Emotions ran high in the House of Commons as Bill C-225, also known as Bailey’s Law, passed second reading, with members voting through tears.
Bailey’s Law is a private member’s bill introduced by the Member of Parliament for Lethbridge, Alberta, Rachel Thomas, and it would impose harsher penalties for intimate partner violence. The bill will treat domestic violence killings as first degree murder and impose harsher sentencing and bail conditions.
Ellis Ross, MP for Skeena–Bulkley Valley, said introducing the bill was emotional but worthwhile.
“Do you know what it takes to harm somebody? I spent my life hunting and fishing, and I never liked shooting animals, but I did it because it meant feeding our family. But it still took a lot out of me so I can’t imagine harming another person, let alone killing anybody. That’s what Bailey’s Law is always about. In the House yesterday, I don’t think there was a dry eye on our side. Knowing that the family was up there watching us and they were crying. So that’s why it was so emotional today.”
The bill resonated with many MPs, as roughly 30 per cent of Canadian women over the age of 15 have experienced sexual assault, while 13 per cent of men in the same age group have reported similar abuse.
It is very important that politicians stand up for those who can’t, said Ross.
“Seeing vulnerable people get abused or killed, I’ve never been able to handle it. That’s why you don’t see me speaking much about, residential schools, or any type of issues that involved people that basically had no chance. They were subject to somebody that that was in a position of power.”
The bill passed second reading with 325 votes in favour, with eight absent members not voting. of the eight absent members four were Liberals and four were Conservatives.
