February 18, 2005

Liberals blasted over $400M plan for Casino

TORONTO

An Ontario government plan to put $400 million into Casino Windsor has been blasted by the Opposition, who called it an extravagant expense in light of shrinking hospital budgets and nursing layoffs.

“Unfortunately, for the people of Ontario, they need better health care, not better hotel room service,” said acting leader of the Opposition Bob Runciman.

On Monday, the government announced funding for a new hotel, entertainment complex and conference centre that will be attached to the casino.

“What we’re talking about here is having the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation invest $400 million more in the expansion of the Windsor facilities so that we can generate still more money that we can invest in our public services,” Premier Dalton McGuinty said.

But the scheme raised the ire of Conservatives, who found the discrepancy between laying off some 750 full-time equivalent nurses and building a “five-star-hotel” too great to ignore.

Casino Windsor has been in decline since it’s opening heyday in 1994 and is sorely in need of the cash infusion, said Minister of Community and Social Services Sandra Pupatello.

The Canadian Press

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