Three Toronto mayors say casi-no
Three former mayors of Toronto have written an open letter to city council in opposition to a proposed city casino, reports CP24.
David Crombie, John Sewell and Art Eggleton — three consecutive mayors from 1972 to 1981 — write that, “Torontois not about to become anotherLas Vegas, a tourist gambling destination. And we wouldn’t want it to.”
According to CP24, the letter follows a week-old presentation from the chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International, who suggested a casino be built at the city’sExhibition Place. If city council votes in favour of building a casino inToronto, MGM will be one of several bidders aiming to develop in the city core.
The letter goes on to address existing gambling opportunities in the city, and questions whether the casino’s potential revenue would be directed to serve the best local interests. Crombie, Sewell and Eggleton hold a different set of opinion from Mayor Rob Ford, who has argued in favour of the casino in the past.
In addition, city manager Joe Pennachetti suggested a hypothetical casino could raise up to $27-million annually due to property taxes alone, and another $2.4-billion in construction fees. Should Torontobe saying casi-no, or casi-yes? Read more at CP24
Ikea Monkey mom back in court
The ‘Ikea Monkey mom’ is back, and will hear new arguments in an Ontario Superior Court in Oshawa on Thursday.
Darwin, the ‘Ikea Monkey,’ achieved instant international fame in December, when he started roaming around an Ikea parking lot inNorth York. Dressed in a tiny shearling coat, he was taken to Toronto Animal Services, and later to the Story Brook Farm Primate Sanctuary.
However, his ‘mom,’ Yasmin Nakhuda, is making yet another effort to get him back. According to the Canadian Press, sanctuary staffers allege Nakhuda, or her supporters, have been lodging threats against them, but she denies having any involvement with that intimidation.
In the interim, Nakhuda recently uploaded a new ‘Ikea Monkey’ video to YouTube — this time, it’s a video montage of pictures, set to Phil Collins’ ‘Against All Odds.’Darwin is wearing his trademark coat in the video, and at the end, he runs up to Nakhuda and hugs her. Perhaps the video will win over the courts, and get her money back?
Canadian nominee’s long journey to Oscar
The face of Canada’s Oscar-nominated film, Rebelle (A.K.A. War Witch), may not be able to attend the Academy Awards.
Rachel Mwanza, 16, is applying for a visa from the Democratic Republic of Congo to attend the festivities on Sun. Feb. 24. According to the Canadian Press, Mwanza is a former street kid eager to meet the likes of Beyonce and Rihanna while stateside.
Rebelle profiles a 12-year-old girl who is abducted, and later forced into being a child soldier. The film is directed by Montreal’s Kim Nguyen, and is the Canadian nominee in the Best Foreign Language Oscar category — a spot held for three consecutive years.
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Joanna Adams writes about news and entertainment for Toronto Standard. Follow her on Twitter at†@nowstarringTO.
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