C-332An Act to amend the Criminal Code (coercive control of intimate partner)
Private member's bill, introduced in the House of Commons on May 18, 2023
- Status
- In committee in the Senate since December 5, 2024
What it does
Creates a Criminal Code offence for coercive control of an intimate partner and makes related changes in court, bail, firearms, and tax laws.
What it does
- Creates a Criminal Code offence for a pattern of coercive control against an intimate partner, including violence, sexual coercion, and controlling behaviour that makes the partner fear for safety.
- Sets the offence at up to 10 years in prison on indictment, or by summary conviction.
- Says safety includes psychological safety.
- Requires that, in criminal and military cases for this offence, the accused usually cannot personally cross-examine the victim, and the judge or military judge must appoint counsel to do it.
- Adds the new offence to several Criminal Code lists used for bail, warrants, and other court orders, and makes matching changes in tax, excise, and firearms laws.
Who it affects
- People in intimate partner relationships
- Victims and witnesses
- Accused people
- Judges and courts
- Military justice system
- Firearms licence applicants
- Federal tax and excise authorities
Background
The bill adds new section 264.01 to the Criminal Code after the offence of criminal harassment. It says a person's safety includes psychological safety.
Where it is
House of Commons
First reading
Completed.
Second reading
Completed.
Committee
Completed.
Report stage
Completed.
Third reading
Completed.
Senate
First reading
Completed.
Second reading
Completed.
Committee
Current stage. Now here
Report stage
Not reached.
Third reading
Not reached.
Royal assent
Royal assent
Not reached.
Introduced by an MP who is not a minister. These bills compete in a lottery for debate time, and most do not become law. How a bill becomes law
How the House voted
3rd reading and adoption of Bill C-332, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (coercive control of intimate partner)
Vote 813,
Passed
324 yeato0 nay · 2 paired
Party breakdown for vote 813 Party Position Yea Nay Did not vote Liberal Yea 150 0 5 Conservative Yea 114 0 4 Bloc Yea 31 0 1 NDP Yea 24 0 0 Green Yea 2 0 0 Independent Yea 3 0 0 Total 324 0
What MPs said
Each party’s first speech on this bill in the House, from Hansard. Excerpts are the speaker’s opening sentences, unedited.
LiberalLisa Hepfner· November 9, 2023
“I am so pleased to speak today to Bill C-332, an act to amend the Criminal Code, introduced on May 18 by the member for Victoria. This bill seeks to achieve the critically important objective of greater protection from coercive and controlling conduct in intimate partner relationships.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caConservativeMichelle Ferreri· November 9, 2023
“The bill before us is a very positive movement on something that can be done, and I am very honoured to stand to speak to it. The member for Victoria, who brought the bill forward, also shared a very personal experience as to why she created this private member's bill.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caBlocAndréanne Larouche· November 9, 2023
“I will conclude by explaining some of our concerns with the bill. First, I have discussed the topic with my colleague from Rivière‑du‑Nord on a number of occasions.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caNDPLaurel Collins· November 9, 2023
“I first want to start by acknowledging all of the work that so many advocates and survivors have done to make this bill a possibility. Coercive and controlling behaviour is a form of domestic violence, and it touches the lives of so many people, especially women.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.ca
Read the source
LEGISinfo status: At consideration in committee in the Senate. Bill data from LEGISinfo, votes from openparliament.ca and the House of Commons. Last updated October 13, 2026.