Welland Mayor Demands No Bail and Public Sex Offender Registry Amidst Protests for Alleged Child Sex Predator

Welland Mayor Frank Campion addressed a crowd outside the St. Catharines Courthouse, advocating for significant reforms to Canada's justice system during the bail hearing for alleged serial child sex predator Daniel Senecal. Mayor Campion specifically called for Senecal to be denied bail, the establishment of a public sex offender registry, and the implementation of stronger sentences for such crimes. The bail hearing for Senecal was subsequently put over until October 15.Daniel Senecal, 25, faces charges including aggravated sexual assault on a person under 16, sexual interference, and break and enter, following an incident on August 31 involving a three-year-old girl in Welland. This incident occurred less than six months after Senecal was released early from an 18-month sentence for the 2021 sexual assault of a 12-year-old boy, and he was reportedly on probation at the time of his latest arrest.The protest outside the courthouse drew approximately 200 people, reflecting widespread community outrage and calls for justice reform. Demonstrators held signs with messages such as "No bail straight to jail" and "Canada stop freeing monsters," echoing Mayor Campion's demands for harsher penalties and greater accountability for violent offenders. An online fundraising campaign and vigil have also been held in support of the young victim and her family.Political figures have also weighed in, with Niagara Centre MPP Jeff Burch advocating for stricter penalties to keep dangerous offenders off the streets. Conservative MP Larry Brock criticized the current bail system, stating, "Our justice system is letting dangerous predators back onto our streets while families pay the price." Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, Sean Fraser, responded to the public outcry, stating via social media, > "My thoughts are with the victim and her family. I’ve heard the calls from the community for changes to our justice system. We are working to strengthen our bail system and address repeat violent offenders."The call for a public sex offender registry stems from the current Canadian system, where the National Sex Offender Registry (NSOR) is a confidential database accessible only to law enforcement, unlike public registries in some U.S. states. Legal experts, such as University of British Columbia Professor Janine Benedet, have noted that Canadian courts have been urged by the Supreme Court to increase sentences for child sex offenses, as these crimes have historically not been treated with sufficient gravity. The Niagara police chief has urged the public to rely on verified information regarding the case amidst various rumors, including unconfirmed reports about Senecal's alleged request for transfer to a women's correctional facility.