Mayor Jim Watson will ask council to support a new casino in Ottawa, which he says could generate significant revenue for the city.
The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Commission has identified Ottawa as a possible host city in its plans to modernize gaming.
Watson, in a report posted to his website, said this is a great opportunity for Ottawa to recoup financial losses from recent federal job cuts and infrastructure challenges.
“Every Ottawa dollar spent at the Gatineau casino is a dollar lost for Ottawa taxpayers – it is time that we repatriate that money and use it to create jobs here in Ottawa,” he said.
A gaming facility can be a popular and profitable tourism attraction, said Noel Buckley, president and CEO of Ottawa Tourism, in the report.
“A gaming facility has the potential to allow the city and residents the opportunity to realize additional economic benefits while also providing new entertainment options for both leisure and convention visitors,” said Buckley.
The finance and economic development committee will discuss a staff report on Oct. 2. The meeting will be held in the evening to allow for public attendance and feedback.
If council approves the report on Oct. 10, Watson will write to the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Commission to indicate the city’s support. This allows the commission to accept proposals, but does not commit Ottawa as a site location.
After a bidder has been chosen, more public delegations will be held at a finance and economic development committee meeting in 2013.
Watson wants all bidders to be given equal consideration, including the Rideau Carleton Raceway, which he said has had a “long-standing, positive relationship” with the city.
“I will be calling on city council to encourage the OLG to run a fair, competitive process which provides all proponents, including the Rideau Carleton Raceway, an opportunity to compete on a level playing field,” Watson said.