Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has condemned reports that a man accused of child rape is seeking a transfer to a women’s prison. He called for a ban on biological men in women’s correctional facilities. In a social media post, Poilievre described the individual as a "vile male monster" charged with violently assaulting a 3-year-old girl. He urged authorities to keep him incarcerated.

Daniel Senecal, a 35-year-old man from Welland, Ontario, was arrested on August 31. He faces charges for allegedly breaking into a home and sexually assaulting a toddler, resulting in hospitalization. The Niagara Regional Police Service reported that the child’s parents were unaware of the attack until they discovered their injured child the following morning.

Senecal has a prior conviction for a similar crime. In 2021, he was sentenced for a sexual assault against a young boy in the same neighborhood. He was released six months early from an 18-month sentence.

Reports of Senecal's request to transfer to a women’s facility surfaced from a social media account. The account claimed he is currently in segregation at the Niagara Detention Centre and has requested a transfer to the Vanier Centre for Women, citing a transgender identity. The account's operator stated they had a source close to the case, but the report has not been independently verified.

Senecal attended a bail hearing virtually on Wednesday. The hearing was postponed until October 15 to allow him more time to consult with a lawyer. Although he is identified as male in court documents, a Facebook page associated with him uses female pronouns and displays a transgender flag.

Since 2017, the Correctional Service of Canada has allowed offenders to be transferred to women’s facilities based on their self-identified gender. Previously, such transfers were only considered for those who had completed medically approved gender transition treatments. This policy was implemented following a request from a transgender advocate during a town hall meeting with then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Trudeau emphasized the importance of defending the dignity of all individuals, stating, "Trans rights are human rights." The Correctional Service of Canada is required to accommodate gender identity or expression, regardless of an individual’s anatomy.

A 2022 survey by the Correctional Service of Canada found that one-third of transgender women in prison had successfully transferred to women’s facilities. However, only 5% of transgender men were housed in men’s facilities. The study also revealed that a significant majority of transgender offenders incarcerated for sexual offenses were trans women, with many having committed crimes while living as their biological sex.

On Thursday, a protest took place outside the Saint Catharines Court House, where Senecal was scheduled for a hearing. The event, titled "protest for harder sentences against violent crimes," called for changes in the justice system. Welland Mayor Frank Campion addressed the crowd, advocating for tougher sentencing for sexual predators and a public registry for convicted sex offenders.

Demonstrators also gathered outside the Niagara Detention Centre, where Senecal is reportedly held. Videos from the protest showed crowds chanting against him. The situation has sparked significant public interest and debate regarding the treatment of transgender inmates and the safety of women in correctional facilities.