Delays attributed to staffing difficulties continue to dog the City of Chestermere’s preparation for the legalization of Cannabis in Canada this October.
Planning & Development Services Manager Jeff Gibeau updated council about the delay which has pushed back the first reading of the proposed amendments to the land use bylaw for the second time.
“This is just updating council that we had anticipated in bringing first reading to the cannabis land use part of the cannabis bylaw to council for today’s meeting,” said Gibeau in council, “but due to some continued staffing issues we’ve had to push that back to the next available council meeting.”
Despite the delays, Gibeau said that staff are making progress on the development of the new policy and are close to finishing work on it.
“There’s progress being made and the timeline to ensure that the public consultation requirements and the regulatory requirements to passing the bylaw will be able to be achieved within the time frame set out by the federal government,” he said.
The amendment to the bylaw will be brought to council for first reading at the Aug. 13 council meeting.
A public open house will be held the first week of September on the proposed Cannabis Bylaw and the formal public hearing is scheduled for Sept. 18.
Once public consultations are completed, the second and third readings of the bylaw can be approved by council at any regular meeting between Sept. 18 and Oct. 15 depending on whether any changes are made after the public is consulted.
As long as third reading of the bylaw is completed no later than the Oct.15 council meeting, the city will have the necessary legislation in place when the retail sale and recreational use of cannabis becomes legal in Canada on Oct. 17, 2018.
The delay, Interim CAO Pat Vincent, asked about what supports will be made available to local businesses and entrepreneurs so that they are able to move ahead with the necessary applications and planning and not fall behind their competition.
Gibeau said that they are working to update the website with information on the cannabis bylaw and that city staff would be available to talk with interested members of the public when the details of the proposed amendment come out in the council agenda package on Aug. 9.
“We will be available to meet with local businesses absolutely,” said Gibeau.
