OHRIA

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 […]

Status Update: Horse Racing in Ontario

Since the Ontario government’s announcement regarding the termination of the Slots At Racetracks (SAR) Program I have been in personal contact with many of our members and would like to thank those of whom I have spoken with for expressing your views and for your support during these challenging times. For the past three months […]

OHRIA Submission to Ontario Finance Committee

The Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association (OHRIA) was granted deputation in front of Ontario’s Standing Committee of Finance and Economic Affairs on June 6th, where they presented a submission, which is available here. The charts contained on pages 6- 8 peaked the interest of the committee.  The charts indicate that the Slots at Racetracks Program […]

The State of Horse Racing in Ontario

Many may have already heard that 2012 will be the final season of racing at Fort Erie Racetrack. The Board of the Fort Erie Live Racing Consortium (FELRC) of which the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association of Ontario (HBPA) is a member has worked diligently to reinvigorate the racetrack since taking over management of it […]

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 […]

New Ontario Racing Task Force

In light of the government’s announcement to terminate the existing Slots at Racetracks Program, the Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association (OHRIA) has struck a Task Force to develop a plan and enter into a dialogue with government that will result in a viable and successful horse racing and breeding industry in Ontario. The Task Force […]

Bill C76 Passes Second Reading

MPP Monte McNaughton’s private members’ bill C76 passed with a vote of 57/19 on May 3rd in the Ontario Legislature.  The bill, which requires referendums in municipalities before any new gaming sites can be established, now goes before the Standing Committee on Finance and then to a third and final vote. This bill is important as […]

Slots-at-Racetracks Program Update

The Ontario budget, passed April 24th, puts an end to the slots-at-racetracks program, operated by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) on March 31, 2013. The provincial budget was passed with all 52 Liberal members of Parliament voting for and all 37 Progressive Conservative members voting against. The New Democratic Party (NDP) abstained, not […]

OHRIA Places Budget Response Ad in Toronto Star

The Ontario horse racing industry association placed full page advertisement in the Toronto Star today (Wednesday March 28, 2012) in response to the Ontario budget announced yesterday, highlighting the government’s misguided plans for OLG and Ontario’s horse racing and breeding industry. The entire Ontario horse racing and breeding industry and more than 60,000 jobs  are […]

Join the Cause: Rally for the Ontario Horse Racing Industry on March 30th

Liberal MPPs in Ontario are being targeted on Friday, March 30th in an extremely critical concentration of rallies orchestrated by the Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association (OHRIA). Set for the local constituency offices of many Liberal Members, these events represent our best chance to reinforce the devastating affect closing the Slots at Racetracks program will […]

Ontarians Approve of Slots at the Racetracks

Sue Leslie, president of the Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association (OHRIA) is calling on Premier McGuinty to heed Ontarian’s advice when it comes to the government’s plans for gaming in Ontario.   According to a recent poll conducted by Forum Research for the Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association, nearly three-quarters of Ontarians say they approve […]

The Majority of Ontarians Approve of Slots at Racetracks Program

Fully three quarters of Ontarians say they approve of the ‘Slots at the Racetrack” program (74%), and two thirds approve of the specific terms of the deal OLG has with Ontario’s horse racing tracks (61%) according to a new survey conducted by Forum Research on behalf of the Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association.   The […]

OHRIA Plans Rallies at Liberal MPP Constituency Offices

As tens of thousands of Ontarians who rely on the horse racing and breeding industry continue to brace for the impact of the Ontario Liberal’s plan for the industry, the Ontaro Horse Racing Industry Association (OHRIA) is planning a number of rallies at MPP’s offices. Next Friday, March 30, 2012 supporters of Ontario’s horse racing […]

OHRIA Launches Ad Campaign

After weeks of misrepresentation of the OLG Slots at Racetracks Program, the Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association (OHRIA) has begun to set the record straight with newly launched billboards and radio ads.   For the next four weeks, more than two-hundred billboards will share the success of the OLG Slots at Racetracks Program with the […]

OHRIA Says it’s Time to Check Your Facts Mr. Duncan

Finance Minister Dwight Duncan provided an emailed statement to the Windsor Star on Wednesday March 7, 2012, regarding the OLG Slots at Racetrack program that contained a number of inaccurate statements.   “Since 1998 the horse racing industry has received $3.4 billion in government support, including $345 million last year alone. That’s more money than […]