Mr. Speaker, that is not true at all. In fact, our proposed amendments to this act focus on the rehabilitation of young offenders.
Among other things, we have proposed changes to the statements of principle that will expressly state that the interests of society are best served by the rehabilitation of offenders.
Instead of just proposing the automatic transfer of 16 and 17-year olds, which some would have us do, we suggested in this bill that they be brought before the court one at a time for a judge to make that decision. Most particularly, in the case of non-violent offences we have introduced specific measures that would require the court to resort only as a last step to custody and to focus instead on community based rehabilitative dispositions.
Therefore I disagree fundamentally with the premise of the hon. member's question. I say that this bill reflects a balance between a strong message against violence and rehabilitation of the offenders.