Children’s rights in Canada have developed and expanded notably throughout our history. The domain of the Canadian youth justice system, have reflected the advancement of children’s rights in some ways, but not all. The early conception of youth were based on beliefs from colonial times, “19th century, reflected a social laissez-faire philosophy where children were viewed largely as possessions or objects of parental authority.” In other words, this policy was about letting things take their own course without interfering, so the government allowed the parents to deal with their children in whatever way they pleased without restricting their judgment. These views over the next century would drastically change, the perceptions of children would
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This approach, “Canadian juvenile justice system placed less emphasis on children’s rights, and instead focused on youth accountability and principles of punishment.” The Canadian Government believes the Youth Criminal Justice Act adheres to the principles and beliefs laid out in the United Nations Rights of the Child convention. There are many principles of the Youth Criminal Justice Act that adhere to the United Nations Rights of the Child convention, but there are also many instances where it does not that can lead to barriers for youth who are in conflict with the law. First I will look at a few instances where the YCJA complies with the UNCRC. The first principle that YCJA adheres to is the dignity and worth of the child as well as reintegration, in article 40(1) of the UNCRC it states, “every child alleged as, accused of, or recognized as having infringed the penal law to be treated in a manner consistent with the promotion of the child’s sense of dignity and worth . . . which takes into account the child 's age and the desirability of promoting the child 's reintegration and the child 's assuming a constructive role in society.” These ideals laid out in the UNCRC are also expressed or at least very similar to those that are stated within the
This approach, “Canadian juvenile justice system placed less emphasis on children’s rights, and instead focused on youth accountability and principles of punishment.” The Canadian Government believes the Youth Criminal Justice Act adheres to the principles and beliefs laid out in the United Nations Rights of the Child convention. There are many principles of the Youth Criminal Justice Act that adhere to the United Nations Rights of the Child convention, but there are also many instances where it does not that can lead to barriers for youth who are in conflict with the law. First I will look at a few instances where the YCJA complies with the UNCRC. The first principle that YCJA adheres to is the dignity and worth of the child as well as reintegration, in article 40(1) of the UNCRC it states, “every child alleged as, accused of, or recognized as having infringed the penal law to be treated in a manner consistent with the promotion of the child’s sense of dignity and worth . . . which takes into account the child 's age and the desirability of promoting the child 's reintegration and the child 's assuming a constructive role in society.” These ideals laid out in the UNCRC are also expressed or at least very similar to those that are stated within the