British Columbia Basic Security Training Practice Exam

Under the Criminal Code of Canada, when a fire is deliberately set, what is the name of the offense called?

1. Theft

2. Mischief

3. Arson

4. None of the above

The correct answer is: Arson

In the Criminal Code of Canada, the act of intentionally setting fire to property, whether it be your own or another's, is referred to as Arson. This falls under Part XI of the Criminal Code, which pertains to wilful and forbidden acts in respect of certain property. Arson is therefore the correct term for the deliberate act of setting a fire. Other crimes like Theft or Mischief do not encompass the act of deliberately starting a fire. Theft primarily relates to the unlawful taking of another's property, and Mischief mainly pertains to willful damage or vandalism to someone else's property, but does not directly denote to act of setting fire.