Canadians Shouldn’t Be Charged for Defending Themselves
- Friday, August 29th, 2025 - 3:30 pm
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Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is calling for changes to Canada’s Criminal Code to simplify legal protections for individuals defending their homes from intruders. At a news conference in Brampton, Ontario, Poilievre argued that current self-defence laws are overly complex and fail to account for the urgent decision-making required in dangerous situations.
LIVE: Your home is your castle - you should have the right to defend it https://t.co/kCqDwsbFvU
— Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) August 29, 2025
The Criminal Code currently allows for self-defence if a person believes force or the threat of force is being used against them, provided their response is “reasonable in the circumstances.” The law outlines nine factors to evaluate reasonableness, including the nature of the threat, presence of weapons, and characteristics of those involved.
Poilievre contended that expecting Canadians to assess multiple legal conditions during a home invasion is unrealistic. He proposed a two-part test for determining justified force: (1) unlawful entry into a home, and (2) a reasonable belief that the intruder poses a threat to the occupants. Under this framework, the use of force would be presumed legal. If the federal government does not act, Poilievre pledged his party would introduce a private member’s bill to implement these changes.
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The call for reform comes amid public outcry over the case of Jeremy David McDonald, a 44-year-old man from Lindsay, Ontario, who was charged with assault after an alleged intruder reportedly entered his apartment armed with a crossbow on August 18. The intruder, identified as 41-year-old Michael Kyle Breen, was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries and faces charges including break and enter, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and mischief under $5,000.
Kawartha Lakes Police Chief Kirk Robertson acknowledged public concern surrounding the case but emphasized that self-defence actions must still be proportionate to the threat faced. Ontario Premier Doug Ford criticized the decision to lay charges against McDonald, stating it reflects a broader issue within the justice system.
The incident has reignited national debate about the balance between personal safety and legal accountability in Canada’s self-defence laws.
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