Equine Canada National Reform 2010
When I read this letter I wonder how I can be so uninformed about this. I would really like to hear what you have heard and what you think about it. Are most of you behind Equine Canada or Alberta Equestrian Federation or like me just not as aware of this as we probably should be? Please take a minute to comment on this and help us better understand the dynamics behind this and why the controversy. I look forward to your comments – Lynn
Letter From Akaash Maharaj, CEO, Equine Canada
This letter is intended to let you know about our national reform and modernisation agenda, why it will lower total costs and improve service to you, and how it will enforce higher standards of accountability in the governance of Canada’s equine sector.
This is perhaps the most significant moment in our evolution as Canada’s national governing body for equestrianism and horsemanship, and represents a long-awaited leap forward in our determination to forge a Canadian equine system worthy of our country’s name.
What will change in 2010?
The heart of the national reform agenda is a new alliance between Equine Canada (EC) as the national equestrian federation, and each of the ten provincial equestrian associations. In a country of our scale and diversity, the nature of this partnership will naturally vary from province to province.
- Any provincial association that wishes to act as the agent for Equine Canada’s national services — e.g., the sale of EC national credentials, such as EC Sport Licences, EC Horse Passports and Licences; the management of the EC national competition system; the administration of the EC coaching and learn-to-ride programs; the oversight of the EC Equine Medication (anti-doping) procedures — will only be permitted to do so if it signs a service agreement, open to the full glare of public and member scrutiny. The service agreement will require both Equine Canada and the provincial association to meet national standards of service, of financial transparency, and of accountability to Canadians. More importantly still, it will represent a binding covenant with Canadians to uphold the integrity of the national equine system.
- For 2010, the provincial associations for British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and New Brunswick — which together represent the majority of our nation-wide membership — have chosen to join Equine Canada in a new Canadian membership model. A resident of one of these provinces will continue to receive membership in Equine Canada by joining his or her provincial association for a single fee, and will now enjoy mutually guaranteed levels of service and all the benefits of both organisations.
- For 2010, the remaining provincial associations have chosen to remain outside of the new Canadian membership model. Residents of those provinces who wish to join Equine Canada can do so by joining our national association directly; at $25 per person, and coming with Canada’s best rider liability insurance, this will be the most economical equestrian membership in the country. These provincial associations will not be permitted to compel Equine Canada’s members to purchase a separate membership in their associations or to extract unnecessary levies from them, as is currently the case.
- In provinces that are part of the new Canadian membership model and that sign a service agreement, the provincial association will administer many of Equine Canada’s national services on our behalf. In the remaining provinces, Equine Canada will administer our services directly. In all cases, Equine Canada will guarantee that our members will receive services on time, on budget, and meeting national standards.
Why is this controversial?
Sadly, but perhaps predictably, there has been a great deal of misinformation spread abroad by opponents of reform. Dramatic change can be unsettling, and some of our fellow organisations have found the requirements for higher standards and public accountability difficult to accept. Reform means that all organisations involved in Canada’s equine sector — local, provincial, regional, and national — must put aside narrow self-interest to serve the greater good of our country, and to remember that we exist to serve our members, and not the other way around.
- Currently, provincial associations that administer Equine Canada’s services on our behalf do so without signing a service agreement, and have therefore been able to act without meeting national standards or reporting to the Canadian membership. There are hundreds of thousands of dollars of our members’ fees unaccounted for in the provincially-administered Equine Medication program alone, and the reform process will require an immediate accounting to Canadians.
- Canadians who wish to join our country’s national equestrian federation are currently barred from joining Equine Canada’s national association directly, and are instead forced to subscribe to a provincial association or other third-party, paying those associations fees that can escalate without limit. No part of those forced membership fees support the national system. Equine Canada is forced to give away its membership, and the provincial associations are able to keep our members captive, not permitting Equine Canada to know even the identity of our own members. The new Canadian membership will change this, and create a direct relationship of accountability between Canadians and the Canadian federation.
What happens now?
- The reform process has been nearly a decade of national-provincial negotiations in the making, but we are at long last moving from the realm of words to that of deeds.
- Equine Canada will shortly send out our renewal forms for 2010 EC Sport Licences and 2010 EC Horse Passports and Licences. Residents of BC, MB, ON, and NB will receive renewal forms that are little changed from previous years. These Equine Canada members will continue to obtain their national membership through their provincial associations. For the second year running, Equine Canada has held the line on the costs of EC credentials, and there will again be no increases in these fees.
- Equine Canada licence holders living in AB, SK, QC, NS, PE, and NL will receive forms that will enable them to join Equine Canada’s national association directly as part of the 2010 licence renewal process, without being compelled to pay an additional provincial subscription — a new and substantial economy for those members. In addition, Canadians living in these provinces who do not wish to hold EC licences but do wish to acquire rider liability insurance will, for the first time, have a choice of providers: Equine Canada’s new insurance package or the provincial association’s existing package.
- Equine Canada licensed officials have been receiving direct correspondence on the landscape of the competition system for 2010 and beyond. In the face of the disinformation our officials have been receiving from some associations, it is important for us to reassure them that as the national federation, Equine Canada is the sole body responsible for accrediting all EC officials, and Equine Canada is therefore the sole authoritative source of information on rules and procedures for the officials programs. Our officials will have an undiminished ability to officiate at EC sanctioned events in every province. EC officials should be cautious about advice from non-EC associations on their professional responsibilities and obligations, as only EC sets and enforces their rules and code of conduct.
- EC sanctioned equestrian competitions will shortly receive information on 2010 accreditation, and the significant new benefits available to them from next year onwards. Regrettably, some associations opposed to reform have expressed an intention to undermine the national Canadian equestrian competition architecture, by persuading competition organisers to leave the national accreditation system. We have faith in the judgement of competition organisers to recognise that the best interests of their competitors and their competitions lies in standing together as part of a pan-Canadian system.
The future of the Canadian equestrianism
This is both a tremendously exciting and a difficult juncture in the affairs of Canadian equestrianism.
Equine Canada has always drawn its identity from the very genius of our country. Canada is a great nation because, in all our diversity and fractious differences, Canadians from coast to coast to coast can achieve infinitely more when we stand together, than we ever could if we stood apart. Similarly, the cause of Canadian equestrianism is best served when all parts of the national equine movement find the courage and resolve to forge ahead as one, rather than dissipate our strengths by struggling on separately.
In this context, it has always been Equine Canada’s hope that reform, renewal, and modernisation would be possible through a single unanimous and simultaneous collaboration with all the provincial associations and all our other parts. However, we would do our members, our sector, and our country a terrible disservice if we were to allow the ideal to become the enemy of the possible, and through endless delay, permit Canadian equestrianism to stagnate and decay.
We remain committed to working with each of the provincial associations in our shared mission. Provincial associations who are not part of the new Canadian membership and who do not sign a service agreement will nevertheless remain corporate members of Equine Canada. We hope that ultimately all provinces will join us in the modernisation of the Canadian federation, and we are grateful to those provinces who have already taken this step.
However, no one should be in any doubt: Equine Canada was created to answer a higher calling and a broader mandate than any of our constituent parts, and as the Canadian federation, we are unashamed and unhesitant in exercising national leadership for our sector. We are committed to taking the difficult decisions necessary to turn our ideals into reality, in the knowledge that if we do not move forward and move on to serve the interests of all Canadian equestrians, there is no one else in Canada who can or will.
If you have any questions or concerns, I invite you to contact the Equine Canada office or to visit our web site, at www.equinecanada.ca. On behalf of the Canadian equine community, I thank you for your patience during this time of transition, and look forward to serving you through our modernised and reformed federation.
With best wishes,
Akaash Maharaj
CEO, Equine Canada
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The saskatchewan horse federation has opted out, we as members have received emails from both sides. Mostly the information is confusing and provides little insight into what we as members benefit or stand to lose. I am a member of both SHf (provincial) and equine canada as in the past as a certified coach I had no choice– if I wanted to keep my insurance and certification. Besides paying my annual membership dues and receiving a membership card in the mail I don’t participate in/nor do i receive any benefit from Equine Canada events. However, my provincial membership has great benefits to me including heritage shows, their publication “show trail” and provides my stable as a reference when folks call the office for lessons and training. I question the benefits of the Equine Canada membership to me as a breeder/trainer/boarding barn owner. I get support from my provincial coaching coordintor and get emails inviting me to participate in local events. Equine Canada is so far away, contact is minimal to one letter a year requesting that I renew my membership.
Other people’s thoughts?
I think this letter shows one side of the story.
I also question the benefits of the Equine Canada membership to the average person (the majority).
How will they benefit from these changes? I suspect they would stand to lose more than they would benefit. They suggest that they have the “needs of the whole country” in mind . . . this is also something that I would question – and would like to see how this actually benefits the “whole country” and the majority.
They also suggest that basically because of the way things are now that there are “unaccounted for members fees”. This also makes me doubt their whole position . . . if this is a problem I’m sure it could be fixed without a total “national reform”.
More detailed, more clear information is needed to clear up the confusion.
When I look at the information from both sides, I tend to agree with the provinces that are not joining.
To me it looks like a reform to gain total control – what surprises do we have coming in the future if every province goes along with this ??
I think more than the benefit we stand to gain for supporting a national organization, is what we stand to lose if we don’t. Equine Canada is the only national voice of equestrians in Canada when it comes to issues that have the potential to affect all of us. Although the average rider may think it doesn’t impact them, and it may not a lot of the time, when it comes to a national id program, taxation, acts concerning the keeping of horses, etc. the federal government looks to the national body for information. If there is an issue on a national scale that has a big impact on horse owners in Alberta, will the federal government listen to the AEF, or will they go to Equine Canada for answers?
It was disappointing to hear that the provincial federation said no to the reform based on Equine Canada’s $5 per member fee and a requirement to know the names and addresses of their members. This seems like a very reasonable request. One less cup of Starbucks coffee this year and my contact information going to an organization I’m a member of…work for me.
Often to its detriment, the horse industry is riddled with fragmentation and animosity. The current state of our provincial and national federations is a prime example of this. Isn’t it time we figured out a way to work together for the benefit of all of us, and that which brings us all together in the first place…the horses?
I just received a letter from the President of the SHF who states that Saskatchewan BOD proudly announce the official formation of the Canadian Federation of Provnicial Horse Organizations by Charter granted of Industry Canada. I am confused, we have two National Canadian Equine Bodies?
Who do we support?
Why was our (Saskatchewan) membership not asked through a referendum that we were to take such action of far reaching consequences. In Mr. Fagrie’s letter, he states that the alliance was formed because “it believes in the principles of democratic governance”. I sincerely wish that the membership could have had a direct voice in this decision, as I think that a country the size of Canada cannot support two national bodies. It duplicates effort, and fractionalizes us further. I don’t claim to know either side’s position well enough to draw my own conculsion, however, I would love to see greater input by the Provincial members these sort of decisions effect.