Penalty Info

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ArsonVerified against official source

Verified against official source

This range was checked against the official legal text. Last verified: 2026-10-19.

Statutory range

s. 433 — arson, disregard for human life

Imprisonment
Life
Fine
No fine stated

Indictable only. Property known/reckless as inhabited or occupied, or fire/explosion causes bodily harm.

s. 434 — arson, damage to property not wholly owned

Imprisonment
0 (no mandatory prison) – 14 years
Fine
No fine stated

0 = the law sets no minimum prison term. The court is not required to impose prison. Depending on the offence, jurisdiction, and case, it may instead impose a non-custodial sentence — e.g. a suspended sentence, community order / probation, a fine, or a discharge.

Indictable only.

s. 434.1 — arson, own property seriously threatening another

Imprisonment
0 (no mandatory prison) – 14 years
Fine
No fine stated

0 = the law sets no minimum prison term. The court is not required to impose prison. Depending on the offence, jurisdiction, and case, it may instead impose a non-custodial sentence — e.g. a suspended sentence, community order / probation, a fine, or a discharge.

Indictable only.

s. 435 — arson for a fraudulent purpose — indictable

Imprisonment
0 (no mandatory prison) – 10 years
Fine
No fine stated

0 = the law sets no minimum prison term. The court is not required to impose prison. Depending on the offence, jurisdiction, and case, it may instead impose a non-custodial sentence — e.g. a suspended sentence, community order / probation, a fine, or a discharge.

s. 435 — arson for a fraudulent purpose — summary conviction

Imprisonment
0 (no mandatory prison) – 2 years less a day (s. 787 default)
Fine
Fine $0–$5,000 (s. 787 default)

0 = the law sets no minimum prison term. The court is not required to impose prison. Depending on the offence, jurisdiction, and case, it may instead impose a non-custodial sentence — e.g. a suspended sentence, community order / probation, a fine, or a discharge.

s. 436 — arson by negligence — indictable

Imprisonment
0 (no mandatory prison) – 5 years
Fine
No fine stated

0 = the law sets no minimum prison term. The court is not required to impose prison. Depending on the offence, jurisdiction, and case, it may instead impose a non-custodial sentence — e.g. a suspended sentence, community order / probation, a fine, or a discharge.

Marked departure from the standard of care of a reasonably prudent person.

s. 436 — arson by negligence — summary conviction

Imprisonment
0 (no mandatory prison) – 2 years less a day (s. 787 default)
Fine
Fine $0–$5,000 (s. 787 default)

0 = the law sets no minimum prison term. The court is not required to impose prison. Depending on the offence, jurisdiction, and case, it may instead impose a non-custodial sentence — e.g. a suspended sentence, community order / probation, a fine, or a discharge.

Note on this entry

Summary tiers use the s. 787 general summary penalty. s. 433 life sentence: parole eligibility per s. 745(d).

Source

Statute
Criminal Code ss. 433–436
Official source
laws-lois.justice.gc.ca
Verification status
Last verified
2026-10-19
Not legal advice. This range is the statutory penalty as written in the law — it is not “your sentence.” What is NOT accounted for here: Priors, attempt, concurrence, plea, discretion, parole rules, ancillary orders. If you face a real charge, consult a licensed lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction.