City Councillors vote No to Toronto casino while mayor Rob Ford brushes off accusations that he was caught on video smoking crack.
The City of Toronto has recently voted a big loud NO to having a casino in the city. City councillors voted 40-4 on May 21st which has put the long discussed topic to rest. Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has been lobbying heavily for Toronto to get their own casino and mega resort. During that time many news publications conducted surveys of Toronto residents and it appears to have been a majority of the population not wanting a casino with 2/3 saying it would be bad for the city or it isn't needed.
Part of the lobbying efforts was to highlight how a casino would add more culture to the city but residents claim they don't need a city for culture since they are a very cultural city to begin with. It seems many people do agree that a casino would be something that would hurt the local economy rather than contribute to it. In Ontario there are plenty of articles that talk about what the casinos have done for the city of Windsor. The casino there was expected by many to grow the economy but local businesses state that it has been the opposite with people spending less money at their shops and restaurants and more at the casino itself.
So what exactly would a casino in the city of Toronto do for the city and residents? For some interesting reading on the negative impact local gambling can have here are 2 excellent articles on the topic:
http://www.nowtoronto.com/news/story.cfm?content=191415
http://www.nowtoronto.com/news/story.cfm?content=191425
In the past week Mayor Rob Ford has been deferring accusations that he was smoking crack. The story leaked that the crack dealers that filmed the mayor smoking crack want $100,000 for the video. It was supposedly shown to Gawker editor as well as 2 Toronto Star reporters with a screenshot appearing showing the mayor with 2 Somali drug dealers, one whom was recently gunned down this year. The news is an embarassement for the city of Toronto and has made international news. He hasn't denied the accusations which is typical of Rob Ford who has also denied previously about his DUI charges in Florida over 10 years ago. Unfortunately the mayor seems to be causing controversy anywhere he goes.
If you want to read all the things Toronto Ford has done to embarass himself and the city of Toronto you get yourself a coffee for this long list of 'Ford Follies'.
http://www.thestar.com/news/city_hall/2013/05/17/rob_ford_42_remarkable_moments_from_toronto_mayors_career.html
