How SCAN works

The Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act helps make communities safer by addressing specific property-based illegal activities. It’s not criminal law, so it does not result in criminal charges. The Act uses a civil process to address specific illegal activities taking place at a property. It uses tools under the legislation available like applying to the courts to temporarily close a property.

The SCAN unit is complaint-driven. The unit can only investigate after getting a complaint. Complaints are confidential and your identity is never shared.

The SCAN Unit considers the needs of vulnerable people and refers them to
support agencies when appropriate. 

What SCAN investigators do
The investigation process
Report illegal or suspicious activity

What SCAN investigators do

Each SCAN investigation is different. SCAN investigators can use different tools and interventions during or after an investigation.

When community members report a suspicious property, SCAN investigators can:

  • open an investigation about a property;
  • gather information;
  • issue a verbal or written warning;
  • work with the landlord to facilitate a resolution or an eviction;
  • refer people to supportive programs or services; and
  • apply to the Supreme Court for a Community Safety Order.

SCAN investigators cannot:

  • investigate or charge a person under criminal law; or
  • investigate activities that are not listed in the Act. 

The SCAN Unit works with local support agencies to promote community safety and assistance to vulnerable people. When appropriate, the SCAN Unit will share information with the RCMP in efforts to maintain community safety.

The investigation process

An investigation starts when the SCAN Unit receives a complaint from the public. Complaints can be submitted by an individual or an organization such as a non-profit or business. Complaints must describe specific use of the property.

Before taking any action under the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act, the SCAN Unit investigates the activities occurring at a property. Depending on the situation, this work can take weeks to months to complete. 

The progress of a SCAN file usually follows these stages:

  1. The SCAN unit registers the complaint and opens a file.
  2. If the SCAN investigators have questions about the complaint they will contact you to clarify details.
  3. SCAN investigators observe the property to validate the complaint. An investigation will not continue if the activities identified in the complaint are not linked to the specified uses of a property as stated in the Act. The investigation will stop if the complaint is determined to be baseless or malicious.
  4. If the complaint is valid, the investigation begins. During the investigation, investigators will contact the resident(s) or property owner(s) to advise them of the complaint. This is referred to as an ‘initial notice to cease activities’. This allows the resident(s) or property owner(s) to identify any concerns they may have about the complaint. It also allows investigators to gather information about the occupants of the property, including whether any vulnerable people live there.
  5. If vulnerable people are involved, the SCAN Unit will complete an assessment and contact service providers to assist.
  6. If the information gathered by the SCAN Unit show that a specified activity is taking place at the property, the investigation continues to see how often the activity happens and if it negatively affects the community and neighbourhood. 

What is a Community Safety Order?

A Community Safety Order is a court order that prevents specific people from engaging in illegal, harmful, threatening or abusive behaviour on a property. It’s used as a last resort to resolve or disrupt illegal activities at a property.

A Community Safety Order may include court-ordered conditions such as:

  • asking people to vacate the property on or before a date;
  • limiting or blocking access to people from entering or occupying a property;
  • ending a tenancy agreement or lease of any tenant of the property;
  • requiring the SCAN Director to close the property from use and occupation on a specified date and keep it closed for up to 90 days; or
  • any other provision that the court considers necessary to make the order effective.

The court may make a Community Safety Order if they believe the:

  • property is used for one of the specified uses defined by the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act;
  • property is used often to support 1 or more of the specified uses; or
  • the activities negatively impact the community.

What is a landlord-assisted eviction?

If SCAN investigators find evidence that a property is being used for specified activities, they may work with the landlord to support the eviction of the tenant.

If requested, the SCAN Unit can help the landlord end the tenancy under the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (RLTA) using the 14-day notice to end tenancy with cause. The SCAN unit may act as the landlord’s agent in the proceeding with the consent of the landlord. The eviction then follows the regular process under the RLTA. 

The SCAN Unit considers the needs of vulnerable people and refers them to support agencies when appropriate in each investigation.
 

Report illegal or suspicious activity

You can report illegal or suspicious activity at a property by: 

Note: not all email service providers encrypt emails end-to-end. 

Download the complaint form

Contact

If you have questions about the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act or the SCAN Unit, email [email protected].