Ontario’s Office of the Chief Coroner will hold an inquest into the death of Remi Desjardins, a 48-year-old worker who died at a surface mine site near Matheson, Ontario, in February 2022.
Dr. Laura Piccinin, Regional Supervising Coroner for the Sudbury Region, Sudbury Office, announced the inquest on September 17. The proceeding is mandatory under Ontario’s Coroners Act and will examine the circumstances surrounding Desjardins’ death.
Inquest to Examine 2022 Death Near Matheson
Desjardins died on February 9, 2022, while working at a surface mining operation near Matheson, a community in northeastern Ontario. The provincial announcement did not provide additional information about the incident or identify the mine site where the death occurred.
Under Ontario’s coronial system, an inquest is a public proceeding designed to examine the circumstances surrounding certain deaths. In this case, provincial legislation requires an inquest to be held.
The proceeding will consider evidence related to Desjardins’ death and establish relevant facts surrounding the incident. A jury will hear the evidence presented during the inquest and will have an opportunity to make recommendations intended to help prevent similar deaths in the future.
The Ministry of the Solicitor General stated: “The inquest will examine the circumstances surrounding Mr. Desjardins’ death. The jury may make recommendations aimed at preventing further deaths.”
Workplace Safety Recommendations May Follow
While an inquest does not determine criminal or civil liability, recommendations emerging from the process can address broader safety issues identified through the evidence.
For incidents involving workplaces, recommendations can provide guidance to organizations, regulators and other parties on measures that could reduce the risk of similar fatalities. Any recommendations in the Desjardins case will depend on the evidence heard by the jury during the proceeding.
The planned inquest comes more than four years after Desjardins’ death. The provincial government has not yet announced when hearings will begin, how long the proceeding is expected to last or where it will take place.
“Further details regarding the inquest, including the date and venue, will be provided at a later date,” the Ministry of the Solicitor General said.
Ontario Coroners Act Requires Inquests in Certain Cases
Ontario’s Coroners Act establishes the framework governing death investigations and inquests in the province. Mandatory inquests are required in certain circumstances, including specified workplace-related deaths.
An inquest typically hears testimony and other evidence concerning the circumstances of a death. The jury is tasked with answering key factual questions, including who died and when, where, how and by what means the death occurred.
The process can also result in recommendations directed at governments, employers, institutions or other organizations when jurors identify measures that could potentially prevent future deaths.
Date and Venue Still to Be Announced
The province has not provided a timetable for the Desjardins inquest. Details about the presiding coroner, counsel, witnesses and hearing arrangements are also expected to become available as preparations advance.
Once scheduled, the proceeding will provide a formal examination of the circumstances surrounding Desjardins’ February 2022 death at the surface mine site near Matheson.
The central purpose of the inquest will be to establish the circumstances of the fatal incident and allow the jury to consider recommendations aimed at reducing the risk of similar deaths in Ontario.
Additional information, including the date and venue of the inquest, will be announced by provincial authorities at a later date.