The first of five Toronto City Council public consultations began on Wednesday as the city sought feedback from residents in regards to hosting a casino.
According to an article in the The Globe and Mail, hundreds of Toronto residents attended the open-house information session with the majority in opposition of Toronto hosting a casino. Councillor Adam Vaughan polled the audience to find those in opposition to a casino far exceeding the supporters.
“Let the record show that the overwhelming majority of people that are here tonight oppose a casino in Toronto, don’t want this process to go forward and don’t approve of this consultation process," Vaughan was quoted as saying in a Toronto Sun article.
Unhappy with the open-house style of the session, Councillor Gord Perks stepped up to call for attendees wishing to discuss the issue and "have an actual discussion" to move to a committee room. He was joined by Vaughan and fellow Councillors Paula Fletcher, Pam McConnell, Mary Fragedakis, Sarah Doucette and Janet Davis.
"I apologize on behalf of this group of councillors,” said Perks. “We had hoped for a more lively discussion.”
The next public consultation is set for Saturday, Jan. 12 at North York Memorial Hall, 5110 Yonge St. from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Results from the consultations will be compiled into a report for Mayor Rob Ford’s executive committee, which will consider a Toronto casino on March 20. A report with the public’s comments will also be available on the city’s website.
(Photo: Don Peat/Toronto Sun)