UTILITIES TO BE ABLE TO CUT POWER TO GROW-OPS

Extraordinary Powers Needed To Fight 'Real Scourge,' Minister Says

Hydro utilities in Ontario will 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 said earlier today he
planned legislation this fall that would give hydro and other
inspectors the power to enter homes.

But after a cabinet meeting, Kwinter told reporters at an impromptu
news conference that he wouldn't be doing that after all.

Instead, he said, hydro companies would be able to act immediately to
cut power if they believe the electricity is 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 are also serious safety issues as they pose a major fire hazard,
and some of the homes have had children inside.

Kwinter said earlier it's difficult for police to get a search warrant
without first knowing what's inside a home.

As a result, he said building inspectors would get new powers to enter
homes. But he later said inspectors already 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 grow-op
busts have become an almost daily occurrence. The problem is being
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.