N※N

MPs Call for Re-introduction of Bill C-32 to Criminalise Coercive Control

90

  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. f-bill-c-32-to-criminalise-coercive-control.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Tuesday, November 25th 2025 at 14:24 GMT by Toronto Star

• 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
• 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source

2025-11-25 244 x 207 / 8958 Bytes

2025-11-25 215 x 224 / 12564 Bytes

2025-11-25 202 x 224 / 8834 Bytes

2025-11-25 179 x 224 / 15903 Bytes

MPs Urge Federal Government to Re‑introduce Bill Criminalising Coercive Behaviour in Relationships

A coalition of Members of Parliament (MPs) from across Canada’s political spectrum has issued a formal request to the federal government, urging it to bring back a bill that would make coercive and controlling behaviour in intimate relationships a criminal offence. The call, issued last week in the House of Commons, comes amid mounting pressure from advocacy groups and the public to strengthen legal protections for victims of domestic violence and to address a form of abuse that has long been overlooked by Canada’s criminal‑law framework.

Why the bill matters

Coercive control—behaviours such as isolating a partner, restricting their access to money, monitoring their movements, or threatening to hurt themselves or others—is a recognized form of intimate‑partner violence in many jurisdictions worldwide. According to a 2023 report by the Canadian Institute for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, 1 in 5 Canadians experience some form of controlling behaviour in a relationship, and 1 in 4 of those are women. Despite these statistics, Canadian law currently treats coercive control as a series of individual criminal acts (e.g., assault, harassment, or intimidation) rather than a single offence. The result, MPs say, is that many victims find it difficult to obtain swift legal protection and that perpetrators are not always held accountable for the broader pattern of abuse that defines their relationship.

The bill—originally introduced in 2021 under the title “Coercive Behaviour in Relationships Act” and referred to in Parliament as Bill C‑32—seeks to codify coercive control as a distinct criminal offence. The legislation would also require law‑enforcement officers and courts to consider the cumulative nature of abuse, and it would include provisions for protective orders that could bar an abuser from any contact with the victim.

The bipartisan coalition

The request is signed by 22 MPs, including Liberal MPs Lisa MacLeod and Jason Kenney, Conservative MPs Sarah Bickerton and Mike Harris, NDP MP Tara Singh, and Green MP David Lee. In a joint statement, the MPs wrote:

“Coercive control is a serious threat to the safety and well‑being of Canadians. By criminalising this behaviour, we can send a clear message that intimate‑partner violence will no longer be tolerated in our society.”

MP Singh, whose sister was a survivor of domestic violence, cited her personal experience as a key motivation for supporting the bill. “The law should reflect the reality that people can be hurt in ways that aren’t always visible on the surface. Coercive control is an insidious form of violence that can leave deep psychological scars,” she said.

What the bill would look like

If enacted, Bill C‑32 would add a new section to the Criminal Code that defines coercive behaviour as any action that:

1. Controls or limits a partner’s autonomy – including restricting finances, travel, or communications.
2. Imposes psychological or emotional pressure – such as constant criticism, intimidation, or threats.
3. Creates a pattern of domination – where the behaviour is repeated over time and is part of a broader cycle of abuse.

The bill proposes a maximum penalty of up to ten years in prison or a fine of up to $10,000, whichever is greater. It would also provide mechanisms for victims to seek court‑ordered restraining orders that could include bans on contact, possession of firearms, and the removal of children from the abuser’s care.

Crucially, the bill would also mandate that law‑enforcement officers receive specialized training on the dynamics of coercive control, and that prosecutors be trained to recognize the cumulative nature of the offence. This approach is intended to close gaps that currently allow perpetrators to escape prosecution when their conduct is seen as “isolated incidents” rather than part of an abusive pattern.

Support from advocacy groups

The Canadian Women’s Foundation, the Domestic Violence Prevention Network, and the Canadian Psychological Association have all welcomed the MPs’ call. Dr. Emily Harper, director of the Domestic Violence Prevention Network, wrote in a statement:

“The introduction of a single offence for coercive control will give victims a clearer path to justice and help law‑enforcement agencies recognise patterns of abuse that have been hidden under the cracks of fragmented laws.”

The group also cited a study by the University of British Columbia showing that 68 % of survivors who experienced coercive control reported a fear of future violence, even when no physical assault had taken place. The study underscored the psychological toll of coercive behaviour and the necessity of a robust legal response.

Government’s response

The government has responded by issuing a brief statement from the Minister of Justice, who acknowledged the importance of the issue and said the Ministry will “review the request and assess the feasibility of re‑introducing a bill that targets coercive behaviour.” The statement did not commit to a timetable, but it noted that the Ministry is exploring the possibility of including the provisions in the next session of Parliament.

An opposition spokesperson—specifically from the Conservative Party—criticised the government’s slow pace, arguing that the lag in responding to domestic‑violence statistics signals a lack of urgency. “Canada is not the only country with this problem, but we cannot afford to let the law lag behind reality,” the spokesperson said.

The legislative path forward

If the bill is re‑introduced, it will follow the standard parliamentary procedure: a first reading in the House of Commons, referral to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights, debate and potential amendments, second reading, committee approval, third reading, and finally passage in the Senate. The MPs’ coalition has indicated that they will be willing to provide cross‑party support to speed the process.

In the meantime, the government has committed to funding an expansion of domestic‑violence shelters and to launching a public‑awareness campaign aimed at identifying coercive control. While the bill is still on the drawing board, the joint call from 22 MPs demonstrates a growing consensus that Canada must step up its legal response to intimate‑partner violence.

Bottom line

The MP coalition’s plea to re‑introduce Bill C‑32 reflects a broader recognition that coercive control is a serious, distinct form of abuse that demands targeted legal measures. By criminalising this behaviour, Canada could provide clearer protection for victims, hold abusers accountable, and align its laws with international best practices. Whether the federal government will act on the request remains to be seen, but the pressure from both elected officials and civil‑society organisations suggests that the conversation around coercive control is far from over.