Page 25 - The Game August 2006

Your Thoroughbred Racing Community Newspaper The Game, August 2006 25
HBPA Election Candidates 2006
HBPAAdministrativeOffices:135Queen’sPlateDrive,Suite370,Toronto,ON,M9W6V1 phone:416-747-5252
The HBPA Election Trainer Candidates.....Continued from Previous Page
STANLEY FISHMAN - Trainer
Father, Morris, Hall of Fame Trainer
Brother, Donald, Veterinarian
Son, Elliott, Owner Lucky Fish Stable
• Owned racehorses since 1961/Trained since 1984 in Ontario, Florida, Pennsylvania, Maryland
& Louisiana.
• Business Experience: Owner/Manager of
Paddock Tavern.
• Full time Fort Erie resident concerned about the future
of live racing and negative impact on all concerned if we fail.
Our needs:
• Representation from Fort Erie horsemen on HBPA. • Viable Race Schedule beneficial for all concerned, financially.
• Closer relationship with Local Business, Government & Chamber of Commerce
I would like to help fight for our survival.
A lot of horses & people depend on it.
NICK GONZALEZ - Trainer
Not available
Let Your Vote Be Counted - Mail Your Ballots Early
For More Information or If You Did Not Receive a Ballot Contact the HBPA Administration Office at 416-747-5252
SUE LESLIE - Trainer
I have been actively involved in all aspects of our industry for over 25 years and have a considerable interest in horses.
I currently sit on the H.B.P.A. Board and helped initiate improved policy/accounting procedures. I also chair the Backstretch Committee, sit on the Rules and Liaison Committees, plus serve on the boards of LongRun, The Jockey Club of Canada and on the C.T.H.S. Advisory Committee.
I believe eliminating Section 31 of the tax code and working with industry leaders to modify and improve processes for horsemen and the backstretch should be priorities.
If reelected, I will devote myself to the betterment of Ontario racing.
DANNY VELLA - Trainer
I have worked on the backside at Woodbine and Fort Erie for over 30 years in many different capacities so it is easy for me to say that I have great emotional and financial ties to racing in Ontario.
I have been involved in the racetrack chaplaincy of Ontario for 2 years now and have found it rewarding.
I would represent the horsemen to the best of ability and believe that keeping the horsemen involved and informed is very important.
HBPA Update
HBPAAdministrativeOffices:135Queen’sPlateDrive,Suite370,Toronto,ON,M9W6V1 phone:416-747-5252
Report from the Executive Director
The CPMA’s (Canadian Pari-Mutual Agency) decision to go ahead with a regulatory review this summer is certainly a positive sign to all industry stakeholders. The review must be welcomed by horsemen across the country, especially since the previous administrators or as some may call bureaucrats, were individuals who did not always approach solutions by requesting collective input within our industry. This fresh approach is a direct result of the new leadership in place at the CPMA, namely, Executive Director- Tim Pettipas, and Associate Director- David Liston.
Who is the CPMA?
To understand where the CPMA is going with this review, we have to understand who they are: Clearly defined, the CPMA is a Special Operating Agency within Agriculture and
Agri-Food Canada that regulates and supervises pari-mutual betting on
horse racing at racetracks across Canada, thereby ensuring that pari-mutu-
al betting is conducted in a way that is fair to the public. The services they
provide are: 1) Auditing of betting activities, 2) Testing of horses for the presence of performance affecting drugs, 3) Providing photo finish and video race surveillance, and 4) Conducting research. Their vision is “to continuously maintain and enforce national standards that will protect the betting public against fraud and thereby helping to enhance the viability of the horse racing industry.”
Their mandate and vision is quite different to our provincial regulator, the Ontario Racing Commission. The ORC’s responsibilities can be summarized as follows: officiate the conduct of horse races, license participants, enforce Rules of Racing, adjudicate rulings, and regulate racetrack operators. The ORC annual report characterizes them as “a Crown Agency responsible for regulating the horse racing industry in Ontario. Reporting to the Ministry of Consumer and Business Services, the Commission assists the Ministry in fulfilling its responsibilities in ensuring public confidence and social controls in the gaming sector through its regulatory oversight of the horse racing industry.”
Broadly viewed, we have two regulators, one Federal and on Provincial, which have differing tasks.
Objective of the Review?
The CPMA is focused on ensuring an accountable regulator framework that provides for the most modern, efficient, and effectiv approach to protecting the betting public as it pertains to pari-mutua wagering on horse racing in Canada, consistent with the Government’ Smart Regulation Initiative.
What we (HBPA) gave them?
Our submission dated July 5, 2006 focused on the following two majo themes:
1) Protecting the millions of dollars invested in our industry and th thousands of jobs our industry creates by protecting live, local hors racing. Specifically, it is our interpretation that the purpose of the Federa Regulations is to preserve and enhance live, local horse racing in Canada by ensuring that as new means of betting are introduced into the Canadia
industry- beyond live racing- there is tangible recognition of live racing, local horseme and a sharing of revenue throughout the industry. To accomplish the protection as se forth, the regulations require an executed agreement between the racetrack and horsemen The definition of “horsemen”, we believe, needs to be clarified to specifically include th “collective will of horsemen”.
2) Drug Control Surveillance Program. The HBPA has requested a review of th CPMA Standard Operating Procedures for sample collection and testing as to protectin the integrity of the industry stakeholders, as well as the betting public. There is a concer with sample contamination and testing for accurate evaluation of therapeutic medicatio in urine and blood.
For a complete copy of our submission, please contact your local HBPA of Ontari office.
Executive Director Nick Coukos
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