The Maritime ministers responsible for harness racing have announced that enabling legislation for the Maritime Provinces Harness Racing Commission (MPHRC) will be amended effective March 1, 2003. The legislatures of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island passed amendments to the Maritime Provinces Harness Racing Commission Act in the most recent sessions of each assembly.
"These amendments more clearly define the powers of the Maritime Provinces Harness Racing Commission and remove the former references to promotion and marketing," said Mitch Murphy, Prince Edward Island's minister responsible for harness racing. "This will focus the Commission as a strictly regulatory body."
New Brunswick's Finance Minister Peter Mesheau stated, "This is a great example of cooperation among the Maritime provinces. This legislation will serve to meet the needs of industry and give greater clarity to the role and responsibilities of the Maritime Provinces Harness Racing Commission."
"The harness racing industry will be strengthened from these changes," said Gordon Balser, Nova Scotia's Agriculture and Fisheries Minister. "Members and groups involved in harness racing will market and promote their own industry while the Commission will focus on the integrity of the sport."
Established as an agency of the Council of Maritime Premiers in 1994, the MPHRC regulates harness racing within the Maritime region. It governs and regulates harness racing and race track operations for eight member tracks and licenses the approximately 1,500 participants in Maritime harness racing. Approximately $30 million was wagered within the Maritimes on horse racing in 2002.
The MPHRC head office is located in Kensington, Prince Edward Island. It employs a full-time staff of two and nineteen senior and associate judges on a part-time basis to supervise live racing events, of which there were 270 in 2002.
Current Maritime Provinces Harness Racing Commission members are Donald Dalling and Michael Sullivan of New Brunswick, Donald MacLellan and Frank Balcolm of Nova Scotia, and Chairman George Riley and Patrick Murphy from Prince Edward Island. John Blakney currently serves as Director of Racing.