Tori Stafford remembered with random acts of kindness

(Contributed photo)

Lee Griffi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

“It's hard to believe it's been 16 years since that horrendous day. There's not a day that goes by where you're not thought about and a tear is shared. Hard to believe you've been gone twice as long as you were alive.”

That was the content of an emotional Facebook post by Rodney Stafford remembering the tragic and senseless murder of his daughter, Tori. A day of ‘Random Acts of Kindness’ was held recently in memory of Tori.

“It was great. I got messages from down in the States and Australia. The word had reached pretty much globally about random acts of kindness. Some people were saying they walked neighbours' dogs, they gave out coffee, a real variety of good things.”

Stafford added locally, he received many positive comments and Facebook posts.

“A lot of people are still showing their support.”

The Echo asked him how long he plans on keeping Tori’s memory in the public eye.

“As long as I’m alive her memory should still be here. We are trying to have her remembered in a positive way and not remember the two people responsible for her death. I can’t thank the community enough for their support over the last 16 years. Without that, it’s hard to say where I would be.

Stafford has held the event for several years, something brought on by Tori’s murderers, Michael Rafferty and Terri-Lynne McClintic, being moved from maximum security prisons to cushier surroundings.

“We’ve done it ever since we started the protest in 2018, and everything has carried on from there. We thought up until that point we were getting fair justice and then the transfer happened without my knowledge. To realize our government was actually working against us and against its own criteria, it got us into the movement of making sure we stand up for (Tori).”

Stafford explained once the trials and appeals were over, he didn’t think he would hear anything about Rafferty and McClintic for over 20 years. He was wrong.

“Shortly after that, Rafferty was moved down to medium-security and Terri-Lynne was transferred to a healing lodge. She was moved to Edmonton about two weeks after our protest.”

McClintic was granted the move because she self-identified as an Indigenous person, but whether she is Indigenous has not been confirmed and has been disputed by a family member. The lodge, a minimum/medium-security prison, is unfenced but monitored 24 hours a day with video cameras.

Former Conservative MP Candice Bergen introduced a motion in Parliament to condemn and overturn the decision. The motion generated heated debate and was defeated 200 to 82 with all Liberal MPs voting against it. Under increasing public pressure, then Minister of Public Safety Ralph Goodale issued an order for Correctional Service Canada to review the decision and the general policy. On November 7, Goodale announced that McClintic would be returned to a federal prison. She was transferred to the multi-level Edmonton Institution for Women.

Stafford met with federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre before the April 28 election, the second time the pair had talked.

“The first time was in November of 2018 at the protest. He had come out with other Conservative members and stood in the freezing rain with us to give us support. He wants to help and make changes. He wants to make Canada safe again so people feel safe in their own cities and towns.”

The Echo interviewed Stafford before the federal election, which wasn’t the result he hoped for.

“Very disappointed in the election and the scandals coming to light. I have zero faith the Liberals will accomplish anything. Numbers speak for themselves. To date, six and a half years later, I still haven't heard from any politician, other than conservative members of Parliament regarding any struggles we've faced. I'm still proud to be Canadian, but ashamed of our government.”

Despite his strong views, Stafford said he never wanted to get into the political realm.

“I shouldn’t have to worry about that. You have the people in the background who should be doing their jobs, and everything runs efficiently. But after McClintic was transferred to the healing lodge, I realized the government is working against us and not following their own guidelines.”

He added he must keep pushing to make positive change so all Canadians are treated equally.

Anyone still willing to participate in the random act of kindness on behalf of Victoria is asked to donate to Victims Services of Oxford County. More information is available at https://vasoc.on.ca/default.asp.