Tories to amend Youth Criminal Justice Act

The federal Conservatives want to tackle youngoffenders by amending the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Justice Minister Rob Nicholson said Monday the proposed changes to theact that were tabledin the House of Commons the samedaywould allow judges to impose punishmentsaimed at"deterring and denouncing the young person's actions."

The proposed law would toughen sentences for young people to provide "meaningful consequences" for committing violent acts,Nicholson said.

"By tabling this bill today, we are working to hold young lawbreakers accountable to their victims and their community, and instil within them a sense of responsibility for their criminal behaviour," he said, at a news conference in Ottawa.

Another proposed changewould give judges more power to detain young people considered a danger to the public.

The proposed changes to the act's pretrial detention provision would make it easier to keep young people in custody before trial if the youth poses a risk to public safety.

MP Joe Comartin, theNDP's justice critic, told the CBC's Politics, a nightly political interview show based in Ottawa,that he was skeptical of the proposed changes.

"Denunciation doesn't work," he said. "We know that from any number of studies done around the globe."

Deterrence is not a principle that's viable either, he said, adding that if the Tories really wanted to do something, they'd be looking at prevention, putting more police officers on the streets and more programs in place.

At the Monday announcement, Nicholson repeatedthat a comprehensive review of theact would be conducted next year, aimed at reforming the legislation.

The Tories also plan to introduce other measures later this week to beef up Canada's drug laws and deter identity theft.