The Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) must move aggressively to ensure Ontario’s troubled horse racing industry succeeds down the stretch, MPPs Lisa MacLeod and Tim Hudak said on Tuesday
, February 10, 2009.
The ORC was called before the Standing Committee on Government Agencies on Tuesday to discuss its mandate and how the industry will address challenges, such as what would happen to slots revenue if horse races were discontinued at certain racetracks.
“No horses, no slots,” stated MPP Tim Hudak. “When the PC government instituted the Slots-at-Racetrack initiative, the presence of the machines was tied to an on-going horse racing program. I worry the McGuinty government will allow Fort Erie Racetrack to fail and pocket all of the slot revenue for themselves.”
“If there is no racing but the slots are operating in Belleville and in Fort Erie, that is a real problem and a real concern for me,” stated Vice Chair Lisa MacLeod. “The slot monies were put in place to protect and enhance the viability of the horse racing industry. The government ought to be addressing this and the ORC should be a more aggressive advocate.”
It was revealed that the Belleville Racetrack slots will be operating in late 2009, but races will not occur until 2010. This means 20% of the revenue that would normally go to the track and purses may go to the provincial treasury. Races at the 111-year-old Fort Erie Racetrack are in jeopardy this season.
Other disturbing points included the comment by John Blakney, Executive Director of the ORC, that “80-some race dates that have been lost throughout Ontario.” The Horse Racing Industry supports 60,000 direct and indirect jobs and $1.6 billion in wages and salaries.
Areas of concern include the reduction in purses for horse races; declining slot revenues at tracks; the impact of industry layoffs affecting trainers and riders; setting a minimum number of races to ensure a track’s viability (race days); and closure of a site (Fort Erie Race Track).
(Ontario PC Party)
Lisa MacLeod, Tim Hudak and
Lisa MacLeod, Tim Hudak and Peter Kormos should point a finger at the Liberal Government not the ORC when it comes to Fort Erie and Belleville.
George Smitherman hasn't given horse racing the time of day since he has been in charge.
Why does everyone think it's the ORC's fault? They aren't the save all of the industry.
Why weren't Hudak and MacLeod asking questions like, why isn't WEG satisfied with the ORC's ability to regulate the Industry?
Why did your Associate Judges rewrite the rule book in London in October 2008?
Have the three judges been brought to task and disciplined over the incident?
Why didn't you communicate with the betting public and the racing Industry after the incident took place?
These are the real questions that should have been ask by the opposition. But that would have taken some prep work on their part wouldn't it.
It's easy to see why they sit in opposition and not the government.
BAYMOUNT WHO IS WANTING TO
BAYMOUNT WHO IS WANTING TO BUILD A TRACK IN BELLEVILLE HAVE SHOWN NO VIABILITY AND ARE ONLY INTERESTED IN SLOTS. THEY HAVE MADE NO PROGRESS TO DATE IN PROCEEDING WITH A TRACK. THEY HAVE GONE FROM A 5/8 TRACK TO A 1/2 MILE TO TRY AND SAVE MONEY WHICH IS AGAINST MOST PEOPLE IN THE HORSE RACING BUSINESS AND ONLY BECAUSE OF COST. THEY ARE NOT CONCERNED WITH SAFETY. THIS COMPANY NEEDS TO BE GIVEN A SOLID DATE OR WE SHOULD LET SOME OTHER ENTREPENEUR HAVE SHOT ATHIS PROJECT.
Sandy, I agree with you
Sandy, I agree with you completly. We all thought that the slots might be a death sentence for us but it was the only life line we had at that time. It seemed that we had nobody that really cared about the horsepeople. That once they got the slots they would work towards getting rid of us and keep the slots.We have seen moves this way and we need someone to fight for us. It is also a part of history we should try and hang on to.Thanks Lisa MacLeod
It's about time!!!!!!!
It's about time!!!!!!! We've been waiting for good things to happen and the tracks and government just get more and more greedy. There is NO way any track should have been allowed or continue to be allowed to drop race dates since the onset of slots. Gimmie a break.
Lisa MacLeod, God bless you.
Lisa MacLeod, God bless you.
I have been involved in the racing industry my entire adult life. Since the introduction of slot revenue the track fortunes have never been greater. I will agree the cost of running a racetrack has gone up, but the day of getting a bale of hay for a dollar and a paddock done for ten bucks have gone by the wayside also.
The racetracks say they have invested, if you want to see investment look in the horsemens parking lot at any racetrack on any race night, stand at the paddock door and calculate the cost of equipment and horse flesh entering. Horsepeople have invested greatly, some have invested everything in the quest of making a living at something they love.
Slots were introduced to enhance income for horse people and racetracks. It has done that. Racetracks want a bigger bottom line. To get this they believe doing less is the key. Doing less means racing less. Who gets hurt? The other half of the daily double, the horsepeople.
Thanks
Sandy Best