Ontario Finance Minister Dwight Duncan indicated Wednesday, May 23 that there have been recent disputes between the reigning Ontario Liberal Party and the New Democratic Party over the budget bill which could trigger a summer election
.
According to a report by the Toronto Star, NDP House Leader Gilles Bisson stated that it is not his party's intention to spark another election. Although, Bisson also noted that his party only agreed to not hold up the Liberals' April 24 budget motion. The report explains that the NDP's position on the budget motion has nothing to do with its position on the actual budget vote.
Duncan, who was quoted as saying that the two parties had a handshake deal over the issue, said, “If the bill doesn’t pass, we’re going to have an election.”
The report states that the NDP wants there to be public hearings to 'improve' dozens of controversial statutes in the 300-page bill.
Another Toronto Star article has also explained that an independent May 15 Strategic Communications poll of 954 Torontonians has found that 45 per cent of respondents were opposed to the idea of a casino on the waterfront, while 32 per cent supported it (The question which was asked was, "Do you support or oppose Toronto building a waterfront casino, or are you neutral on the subject?” Nineteen per cent deemed themselves 'neutral.').
The poll also found that 62 per cent of respondents believed that a city-wide referendum should be conducted to determine whether a casino comes to Toronto or not.
Explain to me how Hiawatha
Explain to me how Hiawatha Horse Park in Sarnia, Ontario survives without the slots ? Look at tonight's numbers ...
Total Purse: $59,700
Total Handle: $14,392
I do not understand the business totally but that does not look good as I bet purses were set at numbers when they were expecting to have slots at their facility also.
I really hope that the tracks look at charging admission again and maybe turning what was one slots in bingo halls if they have to. The people that went to slots out at the track might be up for bingo as many of them were ladies and retirees and they are the type that play bingo.
Anyway my deal is I want to see the sport of harness racing stay as I love it but the sad thing is I don't think there are many out there in Sarnia and many other places that love it as a sport. They see it only as gambling and not entertainment. Oh well ....
As for the article ...
well nice to see Toronto may tell their politicians they do not want a casino on the waterfront and I hope that it stays that way ... a full fledged casino should be at Woodbine
also I am sickened by the fact that it seems all are casinos will one day be American owned and operated ....
Can the government please stop selling out our country ? Any new opportunities in this OLG project if it goes ahead should involve Canadians only. Seriously what is the point of being Canadian if we do things like this ?
Have faith, the demise of
Have faith, the demise of the standardbred horse, and everyone associated with this wonderful sport
will never demise, no matter what this present govt. and its cohorts are trying to accomplish.
The NDP "Leader?" has been
The NDP "Leader?" has been VERY quiet re: the racing issues of the past 2 months. History has shown the NDP has always supported workers rights job security etc.With 60,000 plus jobs at stake you would THINK she would have raised the issue when she smiles for the TV camera's doing her photo ops.
She has been mum on the subject as far as I can see/hear and I live in Hamilton her hometown.
That's OK 60,000 jobs mean 60,000 VOTES come election time more if you add in spouses and family members!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You are bang on Georg! We
You are bang on Georg! We have already seen two sides to Andrea Horwath. She stood with the Horsepeople fully supportive at the Queen's Park rally (mainly when the camera was on her), then relished the media attention in the days leading up to the budget motion, but when push came to shove, backed down from Duncan and McGuinty and rather than seen as making any kind of decision, abstained from voting. To me, that shows no backbone, and begs the question, can she be believed anymore than McGuinty or Duncan?? Too bad Rural Ontario doesn't have some better alternative. Someone who demonstrates they actually care about life north of Hwy 7!
In Response to Patricia
In Response to Patricia Martin, I don't know if we are prepared to bail out the NDP of their $3 Million debt plus election money. Afterall we want to support the party that comes forward and says "We guarantee that we will re-instate the OLG-Racetrack partnership exactly as it was". In addition I for one don't think that the NDP will form the next government. However, if Andrea wants to keep her job in the Hamilton area, I suggest she doesnt let Flamboro die.
Georg Leber-ICR Racing
Andrea, Give us the figure
Andrea,
Give us the figure you have to fund an election campaign and we'll match it!
I've already had a deduction from my paycheck to get the Crimerals in, I'll take another one off a purse check to get them out.
Tara Benson Employee at
Tara Benson
Employee at Windsor 40 years
Are the NDP being given another chance to get it right and vote down this budget. Dalton McGuinty has almost proved he is a true autocrat along with Dwight Duncan and their cohorts in crime, omnipotence and greed, the OLG and Paul Godfrey. Hopefully they are strong enough as a party and do the right thing and get rid of these thugs.
"Government House Leader
"Government House Leader John Milloy said the Liberals have no choice but to introduce a time-allocation motion next week “to ensure timely passage of this budget bill.”
Milloy said he’s “prepared to sit until midnight every night and to extend the session into the summer months” if need be."
What a joke - the legislature hasn't sat since last Thursday. More empty threats from a bunch of overpaid politicians!
NDP still needs to raise a
NDP still needs to raise a lot of money before they can afford an election so...let's get with it horsepeople if you are serious about getting rid of liberals open those wallets.
Strange that Mr.Duncan is
Strange that Mr.Duncan is complaining that NDP might break handshake deal.If anyone else makes handshake deal with these clowns I advise them to wear a glove.Who knows what you may catch from them and we already know if you did catch something, we would have a problem to see a specialist.The liberals have already ruined our health care.Have you been to a emergency room in Windsor lately.Bring your sleeping bag,because your gonna be there for awhile.
Why havn't the horseman sued these people ?
kh
Andrea has wasted too much
Andrea has wasted too much time trying to play politics with the government. She should have pulled the plug when she had the opportunity. Think of the damage to the horse racing industry that has occurred in the past 6 weeks. How many breedings have been cancelled?Total cost to the economy???
We the people CAN take our
We the people CAN take our Province back. Let's get those Dictators gone so we can rebuild our Game.
This will be my last comment
This will be my last comment on this subject but I wanted to take one more shot at convincing the horseracing community of the power of public support and participation in racing.
I see an ad running on this home page for Cavalia (which, by the way, is THE BEST stage show I have ever seen). How about some advertising barter with them in exchange for a pamphlet inserted in their program or handed out in the lobby along with posters (they have a 1/2 hour intermission during which many people are standing around - give them something to look at). It does not have to contain any political message but should suggest a night out at the races and tout the outstanding Canadian accomplishments of your many horse and driver heroes. They're not here much longer so this would need to be done immediately. Thinking ahead there's the Royal Winter Fair coming up in the fall so the same printed material could be distributed there as well.
Even if you win this battle with the Liberals you still have to do a better job of marketing your excellent product or the same thing will happen all over again in a year or two. Public perception of horseracing is really distorted and needs to be corrected.
Once again good luck to everyone from one person who won't be voting Liberal again.
E-mailed to Dwight Duncan
E-mailed to Dwight Duncan today:
I understand that you are feeling a little down due to the current turn of events regarding the passing (or not) of the 2012 Budget. I would like to give you some words of encouragement. You are not alone! There are more than 60,000 (yes, that number is correct) horsepeople out here that feel much the same way and worse. At least you will have a nice pension when you lose your job. Many of us will have nothing. We, too, "had a deal" Mr. Duncan.
Iam looking at a tunnel and
Iam looking at a tunnel and there is a blinding light at the end of it. Lets keep the pressure on I do believe someone is listening to all the emails ........
Sue Hutton Duncan wants to
Sue Hutton
Duncan wants to bring the budget to a vote because it is impossible for it not to pass regardless of what the opposition parties vote. With Witmer gone, it would be a tie vote and on a non-confidence motion, the speaker of the house (a liberal) gets to vote to break a tie.
The only hope of this budget not passing is for the opposition parties to keep it from coming to a vote and wait out a bi-election.
Duncan can try to bring in a bill to limit debate, but if the NCP/PCs stick to their guns they can defeat a bill to limit debate (speaker can't vote as it's not a non-confidence vote). Duncan is trying to wear them down with the threat, if you don't agree to closure on debate we'll extend the legislative session into the summer and extend the hours until midnight.
The budget omnibus bill is a huge document. We need to send our encouragement to the NDP and PC parties to stick to their guns and insist on full discussion and debate on every individual detail.
Cannot McGunity,Duncan and
Cannot McGunity,Duncan and the top brass at the OLG namely Godfrey and Phillips get it through their thick skulls that the majority of Ontarians do not want stand alone casinos with all the social problems they bring,they were happy with slots at the racetracks because gambling took place there already, and didn't impact the neighbourhood.It is essential we keep the pressure up on this issue.
Unless the NDP grow a spine,
Unless the NDP grow a spine, it won't happen.
Now, more than ever we have
Now, more than ever we have to get our act together and educate the non horsepeople in Ontario of the intended demise of the horseracing industry. This will surely affect all Ontarians and Canadians. How many people are up to speed on this situation of ours? We need to form a few committees now, brainstorm, "raise capital through fund raisers" if needed, for a major campaign touting the benefits of horseracing to all sectors. We can't rely on the uninformed to change their vote. A lot of the uninformed may like some of the new liberals budget and perhaps change their vote.
In reply to Now, more than ever we have by byeas778
In Madoc one senior lady
In Madoc one senior lady only starts the power to her water heater about once a week when she wants a shower. She is tired of her high hydro bill. Considering hydro just applied for a 5 percent raise and got it, she is somewhat vocal about the conduct of the Liberals at Queen's Park. Also she is tired of the OLG commercials promoting going to the casinos and having lots of fun. No Beverley, the seniors in Madoc are really tired of this bunch at Queen's Park. I doubt they will win any seats in the province of Ontario. reply to Beverley LaBarge sincerely Bruce T Winning All you have to do is sit back and listen at the local Tim Horton
What's this? An election???
What's this? An election??? Great!!! Let's get this insane and corrupt gov't out of office NOW and return some sanity.
Funny isn't it- Mr Duncan et
Funny isn't it- Mr Duncan et al thinks it is just dandy to renege on a written contract, then pout when a handshake agreement goes south! Really, Mr Duncan, you dudes were already cutting back on that handshake deal just days after it was made, why do expect someone else to have more integrity than you do?
Quoting from the Toronto
Quoting from the Toronto Star article where the Liberals are complaining that the NDP might pull their support and force a summer election:
"Maybe McGuinty should have got the deal in writing,” complained one flabbergasted Grit on Wednesday".
"A grim-faced finance Minister Duncan stressed lots of negotiations at Queen’s Park are concluded with “trust and a hand shake.” “We had a deal,” said the treasurer.
Pity the poor Liberals -- someone is threatening to break a "deal" with them.
I hope the NDP break this so called deal and break it now.
McGuinty got far to cute when he appointed Elizabeth Witmer chair of WSIB opening the backdoor for a Liberal majority.
If the NDP don't pull the trigger now, Duncan will have a majority to swing his wrecking ball with this fall.
Could this mean that the NDP
Could this mean that the NDP may still be in our corner as well. I hope so! We know what we are fighting for and need to continue to hammer away at all members of the Legislature. Keep fighting everyone we are far from dead.
However, a grim-faced Duncan
However, a grim-faced Duncan stressed lots of negotiations at Queen’s Park are concluded with “trust and a hand shake.”
“We had a deal,” said the treasurer.
What goes around comes around Dwight...how does it feel ?
It would be welcome news if
It would be welcome news if it is necessary to have another election in the province of Ontario. I know I will work very diligently to defeat this incompetent Liberal party. Us old folks need a break from these high priced Liberals. The party that inherits this mess will have their work cut out, however, any one can do better than these guys we have presently in Queen's Park. The cronies (the party favourites) must be shaking in their boots. Certain interests have been very good at manipulating McGuinty and Dalton. It is time for a change. sincerely Bruce T. Winning