The Manitoba Jockey Club has raised the stakes in its fight to hold onto Assiniboia Downs.
The MJC has filed a criminal complaint with the RCMP and is calling for an investigation.
It wants the police to probe the actions of Manitoba Finance Minister Stan Struthers, Red River Ex Association CEO Garth Rogerson and two others.
The Selinger government plans to cut more than half of an annual $9.5 million subsidy it gives the jockey club in the provincial budget in two weeks.
By doing so, the jockey club alleges the Red River Ex has tried to acquire the race track by using confidential cabinet information and claims Struthers has tried to manipulate the provincial budget to bankrupt the jockey club, unless it hands over control to the Red River Ex.
The Selinger government denies the accusations in a statement, saying the jockey club is simply trying to hold onto $9.5 million in subsidies.
“The accusations being made by the Manitoba Jockey Club are false and without merit,” said the province in its statement.
But Manitoba’s opposition leader isn’t so sure. He said the allegations are serious and believes they need to be investigated further.
“Manitobans deserve to be confident that the government is dealing with this issue intelligently, fairly, respectfully and thoughtfully,” said Brian Pallister.
Part of the probe could play out in a courtroom. The jockey club has also secured a judicial review of the matter, hoping a judge will prevent the province from cutting the funding before the budget passes in June.
The hearing is set for April 26. The allegations have not been proven in court.
The RCMP can’t say whether or not a complaint has been filed or if it is investigating.
No one from the Red River Ex or the jockey club would comment Wednesday as the matter is before the courts.
- with a report from Jeff Keele
