McNaughton Will Fight For Racing

Further to the comments published in Thursday's London Free Press, MPP Monte McNaughton has issued the following letter to the racing industry in light of Wednesday's Drummond Report

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McNaughton was one of three MPPs interviewed in Thursday's London Free Press steadfastly in favour of keeping the current slots-at-racetracks agreement. The letter from McNaughton, the MPP for Lambton – Kent – Middlesex whose riding is home to Dresden Raceway, appears below.

Thank you for sharing your concerns regarding Don Drummond’s recommendation to end the agreement between the horse racing industry and the Ontario government.

Let me assure you that this is an issue of great concern to me and my constituents. I have always been a strong supporter of the horse racing industry and I understand the foundational role it plays in the agricultural sector and in Ontario’s economy.

This proposed policy sends a strong message that the McGuinty Liberals do not care about rural Ontario. This is a theme that we see time and time again from the McGuinty government. The favouritism of urban over rural regions is wrong and I will continue to fight hard against injustices like this from Dalton McGuinty and his government.

Early in its mandate, the previous PC government not only virtually eliminated all taxes on horse racing, but transferred the tax revenue that had been collected back to the tracks to increase the size of the race purses. The results, as you have seen, was a complete recovery of the industry. This was further augmented by the PC decision to allocate 20% of the slot machine revenue to the tracks.

I can assure you that I, and my colleagues, have not changed our view that the horse breeding and racing industry is a key component of our agricultural sector and are worthy of the various partnership agreements negotiated prior to 2003. On behalf of the breeders and racers in my riding, I will continue to fight tirelessly for the horse racing industry and the rights of rural Ontario.

Again, thank you for taking the time to share your comments.

Sincerely,
Monte McNaughton, MPP
Lambton – Kent – Middlesex