Senate passes Bill C-233

 “Keira's Law” establishes and enhances continuing education seminars for judges on matters related to intimate partner violence and coercive control and introduces electronic monitoring as an additional mechanism to help save lives

OTTAWA, ONTARIO – Private Member’s Bill C-233, which includes what is known informally as “Keira’s Law” passed in the Senate last night and will be sent to the Governor General to receive Royal Assent and become enshrined in Canadian law.  MP Pam Damoff held a press conference with MPs Anju Dhillon and Ya’ara Saks, Senator Pierre Dalphond and Dr. Jennifer Kagan and Philip Viater after the Senate vote. 

Bill C-233 raises the level of education on domestic violence for federally appointed judges in Canada and will officially introduce electronic monitoring as another release condition when the safety and security of a person, including an intimate partner, could be at risk.

Keira’s Law, named after Dr. Jennifer Kagan’s daughter and Philip Viater’s stepdaughter Keira Kagan, establishes and enhances educational seminars for judges on matters related to intimate partner violence and coercive control. It comes after the federal government amended the Divorce Act in 2019, which broadened the definition of family violence. 

In 2020, four-year-old Keira was killed in an apparent murder-suicide by her father. She was killed after being ordered into his care unsupervised, despite many red flags and warning signs of her father’s escalating abusive and controlling behaviour.  Bill C-233 will be Keira’s legacy.

MP Dhillon first introduced Bill C-233 on the second anniversary of Keira’s death.  Bill C-233 allows newly appointed federal judges to receive education on domestic violence and coercive control and ensures that this education is made available for existing judges.

Bill C-233 also introduces into the Criminal Code electronic monitoring control, in some cases at the judicial interim release phase, which is under section 515 of the Criminal Code. This mechanism ensures to a greater extent the safety and security of intimate partner complainants and their children.

QUOTES

“Last night, the Senate finished the third and final reading of this Bill that is sponsored by the Honorable Pierre Dalphond at the Senate and introduced by MP Anju Dhillon and seconded by MPs Pam Damoff and Ya’ara Saks.  

This important legislative initiative aims to protect an intimate partner and their children against further violence following a separation, especially from partners where coercive control was exercised over their spouses. 

Studies show that the separation of the couple often does not break the cycle of violence. On the contrary, violent partners will often resort to acts of violence in order to resume coercive control. These actions can include harassment, threats, assault and even murder. These acts may be so subtle that the aggressor in many cases succeeds in portraying themselves as the victims. The actual vulnerable party ends up being perceived as the one with mental problems or as vindictive. This results in the real victim being revictimized. 

I am grateful and pleased to see the immense support this Bill has received so far from Members of the House of Commons as well as the Senate, and organizations, individuals, and stakeholders across Canada. The message is clear, we all agree that more needs to be done to protect women and their children who are also victims of domestic violence. Bill C-233 is a concrete step in the right direction.”

Anju Dhillon

Member of Parliament for Dorval—Lachine—LaSalle

“Domestic violence harms and even kills women and children. Keira's Law proposes to familiarize judges with this subject and to invite other actors in the legal system to become better informed, including lawyers, social workers, police, and psychologists. I congratulate Dr. Jennifer Kagan-Viater and her husband Philip Viater on their efforts to honour little Keira and protect all children.

La violence familiale est source de préjudice, voire de décès de femmes et enfants. La loi de Keira propose de familiariser les juges à ce sujet et invite les autres acteurs du système juridique à faire de même, dont les avocats, travailleurs sociaux, policiers et psychologues. Je félicite la Dr Jennifer Kagan-Viater et son mari Philip Viater pour leurs efforts afin d'honorer la petite Keira et protéger tous les enfants.”

Senator Pierre Dalphond

Quebec

“Judicial education around domestic violence and coercive control is a critical step in dealing with the systemic problem in society when it comes to understanding intimate partner violence and coercive control and how it affects children.  It is in the best interest of everyone that judges be well informed on the topic of family violence, and that their primary focus in considering custody in such cases be the best interests of the children involved. I am thrilled to see a bi-partisan commitment in both the House and the Senate to make Keira's Law a reality in Canada.”

Pam Damoff

Member of Parliament for Oakville North-Burlington

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety

“To save one life is as if to save an entire world. (Sanhedrin 4:5)” The passing of C-233 is a first step in saving the lives of those who are victims of coercive control. By training judges to be properly equipped in identifying the complexities of domestic violence so that dangerous behaviour patterns may be prevented from escalating and enabling contemplation to utilizing tools such as electronic monitoring to create barriers of safety – we will save lives. To lose a loved one to domestic violence shatters a family. To save a mother or child from because we know the signs and can prevent the violence is to save their world.”

Ya’ara Saks

Member of Parliament for York Centre

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

“Keira Kagan said she wanted to change the world and she will. This important piece of legislation is a major step forward for victims of intimate partner violence and children. By providing education to judges on intimate partner violence and coercive control, we strive to ensure that judges make decisions with child safety at the forefront. Judges must understand what intimate partner violence looks like in the modern world, and how this impacts parenting. Our hope is that there will be a cultural shift whereby judges render decisions that keep victims safe from harm. We hope educating judges will inspire greater public confidence that they are able and willing to protect vulnerable members of society. No other child or family should go through what Keira and our family has experienced. We have advocated for Keira’s Law in her honour and in honour of all other victims of violence. ”

Dr. Jennifer Kagan

Keira Kagan’s Mother

INFORMATION

• The press conference can be viewed on the CPAC website here

CONTACT:

Sarah Thomas

Chief of Staff

Office of Pam Damoff 

MP for Oakville North-Burlington 

[email protected] 

Office 613-992-1338

Cell 613-462-9609

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