Search
Better Farming OntarioBetter PorkBetter Farming Prairies

Better Farming Ontario Featured Articles

Better Farming Ontario magazine is published 11 times per year. After each edition is published, we share featured articles online.


Horse racing study panel welcomed says OHRIA president

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

by DAVE PINK

The president of the Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association (OHRIA) said she welcomes the provincial government’s appointment of a three-member panel to study and make recommendations on the future of horse racing in the province.

The creation of the panel, along with plans to spend up to $50 million to help the racing industry transition to a future without slot machines, was announced today by Agriculture Minister Ted McMeekin.

“OHRIA has been pushing very hard to get someone to sit down with us for a meaningful dialogue,” said Sue Leslie. “We want to sit down with this panel to review our expenses and the economic data to prove our point.”

But Leslie said she is disturbed by the ministry’s use of the word transition, and the ministry’s promise to have Employment Ontario assist racing industry employees to find new jobs.

“We’re not looking for a way to transition people out of the industry. We’re looking for a way to sustain our industry,” she said. “I don’t like the word transition. It is our intent to work together to develop a sustainable plan to save the industry.”

Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG) announced in March it would end its 14-year partnership with the province’s horse tracks and relocate its slot machines into urban centres — a move that Leslie said could potentially put 60,000 full- and part-time horse industry jobs in jeopardy. She said at the time the OLG decision did not make economic sense.

Under an arrangement set in late 1998, when the slot machines started moving into the tracks, a deal was struck that allowed the province to receive 75 per cent of the profits — or about $1 billion a year — while 20 per cent went to the track and the remaining five per cent went to the host municipality.

OLG has since paid out $3.7 billion to the racetracks and the horse industry. The racing industry is expected to receive a payment of $340 million from OLG this year.

Former provincial cabinet ministers Elmer Buchanan, John Snobelen and John Wilkinson will form the panel. They will report their conclusions to McMeekin toward the end of summer. BF

Current Issue

November 2025

Better Farming Magazine

Farms.com Breaking News

Updates to Case IH RB566 Round Baler

Wednesday, October 29, 2025

The Case IH RB566 round baler has been redesigned with a strong focus on serviceability, dependability, and efficiency, offering farmers a more advanced and reliable baling experience. According to Brian Williams, livestock product specialist with Case IH, the latest improvements... Read this article online

Demco-Welker Farms Collab Delivers Big Buddy

Tuesday, October 28, 2025

Demco recently introduced the Big Buddy grain cart, a product of collaboration with Big Equipment, the makers of Big Bud tractors, Titan Tires, and the well-known Montana-based Welker Farms. The project began when the Welker family decided to rebuild and modify their iconic Big Bud... Read this article online

New MacDon FD2 Plus Draper Header

Monday, October 27, 2025

Case IH continues to expand its innovative harvest equipment lineup with the launch of the MacDon FD2 Plus Draper Header, a new series designed to provide farmers with smoother, cleaner, and more efficient harvesting. Available in multiple widths — 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, and even 61... Read this article online

Lots of news from the Ontario Pork Congress

Monday, October 27, 2025

The Ontario Pork Congress (OPC) took place on October 20, 2025, at the Arden Park Hotel in Stratford, Ontario, with over 50 attendees. At the event, Arnold Drung, President of Conestoga Meats, was honoured with the . Drung has been a dedicated supporter of the OPC for over 23 years. This award... Read this article online

BF logo

It's farming. And it's better.

 

a Farms.com Company

Subscriptions

Subscriber inquiries, change of address, or USA and international orders, please email: subscriptions@betterfarming.com or call 888-248-4893 x 281.


Article Ideas & Media Releases

Have a story idea or media release? If you want coverage of an ag issue, trend, or company news, please email us.

Follow us on Social Media

 

Sign up to a Farms.com Newsletter

 

DisclaimerPrivacy Policy2025 ©AgMedia Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Back To Top