John Tory Tours Grow-Op High Rise
Posted November 26, 2006 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The provincial politician got a first-hand look at the pot-producing outfit that encompassed more than 20 units on virtually every floor of the building, producing toxic mould and creating a serious fire hazard.
“When you talk to the people, they were phoning in saying there was water running down the walls. The roofs of apartments were sagging. They had power blackouts two and three times a week in this building going on because of the wiring,” Tory said.
“I think that was happening so I think there’s a lot more to be investigated here in terms of how this could have gone on for so long and a great sense of disappointment about fact that these people, all of us in government together, haven’t assured them more quickly that their apartments are healthy to stay in.”
Police busted the grow-op at 2600 Jane St., near Sheppard, Thursday night. Three men, including the building’s superintendent, are facing a slew of charges.
Tory is calling on the Ontario government to implement stiffer sentences for those convicted of running grow-ops. He also believes officials have to keep tabs on people buying unusually large amounts of hydroponic equipment.
“We have things we have to do at all levels of government to make sure we have a better handle on this and give people a greater sense of security that the government is helping to watch out for them and to tell the criminals quite frankly it’s not going to be easy to buy 400 dishes and 400 lights and no one will ask questions about that,” he said. “We have to send a message this kind of situation can’t be repeated.”
On Saturday residents gathered for a community meeting organized by City Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti about the current health situation inside 2600 Jane St. Many tenants walked away frustrated and with more questions than answers.
