Awareness of the role of Canada’s Youth Criminal Justice Act, 2023

Key findings from the 2023 National Justice Survey^{Footnote 1}

What is the National Justice Survey?

The National Justice Survey (NJS) is an annual national public opinion research study conducted by Justice Canada, collecting the views, perceptions and knowledge of people living in Canada on important justice-related issues.

Graph - Awareness of the role of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, 2022 and 2023

The percentage of respondents who are aware of the role of the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) decreased slightly between 2022 and 2023, while the percentage of respondents who are moderately aware increased.^{Footnote 2}

• Year 2022
  • Not aware = 52%
  • Moderately aware = 27%
  • Aware = 20%
• Year 2023
  • Not aware = 49%
  • Moderately aware = 35%
  • Aware = 15%

Graph - Respondents aware of the role of the YCJA, by Indigenous identity, 2023

In 2023, Indigenous people—specifically First Nations people and Métis—were more likely to report being aware of the role of the YCJA than White people.

• Total Indigenous = 23%*
• First Nations = 24%*
• Inuit = 6%^
• Métis = 23%*
• Multiple Indigenous identities = 21%
• White (ref.) = 15%

^ Caution: Small sample size (≤50). Statistical testing not performed when n<30 since statistical assumptions are not met.

* Symbol indicates a significant difference from the reference category (White) at p < .05.

Graph - Respondents aware of the role of the YCJA, by racialized identity, 2023

Racialized people reported similar levels of awareness as White people, except for Latinx people, who were less likely to report being aware of the role of the YCJA.

• Total racialized groups┼ = 13%
• Black = 19%
• Latinx = 7%*
• South Asian = 14%
• Middle Eastern or North African = 10%
• East Asian/Southeast Asian = 12%
• Multiple ethno-cultural groups = 20%
• White (ref.) = 15%

Total racialized groups include Black, East Asian/Southeast Asian, Latino/Latina/Latinx, Middle Eastern or North African, more than one ethno-cultural group and White.

* Symbol indicates a significant difference from the reference category (White) at p < .05.

Graph - Respondents aware of the role of the YCJA, by age groups, 2023

Younger respondents aged 18 to 34 years old were more likely to report being aware of the role of the YCJA than older respondents aged 35 to 54 and 55 or older.

• 18 to 34 years old (ref.) = 19%
• 35 to 54 years old = 14%*
• 55 years and older = 13%*

* Symbol indicates a significant difference from the reference category (18 to 34 years old) at p < .05.

Awareness levels varied across Canada

Respondents from the Prairies, Ontario and the Atlantic region were more likely to report being aware of the role of the YCJA than respondents from British Columbia and Quebec.

• British Columbia = 12%
• Prairies = 17%*
• Territories = 14%^
• Ontario = 18%*
• Quebec = 10%
• Atlantic = 20%*

^ Caution: Small sample size (≤50). Statistical testing not performed when n<30 since statistical assumptions are not met.

* Symbol indicates a significant difference from respondents from British Columbia and Quebec at p < .05.

Source: 2023 National Justice Survey, https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/rp-pr/jr/njs-snj.html.