TORONTO, Ontario’s Office of the Chief Coroner has announced that an inquest into the death of Jamal Francique, a 28-year-old man who died following an interaction with Peel Regional Police officers in January 2020, will begin on November 12, 2026.
The proceedings will examine the circumstances surrounding Francique’s death and provide an opportunity for a coroner’s jury to consider recommendations intended to prevent similar deaths in the future.
Dr. Jennifer M. Dmetrichuk, Regional Supervising Coroner for the Central Region’s Central West Office, confirmed the hearing date in an announcement issued by Ontario’s Ministry of the Solicitor General on October 23.
The inquest is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 12, and is expected to continue for approximately 11 days.
Inquest to Examine Circumstances Surrounding January 2020 Death
Francique died on January 9, 2020, two days after an interaction with officers from the Peel Regional Police Service on January 7.
According to the provincial announcement, an inquest into his death is mandatory under Ontario’s Coroners Act, which establishes the legal framework for investigating certain deaths and conducting public inquests.
The hearing will focus on examining the circumstances of Francique’s death, including relevant evidence presented during the proceedings.
A coroner’s inquest is a fact-finding process rather than a criminal trial. Its purpose is to establish relevant circumstances surrounding a death and identify potential measures that could reduce the risk of similar incidents.
Unlike criminal proceedings, an inquest does not determine criminal or civil liability. Instead, the jury considers evidence and may develop recommendations addressing issues identified during the hearing.
The provincial announcement did not provide additional details about the interaction between Francique and police officers or identify the specific evidence expected to be presented.
Hearing Expected to Last 11 Days with Approximately Nine Witnesses
Bonnie Goldberg has been appointed as the presiding officer for the inquest, while Roger Shallow will serve as inquest counsel.
The hearing is expected to include testimony from approximately nine witnesses over its scheduled 11-day duration.
Witness testimony and other evidence will help the jury examine the events surrounding Francique’s death and consider whether recommendations are warranted.
Jury May Recommend Measures to Prevent Future Deaths
One of the principal functions of Ontario’s coroner’s inquest system is to identify potential improvements in public safety and institutional practices.
Following the presentation of evidence, the jury may issue recommendations intended to prevent deaths occurring under similar circumstances.
Such recommendations are not legally binding. However, they can inform discussions about public safety procedures, organizational practices and potential policy changes.
Any recommendations arising from the Francique inquest will depend on the evidence heard and the jury’s findings.
The province has not indicated what specific recommendations, if any, might emerge from the proceedings.
Public Can Watch Inquest Proceedings Through Video Conference
The inquest will take place virtually, allowing members of the public to observe the proceedings through a live video conference.
The remote format provides access to the hearing without requiring attendees to travel to a physical courtroom or hearing location.
Members of the public, journalists and other interested observers can follow the proceedings through the designated online viewing platform.
How to Access the November 12 Inquest
The hearing is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. on November 12, 2026.
Public access will be available through the official viewing page:
Inquest into the Death of Jamal Francique – Live Proceedings
Additional information about Ontario’s coroner’s inquest process is available through the Government of Ontario’s official website.
Inquest Forms Part of Ontario’s Death Investigation Framework
Ontario’s coroner’s inquest system provides a formal mechanism for examining deaths that fall within statutory requirements or warrant further public investigation.
The process can bring together witness testimony, documentary evidence and expert information to establish relevant facts and consider possible preventive measures.
For Francique’s death, the upcoming hearing represents a formal public examination of circumstances dating back nearly seven years.
With approximately nine witnesses expected to participate, the November proceedings will provide an opportunity for the jury to review the available evidence and determine whether recommendations should be issued.
The inquest is scheduled to open on November 12, with its conclusions and any resulting recommendations to be determined following the hearing.
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