Casino meeting set for Jan. 11

ÏAnthony Marcusa –

The Toronto and East York community council casino subcommittee will meet at city hall on Jan. 11 at 9:30 a.m. in committee room 2 on the second floor at 100 Queen St. W.

Councillors Ana Bailão, Paula Fletcher, Mike Layton, Pam McConnell, Gord Perks and Adam Vaughan are on the subcommittee, which was formed on Nov. 6 when a casino-related item was deferred to the Jan. 22 community council meeting. The subcommittee was directed to consult with BIAs in the so-called “casino zones” identified by the OLG.

Many local business owners and residents have already voiced their opposition to a potential entertainment complex—with a gambling focus—in the Downtown core.

The Oct. 10 public consultation meeting about the location of a casino in Ontario lasted over four hours, featured dozens of speakers, and saw overwhelming opposition to the idea.

Maureen Lynett, founder of No Casino Toronto, was one of the first speakers. “We believe a casino will be detrimental to the city and should not be supported,” she said. “This urban strategy has not worked in several cities, it will increase social costs and services, strain the budget and contribute to financial loss.”

Councillors were also asking tough questions about public health, gambling addictions, parking and economic benefits.

“How many jobs will we lose when we stop having the Ex?” Perks asked of Bill Rutsey, president and CEO of the Canadian Gaming Association, after Rutsey argued the introduction of a casino will create jobs.

Rutsey, representing his corporate supporters, claimed that enhanced tourism, more jobs, and greater revenue would follow a Downtown casino. While he tried to present figures to support the claims, his numbers were only speculative and elicited a thumbs-down reaction from the crowd.

Waterfront Toronto and representatives from the CNE will also be present on Jan. 22.

Vaughan pointed out that despite public opposition, the Canadian National Exhibition grounds—one potential sight for the casino—do not have a prohibition against gaming.

It makes the CNE an easy target for gambling proponents, who also have their eyes on the port lands.

The CNE is already serviced by transit and has ample parking, where the port lands have limited bridge access, limited transit, little parking, and inadequate sewer, water, and electricity services.