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The city?s top doc is ?genuinely pleased? council will ask Ottawa public health for advice on a new casino but it?s too early to say if the agency will take a position in the debate.
?I don?t know at this point. We would have to look at it,? Dr. Isra Levy said Monday.
There is little doubt the finance and economic development committee Tuesday will side with Mayor Jim Watson and endorse the concept of a casino in Ottawa.
The casino part of the meeting will begin at 5 p.m. so residents can attend after the work day and address council members.
As of mid-afternoon Monday, there were already 23 people signed up to speak.
If the committee votes in favour of the casino concept, the recommendation will be sent to council Oct. 10.
A winning vote will prompt Watson to register the city?s approval with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp.
The OLG is eyeing Ottawa for a new casino but it won?t know where it could be built until private companies submit proposals.
The debate has become divisive at the community level and in the political realm.
Local Tory MPP Lisa MacLeod and Watson went toe-to-toe on the issue on Twitter Sunday. MacLeod skewering the mayor over his casino plan and defended the Rideau Carleton Raceway, whose operations could be threatened by a new gaming house downtown.
Watson wants to make sure the raceway has equal chance to participate in the OLG?s tendering process.
Opponents of a new gaming facility cite the public health impact when it comes to gambling addictions.
Levy agrees gambling has a social consequence, but he recognizes it?s here to stay.
?Gambling is part of the fabric of our community whether we like it or not,? Levy said.
Levy said he expects council will ask public health to study OLG?s gambling addiction programs.
The casino has become linked to the city?s deferred maintenance crunch.
The $165-million repair bill for the $32 billion worth of city assets could be partially offset by the cut of gaming revenue City Hall would receive from OLG, Watson says.
One place Watson has said a casino won?t be built is Lansdowne Park.
The Lansdowne redevelopment is also on Tuesday?s agenda with the committee being asked to sign off on the final agreements with the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group.
The recommendation will go to council Oct. 10.
jon.willing@sunmedia.ca
Twitter: @JonathanWilling
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Source: http://www.ottawasun.com/2012/10/01/casino-health-study-backed-by-levy
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