Report Presented, Racing Waits

Interestingly,a lawyers tactic is to release information or send a letter that cannot be retorted on a Friday to give the "other" party (the horsemen in this case) a time to reflect. They know this is an issue that will affect many thousands of people,for the Liberals to come out and say they will release this information on Wednesday and then now delay it until Friday is very suspicious in my mind,and more than likely will cause great concern for many.

A very pleasant sounding lady from OMAFRA called back late yesterday afternoon and left me a message. She says the report will be available publicly on Friday and no FOI request will be available. The alarm bells are immediately going off for me. This report has been in the hands of the governmnet since last Friday. Will we get the original recommendations? This government has already proven they will "spin" facts, figures and reports to suit their agenda. I guess we'll know shortly.

Of particular interest to me is Mr. Mcnaughton's statement "Seven Liberal M.P.P's have PUBLICALLY opposed the McGuinty government's decision to end the Slots At Racetracks program."This is news to me. Who are they,what did they say,why haven't we heard about them before?Maybe we can get a few to cross the floor and put one hugh spike in the McGuinty,Duncan,Godfrey coffin.Keep the pressure on folks,we need PC's elected in BOTH bi-elections.

I called the OMAFRA freedom of information and privacy coordinator this afternoon. Left a message inquiring if the horse racing transition panel report was available to the public, or if a FOI request would have to be made. Will let you know what they tell me.

I agree Ray - All of this could have been avoided. The Liberals are doing the same thing to the teachers and doctors - we should not feel "picked on". No negotiations whatsoever, stripping years of collective bargaining gains. How come they didnt just come to us and say - "Hey guys (track owners and horsemen) things are real tight right now (aka- we blew a lot of money that wasn't ours), what about 8% and 8% for a couple years until we get out of the hole a little (aka- a "competent gov't" takes over - there's an oxymoron for ya!).

You are so right Kathy. I can see no good coming of this. They are still dragging their feet (liberals) so we don't have time to really organize. So we had better start pushing right now. I can bet they have seen the report and just put it aside because they don't like it. And Leo is right, should have a huge rally with teachers and health care people on opening day Sept. 10.

Sooner or later sanity will have to prevail.

Well folks I can understand that the Liberals would need some time to look at the report before releasing it. That gives them time to concoct more lies and put their own spin on the report. Isnt that what occurred with the Drummond Report?
Let's face it; with the recent release of an Economic Analysis which was; if we read it filled with "assumed" so often, it was obvious they have no idea of the results of the SAR cancellation and impact on racing. They stated there were only about 5800 jobs in the industry......damn 5800 people have created a big wave.
That being said I am cautiously optomistic of this report....after all seldom are reports found to be negative towards the gov't that requested it, but let's hope these 3 prepared a favorable and honest report for us.
By the way don't be too hard on the Agriculture Minister, he is towing the Duncan line and over his head in this, because of that.
Let's just hope that some more Liberals will let their conscience loose and realize that what they are doing is very wrong and destroying the lives of significantly more people than the mathematicaly challenged Mr Duncan will have people believe.
I have to believe there are a lot more members of all 3 political parties, that will stand up and tell the Legislature that what is occurring is just wrong or we the people have truely lost our voice to government....let's hope that isn't true.

I THINK THERE IS MORE WORK TO BE DONE

That statement implies that they have mad a recommendation to continue paying the panel. That's how political committees, panels and consultants work. They develop a framework so they can make more money and stretch out the assignment another year. Afterall they are making a lot of money. The downside for our industry is that there will be no decisions at this time.

If you think about it, the best spin the Liberals can put on this is that they have commissioned a panel, they have recommednations and they see a need to work with the industry to come up with the best possible solution for all involved.

That way they don't come out and say it doesnt matter what the report says, the SAR program is dead and there is no more money for racing in Ontario. They would never say that before the by-elections.

I hope I am dead wrong here.

Georg Leber-ICR Racing

There would not be work to do as Mr. Snobelen indicated if the damn LYING LIBERALS had left things alone in the first place....maybe the work that needs doing is putting someone with a financial background in charge of the OLG & the ministry of finance...neither of which seem to be run very efficiently.

I think we need to rally again at Queens Park commences on monday Sept. 10th, Just an idea. but i live near Scugog Township, ( island Port Perry ), they have plans to rebuild. The Great Blue Heron Casino , on native land,, I understand the Chief if Gary Edgar> an idea would be to approach them = Him, to possibly build a track/tracks on their land/lands. The government has not been able to touch their cigarette sales and recently and new gas station that is ten cents cheaper than downtown Port Perry... thanks. Leo Samarillo YO1217

One would hope for several things.
(1) That the report is empathetic to the issues facing all facets of horse racing industry.
(2) That if in fact the above occurs that the government accepts the findings of its own chosen panel.
(3) That they act with alacrity considering that there are both Standardbred and Thoroughbred sales scheduled to take place shortly with the livelihood of numerous breeders at risk.

Wait a minute! DIdn't Ted McMeekin state on Sunday that the report would not be released until Wednesday? According to this story, the Liberals had it in their hands on Friday. No wonder McMeekin couldn't look at any of the folks he was talking to!!
I worry what will happen to this report if the Liberals don't like what the panel has to say. Will there be a need to file another request under the freedom of information act to get the truth again?