Stronger Consumer Protection for Healthy Homes

BC needs a provincial framework for remediation to ensure homes that have been used to produce drugs are safe from mould, pesticides and electrical and fire hazards.

BC's neighbours have made significant strides towards these goals. In Alberta designated officials conduct an inspection, issue an order to vacate and outline the required procedure to remediate a property that was used in drug production. Washington state has remediation guidelines and also certifies workers, supervisors and contractors to clean up illegal drug laboratories. It's time for BC to catch up.

In the spring, MLA Laurie Throness tabled a private member’s bill that he based on BCRE's advocacy, which helped raise awareness of the problem.

We met with Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth. Mr. Farnworth recognizes the importance of BCREA's recommendation and research but wants more buy-in from local governments and other like-minded organizations. We'll use our opportunity at UBCM to garner interest. In the meantime, BCREA plans to meet with Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Selina Robinson, asking her to take leadership.

For more information on BCREA's recommendation, read this paper by the University of the Fraser Valley.

For tips on how to safely grow cannabis at home, watch this video by the National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health.

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