Forcible Entry (Sentencing Cases)

This page was last substantively updated or reviewed January 2021. (Rev. # 92517)

Offence Wording

Forcible entry

72 (1) A person commits forcible entry when that person enters real property that is in the actual and peaceable possession of another in a manner that is likely to cause a breach of the peace or reasonable apprehension of a breach of the peace.

Matters not material

(1.1) For the purposes of subsection (1) [forcible entry – offence], it is immaterial whether or not a person is entitled to enter the real property or whether or not that person has any intention of taking possession of the real property.

Forcible detainer

(2) A person commits forcible detainer when, being in actual possession of real property without colour of right, he detains it in a manner that is likely to cause a breach of the peace or reasonable apprehension of a breach of the peace, against a person who is entitled by law to possession of it.

Questions of law

(3) The questions whether a person is in actual and peaceable possession or is in actual possession without colour of right are questions of law.
R.S., 1985, c. C-46, s. 72; R.S., 1985, c. 27 (1st Supp.), s. 10; 1992, c. 1, s. 60(F).
[annotation(s) added]

CCC (CanLII), (DOJ)


Note up: 72(1), (1.1), (2), and (3)


Defined terms: "possession" (s. 2)

Punishment

73 Every person who commits forcible entry or forcible detainer is guilty of

(a) an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than two years; or
(b) an offence punishable on summary conviction.

R.S., 1985, c. C-46, s. 73; R.S., 1985, c. 27 (1st Supp.), s. 11 1992, c. 1, s. 58; 2019, c. 25, s. 13.

CCC (CanLII), (DOJ)


Note up: 73


Defined terms: "person" (s. 2)

Digests

Case Name Prv. Crt. Sentence Summary
R v SK, 2021 ONCA 619 (CanLII) ON   CA 1 years imprisonment (entry) (concurrent)

Find summaries of case.
Keywords: None
R v Wilson, 2006 NBQB 70 (CanLII), per McLellan J NB   SC 3 months imprisonment + Pr Offender had 90 days remand credit.
Find summaries of case.
Keywords: None

See Also