Kitchener/Waterloo By-Election Candidates Weigh In

The candidates from Ontario's three major political parties vying for MPP of the Kitchener/Waterloo riding recently went on camera discussing the contentious slots-at-racetracks situation. Each stated their party's position, but there is one major aspect that became more than clear earlier this week.

In a video by racingfuture.com, the candidates that will be taking place in the crucial September 6 by-election were asked, 'Regarding the cancellation of the slots-at-racetracks program by the McGuinty Government: Is this a good decision or a bad decision?'

Liberal Eric Davis, Progressive Conservative Tracy Weiler and the New Democratic Party candidate, Catherine Fife, each said the right thing according to their party line when they were queried by racingfuture.com --- some even displayed a tad of passion. Although, the brief video concludes by pointing out that the candidates were given the chance to openly discuss the matter at an August 27 public meeting in Waterloo, yet none of the candidates chose to do so.

The racingfuture.com video appears below, followed by a transcript of the responses from the three candidates in question.

Liberal - Eric Davis
"When it comes to the slots-for-racetracks program, we were called upon to make a tough decision, and that's why we've cancelled the program, but we still want to make sure that we help and facilitate the transition. So that's why we've committed to a panel now with three former cabinet ministers of different parties to basically look at how we cane help transition those who have been involved in the racetracks in rural Ontario, and help facilitate the transition into, potentially, other industries."

NDP - Catherine Fife
"We do think it's extremely short-sighted. First, there was no consultation whatsoever with those communities. They found out like we did, in the budget process, and, quite honestly, I think there was quite a lot of shock in the community. It was a very profitable partnership. It was working for the people of Ontario and it was working for the rural communities; and that initiative was actually brought in during a period when the horse racing industry was suffering, and it proved to be successful for all concerned. So I think that the communities' shock and sense of disrespect that they had following the decision was well-founded. That said, what we were able to do during the 2012 budget was secure some one-time transition funding for the families. That's the power of a minority government, that you are there to work for the people, and you are there to get the work done, and we were able to bring in that one-time transition funding, and we are committed to finding a fair solution that works for the industry and the province, and as it stands right now it's just not working."

PC - Tracy Weiler
"I've had the opportunity over the past couple of months to chat with many people whose lives will be, and are being affected by this government change. I oppose the McGuinty Government's plan to cancel the horse-racing program. The reason why I do is because it has the potential --- the very likely reality --- to decimate an entire industry; decimate $1-billion in an industry that has proven itself to provide 60,000 jobs for Ontarians. I think that in an economy where we are facing 600,000 currently-unemployed people, to with one sweep of a pen add ten per cent (60,000) to that number is very short sighted, irresponsible, and has not looked at the long-term impact on our province."