Youth Criminal Justice (Young Offenders) in Canada

Contents:

   Description
   Selected Manuals and Guides
   Selected Texts and Materials
   Selected Web Resources
   To Find More Texts and Materials
   To Find Periodical Articles
   To Find Legislation
   To Find Court Cases

Unless otherwise noted, materials listed below are located in the John A. Weir Memorial Law Library, University of Alberta.

Description:

The federal Youth Criminal Justice Act (S.C. 2002, c. 1) is the main Canadian legislation dealing with juvenile crime. This Act came into force on April 01, 2003.

It applies to youths aged 12 through 17.  The Act governs virtually all aspects of proceedings, protections, and penalties that may be applied to youthful offenders.  However, the federal Criminal Code also applies, particularly for listing and defining offences.

Historical Note:  On April 01, 2003, the Youth Criminal Justice Act (S.C. 2002, c. 1) replaced the Young Offenders Act (R.S.C. 1985, c. Y-1); in turn, back on April 02, 1984, the Young Offenders Act had replaced the earlier Juvenile Delinquency Act (R.S.C. 1970, c. J-3).

Keeping Up-To-Date:  Over time, both the Youth Criminal Justice Act and the Criminal Code have been changed (i.e. amended). In researching these or other Acts, it is often important to account for such amendments - to be up-to-date. This can be done in various ways:

• Consult the Table of Public Statutes (shelved with the Statutes of Canada), for a list of amending Acts. Then, examine the relevant amendment(s).
• Consult a published up-to-date consolidation of the Criminal Code and / or the federal Young Offenders Act (now superseded).  These are listed below, under Selected Manuals and Guides.
• Consult a web-based consolidation of the relevant Act(s).  Generally, consolidated Acts from all Canadian jurisdictions are available on the web (see links under Selected Web Resources and To Find Legislation below).

Selected Manuals and Guides:

• Looseleaf Services:  These are up-to-dated regularly to provide current information on youth criminal justice. The first [below] covers both federal and provincial Acts. The other two deal exclusively with federal law.
  
  
  • Bala, N., Young offenders service, looseleaf, [by] Bala and Lilles; [ed.] by Roman N. Komar and Priscilla Platt (Scarborough, ON: Butterworths, c1984- ).
                   KF 9776.5 B1713  Weir Law Library
    
  • Harris, P.J., Young Offenders Act manual, looseleaf (Aurora, ON: Canada Law Book, 1984- ).
                   KF 9779 H32  Weir Law Library
    
  • Rodrigues, G.P., ed., Crankshaw's criminal code of Canada: R.S.C. 1985, looseleaf (Toronto: Carswell, 1993- ) in v. 6.
                   KF 9219 C3 C7 1993  Weir Law Library Reserve Collection
    
    
• Annotated Acts:  Each contains an "annotated" versions of both the Youth Criminal Justice Act and the Young Offenders Act; these track how the courts have applied various sections of the Acts.
  
  

  • Greenspan, E.L., ed., Martin's annual criminal code (Toronto: Canada Law Book, 1955- ).
                   KF 9219 C3 M395 [Current edition]  Weir Law Library Reserve Collection

  • Watt, D. and Fuerst, M.K., eds., The ... annotated Tremeear's criminal code : and the following related statutes, Canada Evidence Act, Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Controlled Drugs & Substances Act, DNA Identification 
    Act, Young Offenders Act, Youth Criminal Justice Act, Interpretation Act, Firearms Act, [ed. by] David Watt, Michelle K. Fuerst (Toronto: Carswell, 1989- ). 
                   KF 9219 C3 T783 [Current edition]  Weir Law Library Reserve Collection

• Legal Encyclopedias:  These summarize the law related to youth criminal justice in Canada.  They also provide citations to important court cases and relevant legislation.
  
  

  • Canadian Encyclopedic Digest (Ontario), 3rd ed., looseleaf  (Scarborough: Carswell, 1973- ).
    Vol. 34, Title 152 - Young Offenders
                  KEO 148 C212  Weir Law Library Reference Collection
        Covers the law in Ontario.

  • Canadian Encyclopedic Digest (Western), 3rd ed., looseleaf  (Scarborough: Carswell, 1978- ).
    Vol. 35, Title 154 - Young Offenders
                  KE 180 C213 1978  Weir Law Library Reference Collection
        Covers the law in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan
        and Manitoba.
    
    

  • Canadian Encyclopedic Digest (Ontario and Western) [CD] (Scarborough: Carswell, 1976- ). 
                  LAW INFORMATION NETWORK [electronic version]
        Covers the law in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan,
        Manitoba and Ontario.
        This electronic version of the CED can be accessed in the
        Law Library.
        Like all computerized databases, it can be searched using
        keyword[s].

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Selected Texts and Materials:

Here is a sampling of material that can be accessed through the NEOS Libraries' Catalogue.  Since we have only recently made the transition to the Youth Criminal Justice Act, there is still a great deal of relevant printed material dealing with the Young Offenders Act:

• Alberta. Alberta Education. Young offender information sharing protocol (Edmonton: Govt of Alberta, 1996).
                KF 9780 ZA3 A33 1996  Weir Law Library

• Alberta. Alberta Solicitor General. Youth Criminal Justice Act : Canada : pocket guide ([Edmonton]: Govt of Alberta, [2002]).  
                KF 9780 ZA2 2002  Weir Law Library
  
  
• Bala, N., Youth criminal justice law (Toronto: Irwin Law, 2003).
                KF 9780 ZA2 B34 2003  Weir Law Library
  
  
• Canada. Statistics Canada. A profile of youth justice in Canada (Ottawa: Statistics Canada, 1998).
               
  
• Douglas, K., Bill C-3: the Youth Criminal Justice Act [legislative summary LS-356E] prep. by Kristen Douglas, David Goetz ([Ottawa]: Parliamentary Research Branch, 2000). [Note:  This new Act (passed as Bill C-7) was in-force April 1, 2003.]
              
  
• Fact sheets: Youth Criminal Justice Act ([Ottawa]: Dept. of Justice, 1999).  [Note:  This new Act (passed as Bill C-7) was in-force April 1, 2003.]             
               KF 9780 ZA2 F33 1999  Weir Law Library

• Federal-Provincial-Territorial Task Force on Youth Justice (Canada), A review of the Young Offenders Act and the youth justice system in Canada ([Ottawa: The Task Force], 1996).
               KF 9779 F436 1996  Weir Law Library

• Jones, P.J., Young offenders and the law, 2d ed. (North York, ON: Captus Press, c1997).
               KF 9779 Y745 1997  Weir Law Library

• Judge for yourself: inside the Young Offenders Act [videorecording], dir. by Raymond Charette (Ottawa: Dept. of Justice, Solicitor General Canada, c1995).
               KF 9780 J83 1995  Weir Law Library Micro / AV Collection 
  
  

• Lane, C.G., The philosophy of the Young Offenders Act and its impact on the formal legal education and practice of advocates for youth [thesis (LL.M.)] ([Edmonton]: University of Alberta, Faculty of Law, 1995).
               KF 9779 L53 1995  Weir Law Library

• Mann, R.M., Juvenile crime and delinquency: a turn of the century reader (Toronto: Canadian Scholars' Press, 2000).
               HV 9108 J88 2000  Rutherford North Library

• Maxim, P.S., Youth in conflict with the law [by] Paul S. Maxim, Paul C. Whitehead (Scarborough, ON: Nelson Canada, c2000).
               KF 9780 ZA2 M39 2000  Weir Law Library

• Platt, P., Young offenders law in Canada, 2d ed. (Toronto: Butterworths, c1995).
               KF 9779 P719 1995  Weir Law Library

• Shahid, A., Youth and the Canadian criminal justice system (Cincinnati: Anderson, 2000).
               HV 9108 A58 2000  Weir Law Library

• Smandych, R.C., ed., Youth crime: varieties, theories, and prevention (Toronto: Harcourt, c2001).
               HV 9108 Y68 2001  Rutherford North Library 

• Smandych, R.C., ed, Youth justice: history, legislation, and reform (Toronto: Harcourt, 2000).
               KF 9780 ZA2 Y68 2000  Weir Law Library

• Young Offenders Act provincial review: a discussion guide, prep. by Alberta Justice ([Edmonton]: Govt. of Alberta, 1994).
               KF 9719 ZA3 Y68 1994  Weir Law Library

• Youth crime, fear and responses [background paper BP-368E] (Ottawa: Parliamentary Research Branch, c1994- )
               GOV DOC CA1 YM 32-2/ 368  Weir Law Library

• Youth Justice Committees [videorecording] ([Edmonton]: Native Counselling Services of Alberta, [c1993]- )
               KF 9780 Y835 1993  Weir Law Library Micro / AV Collection

Selected Web Resources:

• Consolidated Youth Criminal Justice Act, S.C. 2002, c. 1.  (Federal Canadian legislation, including Regulations)
  
  
• Consolidated Young Offenders Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. Y-1.  (Federal Canadian legislation, including Regulations)
  
  
• YCJA Explained  (Justice Canada site)
  
  
• Links to Sites on Young Offenders  (covers Canada, the U.S., and the U.K)
  
  
• Sentencing of Young Offenders  (statistics from The Daily [Statistics Canada])
               

To Find More Texts and Materials:

To find other relevant books and materials, you can do a subject search in the NEOS Libraries' Catalogue.  Some possible search terms:
             - canada young offenders act  
             - children legal status laws etc. canada 
             - juvenile courts canada 
             - juvenile delinquency canada 
             - juvenile justice, administration of alberta
             - juvenile justice, administration of canada 
             - youth legal status laws etc. alberta 
             - youth legal status laws etc. canada 

To Find Periodical Articles:

The following index services allow you to search for articles in legal periodicals. Articles in periodicals (also called journals, magazines, or reviews) can often provide useful up-to-date information.

• On-Line Legal Periodical Indexes: 

  • Index to Canadian Legal Literature (covers 1987 to date)
    Before searching, Limit your Search to "JOURNAL-ARTICLE". Then, search for Words anywhere such as "young offenders", or search for Subjects like "juvenile courts", "juvenile delinquency", or "juvenile justice, administration of".

  • Index to Legal Periodicals and Books (covers 1981 to date)
    Search for Words anywhere such as "young offenders", or for Subjects like "juvenile courts", "juvenile offenders", or "administration of juvenile justice".   Next, do a separate Words anywhere search for "Canada".  Finally, combine your topical search set[s] with the set for "Canada".
  • LegalTrac (covers 1980 to date)
    This service provides direct access to citations, abstracts, and even to some full-text articles. Search by keywords such as "young offenders and canada".
    
    
  • Criminal Justice Abstracts (covers 1968 to date)
    This service provides access to citations and abstracts of relevant articles. Search by keywords such as "juvenile offenders and canada".
    

• Print-form indexes to Canadian Legal Periodicals:  These indexes list articles in several ways, including by subject.
  
  
  • Index to Canadian Legal Literature
                 KE 173 C216  Weir Law Library Reference Collection
       Before 1985, look under: 
           Children - Juvenile courts 
           Children - Juvenile delinquency
       From 1985 on, look under:
           Children - Legal status, laws, etc.
           Juvenile courts 
           Juvenile delinquency 
           Juvenile justice, Administration of
           Youth - Legal status, laws, etc.

  • Index to Canadian Legal Periodical Literature
                 KE 33 138  Weir Law Library Reference Collection 
       Look under:
           Juvenile courts 
           Juvenile delinquency 

To Find Legislation:

Canadian federal law - the first category below - governs youth justice for the entire nation. Each provincial Act deals in greater detail with the specific procedures and dispositions applied by the Youth Courts in that jurisdiction.

Canada
   Youth Criminal Justice Act, S.C. 2002, c. 1.  (In-force April 1, 2003)
   Young Offenders Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. Y-1.  (Repealed April 1, 2003)
   Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-46.
      Locate the current Act and the Code in the Statutes of Canada
         Call number: KE 89  Weir Law Library 
         Web address: http://login.ezproxy.library.ualberta.ca/login?url=http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/

Alberta
   Young Offenders Act, R.S.A. 2000, c. Y-1.
      Locate the Act in the Statutes of Alberta
         Call number: KEA 41  Weir Law Library 
         Web address: http://login.ezproxy.library.ualberta.ca/login?url=http://www.qp.gov.ab.ca/display_acts.cfm

British Columbia
   Young Offenders (British Columbia) Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 494.
      Locate the Act in the Statutes of British Columbia
         Call number: KEB 41  Weir Law Library 
         Web address: http://login.ezproxy.library.ualberta.ca/login?url=http://www.qp.gov.bc.ca/statreg/list_statreg_y.htm

Manitoba
   Summary Convictions Act, S.M. 1985-86, c. 4, C.C.S.M. c. S230, ss. 1-4, 30. 
      Locate the Act in the Statutes of Manitoba
         Call number: KEM 41  Weir Law Library 
         Web address: http://login.ezproxy.library.ualberta.ca/login?url=http://www.gov.mb.ca/chc/statpub/free/index.html

New Brunswick
   Provincial Offences Procedure for Young Persons Act, S.N.B. 1987, c. P-22.2.
      Locate the Act in the Acts of New Brunswick
         Call number: KEN 41  Weir Law Library 
         Web address: http://login.ezproxy.library.ualberta.ca/login?url=http://www.gnb.ca/0062/acts/acts/p-22-2.htm

Newfoundland
   Young Persons Offences Act, R.S.N. 1990, c. Y-1.
      Locate the Act in the Statutes of the Province of Newfoundland
         Call number: KEN 1241  Weir Law Library 
         Web address: http://login.ezproxy.library.ualberta.ca/login?url=http://www.gov.nf.ca/hoa/sr/

Northwest Territories
   Young Offenders Act, R.S.N.W.T. 1988, c. Y-1.
      Locate the Act in the Statutes of the Northwest Territories
         Call number: KEN 5441  Weir Law Library 
         Web address: http://login.ezproxy.library.ualberta.ca/login?url=http://www.canlii.org/nt/sta/

Nova Scotia
   Young Persons Summary Proceedings Act, R.S.N.S. 1989, c. 509. 
      Locate the Act in the Statutes of Nova Scotia
         Call number: KEN 7441  Weir Law Library 
         Web address: http://login.ezproxy.library.ualberta.ca/login?url=http://www.gov.ns.ca/legi/legc/~acts.htm

Nunavut
   Young Offenders Act (Nunavut), R.S.N.W.T. 1988, c. Y-1.
      Locate the Act in the Statutes of the Northwest Territories
         Call number: KEN 5441  Weir Law Library 
         Web address: http://login.ezproxy.library.ualberta.ca/login?url=http://www.canlii.org/nu/sta/

Ontario
   Child and Family Services Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.11.
   Ministry of Correctional Services Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22.
   Parental Responsibility Act, 2000, S.O. 2000, c. 4.
      Locate these Acts in the Statutes of Ontario
         Call number: KEO 63  Weir Law Library 
         Web address: http://login.ezproxy.library.ualberta.ca/login?url=http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/search_E.asp?lang=en

Prince Edward Island
   Young Offenders (P.E.I.) Act, R.S.P.E.I. 1988, c. Y-1.
      Locate the Act in the Statutes of Prince Edward Island
         Call number: KEP 41  Weir Law Library 
         Web address: http://login.ezproxy.library.ualberta.ca/login?url=http://www.gov.pe.ca/law/statutes/

Quebec
   Code of Penal Procedure, S.Q. 1987, c. 96, R.S.Q. c. C-25.1.
   Summary Convictions Act, R.S.Q. c. P-15.
   Youth Protection Act, S.Q. 1977, c. 20, R.S.Q. c. P-34.1.
      Locate these Acts in the Statutes of Quebec
         Call number: KEQ 64  Weir Law Library 
         Web address: http://login.ezproxy.library.ualberta.ca/login?url=http://www.canlii.org/qc/sta

Saskatchewan
   Correctional Services Act, S.S. 1993, c. C-27.1.
   Summary Offences Procedure Act, 1990, S.S. 1990-91, c. S-63.1.
   Young Offenders' Services Act, S.S. 1990-91, c. Y-1.
      Locate these Acts in the Statutes of Saskatchewan
         Call number: KES 41  Weir Law Library 
         Web address: http://login.ezproxy.library.ualberta.ca/login?url=http://www.qp.gov.sk.ca/

Yukon
   Young Persons Offences Act, R.S.Y.1986 (Supp.), c. 29.
      Locate the Act in the Statutes of the Yukon Territory
         Call number: KEY 41  Weir Law Library 
         Web address: http://login.ezproxy.library.ualberta.ca/login?url=http://www.gov.yk.ca/legislation/

To Find Court Cases:

• Canadian Abridgment, rev. 2nd ed.  (Scarborough: Carswell, 1981- ).
                Volume R11D - Criminal Law / Section XXX - Young Offenders
                     -  KE 173 C213  Weir Law Library Reference Collection
                              [print version]
                     -  LAW INFORMATION NETWORK
                              [electronic version]

• The Abridgment contains summaries of Canadian court decisions involving young offenders.  These are organized topically, and accompanied by citations to the full reports of the court decisions.

• The electronic version of the Abridgment on the Law Information Network is accessible in the Weir Law Library.

This Guide indicates selective resources available through the Web or at the University of Alberta, covering Youth Criminal Justice in Canada.

Any questions, comments or suggestions concerning these resources should be directed to:
Kathryn Arbuckle, 492-3717,  kathryn.arbuckle@ualberta.ca     

Last updated:  October, 2004