Create Reckless Homicide offence
Petitioners ask the House of Commons to create a new Criminal Code offence, 'Reckless Homicide by Intoxication', apply it when voluntary intoxication leads to impaired driving causing death, and review sentencing guidelines.
Why we would sign this petition
- It establishes a specific offence for voluntary intoxication causing death, aligning legal labels with petitioners’ call for clearer accountability.
- A dedicated offence plus a sentencing review could increase penalties and consistency, potentially improving deterrence and public confidence.
- Clear statutory wording may reduce the legal ambiguity and sentencing disparities cited, aiding prosecutors, judges and victims’ families.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- Creating a new offence may overlap with existing homicide or impaired driving statutes, adding legal complexity and prosecutorial uncertainty.
- Stronger penalties alone may not reduce impaired driving without improved enforcement, prevention programs, or technological and public‑health measures.
- Revising sentencing could increase incarceration and costs; some may prefer preventive approaches or reallocating enforcement resources instead.
The summary and both sets of reasons are AI-generated from the petition and given equal weight. Claims are the petitioners’ own; consult the official record for the full text.
Official petition
Petition to the House of Commons Impaired driving remains a leading cause of criminal death in Canada, despite decades of public awareness efforts; The current Criminal Code charge of “impaired driving causing death” fails to reflect the conscious and reckless choice of driving after consuming alcohol or drugs; Families continue to be devastated by entirely preventable deaths caused by impaired drivers, often with limited legal accountability or deterrence; and Existing sentencing inconsistencies and vague legal terminology undermine public trust in the justice system. We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to 1. Introduce a new offence in the Criminal Code of Canada titled Reckless Homicide by Intoxication; 2. Apply this offence when a person voluntarily consumes alcohol or drugs, operates a motor vehicle while impaired, and causes the death of another individual, to accurately capture the severity of this conduct and serve as a stronger deterrent; and3. Undertake a review of sentencing guidelines for impaired driving offences causing death, to ensure they align with the severity and lasting harm caused by these incidents. 1. Introduce a new offence in the Criminal Code of Canada titled Reckless Homicide by Intoxication; 2. Apply this offence when a person voluntarily consumes alcohol or drugs, operates a motor vehicle while impaired, and causes the death of another individual, to accurately capture the severity of this conduct and serve as a stronger deterrent; and3. Undertake a review of sentencing guidelines for impaired driving offences causing death, to ensure they align with the severity and lasting harm caused by these incidents. 3. Undertake a review of sentencing guidelines for impaired driving offences causing death, to ensure they align with the severity and lasting harm caused by these incidents.
Government response
No government response is available yet.