The tragic death of Kelowna woman Bailey McCourt has sparked a call for action from her aunt, Debbie Henderson. McCourt was a victim of intimate partner violence (IPV), with her estranged husband being charged with second-degree murder following a brutal attack in July. Henderson, alongside federal Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, is advocating for the swift passage of Bill C-225, also known as ‘Bailey’s Law,’ which aims to introduce GPS monitoring for convicted IPV offenders awaiting sentencing, create an IPV offender registry, and implement harsher penalties for intimate partner homicides with a history of abuse.
Henderson urged Canadians to rally behind the bill, emphasizing the urgency of its implementation to prevent further tragedies. Expressing frustration with the delay in addressing IPV, she highlighted the importance of taking immediate action to safeguard individuals from such violence.
While the Liberal government’s recent bail reform legislation falls short of addressing IPV comprehensively, Henderson and Poilievre emphasized the critical need for legislation like Bailey’s Law to provide better protection for victims and prevent future atrocities. Poilievre stressed the importance of bipartisan cooperation and swift action in enacting meaningful change to address IPV.
Henderson remains hopeful that Bill C-225 will be enacted, vowing to continue advocating for its passage to honor the memory of her late niece and prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.