Homebuyers have a new ally in the fight against marihuana grow operations and clandestine laboratories. A new national council comprised of industry and government stakeholders was announced at the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) headquarters in Ottawa. Pauline Aunger, CREA Director and Federal Affairs Committee Chair, was elected Co-Chair of the Council.
The National Council Against Marihuana Grow Operations and Clandestine Labs will work to reduce the social, environmental and economic consequences associated with former drug operations. As Ms. Aunger explained at the media launch, REALTORS® are an important part of the solution:
“Every day over 100,000 Canadian REALTORS® are out meeting families, exploring neighbourhoods and seeing up close the impact and hazards of former drug operations. The public needs to know about these properties and how they can be fixed up to be safe to live in again.”
During the Council’s inaugural meeting, Ms. Aunger presented feedback gathered from Boards and Associations, advocating for initiatives to protect homebuyers including: establishing disclosure mechanisms and registries, standardizing remediation, and action to limit/reduce licensed grow-ops.
CREA will continue to seek feedback from Boards and Association as the Council continues its work over the coming months.