In a letter addressed to Standardbred Canada CEO John Gallinger on Tuesday, July 31, Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak officially stated his position on the slots-at-racetracks program.
In response to a story on standardbredcanada.ca entitled ''Ask Hudak What His Party's Official Position Is,' Hudak has stated that his plan, "looks to the experience of other provinces and states which took an innovative approach: let government regulate it to look after the interests of honest players, while getting the government out of the actual slots portion of the operation by privatizing it."
The contents of Hudak's letter to Gallinger appears below in its entirety.
Re: 'ASK HUDAK WHAT HIS PARTY'S OFFICIAL POSITION IS'
Dear Mr. Gallinger,
Well, here it is: Given the current lousy economic picture in Ontario, government should be focused on developing a climate for creating new jobs --- not mowing them down. Yet that’s just what the arbitrary decision to shutter the Slots at Tracks program did, and on a larger scale than the Liberals could ever grasp.
But let me back up a bit: Fort Erie is my hometown. I grew up spending a lot of time visiting the track and had a lot of friends there. Later, as an MPP, I walked the backstretch, looking through the barns, talking to the trainers, grooms, jockeys and hot walkers. These are hard-working people; they’re up before dawn, because they love the work that they do for a very modest income. When I got elected, I fought hard for the Slots at Tracks program for that beautiful Fort Erie oval --- one which has survived two World Wars and the Great Depression, but now won’t survive Dalton McGuinty. Imagine that.
It’s tragic that people who care about the horses and love the sport are being thrown out of the industry at a time when the region already suffers from among the highest jobless rates in Ontario, under a government that seems intent on making matters worse. It’s tough enough to get work anywhere in our province these days, but I’m worried it will really be hard for those who have such specialized skills, that aren’t easily transferable.
But there are a few rays of hope here: For one thing, the government’s sudden announcement of a meagre $50 million “transition fund” was a signal that they knew they had done the wrong thing and needed to cushion the blow. For another, the Buchanan/Snobelen/Wilkinson panel tasked with coming up with ideas for the industry’s future could provide an opportunity for the Liberals to back down --- or at least, an opportunity for some sober reflection on whether there is a better path. At a minimum, the panel could provide the industry with a platform for showing that the government plan cannot, and will not, work. Here though, we can’t just hope for the best. We need to stand up for the industry and contribute ideas of our own.
I have been advocating my position --- a better path --- from the outset, in the face of a Liberal government that pulled the plug and an NDP contingent that allowed the measure to pass. My plan looks to the experience of other provinces and states which took an innovative approach: let government regulate it to look after the interests of honest players, while getting the government out of the actual slots portion of the operation by privatizing it.
Imagine the savings from pulling the vast OLG bureaucracy out of this business and the higher revenues that would result from cutting out the Toronto office-cubicle overhead. Result: revenue sharing from the program would continue, but from a bigger revenue pie. More money for the government to support priority programs and help balance the books, better management by businesspeople, not bureaucrats, probably better customer service at the sites and a second chance for the horseracing industry. At least give the idea a shot.
We’ve also got to make it clear to people that the Slots at Tracks program is not a "subsidy." This is Liberal spin --- clever, but dead wrong. A subsidy sees money going from taxpayers to a business. In this case the reverse happens: money from a business, generated locally at the tracks, goes to government coffers, leading to spin-off benefits for local economies and the agriculture sector, and handsome returns for the provincial treasury. Instead, the Liberals have mused about 29 new casinos for which they don’t even have sites. That’s not an economic plan for getting us out of this mess --- it’s a hugely costly gamble that treats an untold numbers of jobs in the horseracing industry as so many poker chips. It doesn’t make any sense.
But we all need to push hard to get this government to change course. After all, we don’t know when an election will let us straighten out this mess. Could be four months – could be four years. And nobody would expect the next government to close dozens of costly new casinos and spend tens of millions more bringing the tracks back again. That is, unless you want a politician who makes promises he can’t keep. (If so, I’m not that politician.)
Every day’s delay also aggravates the “urban-rural split” developing in the province, fuelled by a government that has plainly turned its back on smaller communities. I don’t want that to happen here. Not in our Ontario. But I worry that the whole issue over the fate of the horseracing industry points to some ongoing symptoms.
I urge you not to give up, because I’m not going to. I support horse racing in Ontario. My Party has done so for a very long time. We have a chance of getting this government to understand that there is a better way, and its approach cannot and will not work. And in the meantime, I urge members of your industry to join me as I visit affected communities --- including my own home town --- during my Jobs and Our Economy Tour, to plan for a better future.
Sincerely,
Tim Hudak, MPP
Leader, PC Party of Ontario
Great on Hudaks part, only a
Great on Hudaks part, only a few months late. Where were these statements in April and May. Now that he sees 75% of the population is against the liberal plan he jumps on the bandwagon. Better late than never. The tories have said in the past that they would look into the current agreement with no suggestions as to what they would do with it. I am a conservative but would sleep with my back to the wall with all of them. trust them as far as you can throw them. I have talked to my MPP and it was blah blah blah we are behind you 100% hence the back against the wall. I have been in touch with my MPs office and they did say if enough people go to there MP , yes federal member of government then they would get the Minister of Finance involved. This is a provincial issue with large ramifications for the feds. Unemployment is a federal department and 20 to 60,000 jobs is a lot of EI. So speak up to whoever will listen and lets all get on the same page whatever it may be.
After reading Mr. Hudak's
After reading Mr. Hudak's letterI think it is time for every racetrack in Ontario to tell the OLG that there will be no deal to allow them to stay past March 31 2013 without sharing in slots revenue. Further all racetracks and horsemen's groups must agree there will be no racing after the current program ends until there is a deal that keeps racing involved in gaming revenues.
It must be made clear to the province that the governments ridiculous assumptions about an industry continuing are false. Horse racing must get it's best deal now because once the OLG is allowed to pursue it's modernization program any leverage the industry has will diminish over time. The industry must be prepared to force the loss of the OLG facilities and revenue while they have no other options.
If the OMAFRA panel does not point the government in that direction it will be time to make horse racing the most important issue of the now two, fall by elections. Their are few good choices but that doesn't mean we should accept a bad deal it is time to gamble on winning this fight by escalating it far beyond anything the government saw coming.
In reply to After reading Mr. Hudak's by I Howard
Very impressed by Mr Hudak's
Very impressed by Mr Hudak's letter. He did make a commitment to our industry and aludes to the true culprit of waste, the OLG "Imagine the savings from pulling the vast OLG bureaucracy out of this business and the higher revenues that would result from cutting out the Toronto office-cubicle overhead"
From my perspective, he hit it right on the head.
How the liberals could overlook the 18,000 OLG employees and the 976 Million $ in salary's paid annually.( were a good deal $165 M for 33,000 jobs) Seems to me that if you needed money for schools and hospitals, that would be the first place you would start, somewhere that you have direct control. Oh yes and the two OLG head offices and two casinos in Niagara Falls. That part of the Drummond report I did comprehend. Still no change from the OLG.
It will be interesting to see the OLG gaming strategy when it comes to Niagara Falls ?
In reply to After reading Mr. Hudak's by I Howard
If i was in the liberal
If i was in the liberal government right now i would cross the floor and join the PC's because they will not be elected when ever the next election is. The new boys will miss out on their pensions and remember what happened to WINSTON CHURCHILL, he became PRIME MINISTER.
Well folks now there is going
Well folks now there is going to be a 2nd By-election. This one a present Liberal seat in Vaughn. Like I stated earlier, break out your wallets and make the time for the only party that has stated support for us and that is the PCs. Let's put our money where our mouths and hearts/livelihoods are.
I personally believe that the proper plan of action is the Burgess plan or something close, as it looks after preserving all the tracks for all breeds. We don't want a subsidy. The gov't and this will include the P.Cs want out of managing the gambling, so we need our tracks to step up and own and manage their own facilities in a revenue sharing format. That format should at the outset look the same as what is being afforded to Casinos and Bingos....to ask for anything less of the Liberals is ridiculous......jmo
Chuck Ibey
Yes. The bi-election in
Yes. The bi-election in Kitchener/Waterloo is critical but hold on folks...
The Liberals have announced that GREG SORBARA is stepping down from being a LIBERAL MPP for VAUGHAN. another bi-election will now be scheduled by McGuinty for VAUGHAN...if both of these vacancies turn PC...that would be awesome.. we will have to wait and see but McGuinty has not revealed when these bi-elections will be done other to say Ontario needs to have the summer time without an election...
The next scheduled Ontario
The next scheduled Ontario provincial election is October 1, 2015 – three years from this fall. If the KW by-election goes to either the NDP or the Tories, the next general election could be forced much sooner
Mr Hudak and the Conservatives have now gone on record as saying his government would support a “Slots at Track” Program. His proposed difference is that the slots would be privately owned –similar to the US Racinos. Key to his proposal is the statement “revenue sharing from the program would continue, but from a bigger revenue pie”.
Mr Hudak also suggests, that if the Liberals continue with their ridiculous scheme and CLOSE TRACKS, it would be difficult if not impossible to re-open those facilities after the next election (outside date Oct 1/15)
Thoughts:
1) Given that the Liberals have messed up on so many fronts (energy, e-health, Ornge, Racing, education, etc…), it would be hard to fathom them getting re-elected in a general election.
2) The Government has committed to maintaining the existing slots split until March of 2013.
3) The Liberals at present do not appear to have any viable sites to relocate slots in the short-term. They will be forced to leave them at the existing facilities/tracks, and one would presume that it could take 2-3 years to build/relocate these slots.
4) If the Industry could find creative ways to keep their product on the racetrack from March 2013 until October 2015 – 2 ½ years, there could well be new life.
OHRIA has put forward a viable survival plan, BUT the plan calls on the Government to provide some $260 million in yearly subsidies. By contrast the Burgess Plan calls for a much broader industry, but is dependant on the survival of the slots program.
Given that the Conservatives will be far less inclined to go the “subsidy” route, and far more inclined to go the “revenue sharing” route, would it not be prudent for OHRIA come up with plan B, considering/incorporating some of the Burgess Plan thoughts?
GOVERNMENTS DO/WILL CHANGE. This government could very well change in 3 years or less. We might not want to put all of our relatives on the Titanic, might be a good idea to send some over on the Sister Ship (the Olympic).
The decision to end the SAR
The decision to end the SAR program was political. It has been forced on us by the Liberals and tacitly supported by the NDP when they abstained from voting on the budget, not once but twice.
"I support horse racing in Ontario." These words from Tim Hudak should be embraced as a ray of hope for our industry and they clearly establish the Conservative Party as the one we need to support. His comment on privatizing the slots portion of the operation seems to go hand-in-hand with the Burgess Plan.
Mr. Hudak has let us know that several years down the road will be too late and too costly for government to undo the current schemes of the Liberals.
NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT!
The Liberals must not be allowed to win the Kitchener/Waterloo by-election. As an earlier post said, "Break out your wallets folks." You can bet that Mr. Bingo and his backroom buddies will be pouring thousands of dollars into the Liberal coffers and, if we value our industry, we must do likewise. The Conservative candidate is Tracey Weller and you can link to her riding, make a donation or provide other support at www.kw.ontariopc.com.
Rumour out of Queen's Park has McGuinty calling a fall election if he loses the Kitchener/Waterloo seat. Perhaps horse racing is not done yet.
Many have asked what they can do and now the answer seems clear. Dig deep! Our future may depend on it. To paraphrase Edmund Burke; "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men and women to do nothing."
I cannot believe how many
I cannot believe how many negative reactions there are to Mr Hudak's letter. I read this letter out here in Saskatchewan and it gives me a good vibe about your chances in Ontario of surviving the Liberals utter stupidity. You have no hope with them, no hope with the NDP and I read that the PC's support horse racing. Be grateful, work with them and just pray you get an early election so the Liberals can be punted out to just east of PEI. Here in Sask, we too as an industry are losing all funding (1.5 mil) But after a few peeps in early April, we as an industry have remained quiet at least up til now. I am not sure we can sustain that silence much longer. Will the standardbred people and thoroughbred people negotiate together? I hope so, but I won't hold my breath. Will our government support our industry in the future? I can't give myself a positive answer on that yet. But you in Ontario have some hope. Work with it. Don't send out negative vibes when one of your leaders has taken the time to tell you as much as possible about their thoughts on your industry. I sure haven't heard any intelligence like that from the other leaders. What happens there will probably set the tone for many other race jurisdictions in Canada. Go get 'em
To Tom Kelly, you are not
To Tom Kelly, you are not alone. There are many people in the same predicament you are in Don't give up! What would you do if you had no where to even write to like you're writing now. Believe it or not, you are being heard. So I would urge you to keep writing for what you believe in. Your job, like anybody else's job, contributes to the well being of the communities that we live in. All the communities put together creates an economy. It is with all those communities working together that makes the world go around. I urge you to keep on working the best that you can and communicating with your peers within your community to be heard. Don't give up.
Regards,
Len Campbell Jr.
Thank you Mr Hudak for
Thank you Mr Hudak for clarifying where you stand on the SAR program. I know there's a lot of discouraged people out there but I believe with each passing day we're making a bit of progress. Don't give up! Keep on fighting!
THANK YOU Mr Hudak for the
THANK YOU Mr Hudak for the disclosure of your feelings and support of the Racing Industry dilema. We all need to keep on fighting for what is right and with this announcement as to the PC policy on the industry there is still a light at the end of the tunnel. Now we have to get the hoodlum Liberal government out of power and get back to the real world.
" Its not over till the fat lady sings "
I appreciate the fact that
I appreciate the fact that Mr. Hudak & his party have finally come forth with a plan, although rather vague at this point , however it is a step in the right direction. Privatizing the program with gov't regulators seems reasonable, lets hope that those who are directly affected have some say in the development of this privitization plan.
Bring on an election and you have my vote plus financial support!!
There is only one party and
There is only one party and government to support here. It is important we all get involved, if we don't, there will be nothing left to save. Join your local riding association and RESTORE THE PROGRAMME
Next step, can we present Bob
Next step, can we present Bob and Blair Burgess' Plan to Mr. Hudak, and ask him point blank, "Will your PC Government support this plan?" No political babbling, just a simple YES or NO will suffice.
In reply to Next step, can we present Bob by C. Rae
It seems to me the bottom of
It seems to me the bottom of the heap, the grooms and trainers,those that muck the stalls and get up at five in the morning and put the breakfast on, grab a coffee , put gas in the tank ,say good by to the family are the forgotten ones in this whole mess.Since when did you ever hear from these people? No complaints just get on with work.don't you think they are sick and tired with committees and the organizations the political posturing and government body's who day by day cast more uncertain plans for THEIR FUTURE? IT WASN'T BROKE SO WHO THE HE'LL IS IT THAT'S GOING TO FIX IT? The OLG chairman? The premier ? The finance minister? Who cares just do something ! I'm going to bed I've got to get up at five tomorrow .... Tom kelly groom.
At least he can explain his
At least he can explain his plan with clarity and reason, something the liberals have yet to do without mirrors and smoke screens.
Following Hudak's plan and
Following Hudak's plan and starting in his back yard, allowing the consortium that runs Fort Erie to operate the slot parlour would make sense. The revenue generated isn't significant enough for OLG to continue there yet its enough to sustain the slot parlor and racing and all of the associated employment. Furthermore, most of the people who used to frequent the Fort Erie slot parlor aren't going to go anywhere else so its basically a lost revenue stream for the government anyway.
It is imperative that the racing side of the operation be forced to improve its offerings. Five horse fields of $4000 claimers generate very little betting. If the majority of races do not feature competitive fields of 8 or more starters, then reduce the number of race dates so that this goal is achieved. The Tampa Bay Downs model is a perfect illustration of how full and competitive fields can attract wagering - in 2010 - 2011 fields were full, handle was way up; this past season field sizes were down with a corresponding drop in wagering.
For too long, slot revenue has driven the racing industry and we've lost sight of the fact that good wagering opportunities are what we need to attract the gamblers we need to sustain our sport. Small fields at any track of any breed do more to kill the sport than sustain it. This is what we're seeing now that the slot revenue is scheduled to disappear.
The only part of Mr Hudak's
The only part of Mr Hudak's letter I don't like is the part about getting tracks going again if Casinos are built. My thoughts are who cares, let us compete with them with our own full casino/racinos with sports betting as well. Weg is perfectly able to hub sports betting for all the tracks offering it with pooled dollars to be split. Let tracks privately own their slots with the same splits as Casinos and Bingos. I'm sure tracks would be right back in business given that opportunity. It's obviously enough for the "bingo boys" to jump in. I don't worry about the Casinos as there won't be as many private casinos as Mr. Duncan believes unless they are at tracks . Many communities don't want them.
So all the more important that the Conservatives win Kitchener/Waterloo bi-election. Break out your wallets folks and send money to the Ontario PC Party and put a note to say it is because of their support for horse racing. Let them know now that we support them.
Chuck Ibey
It's nice to see in print the
It's nice to see in print the statement: "I support horse racing in Ontario". The timing of the next provincial election is unknown. In the interim, the Kitchener-Waterloo by-election remains critical.A majority government would mean that the next election is 2015, which may be to late for many horse people.
Finally we hear something
Finally we hear something from Mr. Hudak and, while I seldom agree with him on most subjects, this letter does make a lot of sense. Of course it's all pretty vague and "Motherhood" and doesn't provide a lot of specifics but it does suggest a framework to flesh out with a workable Industry/Government partnership. If Mr. Hudak could identify, or at least suggest, who he sees as the "Private" operators of the Slots we would really have a plan that makes sense.
Now all we have to do is get the Liberals out of Queen's Park and it sounds to me we have the Tory's support for that so it looks like the big push has to be focussed on getting the NDP to actually do something and stop waffling and abstaining from all responsibility as elected MPPs.
Of course there may also be a few Liberal MPPs who might actually be persuaded to represent their constituents instead of their misguided, or worse, party bosses!
Thank You Mr. Hudak and I hope someone has told him that "Industry Day" is at ELORA and not ELMIRA as he said!!
Mr. Hudak sounds more
Mr. Hudak sounds more intelligent than Mr. McGuinty or Mr. Duncan ( don't want to talk about horse racing and please turn off the camera ). I'm 70 now, and read it twice, just to be sure I got the idea. One thing is for sure, The Liberals have mismanaged this beautiful province of Ontario for the last eight years. Now they have a real problem trying to reign in the massive spending they have caused. The NDP do not want to go to work. They abstain. A tactic I never understood. Sure doesn't leave too many choices. Bruce T. Winning
"And nobody would expect the
"And nobody would expect the next government to close dozens of costly new casinos and spend tens of millions more bringing the tracks back again."
So there we have it. Despite all of the professed support Hudak is not going to go on record as planning to reverse the SAR decision if and when he gets back in. Even if he is not so inclined, that very possibility would be enough to deter the casino interests from getting involved in Ontario. Mr Hudak - don't give them a chance to make a reversal impossible - stand up now and make them think twice. Don't use inevitability as a cop-out. We need guts now not pablum.
so tell me what is the tory
so tell me what is the tory plan? I read nothing but double speak!
Nothing but "weasel words".
Nothing but "weasel words". Zero specifics, just an obligatory and vague tip of the hat towards supporting horse racing. What does "privatizing the slots" mean? It could mean selling them to an American operator for all we know. What is this "second chance for the horse racing industry"? God only knows...
What wasn't said is vastly more important than what was said (which was basically nothing, a bizarre monologue about Ft. Erie surviving two world wars?!)
He refused to be pinned down on specifics, and that says it all.
Next stop...integrity
Next stop...integrity commission?