Jeff Leal, Ontario's Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, was involved in a passionate exchange in the provincial legislature this past Thursday (October 26) in regard to the horse racing industry. He was ultimately ejected from the rest of the day’s proceedings. Minister Leal has said that he plans to offer an apology to the legislature on Monday (October 30).

"I'm very passionate about representing the rural interests of Ontario – and I let that passion be unleashed in the legislature," an article by the Peterborough Examiner has quoted Leal as saying.

Leal was warned and subsequently removed from legislature on Thursday for his outbursts during question period. A set of questions from Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MPP Laurie Scott pertained to the recent decision by Ontario Racing to deny Kawartha Downs' request for additional race dates in 2018. Scott's questions were posed to Charles Souza, Minister of Finance, but Leal could be heard stating "That's absolutely wrong!" during Scott's question.

Leal was warned once during Scott's questions. He then continued to retort during Minister Souza's reply before Speaker of the House Dave Levac named Leal, requiring him to leave legislature.

(With files from the Peterborough Examiner)