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← Back to Law ExplorerLast verified: June 2026 · Source: laws-lois.justice.gc.ca
Theft, Fraud & PropertyIndictable
§434

Arson: Damage to Property

Arson — damage to property

Theft & Fraud
Maximum Sentence

14 years

Classification: Indictable
🍁 Immigration Impact

Arson causing damage to property is a straight indictable offence with a 14-year maximum, serious criminality under IRPA s.36(1)(a). Deemed rehabilitation does not apply to serious criminality.

🍁 In Simple Terms

Deliberately burning property that belonged to someone else. The ceiling is 14 years with no lighter route, so it is serious criminality even where the building was empty and nobody was hurt. Waiting out the years does not restore admissibility at that level.

Legal Text, Criminal Code s. 434

Every person who intentionally or recklessly causes damage by fire or explosion to property that is not wholly owned by that person is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding fourteen years.

Amendment History (2)
R.S., 1985, c. C-46, s. 434
1990, c. 15, s. 1
Related Sections
Official Source: Justice Canada: Criminal Code s. 434 (authoritative, may differ from this display)
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