Clouthier: SAR Issue Could Be By-Election 'Sleeper'

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Published: August 21, 2012 04:13 pm EDT

After having announced earlier this month that he would be supporting Ontario's Progressive Conservative Party in the upcoming provincial by-elections, highly respected political veteran Hec Clouthier has told Trot Insider that voters in the Vaughan riding have been 'disgusted' after hearing the specifics of how Dalton McGuinty's Ontario Liberal Government is destroying the highly-successful slots-at-racetracks program.

Clouthier, a life-long harness racing supporter who in the past worked hand-in-hand with Prime Minister Jean Chrétien's Federal Liberal Party, announced earlier this month that in response to Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty's "inexcusable" and "indefensible" treatment of the provincial horse-racing industry he would throw his full support behind Vaughan's PC candidate Tony Genco

"After I brought Tony up to speed vis-à-vis the slots-at-racetracks partnership, he could easily recognize the reason for the anger, animosity and agony within the horse-racing industry regarding the Liberal Government's arbitrary decision to cancel a program that has been extremely successful for all partners," Clouthier explained. "Tony Genco and the Conservative party can do much better than the Liberals on this file."

Clouthier said that it was "clearly evident" as he campaigned door to door that the voters in Vaughan "are not happy with the Liberals, but that in itself does not guarantee victory." He explained that "to win an election, you need to give the voters a sense of purpose, a sense that your party can do better.

"It was interesting to watch the voters' reaction when I explained that the Liberal Government was in the process of cancelling the slots-at-racetracks partnership, which is putting over $1 billion a year into the government treasury, money that is spent on education, health care, infrastructure etc. Most were not aware of the situation, but the more I explained to them about the disastrous, negative impact on the horse-racing industry --- plus the fact that there was no guarantee the billion dollars a year would still be there to fund health care and education --- the more upset they became. They shook their heads in disturbing disgust."

Many have chosen to subscribe to the belief that the importance and magnitude of the Ontario horse-racing industry's SAR crisis is not being acknowledged and felt enough by the mainstream media and urban Ontario. Clouthier believes the issue just could be the straw that breaks the Liberals' figurative back.

"There is no doubt in my mind that, properly managed, the SAR issue could be the 'sleeper' in the by-elections because it has everything: money, government ineptitude and passion all rolled into one. Why would the government scrap a partnership that is making them a billion dollars a year? It is especially egregious considering Dalton McGuinty's statement yesterday at the AMO conference in Ottawa when he said, 'Well, the way I see it, partners don't give up on each other.' Isn't that exactly what the Premier of Ontario is doing to the horse-racing industry? He is giving up! This is more than inept management, this is just plain dumb. Also, generally speaking, people have a passion for horses and respect those who own, care for and work with horses."

Clouthier stressed that the Ontario horse-racing industry must remain vigilant with its fight. "Ladies and gentlemen, we have a great story to tell, but we need to keep moving forward with our message," he said, adding that it is his hope that people within the racing industry can find time to volunteer their services in the by-elections.

"Let me be very clear and concise: If the Liberals win both by-elections, they will have a majority government, and that spells trouble with a capital 'T' for our horse-racing industry!"

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