History: Racetracks Tax Sharing Arrangement

This government program was more commonly referred to as the “rebate” program or Horse Improvement Program (HIP) and includes the Overnight Purse Supplements, Standardbred Improvement Program, Thoroughbred Improvement Program and Equine Research. The program was threatened in the fall of 1995. Although not directly referred to in the 1995 Fall Economic Statement, the RTTSA and Racetracks Assistance Program (RAP) were included in industry support programs which were cancelled at that time.

The OHRIA Board of Directors determined that of the two programs, the RTTSA was of greater overall importance to the industry and focused its efforts on saving that program. An industry position paper was developed and sent to every Government MPP in the province. After tremendous lobbying of politicians and senior bureaucrats, the RTTSA was saved for the remainder of the 1995-1996 fiscal year.

When the Government estimates for the 1996-1997 fiscal year were approved, the RTTSA funds were again removed. OHRIA immediately launched another successful campaign and recommended that the administration of the program be transferred from the Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) to OHRIA to remove the program from future risk.