Bill 3 (The Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Amendment Act, 2024 )
Second Reading
From Hansard (31 March 2025)

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Hon. Tim McLeod: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to move second reading of the safer communities and neighbourhoods, or SCAN, amendment Act, 2024.

The SCAN Act deals with residential and commercial buildings and lands that are sources of chronic community problems such as drug use, trafficking, or gang activity. Under the Act, SCAN investigates complaints received from the public regarding activities occurring at a particular property. The Act provides for the resolution of complaints by agreement, informal action, or a community safety order. The Act, however, does not authorize taking action against abandoned or vacant nuisance properties.

The proposed amendments will empower the SCAN unit to identify and address nuisance properties that are unfit for human habitation and negatively affect neighbourhoods where those properties are located. The amendments will authorize SCAN to apply to the court for either a rehabilitation order to demolish a nuisance property or a forfeiture order to seize the property prior to demolishing it.

SCAN will also have the discretion to attempt to remedy the condition of the property with the owner prior to initiating the application process. The amendments will also empower SCAN to use the existing community safety order process to target properties that are being used to store and exchange stolen goods or have high incidents of graffiti. These changes will ensure the SCAN program continues to provide an effective means to reduce crime in our neighbourhoods and help ensure the safety of our residents.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to move second reading of The Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Amendment Act, 2024.

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