Perceptions of the youth criminal justice system’s principles

The YCJS aims to protect the public by holding youth accountable, promoting rehabilitation and reintegration, and preventing crime (YCJA, s. 3). Respondents were asked whether the YCJS should focus on rehabilitating youth by dealing with issues that can contribute to a youth’s criminal behaviour, such as poverty, mental illness, cognitive disabilities, or substance use and addiction issues. Responses were measured on a five-point scale, from one (1) meaning “Strongly disagree” to five (5) meaning “Strongly agree.” The majority of respondents (84%) agreedFootnote 7 with this statement. Younger respondents aged 18 to 24 (93%) and 25 to 34 (90%) were more likely than older respondent aged 35 to 44 (83%), 45 to 54 (85%), 55 to 64 (79%) and 65 or older (83%) to agree with this statement.

Respondents were also asked whether protecting society should be the focus of the YCJS. Overall, just over half (52%) of people agreed with this statement. Indigenous people (44%) were less likely than White people (51%) to agree that protecting society should be the focus of the YCJS, while racialized people (57%)–specifically South Asian (65%) and Southeast Asian (60%) people–were more likely to agree. Younger respondents aged 18 to 24 (45%), 25 to 34 (41%) and 35 to 44 (48%) were less likely to agree with this statement, relative to older respondents aged 45 to 54 (58%), 55 to 64 (58%) and 65 and older (59%). Women (46%) were less likely than men (59%) to agree that protecting society should be the focus of the YCJS. People born outside of Canada (59%) were more likely than those born in Canada (50%) to agree with this statement.