The provincial government isn’t committing to an inquiry into the suicide of a 17 year-old Indigenous male in northern Ontario.
Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa called for the probe last week.
However, Associate Minister for Children and Women’s Issues Jill Dunlop says the decision is out of their hands.
She says the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services doesn’t comment on individual cases because of privacy reasons.
Dunlop adds the decision to hold an inquest is made by the Office of the Chief Coroner.
“The Chief Coroner and his staff are experts in their field and are responsible for determining whether an inquest is necessary. Childrens Aid Societies follow a joint Ministry/Office of the Chief Coroner directive when a child, who has been in care within the last year dies, to help understand what happened and to identify opportunities so further deaths may be prevented.”
Dunlop stresses the death or injury of any child is unacceptable.
