This is on the CBC website: (URL:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/manitoba/story/2008/01/07/brandon-casino.html
"Brandon eyes another native-run casino proposal
People in Brandon may get another chance to decide if they want a casino, after the province announced Monday that it would support a native-run casino in the western Manitoba city.
Dave Chomiak, the provincial minister responsible for the Manitoba Gaming Control Commission said the province will move forward with the City of Brandon and the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs on recommendations from a market study for a new casino.
The study, facilitated by the gaming commission, supports the establishment of a new, First Nations-owned casino in the Brandon region that would be jointly owned and developed by all Manitoba reserves.
"Our government is committed to building on our partnership with the AMC to improve economic opportunities for First Nation peoples and bolster tourism growth in the Brandon area," Chomiak said in a release.
The casino would have about 300 slot machines, several gaming tables, and create as many as 300 jobs.
The province would not require that it be on an urban reserve — a change from last time a casino proposal was on the table, in 2002. At that time, residents nixed the proposal in a plebiscite.
Brandon city council will decide Monday night whether to hold another plebiscite on the matter.
If they do, Dennis Meeches, chief of the Long Plain First Nation, located between Brandon and Winnipeg, hopes the city's 41,000 residents support the idea.
"They have a second chance at an opportunity to make things right," he said.
Brandon Mayor Dave Burgess said if council decides to hold a plebiscite, the vote will take place March 12.
"Brandon residents will be given a clear choice on a casino in Brandon," Burgess said an a statement. "With the provision of a well-informed public decision by way of a plebiscite, I am confident city council will honour the outcome."
During a civic election in October 2002, Brandon residents voted against a Sioux Valley Dakota Nation casino proposal. Two questions were asked:
* If residents wanted a casino in the community: 55 per cent said no.
* If residents wanted a casino on an urban reserve: 64 per cent said no."
Any thoughts, fellow ebrandoners?