Niagara councils join push for justice system changes after sexual assault of Welland, Ont., toddler

< warm>WARNING: This story references baby sexual assault.

The councils in the niagara falls neighborhood and City of St. Catharines have joined the growing call for changes to the justice system following the assault of a three-year-old girl in Welland, Ont., and arrest of a registered sex offender who was released early from prison.

St. Catharines councillors on Monday passed a motion urging the federal government to open the national and Ontario sex offender registries to the public, to better support victims of sexual and violent crime and to implement bail reform measures.  

Coun. Kevin Townsend tabled the initial motion, highlighting "public concern" about "bail practices with repeat violent and sexual offenders being released back into communities under conditions that have proven inadequate to protect the public." It called for such offenders not to be released "unless it can be clearly demonstrated that they do not pose a risk to public safety."

Council's amendments to the motion include calls on Ottawa to provide more services and financial support for victims, and asked the federal government to address "significant gaps in practical implementation of support for victims, inconsistent provincial and territorial services, and the needs of marginalized groups within the justice system."

Also this week, at a Regional Municipality of Niagara meeting, Welland Coun. Pat Chiocchio tabled a motion calling on Queen's Park and Ottawa to have "more restrictive" bail, sentencing and release conditions for repeat violent and sexual offenders, and ensure they "are not prematurely released into communities where they pose an ongoing threat."

The motion asks the Ontario government to "establish stricter monitoring measures," which includes mandatory long-term supervision and GPS monitoring of sexual offenders.

Daniel Senecal, the accused in the Welland case, had previously been added to the National Sex Offender Registry for 20 years, stemming from the sexual assault of a 12-year-old boy. 

Earlier this month, Senecal, 25, was charged with breach of probation to go with previous charges of aggravated sexual assault and sexual interference on a person under 16, break and enter, choking and assault. Senecal is accused of breaking into the family home of the three-year-old girl overnight on the Labour Day weekend and attacking her.

When arrested on Aug. 31, Senecal was serving a year of probation for the sexual assault of the 12-year-old in 2021 and sentenced to 18 months in jail, but was released six months early, in March, according to the boy's family.

The case has stirred anger and debate, among community members as well as by politicians at the federal, provincial and local level.

Earlier this month, Welland Mayor Frank Campion wrote to Prime Minister Mark Carney, demanding sentencing and bail reform, the elimination of the possibility of parole for "heinous offences," and "more stringent use and enforcement of the National Sex Offender Registry."

Mayor Mat Siscoe of St. Catharines then wrote to Ontario Premier Doug Ford with similar demands.

Ontario and federal officials — including Niagara Centre NDP MPP Jeff Burch, Brantford-area Conservative MP Larry Brock, Premier Doug Ford and federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre  — also have spoken out and would like to see harsher penalties.

At the community level, there was a public demonstration outside the St. Catharines courthouse when Senecal was due for a bail hearing. Many of the about 200 protesters were carrying signs displaying messages opposing bail for the accused or demanding broader reforms to keep violent offenders in prison longer. 

After the arrest of Senecal, the Niagara Regional Police Service warned against "vigilante actions" as the case proceeds.

The next court date is scheduled for Oct. 8.

Despite the outcry for tougher bail and other conditions, at least one activist urges caution.

"This isn't a catch-and-release problem," Saleh Waziruddin, executive member of the Niagara Region Anti-Racism Association, said at Monday's St. Catharines council meeting. 

Waziruddin believes stricter bail rules would mean more people in detention before they've been convicted. That could also disproportionately affect racialized people who are overrepresented in the criminal justice system, he said. 

For instance, in 2021, only five per cent of Ontario's general population were Black adults, yet they made up 14 per cent of those in custody, according to the federal government.

Waziruddin believes early detection and treatment is more effective than a focus on incarceration to prevent sexual offenders from reoffending. He also expressed concern for vigilante violence if the National Sex Offender Registry were to go public.

If you're in immediate danger or fear for your safety or that of others around you, please call 911. For support in your area, you can look for crisis lines and local services via the Ending Sexual Violence Association of Canada database. ​​

Reporter

Diona Macalinga is a St. Catharines-based reporter covering communities in the Niagara region. Before that, she was a video journalist reporting on the Quebec legislature, culture and community news in Montreal. You can email story ideas and tips to her at diona.macalinga@cbc.ca.

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