2/ MARCH/APRIL 2012 THE RIDER


Save Horse Racing Continued from Page 1


Interestingly, the economic study pre- pared for OHRIA in November 2011 demon- strates: government revenue of $261 million a year from horse racing — that’s a hefty 27% increase over the past ten years exclusive of slot revenue — and wages and salaries of $1.5 billion annually goes towards healthy, full time employment of 31,440 and up to 60,000 people factoring in part-time and casual work in horse racing and breeding.


If the race industry fails how likely is it for these workers to find employment in other industries, especially in the present economy? Most of them have spent their lives in the industry and it’s all they know how to do. By now, the Liberal party is probably wishing that four words - “wealthy race track owners” - would go away. Sure, the economic deficit they discuss daily raises panic within the walls of Parliament (and trust me — many sleepless nights for their constituents) yet, skipping a serious review and jumping to derogatory statements is unacceptable. The majority of us outside those walls consider this unwarranted attack by the gov- ernment a potentially lethal blow to our healthy quarter horse, thoroughbred and har- ness racing industries and severely injurious to the horse industry as a whole. The government would be best able to maximize their share of revenue with a fixed agreement, like what is currently in effect.


Already the industry is taking a dive because of the announcement by Dwight Dun- can. David Willmot, owner of Kinghaven Farms, King City, Ontario and Chairman of Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) who was instrumental in working with the govern- ment back in 1996, suggested that “no matter what happens now, owners and breeders both locally and in the U.S. are cancelling stallion and mare contracts, rethinking or withdrawing investments in the Ontario breeding industry”. Bob Broadstock, president of the Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario Inc. (QROOI), was one of the first out of the gates and has been working virtually non-stop. Responding to the latest actions taken by the government, he commented: “All racetrack owners, horsemen and OLG Slot employees are in the same situ- ation right now. The government is taking the stance that Ontarians must choose between the $345M ‘subsidy’ given to the racing commu- nity and health care or children. All race- tracks and horsemen are banding together to send a unified ‘Positive’ message to govern- ment that our industry can pass any ‘value for money’ test that can be thrown at it”. “Quarter horse racing will run in 2012, nothing can change that, we have built a 5 year plan with the Ontario Racing Commis- sion that has built purse reserves to provide stability during difficult times. Once we know what government has in store for us that plan will be revisited and adjusted to reflect those changes,” said Mr. Broadstock.


each of the past 6 years related to the paydown of debt through ‘Slot’ funding. They have built new roads and trails, funded the ‘grandfathered’ program, with grants provided annu- ally to Ajax-Pickering Hospital, United Way, Homeweek and Road Watch. Funding provided over $500,000 toward the MRI campaign at Ajax-Pickering Hospital, a cam- paign that Ajax Downs and the QROOI supported through their Family Fun Day which raised anoth- er $135,000. These funds helped to enable Ajax-Pickering hospital to install their new MRI in the fall of 2011.”


With such drastic measures on the table, many feel they will be forced into a bleak future. The newsletter for Central Ontario Stan- dardbred Association (COSA) stated: Track veterinarian Dr. Lynn Black- burn, who was accompanied (at the Ottawa rally on Feb. 29) by many


other local veterinarians and some of their staff, spoke eloquently about the impact that this might have on their businesses and families. The fate of farmers, hay and grain suppliers, farriers, transporta- tion workers, harness and saddle makers, many of whom have worked in the industry all their lives (some being second and third generations) are on the line here. Horse racing and breeding industry is the second largest sub-sector of agriculture, exceeding contributions of wheat, eggs, poultry and hogs in 2010. The COSA newsletter also noted: Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) Vice President Deborah Pretty- Straathof, told the crowd that her members were well aware of the consequences for farmers and rural Ontarians of ending this highly suc- cessful partnership.


In a March 2, 2012 open letter to Minister Duncan and Premier


McGuinty, R. Glenn Sikura, Presi- dent of Ontario Division, Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society, states: “To quote the 2009 Annual Report from the OLG “…payments to Race- tracks and horse people are a major economic stimulus for the agricultur- al industry in Ontario with spin off benefits for workers…”


Also worth mentioning from the COSA newsletter, the National Capital Region Harness Horse Asso- ciation “(NCRHHA), Chairman Gor- don McDonald spoke of the inconve- nient truth that government doesn’t seem to want to talk about and that is the $1.1 billion in revenues that they reap from this partnership...” Does it make sense to slap down a decade old partnership that horse racing track owners invested heavily in, upgrading their facilities and housing gaming areas, and, continue to do so on a yearly basis with direct and indirect investment that stimulates


local economies? When the Provin- cial government does review the Slots at Racetrack (a partnership that was working just fine between race tracks and OLG) the result could, or will, ruin the second largest sub-sec- tor of Ontario’s agricultural econo- my.


A couple questions we should ask when considering termination of the original agreement. What will communities who presently rely on their yearly portion of slot revenue lose because of the dissolution? What will it cost Ontario tax payers for the government to build and maintain their own facilities to house the slot machines. Which communi- ties are willing to welcome the casi- nos when they want to move in next door? And yes, these are the same questions asked “Once upon a time” which led to the current mutually beneficial revenue sharing agree- ment.


He goes on to say “The entire province must band together and show support for their horse industry, the Slots at Racetracks pro- gram has benefited each and every Ontarian. Lets ‘Stand Up’ and save this program that pumps $1.1 billion dollars a year directly into the provincial government to fund different programs such as health care, education, the Trillium Foundation and do not forget the host municipalities. The Town of Ajax has been able to save residents from 2% tax hikes in


Dwight Duncan Continued from Page 1


Racetrack Program is the most profitable form of gaming for the Province, generating more profit than casinos and lottery tickets com- bined.


“It makes absolutely no sense for the Government to continue to push less profitable forms of gaming, when over the last 14 years the horse racing industry has proven to be it’s best partner. Tearing up that $1.1 billion dol- lars in profit for the government to chase what will become a highly controversial and less profitable vision, just isn’t responsible,” added Leslie.


The Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association has launched http://value4money.ca to encourage Ontarians to write MPPs in support of the Slots at Race- track Program.


For more information Contact: Sue Leslie, President OHRIA (416) 679-0741 ohria@ohria.com


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