A local petition has been launched calling for Bill C-332 to increase protection against coercive control and intimate partner violence.
The petition is in response to the loss of 23-year-old Okotokian Madisson Cobb, who was fatally shot on July 19 in the Calgary community of Haysboro by ex-boyfriend Devon Bradley Malik.
Bill C-332, an act to amend the Criminal Code (coercive control of intimate partner), was passed by the House of Commons on June 12, 2024.
The Senate completed the second reading of the Bill on Dec. 5, 2024, but it has since sat idle.
The Bill amends the Criminal Code to create a new offence for exercising coercive control of an intimate partner.
It aims to criminalize acts that are intended to make a partner feel threatened, or fear for their safety, including violence, threats, sexual coercion, and controlling behaviour.
Petition starter and Cobb’s cousin, Taylor Matusik, explained that the Bill recognizes how intimate partner violence is different from other forms of harassment or assault.
“Although the Criminal Code recognizes sexual assault and violence, it does not dig deep enough when it comes to coercive control,” she said. “After stalking and harassment charges, she had issued and served him a restraining order, and he still failed to comply with it; the system designed to protect failed her.”
With the Bill in place, alternative actions would be taken to provide measures needed to protect individuals and hold others accountable.
“We need better laws towards domestic violence,” Matusik said.
Alberta implemented the Disclosure to Protect Against Domestic Violence (Clare’s Law) Act.
Clare’s Law allows individuals who feel at risk of domestic violence to get information about their partners, to make an informed choice about their safety and their relationship.
Those who feel at risk can find out if their partner has a history of domestic violence, stalking or harassment, breaches of no contact orders, or sexual violence.
“Something horrible usually needs to happen, like a death or serious harm, in order to get the person in custody,” Matusik said. “This is Clare's Law in a nutshell, and this needs to be changed.”
A rally has been planned on Malik’s court date, for Aug. 5, at 9 a.m. outside of the Calgary Courts Centre.
“If laws stay the same, more and more innocent people are going to die, and are going to suffer more and more at the hands of their partners,” Matusik said. “If we fight for a change, and fight for Bill C-332 in honour of my cousin, Maddie, we will be able to help save and better protect people, including young women and their children.”
For more information, or to view the petition, click here.