A new research study has revealed some interesting insights from B.C. residents regarding the death penalty, specifically relating to murder cases.
New findings from Research Co. suggest that when looking at all of Canada, residents of B.C. lead the way when it comes to support of the return of capital punishment.
The last time Research Co. did polling on the topic was in February 2025, and since then, there has been a rise in supporters of the death penalty. Across the country, 60 per cent of Canadians support reinstating the death penalty for murder, a six per cent bump compared to the February 2025 results.
“By a two-to-one margin, Canadians are more likely to support the return of the death penalty than to maintain the status quo in murder cases, a new Research Co. poll has found.”
B.C. is tied with Saskatchewan and Manitoba, with 67 per cent of respondents saying they’d support the return of capital punishment in murder cases, the highest in Canada.
Two-thirds of Canadians who oppose the death penalty are worried about someone potentially being wrongfully convicted and executed. Others (49 per cent) believe murderers should serve time in prison, as indicated by a judge.
Others who are against the return of capital punishment oppose it because they doubt that it would serve as a deterrent, and some feel that taking a convicted murderer’s life is wrong.
A small number of respondents (18 per cent) believe that murderers can be rehabilitated.
In a separate question, Research Co. asked Canadians to choose between two different approaches in murder convictions. A total of 49 per cent selected life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, and 39 per cent chose the death penalty.
“The political divide on how to deal with murder cases in Canada is staggering,” says Research Co. president Mario Canseco.
“While majorities of Canadians who voted for the Liberals or the New Democrats in 2025 (57 per cent and 65 per cent, respectively) would maintain life imprisonment without parole, most Conservatives (54 per cent) would bring back the death penalty.”
A brief history of the death penalty in Canada
According to Amnesty International Canada, calls to abolish the death penalty in Canada go back to 1867.
“However, the most concerted efforts in Parliament for abolition can be said to have started with MP Robert Bickerdike in the early twentieth century,” it adds.
Amnesty points out that conversations about the return of the death penalty are very recent, pointing to Stephen Harper openly supporting it. However, he never implemented any real path towards reinstating it.
The death penalty for murder was eliminated in July 1976, and Canada formally eliminated the last provisions for capital punishment in 1998.
Where do you stand on the issue? Chime in down in the comments.