The Union of BC Municipalities was hoping that a cannabis revenue sharing agreement could be in place by the time it meets later this month, but the province’s Finance Minister says that isn’t going to happen.

Despite that, UBCM President Arjun Singh says there is still optimism. He does think that a deal will be made, but some of the reasons why it has taken so long are not necessarily valid.

“In that sense we at least have some good indication it will happen. But, our question is we shouldn’t have to worry about all the costs coming in and the revenues coming in to know what we should be sharing,” he said.

“We feel quite strongly that a portion of that is ours. I think [Finance Minister Carole James] has indicated an interest in doing that but its just a question of when. I’m actually just finishing up national board meetings in Ontario for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, and some provinces and territories are saying they’re not going to [share any cannabis revenues] at all.”

The UBCM Convention is set to run from September 23 through the 27, and Singh says cannabis revenues will be on the agenda.

“Put out this sort of excise tax scheme… a share of the provinces [revenue] would definitely go to local government. And that’s not just even a cost issue or cost consideration issue but that’s also a revenue consideration. So we’re all partners in this whole new imitative of legalized cannabis.”