BILL WOULD PROTECT KIDS

Exposing Children to Drug Houses, Grow-Ops Would Be a Crime Under
Proposed Bill

Simcoe North MPP Garfield Dunlop is proposing a private member's bill
that would make exposing youth to illegal drug production a form of
child abuse.

The bill would give police and child protection workers another tool
to protect children growing up where such illegal drugs as marijuana
and crystal meth are manufactured, he said.

"In a lot of cases, it's very dangerous. There have been major fires
and health issues as well," Dunlop said. "There's chemicals used that
can cause lung issues and even cancer." The bill would amend the Child
and Family Services Act by adding drug-endangered children as a
category of children in need of protection. The bill would also make
it an offence to drug endanger a child by adding it as a form of child
abuse.

It would also include protection for children exposed to production of
any and all illegal drugs as defined under Canada's Controlled Drugs
and Substances Act.

"It's an opportunity for police to step in and say there will be a
severe fine, or even extra time in jail because of the way they treat
kids in these situations," Dunlop said.

The Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police passed a resolution a year
ago asking for the government's support in this plan, Dunlop said.

"The government really hasn't done anything with it. They kind of
looked at it and said we'll think about it sometime," he said. "The
police feel they need it, so I'm with them."

Dunlop is the critic for community safety and works closely with
police stakeholders, he said.

"I think it's important if the chiefs of police agreed to this, that
they need this kind of tool to help them do their job," Dunlop said.
"I think it's worth at least having the debate."

Dunlop was joined by Toronto and York regional police Wednesday
morning when he announced his plans to introduce the bill.

York police say there were 113 cases of children living in illegal
grow-operations in the past year. Statistics for Simcoe North are not
yet available, Dunlop said.

"Police need strong legislation to help save innocent children across
Ontario from being used as props to legitimize illegal operations,
while being exposed to toxic fumes, potential fire hazards, organized
crime, and other health, well-being and safety threats, said Toronto
Police Service Superintendent Ron Taverner, chair of OACP's substance
abuse committee in a media release.

Dunlop will bring the bill forward in the legislature on Monday.