'No bail straight to jail': Protests ahead of hearing for Welland man accused of child sex assault

“No bail straight to jail” and “Canada stop freeing monsters” were just some of the phrases written on signs held by protesters in St. Catherines, Ont., today, ahead of a bail hearing for a Welland man accused of breaking into a home and sexually assaulting a three-year-old girl.

The 25-year-old suspect identified by police as Daniel Senecal is facing assault and breaking and entering charges, including aggravated sexual assault on a person under 16. The incident was reported on the morning of Aug. 31. Police said in a statement that it was a “tragedy that has deeply impacted our community and our investigators.”

The protest, organized by a group on Facebook called Protest For Harder Sentences Against Violent Crimes, started at 9 a.m. in front of the St. Catharines courthouse, where the suspect was expected to appear via video at 11 a.m. He remains in police custody.

The purpose of the protest was to raise awareness about implementing “stricter sentencing for violent offenders and child predators,” a description about the event says. “There needs to be change. Let’s be a voice for the victims and their families.”

Hundreds of people could be seen in photos and videos shared on the event’s Facebook page.

Posted by Senem Tümbek on Wednesday, September 10, 2025

A road in the area was temporarily closed after 9 a.m. for the demonstration but reopened after 11 a.m., Niagara Regional Police said on X.

Conservative leader Pierrer Poilievre said it was “appalling” and that the suspect “wants to be transferred to a women’s prison.”

“Lock him up. Throw away the key. And ban biological men from women’s prisons. Period,” wrote Poilievre on X.

Police have not confirmed the gender identity of the suspect.

According to a post on X by Toronto Crime Watch, Senecal is being held “in segregation at the Niagara Detention Centre and has requested a transfer to the Vanier Centre for Women if he doesn’t get bail under the guise he is ‘transgender.'”

Appalling. Now, this vile male monster charged with violently sexually assaulting a 3 year old girl wants to be transferred to a women's prison. Lock him up. Throw away the key. And ban biological men from women’s prisons. Period. https://t.co/rVinLLoh8R

— Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) September 10, 2025

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