National Union sends Bill C-25 submission to Committee

Serious concern for state of youth justice system infrastructure. In many provinces the facilities and resources no longer exist should an amended YCJA result in an increase of the number of youth placed in custody.

James Clancy, National President Ottawa (12 Feb. 2008) - The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) has sent the House of Commons' Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights a submission on Bill C-25, An Act to amend the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA).

NUPGE, in their submission to the Committee, explains that many of its members, as workers in the field, "have a wealth of experience and knowledge that we believe can make an invaluable contribution to the development of public policy and legislation on criminal justice issues."

Concern about narrow focus of the Bill

Bill C-25, was introduced into the House of Commons on November 19, 2007 by Robert Nicholson, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada. It passed second reading on February 5th and was sent to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.

The introduction of C-25 was unexpected given that the government's throne speech promised a full review of the YCJA.

There was widespread agreement with the need for a full review in the aftermath of Nova Scotia’s Nunn Commission.

The Nunn Commission was convened following the case where a youth who was facing 26 charges, including car theft and a high speed police chase in a stolen car, was released on bail. After his release and before his court date, he stole another car which resulted in a high speed police chase that tragically resulted in a woman being killed. The Nunn report provided a series of recommendations which prompted the federal government to promise a review of the YCJA.

In the submission the National Union states that they hope, "that the full review of the YCJA promised by this government is still conducted. The report from the Nunn Commission should provide a starting point for a broader discussion of youth offending in Canada. There is a great deal more discussion and debate that needs to occur on this topic than is allowed by this legislation."

Youth criminal justice system in crisis

One of the areas that the National Union submission focuses attention on is the crisis in youth criminal justice services across the country.

"A serious concern the workers in the sector have is the current status of the youth justice system infrastructure. In many provinces the facilities and resources no longer exist should an amended YCJA result in an increase of the number of youth placed in custody. We have also seen an unacceptable level of privatization of youth justice services, programs and facilities."

The unions sees that an important, "step must be to address the chronic and persistent problem of under-funding of services in this sector. The federal government must increase funding to the provinces in order to assist them in providing an adequate and appropriate response to youth crime in our communities."

Complex problem requires multi-faceted approach

The National Union "believes strongly that the focus of our Youth Criminal Justice System must be on the needs of our nation’s young people and public safety. The goal is not to simply incarcerate or punish more youth – but to help them become contributing members of Canadian society. This will ultimately make our communities safer places to live."

It concludes that, "to be effective reforms to the Youth Criminal Justice System must be situated within the context of a broad and wide-ranging series of initiatives to address youth crime.

"There needs to be wide range of programs, delivered by highly trained and publicly accountable public employees, whose professionalism and commitment to the public good guarantee high standards of service and operation."

"And finally, we do agree that, in appropriate cases, custodial sentences for serious offences by youth can be beneficial by promoting a youth’s accountability for their actions and by allowing access to services that youth would not otherwise benefit from." NUPGE