Within recently proposed tough on crime legislation came a number of regressive changes to the Canadian legal and prison system, and it’s associated processes.

Among these are changes to the Coroners Act to remove the requirements for mandatory inquests to be conducted following non-natural deaths in custody, to be replaced by an annual report. This change has been presented as a cost reducing measure that will streamline processes by eliminating the need for witnesses, jurors, and costs associated with inquests. What is plainly says is that incarcerated people do not matter, and penal institutions are above the law.

There is currently an open consultation phase related to the proposed changes. We invite you to contribute, and submit comments here: Submit Comment | regulatoryregistry.gov.on.ca

Read more here: Amending the Coroners Act to Enable Annual Reviews of Non-natural Deaths in Correctional Institutions. | regulatoryregistry.gov.on.ca