In a multi-pronged release, Ontario New Democratic Party MPP Taras Natyshak (Essex) has called on the Ontario Liberal Government to hold off on the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp.'s gaming modernization plan, has called for 2014 municipal referendums on casino expansion, and has called for the highly successful slots-at-racetracks program to be continued until at least 2014.
"Ontario’s New Democrats reject the notion that building large-scale casinos province-wide will fix Ontario’s economy," Natyshak has said via release. "Destroying a local industry that employs thousands of Ontarians to make room for American corporations is no way to rebuild our economy."
Natyshak has also claimed that the minority Ontario Liberals have "gutted" the provincial industry to make way for U.S. casino interests.
Natyshak wrote:
"It’s clear the Liberals have shut down the SARP program and gutted the racing industry in order to make way for private Las Vegas-style casinos owned and operated by foreign conglomerates. The government’s own Horse Racing Industry Transition Panel concluded that the horse-racing industry needs some form of public investment to survive this crisis. They say the funds being offered by the government now are nowhere near enough to stave off the crisis facing the horse racing community, but the McGuinty Liberals won’t step up to the plate to address the shortfall."
The contents of Natyshak's release appear below.
SARP Cancellation Threatens Horse Racing Industry
The McGuinty Liberals’ decision to end the slots-at-racetracks program (SARP), without any consultation or negotiation, has sent the horse-racing industry reeling. The future existence of the industry in Ontario is in jeopardy.
This once-world-class and vibrant industry which contributes a total of $1.5 billion in wages and salaries to Ontario’s economy has since taken quite a hit. We’ve already seen almost 1,000 jobs lost and 50,000 more jobs are on the line. On top of the economic and jobs impacts, owners are left with no choice by to put down some of their race horses. They’ve dropped in value so much that owners can no longer afford to carry the costs of feeding and maintaining them.
It’s clear the Liberals have shut down the SARP program and gutted the racing industry in order to make way for private Las Vegas-style casinos owned and operated by foreign conglomerates. The government’s own Horse Racing Industry Transition Panel concluded that the horse-racing industry needs some form of public investment to survive this crisis. They say the funds being offered by the government now are nowhere near enough to stave off the crisis facing the horse racing community, but the McGuinty Liberals won’t step up to the plate to address the shortfall.
Ontario’s New Democrats reject the notion that building large-scale casinos province-wide will fix Ontario’s economy. Destroying a local industry that employs thousands of Ontarians to make room for American corporations is no way to rebuild our economy.
The Premier should direct OLG to hold off on their plans to expand casinos in the province until after the 2014 municipal elections, so that communities can decide for themselves, using referendums, whether or not they want a casino in their backyard.
At the same time, the government should immediately freeze the removal of slot machines from racetracks across Ontario. They should continue the SARP program until 2014, so that the horse-racing industry can continue to operate while the government works directly with the industry to find a real solution to this crisis, to guarantee the long-term viability of the industry.
New Democrats believe that given the choice between privatized gaming and a public partnership; those in the horse-racing industry would chose to continue adding a valuable stream of revenue to the province in support of important social programs like healthcare, education and infrastructure.
The March 31, 2013, deadline is too soon for the industry to adjust or re-calibrate its operations.
We have already seen job losses in race tracks because of the uncertainty of funding. The industry is suffering, and the damage already caused will be hard to undo. A once thriving industry is being completely dismantled, and the impact will be felt throughout rural Ontario for decades to come. The horse-racing and breeding industry is the second largest sub-sector of Ontario’s agricultural sector. We need to ensure that it continues to thrive, and grow, as a valued part of our economy.
(Taras Natyshak, MPP Essex)
A fat lot of good the $50
A fat lot of good the $50 million would do us and the transitional panel hasn't been of much use either when it comes to harness racing. The NDP got their increased tax rate on those making over $500,000 a year which amounts to a hill of beans after people in those income brackets do some creative accounting.
Taras Natyshak has been supportive of our industry but his mighty leader told him to sit on his hands during two very critical voting sessions and he did---just like the rest of his party. That's when we needed his support.
This is a great plan, which
This is a great plan, which would have even been greater if the NDP had just stood up and voted the budget down, forcing an election. They had a better chance of winning an election then than they ever will in the next 10 years. They could have done so much for more people across the province if they had refused to take the Liberal bait.
Positive Ideas don't come
Positive Ideas don't come from who's to blame for yesterday,Taras is offering to help, yes we need a stronger commitment from his leader Andrea Horwath so maybe Taras can offer that up (in writting this time). People if you listen to the verbal nonsense coming out of Windsor they are back to trusting the Liberals Dwight & the boys. I have personally asked Taras to support the SARP and he is given what he can, yes it is a lot late but like Windsor meeting stated what choices do we have, we can't hate all political parties "WE NEED A VOICE" I have asked Taras to support the Hudak plan as it is the only one on the table from a political leader that helps horsepeople. We need MPP that will speak their mind and vote their mind - not the party line.
Taras is trying he can't give what he does not have but if his words mean anything he will support us and we need that to defeat the Liberals.
If we take the time to listen we actually do have a few good polititions on the side of the horse racing industry and I don't care what color they wear as long as they vote their mind not the party line - do you all believe that Anthony McDonald will single handedly get to Queens Park and save horseracing in Ontario
on his own? We need leaders like Taras and Lisa McLoud and Anthony McDonald,Monte McNaughton so come on people support those who support us.
P.S. if all you people responding have a better solution please speak up,to always critisize gets us no where. Have all of you approached your MPP and asked them to stand up and be counted, make some noise, go down fighting for our industry. Monte is doing a great job but the Conservative plan also has flaws but more than anything the Conservatives lack the votes needed to take back the government from the Liberals but with the help of open minded MPP's like Taras we may still have a chance, support for our industry is growing so I urge all of you to help MPP's push us home.
I am not a big follower of
I am not a big follower of how all this political BS works but I am curious....If Dalton and the crew made agreements to help fund and build new stuff for certain places in Ontario e.g. funding for Hamilton Ticats new football stadium....but I think I heard that this project could now be delayed because of the prorogue...would it not make sense that decisions to pull funding or end programs such as SARP, should also be delayed until all this prorogue stuff gets settled? Hence the Natyshak release above.
I felt the same way. I asked
I felt the same way. I asked MR Natyshak why wouldn't they just vote down the budget? His response whether I agreed wholeheartedly or not does make sense but this is what he said. "We tried, They wouldn't move on it. We got the transitional panel and the 50 Million. Also tried to save the ONTC. They wouldn't move on that either." I do understand there were many issues not just the horse Industry that had to be considered in the budget. The NDP did get some concessions unfortunately not exactly what we wanted but alot more then the PC's got for us. The concern I have with the PC policy of having Track owners run Racino's is why would they share the Revenue with us? Why wouldn't they keep it all? I don't think it can be legislated or Mandated that they share Revenue with us.
You have to love how these
You have to love how these guys come out of the woodwork 3 months before the program comes to an end. Where have you been?
Talk about closing the stable
Talk about closing the stable door after the horse has bolted ....No more machines to be taken out of the tracks ...... the tracks have gone with the machines..what did you think was going to happen when you sat on your hands with your fellow knights in shining red ,armour at the budget vote. Your elected to represent the people, by not voting the only person your representing is yourself.Mr Hudak has recieved stinging comments from your party but from day one he has been against this tragic loss not only vocally but stood up alongside his colleagues and voted NO ...... Now you want to be our saviour... to be a politician action speaks louder than words... guess what? You get another chance when Parliment returns to stop the madness or is this just xmas rhetoric.
It is time someone from the
It is time someone from the horse racing industry stood up to the government and challenges them in court for breach of the negotiated LEGAL binding contract that both the people and horsemen of Ontario profited from. Even getting an injunction postponing the cancellation of the program is worth it just to educate the people of Ontario on the true facts of the agreement....Cary MacMillan
I have made no bones about
I have made no bones about it. This guy sat on his hands giving the Liberals free reign in the budget (him and all the NDP). He has spoken up for horseracing but when push comes to shove, he failed us and unfortunately, even if he is serious, he and the NDP cannot help us. Further the NDP want to tax the rich. The rich create employment. The rich invest in horses. As I have said many times about this guy. You had your chance and it is just a matter of time before you are voted out for costing your riding thousands of jobs. he is just trying to save his seat (pun).
Georg Leber-ICR Racing
Well said, But I think that
Well said, But I think that it comes a little late. Last May was the time to take a stance. Once the budget passed it sealed our fate. It seems that nothing can stop the Liberals & the OLG. Perouging parliament gives them the time to finish their buisness behind closed doors . Just the way they like it.
And so the election
And so the election campaigning continues. Taras Natyshak has been a vocal supporter of the horse racing industry since this trouble began. I would like to know if Andrea Horwath shares these sentiments and would act upon them if the NDP happened to form a government.
Totally agree. If Dalton
Totally agree. If Dalton McGuinty can prorogue Government to avoid taking the heat for his many misguided policies, he should at least have the decency to hold off on the cancellation of SARP and the planned new gaming strategy .. until his successor is chosen .. and preferably until after the next election.
Who's to say the new Liberal leader won't have a different vision of gaming in Ontario ? It doesn't take a brain surgeon to see that their current vision will be disastrous for the people of Ontario.
you're too late windsor
you're too late windsor raceway is gone y say this now must need votes
I had the pleasure of talking
I had the pleasure of talking with Mr NatyShak for the last Month. Not once did he not return an email or phone call whether I liked what he had to say or not. I respect him a great deal for that and find his plan to be the best plan for the Industry. I strongly recommend getting behind them moving forward.