Federal omnibus bill. to young offenders.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/03/06/f-bill-c10-objections.html

Harsher sentences for young offenders
Changes to the Youth Criminal Justice Act will impose tougher sentences for violent and repeat young offenders, make it easier to keep such offenders in custody prior to trial and expand the definition of what is considered a "violent offence" to include "creating a substantial likelihood of causing bodily harm" rather than just causing, attempting to cause or threatening to cause bodily harm.

The new legislation will also require the Crown to consider adult sentences for offenders convicted of "serious violent offences" and require judges to consider lifting the publication ban on names of offenders convicted of "violent offences" even when they have been given youth sentences.

Some of the concerns around these provisions raised by some of the professionals who work with young offenders include:

The publication of names of some young offenders will unjustly stigmatize them for life. Quebec has asked that provinces be allowed to opt out of this provision.
The changes shift the emphasis of the Act from rehabilitation to "protection of society," which critics say will put the focus on punishing young offenders rather than steering them away from a life of crime. Quebec, in particular, which prides itself on the success of the rehabilitative aspects of its youth justice system, has argued for stronger language prioritizing rehabilitation.
Stiffer, longer sentences will turn young offenders into hardened criminals and undermine any potential for rehabilitation.
As with other parts of the crime bill, critics says harsher sentencing rules and increased emphasis on incarceration will disproportionately affect aboriginal and black Canadians, who are already over-represented in the criminal justice system.

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D - this is part of a trend that was under way already in the '90s.
I was taking crim courses at Windsor U starting in 1991.
I've watched almost all aspects of the Young Offenders Act erode over the last coupla decades.

D - busy today, but I'll map the timeline of various youth criminal age thresh-holds this week.
Then provide linkage with the opposing rights & privileges we accord the young. The results are pretty shocking in graphic format.