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Castlegar makes plans for cannabis legalization

COUNCIL BRIEFS: Cannabis legalization plans, 2018 budget passed and referendum “Yes” vote support.
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The city is moving forward preparing for the eventual legalization of recreational cannabis.

The services of a consultant who is currently working with the City of Nelson on their public process related to recreational cannabis legalization have been engaged to assist staff on consultation with Castlegar businesses and residents.

A working group will be assembled to look at the legislation and how it may affect the city in areas such as planning and development, licensing and bylaws. Members of the RCMP, community services, fire services, public health and city staff will participate in the group.

A formal consultation process will be undertaken to engage the public and other key stakeholders.

Bylaws and other municipal programs will be assessed to see what will require adjustment.

Options for land-use bylaw amendments will be prepared in anticipation of direction from other orders of government.

Suggested activities and timelines:

April 30 —The working group will meet to review the engagement plan, draft survey and provide feedback and comments.

May 2 — Staff will review draft content for advertising and press releases for media in time to promote the public meetings.

May 23 — The online survey will be uploaded.

May 23 — Meeting with business community to gain additional feedback on questions in the survey and provide an opportunity for discussion and questions.

May 24 — Public meeting to launch survey and gain additional feedback on questions in survey including discussion and public questions.

June 15 — Consultant to review the results and prepare report for city staff on data and engagement process.

June 18 — Consultant to meet with city staff to discuss results and review data. A staff report will then be prepared for council.

Money for “Yes” vote

A few weeks ago Castlegar council passed a motion stating that they would send a letter of support to the Castlegar & District Recreation Commission supporting the Castlegar Community Complex expansion project and that they would publicly support a “Yes” vote in the upcoming referendum.

Now council has decided to put some money behind their motion allocating a $750 grant from the community enhancement budget to support efforts of the Friends of the Complex community group that is advocating for a “Yes” referendum vote.

The money will be used for posters, buttons, signs, pamphlets and other literature.

“I have a real hard time with this because this is tax payers money,” said Coun. Bruno Tassone who was the sole councillor to vote against the motion. “Are we going to support the ‘No’ votes as well?”

Coun. Florio Vassilikakis responded by reiterating that because council had voted to support a “Yes” vote he felt it was appropriate to spend the money to further that goal.

“I don’t support funding the ‘No’ vote, because it doesn’t fit with our resolution,” said Vassilikakis.

He also pointed out that this isn’t the city’s referendum, it is the regional district’s referendum.

“Part of this project is that we value as a council what the Recreation Complex brings to this community,” added Vassilikakis. “And as such, we should help support securing a ‘Yes’ vote.”

Budget and taxation set for 2018

Council passed the 2018 budget, tax rate bylaw and 2018-2022 five year financial plan. The items were unchanged from the version presented to the public on April 11. There will be a 3.5 per cent tax increase — approximately $39 per year — on residential properties.

Commercial properties will see a one per cent increase. In recent years council has been addressing a fairness gap between what residential customers pay in taxes and what commercial customers pay.

Coun. Vassilikakkis explained that businesses are still paying over three times the taxation rate that residents pay. The provincial average is 2.26 times residential rates.

More details on the budget can be found in our previous coverage.



Betsy Kline

About the Author: Betsy Kline

After spending several years as a freelance writer for the Castlegar News, Betsy joined the editorial staff as a reporter in March of 2015. In 2020, she moved into the editor's position.
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