My wife and I attended the open house regarding cannabis businesses at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre on Aug. 28.
I went to the display and I asked a straight-forward question, why are we not having a referendum? I said this could easily be added as a ballot in the upcoming municipal election. I was told the city did substantial online polling, which was done by a reputable polling company and now we have a sense of what the people want from our poll.
I stated again, this needs to go to referendum to allow all citizens of Penticton to speak on the issue. I was met with silence. The city is blinded by tax revenue from these cannabis businesses and does not want the citizens of Penticton to be heard. These can clearly be shown by their own statements regarding their own substantial poll.
The following information is from the City of Penticton website (dated July 3): “The survey was completed by 1,151 participants. One of the key findings of the survey is that 78 per cent of citizens support allowing and regulating legitimate cannabis businesses.”
The poll had 1,151 participants and this is supposed to represent the voice of citizens of Penticton. From this 1,151, only 78 per cent supported cannabis businesses. This equates to 898 ‘yes’ votes. The City of Penticton has approximately 36,128 citizens. In the 2014 civic election, there were 26,806 eligible voters in the city. This would equate to four per cent of the citizens having a voice. Remember only 898 of the 1,151 supported, which equates to three per cent of registered voters.
It is unacceptable in our democracy today that only three per cent is considered viable as a ‘yes’ vote from the citizens of Penticton. From this three per cent ‘yes’ vote, the City of Penticton has decided in their plans that up to seven pot shops will be allowed at minimum for now. This is about tax revenue for the city and has nothing to do with what the citizens want. The City of Penticton does not want a referendum that could be added to upcoming municipal elections. Allow the citizens to speak.
Put it on the ballot as a referendum question. Do you want cannabis businesses in Penticton? Do you want cannabis businesses on Main Street? How many cannabis businesses would you want: A) one to three or B) three-plus?
Let the citizens of Penticton truly speak. This is one of the biggest changes to our society. Stop trying to ram this through like the Skaha Lake fiasco.
Mike Hawley
Penticton