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It is election time and voters want action, not words. They want commitments that are tangible and relatable, not ideas that will take years to be debated and discussed. They want decisions that will have an impact on their lives and their community.
Similarly, they want to be sure that politicians are held accountable for inaction and missed opportunities.
We have written about, talked about and shouted about the need to amend the Criminal Code to allow for Single Sport Betting. This is the biggest no brainer that any party can do to support border communities and protect jobs.
‘The cost to government is ZERO. What other government program for job preservation and job creation costs zero? It costs the federal government no money. It protects consumers by channelling current unregulated gaming into a regulated environment. It channels revenue, currently leaving the country, into the provincial governments and towards government programs.
Most importantly, it protects jobs and creates jobs. New York and Michigan have already opened sports books. We know exactly what happens when we cede our position to the U.S. - jobs migrate south.
Given all that, who will stand up and do what’s right?
We have had two private members bills from local MPs who have looked out for gaming sector workers. It is time that all parties acknowledge that the risk today is real and the timing is urgent.
This is not a matter of if, but when - and the impact will be absolute, predictable and it is completely avoidable. People will cross the border to Michigan and New York and Washington and Montana and New Hampshire.
Windsor, Niagara and other border communities will once again be hurt. Thousands of jobs are at stake and thousands can be created. That is as big swing and a risk I will not allow our members to take without a fight.
There is no opposition to this. The provinces are supportive, the major sports leagues are supportive and most importantly, our workers and communities are supportive.
The government works for the people. The people want to preserve their communities and jobs. We ask all parties, where do you stand? We need to know before we vote because this is a key issue for our community and our members to have clarity on as they cast their ballots on October 21.
Sincerely,
Jerry Dias and Dave Cassidy
