Revise section 43 of the Criminal Code of Canada

Recent signers:
Elizabeth D and 19 others have signed recently.

The Issue

As stated in call to action #6, the government of Canada is called upon to revise section 43 of the Criminal Code of Canada. Section 43 allows and justifies reasonable force by parents, teachers, and caregivers to be used to correct a child under their care. It allows corrective, non-harmful physical punishments, including spanking. This provides a defence to parents, teachers, and guardians for using force against minors. There are some cases that using force against a child is necessary, such as restraining them for their own safety, but section 43 has become outdated, and needs to be revised. Using physical force against a child to correct their behaviour is not right in any sense, and we need to stop allowing it.

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Recent signers:
Elizabeth D and 19 others have signed recently.

The Issue

As stated in call to action #6, the government of Canada is called upon to revise section 43 of the Criminal Code of Canada. Section 43 allows and justifies reasonable force by parents, teachers, and caregivers to be used to correct a child under their care. It allows corrective, non-harmful physical punishments, including spanking. This provides a defence to parents, teachers, and guardians for using force against minors. There are some cases that using force against a child is necessary, such as restraining them for their own safety, but section 43 has become outdated, and needs to be revised. Using physical force against a child to correct their behaviour is not right in any sense, and we need to stop allowing it.

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Petition created on April 27, 2026