GROW-OPS' POWER COULD BE CUT

Proposed Legislation Allows Hydro Firms To Act Immediately If They
Think Pot Is Being Grown At A Home

TORONTO -- Hydro utilities in Ontario may soon have the power to cut
off electricity to suspected marijuana grow operations without any
warning to the home's occupants. Community Safety Minister Monte
Kwinter had spoken yesterday of planned legislation this fall that
would give hydro and other inspectors the power to enter homes.

But after a cabinet meeting, Kwinter told reporters he wouldn't do
that after all.

Instead, he said, hydro companies would be able to immediately cut
power if they believed electricity was being used to grow pot plants
indoors.

"Someone will be able to cut off your power without telling you about
it, without notice, because we think you're doing something illegal,"
Kwinter said.

Suspicion could be aroused, for example, by an unusual pattern of
hydro use or excessive heat coming from a home, indicative of the
bright lamps used for growing marijuana indoors, he said.

Grow-ops, which Kwinter called a "real scourge," are estimated to cost
$80 million a year in electricity theft.

There also are serious safety issues because they pose a major fire
hazard, and some of the homes have had children inside.

New Democrat Michael Prue told Kwinter a warrant should be needed
before any action is taken against a suspected grow-op.

"We live in a country of laws, not one where somebody can arbitrarily
cut off your electricity and by chance kill someone on a respirator,"
Prue said.

"You just can't do that."

Kwinter had noted it is difficult for police to get a search warrant
without first knowing what is inside a home.

As a result, he said building inspectors would get new powers to enter
homes.

But he later said inspectors have the ability to enter a home to
investigate safety issues.

The planned legislation would simply codify their ability to act on a
tip from police.

In March, the RCMP reported phenomenal growth in the number of illegal
grow-ops in Ontario.

Police estimated as many as 15,000 operations were active, and busts
have become an almost daily occurrence.

The problem is seen across the country.

Police have long maintained the cash generated by grow-ops goes to
organized crime.

Kwinter also said insurance companies are going to become part of the
solution by explicitly exempting grow-ops from coverage, leaving the
owner of the home on the hook for any related property damage.