Agriculture and Forestry Minister Eric Hammill said today that a report on the status of the Prince Edward Island harness racing industry, commissioned by the government last summer, has been released to the industry.
The report, prepared by Smith Green & Associates, discusses the contribution of the industry to the province, its current strengths and weaknesses and makes suggestions for improving what has been a decline in its viability over the past decade. The report suggests the industry makes a direct and indirect contribution of over $15 million annually to the provincial economy.
Mr. Hammill met with representatives of the Prince County Horseowners' Association, Hillsboro Trotting Club, Charlottetown Driving Park and the Maritime Harness Racing Commission last week. He said that the Cabinet felt it important for the industry to have an opportunity to discuss the report and use it to plan for the future.
"It's really more valuable to the industry than to government," said Mr. Hammill. "Once industry decides what its future direction should be to deal with the short and long-term issues it is facing, government will do what it can to assist this important industry."
The Minister noted that the provincial government provided over $265,000 in grants to subsidize the purse pool accounts at Summerside Raceway and the CDP from May to December of 1996.
He said the Cabinet acknowledges that many industry issues are regional in nature, and he encouraged the Maritime Harness Racing Commission to assist in developing an industry-led action plan for the future.
Mr. Hammill said that industry representatives at the meeting agreed to take the report to their respective memberships and let his department know what follow-up action they intend.