The MPP for Perth-Wellington says the Liberal government is trying to strong-arm the horse racing industry into accepting a deal they might regret in the long run.
Randy Pettapiece, the PC Caucus horse racing critic, says the nineteen year funding agreement the Liberals are imposing ahead of June’s provincial election has him wondering why the government is playing politics with horse people’s livelihoods.
A press release from Pettapiece says the Liberal government abruptly cancelled the Slots at the Racetrack program in 2012 which caused major damage and job losses in Ontario’s horse racing industry.
Back in March, Ontario Finance Minister Charles Sousa announced as much as $105 million per year over the next nineteen years in funding for the horse racing industry which would begin April First next year.
He said at that time that the funding provides sustainability for the sector and said horse racing is vital to rural communities.
