Toronto City Council has voted 40 to 4 against having any new gaming ventures in the community. Much of the opposition centred on the perceived social ills of a casino. The decision was taken on a motion by Councillor Mike Layton to oppose the establishment of any new gambling site in Toronto. Mayor Ford’s motion to oppose a downtown casino but expand gambling at Woodbine failed by a vote of 13 to 31. A second motion by Mr. Layton to oppose expanding Woodbine passed 24 to 20. Speaking in a news conference at Queen’s Park, Premier Wynne said her plan to modernize the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation will proceed regardless of whether there is a casino in Toronto. Ms Wynne replied to questions about her dismissal of former chairman Paul; Godfrey by saying she had two critical differences with him. One was how horse racing was to be integrated into the OLG and the second was the principal of no special deal for Toronto, if it were to host a casino. On this day as well, Ms Wynne heard that Andrea Horwath, leader of the NDP, had committed her party to supporting the Liberal budget, thus averting an election.
