As the Ontario standardbred racing industry currently faces an uphill climb for survival, the situation is dripping with irony when you consider what is now occurring in British Columbia. Canada's westernmost harness racing jurisdiction has been fighting for survival for years in the shadow of the world-renowned Ontario industry. Now, as Ontario finds itself in peril, many say an industry phoenix is rising on the 'left coast.'
An article in the August 1 edition of the Langley Times has explained that after years of fighting tooth and nail for its existence, the BC harness racing industry, via a civilized and sensible working relationship with the Provincial Government, is on the rebound.
“For a while, our industry had a defeatist attitude," Harness Racing BC Secretary Treasurer Nigel Holmes, a longtime horseman, was quoted as saying. "Now there is reason for cautious optimism in a business that has been slapped around a lot.”
As Holmes and writer Anne Patterson help explain in the article, a good amount of race dates, the addition of slot-machine gaming at Fraser Downs, and the reorganization of HRBC --- spearheaded two years ago with the addition of former Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum --- has allowed the industry to modernize and remain firmly in the political fray.
The report cites Holmes as saying that the political tides in the province appear to be turning in favour of harness racing. The article also cites Holmes as saying the BC government is showing support in the form of financial incentives for what it considers a BC-based, agricultural business.
Among other aspects, the report explains how many of the large breeding operations from the Lower Mainland have downsized and moved to the Interior.
“We’re seeing people like (former Aldergrove resident) Diana Ball move to the Interior and growing their (breeding) business there," Holmes said. "Kelly McMillan has 80 acres with 14 to 15 brood mares on Highway 33. As an owner, it costs me $13 or $14 a day to keep a horse there, as opposed to $18 to $20 down here.”
Homes went on to say, “Governments have a tremendous amount of power over some industries. They can pull the plug on an industry with the stroke of a pen. Governments are put in power by urban voters, and sometimes rural areas pay the price for their decisions.”
To read the Langley Times article in its entirety, click here.
(With files from the Langley Times)