Former lottery corp honcho leads horse racing review

NEWS RELEASE

ONTARIO MINISTRY OF GOVERNMENT SERVICES

************************* Horse racing strategic panel to create industry roadmap

TORONTO, July 6 - The Ontario government has appointed a highly regarded panel to examine the current state of horse racing, consult with stakeholders and create a long term strategic plan that will set out a roadmap of future success for the industry, announced Government Services Minister Gerry Phillips today.

"The horse racing and breeding industry is the second largest industry, and a long-standing way of life, in rural Ontario," said Phillips. "It's seen significant changes in the past decade, and this review will help identify ways to make sure the industry remains strong and viable well into the future."

Horse racing and breeding in Ontario represents a $2.1 billion industry and employs more than 60,000 people.

The review panel will seek input from horse racing stakeholders, government agencies and members of the public to develop a strategic plan for the industry.

It will report on its recommendations in Spring 2008.

Former Ontario Racing Commission Chair Stanley Sadinsky [shown] will chair the three-member panel.

It will also include former Brant Member of Parliament Jane Stewart and racing industry veteran William McDonnell.

"Horse racing is important to the economic, agricultural and social fabric of Ontario," said Sadinsky. "We want to hear from people involved in all aspects of racing to give a clear picture of the industry today and suggest ways to strengthen it in the future."

"We're very pleased to see that the government is taking action to help strengthen the horse racing industry, which is a vital part of agricultural and rural Ontario," said James Whelan, President of the Ontario Harness Horse Association. "Horse racing is very important to the livelihood of thousands of people in Ontario, and we're looking forward to working with the panel by providing input into the creation of a long-term strategic plan."

"Racetracks provide great economic and cultural benefits to communities all over Ontario," said Hugh Mitchell, Past-Chair, Racetracks Ontario and Chief Operating Officer of Western Fair Raceway. "There are a number of challenges facing the horse racing industry today and we are pleased that the government is showing leadership by appointing a panel that will provide a roadmap on how to address these issues."

************************* Backgrounder - review of Ontario horse racing industry The Ministry of Government Services has appointed a panel to develop a strategic plan for the Ontario horse racing industry.

The panel will consult with industry stakeholders, government ministries and agencies that play a role in the horse racing and breeding sector and members of the public affected by the horse racing industry.

Terms of reference:

- Describe the current state of the horse racing and breeding industry of Ontario and trace its development and progress over the past decade.

- Describe the position of the horse racing and the breeding industry in the existing gaming environment in Ontario.

- Identify the challenges and opportunities facing the horse racing and breeding industries, and develop a strategic vision and direction designed to sustain the industry's viability and competitiveness.

- Develop criteria and performance benchmarks for the industry that will establish goals for industry sustainability.

- Make recommendations regarding the future role and structure for future industry collaboration and representation that will enable it to contribute to the achievement of the goals of the strategic direction being developed for the industry. Panel members:

Panel Chair Stanley Sadinsky has expert knowledge of the gaming and racing industries.

He has been chair of the Ontario Racing Commission and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation and was commissioned by the government to conduct a review of problem gambling in Ontario.

Sadinsky is a former professor of law at Queen's University. Panel member Jane Stewart is former Member of Parliament for the primarily rural and agricultural riding of Brant.

She has served as a federal cabinet minister and executive director of the International Labour Organization, an agency of the United Nations.

Panel member William McDonnell has been active in the horse racing industry for more than 50 years.

He was a horse trainer and owner, and has worked as a race secretary, starter and announcer at several different racetracks in Ontario.

McDonnell was also a judge with the Ontario Racing Commission and is the current chair of the Ontario Racing Industry Board of Appeal.

*************************