On Saturday, Ontario's NDP leader Andrea Horwath assigned the the new modern gaming strategy unveiled by the OLG and the Liberal government a failing grade, calling it the "beginning of a downward spiral"
for the province's horse racing industry.
At a press conference on Monday, March 12, OLG Chair Paul Godfrey and Minister of Finance Dwight Duncan announced the province's slots at racetracks program will end by March 31, 2013. Horwath was in Windsor on Saturday and harshly criticized the move.
"The government is prepared to pull the plug on an entire industry," Horwath told CTV News. "It's wrong headed, it's short sighted and makes no sense whatsoever."
When parliament resumes on Monday, Horwath will ask for answers and rationale on a move that will severely impact the more than 31,000 people employed full time by Ontario’s Horse Racing Industry, with up to 60,000 jobs supported by the industry when factoring in part-time and casual employment.
"We're going to bring it back to the legislature and we're going to try to force the government to give a rationale and explanation as to why to deep six an industry that has thousands and thousands of jobs at stake."
In my opinion, it has come
In my opinion, it has come to a point now, where this government has to be defeated on its budget and a vote of non-confidence be held. When an election is held, it will be the role of each and every horseperson to work to get a government elected that understands and will work with the ordinary citizen to re-vitalize our industry. It is incombent on each and every one of us to keep slots at racetracks and we get a piece of the pie, because most people don't want slots or any other gambling in their neighborhoods. They are happy with the present arrangement that is presently available.
As a New Democrat myself,
As a New Democrat myself, I'm extremely proud that our Ontario Leader, Andrea Horwath has chosen to speak out on the Slots @ Racetrack's Issue. New Democrats want people working in Ontario and these changes do the exact opposite!, putting 60k people out of work.
It will take the combined strength of EVERY Conservative & NDP MPP to force the Liberal gov't to A) reconsider their decision on this matter or B) defeat the present gov't on the budget and force an election.
I truly hope that a reconciliation can be made to keep the racing industry alive and 60,000 people in Ontario working.
NDP leader Andrea Horwath
NDP leader Andrea Horwath now also realizes the OLG proposal has stirred up a fundamental gambling backlash. PC Leader Tim Hudak has also jumped on the issue.
The anti-casino sentiment is VERY strong in Ontario. The reason slots ended up at the racetracks 15 years ago was because the public (by a large margin) didn't want casinos or slots in their backyard! That apparently has not changed.
The anti-casino backlash is moving public opinion and creating a lightning rod of discontent. Highly respected brodcaster Michael Enright (CBC Radio) dedicated a large chunk of his Sunday morning show (this morning) to the EVILS of CASINOS.
In just over a week there has been a huge 22% swing in voter sentiment (Liberals down 12%, Conservatives up 10%).
A Globe and Mail conducted between March 3-5 poll showed Liberal support at 39.9%. Conservative support was at 30%, and NDP support was at 24.7%. The poll was taken after the release of the Drummond report (with all its cost cutting recommendations).
A Toronto Star released conducted on March 13 showed Conservative support at 40%, Liberal support at 28% and the NDP at 23%. This poll was taken after the OLG announcement (with more casinos and more assessable slots).
According to the Star, the issue the root cause of the Liberal dissatisfaction is that 70% of Ontarians don’t want casinos and slots in their backyards.
Everyone in our industry should continue to exploit this backlash and bring it to the attention of all Conservative and NDP MPP’s. If we can continue to make them realize the Liberals are vulnerable because of the way they are altering the gambling scene, perhaps, the majority (in this minority government), could turn things upside down. Hudak and Horwath have the majority -- NOT McGuinty.
CBC link
http://www.cbc.ca/thesundayedition/
Sites for the polls:
http://www.thestar.c...inos-poll-finds
http://www.theglobea...article2369910/