Where I write about how when it comes to engaging with the cannabis sector and taking decisive action to empower legal operators Canadian provincial politicians are leaving the feds in the dust.
I saw the PM speak last night. He had fire in his belly like I haven’t seen since 2015! He knows the future of our country is at stake. Time to fight like heck the next six months.
My grandparents were born in India to families with deep roots in Delhi + Bareilly. For different reasons they chose to start new lives in Pakistan after 1947. As India and Pakistan celebrate their independence days let’s remember that despite borders we all eat the same daal!
The JWR/Wernick phone call reeks of entrapment. The party that knew the call was being taped tried to steer the conversation in a certain way. Whatever you think of the Clerk he didn’t take the bait. What’s clear is that saving jobs was always the driving motivation.
.
@HonAhmedHussen
who came to Canada as a child refugee, worked for a Premier, put himself through law school, got elected as MP and became a Minister of the Crown has just as much right to call himself “Canadian” as any skin head sympathiser like miss Goldy. Over to you
@CPC_HQ
Just reiterating that Andrea Horwath and the Ontario NDP decided to spend scarce donor resources on paid TV attack ads against Ontario Liberals last night instead of going after Ford. Their priority is clear and it’s not defeating Ford.
.
@gmbutts
has made many contributions to public life. One specific one I would like to highlight is Ontario’s elimination of the use of coal fired electricity. Smog days are now a thing of the past in Ontario and Gerald had a big part to play in that.
#cdnpoli
So ridiculous. Our PM leads a G7 nation. His official plane doesn’t have wifi. His official residence isn’t fit for habitation. Articles like this are why.
The PM’s actions were wrong. However I believe his apology was sincere. He has led a gov that has made the promotion of diversity + inclusion a priority. Let’s use this as a reminder that systemic discrimination still exists in our society and that we can all do better.
.
@nenshi
nails it. It’s not ok to pretend you didn’t hear a racist question or claim it’s ok to speak at the same event as Faith Goldy so long as it’s not at the same time. Leaders of all partisan striped need to draw a line in the sand.
#cdnpoli
Calgary Mayor
@nenshi
suggests some politicians in Alberta and Ottawa have been pandering to white nationalists. He tells me he thinks there is a clear line between the behaviour of some politicians + the kind of violence we saw in Quebec City and Christchurch.
#cdnpoli
#abpoli
.
@brianlilley
+ I are on different ends of the political spectrum but I’ve never doubted his professionalism as a journalist. Brian isn’t shy about pointing out when he disagrees with government, including the Ford government... just read his columns.
As someone who was COS to the Minister of Health during the Ebola crisis I know that the officials at the MOH and Public Health Ontario know what they are doing and have gamed out responses to scenarios like the one before us now. Let’s trust them and let them do their jobs.
I’m sure it’s just a coincidence that this is next to the largest kosher grocery store in Ottawa, adjacent to the neighborhoods that are predominately Jewish, at least 10kms away from the Israeli embassy or Parliament Hill
I AM SURE
Thread: 20 years ago I took a bus from Buffalo (I was doing an internship there) to Toronto for a job interview. As I grabbed coffee before the interview I heard someone say that a small plane had accidentally crashed into the WTC in NY. I didn’t think much of it.
I’m a bit late to this but today
@Kathleen_Wynne
gave her final speech in Ontario’s Legislature. She was our 1st female + 1st openly gay Premier. She made life better for countless Ontarians, was tough as nails and never suffered fools. It was a pleasure to work with her.
So
@SusanDelacourt
reveals here what many of us suspected. There is an organized effort underway to undermine the PM and his government drip by drip. Who are these professionals Delacourt says keep approaching her and other journalists?
#cdnpoli
Ezra Levant is a bottom feeding hate monger so I hesitate to give him attention. But let this 👇🏼 be a reminder of how the far right reacts to people of colour, especially women, speaking their minds. Let’s also hold those who associate with his Rebel Media platform to account!
The Conservatives haven't unveiled their climate plan and won't commit to meeting the Paris targets.
"Just because I can't commit to telling you what's in the plan today doesn't mean they're not going to be in the plan," said
@lraitt
.
#ctvqp
#cdnpoli
69% of
@CPC_HQ
delegates just voted to prohibit kids with gender dysphoria from receiving gender affirming care even if deemed medically necessary by a doctor. See John Stewart take on the Arkansas Attorney General on this very issue here:
.
@ChantalHbert
calls out failed coup against PM here. Cab resignations = legit way to show disagreement with a PM in our system. But hard to interpret continued grenade throwing at most progressive leader in G7 as anything but a play for his head.
Some personal/professional news. After over 4 amazing years at
@hk_canada
I will be starting a new role in the New Year with one of my former clients: High Tide Adds Noteworthy Cannabis Industry Policy Expert Omar Khan to its Executive Team
Thanks to
@adamgoldenberg
for giving up his
@AirCanada
standby seat tonight so I could get an earlier flight home and see my 6 month old son before bedtime for the first time in 3 days! You are a scholar and a gentleman sir!
I’m gonna say it. The Ford government is bringing in amendments related to cannabis sale and consumption that appear to be very forward looking and mature. As a Liberal I wish my party had taken a more enlightened approach on this file and beverage alcohol.
Got the Astra Zeneca jab! Thanks to the staff at Scarborough Health Network for the seamless and well organized experience. Get whatever vaccine you can as soon as you are eligible folks!
@profamirattaran
According to the OECD 47 percent of Canadians adults haven’t completed university or college. We Liberals need to learn how to engage with them and win them over, not talk down to them. That’s how Jean Chrétien and Dalton McGuinty won three elections each.
The Ontario NDP put out a 30 second attack ad today. It spent exactly three seconds on Ford, didn't mention his name. Over 90% of video spent attacking The Ontario Liberal leader. Liberals fight Ford. The NDP fights Liberals. Only 1 choice if you want to defeat Ford.
#onpoli
Once upon a time I thought Randy Hillier was just a right wing whacko who used pics of dead animals to intimidate those who disagree with him. But today he again revealed himself for the racist scum that he is. This moron isn’t worth a minute of my friend
@OmarAlghabra
’s time.
I was proud to work with Justin Trudeau as President. He's a hard-working, effective leader who takes on big issues like climate change. The world needs his progressive leadership now, and I hope our neighbors to the north support him for another term.
Dudes... why are you apologizing? Either get
@CoachsCornerDC
to apologize himself or fire him. Hockey viewership/registrations are in decline in this country. The game needs to outreach to new Canadians not demonize them.
#BREAKING
- The Ontario government is purposing ending OHIP coverage for Canadians traveling outside of the country. OHIP currently covers up to $400 a day for out of country inpatient care. The change would happen October 1, 2019.
#onpoli
I want my 1st post of 2021 to be an uplifting one so here goes: I met an Uber driver yesterday who’s family came to Canada from Syria a couple of years ago. One son is now working to become an electrical engineer while the other is working towards his accounting certification.
And there you have it. Mississauga City Council votes 8-4 to allow licensed cannabis stores to operate within the city! Ontario’s 3rd largest city opts in!
Recap of
@OntarioPCParty
weekend so far:
1. Refuse paid sick days but bring back carding + ban parks.
2. Get called out for violating civil liberties by own caucus.
3. Get told by police they won’t enforce your policy.
4. Read polls and decide to shutter parliament.
Thrilled to be taking on the new title of Chief Corporate and Public Affairs Officer at
@HighTide_HITI
as of today! Special thanks to
@RajGrover_HITI
for your continued faith! Can’t wait to see what 2023 has in store for this amazing team!
Some news. Excited to be taking on a new national role at
@hk_canada
as Vice President Business Development + Marketing with focus on growing our public affairs + corporate communications practices and corporate brand. Still working on public affairs files and servicing clients.
This is big!
@tweetsfromdon
to chair transition team and
@najvaamin
to serve as Chief of Staff:
@StevenDelDuca
names high-profile Liberal strategist to help with rebuilding the party | The Star
Also
@gmbutts
was a leading force in bringing in the largest investment into post secondary education in 40 years after recommendations from the
@BobRae48
report.
Pleasure to be in DC for a couple of days to raise $HITI profile with policy influencers, Canadian embassy reps and other cannabis industry stakeholders.
Alberta just introduced a red tape reduction bill (Bill 80) that, if passed, will permit online cannabis sales by licensed cannabis retailers + discontinue online cannabis sales by the AGLC. Will also allow sale of apparel by cannabis retailers. Big win for legal cannabis.
I can guarantee you that these people are not actually “insiders” nor have they likely attended a Liberal riding association meeting in decades: Liberal insiders looking at Mark Carney as Trudeau’s successor | The Star
Smart analysis by
@anthonyfurey
. Some ideas from me. Make poppies free + encourage online donations as nobody under 50 carries change. Add safety pins so they don’t fall off. Make remembrance day services mandatory for every grade in school.
Antisemetism is is scourge that must be confronted wherever we find it. Regardless of the motivations behind the Texas standoff nothing changes the fact that a Jewish place of worship was attacked. Let’s stand together against hate and violence of all kinds.
As someone who has had to carry many bags, umbrella’s, binders and yes... coffee for politicians... I say hats off to this
@BorisJohnson
staffer! This is peak political staff work!
Thrilled to announce that
@dessispavlova
has joined the
@hk_canada
team as an Associate specializing in cannabis consumer marketing. As producers + retailers prepare for the sale of infused edibles, beverages + topical products, understanding consumer behaviour will be critical!
He’s done an amazing job.
@OntLiberal
was left for dead when he took over.
@JohnFraserOS
kept us alive with his quiet, understated and patient determination. Most Ontario Liberals dont realize how indebted we should be to him.
One year ago today I took the next step in my career journey by joining
@HighTide_HITI
. Its's been a wild ride. Thanks to
@RajGrover_HITI
for your faith in me! Looking forward to a great 2022.
My decade: Got married, became a Ministers Chief of Staff, advised a Liberal leadership campaign, became a Ministers Chief of Staff again, became a consultant, had my first child, advised another leadership campaign! All are amazing but 2 matter the most!
So I have a two and a half year old and as such have started watching Sesame Street again after 35 years. Apparently Cookie Monster makes healthy snacks now. What have we become? 😱
Scheer became leader of the opposition quite some time ago. Why did he wait until this August to renounce his American citizenship? Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer holds dual Canadian-U.S. citizenship - The Globe and Mail
The Charter of Rights protects me from Islamophobia, ensures MPPs of Sikh faith can wear kirpans in parliament + defends marginalized people from unwarranted search + seizure. Weaponizing the Notwithstanding Clause within 24 hours of a court ruling is an attack on these rights.
Where I explain how the lack of diversity in Canada’s cannabis industry is blinding it to the economic + political power of multicultural communities
#LiftCoExpo
: Why diversity in cannabis boardrooms is crucial to industry success: Omar Khan | The GrowthOp
True measure of friendships is to see who sticks by your side in tough times. I feel the same applies to loyalty in politics. Peoples true colours tend to come out during the rough patches. The key is to remember who stood by your side in the tough times.
.
@G_Smitherman
and I penned an op-ed detailing how much Canada's cannabis industry is contributing to GDP and asking a very simple question. Given the size of the industry's economic footprint why is it getting no love from the federal government?
Today was a tough day for many Liberals including myself but I’m glad I got to open up about my feelings related to the PM’s brown face mistake and how I know those images don’t represent the person he is.
Some closing thoughts. Wynne was adult in the room. Ford’s lack of knowledge on key issues and lack of any platform are apparent. Andrea showed her colours when she admitted she would never legislate striking public servants back to work.
#ONdebate
@liftandco
Yesterday I wrote about how a lack of diversity amongst senior management teams in the cannabis industry is hurting business decisions. . The fact that someone thought this branding was a good idea might prove my point.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from our little family to yours! Hoping everyone stays safe and cozy this holiday season and takes some time to rest/recuperate for 2022. As dim as things may seem just remember we have the science, resources and resilience win and we will!
Dear staffers. Focus on your jobs. The ones taxpayers pay you to do. Let the campaign team worry about the campaign. If you deserve to be on the campaign the call will come at some point.
Today, Ontario's Employment Report for Q1 2019 was released, showing an increase of 185,900 jobs in the last year – 150,000 of which are full time! That’s why our government will continue to create an environment for businesses to thrive, grow & create good jobs.
57 percent of Mississauga residents identify as visible minorities yet not a single city councillor is non Caucasian. Brampton has 1 vismin councillor vs 73 percent of residents. We need to find ways to make local gov more representative.
Those who were in the trenches after the 2018 election will understand what a huge accomplishment this is!
#onpoli
Ontario Liberals say they’ve paid off $10-million debt from the 2018 election | The Star
That’s it... March break trip to family wedding In Dubai cancelled. Been looking forward to it for 6 months but harm reduction is more important. Appreciate the refund from
@AirCanada
!