Tenants in a downtown rental property have been evicted under the territory’s Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act.
The eviction happened after several confidential complaints from community members about alleged drug dealing, the government said in a statement.
“The unit’s investigation established a reasonable belief that illicit drugs were being sold and transferred from the property and this resulted in the SCAN action.”
In the last six months the government has evicted tenants under the SCAN legislation four times. Three of those four evictions have happened in the downtown core.
The department has not released the names or addresses of the people who were evicted.
“The public response to the SCAN actions has been positive,” Justice Minister Mike Nixon said. “Yukoners feel safer knowing they can report illegal activity in their neighbourhoods either by phone or through the SCAN website.”
Investigations through SCAN are different than criminal charges.
Criminal legislation requires proof “beyond a reasonable doubt” that an accused person committed a specific crime at a specific time and place. SCAN, meanwhile, is civil legislation, which only requires evidence that illegal activity is taking place and harming the community on a “balance of probabilities.”
Individuals with concerns about illegal activities can make a complaint by calling 867-456-SCAN (7226) or toll-free at 1-866-530-7226, or by submitting an online complaint form at www.scanyukon.ca.
Contact Ashley Joannou at ashleyj@yukon-news.com