Madam Speaker, I am pleased to speak to the hon. members today on Motion M-241, in my capacity as the Progressive Conservative spokesperson for children.
Although the motion in large part addresses child and youth crime, I believe that the problem goes beyond the mandate of the justice system. I am delighted with my colleague's initiative, since it is high time that the matter of prevention is addressed, and an attempt is made to find the causes and solutions for some of the violent behaviour among children and youth.
There is a consensus among experts in social development that certain physical and psychological needs are fundamental, and must be met if a child is to develop into a well-balanced, responsible adult concerned about his environment. The experts agree that children who spend their first few years of life in a secure environment, with decent housing and diet, coupled with positive experiences free from any aggression or neglect, are more likely to lead prosperous and productive lives as adults. They will also be less likely to commit serious crimes. Is there not, therefore, a close connection between children's behaviour and their economic situation?
According to a long term study by the National Crime Prevention Council, those who commit crimes and re-offend the most frequently come from the poorest families and the poorest housing. According to a study carried out in Michigan, there must be early intervention, with a focus on the whole range of disadvantages which have heavy consequences for the children of low income families.
We would be well on the way to preventing juvenile crime if we were able to focus on child poverty. We in the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada firmly believe that the best defence against poverty and crime is a strong economy. Parents with good jobs can provide their children with living conditions that are conducive to normal psychological development.
I would certainly not wish to suggest that all children living in poverty have, or will have, criminal behaviour, but I think the relationship is too close to ignore. I think we must do everything possible to prevent crime. As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
By keeping young people in school, by intervening earlier in the lives of people having trouble, by making young people more aware of the consequences of criminal behaviour, we increase our chances in the fight against crime. In addition, by developing head start programs, social stakeholders in hospitals and schools will be able to identify families who are at risk and in need of assistance and provide them with the resources they need to redirect negative behaviour. Both children and their parents must be educated.
Many parents will themselves have come from disadvantaged backgrounds that will have seriously hindered their psychological development. It is difficult to turn around problems of this nature later in life.
For example, a teenager who has seen his alcoholic father mistreat the family all his life will also have a tendency to adopt the same behaviour. If the cycle is very hard to break in adolescence, imagine what it must be like in adulthood.
This is one more reason to begin the programs at a very early age, before the development of behaviour that will lead some young people to turn to delinquency and crime.
There is a whole series of social development programs that have proven effective, including programs of intervention in early childhood and programs providing recreation for young people. On the whole, the children taking part seemed better adjusted socially and to have overcome a number of risks relating to their poverty and their environment.
Statistics show clearly that early prevention efforts are successful and benefit the participants, their families and the community as a whole.
I can therefore assure my colleague that our party will support his motion, because, when it comes to the welfare and the future of our children, we are always there to lend a hand.