Madam Chair, the purpose of this bill is to make changes in terminology used in the Young Offenders Act to provide consistency with the new federal Youth Criminal Justice Act, which will come into force on April 1, 2003. The proposed amendments also delete references to terms that exist under the federal Young Offenders Act, but won't exist under the new Youth Criminal Justice Act. The section referring to a review board established under the federal Young Offenders Act has also been deleted. The amendment deletes only this reference. It does not delete the board.
The bill also includes amendments correcting references to terminology in nine other territorial acts. Madam Chair, the bill currently in front of you contains only those amendments deemed necessary to avoid procedural confusion as the federal Youth Criminal Justice Act replaces the federal Young Offenders Act on April 1, 2003. The department is working on new legislation to bring all other aspects of the territorial Young Offenders Act in line with a new Youth Criminal Justice Act. The department plans to bring forward this legislation in June. I would be pleased to respond to any questions or comments that the Members may have. Thank you, Madam Chair.