Coercive Control in Canada: The New Criminal Offence

The short answer

Canada has passed a new criminal offence for a pattern of coercive or controlling conduct toward an intimate partner. It was part of Bill C-16, the Protecting Victims Act, which became law on June 18, 2026.

However, the offence is not in force yet. Justice Canada says it will take effect no later than June 18, 2028, to allow time for training and preparation. Until then, no one can be charged with it. Other parts of the 2026 changes are already in force, and they can affect domestic cases today. See our domestic assault page for an overview.

What coercive control means

Coercive control is a pattern of behaviour, not a single incident. The new offence covers repeated acts, or a combination of acts, toward an intimate partner, such as:

• Violence or threats: Violence, attempted violence or threats of violence against the partner, their children, other people they know or animals.
• Sexual coercion: Pressuring or forcing them into sexual activity.
• Other conduct: Conduct that could reasonably make them believe their safety, or someone else's safety, is threatened.

The last group can include controlling or monitoring a partner's location, money, work, schooling, appearance or access to health care. It can also include threatening suicide or self-harm to control them. Safety includes psychological safety, not only physical safety.

The Crown would also have to prove a mental element: that you meant to make your partner believe their safety was threatened, or knew or were reckless about whether the pattern would do that.

Why Parliament created it

Some abuse leaves no physical injury. A partner can be isolated, monitored and controlled without a single assault. Before this offence, the criminal law mostly dealt with single incidents, such as an assault or a threat. The new offence allows a court to look at the relationship as a whole, rather than at one event in isolation.

When it applies

You cannot be convicted under the new offence for conduct that happened before it comes into force. However, earlier conduct can still be charged under offences that existed at the time, such as assault, uttering threats or criminal harassment.

Other parts of the 2026 changes are already in force:

• Violence against an intimate partner: This became a separate offence with higher maximums on July 17, 2026 (s. 263.1). See our guide to the 2026 offence.
• Criminal harassment: Since July 18, 2026, this no longer requires proof that the complainant actually feared for their safety. The test is whether the conduct could reasonably be expected to make them believe their safety was threatened. See our criminal harassment page.
• Testimonial aids: Aids such as a screen or a support person are now presumed available for adult complainants in intimate partner cases.
• Murder of an intimate partner: Murder committed during a pattern of coercive or controlling conduct can now be first-degree murder.

The penalty

Once in force, the offence will carry up to 10 years in jail on indictment, and it can also be prosecuted by summary conviction. Because the maximum is 10 years, a conviction could also make a permanent resident inadmissible for serious criminality.

How these cases may be investigated

Coercive control cases are likely to rely heavily on records gathered over time, such as text messages, emails, social media, bank statements, location data and the accounts of friends and family. Police may ask for long statements covering months or years of a relationship. That makes it important to keep complete records and to get legal advice before speaking to police about the relationship.

How these cases may be defended

These cases will turn on the full picture of the relationship. Key questions include:

• Pattern: Was there a real pattern of conduct, or only a few separate events?
• Relationship: Does the relationship meet the legal definition of intimate partner?
• Reasonableness: Would the conduct reasonably make someone fear for their safety?
• Context: What do the messages, bank records and witnesses show about the relationship as a whole?

For example, a message that looks controlling on its own may read very differently next to the full conversation. Keep your complete records, not just screenshots.

What to do now

• If you are under investigation for any domestic offence, get legal advice before speaking to police.
• Keep complete copies of messages, emails and financial records from the relationship.
• Do not contact the complainant if you have a no-contact condition.

How the new offence fits with existing charges

Once it comes into force, coercive control is likely to be charged alongside other offences, such as assault, uttering threats or criminal harassment, when the Crown alleges both specific incidents and a broader pattern. The Crown will need to prove the pattern with evidence covering a period of time, which may require testimony about many separate events, and the defence will be able to challenge each of those events as well as the overall picture.

Effects beyond the sentence

A conviction for coercive control could affect parenting decisions in family court, immigration status for non-citizens and employment that requires a background check. Because the maximum will be 10 years, it would also bring the possibility of a weapons prohibition and would be treated as a serious offence for immigration purposes.

Questions to raise with a lawyer

• Which offences could apply to the dates involved in my situation?
• Is any of the alleged conduct covered by offences that are already in force?
• What records should I keep, and what should I avoid doing while an investigation is ongoing?

If police contact you

Police may call and ask you to come in for an interview. You do not have to give a statement. Anything you say can be used as evidence. Ask for the officer's name and the reason for the call. Then speak to a lawyer before you agree to anything. If you are arrested, you have the right to call a lawyer without delay.

How we can help

If you are under investigation or charged with a domestic offence, we can explain which laws apply to the dates involved and how the 2026 changes affect you. Call (647) 223-1980 for a free consultation.

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