Examinations have begun in the lawsuit launched by a group of Standardbred breeders against the Government of Ontario, and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation. Rod Phillips, former CEO of OLG, and Josh Cogan, a staffer at the Ministry of Finance, have already been examined, with more examinations to be scheduled this month.

As previously reported, a divisional court, on Tuesday, October 3, rejected a key appeal from the Ontario Government and OLG. As a result, 11 witnesses will be scheduled for cross-examination.

These witnesses are:

• Dalton McGuinty, former Premier of Ontario

• Karim Bardeesy, former director of policy and research in Premier McGuinty’s office

• Dwight Duncan, former Finance Minister

• Steve Orsini, former deputy minister of Finance and current Secretary of Cabinet

• Tim Shortill, Minister Duncan’s former Chief of Staff

• Blair Stransky, former senior policy advisor in Minister Duncan’s office

• Darcy McNeill, former director of communications for Minister Duncan

• Don Drummond, author of a report that was cited as justifying the cancellation

• Rod Seiling, former chair of the Ontario Racing Commission

• John Snobelen, member of the Horse Racing Industry Transition Panel and former Tory cabinet minister

• John Wilkinson, member of the Horse Racing Industry Transition Panel and former Liberal cabinet minister

• Kathleen Wynne and Ted McMeekin will also be examined but only after Parliament is no longer in session

According to the law firm representing the breeders -- Lax, O'Sullivan, Lisus, Gottlieb, LLP -- court dates next year are being selected for the hearing of the case, and dates for the examinations of the 11 witnesses will be scheduled this month.

There may also be examinations of other witnesses as more evidence is gathered.