HYDRO PROFITS FROM GROW-OPS, SAYS MP WARAWA

Langley MP Mark Warawa is accusing B.C. Hydro of turning a blind eye to
marijuana grow operations and making huge profits from it.

Warawa raised the issue of B.C. Hydro's complicity in light of a recent
incident in Coquitlam. where 28 grow-ops were busted in one townhouse complex.

"At what point does B.C. Hydro become part of the equation in these
crimes?" said Warawa, who is a member of the House of Commons Justice
Committee. "I am very concerned that B.C. Hydro has been reported as having
upgraded the townhouse complex services, transformers and wiring. Are they
not an accessory?"

Warawa said B.C. Hydro accepts rolls of cash from growing customers.

"Hydro is accepting huge payments in cash," he said. "The average home
owner pays $120 for hydro and here they are being handed over $12,000 in
cash with no questions asked?"

But Hydro says its hands are tied.

"B.C. Hydro is a Crown corporation governed by the Freedom of Information
Act and Privacy Act. In our opinion of that legislation, that doesn't allow
us to proactively report over-usage to the police," said B.C. Hydro
spokesperson Elisha Moreno.

"If a residence has higher consumption and if they are paying for it, it is
none of our concern."

Moreno agrees with Warawa that growers often do pay thousands for hydro
each month.

"It's a slippery slope. We are not the law and we don't want our meter
readers having to investigate grow-ops," said Moreno. "We also want to make
sure customers feel their privacy is protected."

She used the example of someone who puts in a swimming pool and hot tub.
"Their consumption goes up. Do we report that?" she said. When asked if a
pool and hot tub consumed anywhere near the amount of a grow-op, she
answered, "no."

Warawa said B.C. Hydro is hiding behind the privacy laws while putting
neighbourhoods at risk.

"Hydro consumption at that rate, using unregulated equipment equals a
massive fire hazard," he said.

Moreno said concern for the public's safety is 'top of mind' and the
province is currently working to amend the act so Hydro can legally provide
some information.

Langley RCMP said B.C. Hydro can still notify the police about suspicious
activity at a home.

Warawa will be hosting a town hall meeting on grow-ops on Wednesday, March 30.