Mayor's Message - Calls for reform and support sent to the federal and provincial governments

This past week, our city has been shaken in the most painful way imaginable. The brutal sexual assault of a young child has left us horrified, heartbroken, and deeply angry. I know the emotions running through our community right now—rage, grief, disbelief, and an overwhelming demand for justice—are rampant. I share those emotions with you.

Like so many of you, I believe what happened is beyond comprehension, and nothing can ever make it right. Justice can never be swift or strong enough in the face of such a horrific crime. But I also know this: we cannot allow that anger to fade into silence. We must channel it into change.

That is why, on September 4, I wrote directly to the Prime Minister of Canada, and copied the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety, and Fred Davies, our Member of Parliament. I also sent a parallel letter to the Premier of Ontario and the Honourable Doug Downey, Ontario’s Attorney General, to ensure that the provincial government is equally called upon to help us strengthen protections and justice for our most vulnerable. Together, these leaders hold the responsibility and power to act.

In these letters, I demanded urgent reforms, including:

• Stronger bail and sentencing laws, so that those charged with violent sexual crimes face the full weight of consequences, with no chance of early release in cases of extreme brutality.
• The complete elimination of parole for crimes of this nature, ensuring offenders serve their entire sentences—without exception.
• Stricter enforcement of the National Sex Offender Registry, so that no community is left unaware of who lives in their midst.

I made this appeal because Welland—and every Canadian community—deserves more than outrage and grief. We deserve action. While municipalities do not control bail, parole, or sentencing, we do have a duty to speak with force, and I will not stop pressing for change at both the federal and provincial levels of government.

At the local level, we are not standing still. We will continue to work with our police, community safety partners, and support agencies to protect our children and families, and to make sure every possible measure is taken here at home.

I know that many of you feel that nothing will ever be enough. And in truth, no law or policy can erase the horror of what has been done. But together, by demanding change and refusing to accept the status quo, we can begin to ensure that this never happens again.

This is about more than politics. It is about protecting children. It is about standing together as a community. And it is about making sure that out of our grief and anger comes real, lasting change.

We will not let this moment pass. We will not stand still. We will demand better—because nothing less is acceptable.

Mayor Frank Campion