Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown says he demands answers from the federal government after Peel Regional Police announced that a woman with multiple sexual assault convictions will be living in the city.
Peel police said 36-year-old Madilyn Harks, formerly known as Matthew Harks, was moved to the area of Main Street and Queen Street by the Correctional Service of Canada earlier this week.
In a letter written to Attorney General Caroline Mulroney and Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services Syvlia Jones, Brown asked for assistance in Brampton’s desire to reverse Correctional Services Canada’s choice to “dump” Harks into the city’s centre.
“The fact that Ms. Harks is in a halfway house instead of a jail is a clear example that our justice system is broken,” wrote Brown.
“Why is she being released in Brampton when she is from Western Canada? Why is she being located near Main and Queen Street in Downtown Brampton?”
Police said Harks was convicted in three sexual assault cases against females under the age of eight, including neighbours and fellow members of a church congregation.
Officers said “Harks is at an elevated risk to re-offend.”
In a letter to Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale, Brown asked why Harks was released, considering the possible risk to the community.
“This is a pedophile with multiple convictions including 3 convictions of sexual assault against girls under the age of 8 and this monster has claimed to have victimized 60 girls,” Brown wrote.
The letter was also sent to several Brampton MPs, Peel Regional Police chief Chris McCord and Chairperson of the Parole Board of Canada, Jennifer Oades.
Goodale responded to Brown’s concerns saying the condition imposed on Harks were the toughest available to prevent people from re-offending.
Goodale said Harks’ sentence expired in 2010 and that she is currently subject to struct conditions imposed by the courts, the parole board and a halfway house in Brampton.
Peel police said Harks is subject to a long-term supervision order and cannot attend public swimming areas, daycares, school grounds, playgrounds or community centres.
Police said Harks is also not allowed to be around any children under the age of 14, unless they are accompanied by a responsible adult who was approved by Harks’ parole officer.
A Peel police representative said that police and correctional services will continue to work together to monitor Harks and protect the community.
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— With files from Katherine Aylesworth and The Canadian Press