DRUG INSPECTION BYLAW STANDS, FOR NOW

A motion to scale back a bylaw mandating bi-monthly rental property
inspections for illegal drug operations was defeated by North Cowichan
council at its last meeting, sparking a debate on political process.

Council's 3-3 tie on the motion to amend the controversial bylaw means
the original regulation stands. But councillor Dave Haywood, who
supported the amendment, says he expects the issue will be revisited
when councillor George Seymour returns from vacation. Seymour voted
for the amendment in principle at the Sept. 5 council meeting.

Haywood expressed concern during the Wednesday meeting that the wishes
of the full council could not be respected in Seymour's absence.
Council elected not to defer the vote.

After the meeting, North Cowichan mayor Jon Lefebure says delaying the
vote would have confounded the political process. "Nobody anywhere
does that," he says.

A report on the motion from Director of Administration Mark Ruttan
suggests council may wish to consider the possibility of using data
from BC Hydro to monitor excess electrical consumption.

"I think that's another tool to uncover grow ops," said Lefebure, who
voted against the amendment. "I'm not sure I would relate it directly
to the bylaw."

Rowan Properties general manager Margaret Wall says the current
inspection system isn't working. The property management company
hasn't uncovered a single incident of tenants growing marijuana since
the bylaw came into effect in Feburary. Wall points out that
landlords' legal obligation to give tenants 24 hours' notice before
entering their suite gives persons growing or manufacturing illegal
substances plenty of time dispose of the evidence.

Good, says councillor Glen Ridgway. "If they get rid of a grow-op,
that's exactly what we want."

He says the purpose of the bylaw is not to catch everyone who might be
harbouring a grow-op, but to minimize the use of rental activity as a
place for illegal activity.

Ridgway says scaling back the frequency of inspections to twice a year
is out the question because the planting to harvest cycle is less than
six months. Mayor Jon Lefebure echoed that sentiment, saying three
months would make more sense than six, but bi-monthly checks are not
enough.

Wall says tenants are very unhappy with such frequent
inspections.

"They are really getting quite hostile towards us," she says. But Wall
says she doesn't blame them. "We're imposing on their privacy," she
says. "They just don't want someone going through their homes every
two months." Wall notes that Rowan Properties has not had problems
with grow ops for many years.

The bylaw was designed to allow the municipality to avoid footing the
bill for the police or fire department's role in dealing with houses
damaged by grow ops. Ridgway says he supported a clause that would
give landlords a chance to avoid being billed for the municipality's
share of remediation costs if they could show due diligence in trying
to prevent the illegal use of their suites.

Wall says it's tenants who end up paying for the cost of inspections
in the form of rent increases. Rowan properties charges landlords an
extra $50 per inspection.

Councillors Melissa Hailey, Ann Murray and Dave Haywood voted for the
amendment, with Mayor Jon Lefebure, Ruth Hartmann, and Glen Ridgway
voting against.

North Cowichan RCMP spokesperson Susan Boyes did not respond to
requests for comment before press time.