MEMORANDUM TO:
Provincial Regulatory Bodies
Canadian Horse Racing Associations
Horse Persons Groups
SUBJECT: Director, Equine Drug Control Program
I would like to advise you of some changes affecting the management of the Canadian PariMutuel Agency' s Equine Drug Control Program (EDCP).
Dr. Adam Chambers has accepted a position with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) as Senior Veterinary Services Manager. For severa l years, a work-share agreement allowed CPMA and AGCO (formerly Ontario Racing Commission) to jointly benefit from Dr. Chambers' thoughtful approach to drug control and its impact on horse racing. Unfortunately, this will no longer be possible, as his new responsibilities will command all of his attention.
The CPMA's loss will be the AGCO's gain and we are pleased that Dr. Chambers will remain in the horse racing industry. I would like to thank Dr. Chambers for his years of service and commitment to the CPMA, and the Canadian horse racing industry.
I would also like to welcome Dr. Carolyn Cooper, DVM, as CPMA's new Director, Equine Drug Control Program (EDCP). Dr. Cooper, a veterinarian from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, will have overall responsibility for the EDCP and started her new responsibilities on April 1st, 2016.
Dr. Cooper graduated as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the Ontario Veterinary College in Guelph and has a Bachelor of Science Degree with honours in Neuroscience from Carleton University in Ottawa as well as a wide range of expertise as a regulatory veterinarian and with large animals, including horses. Dr. Cooper will work out of CPMA HQ, as well as the laboratory in Ottawa, and will have oversight of the Equine Research Facility in Jerseyville, the laboratory in Ottawa and the collection/shipping and analytical contracted service providers.
Dr. Cooper can be reached through the CPMA's toll-free number: 1-800-268-8835, or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The CPMA continues to explore opportunities to reduce costs and share resources with provincial regulators. In that regard, please also note that we have agreed with the AGCO to have Dr. Chambers continue to work out of the CPMA Equine Research Facility in Jerseyville. This arrangement is expected to facilitate our reorganization of the EDCP, under Dr. Cooper's direction.
Steve Suttie