Niagara Falls city councillor charged with assault

Hamilton Spectator

07-05-2025

Niagara Falls City Coun. Mike Strange says he's innocent after being arrested on the weekend and charged with assault.
The 54-year-old former boxer was arrested by Niagara Regional Police early Saturday after an incident at his home in Niagara Falls.
Court documents show Strange was charged with assault on a woman and released from the St. Catharines courthouse the same day with conditions.
'I've never harmed a woman and wouldn't under any circumstance,' Strange said in statement after being reached by phone Tuesday.
'This situation has a vindictive element that unfortunately may need a court process. Until that time, my family and I will have to stay strong in the face of all the negative insinuations.'
Strange, who wasn't in council chambers for the start of the Niagara Falls council meeting Tuesday afternoon, added, 'I stand against intimate partner violence in all forms.'
Strange wasn't present when council voted to go in-camera at the start of the meeting, but was in attendance when the public portion of agenda resumed.
A Niagara Regional Police spokesperson said officers were called to a Niagara Falls residence in the area of Rousseau Place and Appleford Avenue at about 3 a.m. May 3 for a report of a domestic assault.
Police said officers arrived to find an adult female with injuries, who was treated at the scene.
Shortly after, a 54-year-old male was arrested and charged with domestic assault.
Police said they would not release the name of the accused to protect the identity of the victim due to the nature of the charges.
Court documents show Strange was released from custody on a promise to pay $2,000 if he fails to comply with conditions of his release order and $2,000 from a surety.
The conditions of his release include that he reside at an address approved by his surety, that he not contact or communicate with the alleged victim and that he not be within 100 metres of where she might be, including home, work, or any other place she frequents.
He also can't possess any weapons.
His next court appearance is on June 6 in St. Catharines.
Strange is a three-time Olympic boxer and Commonwealth Games champion, who's now a Niagara Falls city councillor, realtor and organizer of fundraising events to support children and their families dealing with life-threatening or life-altering illness or injury.
In March 2024, Strange, who had a 20-plus-year boxing career, was inducted into the Canadian Amateur Boxing Hall of Fame.
In 2022, he was inducted into the Canada Games Hall of Honour as a distinguished alumnus.
Strange went on to represent Canada at the Commonwealth Games, winning gold in 1994 and 1998, and at the Olympic Games, competing in 1992, 1996 and 2000.
In 2001, Strange was acquitted on two drunk-driving charges, but in 2002 was convicted for drinking and driving. He was fined $700 and was prohibited from driving a motor vehicle for one year.