February 2, 2010

‪‪‪‪Strengthening the Young Offenders System

Right now, a youth 14 or older may commit the most serious of crimes - murder, or aggravated sexual assault and all too often the sentence given is much shorter than Canadians would expect.

All too often, the system is powerless to keep violent or repeat young offenders in custody while awaiting trial, even when they pose a danger to society.  We need to simplify the rules to keep these offenders off the streets, when necessary.

That’s why our Government will be following through on our commitment to strengthen the young offenders system.  We will be bringing forward proposals that will require the courts to consider adult sentences for those convicted of these most serious crimes, when the circumstances require it.

It is important to note that Provinces and territories will still have the discretion to set the age at which this requirement would apply, and, offenders under the age of 18 will not be placed in an adult facility, even when they receive an adult sentence. Offenders under 18 will serve their sentences in youth facilities only.

Our proposals will also give the courts greater discretion to publish the names of young offenders, when the protection of society requires it. Currently, in some cases a youth convicted of a serious violent offence can be released into the community anonymously. For example, parents may have no way of knowing that a convicted sex offender is in the area. These are much needed reforms that will hopefully become the law of the land very soon.

The appointment of five new senators who are firmly committed to our tackling-crime agenda will provide much needed balance to the Liberal Senators who have obstructed, delayed, and gutted some of our most important measures.

We want to move forward with changes that will result in youth criminals being held accountable for their actions. Provincial governments of all political stripes have been calling for changes to the current system for years. They hear the same calls for stronger measures from the people they represent that our Conservative government has been hearing. 

That’s why it is defies common sense that the federal opposition parties – in particular the Liberals and the NDP – seem so resistant to making the changes necessary to keep our communities safe.  I hope they will begin to appreciate the importance of holding young offenders to account by supporting these changes, as well as the many other criminal justice initiatives our Government has been trying to pass into law.

Please feel free to contact my office if you have any concerns or issues you would like to discuss.  You may contact my office toll free at 1-866-333-1933 or at 204-326-9889 or in Lac du Bonnet at 204-345-9762.  You may write my office at 8 - 227 Main Street, Steinbach, MB R5G 1Y7, by fax at 204-346-9874 or by e-mail at toewsv1@mts.net