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@ISIDEWITHQuestionsCriminal Issues11yrs ago

Should prisoners serving life sentences for first degree murder be eligible for a parole hearing after 15 years?

In 2010 the Conservative government introduced a crime bill which would kill the so-called faint hope clause that allows some people serving life sentences to apply for parole after 15 years (instead of the usual 25 common for first-degree murder and other life sentence convictions). Opponents of the crime bill argue that extended prison sentences are cruel and will cost the government tens of millions of dollars per year.Proponents argue that 15 years is too short of a prison term for people serving life sentences.

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Answer Overview

Response rates from 783k Canada voters.

30%
Yes
70%
No
17%
Yes
67%
No
8%
Yes, provided a strict psychological evaluation shows they are no longer a threat to society
3%
No, and reinstate the death penalty for heinous premeditated crimes
5%
Yes, and we should provide more rehabilitation programs for prisoners

Historical Support

Trend of support over time for each answer from 783k Canada voters.

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Historical Importance

Trend of how important this issue is for 783k Canada voters.

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Other Popular Answers

Unique answers from Canada voters whose views went beyond the provided options.

 @4P5TBKJfrom Ontario  answered…6yrs6Y

There are too many instances where poor, uneducated, lose when having a bad lawyer appointed to them. Also bad 'expert' witness testimony, poor police investigation, many mitigating circumstances have proven lately [cops lying in court]. Life is precious, to take one is a tragedy, to take two and be wrong has led to a shrug of the shoulders from authority. Let the majority decide.

 @584DVFTfrom Ontario  answered…6yrs6Y

Reinstate forced labor so they at least offset the cost of internment to the taxpayer.

 @4XK7BB2from Ontario  answered…6yrs6Y

perhaps, but ending jails is a must. it is inhumane. these people need mental health help, not physical and mental torture. even if they are insane and need to be strapped down 24/7, jail conditions are medieval and horrible.

 @5393P4Vfrom British Columbia  answered…6yrs6Y

Prisoners are human too. A society that run charties for animal welfare should do treat a human with compassion.

 @4RHKNK8from Quebec  answered…6yrs6Y

No. I think the entire parole system needs to be looked at. Sentences are too lenient and criminals are released too soon. Parole should be considered only for exceptionally well adjusted and productive inmates not people given life sentences. Life sentences should be for life, you die in prison.

 @57LPWS9from Alberta  answered…6yrs6Y

no, life is life. Bring back public trials and corporal punishment and watch the crime rate drop!

 @54B7FZYfrom Yukon Territory  answered…6yrs6Y

yes BUT death penalty should be brought back for heinous crimes even if under influence of a substance. Mental illness should not ever be an excuse in these crimes.

 @4P2GF3Wfrom British Columbia  answered…6yrs6Y

Life is hard. People make mistakes, forgive

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 @ISIDEWITHDiscuss this answer...…2yrs2Y

Should the government incentivize the construction of affordable housing?

Yes

▲  2.7k3 replies2 agree

About This Data

Based on 783k responses to this question.

These results come from iSideWith's ongoing political issues survey. We collect over a million responses per day, filter out duplicate and multiple submissions, and break the results down by political party, ideology, age, state, and census demographics (income, race, education, household).

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Cite This Poll

iSideWith. (2026). “Should prisoners serving life sentences for first degree murder be eligible for a parole hearing after 15 years?” — Public Opinion Poll Results. Retrieved June 25, 2026, from https://canada.isidewith.com/polls/903956370

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