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Highlights of the new "Youth Criminal Justice Act", Bill C 7
- Parole will be now given to convicted violent young offenders already serving light youth sentences.
- Maximum incarceration for manslaughter is being reduced to 2 years, second degree murder to 6 years with no mandatory
rehabilitation programs
- Assault, rape and armed robbery are not considered violent offences, only those that create substantial risk of
serious bodily harm are considered.
- Adult sentencing will not be considered, and is not automatic, unless at least 2 previous convictions for violent
offences are registered, on separate dates (with a wide range of discretion), the logistics of our court system make this
impossible.
- If adult sentencing is given then probation and conditional sentencing are scheduled options.
- The bill is filled with subjective characterizations and convoluted references, is 3 times longer than the existing
YOA, complicates all processes, denying quick justice for both the offender and the victim, adding to Justice administration
costs and will increase the current trial process, a process that is now measured in years.
- Age limits are unchanged, leaving a dangerous legislative gap for treatment options for young children at risk, and
there is no reference to or amending legislation to help these young persons. ie) early intervention programs.
- No mention of deterrence or denunciation anywhere in the legislation, effectively denying protection for society.
- No mention of new group crimes such as swarming, etc.
- No consecutive sentencing, or bail reform.
- Publication of names of convicted violent offenders may never occur, because of greater discretional powers and
guidelines to be given to Judges.
- No mandatory rehabilitation even for the most violent offender due to the complexity of the sections and potential
charter rights infringements of the criminal.
- Release of violent offenders is not contingent on successful completion of rehabilitation programs.
- No mandatory procedural protections for victims.
- Consent of victims is not required for not laying criminal charges.
- Extra Judicial measures ignore victims and victims rights.
- Convictions are not held in abeyance until completion of community service orders
- Victims are effectively stripped of rights that currently exist, including the right to private prosecution. This is a
disturbing attack on the individual liberties of Canadian citizens.
- Offenders are not held accountable for financial loss to victims or society.
- The bill prevents a court from imposing a victim restitution order against parents or guardians if they are determined
negligent in supervision.
- No consideration for victim impact statements.
- Proposed diversion programs for non-violent crimes without provision for funding or guidelines for organizational
structures.
I have a petition with over 1 million names and will be going to the Canadian Senate in October. If you agree, please help me
defeat this legislation.
Click here to print a petition
Joe Wamback
1046 Lockwood Circle
Newmarket, Ont
L3X 1M2
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