On November 19, 2007, the Government tabled a bill to amend the YCJA to include deterrence and denunciation as principles of sentencing and to strengthen provisions relating to pre-trial detention. These amendments will ensure that appropriate sentencing principles will be considered in imposing penalties for youth crime and make it easier to detain those who are a risk to public safety before their trials.

In addition to legislative changes to the YCJA, Minister Nicholson announced last October that in 2008 a comprehensive review of the YCJA will be done to address concerns and criticism regarding various provisions and principles of the YCJA.

The Government of Canada is now accepting written submissions as part of its review of the YCJA.

Interested Canadians can express their views on the YCJA by sending submissions by e-mail or regular mail before Friday, August 15, 2008.

For more information, or to submit your views, go to:
http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/pi/yj-jj/ycja-lsjpa/rev-exam.html