Oakville/Burlington MPP get’s Keira’s Law passed in Ontario

Milton | Halton | Oakville | Latest News |

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Published June 9, 2023 at 11:56 am

Keira's Law is named for four-year-old Keira Kagan, whose body was found near her father's at the bottom of a cliff at Milton's Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area on Feb. 9 in 2020.

Keira’s Law is now officially enshrined in Ontario law.

Oakville North-Burlington MPP Effie Triantafilopoulos announced Thursday afternoon (June 8) that Bill 102, which includes the motion named after the young girl mandating training judges about the dangers of domestic violence and coercive control, was granted Royal Assent by the Governor General.

Keira Kagan was found dead along with her father at the bottom of Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area in Milton. The four-year-old was reported missing on Feb. 9, 2020 under the watch of her father, 35-year-old Robin Brown. She was on a court-ordered visit with her father.

A coroner found the two had injuries consistent with a fall and referred the incident to the Domestic Violence Death Review Committee for a probe.

“I have ground-breaking news to share with you,” Triantafilopoulos said in front of the provincial legislature in a video released on Twitter. “Bill 102, the Strengthening Safety and Modernizing Justice Act, was passed in the Ontario Legislature and received Royal Assent today.

“This means that the Keira’s Law motion I brought to the legislature last year is now the law of Ontario. Going forward, provincially appointed Judges and Justices of the Peace will be required to take education and training in intimate partner violence and coercive control.”

Triantafilopoulos said a progress report will be made annually to the Attorney General.

“To the victims and survivors who have tirelessly advocated for their voices to be heard, your courage and resilience have been a driving force behind the progress we see today,” said the local MPP. “We see you, we hear you.

“While today’s achievement represents an important victory for victims and their children, I recognize there is more work that must be done so that every woman and child can live without fear.”

While a corner was unable to determine whether Keira’s death was the result of an accident or a murder-suicide, her mother, Dr. Jennifer Kagan-Viater, believes the death was a murder-suicide and was an act of revenge by Brown over a custody dispute.

Triantafilopoulos had pushed for training for judges, Justices of Peace, crown attorneys and other professionals in family courts, maintaining more tools were needed to ensure all decision makers know the signs and repercussions of abuse so women and children can be kept safe.

“I also want to recognize Dr. Jennifer Kagan – and her heroic work,” Triantafilopoulos said. “I am truly humbled by her courage. Her daughter Keira is the reason this law now exists. Keira, you are changing the world for the better.”

Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward praised Triantafilopoulos for her efforts in enshrining Keira’s law.

“Keira’s legacy continues to protect women and children experiencing domestic violence and coercion and improve the way our province responds to cases of it,” Meed Ward said in a tweet. “Thank you MPP Triantafilopoulos for all your work at the Provincial Legislature to help bring about this milestone change.”

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