Tribal Group 'Condemns' Canadian iCasino PlanGreat Blue Heron Casino Owner Opposes Government Decision |
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On Friday, the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation “strongly condemned” a launch of online gambling in Ontario Province.
The Tribe said that the government of Ontario will “devastate MSIFN’s economy” with the planned launch of online casino gambling. MSIFN also called the plan “deeply flawed.”
“Today’s announcement by the Ford government is a slap in the face of First Nations, and reduces their promises of reconciliation to a joke,” said Kelly LaRocca, Chief of MSIFN. “The government completely and utterly failed to consult our First Nation – leaving their iGaming launch open to constitutional challenge. We intend to challenge the province’s iGaming scheme in court.”
The Tribe is behind the Great Blue Heron Casino, a vital economic engine for the region. The casino is located about an hour drive northeast of downtown Toronto.
“Contrary to section 35 of Canada’s Constitution, the Ford government utterly failed to hold formal consultations with Indigenous governments – a violation of its duty to consult and accommodate impacted Indigenous groups,” the Tribe said.
“According to research by gaming experts, the government’s decision will strip millions of dollars from municipalities and First Nations across Ontario as well as the province’s own coffers. Additionally, it places more than 2,500 well-paying jobs at risk across the province. The Ontario government has not provided any information about how it will address the budgetary shortfalls and industry-wide layoffs which will occur because of its flawed iGaming strategy.”
“The Ford government has recklessly ignored our concerns and has not offered any strategies to address the impact that their inadequate plan will have on our First Nation, our culture and our ability to provide services to our community,” added LaRocca. “It is a real and significant threat. It will not stand.”
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