The MPP for Windsor-Tecumseh is taking on the Ontario government over the local horse racing industry.
New Democrat Percy Hatfield raised the issue Monday in the Ontario Legislature, claiming the government has been making secret deals with race track operators.
He's echoing recent statements by the Lakeshore Horse Racing Association that the local horse racing community is being shut out of the province-wide industry.
Hatfield questioned when a thriving track in Leamington will get its fair share.
"Take Leamington, for example, tracks in London and Hamilton can offer a purse of $6,000 a race, but Leamington only gets $3,500," he says.
"Speaker, when will the minister insist that the little guys in horse racing get a fair deal from the racing industry?"
The gate receipts don't lie, Hatfield added.
"Patrons support the 13 racing dates in Leamington," says Hatfield. "Why won't the minister tell those pulling the racing strings to negotiate a fair deal for Leamington so the local racing industry can survive?"
Conservative Vic Fedeli offered no specific answer to Hatfield's question - only pointing to a "bombshell" that hit the racing sector, when the Liberals "decimated the entire system" with the help of the NDP back in 2012.
"Ontario Lottery and Gaming continues to provide funding to the track in Leamington to support live racing under their current agreements," says Fedeli. "Our government has kept its commitment to bolster the horse racing industry and repair the damage done by the previous Liberal government, supported by the NDP."
Fedeli only reiterated the PC Party's continuous support.
"We stood up for Ontario, stood up for the farmers, stood up for the breeders, stood up for the groomers. We stood up for the trainers, stood up for the support workers," he says.
The Lakeshore Horse Racing Association held a news conference asking for its "fair share" back on October 18.
Association member, and Lakeshore Mayor, Tom Bain was joined by CAW President Ken Lewenza both spoke in support of more funding for the region.