An inquiry into the passing of a 27-year-old individual while in custody at Thunder Bay Jail has been delayed due to the unexpected death of their partner.
Kevin Mamakwa, a relative of Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa, passed away on June 2, 2020. In accordance with the Ontario Coroners Act, investigations are mandatory for individuals who perish while in custody or jail.
The inquiry, initially scheduled to take place over a two-week period, was halted shortly after commencing on Monday. It resumed on Tuesday morning, with presiding officer Michael Wilson announcing the postponement due to the recent passing of Kevin’s partner.
Wilson expressed that proceeding with the inquiry at this time would not be suitable given the tragic circumstances. A new date for the inquiry has yet to be determined, with the possibility of resuming proceedings in June, marking six years since Kevin’s demise. Whether the inquiry will be conducted in person or virtually remains uncertain.
NAN, a political territorial organization representing 49 First Nations in Treaties 9 and 5, released a joint statement on Tuesday along with Kevin’s father, Jonathon Mamakwa, outlining the necessity of temporarily delaying the proceedings. The statement emphasized the importance of obtaining answers and addressing systemic issues within the correctional system.
Sol has advocated for the closure of Thunder Bay Jail citing safety concerns, as construction continues on a new correctional complex in the city to alleviate overcrowding.
In a coroner’s inquest, witnesses provide details regarding the circumstances surrounding a person’s demise, followed by a jury determining the cause and manner of death, as well as potential preventive recommendations for the future.
The inquiry into Kevin’s passing was anticipated to span 10 days and involve testimony from approximately 15 individuals. Ontario is currently seeking feedback on a potential amendment to the Coroners Act that could replace mandatory inquests with annual reviews led by coroners, with the possibility of conducting inquests upon request or when deemed necessary by the chief coroner.