While the Ontario government's plan for horse racing touts stability, those situated in the Eastern part of Ontario feel as though the industry is on extremely shaky ground.
In a feature produced by the Ottawa Citizen, many people involved in horse racing in this part of the province -- a section largely left out of the five-year-plan released last month -- state their lives and livelihoods have been turned upside down by the changes to the industry since the slots-at-racetracks partnership was removed.
The Citizen's feature interviews and profiles are available at the following link: Ontario's horse racing industry on unstable ground.
Earlier this week, rumblings surfaced that Rideau Carleton Raceway in Ottawa, Ont. would be conducting its final race card on Dec. 29. In a statement provided to Trot Insider, Rideau's Secretary/Treasurer Richard Gardiner said “Rideau Carleton is currently in negotiations with OMAFRA and the ORC with the view to continue racing both in 2014 and into the distant future.”
Dave I `could not agree
Dave I `could not agree more.Recently an independent report was
done on the Ontario racing industry.The Toronto Star under the
freedom of information act requested a copy of this said report.
The minister of finance quashed this request stating that there were
privacy issues with respect to race track owners.This report
obviously contained far more information than just the race tracks.
Premier Wynne has repeatedly stated the need for accountability
and transparency.
I have but 2 questios here.First,if all this money and time has been
put into this'Transition Panel`to try and fix something that was not
broken,then why at this stage of the game did they need to outsourece
for a private report?
Secondly,why this hush hush attitude and why all of a sudden is a report
so important to the gov't to have been done, so untouchable by not only
people within the industry but to all Ontarians.
Couldn*t let this well
Couldn*t let this well written article slip by without attempting to comment! My home is in Mt. Hope, part of Hamilton and on behalf of most industry participants want you to know Rideau Carlton Raceway in Ottawa is not in no mans land but part of ONTARIO at least in the standardbred family! Have I ever raced in this facility? Yes. Ontario Sires Stakes mostly. Your present plight is a concern to most of us, as any decrease in our operations hurt everyones bottom line! Anyone reading the individuals commenting with an open mind will see the travesty being perpetuated! Owners, trainers, grooms, officials are the ones everybody sees, but the spinoff jobs to a lot of people are behind the scenes. Veterinarians, farriers, feed suppliers, hay man, tack shop, truck dealer, horse trailer manufacturer, race bike maker, repair shops for all of the above, turn out facilities. Probably forgot many such as those working in the racetracks proper. The list is almost endless if you think about it! One comment that caught my eye- Every dollar earned is returned to the Ontario economy at $1.20, How many industries can say the same? FOLLOW THE MONEY! Took the time to check the Rideau condition sheet, purses down 66%, how can anyone survive on those numbers? These were the norm 40 years ago at places like Orangeville, Barrie raceway etc. Our costs keep increasing, but our income opportunities are receding. Just some of my thoughts on the destruction of this once vibrant industry to those hard working tax paying citizens affected. We are still on your side!