"The passage of C-45 today marks a significant step towards the legalization of non-medical cannabis in Canada. All orders of government must now concentrate their efforts to ensure this transition occurs safely and effectively. Municipal governments remain fully committed to doing our part, with FCM providing continued support.
"With recreational cannabis soon to be sold and consumed in our communities, local governments are on the front lines of keeping Canadians safe and well-served. Legalization will impact as many as 17 municipal departments and impose significant new costs. And municipalities have been working hard to upgrade by-laws, processes and capacity to get ready.
"The federal government has engaged municipalities and recognized our key role in a successful transition to legalized cannabis. As a result of our discussions, our federal partner released a significant portion of its own excise tax revenues, with the clear intent that it be used to offset municipal costs. However, many of our members are still seeking clarity on how their provincial and territorial governments will flow those revenues to local governments.
"Among the most notable implications of legalization are costs to our police services through training, equipment and ongoing administration. We're also seeking more clarity about the federal government's commitment of $81 million to help address local law enforcement costs- specifically, how municipalities can access this funding and when it will become available.
"Municipalities need to know that financial tools will be in place to cover all costs associated with this federal initiative. At the same time, local governments will continue seeing full engagement with other orders of government and continuing their own preparations as we inch closer towards legalization."
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) is the national voice of municipal governments, with nearly 2,000 members representing more than 90 per cent of the Canadian population.