The Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, owners of the Great Blue Heron casino in Durham Region, east of Toronto, want to expand the facility, but Ontario provincial officials first want to review ways to increase revenues through other gaming strategies. Meanwhile, the town of Scugog argued that allowing gaming elsewhere in Durham would hurt the Great Blue Heron casino, which since it opened has generated million for Scugog and million for Durham Region. The casino also has a direct and indirect economic benefit to the local community of 6 million annually and is the largest employer in north Durham with 1,100 employees.
Ward 3 Councillor Don Kett said, “The Scugog Island First Nation and Great Blue Heron have been very big contributors to our municipality in the past and there’s some talk of table games in Ajax, Pickering or Toronto. The province should consider the fate of the Great Blue Heron and reject establishing gaming tables at Ajax or Pickering.”
Kett said Scugog Township officials have sent a letter to Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, asking that the province take the side of the Great Blue Heron casino. Regional Councillor Bobbie Drew said, “This is something we’ve been hammering away at for the last four, five, six years, for the province to come to some determination about what to do with the Great Blue Heron casino. It’s time to do this again, it’s time to get it up front again.”
Added Scugog Mayor Tom Rowett, “We all know how important the casino is. We have to unite together and stand for it.”
Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation Chief Kelly LaRocca noted, “We take the threat of any new gaming facility in close proximity very seriously and we will continue to work with our friends and neighbors, like Scugog, to stand up for the Great Blue Heron so that it can continue to generate jobs and make important community investments that help bring our communities together.”
