The Sault Ste. Marie City Council in Ontario has unanimously passed a motion to support Canada’s coercive control Bill C-332. This federal initiative aims to introduce coercive control as a standalone offence in the Canadian Criminal Code.
The motion highlights a significant step towards strengthening laws against intimate partner violence across Canada. This legislative move aligns with broader national efforts to recognize and address the severity of coercive control within relationships. It is currently is acknowledged under the umbrella of intimate partner violence but lacks specific legal standing as an independent crime.
Supported by Victim’s Families
According to SooToday, family members of victims affected by intimate partner violence witnessed the council’s unanimous decision, emphasizing the community’s strong support for the bill. Among those present was Dan Jennings, whose 22-year-old daughter Caitlin was found dead in a London, Ont. home. Her fiance, age 50, was arrested at the scene.
Caitlin’s case has become a poignant example of the dire consequences of inadequate legal protections against coercive control. “If this was already a law in place, I have no doubt Caitlin would have been saved,” Jennings expressed, a sentiment that resonated deeply during the council meeting.
Background and Implications of the Proposed Bill
Bill C-332, introduced in November 2023 by MP Laurel Collins (NDP, Victoria), seeks to amend the Criminal Code by making coercive control a distinct offence. The proposed legislation states: “This enactment amends the Criminal Code to create an offence of engaging in controlling or coercive conduct that has a significant impact on the person towards whom the conduct is directed, including a fear of violence, a decline in their physical or mental health, or a substantial adverse effect on their day-to-day activities.”
This legislative effort is spurred by tragic cases and personal stories, like that shared by Laurel Collins herself: “The first time I recognized coercive control was when my sister showed up at my doorstep in tears. Her partner had taken her cellphone and bank cards. He had taken her car keys too, but she luckily had another set. It was the first time but definitely not the last time. Over the next few years, like so many other stories of intimate partner violence, coercive and controlling behaviour eventually escalated to physical violence. I remember being scared for her life.”
National Support for the Legislation
With widespread support from both Liberals and Conservatives, the bill represents a critical step towards empowering victims and preventing the escalation of abuse. The Bill was presented to the House of Commons on 22 March. As the bill progresses, it brings hope for legal reform and a shift in how Canada handles intimate partner violence.
Sault Ste. Marie City Council’s recent support for Bill C332 illustrate a determined effort to bring about substantive changes that could prevent future tragedies similar to Caitlin’s. These steps forward in legislative reform and community support highlight a collective commitment to combat intimate partner violence. They aim to protect vulnerable individuals through clearer, more effective laws.
Featured image: Laurel Collins MP highlights proposed coercive control bill at a news conference on Parliament Hill. Image Credit: YouTube Screenshot / CPAC.
