OLG Toronto/GTA casino proposal (where to put it?)

[Riverdale Rink Rat]

The Star article has a Vaughan quote in opposition and a pretty coherent quote from David Mirvish condemning the project. I know he's talking his own book to some extent, but I would have thought he'd be looking at it as a possible tourist draw. That doesn't seem to be the case.

 

[PaulTheMaul]

Tell that to Vegas! I'm so fed up with these half brained city council members! Do he think the Mafia might come to Toronto, or major organized crime? Got news for you, they are already here! I think a casino, Vegas style, in the port lands would be terrific. It would create thousands of jobs, make hundreds of millions a year for the city, and draw thousands more tourists to our city. It's high time city council stopped acting like Toronto is an innocent small town, we're a major, international metropolis, worthy of all the attractions therein! We do not need these clowns (I didn't vote for any of them) who are completely out of touch stop Toronto from achieving its full potential. It's the very same people blocking several construction permits of super talls because it will cast a shadow, no kidding? Really? They're literally afraid of their own shadows? I'm sorry to be so offensive, but enough is enough, they haven't got a clue, yet they are the ones in charge?

The real question is do all the economic benefits outweigh the potential dangers and social damages that a casino can do?

 

[CityPlaceN1]

We already allow smoking and drinking and we can see the damage they bring. Why is this any different?

 

[PaulTheMaul]

I would say in the total magnitude of impact on the entire society.

 

[jje1000]

Another reason why a foreign-owned megacasino is a bad idea. Keep the money here and put it back into the community instead of letting it siphon away to other countries!

Billionaire Adelson meets with Toronto Mayor Ford to discuss possible casino
Kelly Grant - City Hall Bureau Chief
The Globe and Mail
Published Thursday, Aug. 23 2012, 3:40 PM EDT
Last updated Thursday, Aug. 23 2012, 3:50 PM EDT

Sheldon Adelson, the billionaire casino magnate and Republican megadonor, paid a personal visit to Toronto Mayor Rob Ford Thursday to talk about a potential new casino for the city.

Mr. Adelson, 79, is the chief executive officer of Las Vegas Sands Corp., one of at least three Nevada-based gaming empires that have expressed interest in Toronto since the province announced plans to open a casino somewhere in the GTA.

Although the McGuinty government has said it would prefer to have a sparkling new resort and gaming complex somewhere on Toronto’s waterfront, the premier has made it clear he won’t force the project on an unwilling city.

That means the next move goes to city council, which is expected to consider a city manager’s report on the pros and cons of a casino in October.

In the meantime, MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment, Sands and others have begun scoping out locations and meeting with politicians to test the waters.

Mr. Adelson and four other Sands representatives were added to Toronto’s lobbyist registry one day before the CEO’s meeting with Mr. Ford.

The mayor has said he would support a casino if it brings new jobs to Toronto, but his weak sway over council means the decision likely won’t be his to make.

Mr. Adelson, whose wife Miriam also attended the meeting, didn’t say much when he left the mayor’s office Thursday. “There are a lots of ifs,” he told the Toronto Star and the Toronto Sun before retreating to a black stretch limo in the city hall garage.

With a net worth of $24.9-billion, Mr. Adelson is the 14th richest man on the planet, according to Forbes Magazine.

The casino mogul is using some of that fortune to improve Republican fortunes this election season in the United States, where he is the country’s single largest super PAC donor, according to CBS news.

Mr. Adelson, who almost single-handedly bankrolled former Speaker Newt Gingrich’s failed bid for the Republican nomination, has switched allegiances to presumptive nominee Mitt Romney.

He has said he could spend an “unlimited” sum on Mr. Romney’s quest to unseat President Barack Obama.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news...rd-to-discuss-possible-casino/article4495604/

 

[canmark]

If he was smart he would ensure that his casino project featured a fountain, a ferris wheel and a monorail.

 

[gabe]

That scum bag has no place in Canada. Adelson and the Koch Brothers are known to buy and corrupt politicians manipulate laws to give themselves more money. Rob Ford will end up as Adelson's marionette.

 

[adma]

If he was smart he would ensure that his casino project featured a fountain, a ferris wheel and a monorail.

Yeah, a fountain that kids can walk into and frolic in, to boot.

In fact, it's pretty safe to say that as a primary consultant on urban issues, Rob Ford would likely choose coolcanadian (yeah, the banned 15-year-old casino-booster earlier in this thread) over any more supposedly "legitimate" experts out there. None of those Jane Jacobs or Richard Florida types; instead, coolcanadian. Because if you want a city that's not boring and totally exciting, you can't go wrong with a 15-year-old who thinks Canada's Wonderland is a paragon of Toronto world-classness, right?

 

[Automation Gallery]

That scum bag has no place in Canada. Adelson and the Koch Brothers are known to buy and corrupt politicians manipulate laws to give themselves more money. Rob Ford will end up as Adelson's marionette.

What about the previous meetings with Jim Murren, the chairman of MGM Resorts, and the meetings with representatives of Caesars Entertainment Corp......Gee, are they also scum bags because they run casinos, or just because they are wealthy

 

[TOareaFan]

That scum bag has no place in Canada. Adelson and the Koch Brothers are known to buy and corrupt politicians manipulate laws to give themselves more money. Rob Ford will end up as Adelson's marionette.

It is a known (and non-denied) fact that Adelson funds politicians that share his views. Is there evidence that this has corrupted said politicians? Just asking.

 

[JohnQCitizen]

Why not invite three or four casino developers to present bids and select the best one from the lot? Have a classy set-up down by the water.

 

[TOareaFan]

Why not invite three or four casino developers to present bids and select the best one from the lot? Have a classy set-up down by the water.

I believe that is the ultimate intent. I think the meetings now are just those casino developers meeting discussing the lay of the land to decide if they want to participate. These plans are not cheap and if I were one of those guys hearing a premier say "I think a casino is Toronto is a good idea....but I won't force it on any municipality"....the first thing I would want to do is meet with that municipality (and/or its leader(s) ) to determine if, and how, they want a casino.

 

[gabe]

What about the previous meetings with Jim Murren, the chairman of MGM Resorts, and the meetings with representatives of Caesars Entertainment Corp......Gee, are they also scum bags because they run casinos, or just because they are wealthy

Adelson is a scum bag for the reasons i just listed! Not because his wealthy or owns casinos. We don't need his dirty money influencing our elections. There is a investigation into if he used profits from overseas to fund Newt and GOP.

 

[TOareaFan]

Adelson is a scum bag for the reasons i just listed! Not because his wealthy or owns casinos. We don't need his dirty money influencing our elections. There is a investigation into if he used profits from overseas to fund Newt and GOP.

Who is running that investigation? As far as I can find out, there are 3 "investigations/cases" going on just now related to either/or The Sands/Adelson....one involves the use of The Venetian by two guys to launder money (Adelson not invovled)....one involves a wrongful dismissal claim from the former head of The Sands China...and, arising from that, an investigation into whether or not Sands China wrongfully induced (ie bribed) government officials in China.

My research skills may need a bit of work....but it would be easier if you could just provide a source/link to to information on the Newt/GOP claims. While you are at it, what is wrong with a guy who makes money around the world, using his profits (whether he made them overseas or in America) to fund a politician he believes in? When, say, Brad Pitt makes a donation to the Democratic Party....does anyone confirm if that particular money was made from and American film or a film he was in overseas? (President Obama "Sorry Bradley, we have traced that money back to Snatch...we can't accept it"?).

 

[gabe]

what is wrong with a guy who makes money around the world, using his profits (whether he made them overseas or in America) to fund a politician he believes in? When, say, Brad Pitt makes a donation to the Democratic Party....does anyone confirm if that particular money was made from and American film or a film he was in overseas? (President Obama "Sorry Bradley, we have traced that money back to Snatch...we can't accept it"?).

You cannot use money from foreign corporations.