Editor: Regarding recent letters to the Editor about the vote on bill C-225 Cassie and Molly’s Law (the Times, Oct. 28 and Nov. 4), some of the statements were not correct.
Jeff Durham and partner Cassie were happily awaiting the birth of Molly in two months.
Tragically, Cassie was brutally killed in December 2014, just before Christmas.
Jeff’s tragic loss of Cassie and Molly and his lobbying for justice is the reason this Parliament was asked to consider and vote on C-225.
Jeff has described himself as being pro-choice and he lobbied hard to protect rights of women that choose to have a baby.
Jeff was in tears when MPs voted against C-225.
I encourage readers to visit Jeff’s webpage MollyMatters.org.
Tragically, women are at a higher risk of assault when pregnant. C-225 would have amended the Criminal Code to allow additional charges to be laid when a pre-born child is harmed or killed in an attack against the mother by someone who knows she is pregnant.
I respect the rights of MPs to have differing opinions on how to vote.
What troubles me about the Liberal government’s response and vote on bill C-225 was that they misrepresented what the bill was about.
I am thankful for the incredible hard work of MP Cathy Wagantall, as she introduced C-225 to help protect women’s rights and Jeff Durham’s fight for justice.
I will continue to stand against all forms of violence against women and girls.
Mark Warawa,
MP for Langley-Aldergrove