There was a lot of fanfare by Great Canadian Entertainment when they announced a proposed $724.9 million “Vegas-style casino in Toronto recently, but not everyone shared in their enthusiasm.
The Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation (MSIFN) said in a press release that they were “outraged by the disrespect shown to their First Nation by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) and Great Canadian Entertainment (GCE).”
The MSIFN claims the OLG is ignoring negotiated agreements and is “acting to disadvantage” the tribe’s Great Blue Heron Casino with the opening of a new resort.
“We entered into our agreements with OLG and the government with a shared understanding that OLG and the government would act in good faith and in accordance with their Honour of the Crown obligations, and in particular their contractual obligations set out in the agreements,” said MSIFN Chief Kelly LaRocca in a press release. “Once again, the government is acting without any engagement with MSIFN and is acting to disadvantage the Great Blue Heron Casino at MSIFN.”
LaRocca said that the MSIFN first entered into agreements with the OLG in 2016. The agreements said the Great Blue Heron would operate in a comparative manner to other local casinos.
With the planned summer opening of the so-called Great Canadian Casino Resort, the MSIFN maintains that it will put the Blue Heron at a competitive disadvantage and affect money the tribe needs for programs and services it provides to its members. The two casinos will be approximately 60 miles apart.
Mediation between the Ontario government and MSIFN regarding gaming issues is scheduled to commence this summer.
Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati is another critic of the casino project. He said it will cost his city approximately $4 to $5 million a year.
In addition to the loss in casino gaming revenue, one of the Niagara Falls casinos just spent $130 million on a 5,000-seat entertainment venue. The new casino also has plans for a similar style theater that Diodati said will take away acts from their facility.
Great Canadian Entertainment did not provide comment on the MSIFN’s claims. They did, however, provide plenty of information on the new casino, which they are calling “Canada’s largest destination casino resort.”
The new megaresort will feature a casino, a 400-room hotel, 5,000-seat live entertainment venue, and several dining establishments. It will occupy 33 acres and be adjacent to Casino Woodbine, which will operate until the new facility opens.
“We see this as an unprecedented opportunity to introduce an entirely new, world-class experience in Canada that will bring together the best in casino gaming, exceptional live entertainment, dining, and accommodation in one very special place,” said Matthew Anfinson, chief executive officer, Great Canadian Entertainment in a statement.
“We are very excited to reveal more about what this landmark destination will feature and what our guests can expect in the coming weeks, including the announcement of an opening date. This project has been several years in the making, and we are thrilled that we are close to bringing it to life.”
