PENINSULA Shoring up Pat Bay
Pulling Together
A joint project at the Tseycum First Nation helps strengthen the banks of Pat Bay, page 4
Canoe team dips its paddles in a coastal journey to help overcome differences, page 3 Black Press C O M M U N I T Y
N E W S
M E D I A
NEWS REVIEW
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Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Pot tax welcome
Central Saanich mayor pleased with industrial tax rate for medical marijuana operations Devon MacKenzie News staff
The decision by the provincial government to exclude federally-licensed medical marijuana production from the list of agricultural uses that qualify for farm classification for tax purposes is being called “welcome” by Central Saanich Mayor Alastair Bryson. “It is a welcome decision, since it ensures that any licensed medicinal marijuana facilities which are located on industrial lands will be taxed fairly by being prevented from qualifying for farm classification,” said Bryson in an interview with the PNR. “Also, the taxes on operations located within the Agricultural Land Alastair Bryson Reserve, as allowed by the Agricultural Land Commission, will better reflect the industrial character of the facilities,” he said. The province has said the decision will ensure local governments do not lose potential property tax revenues from the Health Canada licensed-production facilities. The approach, they say, is consistent with the one being taken in Alberta. A building recently constructed on Lochside Drive in Central Saanich houses a legal marijuana grow operation run by Evergreen Medicinal Supply Incorporated. Please see: Farm tax exclusion, page 4
Bed Heads Steven Heywood/News staff
Kenny Podmore sports a red wig as he and Alicia Cormier sit on one of the beds to be used in the Bed Race on Beacon August 17. They and their Team Pier Hotel co-workers are challenging other businesses and residents to take part in the fundraiser for Rest Haven Lodge’s palliative care services in Sidney. For more, read the story on page 8.