Centretown News

By Brent Kerrigan

The City of Gloucester has moved ahead of Ottawa in the race to land two permanent charity casinos designated by the province for the Ottawa-Carleton region.

This means a proposed casino in the Byward Market has a slim chance for survival.

Carnival Hotels and Casinos, an American-based company that also owns Casino Rama in Orillia, told city council last week it intends to build a casino in the 22,000 square-foot room formerly used by the Winners department store, located in the Gloucester City Centre. read more

By Sean McIndoe

A city council decision that seeks to fund the local arts scene by adding a $2-charge to hotel stays is simply another tax grab, local hoteliers say.

“Why should a businessman from Vancouver have to pay a tax to fund the arts in Ottawa when he’s only here on business,” says Don Blakslee, president of Ottawa Hoteliers Inc. read more

The business beat

By Adam Hickman

The race to host the region’s two charity casinos is in the home stretch, and Ottawa city council is still behind the starting gate trying to decide whether to enter.

It appears the winner will be the City of Gloucester, which may win both casinos before the chips are down. read more

By Cherie Traverse

Cliff Gazee knows all too well what it’s like to live in a time when depending on social assistance means barely surviving.

Gazee lost his job as a CBC radio producer about four years ago.

After that, Gazee’s life began a downward spiral. His children’s mother died in an accident, leaving him to take care of a two-year-old daughter and an 11-year-old son alone. read more