LEGAL GROW-OPS POSE A RISK TO CITY RESPONDERS

It doesn't seem to matter whether pot is being cultivated illegally
or with a permit, both types of grow-ops suffer from shoddy
electrical work and sub-standard construction codes that can put
firefighters and emergency responders at risk.

The problem, according to Dept. Fire Chief Mike Helmer of Abbotsford
Fire and Rescue, is that because of privacy laws, and a lack of
communication between municipalities and the federal government - who
issues and regulates the legal marijuana-growing permits - police,
fire and rescue and ERT services don't know where the legal grow-ops
are located.

"By law [growers] don't have to tell us, which is a problem. Because
if they are legal, why not tell us then we're well aware of them?

"Then we can assure that they are safe, because we have gone into a
number of them and they aren't safe."

As it stands now, neither the city nor the fire department has any
idea if a permit has been taken out, and Helmer said it is concerning
because of the extra load a grow-op puts on the electrical system.
"This is the conundrum, they're legal . . . but they're not that safe."

Helmer said there needs to be a change in the confidentiality laws to
allow the city and emergency services to be aware of the location of
these legal operations.

"Absolutely, [we need change], then the appropriate agencies can be alerted.

"Just like you're going to open a day care, we make sure it's safe,
that the proper precautions are taken and the same thing goes for this."

Abbotsford Mayor George Peary agrees with Helmer's assessment and
would like to see a better understanding on the matter between Ottawa
and the city.

"If someone has a licence to grow marijuana legally, then the city
should be aware of that and make sure that the operation is properly
wired and plumbed."

Peary said he is aware of privacy rights, but it would be a small
courtesy for the feds to let municipalities have a heads-up on legal grow-ops.

"Have they set it up so it is operating without being a fire hazard?

"We don't want to place our citizens, firefighters or others at risk
if they have to respond."

Abbotsford Conservative MP Ed Fast said that wherever possible he
would like to see better information-sharing happen, but that the
government does have to be cognizant of any privacy concerns Canadians have.

"We're not going to violate any laws . . . but there are probably
ways around that.

"For example there is nothing preventing applicants for medicinal
marijuana licences to volunteer that information."

Fast said safety is always an issue, but didn't think that providing
a subsidy for those not reporting their legal grows not because of
privacy issues, but because they couldn't afford the necessary
electrical/construction upgrades, would be supported.

"I'd be surprised if government would subsidize that kind of
construction upgrade."