City Council Cannabis Report

Kingston will officially consider cannabis retail stores at the next council meeting.

The findings of a public survey late last year have been released by city staff, who are recommending council allow the stores as of April 1st.

According to their 15 page report, the absence of cannabis retail stores in Kingston could continue to encourage the underground illegal market.

They say having the storefronts would allow better and safer access for consumers, and create new jobs in the community.

Of the 2027 responses to the public survey, around 75% said they were in favour of the stores.

13 communities in Ontario, including Ottawa and Toronto, have already opted “in”.

 

Canada Post Package Theft

A 49 year old man is facing theft charges after being found with a stolen Canada Post package.

Yesterday afternoon, the accused was spotted by an officer on Clergy Street near Johnson.

He was immediately taken into custody, as the officer knew the man was under conditions not to be on Clergy.

A search revealed the parcel, belonging to someone else, and “numerous” other items of stolen property.

 

Canada-China (Canadian Press)

A group of six M-Ps and senators will stick with their plan to head to China this weekend, and one member of the delegation says they will be raising the issue of the nearly month-long detention of two Canadians.

The former diplomat and entrepreneur were arrested in what is seen by many as retaliation for the arrest of a Chinese Telecom Executive in Vancouver at America’s request

Conservative M-P Michael Cooper is heading to China this weekend and says they will engage will Chinese officials in as constructive way as possible, with the obvious objective of seeing these two Canadians returned safely and as soon as possible.

 

US Partial Government Shutdown UPDATE

After nearly 2 weeks of a partial government shutdown, US House Democrats have approved a plan to reopen the government without funding President Donald Trump’s border wall.

The Democratic package to end the partial government shutdown was approved, and includes a bill to temporarily fund the Department of Homeland Security at current levels through February 8th as bipartisan talks continue.