History of youth justice in Canada

Question 1

1890-Canada’s Criminal Code

Answer 1

outlined that children should be tried separately from adults and without publicity.

Question 2

1908-Juvinile Delinquents Act

Answer 2

An offence was considered a ‘delinquency’ and young people who broke the law were considered victims of social problems like poverty, abuse and neglect. There were no guidelines for sentences and no Charter to protect one’s rights, so sentences varied from extremely lenient to extremely harsh.

Question 3

1984-Young Offenders Act

Answer 3

Created a separate court system and way of dealing with crimes committed by youth (ages 12-17). Youth were now held accountable for their actions, rather than being seen as victims of social problems. Youth are not adults, and therefore should not be held accountable in the same way as adults.

Question 4

Problems With the YOA(Young Offenders Act)

Answer 4

• Youths who committed crimes were charged and always went to court
• Courts were very busy and youth did not always face consequences for some time
• The consequences were not always meaningful. It did not always “connect back to the people and the communities the offence affected”