Reflecting the consultations and in keeping with commitments the government has given, we have doubled the maximum sentence for first degree murder and increased to seven years the sentence for second degree murder.
We have broadened extensively the sharing of information about young offenders for purposes of community safety. For 16 and 17 year olds, the top age group among young offenders, charged with the most serious crimes of violence we have in fact reversed the onus on the transfer test to adult court so that they must demonstrate they have the right to remain in youth court for rehabilitation purposes.
These and other measures directly reflect many of the themes that were sounded during our extensive consultations with Canadians.