Great Canadian Gaming Corporation has announced that Rod Baker has resigned his role of director, president and CEO of the company as of Sunday, Jan. 24.
Baker's resignation coincides with accusations that he, along with his wife, actress Ekaterina Baker, flouted travel and quarantine restrictions by flying to Yukon and claiming they were employees at a local motel to receive priority doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccination, as reported by multiple media outlets including the CBC.
The pair reportedly arrived in Whitehorse on Jan. 19 and failed to complete a mandatory 14-day self-isolation period upon arriving in the territory, instead flying to the rural community of Beaver Creek to receive the vaccine.
In the light of Baker's resignation, Terrance Doyle, Great Canadian's president of strategic growth and chief compliance officer, has been appointed as the interim CEO of the company.
"Mr. Doyle, with his 20 years of experience with the Company and working with key stakeholders and the board, is well equipped to assume the duties as interim chief executive officer until a permanent replacement has been named," Great Canadian chairman Peter Meredith said in a release issued by the company.
In addition to Standardbred racetracks Flamboro Downs and Georgian Downs in Ontario and Fraser Downs in British Columbia, the Great Canadian portfolio includes Thoroughbred racetrack Hastings Racecourse in British Columbia and casino operations on the grounds of six Canadian racetracks.