05/12/2015 (2) n 5Q
_14,74W d' i
CITY OF!_ CANADA_
NIAG4A FAllt.�
The City of Niagara Falls, Ontario
Resolution
May 12, 2015
No. 16
Moved by Councillor Thomson
Seconded by Councillor Morocco
WHEREAS in 2013, Niagara Falls City Council unanimously approved Resolution 2013-35,
which called upon the Ministry of Finance, through the Ontario Lottery&Gaming Corporation,
to immediately include Niagara's two resort casinos in its' modernization plans by establishing
separately managed, rebranded operations, redevelopment of the two resort casinos and
allow additional gaming sites in Niagara Falls; and
WHEREAS with a subsequent municipal election, it is appropriate for the new Council to
reiterate its' support for Resolution 2013-35; and
WHEREAS Niagara Falls City Council has identified one of their strategic priorities for the
2015-2018 term as strengthening the competitiveness and prosperity of the two casinos and
lobby for expansion of the gaming industry in Niagara Falls; and
WHEREAS unlike other Ontario municipalities, the City of Niagara Falls and the Municipal
Councils of the day have shown overwhelming majority support for gaming in our community;
and
WHEREAS Fallsview Casino and Casino Niagara have made Niagara Falls, arguably, the
premier gaming destination in Canada; and
WHEREAS the Niagara's two resort casinos are not included in the Ontario Lottery& Gaming
Corporation's (OLG) modernization framework; and
WHEREAS Niagara Falls City Council and local stakeholders are concerned Niagara's two
resort casinos are at risk of falling behind due to an outdated business model that is not
competitive within OLG's new modernization framework; and
WHEREAS recent experience proves the significant capital and operating changes Niagara's
casinos will need to survive in an era of increased domestic and New York State competition
are not possible with the OLG's existing operating model; and
WHEREAS it is imperative for the community that Niagara's two resort casinos maintain or
increase employment and investment levels; and
WHEREAS Niagara Falls City Council believes the best way to ensure Niagara's two casinos
retain their role as significant local/regional employers and restore their traditional role as
generators of provincial revenue and tourism attractors is through the introduction of product
diversification, new investment, such as a new 7000 seat theatre, and distinct and relevant
branding differentiating Niagara's two resort casinos; and
WHEREAS being part of the OLG's modernization framework will allow Niagara's two resort
casinos to realize their true, full potential to become compelling and integral elements in
attracting tourists to the City of Niagara Falls; and
WHEREAS Niagara, being an iconic global brand, should be the Province's premier resort
casino destination, with a goal of permitting additional resort casinos to be established in
Niagara Falls;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Niagara Falls, a willing and supportive host
of a minimum of two casinos, respectfully requests the Premier and Minister of Finance to
direct OLG to immediately include Niagara's two resort casinos in its' modernization plans by
establishing separately managed, rebranded operations, redevelopment of the two resort
casinos and allow additional gaming sites in Niagara Falls; and
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that Niagara Falls Council respectfully request that the
Request for Proposal for the operation of the Niagara casinos under the new modernization
model be issued in this fiscal year.
Carried Unanimously
AND The Seal of the Corporation be hereto affixed.
D AN IOR D JAMES M. DIODATI
CITY CLE K MAYOR