Criminal Law Notebook

Totality Principle

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This page was last substantively updated or reviewed January 2023. (Rev. # 95991)

General Principles

See also: Proportionality

The common law principle to totality is found codified in s. 718.2(c), which states as follows:

Obligations of court

718.2 A court that imposes a sentence shall also take into consideration the following principles:

[omitted (a) and (b)]
(c) where consecutive sentences are imposed, the combined sentence should not be unduly long or harsh;
[omitted (d) and (e)]

1995, c. 22, s. 6; 1997, c. 23, s. 17; 2000, c. 12, s. 95; 2001, c. 32, s. 44(F), c. 41, s. 20; 2005, c. 32, s. 25; 2012, c. 29, s. 2; 2015, c. 13, s. 24, c. 23, s. 16; 2017, c. 13, s. 4; 2019, c. 25, s. 293.

– CCC (CanLII), (DOJ)

Note up: 718.2

Totality as Proportionality

The principle of totality is a component of the principle of proportionality.[1] In some sense, totality is a "subsidiary" of proportionality.[2]

Purpose

The totality principle was "intended to avoid sentences that cumulatively are out of proportion to the gravity of the offences"[3]

The principle is also seen as "in service of" the principle of restraint.[4]

"Cheaper by the Dozen"

By contrast, there is authority saying that courts must avoid making it "cheaper by the dozen" when sentencing an offender for multiple offences.[5] The use of "cheaper by the dozen" sentencing is exhibited when the court improperly attributes muliple offences to being a "spree" without considering whether the accused has good prospects of rehabilitation.[6]

Terminology of "global" vs "cumulative" sentence

There has been some suggestion that the term "cumulative" is better than "global" in reference to the final sentence.[7]

  1. ↑ R v Sidwell (KA), 2015 MBCA 56 (CanLII), 8 WWR 494, per Steel JA, at para 16 ("An important component of the principle of proportionality is the principle of totality, which is embedded in s. 718.2(c) of the Code.")
  2. ↑ R v May, 2012 ABCA 213 (CanLII), 102 WCB (2d) 615, per curiam, at para 7
  3. ↑ R v DFP, 2005 NLCA 31 (CanLII), 197 CCC 498 (NLCA), per Welsh JA (2:1), at para 24
    See also Ruby, Sentencing, 4th edition (Toronto: Butterworths, 1994) ("...The purpose [of the totality principle] is to ensure that a series of sentences, each properly imposed in relation to the offence to which it relates, is in aggregate "just and appropriate". A cumulative sentence may offend the totality principle if the aggregate sentence is substantially above the normal level of a sentence for the most serious of the individual offences involved, or if its effect is to impose on the offender "a crushing sentence" not in keeping with his record and prospects.”)
  4. ↑ R v Ranger, 2014 ABCA 50 (CanLII), 569 AR 39, per curiam, at para 50
  5. ↑ R v Al Maliki, 2005 BCCA 495 (CanLII) (working hyperlinks pending) at para 20
    R v May, 2012 ABCA 213 (CanLII) (working hyperlinks pending) at para 10
    R v L(CGJ), 2013 ABCA 140 (CanLII) (working hyperlinks pending) at para 21
    R v Townsend, 2015 BCCA 209 (CanLII) (working hyperlinks pending) at para 23
  6. ↑ May, supra at para 10
    R v Trapasso, 2014 ABCA 66 (CanLII) (working hyperlinks pending) at para 15
    R v Vader, 2017 ABQB 48 (CanLII), per Thomas J, at para 117
  7. ↑ R v Ivanic, 2011 BCCA 158 (CanLII), per Huddart JA (only), at para 26

Application

The principle of totality comes into play where there is a sentence for multiple offences. The principle requires the court to craft a global sentence of all offences that is not excessive. [1] If the total sentence is excessive the court must adjust the sentence so that the "total sentence is proper". [2]

The sentence should not deprive the offender of "any hope of ... rehabilitation".[3]

Sentences Exceeding the Ranges

The sentence may violate the totality principle where the global sentence considerably exceeds the "normal" level of the most serious of the individual offences.[4]

The sentence may also violate the principle where the global sentence "exceeds what is appropriate given the offender's overall culpability.[5]

When Offences are Concurrent

Where the multitude of offences are determined to run concurrently to each other, the judge is then prohibited from using the totality principle.[6]

Offences Not Before the Court

While not always the case, an offender's past convictions and sentences may be relevant to the calculation of totality.[7]

Totality Applied When Sentencing for Single Offence

The totality principle must still be considered when the sentencing judge is faced with a single offence if at the time the offender is serving a previous sentence.[8] Only the unexpired portion of the previous sentence should be considered.[9]

Age of Offender

Where the offender is older, the sentence should not exceed their expected lifespan.[10]

  1. ↑ R v M(CA), 1996 CanLII 230 (SCC), [1996] 1 SCR 500, per Lamer CJ, at para 42
  2. ↑ R v Keshane, 2005 SKCA 18 (CanLII), 257 Sask R 161, per Cameron JA
    R v Hicks, 2007 NLCA 41 (CanLII), 221 CCC (3d) 458, per Rowe JA
    R v Murray, 2009 BCCA 426 (CanLII), per Bennett JA, at para 13
  3. ↑ R v Anderson, 2020 BCCA 297 (CanLII), per Bennett JA, at para 89
    R v Johnson, 2012 ONCA 339 (CanLII), 285 CCC (3d) 120, per Blair JA, at para 18
  4. ↑ R v ETP, 2001 MBCA 194 (CanLII), 162 CCC (3d) 481, per Philp JA
  5. ↑ R v Wharry, 2008 ABCA 293 (CanLII), 234 CCC (3d) 338, 437 AR 148, per Watson JA, at para 35
    R v Abrosimo, 2007 BCCA 406 (CanLII), 225 CCC (3d) 253, per Frankel JA, at paras 20 to 31
    see also R v Tiegs, 2012 ABCA 116 (CanLII), [2012] AJ No. 378, per Watson JA
  6. ↑ R v Skinner, 2016 NSCA 54 (CanLII), NSJ No 255, per Saunders JA, at para 49 ("Having already determined that Mr. Skinner’s sentence for the June 25 offences would be treated as concurrent to the June 26 offences, Judge Derrick was prohibited from applying the totality principle as a basis for deciding “to arbitrarily reduce” Mr. Skinner’s sentence by 2½ years.")
  7. ↑ R v Barrett, 2012 NLCA 46 (CanLII), 291 CCC (3d) 213, per Hoegg JA, at para 24 ("In ordinary circumstances, a judge who is imposing sentence for multiple offences conducts his or her totality analysis on considerations relating to sentencing for the multiple offences which are before him or her and does not usually consider a sentence previously imposed by another judge. This is not to say that consideration of an offender’s past convictions and sentences is not relevant to his sentencing for the current offences. ")
  8. ↑ R v Johnson, 2012 ONCA 339 (CanLII), 285 CCC (3d) 120, per Blair J, at para 19 ("There are at least two types of situation where the principle of totality in the context of consecutive sentences may arise. The first is where a single judge must deal with a series of offences, ... . A second – which is the case here – concerns a situation where a sentencing judge must impose a fit sentence on an offender convicted of one or more offences where that offender is at the same time serving the remainder of a sentence for a previous conviction or convictions.")
  9. ↑ Johnson, ibid., at paras 22 to 25
  10. ↑ R v M(CA), 1996 CanLII 230 (SCC), [1996] 1 SCR 500, at para 74
    Anderson, supra, at para 89

Effect of Totality

The only effect of totality should be that the sentence "cannot exceed the overall culpability of the offender."[1]

Totality will have a balancing effect when applied after considering the denunciatory and deterrent objectives.[2]

It should not have the effect of "wip[ing] out punishment for serious aggravating factors."[3]

  1. ↑ R v Khawaja, 2012 SCC 69 (CanLII), 290 CCC (3d) 361, per McLachlin CJ, at para 126
    Ranger, ibid., at para 50
  2. ↑ e.g. R v Foley, 2013 ONCJ 26 (CanLII), OJ No 4, per Renaud J, at paras 57, 58
  3. ↑ Ranger, supra, at para 50
    R v Lemmon, 2012 ABCA 103 (CanLII), 285 CCC (3d) 419, per Martin JA, at para 23 (“We must remember that the ultimate objective is a sentence that reflects the gravity of the offence and the degree of responsibility of the offender, not a mindless application of sentencing principles.”)

Single Transaction

Where there are multiple counts arising from a single transaction, the court should consider the sentencing of the worst of the counts "then go on to assess what effect the other collateral or associated crimes has on the overall culpability of the offender". [1] Generally, the other offences are "essentially modifiers or adjectives" that deserve concurrent sentences.[2]

  1. ↑ R v May, 2012 ABCA 213 (CanLII), 102 WCB (2d) 615, per curiam, at para 8 ("this application of totality is primarily in service of the principle of restraint and is secondarily in service of the principle of proportionality. This application does not operate to wipe out punishment for serious aggravating factors")
  2. ↑ May, ibid., at para 8

Procedure

Depending on the jurisdiction, this process can be done either by summing the individual sentences and then adjusting accordingly [1] or by making a global sentence and calculating individual sentences from that number.[2] It is more frequently the former than the latter.[3]

Analysis (BC)

The question of imposing concurrent or consecutive sentences should involved three steps:[4]

  1. determine the appropriate sentence for each offence;
  2. determine whether the sentences should be consecutive or concurrent; and
  3. assess the "overall moral culpability of the offender in relation to the offences" and determine "whether the sentence is proportionate or whether it is unduly long or harsh". Where it is too long, the sentence should be adjusted until it is proportionate.
Analysis (NS)

In Nova Scotia, it was recommended that sentencing judges consider totality as follows:[5]

  1. Identify an appropriate sentence for each offence;
  2. Consider whether sentences should be concurrent or consecutive to each other based on the nature of the offences (see Concurrent and Consecutive Sentences);
  3. Take a "last look". If the global sentence is "unduly long or harsh and not proportionate", the court should reduce the sentence in light of factors:
    1. "the length of the combined sentence in relation to the normal level of sentence for the most serious of the individual offences involved;"
    2. "the number and gravity of the offences involved;"
    3. "the offender’s criminal record;"
    4. "the impact of the combined sentence on the offender’s prospects for rehabilitation, in the sense that it may be harsh or crushing;"
    5. "such other factors as may be appropriate."
  4. The reduction should be done by "first attempt[ing] to adjust one or more of the sentences by making it or them concurrent with other sentences". If "that does not achieve the proper result, the court may in addition, or instead, reduce the length of an individual sentence below what it would otherwise have been."

In the analysis the judge should be sure to identify:

  1. "the sentences that are regarded as appropriate for each individual offence applying proper sentencing principles, without considerations of totality;"
  2. "the degree to which sentences have been made concurrent on the basis that they constitute a single criminal adventure; and"
  3. "the methodology employed to achieve the proper totality that is indicated, identifying which individual sentences are, for this purpose, to be made concurrent or to be otherwise reduced."


Worst Offence First

It has been suggested that where there are multiple counts from a single transaction, the best practice is to first consider the worst of the offences and then assess what affect the collateral offences have on the overall culpability, thus treating the lesser offences as modifiers of the initial sentence.[6]

  1. ↑ R v Newhook, 2008 NLCA 28 (CanLII), 846 APR 190, per Rowe JA
    R v Li, 2009 BCCA 85 (CanLII), 267 BCAC 77, per D Smith JA, at paras 26 to 28
    R v Lapointe, 2010 NBCA 63 (CanLII), 936 APR 129, per Robertson JA, at para 32
  2. ↑ R v Lombardo, 2008 NSCA 97 (CanLII), 237 CCC (3d) 349, per Saunders JA
  3. ↑ e.g. R v Adams, 2010 NSCA 42 (CanLII), 255 CCC (3d) 150, per Bateman JA, at para 23
  4. ↑ R v Anderson, 2020 BCCA 297 (CanLII), per Bennett JA, at para 90
    R v Li, 2009 BCCA 85 (CanLII), 267 BCAC 77, per Smith JA
    R v Joseph, 2010 BCCA 525 (CanLII), per Prowse JA
  5. ↑ R v Adams, 2010 NSCA 42 (CanLII), 255 CCC (3d) 150, per Bateman JA
    R v Skinner, 2016 NSCA 54 (CanLII), NSJ No 255, per Saunders JA, at para 41
    R v Hutchings, 2012 NLCA 2 (CanLII), 282 CCC (3d) 104, per Green CJ, at para 83
    R v Murray, 2009 BCCA 426 (CanLII), per Bennett JA, at para 13
    R v Brown, 2022 NBCA 33 (CanLII), per French JA, at para 23
  6. ↑ May, supra, at para 8
    see e.g. R v Fait, 1982 ABCA 148 (CanLII), 68 CCC (2d) 367, 37 AR 273 (CA), per Laycraft JA
    R v Raber, 1983 ABCA 325 (CanLII), (1983) 57 AR 360, per curiam
    R v Keough, 2012 ABCA 14 (CanLII), 519 AR 236, per Slatter JA (2:1), at paras 17, 26 to 30, but cf. paras 58 to 63 from dissent

Sprees

See also: Concurrent and Consecutive Sentences

Totality can be applied to spree crimes, a string of similar offences over a short period of time. Though they are separate offences, the courts can treat them as a single transaction due to the linkage between them.[1] This form of totality must be considered carefully as it should not give the impression that offences are "cheaper" when done in succession. It has a reduction effect in part due to the frequency that the offender is young and rehabilitation is still a major consideration.

It is wrong to treat "sprees" of crime as a reason to deduct the overall sentence as crime should not be treated as "cheaper by the dozen."[2]

  1. ↑ R v May, 2012 ABCA 213 (CanLII), 102 WCB (2d) 615, per curiam, at para 9
    R v Johnas, 1982 ABCA 331 (CanLII), 2 CCC (3d) 490, 41 AR 183, per curiam
  2. ↑ May, supra, at para 10
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