Saskatoon (Rajeev Sharma)— A 16-year-old girl has been handed the maximum sentence available under the Youth Criminal Justice Act for the attempted murder of a classmate at Evan Hardy Collegiate. On Monday, March 16, 2026, Justice Krista Zerr sentenced the youth to three years, consisting of two years in secure custody followed by one year of community supervision.
The sentence follows a horrific attack on September 5, 2024, when the then-14-year-old offender poured flammable liquid on a 15-year-old student and set her on fire in a school hallway. The victim suffered life-altering burns to 40% of her body and has undergone multiple surgeries and extensive rehabilitation.
Sentencing and Rehabilitation Details
Justice Zerr emphasized the “immense” toll of the crime, stating that “lives have been divided into before and after.”
- Remand Credit: The three-year sentence will be served in addition to the time the teen has already spent in remand since the date of the attack.
- IRCS Program: The offender will serve her time under the Intensive Rehabilitative Custody and Supervision (IRCS) program. This specialized therapeutic program is designed specifically for youth with mental health disorders who commit the most serious crimes, focusing on addressing the underlying causes of violent behavior.
- Judicial Advice: Justice Zerr told the youth she must “work very hard” to understand the thoughts and behaviors that put her at risk for violence, stressing that public protection is linked to her successful rehabilitation.
The Decision Against an Adult Sentence
While the Crown initially considered seeking an adult sentence, it ultimately withdrew that application. Crown prosecutor Zachary Huywan cited a recent Supreme Court of Canada ruling that restricts adult sentences to cases where the offender possesses “adult-like” maturity and moral judgment.
The court heard that the offender, diagnosed with several mental disorders, was not considered a “high-functioning individual” at the time of the attack. Defense lawyers argued that the intensive youth sentence provides the best long-term safety for the public by prioritizing psychological reintegration over adult incarceration.
Impact on the Victim and Community
The victim’s mother provided a heart-wrenching statement, describing how the assault “attacked the whole family.”
- Academic Setback: The victim was robbed of her Grade 10 year and will graduate at least a year late.
- School Trauma: The event caused significant trauma within the Evan Hardy Collegiate community, leading some students and staff to transfer schools in the aftermath.
- Victim’s Resilience: Despite the disfigurement and ongoing pain, the victim stated in a recent interview that she is on the road to recovery and refuses to let the assault define her life.
