The family of a woman killed in Kelowna, British Columbia, has asked the federal government to make urgent changes to Canada’s justice system. Bailey McCourt, a mother of two, died in a violent attack earlier this month. Her family believes this could have been prevented.
James Edward Plover has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the July 4 attack. The incident happened in broad daylight in a parking lot and left another person seriously hurt. Police described it as both tragic and very public.
Premier David Eby confirmed that he gave a letter from McCourt’s family to Prime Minister Mark Carney during a recent visit. The letter listed four key policy requests to help stop future acts of domestic violence.
The family is asking for the following changes:
- A registry for domestic violence offenders
- Stricter bail policies for high-risk abusers
- First-degree murder charges in partner killings
- Use of risk signs during bail decisions
McCourt’s family described her as a kind and lively woman whose life was ended too soon. They said she had asked for help many times, but the justice system failed her.
Her father, Shane McCourt, said the laws did not protect his daughter. He hopes her story leads to real change so that others don’t suffer the same fate. “This system failed her,” he said. “Now our family is paying the price.”
Eby shared strong words about the need for action. “There’s a special place in hell for men who attack their partners,” he said. He also stressed that keeping such offenders behind bars must be a top priority.
The letter was handed to the prime minister during a summit in Ontario, where leaders from across Canada met to talk about trade, crime, and health care. Eby said Carney agreed that stopping domestic violence must be part of the national agenda.
Bailey’s uncle described her as someone full of life and humor. Her death shocked the local community and led to a public outpouring of grief and support.
Court records show that James Plover was already facing charges at the time of the attack. He had been convicted earlier that same day on three counts of making threats and one count of assault by strangulation. The case involved intimate partner violence.
Despite being under a bail order with conditions and a cash deposit, Plover was not held in custody before the attack. This fact has raised serious questions about how the system handles high-risk domestic violence cases.
He remains in custody and is due back in court on September 16. He will also be sentenced later in the month for the earlier assault charges.
The family’s letter calls for quick and serious reform. “There is an opportunity, an obligation, to make meaningful, life-saving changes,” it states. “We owe it to Bailey, and to every woman whose life may be in danger today, to act decisively and without delay.”
McCourt’s death has added urgency to calls for better protection for those at risk of abuse. The family hopes that by sharing her story, they can help others avoid a similar tragedy.
