MPP Blasts Premier Over Horse Panel Spending

Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece blasted Premier Kathleen Wynne during question period earlier this week over the cost of the Liberal government’s Horse Racing Industry Transition Panel.

With the Slots at Racetrack Program (SARP) already officially costing the Ontario horse racing industry thousands of jobs, Pettapiece called out the Premier, asking why more than a half million dollars was invested toward the loss of jobs,

“We need to know how this Premier justifies putting thousands out of work, and then spending over half a million dollars cleaning up the government’s mess,” said Pettapiece.

Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP Monte McNaughton has also been an advocate for Ontario’s horse racing industry, with Dresden Raceway, which ended its racing schedule Labour Day Weekend, in his riding.

Pettapiece obtained documents through a Freedom of Information request showing the Horse Racing Industry Transition Panel billed taxpayers $526,649 in compensation and expenses between June 2012 and March 2013.

“Panelists are billing taxpayers 750 dollars a day for attending meetings, and often just for making conference calls,” Pettapiece told the legislature.

Many believe the spending isn’t done, as the panel was instructed to make a five-year plan and are completing their final report, due out in October.

Continue to follow CKSN for updates regarding Ontario’s horse racing industry, and Dresden Raceway