Canada's justice system is letting our children down.

The disturbing revelations from the recent Ontario sting operation are a stark reminder of the Canadian justice system's shortcomings in handling child exploitation cases. The coordinated effort by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and 21 additional police services to combat the scourge of online child sexual exploitation resulted in the apprehension of 36 men. Yet, the decision to release 33 of these individuals on bail sends a chilling message to the public, particularly to the parents whose trust in the system has been shaken to its core.

The fact that these accused predators, some of whom arrived prepared to commit heinous acts against children, can be set free to potentially reoffend is a profound failure of our legal system. The police, who have shown their commitment through operations like this one, are left hamstrung when the courts fail to impose adequate restrictions on those they risk their lives to catch.

This is not an isolated issue. Instances such as Judge Andrew Tam's controversial sentencing in British Columbia, where he described Mark Keenan's extensive child pornography collection as "relatively modest," underscore a broader pattern of leniency towards offenders in such cases. The public's outrage is palpable, and rightly so.

While vigilance by parents is crucial, it cannot be the sole safeguard for our children. The justice system must be held accountable for the protection it is meant to provide. Calls for reform are not mere rhetoric; they are the desperate pleas of a society that expects justice to serve the most vulnerable among us.

The current state of affairs suggests that the legal framework is inadequate and that judicial discretion, in some instances, does not align with the gravity of the crimes. The public's confidence in the system is eroded when those caught in the act are met with a slap on the wrist rather than the full weight of the law.

The implementation of Bill C-63, which focuses on censoring online content, appears to be a misguided attempt to address the issue. What is truly needed is a comprehensive overhaul of sentencing and bail policies for those accused of crimes against children. The system must ensure that offenders are kept away from potential victims and that the punishments fit the crimes.

The protection of our children is non-negotiable, and the justice system must reflect that principle in its actions. The release of these suspects on bail is a slap in the face to the victims and their families, as well as to the officers who worked tirelessly to bring them to justice. It's high time for Canada to prioritize the safety and well-being of our youth over the comfort of those who seek to harm them.

In the wake of this operation, Canadians are left questioning whether their children are truly safe. The government must act swiftly to address these failings and restore public trust in the justice system. Only then can we hope to create a society where the exploitation of children is met with the severity it deserves.