“I am tired of seeing governments so focused on partisan gain that they lose sight of the people whose livelihoods are actually at stake. I’m here because I believe a government should do better. At the heart of it all, people matter and jobs matter.”

Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak congratulated Anthony MacDonald on his nomination as the Ontario PC candidate for Guelph. Hudak applauded and thanked MacDonald for his unwavering focus on reducing the size and cost of government and kick-starting the economy to create private-sector jobs.

“Anthony understands the priorities for a brighter future and knows how urgent it is to create the private sector jobs that will lead Ontario back to prosperity,” said Hudak. “While the current government continues to deepen Ontario’s economic crisis, the Ontario PC Party is promoting solutions to create new jobs and rein in government spending.”

MacDonald told the crowd that his jump into politics was spurred when the Liberal government “attacked my industry,” referring to the OLG-Liberal Modernization Strategy that will end the slots-at-racetracks program in April 2013. Since then MacDonald has been publicly displeased with Ontario's prevailing government.

“I relate to the struggles people face as they seek to establish families and work in our community,” MacDonald told the Guelph Mercury.

“Tim Hudak and the Ontario PC Party have made a series of strong, principled proposals that would create hope for the nearly 600,000 unemployed Ontarians and put our province on the path to recovery – which the Liberals continue to ignore as they move Ontario down the road to a $30 billion deficit.”

“It’s the wrong path for Ontario,” stated MacDonald, noting several specific Ontario PC plans for private sector job growth which include:

- Balancing the budget to encourage businesses to expand and hire
- Lowering taxes for job-creating businesses
- Eliminating costly and failed wind and solar subsidies for more affordable energy
- A more flexible and responsive approach to regulation, and
- More skilled trades jobs by modernizing the apprenticeship system.

BIOGRAPHY

Anthony MacDonald is a Guelph businessman with over 20 years experience in Ontario’s harness racing industry.

Born and raised in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Anthony grew up racing horses on the island. He moved to Ontario to pursue his career in 1995. As an owner, trainer and driver, Anthony has competed in Canada’s biggest harness racing events with multiple wins in Ontario Sires Stake races in Gold and Grassroots divisions. At one time his stable exceeded 60 horses but he has now reduced the number of horses he trains to focus on driving. Anthony is joined by his wife Amy in the training of their horses.

Anthony is one of Canada’s top-ranked drivers for purse winnings and number of starts by a driver. In 2011, Anthony was ranked third in Canada for number of wins. He recently passed $20-million in purse earnings as a driver.

Anthony regularly participates in programs to support harness racing in Ontario. He volunteers at youth and adult harness racing camps at Grand River Raceway, offers seminars in handicapping and takes every opportunity to serve as an ambassador for the sport in Ontario.

Anthony and Amy and their 18-month-old daughter Ava make their home in Guelph’s southend.

(with files from the Ontario PC Party)