Apparent removal of Toronto mayor could have implications for casino expansion into city

27 November 2012

By Howard Stutz

The apparent ouster of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford may have implications for casino expansion into Canada’s largest city.

Ford was ordered out of office Monday after an Ontario judge found he had flouted conflict of interest rules for refusing to repay funds he solicited for his high school football team using city letterhead when he was a councilman.

The judge's ruling takes effect in two weeks, but Ford can seek an order that will allow him to stay in office while he appeals.

Ford has been the biggest proponent for adding a casino to downtown Toronto. The Ontario Lottery Commission has given the city until early 2013 to decide if it wants a casino. The commission has said it will consider other locations in the province for the casino.

Ford has met with representatives from most of the major casino companies interested in Toronto, including Caesars Entertainment Corp., MGM Resorts International, Las Vegas Sands Corp., and Wynn Resorts Ltd.