Canada’s rules on the use of force in self-defence came under renewed scrutiny after Kawartha Lakes resident Jeremy McDonald was charged with aggravated assault and assault with a weapon for stabbing alleged burglar Michael Kyle Breen during a 3 a.m. home invasion earlier this month. Breen, who faced outstanding warrants, was airlifted to a Toronto hospital and remains in custody; McDonald is due back in court on Sept. 25. Under the Criminal Code, Canadians may use only “reasonable” and “proportionate” force, a threshold defence lawyers say is often misunderstood. Toronto attorney Kim Schofield cautioned that lethal or escalating force becomes illegal once an intruder attempts to flee, noting, “There’s no vigilante justice.” The case has ignited political reaction. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre argued on 25 Aug. that the law must be explicit so residents can “do whatever is necessary” to repel violent intruders, while Ontario Premier Doug Ford earlier called the charges evidence of a “broken system.” The debate follows other high-profile trials in which homeowners faced lengthy legal battles despite ultimately avoiding or reducing convictions. Opposition lawmakers are expected to press the Liberal government when Parliament resumes next month to clarify the Criminal Code’s reasonableness test, although Ottawa has not indicated plans to reopen the statute. For now, legal experts say the McDonald proceedings will serve as a bellwether for how courts balance public safety with limits on the use of force.