The majority—76 percent—of residents in Peterborough, Ajax and Pickering in Ontario do not want expanded gambling, according to a recent poll of 300 citizens commissioned by Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation and conducted by Abacus Data. Casinos are being developed or expanded in those three cities.
MSIFN recently signed an agreement with the provincial government and Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation to have OLG take over gaming operations the tribe ran at the Great Blue Heron Casino for more than two decades. MSIFN Chief Kelly LaRocca said the tribe commissioned the poll to measure of OLG was keeping its word to build or expand casinos only in communities that want them. “We commissioned the poll to determine if the OLG is living up to its own standards before considering these communities for new casino,” LaRocca said.
The poll results strongly indicate the majority of Peterborough voters do not want a casino there, with 76 percent in agreement that the area has enough gaming. In addition, and 74 percent said a full environmental assessment should be part of the casino planning process. Specifically regarding expansion of the Parkway casino, 56 percent of those polled said they supported the Ontario government’s decision for a full environmental assessment, even if that would delay the casino development.
The poll results were not good news for Mayor Daryl Bennett: 60 percent of voters said it was a time for a change at city hall. Sheila Nabigon-Howlett of the anti-gambling group No Casino Peterborough said citizens feel Bennett pressures city councillors to support his projects. “It seems that the mayor and the will of the people do not align, that’s for sure,” she said.
Roy Brady, also a member of No Casino Peterborough, said even though citizens were in an “uproar” when the casino was proposed three years ago, councillors proceeded to petition OLG for it. “We’re still bitter about that one,” he said.
