More than half of Canadians are worried about the safety of their neighbourhoods and nearly 90 percent say they feel they have the right to defend themselves and their homes against intruders, a new survey suggests.
A majority of Canadians also said the justice system is failing them, with 54 percent indicating it operates contrary to their best interests.
The survey was conducted a few weeks after a man in central Ontario was charged with assaulting an intruder in his home.
Neighbourhood Safety Concerns
Canadians living in urban and suburban neighbourhoods were more apt to express safety concerns, with 53 percent and 52 percent respectively reporting concerns about general safety and break-ins compared to 40 percent of rural dwellers polled.Residents of Ontario expressed safety concerns most frequently, at a rate of 57 percent, followed by British Columbia at 53 percent, Saskatchewan and Manitoba at 51 percent, and Alberta at 50 percent. Atlantic Canadians had the fewest safety worries at 36 percent, followed by Quebecers at 42 percent.
Canadians in the 35 to 54 age bracket were the most likely to be concerned about safety compared to older and younger survey takers, while those older than 55 were the least likely to have concerns, the survey found.
Fifty-seven percent of those aged 35 to 54 were worried about neighbourhood safety, followed by 50 percent of 18-to-34-year-olds and 46 percent of those 55 and older, which may relate to the likelihood of children living in their households.
Farooqi was killed while trying to protect his family after three men broke into his home. York Regional Police have said at least one of the men was armed and are continuing to ask the community for information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects.
Other home invasions have also occurred in the area, including an attempted invasion just a kilometre away from the Farooqi home on the same night, and another involving four suspects who forced their way into a Vaughan home on Sept. 10 armed with an axe and an extendable baton, but fled before any property was stolen.
Right to Protect Home
The vast majority of those surveyed by Leger said citizens have a right to defend themselves using reasonable force if an intruder breaks into their home.While 87 percent overall agreed with this sentiment, support was high in every demographic, with rural residents and older Canadians voicing the most support.
Ninety percent of rural dwellers said Canadians should be able to protect themselves and their homes compared to 87 percent of those living in suburban areas, and 86 percent of those living in the city.
Respondents 55 and older expressed the most support for this sentiment at 92 percent, followed by the middle-age bracket of 35 to 54, at 85 percent. Those aged 18 to 34 also voiced strong support at 81 percent. Both men and women were equally in favour at 87 percent.
Support was high across all regions of Canada, but only Manitoba and Saskatchewan residents cracked the 90 percent mark with 92 percent saying the use of reasonable force is acceptable. Support was also high in B.C. and Alberta at 89 percent, in Ontario at 88 percent, and in Atlantic Canada at 87 percent. Most Quebecers also agree at 82 percent.
The survey was conducted a few weeks after Kawartha Lakes Police charged Jeremy David McDonald of Lindsay, Ont., with aggravated assault and assault with a weapon for allegedly using a knife against an intruder accused of breaking into his home armed with a crossbow.
Unlike the United States, Canada’s justice system does not recognize the “castle doctrine,” a legal principle permitting the use of force, including lethal force, to protect one’s home and its inhabitants against an unlawful and imminent danger.
Ford said anyone protecting themselves or their family from an intruder “should be exempt” from charges.
Public Sentiment Toward Justice System
A majority of people surveyed identified the justice system as an issue. Fifty-four percent said it works “against the interests of citizens,” compared to 29 percent who said it is working as it should. An additional 17 percent were uncertain.Survey participants from Ontario and British Columbia exhibited the highest levels of dissatisfaction with the justice system. Only respondents from Quebec expressed more satisfaction than dissatisfaction with the way it operates.
Fifty-nine percent of Ontarians and B.C. residents said the system works against its citizens, followed by Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba at 58 percent, and Atlantic Canada at 51 percent. Only 40 percent of Quebecers felt that way.
Rural and suburban residents were also more likely to be unhappy at 56 percent, compared to 51 percent for urban dwellers.
Fifty-eight percent of men and those aged 35 to 54 expressed concern compared to 50 percent of women and 49 percent of the 18 to 34 age group. Those 55 and older were in the middle at 54 percent.
