Woodbine Entertainment announced on Tuesday, Oct. 17 the appointment of former Ontario politician Monte McNaughton as Executive Vice President, Industry Relations and People Experience.

McNaughton, who was most recently Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development for the Province of Ontario, has served in public office for more than 15 years and was a Member of Provincial Parliament since 2011.

In cabinet, he was credited with forging unprecedented alliances with labour groups​- - a key factor in the government’s success.

"We have an opportunity to expand our business in a way that benefits Ontario's horse racing industry and the families depending on it," said Michael Copeland, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment. "I believe Monte's expertise and leadership will guide us toward realizing our ambitious goals.”

Woodbine Entertainment, which operates like a not-for-profit organization with the sole mandate of sustaining and growing horse racing in Ontario, is focused on transformative growth initiatives to generate new and sustainable revenue streams for the racing industry and the 25,000 jobs it supports across the province.

“I’m honoured to join Michael and his team of dynamic business leaders at Woodbine Entertainment,” said McNaughton. “Together, we will focus on growing horse racing and revenues associated with it, to create jobs and ultimately benefit our communities and families.”

Woodbine Entertainment is engaged in one of the largest property development projects in Canada. The nearly 400-acre project in the Rexdale community of north Etobicoke will include a privately-funded, mass-transit train station and upwards of 29,000 residential homes. An estimated 17,000 permanent jobs will be created through the project.

McNaughton, a native of southwestern Ontario, is a graduate of Westervelt College and executive programs at the Ivey School of Business at Western University.

“As an eight-year-old boy, I stood in the winner’s circle with family friends who raced horses,” said McNaughton. “The sport has captivated me ever since.”

Woodbine Entertainment directly employs nearly 1,700 individuals and is the largest racetrack operator in the country, operating Woodbine Racetrack in Rexdale, Woodbine Mohawk Park in Milton, Canada’s only legal horse racing wagering site, HPIbet.com, and a large network of off-track-betting locations, including Greenwood Teletheatre in Toronto and WEGZ Stadium Bar in Vaughan.

McNaughton’s appointment is effective immediately. He will report directly to Copeland.

(Woodbine)