Kawartha Discussed At Queen's Park

Published: March 25, 2015 06:51 pm EDT

On Wednesday, March 25, Laurie Scott, MPP for Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock, asked the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Jeff Leal, to make a commitment to Kawartha Downs and finalize a long-term transfer payment agreement.

“Kawartha Downs hosted a very successful 2014 season, with attendance and wagering second only to Woodbine Racetrack across the province,” said Scott. “Sadly, despite all of this success, they saw no reward and were denied their request for additional race dates this season.”

The track was recently approved for another 18 date season after their request for more dates was denied. Kawartha Downs is the only track in the province without a five-year long-term transfer payment agreement, which is vital to the horse racing community so stock can be purchased and maintained.

They have also asked the Ministry Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to increase the purse pools to help secure that they have enough horses to race.

“Kawartha Downs has one of the smallest purse pools across the province and no announcement has been made by your ministry if they will receive their requested increase,” said Scott. “If they remain at 18 dates and $35,000 purse per night; it will slowly lead to the death of horse racing in our area and across Eastern Ontario.”

Scott pointed out that these decisions impact the horse racing communities not only in her own riding of Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock but in the Minister’s riding of Peterborough as well.

"We see the horse racing industry as very important to rural Ontario," said Leal during Question Period. "We had three very distinguished individuals -- Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Snobelen, Mr. Wilkinson -- put together the five-year plan for horse racing in the province of Ontario. We're hearing very positive comments coming back. My colleague, the Finance Minster has been working with us. The previous Minister of Agriculture, the Honourable Ted McMeekin, and the Premier herself has made a commitment to horse racing in the province of Ontario to make sure it drives our rural economy."

(With files from Office of Laurie Scott MPP)

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