C-235Respecting Families of Murdered and Brutalized Persons Act
An Act to amend the Criminal Code (increasing parole ineligibility)
Private member's bill, introduced in the House of Commons on September 22, 2025
- Status
- At report stage in the House of Commons since June 8, 2026
What it does
Changes the Criminal Code so some people convicted of abduction, sexual assault and murder of the same victim can be kept from parole for 25 to 40 years.
What it does
- Creates a new sentence for a person convicted of abduction, sexual assault and murder of the same victim in the same event or series of events. The person gets life imprisonment and cannot be considered for parole for 25 to 40 years.
- Requires the judge to ask the jury, before it is discharged, whether it wants to recommend how many years the person must serve before parole eligibility.
- Lets the judge set that period above 25 years and up to 40 years, after considering the offender, the offences, the circumstances and any jury recommendation.
- Allows the person to appeal a parole ineligibility order to the court of appeal.
- Allows the Attorney General to appeal a parole ineligibility period of less than 40 years, or a decision not to make the order.
- Changes a parole-related rule in the Criminal Code so it refers to the new section on parole ineligibility orders.
Who it affects
- People convicted of certain violent offences
- Trial judges
- Juries
- Attorneys General
- Courts of appeal
Topics
Background
The bill adds a new section 745.31 to the Criminal Code and makes related appeal changes in sections 675, 676 and 746. It also includes coordinating changes if Bill C-16 receives royal assent.
Where it is
House of Commons
First reading
Completed.
Second reading
Completed.
Committee
Completed.
Report stage
Current stage. Now here
Third reading
Not reached.
Senate
First reading
Not reached.
Second reading
Not reached.
Committee
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
No recorded votes yet
What MPs said
Each party’s first speech on this bill in the House, from Hansard. Excerpts are the speaker’s opening sentences, unedited.
LiberalAbdelhaq Sari· November 28, 2025
“I rise today to speak to Bill C-235, introduced by the hon. member for Cowichan—Malahat—Langford. This bill addresses an issue that strikes at the very heart of our justice system—the way that our country punishes the most severe, devastating crimes resulting not only in death or serious injury, but also in lasting trauma for family members, survivors and society at large.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caConservativeJeff Kibble· September 22, 2025
“Moved for leave to introduce Bill C-235, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (increasing parole ineligibility). I am honoured to table my private member's bill today, an act respecting families of murdered and brutalized persons.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caBlocAlexis Deschênes· November 28, 2025
“We are debating the bill introduced by my Conservative Party colleague, who was elected in Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, in British Columbia. I salute him and I would like him to know that I have the utmost respect for him, despite the fact that I strongly disagree with his approach.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.ca
Read the source
LEGISinfo status: At report stage in the House of Commons. Bill data from LEGISinfo, votes from openparliament.ca and the House of Commons. Last updated October 13, 2026.