Ottawa wants to replace the Young Offenders Act with a new law, one it says is tougher and fairer. It's called the Youth Criminal Justice Act, and promises the following:

SENTENCING

* Will give the youth justice court the power to impose adult sentences in appropriate cases;

* A key principle of sentencing under the new legislation is that the sentence a youth receives should be in proportion to the seriousness of the offence;

* Allow an adult sentence for any youth 14 years old or more who is convicted of an offence punishable by more than two years in jail;

* Expand the offences for which a youth convicted of an offence is expected to be given an adult sentence. At present, only 16- and 17-year-olds accused of murder, attempted murder, manslaughter and aggravated sexual assault are presumed to be subject to adult sentences;

* Encourage community-based sentences such as compensation or restitution to the victim, community service or probation;

* Permit harsher penalties for adults who wilfully fail to comply with an undertaking made to the court to properly supervise youth;

* Permit victim impact statements to be introduced in youth court;

PUBLICATION AND RECORDS

* Permit publication of the names of all youth convicted of a crime who receive an adult sentence;

* Permit the Crown to give notice at the beginning of a trial that it will not seek an adult sentence in a particular case. This means that the youth would receive a youth sentence and the youth's name would not be published; and

* Treat the records of youth who receive adult sentences the same as the records of adult offenders.

Source: Department of Justice Canada