Calls for Referendum over Toronto Casino
Torontonians are calling for their mayor to call a citywide referendum to determine whether or not a new mega casino should be built within the city.
Their argument is that it should not be left to just 44 councillors to make the decision, especially since Mayor Rob Ford is so much in favor of the new casino.
Councillors were due to vote last week on the new casino, but at the last minute, Mayor Ford pulled the issue from the agenda, in the hope that more time could be bought in order to garner more support for the idea.
The city seems to be sharply divided over the issue of a new casino which could be built on the CNE waterfront, in downtown Toronto or at the Woodbine Racetrack in Rexdale.
While many people support the idea due to the economic benefits that will come with investments, hosting fees, new jobs and revenues generated, the grassroots citizens' group, No Casino Toronto is effectively making its voice heard with yellow No Casino signs sprouting up on front laws and other marketing ploys.
Pushing the Idea of a Casino Referendum
According to Bob Hepburn who wrote an opinion piece in The Star publication, the idea of a Toronto casino referendum "isn't a crazy idea".
"Toronto has already held one casino referendum, with 72% voting no in a 1997 ballot," writes Hepburn.
He recalls that Toronto council considered a referendum last year, but failed to win enough votes to get it off the ground.
"Since then," writes the author, "the fury on both sides of the issue has intensified.
A citywide referendum could be organized very quickly and would cost the city around $9 million to run. Supporters say that it need only consist of one question: "Do you support a casino in Toronto? Yes or No?"
Hepburn says that holding the referendum this year instead of waiting for the next municipal election in October 2014 would remove the issue of a casino from the mayoral campaign, "which is already filling up with major issues ranging from Ford's competency as mayor to subways, road taxes and jets at the island airport."
Special Casino Meeting Called
At the end of April, Mayor Ford pulled a staff report about a new downtown casino from a planned council meeting and instead called a special meeting for May 21st to discuss the issue.
This is the date when the city will make its final call for a casino and councillors will place their vote.
Analysts believe that councillors won't be swayed by the mayor and it is likely that the idea won't pass.
As York Guardian writer David Nickle wrote: "Opposition on the council floor and on the ground is not unanimous, but decisive, and it seems unlikely that the provincial government will sweeten the pot of Toronto's hosting fee to sway enough to make a difference."
