Ontario coroner schedules proceedings to begin July 6 by video conference
OTTAWA — Ontario’s Office of the Chief Coroner has announced a new date for the inquest into the death of Ryan Rawson-Keeley, a 38-year-old man who died while in custody at the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre in 2021.
Dr. Louise McNaughton-Filion, Regional Supervising Coroner for the East Region based in Ottawa, confirmed that the inquest is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, July 6, 2026.
The proceedings will be overseen by Dr. Geoffrey Bond, who will serve as presiding officer. Robert Kozak has been appointed as inquest counsel.
Mandatory review under Ontario’s Coroners Act
Ryan Rawson-Keeley died on March 2, 2021, while in custody at the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre. Under Ontario’s Coroners Act, an inquest is mandatory when a death occurs in custody, ensuring an independent public examination of the circumstances surrounding the death.
The purpose of the inquest is not to assign civil or criminal liability. Instead, it seeks to establish the facts related to the death and identify opportunities to improve policies, procedures or practices that may help prevent similar deaths in the future.
According to the Office of the Chief Coroner, the jury will hear evidence regarding the circumstances surrounding Mr. Rawson-Keeley’s death and may issue recommendations aimed at preventing future fatalities in correctional facilities or similar custodial settings.
Ten-day hearing expected
Officials anticipate that the inquest will last approximately 10 days and include testimony from about 10 witnesses.
Witnesses are expected to provide evidence concerning the events leading up to Mr. Rawson-Keeley’s death, the conditions of his custody and the actions of those responsible for his care and supervision at the detention facility.
At the conclusion of the proceedings, a jury may deliver recommendations directed at government agencies, correctional institutions, health-care providers or other organizations. While such recommendations are not legally binding, they often inform policy reviews and operational changes intended to enhance public safety and inmate welfare.
Proceedings to be accessible online
The inquest will be conducted entirely by video conference, allowing broader public access to the proceedings.
Members of the public who wish to observe the hearing will be able to do so through a live online stream provided by the Office of the Chief Coroner.
The virtual format continues a practice adopted in many Ontario inquests and hearings in recent years, providing greater accessibility for participants, media organizations and members of the public.
Role of coroner’s inquests in Ontario
Coroner’s inquests play a key role in Ontario’s death investigation system. They are designed to examine deaths that occur in specific circumstances, including those involving individuals in custody, and to promote transparency through a public review process.
Unlike criminal trials, inquests do not determine fault or responsibility. Their primary objective is to establish who died, when and where the death occurred, and by what means. Inquests also provide an opportunity for juries to recommend measures that could reduce the likelihood of similar deaths occurring in the future.
The upcoming proceedings into the death of Ryan Rawson-Keeley will form part of that process, with evidence expected to focus on the circumstances surrounding his death while detained at the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre.
The inquest is scheduled to commence on July 6, 2026, and is expected to conclude later that month following the presentation of evidence and jury deliberations.