During the development of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, researchers discovered that Canada, noted as being a fair and tolerant society, incarcerates its youth at higher rates than other Western countries. It became apparent that the criminal law was being applied too readily to Canadian juveniles and extending inappropriately into their lives. The author describes how the Youth Criminal Justice Act remedies the inappropriate intrusion of the criminal law by directing jurisdictions to exercise fair and proportionate responses to youthful offenders. Enhanced discretion coupled with statutory presumptions about when to use the formal court process is expected to lead to fewer youthful offenders processed through the formal youth criminal justice system. Additionally, for those youthful offenders who are processed through youth criminal court, the Act provides for clear, consistent, and coherent sentencing guidelines designed to reduce sentencing disparities. Other changes include the provision of meaningful interventions and rehabilitation services and the provision of reintegration services for youthful offenders. The author asserts that, with the Youth Criminal Justice Act providing a framework for reform, the Canadian youth justice system will become a fairer and more effective system. References