The idea of a casino in Cornwall is dead, again.
City council officially threw in the towel Monday night on pursuing the establishment of a casino in Cornwall after Queen's Park recently indicated it would be standing by its current moratorium on new gaming facilities.
In a recent letter to Mayor Bob Kilger, David Caplan - the minister responsible for Ontario Lottery and Gaming - indicated the province has no plans to build new gaming facilities aside from one already planned for the Belleville area.
The province's gaming strategy - introduced in January 2005 - puts an increased focus on social responsibility while ensuring Ontario's gaming industry remains competitive, Caplan's letter states.
Gardiner angered
Caplan's response angered Coun. Syd Gardiner, who failed to buy into the minister's explanation.
The councillor suggested a Cornwall casino would be too competitive. Gardiner said he visited four casinos in the past week, and he spotted Cornwall residents in each one of them.
As for the moratorium, Gardiner pointed out other gaming facilities have or will be opening up in other areas of eastern Ontario, such as Belleville and Gananoque.
"Does that moratorium only apply to Cornwall?," he asked.
Sparks then flew around the council table when Gardiner suggested communities with casinos are likely using some of the revenues to offset the costs of services which were downloaded under former Premier Mike Harris' watch.
That comment drew Coun. Glen Grant - a Conservative supporter and organizer in the riding - to his feet. Grant told his colleague to leave politics out of the debate.
"I didn't download, he (Harris) did," said Gardiner, who once ran for the NDP.
Coun. Mark MacDonald said if council was serious about a casino, it should continue pursuing the idea, with or without the province's blessing.
"It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know we're going to get all the business from Montreal," he said.
But MacDonald's call failed to register with his colleagues. Grant said council should look at pursuing other initiatives like the multi-pad arena rather than wasting time on something that likely won't happen.
"I think the writing's on the wall," he said.
Coun. Andr‚ Rivette suggested the city should notify the province it wants to be considered as a spot for a casino if and when the moratorium is lifted, but even that idea failed to gain traction.
Caplan's letter does not directly rule out the possibility of a casino in Cornwall, but it offers no indication the McGuinty government is willing to look at building new gaming facilities.
The idea of a casino in Cornwall has been raised by city leaders on several occasions in the past, but the idea has never moved beyond talk.
City council officially threw in the towel Monday night on pursuing the establishment of a casino in Cornwall after Queen's Park recently indicated it would be standing by its current moratorium on new gaming facilities.
In a recent letter to Mayor Bob Kilger, David Caplan - the minister responsible for Ontario Lottery and Gaming - indicated the province has no plans to build new gaming facilities aside from one already planned for the Belleville area.
The province's gaming strategy - introduced in January 2005 - puts an increased focus on social responsibility while ensuring Ontario's gaming industry remains competitive, Caplan's letter states.
Gardiner angered
Caplan's response angered Coun. Syd Gardiner, who failed to buy into the minister's explanation.
The councillor suggested a Cornwall casino would be too competitive. Gardiner said he visited four casinos in the past week, and he spotted Cornwall residents in each one of them.
As for the moratorium, Gardiner pointed out other gaming facilities have or will be opening up in other areas of eastern Ontario, such as Belleville and Gananoque.
"Does that moratorium only apply to Cornwall?," he asked.
Sparks then flew around the council table when Gardiner suggested communities with casinos are likely using some of the revenues to offset the costs of services which were downloaded under former Premier Mike Harris' watch.
That comment drew Coun. Glen Grant - a Conservative supporter and organizer in the riding - to his feet. Grant told his colleague to leave politics out of the debate.
"I didn't download, he (Harris) did," said Gardiner, who once ran for the NDP.
Coun. Mark MacDonald said if council was serious about a casino, it should continue pursuing the idea, with or without the province's blessing.
"It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know we're going to get all the business from Montreal," he said.
But MacDonald's call failed to register with his colleagues. Grant said council should look at pursuing other initiatives like the multi-pad arena rather than wasting time on something that likely won't happen.
"I think the writing's on the wall," he said.
Coun. Andr‚ Rivette suggested the city should notify the province it wants to be considered as a spot for a casino if and when the moratorium is lifted, but even that idea failed to gain traction.
Caplan's letter does not directly rule out the possibility of a casino in Cornwall, but it offers no indication the McGuinty government is willing to look at building new gaming facilities.
The idea of a casino in Cornwall has been raised by city leaders on several occasions in the past, but the idea has never moved beyond talk.
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