Evidence of meeting #21 for Justice and Human Rights in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was public.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Simon Fournel-Laberge  As an Individual
Gaylene Schellenberg  Lawyer, Legislation and Law Reform, Canadian Bar Association
Scott Bergman  Section Member, National Criminal Justice Section, Canadian Bar Association
William Trudell  Chair, Canadian Council of Criminal Defence Lawyers
Julie McAuley  Director, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Statistics Canada
Martha Mackinnon  Executive Director, Justice for Children and Youth
Agnes Samler  President, Defence for Children International-Canada
Les Horne  Executive Director, Defence for Children International-Canada
Mia Dauvergne  Senior Analyst, Policing Services Program, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Statistics Canada
Craig Grimes  Chief/Advisor, Courts Program, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Statistics Canada
Irwin Elman  Provincial Advocate, Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth (Ontario)
Lee Tustin  Advocate for Children and Youth, Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth (Ontario)

1:30 p.m.

Provincial Advocate, Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth (Ontario)

Irwin Elman

Here is what I've learned from all the years of working with young people. Because it was a very pointed question, I want to say to you that sometimes the young people I worked with and the children I worked with would rather have been dead than to go through what they went through.

While I don't know, when speaking to a parent of somebody who's died—and I can't imagine it, having children myself—I know what it's like to live a torturous life from a young person's point of view.

1:30 p.m.

Conservative

Stephen Woodworth Conservative Kitchener Centre, ON

We have so little time.

1:30 p.m.

Provincial Advocate, Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth (Ontario)

Irwin Elman

I hear you, but I want to answer your question.

1:30 p.m.

Conservative

Stephen Woodworth Conservative Kitchener Centre, ON

Do you have any suggestions? I'd like to hear the suggestions.

1:30 p.m.

Provincial Advocate, Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth (Ontario)

Irwin Elman

Yes, the solutions and problems are not always connected. You've raised a very important problem, and I think it would be important for this committee to consider that, but perhaps the solution isn't to change the YCJA. There are other solutions you should be considering.

1:30 p.m.

Conservative

Stephen Woodworth Conservative Kitchener Centre, ON

That's what I'm waiting to hear.

1:30 p.m.

Provincial Advocate, Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth (Ontario)

Irwin Elman

I'm sorry. There are other solutions, such as building our communities, providing resources to parents and families, looking at issues around racialized youth and how they're treated in society.

1:30 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Ed Fast

Mr. Elman and Mr. Woodworth, unfortunately we're out of time. I'm going to have to adjourn the meeting.

I want to thank Mr. Elman and Ms. Tustin for appearing.

If you have further written submissions to make, please hand them in. Thank you.

The meeting is adjourned.