Government of Canada Continues With its Review of the Youth Criminal Justice Act

Market Wire, August, 2008

The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice & Attorney General of Canada, will today hold a roundtable discussion in Iqaluit on the functioning of the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA). The roundtable is part of the Minister's cross-country tour to meet key youth justice stakeholders and partners in all regions of Canada to seek their input on improvements to the YCJA.

"Our Government is committed to strengthening the YCJA in order to hold youth accountable for their actions," said Minister Nicholson. "Today I will meet with youth justice stakeholders in Nunavut to hear their concerns with the system, and to discuss how best to improve the Act and make it work for Canadians."

Minister Nicholson announced the YCJA review in October, 2007. Since then, he has met with his provincial and territorial counterparts as well as youth and partner organizations across the country. The Government of Canada is seeking the input of provinces and territories as they play a key role in administering the YCJA.

On Thursday and Friday of this week, Minister Nicholson will host meetings with his territorial counterparts and stakeholders in the Northwest Territories and Yukon to complete the series of provincial and territorial roundtables.

In addition to the YCJA review, the Government of Canada has tabled legislation to amend the YCJA to include deterrence and denunciation as principles of sentencing and to strengthen provisions related to pre-trial detention. These new measures will protect communities from youth who pose a significant risk to public safety.

"Canadians want action on youth crime now. That's what this government will deliver," said Minister Nicholson. "Our approach is tough but it is also balanced. We will respect the rights of the accused but will not allow those rights to take precedence over community safety, the needs of victims or the rights of law-abiding citizens."

In keeping with its commitment to community safety, along with its plan to strengthen the YCJA, the Government of Canada has also:

- Passed into law the comprehensive Tackling Violent Crime Act that aims to better protect youth from sexual predators, protect society from dangerous offenders, get serious with drug-impaired drivers and toughen sentencing and bail for those who commit serious gun crimes;

- Passed legislation to increase penalties for those convicted of street racing;

- Passed legislation to end conditional sentences for serious personal injury offences;

- Introduced a National Anti-Drug Strategy, including legislation that would provide mandatory jail time for serious drug crimes;

- Invested in community projects across Canada that focus on youth;

- Tabled legislation to protect Canadians against identity theft; and

- Tabled legislation to tackle property theft, including the serious crime of auto theft.

For further information about the youth criminal justice system and the YCJA visit www.justice.gc.ca/youth .

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www.canada.justice.gc.ca

Contacts: Office of the Minister of Justice Darren Eke Press Secretary 613-992-4621 Department of Justice Canada Media Relations 613-957-4207