Government Support for Horse Racing Industry
Ms Blakeman:
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Over $300 million of gambling revenue, $200 million in the last five years alone, has been directed from racing entertainment centre slots to horse racing in Alberta. The profitability of the industry is declining, fewer people are going, and there are fewer race days and less money bet. Instead of directing money to support the NGO sector or even to create new green economy jobs, the government throws more money at the horses.
To the Minister of Culture and Community Spirit: given that the popularity of horse racing has been declining for 20 years, what was the business case for continuing to support horse racing?
Mr. Blackett:
Mr. Speaker, horse racing has been an important and integral part of Alberta’s way of life for many, many years, something that many Albertans feel very strongly about. It supports revenue that goes to our department, and it supports itself through some of the funds that flow through our department that help with their breeding programs and other pieces of that. On the business case, at the time I wasn’t part of that discussion, but I know that today, as it was then, horse racing is something that Albertans believe in, and we believe in supporting Albertans.
The Speaker:The hon. member.
Ms Blakeman:
Well, thank you. Back to the same minister, then: how is propping up a particular industry with $300 million, 80 per cent of the revenue in that sector, not in the business of being in business? How is that not so?
Mr. Blackett:
Mr. Speaker, as we’ve experienced today: a lot of misinformation. The industry generates $399 million annually in economic benefits; 33 and a third per cent of the net proceeds from slot machines located at racetracks goes into community investment programs, which benefit all Albertans; 15 per cent of net proceeds is allocated to the track operators; 51 and two-thirds per cent of the net proceeds is returned to the horse-racing and breeding industry. In 2009-10 approximately $35 million is expected to be returned to Horse Racing Alberta for the horse-racing and breeding industry. Horse Racing Alberta uses this funding for racetrack operations, infrastructure, and breeding programs.
Ms Blakeman:
Yes, minister. Those are all the same facts that are in the Horse Racing Alberta brochure that I quoted my facts from. Now, speaking of picking winners and losers, what makes horse racing so important as to receive the same allocation in funds during a recession when wellness groups or youth recreation and food banks have all had their money eroded? Why is horse racing so important that it gets the same allocation?
Mr. Blackett:
Well, Mr. Speaker, the government of Alberta actually believes in living up to its commitments. As far as I know, none ofthese organizations have received less funding from us. You know, we sit here when the member from the opposition talks, “Let’s promote rodeo” because, somehow, all of a sudden that day they – the Liberals, that is – decide that they support rural Alberta. But every chance they get to take a swipe at the hard-working people of this province who happen to be in rural Alberta, they do.
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