Mr. Speaker, it's a very difficult question. It's hard to know, in terms of cause and effect, what exactly has happened. It is something that criminologists study and something that we've looked at as a department. When we changed from the old young offenders legislation to the new YCJA, the Youth Criminal Justice Act, obviously the philosophy did change. It's less about custodial sentences. I think the idea is right. We may have swung too far, though, Mr. Speaker, and I think that's what we're seeking to address now. Programming is important, but there are cases where we need to ensure that public safety is upheld and we're going to need to make sure that there are custodial sentences. Thank you.
Brendan Bell on Question 136-15(5): Measures To Address Youth Crime In Inuvik
In the Legislative Assembly on October 19th, 2006. See this statement in context.
Further Return To Question 136-15(5): Measures To Address Youth Crime In Inuvik
Question 136-15(5): Measures To Address Youth Crime In Inuvik
Item 7: Oral Questions
October 18th, 2006
Page 350
See context to find out what was said next.