Bill C-14 and youth crime in Canada: the age of criminal responsibility, how young people are sentenced, and which new rules are already in force

1. First, make sure which Bill C-14 we mean

Bill numbers are reused. In each Parliament and each session, bills are numbered again from the start. So the number "C-14" has been used many times before, and each time it was a completely different bill. For example, Bill C-14 in the 1st Session of the 42nd Parliament was about medical assistance in dying and received Royal Assent on June 17, 2016. When you read the news, first check which Parliament and which session it is.

The C-14 in this guide is:

• a bill of the 1st Session of the 45th Parliament (the current Parliament; this session is still open);
• its short title is the Bail and Sentencing Reform Act;
• its long title is An Act to amend the Criminal Code, the Youth Criminal Justice Act and the National Defence Act (bail and sentencing);
• it is a government bill, introduced in the House of Commons by the federal Minister of Justice, Sean Fraser;
• it received Royal Assent on June 15, 2026, and its official citation is Statutes of Canada 2026, chapter 11 (S.C. 2026, c. 11).

It is not only about young people. Most of C-14 amends the bail and sentencing rules for adults in the Criminal Code. According to the Department of Justice, it makes bail harder to get and sentences heavier in cases such as repeat violent offences, car theft, break-ins at homes and extortion. Only sections 59 to 78 amend the Youth Criminal Justice Act. This guide covers only the youth part, plus the current rules parents need to know.

A few terms first:

• Youth Criminal Justice Act: often shortened to YCJA. This is a federal law specifically about how people aged 12 to 17 are dealt with after committing a crime, and it is the same across Canada. Below, it is called "the YCJA".
• Criminal Code: sets out what is a crime and how adults are sentenced. The offences young people commit are also set out in the Criminal Code, but how they are dealt with follows the YCJA.
• Bail: before the case is decided, the judge decides whether the accused can go home first to wait for trial, and what conditions they must follow at home.
• Sentencing: after a finding of guilt, the judge decides what sentence to give.

2. How far C-14 has gone in Parliament

Status: The bill has been passed and has received Royal Assent. Most of the youth part is [In force]; sections 71 and 72 are [Passed, not yet in force].

How a federal bill becomes law

A federal bill must go through both the House of Commons and the Senate:

• First reading: the bill is introduced and its text is made public, with no debate;
• Second reading: debate on the general idea of the bill, and a vote on whether to agree with its principle;
• Committee stage: the bill goes to a committee that examines it clause by clause, can invite witnesses to give their views, and can amend the text;
• Report stage: the committee sends the amended text back to the whole House, which can amend it again;
• Third reading: the final vote to pass it;
• after one House passes it, it goes to the other House and goes through the same steps. If the two Houses pass different texts, they send messages back and forth until both agree;
• Royal Assent: the Governor General, or someone acting for the Governor General, formally signs it, and the bill becomes law from that moment;
• Coming into force: the day the law starts to apply depends on its "coming into force" provision. It can be the day of Royal Assent, a certain number of days after Royal Assent, or a day to be fixed by order of the Governor in Council, which means the federal cabinet will later make an order to set the date.

C-14 timeline (from LEGISinfo)

What changed between the two Houses

According to the House of Commons Journals for June 12, 2026: the Senate's amendments were divided into items 1(a), 1(b), 2(a), 2(b) and 3. The House agreed to 1(a), 2(a) and 3, disagreed with 1(b) and 2(b), and gave reasons: for 1(b), the Criminal Code already requires judges to state in bail decisions that they considered a certain principle, so it does not need to be added; 2(b) would add a statutory consultation requirement to a report, and the House's reason in its reply was that it is already possible to communicate with the relevant parties, and adding a statutory consultation requirement would limit flexibility in preparing and tabling the report. On June 15, the Senate said it would not insist.

Comparing the text the House of Commons passed at third reading with the final Royal Assent version, section by section, the youth part differs in only one place: when the House passed it, sections 71 and 72 were also set to come into force on the 30th day after Royal Assent; the Royal Assent version changed these two sections to come into force on a day to be fixed by order of the Governor in Council. (Section 8 of this guide explains these two sections in detail.)

Is there disagreement in Parliament?

Disagreement can be seen in the parliamentary record:

• On June 12, 2026, the government moved a motion to limit the time for debate in the House of Commons on the Senate's amendments (a time allocation motion). The motion passed 166 to 158 (Vote No. 155).
• Third reading in the House of Commons, and the motion replying to the Senate's amendments, both passed "on division". This means some members said they were opposed, but there was no recorded vote of each member.
• According to LEGISinfo, the House committee held 3 meetings and the Senate committee held 10 meetings on this bill. What witnesses and members said can be found on the Parliament websites (links at the end of this section). This guide does not quote them one by one.

What the government says

The Department of Justice's news release of June 16, 2026 says this law delivers on the promise of stricter bail and tougher sentencing. The news release also states that how much effect the law has depends on implementation: policing, prosecutions, bail courts, bail supervision, provincial courts, jails and victim services are the responsibility of the provinces and territories. The news release also says these reforms are backed by premiers of the provinces and territories, mayors and law enforcement; the heads of organizations quoted in the release (such as the president of the Canadian Police Association) are all supportive. Whether there are opposing views or concerns can be seen in the parliamentary votes and committee records mentioned above.

Two things the law says will happen later

• Annual bail report (section 58.1, in force since the day of Royal Assent): every year, the Minister of Justice must table in Parliament a report on bail across Canada. The report must contain three things: data such as compliance with bail conditions, reoffending while on bail and pre-trial detention rates; an analysis of whether bail conditions work; and data on how easy it is to get bail and on differences between groups. Section 58.1 says it is to be tabled within the first 15 sitting days of both Houses after January 1 each year. On that basis, the first report should come in early 2027 (this is this guide's own calculation from section 58.1).
• Review after five years (section 81.1): as soon as possible after five years from Royal Assent, that is, after June 15, 2031, the changes made by this law must be referred for review to a committee designated by Parliament, and the committee must submit a report setting out the changes it recommends.

3. At what age criminal responsibility starts: C-14 did not change this line

Status: [In force]. C-14 did not change it.

What matters is the age at the time of the act, not the age on the day of court. Subsection 14(1) of the YCJA says an offence a person is alleged to have committed while a young person is dealt with exclusively by the youth justice court. Subsections 14(4) and (5) say that if the young person later turns 18, the case still continues under the YCJA. For example, if a young person is charged at 17 and is already 19 when the trial takes place, the case still goes through the youth process.

Don't apply other meanings of "adult" here. The "age of majority" in other laws and for other matters is not the same thing as in criminal cases. Criminal cases go by the 12-to-17 range set by the YCJA.

Where youth cases are heard in B.C. The website of the Provincial Court of British Columbia says: under the YCJA, the Provincial Court of B.C. is designated as the youth justice court in B.C.; youth criminal court hears cases of people aged 12 to 17 who are charged with crimes.

4. Why young people have a separate system: "less responsibility" does not mean "no responsibility"

Status: [In force]. C-14 did not change these principles; another law, C-16, rewrote the parts about victims and a few other points on July 18 (see section 9 of this guide).

The principles in subsection 3(1) of the YCJA, in plain language:

• The youth criminal justice system is meant to protect the public. It does this by holding young people accountable for their actions, with consequences that are proportionate to the seriousness of the offence and the young person's own degree of responsibility; by helping young people rehabilitate and return to society; and by referring young people to programs in the community that address the circumstances behind their offending.
• The youth criminal justice system must be separate from the adult system. It is based on the principle of "diminished moral blameworthiness or culpability". This means that because young people are less mature and more dependent on adults, the law presumes they deserve less blame than adults.
• The process must give young people more protection, including protection of their privacy; and action must be prompt, because young people perceive time differently from adults.
• Parents should be informed of the measures and proceedings involving their child, and encouraged to support the young person in addressing their behaviour.

"Less responsibility" does not mean "no responsibility". Subsection 38(1) says the purpose of youth sentencing is to hold the young person accountable for the offence through just sanctions that have meaningful consequences, while promoting their rehabilitation and return to society, so as to protect the public in the long term. The Provincial Court of B.C.'s website says the same: young people are to be treated fairly while being held accountable for their actions.

Some rules judges must follow when sentencing young people (subsection 38(2), summary):

• the sentence must not be greater than an adult would receive in similar circumstances;
• it must be similar to sentences for young persons in similar cases in the same region;
• it must be proportionate to the seriousness of the offence and the young person's own degree of responsibility;
• all reasonable sanctions other than custody must be considered first;
• within the limits of proportionality, it must be the least restrictive sentence and the one most likely to help the young person rehabilitate;
• within the limits of proportionality, it may aim to denounce unlawful conduct and to deter this particular young person from offending again.

5. How young people can be sentenced: the types of sentences and the maximum lengths

Status: [In force].

Subsection 42(2) of the YCJA lists the "youth sentences" a youth justice court can impose. From lighter to heavier, they are roughly these:

These are maximums, not what is always given. For example, the 10 years for first degree murder is the upper limit for the total, of which at most 6 years is in a custody facility and the rest in the community; and not every case gets the maximum.

When custody can be imposed. Subsection 39(1) says the court may impose custody only in these situations:

• the young person has committed a "violent offence" (C-14 changed this definition; see section 7 of this guide);
• the young person has previously been found guilty more than once of failing to comply with youth sentences (with other additional conditions);
• the young person has committed an indictable offence for which an adult could get more than two years in prison, and has a history showing a pattern of extrajudicial sanctions or findings of guilt;
• in exceptional cases: the young person has committed an indictable offence, and the circumstances are so serious that not imposing custody would be inconsistent with the purpose and principles of sentencing.

Even if one of these applies, there are still several hurdles:

• for the first three situations, the court must first consider all reasonable alternatives and be satisfied that none is suitable before imposing custody (subsection 39(2));
• custody must not be used as a substitute for appropriate child protection, mental health or other social services (subsection 39(5));
• before imposing custody, the court must consider a "pre-sentence report" (subsection 39(6)). This report is written by provincial staff and covers the young person's family, upbringing, school and similar circumstances; it requires an interview with the young person and, where possible, with the parents (section 40);
• if custody is imposed, the court must state why a sentence without custody is not enough (subsection 39(9)).

Parents can speak at sentencing. Subsection 42(1) says: before imposing a youth sentence, the court must consider any representations made by the parents.

Two terms:

• Indictable offence: crimes in Canada fall roughly into two groups; less serious ones are called "summary conviction offences", and more serious ones are called "indictable offences". Some offences can go either way.
• Extrajudicial sanction: a formal way of dealing with a case outside court, where the young person takes part in a program approved by the province (section 10). Key points:
  • It is used only when a warning, caution or referral is not enough; the young person must be told what it involves and must fully and freely consent; before consenting, the young person must be told of the right to a lawyer and given a reasonable opportunity to consult one; and the young person must accept responsibility for the act. It cannot be used if the young person denies being involved, or wants the case dealt with by the youth justice court (subsections 10(1) to (3)).
  • Anything the young person admits in order to take part in this kind of program cannot be used as evidence against them in civil or criminal proceedings (subsection 10(4)).
  • Using an extrajudicial sanction does not always mean there will be no charge. But if a charge is laid later, the court must dismiss it if the young person has completely complied with the requirements, and may dismiss it if they have partly complied (subsection 10(5)).
  • The person running the program must notify the young person's parents (section 11).

6. Bail: whether a young person can go home before the case is decided

Status: [In force]. C-14 changed the range of Criminal Code provisions referred to at the start of subsection 29(1), so judges can now set a few more kinds of bail conditions; the conditions for detention and the burden of proof did not change.

Bail is not a finding of innocence, and being held is not a sentence. Bail is about where the young person lives and what conditions they must follow while waiting for trial. Sentencing is about what consequences the young person faces after a finding of guilt.

Bail conditions must meet three requirements (subsection 29(1)): when a judge sets a bail condition for a young person, the judge must be satisfied that the condition —

• is necessary to ensure the young person attends court, or to protect the public (including victims and witnesses);
• is reasonable in the circumstances of the matter;
• is one the young person is able to comply with.

Section 62 of C-14 widened the range of Criminal Code bail conditions referred to in this subsection, from subsections 515(4) to (4.2) to subsections 515(4) to (4.4). The new subsection 515(4.4) was added to the Criminal Code by C-14: for a person charged with motor vehicle theft (section 333.1 of the Criminal Code) or breaking into a dwelling-house (paragraph 348(1)(d)), the judge must consider adding these kinds of conditions — not to go to specified places or areas; not to carry tools that can be used to break into homes or vehicles; and to stay at home at specified times. So when a young person is charged with these offences, the youth justice court can also set these kinds of conditions. But each one must still meet the three requirements above.

When a young person can be held until trial (subsection 29(2)): all of the following must be met —

• the young person is charged with a "serious offence" (an indictable offence with a maximum penalty of 5 years or more), or has a history of outstanding charges or findings of guilt;
• and the judge believes that: the young person is likely not to attend court; or holding them is necessary to protect the public; or (only for a serious offence, in exceptional circumstances) holding them is necessary to maintain confidence in the administration of justice;
• and no bail condition or combination of conditions can manage these risks.

Who has to prove it (subsection 29(3)): the burden of proving that these conditions are met is on the prosecution. The section says the Attorney General, meaning the side responsible for prosecuting; in B.C., this is usually Crown counsel. The Provincial Court of B.C.'s website says Crown counsel represents the public, not the government, the police or the victim. C-14 did not change this subsection.

Two more rules:

• police and judges must not use detention or bail conditions as a substitute for appropriate child protection, mental health or other social services (section 28.1);
• a young person held while waiting for trial must generally be kept separate from adults (subsection 30(3)).

If you see news saying "bail is harder now", don't apply it straight to young people. According to the Department of Justice's Bill C-14 page, C-14 created some new "reverse onus" situations in the Criminal Code and expanded an existing one; in these, the accused must show why they should be released. Section 28 of the YCJA says the bail part of the Criminal Code applies to young people, except where it is inconsistent with or excluded by the YCJA; and subsection 29(3) puts the burden of proof for detention on the prosecution. For how this works in a specific case, ask a lawyer (section 12 of this guide explains how to find a free lawyer and how to check a lawyer's licence).

7. C-14's changes for young people that are already in force (from July 15, 2026)

Status: [In force]. This is based on subsection 84(1) of C-14: sections 59 to 70 and sections 73 and 74 come into force on the 30th day after Royal Assent. Royal Assent was on June 15, so the 30th day is July 15, 2026. The Department of Justice's Bill C-14 page also says they came into force on July 15.

1. The definition of "violent offence" is wider (section 59 of C-14, subsection 2(1) of the YCJA)

Why it matters: in the YCJA, "violent offence" is one of the thresholds for whether custody can be imposed (section 5 of this guide; paragraph 39(1)(a)).

In plain language: before, the question was whether the offence, in law, has "causing harm" as one of its elements. Now the question is whether, in the course of this particular offence, the young person actually caused bodily harm. For example, if an offence does not by itself require harming anyone, but this time the young person hurt someone while committing it, it may count as a "violent offence" under the new wording. Also, offences involving the use or trafficking of firearms are now expressly included. The Department of Justice's Bill C-14 page says this "expands the availability of custodial sentences for a range of crimes".

Note:

• Counting as a "violent offence" only passes one threshold for custody; it does not mean custody is certain, still less that an adult sentence is automatic. The limits in subsections 39(2) and (5) still apply (see section 5 of this guide).
• Subsection 78(1) says the new definition applies only to offences committed on or after July 15, 2026.

2. Time unlawfully at large does not count as time served (section 69 of C-14, new section 109.1)

The provision means: if a young person is unlawfully at large while subject to a youth sentence, that time does not count toward the custody and supervision order. In plain language: if they run away and hide, the sentence does not "run out" on its own. This does not add extra years to the sentence. This provision also applies only to offences committed on or after July 15 (subsection 78(1)).

The government's "Charter Statement" also says this change "does not add to the duration of the sentence already imposed". A Charter Statement is a document that the Minister of Justice, as required by law, issues for every government bill; it explains which rights in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms the bill may engage, for the public and Parliament to consider; it is not a comprehensive legal opinion on whether the bill is constitutional.

3. In an emergency, police can publish a young person's identity first (section 70 of C-14, new subsections 110(4.1) and (4.2))

The general rule has not changed: subsection 110(1) prohibits anyone from publishing information that would identify a young person as having been dealt with under the YCJA (section 15 of this guide explains this in detail).

Before: if police wanted to publish the identity of a young person who was at large, they first had to apply to a youth justice court judge for an order (subsection 110(4)), and such an order expires after 5 days.

Now there is an emergency exception. When police have reasonable grounds to believe the following two things, they may publish first without waiting for a court order:

• (a) the young person has committed, or may be about to commit, an indictable offence; and
• (b) the situation is urgent and publication is needed right away, with all three of ① ② ③ below true:
  • ① the young person poses an imminent danger to the public, and publication would help prevent serious bodily harm or death;
  • ② publication is necessary to apprehend them;
  • ③ even with reasonable efforts, there is no time to get a court order.

If publication lasts more than 24 hours, a court order must be obtained (subsection 110(4.2)).

This power is given only to the police. It does not mean online users, parents' group chats or social media accounts can follow suit and expose young people involved in a case. Subsection 78(2) says this provision also applies to matters still in progress on July 15.

What the government says about this provision. The government's Charter Statement says this power may engage section 8 of the Charter (the right to be secure against unreasonable search or seizure, which relates to privacy); the government considers it consistent with the Charter, because it has an important public safety purpose and its conditions are strict: for example, it must be so urgent that there is no time to get a court order, and a court order is needed if publication lasts more than 24 hours.

4. Other changes

• Evidence restriction (section 60 of C-14, section 9 of the YCJA): warnings, cautions or referrals given to a young person by police or a prosecutor, or a police decision to take no further action, as well as the alleged offence itself, cannot be used in court to prove that the young person "has offended before". C-14 added the case where the police decided to take no further action to section 9. On July 18, another law, C-16, amended section 9 again, so that it also covers its new section 6.1 (warnings, cautions and referrals by prosecutors) (see section 9 of this guide).
• Range of bail conditions referred to (section 62 of C-14, subsection 29(1)): see section 6 of this guide.
• Credit for pre-sentence custody must be explained (section 64 of C-14, new section 49.1): at sentencing, if the court takes off part of the sentence for the time the young person was held in custody before sentencing, it must give reasons. It must also record five things in the court record and on the warrant of committal: the offence, how long the young person was held, the sentence that would have been imposed without the credit, the amount of credit given, and the final sentence. Failing to record these does not affect the validity of the sentence. This provision applies only to offences committed on or after July 15 (subsection 78(1)).
• When a young person under community supervision is alleged to have breached conditions and is taken into custody (section 68 of C-14, new section 108.1): an application for release follows the bail process (sections 28 to 31); until the court completes its review, the sentence keeps running and the original conditions stay in effect.
• The young person and their lawyer can see the records at any time (section 73 of C-14, section 124): this right already existed; C-14 rewrote the section and added "Despite any other provision of this Act".
• A few technical changes: section 17 (rules of court made by youth justice courts must be published), paragraph 42(13)(b) (consecutive sentences), subsection 56(5) (when probation starts after deferred custody), subsections 57(1) and 58(1) (transferring sentences when the family moves to another area, and arrangements between provinces), and section 156 (federal cost agreements with the provinces).

5. Can the new rules be used for things that happened before July 15? (section 78 of C-14)

• The new provisions in sections 59, 63 to 67 and 69 apply only to offences committed on or after July 15. That is, the new violent offence definition, time at large not counting as time served, reasons for pre-sentence custody credit, consecutive sentences and so on cannot be applied to things that happened before July 15.
• Sections 60 to 62, 68, 70, 73 and 74 also apply to matters and proceedings still in progress on July 15.
• Section 71: once it comes into force, it will also apply to matters still in progress on that day.

8. Passed, not yet in force: two sections on youth records (sections 71 and 72 of C-14)

Status: [Passed, not yet in force].

As of November 5, 2026, these two sections are not yet in force, based on the following:

• subsection 84(2) of C-14 says sections 71 and 72 come into force on a day to be fixed by order of the Governor in Council;
• the YCJA on the Department of Justice's Justice Laws website (the page says "current to 2026-10-19") lists these two sections at the end under "Amendments Not in Force";
• the Department of Justice's Bill C-14 page also says these changes "will only come into force by order in council";
• this guide checked the tables of contents of each issue of the Canada Gazette, Part II (where the federal government officially publishes regulations and coming-into-force orders) from July 1 to November 4, 2026, and found no order bringing these two sections into force.

What these two sections are about:

1. Police may keep records of investigations that did not lead to charges (section 71, new subsection 115(1.2)): it states that even if a police investigation of a young person for a suspected offence ends with no charge and no extrajudicial measures, the police may keep the record of that investigation.
2. A 2-year access period for two kinds of records (subsection 72(1), new paragraphs 119(2)(a.1) and (a.2)). One kind is records of cases dealt with by "extrajudicial measures" but not by "extrajudicial sanctions", until 2 years from the day the measure was decided on; the other is the kind of uncharged investigation record in point 1 above, until 2 years from the day the young person stopped being the subject of the investigation.
3. Who can see uncharged investigation records, and whether they can be used as evidence (subsection 72(2), new subsections 119(4.1) and (4.2)): they may be seen only by police or prosecutors to make decisions about this young person under the YCJA, or by police to investigate an offence; and evidence from this kind of investigation cannot be used in court to prove that the young person has offended before.

Two terms: "extrajudicial measures" is the general term for ways of dealing with a case outside court, including police taking no further action, warnings and cautions by police or prosecutors, and referrals to community programs, as well as the more formal "extrajudicial sanctions" (explained in section 5 of this guide).

What it is not:

• it is not "all youth records are kept for only 2 years";
• nor is it "everything is automatically wiped clean after 2 years". The access periods for other records follow the current subsection 119(2) (section 13 of this guide has a table).

After they come into force, what happens to earlier applications and records (sections 76 and 77): applications made before they come into force and not yet granted will be dealt with under the new rules; records that existed before they come into force, if access is requested only afterwards, will also be dealt with under the new rules.

When they will come into force: there is no date yet. Watch whether the Canada Gazette, Part II publishes a coming-into-force order, and whether the Justice Laws website takes these two sections off its "not in force" list.

9. Don't mix them up: another law passed the same year, C-16, also amended the YCJA

Status: [In force], from July 18, 2026.

The YCJA on the Justice Laws website says "last amended on 2026-07-18". That amendment was not C-14 but another law: the Protecting Victims Act, Bill C-16 of the 1st Session of the 45th Parliament, Statutes of Canada 2026, chapter 19. It received Royal Assent on June 18, 2026, and its provisions amending the YCJA came into force on the 30th day after Royal Assent, that is, July 18.

What it changed in the YCJA includes (summary):

• The parts of the principles about victims and a few other points were rewritten, and now say: victims are to be treated with courtesy, compassion, fairness and respect, including respect for their dignity and privacy; victims are to be informed about youth justice proceedings and their own role in them, and given the opportunity to participate and be heard; restorative justice (where the young person faces and makes up for the harm done to the victim) may be used; and the young person's needs and circumstances must be respected, with particular attention to Indigenous and Black young persons.
• New section 6.1: before starting or continuing a prosecution against a young person, the prosecutor must consider whether a warning, caution or referral would be enough.
• Reasons for sentence: the current section 48 says a copy of the sentence and reasons must be given to a victim who wants to know; new section 48.1 requires the court, at sentencing, to ask the prosecution whether reasonable steps were taken to ask the victim whether they want to be informed about the sentence and how it is carried out.
• Subsection 111(1): in a case of an offence committed (or alleged to have been committed) by a young person, no one may publish information that would identify a child or young person as a victim or witness; it now says this applies even if the child has died.

This guide is mainly about C-14. When you see claims that "the YCJA changed in 2026", first check which law made the change.

10. When an adult sentence may be imposed

Status: [In force]. C-14 did not change this process.

An "adult sentence" means the sentence given to this young person is one an adult could receive for the same offence (subsection 2(1)). It cannot be summed up simply as "transferring the young person to adult court".

Step 1: the prosecution must first be able to apply.

• Subsection 64(1): for the prosecution to apply for an adult sentence, both conditions must be met: the offence was committed after the young person turned 14; and an adult could be sentenced to more than two years in prison for this offence. This refers to the penalty the law allows for the offence, not that this young person has already been sentenced to more than two years. Offences committed at age 12 or 13 cannot go this route.
• Subsection 64(2): the prosecution must give notice to the young person and the court before the young person enters a plea (that is, says in court whether they plead guilty or not guilty); with the court's permission, notice can be given later, before the trial starts.
• Section 67: if the prosecution gives notice that it will seek an adult sentence, or the young person is charged with first or second degree murder, the young person may choose before pleading how to be tried: by a youth justice court judge alone, by a judge alone, or by a judge and jury.

Step 2: the court holds a hearing.

• Section 71: at the start of the sentencing hearing, the court must first hear this application (unless no one opposes the prosecution's application); both sides and the young person's parents are given an opportunity to speak.

Step 3: the prosecution must satisfy the court of two things (subsection 72(1)), and both must be met:

• ① the presumption of diminished moral blameworthiness of this young person has been rebutted in their case;
• ② a youth sentence imposed under the youth sentencing principles would not be long enough to hold them accountable for their actions.

Some safeguards:

• if either of the two is not met, the court must impose a youth sentence (subsection 72(1.1));
• the burden of proof is on the prosecution (subsection 72(2));
• the court must consider the pre-sentence report and give reasons; this decision is part of the sentence and can be appealed (subsections 72(3) to (5)).

What happens if an adult sentence is imposed:

• the sentencing provisions of the Criminal Code apply, as do the provisions on dangerous offenders and long-term offenders (subsection 74(1));
• once the time for appeal has passed, or the adult sentence is upheld on appeal, the earlier "finding of guilt" becomes a "conviction" (subsection 74(2));
• a person under 18 cannot serve their sentence in a provincial adult jail or a federal penitentiary (subsection 76(2)). What sentence is given and where it is served are two separate matters;
• a young person given an adult sentence is no longer protected by the ban on publishing their identity (paragraph 110(2)(a)).

11. If a young person is approached or arrested by police: the young person's rights, and what parents can do

Status: [In force].

The young person has the right to a lawyer

• Section 10 of the Charter: everyone has the right on arrest or detention to be told promptly the reasons; the right to retain and instruct counsel without delay, that is, to get a lawyer and talk with the lawyer about what to do; and the right to be informed of that right.
• Subsections 25(1) and (2) of the YCJA: a young person has the right to a lawyer at any stage of the proceedings, and may exercise this right personally; when a young person is arrested or detained, the police must tell them right away that they have the right to a lawyer, and give them an opportunity to get one.

The young person can stay silent; there are special rules for police statements

Subsection 146(2) of the YCJA covers what a person under 18 says or writes to the police (or another "person in authority" in law) when arrested or detained, or when the police have reasonable grounds to believe they committed an offence. For these statements to be used as evidence against them, all four of the following must be met:

1. the young person made the statement voluntarily;
2. before the statement, the person in authority explained clearly, in language suited to the young person's age and understanding: that they are under no obligation to make a statement; that anything they say may be used as evidence against them; that they have the right to consult a lawyer and a parent (or another appropriate adult) first; and that any lawyer and person they consult must be present when they make the statement, unless they do not want that;
3. before the statement, the young person was given a reasonable opportunity to consult a lawyer and also a parent; if there is no parent, an adult relative; and if there is no adult relative, another appropriate adult of their choice — but this person cannot be a co-accused in the same matter or someone under investigation in the same matter;
4. if the young person consulted someone, they were given a reasonable opportunity to make the statement in that person's presence.

Two exceptions to know:

• the young person can waive the right to consult someone and to have someone present, but the waiver must be recorded on video or audio, or made in writing and signed by the young person (subsection 146(4));
• things the young person blurts out spontaneously before the police have had a chance to explain their rights are not subject to requirements 2 to 4 above (subsection 146(3)).

Legal Aid BC's explanation written for young people themselves (Legal Aid BC website), seen from a parent's point of view:

• a young person (under 18) who is arrested has the same rights as an adult in B.C.;
• if the young person has a lawyer or knows the name of a lawyer they want to speak to, they can ask to contact that lawyer; they can also ask the police for a list of lawyers, or ask to speak to a free lawyer from Legal Aid BC;
• the young person does not have to tell the police whether they agree with the reason for the arrest, or say whether they know why they were arrested;
• the young person does not have to say anything about the matter, or answer questions in the investigation;
• if the young person has asked for a lawyer or a parent but has not yet had a chance to speak with them, or has contacted them but they have not yet arrived, the police cannot question them;
• what the young person says to a lawyer in private is confidential and cannot be used as evidence against them in court;
• before the police explain and carry out the young person's rights, anything the young person says on their own may be used against them; after the rights are explained, anything the young person decides to say may also be used against them;
• it is best to have a lawyer and a parent (or another adult) with the young person to help protect their rights.

If someone proposes dealing with the matter by an extrajudicial sanction, the young person has the right to talk to a lawyer before consenting (paragraph 10(2)(d); the B.C. government's "Right to a lawyer" page says the same).

An exception for people who are older: for a person who is already 20 or older at their first appearance in youth justice court (for example, someone charged many years later), the arrangements in subsections 25(4) to (9) on court referral and appointing a lawyer, and the rules in section 26 on notifying parents, do not apply (subsections 25(11) and 26(12)); the rights they have under adult law are not affected.

Will parents be notified? (section 26)

• if the young person is arrested and held until trial: the police must notify the parents as soon as possible (orally or in writing), saying where the young person is being held and why they were arrested;
• if the young person receives a summons or an appearance notice, or is released after signing an undertaking: the parents must be notified in writing as soon as possible;
• the notice must include the young person's name, the charge, and when and where to appear in court, and must also say that the young person has the right to a lawyer;
• if the parents cannot be found, an adult relative who knows the young person and is likely to help can be notified instead; if there is none, another appropriate adult who knows the young person.

"Parent" has a wide meaning in law. Subsection 2(1) says "parent" includes anyone who is under a legal duty to provide for the young person, and anyone who has, in law or in fact, the custody or control of the young person (but not someone who has custody or control only because of proceedings under the YCJA).

What parents can do

1. Ask first: where the young person is, what they are charged with, when and where to appear in court, and what conditions they must follow if released. Read carefully the documents from the police or the court.
2. Get a lawyer as soon as possible: while at the police, the young person can ask to call Legal Aid BC's Brydges Line at 1-866-458-5500 themselves (24 hours; it is for people who are arrested, detained or under investigation to call for themselves), and can also ask for a free Legal Aid BC lawyer. If a parent wants to apply for a lawyer to represent the young person, call the Legal Aid BC call centre, contact the Victoria office, or apply online (section 12 of this guide).
3. Tell the young person about these rights: they can talk to a lawyer and a parent first, and they can stay silent. Having a parent there does not mean they already have a lawyer.
4. Go to court with the young person: if the court thinks a parent's presence is necessary or in the young person's best interests, it can order the parent in writing to attend; if the parent does not go without a reasonable excuse, it is contempt of court, and the court can also issue a warrant to bring the parent to court (section 27).
5. The lawyer takes instructions from the young person: if the judge thinks the interests of the parents and the young person conflict, or it would be better for the young person to have their own lawyer, the judge must make sure the young person has a lawyer independent of the parents (subsection 25(8)). The B.C. government website also says the young person's lawyer takes instructions from the young person, not the parents; even if the parents disagree, how the case is handled is decided by the young person and the lawyer.
6. Parents can speak at sentencing: before imposing a youth sentence, the court must consider the parents' views (subsection 42(1)); when the prosecution applies for an adult sentence, parents have an opportunity to speak at the hearing (section 71).

How a youth case usually goes in B.C.

The B.C. government website (updated March 11, 2026) explains it like this:

• someone reports to the police, and the police investigate;
• the police decide whether to recommend charges to Crown counsel; the police can also use extrajudicial measures instead, without sending it to Crown counsel or to court;
• the police can arrest and hold the young person, or let them go home on their own, or release them to a parent or another adult;
• Crown counsel reviews the police report: charges are laid only if the evidence is enough to prove the young person guilty and a prosecution is in the public interest; Crown counsel can also send a warning letter, refer the young person to an extrajudicial sanction, or start court proceedings;
• once in court, the court decides whether the young person is guilty or not guilty; if guilty, the court passes sentence; the sentence may be served in the community, in a youth custody centre, or both.

The B.C. government website also says: parents have the right to attend court and to speak at proceedings such as sentencing; and during the proceedings and while the young person is serving the sentence, they have the right to see the young person's legal records and documents.

Related: for calling 911 in an emergency and which police number to call when it is not an emergency, see sections 2 and 10 of Guide No. 20, Staying safe and getting help; for how to find and call federal government phone lines, see Guide No. 7, Phone directory. If a young person in your home is cared for by a custodian (for example, a minor international student who has come to study in Canada), for who the custodian is and how one is chosen, see section 2 of Guide No. 18, Custodians for a child studying in Canada.

12. Finding a lawyer in B.C.: how to get legal aid

Status: the services as currently described on the Legal Aid BC website, read on November 5, 2026.

A young person charged with a crime has the right to a lawyer:

• Legal Aid BC's page on criminal representation says: a young person charged with a federal offence is entitled to legal representation; a child in the care of the provincial Ministry of Children and Family Development (in foster care) should ask their own social worker to arrange a lawyer.
• The B.C. government's "Right to a lawyer" page says: in B.C., Legal Aid BC provides legal services to young people charged with a crime; "Regardless of your or your parent's income, a lawyer will be appointed for you at no cost". (This page was updated on June 9, 2021, which is fairly old; when you apply, go by what Legal Aid BC tells you at that time.)
• The court also has a duty: if a young person wants a lawyer but cannot get one, the court must refer them to legal aid; if they still cannot get one through legal aid, the court must, at the young person's request, order that a lawyer be appointed for them (subsections 25(4) and (5) of the YCJA).

Phone numbers and addresses:

Legal Aid BC's criminal representation page says Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday until 4:00 p.m.; the two pages differ, so calling before 3:30 p.m. is safer.

Besides calling the call centre, you can also apply by contacting any legal aid location, or online (the "Call us to apply" page listed at the end of this section has a link for applying online).

The Victoria office is in the Victoria Law Courts: 850 Burdett Avenue, Room 134A. There is also an intake location at the Western Communities courthouse (1756 Island Highway): every other Wednesday and every Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m., with the same email and phone number as the Victoria office (250-382-4620). If you live around Langford or Colwood, you can go there. Legal Aid BC says in-person services are available at some locations around the province, so please call first to ask whether you can be served in person; calling the local office may get you help faster.

Duty counsel: available at courthouses throughout the province; they explain to people charged with a crime the charges, the court process and their rights (including the right to a lawyer and the right to apply for legal aid), and can represent you at a bail hearing; if they have time, they can also help with a guilty plea. Seeing duty counsel does not require a financial eligibility check first. For duty counsel hours in your area, ask the local court registry.

Language: when you call the call centre, you will first hear a recorded message in six languages: Mandarin, Cantonese, English, French, Punjabi and Spanish. Tell the staff member who answers which language you speak, and they can connect a phone interpreter right away, in more than 100 languages.

If you call the call centre, you could start like this (change "son", the age and the language to fit your situation):

Long-distance calls: if you need to make a long-distance call to a legal aid office in another area, you can call Service BC and ask them to transfer your call for free (if you use a mobile phone, the call time may still count on your bill).

Have these ready when you apply:

• proof of income, such as your two most recent pay stubs, your most recent benefit statement, or your most recent tax return and bank records (if you are self-employed or a seasonal worker);
• proof of the value of your assets;
• documents related to the case, such as court orders and charge documents.

Adults applying for a representation lawyer are assessed on income and assets, and also on the case. One of the conditions for representation that Legal Aid BC lists is: if convicted, the person would go to jail, would face a conditional sentence that would severely limit their liberty, would lose their way of earning a living, or would face an immigration proceeding that could lead to their deportation from Canada.

If you hire your own lawyer, check their licence first. The Law Society of British Columbia's Lawyer Directory can be searched by name: whether a lawyer is licensed, whether they can currently practise, and whether they have any discipline record.

Related: if your family has immigration status issues, for finding a licensed immigration consultant or immigration lawyer and how to check their licence, see section 2 of Guide No. 59, Immigration consultants and the new penalties.

13. Will a youth record affect the future?

Status: [In force]. After sections 71 and 72 come into force, there will be rules for two more kinds of records (see section 8 of this guide).

What a "youth record" is. The B.C. government website says: a youth record means any document that links a young person to a case under the YCJA, not only court records; records kept by the police, courts, government departments and non-governmental organizations that provide services to young people all count; and it is not the same thing as what the adult criminal system calls a "criminal record".

How long a record can be accessed (subsection 119(2))

Within the periods below, the people listed in the law, such as the young person, their lawyer, the prosecution, the police and the victim, can see the record under the rules. Once the periods in section 119 (and section 120, described below) have passed, the record can no longer be used to identify the young person (subsection 128(1)); the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) must also remove it from the national police records system (CPIC) (subsection 128(4)).

When the period can get longer, or the record can become an adult record:

• For some serious offences, the RCMP record can be kept longer (section 120 and the schedule to the YCJA): for offences listed in the schedule, such as assault with a weapon or causing bodily harm, aggravated assault, sexual assault, robbery, kidnapping, manslaughter and murder, where the young person was found guilty of it as an indictable offence, after the periods in the table above have passed, the record in the RCMP's central repository can still be seen by a small number of people for 5 more years (for example, the young person and their lawyer, and the police and prosecution if the young person is again charged with an offence in the schedule). For a serious violent offence where the prosecution had also given notice of seeking an adult sentence, it can be accessed with no end date.
• if the young person commits another offence during this period (still as a young person), the period is extended (paragraphs 119(2)(i) and (j));
• if, during this period for a summary conviction or indictable offence, the person is convicted of an offence after becoming an adult, the youth record becomes an adult record and is dealt with under the rules for adult records (subsection 119(9)).

The B.C. government website says: for a youth record, you do not need to apply for a pardon; as long as the person does not commit another crime, it can no longer be accessed after a period of time; but if the person is convicted as an adult during the period, the youth record may become an adult record.

Jobs

• Subsection 82(1): a person who received an absolute discharge, or who has completed their youth sentence, is deemed not to have been found guilty. But there are some exceptions; for example, if the person offends again, the court can still consider the earlier findings of guilt when deciding on bail, on the sentence, or on whether to impose an adult sentence.
• Subsection 82(3): job application and enlistment forms for federal government departments, federal Crown corporations, the Canadian Armed Forces, and federally regulated industries (such as banks, airlines and telecommunications) cannot ask whether the applicant has been charged with or found guilty of this kind of offence (one for which they received an absolute discharge or completed their youth sentence).
• But during the access period, a criminal record check required by the government for a job or for providing services (paid or unpaid) can see it (paragraph 119(1)(o)).
• The B.C. government website says: having a youth record may make some jobs and travel abroad harder; and if the person commits another crime later, it may also lead to a heavier sentence.

Immigration (permanent residents and foreign nationals who are not yet citizens)

• Subparagraph 36(3)(e)(iii) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act: a permanent resident or foreign national cannot be found unable to enter or remain in Canada on grounds of "serious criminality" or "criminality" (in law, this is called inadmissible) because of an offence for which a "youth sentence" was imposed.
• If an adult sentence was imposed, it does not fall within this exception.
• Immigration status involves many provisions; for example, organized criminality has separate rules. If the young person or the parents are not yet citizens, once the young person is charged, see a lawyer as soon as possible and tell the lawyer about the young person's immigration status. As mentioned above, Legal Aid BC also lists an immigration proceeding that could lead to deportation as one of the situations in which a representation lawyer can be provided.

Citizenship

• Subsection 22(1) of the Citizenship Act: a person cannot be granted citizenship, or take the oath of citizenship, while under a probation order, on parole or serving a sentence, or while charged with, on trial for or appealing an indictable offence. The provision does not set out a specific exception for youth cases; it does not spell out whether a young person's probation or custody counts as one of these situations.
• If you plan to apply for citizenship for a young person who has a case pending, ask an immigration lawyer first.

Related: for finding a licensed immigration consultant or immigration lawyer and how to check their licence, see section 2 of Guide No. 59, Immigration consultants and the new penalties.

14. Will the school find out?

Status: [In force].

The YCJA strictly controls who can see youth records (section 118). The parts related to schools are subsections 125(6) to (8):

• Who can tell the school: the provincial director, a youth worker, the prosecution, the police, or anyone else providing services to young people.
• Whom they can tell: professionals or other people responsible for supervising or caring for the young person, including a representative of a school board, a school, or another educational or training institution.
• Only when necessary: to ensure the young person complies with a court order; to ensure the safety of staff, students or other people; or to help the young person rehabilitate.
• What the school must do once it has the information: keep it separate from the young person's other records; not let anyone else see it except people allowed by law and for the purposes above; and destroy the copy once it is no longer needed.
• There is a time limit: once the access period has passed (the table in section 13 of this guide), the information can no longer be shared this way.

The court may also require the young person to go to school. When imposing probation, the court can make it a condition that the young person attend school, or another suitable place of learning, training or activity, as long as the court is satisfied there is a suitable program there for the young person (paragraph 55(2)(e)).

If you are worried about safety at school, or about bullying or threats. The B.C. government's erase website (erase = expect respect & a safe education) is for students, adults and school staff; on the website you can "Report a problem or find help".

Related: for general matters about going to school in B.C., such as how to register and how school districts are organized, see section 5 of Guide No. 4, School years.

15. If you see the name or photo of a young person involved in a case online, can you share it?

Status: [In force].

• Publishing is not allowed: subsection 110(1) says no one may publish a young person's name or any other information if it would identify them as a young person dealt with under the YCJA.
• "Publishing" includes online: subsection 2(1) says "publication" means making something known or available to the public by any means, and it expressly includes print, radio or television broadcast, telecommunication and electronic means.
• The same goes for victims and witnesses: subsection 111(1) says that in a case of an offence committed (or alleged to have been committed) by a young person, no one may publish information that would identify a child or young person as a victim or witness.
• Breaking these rules has consequences: section 138 says breaking subsection 110(1) or 111(1) can be prosecuted as an indictable offence, with up to 2 years in prison, or as a summary conviction offence.
• The main exceptions are these:
  • an adult sentence has been imposed (paragraph 110(2)(a));
  • publication in the course of the administration of justice, where the purpose is not to make the information known in the community (paragraph 110(2)(c));
  • the young person, after turning 18 and while not in custody, publishes information about themselves (subsection 110(3)); the young person can also apply to the youth justice court for permission to publish it themselves (subsection 110(6));
  • the police have applied for and obtained a court order, and the court has allowed publication (subsection 110(4); the order expires after 5 days);
  • the police publish first in an emergency, and must get a court order if publication lasts more than 24 hours (subsections 110(4.1) and (4.2); see section 7 of this guide);
  • a victim or witness can publish information about themselves after turning 18, and, if under 18, can also publish it themselves with a parent's consent; if the child has died, the parents can publish; the child can also apply to the youth justice court for permission to publish it themselves (subsections 111(2) and (3)).

So: if you see the name, photo or address of "some young person at some school" in a WeChat group, on WeChat Moments or on WeChat Channels, do not share it, and do not try to identify them yourself (do not try to find out on your own who the young person is or where they live). For police notices asking for help to find or identify someone, go by the official channels of the police service.

16. Do parents have to pay for damage? B.C.'s Parental Liability Act

Status: [In force]. This is a B.C. law; BC Laws shows it as "current to 2026-10-27".

• The B.C. government's youth justice page says: parents are not criminally responsible because their child committed a crime.
• But section 3 of B.C.'s Parental Liability Act says: if a child under 18 intentionally takes, damages or destroys someone else's property, the parents are liable for the loss.
• Section 4: to claim under this Act, the property owner must sue under the small claims process (Small Claims Act); section 1 says that "suing" here also includes an application to the Civil Resolution Tribunal.
• Section 6: the most that can be claimed under this Act is $10,000 (not counting interest and costs). No matter how many children or parents are involved in one incident, the total for all parents together under this Act is also at most $10,000.
• Section 8: the rights under this Act are in addition to other rights to sue. That is, $10,000 is the limit under this Act, and other legal routes are not affected by it.
• Section 9: parents do not have to pay under this Act if they can prove two things to the court: that they were exercising reasonable supervision over the child when it happened; and that they made reasonable efforts to prevent or discourage the child from doing this kind of thing.
• Section 2: this Act does not apply to situations covered by section 10 of the School Act. Section 10 of the School Act says: if a student intentionally or through negligence destroys, damages or loses property of a school district (school board) or a francophone education authority, the student and the parents are jointly liable to the school district. This provision has no limit, and it does not cover only "intentional" acts.
• For how this works in your situation, ask a lawyer (section 12 of this guide explains how to check a lawyer's licence).

If a child takes something from a store without paying. Intentionally taking goods without paying is theft in law, and a person can be charged no matter how much the goods are worth (a child under 12 cannot be convicted); if a child (under 18) intentionally takes something from a store, the store can also sue the parents for the loss under the Parental Liability Act. See section 6 of Guide No. 71.

→ No. 71 · Shoplifting in Canada

17. How to read the numbers: Statistics Canada's 2025 data

Status: published statistics, released on July 22, 2026.

Statistics Canada's release on police-reported crime statistics for 2025 says:

• the national "Youth crime rate": 2,694 per 100,000 population, down 3.8% from 2024;
• B.C.: 2,164 per 100,000 population, down 1.5%.

Things to keep in mind with these two numbers:

• Statistics Canada notes on the same page that police-reported crime statistics can be affected by many factors, such as whether the public reports crimes, how proactive police are, police resources and practices, public awareness, and changes in the law; and they only reflect what police know about.
• These are 2025 figures, and C-14's youth provisions only came into force on July 15, 2026, so these two numbers cannot show whether C-14 has had any effect.
• This page from Statistics Canada does not explain in detail how this rate is calculated, so this guide does not interpret it further.

18. If you want to share your views on this law, whom to contact

• Contact the federal Member of Parliament (MP) for your riding. C-14 is a federal law. On the House of Commons website you can search current members by name, riding or postal code; enter your postal code to find out who your MP is.

You could start like this (replace the square brackets with the name of your riding):

• When sections 71 and 72 come into force will be set by an order of the federal cabinet; no date has been set yet.
• Review after five years: after June 15, 2031, a parliamentary committee will review the changes made by this law. When the time comes, watch for notices from parliamentary committees.
• Implementation is up to the provinces. The Department of Justice says policing, prosecutions, courts, jails and victim services are the responsibility of the provinces and territories. If you have views on how things are carried out in B.C., such as police resources, prosecutions or court scheduling, you can contact the B.C. Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for your electoral district. Note: after the October 24 provincial election, the Legislative Assembly of B.C. website says that information on the new members will be made available only after the certified election results are received on November 18.

Related: for how to find and call federal government phone lines, see Guide No. 7, Phone directory.

19. Key points for families to remember

• Once a young person turns 12, if they do something against the law, they may be criminally responsible. C-14 did not change this age.
• Young people have a separate set of laws. "Less responsibility" does not mean "no responsibility". C-14 also did not change things so that young people are "always sentenced heavily".
• Most of C-14's youth provisions came into force on July 15; among them, the new violent offence definition and time at large not counting as time served apply only to things that happened after July 15.
• Sections 71 and 72, which deal with youth records, are not yet in force.
• If a young person is approached by police: talk to a lawyer and a parent first, and they can stay silent. While at the police, the young person can ask to call the Brydges Line at 1-866-458-5500 (24 hours, free); for a parent to apply for a lawyer for the young person, call the legal aid call centre or the Victoria office.
• Do not share the names, photos or schools of young people involved in cases.
• When you read the news, ask five questions first: Which Parliament's bill is it? Which section? When does it come into force? Is it about bail or sentencing? Is it about adults or young people?

Related guides

• → No. 20 · Staying safe and getting help
  In an emergency, first assess the danger in front of you, and when 911 answers, first say clearly where the person is (section 2); the non-emergency police numbers for Victoria, Saanich, the West Shore and several places in Greater Vancouver, chosen by where it happened (section 10).
• → No. 7 · Phone directory
  How to call federal government lines such as the CRA, Employment Insurance (EI), IRCC, the dental care plan and 1-800-O-Canada, what to have ready before you call, and what to do if you cannot get through.
• → No. 18 · Custodians for a child studying in Canada
  When a child comes to Canada to study: what a custodian actually does and who can be one, and who signs each of the two pages of the IMM 5646 Custodianship Declaration (section 2); why age depends on when you apply and which province; and why parents who come to stay with the child need their own legal status.
• → No. 59 · Immigration consultants and the new penalties
  Only three kinds of licensed people can charge you to help with immigration or citizenship; how to check whether a consultant or lawyer is licensed before you pay (section 2); the new IRCC penalties from October 2026 for representatives who charge without a licence or help clients commit fraud; and where to find free, legitimate help (section 7).
• → No. 4 · School years
  School in B.C.: child care and preschool, who can attend public school without paying tuition, the five steps to register, including finding your school district and catchment school by address (section 5), and high school credits and university applications.
• → No. 71 · Shoplifting in Canada
  Taking goods from a store without paying is theft in law, and the $5,000 line only decides the maximum sentence; your rights if a store suspects you of taking something; whether a store can make the parents pay if a child takes something (section 6); and the 2025 shoplifting figures for Canada, B.C. and Victoria.

Main official links in this guide

All the official web addresses used in this guide are listed here, in five groups by organization; the end of each section also lists the ones for that section. The pages of LEGISinfo, the full text of Bill C-14 as passed by the House of Commons at third reading and as given Royal Assent, the House of Commons Journals for June 12, 2026, the laws and annual statutes on the Justice Laws website, the Department of Justice's Bill C-14 page, news releases and Charter Statement, Statistics Canada, the Provincial Court of B.C., the Government of B.C., BC Laws, the Legislative Assembly of B.C., the Law Society of British Columbia's Lawyer Directory and Legal Aid BC were all opened and read on November 5, 2026; for the House of Commons members search page, we read its search instructions. For the Canada Gazette, Part II, we read the tables of contents of each issue from July 1 to November 4, 2026; the pages of the two committees of the House of Commons and the Senate are listed only as a starting point for looking up what was said, and this guide did not read the testimony or debates there. These points were not verified this time, and the guide says so: the federal government's database of orders gave no results, so the statement that there is no order yet bringing sections 71 and 72 into force is based on the Justice Laws website (current to October 19, 2026) and the tables of contents of the Gazette issues, and an order published only after November 4 cannot be ruled out; we did not read what each of the Senate's amendments said, or why sections 71 and 72 were changed to come into force on a day set by order; we could not read how Statistics Canada calculates the youth crime rate; and the Library of Parliament's summary of the bill could not be read, so this guide does not use it or link to it.

Parliament (bill status and text)

Federal laws (Justice Laws website)

Government of Canada

Province of B.C.

Legal Aid BC