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Posts published in “Province / Territory”

RCMP launches widescale raids in Nova Scotia, MRA fights back

Since February 4th 2025 the Nova Scotia RCMP has been launching near-daily raids on Mi’kmaq-owned truckhouses belonging to members of the Micmac Rights Association. While the NS-RCMP regularly conducts raids on Indigenous truckhouses and fisheries the scale and aggressiveness of the recent raids are unprecedented.  Some of the aggressive and…

New Brunswick says it can’t enforce its cannabis laws on First Nations reserves

MARCH 31, 2024 | DAVID BROWN New Brunswick says it is unable to enforce its provincial cannabis laws on First Nations land, while other provinces take a different stance.  The new comments come following proposed changes to the province’s Cannabis Act and stand in contrast to statements and actions taken by other…

Toronto wants more money from the province to deal with a growing number of illegal cannabis stores

MARCH 27, 2024 | DAVID BROWN The head of Toronto’s licensing and standards department says the city needs more money to enforce the law against a growing number of illegal cannabis stores operating there.  In an interview with City News, Carleton Grant, Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards at City of Toronto, says…

Ontario to add $31 million to budget to deal with increasing number of illegal cannabis stores

MARCH 26, 2024 | DAVID BROWN Ontario is planning to add $31 million to its budget to address illegal cannabis stores and websites operating in the province.  As part of Ontario’s Budget 2024, it says it plans to provide the funds over three years to the Provincial Joint Forces Cannabis Enforcement Team…

Indigenous cannabis entrepreneurs choose between government red tape and reserve ‘red markets’

From The Globe & Mail by Ryan Hook November 30 2023 On Alderville First Nation – a reserve south of Roseneath, Ont. – a dozen cannabis stores make up a short stretch of Highway 45, in what’s been dubbed “The Green Mile.” Since Canada legalized cannabis in 2018, the sector’s…

Former National Chief Del Riley to assist Mi’kmaw fisherman in New Brunswick constitutional challenge

Fisherman Cody Caplin is self-representing in a court battle over Mi’kmaq fishing rights; six days of trial are scheduled in December. CAMPBELLTON, NB – On October 12th, 2023, Mi’kmaw fisherman Cody Caplin appeared in court to fight an attempt by Crown prosecutor Denis Lavoie to summarily dismiss his constitutional challenge as “manifestly frivolous.”…

BC court rejects retailers’ lawsuit calling for enforcement against cannabis stores on First Nations land

A BC court has thrown out a lawsuit filed by several BC cannabis retailers who say the government has failed to enforce its own regulations.  From StratCann by David Brown September 19 2023 The plaintiffs had alleged that the BC government failed to enforce its licencing requirements to shut down…

B.C. Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund launched, creating new opportunities for First Nations in the cannabis industry

From Yahoo! Finance Canada News Wire December 16 2022 VANCOUVER, COAST SALISH TERRITORY, BC, Dec. 16, 2022 /CNW/ – Today, First Nations partners in British Columbia, alongside Federal and Provincial governments, announced the launch of the B.C. Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund, helping to increase representation in the regulated cannabis industry. This new Indigenous-led…