A veteran Canadian politician, Senator Bob Runciman, has been keeping his eye on the Ontario Liberals' treatment of the provincial horse-racing industry and the slots-at-racetracks program. He has been less than impressed with the response from Ontario's horse-racing collective, and is calling for the industry to "launch an all-out assault."
Senator Runciman, appearing as a guest columnist in the Toronto Sun, has penned a scathing piece outlining the Ontario Liberals' decision to scrap the SAR program. In his piece, he has essentially described the industry response thus far as 'tame,' considering the magnitude of what is at stake.
"…Don Drummond didn’t recommend a shutdown of the deal, instead calling for 'a review and adjustment,'" said Sen. Runciman, who went on to add, "there has been no review, and I’d hardly call the outright cancellation of the program an 'adjustment.'”
He continued, stating that, "Ending the Slots at Racetracks Program in favour of larger casinos in big cities is a short-sighted attempt to increase gaming revenue to deal with record deficits brought on by the McGuinty government’s profligate spending and costly sweetheart deals with public sector unions who’ve spent millions to keep them in office. And there’s no guarantee that ending the program won’t backfire and increase the deficit even more."
Sen. Runciman, who was part of the Ontario Legislature for 29 years, stated that, "The province’s two opposition parties have given the issue some attention, but, with 30,000 (full-time) jobs on the line, not to the degree it warrants."
He also didn't pull any punches with the way the racing industry has dealt with the crisis.
"In their efforts to combat the decision," he wrote, "the industry has opted to use billboards that say nothing about the government’s actions, and a petition drive, naively hoping that thousands of signatures will force the government to change course.
"The reality is that to generate widespread public understanding of, and opposition to, the government’s misguided and costly approach, the industry has to launch an all-out assault, using every tool available — TV, radio, newspapers, social media… ."
Sen. Runciman stated that it is imperative for the horse-racing industry to ramp-up the political pressure over the issue in order to get full backing of the province's opposition parties. He also stressed the importance of the upcoming by-election in Kitchener-Waterloo which could give the Ontario Liberals the key majority they crave so badly.
He concludes by writing, "The by-election is especially critical, in that it could put the McGuinty Liberals back in a majority position and leave their arrogance and power unchecked. The horse racing industry has an opening, but to take advantage of it, it has to play a much tougher game than it has to date."
(With files from the Toronto Sun)
No track to race at no
No track to race at no problem Queen Park has nice circle we should be racing around
Bob Runciman is right,
Bob Runciman is right, playing nice with bullying liars like our premier and finance minister is not going to work.
We have been screwed royaly by this pair, it's now time for every horseperson to take the gloves off and instead of wasting money on billboards and and the "usual suspects" (Sadinsky et al) and focus our attention on defeating the liberals in the upcoming by-election.
OHRIA, OHHA, COSA etc get organized in Kitchener and defeat the liberals!
In reply to Bob Runciman is right, by [email protected]
Yes and I have copied the
Yes and I have copied the toronto sun article about the slaughter of weanlings ( SUNDAY SUN) to the local SPCA and all horsemen in Ontario should read the article Ian .. Act now to save racing!
On a dark day, pick one
On a dark day, pick one racetrack and have all the horsemen walk a picket line at the entrance to the parking lot. That will draw the attention of the people and the press. It will also save the slots players money.
In reply to On a dark day, pick one by [email protected]
khayward never mind shutting
khayward
never mind shutting down a parking lot !! Line your trucks and trailers up on 401 from Windsor to Toronto.Shut down 401 and see how quickly the LIB xxxx come to the table.The students in Montreal who are protesting have more balls than the horseman in Ontario do.The government is laughing at you guys behind closed doors.
I have been reading all these comments for a couple of months now.WHAT HAS ANYBODY DONE ?? You all deserve what you get.The government views you all as EASY targets.401 boys,its your best shot to draw attention.Keep shutting down parking lots and see what it gets you.Where is all your hi priced horseman reps?Do you think Libs care what Ken Hardy,or Brian Tropea, or any other rep says ?You people need to realize your in a dog fight here.Windsor has already closed down.WAKE UP BOYS!!!!!
KH
100 % dead on. The industry
100 % dead on. The industry does a lousy job at promoting itself. 95 % of Ontario don't know or care about harness racing because most people don't know it's there. How often do you read a story in your local paper about racing. The side of racing that does not involve betting needs to be promoted much like other professional sports do. Everything that appears on the tracks on line sites is about betting and gaming and nothing about what is going on in the barns or on the tracks. MOVE into the 21st century and let the public know more about yourself. There are a lot more options out there today than there was 100 years ago.
LAWSUIT LAWSUIT LAWSUIT
LAWSUIT LAWSUIT LAWSUIT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Totally agree with Senator
Totally agree with Senator Runciman - the key is his statement is "The reality is that to generate widespread public understanding of, and opposition to, the government’s misguided and costly approach, the industry has to launch an all-out assault, using every tool available — TV, radio, newspapers, social media… ."
I read somewhere recently that the AutoParts Industry employs about 45,000 workers in Ontario (not sure how up to date that number is). The point is that if the Liberal government had included provisions in their budget that would jeopardize THOSE jobs ... can you imagine the huge outcry that would ensue ... from the unions , business owners and the other political parties. We should expect nothing less when they put over 60,000 Horse Racing industry jobs at risk.
Sure the senator is right.
Sure the senator is right. It just proves how incompetent our industry leadership has always been. OHHA does not have the money. OHRIA has been playing ineffectually nice. The key point is the racetracks themselves,who, have been quietly hoping 'they' will be alright with a casino of their own while showing a totally apathetic commitment to racing as they always have. If you were Windsor ,Fort Erie or Sarnia,that had gained so much and now stand to lose so much, wouldn't you be reaching into your own pockets to fight this disaster instead of crying on the sidelines? Talk is cheap. This whole saga illustrates the gaping holes in racings' structure, leadership and commitment.
In reply to Sure the senator is right. by chris bush
I agree Chris. The horsemen
I agree Chris. The horsemen in Saskatchewan did the same thing tried to be nice guy. Guess what now the funding is totally cut out. Even if they continue to take bets the Government wants the tax on the bet. Greedy. We will be racing at state fairs with no betting in a few years. Tons of horses will be destroyed through slaughter or neglect while the city slickers enjoy thier casinos. Farmers will suffer reduced incomes. Now who is going to feed those at the casinos. Think about it.
I have stated this before
I have stated this before and Mr Runciman has also stated the same. There is a by-election coming and I for one am going to offer my services in that riding to a candidate other than the Liberals although I live in Courtice, Ont. I would say the Conservatives but I have yet to know what their policy is regarding horse racing. Mr Hudac is silent in this regard. I guess simply said I will support a good candidate that supports racing.
I also agree with David Wooley that the most vivid response in terms that any citizen could easily read was Ed James column. It is time for us to get more involved on the political side and start to hammer Mr(s) Godfrey, Duncan, McGuinty and the "absent" Minister of Agriculture McMeekin.
We in racing need that by-election seat to remain with the opposition. If we want to show we have some clout we need to try to accomplish that election win. I am also certain there is enough money from racing people that can help fill election coffers for anyone but the Liberals. If you want to show your support join a party....hopefully other that the Liberals (lol) and let them know you are supporting the party and candidate that supports racing. I just bought a family membership and my MPP knows why it came....by the way he is a big supporter of racing. Hopefully OHRIA will get more aggressive as suggested by Mr. Runciman.....but we shall see.
I think Senator Bob Runciman
I think Senator Bob Runciman is dead on!
We stand to lose virtually everything; the government has our backs up against the wall.
We have to come out fighting. This whole thing will be decided by public opinion(that's how politics works). We have to counter the public relations propaganda being spread by the Liberal government and the billion dollar casino industry.
The only way to do that is to hire the best public relation firm that is not already tied to the enemy. Of course it will cost a lot of money-purhaps we should take ten percent out of all the purses? Hopefully our stars(drivers) will also donate)
I realize that this idea was turned down when it was requested for promoting our sport(very short sighted in my opinion) but it is now a totally different ball game. The enemy is playing hardball and we have been playing slow pitch softball.
We need a war chest if we are going to survive!
Ted Wilson
I agree with the Senator.
I agree with the Senator. Now you horsemen of Ontario get off your butts and support the Senator as he has just supported you. As well get all the 30,000 people who are going to lose their jobs and livelihoods and yell and kick and scream. Time for negotiations are over time to get serious. This is going to get ugly before it gets better. The breeding industry is already tanking. (bookings down, mares and stallions being moved to the more favorable jurisdictions) Ontario is the last stand for racing in Canada. Provinces such as Saskatchewan, N.B.,Quebec, Manitoba are already cut to the minimum and are just recreational racing. Alberta and Nova Scotia are cut back PEI even though they do not have the number of people are using Casinos with racetracks hope it works out. SAVE RACING BEFORE WE LOSE IT. Wish I could help but am not well enough
Senator Bob Runicman is
Senator Bob Runicman is right ,unfortunately Standardbred Canada's excellent coverage of the issue is preaching to the converted.The most positive action was Ed James' ad in the Star. Bumper stickers are an very good way to spread the word at low cost the OHHA and the OHRIA could organize that. We should also realise that the people of Ontario do not want expanded gaming or mega casinos,and play on this fact.The OLG has shown by its actions it is a hostile organisation,and should be treated as such, a boycott of its products will not only save money but send a message.