The document discusses the fairness and equity of the youth justice system in Canada. It introduces key terms related to justice and examines the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA), which governs the consequences faced by young people aged 12-17 for criminal offenses. The YCJA aims to rehabilitate young offenders and reintegrate them into society, while also promoting long-term protection of society. However, the document raises questions about whether the system treats all youth equally and considers their individual circumstances.

1. To what extent is the justice system
fair and equitable for youth?

2. Important Terms to Know
justice
Applying laws
justice system
The institutions and procedures for
applying laws in a society
fair & equitable
Governed by rules that apply to everyone,
taking into account individual needs and
circumstances

3. Fundamental Principle
A person is
assumed
innocent until
proven guilty

4. In what way
would you
want justice to
be “blind”?
What would
you want
justice to
weigh in the
balance?

6. Vancouver Riots
Who should face
consequences?
What consequences
would be just?
In 2011, after the Canucks lost the
Stanley Cup Final, the city erupted
in riots. Police arrested anyone
involved in the rioting.

11. Youth Criminal Justice Act
The YCJA was passed by parliament in
2003, but similar laws have been in place
since the 1890’s.
Defines the consequences young people
aged 12-17 face for criminal offences
Some examples of consequences include
counseling and community service
Community service refers to help in the
community performed as part of a sentence

12. Youth Criminal Justice Act
The YCJA prohibits
adult sentences for
youth ages 12-14
A sentence refers to a
consequence for a crime
determined by a court of
law (ex. imprisonment)
Allows adult sentences
for serious crimes
committed by youth 14
years of age or older

13. Youth Criminal Justice Act
The YCJA protects the
privacy of offenders,
their name is not
published unless they
receive an adult
sentence
Most avoid a criminal
record, a permanent
record of breaking the
law which is made
public

14. Criminal Code of Canada
Defines consequences for adult law
breakers
Going to court is a usual consequence
Defines adult sentences which can include
long term imprisonment
Allows media to publish names
Creates a Criminal Record for most
offenders

16. If two young people of the same age commit
the same crime, would you expect them to
face the same consequences?

17. Under the YCJA, they may or may not. To
what extent is this approach to justice
equitable?

18. Consequences
Before the YCJA, every young offender
went to court, which meant:
Offenders didn’t face consequences for a
long time
Consequences often didn’t connect back
to the people and communities the
offence affected

19. Determining Factors
Factors that
determine
consequences:
Seriousness of
offence
History
Attitude
Circumstances

20. Do you think that young people do not
understand their actions in the same way as
adults? Why or why not?

21. Principles of the YCJA
Prevent crime by addressing the
circumstances underlying a young person’s
offending behavior
Rehabilitate young persons who commit
offences and reintegrate them into society
Rehabilitate – to instill positive attitudes and
behaviors
Reintegrate – to make part of again

22. Principles of the YCJA
Ensure meaningful consequences to
promote long term protection of society
Must be separate from the adult justice
system due to reduced maturity

23. Police forces – local, provincial and federal
– are responsible for upholding the YCJA.
To what extent should individual
circumstances affect justice?

25. Page 72 & 73
For each article, think about:
The main idea of each
What does the article say about the fairness
and equity of the justice system?
Work in partners to complete the
questions for each article.

26. Political Cartoon – Pg. 74
What symbols does
the cartoon use?
What situation
does the cartoon
show?
What’s the
message?

28. What responsibilities do jurors have?
What is a jury?
12 jurors must have unanimous verdict
(decision)
Anyone 18 years or older who is a Canadian
citizen can be a juror
Considered a duty
Must make arrangements if summoned
Employers don’t have to pay you

29. What responsibilities do jurors have?
Citizens only exempt if they can
demonstrate that being a juror creates
undue hardship
To what extent are the rules for jury duty
fair and equitable?
What factors need to be considered?

30. Terms Jurors Need to Know
Defense
Evidence of innocence, lawyer who
represents accused, witnesses
Prosecution
Evidence that supports guilt
Sequester
Remove from contact to ensure only
evidence presented in the courtroom is
considered

32. What are advocacy groups?
Advocacy groups act independent from the
government
They try to solve underlying reasons for
crime
Provide public education about laws and
the justice system
Work with youth and adults who have
broken the law to help them return to their
communities

33. What are advocacy groups?
Stand up for accused rights
Call for measure to improve fairness
The Elizabeth Fry Society
Women and girls
The John Howard Society
Men, women, boys and girls

34. What role do elders play
in the justice system?
Youth Justice Committees reflect the idea
of sentencing circles
Come from Aboriginal culture, idea that
crime harms everyone in a community and
the community must be involved in
solution
Elders play part as respected members of
the community