FSIN Chief Unhappy with YCJA Changes

FSIN Chief Unhappy with YCJA Changes

Friday, March 11, 2011 at 14:32

The chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations says he isn’t happy with proposed changes to the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Guy Lonechild says the amendments by the federal government will only increase the rate of youth being locked up.

Ottawa has said it wants to hold young offenders more accountable for their crimes.

Lonechild says the amendment, however, will only cause more problems.

He says the federation conducted research with youth who were in detention two years ago.

The youth suggested they wanted to learn more about who they were culturally as well as learning about their history.

Lonechild says the government’s focus should be on the root causes and systemic issues facing the youth instead.