Violent Offences

What is assault causing bodily harm? Assault causing bodily harm is covered under s. 267(b) of the Criminal Code. Assault causing bodily harm is a mid-range assault offence. This means that assault causing bodily harm is more serious than common assault, however, it is not as serious an aggravated assault offence. What constitutes “bodily harm” is considered to be an injury that is ...

What is common assault? Common assault is covered under s.266 of the Criminal Code.  Assault is an umbrella term that covers a wide variety of situations. Generally, a person is said to have committed an assault when they have directly or indirectly, intentionally or recklessly, applied for to another person or threatened to apply to another person, without that person’s consent. Assault is ...

What is aggravated assault? Aggravated assault is covered under s. 268 of the Criminal Code. Aggravated assault is considered the most serious of all assault charges. Aggravated assault occurs when you wound, maim, disfigure or endanger the life of another. In other words, this would be an assault in which the injuries are more than just minor or serious bodily harm; rather, they ...

What is “breaking and entering” in Canada? Breaking and entering or as commonly referred to as a “B&E” offence, is criminalized under sections 348(1)-(3) of the Criminal Code. In Canada, breaking and entering involves either: entry into a “place” with the intent to commit an indictable offence; entry into a “place” where one commits an indictable offence; or breaking out of a “place” ...

Uttering threats 264.1 (1) Every one commits an offence who, in any manner, knowingly utters, conveys or causes any person to receive a threat. (a) to cause death or bodily harm to any person; (b) to burn, destroy or damage real or personal property; or (c) to kill, poison or injure an animal or bird that is the property of any person. What is uttering threats? Uttering ...

What is animal cruelty? Animal cruelty laws are covered under s.445 to s.447 of the Criminal Code. Under these sections of the Criminal Code it is an offence to willfully cause animals to suffer from neglect, pain or injury. There has been much criticism directed towards animal cruelty laws in Canada by academics and legal scholars alike. This is due to the wording ...

What is Arson? Arson involves causing damage to property by intentionally or recklessly causing a fire or an explosion. It is relatively rare in comparison to other criminal offences but is still considered a serious crime in Canada. The Criminal Code of Canada  (the “Code”) identifies five separate offences for arson, in sections 433 through 436. Examples Examples of arson include: Setting fire to your ...