Family of deceased son demands action on lethal online substances
Years after Kenneth Law's arrest, advocates say Canada still has dangerous gaps in online regulation.
David Parfett, whose 22-year-old son Tom died by suicide in 2021 after purchasing a lethal substance online, says little has changed since the high-profile arrest of Kenneth Law — the Ontario man accused of facilitating the purchase.
Tom allegedly bought the substance through a website linked to Law. His death drew international attention to gaps in how Canada regulates online sales of dangerous materials. Law's arrest followed, but Parfett says the systemic problems remain unaddressed.
"Canadians are still dying yet those responsible haven't been held accountable," Parfett told media this week, expressing frustration that regulatory frameworks have not tightened despite the case's prominence.
The issue spans multiple jurisdictions and involves both Canadian and international platforms. Experts have called for stronger oversight of online marketplaces and better coordination between law enforcement and tech companies — steps that Parfett says have been slow to materialize.
His advocacy has kept the case in the public eye, but the broader regulatory challenge persists.