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Crime Statistics

From 2012 to about 2021 police services across Canada reported a total of 94,591 incidents of arson, which is known as the criminal act of intentionally or recklessly causing damage by fire. Statistics Canada indicates an overall increase in arson (about 12%) from the years 2020-2021.

Statistics Canada did a another survey in which they compared police-reported crimes between Canada and the United States. Arson rates appear to be higher in Canada. In 2000, the Canadian rate of arson was 41% higher than the American rate. Canada recorded 45 incidents per 100,000 population, compared to the American rate of 32%

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Average annual Incidents of Arson across Canada
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Increase in Arson related Incidents
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Average annual Fire related Homicides per Year
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Arson Offences related to Property

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Arson?

Under the Criminal Code, section 434 describes arson as damage to property where 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. When it’s an individual’s own property, section 434.1 would apply which essentially has the same ramifications, if the fire or explosion seriously threatens the health, safety, or property of another person.

Further, there is also arson for fraudulent purposes. Under section 435(1) of the Criminal Code, every person who, with intent to defraud any other person, causes damage by fire or explosion to property, whether or not that person owns, in whole or in part, the property, is of an offence. Section 433 focuses on arson and the disregard for human life. Here, every person who intentionally or recklessly causes damage by fire or explosion to property, whether or not that person owns the property, where the person knows, or is reckless about whether the property is inhabited, or where the fire or explosion causes harm to another person is guilty of an indictable offence. The maximum punishment for this offence is life imprisonment.

Will I go to Jail for Arson in Toronto?

As discussed above, offences under sections 434, 435, 436 and other related arson offences often involve imprisonment but can also include other sentencing options. The arson charge of disregard for human life is always treated as an indictable offence and carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. The offence of damage to arson to property and arson to your own property are also indictable offences, each punishable by a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison. With the maximum penalties being so high, it increases the likelihood that a lengthier prison sentence will be imposed.

When determining whether or not to sentence an accused to a period of incarceration, the courts in Toronto will consider a number of factors relevant to the case. One of the most important factors will be the amount of damage caused and whether anyone was injured. The court will also consider the background and criminal history of the accused, the nature and circumstances of the offence, and any other aggravating or mitigating factors brought to the court’s attention.

Can I be Charged with both Arson and Mischief in Toronto?

Yes. It is not uncommon for an individual to commit mischief by setting fire to something. If that is the case, then they will be charged with both offences. The charge for mischief will encompass the damages that interfere or effect one’s property, whereas the arson charge is directed towards the actual fire or setting the property on fire. In R. v. K.T., the Manitoba Court of Appeal held that damage is an essential element of the actus reus for a charge of mischief. A failure on the part of the Crown to show that the property in question was actually damage will be fatal to a conviction. It is not necessary on the other hand, for the Crown to prove that damage was caused as a result of a fire to gain a conviction for arson.

Stages of the Criminal Justice System

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What if I set a Fire by Accident?

The language in the arson sections in the Criminal Code indicates that for the offence to have been committed, the fire or explosion had to have been caused intentionally or recklessly. Intent is crucial. Recklessness on the other hand may also amount to arson, depending on the circumstances. In the case of R v. Sansregret, the court considers recklessness indicating it is a subjective standard. This means that the individual at fault is general aware of the fact that “there is danger that his conduct could bring about the result prohibited by the criminal law, nevertheless persists, despite the risk.” Meaning, can an accused see or appreciate the risk at the time they commit the act.

When looking at whether fire was set intentionally, in general, we are considering the mens rea, which is the “guilty mind” of the accused. Intent can be further classified into general and specific intent, where general intent is the intent to do the act but not necessarily wish for the outcome to occur, whereas specific intent intends on both. Courts have largely been divided on whether arson requires proving general or specific intent.

What’s a Crime in Canada?

What is Arson by Negligence?

Arson by negligence is discussed in sections 436(1) and 436(2) of the Criminal Code. Subsection (1) states that essentially anyone who owns property and has a “marked departure from the standard of care that a reasonably prudent person would use to prevent or control the spread of fires or to prevent explosions” is guilty of this offence. This means that if an individual has property, they must take reasonable steps to ensure that property does not catch fire or explode. Subsection (2) looks at the non-compliance with prevention laws and acts as a guide for the courts to consider the effects of marked departure.

With arson by negligence, the Crown would have some leeway in their argument. Such as the fact that the Crown does not need to prove a fire was started or caused by the individual, rather only that one’s actions were negligent and contributed to the incident. Negligence can be inferred by failing to comply with any law about the prevention or control of fires. The penalty for this offence is a maximum of five years imprisonment. If there is property damage to another person’s property, the Crown may also seek restitution payments.

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Recent Cases

R. v. Popova, 2023 ONCJ 331

In the Ontario Court of Justice case of R. v. Popova, Ms. Valentyna Popova pled guilty to arson disregard human life and mischief, under the Criminal Code. Ms. Popova lived in a centre for assisted living, with many seniors occupying it. Early one morning, she was seen on the CCTV starting six different fires within a 2-hour time period. This again happened a few days later. She “used a lighter and paper to ignite a floor mat…dropped clothing near the fire which fueled it.” After this, Ms. Popova was arrested and the police found 5 lighters in her pocket.

In this case, Ms. Popova’s circumstances were considered. She was actually only 30 years old, living where she was, with no prior criminal record. Reports explained childhood trauma, limited education, deteriorating relationships, and mental health challenges – among other things. “The Crown recommended an 18-month jail sentence minus pre-sentence custody, the maximum probation, and two ancillary orders.” The court emphasized that Ms. Popova’s careless arson-setting in residential areas created dangerous situations for others. The court held that she would have to serve 4-month conditional sentence on the arson charge but also a concurrent 4-month conditional sentence on the mischief charge.

R v. Vance, 2022 ONSC 5852

In the Ontario Superior Court of Justice case of R. v. Vance, Mr. Vance committed the offence of arson, disregard for human life. Mr. Vance attended the residence of Esther Vance where he began pouring fuel for several minutes and then lighting it to cause a big explosion. At para 28, the court states “I would place the range of sentence for arson, disregard for human life, in the context of a domestic relationship, even post-separation, at between four (4) and six (6) years in custody.”

The court took everything into consideration here again, but what was quite aggravating was the planned and deliberate nature of the arson endangering life offence. The court found that all the presentence time will be credited to the arson endangering life conviction. The final sentence for Mr. Vance encompassed 23 months in custody, plus probation for three years, plus the ancillary orders. A major factor in this sentencing was that when committing arson against Ms. Vance, Mr. Vance put the life of everyone else in danger.

R. v. Alvarado, 2020 ONCJ 621

In this case, the offender pled guilty to one count of arson endangering human life after setting his girlfriend’s apartment on fire and barricading himself inside. No one other than the offender suffered any injuries in the fire, though there were other people living in the apartment building at the time. At sentencing, the court discussed the appropriate sentencing range for such an offence. The court indicated that the maximum penalty for arson endangering human life is 14 years imprisonment, with the average sentence being roughly 1.5 to 5 years imprisonment.

In determining the appropriate sentence, the court considered the various aggravating and mitigating circumstances present in the case. Aggravating factors included the fact that the offender knew other people were in the building at the time he set the fire, that residents had to be evacuated, that he barricaded himself inside making it more difficult to put out the fire, and that the fire was serious and caused substantial damage to the unit.

The court also noted mitigating factors including that the offender was remorseful and had pled guilty to the offence, he had no prior criminal record, had job skills and job opportunities upon release from prison, and that he was a permanent resident and would likely be deported from Canada following the completion of his sentence. The court also noted serious mental health concerns. After considering all the factors presented, the court sentenced the offender to a total of 12 months custody, with credit for 9 months’ time served in pre-trial custody.

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About the Author

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Jordan Donich

Jordan Donich has been a Lawyer for over 10 years and is a trusted legal analyst by Canadian Media. He is as a leader in Canada’s tech sector for lawyers and developer of Law Newbie. Jordan is a Black Belt with the Japan Karate Association and trained in Krav Maga. He won a Gold Medal at 2004 Canadian National Championships and was published in the National Newspaper Awards.

Jordan has been featured in Forbes and is a member of DMZ Angels in Toronto.