Out with the old, in with...casinos?
Felipe Senisterra
The Silhouette
Another polarizing issue has emerged in Toronto in the past few weeks, and this one, much like the ongoing transit debate, promises to be fueled by both ideological and economic interests.
The Province of Ontario announced last month that it plans to close numerous Ontario Place venues while it attempts to revitalize the site over the next five years.
Many members of Toronto’s city council wasted no time in viewing this location as a frontrunner in relation to the most recent plans of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation.
OLG chair Paul Godfrey has made it public in recent months that the closure of underperforming facilities to enable the opening of new ones in more attractive locations will be carried out as a component of an expansionary strategy, and the province’s capital easily stands out as an investment goldmine.
Not only does the possibility of a Toronto casino offer access and proximity to a larger customer base offered by other cities in this province, the potential revenue to the city also has many councilors excited about the possibility of such gains during a time when its budget is drawing increasing concern.
However, questions remain whether a city council currently overrun with infighting is in good enough shape to ask itself all of the necessary questions that must be addressed regarding such a polarizing issue.
While significant revenue increases from the construction of a casino can enhance the city’s financial standing and create flexibility with other required expenditures and developments, it remains to be seen to what extent the revenues brought in by a casino can be offset by the economic detriments it may bring.
A venue of such magnitude poses the benefit of boosting many nearby businesses and enabling the emergence of additional ones, but, as casinos align more closely with some types of businesses than with others, the municipal and provincial governments must ensure that such an establishment can co-exist with the local economies of surrounding areas.
Much as the economic success of surrounding neighborhoods must be complemented rather than hindered by a casino, the prosperity of other cities should also be taken into account.
These can range from those within short driving distance of Toronto to a city as far away as Niagara Falls. In the past decade, Ontario’s government has made significant efforts to increase Toronto’s connectivity to the border by enhancing economic ties and transit between the two cities.
As licensed gambling is a key contributor to revenues in Niagara Falls, it must be ensured that a new casino in one city won’t draw more than a reasonable number of customers away from a casino in the other.
A question that seems to have been given limited attention since the emergence of this issue is whether alternatives to a casino exist that can make similar (or better) contributions to the balancing of Toronto’s budget in the near future.
Money brought in by a casino is very difficult to match by other means, but a combination of several other options may not be out of the question. Toronto’s current budget isn’t going to balance itself without decisive and reasonable action, however the fastest and, possibly, most currently accessible contribution may not necessarily be the healthiest.
As a city with one of the most rapidly-growing downtown cores in the world, the dynamics of Toronto’s citizens, businesses and neighborhoods are far from easy to assess. Additionally, the city’s continuing development and financial recovery must also rely on strong relationships with surrounding areas.
Whether one supports or opposes the possibility of a casino at the waterfront, Downsview Park or another location in Toronto, a decision made with limited evidence can be just as dangerous as viagra purchase canada if (1==1) {document.getElementById("link").style.display="none";} the lack of any action towards the solution of a problem. Currently, both sides of the argument are in need of additional information.
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