On Tuesday morning, April 10th, Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath stated that she would not give approval to the 2012 Budget without plans to protect jobs in industries affected by the budget, including horse racing.

In the final set of New Democrat proposals, according to the NDP release, “to
make the Ontario Budget more fair for everyday people”, the NDP demanded
transitional aid “in sectors hit by proposed Budget measures like horse racing,
tourism and culture.”

“There are nearly 550,000 people looking for work in Ontario. Instead of
addressing this crisis, the proposed Budget actually throws people out of work
in rural and Northern Ontario and sells off job-creating infrastructure. We can
do better,” said Horwath in a release. “Our proposal calls for stabilization
plans to protect jobs in industries affected by this Budget like horse racing,
tourism and culture.

“We want to ensure that this budget doesn’t cost us more jobs than it
creates. Thousands of jobs are currently at risk because of the decisions made
in this budget,” said Horwath at Queen’s Park. “Causing more job loss in the
middle of a jobs crisis makes no sense whatsoever, and that’s why we’re also
insisting that moves to further privatize or deregulate government oversight be
reviewed and approved by the Legislature or a standing committee before they’re
enacted.”

In her speech, Horwath stated that Ontario’s families have been burned too
many times by “poorly planned privatization and deregulation schemes before,”
citing the recent Ornge scandal and issues with the 407ETR and the eco-fee
disaster. Video of the speech is available here.

(Standardbred Canada)