Many Canadians have heard of 'felonies' and 'misdemeanours.' These are United States criminal law terms. There are no felonies or misdemeanours in Canada. That said, indictable offences are like felonies, and summary offences are like misdemeanours. Usually, summary offences are less serious and carry lighter sentences, and indictable offences more serious with longer sentences. For summary offence sentences, the maximum fine is $5000.00 and the maximum prison sentence is two years’ less a day. For some indictable offences, you can face much larger fines, and receive a life prison sentence.