The Justice System: Fair
and Equitable for Youth?
Chapter 2
p.56-87
Introduction
Focus Questions:
How do Canada’s justice system and the Youth
Criminal Justice Act attempt to treat young offenders
fairly and equitably?
What role do Canadian citizens and organizations play
in the fairness and equity of Canada’s justice system for
youth?
Vocabulary Words to Know:
Write down these words on a piece of paper as well as
their definitions:
Justice system
Justice
Fair and equitable
Legislation
validity
Discuss:
Page 57
Why do you believe justice is often portrayed as blind?
What challenges do the justice system do you think
Justice McLachlin is referring to?
In a just society, laws are applied fairly and consistently.
Do you agree with Justice McLachlin’s statement that
“nothing is more important than justice and a just
society”? Why or why not?
How do Canada’s justice
system and the YCJA attempt
to treat young offenders fairly
and equally?
After reading about the young girl who went through the
justice system:
Please write a journal response to the question at the end
of the cartoon: In your opinion, what factor had the
biggest impact on this young offender’s change of
attitude? Why? What life lessons can you learn from her
story?
Vocabulary Words to Know:
Write down these words on a piece of paper as well as
their definitions:
Community service
Criminal record
Sentence
Justice: Adult vs.
Youth…What’s the Difference?
P. 64
Create a t-table to compare and contrast the difference
between the justice system for both adults and youth
Youth Justice
Adult Justice
Connect to the Big Ideas
Question #1: Work on this using construction paper to
create a flow chart based on what happened inn the
story of the girl in the cartoon
Need Help? Check out page 348
You can use construction paper, markers etc. to make it
creative
Consequences of Breaking the
Law
Page 66-67
Flow Chart
What does it tell you about Canadians’ concerns in
providing fair and equitable justice for youth?
If you do something wrong, how important is it to
receive consequences quickly? Why? How important is it
to make up for wrong actions that affect others?
Multimedia Presentation
P. 58-59, Handout
Assignment, read over, ask questions if you have any
Note time
Please take notes on the following sections:
what factors determine the consequences young
offenders face p68
What are the objectives of the YCJA? P 70
Inside the YCJA—p 69
Do you agree with Anne McLellan? Did she take the
right approach in creating the YCJA?
It’s article time
What is the main idea of each of the articles on pages
72-73.
What does it say about the fairness and equity of the
justice system?
Please answer these two questions in your notebooks
Political Cartoons
P. 74
Type of persuasive communication, most use humour
for serious purposes, make points about public figures,
government or news events
What to look for in a political cartoon:
Symbols
Message
Situations
What role do Canadians play
in the justice system for youth?
P 78
What responsibilities do jurors have?
Jury: what is it?
Read “On Jury Duty” pgs 80-81
Answer “Connect to the Big Ideas” questions 1 and 2
Advocacy Groups
Two major advocacy groups:
John Howard Society ( focus on all adults and youths in trouble with
the law)
Elizabeth Fry Society (focus on justice issues for women and girls)
They work independently of the government, trying to solve
underlying reasons for crimes. Call for measures to improve fairness
in the justice system for those accused and the victims of crimes
Provide public education about laws
Work with people who have broken the law to help them return to
their communities
Stand up for the rights of those accused of a crime
Role of Elders in Justice
System
Read pages 84-85
Sentencing circles:
What is it? Where did they get the idea from? How is it
used in the YCJA?
Response: How are the Elders in First Nations
communities similar to how we view elders in the
Islamic tradition?