Vaughan Council votes to opt-out of allowing licensed retail cannabis stores

Jan. 22, 2019 7:00 p.m.
​Mayor and Council held public meeting to hear directly from residents

 

Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua’s motion to opt-out from allowing licensed retail cannabis stores to operate in Vaughan was passed with majority support from Council.

The decision was made following a Special Committee of the Whole meeting on Jan. 21 at City Hall. During the meeting, the public had the opportunity to share their thoughts about licensed retail cannabis stores and engage directly with Mayor and Members of Council.
 
The date and time of the meeting were selected in December 2018 to ensure residents and community groups could have maximum notice and sufficient time to prepare to participate in this important debate. The provincial government imposed a deadline of Jan. 22, 2019 on all municipalities to formally submit a decision to opt-in or opt-out. A non-response by the imposed deadline will by default permit licensed retail cannabis stores to operate.
 
City of Vaughan staff continue their review of the Ontario government’s legislation regarding the sale, distribution and consumption of recreational cannabis in the province. Staff from the City of Vaughan continue to participate as active members of a York Regional Cannabis Working Group, which is made up of representatives from the Region, area municipalities and first responders. The issue of recreational cannabis legalization is continually evolving.
 
QUOTE
 
“We have actively engaged and listened to citizens about the issue of recreational cannabis and the presence of cannabis retail stores in the city. Members of the public have been clear. Families do not want greater access to cannabis in our community. There are far too many unanswered questions and the people of Vaughan have demonstrated to us that they are not comfortable with opting-in.  The health and safety of Vaughan’s children, youth and all citizens remain of paramount importance. Vaughan, and all municipalities, needs dedicated, predictable and substantial funding from both the Canadian and Ontario governments to help ensure the administration and consumption of recreational cannabis is done in a safe, informed and responsible manner. This is not the current situation.”
-        Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua

                                                                        

QUICK FACTS

  • A list of Ontario municipalities prohibiting or allowing licensed retail cannabis stores is available online.
  • Effective Oct. 17, 2018, recreational cannabis became legal across Canada.
 
LEARN MORE
 
 
-30-
All News