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Last verified: March 2026 · Source: justice.gc.ca← Back to IRPA ExplorerLast verified: March 2026 · Source: justice.gc.ca
PART 3: Enforcement
§121

Aggravating factors

Aggravating factors

Family Sponsorship
🍁 In Simple Terms

When a judge decides how long to imprison someone for people smuggling, they must consider aggravating factors — such as whether the offence endangered lives, caused harm, involved a criminal organization or terrorist group, or was done for profit.

Affects: Persons subject to removal or detention
Legal Text — IRPA Section 121

121 The court, in determining the penalty to be imposed under section 120, shall take into account whether

Cross-References
Related Subsections
s.121.1Definition of terrorist group

121.1 (1) For the purposes of subparagraphs 117(3.1)(a)(ii) and (b)(ii) and (3.2)(a)(ii) and (b)(ii) and paragraph 121(b), criminal organization means a criminal organization as defined in subsection 467.1(1) of the Criminal Code.Definition of terrorist group(2) For the purposes of subparagraphs 117(3.1)(a)(ii) and (b)(ii) and (3.2)(a)(ii) and (b)(ii), terrorist group means a terrorist group as defined in subsection 83.01(1) of the Criminal Code.

In Practice
Official Source: Justice Canada — IRPA s. 121 (authoritative, may differ from this display)
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