Canada enacts Bailey's Law after Kelowna murder

Bailey McCourt was killed on July 4, 2025, in Kelowna after a daytime attack by her estranged ex‑husband, James Plover, who was later charged with first‑degree murder. The incident spurred a national campaign to strengthen protections for intimate‑partner violence victims.

On June 17, 2026, Bill C‑225—known as Bailey’s Law—received Royal Assent. The legislation amends the Criminal Code to create a new first‑degree murder offence for killings of intimate partners, imposes life‑imprisonment sentences of at least ten years without parole for manslaughter where the offender has a history of coercive control, adds new offences for threats and violence against partners, and extends the detention period for seized items to 180 days. British Columbia Premier David Eby praised the law, saying men who murder or attack spouses deserve “a special place in hell.”