Bill C-16: Criminalizing Coercive Control
The federal government has tabled a bill adding a coercive control offence to the Criminal Code (among other amendments). Coercive control is a pattern of behaviour meant to control a person, limit their autonomy, and make them feel like they cannot leave the relationship.
Bill C16 proposes to make amendments to the Criminal Code in the areas of intimate partner violence, femicide, harassment, protection of children, and victims’ rights. The bill is currently at the first reading stage, so amendments may be made to the text. Further blogs will discuss the proposed reforms on femicide, harassment, and victims’ rights.
The proposed offence is called “coercion or control of intimate partner”. A person can be found to have committed coercive control if the person engages in a pattern of behaviour intended to make their intimate partner believe that their physical or psychological safety is at risk.
The proposed offence is limited to intimate partners. The Criminal Code defines intimate partners as “their current or former spouse, common-law partner and dating partner”.
The text lists examples of coercive or controlling behaviour that could fall under this offence. The behaviours include:
Threatening or attempting violence against the intimate partner, their child, people the intimate partner knows, or a pet;
Coercing an intimate partner to engage in sexual activity;
Monitoring an intimate partner through telecommunication;
Controlling an intimate partner’s:
raising of children;
movements and activities;
employment or education;
finances;
physical appearance;
sexual expression;
diet;
access to medication and health care;
thoughts or beliefs;
language;
culture; or
religion;
Threatening to commit suicide or self-harm; and
Engaging in any other conduct that could make the intimate partner believe their physical or psychological safety is at risk.
The proposed punishment is up to 10 years in prison.
The literature on criminalizing coercive control has been mixed. There are cogent arguments for and against criminalizing coercive control.[1]
Arguments for criminalizing coercive control:
It would address a gap in the criminal law of this type of psychological abuse.
It would portray a message that coercive control is not acceptable in society.
By being able to intervene earlier, it could prevent abuse from getting worse, such as progressing to physical violence.
Arguments against criminalizing coercive control:
Perpetrators may use this offence against victims.
The justice system can retraumatize victims, especially those who have intersectional identities.
The offence being limited to intimate partners leaves out other family members or caregivers, as most elder abuse offences are committed by an adult child or other person in a position of trust and authority.
Research in jurisdictions who have criminalized coercive control has shown that:
the evidentiary burden is difficult to meet and is reliant on victim testimony; and
the legislation has a disproportionate effect on racialized people.
Reports have noted that to be effective, the legislation would need to be accompanied by:
Training for judges, police, and other justice system participants;
Public awareness and education;
Community services to support victims, such as health care, housing, financial support, and social services; and
Adequate funding to support these initiatives.
[1] House of Commons Standing Committee on the Status of Women, “Coercive Control in Canada” November 2025, 45th Parliament, 1st Session, online: https://www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Committee/451/FEWO/Reports/RP13740927/feworp01/feworp01-e.pdf; Lisa Ha, “Brief overview of coercive control and the criminal law” in Department of Justice Canada Victims of Crime Research Digest (2024) Issue 17, online: https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/rp-pr/cj-jp/victim/rd17-rr17/p4.html; Heather Campbell Pope, “Bill C-16 must go further for older Canadians” Law360 Canada (17 December 2025), online: https://www.law360.ca/ca/articles/2422491/bill-c-16-must-go-further-for-older-canadians