Contrary to public perception young persons do not understand their rights. Proposed sections in the new Act to permit Courts to override the re-drafted section entirely are an even more serious mistake. This was the approach of the Juvenile Delinquents Act in force in Canada until 1984. A juvenile is not dealt with as a criminal, but rather as a misguided or ill individual who can be helped by the State. Criminal Justice Model - This approach was introduced to Canada in 1984 by the Young Offenders Act.
Juveniles now face exactly the same criminal charges as adults.
They are tried, convicted, and sentenced with punishments proportional to the crimes committed. Those individuals who believe that the minimum age of prosecution under the Young Offenders Act should be lowered to 10 years are mistaken. The Minister of Justice in Ottawa was right in resisting the temptation of lowering the minimum age in the proposed legislation. Child Welfare legislation is the responsibility of the provinces. It has become apparent that the Young Offenders Act and adolescents in general have become easy targets for politicians.