Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act amendment tabled in the Yukon Legislative Assembly

Minister of Justice Tracy-Anne McPhee tabled Bill No. 6 today, proposing amendments to the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) Act.

The SCAN Act enables the SCAN Unit to investigate complaints received from the public and take action when illegal or dangerous activity is occurring on a property that negatively affects the neighbourhood. Each activity the SCAN Unit can investigate is identified in the Act as a “specified use”, which currently includes illegal drug and alcohol activities and prostitution.

The proposed amendment would expand the definition of “specified use” to include illegal activities related to child sexual abuse and sexual exploitation, gangs and criminal organizations and illegal firearms. The amendment would not impact the lawful possession; use; sale; purchase; storage or transportation of firearms.

Yukoners want and deserve safe, healthy communities where the increase of criminal activity can be addressed to make neighbourhoods safe. The SCAN Unit is complaint-driven, and only begins an investigation after receiving a complaint from the public. The proposed amendment would expand the types of activities the SCAN Unit can investigate to increase public safety in all Yukon communities. The SCAN Unit plays a vital and important role in building safer communities by receiving complaints and responding to the concerns of Yukoners.

Minister of Justice Tracy-Anne McPhee

Quick facts 
  • The SCAN Unit is complaint-driven, and only begins an investigation after receiving a complaint.

  • The SCAN Unit has protocols in place with nine Yukon First Nations governments.

  • Statistics Canada reports that there were 141 reported sexual violations against children between 2015 and 2020 in Yukon; 26 in 2015, 21 in 2016, 16 in 2017, 25 in 2018, 26 in 2019 and 27 in 2020.

  • The Commissioner of Firearms for the RCMP’s Canadian Firearms Program reports that the number of firearms seized in Yukon between 2015 and 2019 is 101; 18 in 2015, 16 in 2016, 20 in 2017,17 in 2018 and 30 in 2019. The report for 2020 is not yet available.

Media contact 

Jacob Wilson
Cabinet Communications
867-332-7627
jacob.wilson@yukon.ca

Fiona Azizaj
Communications, Justice
867-667-8148
fiona.azizaj@yukon.ca

News release #: 
21-395