Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne issued a statement on Friday evening responding to news reports that suggest the City of Toronto is in line to receive a special casino expansion deal relating to city hosting fees.
Wynne released the statement in response to the news stories, which had reported that the hosting fees Toronto would receive are more than double those that have been offered to other Ontario municipalities. With Toronto being deemed a "special case" in such reports, Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson had threatened to recommend that his city pull out of the OLG RFP process unless it receives the same revenue sharing formula being made available to Toronto.
However, Wynne explained that is not the case.
"There will be no special deal for Toronto in connection with any proposed casino development," she said. "The approach OLG is taking in Toronto with regard to hosting fees will be the same as the approach being used in other parts of Ontario."
Wynne's statement appears below in its entirety.
"The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) is in the midst of exploring additional opportunities for casinos in Ontario. Some news stories today are suggesting that Toronto is going to get a special deal with regard to hosting fees.
"In light of these stories, I would like to reiterate the new Ontario government's expectations as to what will happen with casino expansion.
"First off, there will be no special deal for Toronto in connection with any proposed casino development. The approach OLG is taking in Toronto with regard to hosting fees will be the same as the approach being used in other parts of Ontario. The hosting fee for Toronto would reflect the size and scale that global gaming companies have confirmed is possible in the city. If the same capital investment and job potential are possible elsewhere, the same hosting fees would be generated.
"While a lot of attention has been focused on Toronto, OLG is intent on expanding casino opportunities to a number of regions in Ontario. The underserved markets of North Bay, Kenora, Collingwood-Wasaga Beach and Belleville-Quinte are currently being considered for development.
"My government will ensure that all regions of the province will benefit from OLG modernization."
Too bad Premier Wynne
Too bad Premier Wynne couldn't respond as quickly to news reports that thousands of Ontario horse men and women will be out of work in two weeks time!
Am I the only one confused?
Am I the only one confused? Do we now have to negotiate with OLG for our livelihood? Is the unelected now running the Province? Just asking!