Mr. Speaker, there are specific changes which could be made quickly and easily to the Young Offenders Act. For example, the age parameters of the act could be reduced from the current 12 to 18 years to a proposed 10 to 16 years.
My colleague from New Westminister-Burnaby recently put this proposal forward in the form of an opposition motion but it was defeated by both the government and the Official Opposition.
Why is the minister reluctant to respond decisively to the demands of Canadians by immediately introducing specific amendments to the Young Offenders Act which after consultation with the House leaders could be passed before the summer recess?