SAFE COMMUNITIES CONSULTATION BEGINS

The Yukon government is following up on a unanimously agreed to
motion passed during the fall sitting of the legislative assembly
aimed at creating safer communities.

Consultation on the creation of safer communities and neighbourhoods
legislation will begin this coming Monday in the form of a public
meeting, at the High Country Inn at 7 p.m.

The push for safer neighbourhood and communities legislation was
headed by the NDP during the early part of the fall sitting of the legislature.

The party tabled a motion asking the government to develop a Safer
Communities and Neighbourhoods Act targeting properties being used
for producing, growing, selling or using illegal drugs, prostitution,
solvent abuse, unlawful sale and consumption of alcohol, and possibly
gambling dens.

The NDP's proposed legislation included a confidential complaint
line, where individuals can report to a director of community
operations who would investigate the complaint, to help shut down
buildings where the illegal activities are occurring.

The Yukon Party then amended the NDP's motion and created its own. It
calls for numerous departments to begin discussions with
stakeholders, non-governmental organizations and first nations to
develop a collaborative and co-ordinated approach to the Yukon
Substance Abuse Action Plan.

The unanimously agreed-to-motion will allow for the development of
safer communities and neighbourhoods legislation, which should be
ready for tabling by the spring 2006 sitting of the assembly.

"Safer communities and neighbourhoods legislation will provide us
with another tool to assist our law enforcement officers in dealing
with illegal activities that negatively affect Yukon communities,"
Justice Minister John Edzerza said in a statement released Thursday.

The legislation will be aimed at "empowering residents", he said.

NDP Justice critic Steve Cardiff told the Star the party will
continue to support the legislation, but is concerned it has taken
several months to reach the consultation point.

The motion was passed in mid-November.

Cardiff said all the NDP has received in regards to the legislation
is a backgrounder and a copy of a similar bill that currently exists
in Saskatchewan.

"It would have been nice to have a draft of Yukon legislation at this
point," said Cardiff.

The suggestion of safer communities legislation was included in the
Yukon Substance Abuse Action Plan, which was announced last October.

The plan came following the Yukon Substance Abuse Summit held last
June. It focuses on harm reduction, prevention and education,
treatment and enforcement.

The suggested programs and services include the community harm
reduction fund, helping children with FASD in schools, alcohol and
drug education in schools, expanded outreach services, getting
tougher on drug dealers and the safer communities legislation.

The Saskatchewan legislation has been quite successful since it was
enacted in November 2004, resulting in 36 evictions. Manitoba has
similar legislation.

Officials from both provinces are scheduled to attend Monday's public meeting.