Mr. Speaker, years of half measures dealing with youth crime have left Canadians with laws that allow criminals to go unpunished because they are between the ages of 12 and 17.
Victims rights groups and Canadians in general have been shut out of the process to reform the Young Offenders Act. However, in my riding of Nanaimo-Cowichan, constituents are being heard on this issue.
Using the direct democracy initiative of televoting, residents are voting on the following questions:
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Do you feel that youths charged with violent crimes should automatically be dealt with in adult court?
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Should the names of youths convicted of a serious crime be released to the public?
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Should the Young Offenders Act be amended to lower the age at which a youth can be charged from 12 years to 10?
To date, 698 people have responded and in time their views will be reflected in legislation which I will bring before this House.