US Edition‘No Absolute Right to Self-Defense’: What to Know About Defending Yourself From Intruder in Wake of Ont. Man Being Charged
Both the homeowner and intruder face criminal charges after a violent confrontation that left the intruder with life-threatening injuries, highlighting challenges in applying Canadian self-defence laws.
- At about 3:20 a.m. on Monday, Kawartha Lakes Police Service responded after a resident found an intruder in his Kent Street apartment, leading to a violent confrontation that left the 41-year-old intruder with life-threatening injuries and required airlift to a Toronto hospital.
- Under Sections 34 and 35 of Canada's Criminal Code, force in self-defence is allowed only if reasonable; Canada lacks U.S. stand-your-ground law but imposes no duty to retreat on property.
- Police say the incident led to formal charges: the 44-year-old homeowner faces aggravated assault and assault with a weapon, while the 41-year-old alleged intruder faces counts including mischief under $5,000; Kawartha Lakes Police Service defended charges citing investigative materials not publicly released.
- Ontario Premier Doug Ford urged broader self-defence rights, saying `I know someone breaks into my house or someone else's, you're going to fight for your life`, while Pierre Poilievre highlighted the case on social media and Kirk Robertson acknowledged `significant public interest and emotional responses`.
- McGill University law professor Noah Weisbord said courts assess if fear is reasonable and warned self-defence claims hinge on judge and jury decisions, making outcomes uncertain until trial.
17 Articles
17 Articles
Kawartha Lakes police defend charging resident with assault after break-in
The chief of police in Kawartha Lakes, Ont., is defending assault charges his officers laid against a man who was the victim of an alleged break-in, saying Canadians' rights to defend themselves and their property "are not unlimited
Winnipeg Free Press
Fact File: Canadians can defend against home invaders, but force must be 'reasonable'
Breaking News, Sports, Manitoba, Canada
‘No absolute right to self-defense’: What to know about defending yourself from intruder in wake of Ont. man being charged
The story of a home invasion on Monday that resulted in assault charges against a Lindsay, Ont. man, who left the intruder with life-threatening injuries, is raising questions around what’s reasonable when it comes to protecting oneself.
How much force is reasonable? Lindsay home invasion sparks debate over self-defence laws
Kawartha Lakes police laid charges against both a homeowner and his intruder in Lindsay, Ont. Monday sparking passionate responses from people around the province, including Premier Doug Ford, about what the right to self-defence actually means.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford defends Lindsay's owner who beat an intruder, citing the right to self-defence.
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