Proposed Toronto casino focus of town hall
Torontonians got their chance on Wednesday evening to say whether or not they want a casino in their city.
The public was invited to tell a special town hall meeting of Toronto and East York community council to say how it feels about the issue.
About 40 speakers registered to give their opinion and another 300 showed up to fill the gallery.
NDP MPP Peter Tabuns kicked off the meeting calling casinos "a shell game" where "the house always wins."
Others predicted an increase in crime and other problems associated with gambling.
But supporters said it would bring jobs to the city and is too good an idea to turn down.
The Canadian Gaming Association held a pre-meeting news conference where it outlined the advantages to a casino.
Bill Rutsey, CEO of the association, called it a "once in a lifetime opportunity."
City staff members presented a report on where in the city zoning would allow for a casino.
Councillors were also scheduled to get reports from Toronto Police, Toronto Public Health and parking officials.
The town hall meeting will not end with a resolution - but the meeting was a chance for councillors to gauge public opinion.
The full city council will receive a report from city staff in early November outlining the pros and cons of the idea.
The province is looking at possibly building a casino in the city, but hasn't said where.
The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation says a casino in downtown Toronto could create 12,000 jobs — but provincial officials have also said they won't build a casino where it isn't wanted.
