SCAN hits a snag

The Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods legislation (SCAN) is designed to protect neighbourhoods, like this one near Chinatown, by targeting properties that house habitual criminal activity. The bill, championed by Hintonburg's Security Committee, was killed in a committee meeting last week in Toronto. Ottawa MPP Yasir Naqvi is not giving up on his fight for SCAN. (Israel/offCentre)

By Jayme Poisson

It has been a disappointing week for Cheryl Parrott and her colleagues at the Hintonburg Security Committee. The community organization saw their bid to get legislation targeting high-crime residences squashed by opposition politicians in Toronto.

Last Wednesday, Parrott made the trip to Toronto’s Queen’s Park, teaming up with Ottawa MPP Yasir Naqvi to discuss his Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act (SCAN) with a standing committee on private members bills.

This article, published in last week’s offCentre, on the eve of the committee meeting in Toronto, discussed the merits of the bill.

Essentially, SCAN targets problem landlords and tenants using properties on a habitual basis to house illegal activities such as drug dealing, weapons, child abuse or running a common bawdy house.

The legislation would allow authorities to ban individuals from properties and even have a residence closed down for a period of 90 days.

SCAN was brought forth to Naqvi by Parrott and other concerned Hintonburg residences who were looking for extra measures to help deal with crack houses in their communities.

Coming as a surprise to both Parrott and Naqvi, the legislation, which has been enacted in other provinces- including Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Yukon-was effectively killed by opposition politicians, who filibustered using their allotted time to run out the clock.

“It was very disappointing obviously,” said Parrott in an interview, adding, “the other disconcerting thing was the rudeness we were shown by the NDP member Cheri DiNovo.”

Two other Conservative MPPs also chose to run the clock.

During last week’s committee meeting, DiNovo, who currently serves as MPP for the downtown Toronto riding of Parkdale-High Park, raised concerns that the legislation would be used by scrupulous landlords to evict tenants.

Another issue she raised was that it would give residents a way to “rat-out” neighbours without having to face them in court.

DiNovo went on to call SCAN draconian, comparing it to something one might find in Nazi Germany. She said that it throws people onto the streets, creating more homelessness.

“I think what’s of concern here is the sentiments that were expressed in those remarks, especially not so kind comments towards members of my community and what they stand for,” said Naqvi of DiNovo’s remarks, adding, “It was disheartening to see that they were shown a disrespect for their point of view, and that name calling became the order during the comments from the opposition members.”

“The whole purpose behind a legislature, going back in history, is to engage in a civil debate on issues that are important to our communities. And important issues are controversial issues, no doubt about it,” said an impassioned Naqvi. “But the way around this is to engage in discussion and find a common ground.”

Ms. DiNovo’s office declined a request for an interview.

Charles Akben-Marchand is an Ottawa resident who has concerns about SCAN.

“I’m not trying to say that the people who are pushing for SCAN, that their complaints are illegitimate,” he said. “By all means there are lots of problems in our society. I just think SCAN is a step too far in trying to solve those problems.”

He went on to say that he believes the legislation invariably muddies the water between federal and provincial jurisdictions. “The province is trying to do a back door legislation on criminal activity by claiming it’s property law,” he said.

Instead, Akben-Marchand would like to see more resources put into both policing and preventative measures to deal with the behaviors that lead to properties with habitual criminal activity.

He also believes that the legislation will add to the homeless problem, as it “seems very stacked against residents who get pushed out of the mix,” and leaves them with no place to go but the street.

Naqvi respectfully disagrees with such criticisms.

“I’m not some maverick coming along and talking about cleaning up properties,” he said.   “These are very complex problems. I totally agree with that. That’s why we need to make sure that we have support services available.”

Naqvi advocates a four-pronged approach of harm reduction, prevention, treatment and enforcement to go along with the SCAN legislation.

“We need to look at a broader purpose and a broader good and make sure that those who live in a community or neighbourhood continue to live in a safe place,” said Naqvi, adding, “We need to make sure that the very small minority who continue to engage in illegal activity and terrorize their neighbourhood are not the ones prevailing.”

Naqvi isn’t giving up on SCAN, something that Parrott is grateful for. “We’re going to re-group and move forward from here,” she said. “This legislation needs to be in Ontario. Maybe it’s not going to happen right away, but eventually Ontario will be the only province left without it.”

“I will continue to work very closely with my community, those who support it and those who oppose it, because obviously I am in obligation to all,” said Naqvi. He added that since last week he has received an incredible amount of support from the community.

While the bill is still technically alive, Naqvi said the possibility of re-introducing it before Christmas is close to zero. He did vow that he will be pursuing SCAN again in the coming new year.

“If that means I have to engage in more dialogue to address concerns and if more tinkering is needed I will for sure engage in that conversation,” he said.

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