While he didn't come out with a plan for Ontario horse racing today, provincial PC Leader Tim Hudak was clear in his belief that Ontario's government should not be in the business of operating business - including running the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation.
“Government spends too much time and money running businesses it has no need to be in, like designing scratch and win tickets and casino marketing plans," said Hudak at a Monday morning press conference at a Rabba Fine Foods location in Toronto. "Rather than investing in the things that Ontarians value most, like world-leading health care, first-class education and new subway routes, we have billions tied up in these businesses.”
Hudak cited an example of the OLG studying the latest lottery trends in instant win scratch cards, deciding whether crossword puzzle tickets are better than instant keno.
“At a time when one million people are without a family doctor and waiting to get vital health care services, Ontarians want their government investing in MRI scans, not buying roulette wheels or slot machines.”
Hudak pointed to the inherent contradiction in the government being the regulator and also the day-to-day operator. “It is time for the government to become the responsible, respected and tough regulator not the operator trying to bully communities into accepting new casinos.”
Later this week, Tim Hudak and the Ontario PC Caucus will be releasing a new policy white paper — the sixth in a series — entitled A New Deal for the Public Sector. This discussion paper will propose reforms to focus government on the core services that matter most to taxpayers, creating a leaner public service that delivers more value for less money.
When asked about horse racing in relation to the OLG and gaming, Hudak did tell the press in attendance that he will be addressing the issues affecting the racing industry. Hudak is expected to make further announcements this week, possibly including a similar plan to privatize the province's liquor control board.
THERE SEEMS TO BE A MIRROR in
THERE SEEMS TO BE A MIRROR in QUEENS PARK, Mr Hudak is now looking to do exactly what the Liberal's McGuinty,Duncan planned sell to foriegn interest same deal. Just what do you people think privatization is, this is ducking the issue of a broken contract 100% - I push for a black & white answer on SARP and we just got it.If the Conservatives privatize OLG the new owners won't begin to have a tie to horseracing and as soon as a better location is available look out all you horse track owners who have signed agreements to allow OLG to use your facility in short rent space, the new private owner will build their own facility and the profits will still leave the country and all Ontario will be lossers. When will we see past the fast talking polititions and elect independants that can speak the truth with common sense instead of staying within the party line. One Racetrack may be in a position to buy an OLG Casino but then will they stay in the racehorse business --- DAA are you blind - wake up people stop being so dam nice lets get angry and really do something, let the MPP's know times up.
The question remains will
The question remains will racetracks be paid to manage the OLG slot facilities that exist on their properties or will they be turned over to foreign corporations. Since racetrack operators have a competitive advantage as they fix the cost of rent when will the OLG be forced to make the deal that keeps racing viable within the framework of the panels report but still returns more money to the province than SAR did. Before Hudak rushes blindly to embrace the privatization of the OLG it might behoove him to crunch the numbers so to best determine the public interest. A more sensible partnership better serves the needs of rural Ontario than privatization for the sake of privatization. Tim Hudak needs to remember this.
In reply to The question remains will by I Howard
He's absolutely right, the
He's absolutely right, the public sector should not be running private sector business's. He see's the waste within the OLG, 18,000 plus employees 976 million $ payroll a year. 2 head offices and 2 casinos in Niagara Falls and nothings been done since the Drummond report came out 9 months ago.
The 3 wise men on the OMAFRA panel came to a conclusion of 23,000 jobs for the horse industry so 172 million $ to employe 23,000 people is a good deal.
Rideau Carleton raceway slots made 86 million $ last year and has 283 employes from the OLG. What are the other 17,717 employees doing ???
Be careful....Be very, very
Be careful....Be very, very careful....it is likely that such ideas (government being out of casinos) has little to do with supporting racing, and everything to do with funnelling gambling money to some very exclusive interests. The not-for-profit agricultural societies seem to have given a lot more to the industry than some of the corporate interests who high-tailed it as soon as the going got tough...This plan may not quite deliver what some people on this site like to think it will deliver....
Finally! Hopefully Mr Hudak
Finally! Hopefully Mr Hudak totally understands that if he leaves the people in the industry trying to get a fair deal from racetracks/casino operators; it simply wont happen and the industry will be dead. Any privatization involving gaming at racetracks has to have an defined agreement that includes a % of revenue going to the horse racing/breeding industry. If there is no such agreement we will see what is already happening where communities are cutting their own deal with OLG and leaving horseracing to fight for itself. As they say "in difficult times you find out who your true friends are!"
Chuck Ibey
The PC's are all about
The PC's are all about privitization .. it may be appropriate at times but if we're going to alow some of the big players in the Gaming Industry (some that have been tied to unsavoury practices) run Gaming in Ontario, then they had better have strict regulations in place and be absolutely sure it will be a benefit to province. That's a scary proposition in todays economy when profits at privately run Casinos are deteriorating.