New Update (August 2025):

Just this week, court documents revealed that a 44‑year‑old man from Lindsay, Ontario—identified as Jeremy McDonald—has been charged with aggravated assault and assault with a weapon after allegedly using a knife to defend himself against an intruder in his apartment early Monday morning. The alleged intruder, who was also charged with multiple offences, was seriously injured and airlifted to a Toronto hospital. McDonald’s lawyer insists he was acting within his rights to protect himself and his property. Meanwhile, Premier Doug Ford criticized the decision to charge him, calling it a sign that ‘something is broken’.

Updated Jan 3 2025 - reflecting the most recent car-jacking incident in Mississauga. I am also hoping our government realizes that punishments for these types of crimes are way too light which is why we have seen such a surge in the past few years. We should all feel safe in and out of our homes, cars, and workplaces.

I am a concerned citizen who has witnessed the imbalance of justice in our country. In Canada, it often seems that laws are more protective of assailants than their victims. This is especially true when it comes to theft against businesses, homeowners, and car owners. Our current laws do not adequately protect those defending their property from thieves.

Statistics show that property crime rates in Canada have been steadily increasing over the years (Statistics Canada). In 2019 alone, there were over 1 million reported incidents of theft under $5000. In 2023, Toronto has experienced a significant rise in vehicle thefts. Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw reported that a car was stolen every 40 minutes in the city, totaling over 12,000 vehicles stolen throughout the year.

Despite these alarming numbers, individuals who defend themselves or their properties can face legal repercussions if they harm an intruder during a theft incident.

The most recent incident is the WARMINGTON violent Peterborough robbery (see link below)

https://twitter.com/joe_warmington/status/1776216899543515257

We need to change this situation and ensure that our laws prioritize the safety and rights of potential victims over those committing crimes. It's time we revisited our self-defense laws and made necessary amendments to provide better protection for Canadians defending themselves against theft.

The goal is not to encourage violence but rather to ensure that individuals have the right to protect themselves without fear of legal consequences when faced with imminent danger on their own properties.

Let us stand together as a community and demand changes in our self-defense laws. Let's make sure that every Canadian feels safe within their homes and businesses without fearing legal repercussions for protecting what is rightfully theirs.

Please sign this petition urging lawmakers to strengthen self-defense laws in Canada so we can shift the balance back towards protecting victims rather than assailants.