Yellowknife — October 27, 2025
The GNWT is working to provide residents with more laws to protect property, report problem residences that are used for illegal activities, seize assets from traffickers, and deter crime. The GNWT is developing new Civil Forfeiture legislation and Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) legislation and inviting the public to complete two online surveys and attend in-person and virtual meetings to provide feedback and have an input to ensure that these new laws meet the needs of NWT residents.
The Civil Forfeiture Act will provide the authority to pursue civil forfeiture of property that is involved in, or acquired from, criminal activity. Property includes all types of assets, such as real estate, cars and cash. The purpose of Civil Forfeiture legislation is to take the profit out of crime and to deter present and future crimes.
The SCAN Act is intended to empower NWT residents to take back their communities by reporting problem residences that are habitually used for illegal activities. SCAN gives citizens the tools to report the properties and gives territorial authorities the power to investigate and take action towards evicting tenants who are engaged in illegal activities.
Public safety is a key priority for the GNWT and a complex issue requiring community support and involvement. There are many factors to consider for Civil Forfeiture and SCAN legislation and the public engagement is a chance for residents to shape how these new laws will work in their communities.
NWT residents can share their views on the Civil Forfeiture and SCAN legislation in the following ways:
- SURVEY:
Go to the GNWT’s public engagement portal to complete the surveys on Civil Forfeiture and SCAN. The surveys close on November 28, 2025.
- IN PERSON:
Monday, October 27, 2025, at 7:00pm St. John’s Church, Fort Smith
Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at 7:00pm Ptarmigan Inn, Hay River
Monday, November 17, 2025, at 7:00pm Drolet Community Hall, Norman Wells
Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at 7:00pm Tree of Peace, Yellowknife
Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at 7:00pm Ingamo Hall, Inuvik
- ONLINE:
Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at 7:00pm English Virtual Engagement Session
Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at 7:00pm French Virtual Engagement Session
- WRITTEN SUBMISSION:
NWT residents can submit comments to HaveYourSayDOJ@gov.nt.ca by November 28, 2025.
Results from the public engagement will be summarized in a What We Heard Report that will help shape the SCAN Act and the Civil Forfeiture Act for the territory.
For media requests, please contact:
Ngan Trinh
Senior Communications Advisor
Department of Justice
Government of the Northwest Territories
Email: ngan_trinh@gov.nt.ca
Phone Number: 867-767-9256, ext. 82083