The minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority agrees with a Senate committee recommendation to delay the implementation of legalizing cannabis.
The Committee on Aboriginal Peoples wants a one year postponement, suggesting the federal government consult with First Nations, negotiate a revenue sharing agreement and address addictions and mental health concerns.
Minister Gene Makowsky says a delay is needed, as there are too many unknowns about the legalization and social ills, among other things.
In late March, Makowsky released which communities would be getting retail permits and how many. The Lac La Ronge Indian Band, Onion Lake Cree Nation and Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation were the three First Nations selected for licences.
With the Senate committee recommending revenue sharing, Makowsky says at this point for Saskatchewan, that would be difficult to achieve, given the province doesn’t know if it will make any money.
“It’s difficult for us to get into any revenue sharing agreements, without knowing what type of revenue there will be, if there will be net proceeds to the government after all costs are looked at,” Makowsky said. “There are a lot of unknowns in this area post-legalization. We’ve indicated in our budget that we are not projecting any revenues or costs on the province. So, we would not be in a position to start discussing that anytime soon with municipalities or First Nations.”
The Senate committee also wanted a greater focus on addictions treatment and mental wellness centres for First Nations youth in rural and remote communities.
Makowsky says the government is taking a wait-and-see approach on if there is a need for increased mental health and addictions services.
It is not clear whether Ottawa will grant the one year hiatus, as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated his government’s position is to continue moving forward with the legalization of cannabis.
(PHOTO: Gene Makowsky. Photo courtesy of the Government of Saskatchewan.)