Photo: Infotech Management
The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) held its annual conference in Ottawa Aug. 19 – 22. The final session was devoted to a panel discussion on issues arising from the government’s recent announcement that it was privatizing the retail distribution of cannabis. The Current reported on this and on the “opt-out window” on August 13. Click HERE to read that story.
One of the panelists was Nicole Stewart, an executive on the government’s implementation team. She confirmed that the government has not yet identified the window for municipalities to opt out of permitting pot shops within their own boundaries. She did say that the dates will “certainly be communicated prior to the end of the municipal elections on October 22.”
It would likely be quite a short window to meet those timelines that we are trying to achieve for April and so for that reason, municipalities should plan to consider this question as a first order of business when they return after the municipal elections are completed.
Global News reported that Ottawa City Councillor and Deputy Mayor Mark Taylor said afterwards the question of whether to allow private cannabis stores in town “really hasn’t been an election issue to date.” He went on to say though,
I think what we’re going to quickly see is a question asked to candidates all across Ontario as they knock on doors: Are you in or are you out?
Readers of The Current’s online Town Hall forum will be aware that The Current has already asked all candidates what their position is on the “in” or “out” question. Readers are referred to the Forum for the responses of those candidates who have replied to date. Click HERE for the online Town Hall forum.
From media sources
