Inquests for deaths involving on-duty officers to become mandatory in Nunavut

Mandatory inquests for deaths involving an on-duty police officer are among changes to the Coroners Act, which will come into effect on Aug. 31.

The amendments to the Coroners Act were approved during the spring sitting of the Nunavut legislative assembly on May 31.

Changes include new requirements to report deaths to the coroner, according to a news release Friday from the Department of Justice.

The director of child and family services must now report any death of a child or youth under their care or supervision. Under a guardianship order, public guardians and private guardians must also report the death of an individual under their charge.

The RCMP is also ordered to report any death involving an on-duty police officer.

Changes to the Coroners Act will allow a coroner to conduct an investigation into a death without having access to the body. Such circumstances include situations in which a body cannot be recovered, or the body has been destroyed or removed from the territory.

The law against public interference with a body has also been expanded to include prohibiting “immediate surroundings and associated wreckage” unless necessary to preserve the body or to protect health or safety.

Questions about the recent legislative changes can be directed to the office of the chief coroner.