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← Back to Law ExplorerLast verified: June 2026 · Source: laws-lois.justice.gc.ca
Theft, Fraud & PropertyIndictable
§433

Arson: Disregard for Human Life

Arson — disregard for human life

Theft & Fraud
Maximum Sentence

Life imprisonment

Classification: Indictable
🍁 Immigration Impact

Arson with disregard for human life is a straight indictable offence punishable by life imprisonment, clearly serious criminality under IRPA s.36(1)(a). Deemed rehabilitation does not apply, so criminal rehabilitation is the only pathway.

Legal Text, Criminal Code s. 433

433 Every person who intentionally or recklessly causes damage by fire or explosion to property, whether or not that person owns the property, is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for life where (a) the person knows that or is reckless with respect to whether the property is inhabited or occupied; or (b) the fire or explosion causes bodily harm to another person.

Amendment History (2)
R.S., 1985, c. C-46, s. 433
1990, c. 15, s. 1
Related Sections
Official Source: Justice Canada: Criminal Code s. 433 (authoritative, may differ from this display)
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