“Horsemen are good farmers. If they have a few hundred dollars in their pocket, they’re going to spend it on more equipment or a new barn. That keeps money turning around. That’s job creation.”
Christina Commisso of the Canadian Champion is the most recent reporter to bring the Liberal attack on the slots-at-racetracks program to light. In a piece on Tuesday, February 28, Commisso's article entitled 'Local Concerns Raised Over Drummond Report' offers thoughts from Halton MPP Ted Chudleigh and Milton Mayor Gord Krantz.
In his quote, which appears above, Chudleigh, who has expertise in Ontario's agriculture sector, helped explain one of the many positive economic impacts that comes from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp.'s slots-at-racetracks program. Chudleigh has worked for the Ministry of Agriculture, has owned and operated an IGA store in Niagara Region, was the executive vice-president of the Ontario Food Processors Association and has held positions with several private companies.
Chudleigh told Commisso that in order to dig the province of Ontario out of its growing debt, the government should be supporting the horse-racing industry, not ending the economically-boosting revenue-sharing agreement.
Mayor Krantz, who is also in support of the slots-at-racetracks program, opted to focus directly on the contracts.
“There [are] 23 municipalities, we (Milton) being one of them, involved in what I call an etched-in-stone agreement with the government of the day which should be respected,” said Krantz.
To read Commisso's article in its entirety, click here.
(With files from the Canadian Champion)