Manitoba civil servant policy: booze OK, pot isn’t at office party

WINNIPEG — Manitoba civil servants will be able swig a beer at office parties, but smoking a joint will still be a no-no after recreational cannabis is legalized, says a draft policy obtained by The Canadian Press.

It’s an issue that many employers, both public and private, will have to deal with once marijuana becomes legal this year.

“Alcohol is ingrained in our ways of doing business. Marijuana isn’t,” said Sean MacDonald, who teaches business administration at the University of Manitoba’s Asper School of Business.

“Particularly within corporate Canada, there is still a long distance in terms of both education and cultural transformation before they’re going to view (alcohol and marijuana) on the same level.”

The five-page draft policy from Manitoba’s Civil Service Commission, to take effect once recreational marijuana is legal, says booze will still be OK at some functions, but cannabis won’t be.

“Consumption of alcohol may be acceptable when in conjunction with a workplace event or social function where consumption has been authorized by the appropriate employing authority,” the document states.

“The use of cannabis is prohibited at all times in relation to working hours ... and work-related events or social functions, unless it has been prescribed (medically).”

The Manitoba Civil Service Commission would not comment on the draft policy, other than to say it is still a work in progress.