Assault charges laid by a local police service against a man in Lindsay, Ont. — whose altercation with an alleged home intruder left the intruder with life-threatening injuries — sparked public criticism and confusion over Canada's self-defence laws. Canadians have the right to defend themselves and their homes, but their use of force must be "reasonable" under the law.

THE CLAIM

The Kawartha Lakes Police Service defended its decision to lay assault charges against a man who was the victim of an alleged home intruder in Lindsay, Ont. Monday, after an altercation that left the intruder with life-threatening injuries. The alleged intruder also faces charges related to the incident.

Police Chief Kirk Robertson said Canadians' self-defence rights "are not unlimited" and that investigators

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