R. v. Cope

Summary

SCC majority (O'Bonsawin J.) dismissed the Crown's appeal. The sentencing judge erred in principle by not linking the offender's mental illness to moral blameworthiness and sentencing objectives, and by not meaningfully engaging with the sentencing circle. The reduction from five to three years was upheld. The joint dissent found no reviewable error and would have restored five years.

Outcome

Crown appeal dismissed 5-4. NSCA sentence of three years (less 18 months remand credit, plus two years probation) stands. Wagner C.J., Côté, Rowe and Jamal JJ. dissenting would restore the five-year sentence.

Why this case matters

A divided Supreme Court of Canada set out how the Criminal Code sentencing provisions on Indigenous offenders and intimate-partner victims apply together, including how mental illness and sentencing circles must be considered.

Paragraph references

Majority: three-step approach paras. 4, 114-131; s. 718.04 paras. 68-77 (mandatory primary consideration, no presumptive custody, para. 77); s. 718.201 paras. 78-93 (no automatic increase, paras. 84, 86); circles paras. 100-107 (not a freestanding error, para. 101; no presumption of acceptance, para. 104; hallmarks of engagement, para. 106); mental health paras. 135-142, 151; disposition paras. 168-169. Dissent: paras. 170-182, 227-228, 255-258, 264, 274-279, 289-292, 308.