Mr. Speaker, I commend the community of Maple Ridge for its diversionary focus. It has done a lot more than just bring in a diversionary program. It also has a strong program of restorative justice. It is a leader in Canada in that regard.
Not only do I support that, but it is important that with those diversion groups and committees emphasis is placed on responsibility and accountability. Individuals need to recognize that they committed a crime, intruded into the lives of other people, invaded their sanctity and their property. That has to be made clear.
The diversionary programs do exactly that, so that criminals are confronted with the victims, with the damage they did, and hopefully a certain remorse can be generated. A new value system can be oriented so that they recognize that not only do they have rights but victims also have rights and they need to work together. That is why this program is so successful. It is also the reason there ought to be a command for this kind of a program for kids who are 10 to 15 years old.
No reasonable parent or reasonable member of society would say that 10 or 11 year olds who have a choice to make should not be subject to a strong rehabilitative program and a diversionary program so they can recognize what they have done and then behave more successfully and co-operatively in society.