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Council's Track Record
How Council Voted on Slots … the Second Time
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March 2005 (Last Updated: 13 Mar 05)
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Vote 1
In November 2004, North Saanich Council passed a motion that endorsed the operation of 150 to 200 slot machines at Sandown Park Raceway. As part of that motion, Orangeville Raceway Ltd. (Orangeville) was invited to submit a comprehensive development proposal for the re-development of the Park, although no timeline was specified.
In December 2004, the Great Canadian Gaming Corporation (GCGC) revealed that it was acquiring Orangeville. Apparently, GCGC first approached Orangeville about acquisition in May 2004 (Sandown News for Residents of North Saanich, February 2005).
Vote 2
On January 2005, a motion was put forward by Councillor Anny Scoones to rescind Council’s November motion (Resolution No. 608) because of concerns that arose from Orangeville’s failure to disclose that it was negotiating with GCGC prior to the referendum.
Although the motion to rescind was deemed legal by Administrative Officer Bruce Williams, Council delayed voting on the motion to give staff time to explore legal implications.
On February 7, 2005, Council held an In Camera meeting to discuss the legal opinion. During the In Camera meeting two resolutions were passed. There was unanimous agreement for the first resolution, while Councillor Goulet was against the second.
Resolution 1
- Resolution 608, endorsing slots at Sandown, is rescinded.
- Council will consider any comprehensive development proposal for the re-development of Sandown Park.
- Council is not prepared to endorse the operation of slot machines at Sandown
Park until it has received from the B.C. Lottery Corporation
and Orangeville Raceway Ltd., or its successor in title, full details of
the proposed gaming expansion and until the consultation
requirements of the Gaming Control Act have been satisfied.
Resolution 2
- Council recommends that the BC Lottery Corporation (BCLC) recognize the results of the November 6th referendum as part of the required community consultation process, and that a second referendum not be conducted on this issue.
Vote on the second resolution:
For
- Mayor Daly
- Councillor Utley
- Councillor Hartshorne
- Councillor Anny Scoones
- Councillor Keith Thomas
- Councillor Bird
Against
In summary, Council rescinded its support for slots because it did not have confidence in the referendum outcome (the results might have been different had voters known that Orangeville was about to sell to a multinational casino operator). Nonetheless, Council is recommending that the November referendum be recognized as appropriate public consultation, and that a second referendum not be conducted. Council will now consider a proposal from the owners of Sandown. For additional details see District of North Saanich Council Minutes, February 7, 2005.
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Racing ahead with Sandown
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