'PUBLIC SAFETY' LAW WILL ZAP PRIVACY, CRITICS FEAR

Utilities Would Be Forced To Disclose How Much Electricity Homes Use

B.C.'s solicitor-general says he's mindful of privacy concerns
surrounding new legislation that gives municipalities the right to
demand information from power companies about how much power homes are using.

The information would be used to weed out homes with grow-ops.

"There's the challenge for us -- on the one hand try as much as
possible to respect individual privacy. On the other hand, do what we
need to do to protect public safety," said John Les.

The new measures are in amendments to the Safety Standards Act.

Municipalities that find high power consumption can have a notice
posted on the property allowing an inspection within 48 hours by fire
officials.

The legislation comes in the same week that an explosion in a
million-dollar home in the British Properties blew out a wall and
windows. It was linked to a grow-op inside.

The plan immediately drew concerns from the information and privacy
commissioner for B.C. and the B.C. Civil Liberties Association.

"People's electricity consumption patterns are nobody's business but
their own, and if the government is going to want access to
information, it will have to provide very particular justification
for access," said Murray Mollard, executive director of the civil
liberties group.

David Loukidelis, the information commissioner, called for controls
on how police might use the information, suggesting the legislation
should only allow local governments to disclose information for
safety inspections.

The NDP praised the measure.

Leonard Krog, critic for the attorney-general's ministry, called the
legislation a "good step for public safety" because of the risks of
fires or explosions associated with grow-ops.

"I don't think anyone living in a neighbourhood should have to be
worried about whether the house next door is going to blow up or burn
down because of illegal activity," said Krog.

Len Garis, fire chief in Surrey and chairman of the Fire Chiefs
Association of B.C., described the legislation as "a step in the
right direction."

"The end result is going to make our neighbourhoods much safer."

Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts called it an "effective tool" to fight grow-ops.