Racetrack Faces Staff Cuts Without Timely Funding

The Fort Erie Race Track, a long-time employer in the area, is worried about having to lay off workers if provincial funding continues to be delayed.

“If we can’t get those purses up, if we can’t get horsemen … we have to start letting people go if we can’t keep the lights on,” James Culic, Fort Erie Race Track’s communications manager, told CBC Niagara.

No jobs are at risk right now, according to Culic, but next year’s budget could change that. “We’re in a very tight spot,” he says.

The historic racetrack mentions that the annual funding from the province, totaling $35 million for Ontario, has been crucial for creating summer jobs and providing purses – prize money distributed to groomers, trainers and owners of winning racehorses – over the past decade.

Culic states that the Ontario government isn’t at fault. In fact, he claims they have been supporting the racetrack financially by helping recover losses from slot machines taken out in 2012.

<p“For this year, everything was lined up with Ontario Racing and Ontario Lottery Gaming (OLG),” said Culic.

However, the deal fell through after Woodbine Entertainment, which owns two horse racetracks in Toronto and Milton, Ont., asked for a larger share of the $35-million total pie, according to Culic.

The agreement needs Woodbine Entertainment’s signature as a condition set when it was originally established.

“There’s 13 other racetracks that are part of that funding deal,” said Culic. “The larger portion that Woodbine takes means less for everyone else including us.”

<p. In a statement given to CBC Niagara on April 29,, Woodbine Entertainment expressed understanding and support for faster investments into the industry.

“Discussions are ongoing and constructive, and remain focused on strengthening the industry’s long-term financial foundation,” their statement said.

<p. When asked about their requests,, Jamie Dykstra,, vice-president of communications at Woodbine Entertainment declined to provide specifics “out of respect to the ongoing discussions.”

<p. CBC reached out to the Ministry of Tourism,, Culture and Gaming for comments but was directed towards Ontario Lottery Gaming (OLG).

<p. CBC also contacted Duncan Hannay,, president at OLG,, requesting comment over two weeks before this story was but did not receive any reply.

Delay Affects Racetrack And Horse Breeders

The horse racetrack opened its doors in 1897 and is starting its 129th season. It has been an important employer in town for many years.

<p. During peak season,, around 200 full-time workers are employed at the racetrack along with summer landscaping and student positions.

Opened in 1897,, Fort Erie Race Track hosts the annual Prince of Wales Stakes – an important thoroughbred racing event and second jewel in Canada’s Triple Crown. (Diona Macalinga/CBC)<p. Fort Erie councillor George Mc Dermott remembers working multiple jobs at the track while growing up.

<pp“It’s really not fair to these guys because they all work so hard to bring people here [to Fort Erie] and they provide jobs for the community,” Mc Dermott told CBC Niagara.</pp

“It’s not just direct employment,” said Culic. “We buy hay from farmers,, we get tractor equipment from local companies,, local printers print all our materials.”</pp

The funding is especially critical for those who rely on horse racing for their livelihood like those who clean stables or care for racehorses.</pp

Horse breeders are feeling strain too.</pp<p. David Anderson,, president of Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (CTHS), mentions that withholding $35 million has had a “tremendous” effect on his operations.[Woodbine Entertainment is] trying to take this funding away from owners and breeders of Ontario,” Anderson stated. “They’re also trying to suffocate other racetracks such as Fort Erie. It’s unfair.”</pp<p. Anderson explained there was an offer made for renewal back in November 2025., but delays have caused Ontario thoroughbred horse breeders to miss out on this year's breeding season which usually begins in February.

The CTHS organizes yearling sales across Canada which generates vital business for horse breeders selling horses aged one or two years old.`

`Anderson noted that sales numbers dropped over a third compared to last year's September yearling sale.
“It's been a mass exodus out of province; [horse breeders and owners] won’t come back,” added Anderson while stating Canada is losing business opportunities to U. S.

Minister States Importance Of Protecting Fort Erie And Horse Racing

<p. Niagara NDP MPP Wayne Gates has raised this issue several times at Queen's Park., including May 14 when he further pressed it during an appearance with Ontario's Tourism Minister Stan Cho.

“For more than a century,. the Fort Erie Race Track has been essential for tourism;, job creation in Niagara; supporting hundreds of jobs related agriculture;; breeding;; training.; racing; marketing;” MPP Gates stated.

“Why is Premier [of Ontario] allowing Woodbine Entertainment Group along with one person Jim Lawson [executive chair at Woodbine], hold back government assistance?” MPP Gates questioned.

Tourism Minister Cho mentioned "there's an offer being reviewed" involving Ontario Racingand details will be shared once available.

"We completely agree it's worth protecting as well as Fort Erie," Cho remarked.

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