Public consumption of cannabis edibles to be banned: Pallister

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This article was published 03/10/2019 (1922 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Premier Brian Pallister made a grab-bag of announcements Friday, including the possibility of amending Manitoba law to make clear all cannabis consumption in public is illegal.

At his afternoon media availability, Pallister was asked whether Manitobans would be allowed to consume cannabis edibles in public, once the products are legalized by the federal government later this year.

The premier said the law, in his view, prohibits any public consumption of cannabis. However, current Manitoba legislation only explicitly rules out public smoking or vaping of cannabis.

“The intention is clear with the existing law, that we’re prohibiting the use of (cannabis), and we will have to look at, probably, the wording through amendment, if necessary. But the intention of the law is very clear that we’re making it illegal for public consumption,” Pallister said, noting he’s been told discussions are underway within government about whether an amendment is required.

The premier also discussed six changes the government is making under the interprovincial Canadian Free Trade Agreement. They include removing eligibility restrictions for forage leases on Crown lands and removing the preference given to Manitoba residents who want to bid on cottage lots.

Pallister said the latter move is meant to encourage Canadians from other parts of the country to spend time in Manitoba. Asked whether the change could open the local cottage industry up to foreign influence or more short-term rentals (such as Airbnb), Pallister said the government would be careful to protect Manitobans’ interests.

“It shouldn’t be a preferential thing that restricts you from being able to bid on a property just because you’re from the other side of an imaginary provincial border, right? So that’s the intent of this, is just to create a more level playing field among the Canadian family,” he said.

Also Friday, the premier sent letters to five national party leaders — Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, Green Leader Elizabeth May and People’s Party Leader Maxime Bernier — requesting they answer five questions about Manitoba-specific concerns.

The queries ranged from funding commitments for federal health transfers and cost overruns of the Lake Manitoba outlet project to whether they would invest in expanding Manitoba’s hydroelectricity transmission and in services for Indigenous Canadians. Pallister also asked whether, if elected, the leaders would support Manitoba’s climate and green plan, and how they would modernize the Indian Act.

While the premier has said he won’t officially endorse a national party ahead of the federal election, he believes the leaders’ responses to his questions could sway Manitobans’ votes.

“The information that comes back from the leaders will be another piece of the decision-making influence that Manitobans deserve to consider, and I think that’s important. But I respect the right of Manitobans to decide on these elections,” Pallister said.

The federal election is Oct. 21.

jessica.botelho@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @_jessbu