The grief-stricken family of Melissa Blommaert has transformed their personal tragedy into a national crusade for justice reform, bringing their cause directly to lawmakers in Ottawa this week. Blommaert, struck and killed by a stolen vehicle in Calgary four years ago, has become the face of a growing movement demanding stricter bail conditions for repeat offenders in Canada.
“We’ve lived this nightmare for four years,” said Darrell Blommaert, Melissa’s father, his voice unwavering despite the emotional toll. “No family should have to endure what we’ve gone through because someone who shouldn’t have been on the streets was released on bail.”
The Blommaert family, originally from Manitoba, traveled to Parliament Hill alongside Conservative MP Larry Maguire to advocate for amendments to Bill C-48, the federal government’s bail reform legislation currently under review. Their primary concern centers on what they describe as dangerous gaps in the proposed reforms that fail to adequately address repeat offenders.
The family’s advocacy stems from the circumstances surrounding Melissa’s death. Her killer, Natalie Renee Elesie Littlejohn, was driving a stolen vehicle while under the influence of methamphetamine when she struck Blommaert in February 2020. Court records revealed that Littlejohn was free on bail at the time of the incident, despite having 55 previous criminal convictions.
“The system failed my daughter,” Darrell explained during his testimony to parliamentarians. “Fifty-five convictions, multiple breaches of conditions, and she was still released. These aren’t just statistics – this was my daughter’s life.”
The proposed legislation aims to tighten bail provisions for certain firearms and violent offenses, but critics, including the Blommaert family, argue it doesn’t go far enough in addressing the revolving door of justice that allows chronic reoffenders back on the streets.
Justice Minister Arif Virani has defended the bill as a “balanced approach” that protects public safety while respecting Charter rights. “We’re creating a system that better accounts for risk while maintaining fundamental principles of justice,” Virani told reporters following the committee hearing.
However, experts in criminal justice have raised concerns about implementation challenges. University of Manitoba law professor Maria Chen notes, “The tension between presumption of innocence and public safety is complex. Legislation alone can’t solve systemic issues without addressing root causes of reoffending.”
The bill follows calls from provincial premiers and territorial leaders for stricter bail conditions, particularly for repeat violent offenders. Last year, all 13 premiers signed a letter urging federal reforms after several high-profile cases involving suspects who were out on bail.
For the Blommaert family, this advocacy has become their way of honoring Melissa’s memory. “My daughter was compassionate and always fought for what’s right,” said Darrell. “We’re continuing her legacy by ensuring other families don’t experience this preventable tragedy.”
The family has collected over 25,000 signatures on a petition demanding more comprehensive bail reform, focusing specifically on repeat offenders regardless of the nature of their crimes.
As Canadian lawmakers deliberate on the final shape of Bill C-48, the fundamental question remains: how do we effectively balance the constitutional right to reasonable bail with the imperative to protect public safety from individuals with demonstrated patterns of criminal behavior?
