In a recent decision by rental officer Jerry Vanhantsaeme, a Whatì public housing tenant was ordered to be evicted due to thousands of dollars in arrears and a series of disturbances that required police intervention. The tenant, whose name was not disclosed, owed $3,570 in total, with most of it being subsidized rent left unpaid for several months. The sum also included one month of full unsubsidized rent at $1,545. Housing NWT alleged that there were multiple disturbances at the property between February and May of this year, which led to police visits and interventions.
According to evidence presented at the hearing, police were called to the property on several occasions for various reasons. In February, they were called to remove individuals engaged in illegal activities. In April, there was a report of two drug dealers fighting. In early May, police were called twice within two days – once due to continued nighttime traffic to the property and again when someone was arrested for drug paraphernalia possession and threatening behavior. By the end of May, police had been called four more times, including for a reported assault.
Housing NWT staff attending the hearing stated that while the tenant had not faced any charges related to the incidents, guests at the property had been found with illegal drugs and a firearm. The tenant was also separately arrested for breaking windows in an adjacent unit in July. Vanhantsaeme concluded that the tenant was responsible for illegal activities on the premises, repeated disturbances, and the accumulation of rental arrears, justifying the termination of the tenancy and eviction.
The case of this tenant aligns with recent warnings from police and government officials about drug dealers exploiting vulnerable individuals in NWT by using their homes as bases for criminal activities. Premier RJ Simpson has expressed the government’s commitment to introducing legislation that would allow for action to be taken against properties used by drug dealers, shutting them down through civil courts. Simpson highlighted the use of evictions as a tool to address drug dealing, citing a recent instance where seven evictions were ordered in Hay River, effectively shutting down drug houses.
The proposed Scan legislation, standing for Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods, would enable the territorial government to pursue owners or occupants of properties where drugs are believed to be manufactured, used, or sold through civil courts. This approach aims to target drug houses regardless of whether the individuals involved are public housing tenants or not. Simpson has advocated for this approach in the past and is working towards its implementation to combat drug-related crimes effectively.
In addition to legislative measures, the RCMP has been actively pursuing individuals involved in drug-related offenses. Recently, a man accused of hiding unlawfully in an Elder’s residence in Fort Resolution was sentenced for numerous drug-related offenses. Abel Leule, an Alberta resident, received a 19-month custodial sentence and three years of probation with a condition to stay out of the Northwest Territories. The RCMP expressed gratitude to the public for providing information that led to the arrest and conviction of Leule, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in combating drug trafficking.
In conclusion, the eviction of the Whatì public housing tenant underscores the ongoing efforts to address drug-related crimes in the NWT. Through a combination of legislative actions, law enforcement initiatives, and community engagement, authorities are working towards creating safer communities and neighborhoods free from the influence of drug dealers. The case serves as a reminder of the collective responsibility to report suspicious activities and support efforts to combat illegal drug activities for the well-being of all residents.
