Ontario’s Office of the Chief Coroner has announced that a public inquest will be held into the death of 31-year-old Raymond Alliman, who died following an interaction with Ottawa police in 2017.
The inquest, mandated under Ontario’s Coroners Act, was confirmed this week by Dr. Louise McNaughton-Filion, Regional Supervising Coroner for the East Region, Ottawa Office. It will review the events leading to Alliman’s death and consider recommendations to help prevent similar incidents in the future.
“Dr. Louise McNaughton-Filion, Regional Supervising Coroner, East Region, Ottawa Office, has announced that an inquest will be held into the death of Raymond Alliman,” the Ministry of the Solicitor General said in a statement issued Friday.
Death Following Police Encounter
According to the ministry, Mr. Alliman died on June 3, 2017, after an interaction with members of the Ottawa Police Service. The specific circumstances surrounding the encounter have not yet been detailed publicly, but under Ontario law, any death involving police custody or response triggers a mandatory inquest by the Office of the Chief Coroner.
The announcement follows similar inquiries across the province examining police-involved deaths, part of an ongoing effort to improve transparency, accountability, and public trust in law enforcement and the broader justice system.
“The inquest will examine the circumstances surrounding Mr. Alliman’s death. The jury may make recommendations aimed at preventing further deaths,” the release stated.
Purpose and Process of the Inquest
A coroner’s inquest is a public hearing that examines the facts of a death, including how, when, and where it occurred. While inquests do not assign criminal or civil liability, they often lead to recommendations that can shape provincial policy, policing practices, and health and safety standards.
Inquests are overseen by a coroner and heard before a jury, typically composed of five members of the public. The proceedings call witnesses under oath, including police officers, medical experts, and other relevant parties. The jury then issues findings and recommendations intended to prevent future tragedies.
Under Ontario’s Coroners Act, inquests are mandatory in several circumstances, including deaths that occur while a person is detained, in police custody, or during a law enforcement encounter.
“The jury may make recommendations aimed at preventing further deaths,” the ministry reiterated, underscoring the broader goal of systemic improvement.
Broader Context and Community Impact
Alliman’s death came amid growing public scrutiny over the relationship between police and the communities they serve, particularly when use-of-force incidents lead to fatalities. In recent years, Ontario has conducted a number of similar inquests, which have generated recommendations around police training, crisis intervention, and mental health supports.
While each inquest is specific to its case, the cumulative effect has been to push government and police services toward greater oversight and reform. Many observers expect the Alliman inquest to revisit similar themes, examining whether officers followed appropriate protocols and whether additional safeguards could have prevented his death.
The Ottawa Police Service has faced several inquests and reviews in recent years, often involving individuals experiencing mental health crises or confrontations that escalated rapidly. The findings of these inquests have contributed to policy changes, such as increased de-escalation training and the introduction of alternative response teams.
Next Steps
Details about the date and venue for the Alliman inquest have not yet been finalized. “Further details regarding the inquest, including the date and venue, will be provided at a later date,” the ministry said.
Once announced, the inquest will be open to the public and streamed online when possible, consistent with recent practices to enhance accessibility and transparency. The final recommendations, once delivered, are typically made public and published on the province’s website.
Members of the public can learn more about the inquest process at the province’s information portal: www.ontario.ca/page/coroners-inquests.
The Ministry of the Solicitor General emphasized that the inquest reflects the government’s continued commitment to accountability within Ontario’s justice system. As with other public inquests, the ultimate goal is not to assign blame but to help prevent similar incidents in the future.
As Ontario continues to grapple with questions surrounding policing practices, community safety, and systemic transparency, the forthcoming inquest into the death of Raymond Alliman is expected to play a significant role in informing future reforms and reinforcing the public’s right to answers.
