"We believe as a party that the expansion of gaming in the province is not a way to balance the books. We have a government that has absolutely failed in terms of economic stability -- they've wasted billions of dollars and now their looking to return that revenue through the misfortune of others on slot machines. It's not going to happen. It can't happen.
"At the same time they're doing this they're throwing 60,000 good paying jobs in the horse racing industry out the window without any regard whatsoever. It's a tragedy. It's cruel and I'm certain that they're going to be punished for this decision by those folks in rural Ontario and the industry."
New Democrat Party MPP Taras Natyshak recently took to the airwaves to speak about his party's stance regarding the Ontario Liberal Government's decision to end the profitable Slots-At-Racetracks program. In an interview with Jude Feld and Roy Steele on the January 26 edition of Horse Racing Radio Network's Equine Forum, Natyshak stated that the Liberals' treatment of the horse racing industry is "almost inhumane," adding "but it's exactly the way you would do it if you were looking to destroy the competition."
When asked point blank if his party would invest in horse racing as an industry, Natyshak responded with confidence. "Absolutely," he said. "One of the reasons I can say that with a high degree of confidence is that the expansion of gambling through casinos and bingo halls makes no component of our economic strategy. It's not even there. With eliminating that whole process, or that whole focus, allows us to focus on what has worked and what does work."
Referring to the mutually beneficial Slots-At-Racetracks model duplicated in other North American jurisdictions, Natyshak went on to say that the province should want to be a leader as it has been in the horse racing industry rather than become a leader of economic uncertainty and unemployment.
"I have the full confidence of our caucus in putting support back into this program, into revitalizing the Slots-At-Racetracks program for at least another two years while we revamp the program to recalibrate it given the circumstances of today," said Natyshak, who has previously voiced support to keep the Slots-At-Racetracks program running until at least 2014.
In reference to the recent deal struck between the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Woodbine Entertainment Group that is expected to ensure racing continues in the province for two more years, Steele said it's not enough, noting that two years down the road the industry will be in the same position. And for horses being bred now, there is no certainty for their offspring to race. "There is no clear road for the future," said Steele.
"Roy's absolutely correct," agreed Natyshak. "The decision to invest in a racehorse -- whether standardbred or throughbred -- is based on the stability of whatever purse structure you have in your jurisdiction. And the sale price of a racehorse that a breeder realizes depends in part on the purchaser's ability to recover the cost in a reasonable time. If given the circumstances right now in Ontario, that structure is not there and is unclear, it throws the entire breeding industry into chaos, which it has this year. We saw the yearling sales decrease by about 50 per cent -- not only in volume but in price -- that's a major economic hit for those in the breeding industry and it could be the final blow for some of them who have been on the margins for a couple of years."
The Essex MPP admitted that "the whole debacle has been enlightening" as he has never been involved in the horse racing industry, but noted that he is someone who stands up for injustice when he sees it.
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It seems that we get more media attention from the USA. Great job Mr. Natyshak, you've hit it out of the park. It does seem as if the Liberals are destoying the competition and paving the way for the US casino owners and Paul Godfrey to own this once great province.
All talk and no power to do
All talk and no power to do anything. The NDP hold 18 seats and have not heard their leader say this
These politicians will do or
These politicians will do or say anything to get your vote. The NDP is not and never has been a friend of horse racing and if they were ever to get into power (zero chance) they won't lift a finger to make a viable racing industry. As with the Liberals their base is the major cities and their supporters don't give two hoots about racing.
He's got my vote! Ted Wilson
He's got my vote!
Ted Wilson