Reinforcing his party's tough-on-crime reputation, Stephen Harper announced new measures on Monday to allow youth convicted of violent crimes to be named publicly.
Speaking in Ottawa, Harper said offenders 14 and older who are convicted of murder or other severe, violent crimes such as rape or manslaughter, could be named.
"Upon conviction, the name will be made public and the news media will not face a publication ban," Harper said.
Under current law, young offenders under 18 cannot be named by media in most circumstances.
The proposed changes to the Youth Criminal Justice Act would also give judges the power to decide whether repeat young offenders who have been convicted of less serious crimes, could be named.
'Rehabilitate and protect'
Harper said the legislation will also state that the primary goal of the young offenders law is twofold -- to rehabilitate young offenders and protect society.
He said the most violent young offenders would automatically be subjected to harsher sentences.
"When a person aged 14 or older is convicted of a serious violent offence such as murder, manslaughter or aggravated sexual assault, then the offender will automatically be subjected to a stiffer sentence," Harper said.
"In general our new law will provide for stiffer youth sentences taking into account the severity of the crime and the offender's level of responsibility. It will also make it easier when necessary to detain an offender before trial."
Harper said the proposed changes would make young criminals more accountable and therefore help deter them from a life of crime.
The changes would also make communities safer because residents would know if there is a dangerous young offender in their midst, he said.
Conservative candidate Stockwell Day told CTV's Mike Duffy Live on Monday that the plan would be make young offenders realize there are permanent consequences for criminal behaviour.
"So along with automatic sentencing for serious violent crimes, the very fact that their names would be published is a deterring effect," Day said. "You can't have a convicted, serious, violent criminal say 15-years-of-age... roaming the streets, unidentified.
"The purpose of identifying that person, who is convicted of a serious violent crime, is to serve as a deterrent and sort of a warning for the rest of the community."
Harper also said more resources would go into rehabilitating young offenders.
"Of course offenders have rights but we believe those rights must be balanced with responsibilities and that victims have rights too," he said.
