Voices from Monday’s casino debate
I don’t think it’s been a particularly smooth process and I’ll take the blame for that. And I think there’s probably been some lack of clarity that came from the province. But at the end of the day, I’ll wear it. This has not been our council or the OLG’s finest hour.
JIM WATSON, Mayor The money that is spent on gambling is money that would have been spent on other activities within the city, and is now leaving the city.
COUN. DAVID CHERNUSHENKO, explaining how his skepticism of casinos has evolved into opposition There are costs in crime, there are costs in bankruptcies, there are costs in displaced spending and money sent out of the community.
PAUL WELSH, of Rideauwood Addiction and Family Services We don’t view gaming expansion to be a crutch that supports our core business.
ALEX LAWRYK, of the Rideau Carleton Raceway
Win, lose or draw. I’d be happy just to have a chance. OTTAWA SENATORS OWNER
EUGENE MELNYK, asking councillors not to shut out his right to bid to host a casino in Kanata My client’s position is simply that he wants a fair process. You ought not to be solesourcing.
PAUL WEBBER, Melnyk’s lawyer, It’s really hard to tell what the province is wanting to do with their process. KANATA SOUTH COUN. ALLAN HUBLEY This disease eats at your soul and leaves you feeling like there’s only one way out. RECOVERING GAMBLING ADDICT JAY MAY, warning of the dangers of compulsive gambling
We are making a recommendation to council based on I don’t know what. GLOUCESTER-SOUTHGATE COUN.
DIANE DEANS, on the wisdom of deciding on a casino without having conducted an economic impact study