Harness Racing Commission Role Strengthened

AGRICULTURE/FISHERIES--Harness Racing Commission Role Strengthened

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Ernest Fage today introduced amendments to strengthen the regulatory role of the Maritime Provinces Harness Racing Commission.

"By eliminating the role of marketing and promoting harness racing, the commission's time and resources will be focused on recruiting, training, evaluating and licensing racing judges and other officials," said Mr. Fage. "The commission will also focus on establishing uniform rules for harness racing in the Maritime provinces to help deliver a more competitive product and maintain the integrity of the harness racing industry."

In the amended Maritime Provinces Harness Racing Commission Act, the role of the commission is to govern, regulate and supervise harness racing in all of its forms relevant and related to pari- mutuel betting.

The amendments propose that the commission's requirement to deliver an annual report will now include recommendations with respect to the governance and regulation of harness racing. The bill removes the power of the commission to promote and encourage the breeding and racing of horses.

"It makes sense to remove the role of marketing and promotions from the commission's mandate and allow members and groups within the harness racing industry to do this," said Mr. Fage.

The bill also clarifies that the Governor in Council may appoint any minister to be responsible for harness racing. The Department of Agriculture and Marketing was named in the act as the designated department for the transition to a Maritime body, however, it is no longer necessary to have the Agriculture department specifically named.

The amendments also include new definitions modelled from federal definitions under the Criminal Code. These amendments will be implemented once the bill is proclaimed.