How is assault legally defined in Canada?

Assault in Canada is legally defined as the intentional application of force to another person without their consent. This definition establishes that assault involves both an intention to apply force and the absence of consent from the victim. It illustrates that the act must be purposeful rather than accidental, which distinguishes it from scenarios involving unintentional harm.

The requirement for consent is crucial; without it, any force applied could be classified as assault, regardless of the severity or outcome of the act. This legal framework categorizes behavior that infringes on an individual's bodily autonomy as assault, underscoring the importance of consent in any physical interaction.

In contrast, accidental harm does not fulfill the criteria for assault since intent is a fundamental component of the definition. Temporary confinement relates more to false imprisonment rather than assault, while verbal harassment, while potentially harmful, does not involve physical force, which is necessary to fit the legal definition of assault.