For Immediate Release
January 9, 2018
COUNCILLOR STATEMENT: ILLEGAL DRUGS & CRIMINAL ACTIVITY IN HOUSING UNITS
Beardy’s & Okemasis’ Cree Nation, Treaty 6 – The following statement was released by the Councillor in charge of Public Works & Housing, Edwin Ananas:
“As a member of Council, I can assure you that we, along with members of the Housing Authority, are very much aware of illegal drugs and criminal activity in housing units at the Beardy’s & Okemasis’ Cree Nation and more importantly, the devastating impacts this has on our families and community as a whole.
On March 13, 2017, the Council of the day ratified the Beardy’s & Okemasis’ Cree Nation Housing Policy and gave the Housing Authority broad powers and responsibility over our housing program.
Very soon, Housing department staff will visit each housing unit and have the legal tenant of the housing unit sign a “Tenant Agreement” and be provided with a copy of the Housing Policy. It is the responsibility of the tenant to abide by the conditions of the “Tenant Agreement” and the articles contained in the Housing Policy.
As it relates to illegal drugs and criminal activity, Article 406 of the Housing Policy is clear:
“Every Tenant or Occupant shall ensure that they along with their family members, visitors, or guests do not engage in any conduct or activity within their housing unit which may:
a) Create excessive noise or disturbances which may cause a nuisance or annoyance to the Tenants or Occupants of any neighbouring properties; or
b) Result in criminal activity within the housing unit (ie; selling of drugs, parties, etc.)”
Illegal drugs and criminal activity will not be tolerated in our homes and in our community. Council has instructed the Housing Authority to work with appropriate authorities to curb illegal drugs and criminal activities, and through the adoption of the Housing Policy, has given the Housing Authority the authority and responsibility to take appropriate, and decisive action as outlined in Article 406.2 of the Housing Policy should tenants fail to abide by the terms and conditions of the “Tenancy Agreement” or Housing Policy.
We have attached a copy of the Housing Policy for your review and expect that all tenants and members will work to do their part to eradicate illegal drugs and criminal activity in our community.”
You can view the Housing Policy here.
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For more information, please contact:
Chief & Council Communications
306-467-4523 ext 237
communications@beardysband.com
