Ontario’s Office of the Chief Coroner has scheduled an inquest into the death of Arian Pristine, a 35-year-old man who died in 2020 following an interaction with officers from York Regional Police.
The inquest is set to begin at 9:30 a.m. on September 14, 2026, and is expected to run for five days. Proceedings will examine the circumstances surrounding Pristine’s death and could result in recommendations intended to help prevent similar deaths in the future.
Inquest to Examine Circumstances Surrounding 2020 Death
Dr. Joel Kirsh, Regional Supervising Coroner for the Central Region’s Central East Office, announced the date for the proceedings.
Pristine died on June 8, 2020, following an interaction with York Regional Police officers that occurred on the same day. Ontario officials said an inquest into his death is mandatory under the province’s Coroners Act.
The legislation establishes the framework for coroner investigations and inquests in Ontario. Inquests are public proceedings designed to establish facts surrounding certain deaths and, where appropriate, allow a jury to propose measures that could reduce the risk of similar deaths occurring.
The upcoming proceeding will focus specifically on the circumstances surrounding Pristine’s death rather than determining criminal or civil liability.
Five Witnesses Expected During Five-Day Proceeding
The inquest is expected to hear testimony from approximately five witnesses over five days.
Dr. Ronald Goldstein will serve as the presiding officer, while Roger Shallow has been appointed as inquest counsel.
Evidence presented during the proceeding is expected to provide the jury with information needed to examine the circumstances surrounding Pristine’s death. At the conclusion of the process, the jury may make recommendations aimed at preventing further deaths.
Such recommendations can address practices, procedures or broader systemic issues identified through evidence presented during an inquest. While an inquest jury can make recommendations, its role differs from that of a criminal or civil court.
Proceedings Will Be Available to the Public Online
The September proceeding will be conducted entirely by video conference, allowing witnesses, officials and other participants to take part remotely.
Members of the public will also be able to watch the proceedings live online. The virtual format provides public access without requiring attendance at a physical hearing location.
The Ontario government maintains information about the province’s coroner system and the role of inquests, including how proceedings are conducted and the purpose of recommendations made by inquest juries.
Mandatory Inquests Form Part of Ontario Coroner System
Ontario’s coroner system investigates certain deaths to determine facts including the identity of the deceased and how, when and where a death occurred. In specific circumstances set out under provincial legislation, a formal inquest is mandatory.
Unlike a trial, an inquest is not intended to assign legal responsibility. Instead, the process examines evidence surrounding a death and gives the jury an opportunity to recommend changes that could improve public safety and help prevent similar incidents.
The Pristine inquest comes more than six years after his death. With approximately five witnesses expected to participate, the proceeding is scheduled to provide a focused examination of the events and circumstances connected with the June 2020 incident.
Inquest Scheduled to Begin September 14
The proceedings are scheduled to open at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, September 14, with Goldstein presiding and Shallow serving as inquest counsel.
Following the presentation and examination of evidence, the jury will be responsible for reaching findings within the scope of Ontario’s inquest process. It may also issue recommendations based on the evidence presented during the five-day hearing.
The proceeding will remain accessible to members of the public through its live video conference broadcast, providing an opportunity to follow the evidence and the eventual findings of the jury.