On Thursday, August 30 during question period in the Ontario Legislature at Queen's Park, Essex MPP Taras Natyshak (NDP) called on Minister of Agriculture Ted McMeekin to come up with a 'comprehensive transition plan' for the provincial horse-racing industry.
“Are we waiting weeks, are we waiting months, are we waiting years before this government comes to the table with a comprehensive plan to ensure that the industry can transition into sustainability and maintain those good-paying rural jobs?” Natyshak asked.
A release by Natyshak appears below.
NDP: Horseracing Industry Needs Comprehensive, Properly Funded Transition Plan
QUEEN’S PARK – Today in question period, Essex MPP Taras Natyshak urged Minister of Agriculture Ted McMeekin to come up with a comprehensive transition plan for the horseracing industry.
“By now it’s no secret that thousands of good-paying jobs will be lost as a result of your government’s decision to recklessly end the slots-at-racetracks program without any consultation,” said Natyshak.
The OMAFRA transitional panel has concluded that the $50-million fund proposed by the Liberal government will be completely inadequate to support any bridge to sustainability for the industry.
The OMAFRA panel “estimates that the horse racing industry sustains 20,000 to 30,000 full-time jobs and thousands more part-time and seasonal jobs. It also makes it clear that most of these jobs are in danger of being lost unless there is sustainability put on the table, more so than the $50 million currently pledged,” explained Natyshak.
Natyshak asked the Minister to provide details of “transition plan that will allow for real sustainability for the horse racing industry.”
Natyshak pushed McMeekin to commit to a timeline for funding.
“Are we waiting weeks, are we waiting months, are we waiting years before this government comes to the table with a comprehensive plan to ensure that the industry can transition into sustainability and maintain those good-paying rural jobs?” he asked.