Thunder Bay, Ont. — The Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General has announced that an inquest will be held next month into the death of 64-year-old Edouard Gallant, a miner who suffered fatal injuries at a Thunder Bay work site in 2020.
Dr. Kevin Miller, Regional Supervising Coroner for the North Region’s Thunder Bay Office, confirmed Tuesday that the inquest will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 22, 2025. Dr. Jennifer Tang will serve as presiding officer, with counsel Jai Dhar overseeing proceedings.
A Mandatory Inquest
Gallant died on May 27, 2020, after sustaining injuries while working at a mining site. Under Ontario’s Coroners Act, an inquest into his death is mandatory. Such inquests are not trials, but public hearings intended to shed light on the circumstances of a death and provide juries with the opportunity to recommend measures aimed at preventing similar tragedies in the future.
“The inquest will examine the circumstances surrounding Mr. Gallant’s death. The jury may make recommendations aimed at preventing further deaths,” the Ministry of the Solicitor General said in its release.
The inquiry is expected to span six days, with testimony from approximately ten witnesses.
Industry Context
Ontario’s mining sector remains one of the province’s most hazardous industries, despite decades of improvements in workplace safety standards. Fatalities, though far less frequent than in previous eras, continue to spark concern among regulators, unions, and local communities.
Labour groups have long argued that mandatory inquests provide an essential avenue for transparency and accountability. While inquest juries cannot assign blame or liability, their recommendations often help shape regulatory reform and workplace protocols.
Thunder Bay, home to several active mining operations and a hub for northern Ontario’s resource economy, has seen heightened scrutiny of industrial safety following incidents in recent years. The Gallant case is expected to draw attention from both the industry and the public.
Public Access
Unlike traditional courtroom hearings, this inquest will be conducted entirely by video conference, reflecting both ongoing efforts to expand accessibility and the logistical challenges of convening in-person hearings across Ontario’s northern region.
Members of the public will be able to watch the proceedings in real time. The Ministry has provided a livestream link: firstclassfacilitation.ca/office-of-the-chief-coroner/inquest-into-the-death-of-edouard-gallant.
Additional information about inquests and their process is available through the Ontario government’s official website: ontario.ca/page/coroners-inquests.
Looking Ahead
While the inquest will not determine criminal or civil responsibility, it is expected to provide clarity on the events that led to Gallant’s death and to highlight potential safety measures for Ontario’s mining industry.
By hearing from witnesses, reviewing site conditions, and considering expert testimony, the jury’s recommendations could influence future workplace policies not just in Thunder Bay but across the province’s resource sector.
As families, co-workers, and community members await the proceedings, the inquest serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for vigilance in industries where heavy machinery, remote operations, and high-risk environments remain daily realities.
