The Canada Border Services Agency and Vancouver’s Hastings Racecourse for Thoroughbreds have each commented on a Monday morning (Aug. 19) situation that saw multiple backstretch workers escorted off the premises of the track by members of the CBSA.

Citing a written statement from the track, an article by the CBC explains that “a number of individuals employed by various horse owners” were escorted off site by members of the CBSA.

In the track statement, Hasting’s GM, Darren MacDonald, wrote that the individuals in question were backstretch workers that were "under the employment and supervision of various horse owners and trainers that are stabled at Hastings Racecourse to race." MacDonald also added, according to the CBC, that the individuals are not employees of the racetrack itself, which is owned by Great Canadian Gaming Corp.

Although the CBSA didn’t go into specifics regarding the matter, its statement explained that the Monday action occurred because the CBSA was "conducting investigations related to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act” and that the CBSA “conducts enforcement actions when it is believed that a contravention of the Customs Act or the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act has occurred."

(With files from the CBC)