Mayoral Candidate, Gary Gardiner says in a news release that he will establish a Community Investment Fund if elected.
It would support activities in the arts, cultural and leisure areas and becomes the first plank, in what Gardiner calls his “Game Changer Platform – 10 Ways to Build A Better Community.”
"It could include Creative Industries (Arts Council), the Ski Hill, the Capital Centre, the North Bay Museum, Heritage Gardeners, Heritage Train and Carousel Company, Engine 503, and the Dionne Museum, to name a few," says Gardiner. "It would also be used to offset costs associated with new builds such as a community centre or a sports facility."
He says it would be funded with North Bay’s share of the casino profits.
Gardiner believes the casino will create up to 250 direct or indirect jobs and entice highway travelers that would normally pass through North Bay to have a reason to spend one or two nights helping hotels and restaurants.
"Saying no to a casino does not solve gambling addiction any more than closing the LCBO stores would solve alcoholism," suggests Gardiner
"The majority of the proceeds from gaming are passed onto Queen’s Park. Gaming generates up to $1B in revenue for health care and we all want good health care."
He also believes a casino will add vitality to the city and help keep the “Rama crowd” and their money here in North Bay.
"The community would need to be engaged to determine the terms of reference and criteria for such a fund. Council’s role would be to set the budget in any
given year and to ensure the fund grows so that these groups enjoy a sustainable future.
"I would never support using casino revenues for the city’s operating budget. That’s just a bad idea. But we will get a bump in assessment as a result of taxes on the casino building and that will be used."
