The NDP responds to the Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association questionnaire:
1. Do you agree with this statement and will you support racetracks as sites for expanded gaming centres?
Yes, the Ontario NDP agrees that tapping into the potential of racetracks as gaming centres should be a top priority. We have to rely on a sound business case to inform decisions about sites for expanding gaming centres, and will give communities referendums to approve, or reject proposals for significant gambling expansions within their regions.
2. Do you think integrating horse racing, and specifically racetracks, into the OLG’s Modernization Strategy is the best option to maintain a sustainable horse racing industry? If not, what do you think is the best option?
Yes, the Ontario NDP will integrate horse racing into the OLG. We are committed to working with industry to find a long-term arrangement that provides stability in the horse racing and breeding industries and will negotiate a new long-term revenue sharing program to do so.
3. As a way of ensuring that horse racing remains sustainable, do you agree that racetracks should have the first right of refusal to host a new casino before building new casinos in the same region?
The Ontario NDP will reinstate and maintain the Slots at Racetracks Program unless and until a new revenue sharing program is developed in consultation with affected communities, industry and stakeholders. That being said, proposals for new casinos should allow for community consultation.
4. Do you believe the horse racing industry is economically important for the province and would provide a better opportunity for increasing gaming revenue for the province than building new casinos?
We definitely agree that the horse racing industry is important. An NDP government will make sure that any proposal looks at all the options and doesn’t have a bias against horse racing. We will reinstate SARP and work with industry to devise a plan for sustainability. Communities across Ontario have made it clear that they do not want casinos.
5. Do you believe a revenue sharing partnership is the best way to ensure long-term support and viability of horse racing in Ontario? If not, what do you believe is a better option?
Yes. We support a revenue-sharing program and 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.
We will work with industry to come up with a plan forward.
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