Minutes (Appointed) - Cannabis Retail Review Task Force - 20260416
Town of Aurora
Cannabis Retail Review Task Force
Meeting Minutes
Date:
Time:
Location:
Thursday, April 16, 2026
7 p.m.
Holland Room, Aurora Town Hall
Committee Members: Councillor John Gallo (Chair)
Councillor Ron Weese (Vice Chair)
Nikki Alber
Megan Bamford
Judy Collins
Lenard Lind
William Newton, York Regional Police Representative
Laura Schaffer
Ian Smith
Other Attendees: Andrew Poray, Manager, Economic Development
James Gagnon, Bylaw Enforcement/Licensing Officer
Daniel Ruberto, Deputy Town Clerk
Julia Shipcott, Council/Committee Coordinator
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:59 p.m.
2. Land Acknowledgement
The Task Force acknowledged that the meeting took place on Anishinaabe lands,
the traditional and treaty territory of the Chippewas of Georgina Island,
recognizing the many other Nations whose presence here continues to this day,
the special relationship the Chippewas have with the lands and waters of this
territory, and that Aurora has shared responsibility for the stewardship of these
lands and waters. It was noted that Aurora is part of the treaty lands of the
Mississaugas and Chippewas, recognized through Treaty #13 and the Williams
Treaties of 1923.
Cannabis Retail Review Task Force Meeting Minutes
April 16, 2026 2
3. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Councillor Ron Weese
Seconded by Nikki Alber
That the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services be approved.
Carried
4. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof
There were no declarations of pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of
Interest Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.50.
5. Receipt of the Minutes
5.1 Cannabis Retail Review Task Force Meeting Minutes of February 19, 2026
Moved by Nikki Alber
Seconded by Laura Schaffer
1. That the Cannabis Retail Review Task Force meeting minutes of
February 19, 2026, be received for information.
Carried
6. Delegations
None.
7. Matters for Consideration
7.1 Memorandum from Director of Corporate Services/Town Solicitor; Re:
Review of Cannabis Retail Stores
The Task Force acknowledged a disconnect between complaint/offence
data provided and known community safety issues that were not captured
within the existing reports. The Task Force requested an update to the
October 24, 2023 Council Resolution sent to the Province regarding
Motion 10.1 - Councillor Kim; Re: Cannabis Retail Applications for the
Town of Aurora, and staff agreed to follow up.
Cannabis Retail Review Task Force Meeting Minutes
April 16, 2026 3
Staff will confirm departmental responsibility for preparing the final report,
with recommendations provided by the Cannabis Retail Review Task
Force, and will confer with the Communications Department on the
feasibility of completing a survey prior to the next meeting.
The Task Force provided the following suggestions, including:
generating a survey for distribution to properties neighbouring
cannabis retail stores, with results submitted at the next and final
meeting;
providing a copy of the Task Force's final report to Ontario
municipalities and the Premier's office;
providing to the public various reporting opportunities available
through the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO),
Town By-law department and York Region Police (YRP);
increasing frequent patrols by By-law Services and YRP, targeting
areas of concern;
advocating to the Province to allow re-zoning by the Town, re-
evaluating the formula for future cannabis retail stores within the
Town, and reducing the hours for locations within residential
neighbourhoods;
creation of a nuisance by-law which would include limiting the
number of nuisance calls to a property;
gathering best-practices from other municipalities on handling
compliance issues;
staff providing an update on the use of approximately $80,000 of
Provincial funding ear-marked for enforcement issues, and
applying those funds to Community Service/Paid Duty officers to
patrol areas of concern;
inviting AGCO representatives to the next Cannabis Retail Review
Task Force meeting to provide potential compliance solutions;
distributing door-hanger surveys within 200 metres of cannabis
retail stores to gather feedback on areas of concern;
Cannabis Retail Review Task Force Meeting Minutes
April 16, 2026 4
Moved by Judy Collins
Seconded by William Newton
1. That the memorandum regarding Review of Cannabis Retail Stores be
received; and
2. That the Cannabis Retail Review Task Force comments regarding
Review of Cannabis Retail Stores be received and referred to staff for
consideration and further action as appropriate.
Carried
8. Informational Items
None.
9. New Business
None.
10. Adjournment
Moved by Megan Bamford
Seconded by Laura Schaffer
That the meeting be adjourned at 8 p.m.
Carried