The Canadian criminal code does not specifically address family violence as a separate offence although the crime of assault is clearly defined:
265 (1) A person commits an assault when
(a) without the consent of another person, he applies force intentionally to that other person, directly or indirectly;
(b) he attempts or threatens, by an act or a gesture, to apply force to another person, if he has, or causes that other person to believe on reasonable grounds that he has, present ability to effect his purpose; or
(c) while openly wearing or carrying a weapon or an imitation thereof, he accosts or impedes another person or begs.
This ranges from a fistfight where nobody is seriously injured to an organized assault with a deadly weapon that results in maiming or disfigurement.
When the violence is directed against a family member or someone with whom you share a domestic relationship, it is considered “domestic assault”.
Law enforcement in Ottawa will take it extremely seriously and an arrest will likely be made.