A Toronto city councillor is pushing for a debate on the proposed downtown casino on Tuesday, after Mayor Rob Ford cancelled a special meeting on the issue.
In a press conference on Friday, Councillor Mike Layton told reporters that at least 23 councillors have signed a letter requesting that the special session on the issue not be delayed until June 11.
“The people of Toronto have informed me… that they want to see a debate on this item. We promised it to them next Tuesday and we’re going to deliver it to them,” Layton said.
Layton, a vocal opponent of the casino plans, said he has 23 signatures “and the numbers grow.”
Asked if the request for the special meeting is just “lefties posturing,” Layton said a “broad spectrum” of councillors have signed the letter and they believe it’s important to have a discussion on the proposed plan, even if it appears the outcome has already been decided.
“It’s clear that we don’t want a casino in the City of Toronto and that’s what I think will be the result,” he said.
Last week, Ford delayed the scheduled meeting. He blamed Premier Kathleen Wynne for essentially killing the deal, saying the province has failed to promise a fair share of the proposed casino revenue to the city.
That share, according to a new funding formula is approximately $53.7 million a year, not the $100 million Ford has been seeking.
Layton’s letter will be delivered to the city clerk on Sunday. If the meeting is approved, the meeting will be held on Tuesday at 9:30 a.m.
