Windsor and Tecumseh mayors put opt-out campaign on hold

The public awareness campaignby Windsor and Tecumseh mayors urgingcharitable organizations to opt out of twoclass-action lawsuits has been put on hold just days after its launch.

The mayors came out swinging Saturday by launching a campaign that aimed to reduce the overall damage of the $70-millionlawsuits that claimthe two communities overcharged for bingolicencesdatingback to 1993.

• Community organizations asked to opt out of multi-million bingo lawsuit

But lawyers behind the suits filed a motion in OntarioSuperior Court asking the mayors to stop the campaign. Windsor Mayor DrewDilkenssaid he would stop promoting the opt-out campaign until thecourt make its ruling, which is expected on Jan. 25.

"We still believe that we have a legal right to communicate fair and accurate informationabout the potentialimpact of this class-action lawsuit," he said. "But out of respectfor the court process - for the short periodof timebetween today and the conclusion of the motion onJan.25 -we won't actively be making any further comment."

Both Dilkens and Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara expressed their frustration over the class-action suit that automatically includes any organization that paid for a licencein the past 23 years.

Dilkenswould not divulge how much the two municipalities are spending on the opt-out campaign, saying the price tag is part of a legal strategy he does not want to share with the plaintiffs and theirlegal team.

The ALS Society ofEssexCounty is the plaintiff named on the lawsuit against Windsor, whileBelle River District Minor Hockey Association and Essex County Dancersare named as the plaintiff against Tecumseh.