Party Platforms For Racing: Liberals

Two weeks ago, Standardbred Canada sent a list of questions to Ontario's three main party leaders. Those questions were designed to give each party the chance to directly address the province's horse racing industry after two-plus years of uncertainty.

Trot Insider will be posting the responses received from each party leading up to the June 12 election.

The third response to the questions sent comes from the Ontario Liberal Party.

Questions for Ontario's Leadership Candidates and Response From The Ontario Liberal Party

1. If your party is in power, what are your specific commitments to the horse racing and breeding industry, across all of Ontario?

"A successful and sustainable horse racing industry has an important role to play in the economic and social life of this province, especially in rural Ontario. That is why under the leadership of Premier Wynne, the Ontario Liberal government established a new path forward – the Horse Racing Partnership Plan – which came into effect April 1, 2014. This represents a five-year commitment by Ontario Liberals to invest up to $500 million to support a world-class horse racing industry in the province.

Critical to the success of the plan is the formation of an innovative, world-leading alliance of standardbred tracks including Woodbine, Mohawk, Flamboro Downs, Georgian Downs, Western Fair, Clinton, Hanover and Grand River. The alliance represents an unparalleled level of partnership and provides a solid foundation for Ontario Standardbred owners, breeders and horsepersons. The tracks will work together to implement operational efficiencies, co-ordinate a year-round racing calendar, develop a program of racing that is attractive to foreign and domestic customers, and establish consistent purses.

The plan provides the industry with opportunities for growth. By increasing funding for purses and operational support for regional tracks, the government is giving operators the tools to develop new sources of revenue and build business relationships that will support a sustainable horse racing industry in Ontario. The Liberal government commitment is to provide ongoing support to the horse racing industry that is accountable, transparent and provides each sector of the industry -- owners, breeders and racetrack operators -- with the potential to be profitable.

Integrating horse racing into the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Commission's modernization plan will help achieve those goals. Integration will include opportunities to develop new gaming products in partnership with Ontario Lottery and Gaming, as well as consideration of horse racing in the land-based gaming modernization process.

Ontario Liberals recognize that the heart of the industry is the race horse, and Ontario has a proud history of breeding some of the world's greatest race horses. That is why a Liberal government would continue its commitment to an enhanced Horse Improvement Program to provide incentives to Ontario Bred and Sired horses racing in their home province.

Furthermore, the plan includes measures to ensure that racehorses are treated humanely both while they are racing and after retirement.

The Ontario Liberal Party has a detailed plan in place that supports an economically sound, commercially viable model of world class Standardbred, Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing, and encourages the industry to be more consumer-oriented and grow its fan base and wagering revenues."

2. Mentioning as many specifics as possible, how do you plan to integrate the OLG and the horse racing industry?

"With the direction and support of the Ontario Liberal government, horse racing integration includes a $100 million investment by the Ontario government directed to the horse racing industry in each of the next five years to help cultivate a sustainable industry.

Further, acting under the direction of the Ontario Liberal government, OLG has pursued a number of discrete initiatives to integrate horse racing into the provincial gaming strategy within current federal and provincial legislative frameworks. OLG is committing the necessary resources to implement and execute the plan including:

• Leases: OLG has signed and executed lease agreements with some racetrack operators, and reached lease agreements in principle with all the other racetrack owners to continue its slots operations at all 14 of its sites for three to five year period. In addition, OLG will offer those racetracks which have live race dates the option for a longer term lease with a guaranteed term which runs to 2019. This is aligned with the government’s commitment of funding for 5 years.

• Procurement: OLG’s competitive procurement process seeks service providers to manage the day-to-day operations of gaming sites. The gaming site Request for Pre-Qualifications (RFPQ) process enables OLG to create a list of qualified service providers to be invited to the Request for Proposal (RFP) process. The RFPQ for the Greater Toronto Area Gaming Bundle requires vendors to provide details on experience related to horse racing activities. Future gaming site procurement documents will also contain criteria related to horse racing.

• New OLG gaming products: Exploration of lottery scheme products that adhere to Criminal Code of Canada requirements and have the potential for generating net new revenue for the Province (through OLG’s returns) and the horse racing industry.

• Marketing, Business and Responsible Gambling expertise: OLG is currently supporting the horse racing industry through a number of OLG Slots marketing initiatives. Working collaboratively with the sites, OLG will integrate horse racing in advertising and through cross-promotion to further promote horse racing to OLG Slots customers. This will include initiatives such as:

  • Incorporating racetrack and racing information into OLG Slots print and digital brand advertising (brochures, rack cards and websites);

  • Displaying racing information on digital screens located on gaming floors; and

  • Leveraging Promotions & Events sections on OLG Slots & Casinos web sites (OLG.ca and WCR.ca) to provide information about upcoming races.

  • OLG will also provide business expertise related to procurement and responsible gambling programming expertise."

3. If elected, how quickly will you execute against your commitments from questions 1 and 2.

"The Horse Racing Partnership Plan and OLG’s integration initiatives are established and underway."

4. After two years of upheaval and uncertainty, why should horse racing's participants and stakeholders vote for you?‎

"As Premier, Kathleen Wynne delivered on her commitment to create a sustainable future for the horse racing industry by implementing the Horse Racing Partnership Plan. The Ontario Liberal government is making a 5-year, $500-million commitment to stabilize the industry and provide an environment that supports opportunities for growth and sustainability.

In the Auditor General’s report, she noted that under SARP “owners grew reliant on their growing slots revenue share just to sustain their horse-racing operations”. The Ontario Liberal Party commits to providing the appropriate public support needed to maintain a foundation for racing, but, more importantly, it provides the industry with opportunities for growth.

Now is not the time to go backwards. The future for the industry – here and across North America - is in looking forward and building a new fan base for the sport."