The House of Commons is currently on summer recess, but a local Member of Parliament says an important piece of legislation will be waiting for them when they return in September.
Stephen Fuhr took to social media this morning and spoke about the death of Bailey McCourt, who was murdered in broad daylight in Kelowna last week.
The Kelowna MP said legislation will be introduced this fall to tighten bail conditions for violent and repeat offenders.
Fuhr noted that the legislation will have a “strong focus” on cases involving domestic, intimate-partner violence.
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“It will also put the voices of victims and the safety of communities at the forefront of all bail decisions,” the MP added. “We are committed to building a justice system that protects Canadians and prevents tragedies like this from happening again.”
The man accused of attacking McCourt and another woman near the intersection of Enterprise Way and Spall Road early Friday afternoon is James Plover.
McCourt’s former partner, Plover was charged with assault by choking and uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm in June 2024. Both charges were labelled as a “K-file,” which signals intimate-partner violence.
It has since come out that Plover was convicted of assault just hours before the fatal attack last Friday. He's now facing a charge of second-degree murder, also labelled as a “K-file.”
“Bailey was a loving mother, daughter, and friend of many, whose life was brutally taken far too soon,” Fuhr wrote in his social media post.
“My thoughts are with her family and especially her two young daughters. I am also thinking of the second victim who is still in the hospital.”
Fuhr added that no one should feel unsafe in their community and no family should have to face this kind of heartbreak.
In the wake of McCourt's murder, the Kelowna RCMP will be hosting a community outreach event on Thursday, July 10.
Police say it will offer residents and businesses a chance to ask questions about community safety in their neighbourhood and the circumstances surrounding Friday’s fatal attack.
“We understand that this event has caused significant concerns to the community and people may have questions about their safety and the incidents that they either witnessed or were involved in,” explained Cpl. Allison Konsmo.
“The public is welcome to attend this outreach event on Thursday. This is a time for residents, community members and the public to come together, voice their concerns, ask questions and connect with resources.”
The event will happen at the Angel Way parking lot, in the northeast corner of the Parkinson Recreation Park, from 10 am until 2 pm.
The RCMP says residents can drop-in at whatever time works for them and no RSVP is required.
