Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege today to rise and table a petition on behalf of residents from the Alberni Valley.
The petitioners cite that Health Canada has an open file to license a Walmart-sized medical marijuana facility directly across the street from Kackaamin, a first nations family trauma and addictions healing centre. The centre is doing important work around our shared history of colonialism and residential schools, but the people were never consulted in the initial planning of this facility and have requested that this facility be located elsewhere.
The petitioners call on the Minister of Health to acknowledge the implicit racism in the policy choices of Health Canada's cannabis licensing process and handling of this file and to adhere to the purpose of the Cannabis Act and principle of reconciliation. They call for an expedition of the review of this file and the cancellation of all cannabis licences and applications to 7827 Beaver Creek Road, under the Cannabis Act, in the public interest. They want an apology to Kackaamin and to reaffirm its commitment to UNDRIP and the TRC's calls to action.