Pubdate: Sat, 01 Nov 2008 Source: Ottawa Citizen (CN ON) Copyright: 2008 The Ottawa Citizen Contact: http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/letters.html Website: http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/326 Author: Patrick Dare BILL WOULD PUT SQUEEZE ON LAWLESS LANDLORDS Municipalities Need More Power To Deal With Grow-Ops, Crackhouses: MPP Ottawa Centre MPP Yasir Naqvi's private member's bill to help city authorities deal with troublesome property owners is headed to committee at the Ontario legislature. Mr. Naqvi's Bill 106 passed second reading in the Ontario legislature on Thursday and is now referred to the standing committee on justice policy. Mr. Naqvi said he will try to convince that committee and party house leaders to get the bill on a committee agenda soon. The bill, modelled on bills in other provinces, is called the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act, and gives municipalities the power to move against people whose properties are repeatedly used for illegal activities, such as drug-taking and prostitution. Mr. Naqvi said he brought in the bill to address Ottawa's problem with crackhouses, which have had severe effects on some neighbourhoods, such as Hintonburg. Ottawa police Chief Vern White said the proposed law would help police because, while they can close crackhouses using existing laws, the illegal operations can quickly reopen. The chief said that while some of Ottawa's crackhouses have been closed, dozens remain. The bill gives municipalities the ability to pass a bylaw appointing a director of safer communities and neighbourhoods. People would be able to complain to that person if a property is being "habitually" used for an illegal purpose and the neighbourhood is being affected. The director would then look into the complaint and could apply to a court for a community safety order. The specific remedies permitted would include issuing an order to vacate the property, an order terminating a tenancy agreement or an order closing the property for up to 90 days. Orders can be appealed to the Court of Appeal. Mr. Naqvi said he has won support from Ontario municipalities, as well as the province's police chiefs. He said the crucial flexibility in the legislation is that municipalities would have the freedom to opt in or opt out, depending on the extent of their problems with troublesome properties. In addition to drughouses, the legislation is intended to deal with properties where firearms are stored or where marijuana grow-ops and "booze cans," which are illegal bars, operate. In the legislature Thursday, Mr. Naqvi said: "A property should not be used for a crackhouse. A property should be used for people to live in." Chief White said he expects some opposition to the law from some landlords who profit from running drug dens in Ottawa but that generally people agree with the law. - --- MAP posted-by: dan