Wynne calls Ford’s comments on cannabis ‘reckless’
Premier says her priority with distribution is the safety of young people
Privatizing less” idea, says pot sales Premier is a “reck- Kathleen Wynne after Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford mused about making such a move.
“I think that a lot of parents would have concerns about cannabis candy bars being in available corner stores,” beside Wynne told reporters Wednesday.
“As a grandmother, I’d be worried about that. It seems reckless to me. We took a lot of time to develop a plan for distribution of cannabis when it becomes legal under the federal law. We took a lot of time to figure out how to do a distribution safely and responsibly. I think that’s what people expect ...
“There would be a recklessness to doing what Doug Ford is suggesting. My priority is the safety of young people.”
Ford has suggested that he’d prefer a free market when it comes to marijuana sales.
The Ontario government will open 40 government-controlled stores this summer, and by 2020 will have 150.
“Let’s take a look at it,” he said of privatization when asked about it on CBC Ottawa Morning.
“I am open to a free market” and will consult with the PC caucus, he also said.
“I don’t believe in the government sticking their hands in our lives all the time.” The federal government has pressed ahead with plans to legalize marijuana but has left much of the planning regarding sales and policing to the prov-inces. Ottawa has promised the provinces a cut of the taxes that will be collected through sales. Wynne and Environment Minister Chris Ballard held a press conference Wednesday in Toronto to tout the government’s environmental initiatives. Ballard said voters are “looking to government to put a good solid action plan in place that’s going to deal with climate change ... Ontario decided to follow the path of a cap and invest program. It gets us that guaranteed reduction year over year because we lower the cap year over year.” The government uses the funds polluters pay to invest in environmental programs and rebates. Ford has said he would get rid of any carbon tax — and while he believes in climate change, he prefers investments in environmentally friendly technolo-gy Wynne, however said Ford “and quite frankly all the leadership candidates in the Conservative leadership ... said, ‘We’re not going to tackle climate change. We’re not going to acknowledge that climate change is a problem, and we’re not going to have a plan to reduce pollution.’ ... So, there is a fundamental difference between what we believe ... and what ... Doug Ford, believes.”