To the Editor:
I am writing this letter as a concerned tax payer and horse trainer in Yorkton. I think the decision by the Saskatchewan Government was unfair and they have picked a winner and a loser. I have been going through articles that I have found and I am getting my information from them as well as when I was racing in Saskatchewan since 2000. I understand that the Government does not owe anyone anything but I do believe in fairness and that is something that isn't being done here. I will be laying out the information and hope whomever is reading this will do something to help the industry I love. All I am asking is for fairness and hopefully someone will find a way to support harness racing and the Yorkton Community.
In 2008, Minister Dan D'Autremont was congratulating the Harness Racing Industry on a Successful year. He also said that contributions are part of the government's over all commitment to sustain a long term growth and that it played a role in Entertainment, and makes these sites an attractive place to live, work, visit. (As we all know Harness Racing gives the community of Yorkton Entertainment and attracts people from as far as Swift Current and Manitoba residents to watch racing, also trainers and drivers from Alberta).
So if Minister D'Autremont was correct, then this new Minister is missing something. Looks like Harness Racing got the short end of the stick because we still get three to five hundred people every Friday night and they still come from out of province and they must need gas to get home and they must eat somewhere when they are here, and probably shop and so on
But the Government is only doing Great things for the Thoroughbreds in Saskatoon.
March 26, 2012...
The Saskatchewan Government sent a letter stating that 2012 would be the last year for funding by the SLGA for Horse Racing (that word again, they should have said Harness Racing, who are they trying to kid). The Government is reviewing all their spending in relation to core priorities and that this support is not a priority, (the 200,000.00 to Harness isn't but 800,000.00 to the Thoroughbred industry is a priority). Really, and believe me they are going to say that the money bet in Saskatchewan is not from tax payers and they had nothing to do with it, well they are right, it was bet in Saskatchewan but what they won't say is it is the same money that the Harness and the Thoroughbred have been splitting for years, now the Thoroughbreds have it because the Government which cut 1.5 Million provincial racing grants gave them the sole right for off track betting.
The Government talks about cuts and spending money properly, well look at this Sask Lotto gives to two Jamborees in Regina and Saskatoon $85,000.00 to 95,000.00 for a three and four day show and they are trying to save money. Really, and we are asking for $200,000.00 for a Four Month event that brings approximately one Million into the City of Yorkton and the Government can't see that, they are going to say ya, that is under Lottos. They are right and it is and so we thought we are Entertainment, Heritage and a Sport, so we fit under the Lotto's criteria too so we would try to go under Lottos as well. Three weeks later we were told they can't help us because horse racing is under SLGA
They should have said Thoroughbred racing is under SLGA, because Harness Racing isn't under anyone. So that was the wrong answer.
April 12, 2012 Article
The Saskatchewan Government said they are cutting 1.5 million from annual funding effective March 2013, but where did they cut it because Saskatoon Thoroughbreds are still racing approximately $800,000.00, oh they cut out the Harness Racing in Yorkton $300,000.00. Something is wrong here. (Both breeds have always split the 10 per cent tax, 72 per cent Thoroughbred an 28 per cent Harness Racing that was in Saskatchewan, so how are the Thoroughbreds still racing if the Saskatchewan Government never had anything to do with it). This is the not fair part, if you can't fund racing, shut it down, like Ralph Klein said in Alberta you race both breeds or we race none. Good for Ralph, a true politician.
In the article that I am getting my information from, CEO Mark Regier is saying the first phase of negotiation for support for Saskatchewan Horse Racing is complete. (I think he misspelled a few words, he should have said Thoroughbred Racing). He isn't interested in negotiation now that he has all the money. Joke it is, who gave it to him (Saskatchewan Government). They pulled the trigger on the Harness Racing.
October 10, 2012
The article states that on March 31, 2013 the SLGA Minister Donna Harpauer said that the Government will no longer be taking the 10 per cent tax it currently collects on horse racing wagers, she says eliminating the tax will allow the Province Horse Racing Industry (again she should have said Thoroughbreds) to keep a larger portion of revenues generated through wagers. No offence Donna but that 10 per cent tax dollar is and has been the same dollar the two breeds have been splitting for years. So that doesn't work. All this saving and not taking tax was to play right into Saskatoon Marquis Downs and the Thoroughbreds
This is where the Government picked a Winner and a Loser.
For years there has been horse racing meaning two breeds. I say things different, when I say horse racing it contains two breeds They raced in Regina and Saskatoon; I am only speaking since I have been around since 2000. When Regina closed, harness racing had no home, but when they found one the Government was first to assist. It was in Craven, but racing wasn't going so well, that's where Yorkton jumped in and it has been successful for the seven years it has been going, always the money that has been bet in Saskatchewan has been split for years. There was a HMA (Home Market Area) that what ever was bet in Saskatchewan the money was divided. Marquis Downs always had a one year contract with the SLGA for the HMA since Regina closed, but when Horseman wanted to get in on the HMA the government signed a 3-year deal with Marquis Downs where the Thoroughbreds race and there was the winner Saskatoon Thoroughbreds and so instead of giving a little to the Harness Racing in Yorkton that was good for the Yorkton community, the Sask Party pulled the trigger instead. Now in the same article Mark Regier CEO of Prairie Land Park is thanking the Government and why wouldn't he. They have given everything to Saskatoon.
Other Provinces
The Saskatchewan Government is the only Government in Canada picking one breed over another,
Alberta Government is backing the horse group that is building a new Racino (Race Track and Casino) for both breeds.
BC Government will continue with both breeds and says Horse racing (both breeds) in BC is an important industry and will continue with both sectors.
Ontario Government has made a 5-year 25 million deal with Rideau Carlton Raceway and has found another 100 million to make the total 500 million to the Ontario Horse Racing (both breeds).
Nova Scotia Minister Cowell is stating he will work with horse racing and the dates are approved for April in Truro Nova Scotia (only one breed Harness Racing in the Maritimes).
PEI Minister of Finance Wes Sheridon praises the investment made in Harness Racing in PEI and says the Government invested 28 million, he also says that for every dollar invested in the racing the Government gets $10.00 back.
Saskatchewan Government gives everything to Thoroughbreds in Saskatoon and gives Harness Racing in Yorkton zero dollars.
Thank you.
Sask Party, I love living in Saskatchewan where everything is fair. From what I read in the paper about the budget, it's only fair if you live in Regina or Saskatoon.
Shawn Worthen, Yorkton, SK.
