Corporal punishment remains a sensitive and deeply personal topic for many Canadians. According to Leger’s latest survey, 53% of Canadians say corporal or physical punishment toward children is unacceptable today, while 40% believe it can be acceptable in at least some situations. The results point to an ongoing tension between shifting social norms and the childhood experiences many Canadians grew up with, as 60% say they received corporal or physical punishment as children.
The survey also shows that Canadians tend to draw a clear line between non-physical discipline and physical punishment. Measures such as taking away privileges (88%), using timeouts (81%), or giving a child space to calm down in their room (78%) are broadly accepted, while physical forms of discipline are viewed much more critically. Still, about one-third of Canadians consider spanking (32%) or slapping a child on the hand, arm, or leg (35%) acceptable, and opinions vary significantly depending on region, gender, age, and whether someone personally experienced corporal punishment as a child.
Canadians are also divided on what they would do if they witnessed corporal punishment in public. Nearly one in five (18%) say they would intervene without hesitation, while 20% would report the situation without intervening directly. Meanwhile, 36% say they would not intervene because it is none of their business, and 26% are unsure or prefer not to answer. Together, the findings suggest that while many Canadians reject corporal punishment in principle, the question of how to respond to it in real life remains more complex.
For more on how Canadians’ views are evolving on social and family-related issues, read our recent surveys on children’s access to social media and AI chatbots and the political outlook of the new generations.
Methodology
This web survey was conducted from May 8 to May 11, 2026, among 1,525 Canadians aged 18 and over. Respondents were randomly recruited from LEO, Leger’s online panel, and could complete the survey in English or French.
The results were weighted according to age, gender, mother tongue, region, education and presence of children in the household to ensure a representative sample of the Canadian population. For comparison purposes, a probability sample of this size would have a margin of error no greater than ±2.51%, 19 times out of 20.
