Support for the Horse-racing Industry (February 17)
Mr. Hehr: Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Minister of Employment and Immigration mused about the government’s $26 million handout to Horse Racing Alberta.
A recent report submitted by George Cuff & Associates to the Solicitor General shows that horse racing is a dying industry kept on life support by revenue from slot machines and offtrack betting. Accordingly, how can the Solicitor General claim that spending $26 million on horse racing and a breed renewal program represents sound fiscal policy?
The Speaker: The hon. Solicitor General and Minister of Public Security.
Mr. Oberle: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The member would know or should know by now that the government does not transfer taxpayers’ dollars to Horse Racing Alberta. It’s a contract that Horse Racing Alberta has with the provincial government that allows it to keep a portion of the revenues generated from gaming facilities at racing tracks.
The Speaker: The hon. member.
Mr. Hehr: Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ve read the report, and the report indicates something different than what the hon. member just answered, so I guess before I ask my final supplemental: have you read the Cuff report?
Mr. Oberle: Mr. Speaker, the member is in error. It’s quite clear that the government of Alberta has a contract with Horse Racing Alberta which allows them a portion of the revenues that are generated from slot machines at racing entertainment centres.
The Speaker: The hon. member.
Mr. Hehr: Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker. This report that maybe the hon. member has or hasn’t read indicates that instead of merely regulating horse racing, the government has chosen to actively promote the industry. To the same minister: why is a government that is allegedly not in the business of being in business actively promoting and propping up an industry most Albertans don’t care about to the tune of $26 million?
Mr. Oberle: Mr. Speaker, I’ll point out again that those monies are generated from slot machines that are run at racing entertainment centres, and while a portion of the money that is generated there goes to Horse Racing Alberta, another portion of it goes to fund charitable organizations across our province, maybe some of them in that member’s constituency.
Alberta Hansard, February 17, 2010