Mr. Speaker, Canadians are concerned about crime, especially crime committed by serious repeat and violent offenders. Canadians in Ottawa are particularly concerned about the release of a repeat young offender who abducted and sexually assaulted an 11-year-old girl.
This is precisely why our government has introduced and passed the Safe Streets and Communities Act. I am happy to say that our government's improvements to the Canada's youth criminal justice system came into effect this week.
The coming into force of the violent and repeat young offenders provision represents an important step forward in strengthening our youth criminal justice system. Through balanced and responsible changes, we are helping to ensure that Canadians will be protected from violent and repeat young offenders.
We remain committed to ensuring that young offenders will be held fully accountable for their actions and the safety and security of law-abiding Canadians will be given full consideration at sentencing.
Our government will continue standing up for victims by putting their rights first.