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Government of Northwest Territories

Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) Survey

Introduction

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is inviting residents to share their views on the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) Act.

The GNWT wants to hear how this approach could affect communities, what benefits or challenges it might create, and what safeguards residents feel are important. Your feedback will help shape how this proposal moves forward to the Legislative Assembly.

It should take about 5–10 minutes to complete this survey, which is open to all NWT residents.

By completing this survey, you agree that your responses may be used anonymously to inform GNWT’s policy development.


Privacy Notice

This information will be used to support public engagement on proposed community safety legislation, including the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) Act and the Civil Forfeiture Act. The privacy provisions of the ATIPP Act protect any personal information collected.

If you have questions about the collection of this information, please contact: Maggie Hawkes, Manager, Policy and Planning, Department of Justice by phone at 867-767-9256 ext. 82090, by email at maggie_hawkes@gov.nt.ca, or by mail at P.O. Box 1320, Yellowknife NT, X1A 2L9.

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Safer Communities and Neighborhoods (SCAN) Act

About the GNWT’s Proposed SCAN Legislation
The primary goal of Safer Communities and Neighborhoods (SCAN) legislation is to improve community safety by targeting properties where illegal activities are taking place, rather than focusing solely on individuals involved.

The legislation will include proposals on the following:

  • Types of Properties and Illegal Activity: SCAN applies to residential properties that are regularly being used for illegal activity such as drug trafficking, prostitution, bootlegging, or gang activity, focusing on repeated patterns rather than one-off incidents.
  • Complaint Process: Any member of the public can submit a complaint. The complaint will be confidential, the details of the person will not be shared at any time during the process, to ensure that there is no intimidation, or threats.
  • SCAN Officers and Powers: Specially-trained officers will openly investigate complaints made to them, dismiss complaints found to be unsubstantiated, resolve complaints informally or by agreement where possible, and assist landlords to apply to the Rental Officer for orders to end the illegal activities at a property that negatively affect the neighborhood or community. SCAN officers will also have the power to investigate and apply to the Rental Officer for an order regarding a property at their own initiative, for example, so the landlord does not have to deal with the problem tenant, or without having received a complaint, for example if a person is known to have moved illegal activities from one house to another.
  • SCAN Unit Roles: The SCAN Unit will work to ensure landlords are informed about and helped to prepare the necessary paperwork for Rental Office applications and hearings to avoid any unnecessary delays within required timelines and to protect public safety while allowing tenants to respond or vacate. The independent Rental Officers will review and make decisions on SCAN applications as per the legislated requirements. 
  • Responsibilities to Vulnerable Persons: When dealing with a SCAN complaint in a community, SCAN officers will have a regular presence in the community and act as a resource to residents who have any concerns or information.  When Rental Office orders affect uninvolved or at-risk occupants, SCAN officers will coordinate with housing and social services to minimize harm.
  • Making best use of limited government resources: A made-in-the-NWT approach will ensure SCAN officers support real change that works in NWT communities and uses existing resources like the Rental Office. SCAN officers will be on the ground to investigate and address concerns, and work with the RCMP to ensure public safety.
  • Accountability & Reporting: The legislation will detail the types of reports that will be produced annually on total number of complaints received, investigations conducted, and outcomes, ensuring transparency, public confidence, and ongoing review of community impact.