In 2019, Bill C-75 was assented and all portions enacted by Dec. 2019.

/in /by

In 2019, Bill C-75 was assented and all portions enacted by Dec. 2019. Many changes were made to the Criminal Code, the Youth Criminal Justice Act and other Acts.

Regarding the YCJA, we are pleased to see changes that :

  • Favour the use of alternative measures. This aligns with Article 37 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child that makes incarceration a choice of last resort.
  • Give priority to rehabilitation and reintegration of youth in conflict with the law (Article 40 of the Convention)

Within the legislative framework set by the federal government, the provinces and territories are responsible for administering youth correctional services. Still, funding has not been forthcoming for restorative justice programs, many of which are struggling with increasing case loads while trying to patch together funding with which to conduct their core operations. Without core funding, programs will continue to struggle to meet the needs of youth in conflict with the law.

Bill C-75: An Act to Amend the Criminal Code, the Youth Criminal Justice Act, and other Acts to make consequential amendments to other acts.  Assented 2019-06-21.  All enacted as of 2019-06-21.

https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/annualstatutes/2019_25/page-1.html

Comments by the Association of Justice Counsel

https://sencanada.ca/content/sen/committee/421/LCJC/Briefs/2019-05-14-AJC-Submission-C75_e.pdf

Comments from the Canadian Coalition on the Rights of the Child

http://rightsofchildren.ca/childrens-rights-in-canada/a-step-forward-for-youth-justice/