Inside the House of Commons (Image Credit: ID 20897988 © Jiawangkun | Dreamstime.com)

By Liam Verster

Access to Information

Area MP’s criminal information reform bill making progress

Feb 28, 2026 | 6:00 AM

A bill sponsored by the MP for Kamloops-Shuswap-Central Rockies that aims to support victims of crime is moving ahead in the legislative process.

Mel Arnold, who used to represent North Okanagan-Shuswap, has gone through second reading of his bill C-221, which will allow victims of crime to request they be informed of eligibility dates and review dates for temporary absences, releases or parole of their offender.

“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 the House of Commons 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.”

The bill was brought before the House of Commons for second reading Thursday, Feb. 26, where it received unanimous support.

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All members also consented to having the bill go directly to the Committee Stage without the usual vote that determined whether the bill progresses.

“These measures supporting victims of crime need to be passed as soon as possible,” Arnold stated.

“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.”

Additionally, Arnold noted in a release that his bill aligns with proposed measures included in the government’s bill C-16, which was introduced in December.

The area MP said he was glad to see the government acknowledge the “merit and necessity of my bill’s proposals.”