The issue of gross negligence is treated differently depending on the jurisdiction. Some jurisdictions completely exclude negligence with no exceptions, whether it is minor or major. However, in terms of compensation, for example, others will agree to handle even cases involving gross negligence; they simply remove a percentage of benefits. Certain countries as well as certain U.S. states do that.
So, you have all the necessary latitude as decision makers and lawmakers. You can decide, as a government, that you will be compassionate towards the parents of a minor child, because young people are less responsible, because some of the minors who commit crimes are also victims. There is often a fine line between victimization and delinquency. You could decide to be generous.
I would like to tell you something. I have been working in this area now for years—some 40 years. You should come to the regional reception centre when federal inmates are coming in and are being examined for eight weeks. Throughout their sentence, they have access to all kinds of programs. They have a chance to take the addiction program or anger management program three times, or even ten times if they like. However, when the discussion turns to victims, people start nickel and diming and counting pennies. I'm not saying these programs should not be available to inmates, but I am saying that Canadian society has to be more generous. We can be generous with minor children who have engaged in unfortunate actions and misdemeanours. We're talking about the parents here. You have a chance to do that as a society.