Ontario to ban cannabis in homes offering childcare, increase retail stores for operators
Ontario is banning the growing of cannabis in homes offering childcare services while increasing the number of stores retailers can operate in the province.
The changes will be proposed in a new omnibus bill entitled the Enhancing Justice Act on Thursday.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
The bill, if passed, will make it illegal to cultivate recreational cannabis in homes that offer childcare services.
“We find this deeply unsettling and inappropriate. And quite frankly, I never imagined we'd even have to legislate this,” Attorney General Doug Downey told reporters.
Downey could not provide examples of incidents in which cannabis was found in a home offering childcare services, instead saying “this came up because there were issues.”
“It's not a judgment on the quality childcare or on the childcare facilities themselves. It's simply an exposure issue. We just don't want it commingling.”
At the same time, the legislation will increase the number of storefronts a cannabis operator can manage in Ontario.
Previous regulations capped the number of stores per operator at 75, while legislating the stand-alone stores must be at least 150 metres away from schools. Individuals under the age of 19 are not allowed inside.
The new bill will now allow licensed cannabis retailers to operate up to 150 storefronts.
Officials say this is to “respond to the growth of the legal cannabis retail market and combat illegal cannabis stores.”
Canada legalized recreational marijuana five years ago this October. Since then, retailers have reported intense competition, which has pushed some to sell their business.
There are more than 1,700 cannabis stores across the province authorized to be open by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. Another 56 applications are in progress.
With files from the Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec man, 81, gets prison sentence after admitting to killing wife with Alzheimer's disease
An 81-year-old Quebec man has been sentenced to prison after admitting to killing his wife with Alzheimer's disease.
Canada Post quarterly loss tops $300M as strike hits second week -- and rivals step in
Canada Post saw hundreds of millions of dollars drain out of its coffers last quarter, due largely to its dwindling share of the parcels market, while an ongoing strike continues to batter its bottom line.
'Immoral depravity': Two men convicted in case of frozen migrant family in Manitoba
A jury has found two men guilty on human smuggling charges in a case where a family from India froze to death in Manitoba while trying to walk across the Canada-U.S. border.
Prime Minister Trudeau attends Taylor Swift's Eras Tour in Toronto with family
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is a Swiftie. His office confirmed to CTV News Toronto that he and members of his family are attending the penultimate show of Taylor Swift's 'The Eras Tour' in Toronto on Friday evening.
Trump supporters review-bomb B.C. floral shop by accident
A small business owner from B.C.'s Fraser Valley is speaking out after being review-bombed by confused supporters of U.S. president-elect Donald Trump this week.
Pat King found guilty of mischief for role in 'Freedom Convoy'
Pat King, one of the most prominent figures of the 2022 'Freedom Convoy' in Ottawa, has been found guilty on five counts including mischief and disobeying a court order.
Nearly 46,000 electric vehicles recalled in Canada over power loss risk
Nearly 46,000 electric vehicles from Kia, Hyundai and Genesis are being recalled in Canada over a potential power loss issue that can increase the risk of a crash.
Trump chooses Bessent to be Treasury secretary and Vought as top budget official
President-elect Donald Trump announced Friday that he'll nominate hedge fund manager Scott Bessent, an advocate for deficit reduction, to serve as his next treasury secretary. Trump also said he would nominate Russel Vought to lead the Office of Management and Budget.
Canada's tax relief plan: Who gets a cheque?
The Canadian government has unveiled its plans for a sweeping GST/HST pause on select items during the holiday period. The day after the announcement, questions remain on how the whole thing will work.