The University of Guelph has periodically called together Canada’s horse community to forge a consensus on our shared priorities. The most recent gathering created the Guelph Equine Public Policy Group, to press those priorities forward with Canada’s governments and public institutions.
The Group’s mandate is to develop and champion public policies that will enable the Canadian horse sector to be: humane, accessible, and professional; economically, environmentally, and inter-generationally sustainable; and integrated into coherent policy frameworks for education, employment, and culture.
The Group is composed entirely of volunteers, receives no public funding, and operates independently of the university.
Guelph Equine Public Policy Group Click emblem for member biographies
Group Members
Each member was selected for personal experience and expertise, and is part of the Group as an individual, not as a representative of an organisation or constituency. I am immensely grateful to my colleagues for donating their talents, time, and service to our work.
Rex Bellorum Click image for University of Guelph symposia
Background Documents
The Group was created by the University of Guelph Equine Industry Symposia. The documents below describe the Group’s genesis, objectives, and means of public accountability.
» Horse Sport Magazine Article
01 May 2018
Overview of the equine sector’s key economic and demographic pubic policy dimensions
Equestrian Vaulting Click image for articles
Decisions and Findings
We will conduct most of our deliberations virtually, rather than through physical meetings. To maintain transparency and accountability, we will post timely reports on our activities, decisions, and findings.
» Key Priorities
March 2019
We will review the outcomes of the Equine Industry Symposia and public contributions, to identify priority issues.
» Public Consultations
Beginning February 2019
We will consult with the equestrian community and subject matter experts, to develop public policy proposals to advance each priority.
» Policy Positions
Beginning September 2019
We will meet with governments and public services, to press forward our public policy proposals.
» Assessment and Reporting
Beginning October 2019
We will report to the Canadian equestrian community on the measurable progress of our public policy proposals.
Governor General’s Horse Guards Click image for microblog posts
Meetings with Policy Makers
Our meetings with elected representatives and members of the public service will be matters of public record. We will publish a calendar of upcoming meetings, and a record of the proceedings of completed meetings, using the standard format below.
Name and Role of Official
Date
Objective
» Link to pro-memoria or aide-mémoire
» Link to video, audio, or photographs, if applicable
» Summary of next steps
Working Farm Horses Click image for webcasts
Broadcasts and Articles
We will post webcasts, podcasts, and articles, to keep the Canadian equestrian community involved in our work and to inform Canadians at large about the community’s contributions to the public good.
TV Ontario’s The Agenda with Steve Paikin » TV: Ontario SPCA at a Crossroads
A panel discussion on animal welfare policy, in light of a recent court ruling that the powers of the Ontario SPCA are unconstitutional
Horse Sport Magazine » Magazine: Growing Together or Diminishing Apart
My comment article, about the equine sector’s contribution to Canadian employment and GDP, and the demographic crisis that looms over it
The Wellington Advertiser » Newspaper: Equine industry youth engagement
A news article, reporting on the winter 2018 Equine Industry Symposium, which led to the creation of the Equine Public Policy Group
Combined Driving Click image to search social media
#EquinePublicPolicy
We encourage everyone who would like to participate in our work through social media to use and follow our (admittedly, somewhat unwieldy) hashtag #EquinePublicPolicy.