MP Arnold’s Bill Progresses with Unanimous Support

February 27, 2026
For Immediate Release  

Ottawa, ON — Bill C-221 sponsored by Mel Arnold, Conservative Member of Parliament for Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies, passed Second Reading stage of the federal legislative process today with unanimous support in the House of Commons.

Currently, victims of crime can request that they be informed of eligibility dates and review dates for temporary absences, releases or parole of the offender who victimized them. C-221 proposes that when victims are provided such dates, that they also be provided an explanation of how the dates were determined.

“My private Member’s bill proposes common-sense, realistic measures aimed at reducing the stress victims experience in dealing with the parole and release processes of those who have victimized them,” MP Arnold said during today’s debate. “The legislation before us today deserves to be passed because it will deliver relief for victims of crime; it will lighten the burdens that they carry by providing them explanations of how parole and release dates have been calculated in relation to the offenders who victimized them.”

Government bill C-16, introduced in December, includes the same proposed measures as C-221. In his speech today, MP Arnold stated “it is good to see the government formally acknowledge the merit and necessity of my bill’s proposals and include them in government bill C-16.”

Following today’s debate, there was unanimous consent from all parties for MP Arnold’s bill to progress directly to Committee Stage without the usual vote that determines whether a bill progresses.

“These measures supporting victims of crime need to be passed as soon as possible,” MP Arnold concluded. “Canadians count on all Parliamentarians to make Parliament work, and I invite all Parliamentarians to join me in moving my private Member’s bill towards completion because the outcome of Bill C-16 remains uncertain in a minority government and these changes are worth pursuing through all avenues possible.”