Group of councillors work on keeping casinos out of Toronto

As Ontario’s lottery corporation pushes for a casino in Toronto, the campaign to keep them out of the downtown is gaining momentum.

One councillor believes a decision made this morning could prevent the slots from moving in.

The Toronto and East York Community Council voted Tuesday to tighten up zoning bylaws to prevent a casino from going up downtown.

“We have backed the call of residents, effectively saying we that we don’t think casinos are an appropriate way to build a modern city and we have taken steps to make sure that the zoning in our neighbourhoods and our small business areas reflect this,” Councillor Adam Vaughan said.

And Vaughan expects other wards to follow suit.

“People look at casinos as a great idea but when they ask if they want it in their ward, everybody’s happy to put them somewhere else,” Vaughan said.

Councillor Doug Ford has said in the past that the administration would support a casino as long as the public was behind it, if it creates jobs and brings in tourists.    

The McGuinty government is reportedly considering one for Toronto and that a decision is expected in March.

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