You can officially add breeder-owner Aaron Waxman to the long list of horsemen, Ontario politicians and respected media members that are dumbfounded by the provincial Liberals' desire to devastate the economic powerhouse otherwise known as the Ontario horse-racing industry
.
"It is my belief that both Duncan and McGuinty’s logic is flawed, and they and their advisers have not been diligent and thorough with respect to this recommendation," Waxman has written.
His words come via an opinion column in the Hamilton Spectator.
In his piece, Waxman cites the overwhelmingly positive numbers that the provincial horse-racing industry and slots-at-racetracks program has bolstered the Ontario economy with. He also credits the Ontario horse-racing industry with being able to attract much-needed foreign investment in the province even while the Canadian dollar is strong.
Waxman wrote:
At a time when the Canadian dollar hovers near parity with the U.S. dollar, it is very difficult to stimulate investment and injection of foreign capital into the Ontario economy. The horse racing industry in Ontario is one of very few industries able to overcome the effects of our strengthening dollar. As a global leader, the horse racing industry (specifically, the harness racing industry) in Ontario continues to attract increased investment and expenditure from foreign sources, primarily American investment, but as far reaching as Sweden and New Zealand.
To read Waxman's opinion piece, click here.
Waxman isn't the only horseman that has been in the mainstream media this past weekend, as horseman Mike Steacy, brother of O'Brien Award winner Mark Steacy, has also let his feelings be known.
Mike's comments have come courtesy of an article by The Recorder & Times, in which he states, that a sudden and unwarranted change to the economically-positive slots-at-racetracks agreement "would devastate us."
To read The Recorder & Times article, click here.
For Trot Insider's complete coverage regarding the fallout and uproar in response to the Ontario Liberals' Drummond Report, click here.
I find it both amazing, and
I find it both amazing, and terrifying, that even some MPs have no concept of how the program works. To say "the government is looking everywhere for cost reduction measures..." demonstrates a total lack of understanding.
"The government is looking for a cash grab" may have been a more accurate statement.
I have been in contact with
I have been in contact with our NDP member for our area, giving her my position and asking for hers. The first email was not responded to so I kind of reached up and give her a one hander to which she responded to.
She does say she supports our cause of protecting the workers and their families, "This is of particular concern in our hard-hit rural communities that directly or indirectly supports thousands of jobs. Before jumping to conclustions we want to talk carefully with the industry and review varios options to see if there is a solution that works for the families that supports this business", was her stongest comment.
She did admit that "the government is looking everywhere for cost reduction measures..."
I again responded that the only reduction was in income to the racing community if the Liberals have their way. I also repointed out that the people not only support the business but the business supports the people.
If we are to win this we have to keep driving on, never quit chirping and tapping.
Lack of effort will get us beat.
Sandy Best
Nice artice Bro. All your
Nice artice Bro. All your points are good ones. I am sure you have already made positive "STRIDES" for Standardbred horse racing. Your knowledge of the standardbred industry from a business perspective and a horsemans perspective is amazing and I think you help people see the big picture. If I could put my thoughts to paper as well as you can, I may very possibly be in an office like you are but I am quite happy training horses so it's a good thing I can't.
This is very true, also we
This is very true, also we are not going to outsource to Mexico or China. We are going to earn and spend our money in Ontario, we are not going to build our company to be bought out and moved to the us or move because someone will do the job for half the price. Come on people go to value4money.ca and be heard it does work as i already got one response from mpp Monte Mcnaughton PC Lambton Kent Middlesex. Facebook your friends get the word out.