Ontario Golf Awareness Day Photo credits: Denis Drever Ontario Golf Awareness Day April 20th, 2011 The Ontario Allied Golf Association (OAGA) kicked off the golf season with a visit to Queen’s Park on April 20th. This was OAGA’s first-ever full lobby day at Queen’s Park, so the visit was designed to give Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) and their staff a proper introduction to the golf Industry in Ontario. The day emphasized the size and scope of golf in Ontario- it’s the most popular sport, contributing about 1% of the province’s GDP – and also underlined the responsible role that golf plays in protecting Ontario’s environment and working to make Ontario a better place. The day featured a breakfast roundtable on small business issues, a press conference in the Queen’s Park media studio, a legislative reception, and 30 meetings throughout the day. The Issue Ontario golf industry representatives went to Toronto to meet with Ministers and MPPs concerning the size and scope of the golf industry in Ontario, particularly in regards to the provincial economy. Through the individual contribution of many small businesses, the sport is responsible for more than $4.3 billion of Ontario’s GDP. Golf creates $11.5 billion in direct, indirect, and induced spending in the province and the industry is responsible for over 123,000 jobs and $1.2 billion in taxes paid to all levels of government. It is important that government decision makers be made aware of the fact that Ontario’s golf courses are leaders in environmentally sustainable golf course operations, and are constantly researching technologies and methods to reduce their environmental impact, having spent more than $1.2 million in recent years to research more environmentally sustainable practices. Water and pesticide use are strictly regulated by the government and monitored by the courses, and represent only the absolute minimum needed, improving sustainability while reducing expenses. The Ontario golf industry also wants to be part of an open dialogue with the government in regards to how they are regulated as small businesses. The courses must regularly comply with regulations from a host of bodies, including the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Labour, Ministry of the Environment, Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Natural Resources, the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission, and local conservation authorities. Regulations that are overly burdensome undermine the ability of the golf industry to dedicate time to the quality and financial viability of our game and its courses. Ontario Golf Awareness Day th Breakfast April 20 , 2011 The day was kick started with a breakfast roundtable discussion with MPPs Monte Kwinter (York Centre) and Julia Munro (York Simcoe). This offered an excellent opportunity for delegates to discuss the challenges facing the golf industry from a small business perspective, as well as ways in which we can structure our efforts to get the best results. Julia Munro (far left) speaks during the OAGA Breakfast Roundtable. Monte Kwinter (centre) listens to Scott White (left) during the OAGA Breakfast Roundtable. Press Conference Meetings with MPPs OAGA hosted a press conference in the Queen’s Park Media Studio to highlight OAGA’s visit to Queen’s Park. OAGA spokespeople Jeff Calderwood and Don MacKay spoke to the size and scope of Ontario’s golf industry, the role that it plays in the province’s economy, it’s commitment to environmental stewardship and corporate responsibility. A media advisory was distributed the day before, and a press release was sent out in conjunction with the press conference. Jeff Calderwood (left) delivers remarks during the press conference as Don MacKay looks on. Don MacKay (right) speaks during the press conference. Meetings with MPPs Throughout the day, OAGA representatives met with key players from the Legislature. Delegates met with the following MPPs: • Donna Cansfield, MPP for Etobicoke Centre • The Hon. Aileen Carroll, MPP for Barrie • Jerry Ouellette, MPP for Oshawa • Julia Munro, MPP for York—Simcoe • The Hon. Charles Sousa, Minister of Labour and MPP for Mississauga South • Ted Arnott, MPP for Wellington—Halton Hills • Gilles Bisson, MPP for Timmins—James Bay • Gerry Martiniuk, MPP for Cambridge • Khalil Ramal, MPP for London—Fanshawe • Frank Klees, MPP for Newmarket—Aurora • Bas Balkissoon, MPP for Scarborough—Rouge River • Elizabeth Witmer, MPP for Kitchener—Waterloo • The Hon. Chris Bentley, Attorney General and MPP for London West • John O’Toole, MPP for Durham • Yasir Naqvi, MPP for Ottawa Centre • Lou Rinaldi, MPP for Northumberland – Quinte West • Mario Sergio, MPP for York West • Paul Miller, MPP for Hamilton East—Stoney Creek • Michael Prue, MPP for Beaches—East York • Howard Hampton, MPP for Kenora—Rainy River • Ted Chudleigh, MPP for Halton • Jeff Leal, MPP for Peterborough • Norm Miller, MPP for Parry Sound—Muskoka • Peter Shurman, MPP for Thornhill Delegates also met with staff from the following offices: • Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario and MPP for Ottawa South • Sandra Pupatello, Minister for Economic Development and Trade • The Hon. Margaret Best, Minister of Sport and MPP for Scarborough—Guildwood • The Hon. Kathleen Wynne, Minister of Transportation • The Hon. Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development, Mines, and Forestry • Dave Levac, MPP for Brant David Trask, Dalton Hicks, and Dave Mills meet with MPP Elizabeth Witmer. MPP Yasir Naqvi meets with Phil Scully, David Main, and Jeff Calderwood. Carol Ann Goering and Vince Kishimoto meet with MPP Donna Kyle McFarlane and Lynne Zippierri meet with MPP Ted Chudleigh. Cansfield. David Trask, Dalton Hicks, and Dave Mills meet with Attorney General Chris Bentley. Reception As an end to the day, a reception was held in the Legislative Dining Room. It was a great opportunity for OAGA delegates to meet and mingle with MPPs and their staff in a less formal setting. MPPs were asked to sink a ball on a putting green before entering, which helped to break the ice and set the theme for the event. Turnout at the reception was excellent, with 22 MPPs (more than 20% of the legislature!) stopping by to meet with our representatives. Speaker Steve Peters sinks a put on the way into the reception. Vince Kishimoto and Lynne Zippierri speak with MPP Gerry Phillips. MPP Khalil Ramal takes a shot as Bas Balkissoon (right) looks on. MPPs John Yakabuski and Norm Miller with Don MacKay. Please visit www.canadagolfs.ca for more information .