Woodbine hires former politician McNaughton to industry post

ETOBICOKE, Ontario—Woodbine Entertainment has announced the appointment of former politician Monte McNaughton as Executive Vice President of Industry Relations and People Experience.

McNaughton, who was most recently Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development for Ontario, served in public office for more than 15 years and was a Member of Provincial Parliament since 2011 for the Progressive Conservative party.

"We have an opportunity to expand our business in a way that benefits Ontario's horse racing industry and the families depending on it,” said Woodbine Entertainment CEO Michael Copeland. “I believe Monte's expertise and leadership will guide us toward realizing our ambitious goals.”

Woodbine Entertainment, which operates like a not-for-profit organization with the sole mandate of sustaining and growing horse racing in Ontario, is focused on transformative growth initiatives to generate new and sustainable revenue streams for the racing industry and the 25,000 jobs it supports across the province.

“I’m honored to join Michael and his team of dynamic business leaders at Woodbine Entertainment,” McNaughton said. “Together, we will focus on growing horse racing and revenues associated with it, to create jobs and ultimately benefit our communities and families.”

:: Bet with the Best! Get FREE All-Access PPs and Weekly Cashback when you wager on DRF Bets.

Woodbine Entertainment is engaged in one of the largest property development projects in Canada. The nearly 400-acre project in the Rexdale community of North Etobicoke will include a privately funded mass-transit train station and upwards of 29,000 residential homes. An estimated 17,000 permanent jobs will be created through the project.

McNaughton, a native of southwestern Ontario, is a graduate of Westervelt College and executive programs at the Ivey School of Business at Western University.

“As an 8-year-old boy I stood in the winner’s circle with family friends who raced horses,” McNaughton recalled. “The sport has captivated me ever since.”

McNaughton’s appointment is effective immediately.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.