Harness Racing Commission Review Released

A review of the Maritime Harness Racing Commission released today, Nov. 5, supports a continued role for the commission in the region's harness racing industry. It also recommends a stronger regulatory focus and a clearer mandate to ensure the integrity of the industry and safety of participants.

Conducted by Matrix Consulting, the review of the relative roles of the commission and the Atlantic Lottery Corp. in regulating, promoting and marketing harness racing in the region was undertaken at the request of the ministers responsible for the Commission last January.

Agriculture and Marketing Minister Ernest Fage, joined by his Maritime counterparts Eric Hammill of Prince Edward Island and Finance Minister Norman Betts of New Brunswick, said the review was another step in continually improving the integrity of the industry and supports clarification and redirection of the commission's role.

"I am pleased that the review was undertaken and that the commission is now reviewing the report," said Mr. Fage. "Having this comprehensive information will be valuable for the province when reviewing the harness racing industry as part of the government's current review of all provincial programs and services."

Mr. Fage also noted that the review will be helpful to the Atlantic Lottery Corp. as its role in the region's harness racing industry is evaluated.

Recommendations include:

the commission focus solely on regulation of live racing and be directly responsible for all aspects of race officials;

presentation of simulcast events should be the responsibility of the Atlantic Lottery Corp., with appropriate adherence to federal legal requirements;

the development of a Memorandum of Understanding between the commission and Atlantic Lottery Corp. to guide cooperation; and

the ministers support and encourage the development of a strong, regional industry association and a mechanism for industry to advise the commission on the review of rules, monitoring, evaluation and improved communications, which was considered a high priority.

The ministers said they would be working with the commission over the next several months to review the report's recommendations. During that time the commission will conduct business as usual.