Open Letter to Premier Dalton McGuinty from RacingFuture.com Dear Premier McGuinty, Your government has announced that it will pull its slot machines from Ontario race tracks, abruptly canceling a 14-year partnership that has been helping our province’s horse breeding and racing industry to make the transition from the 20th Century to the 21st. I am […]
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In a speech to launch the 153rd running of the Queen’s Plate, Nick Eaves, President and CEO of Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) announced that this may be the last year for this iconic Canadian horse race. The Queen’s Plate is the oldest annual sporting event in Canada. “Earlier this year the Ontario Government made the […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Ed James, owner of SSG Gloves, and the leading Standardbred owner at Grand River Raceway for 2011, took out a full-page ad in Monday’s edition of the Toronto Star, questioning the recent attack on the horse racing industry by the Liberal government and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation. The ad, asking Ontarians to examine […]
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 […]
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 […]
The Canadian Sportsman has produced a special 24-page pullout section in their magazine, called “Fight For Our Future.” It documents the stories of real people impacted by the cancellation of Ontario’s slots-at-racetracks program. They have printed extra copies of the document, which have been sent to as many people, including politicians, bureaucrats and other […]
The New Democrat leader, Andrea Horwath, is asking Ontarians for feedback on the new provincial budget and has announced two ways to do so. Visit www.ondpcaucus.com/yoursay/, www.ondpcaucus.com/exprimez-vous/ or call 1-855-ONT-BDGT (668-2348). “We have been clear that in order for this provincial budget to be acceptable, it needs to work for everyday people,” said Horwath. “Last October, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
