Support Grows For Campaign to Fix Youth Crime

Ten municipalities, representing half of Nova Scotia's population, have so far signed onto Nova Scotia's Fix Youth Crime campaign.

Since launching the campaign in February, Attorney General and Justice Minister Cecil Clarke has heard from many mayors and councillors, either through signing the petition or letters of support.

The municipalities represented are:

• Colchester
• District of Lunenburg
• Annapolis
• Halifax
• Chester
• Kentville
• Mahone Bay
• District of West Hants
• District of Guysborough
• Town of Shelburne

"I would like to thank mayors, wardens and councils for stepping up and speaking out in favour of Nova Scotia's campaign to strengthen Ottawa's Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA). Together they represent more than 476,000 Nova Scotians," said Mr. Clarke. "Nova Scotians want the Parliament of Canada to fix this law so that the rights of law-abiding citizens come first.

"There are many petitions out there and I look forward to other cities, towns, counties and villages adding their voices, on behalf of their citizens, to this effort."

More Nova Scotians are pledging support for the campaign, through signing the petition, online or hard copy, as well as with e-mails and letters of support. Mr. Clarke has also brought the campaign to regional events in Sydney, Truro, Port Hawkesbury, Yarmouth, Lunenburg and Wolfville. He has also visited Ottawa twice to update federal cabinet ministers and members of Parliament about Nova Scotia's call for change.

"I encourage every Nova Scotian who is concerned about the federal Youth Criminal Justice Act to add their voice to this campaign, by visiting our website, calling their local member of the legislature's office or any Access Nova Scotia office," said Mr. Clarke.

The Fix Youth Crime campaign, online at www.fixyouthcrime.com, aims to convince Parliament to change the Youth Criminal Justice Act, based on the recommendations of the Nunn Commission. The commission investigated the circumstances surrounding the death of Theresa McEvoy as a result of a young offender. If adopted as law, the commission 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.

To date, about $23,000 has been spent on the campaign to cover travel, advertising and communications.

"Nova Scotians expect Parliament to do its part and change this law and, as a government, we're going to continue to urge it to do just that," added Mr. Clarke. "This is a key part of one of the government's five priorities -- ensuring safer, healthier communities."