Horwath Questions Wynne Over Layoffs

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On Monday, March 25 during Question Period in the Ontario Legislature, Andrea Horwath, leader of the province's New Democratic Party, questioned Premier Kathleen Wynne about the recent job losses at The Raceway at the Western Fair District in London, Ont.

Western Fair announced this past weekend that it was forced to lay off roughly 20 employees.

“As a result of the cancellation of the slots-at-racetracks program...we had to make a small staff adjustment,” Heather Blackwell, corporate affairs manager at the Western Fair, was quoted as saying.

On Monday in the Legislature, Horwath said, “This government (the minority Ontario Liberal Government) hobbled the horse-racing industry and threw family farms into chaos when it put down the slots-at-racetracks partnership. Even communities like London that were spared outright track closures are now dealing with the fallout."

Horwath then asked, “Can the Premier please explain to the 20 workers who are about to lose their jobs at the Western Fair Raceway what’s so ‘modern’ and ‘sustainable’ about unemployment?”

The contents of the Ontario NDP Party's release on the issue appear below.

The release is followed by video of the exchange in the Legislature, which also features Ontario Minister of Rural Affairs Jeff Leal responding to Horwath's questions.


Liberal Plans Costing Jobs in London: Horwath


During Question Period today Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath stood up for workers at London’s Western Fair Raceway who are facing layoffs because of Liberal plans for the slots-at-racetracks program.

“This government hobbled the horse racing industry and threw family farms into chaos when it put down the slots-at-racetracks partnership. Even communities like London that were spared outright track closures are now dealing with the fallout,” said Horwath.

“Can the Premier please explain to the 20 workers who are about to lose their jobs at the Western Fair Raceway what’s so ‘modern’ and ‘sustainable’ about unemployment?”

The Premier, who is also Minister of Agriculture and Food, handed off the question like a hot potato. Horwath noted that the government’s plans don’t seem to take into account the impact on workers and their families.

“This government is gambling with the future of the horse racing industry, and families across Ontario are losing their shirts. Western Fair Raceway made the government’s cut, but that’s cold comfort for the families of 20 workers who have been put out to pasture,” said Horwath.

The NDP Leader put it simply, “Since when does ‘modernization’ entail limping along without a steady paycheque?”


Andrea Horwath (NDP) and Jeff Leal (Liberal) in the Ontario Legislature on Monday, March 25, 2013

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