Minister’s Message

I am very pleased to present the 4th State of the Criminal Justice System Report (2024). These reports are a key part of our ongoing commitment to review and inform the public on the performance of Canada’s criminal justice system. They also ensure that any changes to our justice system are informed by evidence to better serve all Canadians.

This year’s State of the Criminal Justice System Report focuses on the youth criminal justice system, a distinct justice system governed by the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA). The YCJA recognizes that youth are still maturing, and therefore have unique needs, rights and vulnerabilities.

April 2023 marked the 20th anniversary of the YCJA. Over the past two decades under this Act, we have seen a significant decrease in the police-reported youth crime rate, an increased use of diversion and community-based responses, and a reduction in the use of detention and custody for youth. We’ve made important investments, including in Budget 2021, when we increased the ongoing funding available to the provinces and territories through the Youth Justice Services Funding Program from $142 million to $185 million annually.

Youth also come into contact with the youth criminal justice system as victims, not just as offenders. These young people, like all victims and survivors of crime, deserve to feel empowered and protected throughout the justice process. As part of this, we have tabled the Online Harms Act, which will create stronger protections for kids online.

Minister Arif Virani

The Honourable Arif Virani

Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

We know that not all youth have benefited from the positive changes brought about by the YCJA; this is clear in the ongoing unfair treatment of Indigenous and Black youth in Canada. That is why the Government of Canada remains committed to addressing systemic racism within the adult and youth criminal justice systems. Our efforts include the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action as well as the National Action Plan in response to the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Calls for Justice. We passed Bill C-5, which amended the Criminal Code and repealed some mandatory minimum penalties and will help racialized youth stay out of the criminal justice system. What’s more, we are working in consultation and cooperation with Indigenous and provincial and territorial partners to develop an Indigenous Justice Strategy. We are also working with Black communities across the country to develop Canada’s Black Justice Strategy.

Youth interact with other social systems, such as child welfare, which can affect their experiences with the youth criminal justice system. When it comes to protecting children and youth in Canada and improving their life outcomes, we need a whole-of-society approach. This includes the collective efforts of federal, provincial and territorial partners and stakeholders, in coordination with various social systems.

Change is overdue. We have more work to do to transform our justice systems to better meet the needs of all Canadians. That is why we continue to monitor their performance. We need to know if Canada’s youth and adult criminal justice systems are achieving their objectives and where we can improve. These efforts are vital to maintaining strong, equitable and effective justice systems that are people-centred, compassionate, and accessible to everyone.