Join an important discussion about practices that best serve to ensure that the requirements and aspirations of the YCJA, and the best possible outcomes for young people, victims and communities, are realised. Hear how some jurisdictions are getting it right and what needs to be done to improve the quality and consistency of YCJA practice and administration across jurisdictions.

Speakers:
Meghan Longley, K.C., Executive Director, Dalhousie Legal Aid Services (Halifax, NS)
Emma Rhodes, Defence counsel (Toronto, ON)
Chelsea Davis, System Navigator, Toronto Northwest Justice Centre, Lumenus Community Services (Toronto, ON)
Rebecca Senior, Assistant Crown Attorney, Kenora Justice Centre (Kenora, ON)
Hillarie Tasche, Criminal youth justice, Legal Aid Manitoba (Winnipeg, MB)
Sarah Runyon, Defence Counsel, Marion & Runyon (Campbell River, BC)
Tanya MacKenzie, Manager Family and Children’s Services, Yukon Government (Whitehorse, YT)
Dr. Tracey Skilling, Associate Scientist and Psychologist, McCain Centre for Child, Youth and Family Mental Health, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) (Ottawa, ON)
Dr. Carla Cesaroni, Professor and Associate Dean, Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Criminology and Justice, Ontario Tech University (Oshawa, ON)

Moderator:
Mary Birdsell, Executive Director, Justice for Children and Youth (Ontario)

Understand the evolving standards of child friendly justice, the guidance from the Committee on the Rights of the Child in implementing child rights in the area of youth criminal justice, and the Global Initiative on Justice with Children.

Explore how to better align Canadian legal practice in this field with global standards and practices: Topics will include:

• Avoiding prosecutions of 12 and 13 year olds,
• The special measures required to address criminogenic behaviour below the age of criminal responsibility,
• Diverting charges involving neurodevelopmentally delayed youth,
• Avoiding the use of mandatory minimum sentences to justify raising young people to be sentenced in adult court,
• Improving the use of case-conferencing as the default mechanism to address young people’s offending behaviour while improving child participation and meaningful accountability.

Speakers: 

Alexandra De Jong, Project Executive, New Brunswick Child and Youth Advocate's Office (Fredericton, NB)                                                                     Jill Knee, Regional Director Saint John Public Prosecutions Services, New Brunswick Attorney General’s Office (Saint-John, NB)
Jane Stewart, Lawyer, Justice for Children and Youth (Toronto, ON)

Moderator:
Christian Whalen, Deputy Ombud and General Counsel, New Brunswick Ombud (Fredericton, NB) 

Recognizing the inappropriate over representation of Indigenous and Black young people, and young people with neuro-diversity and cognitive disabilities in the youth criminal justice system in Canada, our panel will identify best practices from various jurisdictions and why they work.

We know that one of the consequences of colonialism is the over-representation of indigenous and black young people in the youth criminal justice system. We also know that the details of this over-representation looks different in different parts of the country. Hear about the initiatives and practices that aim to improve outcomes for Indigenous, Black and racialized young people and how they address the devastating impacts of colonialism, meaningfully work toward truth and reconciliation, and improve outcomes for young people and communities.

We also know that young people with neuro-diversity, developmental, cognitive, and brain-injury related disabilities are over-represented and present complex challenges for the youth criminal justice system. We will hear from experts who are seeking to address the unique challenges that exist for young people with FASD.

Speakers:
Brandon Rolle, Senior Legal Counsel, African Nova Scotian Justice Institute (Halifax, NS)                                                                                                       Miriam Henry, Assistant Crown Attorney, Toronto NW Justice Centre (Toronto, ON)
Jonathan Rudin, Lawyer, Program Director, Aboriginal Legal Services (Toronto, ON)
The Honourable Mary Kate Harvie, Manitoba Provincial Court (Winnipeg, MB)
Tannis Toothill, FASD Justice Program and the STARFISH Program (Winnipeg, MB)

Moderator:
Wendy Martin White, Phillips Aiello, Associate (Winnipeg, MB)