#Bill-C-231

Policy Watch|Canada

Youth drug-treatment bill C-231 clears report stage, after committee dropped its ‘no custody for refusing treatment’ clause

Luc Berthold’s private member’s bill amending the Youth Criminal Justice Act was concurred in at report stage on 6 October 2026. Police would have to consider sending youths charged with simple drug possession to treatment, and youth courts could delay sentencing so a young offender can attend a program. The justice committee deleted the original clause barring custody solely for failing to comply with a treatment condition.