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Crime & Justice • Victim

Tim McLean

Tim McLean was a 22-year-old Canadian man who was killed on 30 July 2008 while riding a Greyhound Canada bus near Portage la Prairie, Manitoba.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Tim McLean was a 22-year-old Canadian man killed on 30 July 2008 while riding a Greyhound Canada bus near Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. His death drew widespread attention and contributed to public discussion about criminal justice, mental health, and victim-rights policy. McLean was from Winnipeg, Manitoba, and worked as a carnival worker.

Background

Tim McLean was a young Canadian man who lived in Winnipeg and worked as a carnival worker. He was travelling home when he boarded the Greyhound bus that would later be the scene of his killing.

Death on Bus 1170

On 30 July 2008, McLean was attacked by another passenger while riding Greyhound Bus 1170 near Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. The killing involved stabbing and other acts of extreme violence that were widely reported in the media.

The case led to criminal proceedings against Vincent Li, who was found not criminally responsible because of mental illness. The case also became part of broader public debate about how Canadian law handles violent offenders found NCR and how victims’ rights are protected.

Legacy

McLean’s family and supporters used his case to argue for legal changes aimed at preventing the release of people considered dangerous after an NCR finding. The incident remains a reference point in Canadian discussions of mental health, public safety, and justice reform.

Key facts

  • McLean was a Canadian man from Winnipeg, Manitoba.
  • He was killed on a Greyhound Canada bus travelling along the Trans-Canada Highway near Portage la Prairie, Manitoba.
  • The attack occurred on 30 July 2008 and became one of Canada’s most widely reported violent crimes.
  • The man convicted in relation to the killing was later found not criminally responsible due to schizophrenia.
  • McLean’s death prompted advocacy for proposed victim-protection reforms sometimes referred to as “Tim’s Law.”
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Canadian context

McLean’s killing occurred in Manitoba and became a major Canadian criminal-justice and victim-rights case, especially in debates about mental illness, not criminally responsible verdicts, and public safety.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Tim McLean?
Tim McLean was a 22-year-old Canadian man from Winnipeg who was killed on a Greyhound bus in Manitoba in 2008.
Why is Tim McLean notable?
He is known as the victim of a widely reported killing on Greyhound Bus 1170 that sparked debate about criminal responsibility and victim protection in Canada.
Where did Tim McLean die?
He died on a Greyhound Canada bus near Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, along the Trans-Canada Highway.
What was Tim McLean doing when he was killed?
He was travelling home on a bus ride from Edmonton toward Winnipeg.
Did Tim McLean’s case affect Canadian policy debate?
Yes. His death became part of public advocacy for proposals known as “Tim’s Law,” which were intended to strengthen victim protections.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_Tim_McLean
    Supports: Basic facts about McLean, the date and place of the killing, and the NCR finding in the case.
  2. BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38945061
    Supports: Reports McLean as the victim in the Greyhound bus killing and notes the later NCR finding and public response.
  3. CBC News — https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/bus-murder-opens-door-to-justice-re-think-1.728142
    Supports: Describes McLean as a Winnipeg-bound bus passenger and discusses the case's impact on justice reform debate.
  4. CBC News — https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/family-of-man-killed-on-greyhound-bus-pressing-for-tim-s-law-1.802605
    Supports: States McLean was killed aboard the Greyhound bus and describes the family’s advocacy for 'Tim’s Law'.
  5. CTV News — https://www.ctvnews.ca/vince-li-not-criminally-responsible-for-beheading-1.375979
    Supports: Confirms the NCR verdict in the criminal case connected to McLean's killing.