Another voice has joined the chorus of opposition to a proposed casino complex in Toronto.
Citing potential negative impacts of a new gambling facility, Toronto’s Board of Health voted unanimously against the idea on Monday.
While some impacts of a gaming facility could be positive with new job creation, most of outcomes would be negative, it said in a report.
“As concluded in the previous report, increases in problem gambling are the most important health impacts of a new casino in Toronto,” the board states. “With respect to all other potential impacts, the available evidence indicates that the introduction of a new casino is likely to have greater adverse health-related impacts than beneficial impacts.”
The board said evidence correlating a casino, increased crime rates and local economic development is “inconclusive.”
“A review of available evidence, largely from other jurisdictions, indicates that increased employment and income, if generated as expected, could have positive impacts on health, although shift work and irregular hours may cause negative health consequences to casino workers,” the report states. “On the other hand, increased motor vehicle traffic could increase injuries and air pollution related illness.”
Last month the city wrapped up a series of public consultations on a proposed casino — first pitched last year by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. City council is expected to make a final decision on the issue in April.
The heads of MGM Resorts and Las Vegas Sands both outlined their visions for integrated resorts in Toronto during recent visits. MGM wants to build a facility on the CNE grounds. Sands wants to build at the Metro Convention Centre. Both companies said gambling wouldn’t be the focus of their projects.
The same reason that Toronto (and I) reject a casino is the same reason that MIssissauga should (and I hope) reject one. Mississauga is a residential city. We live here. We sure don’t need all the traffic (HURONTARIO!!!!), pollution, and high crime rates that follow casinos. That crime rate really scares me. Mississauga is my home. I want to keep it a comfortable place to live in.
Good going, Toronto.
No problem Toronto. We hope you turn it down. Mississauga is a leading City eager to get on the world map. We’ll take it here, stimulate our economy, reduce our taxes, build infrastructure and employ local residents.
And while we are at it. Hazel, stop those cheque we keep sending to our neighbour’s to the east. Their ability to make rational
decisions on what is best for their whole city is pathetic with all that in fighting and grand standing. What have you done for us lately?
Citynews: “….increased motor vehicle traffic could increase injuries and air pollution related illness.”
Previous Citynews videos cited that the casino would add 11,000 vehicles per hour to Toronto traffic. That many extra vehicles would definitely result in more road accidents and more injuries and fatalities.
Those politicians in the Ontario government who are pushing this casino idea, do they understand that their decisions have an impact on human health? Do they care?
YES!