Threat of U.S. travel ban failing to deter applicants for work in pot industry
Despite concern that a gig in Canada’s legal cannabis industry could lead to a lifetime ban on travel to the U.S., British Columbians are snatching up government pot jobs in time for legalization.
The B.C. Liquor Distribution Branch says it is hitting hiring targets while the B.C. Government Employees Union says its members haven’t reported a reluctance to fill cannabis job openings, despite news reports earlier this month indicating that U.S. border agents may refuse entry to any Canadian who identifies links to the legal industry.
Distribution branch spokesman Viviana Zanocco said in an email that the first government store in Kamloops and customer care centre in Richmond have both been staffed for weeks, while the distribution centre in Richmond is on track to be properly staffed for opening day on Oct. 17.
The board is continuing to hire in preparation for private retailers and more government stores to open, she added.
Zanocco said that the branch is urging anyone with concerns about the potential U.S. ban to check for updates about the status of cannabis and international travel on Canadian government websites, or contact the Canada Border Services Agency directly with their concerns.
Stephanie Smith, president of the B.C. Government Employees Union, said the union hasn’t heard from any members worried about a potential ban from the U.S. but is aware of those concerns.
“We understand that, really, this is a government to government issue. Our role is going to be to work with the employer to make sure that anybody who does take a job in the new branch understands the potential outcomes,” Smith said.
“We just feel really, really strongly that people who work in a legal industry and, in fact, are working for a provincial government, should not be punished for doing so.”
Smith described the U.S. border agency’s policy as “outrageous,” and lamented that she faces a lifetime ban as president of a labour organization representing workers in the cannabis sector, even though she doesn’t consume or work directly with cannabis.
Colin Hynes, a spokesman for the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, said in an email that the Liquor Distribution Branch has hired an executive director and senior leadership team of 22 people to run cannabis operations.
Another 130 positions are being filled for the branch’s call centre, distribution warehouse and the first retail store.
The liquor and cannabis regulation branch has hired 20 people to prepare for the opening of private stores, while a community safety unit is hiring roughly 44 people.
Hynes said it’s not yet known how many more staff will need to be hired.
Meantime, local governments are making decisions about how many stores to open in their communities.
Solicitor General Mike Farnworth said on Sept. 17 that he was aware of concern that B.C. government employees could find themselves unable to travel to the United States.
“We’ve been making it clear to the federal government that this is a serious issue,” Farnworth said. He called it an “unintended consequence” of Canada’s legalization.
“It’s a real issue, and a real concern, and there’s going to need to be a lot of education done about this issue right across the country.
“We as a province want to make sure that British Columbians understand what it means to cross the border, and to understand the risks, particularly with the Trump administration in power.”