Pubdate: Fri, 14 Apr 2017
Source: Montreal Gazette (CN QU)
Copyright: 2017 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact:  http://www.montrealgazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/274
Author: Philip Authier
Page: A5
Referenced: Cannabis Act: http://mapinc.org/url/Kd46SXou

QUEBEC GIVES FEDERAL POT PLAN COOL RECEPTION

Province wants cash to implement new policing, prevention
responsibilities

Show us the money. The Quebec government said Thursday it is
disappointed in the federal government's long awaited plan to legalize
recreational marijuana.

Not only is Ottawa's plan vague and full of holes, it off-loads a
whole new series of responsibilities and problems - from the need for
more policing to the creation of prevention programs - onto the
provinces, said Public Health Minister Lucie Charlebois.

Worse, it fails to pledge the money to cover the enormous cost of
applying the plan.

Charlebois honed in on comments made by federal Health Minister Jane
Philpott Thursday, who seemed to suggest Ottawa's existing health
transfers to the provinces will suffice to cover the cost, Charlebois
said.

"Honestly, their response (about funding) was laughable," Charlebois
said. "They talked about federal transfers, which already exist. They
talked about the budget on mental health. That has nothing to do with
this plan.

"They are transferring many responsibilities so it's going to take
more money. And the money won't fall from the sky."

While noting that Quebec is not against legalization, Charlebois said
she expected a more detailed roadmap from Ottawa as it moves to fulfil
a Liberal election promise. Officials in Ottawa repeated the objective
is still to have the plan up and running by July 2018.

Yet a technical briefing and news conference featuring four cabinet
ministers failed to answer Quebec's basic questions. What, for
example, would be the allowable level of THC in the pot the government
proposes to sell?

How will the justice system be adjusted to deal with the many changes
in the Criminal Code? Who will pay to retrain the police to cope with
the tougher impaired driving laws? Who will pay for the education programs?

"This bill changes many things, so we are a bit disappointed,"
Charlebois said, noting Quebec will have a better idea of the costs as
an inter-ministerial committee it has created wades through the bill.

The committee will come up with detailed invoice that it intends to
hand to Ottawa.

Charlebois, however, was cautious about the specifics, including
whether Quebec stands to earn any money from cannabis taxes. She
wouldn't say if she agrees with Ottawa's plan to allow adults 18 and
over to possess up to 30 grams of dried cannabis. Experts say that
represents a risk.

Thursday, Portage, a drug rehabilitation centre that works with
teenagers between 14 and 18 years, warned marijuana should not be
legalized for youth under 21. Portage, which helps 500 youths a year,
says 88 per cent of its clients are addicted to marijuana.

"The government must always keep in mind that legalization will not
put an end to addiction," Portage said in a statement.

Charlebois' comments set the stage for a new point of friction between
the two levels of government following the disaster of the federal
health transfer negotiations in which Quebec felt shortchanged.

Thursday, the two main opposition parties in the house pounced, saying
it's clear Quebec was ill-prepared for Ottawa's move despite the fact
the Liberals have been in power 18 months.

Parti Quebecois justice critic Veronique Hivon told reporters the fact
Ottawa acted on its own and without consulting the proves is further
proof federalism is dysfunctional.

"Quebecers are worried (about marijuana) and we have never have a full
debate on the issue," said PQ public health critic Sylvain Page.

In Montreal, Mayor Denis Coderre welcomed the news about legalization
saying he agrees with the idea but said the scope of the application
is essential.

"(The federal government) can't legalize alone," Coderre told
reporters. "There are things to connect."
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MAP posted-by: Matt