AGCO 'blowing off' city's opposition to Ancaster cannabis store, says councillor

Hamilton city councillors are fighting against a cannabis retail store that wants to open up in Ancaster, and say the provincial government isn't giving them much say in the matter.

Cannabis Roll submitted the application for 11 Hatton Dr. in Ancaster, which is currently pending on the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) website. Despite city objections, Coun. Lloyd Ferguson of Ward 12 said staff have heard that approval of the store is "imminent."

"The alcohol and gaming commission, in my view, is blowing off municipalities on this whole cannabis store issue," said Ferguson in Wednesday's council meeting.

"They put on this façade that they want public input. They're not listening to it." 

The mayor will ask the Ministry of the Attorney General to deny the application. 

The AGCO said the registrar takes into account comments received in the 15-day public notice process that deal with public health and safety, protecting youth and restricting their access, and preventing illicit activities related to cannabis. 

The ministry said the AGCO makes its decisions as an independent agency, without interference of the government.

"We are mindful of the important role of municipalities in the effective implementation of cannabis legalization and value their role as essential partners in the process," said the ministry. 

The city has already filed an official objection to the AGCO opposing the application because of its location in a residential area and concern for kids walking by the store. 

The store would be on a small commercial property that has apartments on top. The city also noted concern about increased traffic, a "parking lot that is problematic for drivers and walkers," and for residents who have lived in the area since the homes were first built. 

Provincial government regulations say a shop can't be within 150 metres of a school. 

Ferguson said a building permit has already been issued with approval of a cannabis store. This would be the third cannabis retail store in Ancaster, he said. 

"I don't know what else we can do. It's a stupid location in a residential area," he said, adding that there were also bus stops for each school board nearby. 

Jason Farr, Ward 2, floated the idea of using this motion for future objections to the minister. He's concerned that the province is headed in a direction, he said, where it will "green light" every application that comes forward. 

Coun. Chad Collins, Ward 5, agreed, saying the province hands out licences like "Halloween candy."

Whlie Farr said he isn't concerned about an influx city-wide, he noted that commercial vacancies due to the pandemic will make it more difficult to deal with building operators who want "reliable clients."

Ken Leendertse, the city's director of bylaw, estimated around 60 per cent of applications meet the city's criteria. The city is currently at 74 applications. Any that don't meet the criteria or have a community that is opposed to it, he said, is "strongly" denied support. 

But shops without community support do get approved, the latest one being The Attic, he said. The pizza place in Stoney Creek shut down its indoor dining and is using its space for a Neku Cannabis location.

The ministry said it continues to "monitor the evolution of cannabis legalization in the province and its impact on our communities."