The first is a National Survey on the Use of Weapons in Schools, which will also examine the incidence of illegal weapons smuggling by Canadian youth. The report, due next March, will be based on a national survey of police officers, customs officials and educators and will provide baseline data with which to compare trends, as well as the necessary tools to mount a prevention campaign. The second study will attempt to fill the information gap on the existence and activities of youth gangs, thereby assisting police in developing strategies for dealing with youth violence. The police reference manual evolving from this study will be ready in March 1994. Much has been said in the media recently about youth violence, and particularly the effectiveness of the Young Offenders Act in addressing this problem.
Some people hold press conferences and announce simplistic solutions to very complex problems.
I'm not going to mention any names because I know this is a non-partisan crowd. But compare these hang 'em high and hang 'em often-type solutions to the comments by the Right Honourable Kim Campbell earlier this week. I have talked at some length now, and so I will close and allow you to get on with your work. I know that I speak for all of my officials when I say that we at the Department of Public Security will do everything in our power to help the policing community to reduce violence and assist its victims.