PC finance critic Victor Fedeli is calling on Ontario government to halt its casino deal with Great Canadian Gaming Corporation amid a money laundering investigation in B.C.

Well connected, senior Liberal insiders were hired to lobby Premier Kathleen Wynne and Finance Minister Charles Sousa, according to records from Ontario’s Integrity Commissioner. The revelations come just one day after Sousa doubled down on his denial of having any involvement in the controversial casino deal.

“This controversial casino deal doesn’t pass the smell test. With a serious review into money laundering in BC, the public is left scratching its head at why this company was selected to run the Toronto casino,” says Ontario PC Leader Patrick Brown.

“Unfortunately, it surprises absolutely no one that the answer is as usual, because of Liberal insiders pulling the strings. Indeed the Office of the Integrity Commissioner’s own records reveal that senior Liberals connected to Kathleen Wynne and Dalton McGuinty were out shilling for Great Canadian Gaming.”

On Monday, Sousa said the process in which Great Canadian was selected was independent. The OLG reports directly to Sousa as Minister of Finance and provincial Liberals created the criteria for selected the casino. He also lauded the deal in August when it was announced, declaring himself “very excited.”

“The Liberals simply needed to admit that there are problems in BC and that they will do their utmost to get to the bottom of it. Instead, they’ve denied any involvement. But senior Liberal insiders working on behalf of the casino operator tells a completely different story. Once again, they’re putting the insiders ahead of the people.”

Lobbyists working for Great Canadian Gaming Corp:

————————————————————
* Bob Lopinski – (Lobbied during Wynne Government)
+ “Bob Lopinski led Premier Kathleen Wynne’s successful 2014 Liberal Campaign war room and played a key role in helping her new government and campaign team build on the experience of the previous McGuinty administration.
+ “Recognized by the Toronto Star as both “an architect of Premier McGuinty’s rise to power” and “one of the most influential officials in government”, Bob has over 25 years of experience at the highest levels of Queen’s Park and provincial politics.”
o SOURCE: http://www.counselpa.com/people/people.php?id=1
+ Registered to lobby: Office of the Premier and Cabinet Office, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Economic Development Employment and Infrastructure
* Philip Dewan – (Lobbied during Wynne Government)
+ “As Chief of Staff to the Leader of the Official Opposition, Dalton McGuinty, from 1999 through the successful Liberal election in October 2003, Phil played a leading role in crafting the Liberal platform, team and strategy.
+ “He has played critical roles in the election of two Premiers…”
o SOURCE: http://www.counselpa.com/people/people.php?id=4
+ Registered to lobby: Office of the Premier and Cabinet Office, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Economic Development Employment and Infrastructure

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Earlier posted

Ontario PC Party demands Wynne ‘halt this deal’ with casino firm

The Progressive Conservatives are demanding the Ontario government put its deal on hold with Great Canadian Gaming Corporation to run casinos in the Greater Toronto Area while an investigation into alleged industry money laundering continues in British Columbia.

“We are calling on Premier Wynne to step in and halt this deal in Ontario immediately,” said PC finance critic Victor Fedeli at Queen’s Park Monday.

In August, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) announced Great Canadian Gaming Corporation and Brookfield Business Partners LP were chosen to run three casinos in the GTA — OLG Slots at Woodbine, OLG Slots at Ajax Downs and the Great Blue Heron Casino.

But then in September, B.C. Attorney Aeneral David Eby, concerned about money laundering, announced the government was launching an independent review of the gambling industry and its policies.

He said what led to that decision was reading a government report that alleged the Great Canadian Gaming’s River Rock Casino accepted $13.5 million in $20 bills in July 2015. The company, however, says to its knowledge it is “not under investigation.”

Police in B.C. said it could be proceeds of crime.

“We’re talking about hockey duffel bags full of cash,” said Fedeli .

Fedeli wants to know what the Ontario government knew at the time the deal was reached.

“Either they knew about it and didn’t have that play into their decision, which means they’re derelict in their duties, or they didn’t know about it, which also means they’re derelict in their duties for not knowing,” he said.

Great Canadian Gaming says it has ensured that regulatory compliance procedures are strictly followed, and it is committed to preventing illegal activities at all of its locations.

“Contrary to suggestions otherwise, to our knowledge our company is not under investigation in any jurisdiction,” chief operating officer Terrance Doyle said in a statement.

“Our employees followed all procedures required of them by BC Lottery Corporation (BCLC), none of our employees are facing charges, nor we do not believe our company’s actions would give cause to initiate any investigation.”

OLG also released a statement Monday in response to the story.

“OLG has confirmed with B.C. and Ontario regulators that Great Canadian is not under a criminal or regulatory investigation in British Columbia or Ontario for illegal activity involving money laundering.”

Ontario Finance Minister Charles Sousa said it would be “totally inappropriate” for a minister such as himself to get involved and expressed confidence in OLG’s procurement process.

During an event in Toronto on Monday, Premier Kathleen Wynne said the OLG already has clear anti-money laundering provisions.

“The minister has already spoken with OLG and it’s certainly something given what has happened in British Columbia that we’re paying close attention to,” she added.