| There are two types of Coroner's Inquests held in Ontario. Mandatory inquests are held whenever a person dies in custody. Discretionary inquests are held when the Coroner believes an inquest would serve the public interest. When an inquest is held a jury is selected to hear the evidence and to make recommendations as to how to prevent further deaths of the type that were the subject of the inquest.
Coroner's Act.
Aboriginal Legal Services of Toronto represents families of the deceased or groups with an interest in the outcome of the issues in question at inquests. The following are the recommendations of juries at Coroner's Inquests where ALST has participated.
Dubois Inquest
Mr. Dubois was an inmate who committe suicide while at the Thunder Bay District Jail. The recommendations included more Aboriginal programming at the jail whose population is largely Aboriginal.
Fobister Inquest
Mr. Fobister was a young Aboriginal man who was shot dead in Grassy Narrows, Ontario after a stand-off with the OPP. One of the important issues at the inquest was whether Mr. Fobister's death was to be classified as a suicide or a homicide. ALST, representing the family's interest, was successful in convincing the Jury that the death should be classified as a homicide.
Jamieson Inquest
Mr. Jamieson was a young Aboriginal man who died in car accident in the St. Catherines area. ALST representing the family advocated for over two years to have an inquest called. Among the recommendations were Aboriginal awareness training for the police force and hosptial staff.
King Inquest
Mr. King was an Aboriginal man who died in the hospital at Red Lake after having been in both the emergency shelter and the police station. The jury's recommendations focussed on changes to policies at the shelter and the hospital.
Kitchkeesic Inquest
Mr. Kitchkeesic, an Aboriginal man, died in an OPP holding cell in Armstrong, Ontario while being detained for having been drunk in a public place. The jury's recommendations included a change in police policy for assessing the medical needs of individuals who were unconscious.
Ladouceur Inquest
Ms. Ladouceur was an Aboriginal woman who committed suicide while in custody at the Thunder Bay District Jail while waiting for her bail hearing. A number of problems with respect to the Thunder Bay District jail were revealed at the inquest. Several recommendations were made by the Jury. Of particular significance was the recommendation that women no longer be housed at the jail as it was found to be an unsafe environment.
Mitten Inquest
Mr. Mitten was a young Aboriginal man who committed suicide while in custody at the Brantford jail while waiting for his bail hearing. The jury made significant recommendations that ALST continues to follow up with. In particular, the Jury recommended the establishment of a Gladue (Aboriginal Persons) Court in Brantford. If established, such a court will benefit Aboriginal community members in the Brantford area.
Teigesser Inquest
Mr Teigesser was a homeless man who died of TB. ALST represented Anishnawbe Health Toronto, Council Fire and Native Men's Residence at the Inquest. The jury made several useful recommendations. In particular, they recommended that the Ministry of Health provide additional funding to Anishnawbe Health's Street Patrol Program to allow them to hire a nurse practitioner to provide curb-side nursing services.
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