June 26, 2026
The future of horse racing in Fort Erie received a significant boost this week as Ontario Racing confirmed a new five-year funding agreement providing $35 million annually to Ontario’s horse racing industry.
The announcement ends months of uncertainty surrounding the agreement, which had raised concerns about the future of Fort Erie Race Track and the hundreds of local jobs connected to it.
Niagara Falls MPP Wayne Gates welcomed the news, calling the finalized agreement a major victory for Fort Erie and the province’s horse racing industry.
“This is good news for Fort Erie, good news for rural Ontario, and more than anything, it is great news for the workers and all the communities who depend on this industry,” Gates said. “This is a win-win-win for everyone involved.”
Earlier this spring, Gates raised concerns at Queen’s Park after the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society warned Premier Doug Ford that negotiations had stalled due to issues involving Woodbine Entertainment Group.
“When we worked across the aisle and kept the focus on people’s jobs, this deal moved quickly from delayed to done,” said Gates. “We’ve worked with and would like to thank the ministry, the sector, and our Fort Erie Live Racing Consortium for getting the funding to start flowing to the tracks and the people who keep Fort Erie’s Race Track thriving.”
The funding agreement supports 15 racetracks across Ontario, nearly 18,000 jobs, and contributes more than $1.9 billion annually to the provincial economy.
For Fort Erie, the agreement provides long-term stability for a facility that plays an important role in both the local economy and tourism sector.
“This is a victory for the Fort Erie Race Track and for the hundreds of local jobs it supports, and we can all look forward to another exciting season of horse racing here in Niagara,” Gates said. “This deal means that the track now has a long-term funding solution in place and we’re on the path to undoing the damage that was done from the delay.”
Jim Thibert, CEO of the Fort Erie Live Racing Consortium (FELRC), also welcomed the announcement and credited Gates for helping keep the issue front and centre.
“We want to thank MPP Wayne Gates for continuing to raise Fort Erie’s voice at Queen’s Park and for making sure that this deal got done quickly,” said Thibert. “This is an important investment from the provincial government for the Fort Erie Race Track that will build on Ontario’s long-term plan to make Niagara a world-class tourism destination.”
Thibert added that the consortium also appreciates the provincial government, Ontario Racing, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG), and industry partners for working together to finalize the agreement.
“This funding gives our sector more stability, and we look forward to continuing the work to keep horse racing strong in Fort Erie and across Ontario,” he said.
The agreement was also welcomed by Icon Racing Stables, which said the long-term commitment provides confidence for those who make their living in the industry.
“This funding agreement is an exciting step forward for the horse racing industry in Ontario,” the organization said in a statement. “This gives owners, trainers, breeders and horse people the confidence to continue to invest and support the industry for the foreseeable future. We thank everyone involved in making this agreement a reality.”
