Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you for being here.
I find that seven minutes is very little time in which to ask all the possible questions. So I will focus on a few aspects.
Among the witnesses we are hearing from today, we have a lot of expertise and social conscience. They also have different approaches.
I will start by asking Mr. Tesarowski some questions about the approach his province has adopted.
As we understand it, you are not overjoyed at the prospect; perhaps you are even a little reluctant. Other witnesses do not have that approach at all. On the contrary, they want to know what to do and they are finding out how to collaborate as much as possible so that we can pass the legislation and draft the laws that will ensure public safety to the extent possible.
I very much appreciated what you said at the outset, particularly about public education and awareness. You mentioned young people and the increase in the use of cannabis. I would like to know what you are doing, what you have done, and why you have waited until recently to consult with your citizens and then to get your administration involved in finding concrete solutions. The plan to legalize cannabis did not appear yesterday. It has been on the table, and the subject of study, for a number of years. Now there is a deadline, in July 2018. I feel that it was possible to get ready, at very least. Why was this not done earlier? What obstacles do you feel could prevent you from meeting the deadline of July 1, 2018?