Could his support for a GTA casino hurt Rob Ford in the 2014 election?
Most of the casino coverage has focused on the economic and social aspects of the debate, but today Spacing’s John Lorinc turns his attention to the potential political fallout. He argues that the casino issue has potentially upended the 2014 election, which, until now, pundits had assumed would be centred around subways and fiscal conservatism—issues on which Rob Ford continues to garner a healthy amount of support. However, if a referendum on a casino is on the 2014 ballot, Lorinc continues, it could be “manna from heaven for the centre-left.” The logic goes that Ford’s opponents would be able to rally against the pro-casino mayor by calling attention to the corporate and political villains and backroom deals that surely go along with pushing through such a development. Lorinc says that the trick is to not sound too sanctimonious about shielding Toronto from wicked gambling dens, but rather to paint Ford “as someone willing to gamble the future of the city and its waterfront.” For a mayoral race that’s still more than two years away, things are already getting heated. Read the entire story [Spacing Toronto] »
![](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://torontolife.com/city/casino-lorinc-rob-ford-election/&title=Could his support for a GTA casino hurt Rob Ford in the 2014 election?&picture=https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/rob-ford-campaigning.jpg&description=[caption id="attachment_138333" align="alignright" width="320" caption="(Image: Shaun Merritt)"][/caption]
Most of the casino coverage has focused on the economic and social aspects of the debate, but today Spacing’s John Lorinc turns his attention to the potential political fallout. He argues that the casino issue has potentially upended the 2014 election, which, until now, pundits had assumed would be centred around subways and fiscal conservatism—issues on which Rob Ford continues to garner a healthy amount of support. However, if a referendum on a casino is on the 2014 ballot, Lorinc continues, it could be “manna from heaven for the centre-left.” The logic goes that Ford’s opponents would be able to rally against the pro-casino mayor by calling attention to the corporate and political villains and backroom deals that surely go along with pushing through such a development. Lorinc says that the trick is to not sound too sanctimonious about shielding Toronto from wicked gambling dens, but rather to paint Ford “as someone willing to gamble the future of the city and its waterfront.” For a mayoral race that’s still more than two years away, things are already getting heated. Read the entire story [Spacing Toronto] »
){kind=link}
Also, how does Ford negotiate his historical affiliation with Woodbine and his early support for putting a casino there with indications that casino operators have no interest in building there? If he throws his support behind a downtown waterfront casino, which endangers the future of Woodbine, might Etobicoke not be displeased with him (more jobs for downtown, the suburbs screwed again)?
Its a complicated issue…
Would it be built on provincial property or municipal property?
Which location would it be built on?
Can you convince the local community that its a good thing to have in their community?
Is the trade offs worth money?
How much money would the city receive?
So many questions… complicated answers… and its Rob Ford who is the QB for this decision. Lets hope he doesn’t come out like he presented very little, and didn’t have the stomach to follow through on his own adviser’s suggestions.
Edit on the previous statement. The last sentence is based on his work / lack there of on the TTC transit file.