Amendment NDP-53 confirms what Quebec's youth centres have told us. The only approach that works, that works wonderfully in Quebec even, is differential intervention. It targets the use of the right measure at the right time, and the basic premise is this: the person is an individual who is still developing and who has not fully matured, and as such, that individual has different needs. Therefore, the individual or unique characteristics of each young person have to be taken into account.
It is, of course, necessary to take a rigorous approach to this type of intervention, so as to reinforce the notion of time. Parental involvement is also crucial, as are the victim and the impact. And that is why age, maturity, character, background and previous record are extremely important factors that need to be taken into account by the judge. The recourse available to judges must not be overly restrictive, because they will not be able to use differential intervention and neither will rehabilitation centres.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.