A Saskatoon teen who admitted to setting a fellow student on fire inside a high school hallway has been sentenced to the maximum youth penalty of three years for attempted murder. The court heard the friendship between the two girls spiralled into obsession and threats before the offender doused the victim with lighter fluid and set her ablaze during the 2024 attack at Evan Hardy Collegiate.

“The toll of these offences is immense. The ripples are wide and still widening,” Court of King’s Bench Justice Krista Zerr said during sentencing.

The case has renewed conversations around youth conflict, bullying, and violence in schools, with educators and advocates pointing to concerns about the lasting impacts of unresolved peer conflict among teens.

Bullying in Canada (Statistical Overview)

According to the Raising Canada report by Children First Canada, approximately 71 percent of Canadian youth aged 12 to 17 reported experiencing some form of bullying in the past year, highlighting how widespread the issue is across the country.

Cyberbullying affects about one in four teens, while 14 percent report experiencing race-based bullying. The report also found that 58 percent of students have witnessed racially motivated bullying within school environments.

Bullying can take different forms depending on age, gender, and social context. Physical bullying tends to decrease with age, while verbal and social bullying, including exclusion and rumour-spreading, often remain more persistent. Students who are sexually or gender diverse also report higher rates of bullying compared to their peers.

Despite school policies and reporting systems, many students say they do not feel adequately supported when reporting bullying, and researchers note that a significant number of incidents still go unreported or unresolved.

Why Bullying Happens

There is no single cause of bullying; however, research suggests several contributing factors. Some individuals may bully others to gain status, control, or acceptance within peer groups, while others may repeat behaviour they observe in family, peers, or media.

Experts note that female-on-female bullying, often described as “relational aggression” or “mean girl” behaviour, tends to involve more covert tactics such as gossip, social exclusion, manipulation, or sabotage rather than physical violence. Researchers say this behaviour can stem from competition, insecurity, internalized misogyny, or a desire for social power and control. Despite being less visible, experts note it can be just as emotionally damaging as physical bullying.

While these factors may help explain bullying, experts stress they do not justify it. Cases such as the Saskatoon incident are often discussed in relation to how complex peer dynamics and emotional pressures can interact.

The Impact of Bullying on Individuals and Mental Health

Being bullied can have serious emotional and psychological effects, with research linking it to anxiety, depression, social isolation, peer rejection, and, in some cases, self-harm. 

Experts in child and adolescent development note that these effects can be both immediate and long-term, especially when bullying is repeated or ongoing. Some individuals may withdraw socially or experience isolation from friends and activities they once enjoyed.

Certain groups are also more vulnerable, including LGBTQ+ youth and those targeted due to race, religion, appearance, or other perceived differences. Researchers note that discrimination can intensify bullying experiences and increase mental health risks. In cases involving prolonged peer conflict, such as the Saskatoon incident, experts suggest emotional distress may deepen when individuals feel isolated or unable to escape the situation.

The impact of bullying is also explored in awareness campaigns and educational resources.

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How Bullying Develops Over Time

Bullying often develops gradually, beginning with teasing, exclusion, or repeated negative behaviour that can escalate over time.

“Bullying is a relationship problem… it involves an imbalance of power,” according to the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Over time, behaviour may become more targeted and structured. Common patterns include repeated teasing or verbal harassment, social exclusion or rumour-spreading, group-based isolation, escalation into intimidation or threats, and continued online harassment.

Experts emphasize that early intervention is important, as repeated behaviour can become normalized within peer groups if not addressed. The Saskatoon case has been referenced in broader discussions about how unresolved conflict can escalate over time.

Forms of Bullying

Bullying can take several forms, including physical, verbal, social, and cyberbullying.

Physical bullying involves actions such as hitting or pushing, while verbal bullying includes insults or repeated teasing. Social bullying involves exclusion, isolation, or rumour-spreading, while cyberbullying occurs through digital platforms.

Bullying can also overlap with discrimination, where individuals are targeted based on race, gender identity, religion, appearance, or other perceived differences. Government of Canada sources note that bullying involves an imbalance of power and can occur in both direct and indirect ways. These forms often overlap in real-life situations, making bullying harder to identify and address.

Signs of Bullying

Bullying can affect people in different ways, and the signs are not always obvious. Common indicators include withdrawal, mood changes, sleep problems, unexplained injuries, physical complaints such as headaches or stomach aches, avoidance of school or social situations, and increased or unusual social media activity.

In children and teens, additional signs may include reluctance to attend school, loss of friendships, or increasing isolation from peers.

Many individuals do not report bullying directly due to fear, shame, or concern about consequences. Because of this, changes in behaviour and isolation can be important warning signs.

Bullying Across Ages and Environments

Bullying is not limited to children or teens; adults can also experience bullying, particularly in workplace settings where repeated negative behaviour or misuse of authority can have similar emotional and psychological impacts.

“Adult bullying in the workplace is a pervasive issue, with studies indicating that approximately 11% to 37% of employees may experience it at some point in their careers.” According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS)

In the workplace, it may involve repeated criticism, exclusion, intimidation, or the misuse of authority. The CCHOS describes workplace bullying as behaviour that can “intimidate, offend, degrade or humiliate a person or group,” and notes it can affect mental health and workplace culture.

Among youth, bullying can also appear in schools, sports teams, extracurricular activities, and online spaces. It can happen wherever power imbalances and repeated negative behaviour exist.

Addressing and Responding to Bullying

Addressing bullying typically involves early intervention, reporting, and access to support systems. Schools across Canada generally have anti-bullying policies, though effectiveness depends on whether students feel safe reporting concerns and how consistently policies are applied.

Organizations such as Kids Help Phone provide confidential, 24/7 support for youth experiencing bullying or emotional distress. Experts emphasize that bullying involves repeated behaviour and power imbalance, making early action important in preventing escalation. Parents, educators, and peers all play a role in recognizing warning signs and offering support.

The Saskatoon case continues to be referenced in broader discussions about the importance of early intervention and mental health awareness in school environments.

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