Page 23 - The Game February 2006

Your Thoroughbred Racing Community Newspaper
The Game, February 2006 23
HBPA Update
HBPAAdministrativeOffices:135Queen’sPlateDrive,Suite370,Toronto,ON,M9W6V1 phone:416-747-5252
Trainer Testing for 2006
The Assistant Trainer/Trainer testing schedule has been set for the 2006 season.
The first testing of the season will be held at Woodbine on March 20 & 22 and at Fort Erie on April 19 & 21. Trainer testing will also be held on May 8 & 10 at Woodbine; July 10 & 12 and September 18 & 20 at both Woodbine and Fort Erie.
All applications are due two weeks prior to the first test date. For more information contact the HBPA Backstretch Office during winter opening hours at 416-675-3802.
Although for many of us in the thoroughbred industry in Canada, the winter months mean some well deserved downtime, we at the HBPA have spent this time working on our future.
In concert with the Ontario
Horse Racing Industry Association
(OHRIA) we have had several
meetings with Provincial cabinet
Ministers this winter with the aim
of protecting and shaping the horse
racing industry in the Province for
years to come. Two very important
meetings held in January were with Minister Caplan (Minister of Public Infrastructure) and Minister Dombrowsky (Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs). Our mes- sage to both Ministers was focused on the chal- lenges that we face in this very competitive gaming market. We stressed the desire for our industry to work in harmony with all public and government stakeholders, including the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLGC) in order to maximize the revenue streams to the horse racing industry and the government cof- fers.
Why do we (the horse racing industry) grab the attention of politicians? Consider these facts:
• Horse racing is the second largest agricultural industry in the province and has been one of the few growth sectors in Ontario agriculture.
• The industry’s link to rural communities is substantive and complex. It has contributed to the diversification of many rural economies.
• The industry generates over 60,000 direct and indirect jobs and $1.6 billion in wages and salaries. The average direct wage exceeds $50,734 annually - one of the highest industrial wages in Ontario.
• Every dollar of expenditure in this industry
results in $1.22 in wages, interest, rent and profits.
• All three levels of government benefit from horse racing: Federal - $455 million, Provincial - $1.2 billion, Municipal - $190 million.
• The horse racing and breeding industry in Ontario is credited with $2.1 billion of recurrent expenditures in 2004 dollars. Almost 80% of the expenditures are in rural Ontario.
• Horse racing’s GDP contribution for direct activities was $738 million in 2003, over 22% of the total
GDP of Agriculture in Ontario.
• Ontario is the largest racing jurisdiction in
Canada and conducts 63% of the live race dates (1,700) more than any of the leading horse racing jurisdictions in the United States.
• More than 10 million patrons attend horse races in Canada. In 2004 they wagered over $1.791 billion - approximately $1.177 billion of that in Ontario.
• The racetrack slot program generates more revenue for the government than the government-owned casinos.
To say that our industry in Ontario has some significance to the well being of our economy, may be the best kept secret around.
On a final note, I want to personally thank my colleagues on the OHRIA Board for the joint work we have done in achieving our industry recognition and messaging at the government level. Bonnie Loubert, the CEO of Fort Erie Racetrack has been there to support our cause for the long term viability of racing in the Niagara Peninsula. And of course, Jane Holmes, V.P. Corporate Affairs - Woodbine Entertainment Group - who has lead us through this whole political process with her invaluable expertise. Thank you ladies.
Executive Director Nick Coukos
HBPA Winter Office Hours
The Woodbine HBPA backstretch office will be closed for the month of January re-opening on Monday, January 30, 2006 at 7:00am.
While the backstretch offices are closed it is recommended that you contact the Administration Office which will keep regular office hours throughout the winter months form Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday thru Friday, except for holidays.
Call 416-747-5252.
The Fort Erie HBPA Backstretch Office is closed for the season. The office will re-open again on March 1, 2006. Anyone needing assistance will be asked to contact the Woodbine Backstretch Office at 416-675-3802 or the HBPA Administration Office at 416-747-5252.
Report from the Executive Director
Important Information for Pension Plan Members
The Annual Record of Employment (ROE) form for 2005 has been sent out to all HBPA Pension Plan members. This form must be completed and returned to the HBPA by March 1, 2006.
If you are leaving the Province for the winter or if you do not receive a letter in the mail you can pick up the ROE form from the HBPA Backstretch Office or Administration Office.
Failure to submit a completed ROE Form will result in your immediate suspension for the HBPA’s Pension Plan.
If you require any additional information you can contact the HBPA Woodbine Backstretch office at 416-675-3802 or 1-800-268-9967 Ext 2249 or the HBPA Fort Erie Backstretch Office at 1-800-295-3770 Ext 3249 or 908-871-3200 Ext 3249.
Visit us on-line at www.hbpa.on.ca
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Woodbine Backstretch Office: 416-675-3802
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