moved for leave to introduce Bill C-423, An Act to amend the Youth Criminal Justice Act (treatment for substance abuse).
Mr. Speaker, this private member's bill would amend the Youth Criminal Justice Act to offer police officers an option to refer a young person alleged to have committed an offence to a substance abuse treatment program with the possible consequence of that young offender facing judicial proceedings if the program is not completed.
The purpose of the bill is to help our young people get the help they need, sometimes when they have not yet come to a place where they realize they need it.
I encourage all members to carefully consider and support this important bill.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)