No. Squatting is illegal in Canada under the Criminal Code and provincial property laws. Occupying land or premises without consent constitutes trespassing, punishable by fines or imprisonment. Landlords and owners may seek eviction through provincial tribunals or civil courts, with police intervention available for forcible removals.
Key Regulations for Squatting in Canada
- Criminal Code (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-46): Section 419 criminalizes trespassing on private property, including squatting, with penalties up to $10,000 or 6 months imprisonment. Police may arrest without warrant if the occupier resists lawful eviction.
- Provincial Trespass Acts: Provinces like Ontario (Trespass to Property Act) and British Columbia (Trespass Act) empower property owners to issue “no trespass” notices, enforceable by law enforcement. Violations can result in immediate removal and fines up to $10,000.
- Civil Remedies: Owners may pursue eviction through provincial tribunals (e.g., Ontario’s Landlord and Tenant Board) or superior courts. Squatters gain no legal tenancy rights, even after prolonged occupation, per Phipps v. Persons Unknown (2021).
Recent compliance shifts, such as Ontario’s 2024 Housing Supply Act amendments, prioritize expedited evictions for squatters to curb housing shortages. Federal and provincial agencies collaborate to streamline enforcement, reducing judicial delays. Owners must document ownership and serve proper notices before seeking removal.