Young offenders who commit violent or repeat offences may not be getting off the hook as easily as they once did.
Earlier this month, the Harper government introduced amendments to strengthen young offenders legislation, and added stiffer penalties for habitual criminal youths and those who commit violent or sexual offences.
“What we’re concerned with is violent offences,” said Medicine Hat MP LaVar Payne.
“Murder versus second degree, aggravated sexual assault — those are some of the key ones.”
Dubbed “Sebastien’s Law” for a 19-year-old Quebec youth, Sebastien Lacasse, who was beaten and stabbed to death at a 2004 house party by a 17-year-old, Bill C-5.
If passed, will force courts to consider adult sentences for youth 14 or older found guilty of serious crimes like murder and aggravated assault.
Regarding the requirement to consider adult sentences for youth convicted of the most serious crimes, the provinces and territories will still have the discretion to set the age at which this requirement would apply.
According to Payne, changes to the existing legislation have been long overdue.
“I think so. First of all, we need to make sure that the public is protected, and under the current legislation, I think that young offenders have been treated fairly liberally. Certainly, I think it’s imperative that they understand that these types of offences will not go unpunished.”
Under the amendments, courts would also have increased authority to impose pre-trial detention and expand the definition of violent offences that endanger public safety.
Amendments to the legislation are not targeting all young offenders, just violent or repeat offenders, added Payne.
“I think in those cases a lot will certainly depend on the offence, and secondly it would probably also depend on the age of the young offender. In my view, most young people understand right and wrong, and so I think it’s important that they understand that in these types of circumstances (violent crimes) they’re just not going to get away with murder, or whatever the case happens to be.”
Protection of the public will become a primary goal of the amended legislation.
“It will give the judge more opportunities,” said Payne.
“One of the things that we want to do is certainly protect the public, and we also want to promote rehabilitation, and there will be opportunities to support prevention by referring these offenders to various programs in the community. I think that’s a key part of this whole process.”
The amendments would also ensure offenders under the age of 18 who are sentenced to custody will be placed in youth facilities only, even if they receive an adult sentence.
Anonymity may be soon be a thing of the past as well.
Under the changes, the courts would be required to consider publishing the name of a violent young offender when necessary for the protection of the general public.
“I agree with that, because I hear so many times from constituents, ‘Well, how come we can’t know the name of the individual that has murdered someone else.’ The public has concerns about these types of issues. I think that’s an important piece that people understand,” said Payne.
The Harper government will be bringing forward other crime legislation during the current session of Parliament. 
“There’s going to be a number of those coming forward — I don’t have all of them in front of me yet, but I suspect that a number of those criminal bills that we had going before we prorogued will be coming back,” said Payne.