The Canadian Press has published an article regarding the backlash which has arisen from the provincial government's proposed bailout plan for racetrack operator Attractions Hippiques
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The article states that even before Attractions Hippiques took control of Quebec's four racetracks in 2006, the municipality in which Hippodrome de Montreal is located had plans to develop mixed-income housing on the 550,000 square metres of prime real estate.
The government's proposed bailout entailed getting rid of the Hippodrome de Montreal racetrack and changing the location to a mini casino. The mini casino would also be given an additional 100 VLTs, but the municipalities want none of it.
The report states that according to city councillor Marvin Rotrand, the land has been zoned residential for five years, ever since the government promised to move the racetrack and all gambling-related activity off the site, though the city was never given a fixed timeline.
The local council and a number of community organizations have been unanimous in their criticism of the proposal, and a coalition of social, anti-poverty and health-advocacy groups are calling a news conference today to officially oppose the tentative bailout package floated by the government.
To read The Canadian Press article, click here.
(With files from The Canadian Press)