Indigenous Women as a Vulnerability Factor in Sentencing: How Criminal Code sections 718.04 and 718.201 Weaken Gladue and Entrench Discrimination against Indigenous Offenders
In 2019, Bill C-75 introduced sections 718.04 and 718.201 of the Criminal Code, directing courts to prioritize denunciation and deterrence in cases of violence against women and to consider the “increased vulnerability” of Indigenous female victims. Though framed as protective, these provisions risk...
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| Publicat a: | URI:https://journals.openedition.org/eccs, |
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| Autor principal: | |
| Format: | Article ou chapitre numérique |
| Idioma: | Anglais |
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Études canadiennes / Canadian Studies
2026
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| Accés en línia: | Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM |
| Sumari: | In 2019, Bill C-75 introduced sections 718.04 and 718.201 of the Criminal Code, directing courts to prioritize denunciation and deterrence in cases of violence against women and to consider the “increased vulnerability” of Indigenous female victims. Though framed as protective, these provisions risk undermining Gladue by intensifying the incarceration of Indigenous offenders and essentializing Indigenous women as inherently vulnerable. Drawing on appellate jurisprudence, such as R v Cope (2024), parliamentary debates, and academic literature, this article argues that the provisions raise equality concerns under section 15 of the Charter and should be narrowly interpreted to avoid discriminatory impacts. |
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