Thank you, Mr. Chair.
My question is for Mr. Spratt. One of the potential challenges with interpreting the new provision is that the term “person” used in section 279 in the English version of the Criminal Code can refer to both the accused and the victim. We could actually infer that the new provision applies only to accused under the age of 16, not when the victim is under 16.
In your view, should we amend the provision to avoid any confusion in the English version, to talk about the kidnapped person as the victim by writing the provision as follows:
“Every one commits an offence who”,
as under sections 253, 264.1 and 270 of the Criminal Code?
Lastly, would mandatory minimum sentences apply to young offenders? Could you explain that?