Municipalities should be getting a share of legalized marijuana revenue.
That’s the feeling of Kenora Mayor Dave Canfield, following the announcement the provincial government will get 75% of the profits, and the federal government will take the remaining 25%.
Canfield says municipalities are the ones that will face extra costs for policing and social services.
“This fight’s going to go on, it’s about fairness and it’s time they stepped up to the plate and said, ‘No, this belongs to the municipalities.’” Canfield tells us, “They can do it a different way, they can take over policing, they can take over social services, and we’d be much happier with that. They can keep all the revenue.”
Under the deal reached, the federal portion of tax revenues will be capped at $100 million per year.
That number comes from a projected $400 million a year in total tax revenue, with anything else made beyond that shared by the provinces.
Canfield feels the government is moving way too fast on legalization, and that no one is ready.
“The police services have been saying it across the country, the provinces have been saying this across the country, we can’t be ready for this by July 2018.”
“What’s wrong with taking another year? You have got the direction, they aren’t out charging people with simple possession.”
He notes the Association of Municipalities of Ontario will continue to fight this decision. (File Photo)