The petition of the undersigned, Concerned Citizens, of the Nanaimo area, states that:

FACTS

• The Canadian legal consumption of cannabis came into force with The Cannabis Act on October 17, 2018. Health Canada is now accepting applications from those who want to become a cannabis licence holder under the Act.
• The farm at 2550 Quennell has been purchased by an Alberta based company 2162162 Alberta Ltd. The intent of the company is to become a cannabis licence holder and use 20 acres to grow and process approximately 10,000 cannabis plants.
• The short and long term effects on health, safety, environment, and ground and lake water are unknown.

PROBLEM

• 2550 Quennell Road Nanaimo, BC, as a location for Cannabis producing and processing can pollute Quennell Lake from the use of fertilizers and chemicals on the plants. In the winter the fields flood and the water is pumped directly back into the Lake each spring.
• The company is likely in violation of the BC Environmental Management Act: Code of Practice for Agricultural Environmental Management Sections 49, 51, 52. (Effective February 28, 2019). These sections of the Act prohibit the discharge of fertilizers directly into watercourses.
• The odor from the plants will significantly affect the local residents and the health risks to adults and children from inhaling this odor are unknown at this time.

Therefore the undersigned OPPOSE the location of 2550 Quennell Road Nanaimo for a cannabis production and processing facility at this location because it will cause excessive water and air pollution and jeopardize the health and safety of residents and damage the Quennell Lake ecosystem.

Your petitioners respectfully request that the Honourable House stop this operation as soon as possible.