Nepean-Carleton MPP Lisa MacLeod has gone on record stating that her party is committed to keeping the Slots-At-Racetracks program if they win the next election, according to a report in the Ottawa Sun.

MacLeod, whose riding includes Rideau Carleton Raceway, said she will fight to make sure the program remains intact. However, she refuses to speculate on what her party would do if the horse racing industry is dismantled before an election takes place in order to avoid broken promises.

“If we were to form the government next October, and that program is cancelled with existing tracks ripped out, I obviously can’t speculate," MacLead was quoted as saying the article. "We don’t want to pull a 'McGuinty.'"

MacLeod also stated that her party is guaranteeing municipal referendums for cities which will host new casinos.

“If there’s a change in the party, I suspect the Tories would put the whole modernization of the industry on hold,” commented Mayor Jim Watson, who opposes the need for referendums. “They’ve said publicly they want to continue supporting the horse racing industry and go back to square one. We would have to figure out where we go from there.”

To read the Ottawa Sun article in its entirety, click here.

(With files from the Ottawa Sun)