Ontario’s Office of the Chief Coroner has scheduled an inquest into the death of Regis Paquet, a 29-year-old woman who died in Toronto in May 2020 following an interaction with officers from the Toronto Police Service.
The proceedings are scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. on October 13, 2026, and are expected to run for 14 days. Approximately 15 witnesses are expected to provide evidence as the inquest examines the circumstances surrounding Paquet’s death.
Inquest to Examine Circumstances Surrounding 2020 Death
Dr. Richard Wells, Regional Supervising Coroner for the Toronto West Region, announced the date for the inquest.
Paquet, a Canadian woman of Ukrainian, Black and Indigenous ancestry from Nova Scotia, died on May 27, 2020, following an interaction with Toronto Police Service officers earlier that day.
The inquest will examine the circumstances surrounding her death and provide a formal public process for reviewing the available evidence.
Under Ontario’s coroner system, an inquest is intended to establish relevant facts surrounding a death and can also lead to recommendations designed to prevent similar deaths in the future. In this case, the jury may make recommendations aimed at preventing further deaths.
Proceedings Expected to Hear From About 15 Witnesses
Dr. David Cameron will serve as the presiding officer for the inquest. Roger Shallow and Kate Forget have been appointed as inquest counsel.
The proceedings are expected to last approximately 14 days, providing time for testimony and evidence from about 15 witnesses.
The scope of the hearings will focus on the circumstances surrounding Paquet’s death. The jury will consider the evidence presented during the proceedings and may ultimately issue recommendations based on its findings.
Coroner’s inquests in Ontario are public proceedings that examine deaths in circumstances where a formal review is required or considered appropriate under provincial legislation. While an inquest does not determine criminal or civil liability, recommendations arising from the process can address policies, practices or other measures intended to improve public safety and reduce the risk of similar deaths.
Public Will Be Able to Watch Inquest Online
The Paquet inquest will be conducted entirely by video conference rather than through an in-person hearing.
Members of the public will be able to watch the proceedings live online through a dedicated webpage established for the inquest. The virtual format provides public access to the hearings throughout the scheduled proceedings.
The Ontario government also provides information about the province’s coroner’s inquest process, including the role of juries and the purpose of recommendations made following an inquest.
Inquest Begins October 13
The start of the proceedings comes more than six years after Paquet’s death in Toronto.
Beginning October 13, the inquest will hear evidence concerning the events surrounding her death and provide the jury with an opportunity to consider recommendations intended to help prevent similar fatalities.
With approximately 15 witnesses expected to appear over 14 days, the proceedings will provide a detailed public examination of the circumstances of Paquet’s death and conclude with the jury’s findings and any recommendations it determines are appropriate.