Mandatory Minimum Penalties

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General Principles

The Criminal Code give judges a wide range of sentencing options that are to be guided by the sentencing principles rather than constrained by sentencing grids and minimums as occurs in other countries. Judicial discretion is a "central feature of the sentencing process in Canada."

Effect of Minimum on Range of Sentence

It has been agreed upon by several courts that mandatory minimums act as an "inflationary floor" and sets a new minimum punishment for the best offender.

The mininum "introduces a higher starting point" which creates "a narrower range" within which sentencing principles operate.

When Minimums are Applied

It would be wrong to impose the minimum on the least culpable offender in the least serious circumstances and then provide the same sentence upon someone who is more culpable and for a more serious offence where they would have received that sentence under the old regime.

Raised minimums should not create a standard sentence to be "imposed on all but the very worst offender ... in the very worst circumstances".

Minimums cannot be applied retrospectively.

Remand Credit

Section 719(3) permits taking into account remand credit to sentence, and can have the effect of bringing a sentence below the mandatory minimum penalty.

Criticisms

Mandatory minimums have been criticized by the Supreme Court for:

• "depriv[ing] the courts of the ability to tailor proportionate sentences at the lower end of the range";
• impose unjust sentences that violate the principle of proportionality
• shift the focus away from the offender;
• modify the sentencing process that relies on review of all relevant factors of sentencing; and
• change the "normal judicial process of sentencing".

Notice for Minimum Sentences under the CDSA

Notice

8 The court is not required to impose a minimum punishment unless it is satisfied that the offender, before entering a plea, was notified of the possible imposition of a minimum punishment for the offence in question and of the Attorney General’s intention to prove any factors in relation to the offence that would lead to the imposition of a minimum punishment.
2012, c. 1, s. 42.

– CDSA

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Constitutionality of Minimums

Certain mandatory minimums have been assessed on the basis of cruel and unusual punishments:

Offence	Section	Min Penalty	Finding	Cases
Using firearm while committing an offence	85(3)(a)	1 year	Constitutional	R v Stephenson, 2019 ABCA 453 (CanLII), 382 CCC (3d) 285, per curiam R v Superales, 2019 ONCA 792 (CanLII), [2019] OJ No 5008, per curiam R v Al-Isawi, 2017 BCCA 163 (CanLII), 348 CCC (3d) 524, per Stromberg-Stein JA
Possession of a restricted or prohibited firearm	95(2)(a)(ii)	5 years	Unconstitutional	R v Nur, 2015 SCC 15 (CanLII), per McLachlin CJ (on hypothetical) R v Charles, 2013 ONCA 681 (CanLII), per Cronk JA (on hypothetical)
Possession of weapon obtained by crime	96(2)	1 year	Unconstitutional	R v Robertson, 2020 BCCA 65 (CanLII), per Frankel JA (on hypothetical)
firearms trafficking	99(2)	3 years	Unconstitutional	R v Trepanier, 2016 NBPC 2 (CanLII), per Jackson J (on facts and hypothetical)
Sexual Interference (until 2015)	151(a)	45 days	Constitutional	R v Lonegren, 2010 BCSC 960 (CanLII), 260 CCC (3d) 367, per Barrow J R v Craig, 2013 BCSC 2098 (CanLII), [2013] BCJ No 2518, per Bracken J
Sexual Interference (prior to 2015)	151(a)	45 days	Unconstitutional	R v BJT, 2019 ONCA 694 (CanLII), per Feldman JA (on hypothetical)
Invitation to sexual touching (I)	152(a)	1 year	Constitutional	R v EMQ, 2015 BCSC 201 (CanLII), 329 CRR (2d) 29, per Pearlman J
Invitation to sexual touching (I)	152(a)	1 year	Unconstitutional	R v Scofield, 2019 BCCA 3 (CanLII), 52 CR (7th) 379, per Harris J (on hypothetical) R v Ford, 2019 ABCA 87 (CanLII), 371 CCC (3d) 250, per Martin JA R v Hood, 2018 NSCA 18 (CanLII), 409 CRR (2d) 70, per Beveridge JA and MacDonald CJ R v JED, 2018 MBCA 123 (CanLII), 368 CCC (3d) 212, per Mainella and LeMaistre JJA Caron-Barrette c R, 2018 QCCA 516 (CanLII), 46 CR (7th) 400, per curiam R v WG, 2019 ONSC 1146 (CanLII), per Gray J R v HL, 2018 ONSC 1026 (CanLII), 145 WCB (2d) 398, per Harris J R v AW, 2018 CanLII 94529 (NLPC), per Linehan J
Invitation to sexual touching (S)	152(b)	90 days	Constitutional	R v CBA, 2020 BCPC 111 (CanLII), per Frame J R v D(E), 2020 CanLII 42688 (NLPC), per Linehan J R v Bisson, 2019 ONCJ 576 (CanLII), per Loignon J
Invitation to sexual touching (S)	152(b)	90 days	Unconstitutional	R v CGJ, 2020 BCPC 26 (CanLII), per McCarthy J R v Pye, 2019 YKTC 21 (CanLII) per Ruddy J R v Drumonde, 2019 ONSC 1005 (CanLII), per Schreck J
Making of child pornography	163.1(2)	1 year	Unconstitutional	R v Esposito, 2020 ABQB 165 (CanLII), per Gates J, at para 170 R v Joseph, 2020 ONCA 733 (CanLII), per curiam
Distribution of child pornography	163.1(3)	1 year	Constitutional	R v Schultz, 2008 ABQB 679 (CanLII), per Topolniski J R v Watts, 2016 ABPC 57 (CanLII), per FK Macdonald J
Distribution of child pornography	163.1(3)	1 year	Unconstitutional	R v Mollon, 2019 BCSC 423 (CanLII), per Crossin J
Possession of child pornography (S) (prior to 2015)	163.1(4)(b)	45 days	Constitutional	R v Walker, 2017 BCSC 1301 (CanLII), 386 CRR (2d) 222, per Brown J
Possession of child pornography (S)	163.1(4)(b)	6 months	Constitutional	R v Leroux, 2021 QCCQ 202 (CanLII), per Cote J R v Redekopp, 2020 BCPC 29 (CanLII), per Morgan J
Possession of child pornography (S)	163.1(4)(b)	6 months	Unconstitutional	R v Cantin-Fardet, 2021 QCCQ 1056 (CanLII), per Magnan J R v Nepon, 2020 MBPC 48 (CanLII), per Devine J R v Booth, 2019 BCPC 160 (CanLII), per J R v Zhang, 2018 ONCJ 646 (CanLII), per Bentley J R v Swaby, 2018 BCCA 416 (CanLII), 367 CCC (3d) 439, per Bennett JA R v Cole, 2021 BCSC 293 (CanLII), per Williams J R v John, 2018 ONCA 702 (CanLII), 366 CCC (3d) 136, per Pardu JA
Possession of child pornography (I)	163.1(4)	1 year	Unconstitutional	R v Walker, 2021 ONSC 837 (CanLII), per Bryne J R v Hamlin, 2019 BCSC 2266 (CanLII), per Winteringham J R v Jenkins, 2021 PESC 6 (CanLII), per Cann J
Accessing child pornography (S)	163.1(4.1)	6 months	Constitutional	R v Cvitko, 2021 ABPC 52 (CanLII), per Saccomani J
Accessing child pornography (S)	163.1(4.1)	6 months	Unconstitutional	R v Doucette, 2021 ONSC 371 (CanLII), per Schreck J R v Quested, 2019 BCPC 95 (CanLII), per Higinbotham J
Accessing child pornography (I)	163.1(4.1)	1 year	Unconstitutional	R v Walker, 2021 ONSC 837 (CanLII), per Bryne J R v Hamlin, 2019 BCSC 2266 (CanLII), per Winteringham J R v Hunt, 2019 CanLII 42426 (NL PC), per Gorman J
Householder permitting sexual activity under 18	171		Unconstitutional	R v Johnson, 2019 ONCJ 224 (CanLII), per Konyer J
Making sexually explicit materials available	171.1(2)(a)		Constitutional	R v Allen, 2018 ONSC 252 (CanLII), per DiTomaso J
Making sexually explicit materials available	171.1(2)(a)		Unconstitutional	R v Koenig, 2019 BCPC 83 (CanLII), per Skilnik J
Making Sexually Explicit Materials Available to Child	171.1(2)(b)		Constitutional	R v Clarke, 2018 CanLII 116038 (NL PC), per Gorman J
Making Sexually Explicit Materials Available to Child	171.1(2)(b)		Unconstitutional	R v Demers, 2020 QCCQ 2656 (CanLII), per Magnan J
Luring a child	172.1(2)(a)	1 year	Unconstitutional	R v CDR, 2020 ONSC 645 (CanLII), per De Sa J R v Melrose, 2021 ABQB 73 (CanLII), per Renke J
Agreeing to or arranging sexual offence against child	172.2(2)(a)	1 year	Unconstitutional	R v CDR, 2020 ONSC 645 (CanLII), per De Sa J
Possession for the purpose of trafficking	100(3)	1 year	Unconstitutional	R v Ayotte c R, 2019 QCCA 1241 (CanLII), per Gagnon JA
Criminal negligence causing death (firearm)	220(a)	4 years	Constitutional	R v Morrisey, 2000 SCC 39 (CanLII), [2000] 2 SCR 90 R v Dockrill, 2016 NSSC 56 (CanLII), per Arnold J
Manslaughter (with firearm)	236(a)	4 years	Constitutional	R v Penner, 20217 BCSC 1688 (CanLII) R v Lacroix, 2016 QCCQ 402 (CanLII)
Attempted murder	239(1)(a)(i)	4 years	Constitutional	R v Forcillo, 2018 ONCA 402 (CanLII), 361 CCC (3d) 161, per curiam
Attempted murder	239(1)(a.1)	4 years	Constitutional	R v Ziegler, 2017 ABQB 411 (CanLII), per Renke J
recklessly discharging a firearm (with a prohibited firearm or for a crim org) (without priors)	244.2(3)(a)(i)	5 years	Constitutional	R v Abdullahi, 2014 ONSC 272 (CanLII), OJ No 701, per McWatt J
(with a prohibited firearm or for a crim org) (with priors)	244.2(3)(a)(ii)	7 years	Constitutional	R v Mohamed, 2016 ONCJ 492 (CanLII), per Wadden J
recklessly discharging a firearm (other than prohibited firearm or crim org)	244.2(3)(b)	4 years	Constitutional	R v Itturiligaq, 2020 NUCA 6 (CanLII) R v Ookowt, 2020 NUCA 5 (CanLII), per Schutz JA R v Nungusuituq, 2019 NUCJ 6 (CanLII) per Charlesworth J
Sexual Assault CBH / Weapon (Under 16)	272(2)(a.2)	5 years	Unconstitutional	R v Trottier, 2020 QCCA 703 (CanLII), per curiam
trafficking in persons – no aggravated factors	279.01(1)(b)	4 years	Unconstitutional	R v Antoine, 2020 ONSC 181 (CanLII), per Lemay J R v Jean, 2020 ONSC 624 (CanLII), per R Smith J
Trafficking in Persons (Offence) ) [material benefit from trafficking, under 18]	279.02(2)	2 years	Unconstitutional	R v Webber, 2019 NSSC 147 (CanLII), per Brothers J
Commodification of Sexual Services (Offence) [comm. to obtaining sexual services, under 18]	286.1(2)(a)	6 months	Unconstitutional	R v CDR, 2020 ONSC 645 (CanLII), per De Sa J
Commodification of Sexual Services (Offence) [material benefit from sexual services, under 18]	286.2(2)	2 years	Unconstitutional	R v Joseph, 2020 ONCA 733 (CanLII), per curiam
Commodification of Sexual Services (Offence) [procuring into sex serv., under 18]	286.3(2)	5 years	Unconstitutional	R v JG, 2021 ONSC 1095 (CanLII), per Barnes J R v Safieh, 2018 ONSC 4468 (CanLII), 142 OR (3d) 592, per McKelvey J
Robbery (Offence) [robbery with non restricted firearm]	344(1)(a)(i)	5 years	Constitutional	R v McIntyre, 2019 ONCA 161 (CanLII) R v McIvor, 2018 MBCA 29 (CanLII), 407 CRR (2d) 255, per LeMaister J R v Stocker, 2017 BCSC 542 (CanLII), 376 CRR (2d) 361, per Rogers J
Robbery (Offence) [robbery with non restricted firearm]	344(1)(a)(i)	5 years	Unconstitutional	R v Hilbach, 2020 ABCA 332 (CanLII), per curiam (2:1) (on facts and hypothetical)
Robbery (Offence) [robbery with restricted firearm or for benefit of criminal organization]	344(1)(a.1)	4 years	Constitutional	R v Hailemolokot, 2013 MBQB 285 (CanLII), per Simonsen J
Robbery (Offence) [robbery with restricted firearm or for benefit of criminal organization]	344(1)(a.1)	4 years	Unconstitutional	R v Hilbach, 2020 ABCA 332 (CanLII), per curiam (2:1) (on facts and hypothetical)
Robbery (Offence) [robbery with restricted firearm or for benefit of criminal organization]	344(1)(a.1)	4 years	Unconstitutional	R v Hilbach, 2020 ABCA 332 (CanLII), per curiam (2:1) (on facts and hypothetical)
Extortion (Offence)	346(1.1)(a.1)	4 years	Constitutional	R v Villeneuve, 2007 QCCQ 3748 (CanLII), per Lortie J
Drug Trafficking	5(3)(a)(i)(D) CDSA		Unconstitutional	R v Lloyd, 2014 BCCA 224 (CanLII), per Groberman JA upheld 2016 SCC 13 (CanLII), per McLachlin CJ
importation of controlled substances (Sch I)	5(1) NCA	7 years	Unconstitutional	R v Smith (Edward Dewey), 1987 CanLII 64 (SCC), [1987] 1 SCR 1045, per Lamer J

The mandatory minimum of 90 days (summary) and 12 months (indictment) for child luring was upheld as not cruel and unusual.

Consequence of Unconstitutional Minimums

Where a mandatory minimum was found unconstitutional, the removal of a minimum "does not operate to diminish the whole previously established sentencing pattern" proportionate to the previous minimum. The removal of the floor will have some "ameliorating effect" on sentencing but not a "wholesale" reduction, which would otherwise defeat the parliamentary intent to characterize the offence as serious. This also means that the sentencing cases decided while the MMP was in force is not relevant to sentencing and those prior to the amendment should still be viewed with caution.

However, elimination of minimums "permits the court to treat the less serious cases less seriously".