Article content continued

When the change was first introduced last week, Attorney General and Minister of Justice Gord Wyant told reporters that, “In the case where there is something other than natural cause, certainly there will be an inquest. That continues to be the legislation.”

That was not true.

The minister later returned to speak with reporters, telling them that he had misinformed himself with respect to the amendments of the legislation.

“What these changes will do is allow the coroner to call an inquest with respect to an in-custody death, as he would with respect to any other death that didn’t happen in custody,” he told reporters last week.

The change allows the coroner to decide when an inquest will be held. If Wyant disagrees with a decision made by the coroner, he can overturn it.

Wyant admitted “it’s a little ironic” that he made an error in introducing a change in law that is essentially asking the public to put more faith in his office.

Despite the mistake, Wyant signalled Monday the government will go forward with the change.

He said coroner’s reports, which remain mandatory any time an in-custody death takes place, will be made public.

“(The coroner’s) investigations that are done as a result of in-custody deaths will be made public,” said Wyant.

Nicole Saurer, the NDP justice critic, said the change is really disappointing.

“What this legislation is going to result in is less opportunity for transparency and accountability and the ability for us to make positive changes in the corrections system,” she said.

Delaney said the Elizabeth Fry Society was “not at all” consulted on the change.

When asked about consultations, Wyant said his office consulted with the coroner’s office.

“I’m not sure what the level of consultation was done on it, there were certainly some discussions between my office and the coroner’s office in terms of the need to have an inquest in any particular circumstance,” he said.

dfraser@postmedia.com