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in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, M ay 31 ,2 01 8 | 26 As part of its comprehensive coverage of the provincial election, the Beaver invited each of the Oak-the Beaver invited each of the Oak-t ville riding candidates to weigh in on a particular issue. This is the final instalment in a three-partfinal instalment in a three-partf question-and-answer with your local candidates. MARIJUANA: With the im- pending legalization of mari- juana, how would your party handle legislation around the effective rollout of legal weed? Stephen Crawford • PC The Federal Government of Canada will be deciding when cannabis, or marijuana, will be legal in this country. Ontario has already passed new laws about how, where and who can buy, possess and con- sume cannabis in this province. These rules are similar to those currently in place for alcohol con- sumption and tobacco use. The Ontario PCs want to con- sult with law enforcement agen- cies and local communities to de- termine the best course of action to roll this out properly across the province. Our main objective is that this is done in a responsible manner. We need to protect our youthWe need to protect our youthW so that they are not exposed to this drug and we need to reduce, as much as possible, second-hand cannabis smoke for all individu- als not wanting to partake in its use. Emily DeSousa • Green The plan put forward by the current government to monopo- lize cannabis sales is going to re- sult in an underground market of unsafe, unregulated cannabis that puts out loved ones at risk. This monopoly model is one that has not been used in any oth- er region that has legalized mari- juana; globally those regions that have legalized cannabis have done so using a free market ap- proach. The Green Party does not sup- port the monopolization of can- nabis. The cannabis industry should be like the craft brewery industry: helping build local businesses, creating local jobs and contributing tax dollars to lo- cal communities across the prov- ince. Instead of spending money, time and resources to protect a government monopoly, that mon- ey should be spent on public ser- vices that put people first. To legalize cannabis sales in Ontario, I support regulating and licensing small businesses and dispensaries to sell cannabis in a safe and controlled way; ensuring tax revenues from cannabis sales are used to fund education, men- tal health and addiction pro- grams; and conducting a pilot project to test the private retail- ing of cannabis by small busi- nesses alongside the LCBO's new stores during the first two years of legalization. Kevin Flynn • Liberal We know that there are a vari-We know that there are a vari-W ety of feelings when it comes to the federal government's legal- ization of cannabis. That's why we have developed a measured plan that meets federal require- ments for legalization but most importantly, ensures Ontarians are safe. Our approach to the legaliza- tion of cannabis is retail and dis- tribution run through a subsid- iary of the very successful LCBO. This controlled model will under- mine the black market while at the same time protecting young people. We are engaging with the edu-We are engaging with the edu-W cation sector and developing re- sources to ensure that students, parents and educators have the information they need. We will have a number of strict fines and penalties to address drug im- paired driving. We believe it is im- portant to balance this rollout with a combination of education and enforcement. Above all - we believe it is im- portant to keep Ontarians safe. Doug Ford wants cannabis sold in convenience stores. He wants the market to dictate distri- bution. Most recently he has said he wants to put alcohol and beer in corner stores. Mothers Against Drunk Driving says this is irresponsible; it puts Ontarians at risk, particularly youth. The Liberals are the only par- ty with a responsible rollout for the legalization of cannabis. Spencer Oklobdzija • Libertarian Controlling the sales and use of cannabis consumes police and legal resources, contributes funds to violent crimes, and is of-funds to violent crimes, and is of-f ten sold in dangerous environ- ments all while destroying the ca- reers and/or reputation of users. The Ontario Libertarian party acknowledges that controlling the production and sales of mari- juana, much like tobacco sales, and subjecting it to taxation, like other consumer products, has merit. However, we also acknowl- edge that, in the short term, many members of the public may not be ready for a decriminalized and unregulated situation. Libertarians do not wish to eliminate the rights of any citizen who wishes to partake in mari- juana use but Libertarians are al- so not willing to let someone risk the lives of others due to irrespon- sible and risky choices. Nor are we expecting anyone to pay for any consequences of these choic- es, except the persons who make them. In keeping strictly with the be- lief that a government's only le- gitimate role is to protect individ- ual rights to life, liberty and prop- erty, many Libertarians might approve of a possible non-monop- oly role for the government to protect persons and their proper- ty from harm from the sale and distribution of any risky, non-me- dicinal drugs or beverages to the public. Lesley Sprague • NDP The NDP supports a legal, reg- ulated cannabis industry. But 40 retail locations cannot possibly serve the demand in a province the size of Ontario. By failing to locate retail out- lets in places like Niagara, Brant- ford, Peterborough, Cornwall,ford, Peterborough, Cornwall,f Sarnia, and North Bay and leav- ing large communities like To- ronto, Hamilton and Ottawa un- derserved. It's clear that Kath- leen Wynne doesn't get it. By severely restricting retail access to cannabis, Wynne's plan won't put a dent in organized crime or stop the flow of unregu- lated cannabis to the market. It is obvious that Wynne has once again failed to properly con- sult municipalities. . . . PRIORITIES: Please list your top priorities if elected and tell us why residents in Oakville should vote for you. Lesley Sprague • NPD My priorities include, heath care, pharmacare and dental care. There are enormous health benefits and cost savings by doing so. We also need more nurses and beds to end hallway medicine. I will go to bat for the creation of a Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions, hiring 2,600 new mental health workers and cut- l See OAKVILLE, page 28 Candidates for Oakville include, from left, Stephen Crawford (PC), Emily De Sousa (Green), Kevin Flynn (Liberal), Spencer Oklobdzija (Libertarian) and Lesley Sprague (NDP). Metroland photo composition Q&A: Oakville