Connect with us

Anglais

Looking for a cannabis store near you? These cities could become the GTA’s ‘dry’ zones

Published

on

[ad_1]

Aside from cannabis stores being at least 150 metres away from any school, it’s hard to to predict where they will pop up when they begin to open across Ontario come April.

But it’s a good bet they might be chock-a-block along the south side of Steeles Ave. at the top of Toronto if some prominent politicians in Richmond Hill and Markham to the immediate north get their way.

Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti, just elected to his fourth term, says the previous council opposed physical pot stores, and many of those members were re-elected, so they are likely to vote the same way. He is also opposed.
Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti, just elected to his fourth term, says the previous council opposed physical pot stores, and many of those members were re-elected, so they are likely to vote the same way. He is also opposed.  (Metroland file photo / Steve Somerville)

Those are two of at least five municipalities in the province that may vote to ban the brick-and-mortar pot shops before the Jan. 22 opt-out deadline set by Queen’s Park.

The refusal, which is also being explored in Oakville, King Township and East Gwillimbury, makes little sense to many cannabis industry experts.

“The shops will just open along the borders of those municipalities, I’m 100-per-cent certain,” says Rod Elliot, a senior vice-president with Toronto’s Global Public Affairs consulting group. “And those shops will end up being twice as busy.”

Elliot says “dry communities” in U.S. states that have legalized recreational cannabis have seen stores load up along their boundaries.

“Those stores are some of the most profitable in the United States,” he says.

Lawyer Matt Maurer, a cannabis industry expert with Toronto’s Torkin Manes LLP, also says border stores abutting opt-out municipalities will almost certainly pop up.

“If Oakville opts out … does that mean everyone is going to order online?” Maurer says. “Probably not. They’re going to go to Mississauga or Burlington.

“And to drive from the border of Mississauga to the border of Burlington it takes about six minutes to blast through Oakville on the QEW, so why not set up a shop on Winston Churchill Blvd. (in the east) and Burloak Dr.” to the west, he says.

Are health risks getting lost in the haze?

Storied pot felon ponders legalization

A municipality wishing to opt out of hosting stores must get a majority of their municipal councillors to sign off on the move, which is a one-time-only offer from the province.

Opted-out towns and cities can opt back in with a similar council vote in the future, but those welcoming the stores initially can’t kick them out later.

Elliot says communities considering the ban are doing so out of misguided fears — especially about proximity to schools.

“This is more of a moral panic than an evidence-based approach,” Elliot says. “Optically they don’t like the idea that stores could be near schools.”

But provincial rules set in place for shop owners — and the legal and financial penalties they face — make sales to people under 19 highly unlikely, Elliot says.

“The evidence would show that a customer … is going to be required to show government-issued ID when they enter the store and government-issued ID at the point of sale,” he says.

Elliot says provincial regulations would strip licences, worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, from any retailer selling to minors while federal laws could impose prison terms of up to 14 years on offending retailers.

Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti, just elected to his fourth term, says the opting out has received broad support in his community.

His previous council voted for a resolution saying Markham didn’t want the stores when the then-Liberal government at Queen’s Park approached the city. He says enough of that council survived the recent municipal election to vote them down again.

“I’m going to be voting the same way, that we opt out, and I think the majority of council will as well,” Scarpitti says, admitting that some in the city are angry with the decisions.

He says the old council — which also held a mid-election vote banning tobacco and cannabis smoking in public — will likely deal with the issue in late December or early January.

And Scarpitti says his constituents were not as concerned with border stores and much as they were with how the pot shops might mar the face of Markham itself.

“We certainly heard a lot of concerns … are they going to be next to my grocery store, what kind of signage are they going to have, what kind of marketing are they going to be permitted,” he says.

“If they are on the other side of Steeles I guess they’re on the other side of Steeles.”

In Richmond Hill, where city council said last December that it would not be a willing store host, the issue will be revisited by the new council Dec. 11. The mayor and councillors were all re-elected in October. City spokesperson Meeta Gandhi would not predict the outcome of a vote.

King Township Mayor Steve Pellegrini's council looks poised to reject the stores.
King Township Mayor Steve Pellegrini’s council looks poised to reject the stores.  (Mike Barrett/Metroland)

King Township Mayor Steve Pellegrini said his council voted unanimously in October to opt out of hosting a store. And with five of the seven previous councillors returning, a no vote would seem assured if the issue is revisited.

Both Elliot and Maurer say municipalities are properly concerned about the lack of discretion the province has handed them over store placement.

“In the same way they don’t like to see a cluster of bars opening up in the same area or a cluster of payday lenders, I think that’s where the local licensing officials would like to have a little bit more control over the process,” Elliot says.

Maurer says provincial laws forbid municipalities from treating cannabis stores differently from regular retail properties, including in their choice of location.

“Municipalities are a little bit handcuffed on where they can put these stores.”

This lack of autonomy has certainly bothered Oakville Mayor Rob Burton, who is stridently objecting to stores in his city.

“What you’re seeing in the province’s approach to cannabis is a highly centralized, identical approach for everybody,” he says.

Burton would not try to predict how council would vote when it addresses the issue in mid-January after public consultations. He said any tax revenues the stores would generate would prove a “piffle, pennies, nothing” for his city.

In Mississauga, Councillor Pat Saito told the CBC this week that her city should not allow the stores. But Mayor Bonnie Crombie says council will only decide after extensive consultation with residents, through surveys and public meetings. In one such meeting held this week, however, Crombie said most of the about 100 people attending expressed approval for letting the stores in.

A staff report will come before council Dec. 12 with a vote likely before the Jan. 22 deadline.

Joseph Hall is a Toronto-based reporter covering cannabis. Reach him on email: gjhall@thestar.ca


It looks as if you appreciate our journalism. Our reporting changes lives, connects communities and effects change. But good journalism is expensive to produce, and advertiser revenue throughout the media industry is falling and unable to carry the cost. That means we need you, our readers. We need your help. If you appreciate deep local reporting, powerful investigations and reliable, responsible information, we hope you will support us through a subscription. Please click here to subscribe.

[ad_2]

Source link

قالب وردپرس

Anglais

Nostalgia and much more with Starburst XXXtreme

Published

on

By

Get a taste of adventure with Starburst XXXtreme based on the legendary NetEnt Game. The nostalgic themes are sure to capture fans of the classic version as they get treated to higher intensity, better visuals, and features. The most significant element of the game is its volatility. Patience will not be an essential virtue considering the insane gameplay, and there is a lot of win potential involved. It retains the original makeup of the previous game while adding a healthy dose of adrenaline. 

Starburst Visuals and Symbols

The game is definitely more conspicuous than before. The setting happens over a 5-reel, 3-row game grid with nine fixed win lines, which function if a succession from the left to the right reel is present. Only those players that that attain the highest win per bet line are paid. From a visual standpoint, the Starburst XXXtreme slots illustrates lightning effects behind the reels, which is not surprising as it is inherited from the original version. Available themes include Classic, Jewels, and Space. The game is also available in both desktop and mobile versions, which is advantageous for players considering the global pandemic. According to Techguide, American gamers are increasingly having more engaging gaming experiences to socialize to fill the gap of in-person interaction. Starburst XXXtreme allows them to fill the social void at a time when there is so much time to be had indoors. 

Starburst XXXTreme Features

Players get to alternate on three features which are Starburst Wilds, XXXtreme Spins, and Random Wilds. The first appears on reels 2,3, or 4. When these land, they expand to cover all positions while also calculating the wins. They are also locked for a respin. If a new one hits, it also becomes locked while awarding another respin. Starburst XXXtreme offers a choice between two scenarios for a higher stake. In one scenario with a ten times stake, the Starburst Wild is set on random on reels 2,3, or 4, and a multiplier starts the respin. The second scenario, which has a 95 times stake, starts with two guaranteed starburst wilds on reels 2,3, or 4. it also plays out using respin game sequence and features. The game also increases the potential with the Random Wilds feature to add Starburst Wilds to a vacant reel at the end of a spin. Every Starburst Wild gives a random multiplier with potential wins of x2, x3, x5, x10, x25, x50, x100, or even x150.

The new feature is sure to be a big hit with the gaming market as online gambling has shown significant growth during the lockdown. AdAge indicates the current casino customer base is an estimated one in five Americans, so Starburst XXXtreme’s additional features will achieve considerable popularity. 

What We Think About The Game

The gambling market has continued to diversify post-pandemic, so it is one of the most opportune times to release an online casino-based game. Thankfully Starburst XXXtreme features eye-catching visuals, including the jewels and space themes. These attract audience participation and make the gameplay inviting. The game also has a nostalgic edge. The previous NetEnt iteration featured similar visuals and gameplay, so the audience has some familiarity with it. The producers have revamped this version by tweaking the features to improve the volatility and engagement. 

That is characterized by the potential win cap of 200,000 times the bet. Starburst XXXtreme does not just give betting alternatives for players that want to go big. The increase of multipliers also provides a great experience. If the respins in the previous version were great, knowing that multipliers can go hundreds of times overtakes the game to a new level. 

Players should get excited about this offering. All of the features can be triggered within a single spin. Whether one plays the standard game or takes the XXXtreme spin route, it is possible to activate all of the features. Of course, the potential 200,000 times potential is a huge carrot. However, the bet size is probably going to be restricted and vary depending on the casino. It is also worth pointing out that a malfunction during the gameplay will void all of the payouts and progress. Overall, the game itself has been designed to provide a capped win of 200,000 times the original bet. 

Continue Reading

Anglais

‘We’re back’: Montreal festival promoters happy to return but looking to next year

Published

on

By

In downtown Montreal, it’s festival season.

In the city’s entertainment district, a musical act was conducting a sound check on stage Friday evening — the second day of the French-language version of the renowned Just For Laughs comedy festival. Tickets for many of the festival’s free outdoor shows — limited by COVID-19 regulations — were sold out.

Two blocks away, more than 100 people were watching an acoustic performance by the Isaac Neto Trio — part of the last weekend of the Festival International Nuits d’Afrique, a celebration of music from the African continent and the African diaspora.

With COVID-19 restrictions continuing to limit capacity, festival organizers say they’re glad to be back but looking forward to next year when they hope border restrictions and capacity limits won’t affect their plans.

Charles Décarie, Just For Laughs’ CEO and president, said this is a “transition year.”

“Even though we have major constraints from the public health group in Montreal, we’ve managed to design a festival that can navigate through those constraints,” Décarie said.

The French-language Juste pour rire festival began on July 15 and is followed by the English-language festival until July 31.

When planning began in February and March, Décarie said, organizers came up with a variety of scenarios for different crowd sizes, ranging from no spectators to 50 per cent of usual capacity.

“You’ve got to build scenarios,” he said. “You do have to plan a little bit more than usual because you have to have alternatives.”

Continue Reading

Anglais

MELS new major movie studio to be built in Montreal

Published

on

By

MONTREAL — MELS Studios will build a new film studio in Montreal, filling some of the gap in supply to meet the demand of Hollywood productions.

MELS president Martin Carrier said on Friday that MELS 4 studio construction will begin « as soon as possible », either in the fall or winter of next year. The studio could host productions as early as spring 2023.

The total investment for the project is $76 million, with the Quebec government contributing a $25 million loan. The project will create 110 jobs, according to the company.

The TVA Group subsidiary’s project will enable it to stand out « even more » internationally, according to Quebecor president and CEO Pierre Karl Péladeau. In the past, MELS Studios has hosted several major productions, including chapters of the X-Men franchise. The next Transformers movie is shooting this summer in Montreal.

Péladeau insisted that local cultural productions would also benefit from the new facility, adding that the studio ensures foreign revenues and to showcase talent and maintain an industry of Quebec producers.

STUDIO SHORTAGE

The film industry is cramped in Montreal.

According to a report published last May by the Bureau du cinéma et de la télévision du Québec (BCTQ), there is a shortage of nearly 400,000 square feet of studio space.

With the addition of MELS 4, which will be 160,000 square feet, the company is filling part of the gap.

Carrier admitted that he has had to turn down contracts because of the lack of space, representing missed opportunities of « tens of millions of dollars, not only for MELS, but also for the Quebec economy. »

« Montreal’s expertise is in high demand, » said Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante, who was present at the announcement.

She said she received great testimonials from « Netflix, Disney, HBO and company » during an economic mission to Los Angeles in 2019.

« What stands out is that they love Montreal because of its expertise, knowledge and beauty. We need more space, like MELS 4, » she said.

There is still not enough capacity in Quebec, acknowledged Minister of Finance, the Economy and Innovation Eric Girard.

« It is certain that the government is concerned about fairness and balance, so if other requests come in, we will study them with the same seriousness as we have studied this one, » he said.

Grandé Studios is the second-largest player in the industry. Last May, the company said it had expansion plans that should begin in 2022. Investissement Québec and Bell are minority shareholders in the company.

For its part, MELS will have 400,000 square feet of production space once MELS 4 is completed. The company employs 450 people in Quebec and offers a range of services including studio and equipment rentals, image and sound postproduction, visual effects and a virtual production platform.

Continue Reading
Styles De Vie6 mois ago

MAPEI Canada inaugure l’agrandissement de son usine à Laval, au Québec

Styles De Vie6 mois ago

Le Gala Elles reconnaissent célèbre les femmes remarquables de l’industrie de la construction

Styles De Vie6 mois ago

Préparez votre maison pour l’hiver afin d’éviter les réclamations d’assurance

Styles De Vie6 mois ago

Quatre façons de commencer à travailler dans le domaine des ventes

Styles De Vie6 mois ago

La Commission indépendante soutient le recours de la Cour suprême contre le déni des droits des non-francophones par le Québec

Styles De Vie6 mois ago

Justin Trudeau est un raciste contre les Noirs et les Premières Nations – 14 signes

Styles De Vie6 mois ago

Enfants aux études loin de la maison : Trois conseils pour veiller à la santé de leurs finances

Styles De Vie6 mois ago

Règles et règlements que toutes les entreprises canadiennes doivent connaître

Styles De Vie6 mois ago

Épargnez pour l’avenir grâce à nos trucs financiers pour la rentrée

Styles De Vie6 mois ago

Efficacité énergétique: 10 façons économiques de l’améliorer

Actualités2 années ago

Ces légendes du baccara vous dévoilent leurs secrets

Affaires2 années ago

Retard de vol : le devoir de la compagnie envers ses passagers

Anglais3 années ago

Nostalgia and much more with Starburst XXXtreme

Opinions3 années ago

Même les jeunes RÉPUBLIQUES se lassent du capitalisme, selon les sondeurs américains — RT USA News

Opinions3 années ago

« Aucune crise climatique ne causera la fin du capitalisme ! »

Opinions3 années ago

Innovation : le capitalisme « responsable », faux problème et vraie diversion

Opinions3 années ago

Vers la fin du Capitalocène ?

Opinions3 années ago

Le “capitalisme viral” peut-il sauver la planète ?

Opinions3 années ago

Livre : comment le capitalisme a colonisé les esprits

Opinions3 années ago

Patrick Artus : « Le capitalisme d’aujourd’hui est économiquement inefficace »

Anglais5 années ago

Body found after downtown Lethbridge apartment building fire, police investigating – Lethbridge

Santé Et Nutrition4 années ago

Comment aider un bébé à développer son goût

Anglais5 années ago

Head of Toronto Community Housing placed on paid leave

Styles De Vie5 années ago

Salon du chocolat 2018: les 5 temps forts

Anglais5 années ago

This B.C. woman’s recipe is one of the most popular of all time — and the story behind it is bananas

Santé Et Nutrition5 années ago

Gluten-Free Muffins

Santé Et Nutrition5 années ago

We Try Kin Euphorics and How to REALLY Get the Glow | Healthyish

Anglais5 années ago

Man facing eviction from family home on Toronto Islands gets reprieve — for now

Anglais5 années ago

Condo developer Thomas Liu — who collected millions but hasn’t built anything — loses court fight with Town of Ajax

Anglais5 années ago

27 CP Rail cars derail near Lake Louise, Alta.

Anglais5 années ago

Ontario’s Tories hope Ryan Gosling video will keep supporters from breaking up with the party

Styles De Vie5 années ago

Renaud Capuçon, rédacteur en chef du Figaroscope

Mode5 années ago

Paris : chez Cécile Roederer co-fondatrice de Smallable

Anglais5 années ago

Ontario Tories argue Trudeau’s carbon plan is ‘unconstitutional’

Anglais5 années ago

100 years later, Montreal’s Black Watch regiment returns to Wallers, France

Anglais5 années ago

Trudeau government would reject Jason Kenney, taxpayers group in carbon tax court fight

Styles De Vie5 années ago

Ford Ranger Raptor, le pick-up roule des mécaniques

Affaires5 années ago

Le Forex devient de plus en plus accessible aux débutants

Anglais4 années ago

The Bill Gates globalist vaccine depopulation agenda… as revealed by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

Anglais5 années ago

Province’s push for private funding, additional stops puts Scarborough subway at risk of delays

Trending

slot server jepang
judi slot pulsa