Job Losses Mount As Horse Industry Flounders
Action at Dresden Raceway – Contributed Photo
Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP Monte McNaughton released a long statement Thursday regarding the findings. He claimed the Liberal decision to cancel the Slots at Racetracks program has resulted in the loss of 9,000 jobs, and 3000 horse owners have left the industry, taking with them $850 million in investments.
“Today is a sad day for employees, families and fans of horse racing in Ontario. This morning we learned that the McGuinty-Wynne Liberal decision to end the Slots at Racetracks Program (SARP) has dealt a devastating blow to the horse racing industry,” McNaughton’s statement read.
“Sadly, we know that there are still more horse racing job losses to come as the Liberals implement their plan to cut the number of standardbred racetracks from 12 down to five,” he continued.
Not only are the damages of the removal of the Slots at Racetracks program being felt in employment, but the change is directly impacting local tracks including Dresden Raceway.
“Purses are down, race dates are down, attendance is down, breeding is down and the top trainers have relocated their barns south of the border,” said McNaughton.
Following the announcement of the Slots at Racetrack program being ended, Windsor Raceway and Hiawatha Raceway in Sarnia, were both closed.
Dresden Raceway survived the first round of cuts, as did Western Fair in London. Dresden will continue to operate regular dates until the Monday of Labour Day Weekend.