Today the Legislative Assembly of Ontario passed MPP Lisa MacLeod’s motion supporting the Ontario horse racing and breeding industry.
The voice vote came after an hour of debate and speeches from all sides of the house.
MacLeod’s motion was discussed in today’s Ottawa Sun:
The OLG announced plans earlier this year to close racetrack slots programs across the province, a decision that will cost upwards of 60,000 jobs in the province, and roughly 1,000 jobs in Ottawa when the slots close at the Rideau-Carleton Raceway.
“The reality is the slots at racetracks program, when it ends, is going to be catastrophic to rural communities,” said MacLeod, who will make a private members motion to call for the OLG’s plans to be reviewed.
MacLeod raised concerns over the impacts of casino gaming on urban centres, saying crime as well as mental health and addiction issues need to be heavily weighed by an impartial third party.
The text of the motion passed by the Legislature today reads:
That, in the opinion of this House, Ontario’s Auditor General must review the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation’s new gaming plans, including its revenue and expenditure projections, mental health and addictions impact and its effect on Ontario’s horse racing industry and further that a referendum take place in any affected municipality where the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation is proposing a new casino in order for the community to determine whether it is welcome or not.