Sault Ste. Marie received assurance from Premier Kathleen Wynne that the city still remains the headquarters of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG).
Sault MPP David Orazietti issued an Aug. 14 release following a meeting between Wynne and the city's CAO Joe Fratesi.
"I was very pleased that at our meeting today the Premier once again clearly asserted that the OLG's head office will remain in Sault Ste. Marie and that there are absolutely no plans to move it," said Orazietti. "Unlike previous governments we understand the importance of this organization to the economic well-being of the community."
More than 500 people work for OLG in Sault Ste. Marie at the Robert Bondar building and the charity casino. With the OLG set to undergo organizational changes, the Sault's economic development department is looking to attract lottery-related businesses to the city.
"The meeting this morning with David and the Premier was very productive," said Sault Mayor Debbie Amaroso. "It was reassuring to hear the Premier re-assert the province's commitment to keeping the OLG head office in the community and we look forward to continuing to work with the province on this important matter."
Last year's Drummond Report to the provincial government recommended closing one of the OLG's two headquarters, either in Sault Ste. Marie or Toronto.
Rod Phillips, OLG's CEO. and provincial finance minister Charles Sousa have already stated that OLG's head office will remain in the Sault.
