News release

Fix Youth Crime Campaign in Ottawa

Justice

Justice Minister Cecil Clarke has taken Nova Scotia's campaign to fix the federal youth crime law to the nation's capital.

The minister is in Ottawa today, Feb. 15, for a meeting with other federal, provincial and territorial justice ministers. Federal Justice Minister Rob Nicholson is hosting the meeting.

"Nova Scotia launched its campaign to fix youth crime this week because Nova Scotians expect action, not delay," said Mr. Clarke. "I am pleased that Minister Nicholson has made youth crime the sole agenda item of today's meeting. It gives me the chance to share with him, and my colleagues from across the country, the concerns I am hearing from Nova Scotians about how we can do a better job of keeping people and communities safe."

The province's campaign -- online at www.fixyouthcrime.com -- is about building public support for full implementation of the seven recommendations of the Nunn Commission into federal youth crime law. If adopted, the recommendations would:

  • Make public protection one of the goals of the law;
  • Give judges more power to keep suspected young criminals behind bars or under other supervision;
  • Expand time for court-ordered treatment and support programs at facilities such as Youth Attendance Centres; and
  • Clarify and simplify the law to make it easier for police, prosecutors and courts to administer and enforce it.

Mr. Clarke also urged his colleagues to reach consensus to allow Bill C-25 to be passed by Parliament as soon as possible. Bill C-25 would amend the Youth Criminal Justice Act to be consistent with the Nunn Commission.

"I hope as many Nova Scotians as possible sign up to support the province's campaign to fix youth crime," said Mr. Clarke. "People should go to the website and express their support, or go to the nearest office of their local federal, provincial and municipal elected official to add their name as we press Parliament to do the right thing to protect law-abiding citizens."

The campaign also encourages Nova Scotians to submit other ideas to change the federal youth crime law beyond those included in the Nunn Commission. Mr. Clarke has raised the option of publicly disclosing the names of young offenders who are charged with a second offence after being convicted of a crime under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

"One of Premier Rodney MacDonald's five priorities is safer, healthier communities and as a government, we are doing everything we can to act on that priority," said Mr. Clarke.

The Nunn Commission investigated the causes leading up to the 2004 death of Theresa McEvoy as a result of reckless driving of a repeat young offender. In response to the recommendations of the Nunn Commission, the province has introduced Our Kids Are Worth It, a strategy to help children and youth, and Time to Fight Crime Together, a crime-prevention strategy.