VICTORIA (NEWS1130) – Should your city get a cut of casino revenue even if your city doesn’t have a casino?

Port Coquitlam City Councillor Brad West says it should; he will make his argument to other municipal politicians from across BC at the Union of BC Municipalities convention today in Victoria.

“The main issue is the inequity that has given way in tightly-knit communities like the Tri-Cities,” argues West. “Residents from all three municipalities are using the casino [in Coquitlam] and contributing to the revenue at the casino, but they’re not getting their fair share back to their municipality.”

The resolution calls for the province to look at a formula that distributes casino revenue based on where gamblers come from instead of where the casino is located. It’s an idea that Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart opposes.

Stewart says his city accepts all of the responsibilities that come with a casino, so it should be compensated accordingly.

West admits it will be difficult to convince politicians from cities and towns with casinos to support Port Coquitlam’s resolution.

“We recognize the fact that municipalities that host casinos don’t want to give up a considerable portion of their revenues, so we’re asking that we look at the portion that the province collects as a way to ensure that more equitable distribution.”

News1130′s Dan Burritt will be at the convention tomorrow and Friday and will be providing full coverage.