Saskatoon, Regina mayors say public will be consulted over city pot shop plans - Action News
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Saskatchewan

Saskatoon, Regina mayors say public will be consulted over city pot shop plans

The mayors of Saskatoon and Regina say the public will be consulted about zoning, bylaws and the locations of up to 13 pot shops the province has agreed to permit between the two cities.

Saskatoon already working to include pot in smoking, vaping bans

The legal system is bracing for legal cannabis. (Chanss Lagaden/CBC News)

The mayors of Saskatoon and Regina say the public will be consulted about zoning, bylaws and the locations of up to 13 pot shops the province has agreed to permit between the two cities.

The Saskatchewan government announced on Monday that marijuana will be sold by private companies after the drug is federally legalized, which is expected to happenJuly 1.

The announcement comes following pressure from municipal leaders,who said they were unable to preparefor the approaching change without knowing the provincial plan. Saskatchewan was the last of the provinces to announce its policy before legalization.

Under the new rules, Saskatoon will have the option to receive up to seven permits from the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA)for retailers in that city. Regina will have the option for six pot shops.

More 'clarity' will help zoning, says Clark

Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark is asking the provincial government to move the November 2020 election so it does interfere with municipal elections in Saskatoon. (Chanss Lagaden/CBC News)

Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark said the city administration can move closer to finalizingits zoning and bylaw changes now that the policy has been released.

He said some changes are already being made to regulate the sale of the drug.

"We have already at [planning and development] committee today amended the smoking bylaw to make sure, at minimum, cannabis follows the same rules as smoking and vaping," said Clark.

The mayor does not expect pot sellers will be restricted to industrial areas, adding that liquor stores are already located throughout the city and along major roads.

"We'll make sure that any concerns about schools and children'ssafety and all those things are dealt with, but also that people can access it in a safe way as well," said Clark.

He said there would need to be "good public discussion" about where the retailers should be located.

Regina mayor says questions remain

Regina Mayor Michael Fougere says he still has unanswered questions about the province's plans for legalizing pot, including concerns about municipal revenue sharing. (CBC News)

Regina Mayor Michael Fougere said city residents will also be consulted in the process of finalizing bylaw and zoning changes.

He said a working group is already preparing a report but it will be based on some "assumptions" until the province provides more information.

Fougere said he still has questions and concernsabout the new rules, includinghow the province plans to allow municipalities to "opt out" of allowing pot sales.

"I would be quite certain there would be a legal challenge right away if you don't do it, so why the provision's in there you'd have to ask the province for that," he said.

"But for us I don't think that would be an issue we would even talk about ... I'm not sure what the compelling reason would be to say no when it's legally regulated and is by law allowed to be used."

Revenue-sharing request to beaddressed

Fougere also wants to know if the province will agree to sharing the tax revenue from marijuana sales to cover costs such as police training, equipment and licensing, something Clark has also been pushing for in Saskatoon.

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities has been lobbying the federal government for one third of cannabis tax revenue for local governments across the country.

Fougere said a one-third share would be a good starting point for discussions over how much the municipalities should receive.

Both mayors laughed when they were asked if the public could expect to see themsmoking marijuana publicly after the drug becomes legal.

Fougere said it was safe to say that would not happen, while Clark said hehad not given the ideaany thought.

"My focus right now is just to help have a well-managed process to sort this out," said Clark.

"I haven't given any consideration to whether I'd go out there and light up a joint."