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This statistic shows the number of arsons in Canada from 2000 to 2021. There were 10;119 arsons in Canada in 2021.

Arson

Arson is the intentional or negligent causing of a fire that causes damage in either wildlife or human inhabited areas. There are three main provisions in the criminal code of Canada that pertain to arson: disregard for human life (when the arsonist either knew the property was inhabited or took no steps to determine so, or caused harm to a person through the arson), damage to property (the reckless or intentional causing of damage by fire or explosion when disregard for human life cannot be proven), and arson by negligence (disregard for care of one’s own property or precautionary measures that leads to a fire or explosion).

The charge of disregard for human life carries a maximum sentence of life, damage to property carries a maximum sentence of fourteen years, and arson by negligence carries a maximum sentence of five years. There are four circumstances of arson offenses that are considered in sentencing: mental illness (pyromania), insurance fraud, revenge, and vandalism. Intentional arson and reckless behavior are given the harshest sentences.

In 2020 the national rate of arsons in Canada was 23.29, nearly half of the 2000 rate. Among the territories and provinces, Nunavut had one of the lowest total numbers of arsons in 2019, but the highest rate of arsons in Canada at 78.77 per 100,000 inhabitants for the year, over six times higher than the national rate.