Two weeks ago, Standardbred Canada sent a list of questions to Ontario's three main party leaders. Those questions were designed to give each party the chance to directly address the province's horse racing industry after two-plus years of uncertainty.
Trot Insider will be posting the responses received from each party leading up to the June 12 election.
The second party to respond to the questions sent was the Ontario New Democratic Party.
Questions for Ontario's Leadership Candidates and Response From The Ontario New Democratic Party
1. If your party is in power, what are your specific commitments to the horse racing and breeding industry, across all of Ontario?
"New Democrats have been strong supporters of the horse racing industry and have fought the wrong headed cancellation of SARP by the Liberal government. The Ontario NDP has introduced motions asking for the re-introduction of SARP while government engages industry in a real plan for the horse racing industry."
2. Mentioning as many specifics as possible, how do you plan to integrate the OLG and the horse racing industry?
"We support developing revenue-sharing programs; making sure it is accountable by publishing regular audits to ensure that funds are distributed to the horse racing and breeding industries in a fair and transparent process; and capping public-sector CEO salaries. Communities have made it clear that they do not want casinos. We will work with communities and the horse racing sector on a long term plan for the industry."
3. If elected, how quickly will you execute against your commitments from questions 1 and 2.
"Immediately."
4. After two years of upheaval and uncertainty, why should horse racing's participants and stakeholders vote for you?
"We heard loud and clear from our constituents that the sudden cancellation of the SARP program had thrown the horse racing industry into chaos, and we fought against the Liberals’ plan. We kept the issue alive in the house, introduced two motions to re-introduce SARP, and pressured the government to come up with interim settlement agreements with racetracks. We’ll continue to fight for stability in the industry by negotiating a new long-term revenue sharing program."
Well if you heard people loud
Well if you heard people loud and clear,why then did
you not stand arm and arm with the PC party to vote against the
2013 provincial budget.Voting down the budget may have brought
an election on last year and put pressure on the liberals to
reevaluate their position on SARP.
Interum settlement agreements are not necessary here,SARP is the
revenue sharing agreement that was and is needed now,plain and
simple.The liberals have used fabrications such as SUBSIDIZING and
the NDP alot of lip service that produces nothing at the end of
the day.Ostensibly the liberals and the ndp will say what ever is
necessary for votes.
Here´s some food for thought.If the PC party became a minority
gov´t in Ontario,do you think that the NDP would out rightly
support Mr.Hudak´s plan to reinstate SARP?
The simplest and most
The simplest and most specific of the plans for racing on the table. One that is clearly articulated and not tied to connections to unknown US business interests. As for the criticism of their alleged "propping" up of the government - you can make a case that they are guilty - BUT - you can also hold Mr. Hudak and his party accountable for not taking advantage of the opportunity afforded within a minority government to negotiate for budget concessions. The approach that "we will vote against everything - and not participate in the dialogue" brought no victories for any constituents - and does not bode well with another minority government looming. .... this is worth a second look.
the horseman have been burnt
the horseman have been burnt once by the ndp supporting of wynne, it would be foolish for any horseman to trust them again,since it destroyed the lives of thousands hardworking individuals
She had the power to stop the
She had the power to stop the cancellation of SARP> She refused to vote NO!