January 4, 2019

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The Creemore

Echo

Friday, January 4, 2019 Vol. 19 No. 1

www.creemore.com

News and views in and around Creemore

inside the echo

More the Merrier

Medical cannabis is grown in Clearview Township, but council has yet to decide if the municipality is open to recreational cannabis retail stores. government will allow private cannabis retail stores to open in phases and has provided the AGCO the authority to license up to 25 stores in the initial phase. A lottery, conducted by the AGCO, will be held to determine who will be able to apply for one of the 25 initial stores. Recreational cannabis is legal in (See “Public” on page 3)

Dufferin Community Foundation gets charitable status “Great news! We are official!” was the jubilant message from Gord Gallaugher, Chair of the Dufferin Community Foundation, to his Board in early December. Just in time for year-end and holiday giving, the Canada Revenue Agency announced that the new Dufferin Community Foundation meets the requirements for tax-exempt status as a registered charity under the Income Tax Act. This milestone means that the Foundation can issue tax receipts to donors who want to help build endowment funds and meet modest operating expenses. These donations

create a sustainable way to support vital charitable work throughout Dufferin for generations to come. With volunteer energy, momentum toward this event has built steadily throughout 2018. Under the auspices of Headwaters Communities in Action (HCIA) and with expertise from the Orangeville office of Carters Professional Corporation, specialists in charity law, the Foundation held its first Board of Directors meeting in April; opened its first mini-grant competition in July; held a highly successful launch at the Adamo Estate Winery in September; and began showcasing

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municipality automatically opts in to the program by default. However, the government of Ontario has also said that there are 25 licences available in this first round, none of which are available to municipalities with a population of 50,000 or under. According to the AGCO, given the shortage of legal cannabis supply from federally licensed producers, the

Clearview robotics in action

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Public asked to weigh in on cannabis by Trina Berlo Clearview Township is ready to have the talk about cannabis. On Jan. 7, council has invited the public to attend a consultation session and share their views on allowing cannabis retail locations in the municipality. That same night council will consider a recommendation from CAO Steve Sage to opt out, and advise the Alcohol and Gaming Commission (AGCO) that Clearview does not wish to host cannabis retail stores in the community at this time. Mayor Doug Measures said he wants council to hear from members of the public before council considers Sage’s report on recreational cannabis in Clearview. “I want the public to have an opportunity to bring forward their ideas, their suggestions, their concerns,” said Measures. It is a necessary conversation for council but it is also a moot point for a municipality of this size, at least for now. The province has given municipalities a deadline of Jan. 22 to opt out of hosting private cannabis retail stores. If a resolution saying as much is not passed before the deadline, a

Battle of the Bots

Community comes together for Christmas

local charities on its website in October. Now, the Foundation is poised to accept gifts of any size from individuals, families and corporations. The website highlights “10 Ways to Give” and the CanadaHelps.org button makes on-line contribution easy. The next steps are the first year-end report, a 2019 fund-building campaign, and an active search for volunteers to serve on the Finance and Outreach Committees. The Dufferin Community Foundation is a charitable public foundation created by and for the people of Dufferin. It (See “Foundation” on page 3)

Driver caught with cocaine At about 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 27, members of the Huronia West OPP charged a male driver involved in a collision at County Road 7 and 27-28 Sideroad in Clearview Township. After it was determined the driver was impaired, he was arrested and transported to the Huronia West OPP detachment for breath tests where two suitable samples were provided. His vehicle was impounded for seven days and his driver’s licence was suspended 90 days. Christos Trakas, 40, of Toronto is charged with: Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration of 80 plus, and possession of cocaine He is to appear in Collingwood Court on Jan. 22.

New distracted driving penalties in effect As of Jan. 1, penalties for driving with a hand-held wireless communication device (a portion of distracted driving) have increased for motorists in Ontario: Fine increases of up to $1,000; three demerit points for a first offence; threeday licence suspension. Penalties rise for subsequent convictions. Novice drivers (G1, G2, M1 or M2) who are convicted of distracted driving will receive the same fines, but will receive longer licence suspensions as opposed to demerit points. Distracted driving encompasses any behaviour that takes the driver’s attention away from operating their vehicle. There are three main types of distraction: Visual - taking your eyes off the road; Manual - taking your hands of the wheel; Cognitive - taking your mind off what you’re doing. Drivers who cause a collision or exhibit very poor driving directly related to being inattentive (eating, drinking, reading a map, etc.) could be charged with Careless Driving. The fines and demerit points for Careless Driving remain unchanged. For a complete list of the updated fine/suspension increases visit www. ontario.ca/page/distracted-driving.

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January 4, 2019 by The Creemore Echo - Issuu