Conclusion

The 2022 NJS findings highlighted that many people living in Canada are unfamiliar with the YCJA; over half of respondents reported that they were not aware of the Act. Respondents’ knowledge of the YCJA varied when considering sociodemographic characteristics. For instance, Indigenous and Black people reported a higher level of awareness than White people. These findings may be indicative of Indigenous and Black people’s differential experiences and treatment as both victims/survivors and accused/convicted of a crime in the criminal justice system (Saghbini & Paquin-Marseille, 2023; Department of Justice Canada, 2019; Department of Justice Canada, 2022).

The findings further show that people living in Canadas are more confident in the accessibility of the YCJS than its fairness. Over one in five respondents reported being confident that the YCJS is fair to all people, while nearly one-third of respondents reported being confident that the YCJS is accessible to all people. Younger respondents were less likely than older respondents to report being confident that the YCJS is fair and accessible to all people. These results may show cause for concern as studies show that lack of confidence in public institutions, such as the YCJS, may undermine the quality of services provided by the institution (Jang, Lee, & Gibbs, 2015). That said, respondents’ low level of confidence in the YCJS may be further explained by their level of awareness and understanding of the YCJA; as half of respondents reported being unfamiliar with the YCJA.

The majority of people living in Canada agreed that youth (aged 12-17) who commit crimes should be held accountable differently than adults, given their lack of maturity. Although fewer, close to half of respondents, agreed that young adults (aged 18 to 21) should be held accountable differently than older adults, given their lack of maturity. Women as well as younger respondents, were consistently more likely than men and older respondents to agree with these statements. These results suggest that there is public support for a different and separate legal system to govern criminal cases that involve youth, and to a certain extent young adults.

Most people living in Canada agreed that judges should take into account the circumstances of Indigenous and racialized youth found guilty of minor offences during sentencing. Fewer respondents agreed with this statement in the case of serious offences. In both cases, Indigenous and racialized people were consistently more likely than White people to agree. These findings suggest that most people living in Canada, and more notably Indigenous and racialized people, understand the impact that colonialism, systemic racism and discrimination, and socio-economic marginalization may have on the lives of young Indigenous and Black people and that they are in favour of the criminal justice system responding in a way that takes into account the unique history and experiences of these groups.