Saskatchewan expanding legislation on nuisance properties

New legislation in Saskatchewan is giving more power to provincial officers to deal with so called "nuisance buildings."

Just a day removed from the throne speech, the Government of Saskatchewan is moving forward on legislation, promising to “build safer communities” by addressing so called “nuisance properties.”

Amendments to The Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) Act are expected to come into force on Nov. 1.

The expanded legislation will empower the province’s SCAN unit to target properties that are unfit for people to live in and negatively affect the health, safety or economic wellbeing of community members living near the property.

“We know from talking to police and community leaders the negative impact nuisance properties can have on otherwise thriving neighbourhoods,” public safety minister Tim McLeod said in the announcement. “By allowing SCAN officers to actively respond to abandoned or dilapidated properties, we are addressing immediate safety concerns. This amended legislation is part of our government’s commitment to safe and secure communities across Saskatchewan.”

• Download the CTV News app to get breaking news alerts sent to your device

SCAN officers operate within the Provincial Protective Services (PPS) Branch and respond to situations reported by residents. According to the service’s website, these can include drugs, gang or criminal activities, prostitution, child sexual abuse, and the unlawful sale or use of alcohol.

The unit operates offices in Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert.

The act will allow SCAN officers to apply to the court for either a rehabilitation order to demolish a nuisance property or a forfeiture order to seize the property prior to demolishing or restoring it to a “safe condition.”

The province noted that with a rehabilitation order, SCAN can request permission to demolish a building and restore it to a safe condition all while the owner still retains their ownership of the land. In cases such as these, the property owners will be responsible for covering related costs.

Under forfeiture, the nuisance property’s title will be transferred to the government, who may then demolish or restore the property site and sell it to recover the costs associated with the operation.

Under the new amendments, graffiti and trafficking stolen property will be added to the list of activities the unit can address under provincial legislation. SCAN’s current mandate of responding to public complaints about buildings regularly involved in illegal activities will remain unchanged.

The province went on to clarify that SCAN will not “compete” with municipalities or other authorities to amend a property’s condition. The new amendments will only be used in cases where the nuisance properties are not being addressed.

The expanded legislation follows the province allocating $2.7 million in funding for 14 more SCAN officers across Saskatchewan.