Lambton-Kent-Middlesex Progressive Conservative MPP Monte McNaughton is not taking his foot off the gas when it comes to attacking the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp.'s gaming modernization plan. In his most recent comments, he has accused the OLG of taking two opposing positions, while reiterating his party's vow to stop the gaming regulator's "empire building" process.
McNaughton's comments have come in a recent letter, where he has said that the OLG's modernization "doesn't add up."
The MPP said that his party doesn't believe the OLG is intending on getting smaller when it is attempting to open gaming floodgates in Ontario.
McNaughton also said that "…the Ontario PC Party [proposes] to wind down the OLG and stop its empire-building plan of 29 new and expanded casinos," adding that "There are a number of ways to do this."
The contents of McNaughton's letter appear below.
OLG Expansion Plans Nothing But Empire Building
The OLGC cannot have it both ways. On one side they are rushing to approve and develop 29 new and expanded casinos all across Ontario. On the other they say that they plan to get smaller and on another are talking about privatization. Like the returns from Ontario’s current four resort casinos ($800 million in 2001, to just $100 million in 2011), it just doesn’t add up. With a plan to rapidly expand both the footprint and impacts of gambling throughout Ontario, the government has no intention to simply turn around and hand over the keys. The claim that a government agency will reduce the number of employees, while the public sector has increased by over 300,000 workers in the last nine years is simply laughable.
Tim Hudak and the Ontario PC Party propose to wind down the OLGC and stop its empire-building plan of 29 new and expanded casinos. There are a number of ways to do this and I look forward to travelling throughout Ontario and hosting consultations with stakeholders and community leaders to hear and learn from the people directly involved and directly impacted by these decisions.
In his comments, Mr. Bitonti of OLGC admits that the government will continue “to manage on-site gaming”. We have a different vision, one where government focuses on MRI scans, and not on spinning roulette wheels.