In conjunction with Premier Wynne’s scheduled Press Conference at Grand River Raceway on Friday, March 8th, the Ontario Minstrty of Food and Rural Affairs issued the following Press Release:

The new Ontario government has reached tentative transition funding agreements with Western Fair, Clinton, Hanover and Grand River race tracks – the next step in ensuring race dates for the 2013 season.

Following recommendations from the Horse Racing Industry Transition Panel Report, the province intends to:

In consultation with the Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association, integrate horse racing with the provincial gaming strategy to ensure future revenue streams for the industry.
Complete agreements with interested race tracks in the coming weeks to provide transition funding for the next three years in order to ensure horse racing in the province.

The new Ontario government is committed to supporting a sustainable racing industry that is fair to industry partners and the people of the province.

QUOTES

“We’ve already made great progress with an agreement-in-principle with the province’s largest horse racing organization so that racing continues at Woodbine and Mohawk. We continue to work on transition funding agreements with other tracks while we work with the sector on a new market-driven model that works for the industry and is good public policy.”

— Kathleen Wynne, Minister of Agriculture and Food

“There is a genuine willingness within the industry to assume leadership to shape a new vision for the sector. The panel will work with the sector to help it move toward a sound future.”

— John Snobelen, member, Ontario Horse Racing Industry Transition Panel

“Today’s announcement sends the right signal of hope and confidence about the future of the horse racing industry in Ontario.”

— Sue Leslie, president, Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association

(OMAFRA)