The law says
Criminal Code s. 236- (1)Every person who commits manslaughter is guilty of an indictable offence and liable (a) where a firearm is used in the commission of the offence, to imprisonment for life and to a minimum punishment of imprisonment for a term of four years; and
- (b)in any other case, to imprisonment for life.
- (2)The court that imposes a sentence for manslaughter shall consider imposing a sentence of imprisonment for life if the person committed the manslaughter (a) while engaging in, or after having engaged in, a pattern of coercive or controlling conduct with intent to cause the victim to believe that the victim’s physical or psychological safety is threatened, in the case where the victim is that person’s intimate partner;
- (b)while exercising control, direction or influence over the movements of the victim with intent to exploit the victim, within the meaning of section 279.04;
- (c)while committing or attempting to commit an offence of a sexual nature or an offence for a sexual purpose; or
- (d)while motivated by hate based on colour, race, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or mental or physical disability.
Amendment History (5)
- R.S., 1985, c. C-46, s. 236
- 1995, c. 39, s. 142
- 2026, c. 12, s. 1.1
- 2026, c. 12, s. 18
- 2026, c. 19, s. 26
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