This enactment amends the Criminal Code to increase the punishment for mischief relating to religious property.

His Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:

Mischief relating to religious property

(4.‍12) Everyone who commits mischief in relation to a building or structure, or part of a building or structure, that is primarily used for religious worship — including a church, mosque, synagogue or temple — an object associated with religious worship located in or on the grounds of such a building or structure, or a cemetery is guilty of an indictable offence or an offence punishable on summary conviction and is liable,

• (a) whether the offence is prosecuted by indictment or punishable on summary conviction, to the following minimum punishment, namely,

  • (i) for a first offence, to compensate the property owner an amount of not less than $1,000,

  • (ii) for a second offence, to compensate the property owner an amount of not less than $1,000 and to imprisonment for not less than 14 days, and

  • (iii) for each subsequent offence, to compensate the property owner an amount of not less than $1,000 and to imprisonment for not less than 30 days;

• (b) if the offence is prosecuted by indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years; and

• (c) if the offence is punishable on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term of not more than two years less a day.

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