The MPP for Windsor-Tecumseh is demanding answers from the province about, what he calls, the latest secret horse track deals.
In question period on Thursday, Percy Hatfield, the NDP's OLG and Horse Racing critic, demanded that the Ford government share the details of secret backroom deals that prevented public input on the future of local horse race tracks.
“This government has been making secret, backroom deals with owners and operators of horse racing tracks across Ontario without consulting the communities, workers, or anyone else impacted by the deal,” said Hatfield. “New Democrats have been asking for the details of the deals only to find out that those details won’t be released because the government has required all those involved to sign a non-disclosure agreement."
Hatfield said the province has placed a gag order on the details and added the public has a right to know what is happening to race tracks like Leamington Raceway.
The NDP said secret deals negotiated by the Ford government with operators of horse race tracks were uncovered late last week without community input or public knowledge. Some secret deals prevent the slots at the racetrack program, which is a revenue sharing tool from returning to local race tracks. Horse communities and families like Leamington and Lakeshore have been fighting for the return of the program ever since the last Liberal government removed the slots and threatened the future of Ontario’s horse racing industry.
Hatfield said the public deserves to see the details of the secret deals and have a say in the future of their local race tracks.
“Shutting families out of a decision to decide the future of their community is simply wrong,” said Hatfield. “Why did this government demand a gag order be placed on the details of the secret deal they struck with horse racing operators?”