View source for Criminal Negligence (Offence)

{{Currency|January 2020}}
{{LevelZero}}{{HeaderOffences}}

{{OffenceBox
|OffenceTitle=Criminal Negligence
|OffencePage=Criminal Negligence 
|Section=219, 220 and 221 
|Act={{OBCCC}}
|CrownElection={{OBIndictableElection}} 
|Jurisdiction={{OBJurisdictionAll}}
|Bail={{OBBailJudge}}
|IndictableDisp=  {{OBDispMinVar}} <!-- {{OBDisp14orMinVar}} --> 
|IndictableMin= {{OBTime|4 years}} 
|IndictableMax= {{OBTime|10 years}} or {{OBMaxLife}} }}

==Overview==
{{OverviewVIII|criminal negligence}}

Although criminal negligence is a broadly-defined offence, in practice, most charges of criminal negligence related to the accused's operation of a motor vehicle.

; Pleadings
{{PleadingsHeader-N}}
{{PleadingsIndictableList-N|s. 220 {{DescrSec|220}} | {{No}} | {{Yes}} | {{Yes-Life}} }}
{{PleadingsIndictableList-N|s. 221 {{DescrSec|221}} | {{Yes}} | {{Yes}} | {{No-Under14}} }}
{{PleadingsEnd}}

{{PleadingsIndictElection-14Above|s. 220 {{DescrSec|220}}}}

{{PleadingsHybridElection-Under14|s. 221 {{DescrSec|221}}}}

; Release
{{ReleaseHeader}}
|s. 220 {{DescrSec|220}} || {{ReleaseProfile-Indictable}} 
|-
|s. 221 {{DescrSec|221}} || {{ReleaseProfile-Indictable}} 
|-
{{ReleaseEnd}}

{{ReleaseOptions-Indictable|s. 220 {{DescrSec|220}} }}

{{ReleaseOptions-Hybrid|s. 221 {{DescrSec|221}} }}

:''<u>Reverse Onus Bail</u>''
{{ReverseOnusCirc}}

:''Fingerprints and Photos''
{{IDCriminalAct|s. 220 and 221}}

; Publication Ban
{{GeneralPubBan}}

; Offence Designations
{{DesignationHeader}}
|-
|s. 220 {{DescrSec|220}} || {{XMark}} <!--wire--> || {{XMark}} <!--DO-->||{{OKMark}} <!--SPIO--> || {{XMark}} <!--consent--> || {{OKMark}}
|-
|s. 221 {{DescrSec|221}} || {{XMark}} <!--wire--> || {{XMark}} <!--DO-->||{{OKMark}} <!--SPIO--> || {{XMark}} <!--consent--> || {{XMark}}
{{DesignationEnd}}
{{SPIODesignation|s. 220, 221}}

{{SeeBelowForAncillary}}
{{reflist|2}}

==Offence Wording==
{{quotation2|
; Criminal negligence
219 (1) Every one is criminally negligent who
:(a) in doing anything, or
:(b) in omitting to do anything that it is his duty to do,<br>
shows wanton or reckless disregard for the lives or safety of other persons.
<br>
; Definition of “duty”
(2) For the purposes of this section, '''"duty"''' means a duty imposed by law.
<br>
R.S., c. C-34, s. 202.
|{{CCCSec2|219}} 
|{{NoteUp|219|1|2}}
}}

{{quotation2|
; Causing death by criminal negligence
220 Every person who by criminal negligence causes death to another person is guilty of an indictable offence and liable
:(a) where a firearm is used in the commission of the offence, to imprisonment for life and to a minimum punishment of imprisonment for a term of four years; and
:(b) in any other case, to imprisonment for life.<br>

R.S., {{LegHistory80s|1985, c. C-46}}, s. 220; 
{{LegHistory90s|1995, c. 39}}, s. 141.
|{{CCCSec2|220}} 
|{{NoteUp|220}}
}}

{{quotation2|
; Causing bodily harm by criminal negligence
221 Every person who by criminal negligence causes bodily harm to another person is guilty of
:(a) an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than 10 years; or
:(b) an offence punishable on summary conviction.

R.S., {{LegHistory80s|1985, c. C-46}}, s. 221;
{{LegHistory10s|2019, c. 25}}, s. 76
|{{CCCSec2|221}}
|{{NoteUp|221}}
}}

===Draft Form of Charges===
{{seealso|Draft Form of Charges}}

{{DraftHeader}}
|-
|221
| 
|"{{ellipsis1}} contrary to section 221{{CCC}}."
{{DraftEnd}}

==Proof of the Offence==
{{ElementHeader}}
{{ElementLeft}}
{{Proving|criminal negligence|219}}<ref>
{{CanLIIRx|Wudrich|fw506|2013 SKQB 35 (CanLII)}}{{perSKQB|Gabrielson J}}{{AtsL|fw506|11|}}, {{atsL-np|fw506|16|}}
</ref>
{{InitialElements}}
# {{box}} the culprit had a legal duty;
# {{box}}the culprit did something or omitted to do something that it was their legal duty to do;
# {{box}} the conduct showed "wanton or reckless disregard for the lives or safety of others"

{{ElementRight}}

{{Proving|criminal negligence causing death|220}}
# {{box}} elements of s. 219;
## {{box}} the conduct showed a "marked and substantial departure" form the conduct of a reasonably prudent and
# {{box}} the alleged act caused the death of another person.

{{ElementLeft}}

{{Proving|criminal negligence causing bodily harm|221}}
# {{box}} elements of s. 219;
# {{box}} another person suffered bodily harm
# {{box}} the alleged act caused the harm

{{ElementRight}}
{{ElementEnd}}

{{reflist|2}}

==Interpretation of the Offence==

A person who signals the start of a race by dropping a “flag” is a party to the race and can be found guilty of criminal negligence.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|MR|fkg6l|2011 ONCA 190 (CanLII)|275 CCC (3d) 45}}{{perONCA|O'Connor ACJ}}
</ref>

A person who subjects another person to extreme "sweat lodge" that causes death may be liable.<REf>
e.g. {{CanLIIRPC|Fontaine c R|hn898|2017 QCCA 1730 (CanLII)|41 CR (7th) 330}}{{perQCCA|Healy JA}}
</ref>

; "another person"
The meaning of "another person" does not include a foetus as it is not a "human being" within the meaning of s. 223.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Sullivan|1fslr|1991 CanLII 85 (SCC)|[1991] 1 SCR 489}}{{perSCC|Lamer CJ}}
</ref>

{{reflist|2}}
===Legal Duties===
For the purpose of s. 219, a "duty" refers to "a duty imposed by law."<ref>
[{{CCCSec|219}} S. 219(2)]</ref>

Legal duties exist in common law and statute.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Coyne|htvb9|1958 CanLII 463 (NB CA)|124 CCC 176}}{{perNBCA|Ritchie JA}}{{atps|179-80}} (CCC)<br>
see also {{CanLIIRP|Thornton (CA)|g19s2|1991 CanLII 7212 (ON CA)|42 OAC 206}}{{perONCA|Galligan JA}}
</ref>

{{reflist|2}}

====Parental Duties====
Under s. 215 every person has a duty:
{{quotation2|
; Duty of persons to provide necessaries
215 (1) Every one is under a legal duty
:(a) as a parent, foster parent, guardian or head of a family, to provide necessaries of life for a child under the age of sixteen years;
:(b) to provide necessaries of life to their spouse or common-law partner; and
:(c) to provide necessaries of life to a person under his charge if that person
::(i) is unable, by reason of detention, age, illness, mental disorder or other cause, to withdraw himself from that charge, and
::(ii) is unable to provide himself with necessaries of life.

{{removed|(2), (3) and (4)}}
R.S., {{LegHistory80s|1985, c. C-46}}, s. 215; 
{{LegHistory90s|1991, c. 43}}, s. 9; 
{{LegHistory00s|2000, c. 12}}, ss. 93, 95;
{{LegHistory00s|2005, c. 32}}, s. 11.
|{{CCCSec2|215}}
|{{NoteUp|215|1}}
}}

There is further a common law duty "to take reasonable steps to protect his or her child from illegal violence used by the other parent or by a third person towards the child which the parent foresees or ought to foresee."<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Popen|gb3r9|1981 CanLII 3345 (ON CA)|60 CCC (2d) 232}}{{perONCA-H|Martin JA}}{{atp|240}} (CCC)<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Thornton (CA)|g19s2|1991 CanLII 7212 (ON CA)|42 OAC 206}}{{perONCA|Galligan JA}}
</ref>

For more details see [[Failing to Provide the Necessities of Life (Offence)]].

Legal duties include the duty of foster parents to provide children in their car with the necessities of life.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|JF|1rxpv|2007 ONCA 500 (CanLII)|222 CCC (3d) 474}}{{perONCA|MacFarland JA}}{{atsL|1rxpv|50| to 51}}, aff’d on appeal
</ref>
{{reflist|2}}

====Other Duties====
{{quotation2|
; Duty of persons undertaking acts dangerous to life
216. Every one who undertakes to administer surgical or medical treatment to another person or to do any other lawful act that may endanger the life of another person is, except in cases of necessity, under a legal duty to have and to use reasonable knowledge, skill and care in so doing.
<br>
R.S., c. C-34, s. 198.
|{{CCCSec2|216}}
|{{NoteUp|216}}
}}
{{quotation2|
; Duty of persons undertaking acts
217. Every one who undertakes to do an act is under a legal duty to do it if an omission to do the act is or may be dangerous to life.
<br>
R.S., c. C-34, s. 199.
|{{CCCSec2|217}}
|{{NoteUp|217}}
}}
{{quotation2|
; Duty of persons directing work
217.1 Every one who undertakes, or has the authority, to direct how another person does work or performs a task is under a legal duty to take reasonable steps to prevent bodily harm to that person, or any other person, arising from that work or task.
<br>
{{LegHistory00s|2003, c. 21}}, s. 3.
|{{CCCSec2|217.1}}
|{{NoteUp|217.1}}
}}

Similar to s. 216 to 217.1, s. 45 also provides exemption for liability for surgical procedures. <ref>
See [[Acting in Authority]]
</ref>

The protections of s. 216 are based on an objective standard of care expected of a member of the medical profession with reasonable knowledge, skill and care.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Rogers|g9k5s|1968 CanLII 813 (BC CA)|4 CCC 278}}{{perBCCA|Tysoe JA}}
</ref>

{{reflist|2}}

===Mens Rea===
The mens rea element requires proof of a "wanton or reckless disregard for the lives and safety of other persons."<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Javanmardi|j3bnw|2019 SCC 54 (CanLII)|439 DLR (4th) 579}}{{perSCC|Abella J}}{{atL|j3bnw|20}}
</ref>

The assesessment of "wanton" and "reckless" are analyzed on an objective standard of fault&mdash;that of a reasonable person.<ref>
{{ibid1|Javanmardi}} at para 20
</ref>
The judge must "measur[e] the degree to which the accused's conduct departed from that of a reasonable person in the circumstances."<Ref>
{{ibid1|Javanmardi}} at para 21
</ref>

In select circumstances, the judge need only assess whether there is a '"marked" departure from the conduct of a reasonable person.<Ref>
{{ibid1|Javanmardi}} at para 21
</ref>
While other more serious circumstances, such as when death is caused, there must be a "marked and substantial" departure.<Ref>
{{ibid1|Javanmardi}} at para 21
</ref>
 
; Dangerous Driving 
The ''mens rea'' for criminal negligence relating to dangerous driving requires evidence of the accused's subjective state of mind or by showing that the prohibited conduct "constituted a marked and substantial departure from the conduct of a reasonably prudent person."<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Kerr|g203d|2013 BCCA 506 (CanLII)|305 CCC (3d) 127}}{{perBCCA|Neilson JA}}{{atL|g203d|25}}<br>
{{infra1|Javanmardi}}{{atL|j3bnw|21}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|JF|21bgx|2008 SCC 60 (CanLII)|[2008] 3 SCR 215}}{{perSCC|Fish J}}{{atL|21bgx|10}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Beatty|1vrp5|2008 SCC 5 (CanLII)|[2008] 1 SCR 49}}{{perSCC|Charron J}}{{atL|1vrp5|33}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Roy|frjlk|2012 SCC 26 (CanLII)|[2012] 2 SCR 60}}{{perSCC|Cromwell J}}{{atL|frjlk|30}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|L(J)|1mcjx|2006 CanLII 805 (ON CA)|204 CCC (3d) 324}}{{perONCA|Weiler JA}}{{atL|1mcjx|15}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Al-Kassem|ghj4x|2015 ONCA 320 (CanLII)|78 MVR (6th) 183}}{{TheCourtONCA}}{{atL|ghj4x|6}}<br>
</ref>

; Causing Death
Where death occurred as a result of the act or omission, the fault element is made out where the accused "shows wanton or reckless disregard for the lives or safety of other persons."<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Javanmardi|j3bnw|2019 SCC 54 (CanLII)|439 DLR (4th) 579}}{{perSCC|Abella J}}{{atL|j3bnw|20}}
</ref>
This is measured on a "modified objective standard of fault" from the perspective of a "reasonable person... in the circumstances".<Ref>
{{ibid1|Javanmardi}}{{atsL|j3bnw|20| to 21}}
</ref>
The question is whether the accused's conduct "departed from that of a reasonable person in the circumstances".<Ref>
{{ibid1|Javanmardi}}{{atL|j3bnw|21}}
</ref>
where the charges criminal negligence causing death, the Crown must prove that there was a "marked and substantial" departure from the standard of care.<ref>
{{ibid1|Javanmardi}}{{atL|j3bnw|21}} ("In the context of criminal negligence causing death, however, the requisite degree of departure has been described as an elevated one — marked and substantial")
</ref>
The difference between "marked departure" and "marked and substantial departure" remains unsettled.<ref>
{{ibid1|Javanmardi}}{{atL|j3bnw|23}}
</ref>

The terms "wanton" and "reckless" are defined in common law.<ref>
{{ibid1|Javanmardi}}{{atL|j3bnw|20}}
</ref>
{{reflist|2}}

===Alternate Charges===
{{quotation2|
662<br>
{{removed|(1), (2), (3) and (4)}}
; Conviction for dangerous operation when another offence charged
(5) For greater certainty, when a count charges an offence under section 220 {{AnnSec2|220A}}, 221 {{AnnSec2|221A}} or 236 {{AnnSec2|236}} arising out of the operation of a conveyance, and the evidence does not prove that offence but proves an offence under section 320.13, the accused may be convicted of an offence under that section.
<br>
{{removed|(6)}}
R.S., {{LegHistory80s|1985, c. C-46}}, s. 662; 
R.S., {{LegHistory80s|1985, c. 27 (1st Supp.)}}, s. 134; 
{{LegHistory00s|2000, c. 2}}, s. 3; 
{{LegHistory00s|2008, c. 6}}, s. 38; 
{{LegHistory10s|2018, c. 21}}, s. 20.
|{{CCCSec2|662}}
|{{NoteUp|662|5}}
}}

==Participation of Third Parties==
{{seealso|Role of the Victim and Third Parties|Testimonial Aids for Young, Disabled or Vulnerable Witnesses}}

; Testimonial Aids
{{3rdPTestimonyAids}}

; On Finding of Guilt
{{VictimHeader}}
|s. 220 {{DescrSec|220}},<br>s. 221 {{DescrSec|221}}|| {{Yes}}  || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} 
|-
{{VictimEnd}}

{{606NoticeSPIO|s. 220, 221}}

{{RestitutionNotice}}

{{VISNotice}}

==Sentencing Principles and Ranges==
{{seealsoSentencing}}

; Maximum Penalties
{{SProfileMaxHeader}}
{{SProfileMax|s. 221 {{DescrSec|221}} | {{NA}} | {{Max10Years}}}}
{{SProfileMax|s. 220(a) {{DescrSec|220(a)}} and<br> s. 220(b) {{DescrSec|220(b)}} | {{NA}} | {{MaxLife}}}}
{{SProfileEnd}}

{{MaxPenaltyIndictment|s. 220(a) or (b), 221|'''{{Max10Years}}''' under s. 221 or '''{{MaxLife}}''' under s. 220(a), (b)}}

; Minimum Penalties
{{SProfileMinHeader}}
{{SProfileMin|s. 220(a) {{DescrSec|220(a)}} | {{NA}} | {{Min4Years}} | Same}}
{{SProfileEnd}}

{{MinPenalty|s. 220(a)|'''{{Min4Years}}'''}}

{{NoMinimumPenalties|s. 220(b), 221}}

; Available Dispositions
{{SProfileAvailHeader}}
|s. 220(a) || {{NA}} || {{SProfileOnlyJail}}
|-
|s. 221|| {{NA}} || {{SProfileAll}}
|-
|s. 220(b) || {{NA}} || {{SProfileNoDischargeOrCSO}}
|-
{{SProfileEnd}}

{{OnlyJailAvailable|s. 220(a)}}

{{AllDispositionsAvailable1|s. 221}}

{{NoDischargeAvailable|s. 220(b)}}
 
{{NoCSOAvailable|C|s. 220(b)}}

; Consecutive Sentences
{{NoConsecutive}}

===Principles===

===Ranges===
{{seealsoRanges|Criminal Negligence}}

==Ancillary Sentencing Orders==
{{seealso|Ancillary Orders}}
	
; Offence-specific Orders
{{AOrderHeader}}
| [[DNA Orders]] || s. 220(a), (b) or 221||
* {{SecondDNA(AorB)|s. 220(a), (b), or 221}}
|-
| [[Delayed Parole Eligibility|Delayed Parole Order]] ||s. 220 or 221 ||
* {{ParoleDelayEligible|1|s. 220 or 221}}
{{AOrderEnd}}

; General Sentencing Orders
{{GeneralSentencingOrders}}

; General Forfeiture Orders
{{GeneralForfeitureOrders}}

==Record Suspensions and Pardons== 
{{RecordSuspension|s. 220 {{DescrSec|220}} or 221 {{DescrSec|221}} }}

==History==

==See Also==

{{OffencesNavBar/Homicide}}