Agenda (Appointed) - Cannabis Retail Review Task Force - 20260219
Town of Aurora
Cannabis Retail Review Task Force
Meeting Agenda
Date:Thursday, February 19, 2026
Time:7 p.m.
Location:Holland Room, Aurora Town Hall
Meetings are available to the public in person and via live stream on the Town’s YouTube channel.
To participate, please visit aurora.ca/participation.
Pages
1.Call to Order
1.1 Appointment of Chair and Vice Chair
That Council Members be appointed as Chair and Vice Chair of
the Cannabis Retail Review Task Force.
1.
2.Land Acknowledgement
3.Approval of the Agenda
4.Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof
5.Receipt of the Minutes
6.Delegations
6.1 Patricia De Sario, Director, Corporate Services/Town Solicitor, Deputy
Clerk; Re: Orientation
7.Matters for Consideration
7.1 Terms of Reference for the Cannabis Retail Review Task Force 1
That the Terms of Reference for the Cannabis Retail Review
Task Force be received for information.
1.
7.2 Member Motion - Councillor Gallo; Re: Cannabis Retail Review Task Force 3
That the memorandum regarding Member Motion - Councillor1.
Gallo; Re: Cannabis Retail Review Task Force be received; and
That the Cannabis Retail Review Task Force comments
regarding Member Motion - Councillor Gallo; Re: Cannabis Retail
Review Task Force be received and referred to staff for
consideration and further action as appropriate.
2.
8.Informational Items
9.New Business
10.Adjournment
100 John West Way
Aurora, Ontario
L4G 6J1
(905) 727-3123
aurora.ca
Town of Aurora
Cannabis Retail Review
Task Force
Terms of Reference
Purpose
The Cannabis Retail Review Task Force is established to review and provide
recommendations regarding the experience of the Town since permitting retail
cannabis stores within the Town of Aurora.
Membership
The Task Force will be composed of up to ten (10) members, as follows:
•Two (2) members of Council;
•Up to seven (7) citizen members selected by Council; and
•A representative from York Regional Police
Term
The Task Force shall terminate upon the acceptance of the Task Force’s final report to
Council.
Remuneration
None.
Duties and Functions
•Identify issues that have arisen related to public safety, land use, business
clustering, signage, community perception, and economic development
•Explore best practices from other municipalities regarding cannabis retail
management and community engagement
•Provide recommendations on potential actions or advocacy initiatives to address
identified challenges and support balanced community outcomes
The Task Force shall take into consideration the applicable legislation, including but not
limited to Cannabis License Act, 2018, Cannabis Control Act, 2017, Planning Act, and
Provincial Offences Act.
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Cannabis Retail Review Task Force
Terms of Reference Page 2 of 2
Reporting
The Managers of Economic Development and/or Bylaw Services will provide the
recommendations of the Task Force through a report to Committee of the Whole.
Meeting Time and Location
The Task Force will meet on an ad hoc basis with the specific dates and times for
meetings to be determined by the Task Force, in consultation with the Town Clerk.
Staff Support
Staff Liaisons will consist of staff from the Planning and Development Services
department and Bylaw Services division, depending on which items are on a given
agenda.
The Legislative Services division will provide administrative support services to the Task
Force.
Page 2 of 6
100 John West Way
Aurora, Ontario
L4G 6J1
(905) 727-3123
aurora.ca
Town of Aurora
Member Motion
Councillor Gallo
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Re: Cannabis Retail Review Task Force
To: Members of Council
From: Councillor John Gallo
Date: October 14, 2025
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Whereas the Town of Aurora opted in to the licensing and operation of retail cannabis
stores within the municipality following the introduction of the provincial cannabis
retail framework; and
Whereas several retail cannabis locations have since opened within the Town,
providing legal access to cannabis products for residents and contributing to local
economic activity; and
Whereas Council has received feedback from residents expressing both support and
concern regarding the number, location, and community impacts of cannabis retail
stores; and
Whereas municipalities currently have limited authority under the provincial regulatory
framework to influence the siting and density of cannabis retail stores, but continue to
play an important role in community engagement, by-law enforcement, public
education, and advocacy to higher levels of government; and
Whereas it is in the Town’s interest to review the local impacts of retail cannabis
stores social, economic, and community, since opting in, and to identify potential
strategies or advocacy opportunities to address any issues that have arisen;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That a Cannabis Retail Review Task Force be
established to:
a) Review the experience of the Town of Aurora since opting in to retail cannabis
stores; and
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Cannabis Retail Review Task Force
October 14, 2025 Page 2 of 2
b) Identify issues that have arisen related to public safety, land use, business
clustering, signage, community perception, and economic development; and
c) Explore best practices from other municipalities regarding cannabis retail
management and community engagement; and
d) Provide recommendations to Council on potential actions or advocacy
initiatives to address identified challenges and support balanced community
outcomes; and
2. Be It Further Resolved That the Task Force shall include:
• Two (2) Members of Council, appointed by Council; and
• Up to seven (7) Resident Representatives, selected through an open call for
applications, appointed by Council; and
• Two (2) Members of Town Staff, including representatives from Planning and
By-law Services; and
• A member of York Regional Police; and
3. Be It Further Resolved That the Task Force shall be supported by Town staff for
administrative and technical assistance; and
4. Be It Further Resolved That the Task Force will be established and start February
2026; and
5. Be It Further Resolved That the Task Force shall report back to Council with
findings and recommendations within six (6) months of its first meeting; and
6. Be It Further Resolved That Council direct staff to prepare Terms of Reference for
the Cannabis Retail Review Task Force, for approval at a subsequent Council
meeting.
Page 4 of 6
100 John West Way
Aurora, Ontario
L4G 6J1
(905) 727-3123
aurora.ca
Town of Aurora
Council Meeting Extract
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Page 1 of 2
_______________________________________________________________________________________
8. Committee of the Whole Meeting Report of October 14, 2025
Moved by Councillor Gilliland
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
That the Committee of the Whole Meeting Report of October 14, 2025, be
received and the recommendations carried by the Committee approved, with the
exception of sub-items 8.3.2, 8.7.1 and 8.8.1 which were discussed and voted on
separately as recorded below.
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Gaertner, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gallo, and Councillor Kim
Carried (7 to 0)
8.9 Member Motions
8.9.5 Councillor Gallo; Re: Cannabis Retail Review Task Force
Whereas the Town of Aurora opted in to the licensing and operation
of retail cannabis stores within the municipality following the
introduction of the provincial cannabis retail framework; and
Whereas several retail cannabis locations have since opened within
the Town, providing legal access to cannabis products for residents
and contributing to local economic activity; and
Whereas Council has received feedback from residents expressing
both support and concern regarding the number, location, and
community impacts of cannabis retail stores; and
Whereas municipalities currently have limited authority under the
provincial regulatory framework to influence the siting and density
of cannabis retail stores, but continue to play an important role in
community engagement, by-law enforcement, public education, and
advocacy to higher levels of government; and
Whereas it is in the Town’s interest to review the local impacts of
retail cannabis stores social, economic, and community, since
opting in, and to identify potential strategies or advocacy
opportunities to address any issues that have arisen;
Page 5 of 6
Council Meeting Extract – Tuesday, October 28, 2025 Page 2 of 2
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That a Cannabis Retail
Review Task Force be established to:
a. Review the experience of the Town of Aurora since opting in
to retail cannabis stores; and
b. Identify issues that have arisen related to public safety, land
use, business clustering, signage, community perception,
and economic development; and
c. Explore best practices from other municipalities regarding
cannabis retail management and community engagement;
and
d. Provide recommendations to Council on potential actions or
advocacy initiatives to address identified challenges and
support balanced community outcomes; and
2. Be It Further Resolved That the Task Force shall include:
• Two (2) Members of Council, appointed by Council; and
• Up to seven (7) Resident Representatives, selected through
an open call for applications, appointed by Council; and
• Two (2) Members of Town Staff, including representatives
from Planning and By-law Services; and
• A member of York Regional Police; and
3. Be It Further Resolved That the Task Force shall be supported
by Town staff for administrative and technical assistance; and
4. Be It Further Resolved That the Task Force will be established
and start February 2026; and
5. Be It Further Resolved That the Task Force shall report back to
Council with findings and recommendations within six (6)
months of its first meeting; and
6. Be It Further Resolved That Council direct staff to prepare
Terms of Reference for the Cannabis Retail Review Task Force,
for approval at a subsequent Council meeting.
Carried
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