City Council Update

 April 17th, 2013

Dear residents,

I wanted to update you on the vote and debate at Executive Committee yesterday.  As many of you may have already read the item "New Casino and Convention Development in Toronto" was tabled on Monday and Tuesday this week, at a Special Meeting of the Committee (called by Mayor Ford).
To review the report - please go to this link:
 
http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2013.EX30.1
 
On Monday over 200 deputants attended committee and spoke to the item. Most in attendance expressed their opposition to a casino.
 
Yesterday, the Executive Committee attended to ask questions of the City Manager, Joe Pennachetti (who drafted the Staff Report) and speak to the item.
 
The vote to approve the recommendations in the Staff Report 1.a (to proceed with a downtown casino) was approved 9-4. Councillors Minnan-Wong, Robinson, Ainslie and I did NOT support this motion.
 
I have been clear that I would support an expansion of the Woodbine site, as there already is a casino there.  At Executive Committee, I felt that I have not been provided enough clarity and facts on a downtown casino, nor a compelling rationale to support a downtown location.  Too many questions are still left unanswered (i.e. what is the exact hosting fee/economic benefit that the City will receive; how will the inherent transit/traffic/congestion concerns going be resolved).
 
The minutes of the Executive Committee meeting will be available at this link in the coming days.  The motions and recorded votes moved at Committee are also found at the bottom of the page on this link:
 
http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/decisionBodyProfile.do?function=doPrepare&decisionBodyId=262#Meeting-2013.EX30
 
There were a number of amendments moved by various councillors - some were approved/some were not.
I moved Motions numbers 4 and 5 (see link above).
 
The recommendations of Executive Committee will now go to the May 7th and 8th meeting of Toronto City Council. I will assume that the debate will be a long one and that there may be other amendments/recommendations moved at City Council.
 
I will email you again, after Council, but in the meantime please provide me with feedback and comments that you have. I have heard from over 500 Ward 5 residents on this issue, and encourage your continued comments prior to the Council debate in May.
 
You can also voice your opinion by participating in the poll on my website.  www.petermilczyn.com
 
Peter