Canada’s Senate passes Keira’s Law aimed at educating decision-makers on domestic violence

Keira’s Law was tabled in 2022 seeking to protect children involved in custody litigation following the tragic death of a four-year-old in Milton, Ont.

Canada’s senate has passed a bill aimed at educating judges about the dangers of domestic violence and coercive control.

‘Keira’s Law,’ Bill C-233, was introduced by Anju Dhillon, member of Parliament for Dorval—Lachine—LaSalle in 2022 on the second anniversary of Keira Kagan’s death in Milton, Ont.

The legislation focuses on protection for children of abusive ex-partners via amendments to the Judges Act.

It adds continuous education for decision-makers on the finer points of violence and control in family relationships.

Additionally, justices are now expected to consider whether a release order for an accused is in the interests of the safety and security. Electronic monitoring devices can now be a condition of release.

Keira Kagan was reported missing on Feb. 9, 2020 while spending the weekend with her father, 35-year-old Robin Brown.

Halton Regional Police later found Keira and her father dead at the bottom of a steep escarpment in Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area in Milton.

A coroner found the two had injuries consistent with a fall and referred the incident to the Domestic Violence Death Review Committee for a probe.