Backgrounder

YCJA Changes and Review

The YCJA Review

The 2008 YCJA Review corresponds with the fifth anniversary of the act and the 100th anniversary of the youth criminal justice system in Canada. The intent of this comprehensive review is to address the multitude of concerns and criticism regarding various provisions and principles of the YCJA. Details of the Review, including its scope, will be announced at a later time.

Pre-Trial Detention

The pre-trial detention legislation will come forward as a result of consultations initiated by the Department of Justice over the summer and Nova Scotia’s recommendation following the Nunn Report. The consultation paper was posted on the Department of Justice’s website and sent to stakeholders. Interested parties, including provincial and territorial governments, responded with their views. The forthcoming legislation will not preclude further revisions at a later date.

Adult Sentencing Provisions

As part of its platform commitment, the Government had indicated that it would amend the YCJA to provide for automatic adult provisions for youth found guilty of serious and violent crime and repeat offences. The Government will await the Supreme Court decision in R. v. D.B. before proceeding with sentencing reforms.

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Department of Justice Canada
October 2007