Ontario PC Party: No Races, No Slots!

Published: February 11, 2009 11:19 am EST

The Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) must move aggressively to ensure Ontario’s troubled horse racing industry succeeds down the stretch, MPPs Lisa MacLeod and Tim Hudak said on Tuesday

, February 10, 2009.

The ORC was called before the Standing Committee on Government Agencies on Tuesday to discuss its mandate and how the industry will address challenges, such as what would happen to slots revenue if horse races were discontinued at certain racetracks.

“No horses, no slots,” stated MPP Tim Hudak. “When the PC government instituted the Slots-at-Racetrack initiative, the presence of the machines was tied to an on-going horse racing program. I worry the McGuinty government will allow Fort Erie Racetrack to fail and pocket all of the slot revenue for themselves.”

“If there is no racing but the slots are operating in Belleville and in Fort Erie, that is a real problem and a real concern for me,” stated Vice Chair Lisa MacLeod. “The slot monies were put in place to protect and enhance the viability of the horse racing industry. The government ought to be addressing this and the ORC should be a more aggressive advocate.”

It was revealed that the Belleville Racetrack slots will be operating in late 2009, but races will not occur until 2010. This means 20% of the revenue that would normally go to the track and purses may go to the provincial treasury. Races at the 111-year-old Fort Erie Racetrack are in jeopardy this season.

Other disturbing points included the comment by John Blakney, Executive Director of the ORC, that “80-some race dates that have been lost throughout Ontario.” The Horse Racing Industry supports 60,000 direct and indirect jobs and $1.6 billion in wages and salaries.

Areas of concern include the reduction in purses for horse races; declining slot revenues at tracks; the impact of industry layoffs affecting trainers and riders; setting a minimum number of races to ensure a track’s viability (race days); and closure of a site (Fort Erie Race Track).

(Ontario PC Party)

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