Youth Justice Conferences and Committees

The Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) encourages the involvement of families, victims and communities in the youth criminal justice system. Youth justice conferences and youth justice committees are examples of how this involvement occurs.

Youth Justice Conferences

What is a youth justice conference?

A youth justice conference brings together people involved in a youth’s case (for example  the youth and their family, community agencies, and experts relevant to the case) to advise and make recommendations about a young person being dealt with under the YCJA. These recommendations can help a decision-maker reach decisions required to be made under the YCJA and support the youth.

Why hold a youth justice conference?

Conferences are not decision-making bodies. They provide advice and recommendations to decision-makers on matters such as:

• extrajudicial measures or sanctions
• bail conditions
• social services coordination or other supports to assist a youth
• sentences, including a sentence review
• reintegration plans
• restorative justice processes to help repair the harm done to victims and the community

Decision-makers are not required to accept the advice or recommendations from a conference and cannot accept advice or recommendations that are inconsistent with the YCJA.

When are conferences used?

A youth justice conference can be held at any stage of the youth criminal justice process:

• before or after charges – to help determine appropriate extrajudicial measures and sanctions
• after charges or pre-finding of guilt stage – to help with decisions on bail
• post-finding of guilt or pre-sentencing stage – to help determine an appropriate sentence
• after sentencing – to support decisions on custody or release planning

Who participates?

Depending on the circumstances of the youth or their offending behaviour, a variety of people may participate in a conference such as:

• the youth, their lawyer and/or parents
• a Crown prosecutor
• the victim
• school staff
• community members or agencies
• experts relevant to the youth’s case

Conferences allow a diverse group of people with a wide range of backgrounds to help decision-makers have a broad perspective on a youth’s case.

Provincial or territorial Attorneys General can make the rules for conferences in their jurisdiction except for conferences that are held by a court.

What are the benefits?

Conferences have several benefits. They can:

• improve collaboration between the criminal justice system and social systems, (for example, school and child protection systems) to better address a youth’s risks and needs
• increase youth involvement and accountability
• provide better support for youth with complex needs
• offer restorative justice opportunities to address the harm caused
• help prevent reoffending by providing stronger supports to youth

Learn more about youth justice conferences here: Section 19 of the Youth Criminal Justice Act: A look at the use of conferences across Canada

Youth justice committees

What are youth justice committees?

Under the YCJA, the federal, provincial, or territorial Attorneys General can establish youth justice committees. These types of committees are made up of community members and they support the youth justice system in various ways. They can help with the delivery of programs and services for youth and offer a broader community response to address youth needs and community concerns.

What can committees do?

Youth justice committees may:

• act as a youth justice conference
• advise on appropriate extrajudicial measures and sanctions
• support victims and promote reconciliation between youth and victims
• coordinate support services between community agencies and the youth criminal justice system
• advise federal, provincial and territorial governments on the rights of youth and the policies and procedures related to the youth criminal justice system
• provide information to the public about the YCJA and the youth criminal justice system