Ontario’s Office of the Chief Coroner has scheduled 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. The proceedings will begin on October 26, 2026, and examine the circumstances surrounding his death, with a focus on identifying measures that could help prevent similar workplace fatalities.
The announcement was made on October 16 by Dr. Laura Piccinin, Regional Supervising Coroner for the Sudbury Region, Sudbury Office, through Ontario’s Ministry of the Solicitor General.
The inquest is mandatory under Ontario’s Coroners Act and will provide an opportunity to review the circumstances of the incident and consider potential recommendations related to workplace safety.
Inquest into Remi Desjardins’s Death to Begin October 26
The inquest is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, October 26, 2026, and is expected to continue for up to four days.
Dr. Joel Kirsh will serve as the presiding officer, while Kristin Smith has been appointed as inquest counsel.
According to the provincial announcement, approximately five witnesses are expected to provide evidence during the proceedings.
Desjardins died on February 9, 2022, while working at a surface mine site near Matheson, a community in northeastern Ontario.
The ministry did not provide additional details about the circumstances of his death in the October 16 announcement.
The upcoming proceedings will examine the available evidence and circumstances surrounding the incident as part of the province’s formal death investigation process.
Mandatory Inquest Under Ontario’s Coroners Act
Ontario’s Coroners Act establishes the legal framework for investigating certain deaths, including those occurring in circumstances where a public inquest is required.
A coroner’s inquest is a fact-finding proceeding rather than a criminal trial. Its purpose is to establish relevant facts surrounding a death and consider whether recommendations could help prevent similar incidents.
Inquests do not determine criminal or civil liability.
The jury may make recommendations to improve safety practices, procedures or other measures intended to reduce the risk of future fatalities.
Any recommendations arising from the Desjardins inquest will depend on the evidence presented and the jury’s findings.
Workplace Safety in Ontario’s Mining Industry
The inquest comes within Ontario’s broader system of occupational health and safety oversight, which includes requirements governing mining operations and other industrial workplaces.
Surface mining involves activities that can expose workers to hazards associated with heavy equipment, industrial machinery, vehicle movements and changing site conditions.
However, the provincial announcement did not identify a specific hazard or cause associated with Desjardins’s death.
The inquest will therefore be important in establishing the circumstances of the incident without making assumptions about what occurred.
Potential Recommendations to Prevent Future Fatalities
Recommendations from coroner’s inquests can address workplace procedures, training, supervision, equipment safeguards and other safety considerations when supported by the evidence.
Such recommendations are intended to inform organizations, employers, regulators and other relevant parties about opportunities to strengthen preventive measures.
Although inquest recommendations are not legally binding, they can contribute to discussions about workplace safety and potential improvements to existing practices.
For Ontario’s mining sector, the proceedings may offer additional insight into safety considerations relevant to surface mining operations.
The specific issues examined will become clearer as witnesses provide evidence during the hearing.
Public Can Watch Inquest Proceedings Online
The inquest will be conducted by video conference, allowing members of the public to observe the proceedings remotely.
A live viewing link has been made available through the Office of the Chief Coroner’s designated online platform.
Members of the public can access the proceedings at:
Additional information about Ontario’s coroner’s inquest process is available through the provincial government’s website.
The hearing is expected to conclude within four days, although its duration will depend on the proceedings and evidence presented.
The inquest will provide a formal public examination of the circumstances surrounding Desjardins’s death more than four years after the incident. Its findings and any resulting jury recommendations could help inform future workplace safety measures aimed at preventing similar fatalities in Ontario.
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