November 26, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SASKATOON, SK – Kevin Waugh, Member of Parliament for Saskatoon—Grasswood, released the following statement in response to the Liberal government’s plan to introduce legislation similar to his private member’s bill, the Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act, which seeks to legalize single-event sports betting in Canada:

“In February, I introduced my private member’s bill, C-218, the Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act. The legalization of single-event sport betting is a common-sense change that is supported by professional sports leagues, unions, gaming institutions, chambers of commerce, provincial governments, and many other groups.

“While the Liberals have been mostly silent on this issue, my Conservative colleagues and I have been champions of it in Parliament. This change has only become more important due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the tourism, sports, and gaming sectors. Now more than ever, providing new avenues for industry to innovate and grow is crucial.

“Though I’m encouraged by the government’s apparent support for this proposal, I remain skeptical of their commitment to making it a priority. In the last Parliament, the vast majority of Liberal MPs voted against repealing the criminal code restriction against single-event betting. In this Parliament, the Liberals shut down Private Members’ Business and debate on this legislation for months.

“Nevertheless, I remain hopeful that the government will move expeditiously to call this bill for debate and to implement it. In the meantime, my colleagues and I will continue to do our part to hold the government to account on getting this change implemented, as well as continue to advocate for policies and initiatives that support Canadian workers and industry.”

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For more information:

Office of Kevin Waugh, M.P.
Kevin.Waugh.A1@parl.gc.ca
613-402-4210