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

Minister of Justice Tracy-Anne McPhee tabled Bill No. 20 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 amendments will 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.

Yukoners want safe, healthy communities where the increase of criminal activity can be addressed to make neighbourhoods safe. The proposed amendment will expand the types of activities the SCAN Unit can investigate to increase public safety in Yukon communities. This unit plays an 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 a total of 114 reported sexual violations against children between 2015 and 2019 in Yukon; 26 in 2015, 21 in 2016, 16 in 2017, 25 in 2018 and 26 in 2019.

  • The Commissioner of Firearms for the RCMP’s Canadian Firearms Program reports that the number of firearms seized in Yukon between 2015 and 2018 is 71; 18 in 2015, 16 in 2016, 20 in 2017 and 17 in 2018.

Media contact 

Renée Francoeur
Cabinet Communications
867-334-9194
renee.francoeur@yukon.ca

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

News release #: 
21-072