THE PAPER TRAIL
Here are some of the responses Angie Todesco received when she complained about WeeMedical, an illegal pot shop on St. Laurent Boulevard.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Todesco wrote Trudeau in August 2016, saying she was “astounded” that a dispensary had popped up near her home. She had already been told by Health Canada that dispensaries are illegal, she wrote. “Please be advised that your comments have been carefully reviewed,” said the return email from Trudeau’s office.
“As this issue is of particular interest to the Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, and the Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Health, I have taken the liberty of forwarding your email to them, for their information and consideration.”
(Tedesco sent a second email to Trudeau in December 2016, accusing him of “passing the buck” and saying that “none of these high and mighty ministers … did anything to remove this illegal and dangerous illegal operation.”)
Ralph Goodale, public safety minister
In his January 2017 letter, Goodale apologized for taking four months to respond. He said he supports the Health and Justice ministers in “efforts that will lead to the legalization and regulation of marijuana. In doing so, the priority for the government will be to keep marijuana out of the hands of children and take the profits away from criminal enterprises. The transition will take some time. It needs to be accomplished in an orderly manner.”
The letter goes on to explain the federal rules for obtaining medical marijuana, and informs Todesco that a government task force studied legalization and held a public consultation. “I hope you had the opportunity to input your views and perspectives on the legalization and regulation of marijuana.” The letter does not mention dispensaries.
Ottawa police
Todesco has phoned the Ottawa police five times to complain about WeeMedical. She also wrote to Chief Charles Bordeleau, who emailed her on Nov. 5, 2016, the day after police raided WeeMedical and other pot shops in town. “I hope this is evidence that the Ottawa Police Service is responsive to community concerns,” Bordeleau wrote. “These investigations take time and are complex.” A few days later, Bordeleau emailed Todesco again, saying the two months between the time the shop opened and the raid was “reasonable and responsive.” WeeMedical reopened soon after the raid.
Nathalie Des Rosiers, MPP for Ottawa-Vanier
Marijuana storefronts are illegal, said a letter from Des Rosiers in April 2017. “Local law enforcement is responsible for enforcing the law and so we expect that the Ottawa Police Service will continue to do so until the law changes.” If Todesco was not satisfied with the way Ottawa police handled the issue, she could contact the Office of the Independent Police Review, an independent, arm’s-length agency of the provincial Attorney General, the letter said.
Office of the Independent Police Review Director
Todesco filed a complaint with the office on April 18. “I feel ignored and belittled by the police who feel it is fine that I live two blocks from an illegal operation visited by strange men in hoodies, primarily at night, and are dismissive of my concerns that they are doing nothing.” The OIPRD ordered an investigation by the Ottawa Police Service Professional Standards Section.
The Ottawa Police Service Professional Standards Section
The section issued a report on July 10, saying police followed proper procedures and noting that they have discretion on whether to lay charges. The report outlined some of the difficulties police encounter in investigating the shops, and said the force will take a “city wide” approach to the issue and focus on disrupting the supply chain of drugs. Todesco can request a review by the Ottawa Police Services Board, said the report. She intends to do so.
Yasir Naqvi, Ontario Attorney General
“The operation of illegal dispensaries in Ontario is a concern and the province is working with the federal government to explore ways to ensure that the law is followed until it is changed,” wrote Naqvi in an email last month. “Further questions about the enforcement of existing laws with respect to cannabis dispensaries should be directed to the federal government or local law enforcement.” Prosecution of charges is the responsibility of the federal prosecution service, said the letter, which provided the address for the Department of Justice. It also urged Todesco to fill out the province’s online survey about how Ontario should regulate cannabis.
Manor Park Community Association president Sébastien LaRochelle-Côté
LaRochelle-Côté has communicated with Todesco several times and accompanied her to a meeting with Ottawa police.
City Coun. Tobi Nussbaum
LaRochelle-Côté forwarded an email from Nussbaum’s office on the issue, which said Nussbaum has talked to both city staff and the police. City staff advised that “there is currently no process or requirement for a municipal licence for this kind of commercial activity and that the city does not regulate illegal commerce.
“As the federal government moves forward on their pledge to legalize marijuana, other levels of government will be in a position to better control the location and operation of these kinds of businesses,” said the email from one of Nussbaum’s staff. “Until that point the responsibility for enforcement rests with Ottawa Police Services. Tobi has been in communication with the police who confirmed that they are aware of this location and monitoring the situation.”
Isra Levy, medical officer of health, Ottawa Public Health
Todesco asked Dr. Levy whether the unit could monitor pot shops from a public health perspective, such as determining whether the products are medically safe and customers have prescriptions dispensed by a qualified health practitioner. She received at least three responses. The first, from an official in the department, said: “Ottawa Public Health continues to monitor this issue and work with city partners in this regard.”
After Todesco sent scathing emails in return, Levy replied: “If you see ongoing activity that you think constitutes criminal activity I do encourage you to continue to report that to law enforcement authorities.” A response from another staffer explained that public health has no authority to regulate or ban illegal dispensaries. Todesco should contact Health Canada and/or the police, it said.
I have taken the liberty of forwarding your email to them, for their information and consideration.