90.12EM Young Offenders Act
[Whereas,] Rationale:
The National Council of Women of Canada (NCWC) is deeply concerned that amendments to Bill C-58 appear to be driven by public outrage against a perceived increase in societal violence, rather than based on accurate research and information. The proposed amendments do not address the root causes of violence. NCWC believes that long-term societal protection is best achieved through the rehabilitation and treatment of young offenders and addressing underlying issues such as drug abuse, poverty, housing, unemployment, and other social problems.
RESOLVED:
[Our 1990 emergency resolution urged] the Government of Canada to impose a moratorium on any amendments to the Young Offenders Act until:
- A thorough national examination of the Act and the root causes of youth violence is completed, allowing for informed decision-making;
- Consultations are conducted with organizations and individuals concerned with youth in conflict with the justice system, including young people;
- Public hearings are held across Canada (with financial support for witnesses to attend).
Comment:
The concerns expressed in the emergency resolution were conveyed in 1990. The ratification process allowed the grassroots constituency to carefully examine the resolution before its adoption as official policy.