Keira's Law, Bill C-233, received Royal Assent on April 27, 2023, and became law on May 27, 2023. This legislation, born from the tragic murder-suicide of four-year-old Keira Kagan and her father at Rattlesnake Point, Ontario, aims to address the critical issue of intimate partner violence (IPV) within the legal system.

Keira's Law mandates:

 * Judicial Education: Amendments to the Judges Act to require ongoing education for judges on IPV and coercive control.

 * Electronic Monitoring: Amendments to the Criminal Code requiring judges to consider electronic monitoring for those accused of offenses against their intimate partners.

This legislation is a significant step forward in recognizing and addressing the devastating impact of IPV on victims and children. However, a critical question remains: Why are judges still presiding in Canadian courts, particularly in family law, without adequate training in IPV and its dynamics?

The system urgently requires reform.

Victims and their children deserve robust protection.

"Judges Don't Listen."

Jennifer Kagan-Viater, Keira's mother and the driving force behind Keira's Law, experienced firsthand the system's failure. Despite her repeated warnings about her ex-husband's violent and coercive behavior, her concerns were dismissed by the court. The judge disregarded the connection between domestic violence and parenting, ignoring the very real danger Keira faced.

Sadly, Jennifer's experience is not unique. Many survivors find their voices silenced and their pleas ignored within family courts.

Keira's Law represents progress, but it underscores the persistent need for comprehensive reform to ensure that all judges are equipped to understand and address the complexities of IPV, ultimately safeguarding victims and their children.