Victoria Bourgeois
Publication date: November 21, 2023Order Issued: Compliance Order of $142,388.00
On May 8, 2019, the Community Safety Unit (CSU) attended a cannabis store operated by Victoria Bourgeois, located at 1-3175 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC, for the purpose of providing education on the seizure authorities and consequences for selling cannabis contrary to the Cannabis Control and Licensing Act (CCLA).
On October 22, 2019, CSU Officers conducted an enforcement inspection at Victoria Bourgeois’ store pursuant to section 89 of the CCLA. During this enforcement inspection, CSU Officers seized cannabis from Victoria Bourgeois’ store pursuant to section 89(1)(g) of the CCLA.
On July 29, 2021, the Director of the CSU issued a Notice of Administrative Monetary Penalty proposing to impose an administrative monetary penalty (AMP) on Victoria Bourgeois based on CSU’s enforcement inspection.
Following a hearing, the Deputy Director issued a compliance order on November 21, 2023, imposing an AMP in the amount of $142,388.00 on Victoria Bourgeois pursuant to section 94 of the CCLA. The Deputy Director concluded on the evidence before her that Victoria Bourgeois was selling cannabis in contravention of section 15 of the CCLA. After considering all relevant factors, including the need for deterrence, the Deputy Director exercised her discretion under section 94(1) of the CCLA to impose an AMP on Victoria Bourgeois. In reaching this decision, the Deputy Director also considered the statutory purposes underlying the CCLA, which include to prioritize the health and safety of British Columbians, protect children and youth, reduce the illegal cannabis market and support economic development opportunities in the province.
Pursuant to section 94(2)(a) of the CCLA, the amount of the AMP is equal to two times the retail value of the cannabis that was sold, possessed for the purpose of sale or produced in contravention of the CCLA. The Deputy Director calculated the retail value of the cannabis that Victoria Bourgeois sold was $71,194.00 and therefore, the AMP imposed on Victoria Bourgeois is $142,388.00.