Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) president and CEO Stephen Rigby has issued the following letter, dated October 15, 2015, to Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association (OHRIA) president Sue Leslie to provide the horse community an update on the integration of horse racing into the OLG’s modernization plans. Dear Ms. Leslie, As you know, over the […]

The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) has partnered with the University of Guelph to create the Ontario Animal Health Network (OAHN). The purpose is to detect disease and other health issues early so that action can be taken as soon as possible. The equine network includes four private veterinarians (two from […]

The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) has been notified of a case of Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy (EHM), caused by Equine Herpes Virus 1 (EHV-1), in the Ottawa region. The horse is currently receiving veterinary care at a referral center. OMAFRA has notified all veterinarians associated with animals that had contact with […]

Government approval to move forward on the regulatory merger of the Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), first announced in the spring, has now been granted. As a result, several changes are taking place at the Ontario Racing Commission effective today. First, Steve Lehman, who has been with […]

For the first time, representatives from the horse racing industry, the Government of Ontario and crown agencies are working together in support of a sustainable industry. Following government direction first announced in October 2013, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) and the Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association (OHRIA), are working with the Alcohol and […]

Toronto City Council has tasked the City Manager with seeking public input on expanded gaming at Woodbine Racetrack. The public consultation will include: a public meeting in Etobicoke; an online questionnaire promoted on the City’s website and via social media; a city-wide public opinion poll; and a presentation at Executive Committee. The City Manager will […]

September 2014 saw the HBPA of Ontario introduce the T.V. show Talkin’ Horses. Pleased with the success of last year’s show, the Board of the HBPA is excited to announce that Talkin’ Horses will be back for another season, expanding from 10 to 21 episodes. Talkin’ Horses was created by executive producer Joe Tilley who […]

Effective July 2014, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) have implemented several changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). Employers applying to hire TFWs at the racetrack (Grooms, Exercise Riders and Jockeys) must now pay a processing fee of $1,000 for each position requested to cover the cost of the Labour Market Impact Assessment […]

The HBPA of Ontario is thrilled to announce that CTV and CTV2 will be the home of a 10-week pilot project “Talkin’ Horses.” Co-hosts Joe Tilley and Jason Portuondo will give viewers a behind-the-scenes look at Ontario’s thoroughbred racing industry, promote  upcoming events and feature interviews with some of the sport’s most interesting, influential and […]

The Board of Directors of the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association of Ontario, (HBPA), is pleased to advise there will be live thoroughbred racing at Fort Erie Race Track in 2014. Meetings to organize, schedule and promote the race meet at the historic border oval are taking place. Horse people can assist by spreading this […]