Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Longueuil for his question. As a parent, I too am always being told, even by my own family, that parents should never strike their children because they could be hauled off to youth court.
In answer to your question, I think the problem today is the fact that the current legislation is poorly understood. Young people often rationalize that if they commit a crime, a minor one, it will not be a problem for them because when they turn 18, they will not have a criminal record and they can do whatever they like.
That is the impression young people have. The reality of the legislation is, however, quite different. Which is not to say that this government is unwilling to make changes to the act. I am sure that the changes will be aimed first at broadening people's understanding of the legislation as it will be defined in the future and second, at ensuring that young offenders face up to the reality of what they have done.