The Joint Steering Committee of Equine Canada announces a successful settlement has been reached between Equine Canada and its provincial/territorial partners

The Joint Steering Committee (JSC), comprised of representatives of Equine Canada, provinces/territories participating in Equine Canada programs, and non-participating provinces and territories, has concluded negotiations and has reached agreement on roles, governance structure and finance. This agreement will enable Equine Canada and its provincial/territorial partners to reunite and collaborate more effectively in the future.

These negotiations were a culmination of a mediation process that began in earnest in March 2011, when the Canadian equestrian community established the JSC and authorized it to explore options for the future governance and management of Equine Canada. Over the period of May and June, three volunteer sub-committees addressing governance, roles and responsibilities, and financial models worked tirelessly to prepare recommendations and options for the JSC's consideration.

"This journey has been a long one, and credit must go to the two dozen volunteers who invested incredible time and energy to make this project a success. Our result represents significant changes  for the organizational structure and business model of Equine Canada, and we all know such change does not come easily and without sacrifice", says Mike Gallagher, President of Equine Canada and member of the JSC.

Adds Dominique Chagnon, Chair of the JSC and President of the Fédération équestre du Québec, "Our sport has been divided for a very long time. I believe we have prepared the road map to re-establish trust and to guide all of us forward into a new era of national and provincial collaboration. I congratulate all participants in this process for the effort they have made".

Noted Gary Yaghdjian, Past President of the Ontario Equestrian Federation, "We look forward to non-participating provinces rejoining us in Equine Canada as full members".

The JSC has prepared a full report of its findings, which will be available in both official languages on the Equine Canada web site on August 8, 2011 (www.equinecanada.ca). The report describes numerous changes that will be made to governance and membership structures, competition management, coaching and officials development, member dues and national/provincial/territorial relations. Some changes will take effect immediately while others will be phased in gradually. The voting membership of Equine Canada must also endorse any necessary bylaw changes. Over this transition period, Equine Canada and its provincial/territorial partners will also be making the necessary governance adjustments to ensure full compliance with the forthcoming federal Not-for-Profit Corporations Act.

For further information or media inquiries, please contact:

Dominique Chagnon, Chair of the JSC - dochagnon@sympatico.ca, 514-515-6595

Mike Gallagher, President of Equine Canada - mike4755@nb.sympatico.ca, 506-640-1023