A survey of more than 2,000 local residents has found the majority opposed to the idea of a casino within the City of Kitchener.
In total, 70 per cent of the 2,326 residents surveyed were strongly opposed to a casino in Kitchener, with five per cent somewhat opposed, six per cent somewhat in favour and 18 per cent strongly in favour.
Those percentages were consistent across age groups, though there was a noticeable difference between men (23 per cent strongly in favour, 63 per cent strongly opposed) and women (13 per cent strongly in favour, 78 per cent strongly opposed).
Respondents who support a casino cited job creation, economic benefits and revenue generation as their main reasons why, while those against the idea pointed to social problems, damage to the city’s image and concerns over crime.
Asked if they would rather have a casino in Kitchener, where economic benefits would remain in the city, than in a neighbouring municipality, 27 per cent of respondents were in favour while 64 per cent were not.
The survey was handled by polling firm Environics through a 17-day online survey period. Kitchener councillors will vote on pursuing a casino next week.
Region of Waterloo councillors are expected to discuss a casino Wednesday evening in response to a letter from regional chair Ken Seiling asking them to disapprove of any casino located within the region’s boundaries.
“I think we as a region need to tell the government what we think about what is happening,” Seiling told CTV.
The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp has said the ultimate decision on where to locate a casino rests with lower-tier municipalities, not upper-tier bodies like the Region of Waterloo, but speaking in Waterloo on Wednesday, Premier Kathleen Wynne said a revamp of those rules might be warranted.
“I do think that this is a problem, when you’ve got municipalities with overlapping jurisdictions, and I don’t think there is enough clarity on whose decision this should be,” she said.
Kitchener Coun. Frank Etherington plans to introduce a motion next week which, if passed, would see Kitchener formally request Woolwich Township to revisit its decision to pursue a casino.
