Legislation coming to address illegal drug trade in N.W.T., says premier

Following a meeting of Canada's elected public safety leaders, N.W.T. Premier R.J. Simpson says the territorial government is looking to introduce legislation that would provide more tools for evicting people from homes if they are suspected of drug dealing or bootlegging.

That legislation, called a SCAN (Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods) Act, was voted down in the territory more than a decade ago. At the time, it would have allowed the government the right to apply for a court order to evict people. It's also proved controversial elsewhere, such as in the Yukon, where a judge recently struck down part of the act.

Simpson said Friday it's one of many tools the government is considering to address the illicit drug trade.

"When I became premier, I saw the drugs first move into the territory, into my community, into Hay River. I was hoping we could stop them before they moved out into the smaller communities. But we're seeing it expand into all the communities," said Simpson.

Simpson, who is also the N.W.T.'s justice minister, made the remarks during a news conference Friday, following two days of wide-ranging discussions at a meeting of federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for justice and public safety. Simpson and federal Justice Minister Arif Virani co-hosted the meeting in Yellowknife.

Simpson said SCAN is just one form of legislation his government is looking at. They are also working on a trespass act and a civil forfeiture act.

He said these three pieces of legislation are planned to roll out over the life of the current assembly. 

"I don't have the exact dates that we're looking to introduce those, but I've made a commitment that we will," he said.

Virani said one issue he is particularly concerned with is narcotics entering communities through Canada Post mail.

"That's something that's extremely concerning to me as a federal representative and something that we will directly address forth with," said Virani.

Simpson characterized the N.W.T.'s drug problems as more than a policing issue — it's a matter of public health, he said.

"Moving forward, we are looking at how we can better combine RCMP and health efforts to ensure that we're not just responding with enforcement, but also responding with help and leading people in the direction of healing," he said.

He added they are working to integrate services in the N.W.T. so individuals can access things like income assistance, housing, health and social services quicker and easier.