According to a report, Ontario New Democratic Party Leader Andrea Horwath addressed Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne in the Provincial Legislature on Tuesday (Feb. 18), where she stated, in part, that “The NDP has stood shoulder to shoulder with the people of Fort Erie since Day One” in regard to live horse racing and slot-machine gaming at Fort Erie Race Track.

According to a report by Bullet News Niagara, Horwath also renewed her call for the Slots at Racetracks Program to be brought back.

The Ontario NDP won the provincial byelection in Fort Erie earlier this month. Horwath made the claim Tuesday that the OLP made a deal for live racing at Fort Erie because of the byelection.

“This government waited a few days before a provincial byelection to announce funding for Fort Erie,” Horwath was quoted as saying in the Legislature on Tuesday. “The NDP has stood shoulder to shoulder with the people of Fort Erie since Day One and will continue to push the government for a long-term solution and not just byelection promises.”

In retort to Horwath, Wynne said Tuesday that the OLP has been working with the people involved in Fort Erie horse racing the whole time. “I was determined to provide an opportunity for Fort Erie and the other tracks in the province to have a sustainable future,” Premier Wynne said.

In the recent past, the Ontario NDP supported the Ontario Liberal Party's provincial budget, thus averting an election. Previous to the budget vote, the OLP announced that it was cancelling the Slots at Racetracks Program.

(With files from Bullet News Niagara)