Report: More Money For Racing
Sources indicate that an announcement slated for Monday will increase government funding to Ontario's horse racing industry with an additional $100-million infusion.
According to London's CTV News reporter Cristina Howorun, race dates will also be announced and the total funding in the five-year plan for racing will be boosted from $400 to $500 million. Howorun reports that some of this additional money will be earmarked for repairs to Fort Erie as well as racing for Rideau Carleton Raceway.
On Sunday night, Ontario Horse Racing's John Snobelen penned a column for Sun Media in advance of Monday's expected announcement. Snobelen noted that when the Liberal government initially cancelled the slots-at-racetrack program two years ago, he "wrote a scathing column on the devastating effect terminating SARP would have on horses and the proud cadre of people who work with them."
Snobelen goes on to say that while the cancellation created crisis, in his opinion the new Partnership Plan and racetrack alliance are changes for the better.
"Canceling SARP created a crisis in the horse racing industry. Two years later I am happy to report it also created some good change."
I have asked Ms. Wynne to
I have asked Ms. Wynne to provide an estimate on the cost of cancelling SARP in terms of lost jobs, taxes, investment, tourism and the boost in welfare, in comparison to waste of the panel and their on going cushy jobs and expense accounts plus now having to subsidize the industry. Not holding my breath waiting for an answer!
On taking office, she should have handed the panel their hats ,thanked them for their time, then gone to the Drummond & Sadinsky reports, hired knowledgable horsemen and installed the accounability the government wanted. Much cheaper than the alternative.
This is a joke. It's like
This is a joke. It's like setting fire to a building and then taking credit for putting the fire out. Let's not forget that THE PLAN from the wise 3 was to turn gaming in Ontario over to U.S. casino's. Back then we were collateral damage.
What is "alleged" to be given
What is "alleged" to be given could/probably will be taken back. Let's see if we can look ahead a year and read the press releases. Ontario provincial government reduces the "subsidy" to racing because of budget constraints. The racing industry should/must assume that this will happen and improve the product in the many ways that have been mentioned constantly in this forum and proven by Mr. Gural. There no longer be anyone who can say he/she/they were not forewarned!!
I see plenty of great
I see plenty of great changes.
as a bettor, less dates = more competitive racing = better betting opportunity.
Tracks with painfully small handles are not spreading the betting dollar thinner.
Western fair is getting better and better to bet as handles have increased.
an extra $100 million dollars
an extra $100 million dollars for fort erie--rideau will get a crumb-great--the thoroughbreds needed all the extra help--dont they--after all--they did lose minimum days of racing--still no racing at kawartha downs and as mr snobelen said at a meeting--if you dont like the selected tracks we are supporting--thats west of the 400 folks--the MOVE--great attitude--and who promoted him to be the voice of the horse racing industry??
Seems rather vague.What are
Seems rather vague.What are the estimates for repairs
at Fort Erie,also what does racing at Rideau Carleton mean
in terms of dollars?
How much of this $100 million dollars will actually be
left to share amongst the "Alliance Tracks"?
Now do we have a new spokesperson for us."Ontario Horse
Racing's John Snobelen penned a column for Sun Media'.
Mr.Snobelen's article written 2 years ago stating the
devastating effect terminating SARP would have on the horses
and the group of people working and training these horses
is much closer to the truth.
Now however ostensibly Mr.Snobelen cannot see these damages,
but they are there and still growing.
It appears that the Liberals
It appears that the Liberals are finally starting to flinch. Let's not forget that it was THEIR decision to cancel the SAR program WITHOUT any prior consultation or input from the industry. A spring election is looming. The Liberals are in trouble over their gross mis-management of the Province's financial situation, gas plant scandals, etc. and now they are trying to "buy" our votes. How many livelihoods have they destroyed, how many businesses have they bankrupted or closed and how much investment have they chased out of the Province because of their irresponsible decisions. This is no time for "short memories". Our SAR program was the envy of North America and copied by states in the US. Both the PC and NDP parties have said that they will re-instate the SAR program. Ms. Wynne..... I fear that your actions are of the variety of being ..... too little..... too late.
Mr. Snobelen says that he
Mr. Snobelen says that he sees some good changes in our industry, well I don't see too many, none in fact. The government could have accomplished much better and more lucrative results for the province and the industry by sitting down at the table and talking before they threw us to the wolves. Now no one trusts them and even now we must worry if this is just a pre-election hand out to sway the horse industry vote their way. In any event" Thanks for the money." Everything we receive from now on is a subsidy and we better say" thank you" to the tax payers, because they are supporting us now.
Would love to see the
Would love to see the positive change in the industry Mr. Snobelen is referring to. Perhaps he could quantify this with direct evidence that relates to how the industry functioned prior to moving from self sustainability to pure subsidy. Maybe one change is the nice paycheque he has secured? Could be the liberals are already campaigning for an election yet to be called? This horse could be of the Trojan variety.