Prince George City Council has given first three readings to a bylaw amendment that would reduce business license fees for cannabis stores.
Council gave the readings at tonight’s (Monday) meeting.
The item was previously brought forward as a notice of motion from Councillors Kyle Sampson and Ron Polillo.
“When cannabis was originally legalized in Canada, the discussion was the unknowns for municipalities,” Sampson said.
“Having gone forward we’ve realized this operates effectively the same as liquor, it’s controlled by the same ministry as liquor and so why have that inequity in rates between the two? It doesn’t seem right.”
Under the Comprehensive Fees and Charges Bylaw, business license fees for retail cannabis are expected to be $1,562.50 in 2025.
If the bylaw amendment is passed, the proposed business licenses fees would be $351.23 in 2025.
It was noted that business license fees are typically circulated in October and November, and it would be simplest to make these changes for 2025, rather than implementing them for 2024.
The first three readings were passed 6-1 with Councillor Trudy Klassen the lone opposer.
Councillors Brian Skakun and Tim Bennett were absent.
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