Youth crime and justice in Canada is a significant and controversial issue imbedded in a sea of rhetoric and emotion.  A delicate and essential collaboration between legislative and non-legislative elements serve to create the canvas that is the Canada’s youth criminal justice system.   

On April 1, 2008, the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) will mark its fifth anniversary as the guiding legislation for youth criminal justice in Canada.  The Youth Criminal Justice Act was introduced to build on the perceived shortcomings of the youth justice system and the now defunct Young Offenders Act (YOA). 

Major non-legislative factors include:  funding structures between levels of government,; groups and organizations involved in advocacy and education, such as the John Howard Society and the Elizabeth Fry Society; mental and physical health organizations such as AADAC and Alberta Mental Health; and involvement of individual citizens.

Together these elements combine to create Canada’s youth criminal justice system.  But, is the system working?  You be the judge…

Is Canada’s youth criminal justice system working? 

• What are the strengths of the youth criminal justice system?
• What are the weaknesses of the youth criminal justice system?

What role do citizens and organizations play in Canada’s justice system? 

• How do citizens and organizations participate in Canada’s justice system?
• What are citizens’ legal roles and their responsibilities?
• What is the intention of the Youth Criminal Justice Act?

Explore the structure of Canada’s federal political system by exploring and reflecting upon the following questions and issues:

• How are laws passed in the federal political system?
• What is the relationship between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of Canada’s federal political system?
• What processes are used to determine Members of Parliament and Senators?
• To whom are Members of Parliament and Senators accountable?
• What is the role of political parties within Canada’s federal political system?
• What is the role of the media in relation to political issues?
• How do lobby groups impact government decision-making?
• To what extent do political and legislative processes meet the needs of all Canadians?