Canadian senators vote to pass Keira’s Law after third reading

Canadian senators voted to pass a bill known as Keira’s Law late last night on Parliament Hill after its third reading.

Judges will now be expected to expand their training on the risks of intimate partner violence, including the risk that violence can have for children, following the death of Keira Kagan in February 2020.

Keira went missing under the watch of her father, 35-year-old Robin Brown. Keira and Brown were found dead at the bottom of Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area in Milton with injuries consistent with a fall.

READ MORE: Girl found dead at bottom of Milton cliff was killed by father: report

Dr. Jennifer Kagan, Keira’s mother, believes a court system failed her and her daughter.

Prior to the deaths, Kagan and her legal counsel said they warned courts numerous times about their concerns with Brown. Documents detailed alleged physical abuse and controlling behaviour from Brown.

READ MORE: Ontario approves motion to support federal bill ‘Keira’s Law’

The judge reportedly had said that the evidence was compelling, but didn’t think it was urgent enough to prohibit contact with his daughter.

The new legislation aims to ensure judges, justices of the peace, Crown attorneys, court assessors, social workers and anyone who is a decision-maker in the family court system gets the needed education on intimate partner violence and coercive control.

The bill will come into effect 30 days after it receives royal assent.