Fix Canada’s NCR and Youth Justice Laws: Demand Treatment and Public Safety Protections

📢 Petition to the Government of Canada:

We, the undersigned, are calling for urgent legislative reform to fix two dangerous gaps in Canadian law that continue to put the public at risk:

The Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) currently shields the identities of teenagers who commit violent crimes — including murder. We are demanding an exception for violent crimes resulting in death or extreme harm, so names can be disclosed and records are not sealed when public safety is at stake.

Individuals found Not Criminally Responsible (NCR) due to mental illness can be released from psychiatric care with no legal requirement to continue treatment or take medication — even after committing extreme acts of violence. This must change. We are demanding legislation that mandates post-release psychiatric care, medication compliance, and active supervision for high-risk individuals.

These aren’t abstract legal concerns. They are urgent, real-world issues — and they are costing lives.

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🧠 When Mental Illness Becomes a Public Safety Issue

Canada has witnessed repeated tragedies where individuals with untreated mental illness committed acts of extreme violence, were found NCR, institutionalized, and later released — with no legal obligation to continue treatment. In these cases, the public is left unprotected.

• Greyhound Bus Beheading (2008): Vince Li (now Will Baker) decapitated a fellow passenger. Found NCR. Released. Lives freely — with no treatment compliance required.
• Rohinie Bisesar (2015): Randomly stabbed and killed a woman at a downtown Toronto Shoppers Drug Mart. Still institutionalized, but if released, she would not be legally required to take medication, despite a schizophrenia diagnosis.
• Jeffrey Arenburg (1995): Killed a sportscaster after believing the media was controlling his mind. Released in 2006, stopped taking medication, and later assaulted a border agent.
• Gregory Despres (2005): Beheaded a neighbour. Found NCR and institutionalized — but still eligible for release reviews.
• André Dallaire (1995): Attempted to assassinate the Prime Minister. Found NCR. Eventually released.
• Sean Clifton (1999): Randomly stabbed a woman. Found NCR. Eventually reintegrated.

🎥 Watch the real-life story behind this issue:

NCR: Not Criminally Responsible – Full Documentary (YouTube)

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🔪 Youth Violence Is Escalating — And Canadians Are Being Kept in the Dark

Under the current YCJA, the names and records of youth who commit deadly crimes remain sealed — even after sentencing — and are often erased entirely when they turn 18. That means a young person could commit murder, serve a short sentence, and return to society anonymously.

This is not justice. And it’s not safe.

Real Cases:

• Shahnaz Pestonji Murder (Toronto, ON July 2025): A 14-year-old has been charged with second-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of a 71-year-old woman in a North York parking lot. Police say the attack was part of an attempted robbery. The accused cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
• 8 Year Old Victim (Quadeville, ON June 2025): 17-year-old was charged with attempted murder and sexual assault with a weapon after an eight-year-old girl was found with life-threatening injuries. Initially believed to be an animal attack, police later confirmed it was a violent assault by a known youth.
• Eleanor Doney Murder (Pickering, Ontario 2025): A 14-year-old boy fatally stabbed an 83 year-old woman who was gardening. He had been suspended for bringing a knife to school the day before. His identity is sealed.
• Ken Lee Murder (Toronto, 2022): Eight girls aged 13–16 swarmed and killed a homeless man. Their names are protected — many have already been released.
• La Loche School Shooting (2016): A 17-year-old shot and killed four people and injured seven. His identity was only revealed after a court ruled to try him as an adult.
• Serena McKay Murder (2017): Beaten to death by two teen girls, who filmed the assault and shared it on social media. Their names are still protected.
• Richardson Family Murders (2006): Jasmine Richardson, age 12, murdered her family with her boyfriend. She served 10 years and is now free. Her record is sealed.
• Danzig Street Shooting  (2012): A mass shooting left two dead and 24 injured. Involved youth shooters. Names revealed only after adult sentencing.

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⚖️ What Needs to Change

1. Reform the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA)

We are calling for targeted reforms that:

• Allow the publication of names in violent crimes resulting in death or severe harm
• Prevent automatic record sealing at age 18 for homicide or extreme violence
• Prioritize public safety and transparency, especially in cases involving repeat or escalating behavior

We should not have to fight to learn the identity of a youth who murdered someone.

We should not be in the dark about who is walking among us.

 

2. Mandate Post-Release Treatment Compliance for NCR Individuals

We are demanding federal legislation that ensures:

• Individuals found NCR must be legally required to continue psychiatric care and/or medication if deemed necessary by medical professionals
• Clear compliance tracking, supervision, and enforcement mechanisms
• Federal and provincial coordination to ensure continuous oversight after discharge

This isn’t about punishment. It’s about prevention. And protection.

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💬 What We Believe:

• Mental illness is not a crime — but leaving it untreated is a public risk
• Youth deserve second chances — but Canadians deserve transparency and safety
• A justice system that erases violence fails its citizens

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📢 We Call on Parliament To:

✅ Amend the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) to allow name disclosure and record retention in violent youth crime cases

✅ Pass legislation requiring mandatory post-release psychiatric treatment compliance for individuals found Not Criminally Responsible

✅ Close the legal gaps that are putting Canadians — and future victims — in danger

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Sign this petition to demand justice, safety, and accountability.

Then share it widely — because lives depend on change.