The federal government has to step up to stop the stink.

That’s what Delta South MLA Ian Paton and Langley East MLA Rich Coleman are saying about several cannabis growing greenhouse operations.

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In a letter to federal Attorney General David Lametti and Health Minister Ginette Petitpas, the Liberal MLAs say they’re bringing forward concerns on behalf of their constituents due to the “constant odour being released by licensed cannabis businesses in our ridings.”

They say the operations that need immediate enforcement are the Canopy Growth greenhouses in Aldergrove and East Delta as well as Village Farms in East Ladner and Rubicon Organics in East Delta.

Noting federal cannabis regulations stipulate a building, or part of the building, where cannabis is produced, packaged, labeled and stored must be equipped with a system that filters air to prevent the escape of odours, Paton and Coleman say they’re lodging a formal complaint and requesting immediate enforcement.

“Our constituents have been complaining about the negative impacts these irritating odours have had on their health and lifestyle,” said Paton, the Liberal agriculture co-critic, in a news release. “These cannabis companies have a duty to contain these scents, yet haven’t been cooperating.”

Coleman said the federal regulations are very clear.

“These operators should be following good production practices, and that includes equipping their facilities with proper air filtration systems,” said Coleman. “Unfortunately, these companies are failing to comply and local residents are suffering as a result.”

The issue was also raised by Delta Mayor George Harvie who said he was concerned that while operations in industrial zones have strict odour guidelines imposed by Health Canada, those don’t apply for greenhouses in farming areas.

In response to a recent letter to Delta council by a concerned resident, who complained about “a strong and very unpleasant skunky smell,” civic staff noted cannabis production is regulated by the feds under the Cannabis Act and Cannabis Regulations, and that all cannabis producers are required to get a licence from Health Canada.

“Despite requirements within Cannabis Regulations to mitigate the escape of odours, several licensed greenhouses in Delta are emitting odours which can be observed at significant distances from the facilities. The City of Delta and Metro Vancouver staff have been in contact with the operators; however, the federal regulation is paramount over lower government statutes, which has made enforcement and compliance on odour issues at the local level challenging,” the civic response states.

The city is monitoring the problem and has been lobbying Health Canada, including during the recent council delegation to Ottawa, according to staff.

Metro Vancouver has also been looking at the cannabis odour issue, saying concerns have been raised about odour masking agents that are being used by some facilities.