"Believe me, OHRIA is weighing all the different options of handling this. And I know on the surface, to many, they don't feel OHRIA's been aggressive enough. I believe that for the point we're at right now, we've been plenty aggressive. Maybe not as publicly as some would like."
On today's episode of Trot Radio, Norm Borg talks to OHRIA President Sue Leslie for an update on the plan that was initially slated to be presented to government at the end of June. According to Leslie, the board reconsidered its timing for presenting Stan Sadinsky's finalized plan.
"We're getting really close, Norm. Strategically, the task force and the board of OHRIA decided that while we were in the midst of conversation with the OMAFRA panel and while different associations and individuals both inside and outside of the horse racing and breeding industry were meeting with them, it just made no sense to publicly come forward with a plan. We haven't put a plan in front of the government yet."
One thing Leslie and OHRIA feel strongly about is the need for horse racing to remain a part of the province's gaming strategy. The partnership worked extremely well for both the Ontario government and the horse racing industry for three decades before Paul Godfrey and Dwight Duncan's blindsiding announcement in March that the OLG would move ahead with a modernization strategy that dropped horse racing in March 2013.
"We strongly believe that if we allow horse racing to be separated from the strategic gaming plan in the province, horse racing will get ate up. It's kind of like the small grocery store trying to compete with the Fortino's that just went in along side of them. We don't see ourselves being successful in the long term if we're not part of the gaming strategy."
While individuals like Senator Bob Runciman and Dennis Mills have publicly criticized racing's response to government as being weak, Leslie vehemently disagrees.
"As long as there's negotiations and an effort being made between the government and OHRIA to try and solve this, that is the route that our board has decided to take. Now, that can change. That can change in a week, that can change in a month, that can change in two months. If we don't feel there's any type of progress being made, then obviously we have to become more aggressive. There's still time to do that."
Leslie also touches on whether OHRIA has considered litigation and if it's an option. To hear the full interview with Borg and Leslie, click the play button below.
Episode 269 – OHRIA's Sue Leslie
Audio Format: MP3 audio
Host: Norm Borg
Please note that the opinions expressed in the featured interview are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect Rideau Carleton Raceway and/or Standardbred Canada.
How come today Jly.25) Ont.
How come today Jly.25) Ont. gov't said again, no liquor in convenience stores because LCBO generates 1.5 B for schools and health, yet they are willing to give away 1.1 B generated by horse industry (that could also be used for schools and health) plus the thousands of jobs that would be lost. Ask your MPP what gives.
3ft x 4 ft signs are
3ft x 4 ft signs are currently being made up that will say
55,000 Horse Racing Jobs Going to be Lost
Thanks for your help
McGuinty, Godfrey, Tannenbaum & Bingo Parlours
Interested parties can ask for two sided lawn stake type signs
or one sided wall mounted signs with grommets . Should go in a very visible location and
in an area that will get us some Media Attention.
If interested mail your request to Mardon Stables RR#2, 2996 Conc7 Loretto. ON
No emails or phone requests will be taken. To busy to accommodate
Will be available for pickup on a first come first serve
basis as long as supplies last. Thank You.
Keep up the fight sue! The
Keep up the fight sue! The governments announcement(led by mr.GODFRY with mr. Mcginty and Mr. Duncan in the background) was that :QUOTE: THE ONTARIO LOTTERY AND GAMING CORP INTENDED TO MODERENIZE LOTTERY AND GAMING IN ONTARIO.I took it to mean they were going to look at mr. Drummonds report in particular concerning the slots at racetracks agreement ! I ALSO TOOK IT TO MEAN PRIVATIZATION OF THE SLOT MANAGEMENT AT RACETRACKS.MR. DUNCAN : QUOTE: THERE ARE TOO MANY HORSE TRACKS IN ONTARIO ? WE FEEL THE SUBSIDY AND THOSE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS SHOULD GO TO EDUCATION AND HEALTH CARE. : UNQUESTIONABLY THE LARGEST OF LIBERAL FIBS, and far different when the budget was finally passed with the help of the NDP absentees.MR.GODFREY ALSO STATED PUT THE CASINOS WHERE THE PUBLIC WANTS THEM..EVEN IF HANOVER SUDBURY OTTAWA DRESDEN WOODSTOCK ELORA WINDSOR HIAWATHA KAWARTHA ETE ALL want to keep the arrangement at their racetracks ,THEY WILL END UP IN THE GTA WERE THE LIBS. HOLD MOST OF THEIR SEATS......Ladies and Gentlemen in the horse racing industry this is our BATTLE OF WATERLOO ! Please come to industry day at GRANDRIVER IN AUGUST......TK.
I have two questions. What do
I have two questions. What do you call a $50 million tax payers fund set aside to help a soon to be underfunded industry?
What do you call a negotiated agreement for funding with the government to hopefully keep some aspect of what was a strong industry, funded after next spring?
Considering the government wants to share revenue with privatly owned bingo halls and American run Casinos.
Ironic, don't you think.
It's hard to disagree with
It's hard to disagree with Sue Leslie's approach ... as long as OHRIA is committed to taking a more aggressive stance if and when it is called for.
The current stance of the Liberal Government does not bode well for an "acceptable" negotiated agreement.
There have been many constructive, well written, logical arguments put forth by supporters of Ontario's Horse Racing Industry ... clearly showing why the decision to cancel the Slots at Race Tracks Partnership makes absolutely no sense. They have been met with nothing but rude and arrogant comments from the Mcguinty Government - a government apparently willing to sacrifice an entire industry (and the 50 to 60 thousand Ontarians it employs)... in order to help out a few of their wealthy friends.