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Kidnapping and hostage takingVerified against official source
This range was checked against the official legal text. Last verified: 2026-10-19.
Statutory range
Kidnapping — restricted/prohibited firearm, or any firearm for a criminal organization
- Imprisonment
- Life (minimum 5 years first offence / 7 years subsequent)
- Fine
- No fine stated
s. 279(1.1)(a).
Kidnapping — any other firearm used
- Imprisonment
- Life (minimum 4 years)
- Fine
- No fine stated
s. 279(1.1)(a.1).
Kidnapping — victim under 16
- Imprisonment
- Life (minimum 5 years)
- Fine
- No fine stated
s. 279(1.1)(a.2); minimum does not apply where the offender is a parent, guardian or person with lawful care/charge.
Kidnapping — any other case
- Imprisonment
- Life
- Fine
- No fine stated
s. 279(1.1)(b).
Hostage taking — restricted/prohibited firearm, or any firearm for a criminal organization
- Imprisonment
- Life (minimum 5 years first offence / 7 years subsequent)
- Fine
- No fine stated
s. 279.1(2)(a).
Hostage taking — any other firearm used
- Imprisonment
- Life (minimum 4 years)
- Fine
- No fine stated
s. 279.1(2)(a.1).
Hostage taking — any other case
- Imprisonment
- Life
- Fine
- No fine stated
s. 279.1(2)(b).
Forcible confinement (s. 279(2)) — 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.
Forcible confinement (s. 279(2)) — 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.
Firearm minimums: 5 years (first offence) / 7 years (second or subsequent) where a restricted/prohibited firearm is used or any firearm is used for a criminal organization; 4 years where any other firearm is used. Kidnapping a person under 16: minimum 5 years unless the offender is a parent/guardian/person with lawful care.