The Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador is the only Canadian region that has no casino in its midst, mainly because the government has an existing “no-casino policy”. Yet recently, NFLD & Labrador Finance Minister Charlene Johnson told CBC News that the province’s Progressive Conservative Party Government is willing to at least ponder proposals of allowing a casino in its territorial jurisdiction.

The finance minister believes that instead of flatly rejecting the idea, it is but fair to review such proposals being put forward. She considers it part of their obligations as lawmakers to review comprehensive recommendations containing details that were put together with some level of work and presented as an official proposal.

When asked if her statement denotes that the provincial government is now open to the concept of establishing a casino in the region, Minister Johnson replied in the affirmative. She further revealed that a discussion with a casino proponent had recently taken place; but the talks were basically for a pitch and not actually a formal proposal. She added that she is not ruling it outright but she is still guided by the principles on which the provincial government’s “no-casino policy” was founded. She further commented that the government would seek public input before deliberating on any policy change, and that the finality of proposed changes would be a cabinet decision.

The CBC news cited several proposals that were flatly rejected in previous years, including a 2012 proposal for a public-private partnership deal of developing a casino at an unspecified location in the Newfoundland and Labrador. Finance Minister Johnson commented that things change. “People’s views change. So we have to be open to change as well.”