Summary

• Gitanmaax Band and the Province of B.C. are finalizing a government-to-government cannabis agreement under Section 119 of the Cannabis Control and Licensing Act
• The agreement supports shared goals related to public health and safety, youth protection, social responsibility and economic development
• The agreement builds on the Gitanmaax Band’s leadership in the regulated cannabis sector, including the operation of a provincially licensed cannabis retail store in the community

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People in Gitanmaax and the Province will benefit from more economic opportunities as the Gitanmaax Band and the Province of British Columbia enter into a government-to-government cannabis agreement that supports shared health and safety priorities.

“This agreement demonstrates the strong collaboration between the Gitanmaax Band and B.C., marking an important step forward for both governments,” said Nina Krieger, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “By working together, we are creating new economic opportunities, ensuring access to regulated cannabis, and strengthening public health and safety.”

This is the eighth agreement of its kind, which builds on the strong relationship between Gitanmaax and B.C. in the cannabis industry. Gitanmaax currently operates a provincially licensed cannabis retail store in its community, and the new government-to-government agreement creates greater flexibility for Gitanmaax to advance its cannabis priorities in a way that best reflects community and economic interests. This includes the ability to operate in production and retail, while allowing for some modification to operating rules for on-reserve stores, such as allowing the sale of Indigenous arts and crafts.

"This Section 119 agreement between Gitanmaax and the Province of British Columbia is a welcomed government-to-government arrangement that will provide greater flexibility for our retail operations, and will also present additional opportunities to increase local employment and economic development initiatives as we strive to grow our local economy," said Chief Councillor Roger Sterritt.

Creating opportunities through partnerships

Section 119 of the Cannabis Control and Licensing Act authorizes the Province to enter into agreements with Indigenous governments. The agreement supports Gitanmaax’s interests in operating cannabis businesses, as well as common goals on public health and safety, social responsibility, protecting young people, deterring illicit activity and supporting socio-economic and cultural well-being.

“Gitanmaax and B.C. have worked in partnership to reach an agreement that supports advancing our goals for regulated cannabis,” said Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture and Food. “This agreement helps strengthen B.C.’s reputation as home to Canada’s most diverse cannabis sector, while creating more opportunities for locally produced and Indigenous-grown cannabis and supporting economic growth in local communities.”

Gitanmaax’s community-led provincially licensed cannabis retail store was supported through the BC Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund (ICBF), a program co-developed by B.C. and Canada in partnership with the BC Assembly of First Nations and the First Nations Summit. Administered by the New Relationship Trust, the ICBF supports First Nations communities and Indigenous entrepreneurs who want to increase their participation in, or join, the regulated cannabis industry.

Learn More:

• Learn more about Gitanmaax’s cannabis retail store and the BC Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund: https://newrelationshiptrust.ca/gitksannabis-indigenous-cannabis/
• For more information on how B.C. is working with Indigenous governments and partners in the cannabis industry, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/public-safety/cannabis/working-with-indigenous-governments-and-partners
• For information about cannabis regulation in B.C., visit: https://www.cannabis.gov.bc.ca