Enact Stand on Guard law
Petitioners ask the House of Commons to enact Stand on Guard Law, guaranteeing Canadians the right to use necessary force in their homes without a duty to retreat or fear of prosecution.
Why we would sign this petition
- Clarifies that homeowners may use necessary force at home without a duty to retreat, reducing legal uncertainty for those defending themselves.
- May deter intruders by increasing the risk of legal protection for defenders, potentially preventing break‑ins.
- Addresses concerns about slow police response by allowing immediate self‑protection when officers are not timely available.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- May encourage excessive or disproportionate use of force by lowering legal barriers to violence in the home.
- Could create ambiguous boundaries about what force is "necessary," leading to inconsistent court outcomes and disputed cases.
- Might reduce accountability or undermine existing legal safeguards that balance self‑defence with public safety.
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 Whereas: Canadians have the fundamental right to feel safe and secure in their homes; Current self-defense laws often place homeowners on trial for defending their families, while intruders act without fear; In Alberta, Edouard Maurice was criminally charged after defending his home and family from trespassers, showing how law-abiding citizens can be treated like criminals for protecting themselves; Police response times can be dangerously slow, leaving families vulnerable during violent invasions; Criminals are empowered when law protects them more than their victims, while Stand on Guard Law-(castle law) doctrine would deter intruders by making them think twice before targeting Canadians homes; Canadians must never be forced to hesitate in the face of danger because of fear of prosecution. Therefore: We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to enact Stand on Guard Law (Castle Law) legislation immediately guaranteeing Canadians the unquestionable right to defend themselves, their families, and their property in their homes- using whatever force is necessary to stop an intruder- without a duty to retreat or fear of prosecution.
Government response
No government response is available yet.