Page 20 - May 2005 The Game

Your Thoroughbred Racing Community Newspaper
The Game, May 2005 21
HBPA Update
Report from the Executive Director
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL TRAINERS
There is a mandatory meeting for ALL trainers on Wednesday, May 11, 2005 at 12:00 PM at the Woodbine Sales Pavilion.
The meeting is concerning the changes to the WSIB and Ministry of Labour rules.
Non-compliance of these new rules could lead to large fines
or even jail time.
Ignorance of the rules will not be an acceptable excuse.
There are several industry communication periodicals,
position papers, and reports from
various industry stakeholders
which provide all participants in
our industry with a wealth of information. One of the best
documents believe it or not, is the
annual report issued by the Ontario
Racing Commission. This report
outlines, in detailed messages
from both the Chair and the
Executive Director, a briefing of
past accomplishments and future
objectives. The report concisely
spells out it’s vision and mission “The Ontario Racing Commission, in consultation with the horse racing industry, developed a new strategic direction which identified long term goals and priorities for the Commission”. The ORC mission statement: to regulate all facets of the industry in a manner that; promotes high standards of integrity, honesty, business practices and accountability; protects and enhances the broader public interest; protects the health and enhances the safety of the horse; and encourages balanced growth and economic development of the industry.
The ORC’s mandate is also identified as
“acts in the public interest to govern, direct, control and regulate the horse racing industry in Ontario and to ensure public confidence in the honesty and integrity of the industry”.
If you are not sure of what it is the ORC does, the core business functions are identified as follows: 1) Officiate races, 2) Compliance, 3) Investigations, 4) Licensing, 5) Adjudication, 6) Regulations of Racetracks, and 7) Public Hearings.
Statistics that are provided for in the report which caught my attention are as follows:
a) On the matter of thoroughbred rulings over the last three years, the stewards have issued
752, 751, and 751 rulings for 2001, 2002, and 2003 respectively. How does consistency strike you.
b) Positive drug test in thoroughbreds over the last three years and the number of test performed, 5/5581, 3/5577, 4/5488 for 2001, 2002, and 2003 respectively. That is less than .1%.
c) Positive tests for TCO2, over the last three years and the number of test performed, 0/5076, 0/3560, 1/2650 for 2001, 2002, and 2003 respectively. The % on my calculator does not even compute number.
such a small
d) thoroughbred live race dates have been
consistent over the last five years: 1999- 272, 2000-267, 2001-281, 2002-282, and 2003-278. Standardbred live race dates have increased over the last five years: 1999-1192, 2000-1237, 2001-1363, 2002-1396 and 2003- 1382.
e) As far as licenses issued, over the past five years; trainer & assistant trainer have increased from 331 in 1999 to 403 in 2003. Occupational licenses have increased from 1672 in 1999 to 2893 in 2003, and Association officials have increased from 177 in 1999 to 320 in 2003.
f) The last statistic which is quite telling is the number of claims at both Woodbine and Fort Erie over the last two years. At Woodbine, the number of claims are as follows: 2002- 627, and 2003- 493. That is a 27% decrease. At Fort Erie, 2002- 448, and 2003- 310. That is a 44% decrease. Over a four year period, the percentage drop in claims at both Woodbine and Fort Erie is 29%. There were 1130 claims in 2000 and 803 in 2003.
There is no question, the 2004 ORC annual report has made us all wiser. For a copy of the report, please contact the HBPA administrative offices.
Executive Director Nick Coukos
Record of Employment Forms Needed for Pension Plan
HBPA Day at the Races! Fort Erie
The HBPA has mailed out the Record of Employment Forms for 2004 to all Pension Plan members.
These forms are a necessary part of the pen- sion plan file and need to be completed and sent back to the HBPA administration office by April 30, 2005.
If the forms are not received by the HBPA by the end of April, your pension could be
suspended.
The HBPA reminds you to make sure the
form is filled out in its entirety and signed and witnessed before returning.
If you are a Pension Plan member and have not received a form or if you have questions or require assistance please contact your HBPA representatives at Woodbine or Fort Erie Racetracks or call 416-747-5252.
The first HBPA Day at the Races for 2005 is at Fort Erie on Sunday, May 22. Throughout the live racing program that day the HBPA will be giving away a lead shank to each winning horse and each winning groom will receive a cheque for $100 courtesy of the HBPA.
Also, the first 2000 visitors to the HBPA Booth which will be set up in front of the customer service booth will receive an HBPA t-shirt courtesy of the HBPA.
Attention HBPA Benefit Plan Members
For those who take advantage of the HBPA Group Benefit Plan, which includes the Medical/Dental Plan, the HBPA now requires that a photocopy of your valid ORC license be on file each year.
A photocopy of your 2005 ORC license is required to be on file at the HBPA track or
administration office before May 1, 2005. Without a valid ORC license your benefit
coverage may be terminated.
For additional information please call the
administration office at 416-747-5252 or the backstretch office at Woodbine 416-675-3802 or Fort Erie 905-871-3200, ext. 3249.
Alcoholics Anonymous
Meetings
Every Tuesday at 1pm HBPA Trailer Backstretch Woodbine Racetrack