Paul Godfrey

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Saturday, May 18, 2013By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday May 18, 2013

One Crazy Week of News

Several big headlines were emerged within the space of a few hours in Ontario last week:

OLG chairman Paul Godfrey was relieved of his duties after a call from Ontario premier Kathleen Wynne, who earlier in the week spoke about the need for change at the commission. This came after months of debate about the creation of a Toronto casino, with the city and province at odds over revenue sharing. The rest of the OLG board resigned en masse following Godfrey’s ouster. Godfrey is also the president and CEO of the Postmedia Network, which owns the National Post and Canada.com.

After months of scrutiny over his senate expenses and whether he truly lived in Prince Edward Island, Mike Duffy announced he was leaving the Tory caucus. The former broadcaster released a statement saying the controversy had “become a significant distraction” and that he looked forward to rejoining caucus once the matter had been resolved.The most recent episode in the expenses scandal involves the prime minister’s chief of staff; Nigel Wright wrote a personal cheque worth $90,000 to cover the senator’s repayment of improperly claimed housing expenses.

Gawker’s editor-in-chief John Cook described a video he had seen showing what appeared to be Rob Ford inhaling from a crack pipe. The cellphone footage was allegedly taken by a group of men who were shopping it around to different news outlets looking for a buyer. Gawker has previously reported on Ford and has a history of paying sources, but the “six-figure” sum proved more than the New York media company was willing to pay. After word got out that Gawker was working on this story, Cooke published his post.

Meanwhile in Hamilton, The Mayor, Bob Bratina, was enjoying a rare day without being embroiled in controversy. (Source: Canada.com)

Thursday October 11, 2012

By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator, Thursday October 11, 2012

Give Hamilton time for casino referendum

Ontario NDP leader and Hamilton Centre MPP Andrea Horwath is calling on the provincial government to hit the pause button on its massive modernization of gaming in Hamilton to allow cities to hold referendums.

“It’s time for government to stop talking down to people an open up its ears and listen to people for a change,” Horwath said at a press conference at City Hall Wednesday morning. “It’s time to listen to local voices here in Hamilton and in communities across the province, as well as the voices of the people in the horseracing industry.”

Horwath filed a motion at the Ontario Legislature last week asking the Dalton McGuinty Liberals to postpone the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation’s modernization “in order to allow those municipalities who wish to undertake a referendum on the issue of being a host site for a casino in a cost-effective way on the municipal ballot.”

The motion has yet to be debated in the house.

“It does give us a great deal of credibility moving forward,” said Councillor Sam Merulla, who hosted Wednesday’s press conference along with Horwath. “I’m just pleased that there’s a possibility still, from a political perspective as a result of Andrea’s leadership, that it can become a reality.”

The massive modernization, announced earlier this year, includes plans for a single casino in the Hamilton/Burlington area. It’s still not clear whether that means Flamboro Downs will stay open – council’s preference – or whether a new facility will be built downtown, on the waterfront, or in another location. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)