Yukon allows input on civil forfeiture act

Yukoners will have a chance to officially voice their opinion on a proposed law that would give civil court judges the power to seize money, vehicles or homes connected to crimes.

Premier Dennis Fentie agreed Wednesday to hold public consultations on the proposed civil forfeiture act, which has been part of his Yukon Party government's commitment to get tough on crime.

The government originally insisted that it has already completed "targeted consultations" on the act and no more consultations were needed.

But late Wednesday afternoon, just hours after Justice Minister Marian Horne repeated the government's original stance in the legislature, Fentie changed his mind.

The legislature passed an NDP motion to delay debate and hold public consultations on the proposed law.

"Input is not only valuable, but it is required," Fentie told MLAs.

Under the proposed law, the territorial government would have the power to seize property and goods such as cars, real estate and cash bought with money that was obtained by illegal activity.

The onus would be on defendants to prove that they did not gain any assets through criminal activity. That would differ from criminal cases, where a defendant is considered innocent until proven guilty.

NDP leader Elizabeth Hanson said there is a need for some sort of new legislation, it's not clear if the civil forfeiture act is the right one.

"The initial intent was to have it retroactive for 10 years," she told reporters. "The fact [is] that you could find somebody mentally incompetent, but still find their property could be seized."

Meanwhile, an activist group calling itself Yukoners for Civil Freedom says even with the public consultations, it plans to forge ahead with a May 6protest outside the legislature building.

The group is calling for the civil forfeiture act to be scrapped entirely, arguing that the proposed law would take away people's rights.

"We're all ready to take a stand and show up and at least show our MLAs that we don't approve of this," Ben Fromme said Thursday.

Yukoners for Civil Freedom has also started a petition for those who oppose the act.