Ontario’s horse racing field has been experiencing struggles over the past few months since the beginning of this year, predominantly including a clash of ideas. Ontario Harness Horse Association President James Whelan recently stated that the government should take a look at its commitment and values over the past years and the foreseeable future, as Woodbine Entertainment appears to be taking more control over Ontario Racing with each passing day.
When it comes to the horse people of Ontario, their voices should be heard and their expectations should be met. This is something the Ford government used to tout as the most appropriate approach when it comes to rural Ontario and the horse racing field. Promises of brighter future and better days for the local horse racing sector were made back when the election was about to take place.
Two Decades of Funding and Nothing for OHHA
However, discontent with Ontario Racing continues growing to this day, as private influence over its operation becomes more visible. The provincial harness horse association’s leader recently expressed his exasperation with the way things work at the moment. Mr. Whelan stated that the industry association appointed by Ontario’s government fails to meet the expectations when it comes to information flow, as well as reporting to Ontario Harness Horse Association.
It could be recalled that prior to the elections, Premier Doug Ford made a promise to focus more efforts on the rural regions of the province and the local horse people relying on the income it offers. In addition to that, the harness horse association received a piece of advice coming from the premier, guiding it to refrain from inking the controversial 20-year funding arrangement.
As a result of it, the provincial horse racing field is about to bag some CA$2 billion over the next two decades, all distributed by the appointed Ontario Racing. However, it should be noted that the harness racing association is not among the entities that would receive cash along with the term of this agreement. This spring it became clear that going forward the only association that would be recognized by Ontario Racing and Woodbine Entertainment is going to be the Central Ontario Standardbred Association.
Woodbine Entertainment Sticks to Agenda
What truly concerns President Whelan are the recent changes introduced to the local horse racing field, including the Flamboro Downs change of policy that stirred the pot at the beginning of this month. Great Canadian Gaming Corporation made it clear that the children under the age of 19 would only be allowed on the outside tarmac next to the racetrack during harness racing events, essentially separating them from their parents.
The recent gaming expansion that took place on site of the racetrack is the reason behind this controversial policy change that triggered the Central Ontario Standardbred Association to encourage people to voice their increasing discontent. Woodbine Entertainment is linked to the operation of this association. Something that could be improved in the future is the current state of registering a protest or an opinion.
President Whelan stated that horse racing caretakers are currently not allowed to organize a vote on pressing questions that could improve their future, according to the Central Ontario Standardbred Association’s existing policy. Back in March Smokey Thomas, President of Ontario Public Service Employees Union, stated that the government has made a mistake by providing Woodbine Entertainment with such power.
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