Province Says Horse Racing Funded for Good Reason
In response to criticism from NDP's Pat Atkinson
New Democrat MLA Pat Atkinson has criticized the province for spending $1.5 million on horse racing this summer. She'd rather have the government invest in reopening Blackstrap ski hill, which has been closed the past two winters due to low ridership.
But Dan D'Autremont, the minister responsible for Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming, says people who bet on horses are keeping the activity alive.
"We have an additional 10% tax on all the betting that takes place in Saskatchewan related to horse racing, and that's the money that we return to horse racing in Saskatchewan," says D'Autremont.
He says the horse racing tax would be the same thing as increasing lift fees at ski hills.
"That way, the people who are utilizing the ski hill would be paying for it," he says. "That's what's happening in horse racing. The people who are betting on horse racing are paying for horse racing."
The government is spending $986,000 on thoroughbred racing in Saskatoon, $479,000 for harness racing in Yorkton and Saskatoon, and $32,000 for two days of speed horse racing in Melville.
Comments
RE: Pat Atkinson on Horse Racing
What a terrible thing to say. Just shows that she does not understand the ecomonic impact of horse racing. The City Regina has lost over $3million in economic benefits as a result of shutting down horse racing at Queensbury Downs. Just ask the owners of the business that surround Queensbury of the effect of shutting down racing. No horsemen to spend their money on food, dry cleaning etc. Talk to the farmers who were suppling the hay and oats what the effect was. Talk to the people who supply some of the tack on what they lost.
I was on the board at one time and the gaming dollar going into casinos has taken over and their is no refund for the horse industry. There is more to racing than racing there is breeding developing your stock and having an alternative entertainment available for people who love to watch the sport. In Ontario and Alberta the racing industry is supplemented through the gaiming industry. Do you realize that prior to 1991 that horse racing and bingos consumed over 90% of the gaming dollar and now it is lucky to get 3% the rest is going to the casinos. You cannot compete with that scenario. So it is better to destroy an economic industry that generates millions of dollars in other jurisdictions than Saskatchewan. Using the agrument that it is tax payers dollars just does not cut it with me. If a portion of the casino revenue was returned to the horseracing industy say $3,000,000 out of the over $150,000,000 generated from casinos you would have had a real strong econmic impact for the whole province. This is not taxpayers money as it is not a tax it is revenue generated from the public perpensity to gamble on slots.
I have sold all my broodmares, horses and equipment I could not generate enough income to continue to pursue this endeavor. That is all because of the Saskatchewan NDP Governement not wanting to assist this industry and the decisions of Queensbury Downs and the City to turn the race track into a Soccer Field. How much is that generating in revenue???????
I could go on for hours but what is the use. Whats done is done but comments like Pat Atkinson made make me angry. Leave me alone.