Pubdate: Wed, 20 Jan 2010
Source: Maple Ridge News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2010 Maple Ridge News
Contact:  http://www.mapleridgenews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1328
Author:  Robert Mangelsdorf

MAPLE RIDGE COUNCIL UNIMPRESSED WITH HEED'S RESPONSE

Maple Ridge council wants more legal power to hold landlords 
accountable for illegal activity that occurs on their property, but 
isn't satisfied with Solicitor General Kash Heed's response.

Council sent a letter to Heed on Nov. 9, indicating its support for 
the implementation of Safe Community and Neighbourhood (SCAN) legislation.

SCAN legislation is intended to improve community safety by targeting 
properties used for illegal activities such as drugs, gangs, and 
prostitution, and holding property owners accountable for what takes 
place on their property.

The District of Maple Ridge has struggled for years to curtail 
illegal activity at a handful of properties, including Northumberland Court.

However, Heed's response, received earlier this month, gave no 
indication such legislation was being considered.

"There are existing initiatives and programs that target drug 
houses," Heed stated in his response. "The Civil Forfeiture Act 
(2005) gives government the ability to target the financial base of 
criminal activity."

Heed also mentioned RCMP's Coordinated Marijuana Enforcement Team and 
the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit as tools in tackling 
problem properties.

"We will continue to work with municipalities to find appropriate and 
practical policy options to solve the problems associated with 
nuisance properties," Heed concluded.

Many at council's workshop meeting on Monday were less than impressed 
with the response.

"This tells us nothing," said Coun. Cheryl Ashlie. "This is an 
ongoing community issue, and we should not accept this.

"We need to push back."

Coun. Craig Speirs said the legislation would give municipalities the 
ability to act on problem properties, and clean up the streets.

"We're asking for help, and this is nothing," said Speirs. "I 
wouldn't want to force it on a responsible property owner, but if 
someone is hosting or allowing illegal activity to take place, there 
should be something we can do."

Council voted to send another letter to Heed asking for specifics of 
what the province plans to do to help municipalities deal with 
problem properties.

Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows NDP MLA Michael Sather supports the 
legislation and said he doesn't know why the government is dragging its heels.

"It's not a cure-all, but it's another tool in the toolbox," he said. 
"If you have a problem landlord ... this could be very useful."

Similar laws have been adopted in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, 
Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Yukon.

Heed said the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General has 
been examining SCAN legislation enacted elsewhere "to determine if 
the program would be similarly effective in British Columbia and 
would complement existing programs and initiatives aimed at 
increasing community safety and security."

NDP MLA Bruce Ralston introduced SCAN in a private members bill in 
2008, only to see the legislation fall off the table, never getting 
past first reading.

In October 2009, a motion was brought forward at Union of B.C. 
Municipalities (UBCM) asking the B.C. government to consider SCAN 
legislation, modelled specifically after Alberta's legislation, "in 
order to address the public disorder and neighbourhood deterioration 
caused by illicit drug houses, problem addresses and the issues 
association with them."

However, subsequent amendments watered down the language of the 
motion, removing any reference to SCAN legislation, and instead asked 
the government only to work with UBCM to create or improve existing 
legislation.

Heed was unavailable for interview by press deadline.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart