# Canadian parole law constitutional challenge

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/canadian-parole-law-constitutional-challenge
> Updated: 2026-10-19T20:20:29.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 2.

A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has ruled that a specific section of the Criminal Code is unconstitutional. The ruling by Justice Brenda Brown addresses laws regarding the ‘faint hope clause’, which previously required individuals convicted of more than one murder to wait 25 years before applying for parole, rather than 15 years.

The judge determined that this requirement infringes upon the Charter of Rights and Freedoms regarding protection against “cruel and unusual punishment”. The decision impacts the case of three men convicted of the 2022 murders of Arnold and Joanne De Jong in Abbotsford. While the men received life sentences, their legal counsel argued for the application of the clause that was repealed in 2011. Further legal arguments are expected in November, with a final ruling anticipated in February.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-19: B.C. judge rules parole law unconstitutional in Abbotsford murder case

A B.C. judge ruled that denying parole eligibility to those convicted of multiple murders violates the Charter of Rights, impacting three men convicted of the 2022 Abbotsford double murder.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bc-judge-rules-parole-law-unconstitutional-in-abbotsford-murder-case

### 2026-10-01: Canada revokes parole for man convicted of killing two women

The Parole Board of Canada has revoked the release of Shawn Lamb, who was serving time for the 2012 manslaughter deaths of two Indigenous women, citing undue risk to the community.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/canada-revokes-parole-for-man-convicted-of-killing-two-women

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Cite as: Canadian parole law constitutional challenge. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/canadian-parole-law-constitutional-challenge