Criminal Code

s. 334 Punishment for Theft

Punishment for theft

Theft, Fraud & Property
Theft & Fraud

Maximum sentence: 10 years (over $5,000) / 2 years ($5,000 or less)
Classification: Hybrid

Last verified: June 2026 · Source: laws-lois.justice.gc.ca

The law says

Criminal Code s. 334

Except where otherwise provided by law, every one who commits theft (a) if the property stolen is a testamentary instrument or the value of what is stolen is more than $5,000, is guilty of (i) an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than 10 years, or (ii) an offence punishable on summary conviction; or

(b)if the value of what is stolen is not more than $5,000, is guilty (i) of an indictable offence and is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or (ii) of an offence punishable on summary conviction.

Amendment History (4)

R.S., 1985, c. C-46, s. 334
R.S., 1985, c. 27 (1st Supp.), s. 43
1994, c. 44, s. 20
2019, c. 25, s. 122

Justice Laws is the authoritative version. If this copy and it ever differ, Justice Laws wins.

Immigration

Where this offence sits under IRPA

The value of what was stolen decides the immigration effect. Theft over $5,000 is serious criminality under IRPA s.36(1). Theft of $5,000 or less is criminality under s.36(2) (foreign nationals only). For a matching conviction outside Canada, deemed rehabilitation may be available after 10 years. For a conviction in Canada, the route is a record suspension.

This is how the law sorts the offence, not a reading of any one record. An officer decides each case.