Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a week ago I was pleased to host the Premier in his role as the Minister of Justice and the Minister of housing on a tour of my constituency, specifically paying a visit to the encampment and two rental accommodations where single mothers spoke to their concerns around the drug trade and guns in their buildings. I am grateful that the Ministers took the time to see the reality of trying to provide a safe home for families to grow and thrive is very difficult in our capital. Both of these mothers are trying their best to protect their children and seek alternative living arrangements where they hope that they will feel safer.
I know issues like this are top of mind both for us in this House but especially for the Premier who spoke at length at the beginning of our term on his desire to bring forward safer communities and neighbourhoods or SCAN legislation, as well as civil forfeiture and other tools that can provide more avenues to reduce crime in our communities. I appreciate that he considers this more than just a public safety issue but also one of public health and well-being.
A news article I read shared an excellent definition. SCAN legislation aims to improve community safety by allowing neighbours to make complaints to territorial authorities that can then target and shut down properties where illegal activities, such as drug trafficking, habitually occur. It's separate from criminal law and police enforcement which require a higher standard of proof. Earlier this fall, however, the Yukon Supreme Court chief justice struck down a section of that territory's SCAN legislation as unconstitutional. It has to provide five day's notice for landlord assisted evictions of tenants who are suspected to be engaged in illegal activities. The chief justice noted that the section could cause, quote, "extraordinary psychological suffering and risk to a person's health", unquote, as well as lead to housing instability or homelessness. It could also impact residents in a unit such as children or roommates.
We have heard our colleagues speak many times of drug dealers that are praying on our elders and living in their residencies. It's clear that careful consideration of this sort of legislation is required. I am hoping that the Minister of Justice will be able to provide much more detail at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Great Slave. Members' statements. Member from Inuvik Boot Lake.
