Community consultations on proposed civil forfeiture law

IQALUIT, Nunavut (September 22, 2015) – The Government of Nunavut is proposing a Nunavut-specific civil forfeiture law, which would allow the government to obtain a court order to confiscate property that is either the “proceeds” or an “instrument” of illegal activity. For example, the government could confiscate cash received from illegal alcohol or drug sales, and vehicles or other tools used for bootlegging, theft, or similar illegal acts.

“Nunavummiut deserve to live in strong, resilient communities and healthy families,” said Minister of Justice Paul Okalik. “Nunavummiut clearly want to end the harm done by theft and bootlegging. This proposed law would be a tool to take the financial incentive out of certain criminal activity.”

In the fall of 2015, the Department of Justice will start holding consultations in the following communities:

• Rankin Inlet on September 28, at the Nunavut Arctic College at 7 p.m.
• Baker Lake on September 29, at the arena at 7 p.m.
• Cambridge Bay on October 2, at the Elders’ Palace at 7 p.m.

The goal of these community meetings is twofold: first, to inform the public about the new proposed law, and second, to receive important feedback on how the law can best address the needs of Nunavummiut.

Additional consultations will be held in other communities. These will be advertised at a later date.

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Media Contact:

Stephen P. Shaddock
Policy Counsel
Department of Justice
867-975-6158
SShaddock@gov.nu.ca

NT3