CTV News Calgary has reported:

Canada’s Parole Board has extended day parole for Harold Smeltzer, who abducted and killed five-year-old Kimberley Thompson in Calgary in January 1980. Smeltzer, then 24, intended to sexually assault her but killed her after she recognized him. He is serving a life sentence and has confessed to sexual offences against more than 40 girls under 13.

The board’s September decision sets conditions, including staying away from places where children are expected and not accessing explicit material. It found that, although his offences were “horrific,” they were committed nearly five decades ago and his release plan would help mitigate his risk.

Smeltzer’s most recent psychological report, completed in 2019, assessed him at “average” risk of committing another sexual or violent offence over the following five years. The Canadian Press first published its report on Oct. 8, 2026. The report was by Dayne Patterson of The Canadian Press.