Pot task force member’s move raises red flag

FORMER RCMP

cannot disclose material given to them by the government unless given permission. But they are not under any obligation to refrain from commercial activity in the sector afterward.

In an interview with National Post, Souccar said nobody approached him about joining Aleafia until his work on the task force was done, and that his first conversation about the company didn’t come until January, 2017.

“The circle of people that know me know better than to have approached me while on the task force to get into this type of business,” he said. “I would have never cooling-off period for consultants on policy.

“I think this is a case where there is a clear appearance of conflict of interest, whether it’s there or not. And I think that the government would do well to examine it.”

Souccar was recruited to Aleafia by Julian Fantino, a former Conservative cabinet minister and former Ontario Provincial Police commissioner and Toronto Police Service chief. Fantino — who took a hard line against marijuana legalization while in politics — serves as the company’s executive chairman, and says he became convinced of the benefits of a company director.

“I will not confirm deny,” Car said on Sept. 13.

A day later, Aleafia spokeswoman Heather Curran would offer little information about Souccar’s role. “He’s providing counsel to Aleafia, in the early stages here,” she said.

Then on Friday, Souccar told the Globe and Mail he was in fact running the company as president and CEO.

In an interview with the Post the next day, Souccar said his work on the task force had changed his views on cannabis as a therapy treatment, particularly in how it can act as an alternative to opioid use.

“Doing the task force was probably the big change that happened in me ... And so when an opportunity presented itself, I said, well how can I help? How can I move this thing forward?”

Among those who paid close attention to Souccar’s work on the task force was Liberal MP Bill Blair, another former Toronto police chief who is stickhandling the marijuana file for the government.

Blair had approached Souccar in the spring of 2017 about continuing his advisory role on the marijuana file, but Souccar said he recused himself from it.

“I said to him, ‘I’m now, full disclosure, I’m now involved with the company,’” Souccar said. “I felt ... just that this would not be right.”

Blair confirmed he’d had that discussion with Souccar, but said he was otherwise unaware of his work with Aleafia. And he said he doesn’t see any reason Souccar shouldn’t be involved with the new company, given the task force’s focus was on recreational use, and given medical marijuana use has been legal for 15 years. or