Resolutioncallsforcutofcannabistaxrevenues

City would also like to see share of gambling money

MARIO BARTEL mbartel@tricitynews.com

It’s high time B C municipalities get their cut of the province’s cannabis tax revenues, says Port Moody council

Recently, councillors voted to present a resolution at the upcoming Lower Mainland Local Government Association’s (LMLGA) annual conference calling upon the provincial government to share with municipalities up to 50 per cent of its revenues gener- ated from the production and sale of cannabis products The conference is being held May 3–5 at Harrison Hot Springs

In a report, Coun Kyla Knowles said when the sale of cannabis products for recreational use was legalized by the federal government in 2018, it agreed to split its tax revenues from those sales

75/25 with the provinces, with all revenue above a $100-million cap going back to the provinces

Further, that year’s federal budget stated municipalities would be expected to get “a substantial portion” of those revenues because they’re “on the front lines of legalization”

That’s happening in

Ontario, Quebec and Alberta communities where cannabis shops are located

According to the Association of Municipalities Ontario, its members expect to receive a total of $40 million over the next two years

But British Columbia has yet to share its weed wealth

A 2019 report by the Union of BC Municipalities said local governments are on the hook for a total average of $11 5 million a year to cover costs related to the legal sale of recreational cannabis, like administration and support, planning and zoning, as well as policing

According to Stratcann, a cannabis industry newsletter, the BC government has realized more than $157 million from its share of federal excise taxes on cannabis sales since they were legalized

Similar resolutions have been proposed or introduced almost annually at conferences of the LMLGA and Union on BC Municipalities (UBCM) since 2018

Casino Revenue

Meanwhile, council also backed a resolution introduced by Coun Samantha Agtarap calling for the province to share casino revenue more equitably so even communities without a casino in a regional district can get some of the financial action

In a report, Agtarap said while communities with a casino get 10 per cent of British Columbia’s net gaming revenue to help pay for a variety of social and health care services and programs, the impacts of gambling aren’t confined by municipal borders

“The impacts are not limited to the host commu- nity,” she said “Especially in highly integrated regions such as Metro Vancouver”

Agtarap said seven municipalities in Metro Vancouver that have casinos have received almost $1 billion in gaming revenue from the province

But those without casinos like Port Moody have received nothing, nor are they necessarily guaranteed a share of community gaming grants distributed annually by the BC Lottery Corporation

“Residents from all communities access and use amenities across the region, from hospitals to casinos to parks,” Agtarap said “Revenue should be shared in an equitable manner that recognizes this”

In February, council’s finance committee learned Port Moody property owners could be facing an 11 33 per cent property tax hike this year

Port Moody’s manager of financial planning, Tyson Ganske, said without revenue generators like a casino and paid parking, the city is struggling to keep pace with the demand for its services as it grows

Other resolutions endorsed by council to go to the LMLGA conference include:

• update the provincial Strata Property Act to allow the installation of heat pumps

• amend the residential tenancy act to require cooling units in rental buildings

• adopt strategies to make cities more inclusive

• consider including petfriendly solutions in the update of its housing strategy

• implement public funding for candidates running in municipal elections and ban endorsements