Electricity and Gas Inspection Act

Marginal note:Staff

• 26 (1) There shall be appointed, in accordance with the Public Service Employment Act, a director and such other officers and employees as are necessary for the administration of this Act.

• Marginal note:Director’s functions

  (2) The director has, under the Minister, the direction and general supervision of the administration and enforcement of this Act.

• Marginal note:Designation to perform functions of inspector

  (3) Notwithstanding anything in this Act, except as provided in subsection (5), any functions that may appertain to the office of an inspector may be executed by any person who is designated as an inspector by the Minister for the purpose of the execution of those functions.

• Marginal note:Privileges, etc., of designated inspector

  (4) A person who has been designated under subsection (3) has, in relation to the execution of any functions pursuant thereto, the privileges and immunities of a holder of the office of inspector in so far as they may relate to the execution of such functions.

• Marginal note:Restrictions

  (5) No person who is an accredited meter verifier or a seller of electricity, gas or meters or who is employed as a servant or agent by an accredited meter verifier or a seller of electricity may be appointed or designated pursuant to this section or act as a person so appointed or designated.

• Marginal note:Inspector’s right of access to premises

  (6) Subject to subsection (7), an inspector may, at all reasonable times, for the purpose of performing any function pursuant to this Act, enter any premises where electricity or gas is being generated, produced, stored, distributed or used.

• Marginal note:Warrant required to enter dwelling-house

  (7) Where any premises referred to in subsection (6) is a dwelling-house, an inspector may not enter that dwelling-house without the consent of the occupant except under the authority of a warrant issued under subsection (8).

• Marginal note:Authority to issue warrant

  (8) Where on ex parte application a justice of the peace is satisfied by information on oath

  • (a) that entry to a dwelling-house is necessary for the purpose of performing any function pursuant to this Act, and

  • (b) that entry to the dwelling-house has been refused or that there are reasonable grounds for believing that entry thereto will be refused,

  the justice of the peace may issue a warrant under his hand authorizing an inspector to enter that dwelling-house subject to such conditions as may be specified in the warrant.

• Marginal note:Use of force

  (9) In executing a warrant issued under subsection (8), the inspector named therein shall not use force unless the inspector is accompanied by a peace officer and the use of force has been specifically authorized in the warrant.