Medical cannabis production facilities in EG 

The Town is aware of properties in East Gwillimbury where personal medical licenses are being used to establish significant cannabis production facilities without required municipal approvals such as Zoning Permissions, Building Permits, and Emergency Service inspections. 

Questions/concerns regarding cannabis production 

If you have questions or concerns about a facility that appears to be proceeding without the necessary permissions and approvals posted please email the Town’s By-law department or call 905-478-4282 ext. 1121. 

Our response

In response on June 9, 2020, Council approved an Interim Control By-law (ICBL) to freeze the development of such facilities in order to determine how these facilities can be appropriately regulated. Following the issuance of the ICBL, charges have been filed with the Provincial Offences Court for violation of the Zoning By-law, specifically for operating facilities contrary to the Planning Act. The Town is also working with external advisors to obtain orders against continuing production and construction.

Learn more about the Town's Interim Control By-Law

For more information, please also see our Cannabis Interim Control By-law (ICBL) and Production Facilities page. 

Enforcement update

The Town and York Regional Police (YRP) continue their efforts to enforce the Town’s zoning regulations relating to the permitted growth of medical marijuana and our collective response to illegal growers. To date, the Town has received complaints relating to existing and emerging medical marijuana production sites located at:

  • Boag Road
  • Catering Road
  • Doane Road
  • Highway 48
  • Holborn Road
  • McCowan Road
  • Woodbine Avenue
  • In a residential subdivision 

The following is a statistical overview of action taken by the Town and YRP as of November 17, 2020: 

  • Town staff and/or YRP, have completed inspections at 16 sites.
  • Town staff have noted 10 sites in violation of the Town’s Zoning By-law due to the production of medical marijuana in zones where production is prohibited
  • Town staff have laid charges in the Provincial Court in respect of 9 sites where medical marijuana production has occurred in contravention of the Town’s Zoning By-law. Court dates are pending.
  • YRP has attended, and seized cannabis being grown illegally at 4 sites.
  • The Town has, commenced legal proceedings to obtain Court Orders restraining use of 3 sites for medical marijuana production. 

Further details are outlined in the Cannabis Update reports:

Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO)

AMO invited the Town, along with a number of other municipalities, to participate in a working group to discuss municipal concerns regarding the medical/recreational cannabis regime. The aim is to identify public policy solutions and present recommendations to government. EG accepted the invitation and is excited to update Council and the Public with the working group's progress throughout the process. 

Virtual panel discussion 

On Tuesday July 21, 2020 Mayor Virginia Hackson hosted a panel discussion to talk about cannabis production facilities in East Gwillimbury. Panelist included Mayor Hackson as well as Detective Inspector Jim Walker from the Ontario Provincial Police and York Regional Police. 
This was an opportunity for residents to submit questions and learn more about how the Town and police services are addressing them. Staff gathered resident inquiries and grouped them together in an effort to cover as many as possible. A Frequently Asked Questions document is also being developed and will be posted here once complete. 

Next steps 

Staff will continue to work collaboratively with YRP, AMO, and neighbouring municipalities on enforcement matters. 

Staff will use the duration of the ICBL period to undertake a land use study and consult with the public to determine how cannabis production facilities can be more appropriately regulated within Town.

Town's land Use Study

The land use study will result in the implementation of a Zoning Bylaw Amendment and other land use policy or licensing regulations to effectively manage cannabis production facilities within Town.

Updates to the Land Use Study 

October 6, 2020 Council adopted the Terms of Reference for the Cannabis Production Facilities Land Use Study

Learn more

York Region, on behalf of the regional municipalities, has a list of frequently asked questions available for review. For further information please visit York Region's website. 

2019 Council position

At the January 8, 2019 Council meeting, Council presented their position in a Resolution.