What do you say to those who maintain that legally, a 14-year old can be responsible? For example, under the Criminal Code, a 14-year can give consent to receive treatment. I agree that this matter warrants a debate. However, you say that there is a consensus of opinion. That may be the case, but how did you determine that the age of consent was 16 years? Did your department conduct any studies? Did the department do some studies based on the charges? It's not obvious to me that such a strong consensus exists. How do you reconcile the fact that a person can be held legally responsible at 14 years of age and yet, that consenting to have sexual relations before the age of 16 could, under those circumstances set out in the act, constitute an offence? How do you reconcile the two?
On March 21st, 2007. See this statement in context.