Remote proceedings scheduled for March 12 as parties prepare submissions
A motion hearing has been scheduled in connection with the pending inquest into the death of Heather Winterstein, according to an announcement from the Ministry of the Solicitor General.
The Presiding Officer overseeing the inquest, Dr. David Eden, confirmed that the hearing will address a motion related to the ongoing proceedings into Winterstein’s death. The session will be held remotely, with participating parties presenting their submissions virtually.
The hearing is set to begin at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2026.
“The Presiding Officer, Dr. David Eden, announced today that a motion will be heard related to the pending inquest into the death of Heather Winterstein.”
Winterstein, who was 24 years old at the time of her death, died in hospital on Dec. 10, 2021. Her death followed a discharge from a hospital emergency room visit shortly beforehand, according to the ministry.
“Ms. Winterstein, 24 years old, died in hospital on December 10, 2021, following discharge from a recent hospital emergency room visit.”
An inquest is a public proceeding typically conducted to examine the circumstances surrounding a death and to determine the facts related to how it occurred. Inquests may also produce recommendations aimed at preventing similar deaths in the future. They do not assign legal blame or liability.
The upcoming motion hearing forms part of the procedural steps leading up to the full inquest. Motion hearings are commonly used to address legal or administrative matters that could affect how an inquest proceeds, including issues related to evidence, witness participation, scope, or other procedural considerations.
While details of the specific motion to be considered were not outlined in the announcement, such hearings allow participating parties—including legal representatives, institutions, and other interested stakeholders—to present arguments before the presiding officer makes a determination.
The proceeding will be conducted remotely, a format that has become more common in recent years for certain court and tribunal hearings. According to the ministry, parties involved in the matter will present their submissions virtually during the scheduled session.
Members of the public will also be able to observe the hearing through an online livestream.
“The hearing will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2026, with parties making their submissions remotely.”
Officials said individuals interested in following the proceedings can access the live broadcast through an online viewing link provided by the Office of the Chief Coroner’s facilitation platform.
“Members of the public who wish to view the proceedings can do so live at the link provided below.”
Public access to inquest proceedings reflects the open-court principle, which allows members of the public and media to observe proceedings intended to clarify the circumstances surrounding a death. Such transparency is considered a key element of the inquest process.
The Office of the Chief Coroner, which operates under the Ministry of the Solicitor General, oversees inquests in Ontario. The office investigates deaths that may have occurred under unusual, sudden, or unexplained circumstances and may call inquests when it is deemed to be in the public interest.
Inquests often involve testimony from medical professionals, investigators, institutional representatives and expert witnesses. Evidence presented during the proceedings helps establish the sequence of events leading up to a death and may identify systemic issues or gaps in procedures.
If recommendations emerge from the inquest jury, they are typically directed toward institutions, government agencies, or organizations that may have the ability to implement changes aimed at improving safety or oversight.
The motion hearing scheduled for March 12 represents one of the procedural stages before the inquest itself proceeds. Further details about the timing of the full inquest have not yet been publicly released.
The livestream for the motion hearing is available through the Office of the Chief Coroner’s facilitation platform.