One of the top concerns of my constituents is to get Parliament to change the law so that violent and repeat young offenders face tougher sentences for their crimes.
 
Well, these young punks won’t be able to laugh at the law anymore.
 
On March 16th,our Conservative government introduced amendments to strengthen young offenders legislation. The proposed amendments will help to keep violent and repeat young offenders off the streets as they wait to go to trial. For youth convicted of serious crimes like murder, attempted murder, manslaughter and aggravated assault, the Crown will be required to seek adult sentences. The Crown will also have to inform the court if they decide not to apply for an adult sentence.
 
These amendments will also allow the courts to impose more appropriate sentences on violent and repeat offenders as required in individual cases. The main goal of this legislation is to protect society by discouraging offenders from breaking the law again or to seek a custodial sentence (when required) to stop a pattern of escalating criminal activity. Custodial sentences could be imposed in specific cases to stop reckless behaviour that puts the lives and safety of other people at risk. 
 
In some cases, the courts would be required to publish the name of a violent young offender to protect society.
 
I’m Brad Trost, your Member of Parliament in Saskatoon-Humboldt. You can call my office in Saskatoon at 975-6133 or drop by our two offices to visit: Saskatoon Monday-Friday or Humboldt Tuesday and Wednesday. I always appreciate your feedback.