Canada abolished the death penalty in 1976. The decision to abolish capital punishment was based on several factors, including the view that the death penalty was not an effective deterrent to crime, and concerns about the possibility of executing innocent people. Additionally, many Canadians believed that the death penalty was cruel and inhumane and that there were more appropriate ways to punish those who committed serious crimes.

In addition to these moral and ethical considerations, there were also practical reasons for abolishing the death penalty in Canada. The appeals process for death penalty cases was lengthy and expensive, and there were growing concerns about the administration of justice in capital cases.

After the death penalty was abolished, Canada continued to maintain a tough stance on crime, including the imposition of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for the most serious offenses. Today, the majority of Canadians continue to support the decision to abolish the death penalty, and the country is widely regarded as a leader in the global movement toward the abolition of capital punishment.