Proceedings to begin in the morning of Aug. 29
The date for the inquest into the death of a worker who died in 2015 has been set, according to the Ontario government.
Dr. Harry Voogjarv, regional supervising coroner for North Region, Sudbury Office said the proceedings that will look into the circumstances surrounding the death of Richard Pigeau will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, August 29, 2022, at the Sudbury Courthouse, Courtroom “A”, 155 Elm Street.
The 54-year-old Pigeau died on Oct. 20, 2015 from injuries he sustained while working at the Nickel Rim South Mine in the City of Greater Sudbury. An inquest into his death is mandatory under the Coroners Act.
“The purpose of the inquest is to examine the circumstances surrounding Mr. Pigeau’s death,” according to the Ontario government. “Once all parties with standing have the opportunity to present their information and ask questions of the witnesses, the jury may make recommendations aimed at preventing future deaths from occurring in similar circumstances.”
The inquest is expected to last five days and hear from 14 witnesses.
Dr. David Cameron will be the presiding officer and Jeffrey Martin will be inquest counsel.
The Ontario government noted that mandatory inquests are held when:
- a death occurs on the job at a construction site, mine, pit or quarry
- a death occurs while a person is in custody or being detained (unless, in some circumstances, a death investigation determines the death occurred from natural causes in which case the inquest is discretionary)
- a death occurs due to an injury sustained or other event that occurred in custody, or when the use of force of a police officer, special constable, auxiliary member of a police force or First Nations Constable is the cause of death
- a death of a child is the result of a criminal act of a person who has custody of the child, if certain circumstances are met
- a death occurs while being physically restrained and detained in a psychiatric facility, hospital or secure treatment program
Recently, the Ontario government announced the inquest proceedings that will look into the 2016 death of construction worker Olivier Bruneau will have to wait – again.
In June, a coroner’s inquest jury in Ontario that looked into the death of a Sudbury dump truck driver five years ago recommended “best practice” protocols for truck drivers who get out of their vehicles to check their vehicles.
Also in June, Quebec’s safety regulator, also known as the CNESST, released the findings of its investigation into the death of Riley Jonathan Valcin, who was killed on December 25, 2021, while working at Montreal’s giant ferris wheel. The CNESST found that Valcin had been forced to work in a dangerous part of the workplace, with little regard for safety or training.
Also, a five-member jury at a coroner's inquest in New Brunswick determined that all higher-risk workplaces should require safety supervisors dedicated to on-site safety compliance.
