By Staff
October 16th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton District School Board and the Halton Regional Police issued statements today that relate to the impending legalization of cannabis in Canada.
The Halton District School Board is communicating with families and staff and sharing online resources about the legalization of cannabis, which takes effect tomorrow.
Cannabis will be legalized in Canada on October 17 however, it will continue be illegal for individuals under 19 years to buy, use, possess and grow recreational cannabis. It is illegal to provide cannabis to someone under the age of 19.
This is the same as the minimum age for the sale of tobacco and alcohol in Ontario.
At HDSB schools, it will continue to be illegal for anyone, regardless of age, to smoke or vape cannabis. This includes:
• at school, on school grounds, and all public areas within 20m of these grounds
• on children’s playgrounds and public areas within 20m of playgrounds
• in child care centres, or where an Early Years program is provided
The Halton Regional Police Service announced a Fit for Duty Policy
Effective October 17, 2018, the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) has in place a Fit for Duty Policy that takes into consideration the impending legalization of cannabis in Ontario.
The policy states that all members, volunteers, and workers performing work on behalf of the Service must be fit for duty.
In order to support the safety and well-being of HRPS members, the policy also imparts a duty on all members to disclose if they have, or believe they have an addiction or dependency (to alcohol and/or drugs).
This duty allows the Service to connect such a member with a treatment plan to support them on their path back to wellness.
The Service has spent considerable effort in consulting extensively with police services across the country with the goal of developing a robust and sustainable fit for duty policy. This consultation included a full environmental scan of best practices and policies in place at other services and across a variety of public-facing and public safety industries.
Chief of Police Steve Tanner says all police officers must be Fit for Duty when they are working a shift.
“We appreciate that our members hold key positions of trust within our community and are given extraordinary powers as they perform their duties in ensuring the safety of others. While we respect that on October 17, it will be legal to consume cannabis, we recognize that we are responsible for ensuring that the safety of HRPS members and that the safety of our community are not compromised as a consequence,” said Chief Stephen Tanner.
“It is my expectation that when members are off-duty, they are not consuming alcohol and/or any drugs (including cannabis) or intoxicant in a manner that would render them unfit to perform their duties safely and effectively.”
