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A chief gambling opponent in Toronto may ask city council to add a casino question to the ballot if a mayoral by-election eventually proceeds.

Councillor Adam Vaughan sold the referendum as a chance to have the $7-million price tag of a mid-term vote cover two major issues. The city is already preparing to gauge public opinion on the prospect of a casino and entertainment complex after the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation announced plans to open a new site in the Greater Toronto Area. The OLG has said that it will not install a casino in a city that does not want one.

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Toronto city council plans to give it an answer in February or March. Mr. Vaughan, a downtown councillor, has his own reservations about a referendum at this juncture, voicing concern that pro-casino voices would dominate the airwaves in such a campaign. Councillor Michael Thompson, chair of the economic development and culture committee, thinks the idea has merit. But he cautioned that it may yet be a while before the city considers if a byelection should be called to fill Mayor Rob Ford’s chair.

The mayor is appealing a decision by a court to remove him from office for breaking conflict-of-interest rules. “I’m hoping Mayor Ford continues to serve and perform his duties and the courts will not unseat a duly elected official,” said Mr. Thompson.

National Post