Statement in support of Bill C-225 to strengthen protections against intimate partner violence

Beyond the Verdict urges all Members of Parliament to stand with survivors, families, and advocates across the country, and support Bill C-225.

Beyond the Verdict stands in strong support of Bill C-225. Too many women and gender-diverse people in Canada have died at the hands of their intimate partners. Every name added to that growing list is a life stolen, a family shattered, and a reminder that our legal system has not done enough to prevent lethal violence in the home.

This bill sends a clear message that killing a partner is not a “crime of passion.” It is a deliberate act of control, power, and domination. For decades, survivors have watched as abusers received sentences that failed to reflect the gravity and pattern of intimate partner violence. Bill C-225 recognizes that these are not isolated incidents but the final, fatal chapter in a long history of abuse.

We recognize that justice must always allow for cases of legitimate self-defence, particularly for victims who act to save their own lives after years of violence. But those rare and tragic circumstances must not stop Parliament from addressing the epidemic of intimate partner homicides in Canada.

It is time to draw a clear line that shows intimate partner homicide is first-degree murder. Anything less tells victims that their lives - and their deaths - do not matter.

We urge all Members of Parliament to recognize the importance of Bill C-2225, and support it appropriately.

In solidarity,

Kelly Favro and J.B.
With support from Kristi Lee
Beyond The Verdict: Survivor-led advocacy project

What is Bill C-225?

It’s a proposed amendment to the Criminal Code which will create new offences specific to intimate partner abuse, restrict release for repeat offenders, and allow courts to order risk-of-reoffending assessments at any stage of proceedings.
It will also extend the retention period for seized evidence to ensure more thorough investigations and accountability.
Bill C-225 is a private member’s bill introduced by Frank Caputo.
Learn more.