The Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association (OHRIA) is applauding NDP MPP Taras Natyshak for taking a strong stand on behalf of his party to express support for the horse racing industry.
“Roughly 60,000 people in the province rely on the horse-racing industry as their means of employment,” Natyshak said. “With this singular decision [to end the Slots at Racetracks Program], it has led to a massive contraction of those jobs.”
Natyshak definitively stated his party’s support for preserving the program, and argued in favor of holding local referendums before the government goes forward with its planned gaming expansion.
“We are delighted that Ontario’s NDP is expressing support for continuing the Slots at Racetracks Program through 2014, allowing for a more manageable transition for the horse racing industry.” said Sue Leslie, President of OHRIA.
“It is our hope to continue to work with all parties to develop a solution that is best for both the Province of Ontario and the horse racing and breeding industry,” said Leslie. “Until this year, the government and industry enjoyed a successful partnership with historic returns on investment for the government. Ontarians can’t afford the massive job losses which ending the Slots at Racetracks Program is expected to cause, nor the social impacts of the government’s current gaming modernization strategy.”
For More Information:
Sue Leslie
President, Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association
(416) 679-0741