Infographic: Confidence in the Canadian Youth Criminal Justice System, 2023

Key findings from the 2023 National Justice Survey^{Footnote 1}

What is the National Justice Survey?

The National Justice Survey (NJS) is an annual national public opinion research study conducted by Justice Canada, collecting the views, perceptions and knowledge of people living in Canada on important justice-related issues.

Graph – Confidence in the youth CJS being fair and accessible to all people, 2022 and 2023

The percentage of respondents who are confident in the youth criminal justice system (CJS) being fair and accessible to all people decreased between 2022 and 2023.^{Footnote 2}

• Fair to all people
• Year 2022
  • Not confident = 39%
  • Moderately confident = 29%
  • Confident = 22%
• Year 2023
  • Not confident = 45%
  • Moderately confident = 33%
  • Confident = 14%
• Accessible to all people
• Year 2022
  • Not confident = 28%
  • Moderately confident = 31%
  • Confident = 32%
• Year 2023
  • Not confident = 37%
  • Moderately confident = 36%
  • Confident = 18%

Graph - Respondents not confident in the youth CJS being fair and accessible to all people, by Indigenous identity, 2023

In 2023, Indigenous people—specifically First Nations people and Métis—were more likely than White people to report being not confident that the youth CJS is fair and accessible to all people.

• Fair to all people (not confident)
  • Total Indigenous = 57%*
  • First Nations = 64%*
  • Inuit = 72%^
  • Métis = 54%*
  • Multiple Indigenous identities = 47%
  • White (ref.) = 45%
• Accessible to all people (not confident)
  • Total Indigenous = 50%*
  • First Nations = 56%*
  • Inuit = 47%^
  • Métis = 46%*
  • Multiple Indigenous identities = 44%
  • White (ref.) = 35%

^ Caution: Small sample size (≤50). Statistical testing not performed when n<30 since statistical assumptions are not met.

* Symbol indicates a significant difference from the reference category (White) at p < .05.

Graph - Respondents not confident in the youth CJS being fair and accessible to all people, by racialized identity, 2023

Compared to White people, Black people were more likely to report being not confident in the youth CJS being fair and accessible to all people, while Middle Eastern or North African people were less likely.

• Fair to all people (not confident)
• Total racialized groups* = 42%
• Black = 54%*
• Latinx = 38%
• South Asian = 42%
• Middle Eastern or North African = 24%*
• East Asian/Southeast Asian = 41%
• Multiple ethno-cultural groups = 48%
• White (ref.) = 45%

• Accessible to all people (not confident)
• Total racialized groups┼ = 37%
• Black = 45%*
• Latinx = 33%
• South Asian = 37%
• Middle Eastern or North African = 24%*
• East Asian/Southeast Asian = 38%
• Multiple ethno-cultural groups = 40%
• White (ref.) = 35%

Total racialized groups include Black, East Asian/Southeast Asian, Latino/Latina/Latinx, Middle Eastern or North African, more than one ethno-cultural group and White.

* Symbol indicates a significant difference from the reference category (White) at p < .05.

Graph - Respondents not confident in the youth CJS being fair and accessible to all people, by age groups, 2023

Younger respondents were more likely than older respondents to report being not confident that the youth CJS is fair and accessible to all people.

• Fair to all people (not confident)
• 18 to 34 years old = 52%**
• 35 to 54 years old = 45%*
• 55 years and older = 40%

• Accessible to all people (not confident)
• 18 to 34 years old = 44%**
• 35 to 54 years old = 37%*
• 55 years and older = 32%

* Symbol indicates a significant difference from the oldest age group (55 or older) at p < .05.

** Symbol indicates a significant difference from both older age groups (35 to 54 years old and 55 or older) at p < .05.

Graph - Respondents not confident in the youth CJS being fair and accessible to all people, by gender, 2023

Women were more likely than men to report being not confident that the youth CJS is fair and accessible to all people.

• Fair to all people (not confident)
• Women = 51%*
• Men = 39%

• Accessible to all people (not confident)
• Women = 41%*
• Men = 32%

* Symbol indicates a significant difference from the reference category (men) at p < .05.

Confidence levels varied across Canada

Respondents from British Columbia, the Prairies, Ontario, and the Atlantic region were more likely to report being not confident that the youth CJS is fair and accessible to all people than respondents from Quebec.

• Fair to all people (not confident)
  • British Columbia = 49%*
  • Prairies = 52%*
  • Territories = 56%^
  • Ontario = 49%*
  • Quebec (ref.) = 27%
  • Atlantic = 49%*
• Accessible to all people (not confident)
  • British Columbia = 41%*
  • Prairies = 38%*
  • Territories = 56%^
  • Ontario = 39%*
  • Quebec (ref.) = 25%
  • Atlantic = 43%*

^ Caution: Small sample size (≤50). Statistical testing not performed when n<30 since statistical assumptions are not met.

* Symbol indicates a significant difference from the reference category (Quebec) at p < .05.

Source: 2023 National Justice Survey, www.justice.gc.ca/eng/rp-pr/jr/njs-snj.html.