TORONTO, Jan. 30, 2013 – The City Institute at York University will be hosting a panel discussion on Friday, Feb. 1, to critically address current attempts to build a “mega-casino” in Toronto.

“Casino City?”, the latest panel discussion in The City Institute’s City Seminar Series, will feature local politicians, scholars and anti-casino activists attempting to address three primary questions: Why are casinos bad economic policy?; What is the current political economy of casino development in Ontario?; What political strategies are needed to defeat casino development in Toronto?

Panellists include:

Jim Cosgrave, Trent University
Paula Fletcher, (Councillor, Ward 30)
Peter Tabuns, MPP, Toronto Danforth
Kevin Stolarick, Research Director, MPI
Steven Tufts, York University
Maureen Lynett, No Casino Toronto

The panel will be chaired by Roger Keil, City Institute at York University.

What: “Casino City?” panel discussion
Where: 140 Health, Nursing and Environmental Studies Building, Keele campus (see map)
When: Friday, Feb. 1, 12:30 to 2pm

York University is helping to shape the global thinkers and thinking that will define tomorrow. York’s unwavering commitment to excellence reflects a rich diversity of perspectives and a strong sense of social responsibility that sets us apart. A York U degree empowers graduates to thrive in the world and achieve their life goals through a rigorous academic foundation balanced by real-world experiential education. As a globally recognized research centre, York is fully engaged in the critical discussions that lead to innovative solutions to the most pressing local and global social challenges. York’s 11 faculties and 28 research centres are thinking bigger, broader and more globally, partnering with 288 leading universities worldwide. York's community is strong − 55,000 students, 7,000 faculty and staff, and more than 250,000 alumni.

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Media Contact: Robin Heron, Media Relations, York University, 416 736 2100 x22097 / rheron@yorku.ca