WHAT WE DO  |   NEWS  |   COURTS  |   FAMILY LAW

Location: Home → News → 2006 → Current Page
News Release
Communiqué
Ontario Logo
Ministry of the Attorney General Ministère du Procureur général PDF Version

For Immediate Release
September 28, 2006



FORMER CRACK HOUSE GIVEN TO CITY OF HAMILTON


TORONTO — Attorney General Michael Bryant has transferred ownership of a local crack house to the city of Hamilton — this is the first time in Ontario that a building forfeited under the Civil Remedies Act has been transferred to a community that had been victimized by unlawful activity.

"The citizens of Hamilton are the true victims of the unlawful activity that surrounded this crack house, so it is fitting that this property be turned over to the city," said Bryant. "By transferring ownership to the city of Hamilton we ensure that the community is never again victimized by a crack house at this location."

On March 28, 2006, the court ordered the forfeiture of 193 King Street East, the former Sandbar Tavern, to the Crown, along with a bank account containing approximately $10,000 associated with the property. They were forfeited as instruments of unlawful activity under the Remedies for Organized Crime and Other Unlawful Activities Act (Civil Remedies Act). Today, the Attorney General handed the property over to the city of Hamilton.

Over the years, the property was the location of two crack cocaine-related murders, stabbings and numerous drug charges. According to police, neighbouring businesses and residents had been negatively affected by events and activities that took place in and around the property, including robberies and break-ins. When the Sandbar Tavern was operating, police responded to between eight and 12 calls a day.

"We intend to transform this once notorious property into a showcase of downtown redevelopment, which will benefit the citizens of the area and the economy of Hamilton," said Hamilton Mayor Larry Di Ianni. "We are grateful that the Attorney General has used the Civil Remedies Act to give back to the community."

"I applaud the Attorney General for transferring this property to the city of Hamilton," said Judy Marsales, MPP for Hamilton West. "The community now has a fresh opportunity to further rejuvenate the city’s downtown core."

In a joint statement, local MPPs Marie Bountrogianni, Ted McMeekin and Jennifer Mossop said that shutting down the crack house was a significant step forward in preventing property from being used to engage in unlawful activity. Handing this property over to the city is an exciting opportunity for the city to implement its vision for the future in a way that will benefit the people and the economy of Hamilton for generations to come.

The Civil Remedies Act authorizes the Attorney General to ask civil courts to freeze, seize and forfeit the proceeds and instruments of unlawful activity to the Crown. Civil asset forfeiture focuses solely on the connection between property and unlawful activity and is not dependant on any criminal charges or convictions. The legislation acts to prevent people from keeping assets acquired through unlawful activity, to prevent assets and property from being used to engage in further unlawful activities, and to compensate victims.

In Ontario, the proceeds of unlawful activity including fraud, Internet and telemarketing scams, drug trafficking, and marijuana grow operations could be subject to the Civil Remedies Act.

Since October 2003, $2.5 million in property and assets, including weapons, street racing cars, marijuana grow operation equipment and cash, has been seized and forfeited under the Civil Remedies Act. In addition, the province currently has $8.4 million in net assets preserved under this act.


- 30 -

Contacts:
Brendan Crawley
Communications Branch
(416) 326-2210


Disponible en français