John Wilkinson

OHRIA: Integration Key to Long-term Survival of Horse Racing Industry

The Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association (OHRIA) is pleased with the personal attention and progress that Premier Kathleen Wynne has given to ensuring the survival of the province’s horse racing and breeding industry. The recently negotiated five-year deal, which provides the industry with some stability, is much appreciated. The ultimate survival of the industry, which […]

Fort Erie Race Track Update

Last week, the Horse Racing Industry Transition Panel released their final report, “Building a Sustainable Future Together; Ontario’s Five Year Horse Racing Partnership”. Pages 9 and 10 dealt specifically with the Fort Erie Thoroughbred track. It stated; “In short, the Panel can find no path to sustainability for a resident racing program…”. The Panel in […]

Horse Racing Industry Job Losses Double that of Blackberry

Rural Ontario knows the pain the Region of Waterloo is feeling as they brace for the massive layoffs Blackberry has recently announced. Since the cancellation of the Slots at Racetracks Program last year, job losses and business closures in Ontario’s horse racing industry are more than double the expected worldwide losses of Blackberry as they […]

Positive Response from Horse Racing Transition Panel

A response on behalf of the government-appointed transition panel was sent to Ontario CTHS members. The response highlighted many of the positive conclusions in their Interim Report to clear up any misunderstandings in advance of the Yearling Sales. “In the Executive Summary of our Interim Report we state: “The panel concludes that a viable, world-class […]

Transitional Funding Plan Announced for Ontario Horse Racing Industry

The Liberal government has announced the establishment of a $50-million fund which will serve to help the Ontario racing industry transition from the profit sharing slots at racetracks program to self-sufficient, sustainable business model, over the next three years. In cooperation with OMAFRA (Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs), the government has formed […]