Minutes (Appointed) - Cannabis Retail Review Task Force - 20260618
Town of Aurora
Cannabis Retail Review Task Force
Meeting Minutes
Date:
Time:
Location:
Thursday, June 18, 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: James Gagnon, Bylaw Enforcement/Licensing Officer
Andrew Poray, Manager, Economic Development*
Patricia De Sario, Director, Corporate Services/Town Solicitor
Daniel Ruberto, Deputy Town Clerk
Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Coordinator
*Attended electronically
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
2. Land Acknowledgement
The Committee 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
Cannabis Retail Review Task Force Meeting Minutes
June 18, 2026 2
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.
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 April 16, 2026
Moved by Nikki Alber
Seconded by Laura Schaffer
1. That the Cannabis Retail Review Task Force meeting minutes of April
16, 2026, be received for information.
Carried
6. Delegations
None.
7. Matters for Consideration
7.1 Round Table Discussion; Re: Follow-up to Review of Cannabis Retail Stores
The Chair provided a findings framework to facilitate the discussion and
reviewed the proposed key findings learned from the Task Force review of
data from Town staff, including By-law Services, York Regional Police
(YRP), Council reports, provincial regulations, and feedback from residents
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June 18, 2026 3
and business owners. The proposed findings included: (1) Cannabis retail
stores have generally not created significant Town-wide public safety or
enforcement concerns; (2) Some neighbouring residents and businesses
continue to experience impacts that may not be fully reflected in formal
complaint statistics; (3) The primary concerns identified relate to location,
clustering, compatibility and nuisance impacts rather than cannabis retail
operations themselves; (4) Aurora identified many of these concerns prior
to legalization and retail implementation; and (5) Municipal authority
remains limited.
The Chair advised that a motion would be proposed at the June 23, 2026
Council meeting to direct staff to conduct a survey of residents and
businesses located within a specified distance of licensed cannabis retail
stores and provide the results to the Cannabis Retail Review Task Force
prior to its final meeting in August 2026.
The Task Force and staff discussed various matters including: focus of
the survey; by-law and enforcement limitations; complaint reporting,
possible gaps in call data capture and lack of education on the complaint
process; response timing; YRP data, call priorities and services; the
suggested need for a complaint-driven monitoring system with a defined
response trigger point; the assignment of resources where they would be
most effective; and the oversight responsibilities of the Alcohol and
Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).
The Task Force inquired about the potential use of funding received from
the Province, as detailed in the May 16, 2023 staff report no. PDS23-062 –
Retail Cannabis Update 2023, and staff agreed to report back on any
expenditure details.
The Task Force further inquired about whether the Town had received any
responses to its earlier communications to AGCO, and staff provided an
update. There was further discussion on learning the experiences and best
practices of other GTA municipalities that have opted in, and the possible
submission of a joint communication to AGCO. Staff agreed to follow up.
The Task Force was generally supportive of the proposed findings and
following recommendations.
Local recommendations:
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June 18, 2026 4
Improved public awareness of reporting channels
Targeted enforcement where warranted
Enhanced communication between operators, property owners, and
neighbours
Periodic monitoring and reporting
Provincial recommendations: That Council advocate to the Province and
AGCO to:
Implement Aurora’s 2019 recommendations respecting separation
distances
Permit municipalities to establish separation distances between stores
Permit municipalities to establish setbacks from sensitive land uses
Provide municipalities with greater authority over clustering and
location decisions
Moved by Councillor Ron Weese
Seconded by Nikki Alber
1. That the Cannabis Retail Review Task Force comments regarding
Follow-up to 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 Nikki Alber
Seconded by Lenard Lind
That the meeting be adjourned at 7:43 p.m.
Carried