FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 18, 2021
WHITEHORSE – The Yukon Party Official Opposition voted against Bill 6 Act to Amend the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act (2021) (SCAN) due to the Yukon Liberal government’s failure to consult with Yukoners on the proposed changes, and provisions that would help the Trudeau Liberal government confiscate lawfully-acquired firearms from Yukoners.
The Yukon Party would support a public review of SCAN legislation that enables all affected individuals to provide input via meaningful consultation.
“Minister Streicker and the Yukon Liberals have previously informed members of the Yukon Legislative Assembly that it was improper to make amendments to the Civil Emergency Measures Act while it was subject to an active court case,” Official Opposition Yukon Party Justice critic Brad Cathers said. “Yukon’s SCAN legislation is likewise under court challenge by a number of Yukoners and organizations and any changes being considered should benefit from the outcome of that decision.”
In addition, the SCAN amendments proposed by Minister McPhee and the Yukon Liberals enable SCAN enforcement to seize lawfully acquired firearms that were reclassified as prohibited under the Trudeau Liberal Order in Council in May 2021; changes that were criticized by the National Police Federation (the union representing RCMP members) as unnecessary and a misallocation of resources.
“The Yukon Liberal amendments to SCAN legislation require additional scrutiny and would benefit from a proper public consultation and review,” Cathers said. “The Yukon Party Official Opposition encourage the Justice Minister to withdraw the bill and take it out for proper consultation. The Yukon Party will not support the Yukon Liberals to circumvent consultation on Yukon’s laws, or unfairly target lawful firearms owners.”
The Yukon Party supports the Yukon’s Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act that was jointly developed by former leader of the Yukon NDP Todd Hardy and former Yukon Party Premier Dennis Fentie to help curb criminal activities in the Yukon.
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Contact:
Tim Kucharuk
Press Secretary
(867) 393-7026