How quickly we forget. A couple of years ago when there was talk about building a casino/entertainment complex on the Toronto waterfront, the opposition was overwhelming. The city was up in arms. Residents were aghast. Petitions were circulated, debate raged and everyone had an opinion. Almost no one wanted it and the idea died in short order.

Today, those same people are singing the praises of another proposal for a casino/entertainment complex. The difference is that this one would be at Woodbine Racetrack in Rexdale in the north end of Etobicoke. In other words, in a part of the city few Torontonians care about.

This may sound harsh, but, sadly, it’s true. Not all parts of Toronto were created equal, few less so than Rexdale, an anonymous post-war suburb where things didn’t work out quite as expected. Still, it’s revealing to hear what politicians, pundits, editorialists and citizens are saying today. Suddenly, all those concerns about the social impact of problem gambling, the research showing casinos contribute very little to local economies, the anti-urban nature and general tackiness of such an operation have vanished. Suddenly, a casino is the answer to our problems.

Where before Torontonians recoiled in horror; they now embrace the scheme. It will create jobs and bring new life to a part of the city that, well, let’s just say isn’t on any civic A-list. Expanding the existing operation, which already has 3,000 “gaming machines,” would provide much needed “economic stimulus.” And all those worries about traffic and parking don’t apply in Rexdale, which was laid out, after all, for cars, not people.

In this part of the city, we’re told, a casino would be a blessing, not a curse. Not surprisingly, locals like the scheme, though not overwhelmingly. A telephone poll found that while 34 percent have “mixed feelings” and 16 percent oppose it, 50 percent support expansion. That’s probably because a city report claims between 1,000 and 1,400 jobs would be created. By way of background, the survey found that, “Eight in ten residents (79 per cent) believe the area around Woodbine is in need of economic growth and jobs.” In other words, the argument in favour is based primarily on the promise of prosperity, or at least a paying position.

The same document also points out, however, that “only half of Torontonians are aware that the City is considering a possible expansion of gaming at Woodbine.” That may be the report’s most telling finding. Rexdale is about as far as one can get from downtown and still be in Toronto. But even so, the distance is more psychological than physical.

Amalgamation notwithstanding, the city remains a patchwork of jurisdictions that have little in common despite being joined at the hip. Based on discredited mid-century planning principles, Rexdale is one of those dispersed suburban communities that has never added up to more than the sum of its parts. Though aimed at young, upwardly mobile middle-class families, it turned differently. More than half of Rexdale residents are immigrants. About a quarter of families are poor and nearly 40 percent of working adults have low-wage, part-time jobs without benefits or security. Dropout rates, 24 percent, are double the Toronto average.

From that perspective, even the illusory promise of an enlarged casino looks good. Besides, city coffers could double to $30 million. Better still, the neighbours are either on board or in no position to complain. Best of all, most Torontonians couldn’t care less. Unaware and indifferent, we are happy with it as long as it won’t be in our backyard.

Let Rexdale enjoy what the rest of us don’t want.

Christopher Hume can be reached at chume@thestar.ca