254:
offenders, it is more likely to be used than a sentence of life imprisonment. As of 2012, nearly 500 inmates had a "Dangerous
Offender" designation constituting about 3% of the federal offender population. Three years later, in 2015, 622 federal offenders had a Dangerous Offender designation. Of these, 586 (or some 94%) were incarcerated (representing 3.9% of the In-Custody Population) and 36 were in the community under supervision. This supervision lasts for the remainder of the offender's life.
155:. The Supreme Court ruled that Alexandre Bissonnette, who attacked the Islamic Cultural Centre in Quebec City in 2017 and murdered six worshippers, would be permitted the option of applying for parole after 25 years. The ruling meant that Bissonnette would be eligible for day parole by 2039. The ruling also meant that all other multiple murderers in Canada who had received periods of parole ineligibility greater than 25 years would now have the same parole ineligibility of 25 years in prison.
230:
determines that an offender still poses a risk to society, that person may be detained in prison past the parole eligibility period. Any person released on parole from a term of life imprisonment or an indeterminate term of imprisonment must remain on parole, with conditions by the Parole Board, for
253:
Despite formal parole eligibility after seven years, full parole is rare in cases where a dangerous offender is serving an indeterminate sentence as this provision is reserved for individuals assessed as likely to commit further serious violent offences. In violent non-murder cases involving repeat
222:
As of 2013, 4,800 offenders were serving life sentences in Canada, though only 2,880 (around 60%) were incarcerated, the remainder being on parole. The vast majority of these offenders (about 96%) were serving their sentences for murder. "Lifers" constituted 23% of the federal offender population.
278:
is 10 years (for first-degree murder). A person can be sentenced as an adult if they were at least 14 years old at the time of the offence. The crown carries the burden of proving an adult sentence is appropriate and a presumption in favour of a youth sentence always exists, irrespective of the
100:
passed in 2014 granted courts the authority to issue consecutive life sentences, in effect allowing for multiple periods of parole ineligibility to be stacked and lead to a total parole ineligibility period of greater than 25 years. In the most extreme cases, it authorized a
76:
ineligibility period of 25 years. Previously, in the case of high treason or first-degree murder (where the offender had been convicted of a single murder) offenders could have their parole ineligibility period reduced to no less than 15 years under the
249:
may apply a dangerous offender designation in cases involving serious violent or sexual offences. Such a designation may result in an indeterminate sentence with no maximum limit, but a parole review occurs after 7 years and every 2 years after that.
87:
also carries a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment but with a parole ineligibility period of between 10 years and 25 years. Courts determine the parole ineligibility period based on the gravity of the offence.
452:
279:
offenders age or the type of offence. Even if the crown does discharge its burden of proving an adult sentence is justified, the period of parole ineligibility for murder is nonetheless different for youths.
26:
A person serving a life sentence must serve for a certain length of time before becoming eligible for parole. First degree murder and high treason carry the longest period of parole ineligibility in the
657:
518:
231:
the rest of the person's life. Violation of parole terms can result in the Parole Board imposing stricter conditions, or revoking the parole entirely, resulting in the person going back to prison.
216:, trafficking, exporting or production of schedule I or II substances also carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment with a parole ineligibility period of between 7 years and 25 years.
552:
183:, endangering the safety of an aircraft or an airport, endangering the safety of a ship or fixed platform, refusing to disperse after a riot proclamation, arson (disregard for human life),
131:
729:
219:
Current sentencing practices ensure that, except in the case of murder, a life sentence is rarely imposed. One common exception is cases which involve terrorism-related conspiracies.
408:
695:
141:
The provision permitting multiple murderers to receive consecutive parole ineligibility periods for the individual murders they committed was held unconstitutional in 2022 by the
110:
This provision was used in several cases of multiple murders, to set parole ineligibility periods greater than 25 years, including: 35 years (Benjamin Hudon-Barbeau); 40 years (
670:
863:
50:, which prohibits cruel and unusual punishment. Parole eligibility for second degree murder typically varies between 10 and 25 years, and is set by the sentencing judge.
19:
is a criminal sentence for certain offences that lasts for the offender’s life. Parole is possible, but even if paroled, the offender remains under the supervision of
441:
53:
A life sentence is the most severe punishment for any crime in Canada. Criminal laws are enacted by the
Parliament of Canada and apply uniformly across the country.
44:
81:. However, that option was abolished by Parliament for offences committed after December 2, 2011, though it remains if the offence was committed before that date.
647:
635:
487:
851:
508:
831:
573:
541:
616:
717:
1090:
33:, at 25 years. A statutory amendment to allow periods of parole ineligibility greater than 25 years was held to be unconstitutional by the
800:
107:
term of life imprisonment without parole (i.e. when the total parole ineligibility period extends beyond the offender's life expectancy).
167:
that carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment in Canada (with a parole ineligibility period of between 7 years and 25 years) include
779:
684:
272:
A young person (12 to 17) does not face a life sentence unless they are sentenced as an adult, since the maximum sentence under the
1185:
871:
1190:
365:
1210:
1001:
1115:
212:
900:
601:
1155:
1170:
1120:
925:"R v DB [presumption of youth sentence, onus on Crown for adult sentence] | Justice for Children and Youth"
473:
1215:
1145:
1025:
974:
885:
821:
111:
20:
1150:
135:
119:
750:
409:"Harper government supports private bill that could bring minimum 40-year sentences for some violent crimes"
1085:
1080:
1070:
1060:
1055:
1050:
1035:
1030:
1020:
267:
152:
1180:
1175:
1165:
1140:
1135:
1130:
1125:
1110:
1095:
1075:
1065:
196:
115:
588:"No parole for 50 years for double murderer Emanuel Kahsai whose 'torture' of mother began a decade ago"
1160:
1105:
1100:
1045:
274:
263:
994:
204:
971:
945:
199:, manslaughter, causing death by street racing, impaired driving causing death, causing death by
142:
34:
383:
227:
29:
617:"Justin Bourque handed harshest sentence since Canada's last execution more than 50 years ago"
240:
246:
123:
602:"Basil Borutski will die in prison for 'vicious, cold-blooded' murder of 3 women | CBC News"
542:"Quebec City mosque shooter Bissonnette sentenced to life in prison, no parole for 40 years"
987:
84:
8:
690:
200:
65:
805:
784:
725:
652:
547:
483:
447:
180:
69:
474:"Here's a look at convictions that have led to consecutive murder sentences in Canada"
1010:
413:
344:
78:
192:
127:
147:
39:
574:"Judge sentences Edward Downey minimum 50 years for double murder | Calgary Sun"
418:
924:
1204:
621:
61:
826:
226:
There is no guarantee that parole will be granted to an offender. If the
23:
for their lifetime, and can be returned to prison for parole violations.
509:"Travis Baumgartner gets 40 years without parole for killing co-workers"
188:
283:
Parole ineligibility periods for youth sentenced as adults for murder
685:"Canadian Supreme Court rules all killers must have chance at parole"
648:"Douglas Garland to spend life in jail in Calgary triple-murder case"
329:
Where the offender was 14 or 15 years old at the time of the offence
321:
Where the offender was 16 or 17 years old at the time of the offence
310:
Where the offender was 14 or 15 years old at the time of the offence
302:
Where the offender was 16 or 17 years old at the time of the offence
979:
755:
513:
478:
103:
587:
718:"Supreme Court of Canada strikes down life without parole ruling"
184:
168:
886:"2015 Corrections and Conditional Release Statistical Overview"
176:
172:
73:
442:"Five fundamental ways Harper has changed the justice system"
366:"How sentences are imposed - Canadian Victims Bill of Rights"
364:
Government of Canada, Department of
Justice (23 July 2015).
864:"Frequently asked questions about the release of offenders"
899:
Government of Canada, Department of
Justice (2013-04-11).
751:"2 Via Rail terror plotters sentenced to life in prison"
245:
While life sentences are rare in non-murder cases, the
972:
Life
Sentences and Section 745.6 of the Criminal Code
898:
363:
203:, killing an unborn child in the act of birth, and
683:
671:Saretzky sentenced to life, no parole for 75 years
540:
440:
1202:
118:); 50 years (Edward Downey, Emanuel Kahsai and
822:"By the numbers: 'Lifers' in Canada's prisons"
134:, Derek Saretzky and Mark Smich's accomplice,
995:
901:"Sentencing of Young Persons - Youth Justice"
944:Branch, Legislative Services (2022-01-16).
801:"Supreme Court upholds anti-terrorism laws"
636:Brutal homeless killer gets 75 year minimum
1002:
988:
56:
780:"Canadian terrorist handed life sentence"
614:
388:The Canadian Criminal Justice Association
777:
715:
268:Homicide (Canadian law) § Penalties
681:
47:Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
1203:
943:
615:MacDonald, Michael (31 October 2014).
538:
195:, accessory after the fact to murder,
1009:
983:
819:
798:
234:
946:"Section 745.1 of the Criminal Code"
357:
539:Peritz, Ingrid (February 8, 2019).
257:
213:Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
91:
13:
778:Perreaux, Les (17 February 2010).
14:
1227:
965:
158:
72:of life imprisonment with a full
799:Makin, Kirk (14 December 2012).
660:from the original on 2023-04-06.
438:
241:Dangerous offender § Canada
151:, which held that it authorized
937:
917:
892:
878:
856:
845:
834:from the original on 2023-04-06
813:
792:
771:
743:
732:from the original on 2022-05-27
709:
698:from the original on 2023-01-28
675:
664:
640:
629:
608:
594:
555:from the original on 2019-02-08
521:from the original on 2024-05-15
490:from the original on 2024-01-19
455:from the original on 2014-05-10
191:, break and enter with intent,
975:Department of Justice (Canada)
682:Coletta, Amanda (2022-05-27).
580:
566:
532:
501:
466:
432:
401:
376:
43:(2022 SCC 23), as contrary to
1:
716:Stremick, Drew (2022-05-27).
351:
1211:Life imprisonment by country
820:Chang, Arturo (2015-03-04).
294:Parole ineligibility period
153:cruel and unusual punishment
7:
338:
197:conspiracy to commit murder
17:Life imprisonment in Canada
10:
1232:
275:Youth Criminal Justice Act
264:Youth Criminal Justice Act
261:
238:
1017:
384:"The "Faint Hope Clause""
317:
298:
205:aggravated sexual assault
950:laws-lois.justice.gc.ca
852:Criminal Code of Canada
57:Mandatory life sentence
35:Supreme Court of Canada
868:www.publicsafety.gc.ca
228:Parole Board of Canada
1216:Canadian criminal law
318:Second degree murder
262:Further information:
130:, John Paul Ostamas,
116:Alexandre Bissonnette
759:. September 23, 2015
724:. (with files from)
347:, worldwide overview
299:First Degree murder
96:An amendment to the
85:Second degree murder
888:. 21 December 2018.
722:Lethbridge News Now
691:The Washington Post
284:
201:criminal negligence
163:Offences under the
66:first degree murder
806:The Globe and Mail
785:The Globe and Mail
726:The Canadian Press
653:The Globe and Mail
548:The Globe and Mail
484:The Canadian Press
448:The Globe and Mail
282:
235:Dangerous offender
181:aircraft hijacking
112:Travis Baumgartner
70:mandatory sentence
45:section 12 of the
21:Corrections Canada
1198:
1197:
1011:Life imprisonment
905:www.justice.gc.ca
414:The National Post
370:www.justice.gc.ca
345:Life imprisonment
336:
335:
126:); and 75 years (
79:faint hope clause
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870:. Archived from
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258:Youth sentencing
193:attempted murder
92:Multiple murders
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148:R v Bissonnette
132:Douglas Garland
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40:R v Bissonnette
12:
11:
5:
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966:External links
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874:on 2013-07-31.
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656:. 2017-02-17.
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517:. 2012-09-11.
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486:. 2019-05-21.
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291:Circumstances
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159:Other offences
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136:Dellen Millard
128:Justin Bourque
124:Basil Borutski
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165:Criminal Code
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143:Supreme Court
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122:); 70 years (
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98:Criminal Code
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36:
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30:Criminal Code
24:
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1156:South Africa
1040:
953:. Retrieved
949:
939:
928:. Retrieved
919:
908:. Retrieved
904:
894:
880:
872:the original
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836:. Retrieved
825:
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783:
773:
761:. Retrieved
754:
745:
734:. Retrieved
721:
711:
700:. Retrieved
689:
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642:
631:
620:
610:
596:
582:
568:
557:. Retrieved
546:
534:
523:. Retrieved
512:
503:
492:. Retrieved
477:
468:
457:. Retrieved
446:
439:Fine, Sean.
434:
423:. Retrieved
421:. 2013-04-25
412:
403:
391:. Retrieved
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244:
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221:
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211:
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164:
162:
146:
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109:
102:
97:
95:
83:
62:High treason
60:
52:
46:
38:
28:
25:
16:
15:
1171:Switzerland
1121:New Zealand
1116:Netherlands
827:Global News
763:February 9,
393:30 December
1205:Categories
955:2022-05-12
930:2022-05-12
910:2022-05-12
838:2024-06-06
736:2024-06-06
702:2022-05-28
559:2024-06-06
525:2024-06-06
494:2024-06-06
459:2024-06-06
425:2024-06-06
352:References
332:5–7 years
313:5–7 years
239:See also:
210:Under the
189:kidnapping
120:Mark Smich
1146:Singapore
1026:Australia
305:10 years
1151:Slovakia
832:Archived
756:CBC News
730:Archived
696:Archived
658:Archived
553:Archived
519:Archived
514:CBC News
488:Archived
479:CBC News
453:Archived
339:See also
324:7 years
288:Offence
104:de facto
68:carry a
1091:Ireland
1086:Iceland
1081:Hungary
1071:Germany
1061:Finland
1056:Denmark
1051:Croatia
1036:Belgium
1031:Austria
1021:Albania
185:robbery
169:treason
1181:Turkey
1176:Taiwan
1166:Sweden
1141:Serbia
1136:Russia
1131:Poland
1126:Norway
1111:Mexico
1096:Israel
1076:Greece
1066:France
1041:Canada
247:courts
177:mutiny
173:piracy
74:parole
1161:Spain
1106:Japan
1101:Italy
1046:China
765:2023
395:2023
266:and
64:and
145:in
138:).
37:in
1207::
948:.
903:.
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830:.
824:.
803:.
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720:.
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372:.
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