Four years after then Premier Dalton McGuinty cancelled the "slots-at-racetracks program", sources say the Wynne Liberals are considering giving the horse-racing industry another $1.6-billion in subsidies, on top of the $700-million already provided.
Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley believes the about-face is a pre-election ploy.
"In 2012, this community and others suffered greatly because of the actions of the Liberal government," says Bradley. "By closing the slots at Hiawatha, which were funding the racing program without using tax dollars, the horse racing industry was devastated. It tried to work with the Liberal government, to no avail. Why this turnaround comes now is pretty evident. They're looking forward to the 2018 election, but the problem is that many breeders and trainers have already left for the U.S."
There are concerns that smaller tracks such as Sarnia that must join a new alliance will fall through the cracks, as money will flow through Woodbine Entertainment Group which will set race dates and purses province-wide.
Sources say Woodbine will get $2-million annually to run the program.
