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Subjective factors. Outside the motor vehicle context, the main unsettled issue is whether proof of some
subjective blameworthy state of mind, described as advertence to the risk, is required. Non-culpable factors
affecting capacity to perceive and assess risk, such as mental retardation, must be considered by the trier of
fact in assessing liability.26 Age and immaturity are also relevant to the assessment of criminal negligence. In
assessing the conduct of a 16-year-old accused who pushed his playmate downstairs, the standard for
assessment is that of a reasonable sane and sober 16-year-old.27
Punishment. The maximum punishment for criminal negligence causing death is imprisonment for life.
Where a firearm is used in the commission of the offence, the minimum punishment is imprisonment for a
term of four years.28 This four-year minimum sentence does not violate the guarantee against grossly
disproportionate sentences under s. 12 of the Charter of Rights,29 but may be reduced by pre-trial custody
credit30 to a sentence imposed of less than four years.31 The mandatory requirement is satisfied so long as
the sentence imposed plus any pre-trial custody credit totals a punishment of at least four years. The
sentence over and above the pre-trial custody credit commences when imposed.
The maximum punishment for criminal negligence causing bodily harm is imprisonment for a term not
exceeding ten years.32
Footnote(s)
1 (CAN) Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-46, ss. 220, 221.
2 (CAN) Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-46, s. 219.
3 R. v. F. (J.), [2007] O.J. No. 2632, 2007 ONCA 500 (Ont. C.A.), vard [2008] S.C.J. No. 62 (S.C.C.).
4 R. v. Waite, [1989] S.C.J. No. 61, 48 C.C.C. (3d) 1 (S.C.C.); R. v. Tutton, [1985] O.J. No. 44, 18 C.C.C. (3d) 328 (Ont.
C.A.), affd [1989] S.C.J. No. 60, 69 C.R. (3d) 289 (S.C.C.). See also R. v. Sharp, [1984] O.J. No. 46, 12 C.C.C. (3d) 428
(Ont. C.A.); R. v. Nelson, [1990] O.J. No. 139, 54 C.C.C. (3d) 285 (Ont. C.A.); R. v. Cabral, [1990] O.J. No. 138, 54 C.C.C.
(3d) 317 (Ont. C.A.); R. v. Anderson, [1990] S.C.J. No. 14, 53 C.C.C. (3d) 481 (S.C.C.).
5 R. v. Sharp, [1984] O.J. No. 46, 12 C.C.C. (3d) 428, 39 C.R. (3d) 367 (Ont. C.A.).
6 R. v. F. (J.), [2008] S.C.J. No. 62 (S.C.C.).
7 R. v. Waite, [1989] S.C.J. No. 61, 48 C.C.C. (3d) 1 (S.C.C.) and R. v. Tutton, [1985] O.J. No. 44, 18 C.C.C. (3d) 328 (Ont.
C.A.), affd [1989] S.C.J. No. 60, 69 C.R. (3d) 289 (S.C.C.).
8 R. v. Nelson, [1990] O.J. No. 139, 54 C.C.C. (3d) 285 (Ont. C.A.).
9 R. v. Tutton, [1985] O.J. No. 44, 18 C.C.C. (3d) 328 (Ont. C.A.), affd [1989] S.C.J. No. 60, 69 C.R. (3d) 289 (S.C.C.).
10 R. v. Waite, [1989] S.C.J. No. 61, 48 C.C.C. (3d) 1 (S.C.C.) and R. v. Tutton, [1985] O.J. No. 44, 18 C.C.C. (3d) 328 (Ont.
C.A.), affd [1989] S.C.J. No. 60, 69 C.R. (3d) 289 (S.C.C.).
11 R. v. Canhoto, [1999] O.J. No. 4601, 140 C.C.C. (3d) 321 (Ont. C.A.).
12 R. v. Coyne, [1958] N.B.J. No. 11, 124 C.C.C. 176 (N.B.C.A.).
13 R. v. Popen, [1981] O.J. No. 921, 60 C.C.C. (2d) 232 (Ont. C.A.).
14 R. v. Titchner, [1961] O.J. No. 571, 35 C.R. 111 (Ont. C.A.); R. v. Leblanc, [1991] A.Q. no 282, 4 C.R. (4th) 98 (Que.
C.A.).
15 R. v. Leblanc, [1991] A.Q. no 282, 4 C.R. (4th) 98 (Que. C.A.).
16 R. v. Pinske, [1988] B.C.J. No. 1392, 6 M.V.R. (2d) 19 (B.C.C.A.), affd [1989] S.C.J. No. 106, [1989] 2 S.C.R. 979
(S.C.C.) (7:0).
17 R. v. Nette, [2001] S.C.J. No. 75, [2001] 3 S.C.R. 488 (S.C.C.).
18 R. v. Rotundo, [1993] O.J. No. 1836, 47 M.V.R. (2d) 90 (Ont. C.A.); R. v. Olivier, [2002] J.Q. no 1019 (Que. C.A.).
19 R. v. Sullivan, [1991] S.C.J. No. 20, 63 C.C.C. (3d) 97 (S.C.C.).
20 R. v. Menezes, [2002] O.J. No. 551 (Ont. S.C.J.).
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