It is now only a matter of time before Bailey’s Law can come into effect, as Bill C-225 passed its third reading in the Senate.
After receiving its three readings in the House of Commons in April, Bill C-225 – otherwise known as Bailey’s Law – was quickly passed through the Senate, receiving its third reading on June 16.
The act was first brought forth by Kamloops-Thompson-Nicola MP Frank Caputo and was named after Bailey McCourt, who died on July 4, 2025, following a violent daytime attack in a parking lot.
Her estranged ex-husband, James Plover, is facing first-degree murder charges in relation to the killing.
The act would strengthen Criminal Code provisions related to intimate partner violence, including classifying murder charges involving a documented history of coercive control as first-degree murder and imposing life sentences for some manslaughter convictions, with no eligibility for parole for at least 10 years.
It also proposes that the court consider life in prison sentences in cases of manslaughter involving intimate partner violence, and increases the detention period of evidence seized from three months to 180 days.
On Facebook, Caputo said, “This may be the most significant change to the law of intimate partner violence in Canadian history.”
“I’m proud to stand with victims of IPV (Intimate partner violence. It’s not the end. It’s the end of the beginning. And we will continue to press on in Bailey’s memory,” he said.
During the Senate’s sitting on June 16, Senator Fabian Manning said, “This is a very important and vital bill for thousands of victims of intimate partner violence and their families.”
“The Bill has the support of the government, it has the support of the Minister, the House of Commons, the Social Affairs Committee, as we just saw here in the Senate,” he continued.
After Manning’s words, Bailey’s Law passed its third reading with a standing ovation from the Senate.
The next step is for Bill C-225 to receive Royal Assent.