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~ececceoooo MWeyy Young Offenders Act ~~ stresses rights: Kaplan by HON. BOB KAPLAN Solicitor General Of Canada The new Young Offenders Act - which officially became law on April 2 - contains im- portant changes to the way the courts, the police and your com- munity will deal with young Canadians in trouble with the law. The new Act replaces the 76-year-old Juvenile Delinquents Act, a law which has been amended only once since it was first enacted in 1908. The new legislation is the result of an ex- tensive consultation process over many years involving federal and provincial govern- ments and legislators, concerned individuals, justice workers and community leaders. New Rights Responsibilities The new law puts the onus on young Canadians to be more responsible for their actions and to make restitution for their mistakes. , At the same time, it and leaders to help young offenders. The old act did not formally recognize the major role parents and members of the com- munity now play in steering young of- fenders away from future crime. In fact, the Juvenile Delinquents Act gave the State absolute jurisdiction over these young people and limited the influence of parents and the com- munity. This situation has proved to limit the relationship between parents and children at a time when a rapport was needed most. Uniform Age Another important change is the establish- ment of a uniform age at which an individual can be determined to be criminally responsible, and at which age the line is drawn between adult and juvenile of- fenders. Under the old legislation, each province had its own classification of when a person was a "'juvenile" and when he or she became an adult. As of this week, the uniform age for criminal responsibility will be set at 12 years. Beginning next April, the dividing line bet- ween juvenile and adult offenders will be the eighteenth birthday. New Options Diuyr 1 ng our discussions, it became evident that what was most needed was alternative ways to deal with young people in trouble with the law. Too often, past reliance on custody produced not responsible citizens, but more experienced criminals. Young people in trouble will not necessarily have to go to court. If the problem can be dealt with in the community, outside a formal court system, the new law encourages that route. The new Act therefore provides judges with a number of important options to deal with young offenders. We have developed a number of sentencing options, which we believe will benefit the young offender and society as a whole. For instance, a young offender -may be required to pay his or her victim com- pensation for losses or damage to person or property. Or he or she may be required to do community work to compensate for their criminal behaviour. These are just two options available to judges, who are given greater flexibility in dealing with individual cases. On the other hand, if a young person commits a serious offence, he or she will be dealt with in a way that ensures the protection of society. In appropriate cases, the youngster could be transferred to adult court for trial. I believe the change in the new act will have a positive impact on young people and steer them towards becoming more responsible citizens. If you have any questions, or would like to know how you can get involved in_ helping young people who get in trouble, just drop me a note at my office in the House of Commons, April 14 Two shows for children by Tanglefoot, presented by Huronia Performing Arts for Children, will be per- formed in Midland Secondary School. Ooples and Boo Noo Noos, for children ages three to seven, at 1:30 p.m., and Fish, Fur and Trees, for children age seven to 12; at 3:30 p.m. April 18 Euchre party in the Midland Legion at 8 p.m. Lunch, prizes, $1.50 per person. Sponsored by the Ladies Auxiliary of Branch 80. April 18 Register by April 18 for a natural dyeing course at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons. Course is May 26 from 10) atme to. 3) p:me at Sainte-Marie, $10 Friends of Sainte- Marie, $12 for non- members. April 23 Register by April 23 for May 3 course in herb gardening at Sainte- Marie among _ the Hurons, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Fred Prescod, hor- ticulturalist with the Royal Botanical Gar- dens is giving the course. April 24 Midland Secondary STOREWIDE Ottawa. No postage is needed. School students are performing E.J. Pratt's play Brebeuf and his Brethern at 7:30 p.m. in the foyer of Sainte- Marie among the Hurons. April 25 Midland Commodore Computer Users Group meets the first Wed- nesday of each month in the cafeteria of Ernst Leitz Canada Ltd., Midland. For more information, telephone Frank Murphy (534- 3378). Festivat SALE! also recognizes that young people have special needs and Alter 2nvea re-arcells should be dealt with [J \.\'" °> S¢ars of selling differently than adult Chrysler Products in , ays On Y offenders. Barrie, Gibson Bellamy ?. Consistent. with the etike tothadle hi new Charter of Rights, WEUDHE UKE Uoeineiak Nis . the new law. also customers for their (April 11 to 16) ac guarantees young Met Bera 2S Boba ce ho people the same legal Pa eee and invite eee rights as adults, in- sou to test drive our fine oo cluding the right to legal sclection of new and representation, bail, appeal and to be kept fully and properly in- formed. It also gives greater responsibility to parents and the community uscd vchicles, y\~ Centennial Ply. Chrysler Vv 100 BradFord Street aS Barrie, Ontario 126-0393 SLSSLLSASSS~ a <DRING COATS 4 ets oye JACK < womens larger sizes) also at 20% savin We specialize in all sizes 5 to 20 Petites & larger sizes and give personalized service to all our customers. pa a an oe oppe = ies nah = Wear Downtown, Midland Elmvale 526-5761 322-2151 Wednesday, April 11, 1984,. Page 9 part of our team, we'll pro- vide support and financial assistance, but it's your gift of kindness and sharing that will really make the difference. To find out how you can help, please contact: Probation and Aftercare Foster Home Program, HO Eglinton Avenue West, Toronto, Ontario 484-1920 G3 Ministry of Community and Social Services Ontario You have to be someone pretty special, someone pretty unique to become a foster parent. To accept a stranger into your home. Especially a young person whos been in trouble with the law. The stability, understand- ing and guidance provided by a temporary foster home can mean a great deal to a young persons future. If you're this special person and want to be Loreen (all sizes a to Frank Drea, Minister William Davis, Premier A challenge for you. A chance for a kid.