WHEREAS

In April of 2026, our dear friend Kayla was brutally murdered. Kayla was one of the kindest souls. Her smile was contagious, her energy would uplift anyone who ever encountered her and she spent her life trying to give back and help others. Kayla’s life was stolen from her in the most horrific way. Kayla’s story is all too familiar in Canada as her name joins the growing list of over a thousand victims of gender-related homicide since 2011.  

In 2024, the United Nations (“UN”) estimated that 83, 000 women and girls are intentionally killed globally each year. Of these killings, approximately 60% (50,000) are murdered by intimate partners or family members. This means that a woman or girl is killed by someone in their own household almost every 10 minutes. 

Femicide, the intentional killing of women and girls due to their gender, is an ongoing and persistent issue in Canada, on top of existing gender-based violence against women. The punishment for these crimes are not enough and need to be changed.  Currently in Canada the mandatory minimum for these types of murders is only 10 years before chance of parole. This needs to change. I am petitioning for a minimum 25 year sentence for those charged with first and second degree murder. We need to stop protecting criminals and advocate for our victims and their families. 

Firm legal acknowledgement of femicide and stronger sentencing standards are necessary to combat femicide killings in Canada to work towards justice for victims like Kayla and their families.

The systemic nature of misogyny and gender-based violence demands a response acknowledging the issue and impact of femicide.

THEREFORE, WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, HUMBLY CALL UPON THE PARLIAMENT OF CANADA TO:

Allocate resources for comprehensive research and data collection on femicide to inform future policy.

Establish a Femicide Review Committee dedicated to the understanding and research of femicide rates within Canada, particularly the rates of femicide against Indigenous women.

Consider the findings of the Femicide Review Committee in establishing legislation regarding femicide.

Ensure that judges are provided with clear directives and training on the nature of femicide.

By implementing these measures, Parliament affirms to the public that femicide will not be tolerated in Canada and simultaneously enhances public safety for women while increasing justice against gender-based violence in Canada.

Respectfully submitted by the undersigned.