BILL WOULD PUT SQUEEZE ON LAWLESS LANDLORDS

Municipalities Need More Power To Deal With Grow-Ops, Crackhouses: MPP

Ottawa Centre MPP Yasir Naqvi's private member's bill to help city
authorities deal with troublesome property owners is headed to
committee at the Ontario legislature.

Mr. Naqvi's Bill 106 passed second reading in the Ontario legislature
on Thursday and is now referred to the standing committee on justice
policy. Mr. Naqvi said he will try to convince that committee and
party house leaders to get the bill on a committee agenda soon.

The bill, modelled on bills in other provinces, is called the Safer
Communities and Neighbourhoods Act, and gives municipalities the power
to move against people whose properties are repeatedly used for
illegal activities, such as drug-taking and prostitution. Mr. Naqvi
said he brought in the bill to address Ottawa's problem with
crackhouses, which have had severe effects on some neighbourhoods,
such as Hintonburg.

Ottawa police Chief Vern White said the proposed law would help police
because, while they can close crackhouses using existing laws, the
illegal operations can quickly reopen. The chief said that while some
of Ottawa's crackhouses have been closed, dozens remain.

The bill gives municipalities the ability to pass a bylaw appointing a
director of safer communities and neighbourhoods. People would be able
to complain to that person if a property is being "habitually" used
for an illegal purpose and the neighbourhood is being affected.

The director would then look into the complaint and could apply to a
court for a community safety order. The specific remedies permitted
would include issuing an order to vacate the property, an order
terminating a tenancy agreement or an order closing the property for
up to 90 days. Orders can be appealed to the Court of Appeal.

Mr. Naqvi said he has won support from Ontario municipalities, as well
as the province's police chiefs. He said the crucial flexibility in
the legislation is that municipalities would have the freedom to opt
in or opt out, depending on the extent of their problems with
troublesome properties. In addition to drughouses, the legislation is
intended to deal with properties where firearms are stored or where
marijuana grow-ops and "booze cans," which are illegal bars, operate.

In the legislature Thursday, Mr. Naqvi said: "A property should not be
used for a crackhouse. A property should be used for people to live
in."

Chief White said he expects some opposition to the law from some
landlords who profit from running drug dens in Ottawa but that
generally people agree with the law.