Conservative Senator Bob Runciman has turned up the heat in his fight against the Ontario Liberals' planned scrapping of the slots-at-racetracks program, stating that "At a time when Ontario has lost almost 500,000 manufacturing jobs since McGuinty took office, it’s nothing short of mind-boggling that the government would initiate such a harmful policy (ending the slots-at-racetracks program).”
Sen. Runciman's comments have come via release sent to Trot Insider, which explains that he will be at Georgian Downs along with MPP Garfield Dunlop on Saturday, July 21 for a media conference.
On a related note, on Monday, July 2 Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett approved the 2012-2013 state budget that maintains the government's commitment to the Pennsylvania horse-racing and breeding industry by not diverting $72-million from the Race Horse Development Fund, as had originally been proposed in the state’s preliminary budget.
The contents of Sen. Runciman's release appear below.
SENATOR, MPP FIGHT McGUINTY’S JOB-KILLING PLAN
July 4, 2012 – Ontario Conservative Senator Bob Runciman will carry his fight against the McGuinty government’s plans to throw at least 30,000 Ontarians out of work to Georgian Downs in Innisfil, Ont. later this month
Runciman will be at the harness-racing track along with Simcoe North MPP Garfield Dunlop to draw attention to the negative economic impacts and significant job losses that will come from the government’s decision to pull slots out of racetracks early next year, a decision that is expected, according to Finance Minister Dwight Duncan, to result in the closure of all but five or six of the province’s 17 horse-racing tracks.
“The McGuinty government’s action is an ill-considered, short-term cash grab without – apparently – any understanding of the significant job losses and the long-term negative impacts on individuals, families, businesses and communities,” Runciman said.
“More Ontarians have to be made aware of the damaging economic and personal impacts and they have to put pressure on provincial politicians to force a reconsideration of the decision,” Runciman said.
"At a time when Ontario has lost almost 500,000 manufacturing jobs since McGuinty took office, it’s nothing short of mind-boggling that the government would initiate such a harmful policy,” he concluded.
Runciman and MPP Dunlop, who has been a vocal opponent of the decision to scrap the slots-at-racetracks program, will hold a media conference in the The Loft room at Georgian Downs on Saturday, July 21, at 5:00 p.m. Runciman is speaking at a fundraiser for the MPP later that night.
The Slots at Racetracks program directs 10 per cent of revenue from slot machines housed at horse-racing facilities to the tracks and a further 10 per cent to the horse industry. It was widely credited with revitalizing the industry over the past decade, while contributing over $1 billion annually to the government to spend on programs such as health care and education. The McGuinty government announced this spring that it is ending the program next year.
Related Stories
• Senator Runciman Wants Action
• Sen. Knocks Ont. Racing's Response; Says By-Election Is Also Key
Your comments have been
Your comments have been echoed by everyone in the Horse Community; however after the submissions by OHRIA and OSBA it has fallen on deaf ears. We need your help in finding a way to topple this Government or some other means of exposing the misleading statements made by the Finance Minister to the Public. I appreciate your support for our Industry and I feel in order for the Horse Industry to survive and flourish the SAR must be reinstated and it must be accomplished before that By-Election in Kitchener-Waterloo. There must be a way Senator to put this back on the floor of the Legislature.
While several "Horse Racing"
While several "Horse Racing" States are supporting their Industry and expanding the number of Racinos - some even poviding more gaming options at the track .. such as Sports betting at Mammouth Park .. Our Liberal Government (and the OLG) have decided to kill a GOOD thing.
Congradulations to Senator Runciman - maybe he should take over for Tim Hudak.
Thanks again Senator
Thanks again Senator Runciman! Imagine that? A politician who not only talks the talk but also walks the walk. I can*t believe I*m saying this after so many others talk and talk then ride away with no walking! Let*s hope this is catching? May I suggest a bipartisan committee made up of the Senator and Liberal Dennis Mills, I wish!