The Ontario Racing Commission invites you to submit your ideas for rule changes by September 15

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Individuals and associations are encouraged to submit their proposals for changes to the Rules of Racing to the Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) by September 15th. Tell the ORC where you think changes or improvements to the rules could be made. As an industry participant, you are impacted by the rules every day and the ORC is interested in your thoughts.

The ORC Administration will use industry working groups to evaluate and/or refine any suggestions received, where the suggestions are relevant to the regulation of horse racing. This process will be used to gather industry comments on the proposals prior to submission to the Board for its consideration.

Under the powers provided in the Racing Commission Act, 2000 to regulate horse racing, the Ontario Racing Commission publishes the Rules of Standardbred Racing and the Rules of Thoroughbred Racing (with Quarter Horse Racing Appendix). These published rules form the basis for the conduct of racing in the Province of Ontario. Any changes or amendments to the rules must be approved by the Board of the ORC and authorized through distribution of Directives.

Deadline for submission for rule change proposals is September 15, 2009.

To be considered for discussion and inclusion in the process, any proposed rule changes must be submitted by September 15, 2009. Proposals for change can be submitted by individuals, associations and/or companies and should be submitted on the Proposed Rule Change form attached.

Working Groups being formed

Associations, racetracks, other industry representatives and members at large will be represented on a breed specific working group, and will provide advice and assistance to the Administration in reviewing the proposals and determining the priority of issues to be addressed in the process. The working groups will operate on a consensus basis. These groups will assist in refining and developing the rules as required by the process. Notes of the meetings of the working groups will be taken and summaries of the action items will be made available to the public.

Public Consultation

The working groups will be charged with completing their work by late fall, after which the proposed rule changes will be circulated to the industry and the general public for input.

Filing Format for proposed rule changes

Application submission material should be sent to the attention of the Wendy Hoogeveen, Director, Industry Development and Support. Electronic filing of application material is acceptable and should be sent to [email protected].

Rule Amendment Process

Ontario Racing Commission

Rules of Standardbred Racing Rules of Thoroughbred Racing, with Quarter Horse Racing Appendix

Phase 1 - Formal submission deadline – September 15

Phase 2 Working Groups – refinement of rule changes

Phase 3 Submission to the Board

Phase 4 Public Consultation

Phase 5 Approval by Board

August 11, 2009

Notice Issued Notice to the Industry issued calling for submissions for proposed changes to the Rules of Racing.

September 15, 2009

Deadline for any proposed rule changes

October

Working Group meetings. During the month of October, the various working groups will meet to consider the rule changes being proposed by the industry and make recommendations to the Administration on changes and/or refinement.

November – January

Public Consultation. A Notice To The Industry will be issued to the racing community, inviting comment on the changes being proposed by the participants.

Mid January

Consideration by the Board of the ORC. At its regularly scheduled meeting in mid January, the Board will review and consider the proposed rule changes.

February

Directives issued The decisions of the Board with respect to the proposed rule changes will be communicated to the general public through the issuance of a Directive.

To download the form to submit a rule change, click here.