Department of Justice

STATEMENT BY MINISTER McLELLAN ON THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF THE YOUTH CRIMINAL JUSTICE BILL

OTTAWA, June 21, 2001 - In response to the announcement by the Government of the province of Quebec to refer Bill C-7, the proposed Youth Criminal Justice Act, to the Quebec Court of Appeal, Minister McLellan made the following statement:

It is the opinion of the Government of Canada that Bill C-7 is constitutional, it is a valid exercise of the federal government's criminal law power and complies with the U.N Convention on the Rights of the Child. Furthermore, when enacted, Bill C-7 will not only allow Quebec to maintain but also to improve its youth justice system.

Bill C-7 has several objectives including the prevention of crime by eliminating the causes underlying criminal behavior in young people and the rehabilitation of young persons and their reintegration into society.

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Ref.:

Farah Mohamed
Minister McLellan's Office
(613) 992-4621