On December 10, 2015, the Ontario Legislature passed legislation which will transfer the regulatory responsibilities of the Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and change the adjudication process for the appeal of horse racing decisions in Ontario. In particular, the legislation will create a new adjudicative body called […]
To enhance a coordinated governance approach during the soft merger period, there have been positive changes to the makeup of the Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) and Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) Boards. The Government of Ontario appointed ORC Chair Elmer Buchanan to the Board of the AGCO for a period of one year, effective July 22, […]
The Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) is currently distributing 4,000 USB sticks packed with information on how to prevent horses from getting sick to racehorse caregivers in all 10 Ontario race tracks paddocks and race offices as well as approximately 20 major training centres. The USB sticks include unique whiteboard videos introducing the basics of understanding […]
On May 20, 2015, the Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency (CPMA) released a Memorandumto Provincial Regulatory bodies and the Canadian horse racing industry advising that buprenorphine has been added to Schedule of Prohibited Drugs. Click here to see a copy of the CPMA Memorandum. The Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) issues this Notice as a service. ORC licensees are expected to […]
Effective May 10, 2015, the Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) will be enforcing a zero tolerance level with respect to clenbuterol found in quarter horses racing at Ajax Downs. Any Quarter Horses testing positive for clenbuterol will be considered a violation of QUARTER HORSE DIRECTIVE NO. 1 – 2015 and may result in a fine and or […]
The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) has been notified of a confirmed case of Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy (EHM), caused by equine herpes virus 1 (EHV-1), in the Regional Municipality of Waterloo. See the notice below. The Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) has determined that this case does not involve a racehorse. However, […]
Planning for Ontario’s 2015 Thoroughbred Improvement Program (TIP) is complete, following approval of the budget by the Board of the Ontario Racing Commission. The successful 2014 TIP Program structure will be maintained in 2015 with a full season of restricted and stakes racing as well as substantial awards for breeders and stallion owners. For those […]
Chair Elmer Buchanan announced that John W. Macdonald, Q.C. of Toronto has been reappointed by the Government of Ontario as a member of the Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) for a period of two (2) years, effective December 1, 2014. Mr. Macdonald is a lawyer with experience in general practice, primarily of a corporate and commercial nature including clients […]
Elmer Buchanan has been reappointed by the Government of Ontario as Chair of the Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) for a term of two years, effective November 6, 2014. “I am grateful for this opportunity,” said Buchanan. “The challenge ahead remains significant: to continue our collective efforts to grow an industry that is sustainable, attracts a […]
Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) and the Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) will enhance the ORC’s current Out of Competition Testing (OCT) program. Effective immediately, WEG will apply for reimbursement of qualifying out-of-pocket testing and laboratory expenses through The Jockey Club’s Out of Competition Testing Grant Fund (“Grant Fund”). The Grant Fund has been established by The Jockey Club to assist […]
