This is the time of year when we see the start of the racing careers for our two-year-olds of 2014, the beginning of the legacy for the next stars within our industry. The next Somebeachsomewhere or Bee A Magician could be appearing at your local track, so please come out and enjoy the entertainment of live harness racing. As well, our rookie drivers continue their development, with hopes of surpassing Herve Fillion or Clare MacDonald as Canadian harness racing’s leading driver in wins for their gender. Best of luck to all of those who are starting their careers in whatever segment of our industry.

There was also a lot of discussion about new beginnings for horse racing in the recent Ontario election. Certainly one of the positives of that election was that our industry was an issue and part of the platforms of the Liberal, NDP, and Conservative campaigns. All three parties provided detailed responses to the questions asked by TROT, on our website, which were posted for the benefit of our members.

The re-elected Ontario government has committed to the establishment of a partnership between horse racing and the Provincial Lottery as a means of providing additional financial resources to our industry. We must choose to work with the new government in Ontario and all of the parties at Queen’s Park to keep our industry part of the public policy discussion. Thank you to the membership who chose to be engaged as a candidate or a campaign volunteer.

Certainly one of the keys to our future is that we must stay engaged with the decision makers in all levels of government across the country. While it may not be something that many of the membership have chosen to do in the past, it is imperative that we do so going forward. The industry needs you to be engaged. We have numerous issues on a Federal and Provincial level that impact upon our industry on either a positive or negative way. Collectively we must present one unified voice to governments everywhere on the importance of our industry, and the opportunities for a mutually beneficial partnership. Please make a point when applicable to speak with elected officials, as well as your fellow citizens about our industry. Standardbred Canada can provide any information about our industry you may wish to have.

Standardbred Canada has been communicating with our Federal officials about the importance of maintaining the Animal Pedigree Act, which is an important piece of legislation for the equine, dairy, beef, swine, and other livestock breeds in the country. This act was introduced on a Federal level many years ago for two reasons; 1) the keeping of accurate pedigree information on a national basis is considered critical to the improvement of animal breeds and livestock in general, and 2) the establishment of consistent national standards for representation of an animal’s genetic background increases the integrity of the information for domestic and foreign trade purposes and provides protection to buyers of breeding stock.

Standardbred Canada’s website has a background document on this Act, and its importance to our organization. Please take the time to review it, and let your Federal elected officials know we want the Animal Pedigree Act maintained.