS. That party was interested in protecting Quebec interests. This new party would only be interested in rural matters. It would ensure a minority government and whatever party makes up that government would have to come to the "Rural Party" to get a blessing on any bill or budget or be defeated in parliament.

I am not a politician but I would certainly pledge significant funds and help organize this party. In my opinion rural business people, farmers, or a horseperson would be the ideal candidates. I just think the rural ridings need their own voice, not the voice of the big 3 parties.

Georg Leber-ICR RACING

If you listen to her words carefully, she was in support of jobs and not losing any. With regards to our industry, she stated she wanted to help with "stablizing sectors" like horseracing and tourism with the job prosperity funds to aid in transitioning these people..... Far from out of the woods as of yet.... A step in the right direction and only time will tell how big a step this is......... As an industry we have to keep the PRESSURE on and demand answers and accountability for the government's unilateral decision to cancel the SAR contracts.

Great news that Andrea Horwath today publicly supported racing and said it is one of her demands on the Liberals.

The industry needs to keep up the support/pressure. If she is going to risk her political life by forcing an election, she needs to know she has substantial backing.

Thank you Andrea Horwath. Finally we have been heard. Hats off to all of us in the horse industry for coming together and fighting for what we believe in. We can't let up now though. Lets keep fighting.

I want to thank ms. Horwath and Mr. Hudak for trying to get ontario back in balance .WE need to stop this government from ruining one of one of the most profitable partnerships that they have ever been involved in that is because they are dealing with honest and honorable people at the racetracks and our associations I wonder how a government that said in Jan. 2012 how well that the racetrack and Slots was working .It is a matter of record in Mr. Duncans speach of that time . And then somebody comes along with another offer and they turn on their partners .Bad Bad politics. HELP Us Save HORSERACING IN ONTARIO WE willNOT FORGET AT ELECTION TIME. THANK YOU AGAIN

I gotta admit I thought she'd throw us under the bus...

so far so (a little bit) good

Clearly Andrea Horvath, unlike the liberals, recognizes the value and importance of industries like horseracing and its impact on the economy. Still, the best case scenario would be the liberals don't budge and we eliminate them in an election. Then we could maintain the effective partnership and its benefits to both government and racing for the long term.

Nice to read something positive for a change.

Finally the bizness gets some recognition, now we need the current gov toppled . .

I agree with Andrea Horwath, "We can do better". The world is changing and governments and legislation have to change with it. Good programs that work at keeping people employed should not be curtailed or changed. We the people need good innovative people running our affairs at Queens Park. Good governance for all people not just for certain interests. Bruce T. Winning. Thanks for listening.