Pubdate: Thu, 10 Nov 2005 Source: Whitehorse Star (CN YK) Copyright: 2005 Whitehorse Star Contact: http://www.whitehorsestar.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1493 Author: Julia Skikavich YTG TURNS 'DEAF EAR' TO SAFE COMMUNITIES: NDP "The Yukon Party has turned a deaf ear to the calls from Yukon people for concrete actions that would make their homes and communities safer," says NDP Leader Todd Hardy. On Wednesday, MLAs debated a motion put forth by Hardy, asking Justice Minister John Edzerza to develop a Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act. The act would shut down buildings where illegal activities are occurring. Similar legislation exists in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The Yukon Party has "refused to take action" on the proposed legislation, said Hardy. Saskatchewan Justice Minister Frank Quennell says he would highly encourage the Yukon to enact safer communities legislation. "I don't want to interfere with government or politics in the Yukon, but I certainly encouraged my colleague in Alberta to look at this legislation and I would highly recommend this approach (to the Yukon)," Quennell told the Star. Since the law came into force in Saskatchewan in November 2004, it has been "very effective," said Quennell. There have been 225 complaints filed in the province since last January, with 36 evictions having occurred by the end of October. The act the NDP is proposing would target properties being used for producing, growing, selling or using illegal drugs, prostitution, solvent abuse, unlawful sale and consumption of alcohol, and possibly gambling dens. Hardy said the legislation would empower communities by providing them with a confidential complaint line. Individuals could report to a director of community operations, who would investigate the complaint. "It's a really direct approach to deal with one of the issues that I have heard for the last two years, in trying to address this problem in my neighbourhood (Whitehorse Centre), as well as other communities throughout the Yukon," said Hardy. It's frustrating for communities to see illegal activities going on and feel like they can't do anything to end it, said Quennell. "I felt there was a gap between the powers of municipalities to shut down a building for health and safety reasons and the ability of the criminal justice system by investigation and prosecution of a person beyond a reasonable doubt, to end an activity in a house," he said. However, Dennis Cooley, the Yukon's deputy minister of Justice, said the NDP's proposition is "old news." The YTG included a recommendation for safer communities legislation in the Yukon Substance Abuse Action Plan announced in early-October. During yesterday's debate, the Yukon Party showed support for safer communities. However, the motion was amended to include the consultation process that the Substance Abuse Action Plan is already going through to ensure that the bill addressed Yukon concerns. Acting Justice Minister Elaine Taylor said the government isn't necessarily proposing a delay to the spring 2006 timeline the NDP is proposing for the legislation. It is important to consult all stakeholders and build consensus on how the legislation would work in the territory, she said. "We want to move ahead with a collaborative and co-ordinated approach," she said. She added there is a possibility the legislation may be ready by the next sitting of the assembly, but it will depend on what kind of feedback is heard from stakeholders, including first nations. Hardy is concerned the government's action plan doesn't have any timelines or funding attached to it. "We might not see some actions from the substance abuse plan for five years," he said. "This is an act that can be brought forward immediately. "Starting with a successful model, (the Saskatchewan legislation) means the consultation process doesn't have to drag on forever," he said. The plan states the department will "explore the possibility" of developing the legislation that would improve community safety and, "if necessary," shut down buildings. Cooley said the proposal shows a lot of promise. "But it's important to respect the process and make sure this is the type of legislation that works for Yukon," he said. He added the situation in the territory is very different than those of Saskatchewan and Manitoba, where the legislation is predominantly used in urban centres. "We haven't had a great impact in the rural part of the province yet," agreed Quennell. "There's a lot of demand for expansion of the program into small communities." He said the challenge in smaller areas is the investigation and surveillance techniques, because of the inability to be anonymous. However, Al Cameron, the manager of public safety investigation in Manitoba's Department of Justice, said there has been some success in the province's smaller communities. "Each investigation presents its own unique challenges," he added. The key to shutting down buildings in small communities is the ability to conduct surveillance undetected, he said. Hardy said he doesn't see applying the legislation to the Yukon as being a problem. "I don't think it would be a challenge at all." Every community has the RCMP, social workers and access to a justice of the peace, he said. It's a matter of communities working together and following through on information, he added. Hardy would also like to see the legislation include a defined unit that would deal with the offending individuals, to provide further help and programs to aid those struggling with substance abuse. "Having it built into the legislation ensures that it always happens," said Hardy. "It also reinforces the fact that we are a caring society and community." Clauses relating to what happens to individuals after a building is shut down are not included in the other provinces' legislation. The NDP's push for the legislation comes just before its Forum on Safe Communities, which will be held at the Mt. McIntyre Recreation Centre on Nov. 15. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom