Eradicate the term "life sentence" from Canadian courts
The Issue
As a Canadian citizen and a retired police officer, the term "life sentence" has long been a pet peeve of mine. This is because it is an inaccurate term, and I believe it is misleading to the public and an insult to victims and their families.
The last person in Canada to be sentenced to more than 25 years for multiple murders was in 2018, serial killer Dellen Millard, who received 3 consecutive life sentences (75 years total). THAT would actually be a life sentence.
In 2022, in R vs Bissonnette, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that "life sentences" beyond 25 years, without the possibility of seeking parole, was deemed "unconstitutional" and "cruel and unusual punishment". Therefore the maximum allowable "life sentence" imposed in Canada is 25 years, at which time the offender gets mandatory parole. In very rare cases, a person may be deemed a "dangerous offender", and remain in prison beyond 25 years.
Case in point - R vs Minassian - Toronto, 2018 - killed 11 people and seriously injured 16 by purposefully driving into and over people on a busy sidewalk. He was charged with 11 counts of 1st degree murder, and 16 counts of attempted murder. He received a " life sentence" of 25 years - total. He was 25 when he did it, he will be 50 when he gets mandatory parole. 25 years is not a life sentence. The average life expectancy for Canadian (men) is 80 years old.
The language within our legal system fails to accurately convey the length of the sentence. By eradicating this misleading term and adopting a more transparent and honest vocabulary, ie - "sentenced to 25 years before parole", we signal to the judicial system that we are not falsely comforted hearing that a true threat to society got a "life sentence".
There are many things that constitute "cruel and unusual" treatment of another person. Being incarcerated for more than 25 years for the most harmful of actions isn't one of them, in my opinion. Since the Canadian judicial system consistently demonstrates people are sentenced to less and less time in prison, regardless of what they have done, it is obvious that there will be no increasing of sentences any time soon. The least we can do is be honest - there are no "life sentences" in Canada. ( except in very rare cases.)
This petition calls upon the Canadian government and judicial bodies to revisit our sentencing language. The term "life sentence" must be removed. We owe it to the victims, to their families, and to the public in general to dispense with a phrase that is incongruent with what it is describing.
Please join me in demanding a change to this problematic wording. Please sign this petition to remove the false phrase " life sentence" in Canada. Your support can be pivotal in prompting the necessary legislative changes in wording that is obsolete.
44
The Issue
As a Canadian citizen and a retired police officer, the term "life sentence" has long been a pet peeve of mine. This is because it is an inaccurate term, and I believe it is misleading to the public and an insult to victims and their families.
The last person in Canada to be sentenced to more than 25 years for multiple murders was in 2018, serial killer Dellen Millard, who received 3 consecutive life sentences (75 years total). THAT would actually be a life sentence.
In 2022, in R vs Bissonnette, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that "life sentences" beyond 25 years, without the possibility of seeking parole, was deemed "unconstitutional" and "cruel and unusual punishment". Therefore the maximum allowable "life sentence" imposed in Canada is 25 years, at which time the offender gets mandatory parole. In very rare cases, a person may be deemed a "dangerous offender", and remain in prison beyond 25 years.
Case in point - R vs Minassian - Toronto, 2018 - killed 11 people and seriously injured 16 by purposefully driving into and over people on a busy sidewalk. He was charged with 11 counts of 1st degree murder, and 16 counts of attempted murder. He received a " life sentence" of 25 years - total. He was 25 when he did it, he will be 50 when he gets mandatory parole. 25 years is not a life sentence. The average life expectancy for Canadian (men) is 80 years old.
The language within our legal system fails to accurately convey the length of the sentence. By eradicating this misleading term and adopting a more transparent and honest vocabulary, ie - "sentenced to 25 years before parole", we signal to the judicial system that we are not falsely comforted hearing that a true threat to society got a "life sentence".
There are many things that constitute "cruel and unusual" treatment of another person. Being incarcerated for more than 25 years for the most harmful of actions isn't one of them, in my opinion. Since the Canadian judicial system consistently demonstrates people are sentenced to less and less time in prison, regardless of what they have done, it is obvious that there will be no increasing of sentences any time soon. The least we can do is be honest - there are no "life sentences" in Canada. ( except in very rare cases.)
This petition calls upon the Canadian government and judicial bodies to revisit our sentencing language. The term "life sentence" must be removed. We owe it to the victims, to their families, and to the public in general to dispense with a phrase that is incongruent with what it is describing.
Please join me in demanding a change to this problematic wording. Please sign this petition to remove the false phrase " life sentence" in Canada. Your support can be pivotal in prompting the necessary legislative changes in wording that is obsolete.
Petition Updates
Share this petition
Petition created on July 18, 2026