TORONTO – The city’s executive committee has approved the city manager’s report on a casino and in doing so has set the stage for a heated debate at city council in May.
The 13 member committee passed the motion by a vote of 9 – 4.
The controversial report, penned by city manager Joe Pennachetti, suggests the city approve a casino at Exhibition Place if over $100 million a year in hosting fees can be guaranteed by the OLG and the province.
Some suggestions estimate the hosting fees would be closer to $15 million.
The report also suggested additional convention space could be an economic boon to the city.
Councillor Milczyn put forward a successful motion Tuesday that will attempt to force any developer to include approximately 800,000 square feet of convention floor space within the development.
Few councillors stated outright whether they would support a casino regardless of conditions.
Councillor’s Gary Crawford and Peter Milczyn said they would support the casino but only if the province and OLG could meet certain conditions such as location, hosting fees and space for conventions.
Councillor Vincent Crisanti was one of the few vocal supporters of a casino, suggesting that a casino will be built in the region regardless of the committee’s decision and the city should seize that opportunity.
Deputy Mayor Doug Holyday echoed Crisanti saying Toronto would see “all of the problems and none of the benefits” if a neighbouring city built a casino.
The Canadian National Exhibition Association sent an open letter to the committee soon after the vote claiming a casino at Exhibition Place “would lead to the disintegration of the CNE.”
“It would be another wall to our waterfront. It would stifle the renewal of our adjacent neighborhoods,” the letter continues. “But most concerning, it would very likely end up being a white elephant on our waterfront.”
Tuesday’s vote by the executive committee sends the report to city council which will review the report in May.
An informal Global News tally of councillors prior to the executive meeting counted at least 17 councillors who were opposed to the casino.
Councillor Mike Layton, a vocal opponent of the casino, tweeted shortly after the vote that the casino has “very little support” at city council.
Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong, a usual ally of Mayor Rob Ford, was one of the few on the executive committee to come out strongly against a casino in the city.
“I’m not voting for a casino,” Minnan-Wong said. “I don’t think casinos represent the values of the city of Toronto. I don’t believe gambling and all the things associated with it represent the values I have and I don’t think it represents the constituents of my ward.”
Councillor Jaye Robinson – usually a staunch ally of the mayor – was also a notable ‘no’ vote.
Councillors who voted for the motion: Mayor Rob Ford, Michael Thompson, David Shiner, Cesar Palacio, Doug Holyday, Norm Kelly, Frank Di Giorgio, Vincent Crisanti, Gary Crawford.
Councillors who voted against the motion: Jaye Robinson, Peter Milczyn, Paul Ainslie, Denzil Minnan-Wong
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