New Brunswick's "Snitch Line" Under Fire from Critics

Proposed amendments to New Brunswick's Safer Neighbourhoods and Communities Act (SCAN) will make it easier for neighbours to file anonymous complaints against other neighbours that can result in evictions. The Government asks New Brunswickers to file SCAN complaints against neighbours whose homes show "frequent late-night activity" and a "neglected property and yard."  

Critics argue that this legislation acts as a "snitch line" that disproportionately impacts people of colour and those living in poverty. It is a violation of the right to housing and is a relic of the 1980's war on drugs, they say.

Similar legislation in the Yukon is the subject of a constitutional challenge. Join host Tobin Haley for a conversation with three guests on an all-new episode of the NB Debrief: Jael Duarte is the New Brunswick Tenants Advocate, Kevin Arseneau is the MLA for Kent North and Aditya Rao is a human rights lawyer in Fredericton.

"What this act really is," says Rao, "Is a glorified snitch line that lets people report on their neighbours who they are suspicious of, or doing things they don't like. This first started in Manitoba in the late 90s amid the mass concern of drug use that was so prevalent at the time. It continues to this day in every province except Ontario, PEI and British Columbia. There are concerns, though, that this act is unconstitutional."

"Amendments to the SCAN Act has just passed the committee stage in New Brunswick," said MLA Arseneau. "Even though I opposed them, majority wins, and they were passed. One of the amendments that really worries e allows people to stay anonymous when lodging a complaint."