The stakes are too high to stay home because you didn't know who to vote for; you didn't know what your municipal candidates believed in; what position they take on issues that matter to you!  We know that politics needs clarity!  

Get informed with the 'What Matters' Election Series. 

Your candidates tell you what matters to them, and what they will do if they are elected. This is the third in a series of FIVE QUESTIONS asked to council candidates, published weekly.

QUESTION:  Marijuana will be legal in the province in October, with retail outlets in April 2019.  What approach do you think Quinte West should take with regard to the sale and production of marijuana for recreational and medical purposes? 

WARD 1 Trenton:  5 council seats

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PAUL BORDONARO - Ward 1:  

The legalization of marijuana is similar to the prohibition and legalization of alcohol. The provinces will individually devise their own plans to deal with the matter. Ontario will sell pot    online until April 1, 2019, at which time pot will be available in private retail stores. Quinte West should put bylaws in place that will respect the wishes of parents in regard to the location of pot retail outlets. Locations should not be near schools. There should be public input from renters in multiple units, whether or not pot should be allowed in buildings where non pot users will be affected by the second hand smoke. Quinte West should address any concerns that arise from the public. The city should enforce all regulations pertaining to zoning, business licences and building code. We must make it very clear to pot users that driving while under the influence of pot will not be tolerated. It would be wise to adapt what works in other provinces or in other jurisdictions around the world.

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ANDRE DeVRIES - Ward 1:  

As the sale and production of marijuana is regulated through federal and provincial guidelines, I believe a municipality’s ability to regulate these activities can and should be tightly limited through the use of existing zoning bylaws and through the existing application process for any new enterprise.This includes, but is not limited to: location, hours of operation, security of premises etc.

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SALLY FREEMAN - Ward 1:  

Marijuana for recreational use will become legal right across Canada.
The Federal government has given the Provinces the leeway to draw up legislation that will best suit the needs of its citizens regarding this issue.
At the recent AMO conference the Provincial leaders stated clearly that they will consult with AMO and individual municipalities as well as law enforcement to protect both urban and rural areas of our cities from the adverse effects of both growing, sales and use.
Therefore Council must have Public Meetings as soon as possible to hear the concerns and suggestions that our citizens have to present to the Province.
And our City staff must look at the fact that some of these issues will be municipal jurisdiction and that other issues will be police jurisdiction. Strong detailed bylaws that are specific will be needed.

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STUART GILBOORD - Ward 1:  

The lack of substantial, documented information for cities to consider about the effects of marijuana on consumers in their personal lives was raised by me at a Quinte West City Council meeting a few months ago.

I addressed the interim O.P.P. detachment commander about how many charges have been laid and/or convictions have there been recorded in the past 2 years in our city for Driving Under the Influence of marijuana. He could not provide any number. Apparently D.U.I. convictions are not documented as to whether alcohol or marijuana was the reason/offense.

Over the years, friends of mine who take medical marijuana and others who partake for recreational purposes have consistently asserted that users do not drive vehicles recklessly. This includes speeding. I cannot remember ever having read or heard in a news article of anyone being charged or convicted of marijuana driving infractions. Driving vehicles/transporting marijuana is not the issue we are discussing.

Production/manufacturing is already controlled by federal and provincial legislation.

I would appreciate an opportunity to meet with local business and let us put our heads together to discuss which of them would be interested in being a retail outlet.

I am not comfortable with large corporations being allowed by the province to sell this product. Banning the sale is not practical as nearly anyone can drive a few minutes and acquire the product.

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MARK KENNEDY - Ward 1:  

This is certainly a fluid topic that is still being assessed at the municipal level and will require some serious discussion in a short amount of time once the new council is elected. I haven’t made a firm decision one way or the other but would welcome public opinion before making a decision. As a city representative we need to take the pulse of the community before acting.

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MICHAEL KOTSOVOS - Ward 1:  

As a Director on the Hastings & Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) Board we have discussed the topic of marijuana several times.  Medical marijuana is advantageous for people suffering with mental health issues or chronic pain.  Moreover, marijuana is a safer alternative for individuals battling opioid addictions. 

When used in public, however, individuals should have to adhere to the same legislation in place for tobacco.  The HPEPH Unit would monitor certain illegal activities; for example, issuing fines for smoking too close to a park or selling to minors.  The O.P.P, on the other hand, will continue handling the more severe crimes, such as people driving while under the influence of drugs.  Operating a motorized vehicle after smoking marijuana should be treated the same as drinking and driving.  Manufacturing marijuana is a separate matter.

            If a company producing marijuana wants to open in Quinte West, I will not be opposed.  The facts remain that any new facility will create jobs and, in turn, generate economic spin-offs.  Quinte West should treat the production of marijuana similar to any other company inquiring about available land in the Industrial Park.

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FRED KUYPERS- Ward 1:  

Once it is legalized in the Province I am not so sure what the city can do other than maybe control where it is sold.

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DAVID HUGH O'NEIL - Ward 1:  

I am in favour of the use of marijuana for medical purposes, but leery of its use for recreational purposes. Since it is about to be legalized we need to ensure people are adequately educated on its use. CBC News has reported cannabis-related emergency room visits have spiked in recent years placing a huge burden occupying beds, nursing and physician time. A municipal approach still needs to be determined once the government releases details of its legislation governing distribution of marijuana and regulating its use.

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TYLER RICKEY - Ward 1:  

Marijuana is going to become legal for recreational and medical purposes. This is a law that obviously not everyone agrees with or supports. I think that the City needs to have an open mind when it comes to retail outlets and the types of control/responsibilities that will fall onto the municipalities. At the end of the day transactions are taking place daily and will continue to. I would prefer to see that done in a controlled environment (retail outlet) rather than in a back alley or at one of our local parks in the middle of the night. It’s far better to adapt and control the process rather than push it out. This new legislation will also bring about new businesses, manufacturing facilities, merchandising opportunities etc. all resulting in new businesses bringing new jobs. These types of decisions that Council will have to face and vote on will need to be done with candor and fair and reasonable due diligence. We don’t want our city to miss out on opportunities that could bring new jobs, and drive economic growth.

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LESLIE ROSEBLADE - Ward 1:  

The City of Quinte West needs to put Municipal bylaws and zoning requirements in place, creating a distance between stores to limit the number of stores in the community. Also to ensure that there is a buffer distance away from amenities such as Schools and Playgrounds.

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WARD 2 Sidney - 4 council seats

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TERRY R.F. CASSIDY - Ward 2 (Sidney):  

The major laws governing cannabis as a legal product are predominantly federal and provincial. We can regulate where they are sold and ensure that our OPP staff are prepared to keep our roads and communities safe from abuse.

I would suggest that we also work with AMO to to support research that would help us to better deal with the unanticipated consequences that places like Colorado have experienced. We should also support mental health and education initiatives to ensure that our young people can understand the risks and potential health benefits that legalization will bring and that services for those adversely affected will be available.

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ALLAN DeWITT - Ward 2 (Sidney):  

Quinte West should be proactive in bringing high paying, technical jobs to our city. Companies coming here for the Marijuana Industry are such jobs. We should always be mindful in where they operate, just as we are mindful in regards to sale of spirits and tobacco.

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FRED KEATING - Ward 2 (Sidney):  

I don’t think there is anything that can be done at the municipal level. The federal government legalized it and it will be up to Quinte West council to pressure the federal government for revenue to support our health, policing and education departments for abuse and any related effects that occur.

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ERNST KUGLIN - Ward 2 (Sidney):  

Well now, a buck a beer, no sex education and the legal selling of marijuana. That could be a recipe for disaster. On a serious note, let’s start with the production of marijuana. Producers should be shifted from agriculture classification to commercial or industrial facilities, providing more revenue for municipalities like Quinte West.

 As for the sale of marijuana, there’s a lot we don’t know about the full regulatory framework. Before I voted to allow the sale of marijuana in the city, the provincial government will have to outline that regulatory framework in consultation with stakeholders such as municipalities, health organizations, and business and consumer groups.

In addition the province will have to ensure that neighbourhood and public safety will be key components of its retail plan.

I don’t think it would be wise to take the province up on a one-time offer to opt out of permitting cannabis retail stores within municipal boundaries until those questions are answered.

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DON KUNTZE - Ward 2 (Sidney):  

This is a tough one as I plus City staff have little information as to what the positives and negatives are. Our approach should be a very cautious one. I support for medical purposes. I do not support for recreational purposes but I also support jobs so if someone can show me how this is beneficial to everyone I am listening.

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PAUL KYTE - Ward 2 (Sidney):  

The City should be developing a bylaw that lays out the ground work through their zoning bylaws as to where these shops make be located and any restrictions the municipality may wish to place on their operation such as hours of operation etc. The City could also look at licencing these operations to ensure that any improper activity in relation to sale to minors etc. is kept in check.

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GARRY QUINN - Ward 2 (Sidney):  

I believe the first steps that Quinte West needs to address would be the bylaws concerning the use and distribution, and how that relates to schools in the area and apartment complexes. Often, it’s compared to how the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages are allowed by law. I believe the sale and distribution and use of marijuana products should have similar guidelines. I also believe that the municipal taxes that will be received through the distribution of these products should be used to the benefit of affordable housing in our community

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KAREN SHARPE - Ward 2 (Sidney):  

I would recommend that we establish a working group that includes relevant stakeholders such as The Hastings and Prince Edward Health Unit, OPP, Business Community, Fire Department, Building, Planning a Licensing, Chamber of Commerce and social services.  The purpose of this Working Group is to gather feedback on how to create a well regulated, and enforced system that will protect our youth and keep our roads and communities safe.  As there will be wide ranging impacts on the legalization of cannabis, working together to develop local policies and to ensure extensive communication with the public will be very important.  Engaging with the Province on areas of managing impaired driving, public education, taxation, business licencing, public consumption and land use/zoning will require research and planning.  Public consultation during the process will be required. Land Use planning to determine where dispensaries can be operated will require clarification i.e. not close to schools, parks and recreation facilities, for example. Protocols’ for enforcement, and updated By-Laws need to be addressed.in terms of a local integrated plan to prepare our community for this new legislation. Medical marijuana has helped people suffering with arthritis, PTSD, and other medical conditions and is a growing business which can be managed and provided locally under the guidelines and legislation governing this industry.

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WARD 3 Murray - 2 councillors acclaimed
WARD 4 Frankford - 1 council seat

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GREGG COVELL - Ward 4 (Frankford):  

Although I did not support the legalization for recreational use, I do understand the many medical benefits for those suffering from a wide array of ailments.  The current council needs to adjust bylaws now in regards to store front distances from schools, parks and recreation areas.  Our smoking bylaws should be adjusted to include marijuana.  The city should be looking at getting an industry here to grow and supply.  This would create jobs and be financially beneficial.

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ROB MacINTOSH - Ward 4 (Frankford):  

The city's responsibility is to make sure to regulate the sale and distribution of Marijuana like any other business that wants to open up shop in Quinte West. The government wants to put the responsibility on local municipalities to monitor these business and that’s how they should be looked at businesses that operate in the city.

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LYNDA REID - Ward 4 (Frankford):  

There will need to be public meetings to hear the concerns of Quinte West residents to take back to the province. Quinte West will need to work closely with the police, health unit, emergency services and the agricultural community to set rules and guidelines. Land use will need to be looked at carefully for planning and zoning. Bylaws will need to be updated as well. There needs to be a lot of groundwork done so that our city is ready for April 2019.

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Watch Inquinte.ca next Tuesday, Oct. 9 for the next edition in our 'What Matters' Election feature.  

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: 

Question: Quinte West currently has a rental vacancy rate of virtually zero, especially in the areas of low income and affordable housing. What do you think the city should be doing to address this critical shortfall in accommodation?   READ RESPONSES FROM CANDIDATES.

Find out what the mayoral candidates had to say when Inquinte.ca asked them 'What do you think the city needs to be doing moving forward to address the issue of rental housing generally, and especially for low-income people and seniors?'
CHECK OUT 'Municipal Election 2018' for mayoral interviews, all candidate responses, and more! GET INFORMED!

Help write Quinte West's next chapter.  VOTE on October 22, 2018.