The Atlantic Provinces Harness Racing Commission (APHRC) will revert back to the Maritime Provinces Harness Racing Commission (MPHRC), effective Sept. 1, 2025, following the departure of Newfoundland and Labrador, which has not hosted live harness racing since 2015.
The Council of Atlantic Premiers directed the change following the passage of legislative amendments in Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, which repealed the Atlantic Provinces Harness Racing Commission Act and replaced it with the Maritime Provinces Harness Racing Commission Act.
The Commission extends a sincere thank you to the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador and Commissioner Jay Griffin for his expertise, dedication and service as well as Murray Ryan, Secretary for Council of Atlantic Premiers, for his assistance during the transition period.
As part of the transition, the Commission has updated its digital presence. The official website address is now mphrc.ca. All traffic to the former domain (atlanticphrc.ca) will automatically redirect. Existing commission email addresses will remain active and will redirect seamlessly to the new @mphrc.ca domain.
“This change ensures that our name reflects the current footprint of harness racing in the region,” said Kyle Burton, Director of Racing of the APHRC/MPHRC. “We remain committed to integrity, fairness and supporting the growth of the sport across Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.”
“On behalf of the APHRC and MPHRC, I want to thank Jay Griffin for his significant contribution to the integrity of harness racing. His guidance and professionalism will be missed,” said Glen Rankin, Chair of the APHRC/MPHRC. “While I knew this day was inevitable, I hold out hope that harness racing will return to the beautiful Province of Newfoundland and Labrador in the future.”
The Maritime Provinces Harness Racing Commission will continue to provide oversight and regulation for harness racing across the three Maritime provinces, dedicated to the integrity of the sport and the safety of participants. For further information on Maritime harness racing, visit mphrc.ca.
(Atlantic Provinces Harness Racing Commission/Maritime Provinces Harness Racing Commission)