Mr. Speaker, a 44-year old forestry worker and family man lies in critical condition in hospital today because a group of teenagers split his
skull with an axe Saturday night. The wife of the victim said he had hollered at the teenagers for running a stop sign the previous day.
The government suggests that poverty and unemployment are to blame for youth crime. If poverty and unemployment were to blame, why was there no noticeable increase in crime during the dirty thirties? Why does Newfoundland, with Canada's highest rate of unemployment, nevertheless have the lowest rate of crime?
This assault took place in the beautiful orchard growing community of Oyama, B.C., with a population of less than 1,000, no inner city, no slums, no gangs. The students at George Elliott High School are organizing a car wash to raise cash for the victim's family. This demonstrates that they are responsible young adults.
When will the government shoulder its responsibility by reforming the Young Offenders Act?