WINDSOR, Ont. - Mixed martial arts, online gambling -- is it time to say goodbye to "Premier Dad"?
Premier Dalton McGuinty insisted Monday that he's not worried his flip-flops on the controversial sport or Internet wagering will tarnish his Boy Scout image.
"I never knew I had one," he said with chuckle.
"It's only human nature for us to kind of want to slot people into certain categories, and I think we're all a little bit more complicated than that."
McGuinty had always dismissed the idea of allowing the combat sport -- often with a chuckle -- saying it just wasn't a priority for Ontario families.
But he gave the sport another look because the economy is now on the mend, McGuinty explained after a speech in Windsor, Ont., to Ontario municipalities.
"People have predominantly been focused on the economy, and rightly so, so we've been putting our shoulder to that wheel," he said.
"But people have more concerns than just the economy. And when the opportunity presented itself, we thought, 'OK, let's take a serious look at this' and we had a good discussion."
The governing Liberals took a "serious look" at MMA during the last caucus meeting, and decided to give it their blessing over the weekend after gauging public opinion on the issue, he said.
"Ontarians have been pretty straightforward with us," McGuinty added. "They said, 'We want a choice.' And we will make sure that they have that choice."
But he acknowledged that money was also a motive for his cash-strapped government's reversal on MMA, saying it will allow Ontario to remain "competitive" in hosting the events.
The Liberals, who are running a deficit of almost $20 billion this year and expect to bleed red ink for years to come, estimate one MMA event could attract up to 30,000 fans and generate up to $6 million in economic activity.
Money also appeared to factor into the government's abrupt decision last week to cash in on Internet gambling, an idea McGuinty had repeatedly derided during his days on the Opposition benches.
It seemed out of character for a ban-happy government that has previously prohibited pit bulls, pesticides, using cellphones while driving, smoking in vehicles when children are present, and alcohol for any driver age 21 and under.
"It's the height of hypocrisy," said NDP Leader Andrea Horwath.
"First, they're not going to champion mixed martial arts -- that's not what they're going to do. And the next thing you know, they're championing mixed martial arts. It's like the premier's become the champion of nothing."
But McGuinty dismissed the suggestion that he's sending mixed messages by imposing strict rules on young drivers, while allowing them to gamble online.
Experts have warned that Internet-savvy youth are particularly vulnerable to the perils of online gambling, and urged the government to see past the opportunity for quick cash.
McGuinty defended the move, which is expected to rake in about $100 million annually by 2017, saying Ontario residents are already gambling on thousands of websites.
The government isn't "jumping" into Internet gaming either, he added. It's studying the issue before launching its own website in 2012, he said.
"I think if Ontarians are going to gamble, we owe it to them to put in place a responsible, secure, safe option," he said.
"I'd rather that they spend the money on Ontario hospitals instead of B.C. hospitals. I'd rather that they spend the money on Ontario schools instead of Maritime schools. And I think most Ontarians would think that way as well."
Despite the rosy economic picture they're painting, the Liberals are aimlessly grasping at straws to try to find something -- anything -- that will bring in revenue, Horwath said.
"If he's been distracted by the economy and he actually thinks that mixed martial arts and online gaming are going to be the solutions to Ontario's economic woes, then I think we're in big trouble as a province," she added.
