Lambton-Kent-Middlesex PC MPP Monte McNaughton reintroduced a private member’s bill Thursday to ensure municipal input on proposed casinos.

Bill 92, ‘Ensuring Local Voices in New Casino Gambling Development Act, 2013,’ would require mandatory municipal referendums before any new casino project can move forward.

McNaughton says “The government is bullying communities, along with the OLG, into accepting casinos. So part of this, the reason for this bill, would just be to have the OLG and the Liberal government to slow down and really listen to the communities.”

The bill was previously introduced and passed second reading last spring with the support of some Liberals and the NDP, but died following the prorogation of the legislature after former premier Dalton McGuinty’s resignation.

But because of the support for the bill, McNaughton believes it was important to re-introduce it.

Casinos have been the focus of debate in a number of cities and towns in recent weeks, including Toronto, Waterloo and London.

In 1997, Londoners voting in the municipal election were asked if they wanted a casino in the city. It was a non-binding question but the majority of voters said no.

But shortly after the vote, it was announced by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation that Western Fair would be the site for a slot machine parlour.

Currently, London residents are divided between whether the good the casino revenue would do for the city outweighs the potential social problems a casino could bring.

But some city councillors, like Harold Usher say it’s too late, “We can't keep running to the constituents for every little thing for a referendum. There comes a time we have to stand up and make the decision.”

Councillor Joe Swan says he has concerns about the ramifications, “It's really been a decided matter of council to proceed with the casino. It's operating now so really what you'd be talking about is more or less rescinding the current casino licence and I think that could cause a number of legal problems.”

But McNaughton says the bill would not apply to the Western Fair District, a referendum would only be held for sites where no gaming facility currently exists.

“We know that those sites where the casinos are located now are accepted into the communities. They've been there for a long time.”