The Ontario Harness Horse Association (OHHA) would like to offer its support to PC MPP Lisa MacLeod in her efforts to introduce a private members bill calling on the Auditor General to review the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation’s new gaming plans, including its revenue and expenditure projections, mental health and addictions impact and its effect on Ontario’s horse racing industry.

“Lisa has been a strong supporter of the horse racing industry for a long time,” stated OHHA President Ken Hardy. “She has great knowledge of the industry and is very passionate about her support for those involved in horse racing.”

On December 2, 2008, MacLeod tabled 10 questions to the Ontario Liberal Government relating to the horse racing industry. In response to a question asked about the status of the Sadinsky Report and the timeline for implementing the recommendations from that report, Deputy Minister George Smitherman answered:

“The former Ministry of Government Services appointed a panel in July 2007 to review and assess the state of the Ontario horse racing industry and provide recommendations to strengthen it and ensure its sustainability. The panel submitted its final report to Government in June 2008.

The report makes a number of recommendations to strengthen the horse racing industry in Ontario. It highlights areas of change across the breeding and racing industry, and prescribes detailed programs to achieve specific goals in each sector.

Staff from my Ministry have been carefully assessing the recommendations identified in the report to determine how best to promote and support the horse racing industry going forward. My Ministry is currently developing a new, comprehensive gaming strategy that will address issues facing the gaming industry, and encourage cooperation and partnership within it. Any policy decisions pertaining to the horse racing sector will be integrated into the provincial gaming strategy.”

In 2009 MacLeod was again working on behalf of the industry and was instrumental in requesting an agency review of the Ontario Racing Commission. MacLeod was a member of the committee that was formed to conduct the hearing and played an active role in the process.

“It’s no surprise that Lisa is once again fighting for the race horse industry,” stated Hardy. “She has been consistent in her support. Now she is asking for our support to help her help us.”

MacLeod has requested that horsepeople be in attendance at Queen’s Park on Thursday, August 30, 2012 to show their support for her bill. The event is tentatively scheduled for 12:00 noon. Further details will be provided as soon as they are confirmed. OHHA strongly urges all horse racing industry participants to attend if possible.

To join MacLeod's campaign to support this legislative initiative, please feel free to email her at [email protected] or call 416-325-6351.

(OHHA)