Public meetings to discuss the Ontario Horse Racing Industry Transition Panel's draft plan, titled "Toward a Sustainable Future - a Plan for Horse Racing in Ontario", kicked off on Monday in London, Ont.

While many topics were discussed at the meeting, one of the main concerns to the crowd in London was the impact on the second tier Grassroots system, viewed by many as the feeder system for the signature circuit focused on in the Panel's report.

Numbers floated around at Monday's Draft Plan meeting place somewhere between five to 10 race dates per year at Grassroots tracks, giving less experienced horses and drivers a place to hone their craft. As with many numbers proposed by the Panel, that comes at a sharp decrease to existing numbers. A number of tracks operating at that level was not discussed.

Reporter Cristina Howorun was at the draft plan consultation and filed a report for CTV London, available here.

Trot Insider live tweeted from Western Fair on the discussion surrounding the Panel's draft plan. Monday's three-hour session is slated to begin at 1:00 p.m.

Tweets about "from:trotinsider #OLRdraftplan"

The draft plan is available for viewing online and all stakeholders are invited to submit written suggestions on how it can be improved. The Panel will incorporate stakeholder and public input into their final plan, which will be released October 2013 to allow for phased implementation beginning April 1, 2014.

Schedule of Public Meetings

Monday, July 8, 2013
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Western Fair District Raceway
900 King Street
Carousel Room
London, Ont.

Tuesday, July 9, 2013
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Woodbine Racetrack
555 Rexdale Boulevard
Toronto, Ont.

Wednesday, July 10, 2013
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Ajax Downs
50 Alexander's Crossing
Ajax, Ont.

Thursday, July 11, 2013*
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Rideau Carleton Raceway
4837 Albion Road
Ottawa, Ont.
*Services for this meeting will be provided in English and French.

To register for a session or to sign up for web-ex or teleconference, please call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300, e-mail [email protected], or register online.