Residents want more enforcement powers in NWT’s Scan legislation

Residents want more enforcement powers in NWT’s Scan legislation Alice Twa and Cody Punter Sunday September 6, 2026 at 5:57am MT MLA Jane Weyallon Armstrong speaks at a public meeting in Tsiigehtchic on the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act. Cody Punter/Cabin Radio Share Residents shared concerns about the drug crisis and community resourcing during MLA engagements on the proposed Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act. The legislation, which is also known as Scan, allows people to confidentially report rental properties believed to be used for illegal activities like drug dealing. The Scan Act was formally introduced in the Legislative Assembly in June, but was first considered in the NWT in 2007. At that time, it died at the committee stage (where the 2026 bill is currently at) because of concerns from residents it would be abused to settle scores in small communities. Based on feedback during this round of public engagement, there appears to be support for the bill with residents wanting it to come into force as soon as possible. “Let’s get into action and get something done,” said one community member at a meeting held by the Standing Committee on Social Development in Tsiigehtchic on September 2. Advertisement. Advertisement. “What we’re looking for is something with some power, so that we can deal with these issues right away, not tomorrow or next week or whenever,” another community member said at a September 1 meeting in Fort McPherson. Residents’ main concern with the proposed legislation was that the Scan team – hired by the territorial justice department – would be based in Yellowknife. “You’re talking about a territory-wide initiative here with three people? I don’t think that’s even possible, said a Fort McPherson resident. MLAs said during the public meetings that only three investigators would be hired. However, the Scan Act as it is currently written says “the Director may appoint one or more persons as investigators” without specifying a limit of how many could be appointed. It also does not say where the investigators would be based. Advertisement. Advertisement. Most MLAs on the committee said they would include increasing the number of investigators and decentralizing them from Yellowknife in their recommendations on the bill. “We have a lot of strong feelings about that, and in particular the distance from the action of those individuals, because three people working in an office tower in downtown…