New casino considered in Northern Ontario

The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) is examining a number of possible sites for the proposed development.

Canada.- The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) is currently considering a number of sites to locate a new casino in Northern Ontario. If a site is chosen, the host city’s economy will receive an influx of millions of dollars that will go towards job creation, schools, businesses and hospitals.

Representatives from the OLG say they will make a decision in late 2017 but in the meantime, the Municipality of Callander has made clear it wants a share of casino revenue. The North Bay area is on the list and Callander is one of the smallest municipalities in the area, in need of the funding.

Luc Lavigne, Callander Mayor said he is not concerned with the casino site as he just wants to make sure his Municipality isn’t cut out when it comes to sharing the proceeds. “I’m not necessarily a casino proponent. I just feel that right is right,” declared Lavigne.

“We have nothing to do with how the host site divides the money. It is up to them to determine who and how much they share with other municipalities,” said Stephen Rigby, OLG spokesperson. In most cases, casino host sites share proceeds with surrounding towns, but it is not a requirement by law. Lavigne claimed he has no intentions of dropping the issue. “Sharing the proceeds is the only way to keep it on a level playing field,” he added.

OLG Board Chair Philip Olssen, expressed there isn’t much he can do. According to Olssen, Lavigne’s best shot is to speak with the mayor of the winning municipality. “We understand his concern, but our hands are tied,” he said. At this point, the OLG hasn’t made a decision on the location and there’s no guarantee it will be in the North Bay area. Callander and the other communities have no choice but to sit back and wait.