http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nsvotes2009/st ... ories.html

I read this today and had a laugh. It seems completely besides the point on what the government should (imo) be concerned about and as I recall it didn't turn out too well for the people of Springfield who tried to do the same.

If this somehow comes into effect, which is doubtful I know, I hope the young generation of today remember it when they turn 18 and can vote.

When I visited Cape Breton yrs ago as a youngster they also had a kurfew & I thought it was hilarious as we've never heard of anything like that here hahaha. This won't fly at all I don't think.

This makes no sense at all. In abstract, it feels like another step closer to a "Big Brother" environment, and it's going to get shot down hard.


There is no way this is going to be placed into effect. What are the Tories thinking? Are they trying to garner support from all the overprotective mothers out there?

You'd be surprised how many people in the comments section think this will stop a lot of crime. I felt like posting a Statistics Canada page that showed that most crimes were committed by 18-34 year old's and suggesting that they too be placed under curfew. Everything's fine as long as it's not inconveniencing the voting population apparently.

Unfortunately youth crimes are only reported as totals and not per 100,000 people as the 'crime rate' is typically reported. While stats Can and the government would like us to think the Youth Criminal Justice Act is working, it is not.

One stat they provide for Youth Crime in NS being down 7.2%. A fairly impressive number itself; however, digging further into NS's demographic changes over the same time period shows the 18 and below age group has shrunk by 20%.

This means the 15 and below group shrunk in size by 20 %, yet the crime rate only dropped by 7%. If the crime rate was steady, then it should have dropped by 20%! Read the crime rate for this age group is increasing and by an alarming rate.

The notion for a curfew is not directed at the people 18 or younger, it is a mechanism by which to hold irresponsible parents and guardians accountable for the delinquency of those under their charge. This is a long time coming.

On this alone, Rodney can expect my vote.

"Though attempts at a curfew have failed in some places, Rodney MacDonald said it's still worth trying in Nova Scotia."

I'm pretty sure this issue is not one the voters are concerned in, as well it's probably not the right way to go about it. This would have to be done by a referendumb.

As if the cops have nothing better to do but card everyone who looks to young walking down the street at 1:05am.

Also implies a success in other places.

A quick google shows many Canadian cities have youth curfews, with this trend increasing.

While it is not Canada, a (dated) survey of US cities can be found here.

http://usmayors.org/publications/curfew.htm

Seems to be a popular trend showing acceptable results.

I would have to say that popular culture has changed a fair amount since 1995. The age group that most easily accepts new technology/new age whatever is youth (generalizing).

I don't think pure extrapolation would work over the course of 19 years, but if they want to try it, they can. It doesn't affect me (yet) heh.

Makes sense.
Some parent's can't control their kids as well. I see that fine puts out some incentive towards parenting.

Yeah hit em where it hurts. 15 year old kids shouldn't be out that late anyways!

I had thought about this as well. I mean, I know kids at that age "shouldn't" be out at such hours, but to take away their freedom to do so, I have to disagree with. There are more "good" kids then there are "bad".

Also, I'd also like to bring up the ever-controversial issue that age is just a number, and maturity is something you cannot accurately measure as a function of how long you've been living. I have known plenty of very mature, brilliant kids who were only 13-14 years of age, yet had the common sense and intelligence of one much older.

...Until they stay up until 1am, then they turn into little monsters that run amok outside in the dark!

I know you're just kidding but I'm going to quote this anyways since I've been hearing it a lot and want to use it to bring out a few more points.

What person, regardless of age, really should be out that late/early anyways? Adults may have night-time jobs right? What time do you think those 13-15 year old kids with paper routes get up in order to get you your morning paper each day? Will kids that young and out that late be worse for our society then the 19-26 year old's who stay out until 4am drinking?

It seems to me like they're targeting the one group who can't argue back with their vote.

The fine is issued to the parents/gaurdians, not the 15 year old, so in fact they are targeting an age group who does get to vote.

True, I did forget about the fine, but at the very least they're really targeting both groups because it's not like the kids won't be affected by this.

If we really wanted to keep the "high crime" group off the street at night this curfew would be aimed at all males under the age of 45. I'd like to see what kind of support that would get.