News release

Minister Seeks Commitment to Improve Youth Criminal Justice Act

Justice

Nova Scotia's Justice Minister is heading into talks this week with federal Justice Minister Vic Toews looking for a commitment to improve the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Federal, provincial and territorial justice ministers are meeting Oct. 11-13 in Humber Valley, N.L. Mr. Scott will use the meetings to seek a federal commitment on a timetable for changes that address the need to detain youth before trial when their behaviour is dangerous to themselves or others. Justice Minister Murray Scott is also asking for stronger penalties for the theft of a motor vehicle.

"While the act works for the majority of young offenders, we need changes that protect Nova Scotians," said Mr. Scott. "For some time we have been pressing the federal government to make improving this act a priority."

Two years ago Halifax resident Theresa McEvoy was killed when her car was hit by a young man who had recently been released into the community while waiting for trial. Last year the provincial government called an inquiry into the death of Ms. McEvoy. The inquiry report is expected this fall. A government response will follow soon after.

"We called the inquiry to learn how we can help prevent similar tragedies in the future," said Mr. Scott. "The inquiry has put a renewed momentum on addressing the root causes of crime and fixing the Youth Criminal Justice Act to better protect Nova Scotians.

"We are making improvements as a province, but we can't do it alone. We need the federal government to make changes that result in real consequences and deterrence to youth crime in our country," said Mr. Scott.

During the meetings Mr. Scott will also ask the federal government to complete improvements to the family court in Nova Scotia to make it easier for families involved in the court system. Currently, there are family courts in both the provincial and supreme courts. The province would like to see a single family court system which requires federal support.

He also wants a return to cost-shared legal aid funding. The federal and provincial governments used to provide equal funding for legal aid but the province now provides close to 80 per cent of legal aid funding in Nova Scotia.