From 2019, one of the boarded-up houses in P.A. that appeared on a list of 13 that were not in compliance for safety and health reasons and have a deadline for compliance looming. There are another 68 properties with issue. (file photo/paNOW)

By Susan McNeil

SCAN expansion

Province targets boarded up properties to be fixed or demolished with SCAN expansion

Oct 23, 2025 | 2:48 PM

Abandoned or nuisance properties in Saskatchewan will be dealt with at a faster pace once amendments to the Safer Communities and Neighourhoods Act (SCAN) kick in.

The changes to the law will allow the same officers that currently investigate drug houses, or those known to participate in illicit activity, to also target nuisance properties that are considered unfit for humans to live in and would pose a health or safety risk to other people living nearby. The Act will allow SCAN to apply to the court for either a rehabilitation order to demolish a nuisance property or a forfeiture order to seize the property prior to demolishing or restoring it to a safe condition.

“We know from talking to police and community leaders the negative impact nuisance properties can have on otherwise thriving neighbourhoods,” Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Tim McLeod, K.C. said “By allowing SCAN officers to actively respond to abandoned or dilapidated properties, we are addressing immediate safety concerns. This amended legislation is part of our government’s commitment to safe and secure communities across Saskatchewan.”

Last year, the province added another 14 SCAN officers, many of whom are former police officers who know how to identify houses that have gang, drug or criminal activity.

Officers are located in Prince Albert, Saskatoon and Regina but the complaints they investigate come from the public and they work across the province.

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READ MORE: In 2019, Prince Albert had a long list of boarded up homes to deal with.

Under the new amendments, which come into effect on Nov. 1, graffiti and the trafficking of stolen property will also be added to the list of activities SCAN can address under provincial legislation. The province expects that the changes will also help with things like squatting and vandalism.

SCAN will not compete with municipalities or other authorities that are working to amend a property’s condition. Instead, the new amendments will only be used in cases where nuisance properties are not being addressed otherwise, said the province.

With a rehabilitation order, SCAN can request permission to demolish a property and restore it to a safe condition, with the owner still retaining possession of the land. In these cases, property owners will be responsible for covering related costs and the province said this will be the first route they take.

If they end up pursuing a forfeiture order, the nuisance property title will be transferred to the government. SCAN will then have the authority to demolish or restore the property site and sell it to recover the costs associated with the restoration or demolition work.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com

On BlueSky: @susanmcneil.bsky.social