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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Wednesday, March 13, 2013 | 6 Editorial `Crisis' management? Back when they were sitting in the Opposition seats, the Ontario Liberals were quick to jump on former education minister John Snobelen for his infamous `creating a crisis' comment when he attempted to pick a ght with Ontario teachers. Two decades later, we can't help but wonder if Premier Kathleen Wynne's Liberals are adopting a similar strategy of creating a problem, only to come up with a solution in a bid to have us think they know what they're doing. For example, last week, Wynne trumpeted the fact the Province and the horse racing industry had reached a deal that will keep horse racing, while not ourishing, at least alive. Under the new plan, racetracks will no longer get a share of slot machine revenue, but rather, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Commission will pay rent for housing the machines, in addition to an unspeci ed top up from the Province for purses. Racetracks and breeders will likely see half of what they had received under the sharing program that had been in place since 1998. However, let's not forget that it was the Liberals who `created the crisis' last year by cancelling the income sharing program that pumped $345 million into the horse racing industry. The Liberals were told the spinoff effect to veterinarians, trainers, breeders, jockeys and a slew of others would be devastating, yet they held rm. We agree the former program was no longer sustainable with the Province buckling under a huge debt, however, simply cancelling the program and not offering a viable solution caused undue chaos Chair, for far too many. Oakville Chamber of Commerce The new deal will at least keep the industry alive alcolm Gladwell said "The visionary in Ontario -- and save precious jobs. It's a plan that starts with a blank sheet of paper and should have been brought forward at the time of re-imagines the world." So imagine this: outright scrapping the income-sharing deal. picking fruit and vegetables from a building's urAnd thus, a `crisis' would have been averted. "Connected to your Community" 467 Speers Road, Oakville ON, L6K 3S4 General Inquiries: (905) 845-3824 Editorial Department: (905) 632-0588 Fax: (905) 337-5566 Classi ed Advertising: (905) 632-4440 Circulation: 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington (905) 631-6095 Volume 51 | Number 30 The Oakville Beaver is a division of Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Vice ­President and Group Publisher of Metroland West Regional General Manager Halton Region Editor in Chief Advertising Director NEIL OLIVER DAVID HARVEY JILL DAVIS DANIEL BAIRD Managing Editor ANGELA BLACKBURN RIZIERO VERTOLLI Photography Director Business Manager Director of Production SANDY PARE MARK DILLS A vision of a better-built community Julia Hanna My View MANUEL GARCIA Production Manager Director of Distribution CHARLENE HALL KIM MOSSMAN Circulation Manager M Now that you've read what we think -- what are your thoughts on the topic of horse racing in Ontario and the Province's new deal? Is this a case of `creating a crisis', or is this a genuine attempt by the Provincial Liberals to save the industry and hundreds of jobs in the midst of trying to climb out of its own debt? Send us your letters to the editor via e-mail to ablackburn@oakvillebeaver.com. ban vertical farm or bathing in the outdoor pool in Bronte harbour. In Siemens Future Life lm at the Crystal -- a global urban sustainability centre in London, U.K. -- we are told individuals are important but communities are king. How do we sustain the outstanding quality of life we have come to enjoy as a community in Oakville? How do we plan for our growing and changing city that calls itself a town and thinks like a village while preserving our unique character? Sustainability enthusiasts often encourage individuals to make small changes to their lifestyles, hoping for more signi cant change as a result of collective actions. And whether it's retro tting unsustainable buildings or improving pedestrian infrastructure, there's no doubt individuals can positively contribute to the overall sustainability of a city. However, for society to successfully complete its journey towards sustainability, larger stakeholders such as governments and businesses also need to be proactive in addressing its challenges. The Oakville Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Professional Engineers Association of Ontario Oakville chapter, are presenting a oneday Sustainable Cities Symposium to address these questions about how our community collectively can foster innovation for the future. Eight experts will lead discussions in four key areas of: Planning and Infrastructure, Transportation, Sustainable Buildings, Water and Waste Management. We are so fortunate Oakville is home to some of the world's most iconic engineering rms. Sustainability experts from these companies will be sharing their expertise at the symposium, including GE, Hatch and Siemens, as well as presentations from Metrolinx, Enermodal Engineering, PwC, Ellis Don and the Region of Halton, which will also share their experiences, knowledge and visions related to sustainability. Our keynote speaker, Ontario Senator Art Eggleton, speaks widely on the issue of sustainable cities. The April 19 symposium will be at the Oakville Conference Centre from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. with a postevent networking reception. It includes breakfast and lunch and is open to the public. An early bird rate of $45 is in effect until Friday. Visit the chamber at www.oakvillechamber.com. To register, visit www. eventbrite.com/event/4305259146/eac2?ebtv=C#. Proud Official Media Sponsor For: Canadian Circulations Audit Board Member Recognized for Excellence by Ontario Community Newspapers Association Canadian Community Newspapers Association Proud Official Media Sponsor For: ATHENA Award The Oakville Beaver welcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, length, legal considerations and grammar. In order to be published all letters must contain the name, address and phone number of the author. Letters should be addressed to: The Editor, Oakville Beaver, 467 Speers Rd., Oakville ON, L6K 3S4, or via e-mail to: ablackburn@oakvillebeaver. com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. The Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone 416-340-1981. Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. The publisher reserves the right to categorize advertisements or decline.