It appears the province is trying to give certain applicants an unfair advantage in landing a job at government cannabis retailers, says Opposition MLA Brad Trivers.
However, it was an allegation that Finance Minister Heath MacDonald outright denied during Question Period Tuesday.
Trivers said Tuesday was the final day for Islanders to apply for the positions and noted the jobs postings stated preference would be given to candidates who had successfully completed an employer-recognized cannabis training program.
“It seemed odd to me, cannabis hasn’t even been legalized yet,” said Trivers.
He then accused the province of running unadvertised “secret cannabis training sessions.”
“We’re hearing that recently there’s been cannabis training happening in P.E.I. that only a select few people seem to know about. This training gives applicants preference and bumps them to the front of the line,” said Trivers, who questioned why the province would give preference while also stating they would do in-house training for successful candidates.
“Why does it appear that this government is manipulating the process to give certain applicants an unfair advantage, once again, running an unfair and slanted hiring practice.”
However, MacDonald denied any “secret training sessions” while acknowledging the positions would first run through the public service commission.
“There are guidelines in that and collective bargaining that we’ll be utilizing as well through these hires,” said MacDonald, adding that P.E.I. would be ready for legalization.
MacDonald said the province would recognize those who completed online training programs for cannabis as experience and said there are many available.
“I don’t see anything wrong with giving preference to someone that’s aggressive enough to go and take a cannabis course,” said MacDonald. “I think that’s appropriate.”
A statement from the province’s finance department said there is no formal training currently offered, funded by or recommended by the P.E.I. Liquor Control Commission.
The statement said cannabis training was not a required qualification for any of the positions, adding “we may consider training to be an asset but cannabis training will be provided to staff prior to when legal sales begin.”
MacDonald criticized Trivers for previously suggesting cannabis retail be left to private businesses while also being opposed to legalization.
“I know it’s not flip-flop season on P.E.I. yet but I’m telling you we’re all over the map on this cannabis file from the Opposition,” said MacDonald.
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