To address the challenges posed by abandoned properties that create a public nuisance and contribute to unsafe living conditions, negatively impacting the health, safety and economic wellbeing of area residents, the Government of Saskatchewan has introduced in the Legislature amendments to The Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act.

If passed, Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods officers will have the legal authority to identify and target nuisance properties, alongside their current mandate of responding to public complaints about buildings involved in illegal activities. A news release from the government states that the officers will be able to submit court applications for rehabilitation or forfeiture orders to address the nuisance properties, and address graffiti and trafficking of stolen property through the community safety order process.

The government will invest $2.7 million in the next fiscal year to hire additional SCAN officers to work alongside existing teams in Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert. Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Tim McLeod says, “Allowing SCAN officers to actively respond to nuisance or dilapidated properties, rather than waiting for a complaint to be submitted, will address immediate safety concerns and enable SCAN to assist municipalities in creating safe, thriving communities across Saskatchewan.”