By ALI RAZA, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Toronto City Council is expected to object to a cannabis retail store proposal for 1681 Lake Shore Blvd. E. at a meeting today (Tuesday, Feb. 2).
The motion, proposed by Beaches-East York Councillor Brad Bradford and seconded by Toronto-Danforth Councillor Paula Fletcher, recommends that council authorize the city solicitor to officially object to the cannabis retail store licence application by Miss Jones Cannabis Outposts at the location leased by Tuggs Inc. at 1681 Lake Shore Blvd. E. citing the lease agreement from June 2, 2010 between the City and Tuggs Inc.
That agreement prohibits the establishment of a cannabis retail store on the premises in Woodbine Beach Park as it is owned by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, the city says.
Tuggs Inc. has indicated that it is of the opinion that such a use is permitted under the lease agreement.
Beaches-East York MPP Rima Berns-McGown wrote in support of the motion by Bradford.
“This matter should have been put to rest when the General Manager of Parks, Forestry and Recreation made clear that a cannabis store is not permitted on this Toronto and Region Conversation Authority-owned land,” she wrote.
“This information was also communicated to Tuggs through a letter on Jan. 7, 2021 and again made clear that this arrangement is not permitted in their lease agreement,” Berns-McGown added.
It was in December 2020 that the Miss Jones company was seeking authorization for a licence to operate from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). Local residents soon found out and had until Jan. 11 to submit their comments to the AGCO.
The commission received 61 submissions, primarily in opposition to the store, regarding concerns of the number of stores in the community and proximity to parkland, the AGCO said.
The City of Toronto had notified AGCO that it did not consider a cannabis retail store, or any other kind of retail store, as permitted use on the site under the lease agreement.
Council’s decision on today’s motion will determine what further steps the City of Toronto will take regarding the application for a cannabis retail store at the site.
Ali Raza is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for Beach Metro News. His reporting is funded by the Government of Canada through its Local Journalism Initiative.
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