Pubdate: Fri, 13 Jan 2006
Source: Whitehorse Star (CN YK)
Copyright: 2006 Whitehorse Star
Contact:  http://www.whitehorsestar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1493
Author: Julia Skikavich

SAFE COMMUNITIES CONSULTATION BEGINS

The Yukon government is following up on a unanimously agreed to 
motion passed during the fall sitting of the legislative assembly 
aimed at creating safer communities.

Consultation on the creation of safer communities and neighbourhoods 
legislation will begin this coming Monday in the form of a public 
meeting, at the High Country Inn at 7 p.m.

The push for safer neighbourhood and communities legislation was 
headed by the NDP during the early part of the fall sitting of the legislature.

The party tabled a motion asking the government to develop a Safer 
Communities and Neighbourhoods Act targeting properties being used 
for producing, growing, selling or using illegal drugs, prostitution, 
solvent abuse, unlawful sale and consumption of alcohol, and possibly 
gambling dens.

The NDP's proposed legislation included a confidential complaint 
line, where individuals can report to a director of community 
operations who would investigate the complaint, to help shut down 
buildings where the illegal activities are occurring.

The Yukon Party then amended the NDP's motion and created its own. It 
calls for numerous departments to begin discussions with 
stakeholders, non-governmental organizations and first nations to 
develop a collaborative and co-ordinated approach to the Yukon 
Substance Abuse Action Plan.

The unanimously agreed-to-motion will allow for the development of 
safer communities and neighbourhoods legislation, which should be 
ready for tabling by the spring 2006 sitting of the assembly.

"Safer communities and neighbourhoods legislation will provide us 
with another tool to assist our law enforcement officers in dealing 
with illegal activities that negatively affect Yukon communities," 
Justice Minister John Edzerza said in a statement released Thursday.

The legislation will be aimed at "empowering residents", he said.

NDP Justice critic Steve Cardiff told the Star the party will 
continue to support the legislation, but is concerned it has taken 
several months to reach the consultation point.

The motion was passed in mid-November.

Cardiff said all the NDP has received in regards to the legislation 
is a backgrounder and a copy of a similar bill that currently exists 
in Saskatchewan.

"It would have been nice to have a draft of Yukon legislation at this 
point," said Cardiff.

The suggestion of safer communities legislation was included in the 
Yukon Substance Abuse Action Plan, which was announced last October.

The plan came following the Yukon Substance Abuse Summit held last 
June. It focuses on harm reduction, prevention and education, 
treatment and enforcement.

The suggested programs and services include the community harm 
reduction fund, helping children with FASD in schools, alcohol and 
drug education in schools, expanded outreach services, getting 
tougher on drug dealers and the safer communities legislation.

The Saskatchewan legislation has been quite successful since it was 
enacted in November 2004, resulting in 36 evictions. Manitoba has 
similar legislation.

Officials from both provinces are scheduled to attend Monday's public meeting.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom