The councilor of the city of Toronto, Mike Layton, has causes a wave of controversy as a result of his opinion regarding the new Toronto Casino. He has compared the new plans for the Toronto Casino to the Battle of York in 1812. He has stated that the battlefield has been empty for over two centuries but now, the Battle of York site is being attacked again and he added that the residents of the city will have to defend Toronto against the enemy, this enemy is a casino giant from the USA.

The councilor is well known for his position against the establishment of a new Toronto Casino that will be a part of a mega resort. Mike Layton has said that Torontonians do not celebrate the patriotic history of Toronto with the same splendor and pomp as the USA but they still value their historic heritage. He added that the proposal of this new mega casino at Exhibition Place has been dominating the media all over Canada but such advertisement never mentioned the impact of this casino on the historic value of the site.

Layton also recalled what happened when the USA forces lanced on Humber Bay shore, west of the site in order to fight their way to reach Fort York. He said that history is repeating itself and he urges the residents to rise up and battle the enemy, which in this case, is the new Toronto Casino.