Simcoe-Grey MPP Jim Wilson is demanding that Premier Dalton McGuinty back off any plans he has to end the Slots at Racetracks Program, an initiative that bolstered Ontario's horse racing industry and creates thousands of rural agricultural jobs
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Dalton shouldn't go after the horse industry just because he screwed up the books of the province," said Wilson. "This industry creates jobs and puts $261 million into the provincial treasury every year. Horse people have had nothing to do with creating Dalton's fiscal disaster."
Ontario's Horse Racing Industry employs an estimated 60,000 Ontarians and pays a total of $1.5 billion dollars of wages and salaries each year in Ontario. The average direct wage exceeds $50,734 annually - one of the highest industrial wages in Ontario.
Over the last decade annual expenditures by the horse racing industry has increased by 67% to $2 billion dollars in 2010 from $1.2 billion in 2000. Approximately 80% of this expenditure occurs in Ontario's rural agriculture communities where it provides much needed economic growth.
"This program effectively reversed the decline of the horse industry," said Wilson, who was a member of the Cabinet that created the program. "Dalton should go after the crooks that are stealing our healthcare dollars and not job creators in the horse industry."
mike pennington A reminder
mike pennington
A reminder about what the Liberal Party was saying when asking for your votes last Seprtember.
Good evening,
Thank you very much for the Ontario Harness Horse Association (OHHA) 2011 provincial election questionnaire.
Ontario Liberals have great respect and admiration for the racing community, and for OHHA. We value the positive impact that the horse racing industry has on the agricultural sector in this province, and we believe in working closely with the industry to ensure that it remains strong and prosperous in the future. There are many important issues that your Association has raised in terms of matters on which we can work together.
We are currently aware that many of the original siteholder agreements are coming to completion. As you may know, we are awaiting the results of our Land Based Review. This review will help to guide and inform our work together in the areas OHHA has raised, such as slot revenue and gaming expansion.
Ontario Liberals are strongly committed to a responsible implementation of gaming programs, and will make any future changes with a view to supporting this principle. In terms of your specific questions regarding the Racing Commission Act, and the current agreements specifying how and where purse money is used, Ontario Liberals look forward to speaking to OHHA directly about these matters. We must engage in further discussions about how horsepeople are represented, to ensure that they continue to make their important contributions to a strong Ontario.
Mr. Tropea, thank you again for the Ontario Harness Horse Association 2011 provincial election questionnaire — and please accept my best wishes.
Dalton McGuinty
Ontario Liberal Party
Ottawa South
This really has nothing to
This really has nothing to do with me but doesn't he understand what will happen to approx. 60,000 people will be affected by this move. There will be no coming back from this. If he doesn't see what the after effects are going to be let him look at what having no racinos in Detroit has done to racing, there is no thoroughbred racing at all and after there was a new racetrack built and he thought he didn't need the casinos there but they would have kept him open longer than it was.
Now the purses in the Detroit area could raise jackrabbits and anybody that breeds horses in this state will only cost them money and the idea of racing in Michigan is a joke. All the drivers with any sense has left for greener pastures. All i can say is I hope he comes to his senses and real soon.
THANK YOU
please remove the word
please remove the word "saved" from the article. I told my MPP to read some of our articles on SC and I didnt present our industry as one ever in need of saving.
Instead - grew, bolster, enhance, revitalize,
One thing that the slots program has done since '90 is allow more people to make a good living at the sport. It is no longer just a hobby - The public and the gov't need to be aware of this. Ontario harness racing is a real bona fide way of life for many people. The 60 000 odd people that will be affected arent just going to have to find a new way to occupy themselves, they will be without a way to make a living.
We are fortunate to have our
We are fortunate to have our MPP, Jim Wilson, going to bat for the horse industry. Mr. McGuinty should give his head a shake - his careless action could shut down the entire horse racing community - what a disaster for so many people. Surely many members of parliament, of all parties, must be being pressured by many of their constituents to "back off" this poorly thought-out idea. Fred & Janet Brayford
Thank you Mr Wilson.Our area
Thank you Mr Wilson.Our area has many Standardbreds in training (including ours!) and contributes greatly to the local economy...We cannot allow a way of life to be destroyed over the mistakes made by others..... You had our votes before and its nice to know we backed the right man!thank you again..
Thank you for your support
Thank you for your support Mr. Wilson. I am the Third Generation of my family to be directly involved with the Standardbred Racing Industry on a day to day basis and I don't intend to see this Industry go down without a fight.
Mr. Wilson is my MPP and I
Mr. Wilson is my MPP and I emailed him as soon as I could. Its good to know that politicians that represent areas without racetracks (although Georgian Downs is very close) are going to help fight for us as well. I'm optimistic that we will not lose the slots and our industry will survive. If Mr. McGuinty knows what's good for his career, he won't touch the racing industry.
This is a start. If enough
This is a start. If enough people put enough pressure on their MPP's, McGinty will get the message. Contact all three leaders as this is a minority government. If McGinty has to have a vote, all leaders will know how this industry feels. If you want to make a change, this is the time to do it.