November 18, 2008

Porter calls inquests into two separate construction-site fatalities

TORONTO

Two inquests into two separate construction site deaths have been called by Dr. Bonita Porter, Deputy Chief Coroner of Inquests.

The first inquest to be held will be into the death of Cory Fournier, 21, who died Feb.19 from injuries received during the course of his employment at a construction site in Newmarket.

That inquest is expected to last two days and will hear from approximately seven witnesses.

The inquest will begin at 10 a.m. on Dec. 8, 2008, at the Town of Aurora Council Chambers, 1 Municipal Drive. Dr. William J. Lucas will preside as inquest coroner and Joseph St. Michael will be counsel to the coroner.

The second inquest is into the death of Kenneth Topley, 49, who died August 3, 2006, from injuries received during the course of his employment at a construction site in Vaughan.

That inquest is expected to last three days and will hear from approximately six witnesses.

This inquest will begin at 10 a.m. on Dec. 10, also at the Town of Aurora Council Chambers, with Lucas presiding as inquest coroner and Joseph St. Michael as counsel to the coroner.

Under the Coroners Act, an inquest is mandatory when a worker dies as a result of an accident occurring at a construction project.

Both inquests will review the circumstances surrounding the worker deaths and will explore issues relating to safety at construction sites.

Canadian Press

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