Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
Premiers will ask the federal government to postpone its plan to legalize marijuana if issues related to road safety, taxation, training for distributors and public education aren't addressed.
At a news conference to close off the annual summer Council of the Federation meeting in Edmonton, the premiers announced they have formed a working group that will report back on progress by Nov. 1. Premiers will seek an extension if the federal timetable is deemed "unrealistic."
"Premiers around this table agreed that should the federal government not engage adequately on these issues, we will need more time to implement the federal government's decision," said Alberta Premier Rachel Notley, who is chairing this year's meeting.
Premiers also have outstanding concerns around supply and demand and addressing the black market for cannabis.
The premiers could be on track for a showdown with the federal government.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, speaking to reporters in Laval, Que., said the current framework on marijuana is hurting Canadians and said the federal government intends to stick to its timeframe.
"Young people have easy access to marijuana, they shouldn't. Criminal organizations and street gangs are making millions of dollars in profit off the sale of marijuana and we need to put an end to this policy that does not work," he said.
"We are continuing to work with the provinces to ensure that the framework will be in place as quickly as possible and we are still ... looking at summer of 2018 as the time where the legalized framework will come into play right against the country."
New pot rules, court delays and an escalating opioid crisis were the pressing issues premiers tackled on the final day of their meeting in Edmonton today.
As the Council of the Federation turns its focus from trade and economic issues to criminal justice, one premier proposed a collective demand that the federal government postpone legalizing marijuana for one year.
Manitoba's Brian Pallister made the pitch Tuesday, arguing there's not enough time for provinces and territories to get regulations, road safety provisions and public awareness in place to meet the federal government's target of July 2018 for legal pot.
"I'm not suggesting we go back and fight the battle around the legalization debate, I'm only suggesting that we should, in a clear-headed fashion, consider the timing of the introduction," he said.
CBCNews.ca is carrying the closing conference live.
Rushing to legalize pot could not only endanger lives, it could jeopardize business relations with the U.S., where many states have strict rules around marijuana, Pallister said. Premiers should use their time and efforts focusing on NAFTA right now and allow more time for public awareness and policy formation around cannabis, he said.
Other premiers in Edmonton for the annual summer meeting did not want to wade too far into the debate before today's group chat.
Meeting target will be a 'challenge'
Earlier, Notley said her province is working hard to meet the federal target, but conceded it would be a challenge. She did not rule out asking for an extension.
But New Brunswick Premier Brian Gallant said that once those tricky issues of production, sales and distribution are worked out, legalized cannabis could be an "economic opportunity" for the provinces.
Heading into Wednesday's session, Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard said extra time would help the provinces prepare, but he isn't holding out hope the federal government will bend on its timeline.
"If the federal government were to announce that they want to push it by a few months, that would probably lead to a better work preparation on our part, but we cannot take the risk of not being present and ready in time for the July 1 deadline, so we're working on that basis," he said.
Marijuana legalization activist Jodie Emery warned that the Liberal bill as proposed will not address the criminal black market problems caused by prohibition, but she condemned any plan to delay legalization.
"It's absurd, costly and harmful to society to wait yet another year for legalization, and to continue criminalizing millions of Canadians who use cannabis in the meantime," she said.
Time needed for public awareness
MADD Canada chief executive officer Andy Murie said he has no problem with the current deadline as long as the accompanying legislation on impaired driving passes by December 2017. That would deliver a six-month notice to drivers prior to legalization, he said.
"It also gives six months for police and public education messaging," he said.
The issue of age of access to marijuana will also be a hot topic for premiers. The federal government has set a minimum age of 18, but some premiers say it should be higher and standardized across the country.
Murie said he expects most provinces will establish zero-tolerance restrictions for using marijuana for drivers 22 and under.
Premiers are also expected to discuss the opioid crisis in communities across the country, as well as the fallout from the Supreme Court's controversial Jordan decision.
That ruling set timelines for criminal trials, at 18 months for lower courts and 30 months for cases in superior courts. The ruling from July 2016 left provinces and territories scrambling to find ways to speed up court systems to avoid cases being thrown out due to unreasonable delays.
Joint projects planned
Before sitting down to discuss criminal justice issues, Couillard and Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Dwight Ball announced an agreement to explore joint projects for interprovincial cooperation that would promote economic development that straddle the shared border.
Two projects targeted are the development of the Labrador Trough and the extension of Highway 138 on the lower north shore of Quebec.
"We see there's some room there to share services. It could be things like geotechnical as an example, training, broadband. All these are great examples where we see provinces come together and strengthen the ongoing relationships we have," Ball said during a morning news conference. "We see there's some economic benefits for our residents, Canadians and indeed businesses as well."
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Premiers to ask for legal pot delay if federal government doesn't resolve key concerns - Politics - CBC News
Author: Kathleen Harris
Contact: CBC Help Centre
Photo Credit: Canadian Press
Website: CBC News - Latest Canada, World, Entertainment and Business News
At a news conference to close off the annual summer Council of the Federation meeting in Edmonton, the premiers announced they have formed a working group that will report back on progress by Nov. 1. Premiers will seek an extension if the federal timetable is deemed "unrealistic."
"Premiers around this table agreed that should the federal government not engage adequately on these issues, we will need more time to implement the federal government's decision," said Alberta Premier Rachel Notley, who is chairing this year's meeting.
Premiers also have outstanding concerns around supply and demand and addressing the black market for cannabis.
The premiers could be on track for a showdown with the federal government.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, speaking to reporters in Laval, Que., said the current framework on marijuana is hurting Canadians and said the federal government intends to stick to its timeframe.
"Young people have easy access to marijuana, they shouldn't. Criminal organizations and street gangs are making millions of dollars in profit off the sale of marijuana and we need to put an end to this policy that does not work," he said.
"We are continuing to work with the provinces to ensure that the framework will be in place as quickly as possible and we are still ... looking at summer of 2018 as the time where the legalized framework will come into play right against the country."
New pot rules, court delays and an escalating opioid crisis were the pressing issues premiers tackled on the final day of their meeting in Edmonton today.
As the Council of the Federation turns its focus from trade and economic issues to criminal justice, one premier proposed a collective demand that the federal government postpone legalizing marijuana for one year.
Manitoba's Brian Pallister made the pitch Tuesday, arguing there's not enough time for provinces and territories to get regulations, road safety provisions and public awareness in place to meet the federal government's target of July 2018 for legal pot.
"I'm not suggesting we go back and fight the battle around the legalization debate, I'm only suggesting that we should, in a clear-headed fashion, consider the timing of the introduction," he said.
CBCNews.ca is carrying the closing conference live.
Rushing to legalize pot could not only endanger lives, it could jeopardize business relations with the U.S., where many states have strict rules around marijuana, Pallister said. Premiers should use their time and efforts focusing on NAFTA right now and allow more time for public awareness and policy formation around cannabis, he said.
Other premiers in Edmonton for the annual summer meeting did not want to wade too far into the debate before today's group chat.
Meeting target will be a 'challenge'
Earlier, Notley said her province is working hard to meet the federal target, but conceded it would be a challenge. She did not rule out asking for an extension.
But New Brunswick Premier Brian Gallant said that once those tricky issues of production, sales and distribution are worked out, legalized cannabis could be an "economic opportunity" for the provinces.
Heading into Wednesday's session, Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard said extra time would help the provinces prepare, but he isn't holding out hope the federal government will bend on its timeline.
"If the federal government were to announce that they want to push it by a few months, that would probably lead to a better work preparation on our part, but we cannot take the risk of not being present and ready in time for the July 1 deadline, so we're working on that basis," he said.
Marijuana legalization activist Jodie Emery warned that the Liberal bill as proposed will not address the criminal black market problems caused by prohibition, but she condemned any plan to delay legalization.
"It's absurd, costly and harmful to society to wait yet another year for legalization, and to continue criminalizing millions of Canadians who use cannabis in the meantime," she said.
Time needed for public awareness
MADD Canada chief executive officer Andy Murie said he has no problem with the current deadline as long as the accompanying legislation on impaired driving passes by December 2017. That would deliver a six-month notice to drivers prior to legalization, he said.
"It also gives six months for police and public education messaging," he said.
The issue of age of access to marijuana will also be a hot topic for premiers. The federal government has set a minimum age of 18, but some premiers say it should be higher and standardized across the country.
Murie said he expects most provinces will establish zero-tolerance restrictions for using marijuana for drivers 22 and under.
Premiers are also expected to discuss the opioid crisis in communities across the country, as well as the fallout from the Supreme Court's controversial Jordan decision.
That ruling set timelines for criminal trials, at 18 months for lower courts and 30 months for cases in superior courts. The ruling from July 2016 left provinces and territories scrambling to find ways to speed up court systems to avoid cases being thrown out due to unreasonable delays.
Joint projects planned
Before sitting down to discuss criminal justice issues, Couillard and Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Dwight Ball announced an agreement to explore joint projects for interprovincial cooperation that would promote economic development that straddle the shared border.
Two projects targeted are the development of the Labrador Trough and the extension of Highway 138 on the lower north shore of Quebec.
"We see there's some room there to share services. It could be things like geotechnical as an example, training, broadband. All these are great examples where we see provinces come together and strengthen the ongoing relationships we have," Ball said during a morning news conference. "We see there's some economic benefits for our residents, Canadians and indeed businesses as well."
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Premiers to ask for legal pot delay if federal government doesn't resolve key concerns - Politics - CBC News
Author: Kathleen Harris
Contact: CBC Help Centre
Photo Credit: Canadian Press
Website: CBC News - Latest Canada, World, Entertainment and Business News
