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Bill C-75: An Opportunity To Implement Case Conferences For Offenders With Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

Aug 12, 2021

Introduction Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a systemic problem in Canada that affects adults and youth alike. The FASD Working Group of the Indigenous Justice Circle1 proposes an amendment to Bill C-75 that will increase the power of courts to ensure offenders with FASD are effectively and appropriately identified, supported, and sentenced in the criminal justice system. The Criminal Code of Canada (Criminal Code) 2 should have a procedural mechanism that allows courts to convene groups of persons to give advice about offenders with FASD (FASD Conferences). A court-ordered conference model has been successfully used in the youth criminal justice context for over a decade through case conferences mandated under section 19 of the Youth Criminal Justice Act 3 (Section 19 Conferences). Experience with Alberta-based programming for youth offenders shows that Section 19 Conferences successfully reduce recidivism and effectively support offenders with FASD in the youth criminal justice system.

Open Document

Focus AREA:
Social Justice & Reconciliation Calgary

Region:
Calgary